@Jim_Iain

Thanks so much!!  Perfect!

Happy seas!!

3 hours ago, Northern Aurora said:

 

 

Celebrity certainly isn't going to do anything which will cause more work for them on a turnaround day, which is difficult enough for the crew.  They aren't going to move luggage off the ship only to move it back on.  This is actually one of those questions which is asked incredibly frequently.  Sometimes more than once at a B2B meeting.  It is also covered in a succinct instruction letter regarding the B2B process which will be delivered to your stateroom when those poor souls who have to leave the ship receive their disembarkation luggage tags.

 

Everyone has their different packing preferences, but for items which are stored in drawers we use packing cubes (which are more like rectangles).  We don't even remove items from the cubes but just fold the top over and under the cube.  If we have to move on turnaround day we zip up the cubes, toss the cubes and our shoes in suitcases.  As already noted the stateroom attendant, who has also done this a number of times, will load up the items on hangers and use a bellman type trolly to move your luggage and hanging items.  You will be responsible for items in the safe, but frequently the stateroom attendants for your old and new staterooms coordinate the move so that you can get your items which go into the safe actually into the new safe before the room is even ready.  I take a bag for the safe items so can quickly shove the bag into the new safe and get out of the attendant's way as they prepare the new stateroom.

 

The B2B process is very easy.  Just read that succinct instruction letter. 

Thanks for further clarification.  As I stated, it is my first b2b….so I am normally one of those poor souls who embark and disembark all in one cruise.  I appreciate getting the information.  Now I won’t be one of those people that ask a stupid question about how to do something they haven’t done before (although fortunately I have read instructions and use packing cubes already).  Whew! Y’all cleared up the only question I had.  Now I can just count my days.

12 minutes ago, canderson said:

No!  If you travel B2B, unless you should have a positive test result (or been caught in a contact trace) and will be disembarking for good at the end of leg 1, no luggage!  If you are changing cabins, you'll want to pack your miscellaneous into it for the journey to your new cabin.  The cabin stewards will help you with your move.  Otherwise, you need do nothing.  Just get off, smile at the C&I man, and turn around and reboard (or take a tour of the port city).

Thanks!  I knew I could manage to ask a stupid question.  I am switching cabins and wanted to kind of keep that in mind as I pack and plan.  Don't like finding out how it all works at the last minute.  

On 10/2/2021 at 7:11 PM, Jim_Iain said:

 

That's good to hear.   Some of the questions I have heard in the past are really funny.   Our last we had different rooms but was just moving next door and our room attendant let us know when the previous guest left their room so we could move our items from safe to the new room.    I also dropped off my laptop and backpack. 

First time on Celebrity.  First time on a b2b.  Going to ask my funny questions here so I don't entertain/irritate seasoned Celebrity cruisers.  LOL   I figured that I would just follow directions - the only question I really have is regarding luggage.  Does it still go out the night b4?  Sounds like you had a hard move on your last cruise!  😁

On 9/23/2021 at 1:52 AM, SireDoime said:

Has anyone here ever sailed Regent? They do have them all (CxC, YC, MSC) beat... but then again, Regent is in a very different class than the aforementioned.

 

But CxC does have great food, as well. I love Tuscan Grill and Murano.

I was impressed as all get out by the menus already being on the app...I was pretty excited to see the menus from the Retreat restaurant....until I saw them.  I will probably spend a bit more time in the main dining rooms.  The menu from Luminae is a bit too foodie for me.  I am not seeing Murano listed on the Apex.  What do you recommend at the Tuscan Grill?  The main dining menus look amazing. 

5 minutes ago, LGW59 said:

Just checked it out for June 2022, amazing itinerary, Ireland is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been and the nicest people ever!  Unfortunately every single room category is wait listed.  

I know.  I waited too late to book - wasn't sure what to do with covid lockdowns.  I have my agent on it for 2023.  If we end up on the same sailing we could trash Spirit over a drink.   LOL

On 9/26/2021 at 11:01 AM, LGW59 said:

Norwegian Sun, 14 days Mexican Riviera, PH suite.  I was a guest of a friend who got upgraded because of her casino spending.  Butler was awesome, could not do enough for us.  The suite itself left much to be desired, though it did have a large bathroom w/tub and separate shower and lots of storage.  It included specialty dining which was totally meh in both of our opinions.  Would not do NCL again, Celebrity is IMO a far superior product and staff is amazing.  Next up Oceania.  

I am looking at Oceania too.  They have an amazing Ireland itinerary. 

5 minutes ago, LGW59 said:

I have never flown on Spirit Air, so thus have no experience to compare them to any other, but I do know that I will never fly on them

LOL!!  I agree with you there!  

59 minutes ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

I wasn't the only one who injected MSC's Yacht Club into the conversation.  I get that you think my opinion is uninformed.  I grant you the right to have your opinion of my opinion.  😁  That will not, however, change my opinion.  And probably not the opinion of those who have sailed in the Haven and the Yacht Club either.  And I don't believe that any of us stated that Celebrity was the best or worst cruise line ever.  Enjoy your cruise, whatever line you decide to cruise on.

I don't actually think your opinion is uninformed.  Only as it relates to the differences between the Haven and the Retreat.  I can see by your cruise history that you have a wealth of information and experience on Celebrity!  I was only saying that as the actual topic here is a comparison of the Haven (which I have a wealth of experience with) vs. the Retreat that you can't really make a comparison any more than I can.  I am booked on a Celebrity cruise in the Retreat and am trying to see what is different.  I can't give an informed opinion on the differences as I have never sailed on Celebrity before.  I will say this - I have never experienced screaming children on any NCL cruise.  I believe that is because I rarely book any cruise when kids are out of school.  I can't think of a time when I ran across kids other than in line for the water slides on the larger ships.    LOL   Truthfully, my expectation is that Celebrity is going to be notch above NCL in most areas.  I am eager to try it.  What's the entertainment like?  

2 hours ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

 

Well, I can read and make judgments.  Based on my conversations with others, I don't believe I would care for NCL.  My choice.  I get to decide how to spend my money.  Most telling to me was all the people in the Yacht Clubs on MSC who stated that they would never do the Haven again.

2 hours ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

 

Well, I can read and make judgments.  Based on my conversations with others, I don't believe I would care for NCL.  My choice.  I get to decide how to spend my money.  Most telling to me was all the people in the Yacht Clubs on MSC who stated that they would never do the Haven again.

Right, of course it's your choice.  I suppose I don't understand leaping in to a thread that is pretty specific.   Haven vs. Retreat (precisely what I was interested in finding out about) and mucking it up by throwing in MSC while definitively stating how you "know" enough about a cruise line you've only read about.... so many topics on cruise critic to choose from and you pick one where you've only been on one side of the fence??  So, it's my "choice" to decide how I like my coffee.....I really want to hear about folks who have sailed both lines in suites.  You are comparing apples to an imaginary fruit that you haven't seen or tasted.   I am booked on the Apex.  I don't even imagine that one sailing will give me enough experience to judge whether or not Celebrity is the best or worst cruise line ever.  Smh

38 minutes ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

22 minutes ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

 

Your butler will be happy to bring you espresso.  And comparing a sky suite to a Garden Villa is like comparing apples and oranges.  For a real comparison, you would have to book a high-end suite on Celebrity.

That was one cruise out of many.  I like the freedom of making my own coffee and not having to get up and let someone in my suite.  Also, I get that you love Celebrity…I hope I will as well!  But I don’t get how you can rate a cruise line you stated you have never sailed.  For a real comparison try it and then rate it.

Thanks so much for creating this thread!  I am booked on the Apex in a Sky Suite….first Celebrity cruise. Have tons of experience on NCL ships..Haven ships, suite ships and last cruise was in the Garden Villa..about 6000 sq ft of living area and 4500 of private deck - going to be hard to ever beat that experience !  I am looking forward to seeing how I like Celebrity.  Already impressed by the all inclusive tip perk and the premium drink package.  A tad concerned about how small the suite is compared to my NCL suites.  I am okay with the idea of the layout not being all in one place.  We rarely spend all our time in the Haven.  I am expecting the entertainment to be so so….but most of NCL’s smaller ships also have so so entertainment.  LOL.  I wish there had been a bit more input from people who actually sailed on both lines instead of throwing in other lines.  I am always amused at folks who dis a cruise line they have never sailed on…you did a good job reviewing the two.  I may have missed it in your review but does Celebrity have coffee makers in their suites?  I am going to have trouble without my espresso in bed.  Lol

@PeleNipsy Thanks!  That's great that you were able to find a way to make it happen again.  Sounds like your first trip was a ton of fun.  There are only 6 of us (the GV on the Dawn is maxed at 7) and for 2 it will be their first cruise.  Can you imagine that as your first cruise?  I have been in the GV's before and was aware of the service hallway.  In terms of the in and out of the common areas - other than the whole put out the fire in the steam room thing - why were they in and out so much?  I don't want to make it difficult for anyone to do their job; however; wouldn't be too keen on feeling like I should be prepared for people to walk in and out without notice.  After all a large part of the reason to book the space is to have privacy.  Btw...I did the Jewel last year for an Alaskan cruise and it was amazing!  Loved the Jewel and loved the cruise. 

18 hours ago, dexddd said:

The problem is most cruises are seven days.  If you are wasting the first couple with issues and ask for a change you aren't assured of better service.

I hear you - I really don't do 7 day cruises myself unless forced.  LOL  Like I said though - if I knew then what I know now I wouldn't wait even a couple of days.  If it starts off badly then chances are it is not going to get better.  Besides it's just a phone call to the Hotel manager or in the haven the concierge to fix it.  It's not like you have to sit in your stateroom waiting for the fix.  LOL  My first suite cruise I had a butler that was so snooty I spent the entire cruise feeling out of place in the suite.  That started day 1 for me.  Like I say - if I knew now....Thank  God I have never had another like him.  But you are right - even changing butlers does not assure that the new one will be better.  Bad ones are a fluke to me - so few times I have had a sub par butler.  

I only had one really "bad"" butler.  If I knew then what I know now I would have asked for another.  It's pretty easy to contact the hotel manager and request a different butler.  I wouldn't do it just because they are not great - but the experience that cruiser1955a is describing is pretty bad - particularly for what you pay for the GV.

2 hours ago, dexddd said:

Absolutely not  better service or perks other than what comes with room which sometimes takes a reminder.

 

On NCL in suites you are totally at the luck of the draw as to who you get and service or lack thereof provided.

I have had great butlers and so-so butlers - but the so-so ones ended up okay if I left notes for them telling them what I want.  They really don't do much other than snacks and coffee.  But then again I don't ask for more than that.  Now, my last sailing on the BA the concierge Bowen was the bomb.  He made the entire trip easy and made us feel like we were getting top notch service.  If you really aren't hitting it off with your butler - you can ask to be assigned someone else.  so it is not totally the luck of the draw.  

15 hours ago, mertziek said:

Don’t get lost!  It’s big and really gives you the feeling you have room to spread out.  We loved the huge private hot tub, too.  Make use of that big private sun deck!  Tipping is very personal and depends on how much you use your Butler and Concierge.  We also tipped the guy taking care of the hot tub.  Just enjoy it!  We did it once on the Pearl to Alaska  and doubt we will ever get to do it again.

I saw how big it was when I sailed with a friend who booked it.  It was just she and her mom.  Crazy amount of space!!  I think I spent the entire time I was in there with my jaw dropped.  LOL  Pretty sure that this will be a once in a lifetime experience and fully plan to take it all in.  I have sailed on the Dawn three times before and just love that ship.  This will probably be the first and only time that we will do some in suite dining.  I typically am very low maintenance for the butler and concierge - am thinking that may change a bit on this trip.  Thanks so much for the feedback!!

On 8/8/2019 at 3:11 PM, PeleNipsy said:

Only time I've noticed a service difference with the Garden Villa ("GV").  Butler and concierge went way above and beyond for the GV.  Butler would see us playing card games in the room and would bring up snacks.  He had a rough week the week before us with the band Kiss staying in the same room, so he really seemed to enjoy how laid back we were.  I have previously stayed in Haven 2-Bedroom Suites (x2), Haven Owner's Suite, and Haven Aft-Penthouse.

Doing our first GV this January.  Any advice?  Had a friend that did it several years back and they were invited to dinner at LeBistro with the hotel manager and some other officers.  Also....have always done suites or haven but this seems like a whole different level so I am having trouble with tipping ranges.

6 minutes ago, aero777 said:

Would anyone like to join us in the Haven on the fabulous Joy? Dec 1, 2019 Haven Courtyard Penthouse with Balcony H5 $1949 pp. Latitude members will receive a total of 21 points.

We sailed the Joy in May and loved it, can’t wait to sail her again. 

That is such a fantastic time of the year to sail.  Low, low prices, rarely crowded, few children!  Have a wonderful cruise!!

2 hours ago, Ron the Rev said:

Used to be able to eat two kids for breakfast, now it's only one. Should we try to get back to the op's subject -- How much would you pay for Haven ?.-- We booked very late on the Epic to the Med we could only book the supposed last of all the Haven cabins, that being a spa suite. Then low and behold we were invited to bid for a 2 bedroom and the owners suite. Question is, if the Haven cabins were all booked out  how come they were offering these to bid on ? Oh well we put in our bids and just hope that one is accepted £500 each extra for the 2 bedroom suit and £600 each for the owners suit. The £500 each plus the original cost of the spa cabin would have made the total cost the same as the 2 bedroom cabin if that had been offered in the first place. Our last cruise on NCL was about 4 years ago when I don't believe  the bidding system existed.

 

They put fully booked cabins up for bid in case there are last minute cancellations.   Have had that on my last two cruises....no cancellations.  

1 hour ago, beccahoke said:

Your kids peeing in the hot tub is so much better than a man?

LMAO!  Really?  So, you more or less equate a child to a grown man?  Hysterical!  I do hope that neither of them are peeing in the hot tub....but one would hope that the grown man would know better.   Y’all just need to sail on a line that has adults only areas.  Note that NCL does not advertise the Haven as an adult only area.  So, no false advertising there...some false assumptions perhaps.

I am with you Elwood.  I like NCL and like the Haven.  If I can have everything in one cruise line why would I have to change? Have a friend that just booked a Haven Spa suite for under 5k.  Those deals are hard to find but they are there.

1 hour ago, dincus said:

Dress code is essentially the same. Casual. When the Marina and Riviera were built they intentionally did not put tie racks in the staterooms. The only time I wear a jacket is for the wine pairing dinners at La Reserve. They are not free.

On the Breakaway we are up pretty high on deck 13. As for the value of the Haven, if we can't get the stateroom that we want in the Haven we don't sail NCL.

Thanks for the inf6! If you have the option to move lower on the BA for it.  9 has the largest balconies.   

9 hours ago, dincus said:

Have you looked into Oceania? We have sailed with them several times. We've never once seen a kid on board. They promote this by saying they have nothing for kids to do on board. The two larger ships, Riviera and Marina have 4 specialty restaurants that have no fees and are considered to have some of the best food in the industry. They have a buffet on the top aft of the ship where every night they have a buffet that includes a grill station where you can order lobster tails, huge shrimp, rib eye steaks, filets, NY Strips, lamb chops, etc. All included.

 

We also love NCL and have sailed with them 14 times. We've only sailed in the Haven since it's inception. We recently booked a cruise on the Breakaway for my wife's birthday in December out of Port Canaveral. We booked a Haven Aft Cabin. I compared it to a Penthouse Suite on Riviera. Riviera was only a little bit more but it was for 10 nights instead of 7. We went with NCL this time because Breakaway is new to Port Canaveral and we live 10 minutes away. Miami is a 3 hour drive and a huge parking bill. Oceania has drink packages and also allows you to bring alcohol on board. Our first cruise with them we brought 2 cases of wine on board with us. 

 

Very quiet on board. No waterslides or race tracks. Just a very relaxing atmosphere. Great pool area and spa. Check it out. It may be what you're looking for with no kids!

Oceania has an Ireland itinerary that is exactly what I want!  What is the dress code as opposed to NCL?   I think you will love the BA.  Those aft Haven's are huge!  Coupled with a second bathroom and the fantastic balcony - wow!!  You do have to be a bit careful about what floor you are on - if you are too high you will have to listen to Spice H2O.