Treasure Hunter

The point is that NCL advertises that the service in the Haven is exceptional. We had two recent concierges on the Getaway and the Encore that went above and beyond. We were told when to come to the desk to be escorted without asking. They printed off my husbands crossword with a smile. Every thing was yes . We tipped generously.

We always pick a Haven room in the Haven. The doors face a glass enclosed hallway that has direct access to the pool and are steps from the lounge, bar, restaurant.

Do not do NCL air. My kids were sucked into the two for one. If something happens ( weather delay or cancels) you are a volleyball between NCL and the airline. No one takes responsibility. The flight was canceled and every other flight that they were offered was the next day, arriving after the cruise left. They were able to drive all night from Atlanta to Miami. Six months later they got half their money back through the insurance.

Yes . The master bedroom ( primary) has a huge bathroom with two sinks, large shower and water closet and separate tub. Tons of storage but tight around the bed . The living room is very comfortable with a sofa that becomes a bed and a small balcony ( no lounger because they expect you to use the sundeck which is wonder and spacious) . The second bedroom is tiny with a fold out double bed and a drop down single bed from the ceiling that you use a ladder to get into. Like a bunk bed. There is a closet and a very nice small bathroom with a walk in shower.in the living room is a table with four chairs and a coffee bar with welcoming champagne

You can not spend anytime in the Haven “ public areas”, bar, pool , sundeck etc. you can visit their room and they can have a party. They can invite you to a meal ( and pay for you, I think $30 for dinner) in the Haven restaurant if the Maitre ‘d says that there is room. The haven complex is wonderful. There are also some suites tucked in the far corners of the ship for less money that have Haven privileges but it is a hassle to make the trip every time you want to eat or sit out. Those suites have a separate living area. We started with one room in the Haven (a Haven Courtyard Penthouse ) but now stay in a two bedroom family suite so one person can sleep and one watch TV or read. Two bathrooms are wonderful especially on a long cruise. We use the second ( tiny) bedroom for luggage storage. Once in the Haven it’s hard to go back.

We are generally in a suite so get all the perks included. We book through the casino and get a nice discount. However, we are taking our family on a Greek cruise. Because we are paying for their cabins, we are all staying concierge class . Their cabins get a small discount, ours is free. Theirs comes with all the basic perks ( not premium) mine comes with no perks. . at all. Yes, they will automatically add the gratuities. I get soft drinks in the casino, don’t attend happy hours. I buy a water package. Husband needs WiFi. So I added premium WiFi to his phone ( my email is also on his phone). It was very pricey $260 ish. Then I realized I didn’t get the platinum discount! Princess does it automatically when you buy WiFi on their website. I called and they made me buy a new plan ( with the discount) and refunded my pricey purchase ( six-ten business days).

I know exactly where you mean. Just got off the Breakaway and the smoking was terrible😭 I played like a crazy person and had a great time but there were great machines I couldn’t use. I wore a mask and my hair still smelled and my throat hurt ever time I left the casino. There were many smokers who were not playing. The casino staff monitored this and made announcements but as soon as their backs turned the smokers lit up again. As much as I love NCL and have worked myself up to Sapphire and free cabins, we are going on Celebrity with their smoke free casinos twice as often.

If you add WiFi later, in order to get the platinum or elite discount , you have to call. It will not be available. Only full price on the website.

What can I say. Ours does.

We brought beautiful flowers on a Princess ship in Tahiti. Many people did.

👍

We go to a travel/infectious disease doctor who writes prescriptions appropriate for wherever we are going. We haven’t been to him since covid but prior to that we were always armed with antibiotics for travelers runs, ear infections, respiratory infections etc. all with instructions. Just wondering if he would cover covid meds. We are boostered with everything that is available and so far so good

You do not need the chart. You will get gold Haven luggage tags and you can leave any time you want with an escort to the front of the line. The porter is key. You will be out of the terminal in five minutes.

Let’s wait and see what the doctor says. Could be any number of things including poison ivy.the chicken pox vaccination is really very reliable. Very few break through infections.

Great photos. Very helpful.

When in the Haven , speak to the concierge, we were able to take the crew elevator as soon as the self assist started to leave. Haven luggage is the first off the ship. If it is your first US port and you need to clear customs , get a porter. For a $10 tip they will by pass all lines and take you directly to a taxi.

We just got off the Breakaway and our concierge also told us ( and this was the first time in our many times in the Haven) no about being escorted to the theater early. I said point blank that this was not acceptable. The haven seats are not close enough for me to comfortably see and my husband to hear. She arranged for our butler to bring us down. When others in the Haven saw us go they were so happy to join us. Needless to say her tip reflected this and our butler received double .

We just got off the Breakaway . We were on the Getaway last February . Both cruises were in the two bedroom Haven family suite . If they are identical and I think they are, for sure there is no step going from the master past the curtain ( no door, so no door jam) into the bathroom. However, the space between the end of the bed and the closets is very narrow. I believe that there is a small step up into the tiny second bathroom. But I’m not positive

We were on the Encore just this past Thanksgiving and had a great time. We ate in Cagneys because we wanted a really good meal so I can’t speak about the MDR but I know that carved turkey and fixings were served in the Buffet. Everyone on board was in a holiday mood. Many large family groups.

In the cs we always had them cover and tape the bedroom window so it’s dark for sleeping if someone is watching TV in the living room. Of course that won’t work on the Edge class. We get their softest pillows ( hopefully down) and many more hangers without clips , which I hate. A fruit bowl is great and cheese crackers , cut up fruit, vegetables and dip and once in a while a BLT ! We don’t drink alcohol so we stick with water, club soda and Diet Coke. Will be on the Edge twice this winter. Yippee!

Majestic should be great ( pretty new ship). We did the add on of the Princess train to Denali staying in Princess lodges. It cost the same as the cruise but we saw and did a lot like white water rafting and nature hikes. Saw a lot of bear and moose. You stay one night in Anchorage before and one night in Fairbanks before flying home. Great easy way to see the interior. Princess does a fabulous job.

Yes but I don’t have free WiFi as a perk. I’d have to pay something. This way I just check my email on his phone and send when I want and don’t have to pay anything. He’s one his night and day checking sports, etc. if I win in the casino, I can call him on a house phone

Take backpack or small roll aboard with you onto the ship.with Meds, glasses ,C pac or hearing aids if applicable , change of clothes , bathing suit. Important papers favorite baseball cap and anything that if lost would ruin your trip. All big bags leave with porters. Tip! They are very hard working. Make sure your bag is clearly labeled in two places. We have been on 50+ cruises and it’s the best invention ever.

Do not miss Glacier Bay. It is more important than any small differences between Celebrity and Princess. We started on Princess and they are the Pros in Alaska ( Holland American also does a good job). You will have a ranger on board. There was half the ice five years ago ( NCL round trip from Seattle and a mistake because there was too little time in port) and our Princess trip 25 years ago. We mostly cruise Celebrity now because of the smoking in the casino. We were on the Sky Princess in 2021 and our favorite ship the Regal in February 2020 right before shutdown. Food is better on Celebrity, entertainment better on Princess . But Alaska hands down is Princess territory. If you can afford it, take the helicopter to the dog camp on the glacier and go sledding with the Iditarod dogs. Also the train in Scagway is fun ( sit on the left side).

The bar in the casino is only open when the casino is open and it’s usually very very busy