nhtravels

We love the BA+ ships (we have cruised them all, some multiple times). But other than one trip on the Sky, the BA+ ships are all we've experienced. DH and I were spoiled on our first NCL cruise on the Escape with a Haven upgrade to the OS and we have not looked back. I love the ship within a ship concept and the BA+ class ships seem to hit the "suite spot" with amenities.

Thanks for sharing the pics of Taino Bay. We were there in January and loved just hanging out in the port area.

Two of my favorite things! A Bird review of the Encore. It's truly a happy day! Have a great cruise. I'll be following along!

Thank you @Sailing12Away I might be able to help them swing the HI or HH cabin! Good suggestion!

Oh? Whereabouts Heidi I'm originally from the Concord area and DH is from Manchester, and we've owned in Meredith for almost 20 years. I love being surrounded by water, so being on a cruise ship or sitting on my deck at home are my happy places!

Thank you @cruiseny4life. We will have a great trip, regardless of where my parents decide to book their accommodations. Just being fortunate enough to experience Alaska together is a dream come true. I felt a little foolish this morning reading CC. I have a brain injury and don't always realize how my words come out and in re-reading my post I realize that it may have made us sound entitled in a way that was not intended. I truly apologize for anyone who may have taken offense.

I'm afraid we might be in the same boat. DH and I are booked on the Joy in an H5 for Alaska next year. And now my parents are probably joining (which I am excited for!). I can't imagine a world where they would spend the money for the Haven (although Mom was treated to the Haven last October on the Joy, by yours truly and she loved every minute!). The same as, I can't ever think of asking DH to give up his beloved Haven (after 6 or 7 trips in the Haven, it's hard to go back) just for my parents. I don't want either my husband or my parents to have less of an experience for any of our first (and most likely my parents only) trip to Alaska! If only I could win Mega Millions and just treat them....A girl can dream!

We saw Sticktight last May on the Joy in Q. Enjoyed the music so much we went twice (and our son downloaded his original songs!).

Yes, that would make sense! Fortunately for me, his office is across the hall from mine and I nicely asked him to send it. Easy peasy!

Thank you @Asawi! We'll do that now. I appreciate your help!

I apologize if this has been asked and answered. I haven't been able to find it by searching. How do you transfer a cruise next certificate? We had done it in 2018 via phone, but I thought I heard it was now done via email. Our DS is transferring one to us and I'm trying to make it as simple as possible for him! TIA!

We've stayed at a Courtyard by Marriot in Edgewater on our last 2 Joy cruises. It was very nice and a very easy drive to the port in the am. We actually drive from NH and choose to stay on the NJ side and have stayed in the Edgewater area quite often!

We are booked on the Viva and wondered what's the earliest recommended departure time? So excited for this one!

It truly is a lousy card once you have gotten used to the Haven! LOL!

So silly (or maybe not) question. I have the NCL BOA card. We only sail Haven, so we typically just use it to book and take a statement credit... and repeat and repeat. I don't use the card for anything else other than NCL purchases, as I'm not doing upgrades or anything of real value. This month we've needed to use the card for $15k in business purchases ( will be paid in 15 days), but may need to be a repeat order every 45 days. That means the card will earn more points than normal. What is the points per $ for non NCL purchases? If I were putting $15,000 on every 45 days (paid off with 30 days), would that equate to 15,000 points? (Is it 1 point per $1?). We do have other business cards we use (Amex, Chase Sapphire), but for budgeting, the dates work best with this card. Just trying to maxize our points. Our thoughts are even if it takes 8-10 months, we could end up with a Haven cruise every year - 18 months!

I've never sailed RCL. Only CCL (in the early 90's) and NCL since 2017. But I bought a few hundred shares of RCL in 2020 when I added the NCL to our portfolio... My only regret was not adding more! (But I still don't plan on sailing them! LOL)

🤞 that your visa comes in and your mind is at ease! Either way, enjoy that 🍾 on your trip. Happy travels to you and your bride!

Thank you for your review! We are contemplating a trip on the Breakaway out of NYC to Bermuda in October. But there are so many things holding me back! No observation lounge, the smoking in the casino (please don't take offense if you or your party are a smoker)... It's just that the weather in October is not optimum to be outside much. We've been pampered by the amenities of the the BA+ ships! It sounds like you had a great time with your niece and nephew-in-law and their friends! I love that so much!!!

Love NCL! Love the Encore! It's one of our favorite ships! I'm an introvert, so for me, I book the Haven, as I crave the quieter times. But when we wander through the ship, we love the Waterfront on the Encore. The staff aboard that ship are some of the friendliest people we have met on the seas. We'll be sailing her for the 3rd time in 2025 and can't wait! Enjoy your time aboard! :😚

For the record, I'm a relatively young Gigi (grandma), just late to the investment party! I'm about to turn 55, with 7 (7 and under). But I will keep the Stock Market Game in mind as they age! For now I need to work on my own investing game!

I've never done the options thing. I have no idea what I'm doing but am slowly learning about the market (much later in life than I had hoped). But I have 7 young grands who are each doing well in their little accounts because I believe in NCLH and put $50 a month in their stock accounts (split between NCLH, a crypto type fund and a managed fund). I'm hoping that by the time they are young teens I will know enough about investing and they will have enough of a portfolio that they can learn and grow it into something worthwhile. Enjoy your Haven upgrade @skeeter195!

We've sailed in 17100 (our first experience in the Haven was in this cabin on the Escape). It was incredible! It was just DH and myself. The bathroom was amazing. The walk-in closet was a dream and we enjoyed every minute on the front-facing balcony. We did have several family members who were not in the Haven who were able to come and use the suite (which made having the larger space even better). As someone who frequently cruises in a 2 Br. haven (as a couple), I say go for it!

We've done the Encore, Bliss, Joy and Escape. (Noting that OP has excluded the Bliss as a West Coast itinerary). Love the Encore and the Joy (and would do the Escape as the 3rd choice) as we enjoy casino time and floors 6,7 and 8 does have a residual smoke issue without having the enclosed smoking casino that the others offer). The staff on the Joy are some of our favorite of all!

Thanks @BirdTravels for the pics and info. I don't know how I'd feel having my nice Haven dinner in the pool area. (Or for that matter wanting to use the hot tub and watching people eat!). But that's a first world problem. The Haven lounge area looks quite nice though!

We've only sailed on the BA+ ships in the Haven. How does the Haven on the Breakaway compare? One thing I love is the Horizon lounge on the BA+ ships. As an introvert, that low-key space is a big factor in why I book the Haven. How are the public spaces? Last fall I took my mom and sisters on a girls trip (5 days to Bermuda) in the Haven on the Joy. But this year the only dates that work for them is later in October, leaving us the Breakaway as our only option.