Daniel A

Why do you think they're sailing in the Haven with Mommy & Daddy in the first place? When the cat's away...🍻 🥤 🤪

I understand that your 'tweens' may be well behaved and respectful, but if there are tweens monopolizing the hot tubs (which is what I have experienced) I cannot make use of those hot tubs. There is no way I'm going to climb into a hot tub with a tween or couple of tweens. As a fully grown adult male, I would be the person getting the "side-eye" no matter the gender of the tweens. I am also supposing that you wouldn't be too pleased with an adult male spending time in the hot tub with your children. I can appreciate that your children should be able to make use of many of the Haven facilities, but there should be an understood time and place so others can change for the hot tub and know that they will be able to use the hot tub when they get there. It is never a good situation for an adult to be in a hot tub with a couple of tweens or young teens while enjoying some adult beverages as part of the hot tub enjoyment. All of the above being said, I just wanted to make the point that it isn't just rowdy children which are a big concern, it is the effect of the mere presence of children in certain situations which can be a challenge for some adults. If the parents could be sensitive to the concerns of the other passengers and keep an eye out for possible conflicts, then there shouldn't be any problem. I may be an outlier with these concerns, but they are very real to me and may be a good reason to avoid sailing on ships which have amusement parks on the upper decks - even if they also provide a fantastic experience like the Haven.

I am just off Breakaway, and I was pleased to see one of the two hot tubs was posted "Adults Only." Several years ago, we couldn't get into a Haven hot tub with kids monopolizing them on the Epic. Why can't they have a dedicated adult hot tub or adult only hot tub periods?

Understood. I just boarded in Civitavecchia and that was the case, but just past security there were signs and a rep directing Haven guests away from the long check-in line and to the VIP lounge. My point is that if there is a sign for the Haven you would normally proceed directly to that point. That is probably why in the photo there is a NCL rep to direct the Haven guests to the Haven Check-in.

I hope you weren't under the impression that I was criticizing your concern. That question was rhetorical and meant to make you more comfortable with skipping the long line by pointing out that will not be your line. When you arrive at the pier, look for either the Haven signage or a NCL representative to find where to enter the terminal. The whole purpose for the separate Haven entrance is to eliminate the need for you to wait in the long line at embarkation. You should be taken to a VIP Haven lounge where a concierge will check you in while you enjoy coffee, juices and snacks. Enjoy your cruise in the Haven!

Why would you wait in the wrong line first? If there is a separate Haven check-in, I would go straight to that check in point. This is what you are paying extra for. Enjoy being pampered! (It stops at disembarkation, so enjoy it while you can.) ☺️

DW only wants to use cruise line excursions. The promise to wait is worth the extra money for us as she doesn't worry about traffic delays. On private excursions, she worries so much that she doesn't enjoy the excursion. That being said, I liked the priority disembarkation for the ship's excursions. If you left your excursion tickets for the following day with the Concierge, the Concierge would collect our stickers, meet us in the Haven lounge and escort us to the bus giving us first shot at seat selection on the tour bus. That made a big difference as well as the shows.

I am just off the Breakaway, and there wasn't a reserved seating section in the theater. The concierge would escort us to a theater back door, and we selected our seats before they opened the main doors to the theater.

Well, we got home last night at about 10PM local time. I think we were up for 24 hours. DW & I are now experiencing symptoms similar to "Cruise Crud," but we just made appointments to be tested today for something else...🤒

No, I do not have a tracker. It is a backup laptop I use for travel. I always clean all of my personal data & documents and photos before leaving on a trip, but I will still feel more comfortable if I can get it back.

I think I left my laptop on a shelf in the cabin. It may have been on a shelf the steward was using to store the extra decorative pillows and cloth runner. I never thought to look on that shelf as the runner and pillows were still there when we packed. Does anyone know how to find out if it was left there?

We have sailed on the Epic in Haven before. I liked the physical layout but I think Breakaway Haven being smaller, it probably contributed to the family feel.

Well, we are now off Breakaway and the Haven. It was interesting that this time, It felt more like being with family (both crew and fellow passengers in the Haven.) It's now back to being a normal person again... I second @amygutman last post above

I asked the pre-cruise concierge to have the butler remove the mini bar from our refrigerator at embarkation. It made more room for other things like milk for morning coffee instead of Coffee Mate, water and beer.

I have had some staff whom I hadn't yet met address me by first name. I think they keep a book in the back with our photos and names, and it really makes a difference in how it brightens the day in the Haven. It makes you feel at home and welcome.

Unless one has expensive tastes in beverages, the basic package works just fine.

I really hate to do this but I don't remember which Haven staff are not part of the general gratuities payments. Can anyone direct me to the post(s) that clarify? I am especially interested in the Haven Restaurant's wait staff, but any other staff not included in the gratuity pool would help too. To clarify, I'm not asking for tipping guidelines, just who isn't already covered. Thanks.

I had Turf & Turf tonight! Tomorrow will be Surf & Surf...

Our butler on the Breakaway just told us that the cordless phone is just an extension of the cabin's phone, so you cannot call the room from that phone or call the cordless phone from the room phone.

@Sthrngary Not quite the same as M&M's and Budweiser, but a wonderful suggestion just the same!

If you know where you would like to dine and when, you should be able to contact the pre-cruise concierge and lock in your preferences before the rest of the others.

Actually, we are a party of three, DS has joined us. We are in a Family Villa. It is much larger than how they appear on YouTube videos. I plan to have some almond croissants for you.

I just got Into our Haven cabin on Breakaway. I'm enjoying M&M's and a Budweiser on our balcony... @Sthrngary - thank you for the insights gained from this board!

I got my first at 60 days out. Even my TA wants to know why I'm getting so many. I just hope they stop after this cruise!🤦‍♂️

This is amazing! I just now got my 9th NCL Air Confirmation Letter with the exact same information as the others.