RoyalLady

6 hours ago, Lvbhappy said:

Currently sailing on the Sky, 4 day Bahamas cruise. I couldn’t find much info before I went, so thought I’d post a few things while we are going so others have an idea. 
 

This is my first short cruise and first cruise on a smaller ship, I’ve done the escape and encore before. Nice little ship but definitely older than those 2. Also has more of a party spring break feel. 
 

we got upgraded from an inside cabin to a balcony—I bid just over the minimum which was $75/pp, and I bid $80/pp and happily got the balcony. 
 

haven’t hit any restaurants yet besides local, but did stop by the crossings to make our reservation for cagneys, so I snagged a pic of their menu. I will say local has a pared down menu compared to the encore’s local but it was still yummy for some late night tipsy snacks. 
 

Spent most of the day by the pool, ate at the buffet yesterday. About to head up and see how it is and if beach loungers are available or how that all is! So happy to be cruising ❤️  

 

Thank you. We leave Monday! I definitely will not be drinking the Long Island 🤣

That wait times very for every restaurant, but I’ve never waited more than 5-10 minutes. 

The menu at Taste, Savor and Manhattan Room are the same for all 3, but they change every night. The lunch menu does not change. Teppanyaki is fantastic and they ask about allergies, before they begin. Your food will  be cooked separately in the back or before the seafood. I’ve seen it done both ways. 

First time cruising on Norwegian Getaway Western Caribbean tour. Have the Unlimited Beverages along with 90% of the other 4K people onboard. I read TON reviews of pissed off passengers waiting for drinks in long lines on deliberately understaffed staffed bars on Getaway. Want to know if that was true everywhere onboard or just at the Pool Deck? Just to be clear , I have absolutely NO intent of going to the pool bar at all. There are 14 other bars on this ship... Are they waiting 3 deep also? Is it possible to sit at a bar with wife for a couple hours and enjoy a few drinks? Or is it "take away" at most bars.? I am asking this because I am thinking of paying for Vibe passes so we can sit to enjoy a drink. Let me know if there are any slower bars on board (smoke free) that may be less attended to sit. Really I do not want to pay for Vibe just to sit at bar unless I have to. ANY ADVICE would be appreciated (such as give the bartender a $20 so he remembers me) Thanks

The only day I had an issue was the first day at the mojito bar. The best bar at night is the one in the aft next to Cagneys. They also carry higher end liquors like Johnny Walker Blue. Never a wait and plenty of seating.

PS-Can i upgrade to a 2 bedroom suite(i just read about it) that would solve the problem of rooms being distant from each other.

Yes you can upgrade at any time. I thought you were asking about the bidding system where you can bid a lower amount for a higher priced room.

I said that about t/a because there was one mention that if not booked thru NCL i would not receive the email, now someone said they rec'd offer thru t/a. I have a call into my t/a now and see what to do but i wanted to get as much info from here as possible.

Sorry for the confusion on my last cruise in November we were told that cruises booked through a TA were not eligible for the bidding upgrades via the advantage program. It is possible that it may have changed, but it was suppose to be an "advantage" for people booked directly through NCL. Either way your TA will know the answer.

In regards to it showing on your NCL page that is not correct.

We're new to NCL and doing our first cruise on the Escape in November. We're currently booked in a mid-ship balcony. I really want to try The Haven, though! I've been eyeing an H9, Haven Spa Suite. So far, I've noticed the price is slowly coming down. We're planning on bidding on one when/if we get the offer. However, what's the lowest you've seen it come down? Also, can you still take advantage of price drops after you've booked? If the price is right, I'd rather just secure it and know instead of waiting to see if our bid was accepted, but I also don't want to pay too much for it. Thanks.

The lowest I have seen a Haven room drop it down to about 2400 or so; it looks like you are booked during Thanksgiving so the prices will run a few hundred or more higher than usual. NCL does not change prices when they drop they will only "rebook" the reservation for you. So if you have already made your final payment and it is past 90 days you are not able to make changes. Hope this helps

Hi, I'm at 80 days out now. I didn't see the upgrade process but i'll go back and double check now. I do have a call into my T/A and see what he can do. The t/a is a rookie and he seems to be a bit less knowledgeable at this time.

I'll also do the cabin check thing, thanks.

If you purchased your cruise through a TA and NOT directly with NCL you will not receive the email to bid. Check your SPAM or other folders in email. It will be titled, "NCL Advantage Program" and mine arrived about 45 days out. You do not get to pick the actual room; you can just bid on higher categories.

Thanks for your review...we'll be on her in a few weeks:) We have the unlimited drink package...dil was wondering....how does this work...can you start ordering drinks as soon as you're aboard? Only our second NCL...and their first...

Yes, you can order drinks as soon as you get on the ship! You DO have to pay tax on these purchases until you leave the port. It was not $2 a drink as stated by another guest. I believe it is like 6% (Florida sales tax).

Hello,

We are on the Getaway on Nov 6th. I haven't seen an email mentioning the advantage program. Do you know when it is sent out? Thank you!

We got our upgrade email about 5 weeks ago. If you booked with a travel agent or any other website other than NCL you most likely will not recieved the email because they usually opt out of the program. Call NCL directly and ask for the upsell department they should be able to assist.

Has anyone received an upgrade bid acceptance yet? We're on Dec 17, 2016 sailing. Booked yesterday and receive upgrade email today. I have two side by side family balcony rooms for us and DDs. With upsell line, you could call and find out specifically what rooms were available, managing proximity. Can't imagine they could accommodate upgrading to two side by side suites. Don't really see a provision for particioating this way...

Yes, they accepted our offer about 2 weeks ago and we sail 11/13. They are very particular and definitely will not accommodate you by putting your group side by side. Honestly, they would probably have better results if they were willing to keep groups together.

I specifically bid on the haven Aft because the website only showed deck 9 (biggest balcony, best room layout) was available; when I got my upgrade it was deck 11 (small deck, bad layout) I called and it took me quite sometime to get a supervisor to change it for me. She said they would not be willing to make this change again so I need to read the "fine print" which I did and it is very misleading. Hope this helps and you enjoy your trip !

Any Haven hints for a first timer? Just my husband and I going for anniversary celebration....big splurge for us.

 

LOVED reading your reviews and seeing your pix....and totally agree on the Philly cheese steak toppings....lol Have to look into this Little French Key. We booked our excursions though Costco, so not sure if they have that offered. Totally going to recheck for it. TY again!!

We are also going to Little French Key; have heard fantastic things about it. You would actually book it directly through the island itself. If you go please let me know what you think since we will be going the week after :)

Thanks for the answer! I just read your posts on another thread. That's awesome....2 in a nice, big forward aft. Our cruise is 11/6, just 2 of us, too, the room connected to a fwd. aft (penthouse suite, H5). Would be funny if we were neighbors. We booked through Costco Travel, so idk if they were even part of the upsell offer program. I have to stop thinking about it....lol. We got the upgrade for $750/pp, but it now includes the prepaid gratuities and internet, so technically came to about $550/pp. I'm ok with that. Hoping the Haven is all it sounds like it is.

You definitely will not be disappointed even if you paid a teeny bit more; totally worth it.

That would have been awesome if we were neighbors. We sail the following week actually! Don't be afraid to ask them any questions you have. They really are extremely accommodating for Haven Guests. Hope you have a fantastic trip!

Me? I had no idea there was anything called an upsell when I called and upgraded to the Haven room. I have only cruised once before and after I read about upselling, I called back and basically they told me I'd have had to wait for an email from them anyway. After reading there's an actual upsell phone number to call, I doubt their answer. I'm bummed, but trying not to focus on the fact that I probably could've saved a few hundred dollars. ugh....

Yes! Always book a lower room that you would be happy with and wait for the "Norwegian Advantage Program" email. It will explain how to bid on higher rooms like the Haven. We upgraded to the Haven Aft for about 40% of the real cost!

I appreciate all of the great information! I am wondering about the butler service in the Haven. Do you recommend tipping daily (maybe keep him or her happy with you, and generous) or large tip (if warranted) at the end? Also, how many people have their butler unpack for them? It would be a wonderful thing to come back from dinner and have all of your things put away, but I don't want to be "that guest" you know? What kind of extras have you asked for in your suite? I LOVE my coffee and am looking forward to the insuite coffee machine! I drink a ton of La Croix (sparkling water). Would it be possible to have this stocked in our room? If they have it of course! Would a fee be incurred? Many thanks!!

We waited until the end of the cruise to tip the Butler. Our butler was fantastic; Naveen on the Escape :) You can ask for any and everything you need they will find it for you. Naveen noticed that my husband only drank Pepsi so he quickly took the other options of the fridge. Keep in mind though that the drinks in the fridge are not complimentary even if you have the UBP. We did not have him unpack us because I was afraid I would't be able to find anything.

Each afternoon you are given treats and can certainly ask for me.

Have fun!

I checked you tube again and did find a video that shows the balcony

It looks a little narrow

I guess I will stick with M1 Aft cabin (huge balcony) but was looking into upgrading to get the Haven perks

 

Thanks

If you actually call NCL they will be able to tell you the exact size of the balcony sq ft. and dimensions.

Love the Haven!

We had an aft balcony on floor 9 and depending on what time of day, the sun was shining on the balcony, but it was almost complete covered. I also worried about it feeling like a tunnel, but was pleasantly surprised at the open feeling. We loved the location/ balcony so much we are booked in the same room in April (9318) and the room next door in April 2017...

 

 

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We are booked in 9920 (aft balcony), but some complained about noise coming from the MDR on deck 8. Just wondering if you found it a problem in the evening hours.

Thanks, R

True. This is what I fear most when we take our cruise over April school vacation week. Not much of a choice as my wife is a teacher. Only saving grace I am hoping for is that we are in a Haven suite - so hopefully it will be relatively quiet in this area.

I am a teacher also. We just went on the escape the week before Christmas in The Haven; ABSOLUTELY the best place to be. Always quiet, no crowds and spectacular service. With Key-card only access; you only have other Haven members walking by or around your cabin. Hope you enjoy it!

We are in the Haven as well; our documents say Terminal C, but supposedly we have priority boarding. I cruise tomorrow so I can let you know.

They originally changed my reservation from 9:30 to 10pm and then they cancelled it for the Million Dollar Quartet. I am sailing on sat, but I also upgraded to a Haven Suite and one of the reps explained that was reason, because now I have priority seating.

Hoping I can make them again when we get aboard.

Did I mention it's THIS Saturday?!?

We paid our gratuities upfront for the unlimited drink package when we booked the cruise which was just a few weeks ago. It was an additional $60 or so per person.