BlushPell

I have stayed in the Joy Haven and also have had Vibe passes on a different cruise(Getaway). I wouldn’t sail in the Haven again. The Haven sun deck was always full and I never got a seat. The bar service was slow and sometimes non existent. The Vibe however I have always gotten a lounger with great service. Ice water was brought the moment I sat down and some fruit was brought at a later time. The staff knew my name. In the Haven the staff never knew my name or even that I was an Haven guest. And the best part no children. Yes the Vibe doesn’t have a pool when I sailed the haven pool and hot tub had a bunch of kids in it.

I am hoping the Joy leaves Bermuda as scheduled and gets to NYC for my departure on Monday.

Just off the Escape two weeks ago it was ready deck by deck and not in any type of order.

When I called my PCC yesterday he gave me the option of only upgrading one passenger if I wanted to. Maybe call instead of using the website since their site is glitchy at times.

I second this and have had the exact same experience/problem debarking in NYC. Don’t fall for the fake drivers you will get scammed. Also the taxis won’t want to drive you a short distance to the train station they are looking for bigger fares. Although it’s illegal to refuse a fare they find ways around it. Do yourself a favor and call an Uber.

Food Republic is a favorite of mine. Last cruise we used our dining credits and ate there three times. Twice we used one credit for four items which was plenty for two people. The last day we still had a credit for two people and couldn’t eat the 8 items that were included, we only made it through 6 of them. You can split the credit and use it for four items each time you go. On the Joy we ate there for lunch as well as dinner.

No room service on debarkation day.

Thanks for sharing and sorry it didn’t live up to expectations. I had a similar experience on the Joy in July it was just too crowded sailing at just shy of 4900(I was told) which was well over the double capacity of around 3800. The over capacity BA+ class ships are loud and crowded. Glad you had some good experiences as well.

Newport the city isn’t an island itself but is on Aquidneck(Rhode) Island. The traffic getting on and off and around can be a bit of a pain. Uber is a good option and the drivers know the roads well. There is plenty to do and you will enjoy whatever you decide. Have fun!

I am not sure where you are planning to go with the car rental but the parking in Newport can be a bit of a challenge and add up. There is a trolley that goes around if that is something that would work. Being a tender port you wouldn’t have all day to use the car since you would have to plan on the time for tendering. Traffic getting on and off island can take a bit of time too. May I ask where you were thinking of heading to, just to get an idea of what might help. If the car rental still is of interest the closest would be Enterprise in Middletown they open at 8 am.

I just got off the Joy and booked my first Haven room. I wouldn’t do it again. I know there are lots of people who love it but for me the Haven area is too closed in and you don’t have open access to the outside on most of the loungers except for the sun deck. The Haven sun deck was completely full on sea days I was unable to get a lounger and all seats were gone by 7 am. People got up at 530 am to secure seating on the sun deck. Also I didn’t like sitting in the enclosed area of the Haven (I like to see the ocean not frosted windows). So I ended up sitting on my balcony to be outside and avoid the pool deck crowds. I have felt much less crowded in Vibe than I did in the Haven. I have NEVER had a problem getting a lounger in Vibe and also the bar service is much better in Vibe than the Haven, there were many times in the Haven that drinks took upwards of 20 mins to arrive. The bar area is often crowded in the Haven and not crowded in Vibe. Also the music played on the Haven sun deck was annoying and even if there had been a seat I wouldn’t have liked listening to it or smelling the smoke from the smoking area in the front of the sun deck. While my stateroom was lovely and butler service was good sometimes the Haven restaurant was a flop for us. The food we found repetitive and boring and we ate elsewhere after trying eating there a few nights, the service wasn’t great and the food was just ok. Personally I would book Vibe and some specialty dining. You will get the attentive service, space and good food for much less than the Haven and will be assured of getting everything you book. I know people may disagree but that is just my thoughts.

I’ve done self disembarkation from the Pearl and been in the parking lot by 8:30 depends when the ship arrives and then starts the process. If you can carry all of your luggage you can leave pretty early. Also if you self disembark you can walk off anytime. Just remember you need to have all your baggage with you with that option.

Try messaging someone in the roll call. Once I called and asked NCL and the agent said they couldn’t tell me until I booked. Not sure if that is always the case. Someone who is already booked for the sailing you want would be able to check.

Yes it was yellow cabs. Most were the van type larger so I think they wanted families and airport runs(at least that is what one driver told us) Maybe that is why they stand outside their cabs so they can lock the doors since they aren’t in the vehicle. Thanks for the tips hopefully next time will be better.

I tried that and asked several while walking about a mile or so away from the ship to take us. Cabs that were blocks away wouldn’t take us either. Finally about a mile away someone had gotten out and we got in. All the drivers wouldn’t open any doors or trunks for us we asked about 6 of them so I couldn’t get in to demand anything. They were all standing outside of their cabs and saw it was just two of us with carry on luggage. I could have taken photos and made phone calls to report them but at that point I just wanted to go home and didn’t feel like arguing. Next trip I’ll try Uber or worst case walk.