SMerritt

In all of my Haven cruises - Epic and Breakaway included, I have never had a problem finding loungers in the Haven Pool area, hence, possibly why no one is saving chairs.

Walking by in the morning, there is no evidence of "chair hogging", no books, towels etc, with no people around.

There are servers and attendants in the pool area, possibly they monitor guests better than public areas

Everything in the Haven is Wonderful~!

I always book our own flights -- won't let HAL or any cruise line book them.

And I check them once a month.

Even though I have signed up for e-mail notices to be sent to me -- neither Delta or US Airways seem to send them to me.

Delta emailed us once to inform us our noon flight, booked through Celebrity, out of PR was delayed approx 3 hours.......Convinced me to personally book our flights from then on. C

Yup, the email was sent to us on disembarkation day at 8:30 am, how many cruisers checking our emails at that time? :D We met a lot of fun cruisers in the PR terminal that we never met on the ship! Could have toured PR or gone to the beach *sigh*

I now check our flights before going to bed and early in the AM ......

everyone gets the same info, unless maybe you got the Villa and limo back to airport. ( we walked our own bags off NCL had limo waiting.. don't remember them hurding us up. But I still think we have always just followed the color tag rule and walked off with our bags or sent them the night before. Balcony, PH suite, Owners, Villa...

 

NO one walks you off the ship

Talk to your concierge a day or so before disembarkation

I sometimes have to book an early flight (11:00) - long story

During a few hours in the morning of disembarkation:

The elevators on disembarkation day are always full and sometimes people get "ugly"

We meet our concierge at an appointed time at his/her desk, with luggage in tow.

Escorted to the Express elevator

When we get downstairs, one of the concierges "team members" meets us, takes us to the front of the line and swipes our cards, thanks us etc., then we are on our own to proceed through customs.

If you have time, you can leave your bags out in the evening, and still be escorted off of the ship.

As for embarkation, we do not have to be escorted directly to our suite, but VIP Check-In is AMAZING! Worth the price of a Haven Suite alone :) Oh, and my Lavazza ;o)

Haha me too. We traveled to theme parks on vacation and when we went in the gate we were told.... Be here at xx time. Not being where you were supposed to be before mom and dad showed up could easily result in every one having to leave.

 

I've also heard that post it notes inside the cabin for safety reasons Is a good way to communicate.

I remember packing stamps for postcards.....:D

Post-its, white board, and many times, after 46 years of marriage, I like getting "lost" for a while.....hmm? after 46 years, we seem to be able to find each other easily.

If you want to get him a photo ID and do not want to take off his passport--Go to the Dept of Motor Vehicles and get him a State ID. Our DDs have had theirs since they were in elementary school.

Oh cool Sadie - thanks!

In Hawaii, we saw someone that had to wait at the gate until their friend fetched their PHOTO ID from the ship. Kicked off the bus :rolleyes:

On our first cruise to Nassau - I didn't have my photo i.d. (required) but the benevolent officer let it "slide".

Hi. We all feel the pain of leaving behind our furry friends. Really, they have just as much fun as we do when we vacation. We have to board our Golden Retriever any time we vacation because we just don't have the luxury of having someone to watch her. :(

If I can make one helpful suggestion....don't make the first time boarding your pets be when you are away on a cruise for an extended amount of time. Do a trial run or two for several days so your pets are familiar with their new environment and they don't feel stressed by your absence and change of their environment. You can note any behavioral changes when they get back home.

Sleep with a towel and leave it with them in the kennel so they have your scent. Definitely bring your own food so there is no change in diet. I know it's hard but now you will have a back up "sitter" and feel more confident with your vacation plans.

Truly, we have all been there making those pet care decisions because we love them so much and they are part of our families! Good luck!

All of the above - EXCELLENT Sadie!

We board our mutts at Bed & Biscuit - have been for over 10 years, but the stress is still there.

Just research, ask around, check out the facilities and leave them there for an overnight "play date".

Sadie (above) says it all......

Also, our lovely family that watches our pups emails us daily, sometimes with photos! :)

I get concerned, because one of our Bull Doggies is now 14, but they always come home tired and happy - DOG HAPPY!:)

Note: Make sure it is a boarding facility that has someone on site 24/7.

We are going on a cruise with our family! Yay! Finally!

When returning to the ship from a "Working Port" - Nassau comes to mind, you are required to have your ship card AND a photo ID.

Our 3.5 year old grandson has a passport......

Will a photo copy of his passport work? We would rather not carry the actual PP on the islands.

What do you do?

Thanks in advance....

My son is celiac and is GF as well. I was told the same thing by our guy at NCL. That it was noted in his file and would be handled on board. However, since we will be in Haven, I plan to contact the pre-concierge desk once we are within 55 days of sailing to see what his options would be. He has not had a good Southern Biscuit or a yummy Cinnamon Roll in almost a year. :) I am hoping they can make him something special.

 

If you like, send me your email address and when I hear from them, I'll send you what they reply to me.

 

Email me @ robin.nichols@bossierschools.org :)

We met a wonderful couple on the Breakaway in the Haven, their daughter was GF - the dietitian hovered over her daily. Some of us were actually teasing the dietitian that we wanted her meals. It was so nice to see all of the wonderful and fun meals and treats the young lady had.

• With room 16720, from the deck plans, it appears that the Haven courtyard and lounge is literally right outside our door. Is this actually the case?

There is a hallway between your suite and the lounge. We found this location a lot of fun.

* Is there a special spa just for Haven guests? If so, is the price included in your suite or is it extra?

There are "Spa/Massage" rooms, you can order spa services in the Haven, but the Breakaway spa is beautiful and very scenic. Not included. Also steam rooms and saunas on the pool level

* Is there a special fitness center just for Haven guests?

Very nice fitness center with windows overlooking the Haven Pool Area

Once you are through security look for VIP CHECK IN or ask one of the many crew members that will be available - do not stand in any other lines after security

All good go with you!

We had a wonderful cruise to Bermuda on the Breakaway - stayed in the Haven Complex.

Only one cruise on RCL and other lines. We now stay with NCL because of the variety of entertainment offered.

As above, sailing out of Manhattan was a tour in itself.

A great feature, the Breakaway has Outside Dining, a quiet dinner at sunset on a warm evening was amazing!

Ohhhh myyyyy Carlo's Bakery on the Breakaway...

Outside dining at sunset was the BEST! We ate at Moderno

Epic usually gets in around dawn and clears for debarkation around 7 or 7:30. That's "usually". There can be delays for a lot of reasons. Also, MIA is a zoo on these days, so you'll need extra time to get through security and to your gate. One person cited a security wait of nearly 2 hours due to crowds.

 

As stated, you're best off booking a flight after noon, although it IS possible when things go perfectly to catch an earlier flight. I just wouldn't count on perfect.

We were off of the Epic and waiting for our flight at FLL by 10:00 AM....We did have priority disembarkation and were walking off with our luggage in tow at 8:00 AM -

A flight out of MIA about noon would be best, and take a CAB to MIA.

MIA lines are miserable, and the TSA line could take 30+ minutes alone

I also read a post from a CC member, disembarking the Epic, that was "Randomly" pulled aside by customs, they had to wait 30 minutes in line just to be told "thank you have a nice day".

Due to our flight preferences, and the need to arrive home ASAP, I do sometimes book some crazy flights home but, It does add stress to our cruises. If anyway possible, book a flight after noon, or, spend the day in Florida!

If you want to use the photo ID and birth certificate option, make sure your birth certificate is a certified copy issued by your state or local government, not something that you got from the hospital. (In many, but not all states, certified BCs have a raised seal.)

 

There have been stories about people who have not been allowed to sail because they didn't have a proper birth certificate. (Also, this is only information for US citizens. If you are a resident and not a citizen there may be other items needed.)

 

I prefer to carry a passport because in the event that I need to unexpectedly fly then the passport would be needed. For example, if we missed the cruise and wanted to catch up at the next port, or if we got left behind at a port. You can't fly internationally without the passport.

***Megmno said it best - we have seen cruisers denied boarding due to lack of documentation. There was also a CC special on the travel channel about this long ago.

If you want to use the photo ID and birth certificate option, make sure your birth certificate is a certified copy issued by your state or local government, not something that you got from the hospital. (In many, but not all states, certified BCs have a raised seal.)

There have been stories about people who have not been allowed to sail because they didn't have a proper birth certificate. (Also, this is only information for US citizens. If you are a resident and not a citizen there may be other items needed.)

We don't bring them home anymore because they are so ugly

On the POA we received chrome trimmed frosted mugs that tout NCL that I love "flaunting". it.

The last Pepsi one we brought home, was due to, I used it to hold a make-up bottle that was trying to leak :D

We booked Teppanyaki at 5:30 on the Nassau port day. We were the only people in the entire restaurant, just the three of us, and were treated like royalty. I would highly recommend doing that. It was one of the best dining experiences we have ever had on a ship.

We ate outside at Moderno at 5:30 on the Breakaway - quiet, only one other couple - sun was setting, one of our best also.

I second the cab. We just went on a Disney cruise last month. It is $24.00 per cab (not per person) from the airport to the cruise terminal. Yes it is each way so it would be $48.00 not including tips to and from.

 

http://www.miami-airport.com/hotel_shuttles.asp

Ship Transfer = Luggage & cruisers loaded on a bus or van, wait for bus to fill up, stop at EVERY airlines at MIA, stop and unload luggage and passengers at each airline......."privateer vans" do the same thing, don't be tempted.

As awreaper said, take a cab, there will be plenty waiting for you $24.00 flat rate to and from MIA

getting off the Epic in Miami -if we "walk-off" can we make an 11am flight from MIA airport?

We were off the ship and at FLL Airport for our flight at 9:50 a few weeks ago

Take a cab to MIA - not a van etc. and you should be ok....

As above, customs could be slow or late but rarely

We also were in the Haven so, had priority disembarkation (express elevators and escorted to front of lines), you probably should be ready and "downstairs" and ready when the ship is cleared - the elevators full of cruisers can get ugly :D

MIA can also be miserably slow.....but we have made many 11:00 am flights from MIA on disembarkation day

If a little later "doable" flight was available to us (and you), I would definitely book it - 12+ cruises and I still stress-out

Unpacking (on request) is one of listed duties for the butler.

Yup John - on the list

Many times our Butler has delivered our luggage and OFFERED to unpack our bags.

Would be nice, but prefer to do it on my own.....I guess it is for people that have "people". Not uncommon in some circles

On our Breakaway Cruise in September and our Epic Cruise a few weeks ago, we received a free bottle of wine the first night out, dining in Cagney's:)

You can drink it with dinner or take it back to your suite. I do not know if this is on every cruise, or every ship.

Also, look for VIP Check-In after going through security on embarkation day, and your concierge is available to escort you off the ship on disembarkation day

Priority show seating is worth the price of a Haven Suite alone!

Have a GREAT Cruise!

My family and I have sailed the RCI oasis class ships and LOVED them, but unfortunately this year they are a little out of our price range.

 

The rates on the Getaway seem to be more reasonable. Has anyone sailed both these class ships and may be able to give me some feedback wth how they compare?

We have sailed on the Breakaway and the Oasis Of The Seas

The Breakaway had more "family activities" and evening entertainment - huge variety - also more restaurant choices.

The Oasis being centered around the Park and Boardwalk - there are not any restaurants or many areas with ocean views - I felt like I was at a Hilton Hotel & Formal Nights were over the top - fun to see though!:D

Opinions Vary - We like "Freestyle" cruising, no suits & ties to pack, and no scheduled meal times.

Glad you had a great time! We have been on her three times already! She is really one of our favorites.

Great Review

Three times here also.......would do #4 but the Imaginarium on the Getaway is calling

Same day is fine, but not before noon, San Juan airport has some of the longest check in lines I have ever been in. happy cruising.

Don't you still have to go through the AG check first?

Fly out mid-afternoon, take a cab, not a bus or van...........

SMerritt- Ryan is only on for three more weeks and is moving to the Breakaway. Karen is still there and they are both awesome as we have had them previously. They take care of the "little things"!

We woke up every morning to a cheerful telephone message from Ryan - reminding us of dinner, show, etc, reservations. Also, All-Aboard times, and a bevy of extremely helpful information.

The concierge desk was always staffed, the knowledge-based concierge crew always had smiles and time for all inquiries along with "can we help you with anything?" every time we saw Ryan

Anoop is headed to the Getaway in the next couple weeks.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk - Jim

OH Boy! yippiee! Anoop is magical - I think he can read minds :D

Sept 2013 Ruth was on the Breakaway

Ryan Ravi was on the Epic 2 weeks ago - AMAZING!