graphicguy

Epic Haven from last October....

I know for a while the Haven Restaurant Host was pushing people to go to American Diner for embarkation lunch. I did it once. Not bad...not great. But, would have rather had lunch in the Haven Restaurant.

I do my own. The only time I use AMEX travel is for award travel. I book my own airfare and hotels. That said, for hotels, I usually look at Expedia, Hotels.com and Booking.com, as well as directly with the hotel. It's 50-50 that one of the booking sites has some sort of deal going on. Plus, I accrue points by using them. Marriott is a little different as they usually have the best rates if going direct on one of their properties. Airlines I go direct through Delta. Their fares were always high when they had a hub in Cincinnati. Now that the moved that hub to Detroit, their fares have become more competitive out of CVG. Since Delta flies to the ports I usually go in and out of (FLL, MIA, MCO, LGA, BCN, CDG) it's easy to compare rates. Sometimes I'll find a better rate with another airline, but that's rare. And again, I get Delta Sky Miles, which I use a lot. I don't pay for many flights except for the small "administrative fee" for the reward flights.

Per cabin. I originally had a Haven Suite. My TA had called me and told me for $112 I could upgrade to a 2BR Haven Suite. WAY TOO MUCH ROOM than I needed, but who knows when or if I'll be able to sail in a 2BR Haven Suite? I booked it and really SPREAD OUT. I had a bathroom right as I entered the cabin. So, I didn't have to walk another 10 feet to use the one in the main bedroom. LOL! It was a confluence of circumstances. The World Cup was going on at the time. The week before my sailing and the week after my sailing the Epic was chartered by some sort of sanctioning body of the World Cup. Although, my sailing was sold out, I guess there was some confusion leading up to the sailing whether my sailing was available. None of the fares I quote are per person. They're always per cabin. I think total out of pocket is the only way to do apples to apples comparisons on these fares.

Yeah...I just got an email with the changes. But, they usually send the new luggage tags, the "new" status and the terms every year in January. Haven't seen mine, yet.

Haven't flown American in a while. But, at one time I know I was Gold Status with them. But, I don't know if they extend the status as lifetime perks. Continental used to fly out of DAY. I used to go back and forth between flying out of CVG (Cincinnati) and DAY (Dayton). But, Continental was absorbed by United. I think I actually lost some perks during the transition. Oh...the tales, trials and tribulations of air travel. LOL! To me, none of the airlines are very good these days. They just don't care all that much about...you know....their customers.

Did you receive any sort of Ts and Cs other than the email they sent? I know Delta made a big deal out of the changes they made. And, I know some were not happy about them. But, they made a point of telling me I was "Grandfathered" in. I'm also Premier 1K with United. Not nearly as good perks as with Delta, though. But, I know they do status match. Just not sure what translates to what.

Gary...good advice. Thanks! I've carried my Platinum for at least 20+ years. For business, it was great. I know for at least the last 15 + years, I was charging into the 6 figures annually for air fare, hotels, business meals and entertainment, business equipment, seminars, meals and entertainment for my direct reports, etc. Access to Centurion Clubs/Delta Sky Lounges. I used the points accrued to even do most of my gift shopping. I'm a 2 million miler with Delta. They just changed their rules to hit status. The good news is, I went from having Gold Medallion Lifetime status to Platinum Medallion Lifetime status. That means I have unlimited access to Sky Lounges throughout the world. So, I won't need AMEX Platinum for that. The rules went into effect 01/2024. I know the total rules will be sent to me but I already received an email with a 10,000 view of the changes. The downside, if someone isn't in the Medallion program, it will be much harder to hit the "gates" for the perks. As previously mentioned, if I knew I was going to sail 3x/year in the Haven, the OBC would pay for my Platinum membership. I don't think that's going to be the case, but who knows? The travel insurance is nice, as is the Hotel credits. Again, don't know how much I'll be using them going forward. Amex Gold is WAY cheaper and offers the warranty extensions I find useful. Plus, I can accrue points with it, also. Plus, I get AMEX's service, which is quite good. I'll look into the Sapphire card to see how it stacks up to what I need and want.

Good advice here. I think the one thing we all do is shop for a Haven Cabin and book immediately once we see a good fare. Some make the mistake of waiting for a "better" deal to come along, and then miss out as it sells out quickly. -put a cap on what you want to spend -newer ship's Havens are GENERALLY better than older ships Haven. But, older ships "Suites" (Jewel class) are as close to the Haven as you can get without actually being in the Haven, and is priced less. I know the Prima class Suites have some of the amenities of the Haven, but not certain how those work. -TIme is your friend. If you find an itinerary you want, shop all the ships that sail that itinerary. You might not find a suitable Haven cruise now, but if you look, and are patient, they'll come along. -New(er) ship Havens generally cost more than older ship Havens. Give an example....in Oct I had a 2BR Haven Suite on an 11-nite Mediterranean Sailing on the Epic. BEAUTIFUL Haven...arguably the best in the fleet. But, the Epic is over a dozen years old. Still a very nice ship. But, scored the fare for $4,700 and change all in. Point is, don't be afraid of those ships that aren't brand new. I've also scored great deals on Breakaway/Getaway Havens. Bottom line, while I've sailed the Retreat on Celebrity (2x) and the Yacht Club on MSC (2x), overall the Haven is still the best in the category. Celebrity has really gone up fare wise, as well as MSC following suit. Used to be able to get a Yacht Club Balcony Cabin for a very good fare. That's no longer the case. In fairness, you can get a Yacht Club inside cabin for a decent fare, but I love to lounge on a balcony in the a.m. and when the sun goes down too much to forego that.

I'll give it a look. Thanks!

After my card expires, I think I’m going to downgrade it to Gold. I doesn’t make financial sense for me these days!

Not my party. @MagnoliaBlossom is the hostess with the mostest!!

If you travel a lot for business, the Platinum Amex can be worthwhile. On cruises you book with the card, they give you $100-$300 OBC Haven nets $300 OBC + LeBistro Specialty Dinner and a bottle of wine. You also get the points. But, you’d have to cruise 3x/year in the Haven if you won’t use the other benefits (nice hotel credits, travel insurance, airport lounge access, TSA/Global Entry/Clear fees reimbursed).

Got it marked in my calendar. Thanks for the invite!

Understand. I wouldn't consider it a big loss not being able to bid. I don't think you're missing much, if anything, by participating in bidding. I certainly don't think you'll save anything. Keep an eye out on those fares and see if they drop. Those are high enough that demand for those cruises must be high, RIGHT NOW! That can change.

Gotcha! Looking forward to seeing you!

Yeah...that particular TA has some restrictions. They negotiate the daylights with the cruise providers. You'll get good fares, but not much more. You're right in the thick of the beginning of the kids not being in school. So, demand is higher. I try to stay away from booking cruises when the kiddos are out of school. The fares tend to be much higher. On the flip side, I have no issues booking the Caribbean during Hurricane season. Or, the first week or last week of Alaska cruise season. Or, right before or right after a major winter holiday. Or, the last week of New England/Canada cruises in the Fall.

Getting "gear" in place to take with me. Aside from the clothes I spoke about, I also pack tech. I find the best time to find deals on "tech" is right after Christmas when people have returned what they received to places like Best Buy. Found an M2 Apple 13.6" MacBook Air-512GB for $750 and change. No box, but comes with the charger and Apple's full warranty. Snagged that. Also got this as an open box...https://www.insta360.com/product/insta360-go3 for $279...with box and accessories. Usually $399. Used $100 worth of Best Buy points. Sold my iPad 11" for $250. Will just use the MacBook Air since it looks like I'm going to be doing video editing, too. Will use it as an iTunes Media player while I'm gone. The thing about having time on my hands, just like shopping cruises, I have time to shop the daylights out of everything. That's either a good, or a bad, thing! LOL!

Hey Henry, thanks.....I've go so many portable battery banks from my corporate traveling days, I'm overflowing. Plus, I've got probably 3 MagSafe battery packs for my iPhone. Plus, I've got the MagSafe Apple Watch, AirPods, and iPhone foldable all in one charger. If I run out of juice, it's my fault. I think I've even got a 25,000 mAH portable battery with USB-A and C, as well as lighting connections. It's a big honking battery. I don't like traveling with it, but used it when I was in Europe for a month. Biggest issue I have with those Mother Lode backpacks from eBags is they don't have a back strap to slip over my roll aboard. I don't like slinging on a back pack to my back anymore. I'd rather just haul it on top of my rollaboard. Speaking of which, I get email offers about Hartman luggage these days. Don't know if it's still good or not, but some attractive pricing on what (used to be?) indestructible luggage. Just noticed they were taken over by Samsonite, too (same as eBags). Been eyeballing this, however......https://www.ebags.com/winter-sale/mother-lode-evd-backpack/148690XXXX.html?dwvar_148690XXXX_color=Pine Green&cgid=winter-sale Thanks for the heads up!

Refresh my memory....what cruise are you looking at?

I've stayed "in Haven Proper" and have had a Haven Suite a couple of decks away from the Haven Bar and Restaurant. To me, it really doesn't matter. I can always use a good walk when I'm on a cruise ship. LOL!

That was the first thing I thought, too.

I know the NCL Customer Service exchange rate was pretty similar to that you find at the airport kiosks offering the same service. Not good! But, it was convenient.

Thanks! I'm all over that. The above doesn't show the OBC. I work the discounts, perks and OBC as I find them. I used my AMEX Platinum to book the cruise. So, I get $300 OBC + dinner at LeBistro from them. I used the NCL card to buy Christmas gifts. Getting $200 OBC from that. Didn't know about the 3X points for on board purchase. Good to know! Thanks! Sold my NCL shares, otherwise I would get another $100 OBC from that. But, I thought I was pausing cruising and felt the stock had topped out for a while. I was wrong on all counts. LOL! Can't remember, are you going to be at the M&G? Looking very forward to meeting you on board!

Agree with what Gary said. Like Gary, I've been in a Haven Spa Suite (used to be the most economical Haven Suite....not sure anymore) to a 2 BR Haven Suite on the Epic. In total, 5 Haven cruises and one upcoming in 2+ weeks. It is unusual to have a lot of Haven Suites available. But, you're still nearly 4 months out from sailing. Bidding? I've heard of a few (very few) bidders get a deal. But, there are so many variables, and given they sell out, I haven't heard anything recently regarding anyone winning any Haven bids. NCL will adjust pricing as the cruise gets closer. IF (big IF) they have a bunch of suites left unsold probably 60 days out. But, you roll the dice. Personally, I check cruise fares nearly daily (being retired, I sort of feel I'm part of the reason NCL's WEB site is slow is because I constantly do mock bookings...LOL!). The way to find the "deals" is to be flexible with itinerary, ship and dates. I can do that. If you can't, it's even harder. It can be done, though. Best advice? Put a ceiling on what you're willing to pay for a Haven Suite. Don't go over it (as many bidders do). If you score one? Great. If not? NCL has some really nice ships and a balcony cabin on the newer ships are all quite nice. Alternatively, if you can find a non-Haven suite on a Jewel Class ship (GEM, JEWEL, PEARL, JADE), they offer nearly the same experience as being in the Haven on their other ships. There is no Haven Bar or Haven Restaurant. But, you have access to a Concierge and a Butler. Plus, you can dine in the Specialty Restaurants for breakfast and lunch (on your own for dinner). Plus, their Haven pool and lounge areas are so small as to not be very useful on those ships. I know Gary likes the VIBE. That's also an alternative. The VIBE is a "for fee" area of the ship where you have a private bar and lounge area. Depending on length of cruise, I think it runs about $250/pp. I think I paid $60/pp the last time I bought VIBE access. I thought it wasn't a bad deal. At $250, I pass as I'd rather put that same money to a Specialty Dining and/or FAS+ purchase. Personal preference, but I've found I can get a nice area on the Breakaway, Breakaway Plus and Prima class ships in the WATERFRONT areas (an actual area called the WATERFRONT), where there are couches, padded chairs, bars on the outside perimeter of the ship that are overlooking the water. Few people utilize those areas. NCL, as much as some of us nit pick at them, is a good cruise experience. Whether in the Haven or an inside cabin, you'll enjoy yourself. Their service, food and entertainment is all quite good.