Epic Haven first time and last minute upgrade, Please Help! Thanks!

[Lionkingrichard]

Ok so as title says I just upgraded to a 2 bedroom(haven't told wife or daughter) and we board in 1 week, but leave in 4 days.

 

We have UDP and SDP. I know we don't get all the extra's because we didn't pay full price.

 

So I have questions about what is included(water, mini bar, laundry) or not included?

 

Elevator (front I know) is it special one just for Haven and does it go all the way down to lower deck?

 

Room service (we have 4 specialty meals booked). What can be order for free? Can we get sushi delivered or is there a charge?

 

I have read we can get special meals made to order if they have supplies?

 

Tuna steak?

 

I have read a lot here over the last 6 months getting ready for our cruise and read a lot about the Haven area's in general.

 

The search function isn't a lot of help as it opens up hundreds of threads with nothing to do with Epic Haven.

 

Any other tips to help my 9 year old daughter really enjoy and my wife who needs this vacation(she has a spa pass that Santa brought)?

 

Thank you all!

 

PS. Can we bring guest to our room only? I will not take them anywhere else in Haven!

[gizfish]

2 bedroom suites get one bottle of water and one bottle of sparkling wine at no cost. Anything taken from the mini bar will cost, and the butler technically cannot bring you drinks from the beverage plan at no charge. (Some have said that their butlers did honor the plan and bring drinks at no charge.) Laundry is not a 2 bedroom suite amenity. To clarify, you will only get the promo offers you initially booked with. But you will still get all the amenities of the Haven that the 2 bedroom is entitled to. Haven't been on Epic, so I can't answer regarding the elevator. The butler can bring you dinner from the specialty restaurants and it should be included with your dining plan. Once you have used up your dining credits, the butler can still bring specialty restaurant food but you will have to pay. You can order anything from any restaurant that is open at the time you are ordering, including the regular room service menu. If you order something that has a fee, you will have to pay it. But, you will not have to pay the service charge for room service. You are correct that you can have guests in your room but no where else in the Haven area.

[clyde3]

The special elevator was taken away a couple of months after the Epic came out.

[nealjr]

Ok so as title says I just upgraded to a 2 bedroom(haven't told wife or daughter) and we board in 1 week, but leave in 4 days.

 

We have UDP and SDP. I know we don't get all the extra's because we didn't pay full price.

 

So I have questions about what is included(water, mini bar, laundry) or not included?

 

Elevator (front I know) is it special one just for Haven and does it go all the way down to lower deck?

 

Room service (we have 4 specialty meals booked). What can be order for free? Can we get sushi delivered or is there a charge?

 

I have read we can get special meals made to order if they have supplies?

 

Tuna steak?

 

I have read a lot here over the last 6 months getting ready for our cruise and read a lot about the Haven area's in general.

 

The search function isn't a lot of help as it opens up hundreds of threads with nothing to do with Epic Haven.

 

Any other tips to help my 9 year old daughter really enjoy and my wife who needs this vacation(she has a spa pass that Santa brought)?

 

Thank you all!

 

PS. Can we bring guest to our room only? I will not take them anywhere else in Haven!

 

On your upgrade did you "bid" on the 2 bedroom and if so when were you notified that you could bid? If you don't mind could you tell me what was your "winning" bid. We currently have the mini suite and looking to upgrade via "bidding" for the two bedroom as well.

Thanks

[DMH15]

Enjoy the 4 specialty meals and definately use the Epic Club for your other 3 dinners. The Epic Club is in the Haven for Haven guests only and included for you. The food and ambience is as good or better than the specialty restaurants. Enjoy!!!

 

I miss you by one week!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Lionkingrichard]

On your upgrade did you "bid" on the 2 bedroom and if so when were you notified that you could bid? If you don't mind could you tell me what was your "winning" bid. We currently have the mini suite and looking to upgrade via "bidding" for the two bedroom as well.

Thanks

Hello, the Epic is not part of the bidding system yet. We were emailed by TA with the upgrade options and prices. The first email was not a very large discount as to compared with what we paid and what we were giving up to move to Haven.

 

The next email was a better price. I called a few times and they would not lower the price over the phone!

 

I think first email was 30 days out and they had 8-10 rooms left/showing?

 

Next one was a week later and only 4 showing. After that they removed rooms from web, but still had a couple left.

[nealjr]

Hello, the Epic is not part of the bidding system yet. We were emailed by TA with the upgrade options and prices. The first email was not a very large discount as to compared with what we paid and what we were giving up to move to Haven.

 

The next email was a better price. I called a few times and they would not lower the price over the phone!

 

I think first email was 30 days out and they had 8-10 rooms left/showing?

 

Next one was a week later and only 4 showing. After that they removed rooms from web, but still had a couple left.

NCL started February 8th with the bidding system on the Epic along with 4 other ships and I just though maybe you fell under the "new" system. Thanks

[Lionkingrichard]

NCL started February 8th with the bidding system on the Epic along with 4 other ships and I just though maybe you fell under the "new" system. Thanks

Ok thanks.

 

I think for this sailing they didn't do it as it was to close.

 

Was told 1 OS and 1 2 bedroom left.

 

I was told no 2 bedrooms left, but the hold lifted. Maybe just a lie to get me to jump finally. lol

[BirdTravels]

Ok so as title says I just upgraded to a 2 bedroom(haven't told wife or daughter) and we board in 1 week, but leave in 4 days.

Congratulations!

 

We have UDP and SDP. I know we don't get all the extra's because we didn't pay full price.

Yes, that is the way it works.

 

So I have questions about what is included(water, mini bar, laundry) or not included?

 

Elevator (front I know) is it special one just for Haven and does it go all the way down to lower deck?

No. They are public elevators that take you to all decks. There is a pair of "scenic" elevators that run from the pool deck to the Posh Club. Just there for expedience.

 

Room service (we have 4 specialty meals booked). What can be order for free? Can we get sushi delivered or is there a charge?

You can use your SDP to pay for Specialty Restaurant room service order. Your butler will deliver it to your room. Sushi can be purchased by the piece or SDPed for a $7 pp upcharge.

 

I have read we can get special meals made to order if they have supplies?

Not really. This is not Cunard. You can order off the menu with reasonable alterations.

 

Tuna steak?

You can ask. The Havens restaurant has a flounder on the lunch menu and salmon on the dinner menu.

 

Any other tips to help my 9 year old daughter really enjoy and my wife who needs this vacation(she has a spa pass that Santa brought)?

The Havens courtyard is good for the daughter. She is not allowed up in the Posh club. The Haves has it's own small gym, sauna, and steam room along with two hot tubs and a fresh water pool.

 

Thank you all!

 

PS. Can we bring guest to our room only? I will not take them anywhere else in Haven! To your room only.

 

There are breakfast cards (for those early port days) with checkboxes for breakfast items. Your butler will deliver it at the desingate time on a white table cloth. Ignore the checkboxes and just write want from the MDR or Havens restaurant. For example eggs over easy, egg white omelet with spinach and mushrooms, filet steak, bacon, ham, sausage, hash browns, breakfast potatoes, grilled tomato, mushrooms, breads, fresh fruits, juices, and a diet pepsi.

 

We have our butler keep a bowl of gummy bears and M&Ms full. We let him know if there are special snacks we want in addition to the afternoon snacks (even us big kids like a PB&J sandwich in the afternoon).

 

Have a great Cruise (we had a 2 BR on the Epic right after she came out of dry dock, it was heavenly)!

 

[Lionkingrichard]

Thank you Birdtravels!!

 

Anyone else with tips please.

 

Still a question on the laundry. I hate to pack extra.

 

Thank you!

[sjn911]

Have a wonderful time!! Thanks for question and accompanied info it brought.

[Lionkingrichard]

Please more tips!

 

Get on a plane tomorrow.

 

Wife and Daughter still don't know.

 

Port Canaveral terminal tips? WE will be getting dropped off by rental shuttle most likely.

 

Have been in the DCL terminal many times, but never NCL.

 

Because I booked last second didn't get a chance to research Haven much.

 

Thanks again.

[cabincop]

Don't forget to tip your butler & concierge no laundry

 

 

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[Lionkingrichard]

Don't forget to tip your butler & concierge no laundry

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Yes we will.

 

There is laundry, just not self serve like DCL!

 

Looking for the cost of a bag? Heard about mid week specials? Heard Haven does it for no charge?

 

Looking for correct info as I don't want to put Butler on the spot.

[Starflyr3]

Thank you Birdtravels!!

 

Anyone else with tips please.

 

Still a question on the laundry. I hate to pack extra.

 

Thank you!

 

I do not know specifically about Epic, but on our last Haven cruise, there was a special 1 bag of laundry for $19.95 midway through. We had cloth bag instead of paper, and I stuffed 65 articles of clothing in it. (2 adults, 2 kids).

 

Hope that helps!

[Lionkingrichard]

I do not know specifically about Epic, but on our last Haven cruise, there was a special 1 bag of laundry for $19.95 midway through. We had cloth bag instead of paper, and I stuffed 65 articles of clothing in it. (2 adults, 2 kids).

 

Hope that helps!

Thanks that helps.

 

Hope to see that price or close. Going for 11 days with 2 days walking at US.

 

Wife always over packs for her and Daughter. :rolleyes:

 

If I can cut back 20% it will make things easier. lol

[Sissaaaaaa]

Ask to have Maria in the Epic Club as your server! She is a sweetheart!

[Lionkingrichard]

Ask to have Maria in the Epic Club as your server! She is a sweetheart!

Thank you I will.

 

WOMEN love me! Men not so much? lol

 

Of course they go over and above for my 9 year old(at least on DCL).

 

She is the nicest and most polite little girl.:cool:

 

Until we get her home and no one see's the real her. lol:eek:

[back-at-it]

I do not know specifically about Epic, but on our last Haven cruise, there was a special 1 bag of laundry for $19.95 midway through. We had cloth bag instead of paper, and I stuffed 65 articles of clothing in it. (2 adults, 2 kids).

 

Hope that helps!

 

 

They are correct on the pricing. Before you stuff the bag, lay it out and take a photo. We had extra clothes show up.

 

The front elevators Starboard side go up to Haven area. The POSH area on 18 is great to hang out. You can over look the rest of the ship, and it has comfy chairs and a Bar.

 

We did the 13 day TA in Oct 2016 in a two bedroom. Great room, great trip. Enjoy.

[Lionkingrichard]

They are correct on the pricing. Before you stuff the bag, lay it out and take a photo. We had extra clothes show up.

 

The front elevators Starboard side go up to Haven area. The POSH area on 18 is great to hang out. You can over look the rest of the ship, and it has comfy chairs and a Bar.

 

We did the 13 day TA in Oct 2016 in a two bedroom. Great room, great trip. Enjoy.

Great tips! Thank you!

 

Just finished packing my stuff and wife has a little left.

 

What am I forgetting? Had to grab the passports. That would have sucked! lol

[Lionkingrichard]

Boarding in Port Canaveral. Any tips from Haven guest so we don't go in the opposite direction? Getting dropped off by shuttle from car rental.

 

Thanks!

[New England Cruise Fan]

We just returned from our cruise on the Epic (Feb 4 to Feb 11-2017) out of Port Canaveral and loved it. We originally booked two adjoining balcony rooms. About 1 monthprior to the cruise, we got a deal to upgraded to one 2 bedroom Haven unit thatslept 6 on the 17th deck. It was a good deal well below the normalcost of the room and WELL worth the additional money!

 

Here is some info that might help you on your cruise. Someof which you may already know.

 

Cell Phones-

Once you get on the ship, I would put your cell phone inairplane mode. Then you can use your camera function and a few other functionswithout being hit with very expensive roaming fees. I would avoid texting,emails, internet use and phone calls if possible. If you feel that you’re goingto want to do any of these, check with your phone carrier prior to leaving onthe cruise to find out fees for the different locations you’ll be in. I believethat the ship also has roaming fees when it’s out to sea but not when it’s inport. That should be checked also.

 

When we got to Port Canaveral, we checked our larger bags atthe curb. We kept our smaller bags with us which contained our passports andother travel info. Then we proceeded inside the building. This is where being a“Haven guest” starts working for you. We encountered a long zig zag line to gothru security. We asked where the line was for Haven guests and they pointed toa much shorter line to the right. After getting thru security, there was a person holding asign marked “Haven”. We went up to her and she walked us right past the nextlong zig zag line the had hundreds of people in it getting their cards that areused for everything on the ship. She brought us to a partitioned area forHaven guests to get their cards. The line there was only 2 people deep and theyhad coffee and snacks for us as well. The card that we received is used for accessto the Haven area, your room key, charging things to your room, your UDP andSDP, etc…all the normal stuff. Once we got the card, another person walked us onto the ship andbrought us to the Haven lounge. There, we met our concierge contact and were givenanother snack, a slider and french fries. Then we were given a tour of theHaven area. After the tour, we were brought back to the Haven lounge until ourroom was ready which wasn’t a long wait.

 

Haven Concierge Desk-

On deck 16 just inside from the Haven courtyard/pool area.

 

Room –

The room was very nice. When you enter the room, you need toput your card in the slot just inside the door to get the lights in the room towork. The shower and tub were right up against the outside window. However, it’sone way glass. You can see out, but no one can see in. They give you a menu cardto fill out if you want breakfast brought to your cabin. Fill the card out andput it on your outside door handle the night before. We did this every day sowe had something while we were getting ready. We still went to breakfast afterwe got cleaned up. When you leave the room, you need to do 2 things. First, takeyour card out of the slot for the lights. Second, there is a dial outside ofthe room at the room number. It will probably be turned to “Welcome”. When yougo to dinner at night, you may want to turn that dial to “Turn down room”. Whenyou go to breakfast, you may want to turn the dial to “Make up room”. When announcementswere made over the loud speaks, we could not here them in our room. We had toopen the door to hear them.

 

Evacuation Drill-

The first day shortly after you get in your room you have toattend an evacuation drill. There will be announcements for that. For us, it wasabout 3:30 pm. There are instructions on the inside of your room entry doorstating where you are to report to. Take the stairs, not the elevator. Once youget to that area, there are different numbered staging areas with a letter and number setup. The area that you’re supposed to report to is the large letter and numberon your card.

 

Elevators-

There are two sets of elevators. The elevators with the rednumbers over the top of them only go to the 15th deck. The elevatorswith the blue numbers over the top of them go to the 16th & 17th deck whichis where the Haven area is. So, get use to using the blue numbered elevators.

 

Posh-

The Posh deck area is great. It’s much quieter and less crowdedthan other areas. We went there every day for a few hours. Try to get there ifyou can. The Haven courtyard and pool area is good too. Another place to checkout is the “quiet zone” on the 18th deck on the front of the ship.You get there by going out the door opposite from the door to the Posh area.

 

Ultimate Drink Package-

Be sure to read and understand the rules of the ultimatedrink package. It’s a good package. However, there are a few places on the shipthat it will not cover the cost of the drink. Make sure that you understandwhere they are. Also, understand that if the ship is in port, it’s like afloating hotel. There may be town and/or state taxes added where the ship isdocked at that time.

 

Food-

The Haven Restaurant was very good. We went there a fewtimes. For Haven guests only. Many of the complimentary restaurants were good as well.

The buffet which is on deck 15 from the front of the ship tomid-ship was pretty good too. Most food was better than we expected. Great forsomething quick when you don’t want to spend a lot of time eating. We wentthere mostly for breakfast and lunch. Note that they close the buffet duringchange over times transitioning from breakfast to lunch and lunch to dinner.However, in the mid-ship area where the buffet meets the outside deck/poolarea, the buffet seemed to be open all the time. So, if you get hungry and wantsomething quick, try there.

 

Specialty Dining Package-

The specialty restaurants were very nice. Especially Moderno’sand Cagney’s. The cost for people without the package was reasonable. Makesure that you book these before the cruise or very early into the cruise. Onour cruise, by mid-week, all the good specialty dining places were booked forthe rest of the cruise. However, the concierge desk was able to get us in.

 

Dress Code-

Make sure that you read the dress code policy. It’s mostlycasual. However, there are one or two exceptions.

 

Excursions-

If you’ve booked an excursion, your paperwork for theexcursions will be delivered to your cabin prior to the excursion. You’llprobably find it outside your door in the area where the room number is. Usually the night before or that morning. Readthe instructions. It will tell you what time to be at the concierge desk. Theywill escort you to the checkout location avoiding the long line for thenon-Haven guests.

 

Disembarking-

When you get back to Port Canaveral, and it’s time to get off theship, again, go to the concierge desk. They will get you off the ship so mustfaster than if you tried to do it on your own. Once you get off the ship, youhave to go thru customs. There’s a long line there too. Again, there’ll be aspecial line for Haven guests. Ask where that is. It should save you a lot oftime.

 

The amount of time that we saved not having to stand in allthose long lines was unbelievable. That alone was worth the extra cost of upgradingto the Haven.

Plus, it’s so much quieter and less hectic in the Havenarea. You feel like you’re on a large luxury semi-private yacht in the Havenareas.

You made a great choice upgrading to the Haven. I would doit again in a heartbeat.

I hope this info. helps.

Enjoy your trip!

[Lionkingrichard]

Thank you N.E.C. for the info.

 

Those little extra's is why I upgraded last minute also and at a good price.

 

GO PATS!

[New England Cruise Fan]

You're welcome!

 

You're going to love the Haven and it's perks. You'll want it every time in the future if possible.

 

 

Glad to see you like the Patriots! We were on the ship during the Superbowl. We watched it in the theater.

 

 

Wow, when I posted that, all the word were not pushed together like that.