DMH15

17 hours ago, david_sobe said:

Yes!  One of my favorite suite experiences was on the Sky and they have no Haven.  The Sky used to have a port intensive itinerary so a Haven may not have been used that much anyway.  But it was the red carpet personal service that blew me away.  The concierge would personally visit you at breakfast and come to your cabin every night.  It was a level of service that I never experienced again because there are so few suites and the concierge caters to you.  On Epic in 2010 the Haven crew was outstanding.  They knew your name from the first day and greeted you by your name every day.  These bigger new ships dont have the same concierge level of service.  Even the reviews of the Prima and Viva state they dont care to know you at all. 

On our first Sun in aft PH the concierge was Kare Goedke.  She came to our suite at least once a day.  Sometimes she would stay and chat for over an hour, especially with my mom, who was very charismatic.  
 

Karen also seemed to show up whenever we dined in a specialty restaurant for dinner, which was often, just to check on us.  
 

Ironically, that was the same cruise our novice butler got off in one of the ports and kept going.  He really was not very good at it but we go with the flow.  And Karen made up for it. 

On 5/19/2023 at 7:29 PM, wil e coyote said:

Your butler will deliver food from the standard room service menu or any of the restaurants on board, as long as they are open. As Two Wheels said, there is only a charge if you're ordering from a specialty restaurant and not using a dining credit.

Just so there is no confusion, this is only available in the Haven. If you're anywhere else on the ship, you are restricted to the room service menu in your cabin, and there is a $9.95 service charge.

To clarify, had several meals in aft PH on the Sun with no Haven on the ship at all.  The Sun only has 20 suites in total.  Out South American cruise was 14 nights with long port days so we loved dining in the suite.  I was with my mom so we cared little about being served in courses.  She was tired after a long day.  
 

we did more specialty than not since there is no Haven restaurant for dinner, only breakfast in lunch in what used to be called Il Adagio. 
 

Also, had one served aft PH on Jewel.  
 

Just now, sjn911 said:

 

We had not intended to book Epic DOS originally but after our Jade cuise was cancelled (NCL moved out of Houston) we rebooked Jade out of Tampa, but that was also cancelled for a music charter.   They price protected us for Dawn or Epic.  
 

We chose Epic but then ponied up extra $$$ for the DOS and we loved it.  There were 3 of us.  Me, my sis and my niece.  
 

it was a happy twist of fate!

7 minutes ago, sjn911 said:

Pardon me,,,What is the "DOS"..thank you in advance...really sounds so great to try these on both MSC and NCL...thanks for the info.

Deluxe Owners Suite.  So sorry.  
 

MadisonBay, enjoyed your post and liked reading your comparisons.  

2 hours ago, david_sobe said:

There will never be a consensus because we all have different likes and dislikes.  The OP will have to experience both to make a decision. NCL's Haven is a ship within a ship concept.  Royal has some of the most expensive and mega suites at sea.  They have a Genie which is a butler on steroids.  Yet you don't have people raving about the Royal suite life like the Haven suite life.  That is because Royal does not have the ship within a ship concept.  All of their mega suites are randomly sprinkled around the ship.  No matter what suite you are in everyone must walk to the Coastal Kitchen and suite sun deck.  When I sailed Epic in 2010 and was introduced to the ship within a ship concept blew me away.  You never needed to leave the Haven.  The restaurant, bar, pool, sundeck, and courtyard were all outside your door.  That made me fall in love with the concept and I am always chasing the dragon for a similar experience.  MSC and NCL have the ship within a concept which IMHO is a different experience than just having access to the Haven.

David, I have done both too and also a third scenario - have booked the aft suite on the Sun twice with no haven at all.  I love the Sun and loved those cruises.   
 

Being in the DOS on the Epic really was a different animal.  Being in the Haven was better than I expected. But although our butler, Maxi was incredible the concierge (team) were almost indifferent.  But being in the hub was great.  Nice to have workout facilities and a massage treatment room close by… I could slink back to my room after relaxing massage.  Priceless.  We found the convenient POSH a bonus. 
 

I am happy in any of the three scenarios.  I choose value over cost every time.  
 

I always like reading your posts. 

Epic was beautiful on the inside (from the DOS).

11 hours ago, havoc315 said:

In all seriousness, I like reading the reviews, and the bad reviews are the most helpful.

I'll typically ignore the 5 star reviews --- You paid a ton of money for a vacation, and had a great time.  Wonderful -- that's how it's supposed to be on every vacation, but I may as well just read NCL promotional materials.

 

So in reading the more negative reviews:

-- Many I can easily dismiss as someone who is just difficult to please. ("the comedian wasn't very funny... the ship officers didn't even say hello in the elevator").  Some are complaining about things outside NCL control ("The weather was terrible, the airline lost my luggage"), some are unrealistic expectations ("The airline lost my luggage and the staff barely lifted a finger to rectify it! The toilet got clogged and it took maintenance 2 hours to fix it!")

-- So I look for patterns, I look to see if there are similar complaints popping up frequently.  If someone says, "service at Cagney's was so slow, 2 hours and my steak arrived cold" -- Did that person just suffer from a single bad night, or are those complaints popping up frequently?  

 

I haven't been on NCL in about 10 years, but going on my 3rd NCL cruise this coming summer, so I've been reading the reviews intently.

 

Here is what I've learned from reading the reviews:

-- Expect long lines to get a drink, especially at the pool bars

-- Expect "nickel and diming" -- with lots of the activities being either extra charges, or seeking your money.

 

 

I like nickle and diming.  It means I only pay for extras I want. 

9 hours ago, rbxlady said:

 

You'll be on the Epic before we will (we're on the 3/31 sailing in the Haven), but y'all are the kind of people I like to see. My husband and I are introverts to the point where we could be happy going the whole cruise without talking to anyone but each other and our kids, but when there are extroverts around who are happy, inclusive, and otherwise not obnoxious we end up enjoying ourselves around them. We feel like we're part of the cool kids 🙂

Love this!

extrovert here.  I am the offspring of two extrovert parents.  They were wonderful.   My mother had so many gifts… but the one trait I admired most about her was her ability to befriend and truly relate with anyone.  She was comfortable with billionnaires as well as the homeless guy on her corner (she lived downtown).  She was kind, funny and smart.  People still constantly tell me how much they loved my folks.   I hear new stories about them every day.  Ironically, some of their best friends were introverts who just liked being in their company. 

1 hour ago, Sailing12Away said:

This trip is more about the people than the destination. Leaving from Orlando and headed to St. Thomas, San Juan, Amber Cove & GSC. 

 

On our Panama Canal trip we had made friends at the Haven bar (shocker, right?) with a group of folks. They all decided to cruise again this February, and their schedules and desires lined up and both couples booked the same trip. They told us about it, and we said we would tag along as well. Between all of their friends and our friends I think the final head count is going to be ~18 people in the Haven. 

 

So again... apologies now for anyone sailing on the Epic in the Haven about 30 days from now.... we will be a big group, but we're friendly and fun and will gladly invite you to do some shots with us. If you're more interested in quiet stuff - please come and tell us to STFU when we are being too loud. We will not be offended. Or if you want a more subtle approach, feel free to post in here about the loud large group of guests hogging the chairs at the bar and I'll take the hint.

Love this!

I have made friends for life from my cruises.   The majority of people on cruises “get each other” and are people I enjoy meeting and spending time with.  

On 1/18/2024 at 8:37 AM, Sthrngary said:

@SaltyPawz Ask anything you want on this board.  Good topics go off the reservation from time to time and come back.  I grew up in Long Island New York 50 minutes from NYC.  I now live in the south.  I have visited NYC many times in all those years.  I have an approach and hope it helps you.

 

1. Come In at Least a Day Early:  I think this is your plan.  If you do, any of the Airports will do.  I personally due to business travel for what ever reason like LGA the best.  
2. Ground Transportation:  Do some research and find a limo.  If you search you will see the cost is very reasonable from the airport to NYC.
3. Hotel: You are 25 minute to NYC.  One of the greatest places to visit (not live).  This is a rare opportunity.  Do a hotel in the theatre district and look for deals.  Regardless the rooms will be on the smaller size yet for one night who cares.  
4. Theatre: I love Broadway.  Get to the city early so plan it that way.  Go to the Half/Priced ticket line and get some seats to a Broadway show.  If you want a specific show, book it pre-cruise but get ready to pay a lot for those tickets.  Also if you flight is late, you might miss the show.  So back to the Half Price ticket line. 
5. Food: You are about to take cruise and the food is usually good on the ship.  If you have never had deli foods, a great choice before a show.  I personally go to a REALLY GREAT Italian or steak place and forget about the cost.  Peter Lugers for Steak, or Carmines (family style) in the Theatre District or just google best Italian.  Leverage the experience of being in this city.
6. Ground Transportation to the Port:  Same approach as to the Hotel. Have a bag with your city clothes so you don't have open up your big bags. 

 

Those are my thoughts and I hope in some way it helps you.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

Love your guidelines.  

11 hours ago, icedearth15324 said:

Quick question, does anyone know what times they usually allow Haven guests to board the ship? Trying to coordinate a rental car drop off at the cruise terminal. Our departure time is 5:30pm.

Here is something to ponder.  Track your ship the night before and morning of in “real time”.  We knew early that The Epic was behind schedule.  Even before NCL notified us.   Due to fog it got in a little before noon.  It was crazy busy in our hotel dining room for breakfast.  

We always arrive early to the ship but this cruise it did not matter.  We all waited outside in the sun until the ship was cleared.  We left about 4 hours late.  

20 hours ago, graphicguy said:

I sailed Epic twice.  I like it, a lot!  It doesn’t have the outdoor spaces like the Waterfront, which are on the Breakaway, B+ and Prima series which I love!  But, still a very nice ship!

If you ever get the opportunity for the Epic DOS jump on it!   

Quite the experience getting there.  We booked a suite for 3 on the Jade out of Texas.  A few months later NCL announced it was pulling out of Texas and our cruise was cancelled. 
 

So we switched to same ship, same suite out of Florida.  A few months later THAT cruise was chartered for a music charter and our cruise was cancelled again.  What are the odds of getting cancelled twice?

They offered us Epic or Dawn.  I had been on Dawn and not thrilled with it.  So we booked Epic.  They would not give us a two bedroom Haven suite for three of us their solution was putting my sister and I in a two person suite and my niece in an inside cabin across the hall. She was not 18 yet. Regardless, they said it would be OK. I insisted on getting in writing that she was to receive all the initial sweet privileges that we paid for on the first booking.
 

After a few days, my sister and I realized we were not happy with these arrangements so we had our travel agent who is my cousin call and ask them what they could do for us to get us in a suite together… we were afraid my niece would just hang out in her own space and we wanted family time… So we went for the DOS and paid extra.  What we paid was reasonable and worth it.  It was a journey getting to that reservation.  No regrets!

On 1/14/2024 at 3:57 PM, RocketMan275 said:

What a wonderful story.

That reminds me of another of my favorite sayings: "Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first."

Yeah, she said that a lot!!!!

2 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

@benel204 Spend the money.  Go first class and business class airfare.  Look for sales and upgrade opportunities.  Lots of inventory means, prices on NCL will go down for those categories.  When they do, get them quick because the go quick.  Of just pay the price.  I also said to my adult children; my intent is to die and after my funeral expenses, have $100.00 left.  My thoughts are, I raised you, I paid for your college, I gave you a condo to live until you had a real job, I take you to fancy dinners and buy you nice presents.  You gave me a half a dozen donuts for my birthday while you knew I was on a Keto Diet. Life has consequences. 

 

Cruise well and always go first class.

Wow.   My mom was super frugal and she and I vacationed together a lot.  My dad said “you girls go and have fun while I hold down the fort, I lived across the street).  My mom closed her business at age 62 while my dad’s illness slowed him down.  Four years later he died.  
 

On one of our NCL cruises, on the Jewel in an outside cabin, we met a couple from my childhood neighborhood who were in the haven and had us us to their cabin.  I looked at my mom and said “we need to do this”… from that point forward I booked our suite and Haven cruises and she would just say “tell me what I owe”.  So my otherwise frugal mom was hooked.  
 

The day after he 83rd birthday she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and lived 5 weeks and 5 days.  
 

My siblings and I had always encouraged her to spend her money on herself.  And cruising was the one place she did indulge. It gave her joy.  And JOY was her name.  
 

When she was alive used to tell us she us, “I’m a banker’s kid so I budget my money.   I want to make sure I can take care of myself and not be a burden on you kids”.   After her medical bills and funeral she had not run out.  She did not have a lot, but she was able to complete what she set out to do.  Seventeen years after my dad died my mom joined him.  
 

Truly, our cruises were some of her favorite memories.  And you know what?   She would have loved them in an inside cabin too. She was that kind of person.  
 

But one of my favorite pictures of her was at breakfast on the Sun in Il Adagio having suite breakfast at our favorite table on the window.  That suite breakfast and lunch venue was peaceful and quiet and the food was superior.  She loved it.  We cruised twice in the same aft corner suite with a huge balcony.  
 

We never know what tomorrow brings.  Embrace the things that bring you joy. 

5 hours ago, detroitlions said:

One of the hotels I stayed was far from the market place and it made for a boring day. But if the Brickell area has nice Bars/ restaurants I will check it out.

I love the restaurant North Italia.  It is right across the street from my hotel.  Great vibe and food. 

3 hours ago, detroitlions said:

Its been a few years since I stayed in Miami. A few places I have stayed in the past were Miami Biscayne Marriott, Hilton downtown, court yard Marriott, and Holliday in Downtown. Any suggestions on a good hotel stay pre cruise I have a group of 7 of us going. 

I have stayed quite a few times walking distance to Marketplace and free tram but then I switched to Brickell area as I like the restaurants there. 

On 1/6/2024 at 1:12 PM, david_sobe said:

The Star never got great reviews.  An Antartica cruise is not a fair judgment of a cruise line.  The ships are smaller and its expensive.  I am still jealous because I can only dream about sailing to Antartica. 

My SA cruise on the Sun in an aft PH suite remains my favorite cruise to date.  Flew to Antarctica from Punta Arenas.  Once in a lifetime experience. 

8 hours ago, rbxlady said:

I am really encouraged, reading all of this. We cruised in the Haven in a 2BR on the Getaway last year, and after that, I promised myself we would not cruise any older ships-- although I am admittedly disappointed that there is no option for two beds in the second bedroom on the Prima and Viva.

 

Anyway, our lives are super hectic, so for the time being, we can't just book whenever, wherever, and the Epic on 3/31 (Easter Sunday) worked out best for us, as it coincided with our kids' spring break. I was really hoping to book a Breakaway+ class ship, but the offerings out of Port Canaveral, which is our preferred port because it's driving distance for us, have been relatively slim in 2023 and 2024 compared to 2022. Thus it was the Epic or nothing for spring break.

 

We are booked in a 2BR Haven suite, and I am hoping the Haven experience will outweigh the fact that it's a somewhat older ship. I read it was the first Haven, which initially worried me because that meant maybe they hadn't worked out the kinks yet, in spite of its 2020 refurbishment, but it was hard to beat the price compared to what we paid on the Getaway last year and what they were asking 2BR Haven suites on Breakaway+ class ships. I figured even the worst Haven was better than no Haven.

 

So if you'll be on the 3/31 Epic cruise, we'll be there, too, in a 2BR Haven suite. I am very, very happy to hear how much people seem to love the Epic's Haven.

We cruised Epic in a forward DOS.  The Haven was great.  Never felt that crowded (compared to others).

I cruised in a corner aft suite on Sun for South America and the Chilean fjords very similar to Alaska.  Loved it.  

7 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Seven for us.  All NCL.  Pearl, Encore, Bliss and Sun.  All but the Sun were Glacier Bay.  The Sun was Hubbard Glacier, which was spectacular.  Many times, it is foggy/icy and the ships can't get close.  Ours in July was sunny and clear.  I think that the fiord walls are more interesting than the glacier itself.  We have five visits to AK planned for next year. 😎

After many cruises the NCL Sun holds a special place in my heart.   We sailed 2 cruises a total of 25 days in the same aft suite.  
 

Two awesome cruises. 

It is possible to cruise in Haven on NCL or similarly in YC on MSC with friends or family not in that category.  
 

We met up after breakfast in the general population part of the ship.  We did specialty dining some nights together.  Of couse, off the ship in ports did not matter. 

On 11/3/2023 at 8:25 PM, Seadweller001 said:

My Aunt (single, paid double) in Deluxe Grand on Seashore in December.  Wonder if she meets a lady or male and befriends, if there is an exception since she is paying the double occupancy rate?  Not that she will but an interesting situation. 

I cruised as a solo on Seaside in YC.   Paid double.  That was my contract.  No where does it state you can make adjustments enroute.  

14 hours ago, brichar499 said:

Several hundred dollars in discretionary tips after mandatory gratuities? Seems way over the top especially when MSC's guidelines say don't do it.

I have been cruising in Haven on NCL and YC on MSC for quite a while.  The difference in my cruise vacations before this were night and day.  So, I show my appreciation to those responsible for making that happen. 

9 hours ago, Cruiseguy14 said:

By and large are haven customers so wealthy that they are use to not doing regular things for themselves and are ok paying a couple of hundred dollars for minor conviences ? That’s not really my families status 

Nope.   Many are like me.  Just established in career and made good choices.  I do not have kids.  I drive my cars 10-12 years and have had same job 33 years.  
 

I do things for others A LOT.  In my personal and professional life.  So, my idea of a perfect vavation is R & R.  So, I find great value in both the butler and Concierge and I tip accordingly.