copper004

Does none have experience with the AT&T Cruise package? I just discovered it while planning for a cruise. It is obviously for AT&T customers. It offers unlimited text and talk with 1gb of data for 30 days while ON the ship for $100 usd. Or, unlimited text, 100 minutes of talk and 100mb of data for $60 for 30 days while ON the ship. The package is for one line, not all your devices . I believe this works independently from any Wi-Fi package on the ship. It seems like a good deal, which makes me cautious. Does anyone have experience with this package and can share any pros or cons? Thanks!

6 hours ago, dgreeney said:

The cigarette smokers are just too lazy to go to their approved smoking areas.

On my previous cruises, they seem to take over the cigar lounge. No crew members cared or would say anything to them. I told them I was willing to purchase cigars from them and smoke there, but not with the cigarette smokers there. There was nothing they cared to do. 
‘Enjoying a good cigar is not possible in a room full of cigarette smoke. 

Great to hear that they are open!
Now, if we could just keep the cigarette smokers out, it would be perfect!

3 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

The below link is of my family and me on our recent NCL Joy family cruise vacation.  We stayed in the H2-Haven Deluxe Owners Suite with Large Balcony.  The YouTube.com video has a Timeline Table of Contents agenda so you can go to the area you would like to hear and see.  

 

I discuss the Haven Amenities, Amenities special to just the H2 Owners Suite, Pros/Cons and a lot more.  The entire video last 14 minutes.  If you like it, give it a thumbs up.  If you have a comment on how I can improve my presentation, let me know. My goal was to provide a real consumers point of view.  This is part of a video series I do called, "The Cranky Old Man" Which I am.  

 

Cruise Well Everyone and Enjoy Every Minute.

 

Link:  

 

I enjoyed the video! Thanks Gary! 👍🏼

On Viking Ocean ships, if I purchase post cards (yes, old school) in port, is there any place to purchase stamps or mail them onboard?

55 minutes ago, broker1217 said:

 

Yes.

You be very out of place in shorts and t-shirt after dinner unless you are in your cabin.

Wear a golf shirt and casual pants--that will take you anywhere on the ship after dinner. Shows, bars, etc.

 

Thanks! 👍🏼

Are short and/or t-shirts frowned upon in the evening on the ship? I understand not in the dining venues, but what about after dinner???

12 hours ago, Twitchly said:

We got ours on Amazon. It’s by Minix. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0892K4ZHH

This model has one less plug but comes with a bunch of international adapters. Nice. https://www.amazon.com/MINIX-Charging-Compatible-NEO-P1/dp/B08M3SFWKB/ref=s_2/131-4007617-9547524

 

Anker is another well-known company that makes wall chargers, also sold on Amazon.

Thanks!

On 8/20/2021 at 10:36 AM, Twitchly said:

I think I used the wrong terminology. We bring these (though ours have 2 USB-A plugs and 2 USB-C). No extension cord needed.

 

Where might I find this plug? Amazon? Apple? It looks like a great idea/design!

19 hours ago, Heidi13 said:

 

Welcome to the Viking Board.

 

Cruises are often posted about 2 to 3 yrs ahead, in normal times. Due to COVID the Viking schedules are somewhat in disarray.

 

Over the past month, they have been posting new cruises, but mostly for the Orion, which has schedules out to the summer of 2024 already online. However, the newest ship (Neptune) has 2 World Cruises, but nothing from Europe to Ft Lauderdale prior to the 2022/23 WC, or anything in Europe for the summer of 2023.

 

We are waiting on a TA aboard Neptune (Dec 22) and Europe aboard Neptune (May 23). I check the website weekly and have requested our TA to have her local Viking Sales Agent to notify her when these cruises are about to be published.

 

Unfortunately, can't help with when the additional 2024 cruises will be published, so checking the website and asking a TA to keep you posted are the best options.

 

Another option is the Excel spreadsheet posted by one of our regular posters (CharTrav). She updates the spreadsheet, when aware of changes. Here is a link to the thread.

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2651194-viking-ocean-combined-cruise-schedule/?tab=comments#comment-57176246

 

Very insightful and helpful! Thanks for taking the time to answer! 👍🏼

6 minutes ago, Snowcat1 said:

We booked last May for June 2023.

Check the Viking website, 2023 has been out for quite a while. Some cruises already sold out.

Sorry, meant to say 2024. My bad!

5 minutes ago, Snowcat1 said:

We booked last May for June 2023.

Check the Viking website, 2023 has been out for quite a while. Some cruises already sold out.

Sorry, I meant 2024. Yes, quite a few of 2023 are already sold out. 

Hi Viking veterans! We have not sailed Viking Oceans yet, but are very interested. Have been loyal to NCL for years but are getting tired of the nickel & diming. Does anyone have an idea when we should start looking for 2024 cruises from Viking? Is there any way to get notified when the 2024 dates are released? Thanks!!! 
(**Sorry, the original post stated 2023, I meant to say 2024**). 

4 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

This is a very, very important point.  I hope others read your post.  I have had butlers on NCL, Celebrity and soon to be Crystal Cruises.  They are all NOT MADE THE SAME.  This gave me a challenge to come up with a solution.  When I did, I had a much better result from this notion of Hit/Miss butlers.  Yet, when I share my solution, I have taken so much heat on social media that I have hesitated to bring it back up.  Today I am in a feisty mood so what the heck.  Let the mean comments begin.

 

There are two examples I have heard today that I am addressing.  The first was yours about the Butler not accommodating you on food.  The second was a person with a Haven Two Bedroom Family Villa being told no to an egg crate mattress toper for the second bedroom.  On both of these situation, I have gotten no pushback on the food issues.  My wife and I were on Keto on the last cruise, we explained what that meant and the butler when over the top to accommodate us.  We asked for the egg crate mattress toper for the couch on another cruise, it was handled without asking a second time.  

 

Now what do I do that is so controversial.  I write a letter to my butler pre-cruise and give it to them on day one.  If I can't find them when I enter my room, I call the Haven Desk and ask them come come by at soon as they are available.  In the letter I am kind, understanding and clear.  I never demand anything.  I ask extremely nicely.  Every item above plus Water for My CPAP and much much more.  

 

THEN, here is comes, get ready for it.  I put $150.00 ($100.00 is fine, I give more because I choose to)  in the envelope so they get part of their tip upfront. I learned that the Butlers do not participate in the "Pre-Cruise Gratuities" we add in when we book.  I talked to many butlers whom in the nicest why possible told me, their guest many times leave note even knowing that.  So they get no tip.  This made me begin this practice.  From that day forward, every single butler was stellar.  Not one exception.  ALSO, every time I tell this story I get hateful comments on folks rules for tipping an gratuities.  

 

The other thing I have found out is the Butlers on the bigger ships seem to be more accommodating then those on the smaller ones.  That is why I rarely will have a Haven Suite unless it is a bigger ship with a dedicated Haven Restaurant and Bar.  Just my two cents.  All of you get to do what you want to do and I promise I won't criticize it. Cruise well everyone.

 

 

You are alway on point! Great advise! 

14 minutes ago, gardening_guy said:

Can’t wait to taste those..I’m curious to know when we’re asked what we want in our room for a treat if they will really accommodate you as best they can.  Even if I asked for salted Dutch licorice do you think they would find it?  LOL 

(Sorry forgot to attaché the quote from kitty sail)

We sailed in the Haven on POA in Hawaii a few years ago. I told the butler I liked the soft pretzel sticks they served in the buffet with mustard. I mentioned I liked a spicy brown mustard like Guldens. The next day I had pretzels and Guldens mustard, he got off the ship and bought it at a near-by store. Now THAT is service! 👍🏼 🥨

45 minutes ago, complawyer said:

i really doubt my "total haven experience" would be all that diminished if someone brought a friend or relative up to the pool or bar. besides, how would i even know?

 

while im not inclined to do it , ive thought about it  , remember the phrase "nobless obligue"

 

or "no harm no foul"

 

or here's the scenario: your wife's older brother just passed away he was 75 leaving a 72 year old widow. she has been a sister in law for 50 years and is massively despondent over the loss of her husband. she cannot afford a haven suite, but we thought if we can get her on a cruise, maybe it would cheer her up just a little, or at the very least take her mind off the death.

 

we cannot afford 2 haven suites, or a 2 bedroom. would your mind change about bringing her up to the haven for breakfast or lunch and the bar under these circumstances?

You know you are losing this argument when you have to come up with these sad, tear-jerking scenario’s.

On the NCL Escape, on deck 17 & 18 there are 50 Haven cabins (that’s not counting all the Haven cabins in the aft). So if everyone in those cabins had just one friend who had some misfortune in their life on the ship, there are 50 more people in the Haven who have not paid for the enhanced service. You are okay with that? If you were a paying Haven passenger, do you feel 50 additional people using the Haven services who had not paid for it will have no impact on your experience? My scenario is as extreme as yours, shame on both of us. Bottom line, non-Haven guest should be welcomed and entertained in your cabin. They should not use the pools, hot tubs and bar. They chose not to pay for that luxury. The Haven restaurant is different, they are paying for their meal. But keep in mind, they might also be taking seats away from paying Haven passengers who might wish to eat there. 

35 minutes ago, complawyer said:

dont get all huffy, it was merely a suggestion. i have been labeled a snob in some other posts, but i wouldnt get all bent out of shape if a haven couple brought up another couple. in most of the times we've been in a haven, (last 6 actual cruises) the pool area was virtually empty, as  was the bar area and the restaurant was only about1/2 full while wealth may indeed have its privileges, if you were in a haven and your close friend or relative (brother, sister, mom and dad) couldnt afford the cabin, wouldnt you try and  do the same for them?  im not talking about the entire cruise, i appreciate the exclusivity,  but  for a couple of days why not. it's like mamas chicken soup. it couldnt hurt 

Theft of service that they didn’t pay for.

2 hours ago, complawyer said:

if all else fails, i would suggest pleading your case to the concierge. he may be sympathetic enough to let your friends join you a few mornings for breakfast or lunch (no guarantee however) 

 

and although this may sound tacky, maybe slip him or her  or even the hostess a $20. i call it the famous las vegas handshake, and in a whole bunch of places it seems to do the trick .

 

finally, i dont think any one checks i.d. at the bar or pool area, so try and bring them up for that.just stroll in casually, sit down and order a drink, or get a chair in the pool area. again, no one has ever asked me if we were staying in the haven. you just need the key card to get in.

 

only caveat is they be really jealous as to how haven passengers get treated, and never speak to you again.  as for the theater, i dont think it's really necessary to take the haven seats, my wife has 2 bad knees and doesnt like to walk back up all those stairs, so sitting with them at a show would be no problem if you dont really need the haven seats

You are wrong on so many levels! If they are not paying for the Haven like the rest of us, they should NOT get any of the perks. Visiting you in your Haven cabin, fine! It’s your cabin and I hope they enjoy the visit. But advocating people sneak non-Haven guest into the pool area and get served drinks is wrong. It is a theft of services that the Haven guest have paid for. Shame on you.

1 hour ago, Sthrngary said:

When I wrote this op-ed, I was hoping to reduce some of the misunderstandings about the NCL Haven.  My challenge was very little at the time was written about how a guest can fully utilize the NCL Haven Experience.  Lots of folks were asking, “Is the Haven worth it?”.  Others were fixated that they could cruise three times for what it cost for one cruise in the Haven.  After all this time, I wanted to add a few thoughts that I hope is helpful.

 

Over 40 plus years our taste change.  Our careers and income level grow.  Our stress in our personal and business lives increase.  The older I get, the more I look back at things and say, “They used to be bigger, taste better, or simple feel better.”  I am a very logical person and realize most of what I am remembering is not accurate.  Just my perception at the time and now.  Hell, I can’t even remember what happened yesterday.

 

All I know is I was missing something in my cruising experience that I THOUGHT I used to have.  Then by pure accident, I booked NCL after many, many years.  Not just NCL, the NCL Haven.  Seemed like a good idea at the time and for what ever reason, the price was right.  Not cheap, just not as much as it seemed to be in the past.  Add to that, for the first time in my life, I could actually drive to the cruise port.  All the stars were working together.

 

I studied the Haven and all I could find on its amenities.  Everything from early boarding to how to effectively utilize your butler.  This information was not as easy to find as I had hoped.  I could never figure out why more specific and accurate information on an item that had a serious premium was not readily available.  So, I wrote this op-ed on the Haven. Then Covid-19 hit hard.  I hope my thoughts gave some folks a positive topic to learn about.  Some level of enjoyment over the months. 

 

The end of my story and my commitment to NCL and the Haven.  My adult children have never cruised in the Haven.  We as a family of five have not cruise together for many years.  At the end of November 2021, after three cancelled cruises due to Covid-19.  Appling all of our FCC with the bonus, 10 % off on next cruise; we as a family will be in the (H2) Haven Deluxe Owners Suite on the NCL Joy.  Could have never afforded this under normal circumstances. MAYBE, for the first time in my life, my adult children will be impressed.  We all have to have a goal in life.  Cruise Well Everyone.  

Well said! The question “is it worth it”, is unanswerable. Everyone’s taste, financial access and personal preference can only be answered by the person asking the question. You have done a wonderful job providing all the information available to help us make that choice, but it always comes down to the individual to decide what is best for them. My wife and I have been lucky enough to sail in the Haven on our last several cruises (pre-Covid) and are booked for 4 more in 2022. You have allowed us to go forward and get the absolute most out of the experience!! Your tips have made that possible! Thank you for all the time and effort you have put into this post! As time goes by, I’m sure even more tips/suggestions will be posted in this forum that will help us have the experience of a lifetime on each sailing. Thank you!

18 hours ago, FreestyleNovice said:

Zooming in on the last photo for a somewhat closer view of the forward sun deck but hard to tell if there's a Vibe wall somewhere..

 

 

I plan on cruising the Escape this fall (first time). I do not understand what you are referring to when you mention a “Vibe wall”. Could you please explain what you are looking for in the photo?

1 hour ago, debenson0723 said:

166 days until I am on that beautiful ship!

155 days for me! 🎉

1 hour ago, K2G said:

Back in 2020 when I booked a cruise on the Escape for 2022 I was told by NCL while booking on the phone that they were removing the obstacle course and adding a go cart track.  

Let's hope that things could have  changed in the past year! 

I might have tried the ropes course,  but have no interest in go carts. 😕

2 hours ago, FreestyleNovice said:

Some pics from around the dock, taken on the first days:

 

 

 

Thanks for the photos! Future updates will be appreciated. Scheduled to sail her on October 22! 🤞🏼

3 minutes ago, Falckon said:

Why bother with the District? I’m sure that the Haven bartender will gladly give you unopened bottles of beer.

That is a great idea! All our previous Haven experience has been on Jewel Class ships which do not have a Haven bar. Cheers! 🍻

42 minutes ago, oteixeira said:

So the workaround here on the beer in the fridge is to go to the district and get your two drinks as bottled/canned beers and specifically ask them to leave them sealed as you are going to walk back to your room and don't want to spill in hallways and elevators.  If you and your guest/wife/SO do this together, that is 4 beers in your fridge for every time you walk by the district on the way back up to your room.  

That sounds like a perfectly simple solution, and I will try it. Thanks! 🍻

However, in most bars and sports venues I have been to, they are required to open the beer for you.