westcoastmom

My husband and I are non-drinkers and we had the alcoholic package removed so we didn't have to pay gratuities. No soda substition when I asked.

I wish to add that for those who wish their butlers fetch their drinks (room service drinks are extra), you can just book a suite closest to the bar instead. We had 3 adjacent rooms and each of my kid has a 2 BR suite, just right inside the door to the lounge. Room to bar takes under 10 seconds; my kids loved it !!

Our family of 10 came back from a wonderful trip on the Escape in the Haven suites. I ended up not writing a letter to the butler but appreciated all the information about what butlers can do for you. I did call the pre cruise land concierge on what to put for snacks (one grandchild has peanut allergy) and what to put in the fridges. We had very few requests and our butler fulfilled them very well.  

1 hour ago, GeezerCouple said:

 

What does this have to do with a "Butler Letter"?

 

You might get a lot more eyeballs looking at your question - and thus more answers - if you post a new thread titled about your particular question... including "Internet Access on NCL Escape" or "Pre-paying gratuities" or such.

 

GC

You are right. Clicked on the wrong thread.

My whole family will be cruising on the NCL Escape for New England and since my son and son-in-law will be doing a lot of work on their computers, I am wondering if the internet access is good and fast enough. I've signed up for unlimited internet access for all of us.

I know the Haven Restaurant's menu is quite limited but are the menus in other dining rooms available in advance?

My TA recommends pre-paying all gratuities (except for butler) in advance together with the final payment as she says there may be more gratuities added later if we didn't prepay. Is there any difference?

I didn't even know the existence of a precruise concierge. This is the first time on NCL and first time Haven suites. My travel agent went incommunicado once she got our booking so this thread is very helpful.

No, the premium economy is nothing like the old first class seats. They are not as padded, not as wide and doesn't recline much. Each airline has different types of premium economy seats so you need to do your homework.

If you cannot sleep without reclining, like me, don't even attempt it. On the newer seats on some airlines, reclining seats have the seats moving forward, and the backs hardly move back so you are still sitting straight.

I don't fly to get better airline food or drinks, I want a comfortable seat so I do business class.

@SthrngaryAs you can see, I first joined CC in 2004 but I only have 123 posts so I really appreciate cruisers who spend time answering questions and giving advice based on their experience. I especially appreciate your efforts. Please keep up the good work. 

This is my very first cruise with my grandchildren and I want to ensure they have the best experience.

@cruiseny4lifeThis will be my 20th cruise. I first started on the Carnival inside room when my kids were toddlers and now they have their own families. I've cruised from Carnival, Princess, HAL, Viking, Oceania and Silverseas so I know different levels of service. This is the first time I've done NCL that's why I am asking questions. Your response is on point without being judgemental. Thank you.

4 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

NO, only at specialty restaurants.  Soda's, only with soda or drink package.  I think you are expecting more then you will receive at the Haven.  My concern is your expectation of what they will do or not do is going to disappoint you.  Remember, this is the VIP section of a Mainstream Cruise Brand.  Not ultra-luxury all inclusive which cost the same as a new small SUV.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.  

Sorry, but you are being a bit judgemental here.  You eat steak and ulimited lobster tails so all I am asking is sushi and sashimi, similar price points but different culinary preferences. Why am I the one who is expecting too much? I am just asking....... Chill.

Does anyone have the latest Haven 2023 menus?

Would appreciate if you could post or let me know where to find them.

17 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

 

 

The Haven Restaurant has juices and specialty coffee which does not cost more.  When in a Haven Suite, you tell your butler to do all room service from the Haven Restaurant.  Problem solved it the Haven Restaurant is open when ordering.  If you have a Haven Observation Area, it usually has those items available.  I have NEVER had an issue asking my Butler to brink a pitcher of Orange Juice.  Just ask and you will receive.  I have stayed in the Haven Two Bedroom Family Villa, Spa Suite and the Deluxe Owners Suite.  With and without my children.  Canned soda is a cost in most suites and restaurants except in an Owners Suite or Three Bedroom Villa.  I hope this helps you.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

Thank you very much for your response. I wish to add that we will be on the Escape. We have two 2 BR villas and one penthouse courtyard suite. Husband and I are bringing our 2 kids and their 4 children ( 7 yr old twins, 5 and 2 year old)All the adults will have drink packages, are canned soda an extra too? Will the butler bring glasses of soda in the room without extra charge? Will prob get sodas from the bar. Juices are mainly for the kids, no soda for them. Good idea to suggest to remove all for sale items from room as I can see the kids opening everything.

In the Haven restaurant or room service, can I order sashimi and sushi everyday or is that only available in the specialty restaurants?  Thanks.

Oops sorry, we are not interested in steaks and seafood. I only know we will be making res for the Teppanyaki.

5 hours ago, david_sobe said:

Which ship are you on?   I ask because some of the newer ships like Encore, Bliss, etc have a Horizon lounge where you can get juices from a dispenser.  I think even on Epic they had a pitcher of orange juice and water in the Haven area.   There is no snack menu per se but you can ask your butler to bring you the typical Haven snacks like M&Ms, gummy bears, cookies, etc.  Anything that is brought in a can i.e. juice or soda you will be charged for.  The snacks or daily treats the butler bring are free.

We will be first time NCL passengers in the Haven suites. If drinks such as juices, etc are brought in by the butler, there's a charge? Can we ask for a pitcher and fill with juices ourselves outside the room? I'm asking because we will have kids in the 2BR villas.

We have not been on the NCL. Can you suggest which special restaurants are worth making reservations at? We are interested in steaks and seafood as we can get that in the Haven restaurant. Would like to eat food not available in the Haven dining.

I have not been on Norwegian Cruise before. How do you apply these codes or you have to have NCL or a TA to do it for you? I have put deposit on 3 Haven suites but have yet chosen a TA. DM me if you have recommendations.

I must have called them at a busy time. Steve answered the phone, told him I wanted trip insurance, he referred me to Kim who gave me one quote and said she will email the quote to me. I felt rushed and they never asked if I had any questions. I will call them back to give them a second chance.

They must be very busy. I called them but Steve referred me to Kim and just gave me a quote. No different from getting a quote online. I expected better service.

On 6/27/2022 at 5:17 PM, Babr said:

The question is not so much whether Chase will pay a claim as it is whether you know what is covered.
 

The two main travel benefits that Chase offers are cancellation and trip interruption, and even those are limited. The covered reasons for cancellation are listed in the Guide to Benefits but do not apply to cancellations caused by a pre-existing condition. The dollar limits are adequate if you are using the premium card. Trip interruption coverage reimburses unused prepaid nonrefundable expenses but not return transportation. There is language about change fees but no allowance for increased cost. Trip delay is only $500 and covers common carrier delay only. It will not pay hotel or meals for other kinds of delay. 

 

Can someone else verify whether the Chase Sapphire Reserve interruption will not pay for return transportation particularly increased cost because this worries me. If your trip is interrupted, you have to purchase new tickets at significantly higher cost. 

Hank?

On 5/20/2022 at 2:53 PM, Hlitner said:

  We just flew home (Monday) from Prague and had no special insurance to cover us if we had tested positive.  But we did have a plan.  Our airline would have changed our flight (and waived change fees) for COVID so there was no extra cost for air (and insurance would not have paid anything).  

 

Hank

You will have to cover the higher cost of the last minute flight home, even without change fees.

In reading more, there's a page that says Geo Blue Trekker does cover Covid 19 . Which is it?

On 6/3/2022 at 8:02 AM, Babr said:

That is not to say that credit card insurance works the same as a comprehensive third-party policy. It does not. Most travel policies provide trip delay as described above, and trip interruption reimburses unused nonrefundable travel as well as transportation home.

Does the CC like Chase Sapphire Reserve reimburse the higher last minute flight home if there is a trip interruption?

On 6/4/2022 at 6:36 AM, CK57 said:

.  Fortunately, we found a complete policy, and was actually several hundred dollars less, and had higher medical coverage as well.  Word of caution, just because your travel agent says your covered, investigate and read the fine print.

Which insurance did you purchase?

I read somewhere that the Geo Blue Trekker policy doesn't cover Covid illnesses and in this environment, it doesn't seem adequate. Am I missing something?

Viking charges 3.3% if you use a cc. Going straight to the airline saves me this much and I haven't found airfares from them are much higher than what I can get. Plus I get the travel insurance/benefits from the card.