cruising7

On Joy — anyone know who is working Haven for Alaska this summer? Butler, bartender, and concierge?

I’m wondering the same....we had hoped to do a bike and brew tour, but not sure they would be offered this time of night for you. Our ship is there 12-10 PM. 

I’m having such a hard time researching here since Alaska is listed as only one port of call, instead of individual ports like the Caribbean!

We have booked a boat wildlife tour in Ketchikan. We will likely just go to Mendenhall in Juneau. 
I’m looking now for suggestions for Icy Strait. Any details about this port would be helpful. 
We are a family of 6 kids with aged 15-22. We like to hike and boat and see amazing things. We typically get a taxi or car rental and get as far away from port as we can for as long as we have in port. We like to book our excursions through local independent tour operators. 
 

thanks for any advice!
 

We just returned from here and enjoyed our day in the general area.  It wasn’t crowded and with Haven priority exit, we got a bunch of chairs in a shady area near bar and taco restaurant with a nice view of the water.  The Haven/villa area is a FAR walk! It looks very nice though and that area of the beach is much quieter. 

On 12/26/2018 at 12:24 PM, InsertWittyUserNameHere said:

Hi all,

 

I’m looking for a hiking/exploring day in Tortola. Mount Sage National Park looks like a good bet, but I’m trying to figure out the best way to get there. I can get a taxi around the port I assume, but will they pickup by the mountain also?  Anyone know how long a trip it is from port?

Any update?  We are going next week and want to get a taxi to sage mt to hik, then go to Brewer's Bay for a little beach time, then a taxi back to port.

On 4/8/2019 at 6:05 PM, Wendy&Grumpy said:

 

Not yet - Shorex told me to call the 15th for my May 1st cruise. Will report back then. 🙂 

Please share....we are Haven guests and are not renting a cabana....wondering what (if anything) is provided for Haven guests without paying extra.  Any details about your stay would be appreciated as it's a recent addition to our itinerary and know nothing.  Excited though - looks nice and I am very excited that drink packages etc work, unlike Harvest Caye.  That was our least favorite stop ever and will keep me from ever choosing an itinerary including it again!

Gotcha! Good to know...thanks. 

Does anyone know if this is true on GSC?  Apprantly NVL changed our upcoming itinerary from Nassua to GSC so I am trying to figure out if it's like Harvest Cay in Belize....if so I will be staying on the ship!

18 minutes ago, Son of a son of a ... said:

That stinks ... you will probably skip GSC, as well.  Get a spa pass.

What do you mean we will probably skip it?  Yes I did think this might be the cruise to get a spa pass LOL.  We are in Haven on this cruise though so I am not sure the spa pass would seem that great.  

Ugh on shortening the Tortola day!  
It was already a push to do anything....shortening the day by 2more hours?! 8-2 is crap.  
i haven't gotten the e-mail yet...

We are a large family group (adults and teens) and I have no idea what to do.  We went to Alaska previously and the best thing we did was rent a car in Skagway for the day.  Best day ever!  This time, I am a bit bummed at ports (Juneau, Ketchikan, Icy Strait and Victoria) and I know nothing about ICP and it is our only day in port all day.  I keep hearing about whale watching but those are so pricey usually.  We like to get away from ports and see as much as we can.  Any advice>  TIA! 

I've had amazing vegetaian food on NCL.  We have been to a lot of specialty restaurants on differnt ships and there has always been a vegetarian option.  You definitely could see what the Vegetarian Entre is in the main dining room and request that they serve that in the specialty restaruant.  Like someone else said especially with 24 hours notice, I'd bet they can accommodate that. I always LOVE the veg. options in main dining rooms!  La Cucina is my favorite.

On 1/24/2019 at 5:10 PM, sunshinegirl29 said:

Sailing soon on the Breakaway.  Staying in the haven, I heard kids are no longer allowed, is this

true?  Last year there were kids in the haven, curious.  Also wondering how the drink service is

in the haven.  In the past other bars on the ship you can wait forever. 

We've stayed in the Haven on other ships and never had to wait long at all even in peak times.  The bartenders are amazing and will quickly learn your preferences and favorites and make suggestions.  You will be pleased!

Thanks for the information!  My boys are 14, 16, and 18.  My 14 y/o looks 16.  So unless they are actually checking key cards and ages LOL I am not too worried.  They usually just come up there to talk to and nap with us 🙂 . I am glad for the policy really, as a parent of older kids!  I am surprised they started this, as it has never been an issue with any of our Haven stays, with plenty of space up there and very low-key families.  Several loud, drunk adults hogged the hot tub every day on one cruise...wonder if there is a policy in place for that in the Haven haha! 

I guess since it's not available to book right now, they must not know.  Our cruise is in June...we were excited about this option!  If anyone gets more info, please share!

Sorry - I know I have seen and had this information before, but can't find it now.  We will be in the Haven on Breakaway in June....Would I contact the concierge to make dinner reservations that the website won't allow me to make?  We are a group of 9 and I can't get us booked at the time we want for main dining rooms (only 5:30 and 8:30 available and can only choose 8 or 10 guests).  I know the concierge was able to do it before, and think we did it prior to the cruise....does anyone have a phone number or e-mail to send requests to before we are actually on the ship?

TIA!

On 1/12/2019 at 3:08 PM, Granny DI said:

We had the free Haven lunch after we boarded the ship in New Orleans. We enjoyed it but IMHO it’s not worth the $15 cover charge. 

Do you mean Haven guests could eat there free on the first day?  We are in Haven, but do not have the dining package.  I'd like to try Margaritaville, but not enough to pay $15 for food when there are better options.  Can you use ultimate drink package for a Margarita there?  Could you clarify your comment?  Thanks!

A month ago I saw the Cirque show listed- but not within window of time to book...now that we are closer, I don't see it...did this go away!?

This seems crazy.....and not at all anything we've experienced with several previous stays in the Haven on other ships.  I am going to guess this isn't something enforced, particularly if they are with parents.  My teens love to hand out on the top deck with us.  I assume it's to keep a bunch of teens taking over the hot tub or being loud.  Can't imagine anyone telling them to leave if they are with us. 

On 1/3/2019 at 8:52 PM, cathi007 said:

Has anyone been to Brewers Bay recently? We are planning on spending the day there in late Jan. IO have been to CGB twice before and although I love it, we want to snorkel. I am hoping they have loungers to rent and a good bar. I hear Nicoles is open, but hopefully someone who was there recently can confirm. happy sailing all

Would you update us after your trip?  Thanks!

Let us know if you hike there and a report.  We'd like to do a hike and a beach when we go, but are only in port from 7 to 3.  We are a fmily of 6 so transportation is always a top question.  Would appreciate any tips...it does sound like a great hike!

Leaving this and updating instead of deleting in case anyone else has the same issue one day....after multiple attempts online, my husband tried the app and for some reason was able to book.  $65 for 10 people non-stop from Homewood Suites at airport to Port of Miami.  Can't beat that and Super Shuttle has always been efficient and comfortable.  We haven't used them in 3 years, hopeful that is still the case!

We've used Super Shuttle previously and been so happy!  When I try to book it now it says it's "outside of service area" ?!  Has anyone used them recently?

We are considering N.Y. or Boston to Bermuda in June 2019 on Gem or Escape.. How do the seas compare to carribean cruises? We have done east and west from various Florida ports in June and April. Smaller ships make us more likely to have issues and western is usually rougher than eastern. This is a totally different route and part of the sea so just wondering how it compares. Clearly I know there are tons of variables with weather and yes I know about meds for this. Just curious in general.

Thanks!

Did you experience the pool cabana? I am looking for first hand knowledge. Reports are mixed at the crowd levels at HC. The smaller ships seem to be fine. The mega ships during peak times say otherwise.

 

We are going in August, so I am expecting full ship on the Escape. Our last Caribbean cruise was also in August, and shade was a MUST for us.

 

Cost is not the main concern. If service and a nice spot is good, I will do it.

Overall it's a nice option, but terrible value. If cost is not an issue, and you want guaranteed chairs in a shady spot, and you are on a larger ship, then yes it's a nice option. We were on the Escape and by 11 there were no chairs by the pool anywhere. We were disappointed in the ants, no fans in pool cabana, and slow service for drinks and food. We were pleased with the beautiful pool and the cabana's proximity to it.

I posted a longer review of our whole day there around June 6 shortly after we returned form our crusie June 3.