UPNYGuy

You mean they do come out to mingle with the riff-raff?:D

HEY... my wife and I sailed in the haven, and we were ALWAYS out and about.:p We are eagerly awaiting our next haven sailing too.

All I'm going to say is that we have had service related issues on fully half of our HAL cruises, and that we gave them 8 chances to fix these issues (surly servers, overflowing toilets ruining our carpets, waiting 45 minutes for bar service, terrible food, incompetent room stewards, run down ships) so we looked elsewhere. We are perfectly happy in a world of "faux luxury" as it was put to us. We are completely shielded from the crowds, and escorted around in crew elevators with a personal concierge. Plus, anything we need is met with a swift and prompt response.

Now we are aware that bad service can occur on any line, but we have given them more than a chance.

Considering that my wife and I have sailed on half of the HAL fleet, I think I know what to expect from them from here on out ;)

All I am going to say is that HAL clients should plan on a "ship within a ship" coming in the not so distant future. Celebrity announced that they are reconfiguring the Solstice class to hold it. And NCL, MSC, and RCCL currently have one. Princess is also rumored to be in development.

Celebrity developing one forced HAL into a corner.

the line is definitely taking a turn toward exiting the premium market

HAL is (and has been) a contemporary / mass market cruise line for quite some time now. A true premium cruise line experience exists with Azamara and Oceania (and in the ship-within-a-ship areas). Your mileage may vary, but our finest cruise experience to date was on the Norwegian Breakaway, sailing in The Haven (to the point that HAL has likely lost us as customers).

If Holland America bases the Pinnacle Class prototype in NYC, they better have a "Haven" type suite complex planned. And that isn't just our opinion... most of the people in the suite complex that had logo carry bags were toting "HALware". HAL is losing a percent of suite pax to NCL due to the perks and exclusivity.

the only one I have not heard that is for sale is Maasdam... but the others def. are

I was on the last Sep. inside passage sailing, and it was confirmed yet again, by Captain Albert.

The aft facing Haven penthouses on deck 9 are some of the best cabins on breakaway. The balconies are massive (250 square feet)

This is a deck layout of Breakaway's deck 17, which is identical to Getaway. The Haven sun deck is directly ahead of Vibe, on the starboard side, above the wheelhouse.

No need for Haven guests to have access to Vibe.

2012_break_deck_17.pdf

my wife loves to indulge in the shipboard spas. Our local facilities in the Albany, NY area can be much more than the ship. The equivalent of a fire and ice pedi is $90 up here, when it is $70 on the ship. She can have both the mani and pedi shipboard for not much more than the pedi if bought locally.

So for us, the ship spas are reasonable.

Either the Pearl or Jewel would be a fine choice... The Pearl will stay in Victoria longer (the gardens at night are beautiful)... Plus it also sails Glacier Bay.

The Jewel sails Tracy Arm Fjord to Sawyer Glacier (still gorgeous, but chance ship may not be able to get to glacier), and sails from Victoria earlier (gardens may not be lit up yet).

Both are great, but I would suggest Pearl going to Glacier Bay, especially if you nave never sailed AK.

Our first was on the MS Westerdam for our honeymoon. We became hooked, and have cruised every year. We are now cruising multiple times a year (3 times this year, same for next).

As per the updated NCL FAQ page...

Cash/Traveler's Checks Procedures

You can deposit cash or US Traveler's Checks into your onboard account.

A cash deposit may be placed on your account in the following amounts:

7 day cruises - $300/person

Less than 7 days - $150/person

More than 7 days - $450/person

Once you have exceeded the deposited amount, your account will be closed to further charges. You can deposit as much money as often as you'd like throughout the cruise, however, refunds cannot be made until the day of disembarkation for any excess. US Traveler's Checks can be cashed onboard and are the same as cash.

**Personal checks will not be accepted, nor can they be cashed onboard.

I live in Albany, NY (upstate) and am a guy (last time I checked) ;)

As far as I am concerned, the reputation still stands. When my wife and I were on a week long caribbean cruise on the Holland America Ryndam, the Carnival Legend was docked next to us at Costa Maya. It was FULL of spring breakers, stumbling about the ship.

I enjoy the fact that I can take a HAL cruise during spring break and still avoid that crowd.

FWIW, we are 30, and far from needing walkers.