Newfun4me

This has been the best review!!!  I loved reading about your cruise and your dad.  🙂  Mine sounds REALLY similar - hilarious without trying.  And mine is also in the early stages of Alzheimer's.  It's tough.

So...  I think everyone wants to know when you are cruising next so we can either be ready to read your reviews or make sure we are on the same sailing.  

Thanks for taking us with you!

On 7/30/2022 at 2:49 PM, saltsandknit said:

The Veuve Rose is my favorite.

I love Vueve, but haven't tried the Rose.  Thank you!

On 7/30/2022 at 2:25 PM, rikitikitavii said:

Botanist Gin

Thank you!!!  I will add it to my list.  

6 hours ago, PammyMouse said:

We were regulars at The Cellars on Dawn. Castello Banfi Brunello was our go to. And Veuve of course.

Thanks!

Thanks, everyone!!!  Super helpful!

On 7/26/2022 at 5:10 PM, PTC DAWG said:

Whistle Pig…

This is one of the things I was trying to remember.  Thank you!

On 7/27/2022 at 9:13 AM, weltek said:

Agree with the premium margarita suggestion (I am not a tequila fan, but when made with premium spirits, a good margarita is sometimes just what I want). 

 

Aviation and Tom Collins with Hendrick's gin 
French gimlet with St. Germain with Hendricks and St. Germain
French 75 with Hendrick's and a premium champagne
Vodka 7s, Vodka Sodas and Vodka Cranberry with Ciroc vodka 
Reverse Manhattan (switches ratio of Rye to Vermouth) with Whistle Pig Rye
Bourbon Sour with Woodford Reserve or Booker's
Let's not talk about the amount of Veuve Clicquot I'd probably have.
I'd be happy to try all the wines!

Alas, it's not worth it to me, so you'll have to drink these all on my behalf. 🙂

These are great!!  Thank you!!

On 7/27/2022 at 9:17 AM, trivimp said:

VEUVE ALL DAY 🥂

Definitely my plan!!

On 7/26/2022 at 3:13 PM, phillygwm said:

I got Premium Plus for the first time on my most recent cruise.  I'll always get it going forward (not solely for the alcohol!)

 

In addition to the Champagne, I liked to upgrade my Margaritas (Cointreau instead of triple sec, nicer tequila...I think I used Patron Reposado but I might be mistaken.)

Thanks!  Great idea.  🙂

We are on the Encore to Alaska on October 9.  I have upgraded to the Premium Plus Beverage package because I have a lot of FCC that will expire at the end of this year and I can't take another cruise after Alaska.  I love nice champagne and I'm looking forward to those options.  But, the other thing I'd like to do is take advantage of stuff I wouldn't normally drink.  I want to try new things that I might not otherwise order when I'm out and about (or mixing something at home).

For those of you that get the Premium Plus package, what do you order?  What's a must-not-miss for you?  

And for those that don't get that package, is there something you think is worth the extra payment?  

I'm planning to make a list and get my money's worth.

Thanks everyone!!!

Kim

Reading this thread has helped me make my decision to purchase the PP package - in large part to try some of the options listed here!  I'm so looking forward to it.  Thanks to all for sharing your perspective.  

Yes!  I actually just called today.  My fare went down by $164 (and I definitely asked to have it repriced as all the perks are the same) but my mom's dropped by almost $1,000!  

On 4/19/2022 at 11:02 AM, sbsmutoni said:

So, I just want some OPINIONS (I know everyone will think differently, but I want pros and cons).....my husband and I are taking our son and his partner on their first trip to Europe this summer.  We are booked on the Escape out of Rome on a 10-day port intensive itinerary.  My husband and I have cruised Europe many times, but as mentioned, it's a first for the boys.  Hubby and I selected a Haven Owner's Suite, and put the boys in a Club Suite.

 

Obviously, we will have Haven perks such as early boarding, priority disembarking in ports, Haven restaurant, etc., but they will not.  So my question is.....will this be much of an issue on the cruise?  I mean, I know we will have to choose for example to either board early without them or wait to board with them, etc.....but have any of your cruised in the Haven with travel partners who are NOT in the Haven, and if so, what was the experience?

 

And for the record, I'm debating about upgrading them to Haven so we'll all have the same perks....I'm not a cheap Momma, I'm paying for their cruise, flying them business class, and paying most of their ancillary expenses, but I'm looking at another several thousand dollars to move them to the Haven.

 

I knew all this going in, and thought I was good with it, but I just keep thinking I wish they were in the Haven.  🙂

 

Thanks for the feedback!

One other option (although this could be a big no) would be to downgrade your room a little bit (YIKES - I LOVE an Owners Suite) to help offset the cost of putting them in the Haven.  

I ask myself this question a lot as we often treat our young adult kids to vacation with us.  I book them in the same category that we are in.  I know they won't always be able to travel with us and things will eventually start to get in the way - schedules, lack of vacation time, pull from the in-laws, them wanting to do their own thing, kid stuff, etc.  For now and while we can, we splurge.  It's as much for me as for them as I like being around them.  If I was you, I would bite the bullet and upgrade them.  You sound a lot like me and I think the joy you will get out of seeing them enjoying their fancy vacation will make it worth it.  I, personally, would be bummed if I was sitting in the Haven lounge and knew that they couldn't come if they wanted to. 

On the flip side, my mom and her boyfriend are joining us for a cruise to Alaska later this year.  We are Haven and they are not.  They are paying for their own trip and decided to join after we booked.  I know we'll have them join us for dinner in our suite and we will spend time with them on their aft balcony.  They mostly want to do their thing and we want to do ours.  That'll work out just fine.  BUT, I'll help her if she has an option to bid for Haven.  🙂

On 4/8/2022 at 6:17 PM, Sthrngary said:

@Newfun4meThere are two real questions here. First, In or out of Haven Proper.  Second, Budget.  

 

The most important thing you said was you were cruising in Alaska.  That makes all the difference in my answer.  The secrets to Alaska for me are my balcony and access to the Deck 19 Sundeck.  From a balcony standpoint I want it to be on the larger size but for two folks, just big enough for two lounge chairs.  From a Sundeck stand point I want to be able to sail Glacier Bay and have access to the outside hot tub on the Sundeck.  I love the huge Aft Balcony however if I went into the Haven Sundeck, that is quite the walk wet.  

 

If this was a much warmer cruise itinerary, I would do the Aft Balcony in a heart beat. So I would give up a Huge Balcony for a decent sized one.  This means NO Two bedroom Family Villa.  Not even the one that has a large balcony on deck 17.  

 

Now the budget question.  For this cruise the ultimate in cruising experiences when budget is not a consideration is the H2 Haven Deluxe Owners Suite. One floor below the Sundeck and one floor above the Horizon Lounge which has a grand view in a climate controlled environment.  

 

If the H2 investment is out of the question, for me it is, then any Haven Suite other then the Haven Spa Suite in the front of the ship even it is not in Haven Proper.  This way you get a nice sized balcony, and a short elevator or stairs to the Haven entrance or if in Haven proper to the sundeck and the lounge. 

 

I only brought up the H2 Owners Suite because you stayed in one before.  I hope in some way that helps you.

 

Cruise well.

Thank you.  This is very helpful.  The Owners Suite is already sold out or we would have booked it.   We are currently in a 2-bedroom because we do like more space than the courtyard suite offers.  We also have a significant amount of credit we need to use this year before it expires.  I was trying to decide between the 2-bedroom suite or an aft suite.  You have helped me and I am staying where we are - although I'm on hold with NCL right now to move our cabin to 17100.  It sounds like that cabin has a good-size balcony.  Thank you again!  I love reading your posts and find them incredibly helpful.

On 4/9/2022 at 5:37 PM, david_sobe said:

17100

Thanks!!

On 3/5/2021 at 6:11 PM, david_sobe said:

I was in Peachypooh's suite after she left. I can add that it is spectacular.  Its only steps away to the Horizon lounge through your own private door outside.  We loved the large balcony and being so close to the Horizon lounge.  But any suite on Encore has advantages being close to something like the Haven restaurant, bar, or pool too.

Hi - which cabin number did you have?  We are currently booked in 17104 and I'm concerned about the size of the balcony.  Thank you!!!

19 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

Hello, allow me to answer your question a little differently.  Years ago, I booked the NCL Pearl in a Haven two Bedroom Family Villa.  The Pearl does not have a dedicated Haven Restaurant or Haven Bar.  Prior to that cruise, I went on one of NCL Bigger ships in the Haven.  I was completely sold.  I cancelled the Pearl (I would cruise on the Pearl but not in the Haven) and booked the Encore.  

 

If I was only doing the Haven once, I would do the Bliss or the Encore.  I have done the Haven on the NCL Joy and it was lovely however the Joy had extra Haven Suites leading to a much more crowded Haven Bar and Sundeck.  The Joy also does not have a Thermal Spa which I love.

 

Please remember, the Haven is not for everyone and it is most definitely not perfect.  It is however an excellent way to improve your cruising experience on a larger NCL ship.  

 

Cruise well.

Question - if you were booking Haven on the Encore, would you book within the Haven complex or would you consider a Haven aft suite with large balcony for Alaska?  I'm struggling with that decision.  We did Alaska a few years ago on the Jewel in the DOS and didn't really spend any time in the actual Haven area.  We spent a lot of time on our own balcony.  I'd love to hear your thoughts.    

Great attitude and appreciate you sharing your story!!!  

Thanks!  Great review!  We are booked in the Haven to Alaska in October.  I really appreciate the details!!!

2 hours ago, esm54687 said:

I know you probably already know this since you had the Encore booked but don't forget to get the appropriate paperwork for her signed by her parents updated closer to sail date. 

 

Also, highly recommend a passport book for her so if anything happens she can fly home without a delay....  

Thanks!  That little one is a world traveler - Ireland and Scotland last year and Greece and Canada the year before.  Paris is on their itinerary for this year, but they are in a wait and see mode.  We'll definitely have her passport.  

3 hours ago, mjkacmom said:

We’ve sailed on the Gem, Breakaway and the Jewel. We have 5 kids close in age. None of them liked the 10 - 12 year old age kids clubs (I blame the age and not the clubs), even the time when the youngest were 10, 10 and 12 and were together. They ended up just doing things together, but weren’t old enough to just wander the ship. My boys did better on the smaller ship at those ages because of the sports courts, they’d go and shoot hoops or join games. If she was old enough for the teen club I’d say go for it, all of my kids made friends there the first night and had a group to hang with.

 

ETA can she bring a friend?

Thanks - I worry about her interest in the clubs at her age, too.  I would LOVE it if she could bring a friend.  We always did that with my son (only child), but it's a little different because she's my niece and they live out of state.  I don't really know any of her friends.  I asked my sister her thoughts on that, but she wasn't a big fan of the idea.  🙂  

12 minutes ago, ColeThornton said:

The Garden Villa would be great but honestly 11 year olds don't really care about that, and that's the one person you want to keep happy.  Being in Bermuda you'll most likely be spending a good amount of your time off the ship.

 

 

For teens and pre-teens go for the vessel that has all the bells and whistles.  Either choice, I'm sure you'll have a good time.

Hmmm... something to consider for sure.  I'm a little worried about it with her as I want her to have a great time.  I could also look at Joy and Breakaway.  I guess more research is warranted.  🙂

Hi All,

We just rebooked our cruise to Bermuda (initially planned for the first week of June this year out of NYC) for the beginning of June next year.  We were originally scheduled on the Encore and have rebooked on the Gem from Boston.  My husband and I will be cruising with our 22 year old son and his girlfriend and my niece who will be almost 12.  There was a lot of stuff to do on the Encore.  What do you think about the Gem for their age bracket?  With the discount and the extra credit, I was able to book the Garden Villa for less than what I spent for 2 Haven Suites on the Encore, so we'll have plenty of room to hang out together there.  

Thanks!

Kim

I can access the form, but it's telling me my information doesn't match.  That's awesome.