Sand and Seas

You also might get a Haven bid but still not be happy with the room assigned.  On our last Haven cruise we talked with a couple who had 'won' a Forward Facing PH Haven but were surprised to learn it wasn't like the ones pictured.  The regular FF Haven has two rooms plus a great bathroom.  They were awarded the handicapped room that was one large accessible room plus accessible bath.

They were very happy to be able to enjoy the Haven amenities.  However they were somewhat disappointed  that their cabin wasn't like the videos they had seen of other FF Haven cabins.   

24 minutes ago, Roses_Are_Red said:

If they won't give us a coffee maker in the room, then I think the best bet is either the Observation Lounge or the American Diner (if they serve breakfast)

I'm hopeful they still have the complimentary breakfast available in the American Diner.  Much easier than navigating the buffet in the morning.

1 hour ago, laudergayle said:

Deck 13 will never be the same🤣

Oh yeah.....this review is going to be fun to keep an eye on🧐

1 hour ago, schmoopie17 said:

 

This sounds like a good option, and one we would definitely like to try.

However, as @chengkp75stated in another recent thread...

 "You can walk out with the bottle, if it is opened and partially consumed. The ship is not licensed to sell unopened liquor."

If you've done this in the past, apparently this comes under the heading of YMMV.

 

We have carried it out also.  Perhaps it is legal since it is not 'sold' to us🤔. 

It's a complimentary bottle that comes with our Platinum dinner.

@Cruise Bliss, In regards to your hubby not drinking Starbucks, I don't think it's required for you to both buy the package.   (I often purchase Soda package for myself only after boarding.)

1 hour ago, mthayer295 said:

How is the Haven on the Joy?

We loved the Joy Haven!   Two of our favorite butlers were onboard in late October-  Justo & Dennis.   The Haven Horizon lounge and restaurant were awesome.  Great staff that made everything very special for our cruise.

11 hours ago, hallux said:

LOTS of info in the Florida Departures forum, where I expect this will be moved - 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/386-florida-departures/

 

I stayed in the Hampton Inn Cape Canaveral in March.  To get there from MCO I rented a car, which could then be turned in at the rental agency office (Enterprise, National and Alamo have a shared office near the port) where I was then able to board a shuttle to the cruise terminal.

We rented from Enterprise at MCO, and then had a nice stay at Best Western Cocoa Beach.  You can walk out on a pier that's close by.  Lots of nice options for restaurants in area.

Just a few miles from there to the rental car drop-off at the port.  As you said, easy free shuttle from rental car agency to the port.

1 hour ago, PhillyTravelBug said:

it was a highlight meal for me too. We also selected Los Lobos and all of us were surprised at how much we enjoyed it. One of the best meals of our trip.  I wish we had been on the prima in a warm climate so we could have enjoyed the outdoor areas more.

Our favorites on Prima were Onda & Los Lobos.  We have enjoyed both on other ships and found them to be just as good on Prima.    And to echo others, Palomar was a disappointment for us.

9 hours ago, beshears said:

For anyone that has used Galveston Saltwater Mom's within the past couple months, can you give me an idea of the cost? There are 8 of us, and I don't know how large/small their vehicles are. Just curious.

9 minutes ago, Sand and Seas said:

It also depends on which airport (IAH or HOU) that you are using.  They have a chart on their FB page.

I just checked their chart and it lists small SUV for 1-4, and large SUV for 4-5 passengers. 

Prices depend on which airport as IAH is a longer trip.   The larger SUV are $80 from HOU and $130 from IAH.  The smaller SUV listed as $65 HOU and $110 IAH.

9 hours ago, beshears said:

For anyone that has used Galveston Saltwater Mom's within the past couple months, can you give me an idea of the cost? There are 8 of us, and I don't know how large/small their vehicles are. Just curious.

It also depends on which airport (IAH or HOU) that you are using.  They have a chart on their FB page.

We can recommend something like the Carne Asada, Grilled Shrimp or Braised Pork.  All are served with tortillas to make your own tacos with.    Easy to share with each other. 

You also get one or two sides.  We love the Elotes (grilled corn) and sweet Plantains.   Both are delicious😋

@HoosierShipmate, really enjoying your descriptions and the pictures!  If you can make it into Syd's, the show is definitely worth it.

A tip from me, if you don't like the dessert in a specialty restaurant....it's perfectly OK to go back for dessert in the MDR!  Did I tell you I love the MDR Soufflé😉  

33 minutes ago, spunks said:

we went on FB to try and look up saltwater Moms and had no luck. How do you find them?

try looking for 'Galveston Saltwater Moms'

29 minutes ago, HoosierShipmate said:

Thanks for the dinner suggestions - we just got La Cucina reservations. For those curious I would have gone with the double meatball suggestion and the chicken and seafood paella. The avocado hummus was the only item I definitely would NOT have picked! 
 

Excited for Italian but sad Josh won’t potentially have steak every night. I didn’t tell him I was keeping track but since we are having Cagney’s again tomorrow I knew tonight was the deciding night.  So he will have it 6/7 of dinners. 

Tell Josh there is still hope🤞 

We haven't ate at La Cucina for a couple of cruises, but I do recall getting a good filet in there😉

DH loves starting with a double order of the Italian Meatball appetizer.   For me, this evening usually has a great Soufflé for dessert😋

15 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

Did you read the FAQ on what to pack?  It's in there.  See my post #3475.

 

Now I will admit the closed toe shoes was only mentioned in  the context of men.  Was your husband wearing closed toe shoes?  

Have you noticed that most of the dress codes are directed towards men?  

Yes, read those requirements many times. Nothing about women's footwear.  (Sorry, they do seem to give women more leeway on dress-code and many 'ladies' could use a little more guidance!)

And yes, my husband always brings closed toed decent looking shoes for required restaurants. 

However, no where did the Haven signage say anything other than 'footwear required', which I take to mean no bare feet.   If you ever see me in ANY restaurant with bare feet I have clearly totally lost it and need to be safely locked in my cabin😲

Just wanted to give everyone here a heads up.   It appears to be only Breakaway Haven at this time as I and others have noted in our recent cruises on other ships.  The haven hostess was telling me EVERY ship had been doing this for the last three months.  She was clearly misinformed.

4 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

If they enforce the requirement for closed toed shoes in the Haven, you're alternatives are:

buy some cheap throw away shoes for the cruise.

choose to dine elsewhere

take all  your meals in the cabin.

 

I find it interesting that all the complaints about this policy always mention their sandals are 'nice ones'.   It's not  the quality of the shoes so much  that some don't won't to see poorly manicured toe nails.  Very much like those complaining about shorts in the MDR that don't won't to see men's legs.

 

Personally, I don't care what footwear as long as someone is wearing footwear.  I just don't spend a lot of time looking at peoples feet.

Sorry-  I noted 'dressy sandals' as they were clearly more upscale footwear than the gym shoes (for wearing on plane) that I had to change into.  

I am not complaining about wearing closed toe footwear covering up my pedicure, however, no where did the signage say that women (or men) needed to wear closed toe shoes.   I brought it up here to give others a 'heads up'. 

I suggested to them they should give us notice prior to boarding the ship so we could pack appropriately.   I do have some 'dressy' closed toed shoes also😉

2 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

Would it surprise anyone on this thread that the topic of Dress Code is a reoccurring topic on every single cruise brand blog. The enforcement of the policy is inconsistant until someone is told they cannot dine they way they are dressed.  Like so many things on a cruise, the rules and policies are clear as mud.  Just the way it is and seems to stay. 

 

In the old days, we dressed up for every meal especially dinner.  Some folks liked it, some hated it and other could go either way.  Over time the dress code got more and more casual.  The debate continues and will continue.  My approach is kind of simple.  Use good business judgement.  If you are turned away, just go change.  If you see someone not dressed the way you like, don't let it make your meal bad.  We are on a cruise, on vacation with 4000 new friends.  Not everyone approaches everything the way I do.  It is up to make to no let it bother me.  Our Attitude is all we can control. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

Yes, we used to take a Tux for my husband and I had a beaded evening gown or two!  I don't know how we managed to carry all of that luggage on board🤔

@HoosierShipmate, surprised that you said ship was late clearing passengers before your boarding.  We were in Haven lounge before your cruise and Concierge told us we all 'must disembark now' about 9:10am. She hadn't  said anything prior to that time.  She rushed 3 full elevators of us out at the same time 😒.  Normally they let us know how long we can wait there if regular disembarkation is going slow.

Customs was fast as they used facial recognition.  Didn't need to see passports.  Have a great cruise and don't miss Rumours show at Syd Normans😎

We just got off of 5 days on Breakaway and had two platinum meals.  Also pleasantly surprised when Ocean Blue told us we would get one app,one soup or salad, entree and dessert.  Terms listed above only have one starter but some will give you two😊

11 minutes ago, Daniel A said:

What did the head waiter say when you questioned it?

Just pointed to the same sign as above saying 'footwear' required.  Apparently  my dressy sandals are not footwear?  Maybe only on Breakaway?  Confusing 🤔

1 hour ago, cruiseny4life said:

How dare you not report her? All violators must be summarily punished. 

 

Anyway - on Pr1ma from Nov. 20th to Dec. 1st, my husband wore Crocs several times to the Haven Restaurant, including at dinner. I don't make a habit of looking at people's feet, so am unsure if others had sandals on. 

 

On Pr1ma, I did notice this sign at the Haven's hostess podium. The actual photo is from Hudson's (I think), but same exact wording. 

 

They  did have this sign on hostess desk. 

Does anyone see something  about  sandals in this wording?    

1 hour ago, RocketMan275 said:

I remember that from our Haven Breakaway last March.

Interesting!   May  Getaway  and October Joy definitely allowed sandals for men and women  in the Haven restaurant.    

1 hour ago, RocketMan275 said:

From the NCL website:

Cruise Casual: the Freedom of Freestyle Cruising

Dress cruise casual anytime during the day, in the buffet and in most specialty restaurants. For women, it includes summer and casual dresses, skirts, regular or capri pants, shorts, jeans and tops. Khakis, jeans, shorts and casual shirts are fine for men. Swimwear is acceptable at the buffet and outdoor restaurant, but a shirt or a cover-up and footwear are required.

Be sure to pack a sweater — the air conditioning can be chilly. Kids 12 and under are welcome to wear shorts in all our restaurants.

Please Note: We want you to be comfortable, but tank tops for men, flip flops, baseball caps, visors and jeans that are overly faded, with holes or tears and worn below the hips are not permitted in main dining rooms or specialty restaurants.

All Decked-out: Smart Casual

Dress smart casual in our more upscale specialty restaurants. For women, it includes slacks or jeans, dresses, skirts and tops. For men, it's jeans or slacks with a collared shirt and closed-toed shoes. Kids 12 and under are welcome to wear shorts in all our restaurants.

 

IOW.  Looks like they're applying the upscale restaurant code to the Haven.  Closed toed shoes isn't a great inconvenience.

My husband  has always worn shoes to Le Bistro and Ocean Blue,  however I have worn dressy ladies  sandals.  Guess  the Breakaway  is no longer giving  us ladies  that option. ....and they  looked  much dressier than the gym shoes they made me change into.    Strangely Ocean Blue was fine with  my dress sandals.

Has anyone  been told of a new Haven restaurant dinner dress code?   Just got off Breakaway  and was surprised  to be sent to change  from sandals to shoes.  It was a bit of a hike  back  to our forward facing suite  on a different  deck but we did go and change to shoes.

  They said  change  was fleetwide 3 months ago?  Sandals  were allowed in Joy haven restaurant  in late  October.   (I did see a lady in a sundress and flip flops that same night....but I didn't  report her🙄)