The NCL Haven Luxury VIP Experience "Secrets" REVISED for 2022

[SaltyPawz]

4 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

@RocketMan275 I started pre-covid.  I weighed 300 lbs.  Not good especially since I was 5' 10". My adult son got my wife and I on Keto.  I lost 70 lbs.  Then stayed there for a while.  My wife in an effort to be able to walk a lot on our upcoming ports of call in Europe started to walk every day.  Be both went on Keto again and I walk with her ever other day.  My hips and knees are great.  Hers are getting better with the walking. 

 

I am 5 lbs away from my goal of 199 lbs for the cruise which is 60 days from now.  I did have ice cream yesterday though.  A little cheat. Thank you for asking.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

Congratulations to you on your weight loss, and best wishes on your pursuit of “onederland.”  It’s a phrase a friend uses when you FINALLY see numbers in the 100s. 

[Candy Apple 12]

2 hours ago, Jetswdo said:

A question to Sthrngary re booking sp restaurants-- I have booked a Haven spa cabin-- 4 specialty restaurants  are included.  I am planning to make the reservations 130 days ahead as soon as the window opens. Here is my questions: If the restaurant times won't work for us (We are old farts and prefer to eat dinner 5:30 to 6:30 ish) do we make the resservations anyway for the wrong times and then email the concierge to fix the times for us?  Or do we not make the reservations on line at all and just contact the concierge?  What do you advise.  Thanks in advance.  Anita

Pre-concierge can’t book it if it’s not available. We have a party of 5 on our upcoming Haven cruise. I tried to book four specialty restaurants for either 6 or 6:30. I called at 129 days prior (booking opens for Haven at 130 days). The pre-concierge was able to get me bookings for three of the restaurants but only for 5:30 or 9. Ocean Blue was booked. He booked the three restaurants for 5:30 and said he would send the request to the ship concierge to request the time change and Ocean Blue, but he couldn’t do anything at that time. I plan to have my requests written out and ready to hand the concierge on embarkation day so I can get the times changed and Ocean Blue added. 5:30 is too early.  

 

[Jetswdo]

Hi Candy Apple--- So it isn't done online?  I haven't been on NCL for several years and I have forgotten the procedure.  So at 130 days at the earliest, call the pre conciege. How was Ocean Blue booked if you were one of the first to call?  I don't get it?? I will need reservations for Ocean Blue, Le Bistro, Cagneys, and Q.  We could have reservation if we had to, at the earliest at 5:30--- I figure that it will be 6:00 before food is served.anyway.  We like to get dinner out of the way to have a little time before heading for an evening show  (later one) which I think is usually at 8:30--9:30 or so.  I hope it works out for you.

[Jetswdo]

I was away from my computer so I didn't see your response right away, sorry about that.  Thanks so much for replying.  Can reservations be done on line?  It has been 4 years since I was last on an NCL cruise so I forgot the procedure.  So if not, do I call the regular NCL phone number first, make whatever reservation times I can get and then email NorwegianConciergeDesk@ncl.com to get them changed ASAP?  

[amygutman]

8 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

@RocketMan275 I started pre-covid.  I weighed 300 lbs.  Not good especially since I was 5' 10". My adult son got my wife and I on Keto.  I lost 70 lbs.  Then stayed there for a while.  My wife in an effort to be able to walk a lot on our upcoming ports of call in Europe started to walk every day.  Be both went on Keto again and I walk with her ever other day.  My hips and knees are great.  Hers are getting better with the walking. 

 

I am 5 lbs away from my goal of 199 lbs for the cruise which is 60 days from now.  I did have ice cream yesterday though.  A little cheat. Thank you for asking.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

Congrats on taking control of your health. You can't fight genetics, but you can maximize everything else to help ensure a long, happy, healthy life. 

It sounds like from your other postings you have overcome a potentially life-ending event so it's more than 70 pounds you've lost, you've potentially GAINED a much longer lifetime of exploring the world one port at a time. 

Thanks for the inspiration! 

Warmest Amy

[bluestar1]

8 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

@RocketMan275 I started pre-covid.  I weighed 300 lbs.  Not good especially since I was 5' 10". My adult son got my wife and I on Keto.  I lost 70 lbs.  Then stayed there for a while.  My wife in an effort to be able to walk a lot on our upcoming ports of call in Europe started to walk every day.  Be both went on Keto again and I walk with her ever other day.  My hips and knees are great.  Hers are getting better with the walking. 

 

I am 5 lbs away from my goal of 199 lbs for the cruise which is 60 days from now.  I did have ice cream yesterday though.  A little cheat. Thank you for asking.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

Congratulations! Also keto, I lost a chunk last year then let life get in the way, and I  am also trying to drop a bunch before the cruise only to enjoy the cruise and have myself right back on. Thankfully I LOVE filet and steaks, and we're in the Haven. I'll be able to eat plenty of protein.  Congrats again, it's not easy!

[Daniel A]

@Sthrngary Not quite the same as M&M's and Budweiser, but a wonderful suggestion just the same! 

 

[juneaubliss]

I read from an old post that each Haven cabin gets one portable phone in addition to a corded phone. From what I can tell, the phone is meant for calling the butler. My question is, does the portable phone have the same or different number from the corded phone? Can we use our corded phone to call our portable phone? It would be nice to give the portable phone to a family member and be able to contact them using the corded phone (although, having two portable phones or free smartphone app messaging would be nicer still).

 

Edit: Another post said the portable phone will ring when someone calls the room, so it sounds like they are the same number, but it means people can "use the phones that are all over the ship to call [your room]". I'm curious what are some examples of these phone locations? I can only think of the Haven concierge desk and the customer service desk.

Edited September 4, 2023 by juneaubliss

[Daniel A]

Our butler on the Breakaway just told us that the cordless phone is just an extension of the cabin's phone, so you cannot call the room from that phone or call the cordless phone from the room phone. 

[DMH15]

On 8/30/2023 at 3:33 PM, Traveling Fools said:

 I don't remember being escorted from the Haven back to our suite.  But then I cheated.  Lunch for Have guests was available at one of the restaurants on the aft pool deck.  I can't remember the name of it.  Anyway, I was able to breech the fire door and get to my suite where I stored our carry-on.  Got caught doing it, was scolded, and escorted back out the common area.

 

Great question!  I don't know how many butlers NCL assigns to service Aft Haven suites.  Ours took care of aft suites on more than one deck.  He was not very responsive and was the worst butler we have ever had.  Our disembarkation was self delayed while we waited for him to walk the length of the ship to the Haven "proper" to give him his tip envelope.  He didn't even say Thank-you.  I never said anything to NCL because it was witnessed by Virginia, the Concierge, with whom we had sailed with before.  She was as stunned as we were.  

 

We were sailing with our two young grandchildren and asked him to deliver breakfast to the suite on all but the last morning.  We also asked to deliver warm milk for our GS every evening.  He always seemed put out.

 

The BEST butler we have ever had hands down or up was MR. MAXIE.  He is absolutely the best!👌

I agree about Maxie.  Just exceptional.  His personality is contageous and his professionalism and work ethic are second to none. 
 

I have only had one butler who did not measure up.  He was new and quit during our cruise so for the last few days one butler was tasked with 20 suites instead of ten.  Luckily it was Armando, who was fantastic!  I believe a senior steward or two assisted him.  
 

Even before our original butler left he was not good.  He celebrated his birthday during our cruise and got wasted so was hung over.  He told us!  Two guys we met on our cruise were in an fwd suite while we were in an aft suite (on the Sun) and around day 5 were surprised when we told them we enjoy the evening cookies.  They had no idea about that perk. 
 

sigh.   In spite of it all it remains my favorite cruise.  We roll with the punches and laugh it off. Having a great concierge Karen was a plus. 

Edited September 4, 2023 by DMH15
Wrong word

[DMH15]

On 8/30/2023 at 5:27 PM, Sthrngary said:

@Traveling Fools This issue with the inconsistent butlers has been a topic on CruiseCritic.com quite often. A few experience I have had with butlers will allow me to to make a point.  Others experiences might differ.  Kind of like food in restaurants, subjective. 

 

After getting some duds for Butlers a few times, I was frustrated.  My goal when booking a cruise is to "control, the controllable".  I had gotten to be friends with a few butlers and asked what was going on to create such a discrepancy.  The word around the campfire (shameless movie line from Pulp Fiction) was NCL created a situation where a high percentage of time, the butlers never got tips.  It seems the guest was unaware the Butlers in the Haven were NOT on the pre-paid gratuity program and the guest thought they were paid.  This lead to discontentment over time because this was how they made their living. 

 

When I found this out, I created what is now know on this and other boards as the Butler letter which included the entire week gratuity for the butler provided on day one.  I learned this from doing business in Germany when my client would pay me on day one and say, "I want you to know I trust you to do a GREAT job for us."  I would always do a great job but this simple gesture really had me focused on my customer just a bit more.  

 

From that point two things happened.  All of my butlers whether on NCL, Celebrity and Crystal Cruises were outstanding.  The Butler on Crystal was so over the top great I am afraid not butler on any line will ever come close.  His name was Engin for those Crystal Cruise fans.  The second thing that happened was pointed comments from the members saying what I was doing was horrible.  YET, if it is our goal to, "Control the Controllable" and I got noticeable better butler service after I change my approach, I achieve my goal.  

 

My next cruise will be on Oceania for 10 days in the Mediterranean.  The butler letter has been written over a year ago and the cruise is in 60 days.  I will report back my results but I have a very good feeling about it. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

You have won me over.  
 

I have never been a tipper in advance.  But I do feel sorry for the poor butlers who work hard only to not receive a tip.  
 

I have always mentioned to my butler and concierge early that I look forward to rewarding them personally for them taking care of us.  
 

Only time I did not tip at the end is when my butler got off at one of the ports and kept going.  Even his girlfriend, a server, did not hear from him by disembarkation day. I do not think it was an accident or foul play, he was new and not very good.  We tipped our concierge extra as she was instrumental in making sure all of the suite guests were still taken care of. 
 

i can definately see why you do what you do and the positive results. 

Edited September 4, 2023 by DMH15

[DMH15]

22 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

@RocketMan275 I started pre-covid.  I weighed 300 lbs.  Not good especially since I was 5' 10". My adult son got my wife and I on Keto.  I lost 70 lbs.  Then stayed there for a while.  My wife in an effort to be able to walk a lot on our upcoming ports of call in Europe started to walk every day.  Be both went on Keto again and I walk with her ever other day.  My hips and knees are great.  Hers are getting better with the walking. 

 

I am 5 lbs away from my goal of 199 lbs for the cruise which is 60 days from now.  I did have ice cream yesterday though.  A little cheat. Thank you for asking.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

I also am Keto too and find cruising easy to accomodate.   Breakfast is my favorite meal.   I bring my own sugar free coffee syrup and some zero carb tortillas. Love protein, veggies and salad.  
 

Some sugar free ice cream, berries and such satisfy my sweet tooth. 
 

I allow myself one or two indulgences (I prefer that to cheat) during the cruise. 
 

And all the walking is a plus. 
 

 

[Sthrngary]

20 minutes ago, DMH15 said:

I also am Keto too and find cruising easy to accomodate.   Breakfast is my favorite meal.   I bring my own sugar free coffee syrup and some zero carb tortillas. Love protein, veggies and salad.  
 

Some sugar free ice cream, berries and such satisfy my sweet tooth. 
 

I allow myself one or two indulgences (I prefer that to cheat) during the cruise. 
 

And all the walking is a plus. 
 

 

@DMH15 Funny story. In 2018, my wife and I went on the NCL Getaway.  We were in a Haven Spa Suite outside of Haven Proper.  My wife and I were 100% going to cruise on Keto.  It was obvious we could do that with no issue.  My wife made it two days and I made it desert the first night.  They had Chocolate Cake my neighbors was having and it was all she wrote. I respect your discipline however we have agreed, this 10 days, we do what every we want.  No cruise scheduled after our next though. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.  

[DMH15]

1 hour ago, Sthrngary said:

@DMH15 Funny story. In 2018, my wife and I went on the NCL Getaway.  We were in a Haven Spa Suite outside of Haven Proper.  My wife and I were 100% going to cruise on Keto.  It was obvious we could do that with no issue.  My wife made it two days and I made it desert the first night.  They had Chocolate Cake my neighbors was having and it was all she wrote. I respect your discipline however we have agreed, this 10 days, we do what every we want.  No cruise scheduled after our next though. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.  

I do not judge and could see myself doing the same.   Happy cruising. 
 

On another cruise, on MSC Seaside in YC I was very disciplined.  Ate a lot of beef and seafood.  On the last night I had had ENOUGH!  SInce I was on an Italian cruise line I ordered the spaghetti bolognese and it ended up being my favorite meal of the entire week.  It was indulgent but so rewarding. 
 

So now when I am craving it I make the sauce and eat it with homemade ricotta and some grilled or roasted veggies. 
 

I wish you two could taste my Keto Chocolate cake.  You would be shocked it is not the real thing.  Myself, I choose carrot cake.  LOL. 

Edited September 4, 2023 by DMH15

[Candy Apple 12]

18 hours ago, Jetswdo said:

Hi Candy Apple--- So it isn't done online?  I haven't been on NCL for several years and I have forgotten the procedure.  So at 130 days at the earliest, call the pre conciege. How was Ocean Blue booked if you were one of the first to call?  I don't get it?? I will need reservations for Ocean Blue, Le Bistro, Cagneys, and Q.  We could have reservation if we had to, at the earliest at 5:30--- I figure that it will be 6:00 before food is served.anyway.  We like to get dinner out of the way to have a little time before heading for an evening show  (later one) which I think is usually at 8:30--9:30 or so.  I hope it works out for you.

 

18 hours ago, Jetswdo said:

I was away from my computer so I didn't see your response right away, sorry about that.  Thanks so much for replying.  Can reservations be done on line?  It has been 4 years since I was last on an NCL cruise so I forgot the procedure.  So if not, do I call the regular NCL phone number first, make whatever reservation times I can get and then email NorwegianConciergeDesk@ncl.com to get them changed ASAP?  

You can do it online, but calling the pre-concierge was much easier than looking up each restaurant. Unfortunately I did not call exactly at 130 days, but at 129, so Ocean Blue was booked. There will be bookings available onboard, but these will go fast. The pre-concierge phone number is 1 (855) 625-4283. Call that number, not the general NCL number.
 

We chose the same four restaurants as you’re looking to book. Actually, my mom chose them. It's her first cruise since her husband/my dad passed away earlier this year, so I let her choose. I put all the menus into a PDF that I sent her. I included the Haven dinner menu and called it the MDR menu (I cut off the name) so she could see what was available each night. She chose 3, but then I realized that with my husband’s and my platinum dinners we could swing 4 specialty dining meals, so I added Ocean Blue as that’s one of my favorites. 

[Traveling Fools]

On 8/30/2023 at 6:27 PM, Sthrngary said:

I created what is now know on this and other boards as the Butler letter which included the entire week gratuity for the butler provided on day one. 

Gary, I use to do this all the time, but stopped when DW and I observed the level of service we had tipped for was below sub-par.  During the hello I'm your Butler meet and greet, generally in the suite, I front a $50 bill and let them know more is to come.  That way I know they know I'm aware they are not in the tipping pool and future service, or lack thereof, will dictate the final tip. 

 

I generally do the same thing with the concierge.

 

Pre-cruise, I dispatch an email to the on-line concierge with letters addressed to both the on board concierge and our butler.  Those letters contain verbiage similar to what you use.  I have found them to be real ice breakers.  On ships without a Haven Proper, but with a pre-boarding holding area for suite passengers, we have actually been met port side by the concierge who confirmed receipt of the letters and made assurances they were there to help out anyway they could.

 

Most notable was our 40th anniversary cruise aboard the Star.  My letter noted that it was a 40th anniversary cruise, provided the date of our anniversary, and that I was requesting reservations for the Chef's Table Dinner. All was taken care of.  When we boarded I took the concierge to one side and gave him our wedding rings.  They aren't a solid band of gold and had strands that had broken making them snag magnets. For that reason we rarely wore them.  I snuck them out of the house and had them repaired.  On boarding our cruise, I slipped them to the concierge and asked that they be presented during our Chef's Table Dinner.  It all went off as planned and made it a very memorable evening.

 

As a note, no one had made the Chef aware that it was our anniversary causing him some embarrassment. The next day, he delivered this chocolate sculpture to our suite.   

 

 

[jill5172]

22 hours ago, Jetswdo said:

A question to Sthrngary re booking sp restaurants-- I have booked a Haven spa cabin-- 4 specialty restaurants  are included.  I am planning to make the reservations 130 days ahead as soon as the window opens. Here is my questions: If the restaurant times won't work for us (We are old farts and prefer to eat dinner 5:30 to 6:30 ish) do we make the resservations anyway for the wrong times and then email the concierge to fix the times for us?  Or do we not make the reservations on line at all and just contact the concierge?  What do you advise.  Thanks in advance.  Anita

 

On our recent cruise I had forgotten about making dining reservations at 130 days out.  Big mistake, considering we had a group of 14!  I ended up only being able to get reservations for tables of 6 or 8 for 9:00 or 9:30 PM, which I was dreading because while we are just middle-aged farts, we prefer to eat around 6:30 PM.  

 

After I made the reservations, I emailed the pre-cruise concierge.  They said they couldn't do anything about the reservation times and suggested that we contact the special events team to book for our group.  The special events team responded after about a week and had combined our reservations into a single reservation for each night, but still all at 9:30 PM.  Super frustrating.

 

But then!  We got on board and met our absolutely fantastic concierge Suzy, and she worked magic for us every single night and got us into the restaurants we wanted at the times we wanted.  Note: there was never a single night where the restaurants were full - every time there were lots of empty tables so I think it is not as hard as it would seem.  (They probably do this because they are terribly understaffed compared to pre-COVID days.)

[Sthrngary]

21 minutes ago, DMH15 said:

I do not judge and could see myself doing the same.   Happy cruising. 
 

On another cruise, on MSC Seaside in YC I was very disciplined.  Ate a lot of beef and seafood.  On the last night I had had ENOUGH!  SInce I was on an Italian cruise line I ordered the spaghetti bolognese and it ended up being my favorite meal of the entire week.  It was indulgent but so rewarding. 
 

So now when I am craving it I make the sauce and eat it with homemade ricotta and some grilled or roasted veggies. 
 

I wish you two could taste my Keto Chocolate cake.  You would be shocked it is not the real thing.  Myself, I choose carrot cake.  LOL. 

@DMH15 Funny you should say Keto Carrot Cake.  My son is 37 today.  My wife is making him a Gluten Free, keto Carrot Cake.  Small world. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment

[Sthrngary]

7 minutes ago, Traveling Fools said:

Gary, I use to do this all the time, but stopped when DW and I observed the level of service we had tipped for was below sub-par.  During the hello I'm your Butler meet and greet, generally in the suite, I front a $50 bill and let them know more is to come.  That way I know they know I'm aware they are not in the tipping pool and future service, or lack thereof, will dictate the final tip. 

 

I generally do the same thing with the concierge.

 

Pre-cruise, I dispatch an email to the on-line concierge with letters addressed to both the on board concierge and our butler.  Those letters contain verbiage similar to what you use.  I have found them to be real ice breakers.  On ships without a Haven Proper, but with a pre-boarding holding area for suite passengers, we have actually been met port side by the concierge who confirmed receipt of the letters and made assurances they were there to help out anyway they could.

 

Most notable was our 40th anniversary cruise aboard the Star.  My letter noted that it was a 40th anniversary cruise, provided the date of our anniversary, and that I was requesting reservations for the Chef's Table Dinner. All was taken care of.  When we boarded I took the concierge to one side and gave him our wedding rings.  They aren't a solid band of gold and had strands that had broken making them snag magnets. For that reason we rarely wore them.  I snuck them out of the house and had them repaired.  On boarding our cruise, I slipped them to the concierge and asked that they be presented during our Chef's Table Dinner.  It all went off as planned and made it a very memorable evening.

 

As a note, no one had made the Chef aware that it was our anniversary causing him some embarrassment. The next day, he delivered this chocolate sculpture to our suite.   

 

 

What a lovely story.  I love when a plan comes together, don't you.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

[Traveling Fools]

6 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

My son is 37 today.

Happy birthday to him and congratulations on your weight loss.  I quit drinking 5-years ago and lost over 20 lbs.  The only time I imbibe now are on very special occasions I'll have a glass of champagne and when cruising.  Other times I don't miss it, don't need it.

[Jetswdo]

 My condolences to your dad's passing, Candy-----

I will call the concierge at the phone number you suggested--- and perhaps make sure Ocean Blue is booked first.  I'm starting to remember the last time I was on an NCL cruise (non Haven)-- we were stuck with 5:30 reservations as well, but we found the service so slow in all the specialty restaurants available at the time, that we basically sat for about half an hour or so any way until the food started arriving.  I think we were finished eating around 7-7:15ish,  Once the food started arriving, the service was ok.  So it did work out in the end, I guess.  On Celebrity, I always get 6:00 reservations without any problem.  But I think the food generally is much better on NCL with many different restaurants and choices.

[RocketMan275]

1 hour ago, Candy Apple 12 said:

 

You can do it online, but calling the pre-concierge was much easier than looking up each restaurant. Unfortunately I did not call exactly at 130 days, but at 129, so Ocean Blue was booked. There will be bookings available onboard, but these will go fast. The pre-concierge phone number is 1 (855) 625-4283. Call that number, not the general NCL number.

 

1 hour ago, Jetswdo said:

 

I will call the concierge at the phone number you suggested--- and perhaps make sure Ocean Blue is booked first.

One thing to remember, the pre-cruise concierge desk isn't staffed 24 hours which means that others can start making their reservations for several hours before the pre-cruise concierges become available.

[Candy Apple 12]

2 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

@DMH15 Funny you should say Keto Carrot Cake.  My son is 37 today.  My wife is making him a Gluten Free, keto Carrot Cake.  Small world. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment

I would love this recipe if she would care to share it! Congrats on the weight loss!

Edited September 4, 2023 by Candy Apple 12

[Candy Apple 12]

1 hour ago, Jetswdo said:

 My condolences to your dad's passing, Candy-----

I will call the concierge at the phone number you suggested--- and perhaps make sure Ocean Blue is booked first.  I'm starting to remember the last time I was on an NCL cruise (non Haven)-- we were stuck with 5:30 reservations as well, but we found the service so slow in all the specialty restaurants available at the time, that we basically sat for about half an hour or so any way until the food started arriving.  I think we were finished eating around 7-7:15ish,  Once the food started arriving, the service was ok.  So it did work out in the end, I guess.  On Celebrity, I always get 6:00 reservations without any problem.  But I think the food generally is much better on NCL with many different restaurants and choices.

Thank you. I was blessed to be able to spend a month with him during his last hospitalization. We live in different states, so God bless my husband and son for all the time I was away to be with my parents (total of about 7 weeks over a few months). I will always cherish that time with him, as well as the two cruises that my parents took with our family. As @Sthrngary says, Cruise well and enjoy every moment!

 

45 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

 

One thing to remember, the pre-cruise concierge desk isn't staffed 24 hours which means that others can start making their reservations for several hours before the pre-cruise concierges become available.

I agree with this if you are able to book at midnight Eastern time. 

[DMH15]

5 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

@DMH15 Funny you should say Keto Carrot Cake.  My son is 37 today.  My wife is making him a Gluten Free, keto Carrot Cake.  Small world. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment

I hope he has a very happy birthday.   Yummmy.