globetrotterjay

Thank you so much for the replies!!! So much helpful advice; I feel reassured it will be a great vacation. I‘ve cut out gluten from my diet and added intense supplements/vitamins/probiotics — I feel like a new person. My joints are aching less and my skin hasn’t felt on fire (I’m 30 and have no other health problems so this undiagnosed issue has been life alternating). If this flair up didn’t happen I would totally agree with you and I’ll envy all those eating normal pizzas and bagels haha @cruiseny4life That link is exactly what I needed thank you @Ladyshopper23 Thank you @BirdTravelsfor the pictures

What better time than a month before sail date I’m on an elimination diet to figure out chronic skin inflammation? Already know about an almond allergy and sensitivity to dairy (my body and my brain do NOT get along and I have spent years trying to convince myself I can eat all these things that are actually making me sick) Heh… So far I have reached out to the Haven’s pre concierge email and they told me they’ll send out a special dietary form to fill out and submit for the restaurants, but it has been noted in my file. Has anyone had any difficulties once aboard? For those who have cruised with dietary restrictions: Any advice for staying smart while still enjoying myself? Particularly wondering which cocktails are no-go or unsuspecting snacks to avoid? I’ve dug up most menus and will come prepared what I plan to order. On port days I think I might just not eat unless on the ship. This might be the first cruise I come back not heavier 😂

Not all lifestyles are flexible to last minute bookings, but it can definitely save you money if the ship is predicted not to be full. Back in the fall, I solo booked Epic Spa Haven. Spa & Haven officially sold out weeks ago, confirming I made the right choice for me. The price tag is cringey, but solo travelers are disadvantaged with upgrade opportunities. You still have to pay double occupancy, and if you’re looking to build latitude status, you don’t earn anything additional if your suite was obtained via bidding. Because Epic has the unique solo rooms, I looked into them. Significantly less, thousands. 1/4 the size of the room I booked and I’ll have a balcony that’s bigger than the entire solo room. Alone in cramped 100sqft with no view (window view is corridor) isn’t treating myself. No direct access to outdoors freaks me out. Your vacation is what you make it and you definitely get what you pay for. I live in WNY where we just experienced perhaps the worst blizzard storm our city has ever seen. I am so desperate for sunshine I need it available 24/7 while vacationing lol. The Haven is great if you’re solo. Having the luxury of eating any meal in my room, food quality is tremendously better, priority on/off/seats for shows, less chance of being around kids, minimal worry booking restaurants last minute. I definitely believe I overpaid, but once I get on board I know I’ve done all I can to give myself the best experience and now to get that first drink 😆

Hey everyone! I love reading the updates in this thread and excited to contribute some knowledge. Recently, I reached out via concierge email to inquire about the *treats* our butlers can stock in our room. Once onboard and you meet your Butler they can offer lots of other (unspecified) treats throughout the cruise, here is a general list: Orange, apple, pineapple, and cranberry juices Lemonade, unsweet/sweet iced tea, and water Peanut and regular M&M, mix nuts, dry snacks (Chex Mix) and gummy bears Hope this helps! I’ll be solo in The Haven this February on Epic 💖

Same here! I am booked for February. I’ve visited their website here and there to see if I wanna kick myself for booking too soon/too late and price hasn’t changed more than raising a couple a bucks. I paid for a solo Haven, however price tag is definitely covering costs as if two guests. They advertise solo cruiser fare, would not wanna know the fee without this *promo*. It’s definitely not a price tag I’ll ever brag about, but Haven matters to me. Maybe one day I’ll meet another solo traveler and we can book together and save us both 🤪

I bring pictures of my dogs and include myself in one of them. It makes my heart happy to see *my girls* and I include myself because I solo cruise. God forbid I disappear, they have an instant picture of what I look like. Ya never know!! Definitely bring my own toiletries and travel size Lysol wipes. I feel better knowing I personally cleaned the top of my toilet seat and the handles around the room. Extra pens, plastic straws, extra tampons because even if i don’t need them another gal might, pimped out first aid, skincare face / hands / feet masks, ALOE !!, pedialyte Thank you for the hamper reminder!! I forgot last cruise and what a difference they make

Thank you so much for your response!!

I read your original post before I embarked on Joy’s Haven penthouse suite in February and just reread with excitement as I’ll be in the Haven once again on Epic next year! I will be staying in the Haven Spa Suite this time around and curious how it’ll feel to not be “in” Haven proper. I did hit the gym 5/7 days last cruise so being moments away from the gym this time will be appreciated. I floated 6 days on Carnival Vista a few years back where I stayed in a spa suite; can’t wait to compare thermal spas! I intend to write a letter for my butler this time! Last time I verbally requested fresh oj for mimosas and was told fresh oj is only available at select times. Perhaps requesting in advance will work out better. Could you/someone please be able to answer this? I’d like for my butler to bring Starbucks coffee to my room. Last cruise I’d go there straight from the gym and felt gross all sweaty when others are looking nice. If I have the premium package that includes Starbucks, would that insinuate no additional fee for the butler to provide this service? Thanks in advance, Jeni 🙂

Hi Everyone!! February ‘23 I’ll be taking my second solo cruise and staying in the Haven again! My previous experience with the Haven was almost a year ago on the beautiful Joy. I originally booked a mini-suite and had an upgrade accepted for the Haven Penthouse Suite. I was upgraded maybe 2-3 days before departure so I was head spinning with excitement and didn’t have the opportunity to do anything Haven-special in advance. I should also add I booked original suite less than two weeks out so overall treated it as a spontaneous adventure. This upcoming Epic cruise, I would like to be more thoughtful (and hello this price tag this time is double the c19 cruise so I really want to get monies worth!!) I received the email letting me know 130 days prior concierge will be in touch. I booked with just over 100 days to go and worry I might miss out on pre bookings again?! 🛳🛳My question for those that have Haven experience & knowledge to answer: What special pre-departure / advance requests are important to you? 🛳🛳 Just to add: Last sailing I wrote a card thanking my butler for their service, requested to make sure he sees me every morning (because solo female traveler going missing is not a Netflix docuseries I want my name attached to LOL), and I would love having fruit and extra waters supplied, with a beginning of stay tip included of course 😉 This time around, I’d love to have Starbucks delivered to my room and request fresh florals for my room — is that too much? Also — will Haven restaurant allow my butler to deliver breakfast to my room? The spa access and gym proximity is great, but sometimes I don’t wanna eat alone in the restaurants and would love to eat on my balcony. Appreciate your replies!! — Jeni

I took my first solo cruise this year on the Joy, 7 days. I went all out and upgraded to The Haven. It was kinda obnoxious getting asked all the time why i was alone, but I made a lot of cruise friends without ever going to a mingle meet up. I did excursions, activities, the gym every morning. If you have a fun, outgoing personality, you can have an awesome solo adventurer