Ranger719

Like you I'm somewhat of a photo nut ...Nikon D750 and a Olympus TG-4 for the wet shots...and lots of work on Lightroom....enjoyed looking at all your photos and Videos....that DJI Osmo really looks interesting . I assume the Samsung Smartphone is just being used as a monitor... Are you happy with it and did you look into using a GoPro with a gimbal mount? I'll be in the Haven on the Escape this coming Saturday .

Apparently not the best joke, either. :)

Actually someone taking that line seriously was one of the funniest things I've read on CC in quite awhile...

USCG cutters take them all the way in. Cuba allows the cutters to dock. The Coasties don't disembark and the Cuban authorities don't board. After the migrants are transferred, the cutter gets back underway.

Thanks...very interesting

No worries. I work with this issue first hand, so I would never expect everyone to know everything about this subject...especially with all the rumor that tends to get spread.

 

 

 

Yes, they will be transferred from cutter to cutter. A small cutter can only hold so many, so they are moved to a larger holding platform until repatriation is approved. Then, small groups get moved back to the smaller cutters for repatriation.

 

 

 

And you are also correct about seeing certain migrants over and over. That actually is proof another rumor is incorrect.....the rumor they are imprisoned in Cuba for any significant length of time when repatriated.

How does the repatriation actually take place...does a Cuban vessel come out to international waters to meet the US vessel ??

A few more shots of 12304 balcony....last month we tried the Courtyard Penthouse on the Getaway to see the difference of actually being in the Haven area itself....while being In the Haven certainly has its benefits...my wife and I are going right back to the Aft Penthouse ...they just can't be beat !

That is totally incorrect. Cuban migrants do not get interrogated and they certainly are not taken to any US port. They are only asked very specific screening questions to determine if a legitimate asylum request exists, and then they are repatriated to Cuba.

 

 

 

With wet foot/dry foot, if they were to be taken to Key West first, they would be dry foot and allowed to stay. All Cuban migrants remain at sea on a USCG cutter until repatriated.

You are correct...that's what I was told at the time... But I guess that's exactly why heresay is not allowed in a court of law, it's usually wrong .

Did some reading since my post and it appears they will get transferred from Cutter to Cutter until they're repatriated. Sad part that I read is that one Coast Guardsman said over several years he saw the same Cuban 6 different times.

As I was told on the Pearl , if the Cubans don't make U S land on their own then the Coast Guard will take them to Key West for interrogation and then return them to Cuba

Happened to us on the Pearl a little less than 2 years ago returning from Cozumel....Coast Guard came out about 5 hours later to pick them all up

I've never tipped the Butler because I've never used the Butler. Other then bringing cookies to suites at around 3 PM we never saw him. We told him day one no snacks for us so he bypassed us with the cookie cart. If you use the butler then decide what the service was worth to you, there is no set amount.

 

I called NCL and asked at guest services and they told me the extra daily gratuity you pay for a suite includes the butler. I guess I'm just low maintenance not needing a butler.

You were provided incorrect info...The increased gratuity paid in the Haven does NOT include the butler or concierge (only your room steward is included)....Their only tips are what you give them

I know you have a tour scheduled in St Thomas but if there's any time left the Tram right by the dock goes up the mountain and there's some really good places for your daughters selfies.

St Maarten or St Thomas ??

That's pretty much what I was told on the getaway several weeks ago by a ships officer ....nobody goes on the bridge anymore , not even ships company unless there's a need to be there

My wife and I were in the Haven on the Getaway several weeks ago...before Xmas Vacations started (we hoped). Actually only 2 sets of brothers and sisters...in the 8-10 year range were there...but that was enough to wreck some havoc for the week...one brother/sister brought their snorkel gear out everyday to snorkel in the Hot tubs...the other 2 were doing cannonballs in the small pool and walking over the floating lounge chairs...one father finally had enough with his daughter and went and had a couple of words with her,,she then told him to shut up. What to do at that point ..talk to the parents or the Concierge...whatever you do you then create a fairly hostile environment for the rest of the cruise. My wife and I were just amazed that the parents wouldnt take their kids out to the Childrens Pool area where it seemed that they would have a lot more fun.

We are in a OS and are wondering how the in-suite dining works. How far in advance should we request this? Let's say, we have some issue, and want to dine in at the last minute, is this possible? Never had this perk before, not sure I would even need it, just curious. Thanks!

The OS your referring to is the Haven Owners Suite ???

Was there a number of months ago with 6 ships in port...no problem

Grand Cayman from starboard side....

Was on that cruise a few weeks ago ... Here's what Ocho Rios looks like from starboard side

That's strange... This is about my 4th Haven trip coming up. Sail on the Escape on January 30th... Received my packet about December 7th.... Should contain six color coded priority luggage tags for the cabin plus the contact info

If you're within two months of sailing you should have received a letter from the Haven concierge desk...

Tele: 1 855 625-4283

Email: norwegianconciergedesk@ncl.com

They will handle whatever room requests you have

I stayed on the aft penthouse on the Getaway about seven months ago and also had the same questions about whether it would be better staying in the Haven...so we booked the courtyard penthouse and just got off the Getaway about a week ago... My decision goes to the aft penthouse. As someone above stated the courtyard penthouse in the Haven is disappointing and the balcony is minuscule. The service is definitely better when staying in the Haven ....in the aft penthouse the butler service was fine she did everything that you asked but other than that never really saw her...while the butler when staying in the Haven was always around asking if there was anything he could get us. Also checking out the hot tub's in the Haven when they were empty and just popping in was a real help. Having the restaurant and lounge right outside your door was also great BUT you can't beat the size of the Aft Penthouse two bathrooms and a Huge balcony. if you eat in the specialty restaurants for dinner especially Cagney's and Modernos your actually a lot closer from the aft penthouses. If I actually stayed in the Haven area again it will only be if I can spring for the two bedroom penthouse.... And even then you're getting a relatively small balcony.

I took the picture Saturday about 4:30PM from South Beach...

Escape leaving Miami yesterday

Go to http://www.cruisewithgambee.com then click on "Dailies" ,then click on "Norwergian" , then click on Norwegian Escape, and there they are

Go through each day and check out the specific shows your looking for