nhtravels

12 minutes ago, Travelicious said:

Who do you tip if grabbing a snack at the buffet?

We usually give it to whomever is clearing the table.  Just a few dollars and a smile to say thanks.  You'd be surprised how much it means to someone!

We have always left an additional gratuity (even if just grabbing a snack at the buffet or a meal at the Local).  Specialty or free, we just like to show our extra gratitude for good service.  

Port - If sailing the Panama Canal counts as a port... then this!  Otherwise, Cabo San Lucas!

Ship - Bliss

Stateroom - Haven 2 Br. Suite (I just love taking a bath with view!)

1 hour ago, I Teach said:

We were on Granite Lake. It’s on Route 9 not far from Keene. Small lake compared to yours but very beautiful! 

I'm familiar with it!  I have family in Harrisville, which is not far from Granite Lake.  I hope you had a great visit back.

12 minutes ago, I Teach said:

Thank you!!! We were just up at a lake in NH where I went every summer as a child. Such beautiful memories! We had some beautiful days last week but they are currently getting lots of rain! Hope you are not experiencing the same! 

Yes, last week was beautiful here.  What lake were you on?  The western parts of NH are now experiencing severe flooding.  It's a very wet summer for sure!

We just did a 3 generation trip on the Joy (in May).  DH and myself (mid 50's), DS and DDIL (late 20's) and 3 beautiful granddaughters (5, 2 and 8 months).  The girls were welcomed everywhere (except the adults sundeck on 19).  The Haven staff treated them like little princesses and most everyone in the Haven were full of smiles when they saw our girls.   The staff are all missing their families and will go out of their way to pay attention to the children!

Enjoy your family trip!  

This New England gal is excited to follow along for some more grumpiness and sarcasm (and fun in Alaska with you and your Dad!).  

Hoping the strike doesn't affect the ships supply of adult beverages for you!

Thank you for posting!  I added one to our January cruise (too late for this October) Now thinking I need to book for next fall to use the 3 I have left.  Then watch for price drops of course! 

We just sailed the Haven in 3 cabins (2 in the "Haven proper" and one on deck 15, a HH family villa suite).  Those of us on deck 17 saw our butlers regularly, but the cabin on floor 15 only met their butler on day 1 (and ironically on day 7). However, our DS (the HH cabin) raved about their room steward, who was so accommodating to him and his family of 5.  

Different experiences on the same cruise.  But we all enjoyed our time in the Haven, especially on the rainy days. 

25 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

  Don't families staying in the Haven come out to do other things?  I really don't know.

Sometimes yes.  And sometimes no.  

Our multi-generational family was in the Haven last week on the Joy.  And it was not the greatest weather, so for our little grands benefit, we did spend a good part of the day at the Haven pool.  At night though, when they were settled for the night, you can be sure that this Gigi and Bumpa roamed the ship - the bars, the Waterfront and the casino!

1 minute ago, nitecapt said:

can you direct me to these cabins?

the HJ is a Haven Suite on deck 14 (381 sq. ft)

the HI is a Haven Penthouse suite on deck 14 or 15 (436-449 sq. feet)

the HH is a Haven family villa suite on deck 15 (501 sq. ft)

the HG is the Haven forward facing penthouse on decks 9,10,11,12,and 13 (415 sq. ft)

@nitecapt  Just a suggestion for you (FWIW).  If you are sailing on the Joy, there are a few cabins that are not in the "Haven Proper" that provide access to the Haven, but are less $$ than the Haven Courtyard Penthouse.  You may want to consider any of the HH, HI or HG suites.  They truly are the best of both worlds.  

6 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Interesting.  How do you feel about people who blow bubbles from their balconies?

 

I've never seen a duck, but DD did snag one on our last cruise.  Fun stuff!

I'm glad to see you are a fan!  We are hiding them on our Joy cruise next week.  Simply because we are bringing 3 little grands with us (although many are not a fan of bringing littles on a cruise either!).  Should I tempt fate and bring bubbles?  LOL

I am sorry to hear about your position.  I know how much you love the school you are currently at.  Hopefully the district will find a great new home for you!

On a personal note, I want to thank you for sharing your journey with your Dad.  It was a good reminder of how precious these times with our aging parents can be and making new memories as they get older is just as important as the ones we have of them when we were young. 

2 hours ago, Peachypooh said:

You are right. I have sailed on the Pearl, Gem and Jade multiple times but not the Jewel.

We have only sailed BA+ ships (and the Sky) but the Jewel ships sound like a perfect size!

8 hours ago, MSUjohn said:

spending time with my elderly father, spending time with my elderly father as he enjoys himself, the food, the entertainment and just a relaxing vibe.

❤️ this!  

We had to cancel our February cruise the week of (for a family emergency) and cancelled with NCL first, then reached out to the travel insurance company.  

Hope you feel better soon!

What is your favorite thing about a cruise vacation?  More specifically, something sets the cruise experience apart from it's land trip counterpart, for you?

For me it's the fact that the journey is also the destination.  The brightest part of the adventure is time on ship. Consider the ship its own port, something to explore and wonder over.  Plan your time wisely as you would any port to get the most of the wonders of these floating hotels. 

Ahhh!  A @BirdTravels review of the Escape?  Yes please!  The Escape was our first dip into the NCL pool and we have been swimming those waters ever since.  

Can't wait to follow along!

Reading everyone's posts has really hit home for me.  Some of these posts have brought tears to my eyes and others have filled me with joy.  All of them have reaffirmed my resolve that booking this trip was perfect timing.  

The best things in life are the people you love, the places you go and the memories you, make along the way.

I'm a great lurker of these boards.  I read every Live and Live"ish" - I just might not post often, but I'm with you all on every trip (silently sailing in spirit with you).   Two frequent posters have been inspiring me for a long time now, with their tales of cruises with family.  @Greenpea2 and her Sistahs cruises and @YVRteacher and her tales of adventures with her dear Dad, this is especially thanks to you!

I've been wanting to ditch the DH and plan a girls trip for many years now.  But since he can't live a day without his beloved, I hesitated to brooch the subject.  As much as I love cruising and would be on a ship all the time, my introverted husband prefers the quiet of our lake house.  And if I can get him to agree to a cruise, we barely leave the quiet of the Haven or the Blackjack table to enjoy the rest of the ship.  

But tomorrow isn't promised.  Life has a funny way of reminding us of this.  So today I booked a 5 day cruise to Bermuda on the Joy for this October.  I'm taking my 2 sisters and my Mom (who's turning 75 in October).  We booked the Haven Family Villa Suite (first time we'll be sharing a room since I moved out over 36 years ago).  

In the meantime, I'll be lurking on the boards and joining in.  Who knows?  Maybe one day I'll do a Live of my own!

A spa club balcony will have a larger bathroom (with an oversized waterfall shower).  It also has the ability to book dining at 125 days prior to sailing, a free bag of laundry, a bottle of sparkling "wine" and treats delivered to your cabin twice during the sailing.  

Other than that, you will have access to the thermal spa either way!

Happy sailing!

@ggTexasGal That is some list!  I do have the PP+ for our cruise on the 11th, but I don't think I could make a dent in it.  But I'm certainly going to give it a good college try!  

11 minutes ago, fastpitchdad said:

 

They have the '42.

That's what I'm enjoying tonight!    So good!  

Since my family wouldn't appreciate my big score I thought my CC friends who enjoy the taste of a good tequila would!  

Now if only they had all of these on the PP+!