benel204

Thank you so much for your very detailed review!! I loved reading it. I know this is an old post, but we are considering this suite category in Haven Escape and could not find reviews. Currently the suite category no longer includes access to the Thermal Spa. However, I'm curious if you experienced any problem with noise coming from the fitness center on that deck 16?

Hello again, After much consideration, analysis and encouragement from this board, we are going to upgrade to a Haven suite (upgrading from Club Balcony). This is on Escape cruise in May (11-night Med). The more economical Haven cabins are the 16th deck "Haven Penthouse with Balcony (H1)" formerly known as a Spa Penthouse but with now these cabins do not come with Thermal Spa access or amenities. The H1 Haven Penthouse is on the same floor as the spa and fitness center. I would appreciate your thoughts on these Questions: 1) Wondering about noise or disturbance from the fitness center? Or noise from the 16th deck outdoor activities? 2) What about ship movement or noise that far forward? Issues? 3) Any thoughts on how to creatively use the space taken up in the cabin by the huge corner whirlpool tub (which we won't use). Would prefer to have a small sofa in that space like the Haven Courtyard Penthouse cabins on the 17th and 18th decks above (those are more $$ though). 4) Is there a passageway from 16th Haven area to the 17th deck Haven lounge? Or do we exit completely and go up to Haven. Not a big deal, just curious. Thanks for any input. This forum is so helpful--- I have learned a lot. And you all are so fun!

Hello, We are considering a Haven cabin on 16th deck which is on the same floor as the spa and fitness center. Wondering about noise? Any experience? What about ship movement that far forward? Tolerable? Also, wondering how else to creatively use the "space" taken up the corner whirlpool tub (which we won't use). Would prefer to have a small sofa there like the cabins on the floor above (which are more $$ though). Thanks for any input.

Hello, We will be on our first NCL cruise (Escape) May 2024 Barcelona to Venice. There are at least two ports where it is recommended to be somewhere forward on the ship to view the beautiful ports as we arrive. Naples/Amalfi area is one, and Malta is another. We will be in a club balcony cabin starboard side so plan to get to viewing spot outside (or inside?) in the common areas. In studying the ship layout, though, there doesn't seem to be a common area, deck or lounge, indoor or out, that is forward-facing. I see Vibe and Haven outdoor decks, but these are not common areas open to all. For those who have sailed Escape before, what do you recommend?

Thanks -- I appreciate that perspective! If I have to get up too early, I tend to strategy about "will I be able to sleep on the bus/ferry".... And going to bed earlier never works. I'm night owl, plain and simple.

I know (sigh)... we chose this itinerary because it included Malta (so few cruises do). So it's trying to pick only 2 chocolates from the box for this visit. The Hypogeum requires us to arrive 15 minutes in advance and we will do that if we end up making it a priority.

Ok that's good to know because we will probably eat a little bit at Food Republic and didn't want to apply our specialty dining credit for that. Thank you

Hi, we are also new to NCL and have the Free at Sea for a May cruise. We reserved our two Specialty dining using the NCL app (for Cagney's and Le Bistro). What "arrangements" need to be made if we already reserved in the specialty restaurants?

Than you, Hank. Based on all the great advise from everyone, we are planning to get off the ship as early as feasible, get the ticket there (and return ticket at the same time), assume it will be Molo Beverello both ways (the ferry closest to the ship). We will aim for the 7 am ferry from Naples; and we'll plan on ~3 PM return ferry from Capri to be safe. Is that too late a return, given the ship leaves at 6 PM? I don't want to stress the return.

Thanks --- good to know about no lines. I am in email conversation with a couple of driver services so in the interest of being efficient with our time we just may go with them.

Thanks -- yes that's what we were thinking. Being there on a Sunday changes things. I wonder now if Mdina + Valetta, and skip the Hypogeum would be a best option. (Even though I already bought our tickets, I don't want to feel obligated.) Perhaps we can decide in the moment, since we'll have a taxi or driver.

Thanks, NZ.... Ok so Birgu is out (I think I already figured that out). Would hate to miss Mdina. Would a "rushed" hour be better than nothing?

Thanks cruisemom42, good to know. I had assumed they would let us in if we got there at 10, so long as we left by 11. I will read the Hypogeum visit instructions again.

Thanks for the information. I'm curious if it was a long wait to get your taxi at the port? That is, were there a lot of passengers trying to do the same thing? I have also found drivers online (Viator) who charge about $250 for about 5 hours.

Good point about the weather. If there would be no long lines at the ferry office to purchase tickets on the mid May morning we will be there, then we can wait to purchase at that time.

Ah ok, that's why I see the two ports. But either port/company would work, looks like. I'm curious what the "booking fee" is from the link you sent. I've visited the website and it's very informative.

Thanks for the tip euro cruiser. I don't understand your comment above, don't have to return from the same ferry company? Are there more than one ferry companies? I thought there was ONE ferry company operated by the local municipalities.

Will we be able to purchase ferry ticket right there, or better to purchase in advance? How about on the return, better to purchase in advance?

Thanks for the tip about the early ferry. My only hesitancy about 7 am ferry is that we are not early risers. And with a port intensive cruise, we have to decide which days will be the "easier" ones, just in terms of go go go all day. Avoiding crowds will be a motivator though!😁

Thanks for the input; and good to know that San Giacomo is near Augustus gardens.

Hello and thanks in advance for advise about our port stop in Malta. We will be in port 7 am - 3 pm on a Sunday in May. Our plan is to use a taxi service (either book in advance or at the port). (How much would a taxi cost from port?) We have tickets for the Hypogeum for 10 AM. Is this ~5 hour itinerary doable (assuming the ship arrives on time): 8:00 get taxi and head to Mdina, visit for an hour (8:30 - 9:30) 10:00 AM Hypogeum (1 hour visit) Valetta 11:15 - 1:45 -- Walk around, visit the Barrakka gardens -- what's a priority to see given the cathedral will not be open to visitors? Is a trip to Birgu possible to tray and squeeze in? We will Walk or taxi back to the port by 2. I wish we could visit longer as I have so been looking forward to seeing Malta. But focusing on 3 main sites seems enough We plan to be outside early as the ship arrives to take in the view of the harbor.

Hello, I've combed through the forum and gleaned some information, and now have questions for those who have done or are planning to go to Capri from Naples port. Our ship in port from 6 AM to 6PM in May. We will leave the ship about 7:30 AM We want to include some scenic walking (downhill) AND efficient transportation when it makes sense. This is our tentative plan for a leisurely, unhurried day. Take the ~8:25 or 8:35 Ferry to Capri. =>For a visit May 10, should we buy our ferry tickets in advance? At Capri Marina get a taxi to Anacapri. (No chairlift when we get to Anacapri--fear of heights for one person). Walk to Villa San Michele - ?distance? Then walk or bus from Anacapri to Capri Town, see the Piazzetta plus the Augustus Garden (and maybe the Charterhouse if it's close by) Take the Funicular or walk back to Capri Marina ~3:30 PM ferry back to Naples port Is this a leisurely day? Are the paths and stairs from Anacapri to Capri well marked? And the path from Capri down to the Marina? Thanks in advance to those who know Capri.

Thanks Kauijim, Very interesting information! Today is 111 days, so I will monitor the fares. In the future we will have more flexibility and can look for deals.

Thanks sjacbobs11, we did indeed did look at a similar itinerary on the NCL Viva and had booked on a "Suite" which was a really great choice inbetween CB and Haven. We ultimately wanted the Escape itinerary so switched.

I will be watching the fares daily. Thanks for the tip. Regarding other TAs, I have found some very helpful cruise review videos online created by TAs (not the click-bait ones) and will keep them in mind for the future.