goldmom

Wow, you're definitely getting spoiled and have a great butler. We were in the Haven the week before you and only got one pitiful tray of snacks each day even after we had mentioned to the butler that we didn't want the sweets and liked fruit and cheese. Oh well, the luck of the draw I guess. Enjoy!

We had a very similar experience in the Haven on the Gem a few weeks ago. We still had a great cruise but found the butler service lackluster in comparison to past cruises. Again, like you, we wondered if the very sad one plate afternoon snack was the result of new policy or if it was our butler.

We were recently told that the $35 limit no longer applies. Basically, anything that doesn't have an upcharge on the menu is included and you get 1 appetizer, 1 soup or salad, one entree and one dessert. In Cagney's they told us we could have 3 sides. Also, the voucher was good in any restaurant on the Gem.

Wow, this really stinks if they start enforcing this. I have always traveled with a fan and not sure I can sleep without one. Definitely a new rule as it was never on the "do not bring" list before.

Unless you're arriving very early before or just as they open up check-in, they wouldn't check your time. We did see them making people who had later check in times wait outside because the terminal was too full or at capacity. Once things are moving along, they really don't care about your check-in time. Enjoy!

The app sounds good, but I would still need the air that the fan provides. It's great for those pesky nighttime hot flashes! Also, if I have a fan then DH doesn't complain that the cabin air conditioning is on the "meat locker" setting. LOL!

I always bring a small either battery operated or chargible fan packed in my luggage. Never a problem.

That's so weird. We were on the Gem last week and also skipped Bermuda and got a credit on our account. It wasn't much, like $33 for the 2 of us. Just odd that they don't always give a credit. We had to take it as a cash refund.

PS The $33 was for the 2 of us.

We were on the week before you and also skipped Bermuda. They gave us back something like $33, it just showed up in our account. You either need to spend it onboard or get a cash refund the last day. The Concierge can take care of the cash refund, saves you from having to wait in line at guest services. For some reason they can't put it on your credit card. Enjoy!

We usually cruise NCL, but are considering the YC on Meraviglia. I have a question about elevators. Is there a dedicated elevator within the YC complex or only stairs? If you're unable to go up stairs, do you need to go out to the main elevators in order to access a different level of the YC. The deck plans are a bit confusing as there is something in the YC that looks like an elevator but isn't labeled as "lift". Thanks for any help!

I appreciate the sacrifices you're willing to make in the name of research! And thank you to everyone else for the replies about the elevator. It really eases my mind!

Don't remember if you're in the Haven or not this trip, but if you are could you please verify if the elevator goes to all 3 levels of the Haven 17,18,and 19. DH hasn't seen the sundeck in awhile as the ships we've been on recently only had stairs. Wishing you a great cruise and that all the pre-cruise things go off without a hitch! Thanks

I hear you. They punished you for asking for something "special" LOL! Luckily we had great service both times.

I usually make reservation but that's just me. At least with a reservation once you get to the front of the line you'll be seated. Without a reservation you wait in the line and then many times get a buzzer and wait some more. That being said, it seems that as the cruise goes on the line pretty much disappears. We found that the first night in the dining rooms are often a zoo and try to do a specialty the first night. But, if you don't mind the possible wait and want to be more flexible then you absolutely do not need a reservation. Enjoy!

I agree about the two side rooms, especially with the bars on the sides on the entrance. My DH and I both said we felt like we were in jail or eating at the children's table! Lol! This is always a pet peeve of mine. I make the reservations as soon as they are available pre-cruise. And yet everytime we go to Le Bistro, we are seated at the worst table available. This last cruise we were going to Le Bistro a second night and spoke to both the Maitre D and the concierge to request a window table for our second night. No luck with the window, but at least we made it into the main area.

My DH enjoyed some aperol spritz's and even though they do have some sugar they didn't seem to raise his numbers much. PS- I enjoyed them too!

And Laszlo- Thank you again for the amazing video. Very professional looking! Great job!

Thanks everyone for the replies. I appreciate the information!

Is there a particular reason, or just personal preference?

Thank you! Much appreciated. Now the decision is harder, LOL!

I'm starting to look around for our next cruise and I'm looking at either the Joy or the Escape. In looking at the deck plans for the Escape, it appears that the only way to get from one level of the Haven to the other is to walk up (or down) a flight of stairs. Is this correct? DH can't do stairs so if this is the case, then my decision becomes very easy as the Joy shows an elevator in the Haven complex. Thanks for any help!

One other question. Are you getting twice a day service in this class of suites? Thanks!

A question regarding the suite snacks. We were just off the Gem. We noticed on this last trip that we did not get the variety or amount of snacks as in past trips. Not that we needed all the food, but we used to get a "gift" from an officer and then some other plate of food also. This last time, we received one "gift" snack each day but nothing else and they seemed to rotate between the same 4 snacks. Just curious if this is new policy or if we just had a lackluster butler. Would appreciate it if you'd keep us up to date on the snack situation. Although there's probably less waste with only bringing one snack. The only one we ate was the cheese and crackers. Enjoy your cruise!

Just off the Gem and wishing you a wonderful cruise. The terminal was a bit of a zoo around 9:30ish and we were late getting off. Hope that doesn't effect your check in and boarding time too much. We had a really nice cruise and weather was pretty good, just some bumpy seas the first night. Enjoy!