esp13

Thanks for all the responses. The comments are greatly appreciated.

I'm looking at booking an H5 on the Getaway. I've sailed the Getaway before in an H6 (Aft suite) and on the Escape in an Owner's Suite, so I'm familiar with the Haven and the amenities and all that.

My question is simply whether anybody has any insight into whether there is a "better" or "worse" H5 to try and book or try and avoid. I've done the forum search, the google search, read the cabin info thread and looked at the Getaway/Breakaway spreadsheet, so I've tried to find the answer myself, but haven't really found any information. Maybe that means that they are all basically the same with no real surprises or differences and, if so, that's great.

But, I figured that before I called and made the reservation and picked a cabin, I'd at least ask the question and see if I got any responses. So, thanks in advance for any info provided.

Unless something has changed, those amenities are not automatically included with the Haven. They are the promos offered if you book a Haven suite.

So, in your case, because you are upselling, you would get the promos you got with your originally booking. Somebody choosing to book a Haven suite as an original booking would get those promos.

I hope that makes some kind of sense.

I don't understand why you need to wait until you are onboard to tell them? Why cause issues with the boarding process and/or getting the ship away? Is there some reason you can't inform them whe you check in?

I guess I'll go first. Escape - 12/10 sailing.

Original stateroom - H7 (Forward Penthouse) I can't remember the exact number but it was on Deck 14 with a hull balcony.

New stateroom - H3 (Owner's Suite with Large Balcony) on Deck 18 (18100 I think)

Successful bid - $1000 pp

Best thing in the H2 and H3 you will get a few bottles of liquor and unlimited cans sofa in cabin

 

 

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Yeah, I'm looking forward to both of those things. And the large balcony looking forward. I know the wind might be an issue, but I think the view will be awesome!!

Dou you remember some of the price ranges for the higher suites? Do you mind telling us what bid amount they accepted?

I believe that the minimum bids for the H2, H3, and H4 was $500/pp. I think it was $300/pp for the other Haven suites.

I bid $1000/pp which put me in the "fair" category on the bid meter. I debated a long time about whether to go lower, but we had decided we wanted the upgrade, so I went with that amount. Obviously it worked and it's a number I was comfortable with. I think that's all you can expect/ask for - the opportunity to offer what you are okay with. If it works, great. If not, oh well.

I am on the 12/10 sailing on the Escape. Originally booked an H7 way back in like March of 2015. Got an email about the opportunity to bid in an upgrade about 2-3 weeks ago. Put in bid for the H3. Got the email notifying that we had "won" the upgrade a couple days ago.

I'm looking forward to the H3. It's kind of a "only live once" kind of thing. I can't say I got a great deal, although I don't think it's was bad either. But I like having the opportunity, partly because when you pay for the original room over 18 months, the upgrade cost doesn't seem quite so bad. :) Anyway, it does appear that you will be notified, at least in some cases, well before the three days before the cruise deadline they put in the email.

We aren't talking court of law. If someone feels that they have no choice and that they are being forced to do something then from their point of view that is all that matters, they'll make future decisions based on that perception. How you or I view it is irrelevent and telling them they are wrong isn't going to change their view or their opinion.

But, again, someone's feeling or opinion isn't a fact. Facts are not optional and do not change based on someone's belief. That's not just true in a court of law, it's true in life. And it's a fact, a truth, that safe, drinkable water is available for free on the ship. Whether it tastes good or not is an opinion. And, as a side note, if this debate isn't the very definition of a first world problem, then I don't know what is. There are millions, if not billions, of people in this world who would kill for the water provided on cruise ships.

In any case, anybody who believes they are forced to buy bottled water on the ship is simply wrong. They are not forced to do so anymore than they are forced to pay for room service because they don't want to go to the buffet or are forced to pay for specialty dining because they don't like the main dining room. Deciding to pay for something because you don't care for the free alternative is - again - a choice, not a requirement.

And yes, there may be people who choose not to cruise on NCL because of this policy change. I would never tell somebody they were wrong to make a decision based on policies they disagree with. And I'm not telling people they are wrong to be unhappy about the new policy or wrong to change cruise lines. I very firmly believe that people should do what is best for them and NCL is not that, then don't sail on them.

But if somebody tells me that because of the new policy, they are "forced" to buy bottled water, I will tell them they are wrong. Because they are.

Whether something is forced or not depends largely upon perception and while you or I might not see it that way if some does then I can certainly appreciate their position.

But it's not a "matter of perception." It's an actual fact. There is free, drinkable water on the ship. It's available at every drinking station, not to mention the faucets in the stateroom. If somebody doesn't like that water it doesn't change the fact that water is available. It's safe, potable water and - absent some medical evidence that somebody is allergic to it - any choice not to drink it is just that - a choice. And when you have a choice, you are not being "forced" into anything.

Yes, it's true. It's a section at the very front of the sundeck. There are plexi-glass (or at least I assume that's the material) dividers between that portion of the sundeck and the rest. It doesn't completely block it off, but I would assume it prevents the smoke from drifting directly downwind.

I was on this same cruise (in the Haven) and yes, smoking is still allowed deck 19 in the Haven all the way forward. There were plenty of ashtrays. Also allowed at Spice H2O, deck 17 aft.

 

Tracy

Thank you for this information!! I'm all about cooperating with the smoking policy, but the I was not looking forward to trekking out to the Waves Bar smoking section every time I wanted a cigarette.

Re: smoking

On the Getaway, smoking was allowed on the Haven sun deck all the way forward. Somebody who was on the Escape transatlantic said that was still true. Is that no longer true?

Just a follow up on my Haven sundeck question:

 

Based on your experiences, do we still need to get to the Haven sundeck early to get a lounger? Even though we are early risers, we don't want to have to have to worry about finding loungers. If we didn't land in the Haven AFT room, we would have probably frequent Spice H2o but even with that you still need to make your way out there early to get a lounger. At the same time, being at the AFT, we are not that far away.

 

With the Haven sundeck and Haven pool is forward, assuming that there is not a 1:1 ration of loungers for Haven quests and seeing that we land in Miami at 10:00am and boarding the ship via the Haven entry/line is there any benefit (other than the limited amount of guests) of trying for Vibe passes or do you think we would even have a shot at getting them? We just don't want to worry about getting a lounger outside regardless of the time of day.

 

I sort of feel like I am answering my own question but I'd like to hear from those who have lived it.

We sailed in a Haven Aft Penthouse on the Getaway in December of 2014. We went to the Haven Sundeck pretty much every day (except two port days) and never had a problem finding a lounger on the upper level of the sundeck (i.e. the level above the Haven pool). It did tend to get filled up on the pool level, although I don't know how early that occurred as we were never interested in staying there, just walking through. But, I can't recall a time when there were not loungers available somewhere on the sundeck. So, unless the no kids thing is really important to you, I wouldn't think the Vibe passes are necessary.

We spent almost all our time on the upper deck all the way forward (the smoking section of the sundeck) and never lacked for wait service to get us drinks and had a steady stream of folks bringing by cold washclothes, fruit skewers, and a refreshing water spritzer. The only reason we ever had to get up was to use the restroom.

Also, since you've mentioned being away from the Haven, I can also say that I never found it to be that big of a deal. The butler was still quite good. We had breakfast in the room a lot, but that was less about not being in the Haven than just wanting to enjoy a more leisurely morning. It's a bit of a trek to the Haven, but not anything THAT bad. We would just take a beach bag with necessities with us and spend the day.

It was a great situation and we ended up using the Haven so much (and our massive balcony so little) that we booked a Forward PH for the Escape. The balcony is much smaller (and we have a hull one at that) but the price difference was worth it simply because we spent so little time out there on the last trip.

Two questions:

 

If fares had gone up between the time you booked and today would you willingly agree to a request from NCL that you pay more?

 

Don't you think that NCL might reasonably be expected to have their "best reasonable interests at heart" rather than yours - considering that they are in business to operate profitably?

This is the part that never gets answered. If, by booking early, I'm "entitled" to get a refund because the price goes down after the final payment date, then why isn't NCL entitled to charge me more if the price goes up? We are both bound by the same contract, so if it's not binding on me, then why should it be binding on NCL?

I mean, I get the frustration from seeing the price drops after the final payment date, but that doesn't mean my agreement should be changed. I sure as heck don't want the reverse to bet true. On my last two cruises, the price for my room had gone up between $200 and $400 per person by the time we cruised.

False

Its not a play on words or disgruntled people. Of course all cruise lines or resorts do it but the phrase has nothing to do with disgruntled people and it has nothing to do with people not planning on spending. If consumers know costs in advance then they can plan. Vacation resorts and cruise lines charge surprise or hidden fees that many first time cruisers are not aware of. Fee's for eating better food, NCL charges for entertainment, spa use, etc. Its not accurate or fair to call those consumers disgruntled. Its a phrase that is widely and commonly used.

Well there is absolutely no reason that anyone on a cruise - first time or not - should not know the charges on the ship. The charges for specialty dining, the spa, certain entertainment, etc. are all found on the NCL website or by any fairly simply google search. Those aren't "hidden" fees as they are openly acknowledged by the company. And they are only a surprise if you choose not to do any research into your cruise AT ALL. I was a first time cruiser once and didn't run into any charge that had been hidden from me or that surprised me.

I can't feel sorry for somebody who chooses not to check into the most basic information.

To all the "nickel and dimers" out there:

 

Just looked at my invoice for future 7-night cruise. It lists $223.92 for service charges for UBP and 3-night dining plan.

 

Consider the UBP: I would never buy it outright since neither of us drink enough to warrant it. That said, we would probably have at least a glass of wine at dinner each night and more than likely have at least one mixed drink or beer each day. If you were buying drinks outright, at that rate, assuming $12.00 per drink plus service charge, you would spend about $400.00

 

Consider the dining plan: We would probably eat in at least three specialties

even without the dining plan. At an average of $30.00 per person with service charge you would spend a little over $200.00

 

By my math I am coming out ahead by paying $224.00

 

With regard to the $7.95 room service fee, I don't consider it an issue.

If I want juice and coffee in the morning, I don't pay it. If I want a cooked to order hot breakfast, I pay it. Someone has to take the order, someone has to cook it and someone has to deliver it in an expedient manner.

 

As much as anything, the delivery fee is an aversion thing. Maybe someone will think twice about ordering room service if it is extra. I have seen too many trays with half eaten food sitting in the hallways. Same goes for pizza.

Can you imagine how many pizzas would be ordered if they were free.

 

Pictures, bingo, scratch offs and whatever may be nice to have but do you really need them to have a nice cruise.

 

You cannot be "nickel and dimed" if you don't want to be.

This is absolutely true, IMO. I've sailed five times now and have never felt that I was "nickel and dimed" about anything. I paid for the stuff I wanted to do/eat and didn't pay for the stuff I didn't. I have never once felt "forced" to pay for anything. I've also never felt like there was some charge that I didn't know about or didn't expect.

While I certainly understand that the changes NCL has made might make some formerly loyal NCL cruisers decide to jump ship, I've never understood why people seem to take it so personally. NCL is a business. The whole purpose is to make profits for shareholders. So it makes business decisions.

If you don't feel those decisions work for you, sail another line or choose a different vacation. But acting like NCL has "betrayed" you just seems strange to me. They aren't my friend or my family and they don't owe me anything other than what they agreed to when I purchased my ticket.

I was surprised and a little thrilled to read the article and find out I'm rich and part of the upper class. Since it takes me a couple of years to save up the money to sail in the Haven, I figured I was just a middle class person who liked a little extra pampering on my vacations. Who knew?

As others have said, that's where the article truly misses the boat (pun intended). It's not that what it says doesn't apply to anyone sailing in suites and the Haven, it's that it clearly doesn't apply to everyone. Everybody has a different reason for choosing the Haven (or not choosing it) and making judgments about the economic status or lifestyle attitudes of people based on those choices is just stupid. My boss makes way more money that I do and he never cruises in suites because it doesn't fit what he and his family are looking for. Due to work realities, I have to plan my vacations pretty far in advance and the calm and relaxing feel of the Haven works best for me. It's really that simple.

And I'm not sure why the cruising industry is singled out. Hotels, airplanes, and other travel related industries have always offered better perks or accomodations for those willing to pay more money. Heck, based on a difference in fares, I'd bet first class on most flights is "more exclusive" than the Haven.

I try to take all reviews, good and bad, with a grain of salt. After all, what is important to one person may be irrelevant to another. I read them to get a sense of things and the only time I get concerned (and that's not even really the right word) is if the same thing is mentioned by numerous reviews, especially if it's mentioned both in reviews that are generally positive and those that are generally negative. However, I've found that even those types of issues (often related to crowding or slow/poor service) are ones that can be dealt with as long as I'm prepared.

But, I don't really pay attention to overall numbers. People are more likely to take the time to complain/vent than to praise (just human nature). And on a ship with 4000 passengers, even if 99% are happy you still have 40 people who are unhappy. It's just the nature of the beast.

And, overall, I'm a firm believer that your vacation is what you make of it. Short of a serious disaster or structural issue, how other people (passengers or staff) affect your cruise is largely dependent on you and your attitude. I've yet to take a cruise where I didn't have some minor irritations, but that's all they are, minor, unless I let them become a major thing. Sometimes that's easier said than done, but it's still on me to deal with it in a way that doesn't take over my vacation.

Since you were in the Haven, I'm hoping you can answer this question. On the Haven sundeck (deck 19), is the area all the way forward still a smoking area? It was on the Aways.

Thanks.

I don't love all the changes, but then I didn't love it when airlines took away meals, legroom, free baggage, and other comforts and starting charging for them. Just because I didn't love it didn't mean I stopped flying and I certainly won't cancel my cruise with NCL or stop cruising NCL in the future.

I have always cruised with NCL because I believe it provides the best value (not cheapest, but best value) in cruising FOR ME. Even with the changes, I don't think that has changed yet. When it does change, I'm sure I'll look at other lines.

Until then, I figure that NCL is a business and it is supposed to find a way to maximize it's bottom line, just like every other business. I expect the staff onboard the ship to treat me as a valued guest, I don't expect the CEO and CFO to do the same thing. I know how the real world works and know that to the higher ups I'm nothing but a dollar sign. That's okay, I don't take it personally. Because I don't expect them to take it personally if I someday choose to take my business elsewhere. Market economy at its best.

Don't be too upset! You can always go up a few decks to the Haven and enjoy all the sky and sun you want :)

We have the same cabin for a December 2016 sailing on the Escape and I'm not worried about the hull balcony at all. After having an Aft PH on the Getaway and almost never using the huge balcony because of all the time spent on the Haven sundeck, I figure the hull balcony is perfect. We still have a little view and nice spot for coffee in the morning (and protected from the wind) and we're much closer to the Haven now.

So, for Sestar, don't be too upset. Unless you really intend to spend a lot of time on that balcony, you'll be more than compensated by the awesome Haven sundeck. :)

Yes, I'm well aware that we ARE actually a "captive audience", technically, but for someone in that position to refer to us as that, essentially admitting "we can do what we want, charge what we want, because what are they going to do, leave?" Uh, yeah. We can and will. There are other cruise lines out there and many other styles of vacationing. That kind of attitude doesn't foster any warm and fuzzy feelings toward my "host".

Fair enough. For me, I have no problem with a CEO explaining his choices to his investors and referring to the inherent advantage of a cruise ship in having a captive audience. I'm sure CEO's of airlines, movie theaters, sports stadiums, and various other venues have made similar comments.

I just don't get the insult in that remark, but more power to you if it motivates you to find a better value elsewhere.

The reference to "captive audience" wasn't about customers only sailing on NCL. It was about passengers on the ships during a cruise. I'm not sure why the term is so upsetting because it's literally true. You are on a ship in the middle of the ocean and can't get off. Therefore, you are the very definition of a captive audience on that ship regardless of which cruise line you choose.

This is true if you are on a plane in the air, or even past security in the airport (although you could technically get out again). That's why those places charge so much for everything in them. They have captive audience that has no other alternatives. The only limit is figuring out when they charge so much that people stop buying things and keeping it below that point.

Price increases due to inflation are one thing. Del Rio increased the cost of soda not because it cost NCL more for them but because he wants to get more from the customer and they will pay the price since they are in the middle of the ocean and are a captive audience.

That's probably why he's the CEO of a major corporation. He wants to maximize profits and maximize the inherent advantages of a ship at sea full of people.