nhtravels

1 minute ago, graphicguy said:

 

My apologies to

 

@Sugar Magnolia 

 

It is indeed @Magnolia Blossom

 

Got my “Magnolias”  mixed!

 

😁🙃

Might be mixed, how fragrant! 

2 hours ago, graphicguy said:

 

May go see Donna tonite, then hang out in Haven Bar with my new cruise friends!!!!!

Well Cheers @graphicguy as I drink one of the bottles of wine I took home from the 1/14/24 Encore cruise.  Thank you so much for sharing your Pr1ma cruise with us!  Safe travels as you make your way back up the coast!

We were just on the Encore (1/14-1/24) and there were plenty of cookies every day.  Between the lounge and the high limit room in the casino DH had his choice of cookies every day.  

@graphicguy How do you like the HE cabin?  If your dear GF had made the trip would it have been comfortable for the 2 of you?  DH and I are booked in an H5 on the Viva for next January, but considering switching to an HE, so we can add a 2nd leg and make it our first B2B.  We like the extra space (so we can work while on the ship), but are flexible! 🙂

Glad to see you are doing ok after your fall.  Thanks for your live!  Enjoying it thoroughly!

@Shidah are you from NH by any chance?  I noticed the "Live free or die".  If so, hello neighbor!

I've only been home a week and a 1/2 ago, but I'm already missing our daily treats.  Those chocolates look delicious (and I don't even eat sweets!).

@WillCruiseForMoney this is exactly the info I needed! The website clearly spells out that 12322 and 12926 don't have the separate bedroom, but I couldn't tell between the others!  You deserve a "Vacation Planning Hero" card!  😀

26 minutes ago, WillCruiseForMoney said:

There is a video done by Danny Harr that explains and shows the 3 configurations.  If you search for "H5 The Haven Owner’s Suite with Master Bedroom" on You Tube you will find thm for the Prima and the Viva.

I've seen this video.  Wonderfully done!  But when I'm on the NCL site I can't figure out which H5 is which configuration.  They all show the same layout.  (Unless I'm doing something wrong!).  **I can tell which one is the no separate Master Br, as it's indicated.  

Most recently on the Encore we only had tags on shirts, shorts and DH's pants.  Nothing on undergarments (thank goodness!) as those buggers drove me batty trying to take off!

We sent 2 bags on this last sailing.  One came in a basket, all nice and folded.  The 2nd one we had been waiting for, when DH decided to check the 2nd br. closet and realized our butler had hung everything and put it away.  (Of course I just had to refold it all to pack for home the next day, but that's first world problems!)

Happily following along with your review.  We just got off the Encore last Wednesday (did the 10 day itinerary) and are already missing being onboard.  She's our favorite ship of the fleet.

Enjoy your cruise!

22 minutes ago, BornPisces said:

 

I think I’m having Haven withdrawals tho. lol 

Me too!  We just got off the Encore last Wednesday and I'm already trying to get another one on the calendar for this year (even though we have 2 in 2025).

From the first sip of coffee and bite of croissants in the am, to DH popping down to the bar in his pjs every night to grab us one last nightcap, it was 7th Heaven for us on our 7th time in the Haven!

3 bottles and real champagne? Yes please!  Now only if I could figure out the difference between the 3 different configurations of the H5 Owner's Suites on the Viva or the Pr1ma on a floor plan.  

Ship -  Encore

Deck -  17

Stateroom # - 17704

Stateroom Category –  H5 (Haven 2 Br. Family Villa with Large Balcony)

Starboard or Port Side - Port

Quiet Stateroom? (With comments on problems) – very quiet!

Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? - No

Balcony View - Give comments on view, noting if location of any obstructions was an issue. – Great, unobstructed views!

Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? - Beautiful large balcony with room for 2 chairs and small table, plus one lounger

Was wind a problem? - I would say not really.  However, our GSC day was cancelled due to wind and we didn't even venture out on the balcony as the ship was very rocky!

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

Any specific problems with this cabin? -

Any other comments? - We typically book this category of cabin, and would book this one again!

Our last 7 cruises were with NCL and we are still very happy with their Haven. We have 2 more booked for 2025 (and maybe one more this year, if I can squeeze it in between our land trips).  

But if we are going to "cheat", we'll look at MSC YC or Celebrity.  Price looks good on MSC, but the itinerary we liked for next year was already sold out of the cabins we would like.  

For now, we'll stick with our tried and true! 

The only one I know that might be similar would be the Haven bar.  They are true mixologists and are fantastic with the custom drinks!  But you need to be booked in a Haven suite for that.

Thanks for sharing!  We sailed the Panama Canal (Miami to LA) on the Bliss in 2022.  It is still our favorite cruise and I can't wait to do a full transit crossing again soon.  

Thank you for clearing it up @julig22.  I'll have to figure out another way to help offset the costs for the kids!  

Maybe it's the migraine, or maybe I'm overthinking this.... But I've never used my points for an upgrade.  (Haven cruiser, but I've amassed a ton of points now!

We are looking at an Alaska cruise for 2025.  Our 3 adult children and their families, who will not be able to afford Haven.  But I have almost 190,000 points, so I think that would be enough to do 3 cabin upgrades at 60,000 each = 180,000 points.  (Unless the 60,000 points is per person, not per cabin, which is where I am confused).  

There is an almost $2,000 per person difference in price between an inside and a balcony.  That's a huge savings, if I have this correctly.  DH and I would happily gift our children the points for them and their children to be able to join us (then they just pay the inside price.)

Again, migraine/meningioma brain.  Sorry if I've made it confusing for you too!

It's possible, but only you know if the price is worth it.  Is the price the same as what you originally paid?  The difference between Platinum and Sapphire is not that big, so I personally wouldn't spend any extra money (or loose other perks) over it.  But YMMV

I really enjoyed your review @mitsugirly, as always!  We are sailing on the Encore on 1/14 (10 day cruise, similar itinerary, with a few added islands).  It'll be our 2nd sailing on her.

I can't wait to see where you, hubby and Sakara end up next!  Happy New Year!

23 hours ago, am122509 said:

Norwegian already confirmed Aqua was going to be the third Prima class when posting this, so here’s what my predictions are for Prima 4, 5, and 6.

 

Prima 4: Ultima

Prima 5: Excel

Prima 6: Luna

Which of these things is not like the other???

Excel doesn't fit, as all the other names (or potential names) in the class end in "A".

Thank you @cruiseny4life for the info!  So happy to hear from someone who made the purchase and is happy!  Check one more item off my Christmas list!

Can anyone share with me what the style of mattress is in the Haven?  I know it's a Bliss - but there are three "levels" and I'm not sure which one.  (For note:  we usually stay in a 2 br. Haven.). I would love to surprise my husband with new mattress and box spring with the best night sleep we've had in years!!

Ship -  Joy

Deck -  15

Stateroom # -  15732

Stateroom Category –  Haven Family Villa (HH)

Starboard or Port Side - Starboard

Quiet Stateroom? (With comments on problems) –  Very Quiet

Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? -  No

Balcony View - Give comments on view, noting if location of any obstructions was an issue. – Beautiful views from the unobstructed balcony.  

Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? - Oversized balcony with room for a lounger and 3 chairs

Was wind a problem? - No

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

Any specific problems with this cabin? -  None

Any other comments? -  The Haven butlers galley is next door.  This did not affect us at all.  In fact we felt we received extra attention from all the staff with greetings of hello and pleasantries throughout our trip.  

I booked this cabin for a girls trip (4 adults) after our DS and his family stayed in the same cabin in May.  It was perfect for their family of 5, as well as the 4 "girls".  Plenty of storage and a walk in closet!

Entertaining review!  Thanks for sharing!