zebrazeb

Haven cabins have them.

Received my rejection e-mail Friday (2 days before cruise about 1:00 Eastern).  This leaves this Sunday for xmas cruise, so really did not expect to be upgraded, as it is a full ship.  We are already staying in a forward facing Haven suite, so it is going to be a great cruise already!!   for informational purposes all of my bids were the lowest possible, except one went to the next lowest level.

1 hour ago, CTCruiser001 said:

If you are last to arrive, you'll be stuck in the security line with everyone else...That is usually the longest line. Once through here, there will be signage going by different levels - The Suite/Havens are usually the furthest in the back.

Thank you for the input.  maybe if we are last, the lines will be smaller?  I can always hope.

Hope I am asking this correctly, but I am a little confused about New Orleans port entry for Haven.  2 years ago when we entered in Miami, there was easy to find signage for Haven entry.  For the many threads I have read through, does not seem the same for New Orleans?

Can anyone give feedback, when we walk up to port from Hilton Hotel, right at port, is there an easy to find Haven entrance from there.

WE typically are more of the last to arrive instead of first to arrive.  So really to not want to wait an hour in a line, to find out later, there was a special Haven entry on the far end...

really appreciate any help.

watching this topic simply out of curiosity, as we will be on this ship.

On 12/17/2019 at 12:35 PM, Vyhanek said:

This ^^^

The Pre-Concierge is useless.   They have no better access than what you can get online.....which is very, very little.   

 

Once your son gets onboard he will be introduced to the Concierge immediately.   At that point, they will ask for dining requests.   Its a very normal, every single cruise routine that Haven guests enjoy.    Don't worry about it.

 

My other Haven tip is to dine outside of the Haven the first evening.   The Haven restaurant will be really crowded with all the Haven guests wanting to eat there that night.    If you wait until night 2, those people will have moved on to different restaurants on the ship and your son will have great service in the Haven restaurant because they won't be that busy.    He should also avoid the last evening dining in the Haven.     Same theory applies.   Everyone else has dined the other restaurants around the ship all week.   Then comes the last night and they all realize the Haven has the best food and service on the ship and they want to eat in the Haven on the last night.   Its also very crowded.

 

Hhmm...thanks.  Re-thinking my dinner choices now.  I was thinking just that, eat the first night, and probably last night.  You logic and experience sure makes a lot of sense.  Thank you again!

On 12/17/2019 at 9:29 AM, luckyinpa said:

if you email them and something isnt available , 2 days before the cruise the onboard concierge looks at all the internal notes and fixes everything

 

ill tell you next week if this turns out to be the case.

I e-mailed earlier in the week, and was e-mailed back within 10 minutes saying what I wanted was already booked, and she would forward to on ship reservations, and check when I am on ship.

I should mention we are in a Haven room, so I expect to not have any issues with the days/times I wanted.  Even though we are on a xmas cruise that is full.

On 12/17/2019 at 9:24 AM, Heckah said:

I made some reservations and decided to move some and emailed NorwegianConciergeDesk@ncl.com

 

They emailed back that I was all set.  I won't know for sure obviously until my cruise next month, but it seemed like they took care of it.

 

 

the changes should show up on your on line account already.

really good review   thanks for sharing.   we will be on borda christmas week.

15 hours ago, dbrown84 said:

either way, I won't be at work 🙂 We board in 28 days!!

I love this.

I say this about anything and everything that others say is bad...

thanks for posting.  we are sailing out of new orleans on Dec 22.  will be interesting to see how "busy" it is getting on ship.  not looking forward to that past.  the first day is always a bit trying, getting used to everything on biard.  but usually whne we get up for day two, we are so ready to just enjoy!!

we purchased one card for an upcoming Christmas cruise.  One more expense out of the way, and paid for. to not think about, and make the cruise more enjoyable.  Sounds like it can be used in a few places beyond just the arcade, so makes it even more fun!!

amazing how this thread has gone all over the place.  My opinion of what I will do, is probably the same, but I feel a little more informed, based on opinions/facts people have said in the thread.

I pay my DSC up front, before the cruise, so I know what my initial overall cost will be.  It is for the behind the scenes people, and the like, so I am ok with this, as long as I know this up front.

This next cruise, we will be in Haven, and like once before, will most likely tip my butler and concierge, with what I feel is appropriate for their use.  I never use the butler, and honestly think this trip, will even tell them to just NOT bring the daily snack.  Too much food all over the cruise anyway, and just do not need it.  Last cruise received thank you gifts of food, from concierge, casino, etc.  So we had piles of food in room, that was not eaten fully.  The concierge we actually used last time for general questions, dinner reservations, getting off ship through special elevator.  How much is that service worth?   For me, not too much.

Last time I did ok, in casino, so felt ok sharing some of that with concierge, butler, and room attentend….and yes my wife got the most 😉

thank you for posting all the menus including Haven.

great post thank you

Watching thread....We will be on board December 22.

that is awesome....congrats!!!

On 11/22/2019 at 10:06 PM, DanzOma said:

It is one arcade package per stateroom, they expect it to be shared by everyone in the stateroom.

 

NCL will put it on one person's key card and it's that card that needs to be swiped (you choose who).  I'd put it on an adult's card since the 8 year old may not be going to the arcade/O'Sheehan's by himself? 

 

So I went to purchase, and there were selections to be able to the buy the card for each person in room.  NOT one per room.  So I bought just one, and put it on my card.  I figured 99.9% of the time my 8 year old would be with me anyway if we were in the arcade, or anywhere else it would be used.  

Of course the question becomes, is it ok to share the card between us?  I know what my answer is, but curious if anyone else has had this dilemma?

17 hours ago, Double Jack said:

Yes to both.  The port is walkable from the Hilton.  Taxi was only $20 including tip so I just went with the cab.

 

French Quarter is also walkable.  We walked all over.

 

 

thanks.  think we will just walk through the mall for Hilton.  Seems a lot quicker than waiting for a cab.

On 11/16/2019 at 7:50 PM, GettotheSun said:

 

That's a great idea, bring a champagne cork!  Duh!   Thanks for that advice.

 

I do still wonder if I'm taking a bottle from the restaurant does that look really weird?  

 

 

Yes, this is the other reason for me thinking of upgrading is the water.  Both still and sparkling water, which seems to have some crazy price on board for some reason (and not included in the premium drink package or the kids drink package).

 

look weird???   you are on vacation who cares!!!

....following thread.

22 hours ago, Double Jack said:

Installment #5 Pre/Post-Cruise 3-Night Stay in New Orleans

 

Appreciate you writing so much...very helpful.

We will be on the Gateway for xmas cruise, and staying at Hilton day before/day after.

Is the Hilton walkable as noted?  Also is French quarter walkable from Hilton?  We live in Downtown Chicago, so walking is normal for us.

I am 30 days out, and it is definitely available for purchases.  not sure how long it has been there, sorry.

10 hours ago, DanzOma said:

It is one arcade package per stateroom, they expect it to be shared by everyone in the stateroom.

 

NCL will put it on one person's key card and it's that card that needs to be swiped (you choose who).  I'd put it on an adult's card since the 8 year old may not be going to the arcade/O'Sheehan's by himself? 

 

thank you.  one card (mine) it is then!!

following thread.  is it ok to just get one card for 8 year old, or best to get another for adult?

5 hours ago, SliderNc said:

@Sthrngary Thanks for posting some great tips and tricks for The Haven.

 

Really appreciate your thoughts on Haven.  agree with you.       Haven is a choice....as with any VIP type experience.  I want to enjoy my vacation, and am willing to pay extra for the haven experience....on a FAMILY friendly cruise line.