Hotspring

I did indeed, here's a picture of the balcony:

 

 

 

 

Hey you two saved our vacation! We are now in 11106. We are very much Balcony people even in the chilly North Pacific. Not only does that bridge support beam block our view it is likely shortening the length of the 13706 balcony as it joins the ship's structure. There did not look like there would be room for a lounger on top of it being darker without the glass enclosure. Sure, we will have to walk up another 2 decks more to get to the spa, our pool, hot tubs, restaurant and prioriity disembarkation launch point but most everyone needs more excercise on cruises.

 

Thank you. Good karma to you!

Hotspring noted they were moved to the H8 plus a couple spa passes, and I see no mention of complimentary thermal spa access included in NCL's H8 description. I can't understand why they wouldn't just call them all H7, with some connecting to a balcony.

Remember all, we had booked a H9 Haven Spa cabin with the expectation that we would have the gratuitous Spa access that all Spa cabins have. When they changed their configuration they really had to give us the Spa passes to move us into a H8 cabin since we already had the equivalent of the weekly Spa passes. I agree, if one were to book a H8 directly they would have to purchase the Spa passes.

We were blindsided because we three were just in a Escape H8 last month and did not make the correlation that the 2 person H9 Spa cabins would match those on the Bliss. Also there is so much space, we assumed we could fit three, we just would not have the divider wall we had in cabin 16100 on the Escape.

I was guessing they could not figure out where to place the second TV in the Bliss H9 cabin. The latest story from NCL is that they had privacy concerns. Despite the size of the cabin, someone pointed out the whirl pool tubs would require a maximum limit of 2 people assigned to the cabins. Either they thought 3 people would all try to get in the tub together or they did not think about having the third person spend some time in Entourage or Splash Academy, or just party elsewhere on the ship.

Provided our balcony view is not obstructed on the corner directly below the bridge, we somehow came out ahead with more space, privacy, and maintained our Spa access on our Alaska trip.

Just interesting how all this came about.

LOL. Last month we booked a H9 Spa cabin for our party of three. It was the greatest Haven level value as it is on most ships we have checked out.

Today our TA called to inform us that NCL has reconfigured all the H9 cabins to only hold two.

They appear to be accommodating by offering us an upgrade to H8 with a couple of weekly Spa passes, but while roomier the balcony is much smaller.

Only 8 months from launch and they are just now figuring how many people a cabin can hold? No wonder they do not want their deck plans published, they do not know if they are accurate themselves.

If you mean Haven as part of suites then that is something that changed recently. I have the included UBP for me and DW yet all of our taxes and DSC match the other 3 people in our cabin who have no packages.

 

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Yep, just got off the Escape with a Haven Cabin 3 weeks ago and booked a Alaska Bliss Haven next year. Did not pay the 18% UBP on the Escape but did have to complete the booking of the Bliss. NCL is really getting sneaky, but look at their stock price zoom up.

Loving the review! Thanks for posting!

 

DH and I toured Chacchoben in 2011 on a ship tour via Celebrity Solstice and really enjoyed it.

 

I remember using the restroom at the site (part of the shopping area when you first arrive) before the actual tour of the ruins commenced. Can't remember if I had to throw my toilet paper in the wastebasket or not (but I might not recall that, as I've had to do that often in Caribbean locales), but...

 

Yikes!

 

I think I remember sinks with running water! Certain I'd remember a bucket of water on a shelf, as OCD about hand-washing as I am. Thanks for reporting. Maybe things at Chacchoben have changed or perhaps they were experiencing temporary water/plumbing issues. I always carry sanitizing wipes as a last resort, but I prefer good old-fashioned hand-washing.

 

Love Cruise Critic--this is the type of info I like to get before going to a place the first time (or 2nd or 3rd etc.)! Things can change in the interim of course (positively or negatively), but it's nice to have some idea what to expect!

Yes, my 11YO daughter, spouse and myself did the deluxe tour through the ship excursions on the very same day and found plenty of running water and the tip bucket for those that were keeping the restrooms clean and stocked. Maybe if you use the less expensive tour companies you do not get told about the public restrooms and are lead to the backroom restrooms. Our restrooms even had a Mexican cat snoozing in front of them to the delight of my cat loving daughter.

However, the Carnival ship was just coming in when we returned to the Escape versus the outstanding reviewer apparently coming back after the thing was already docked. So it is possible if you go too late in the day they run out of water.

Also, in our tour van it would been impossible to snooze for the 50 minutes or so trip to the ruins. The guide was constantly speaking and passing pictures providing a detailed history of the former people and culture in the area.

Just something intangible offered by companies that would not be allowed to service the ship directly unless they offer more.

i bought 100 shares before my recent cruise on the gem, and received $100 obc. does that mean as long as i still own the hundred shares i will receive $100 obc on my next cruise in dec. on the star?

Absolutely yes, as long as you both continue to hold the shares until your sailing date on the Star and resubmit the form with your Star reservation details.

Yeah, we purchased the minimum 100 shares within one of our IRA accounts at $4.95/trade just to get the $100 OBC.

We did that just 1 week before sailing. The OBC was given to us just based on the stock trade confirmation.

Our intent was to sell the shares the day after we sailed, but we have gotten greedy and are holding it a bit longer to actually may a tidy short term profit within our IRA. No real tax consequences, and even if the stock went the other way it is currently being recommended by several analyst and was bound to recovery. We likely will sell it it a couple more weeks and repurchase it just before our next cruise and then dump it again---I agree leisure stocks are risky for the long haul.

We figure we are saving $100 for $9.90 in in/out trading.

This is why we decided on the Pearl instead. Wanted to try the Bliss but decided we really preferred the itinerary on the Pearl for Alaska.

 

 

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Yes, you definitely will enjoy the Pearl. We did the same cruise on the Pearl in 2012 and enjoyed it.

However, we have graduated our taste to the Haven in which the Bliss offers greater number and value in the Haven cabins, particularly within the Spa Haven cabins. (No, we are not quite ready to swallow cost of the Haven Aft Cabins plus the $220/week spa pass per person if we went Aft as suggested in this string). I guess we are sacrificing time in Glacier Bay for less time in Sawyer, but the other 6 days we will be pampering ourselves from the masses on such a larger ship.

Thanks all for your input.

We are booking a balcony next August on the Bliss.

Trying to determine if we should get a port or starboard cabin.

Understand that port is preferred for the narrative in Glacier Bay but we enjoy viewing the landscape and building layout of the little towns when the ship is at port. Can always move to the ample Observation lounges that the Bliss will have when in Glacier Bay.

Which side will likely offer the best town views?

Ship - Escape

Deck - 16

Stateroom # - 16100

Stateroom Category – H8

Starboard or Port Side - Port

Quiet Stateroom? – Yes. End of passenger hallway. Only heard ship crew traffic for a few minutes when disembarkation luggage was picked up for the rest of the Haven Spa units.

Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? - No, but the master bedroom was private from the living room except for lavatory access. Much larger than the 309 square feet NCL posts for the Spa units.

Balcony View - Great view

Balcony Size? Oversized. Could handle two loungers and 2 sitting chair, most in this Spa category could only handle two sitting chair or maybe a one lounger with no walking room on balcony.

Was wind a problem? - As anticipated and appreciated.

If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? - N/A

Any specific problems with this cabin? - No

Any other comments? - Likely the greatest value available in the Haven Suites, particularly when traveling with 3. The Haven Spa units come with complimentary spa access yet offer all the other benefits of a Haven unit usually at the lowest price. One only needs to walk up a stairway or two to step into the Haven enclave. While the living room sofa was not much more than a day bed when made up at night (slightly narrower in width than a twin) the extra room throughout the cabin was enthralling. We were delighted to have a king size bed rather than the merger of two smaller beds we usually experience. There was even a pocket door between the master bedroom and closet area en route to the lavatory/shower to provide maximum privacy. Even a couple would appreciate this cabin should they manage to snag it. We are still scratching our heads as to how we lucked out for our party of 3, all other Haven Spa cabins could only accommodate a party of two on this ship. Top of the line Stateroom Steward and Butler provided.

Always hand cash to your butler, concierge and steward. In an envelope with a note.

 

You don't want to be a miscellaneous line on a pay stub that is given in lieu of pay. Not in addition to pay.

 

 

 

 

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Possibly a good argument but think of how business really works in these Big Brother times.

Any large successful service organization from a restaurant to a cruise ship would always be looking at ways to measure the quality of each employee's service. Sure, surveys may provide some information, but a surprisingly high number are never responded. Therefore, as a backup a simple decent computer program will be looking at the tips given to an employee and rate them among their peers to determine if they should be invited back after their contract ends. Sneaking cash to a butler, concierge or steward will bypass ability of the program to detect how much the customer really thought of the employee and rate them as inferior and possibly fire them. Put the tip into the voucher system and even if they do not get it all, at least management will know how well the employee is appreciated.

Many decent employees would rather have a continuing job than be tossed out on the global job market by getting too many short term cash perks that does not reveal to management their true worth. JMO

Just stumbled upon the NCLH Shareholder OBC $100 credit offering for 7 day cruises. Unfortunately, one must be a shareholder of record and submit the claim form at least 15 days before the sailing date. Are next cruise is next Saturday.

Oh well, we will be better prepared for next time.

http://www.nclhltdinvestor.com/static-files/23c8691e-2da7-4595-b132-a6ad137cf7f6

This is good to know. I have always suspected NCL might find a way to not deliver directly to Butler.

I will go to the casino and then give cash with our usual Thank You note. (No more Credit Slip from front desk)

Methinks that anyone that does not want to be identified must not be telling the truth. If the butlers received vouchers but do not collect on their face value it is most likely someone else would have heard from the butlers and mentioned it. There is no way we are going to to the ancient days of handling filthy cash and missing the opportunity to add or are credit card rewards or air mile horde that got us on the ship in the first place. Only those with something to hide use cash these days.

Hey, we had a nice snorkel excursion from Cozumel set up with NCL 4 months ago. Last week we were told that the excursion was changed so that our 65 pound 11 YO would no longer meet the new excursion's 75 point weight minimum.

This is out of Cozumel in 2 weeks, there are absolutely no other excursions offered from this port at this time.

Will they figure out they need to add more excursions when we board the ship?

How stringent do the excursion operators apply the weight minimums?

Our daughter has swam over a mile in fresh water and has snorkeled in open ocean water since she was 5. (We had her in the Waterbaby program so she could swim before she could walk, one of her lifetime exercises contributing to her having little fat on her bod.) We asked her if she could gain 10 pounds in 2 weeks and she just thought we were nuts.

Quick and easy question for recent cruisers.

Can you use the Unlimited Drink Package to acquire souvenir drink glasses?

Or all souvenir glass drinks priced over $15 so we end up paying for the glasses anyway?

Would be nice to be believe that we can get the souvenir glasses and just dump the drink.

The drink package just came with our booking.

This is a though one. I would agree with the above poster that if the Everglades is your goal, getting off the ship early and renting a car is the way to go. They won't let you stay on the ship that late in the day anyway.

 

If you go with the cruise tour, I would say take it, enjoy the tour, then either check-in your luggage or store it at MIA. From there you could take a quick Uber or I think there is a shuttle to near by Dolphin Mall.

 

If you do the rental car route the best way is get there early, so there is no rush and the lines are not to long.

 

Lastly, it seems like your cruise is this summer? Keep in mind how brutally hot and humid it will be in the Everglades that time of year. I would never suggest anyone go there past 12:00pm. Especially with the frequent thunderstorms around 1:00pm. Its nasty out there that time of year. The Everglades is fantastic, just keep that in mind.

Really appreciate your on the scene knowledge of the likely weather conditions for this Northwesterner. We are staying in a NCL Haven cabin and thought we could hang in there to delay our disembarkment to the last possible moment. But with your recommendation we should just use our priority disembarkment to take the earliest Everglade excursion then check in our luggage at MIA asap. Then we can rent a car or Uber and see other Miami sights.

Thank you!

This is a though one. I would agree with the above poster that if the Everglades is your goal, getting off the ship early and renting a car is the way to go. They won't let you stay on the ship that late in the day anyway.

 

If you go with the cruise tour, I would say take it, enjoy the tour, then either check-in your luggage or store it at MIA. From there you could take a quick Uber or I think there is a shuttle to near by Dolphin Mall.

 

If you do the rental car route the best way is get there early, so there is no rush and the lines are not to long.

 

Lastly, it seems like your cruise is this summer? Keep in mind how brutally hot and humid it will be in the Everglades that time of year. I would never suggest anyone go there past 12:00pm. Especially with the frequent thunderstorms around 1:00pm. Its nasty out there that time of year. The Everglades is fantastic, just keep that in mind.

Really appreciate your on the scene input on the likely weather conditions for this Northwestern. We are staying in a NCL Haven cabin so believed we could more leisurely leave the ship by 10 and get through customs by 10:30. Your recommendation removes all doubt that we should just use our priority disembarkment to get take the earliest excursion and get to MIA asap, check in our luggage and then rent a car or Uber to wherever else we end up going. Maybe people watching Floridians at the mall will be enough entertainment for a few hours.

Thanks!

Hey, we are interested in the taking one of the Everglade Tours while in route to the MIA after ship docks at 8AM.

The challenge is that the cruise ship offers excursions that require we be on the shuttle by 9AM and the excursion only lasts 3.5 hours. Our flight is not until after 7:00PM. So we are going to be rushed off the ship only to end up spending six hours in the airport.

Our goal would be to board after 10 or 10:30 and come back closer to 5PM. Unfortunately, all the non-cruise line excursions appear to only be picking up from hotels and are not clear about what they would do with our luggage.

Any know of any Everglade tour companies that pick up from the Port later in the morning and drop the guests off at MIA with their luggage? Alternatively, what can we do at MIA for 6 hours. Any quick tours from MIA to Miami?

Trying to determine if we need to order fresh flowers to welcome us when we stay in an Escape Deluxe Spa Haven cabin this June. Our TA is clueless, NCL rep said no way, this site has comments suggesting we might receive a Welcome Aboard Floral arrangement. Our fear is that offering might just be for other Haven cabins.

Any one know?

We are staying in a Spa Haven cabin this June.

We are trying to determine if we will receive fresh flowers and a daily bottled water supply.

Also trying to ascertain if we can request the mini-bar be emptied prior to our arrival so that we know everything in the refrig is free. Besides, we have ended up with the unlimited drink package---but it appears it is just for booze rather than healthy bottled water.

The web is full of potentially old and conflicting information. Any recent cruisers that enjoyed the Escape's Haven know what the current benefits are?

It really depends on types of questions or comments being posted for us to chose to respond.

We have met too many promoters trying to sell us something on our past cruises. We are there to relax, not fight off overly aggressive sales people.