Pappion

I got my wedding ring and band there. AMA jewelers.  Appraised at home for 30% more than we paid.  Went back 15 years later and got an anniversary band with diamonds.  Same thing.  Appraised for 25% more than we paid for it.  

We’ve been to this island quite a few times. We like it, but we plan on buying some guava berry liquor and hopefully catching some NFL games at a bar.  Has anyone been to a bar that shows NFL games on the island? 

We’ve done all 3 and I’d say Epic/Getaway/Breakaway in that order.  We like the Getaway ship overall more, but the Epic Haven really is the largest of the 3 with more space in the restaurant and lounge areas.  More sun deck and pool space.  And the rooms are recently updated so you don’t have the “weird bathrooms” people complain about on the rest of the ship, even if you are not in the haven proper.  

We had 12 liters in our room when we boarded Feb 26.  

They’ll give you a letter when you board. I know breakfast ended 9am on port days and 930 on sea days.  Last day 6-830am.  We just got off Sunday.  

3 hours ago, complawyer said:

i'm with bird travels on this one! any haven waiting area beats sitting in the regular waiting area with a few thousand of your closest friends. 

at most it's taken us 15-20 minutes to be escorted onto the ship and taken to cagney's for a nice leisurely lunch and drinks.

 

there are always pastries ,finger sandwiches, coffee ,tea juices etc. additionally, the haven experience is an entire different animal!

You don’t go to Cagneys in breakaway (just disembarked today), you go to Haven restaurant or American Diner (free on first day only).  
 

You do have to stand in the normal security line before getting to the haven lounge. We went around 11 and it was long and not well organized.  Maybe earlier is better but 1030-12 was horrible.  
 

the haven lounge is nothing special but it’s good enough for a quick juice or coffee and waiting to be escorted up.  

My T-Mobile works in port.  I have a plan that includes texting and data.  Calls were 25 cents a minute (Honduras and Belize) and included in Mexico.  On the ship i leave in airplane mode because it’s some insane rate for any text data or call.  
 

check which plan you have and what it includes on their web site as far as the ports you are going to. 

I’m 49 days out. Just got my flights 

We have the ncl transfer. I’m trying to figure out how early we will get there.  

Just got ours.  It’s a red eye (but it has to be to board on time) from detroit to San Juan.  And the return trip from Newark is 1pm.  Not bad imo.   Saved us $1200 for 4 adults.  Also it’s on Delta and I was able to pick out seats so we are together. 

Hi all. I’ve searched and googled and found nothing so I’m asking here. Has anyone used the ncl transfer from New York to Newark? Around what time did you leave the pier/arrive at the airport.  Trying to figure out if sky club access is going to be needed for us for a 1pm flight out.   Traveling with 3 family members and we are using ncl air fare/transfers.   
 

normally I’d book my own flights and transportation but since it’s a repositioning cruise flying detroit to San Juan and New York to Detroit, the bogo saved us over $1200.

1 hour ago, mcgorr said:

Can anyone tell me does an MA grade have Haven access?

no. That’s a mini suite. You need to book a H category suite. 

@steelersfan4ever when I booked the other day the slide down for number of people capped out at 4, but there is a 800 number you can call and they may be able to help you book.

Thanks for all the info (and sorry to OP for hijacking the thread asking about Harrah's).  We're diamond with CET and booked a river facing room so it sounds like we will not be disappointed with our choice.   It will be our first trip to NOLA and we are looking forward to exploring, just wanted to make sure the hotel wasn't a dive or in too sketchy of a neighborhood (although we're from Detroit so it'd take a lot to be too sketchy). 😉

@Sand and Seas if you don't mind me asking, how are the rooms at Harrah's and about how far is the walk?  I'm have comps with CET and planning on staying there before & after our upcoming cruise.  Thanks for any info you can provide.  Also do you know if they have shuttles to/from the airport?

We went once and our table mates had a toddler. They left the toddler seated next to us in a high chair watching Elmo at a very high volume on a tablet, and He was swinging his legs kicking me the entire meal.  We asked the mom to turn down the tablet and possibly slide the child more their way, both requests were ignored with a kids will be kids attitude.  We left before dessert.  

If you're attentive parents it could be fun for you and your kids, if you aren’t it could be a nightmare for your table mates.  

Kohunlich & Dzibanche are beautiful, the bus ride is about 1.5 hours each way but the ruins are not crowded and you get time to explore on your own after the guided tour. 

Tulum is very nice but usually crowded. If you’re lucky you can get some amazing pictures.  

12 hours ago, GUT2407 said:

I got no such letter.

 

and what PROOF do they want?

When we booked one for my in-laws they emailed us a letter. Maybe in the past two years they stopped, but it was the first year the escape sailed. If you didn’t get a letter good for you, it doesn’t mean I didn’t get one. Sorry I answered with my experience.    As you can see from another poster, they DO send letters to some.  

They can ask for proof if a disabled person calls and requests a cabin and none are available.  If you book one you get a letter saying you can get moved if you can’t show proof and one is needed by a disabled person. 

I've never had any issue getting a margarita or mudslide even when on the "basic" CET freebie card.

11 hours ago, Kingstonmom111 said:

Hello. First time cruiser on NCL. Sailing March 9 out of Miami on Bliss. 

Got email upgrade just this week. On NCL

shows no Haven availability. I’m booked in Mini suite at present, and email offer was for a number of Haven cabins. Lowest amount to bid is for spa Haven at about 550 Canadian PP and it escalated from there for different Haven cabin categories. 

1) is there any point in bidding where all Haven categories show sold out?

2) where should I gauge the bid? 

3) I’m really only interested in the spa Haven cabin. Should I only bid on that category, or more than one? 

 

Thank you for the advice. 

It can’t hurt to bid. There are sometimes cancellations and spa haven rooms may have bid to move up to other rooms. Depending what opens up you may have a chance. If not, you aren’t charged and don’t lose anything for trying.  

It'll definitely fill your Jacuzzi needs as the "pool" is essentially a giant hot tub with different areas providing different kinds of jets.  I second looking on youtube for the the videos so you can see it.   If you're looking for a pool to swim in, it won't be what you're looking for.  The spa was great for a soak after a long day exploring ports or just to escape the crowds on sea days.  We didn't find it overly crowded, and sometimes when we went in the evening we were two of maybe 6 people there.  

When you walk off and out of the terminal there are shuttles and cabs available.  If you’re doing a shuttle be aware they will wait to fill the van. We waited about 30 minutes and it cost &15/pp last January. 

We were able to use the touch screens to order our tickets the night before.  Not sure if it’s changed since last January.

 If you’re platinum or Haven you get priority tender tickets.  

5 hours ago, CONCH65 said:

Is there a certain time of day these upgrades are awarded or is it totally random?

Both of mine came in the afternoon, but one came 3 days before sailing and one came 9 days.