Sissaaaaaa

I just want to add to my prior post - it really is all subjective. My parents have been on the Getaway and the Escape, and they prefer the Getaway. Just wanted to point that out :)

We can't quite believe it. We thought it would be something for a few years time when the kids were up and away, but I think we've got it at as good a price as we likely to see it.

 

Realistically what's the earliest boarding time for Haven guests?

 

 

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If all goes well with clearing the ship, etc., you can be on by 11. They will take you on a tour of the Haven and Posh, show you how to use the elevator key card, introduce you to the concierge, etc., and then head to lunch at the Epic Club!!! I do hope Diego is behind the bar when you sail - he really was an awesome bartender.

Upgraded. So excited for our first Haven experience. 16021 (there were only 3 left on 16). Thanks for the advice (and be prepared to be asked lots more)

 

 

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You are going to love it!!

That is definitely what I miss the most when sailing the larger ships!

I can't answer directly for the Getaway, but have sailed on the Escape which is of the same class and has the same deck plans.

 

Crowding is a problem with this class of ship, particularly the pool decks areas on sunny sea days. The pool decks are small, and broken up by bars and other features, and I was shocked at how crowded they become. Deck chairs were pressed into every available corner, and there's at most a one lane walk through them all.

 

On the other hand, the deck which contains the Waterfront bars and restaurants seemed often to be almost empty during the day. So if you don't need to be by the pool, head for the Waterfront. It has the added advantage of not having constant blaring music as well.

 

The interior public decks seemed about average as far a crowding was concerned.

The Escape is not the same layout. The Escape has a much better layout, with wider interior public areas.

We cruise this fall on the Getaway. After looking at the deck plans, and with 4,000 passengers, I thought there was limited space. How crowded are the pool and other deck spaces?

Getaway is a poorly laid out ship. The interior spaces feel very narrow and cramped. I never would have picked a second cruise on her, but the itinerary has ports we haven't been to. That is the only reason we are sailing her again. Edited - that was during spring break. This time we will be sailing in May, and I truly hope it is a different experience crowd wise.

Deck 16 or 17 best for a 2 bed family villa?

 

There are only 3 remaining on 16, but all 3 are towards the corridor/stairs. Plenty available up on 17, I assume its a quick walk down to the pool area?

Don't take 17 if you can avoid it - only because of the sun deck above it. If you all are early risers, then it's not an issue.

Pretty much decided to splurge. Only problem

Is friends are still undecided to come with us and if they do they won't do Haven. So if they do come I don't think we will as we wouldn't take full advantage because we'd want to spend more time with our friends. [emoji51]

 

 

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Yeah, that's definitely a downside. The food in the Epic Club is far superior to anything on the ship. You are not going to want to leave! Will your friends at least purchase Posh passes? IMO, Epic has the best Haven out of any of the ships, not only because of the layout, but because of Posh. It overlooks the pool deck, so you are not missing anything. Vibe on the other ships is just awful, IMO. Unless you like being tucked away in a corner :o we only utilized the actual Haven pool area a few times - just to jump in the pool. Posh was just fantastic though.

Of course not, and just like the Haven, they know who belongs and who doesn't.

No, not on the larger ships.

Thanks folks.

 

Sissaaaa I presume Haven guests still need to purchase POSH passes?

No, it's included.

What's on offer in The Courtyard Grill?

Is food available all day?

Is it buffet style or is there a menu and it's made fresh?

 

Thanks

We did not care for the food here, and service was bad over our NYE cruise. It's the only Haven access place that we didn't care for. Could have just been an off day. We didn't try it again after being disappointed. We either ordered lunch in Posh, or went to the Epic Club.

We always bring a little something for the cabin. Never had an issue.

Yippee!!

I really would not bother too much with Naples. IMHO it`s dirty and not much to see. Yes, getting a Pizza where it was invented is novel-but not that big a deal.

We did a private tour spending about two hours in Pompeii, then on to the Amalfi coast. This was by far the most beautiful section of the Med that we`ve ever seen. We had a great driver-if asked I`ll tell you. We had lunch at this spectacular mountainside restaurant that grows all it`s own veggies, makes it`s own wine and they threat you like kings from the second that you sit down. All the wine and food that you like-excellent for 25 euros. We stopped at Sorrento to shop for about an hour. All in All one of our best ever excursions ever.

This is exactly what we are planning to do as well - Pompeii and then Amalfi! Please tell me the tour company and driver's name. Thank you!!

No judgement about appearances at all. And I wasn't judging the employment choice that this woman made. My apologies if that was how it sounded. She openly was telling my mother about how she sold adult products. My mother did not know the term passion party, and was offended that I had to explain it to her, as was I. My mother asked her to explain more due to the fact that she didn't know what a passion party was, and was told about the "product lineup" in politically correct terminology. She proceeded to turn to my wife and I and ask what it meant. So yes, it was inappropriate.

 

 

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I would have been offended as well. I do agree with you that it was inappropriate. Until I read more of your posts on this subject, I had no idea what a passion party was, and I am not old.

So you think the more expensive the cruise the people will have more class?! Sorry to tell you but money doesn't buy class! :rolleyes:

Oh that definitely is not true at all! You should have seen some of the folks staying in the Haven with us over new year's. Granted, there weren't many, but there were definitely some that needed charm school!!

I find those with the most class are people who treat the laborers the same way they treat the CEO.

I don't live on Cruise Critic, and rarely read all the comments that come my way. But thank you for taking the time to criticize me. My wife and I have also looked into Crystal and Seabourn, and usually sail in The Haven when on NCL (and have 2 Yacht Club bookings currently on MSC), so it isn't a matter of having to book the most exquisite cabin, but rather wanting better atmosphere. I think (hope) that Oceania will give us that. I might be incorrect, but I won't know until we try.

 

 

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I think you and your family will fit right in with the Oceania crowd!

A woman openly (and without prompting) telling my mother she sells adult products by way of Passion Parties is what I call "riff raff". My mother is in her mid 60s and did not know what that term meant. DW and I had to explain it. This occurred on a 7 day Canada / New England sailing on Gem. My mother asked DW and I what a Passion Party was b/c said lady was talking about it to her. I am not a prude (and neither is my mom), but I was mortified.

 

Clientele like this would be what I am looking to avoid.

 

A couple that was used to Oceania on our Getaway cruise used that term riff raff to describe how they felt about certain clientele . It might be snobby and uppity of me to agree, but lately SOME people would classify. By no means all.

 

 

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Yikes - that is crazy! Luckily, we haven't run into that. We have run into a few in the Haven that we wouldn't give the time of day to because of the way they treated the staff.

Actually it's not a joke. I was venting and clearly should have worded my title differently and should have just stated facts. But I asked for advice on something that seems like a no brainer-I get it. Yes, I see my room was unacceptable and should have been dealt with right away. Instead I tried to just clean it myself and move on but it bothered me enough that I put my thoughts down here.

 

 

Thank you for all the comments. I will talk to guest services.

Definitely talk to guest services. In fact, ask to speak to the hotel director. That is beyond unacceptable!

I am sorry I did not mean to be disrespectful. This cruise is a big deal to me and I want to make sure me and my fiance are able to do the things we want, without things being shut down for a special group. I was just reading many of the horor stories about bars being closed off and resturants and just got worried. So again I am sorry.

You weren't, and don't apologize. Some people prefer to wear tin foil hats ...

We are already planning our next Haven experience on the Epic. I think it is hands down the best experience on a ship! I just can't see any of the Away ships, or the Escape, being better than the set up the Epic has.

I think for a lot of people it means they will still sail but the extra tips at the end of the cruise for the steward, etc will cease.

This!

The Sky prices are kind of steep, IMO.

I agree, and don't understand the reasoning behind that.

My son is rather tall, 6'7". He had to bend over to take a shower on our recent Hawaiian NCL Pride of America cruise, in a suite cabin.

I'm wondering if booking a Spa cabin, which gives access to the spa showers, would give him more height showering? He will be 18 years old soon.

Any tips would be appreciated since we are looking at cruising with friends on the NCL Breakaway next year.

Maybe the Breakaway cabins have taller showers?

Thanks!

:confused:

My husband is 6'6 and always has to squat down to rinse his hair. I'm not sure about the spa since we do not utilize that.