Petals22

I found out 2 days before boarding that my bid had "won" an upgrade to the Haven courtyard from a mini suite.  I played around with my bids several times.  I ended up with a bid  just in the good zone.  I think every cruise is different.  I don't think there is a good way to predict what is going to work.  I was excited to win and now I am anxious to get back to the Haven!

My husband & I did the Mexican Rivera on  Princess several years ago. We went in mid January . While it didn't bother me, my husband found it chilly out on deck the first couple of days.  I believe we had 2 sea days at the beginning of the cruise.

As a "reward" to my husband and myself, I had booked a 12 day Mediterean cruise on the Spirit followed by a 21 day trip on the Jade .  I booked them a year in advance.  the spirit was a balcony cabin and the Jade was to be mini suite.  When I received the  "invitation" to bid on an upgrade, I decided to try for a Haven suite on the Jade since it was 21 days and probably a once in a lifetime itinerary for us (Rome to Dubai).  I did not tell my husband I was doing it.  I found out two days before boarding the Jade while we were still on the Spirit that my bid had been accepted for the 2 bedroom Courtyard suite.  I managed to keep the secret until we got to the pier to board the Jade.  My husband was certainly surprised! 

I too fear that I am now ruined and won't be able to go back to our normal interior cabin!  I may have to do at least a balcony!

Currently for me it would be a combination of ease of getting to the port, the destination, the price and the size of the ship.  We prefer Jewel class or smaller ships but will go on the larger ships if those are the ones that are going from the port we want to leave from.  Price/amenities are possibly more important to me right now than the ports.  We recently moved to florida so looking forward to not having to fly to another city to board the ship.  We can easily drive to the florida ports.  Hoping we can cruise more often now.

Before we stayed in our Haven suite on the Jade, I thought everyone in the Haven would be stuffy and very demanding.  It turned out I was wrong.  Most of the other Haven guests were "normal" people, not stuffy at all.  We met some really great people.  The staff was wonderful also.  We have been fortunate though, we really haven't had any negative staff experiences except on the Gem and it was really probably my expectations of what the person could do or not do for us while on board that colored my experience.  On the Jade trip, I wanted my husband & myself to be spoiled ..... and we were! 

You have a rather unique situation. I am sorry this is happening to you.  I agree with the others advising you to contact the airlines regarding cancelling the flights.  I would think you would get a full refund from ncl but it may be a long process. It is a unique situation and stressful time for  everyone involved. I haven't been in this particular situation but have been dealing with a situation where we have spent several months trying to resolve an issue involving fraudulent business practices with a different company. It is hard to be patient when it is your money on the line.  Hopefully you will get the answers you need soon!

take a deep breath ! Good luck!

I originally had a mini suite booked on our Jade trip last November.  I placed a bid for a Haven suite . It was a 21 day trip .  Two days before embarking I found out my bid had "won" an upgrade to a Haven courtyard suite!  It was a fantastic experience.  The Jade does not have the Haven restaurant for the evening meals but we were able to have breakfast  & Lunch in either Moderno or Cagneys.  It was just my husband and myself in the 2 bedroom 2 bath suite.  The courtyard area was very nice and relaxing.  The concierge service was impeccable.  Not having to wait in line or join the masses gathering for excursions in the theater was wonderful! We didn't really use our butler as much as we could have.  I a!m a little afraid that I won't be satisfied with any less than the Haven going forward.... ! 

We stayed on Lido.  Easy waterbus ride from the airport to Lido and then the same type of water transportation to the pier from Lido.  We stayed at the Hotel Reiter or New Reiter...not sure what it was called but easy walk from the pier or a short taxi ride.  very reasonable

11 hours ago, david_sobe said:

Bruno will be the concierge on Breakaway in April 2020

 

 

 

 

 

(April Fools!  3 months early)

BTW how was the b2b in the Garden Villa

  We had Bruno Detone as our concierge on the Jade in November.  He was amazing! We had excellent service from him as well as Mauro, his assistance and from Lucas all went over and above our expectations!

I just got the email about my bid for a haven upgrade yesterday. My bid  was accepted....

We are 3 days out from sailing.  I bid an amount just in the good category.  It is for the jade leaving from rome. It is a 3 week cruise.  I am so excited.... My husband has no idea we are getting upgraded!  We originally had a mini suite and got upgraded to the 2 bedroom H4

We made a purchase in November 2015. We received our refund in August 2016. When we received the credit on our credit card, we had actually forgotten the money was coming! It was approximately 9 months.

I didn't read everyone's reply so some of what I might say may have already been posted. We used the what's app to send texts to each other while on the ship as well as to communicate with people at home. We have verizon and went to the Verizon store about a week before our cruise and got useful information from them. we did the international plan as well as had the internet package on the ship. the what's app worked well but you can only communicate with other people that have the whats app.

Thanks for the information! I wasn't sure how they were lined up! We will be there in April so I guess I can see for myself. The trip that would involve switching isn't until October!

Has anyone ever cruised for one week (or longer :) ) on one line such as MSC and after disembarking gone on another cruise line for another week? I am wondering how easy logistically it would be to disembark the MSC Divina and embark on the NCL Escape. Both leave from the Port of Miami. I realize it would be simpler to do both legs of the trip on the same ship so we wouldn't have to pack and unpack, etc. Just wondering if anyone has experience with this. I assume we could grab a taxi or a shuttle at one pier and go to the other pier?

thank you!

I think the e docs are available 20 days from your cruise

My DH and I were on the Nov 6th sailing also. We had several minor problems which added together effected our perception of the trip. I think I had the same surly bartender as one of the previous posters..... He informed me they didn't have ice tea at the bar in O'Sheehans when I had gotten a glass about 2 hours earlier. Overall the level of service and friendliness was far less than what we had experienced on the Sky and the Dawn. Still waiting for a response from NCL regarding the complaint letter I wrote. We arrived at the port about 6:30 and breezed thru that part. Disembarkation went smoothly for us, too. We have found that when we use a porter at the port it seems to go much smoother.

I am considering booking a cruise on the Getaway for Oct 2017. She is leaving from Copenhagen and traveling to Miami via the Azores, St Martin and St Thomas. My husband is balking at the idea. Says it will be cold cold cold for most of the trip. I of course said wear a jacket.:cool: Any have any experience cruising the Atlantic in October? thank you !