WhenIsOurNextCruise

Thanks for the info!

We have free specialty dining but what happens regarding our 16 year old grandson who will not be dining on the kid’s menu?  Do we  need to purchase specialty dining for him?

Does anyone have b2b experience they can share regarding Port Canaveral?  We board on Sunday and are curious how it will work.

We are a group of 8 looking for recommendations for a comfortable and spacious car/van service from our hotel in Covent Garden to Southampton.  Would prefer one vehicle for all of us plus luggage.  Thanks

YES!!!

on the Prima and World Series will be in The Local and on your cabin television!

We have been on NCL during the football playoff games and they played back-to-back games during the playoffs, in the atrium.  Hoping we can watch!

Getting on Prima tomorrow and wondering if anyone currently on NCL has been able to watch the first two games.

BirdTravels,

We are cruising on Prima out of Galveston for 11 days in the Haven on MONDAY.  And we are so excited and really appreciate all the information you provided!  We have a 12:00 terminal arrival time.  However our driver (niece) has to drop us off around 11:00.  Wondering if you know if we have to wait until noon to enter the terminal.  We have been on just about every NCL ship and have never before noticed an assigned arrival time.  We are Diamond tier and booked through CAS if you think that might help.

Thanks!

When we go to Los Lobos we order tableside guac and quesadillas - and split them.  No entre and we are full.

I don’t think they do very well with odd one-off issues.  I’m sure you will check your bill when you board.  Have a great cruise!  

Since we have watched almost every televised Astros game this year, watching the World Series is exactly one if the activities we want to do on our cruise!  We have had football games in the old O’Sheehan’s on the big screen in the past, as well as many in our cabin.  And with the ship leaving out of Galveston there should be plenty of interest!   

We are sailing in the Haven on the Prima out of Galveston next week.  We were assigned a check-in time of noon but wondering if we will be able to check in earlier if we arrive earlier, now that there are no Covid procedures.

Thanks for the Casino responses!

Does anyone know the name of the concierge?  I know, sadly,  it’s not Adrian Bica.  I think he has brought out every new ship from NCL since the Epic, until now.  

Casino Players - wondering if anyone can give me a guess on how many video poker machines they have. In the casino photos I have seen just a few.  We are going on the 10/31 Galveston to Miami voyage and can’t hardly wait!  I play table games but my casino passion is VP.
 

The Bird, thanks for your objective and detailed review.  It was very informative and thorough.

I think I am correct in saying this is the first time since the Epic that will not have Adrian Bica as the concierge bringing out the new ship.  IMHO, Adrian was the best.  We sailed with him many times and he is amazing.  We wish him all the best in his new endeavors.  He will be missed.  His sister, Christina, is still in management in the casino department with NCL.  She is equally charming.  Hopefully she will be helping bring out the Prima.

Are ships stopping in Acapulco?  We are on upcoming Bliss and they dropped Costa Rica from the itinerary and added Acapulco.  If you were there recently did you feel safe?  Is there a big police presence?  We are concerned.

We are a party of six and have been to St. Martin before.  I am wondering if we can get off the ship and hire a taxi for the day to go to just the places we want to go.  Mainly Maho Beach for lunch and then some shopping.  Do they have taxi vans that will accommodate 6 people?  TIA

H4, no question.  Second bedroom with bathroom leaves the living dining area a sleep free and potentially clutter free zone.  Two bathrooms for four people definitely speeds up departure time and reduces stress!  H4 is relatively large and luxurious!

The Haven on Gem and the Haven on the Away class ships are two different worlds.  If you are happy where you are on the Gem then stick with it.  

Epic and above are a different story with the pool, private sundeck, restaurant, bar,  concierge desk and even observation lounges on some of them.  In Alaska, for example, on the Bliss or Joy the Haven guests have their own observation lounge that is approximately the same size as the general observation lounge shared by the rest of the ship.  The lounge is wonderful and seldom crowded.  The Haven usually provides a sense of peace and serenity, the crew takes very good care, and the concierge can sometimes make magic happen with reservations, sold out excursions and last minute changes.   Honestly, if there is a Haven on a ship then I plan to be in it instead of wishing I was.

On 7/27/2019 at 10:42 AM, graphicguy said:

Tip whatever you feel comfortable with.

 

I have always used the concierge a lot while staying in the Haven.  I plan nothing.  I let him/her take care of all my restaurant, entertainment, excursion, etc. plans.  I also let them deal with any billing or customer service issues.  Therefore, I tip them the most ($100 per person in my cabin).  I rarely use my Butler.  So, (S)he gets a flat $50 for bringing snacks and ice.

 

Room Steward gets $75, as they are usually the ones bringing extra towels, etc.

 

I tip my favorite Haven Bartender $50 for making my favorite drinks throughout the week without me even asking.

 

Haven Restaurant wait staff seems to rotate.  So, actually don’t tip them unless they have gone over and above taking care of me.  But, I also don’t eat every meal in the Haven Restaurant, either.

On 7/27/2019 at 11:32 AM, cruisingator2 said:

 

 

This.......We only give gratuities when we use the service or the butler or concierge and it depends on how much we request. 

Regarding Haven Bartender and Haven restaurant, IF the service is friendly and efficient, we tip as we go which is usually 5 for breakfast, $10 for lunch and $20 for dinner.  Same goes for the bartender, we tip as we go.  Maybe after a couple of round of drinks we will leave $5.  

On 7/27/2019 at 10:16 AM, sverigecruiser said:

 

Sorry, my mistake.

 

I meant disembarkation, not embarkation.

 

Priority disembarkation doesn't need any coordination with the concierge if they just tell you where to go when you want to disembark. 

On 7/27/2019 at 10:16 AM, sverigecruiser said:

 

Sorry, my mistake.

 

I meant disembarkation, not embarkation.

 

Priority disembarkation doesn't need any coordination with the concierge if they just tell you where to go when you want to disembark. 

Here is the thing.  In the Haven the concierge doesn’t just tell you where to go, unless that is all you want to know.  The concierge actually invites you to assemble in the lounge and then when you are ready he escorts you down HIS elevator and you miraculously come out at the front of the disembarkation line.  Same goes for shows, tenders, exiting at ports.  We tip the Concierge more than the Butler because he can make all kinds of magic happen!

And they shortened the inaugural from Southampton to Miami from an 11 day cruise to a 9 day cruise, arriving in Miami (or NYC) on 11/11instead of 11/13.  So where are they going from 11/11 through 11/24?

Different amounts for different games and it also varies from ship to ship.  

As Haven guests we have experienced the offer of free lunch at Margaritaville on embarkation day.  They offer free to get you to try it and then come back later in the cruise and pay.  We enjoyed Queso, great burgers, lovely dessert and the Havana & Banana frozen drink is excellent!

As one in NYC waiting to get on the Breakaway just wondering where y’all are and how you are doing!  Any updates on arrival time?  Is everyone able to get airfare rebooked?  How is the weather?