NCL Getaway Haven virgins...help!

We are finally talking our DREAM vacation to celebrate our wedding anniversary! Taking our 7 & 9y/o boys on W. Caribbean in Haven family suite this November. A few questions:

-After boarding, do you recommend lunch at Haven restaurant? How about sail away party?

-I have heard mixed recommendations regarding reservations for speciality dining. I know that I can make reservations online now. I also heard that Haven guests can just book with the concierge once on the ship. I don't want to miss out on the best meals (we have SDP), but it would be nice to be more spontaneous. Same question for shows like burn the floor and imaginarium.

-With SPD (for Hubby and me), if we brought our kids to dinner with us, is there a kids menu? Should we just feed them from the included dining rooms or buffets?

-Can my husband get away with nice khaki shorts and a collared shirt for Cagney's and such?

-Does the Haven key card come with a lanyard? Should I bring some?

-Any feedback/recommendations regarding the Splash Academy is appreciated!

-Any recommendation for disembarkation? Where to have breakfast? We do not have an early flight to catch or anything.

Thanks so much!!! :D

Haven for lunch is fine.

Make the reservations that you want. If you need to change anything, use the concierge. Even when things seem "full", the concierge can get things done that you can't.

Every restaurant has the same kids' menu. You can "pre-feed" them if you want or take them to the specialty restaurant and choose the kids' menu.

Shorts are fine for Cagney's. The faq and ship's dailies will tell you which restaurants require long pants.

No lanyard with keycards. You can bring your own.

I recommend breakfast in your suite since everyone else will be in a restaurant. Enjoy your last morning in comfort.

Definitely breakfast in your suite for the last day - and we have suite breakfast on port days as well. And, in case you weren't aware - there will be a breakfast order form to fill out but you are not limited to what is on the form. You can request other items.

What we started doing was leaving our butler a note when we went to dinner that just had our breakfast request on it and the time for delivery. My sons became quite spoiled with filet and eggs....LOL.

Hi....happy anniversary. We just booked into Haven on 11/6 cruise because of our 25th anniversary! Hubby and I are going it alone, though.

Good questions you asked. Looking forward to some more hints.

We are finally talking our DREAM vacation to celebrate our wedding anniversary! Taking our 7 & 9y/o boys on W. Caribbean in Haven family suite this November. A few questions:

 

-After boarding, do you recommend lunch at Haven restaurant? How about sail away party?

Yes. Lunch in the havens. We rather enjoy the views of Miami as we leave.

-I have heard mixed recommendations regarding reservations for speciality dining. I know that I can make reservations online now. I also heard that Haven guests can just book with the concierge once on the ship. I don't want to miss out on the best meals (we have SDP), but it would be nice to be more spontaneous. Same question for shows like burn the floor andimaginarium book in advance. The concierge can sometimes squeeze you in, but they are also limited. There is reserved seating for havens in the main theater for MDQ and BTF. We normally prefer to get our own seats front and center. For the illusionarium, the concierge staff will escort you down the crew elevator to the side door of the theater and seat you before general admission.

 

-With SPD (for Hubby and me), if we brought our kids to dinner with us, is there a kids menu? Should we just feed them from the included dining rooms or buffets?

there are kids menus.

 

-Can my husband get away with nice khaki shorts and a collared shirt for Cagney's and such?

everywhere except Le Bistro and Ocean Blue. Although most men will have long pants on in he specialty restaurants.

 

-Does the Haven key card come with a lanyard? Should I bring some?

no lanyard.

 

-Any feedback/recommendations regarding the Splash Academy is appreciated!

highly recommended for your Boys.

 

-Any recommendation for disembarkation? Where to have breakfast? We do not have an early flight to catch or anything.

havens restaurant,,, every day including disembarkation. The concierge staff will use the same crew elevator to get you down and to the front of the line to disembark.

 

Thanks so much!!! :D

Have a great cruise!

Totally off topic - I've done a search and just can't seem to find the answer:

I sailed on the Getaway last September in an aft PH and always entered the Haven area via deck 16. I'm currently considering moving from my aft PH on deck 9 (yes, same as last year!) and the only 2BR suites remaining are on deck 15. Is there direct access to the pool from deck 15? I can't figure it out looking at the deck plans..... :o

Enjoy! No, you have to take inner stairs or elevator up to 16 to access Haven pool.

IMO, consider eating in Le Bistro for your anniversary with just your husband. Leave the kids at the kid's club. You can also eat in the Haven restaurant for dinner. It is quiet and the menu is great and it is included in your cruise fare! Lunch from there is also great however the menu never changes in The Haven restaurant - however there are enough options to have something different every single day.

Teppanyaki, your kids should eat off the regular menu or don't go because it is a audience participation restaurant like Benihana so kids menu doesn't make sense in there.

Your boys will probably enjoy the buffet most of all. I was on Epic and the 9 year old on one of our tours gave me a complete rundown of the entire buffet while we tubed on the White River in Jamaica! It was hilarious! That kid is a foodie in training! He knew every station, when they were open and what they served and it was only day 3 of the cruise. I guess he was going through a growth spurt as he was hungry all the time but quite skinny. You don't mention which ship you are on but if it is Epic, the buffet is just downstairs from the Haven. On Getaway, Breakaway, and Escape the Haven is forward and the buffet is aft. On Gem class ships the Haven is forward and the buffet is aft.

Enjoy! No, you have to take inner stairs or elevator up to 16 to access Haven pool.

What about getting to the main pool/water slides?

What about getting to the main pool/water slides?

The main pool is on 15 and you just exit the Haven on 15 between the elevator lobby and forward staircase and go outside to get to the pool. Or do the same on 16 and take the outdoor staircase down to 15.

The main pool is on 15 and you just exit the Haven on 15 between the elevator lobby and forward staircase and go outside to get to the pool. Or do the same on 16 and take the outdoor staircase down to 15.

Thanks! :D

Great questions, i just booked the haven as a surprise for my other half (she doesn't read this forum, i hope). We will be haven virgins as well, so any advise or recommendations is appreciated.

I appreciate all of the great information! I am wondering about the butler service in the Haven. Do you recommend tipping daily (maybe keep him or her happy with you, and generous) or large tip (if warranted) at the end? Also, how many people have their butler unpack for them? It would be a wonderful thing to come back from dinner and have all of your things put away, but I don't want to be "that guest" you know? What kind of extras have you asked for in your suite? I LOVE my coffee and am looking forward to the insuite coffee machine! I drink a ton of La Croix (sparkling water). Would it be possible to have this stocked in our room? If they have it of course! Would a fee be incurred? Many thanks!!

Great questions, i just booked the haven as a surprise for my other half (she doesn't read this forum, i hope). We will be haven virgins as well, so any advise or recommendations is appreciated.

You will have a GREAT time! Try not to tell her in advance and when you get to the port, there is usually a VIP lounge, so after you go through X-ray, you head to the VIP Check in and then they will check you in and send you to the lounge with snacks and drinks. After that, someone will come and escort you onboard. If it is Epic, Getaway, Breakaway or Escape, you go to the Haven Lounge first for free sliders and you can order drinks if you want. On the smaller ships the butler will escort you to your suite. There will be flowers waiting and a bottle of sparkling wine. If it is Epic, Getaway, Breakaway or Escape, buy a spa package for you both in advance - trust me - you will love it! I had the hardest time getting my husband to go the first time and then once he did, he would go several times a day!

I appreciate all of the great information! I am wondering about the butler service in the Haven. Do you recommend tipping daily (maybe keep him or her happy with you, and generous) or large tip (if warranted) at the end? Also, how many people have their butler unpack for them? It would be a wonderful thing to come back from dinner and have all of your things put away, but I don't want to be "that guest" you know? What kind of extras have you asked for in your suite? I LOVE my coffee and am looking forward to the insuite coffee machine! I drink a ton of La Croix (sparkling water). Would it be possible to have this stocked in our room? If they have it of course! Would a fee be incurred? Many thanks!!

Tip ONLY at the end. If you are on the larger ships the butler doesn't really have time to unpack for you and even on the Jewel class ships, they don't tend to do that either. I believe that NCL has Pellegrino sparkling water - no La Croix - although this may have changed as they are constantly changing up their menus. Whatever sparkling bottled water they have, it does cost extra as does ordering alcoholic beverages or soda pop from your butler. The coffee machines are great and the supplies for these are complimentary!

I place a "standing order" with the butler for a plate of sandwiches and cheese and crackers each day when he drops off the canapés. I have held parties in my suite - I had a great butler on one ship who posed for hilarious photos with my guests. I was in the Owner's Suite so I told the guests to pretend this was their cabin and their butler. The butler even posed "feeding grapes" to one of the men who was reclining on the chaise lounge. It was hilarious and the butler was a good sport who earned himself an extra $150 for his efforts.

BTW, I LOVE breakfast in the Haven restaurant - do try that on the first morning on the ship so you know everything you can get as you can order any of it from your butler!

I appreciate all of the great information! I am wondering about the butler service in the Haven. Do you recommend tipping daily (maybe keep him or her happy with you, and generous) or large tip (if warranted) at the end? Also, how many people have their butler unpack for them? It would be a wonderful thing to come back from dinner and have all of your things put away, but I don't want to be "that guest" you know? What kind of extras have you asked for in your suite? I LOVE my coffee and am looking forward to the insuite coffee machine! I drink a ton of La Croix (sparkling water). Would it be possible to have this stocked in our room? If they have it of course! Would a fee be incurred? Many thanks!!

We waited until the end of the cruise to tip the Butler. Our butler was fantastic; Naveen on the Escape :) You can ask for any and everything you need they will find it for you. Naveen noticed that my husband only drank Pepsi so he quickly took the other options of the fridge. Keep in mind though that the drinks in the fridge are not complimentary even if you have the UBP. We did not have him unpack us because I was afraid I would't be able to find anything.

Each afternoon you are given treats and can certainly ask for me.

Have fun!

We waited until the end of the cruise to tip the Butler. Our butler was fantastic; Naveen on the Escape :) You can ask for any and everything you need they will find it for you. Naveen noticed that my husband only drank Pepsi so he quickly took the other options of the fridge. Keep in mind though that the drinks in the fridge are not complimentary even if you have the UBP. We did not have him unpack us because I was afraid I would't be able to find anything.

Each afternoon you are given treats and can certainly ask for me.

Have fun!

This was last march the Butler Cipreano noticed my son liked soda so he said have as many as you want there will be no charge. I think he felt bad also that my son had allergies to nuts and egg so he could not eat the m&ms he brought but they disappeared any how. He also asked what snacks we liked because we did not eat a lot of what he brought. So he brought sandwiches and cheeses for us instead.

This was last march the Butler Cipreano noticed my son liked soda so he said have as many as you want there will be no charge. I think he felt bad also that my son had allergies to nuts and egg so he could not eat the m&ms he brought but they disappeared any how. He also asked what snacks we liked because we did not eat a lot of what he brought. So he brought sandwiches and cheeses for us instead.

Our Lions are looking pretty good this season!!!!! :D

One more question for Haven:

We were on the Getaway last year in a Spa Suite, just my wife and I. Two flights up to Haven wasn't a big deal. In January, we're on deck 11, Forward Penthouse and we're taking our kids and wife's mom. That's a lot more stairs! I heard there is an express Haven elevator, is this correct? We didn't even look for one our last cruise.

TIA

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One more question for Haven:

We were on the Getaway last year in a Spa Suite, just my wife and I. Two flights up to Haven wasn't a big deal. In January, we're on deck 11, Forward Penthouse and we're taking our kids and wife's mom. That's a lot more stairs! I heard there is an express Haven elevator, is this correct? We didn't even look for one our last cruise.

 

TIA

 

 

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No, the only Haven express elevator I am aware of is the crew elevator that takes you down to disembark at ports and such. We were on deck 11 and either took the stairs or the regular elevators (usually the stairs!).

No, the only Haven express elevator I am aware of is the crew elevator that takes you down to disembark at ports and such. We were on deck 11 and either took the stairs or the regular elevators (usually the stairs!).

Thank you.

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