san92103

Weather in Mexico forced them to cancel Cabo and San Diego was substituted when Catalina was not available.

Wow! No kiddin. Thanks so much for the prompt answer.

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Glad to see sailings return to San Diego! That cruise port is so under utilized it’s sad,

On the topic of Carnival in San Diego. Does anyone know why carnival pulled into port on 14jun? According to the ports schedule, it did not seem planned.

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Your assessment is 100% correct.

Jades haven is perhaps basic in comparison. My wife and I doing the epic western med in sept18 and look forward to that haven! I’ve heard bad reviews on regular cabin layouts.

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There is something to say about deciding you want your steak and lobster on your balcony in your shorts with your companion and not have to deal with a restaurant. I loved the spoils of knowing we have a butler. Hahaha. Yea I know we pay for it

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Honestly the bottles water sale is a joke. Ship water is some of the cleanest water around -Period. It has to be for the systems that use it to cool and due to the de salinization process. You should see the sheets of salt that come out!

Back in my Navy days we used to toss them overboard. Now we “officially” have to hold them.

Save $50 on the case and just refil a bottle:)

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We were also in the Haven 2 bedroom suite within the courtyard although one floor down on deck 15. I like being on 15 with all the Haven trimmings on 16. It seems a bit quieter there as only people that were staying in those rooms were generally the only people in that hallway.

Definitely agree. I want to go on a cruise for relaxation and fun. Not feel like I’m at the local pool.

Now, not to switch gears lol. Is vibe or spice h2o or whatever it is, worth buying if you’re Haven?

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I know this isn't directed at me the OP. Because if it was I challenge you to go back and reread the OP.

It was directed at you. You openly admitted you “never tip”. And so now you’re asking what they make as a way of justifying you not tipping? I assure you they don’t make a lot. I dated a girl who did youth stuff on carnival and her take home in relation to time was not good. Like $1,000/mo?

If you tip 20% on a $100 meal, you’re tipping $20 for someone who brought you a couple drinks and plates of food on an experience that lasted maybe 2hours? Honestly, it’s the kitchen staff who should get that.

Take that $20 for someone who spent time cleaning your mess for a week straight only to do it again the next day.

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So a suite has access to haven and just not connected? I thought suites did not.

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You’re paying hundreds if not thousands of dollars for an amazing experience and you’re crying about $50-80?

These people work 16+h/day for not much money to bring you your drinks and food. Most of them sleep very little for months on end to save money to bring to their families at home in maybe not so fortunate regions of the world.

If you’re worried about $100, you may want to not cruise and save your money.

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Don't do it.... As someone who is a Manager for an Airline... If your flight takes a delay or there's an issue with your flight. Guess who fixes it.. Not the airline. the company for whom you booked thru as is written in the contract.

Recently we had a family of 8 who booked a combined airfare and cruise trip from London to some place. The family booked the kids under their mothers maiden name while the documentation for travel was under the fathers name. Think Susie Smith vs. Susie Johnson. Legally, no airline can send an international passenger (or domestic for that matter) with mismatch names. What made it worse, the over the ocean carrier was not my airline and we cannot touch it. We were forced to refer them to the purchasing company.

Family had to contact the cruise line (not NCL in this example), fight to get it fixed, pay the difference in fare and go a day later getting them to London about 5 hours before the cruise.

Remember- COST IS NOT always reason to do it. 99% of the time it works, but when it goes bad. you HAVE to read the fine print. Just no exceptions!

Very interesting discussion I am glad someone from both sides of the ship is discussing.

My wife and I love the Haven, just not the cost. We love the ability to be pampered and spoiled when we do our rare trips. We both agree that we can cruise way more in a regular room, or, splurge and go less and let it be a "unique treat". Mainly around anniversaries or something.

Haven allows us the exclusivity of a pampered experience we don't really allow ourselves on land except for the rare high end restaurant treats. And, we also don't really enjoy having to fight for chairs or pick between good seats and loud music, or bad seats and quiet areas. Buffets are not really our thing and we never go to them on land, so why on a ship?

We live near Long Beach, Ca, so, we could just hop on Carnival if we want a party weekend cruise. But, again, we save our vacation funds for our special haven cruises.

One thing no one mentioned is the true way to solve sea sickness as someone who spent years on the seas in the Navy.

Your inner ear follicles are unable to establish an equilibrium caused by the rocking motions and as a result causes the sick feelings (throw in alcohol etc.. for added affects). This is assuming you're not sick from food or alcohol overload etc.. But, mainly rocking motions.

Two things you need to do:

1) Focus on the horizon around the midships region where rocking is least.

2) Hands on the balcony railing and while looking out at the horizon straight on engage in a random conversation. Your body will need 20 minutes or so adjustment and I PROMISE you it works.

Feel free to use all these gimmicks people swear by, but ultimately your inability to balance your equilibrium can only be reset by you allowing your body to reset.

if all else fails, take advantage of your drink package so you can atleast enjoy being drunk and dizzy lol

If you want exclusivity and complete luxury on the Jade's product line. Then Haven is the way to go. If you simply want cost savings with similar amenities. Then the suite is the way to go.

Ultimately, it comes down to what experience you want. Having sailed Jade Haven, I can tell you that I enjoyed not having to stick to the public pool areas and could escape to a private area, even though limited in features to small pool and hot tub, and ok sun deck. And, if we wanted to use the public areas, well, that was no problem.

Again- what experience do you want and lets go from there. The desire for one product could be justified with a small increase in price.

I have Sailed Jade 2 years ago, but not in that category of room. Being a former US Naval Officer, I can tell you that if you suffer from motion sickness, midships provides the most 'stability' in terms of pitching bow/stern. So, keep that in mind.

Are you trying to avoid location to elevators, clubs etc...??

I know Jade recently did a very nice upgrading and you should enjoy your experience!!! We did!

So my Wife and I have been narrowing down a time frame to take our next cruise and decided upon late SEP/early OCT 2018 but have not yet narrowed down region for sailing. We're mainly looking at European cruises. Does anyone know when NCL will announce their Black Friday or Cyber Monday deals? Perhaps, which one will have the better deal? Anyone with insight on the offerings? I know it's a month away, but it still could be beneficial to wait one month in exchange for a better deal/perks.

What they offer right now is pretty awesome if you're interested in a 2017 Caribbean cruise, but I suspect something better will be coming.

Thanks to all!

That’s definitely a good one. But this one:

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There is a good YouTube video by Jim Zimmerman entitled something to the effect of haven and non haven comparison. Just watch it and man... you’ll quickly agree.

If you’re a penny pincher then Haven is not for you. If you want a treat for a infrequent vacation, do it. It’s not all 1% up there. Most of it is honeymooners, families who take advantage of third l/ fourth go free or “rich” people. Our latest cruise had many neighbors on the third/fourth go free.

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go with Haven. If you want the 'stress' and 'care' free experience and the luxury cruise exclusivity... HAVEN. You're buying access, but it's worth it. My wife and I enjoy the vibe in the regular pool area, but, deepy appreciate the ability to disconnect and relax in a tranquil environment (we're 30). the Haven may be for people willing to throw down more money, but, having done both 'regular' stateroom and haven. There is no contest.

Two years ago to present we did our first haven cruise (Jade, Penthouse from Venice eastern Med) and we STILL talk about it!! Want cagneys steak on white linen in your room? Done. Want champagne brought up to your exclusive sun deck? Done. Oh, walking around the ship and want your room steward to close your blinds or double check you closed the balcony (etc...)? That's done, too. Just call on your personal phone.

We decided that we'd rather cruise less frequently, but in Haven, than more frequently and in non-Haven. We view it as a special event, rather than a hobby of frequent cruising. Not that there's anything wrong with it. Just our personal decision.

Depending on your airline to Miami, which I hope is American, free cancel or rebooking waivers in affect.

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Yes definitely great info provided. Thanks to all!!

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My Wife and I are planning our 5 year Anniversary (2020) to be an NCL Haven Cruise. Our Honeymoon in 2015 was Haven on the Jade. While I know we cannot book 3 years out, I am seeing booking opportunities on NCL into 2019. While minimal, it is slowing being published.

I'll be honest and say I do listen to the various Cruise podcasts and continue to hear how the best deals-period- are booked via the cruise lines website as soon as they get published. (Note, I ONLY book thru the company. never third party as support for any changes can be super difficult given a terms of condition used)

My questions are:

1) How far in advance are the schedules published (is there a way to get notified when they do)?

2) Are they truly the best rates?

3) While I believe they will refund you the difference if the price is lower, besides checking every day for x years, I hear there is a service that does it for you. Can anyone share with me what that is?

4) Say I book a 2019 7-day West Med cruise. sometime between now and Sailing, they change the ship, itinerary etc... What are my rights for refund due to change in plan by NCL?

5) So, I book said cruise for 2019, select all x perks. Am I entitled to the newly announced perks should I see in "2" months a new set of perks I prefer more be offered?

6) For a booking this far out, I will do insurance as so many things can and will happen between now and then. How successful have those who have needed to use the insurance, feel the investment was worth the price. In other words, similar to Q4, Has the insurance proved useful in getting money back?

Thank you all so very much for your help.

How deep are the ones on breakaway and similar size ships? 3'? Not counting the pools with chairs

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Thanks for sharing. Looks pretty much how I remember. Maybe new art work.

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When I sailed Haven in the Jade, I would use it. And I would joke to my Wife that "there are 3,000 people on board and I am LITERALLY the only person in the pool!" Yea, I know we paid for it. But still, yes i used it, and yes you should, too!

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Would be neat to see whenever you get a chance. While slightly dated with its Hawaiian decor, I found Jade to be very well maintained!

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