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kalypso333

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Posts posted by kalypso333

    Thermal Spa - Viva

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    38 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

     

    $299 is an excellent price. It costs that much for a 7-day cruise. 
     

    Open 8 am - 10 pm daily

     

    It will be “relaxing”

    Paid $419 for 19 nights. Go when you can and enjoy. Even for 1/2 hour. The showers are awesome. 
     

    Kip

    • Like 1

    No More Veuve, No More Grey Goose

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted · Edited by kalypso333

    2 hours ago, cruisebeachgirl703 said:

    Curious with the P+ Flyer changing May 1st and we are mid way through May any recent experiences with the P+ package ordering Veuve by the glass, ship and bar specific?

    Off the Getaway on 5/11. Vibe had Veuve by the glass, Haven did not - until 5 days in. Then Veuve by the glass appeared. I think Haven staff searched the ship for bottles left over from the bars. Staff confirmed it would be a bottle for purchase only, in future. Interestingly our Haven stateroom had a bottle of Moët on ice when we embarked. 
     

    May be old news, but flavored vodkas are gone. 

    • Like 1

    The NCL Haven Luxury VIP Experience "Secrets" REVISED for 2022

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    On 10/20/2022 at 7:25 PM, Sthrngary said:

    @lisa928 You and others are the reason why I love CruiseCritic.com.  I assure you when folks are mean, or rude or turn up the heat on me I have to have a internal conversation with myself.  It goes like this, "Gary, you can take the High Road, or the Low Road.  The Low Road is like scratching an itch.  It initially feels GOOD and then becomes infected.  The High Road is much harder work and rarely recognized."  

     

    The way I look at it, when anyone spends the extra premium to be in the Haven, they should know all the benefits and how to utilize them.  To many folks say things like, "I never asked the butler to do anything", or something else related to the Haven.  By sharing the "Secrets" so they are no longer "Secrets"; benefits current and future Haven Guest as well as NCL.  

     

    I always want to make sure that everyone has Realistic Expectations about the Haven also.  That is why when folks write a review and the give Pros and Cons of the Haven; it support others enjoyment of the experience.  

     

    Now for me selfishly.  The last two cruise (One I did on the Joy Solo the other we are about to do on the Breakaway) My wife and I will not be in the Haven.  I wish we were however like everyone else, we all have to look at our budgets and do the right thing for our selves.  In my case, I want to take a 10 day cruise in the Mediterranean at the end of 2023.  I can't do that and do the Haven.  The best part of this is I have learned to have a GREAT time doing Haven lite.  The key is cruising and the ocean.  Being with old and new friends.  We all put in our Bids for upgrade and hope for the best.  In my case, it really won't matter.  I just love to cruise.  

     

    Thanks again for your kind words. I wish my family knew that I am not thought of as an idiot on CruiseCritic, LOL.  Just being a Dad, I think.

     

    Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 
     

    I totally relate to this.  Be at see and enjoy. I also tend toward the spreadsheet, but I caution myself to plan and restrain  I don’t want to usurp the enjoyment of my husband who wants more spontaneity and more relaxed enjoyment  I’m a nut, but don’t want to make my travels nutty  

     

    • Like 1
    • Thanks 1

    How is MSC yacht club?

    in LGBTQIA+ Cruisers

    Posted

    Hey RMS,

     

    Great to see you around. Sailed with you many times on RSVP. You had yet to try NCL and was looking forward to Gauguin. Time marches forward and we wish you well. Too old to call and wake you at midnight to go partying now. Love ya. 
     

    Kip (and Ken)

     

    p.s. We just moved to Fort Myers. Would love to see you. 

    On Epic in the Med - COVID Observations

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    More thoughts:

     

    Wifi sucks! Kicked off after signing on regularly. Don’t buy multiple devices if not necessary. Seems most are offline because of poor service. 

     

    Christmas in Malaga SP looks alive and well. In fact everywhere we have been looks like they are getting ready.

     

    Having left Italy, the ship seems less worried about masks. 
     

    Bar.service is everywhere, even though the bar stools are unavailable.

     

    Thanksgiving dinner crowded the Haven restaurant - seems they brought in reinforcements. Turkey dinner was great!


    Black Friday seems to mean 20% off. Be sure to ask for VAT exemption. Stores seem well stocked. 
     

    That’s 

     

     

     

    On Epic in the Med - COVID Observations

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    On 11/21/2021 at 3:29 PM, kalypso333 said:

     Currently on the Epic. 
     

    Others may have different observations, but here are some COVID surprises:

     

    • No barstools open at the bars - big bummer if you like back and forth with bartender.
    • No saunas or steam rooms - yet in the Haven they still pointed them out.
    • Masks indoors and out.
    • Haven is full - rest of ship is 1/2 full. Told 2000ish onboard.
    • Told not fully staffed - and ratio seems normal


    Overall COVID has dampened the experience. Thrilled to be here, but very sedate experience.

     

    We are not scheduled to cruise again until 2023 - and that is okay with me…for now. 

     

    On 11/21/2021 at 3:29 PM, kalypso333 said:

     Currently on the Epic. 
     

    Others may have different observations, but here are some COVID surprises:

     

    • No barstools open at the bars - big bummer if you like back and forth with bartender.
    • No saunas or steam rooms - yet in the Haven they still pointed them out.
    • Masks indoors and out.
    • Haven is full - rest of ship is 1/2 full. Told 2000ish onboard.
    • Told not fully staffed - and ratio seems normal


    Overall COVID has dampened the experience. Thrilled to be here, but very sedate experience.

     

    We are not scheduled to cruise again until 2023 - and that is okay with me…for now. 

    Corrections from first impressions and a new one. 
     

    Sauna and steam rooms are open in Haven - just not being used.

    Masks may not be required outdoors, I was told they were and most are wearing them.  Others told me they were required. 
    Wifi was a hassle. Had to deal with not having my prepaid upswell from 500 min. Wifi is okay. 
    Food has been better than previous experiences. Everything is being served hot and pretty tasty. 
     

    On Epic in the Med - COVID Observations

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

     Currently on the Epic. 
     

    Others may have different observations, but here are some COVID surprises:

     

    • No barstools open at the bars - big bummer if you like back and forth with bartender.
    • No saunas or steam rooms - yet in the Haven they still pointed them out.
    • Masks indoors and out.
    • Haven is full - rest of ship is 1/2 full. Told 2000ish onboard.
    • Told not fully staffed - and ratio seems normal


    Overall COVID has dampened the experience. Thrilled to be here, but very sedate experience.

     

    We are not scheduled to cruise again until 2023 - and that is okay with me…for now. 

    • Like 1

    Repositioning - Buy one, get one free drinks packages on board ?

    in Celebrity Cruises

    Posted

    can someone tell me what is a 'repositioning' cruise? - sounds interesting

     

    A repositioning cruise is when the cruise line moves a ship from one home port to another home port. Usually it is seasonal. For example moving a ship from Alaska in September to the Caribbean. Caribbean to Alaska in May. Our particular upcoming repositioning is moving the Eclipse from South America (our winter season, their summer) eventually to Alaska (our summer season). They are usually lower priced and do not include perks. We Chile to San Diego, 15 night balcony, for $1500 ea. No perks. Adding the drink package made it $2200. Repositioning cruises that sell well, will increase in price quite rapidly. Current pricing is about $3000 pp for a balcony and it is still over a year away.

    Haven on the Epic

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    Thank you so much for your replies! Right now I am trying really hard to make my decision and this just made it harder. LOL

     

    If I choose an aft facing haven room, will I be unhappy with it being so far away from the Haven? That is my main struggle right now as the price is good for that room, but it seems strange to have it so far away from everything.

     

    I would not book a Haven stateroom outside of the Haven area. I found the Epic very crowded outside of the Haven area and it is quite a walk from one end of the ship to the other - especially since we spent 80% of our time in the Haven compound. A huge part of the appeal of a Haven cabin is walking out your stateroom to an exclusive, quite area with name recognition by all staff. The Posh area is absolutely included (only on Epic) and is very large. The restaurant is very good, but after 13 days onboard the menu did feel limited - the specialty restaurants will become respite.

     

    Kip

    Spa warning norweigen

    in Norwegian Cruise Line

    Posted

    My experience...

     

    I was on a 13 day TA from FL to Barcelona with another 1 1/2 weeks in Barcelona. I left with lower back pain, a chronic condition for me, and it got worse immediately on the ship. I was facing a 3 week+ vacation in pain. While getting a mani/pedi my tech suggested acupuncture. Having had experience with nontraditional medicine, I tried it with high expectations. The therapy was not provided by an MD, and I did not expect that. But he was trained in China and that is what I would hope for. Over the cruise he treated me and I was 80-90% relieved of pain. I have since received more acupuncture at home with additional favorable results.

     

    If you are not inclined to not inclined to receive nontraditional treatments, I would not give my opinion on patient choice, as it is probably irrelevant.

     

    I did not expect medical insurance coverage, but have received my own HSA reimbursement. I did not think of travel insurance coverage, which I had, but don't think I will bother with it. My treatment on the ship was $750 for 5 visits.

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