jpcdds6

Deck 15 or 16? Port or starboard?

I've been saying for years that NCL confuses a lot of people with their cabin designations. No cabins should be called a suite unless they have suite or Haven privileges. Club balcony cabins should be called just that, or call them deluxe balconies. When they were called mini suites, it was just as misleading.

We are on the Escape 1/28 sailing, and as of today the Amber Cove port schedule has 4 ships listed for 1/30. The Escape, 2 Carnival Ships and The Virgin Valiant Lady. If Taino Bay isn't ready for Breakaway Plus class, I guess we would head to Nassau changing sea days? Nothing from NCL or my TA.

Nice List.

On 11/5/2022 at 9:09 AM, Sailing12Away said:

The only time I would say to speak with the concierge about Haven reservations is if you have a big group. Our last trip all of the Haven bar stool hogs were planning on joining each other in the restaurant for dinner the last night of the trip. For that someone spoke with the concierge to see if it would be possible, and how many tables could they reasonably squish together. 

 

But for just 2-4 people, just walk in when you're hungry.

They need to make the haven bar bigger. The same people hogging the stools is really annoying. An outdoor bar wouldn't hurt.

There is a post devoted to this topic. Can’t remember the title. I believe it’s 9-12-15 for the largest balcony and 11 and 14 for the bathroom with the balcony views. Don’t forget, the larger aft facing bathrooms also mean you get a smaller interior bedroom with no door out to the balcony. I’m on deck 12 in an Aft suite in January and I chose the larger balcony and the larger bedroom. Might want to check the original post because I’m not positive about the decks with the larger bathrooms.

14 minutes ago, jjjct said:

Sailing on our second Haven cruise on Escape in January in a Forward Facing Penthouse. We cruised in the same stateroom in August on Joy. On the Joy I requested that all items in the mini-fridge be removed. I was checking today what the Haven Experience includes and this is one of them: 

• Mini-bar and deluxe coffee/espresso/cappuccino machine  - Does this mean that items are free in the Mini-bar?

I think just in the Owners Suite.

1 hour ago, IrieBajan54 said:

Gem x7

Pearl x4

Jade x3

Jewel

Epic x3

Breakaway x2

**Star

Sun

Joy

Prima

 

** Never again!

 

I liked the Star. Had an Aft Penthouse Suite, and the staff was great. What happened?

3 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Great!!  That just means you did it right.  I'm sure you found it eventually. 😎

With a little help from my friends. 

27 minutes ago, phoenix1181 said:

Not really.  A Club Balcony has a few additional benefits but no butler like a true suite has.

NCL has been confusing people for years with their cabin class designations. First the Mini Suite, now the Club Balcony Suite. And they threw in the Non Haven Penthouse Suite to confuse more people.

21 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Best post of the thread!!  I like to get settled in a bar and eventually find my room (perhaps for a nap).

I’ve gotten “settled” in a bar after boarding and then couldn’t find my room.

9 hours ago, Coastalbreezes said:

Escape (30)

Encore (3)

Breakaway (8)

Getaway (13)

Gem (8)

Jewel (3)

Dawn (2)

Pearl (1)

Spirit (1)

Sun (2)

Jade (1)

Bliss (2)

Joy (5)

Sky (1)

Prima (1)

 

Star, Epic and Pride are the only three I haven't sailed.

Is your last name Del Rio?

1 hour ago, mcmomny said:

Sunward

Pearl

Pride of America

Epic twice

Breakaway

 and booked for the Escape and the Jade in 2023

Sunward. Classic.

42 minutes ago, BettyCruiser said:

Norway (twice)

Majesty

Wind

Bliss

 

Joy in January

Ahh the Majesty. Boston to Bermuda?

1 hour ago, Coastalbreezes said:

Escape (30)

Encore (3)

Breakaway (8)

Getaway (13)

Gem (8)

Jewel (3)

Dawn (2)

Pearl (1)

Spirit (1)

Sun (2)

Jade (1)

Bliss (2)

Joy (5)

Sky (1)

Prima (1)

 

Star, Epic and Pride are the only three I haven't sailed.

That is one heck of a list.

I remember when I was on the Jade ( or was it the Pearl?), I would walk the promenade every morning. Another guy my age would be there every morning at the same time. We would pass, smile and say hello. Later on the cruise, we found ourselves sitting next to each other at the pool bar, started talking and had a few drinks and laughs for a few hours. The rest of the week we did the same a few more times at different places, with the wives. I’ve been on many cruises, and for the most  part people are very, very, friendly. Sometimes a good morning and a smile is all it takes.

2 hours ago, Sea saw 56 said:

Wind (haven't seen anyone else mention her)

Star x3

Dawn x3

Jewel x2

Gem

Jade

Pearl

Spirit

Sun

Pride of America

Getaway

Epic

The Wind! Oldie but goodie.

Has anyone sailed on every ship in the fleet? If not, which ones? Any that have been sold or scrapped?  I've sailed on the Dream, Majesty, Dawn, Spirit, Sun, Gem, Star, Pearl, Jade, and the Escape in January. Loved them all.

18 hours ago, Slk1z said:

This is truly one of life's great questions....

We docked at Taino Bay back in Feb and I can say they did a fantastic job on the.  Compared to Amber Cove , in my opinion Taino Bay is far nicer.

That being said, with so much money invested in the Port why is no one stopping there?  One would think that if the Channel needs to be widen, they would do this to have the ships return and get some money rolling back in.....

I agree. Taino Bay is nicer, and closer to town.

We are booked in a Haven penthouse now but are considering moving to an aft penthouse either by bid or utilizing the Amex Platinum perk. We have always sailed in the aft suites, but mostly on Jewel, Dawn or Sun class. We are worried about the distance to get to the Haven area daily, and if this is going to be an issue. We do not have any mobility problems, but is it an easy commute a few times daily? Also, if anyone has stayed in an HA before, what decks are recommended? Thanks

Great ship. The Jewel class ships are some of the best designed mid size ( funny how a ship of almost 100,000 tons is considered mid size), cruise ships in the world. Great public spaces and nicely appointed cabins. The aft corner penthouses on deck 10 is prime real estate. Enjoy your cruise.

6 hours ago, Aesop081 said:

Heading on the Jade in 40 days.  Thanks for the review.  I'm bummed at the entertainment review.  Maybe some will be swapped out by then.  We enjoy the piano bar evenings as well.  O'sheehans sounds good.  Generally you hear mixed reviews about those spots.  Our last NCL didn't have one (Sun) so we are interested to see what it's all about.  Love grease and beer. So I hope the wings are good.  We loved the great outdoors on the Sun so I'm hoping that the Jades' won't be too bad. 

 

 

I think the Great Outdoors areas on the Jewel class ships are terrific. We always spend loads of time there. Buffet is scaled down, but the main buffet is only a few steps away. Wonderful open air space.  Bartenders were good back there as well.

To be honest, I wasn’t impressed with any of the entertainment. And that includes the goofy illusionist production in the Stardust Theater.

17 minutes ago, Kmkub said:

The weather was perfect!

 

Do you have an opinion on the male/female duo called Azalea?  It may be the worst singing we've heard at sea in 10 years. I wonder what others think. 

Were they at the martini bar?

We were on the same cruise. We had a great time. The Jewel class ships are our favorite. We love  the SF corner aft suites and think they are the best bang for buck cabin NCL offers. Took our grown children and their sig others as a Christmas gift. Got them insides and they all upgraded to balconies. Thought the food was good, and the staff wonderful. Ship looks great. Sorry you didn’t enjoy Costa Maya. You need to get out of that port maze and head to the Malecón at Mahajual. Great beach and bars, and the sargassum wasn’t too bad. Probably was next to you a few times at the slots. Glad you enjoyed your sailing. We did have great weather!!!