Treasure Hunter

We also loved the Getaway haven and have booked it again for next February winter break for my family from New York to the Bahamas. The restaurant is smaller but the service and food is top notch. Omar, the concierge is outstanding. Omar took us down to the shows ( Million Dollar Quartet was Fabulous). In order to make the early show the head waiter arranged for us to pre-order dinner so when we sat down our JUMBO shrimp cocktails were placed in front of us. We came back after the show to have dessert. The personal attention is great and a smaller bar/lounge area makes it easy to make friends. My only complaint was that one family with two small children insisted in coming up to the sundeck and doing their school lessons ( non stop talking). Because the Splash academy was closed the servers were reluctant to say anything. Because the Getaway leaves and returns to New York we love it. Did I like the Breakaway Plus class better? Yes, My husband loved the observation lounge, but it isn't available to us in the winter.

Except if you are in the Haven, then you just tell the concierge and you get off when you want. Even if the early tags are gone, if you show that you have a super early flight they will take pity .

Also the Reuben sandwich at O’Sheehans is great

I have never done that but I know people who have boarded, had lunch then left the ship. Just be sure you know when you need to be on board. Usually at least an hour before the ship sails.

Yes.People who arrive early get on earlier. There is a line. And usually they start boarding by 11:00 -11:30 ish.

I will guess 48 hours. And if you are in the same party you should be able to board together. Just keep the earlier form on top.

Yes. That’s what I’ve read. We usually book CS but next winter we have a RS and I’m excited because I’ve found Luminae menu selections odd , although quality has always been good. We’ve often ordered off the MDR menu but on the Edge( next winter) that option will not be available as the MDR kitchen is too far from the retreat. So we’ll probably do every other night in a specialty restaurant.

On NCL ( round trip NY -Bahamas) we stopped at Norfolk VA before returning to New York. We walked off the ship with our passports. It took 5 minutes, we spent the morning in Norfolk. When we returned to NY we walked right off the ship to our car.

We have never had a problem with getting seated at Luminae within a few minutes whenever we showed up.

Yes, I’ve always done my own thing before covid and I’m just a little nervous now with family that have to get back to jobs. Are you only taking cruise excursions?

I just booked Connie for my family next June. Leaving from Athens and returning from Venice(Ravenna) and we would like to come in two days early and stay two days so we can see both ports. I cannot find any hotel/transfer packages even if I look at this years cruises. I called and was told that I couldn’t book hotels unless I already had flights( catch 22). I don’t want to book flights unless I have a package because of the long complicated transfers and the testing requirements. On Princess I was always able to look up the cruise hotels in advance and decide. I plan to book our own flights as I want non-stop business. And we have tons of miles from the last two years of non travel. Any input would be very much appreciated . Has anyone already taken a European cruise and tested through Celebrity for return to the US? How about if you wanted to stay in Venice two nights at the end of the cruise? This is a big present for my granddaughters high school graduation. Thanks

We hate all being in one room. In February ( NY winter break) we are taking two grand kids and daughter on 8 days to The Bahamas. We will put the little girl and boy in the tiny room with him on the drop down bunk . He’ll enjoy climbing the ladder.And it will work for babysitting. Our daughter will sleep on the pull out sofa in the living room. She can use our nice shower. They are all excited. I’m traumatized as we usually have that room for ourself. But we wanted to all be in the Haven. On previous sailings, our son and family ( two teens) opted to take two balcony cabins so they would have privacy and two bathrooms. It didn’t work, we never saw them.

On some ships there are suites that are not in the Haven proper that have Haven access and amenities. Look for one of those for yourself and don’t just put your faith in your TA. Look online everyday for a cancelation. Also there might be a chance to upgrade at the last minute.

Is there a pre cruise package for Venice? How far away is Venice?

The food in the Haven restaurant , on the ships that have a separate Haven restaurant is much better than Costal Kitchen. We personally prefer Haven restaurant to Luminae on Celebrity as we find Luminae selections weird. The service is fantastic. The concierge service is personalized. We love being brought down before a show. In the restaurant we can pre order our dinner so we can finish in time and then come back for dessert after. We don’t ask much from our butler except to specifically ask for certain afternoon snacks or switch up our pillow selection. We like that the sundeck has much more shade than the retreat. The only sundeck I like better is Princess Sanctuary. But you have to be very lucky to sign up for it and you have to pay extra. The entertainment on Royal Caribbean is the best with NCL a close second. Unless you have the genie , a regular suite on Royal doesn’t compare to NCL suite service.

The food in the Haven restaurant , on the ships that have a separate Haven restaurant is much better than Costal Kitchen. We personally prefer Haven restaurant to Luminae on Celebrity as we find Luminae selections weird. The service is fantastic. The concierge service is personalized. We love being brought down before a show. In the restaurant we can pre order our dinner so we can finish in time and then come back for dessert after. We don’t ask much from our butler except to specifically ask for certain afternoon snacks or switch up our pillow selection. We like that the sundeck has much more shade than the retreat. The only suite sundeck I like better is Princess Sanctuary. But you have to be very lucky to sign up for it and you have to pay extra. The entertainment on Royal Caribbean is the best with NCL a close second. Unless you have the genie , a regular suite on Royal doesn’t compare to NCL suite service.