Fogfog

31 minutes ago, ellewoods said:

Why don’t they tell people about the triangles 😂😂😂 on day 5 of my cruise now and finally I will know which direction I am going. Thanks!!

On the older ships, it was the way the fish were swimming.

Funny no one told you🤣

8 hours ago, mavie said:

Can anyone suggest the best and easiest way to make the most of a stop in Warnemund Germany  to get to Berlin( 3 hours away) . Ships tours are exorbitant and advertised ones not much better! 

We hear you on the price.

It is a ride. And a whirlwind tour of sights to get an overview of the city (we got a good lunch too)

I do want to say--that on our excursion--we had unanticipated traffic/rerouting both directions due to construction on the roads.

Because we were on a ship tour that ran over an hour late (like 90 min)-- and a few buses were late--the ship had a late dinner in the buffet with a local music group performing, local food brought in etc and going late. We didn't miss out. 

We would do every port for some sort of outing/meal/culture thing- and choose carefully.

They are certainly old enough for this trip. We started traveling with ours at 3ys and 6 mos ...

August you will contend with the heat and a couple of those port stops- have longer bus rides. If you can swing it--choose the smaller bus/van excursions. Bring water bottles. Plan an ice cream budget.

You've got this!!

The one disadvantage with these roller bags is the bag weight for certain.

We have some very light "travel Lite" roller aboards and duffels that I bought years ago from a UK company. The roll-aboards were made to fit Ryanair specs. We used them for years

Just in Feb my better half said enough is enough because dragging the duffels was a pita--and we bought the hard side roller bags.

Wow--so much easier for self assist disembark this past Feb-March when we did semi B2B and had to change ports. They were great.

We have an early disemb at Southampton so we will self assist-roll off again (here's hoping Haven does what they promise)

And like you--I like packing cubes. My better half doesn't use them..so if we share bags to spread out the weight shoes 😉 ) at least shoe bags help. Toiletries/liquids double bagged.

Goal is for under 40#. 

Re the rainy weather Sat....That's really going to make it a bad hair day  😞

50 minutes ago, GrannyGail said:

I’m considering this TA next week. What kind of weather are you expecting and what kind of clothes are you taking?  I’ve done TA to Barcelona and Rome but nothing in the northern area.

Your guess is as good as ours. Check Wunderground--which only goes 10 days out for Halifax. Otherwise, sites that tell you seasonal/typical for late April for Iceland and beyond

Good to know the options

We are using Carmel. Prepaid. All in with fees/tips etc is spendy. Just didn't feel like doing the mass transit route 

Bigger vehicle than we needed yet with 2 roller bags and carry ons, we weren't certain the 2 rollers would fit in the reg sedan trunk. Didn't want a hassle from the driver

You are doing a better job of packing than I am.

My stuff is in growing piles on a guest bed... and my better half won't start thinking about it til about Wed 😲 

Weather for Sat changed to rain.

Fingers crossed it changes again and it is dry for embarkation. 

Rug shops in Morocco too. ha.

We figured even if we didn't know the woman, she certainly hustled to make sure we were happy. So she earned her tip. 

I am amazed that the YC staff knows names and preferences so quickly. I do wonder if the smart ships and wristbands help them at point of service.

We have had more than 1 bartender from ship to ship that seemed to know when to expect us whether before or after dinner and would have 2 fingers of Macallan neat for DH.

We had a bartender he'd find us on deck and bring us fabulous icy drinks of melon/basil and ? while we were enjoying a sea day (another line)

Great crew are a treasure. 

Sail well 😉

14 hours ago, no1talks said:

Having spent quite a few years in the hospitality food and beverage sector, I can state for a fact the majority of HFB service professionals are not as enamored with us as we may be with them.

There are, of course, exceptions that extend beyond the workplace. They are rare.

I believe it.

On recent B2B we were discussing how the YC Dir and others often have the ability to make you think you are the center of the universe, and then do the same for the guy in the next chair. It is quite a gift to make everyone's vacay special. Requires a lot of stamina

OTOH when we boarded the Seashore, going into Lunch at Embarkation and Asst M'D knew us from Meraviglia--  and so did a few others in the YC crew/staff.

We did remember the Asst M'D.

One of the Butlers said he knew us from the Meraviglia. 

We had done 4BtoBs so had gotten to know a lot of the YC folks and we spread the ca$h to a lot of people when we left that sailing.

That said we weren't certain that the waitstaff/waitress that claimed to know us really did. Even if she was playing us--she did a great job of making certain we were happy. 

We always do handwritten notes in envelopes with ca$h because we are treated so well without having to ask. 

Hopefully any travel insurance on your credit card can help. Or ombudsman with that airline?

One would think those fees (seats and baggage) would be returned to you since you aren't on that carrier, aren't filling that seat etc. 

So sorry

56 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Not so fast ... will lunch hours be extended 🤔

 

Official NCL notice about Prima's delay arrival, boarding and departure time - dated April 10th, days after many completed OLCI and wondered ... not even Haven pax can check in until 12 - 12:30 PM, showing up early risks being turned away ...to wait & stand outside.  On the bright side, weather is looking good. 

 

 

A 2nd notice by email this morning, same as above 

 

Was thinking about this today as well.

If we can't arrive at the pier until at least Noon, I am thinking we may not onboard until 1/1:30 at earliest and only if lucky.

So what about lunch service?

And - this is all predicated on the ship zero-ing out in a timely manner. Fingers crossed everyone gets off asap (travel etc) 

If Wunderground is to be believed, partially cloudy for embarkation at this point.

That large lounge for YC in Miami was nice

Though in March, we dropped the bags, were whisked inside into the AC, checked  in (very small room) and the YC Dirc and some butlers were moving small groups onto the ship very quickly. We were in the YC lounge and drink in hand right about 11! Lovely food and beverages in the lounge. So very civilized. 

On the crew shenanigans.. we hear that's pretty common. 

We are trying another line shortly (because we couldn't get into YC and on a ship we wanted for a TA). And the differences are startling. I wont bore you here with it all (not nearly "inclusive"---- except to say there will be no YC type of check in with special porters/tags/YC Dir greeting and wristbands. 

Have a great sailing. Look fwd to reading.  

Best, FOG

11 hours ago, ejincali said:

True, but in Miami there were a lot of bags with Haven tags sitting there...a brightly colored something would still be very useful.

True. And really obvious and many ways to address it. 

And the OPs title and subject was about Haven - so just trying to get his thread back on track

🙂

Happy sailing

On 4/13/2024 at 5:39 PM, NclCruiuser said:

saw a video suggesting somehow marking your luggage for easier identification at disembarkation port (NY). Suggestions?

Thanks.... Steve

Your Haven luggage would have Haven tags on it as well, yes?

Both embarkation and debarkation.

Have you received your Haven tags?

On 4/14/2024 at 5:54 PM, Two Wheels Only said:

 

Sometimes, more....(interlopers). 😲

You make a Great point

One has to wonder --are the interlopers aka trespassers.. also open to going into neighborhoods they don't live in? Into homes to "see" what others have/use?  Going into a neighbors yard to use their pool?

Why do folks think they can do this on a ship (don't have the ticket/contract of carriage)? 

We have been on sailings when as many as 6 trespassers at one time have been removed by butlers/security at lunch because lobster was being served at the pool grill. and they were in suite class they didn't buy 🙄

3 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

Which of the smaller ships have dedicated Haven Bar, Haven Restaurant, etc.

I'm suggesting the OP find a different cruise line--something with small boutique ships under 200 pax...and skip Haven

Was it an amaretto sour thing? Or a twist on an old fashion? I did try it on a recent sailing- Was very strong and sweet. 

Maybe Smaller ships- boutique size are a better fit if "180 is manageable and 400 isn't"

We will be 2 in a suite that holds 6

TO avoid crowd- do like others suggest: Sail when kids are generally in school, low season and then  multiply -- Cabins for 2, Cabins for 4, 6 etc.

If that number is over your 180, then NCL Haven is likely the wrong cruise experience for you

Good luck and let us know what you choose.

On 4/11/2024 at 5:21 PM, Mark_T said:

Go read one or two of the excellent 'Live' threads from @JamieLogical then set your expectations accordingly.

 

You don't have to pay for Yacht Club to get a good cruise on MSC.

This.

@JamieLogical does an outstanding job. 

@Sthrngary

THAT story about the boorish and rude imposter is shocking and crazy.

I imagine it took a good bit of self control to give him enough room to hang himself.

If he was that impertinent in person, imagine what he is like behind a screen and on a keyboard.

Thanks to you for your posts and what you contribute to this CC community.

It is appreciated. 

On 3/30/2024 at 6:51 PM, Best Cat Mom said:

Does anyone know if Antonio is still Le Muse chef on Divina? We knew that Mehmet, Warsha, Glenn, Ryan and Susmita expected to still be on board for our cruise next week, but weren't sure about the chef.

How did your sailing go?

We had Ryan and Susmita in Le Muse as well a few sailings before yours

41 minutes ago, AllHandsAstern said:

edit: my biggest gripe during the cruise was the dearth of options during this inter-meal period, the fact that I was hangry didn't help!

Hangry and other peoples kids does make for unfortunate circumstances

Thanks for the post

10 hours ago, AllHandsAstern said:

Just got off Viva a week ago. I was fortunate enough to go on several cruises pre-shutdown and haven't cruised much since. Did a week on Celebrity Reflection for my honeymoon in Feb'23.

 

 

Part of this post is to sanity check my own opinions, part review. Would love some feedback on this.Overall really enjoyed the experience. So I don't want this to seem like a gripe fest.

 

1) Free-At-Sea plus seems like a great deal. NCL loves the upsell and I thought the FAS+ package took a lot of that away with wifi included, practically every beverage included, Starbucks included, plenty of speciality dining. Really enjoyed it.

 

2) the open hours of eateries seemed silly in the context of our port stop and messed with what few places were actually open.

All aboard time was around 3:30 generally, but the powers that be only had the seaside grill and the local open after 2:30. The net effect was that both options seemed overwhelmed. The local had a wait for tables but then service took forever too. Between waiting for the table and waiting for the waiter and waiting for the food it took an hour to get fed, which seems like a long time for what the venue is marketed as, 24 hour quick bites. I would think that shuffling opening hours isn't so hard, but I don't know.

 

3) having to pay for an adult only area is ridiculous.

Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if there was more pool space but there's like 5000 people on this ship and like 1000 square feet of pool area. Seems like they could make the infinity pools on deck 8 (9?) adult only and let people enjoy themselves. Coincidentally we went over spring break, so it could be there were just more kids. Ymmv.

 

4) the food was generally great!

The MDR on viva was better than anything on reflection. Probably not a fair comparison but so be it. There were some duds, the buffet was generally bad, all of the sushi was not good, but overall very solid. Los Lobos was excellent. I live in California so I can't walk to work without tripping over great Mexican food, los lobos was legit.

 

5) the speedway is a waste of space.

Between the straight up vandalized shooting gallery, the never-open speedway bar, and the sheer *slowness* of the carts and the layout, the whole affair gave abandoned mall vibes. There were supposed to be 12 or 15 blasters but there were only 3 and oh by the way the scoring system didn't work at all, so I'm sure NCL is writing off that asset.

 

That's it! let me know if I'm right or wrong!

Overall viva is a weird ship and we didn't really like it in the moment but in retrospect I think that's just what they're doing for big ships now. We're booked on Ascent in April '25 and Prima in Feb '25, looking forward to both!

 

 

Spring break --ugg  I hear you and we try to avoid sailing then so its more adults

Starbucks--I thought that was an upcharge and required premium plus (same for bottled waters) Was that not the case on Viva?

Vandalism... that sounds awful. What a shame that some ruin it

Were the open eateries busy between meal hours? Meaning it was after lunch (and a later afternoon all aboard 3:30p) and Before dinner service which is maybe 2-3 hours later. 

14 hours ago, Mark_T said:

Explora has it's own 'Exclusive Welcome Match' program so although they do not directly use the MSC program they do offer incentives based on MSC status, and the other lines you mentioned.

 

TYVM  Didn't know this. Will take a look 

As the OP notes, plenty of rudeness, lack of civility, ignorance, and entitlement to go around

Lack of manners, please, thank you, holding doors etc

Lack of manners in-out of elevators

Lack of table manners

Lack of proper dress code

Using cell phones loudly in public

Using personal music and screens without ear buds

Chair hogs

Gluttons with piles of wasted food

Rudeness to crew and staff

and its not isolated to a certain culture, nation, class, economic level..

plenty of it all around.

Just now, RocketMan275 said:

I take pics of nametags.  It has nothing to do with manipulating the workers to work harder.  I usually wait until the last day before debarkation to take those pictures, far to late for manipulation.  Has more to do with my declining memory.

Somebody posted about doing it to make them work--and incentivize.

So not directed at those of us needing the reminders. No offense meant