graphicguy

Funny…she and I were just talking about that this past weekend. Unfortunately, we can’t swing it. I’m sure you’ll have a great time. It’s a wonderful ship!

The only time I’ve checked luggage while staying in the Haven was last Oct. Was staying in Europe for a month (week and a half cruising). So had a big suitcase checked. IIRC, it was in my cabin around noon!

This was on the Celebrity Edge a few years ago. I posted that I was going to do a live thread here. One person saw my live thread and asked me to chase down a particular bartender that they said she became quite fond of and was quite close to. She wanted me to find this bartender, and ask her why she had not responded to this guest (I suppose they traded phone numbers?). I was not inclined to do so until by happenstance, I did run into this bartender at the Eden Lounge. I relayed the message from this guest. This bartender either did not know this guest, forgot this guest, or purposely didn't want to contact this guest. She was totally befuddled about this guest. Either way, I delivered the message. Being friendly nets them better tips, They are in the service industry. They are your friend only for about as long as your cruise lasts. Not saying that's bad. Just reality.

Those AFT cabins are quite nice. Doesn't matter if they are in the Haven proper or not. They are some of the most preferential cabins on the ship in my estimation.

Well....that's mostly disappointing (except for Howl). Sorry to hear about the faux pas and ambivalence. That's unacceptable.

Sailed with you on that one (and enjoyed it immensely). Now, since you know me, and knowing I sometimes sail the Haven, would you describe more more an elite? Or, more like Jethro Bodine? I agree about those who believe they're elite in the Haven. I steer clear of those folks. But, they're on every sailing. I personally being down the elite quotient by about 75% when I sail the Haven. Just like on every cruise, you run into quite the cross section of people on board. I'm a "if you ain't bothering me, I don't really care" sort of guy. That goes for the Haven more than anywhere else. Play whatever role you want to play. Quick story....I sailed the Haven on the Epic last year. I had not seen a tux, gown or a suit on ANY cruise in many years. The last night of the cruise, as these things go, I had befriended some folks who I met every day for some libations. We were having a last gasp round of partying. About 9:00 p.m. a couple walks into the Haven Bar to get a pre-dinner drink. I had seen them around, but only once. The little I interfaced with them, the more I realized they were "those people"....the ones who insisted on showing pictures of their cars, their boat, etc. They were in full tux and gown. The issue, the Haven restaurant closed at 9:30 p.m. Sure enough, by the time they finished their little parade around the bar and had a drink (or two?), the Haven Restaurant had already closed (they missed it by about a ½ hour). Well, you could predict, they threw a little hissy fit. They protested "why in the world do you think we dressed up?" A very good question, indeed.

Moving to the NCL Balcony on the Sun is $5,500 w/FAS. That's a very, very big price difference between that and a base balcony on NCL or Oceana looking at your quotes. That's a huge price difference for a bigger bathroom and some laundry. Not sure the drink package on Oceania, but that's a LOT of drinks with that price delta. But, your money...your choices.

I think it depends on the ship. I know I’m looking at a cruise on the Joy. The difference between the Haven Penthouse Courtyard and the Haven Penthouse Suites are about $600. To me, who doesn’t care where I am, I’ll pocket the $600 as the experience is the same in either cabin.

Do not see a lot of difference between a Balcony and a Club Balcony on NCL. Club Balcony does have a somewhat nicer bathroom. And, has some "perks" (like a free load of laundry). But, overall FAS covers everything I want with NCL. As you point out, there can be a large delta between Balcony and Club Balcony. Way not worth it for some free laundry and a bigger bathroom sink. Just looked at the cabins via pictures on both Viking and Oceania Lowest Balcony cabins, which are quite similar to NCL's. Oceania offers some wine and specialty dining, but so does FAS on NCL. Both offer smaller ships. Have looked at Oceania a few times at the suggestion of my TA. Just didn't find anything I found that interested me nor at a price point I was willing to pay. But, to be totally frank, there is NO WAY I'd spend anywhere near $10K+ for a cruise. Got to shop a bit, but sailed the Epic in a 2BR Haven Suite with FAS, 11 nite Mediterranean for well under $5K....all in. $5K is my hard limit for any "lux" cruise.

Yeah....I have already researched the cabin I want and the fare. When I call my TA, the only thing she has to do is book it and add her discount and OBC.

Quick words of advice...... It's up to you to pick your cabin, even when you have the cruise line pick it for you. You have to approve the cabin type and the location. Further, it's more expensive (usually by a lot) to have your cabin closer to the Haven Bar and/or Haven Restaurant. Luggage? Luggage gets there when it gets there. Who knows how that works when you leave it with the porter? If you want your luggage immediately, bring it with you instead of checking it with the porters.

Saw oatmeal/raisin, chocolate chip..and what looked like macadamia nut with white chocolate chip!

I personally do not care where my Haven cabin is. Just a word of advice, the name of your cabin would read “Haven Courtyard (cabin type)” if it’s in the “Haven Courtyard”. This is the same when booking the Yacht Club on MSC. Some Yacht Club cabins are on decks that aren’t adjoining the actual Yacht Club. Tell your cabin steward about the items left behind in your bathroom. S/he will take care of them.

French Bistro-French Onion Soup Italian-Frutti de Mare Seafood- Sea Bass Tapanyaki (spelling?) - the one with steak Cagney's steakhouse-Tomahawk Steak Brazillain-Salad Bar

Not doubting your shopping, but I happen to be looking at a Hong Kong Itinerary, too. You made me look up NCL, Oceania and Viking. I'm not seeing what you're seeing. Agree the NCL Sun is smaller, and the Balcony fares are right around $5,500 for 11 days. Club Balcony cabins are higher, so I'm comparing base balconies on the other lines to Balcony cabins on NCL. Looked at Oceania for their cheapest Hong Kong itinerary also 11 days, sailing in their cheapest balcony and they were running $14,000. Viking's cheapest veranda is running about $10,500 similar itinerary but only 10 days. So, once again, I'm leaning towards NCL.

staple of proms for decades....

Color My World!!!

You’re kind! Thank you! No way I’d ever block you….UNLESS….you told me you were a fan of Air Supply! 😉

Lenny Kravitz version.....by a length.

Nice to meet up, but most of the other vets, while fine people, I really had no desire to swap "war stories" with. I'm like you. I appreciate the kind sentiments, but it was a long time ago. And, I vies it the same as I do running into old college chums. Yeah, great catching up, but I'm not that person any more. And, I don't particularly want to relive those times.

Lemmeat that performer. He'll be whistling Dixie from his eye lids when I'm done. Seriously, what is with people? I just don't understand how some folks have this cruel streak in them and seem to want to take it out on everyone around them instead of working it out through something like therapy. Anyway, the sure cure for that incident is a cruise!!!!!! 🙂

Great review. Thanks. Agree about the Veterans recognition get together. I don't expect, nor ask for anything. The discount works well enough for me. But, I quit going to the recognition M&Gs as they really don't offer much. Again, I don't expect anything, so I'm never disappointed. I just don't go to them.

You're asking me? I don't know if I can remember my own name some nights. But, I do want to say you're correct, or at least close. OONA? OONIA? NARNIA? She was quite good, though!

It's a source of entertainment watching people who had to pack everything they owned into their cruise luggage. Giant stuffed animals? yep! 12 pair of shoes? sure, why not. You see it over and over....struggling to get their 5 pieces of luggage for one person on the ship...and even more so, off the ship. Leave the luggage out the night before if you have that much. You'll be out of everyone's way while disembarking, and you'll make things easier on yourself.