Sand and Seas

Oops... just dropped my free sample 🐾🐾

Yes, the former Haven Spa still have the jacuzzi tub about four feet from the bed in the corner by the window/balcony. They still have Haven access & benefits. We were just in one on the Breakaway in late July.

I just did a search on another browser and still see two different listings for 9 day. However, one of the 9 day now says 'CruiseTour' while the other just says 'Cruise'. It looks like they are starting to offer two day pre-cruise New Orleans tours. They just need to work on filling out details on the listings a bit more😏

Escape out of New Orleans in October & November of 2025 now shows 9 day cruises along with the previously announced 7 day cruises. Not sure how they are going to handle those turn around days as all of the nine day cruises overlap with the following nine day plus the already scheduled seven day🤔 I noticed these new overlapping 9 day cruises about 5 days ago so I thought maybe the dates would be corrected by now!

We agree. TSA was really bogged down with people with kids. Long lines and slow to process.

Interesting! I wonder what the version number will be before I need to download it for our October cruise🤔

Wow! Absolutely awesome photos! Thanks for dealing with the wifi and sharing with us😊

Yeah....we usually avoid the buffet too. You can sometimes find us in the Local/O'Sheehans with the late night menu!

If the show sounds good, you can always make a trip to the buffet after🤔 Seriously, we have seen some excellent performers in the Supper club on a couple of cruises.

I wonder if they will have to cancel an Escape sailing for the required drydock? I can see cruises listed for several months before that except for a three day period when she appears to reposition from Miami to New York. No cruises showing for August 17 to 20th, 2025. September and early October sailings are from New York. Repositioning 14 day from New York to New Orleans on October 11th. First 7 day cruises from New Orleans start on October 25th, 2025.

On Prima, we chose Onda and Los Lobos for two of our specialty meals. Both were great! We enjoyed them much more than Palomar. The compimentary Indulge Food Hall is very popular at lunch and we really enjoyed it. I will again recommend to NCL: PLEASE, open Indulge for a longer period at lunch! We would also advise you to go there for the different menu at dinner. It was a little less busy than during lunch and a great choice for one or two evenings.

The NCL website says Escape was refurbished in 2022, but it was built in 2015. From what I understand from reading @chengkp75's information on another post, they must have a drydock with hull inspection every five years without fail. That would put required drydocks in 2020 and sometime in 2025?

Does anyone know when Escape is due for drydock? There was talk on a thread a few months ago that it might be in September or October of next year. (Can't find the thread but I had taken a note about it.) Now it looks like Escape has filled in their schedules for those months.

We used Enterprise rental from Orlando airport. Stayed two days in Cocoa Beach and then easy return of rental care inside the port area. Enterprise and the other two rental agencies that share the building have a free shuttle to drop you at the port.

Did NCL announce this or did you see this somewhere else? Hopefully they are going to start sharing some more details on Aqua!

We love cruising out of Galveston as it's a lovely island. However, the logistics and expense of getting a large family from airport to Galveston could be daunting. There is a lot of information about this on the Gulf Coast departures board if you need to research.

Thanks @BirdTravels for another entertaining and in-depth 'Live' review! We are especially appreciate for all of the gorgeous photos😊

The 'snack' menu is usually available in the Haven courtyard pool area in the afternoon. On Breakaway last month, it was available from 2-4pm. Great for a late lunch.

We had liquid soap dispenser on Breakaway Haven last month and Joy Haven last October.

Gorgeous sunrise photos! I love following your 'live' reports😊

Cruising out of NOLA is unique. I think you'll enjoy it. It takes hours of winding along the river to actually get out into the gulf. I recall late one night going out on our balcony and looking over to see us still close to the city of New Orleans. Boarding in New Orleans can be crazy early on....but we are usually so anxious to board that we get in those long lines for security. I think after security someone will actually know about priority for Haven🤞 The port personnel are friendly but a little clueless about NCL usual boarding policies. We are cruising from NOLA in early December and then possibly again in the spring. Would have been great to cruise with you in February😊

We will be sailing on Aqua next year too. We really enjoyed Prima so can't wait for more Aqua details to be released!

You're correct! So sorry I missed that. Very strange their turn down service was missed on 3 days. We have had excellent room stewards on our Haven cruises. It's like they know we might be good tippers🤔

Not odd. Haven continues to get twice a day service. Club Balcony and below only once per day now.

Loving another @BirdTravels llive review! Great photos as always😊. Nice to see there is a better selection of deck seating on the Waterfront than we saw on Breakaway two weeks ago.