strykes

I just received the same offer.  We are currently in 7125, a verandah.  I don't think the Vista Suite would get us much different, correct?  Do any of these come with extra perks?  

ETA: I just found the comparison chart on the website.  It seems like there are minimal perks.  The main reason to upgrade would be for more space.

Thanks so much for your review!

Did you have one or two gala nights?  I saw elsewhere the first gala night is the second night of the cruise, so didn't book specialty dining that night.  It's not clear to me if there is a second night and we have one more included specialty night.  If there is a second night, I'd love to know which night it is so we can plan accordingly.

2 hours ago, js said:

Although it was steep, after seeing the "loungers" which look like they are blown up, the lack of shade, etc., I am very happy I booked a cabana in the YC area.  I appreciate your sending the pictures.

 

Thank you very much!

 

Can you please post some pics of the YC cabana and area?  We'll be there tomorrow and I'm very curious.

We did that cruise in the 2-bedroom two summers ago. Fantastic time! We shared tours with a family in balcony cabins. It was their first time on NCL after only doing Disney. Even in regular balconies, they loved the cruise.

I really recommend finding people on your roll call to share private tours. Tour Italy or Italy Tour (?) was our best experience.

ETA: Our son has always preferred NCL kids' club to Disney.

Wow. You found the haven restaurant that good?

We've also canceled specialties to eat in the Haven restaurant. While the food can get repetitive, the service can be really stellar, so we stay for the wonderful experience. We have a trip coming up and I debated about whether to take the dining package. We did but might not use all three nights.

The Breakaway's haven is all in the same area. Whereas Epic's courtyard is separate from the lounge and restaurant.

The Breakaway has an upper sun deck, but it isn't adult only and doesn't have a bar. It's quieter and doesn't overlook the pool area. Very nice size and has shade available. The lower level is slightly smaller on the Breakaway.

That extra little cafe and bar off the courtyard in the Epic doesn't exist on the Breakaway.

I love the areas on both ships.

We did Dunn’s last week. It’s very crowded and we went up in a really big group. It was also seemed like a lot more waiting that doing... less active than I expected it to be, but still fun.

 

But we did a full day thing with bamboo beach and we’re “VIPs” at the beach after Dunn’s. We had an awesome day.

 

Definitely looking into the other one next time I’m in Jamaica now..

 

 

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What did the VIP package get you? How much time did you have there? Thanks!

Another tip: Try to decide whether you want a cabana that faces the side of the ship or one that overlooks the pool. Once you have decided, and after you've reserved your cabana, call HAL ships services and ask for the email address of your ship's coordinator. Send that person an email with your preference. They'll pass it along to the ship.

 

We've always requested specific cabanas, giving the ship's coordinator a list, in order, of our 3 favorites. We've always gotten either our number one or number two choice.

Thanks for the tip! Do you have any idea of how quickly the cabanas book up?

Hi all,

I'm not finding this info through searches. Sorry if it's been asked before.

1. Are the Cabanas adult only? I've read differing things.

2. The Koningsdam's Panorama deck has some cabana-like seating. Is that first-come-first-served or can they be reserved? Is there drink service or would we need to get our own? (not a huge deal.)

Basically, I'm looking for a quite, shaded spot where my teen and I can read and relax. We normally sail in the Haven on NCL but want to try something new and avoid paying the crazy Haven prices.

Thanks!

I'm wondering if any Haven folks know/are willing to ask if Edgar plans to be on the Breakaway next summer when it is in the Baltics. Thinking of booking and Edgar would make it a no-brainer! Thanks!

thanks for thAT input , i don't do the hot tubs, i Have MS , can't take that heat , what is your feel of the thalassopy pools in the spa area ?

I've loved the spa on all the NCL ships I've been on. The thalassopy pool is warm but not as hot as a hot tub. I've never felt like I've heated up in one, but I'm not extra sensitive to heat.

i was told by a ncl rep that the grotto was only in the vibe, so thats not true the grotto is only in h2o ? is there any special water is the vibe area, just hot tubs, which i can't go in anyway ?

The grotto is in H2O. No special water area in vibe.

I have priced 2 separate rooms (ocean view) and it's a few hundred more and it's only inside rooms. I wouldn't mind doing two oceanview rooms, but I guess Epic doesn't have those? Two balconies are $1500 more and while we could swing that, it would mean our post cruise trip (wanted to spend a few days in Greece) may be on the chopping block.

 

The bathroom bit doesn't really bother me so much, going with my mom and 2 brothers and we could easily get ready in shifts, but the fact that most are saying it will be too tight is giving me pause. I have previously done a Carnival cruise with 3 other adults in an inside room and while it wasn't spacious, it was very doable and we all survived (4 females in our 20s, so you know that bathroom was busy!)

 

I feel like NCL would be a better match for my family, but MSC is looking like a much better value at this time.

 

Lots to think about!

If you've done 4 adults in an inside, I think your expectations are in line.

The other thing to look into is a spa pass. That would give you access to another shower for approx. $129 for the week. Also, assuming the new bidding scheme is still in play, you could try to upgrade to a suite. Or, think about waiting to book. I scored an amazing deal last year about 6 weeks out. Then upgraded to Haven.

For a mega ship, we didn't find it crowded at all. Maybe a bit on the one sea day, but I was always surprised at how uncrowded the ship felt. Note, we toured at ever port and never got back early.

ETA: shipboard currency is USD.

We did that cruise last year. It was a great clientele - many folks from Europe but perhaps the majority of those were from the UK. English everywhere...the announcements were done in several languages. My teen had the same freedoms as a Caribbean cruise.

The only thing that surprised me was seeing folks enjoying prosecco instead of frozen cocktails around the pool.

Have a great cruise!

If your teens are anything like mine, please be aware the soft serve ice cream isn't GF. There are hard pack GF options available.

I have only stayed on 15 on Breakaway, but I thought it was a wonderful location. We were right by the stairs up to the Haven lounge, it was nice and quiet, and was very convenient to all of the places we went frequently.

 

 

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This. I don't remember the room number but it was a 2-bedroom pretty near the stairs. We've also stayed right across the courtyard on a different ship, and I thought our location on Breakaway was great. You'll still be in the Haven "proper", just not looking out on the courtyard.

I have posted a few time over the year on Gian....I took my mom on a cruise last May and Gian was our butler. My parents were very close and he had passed a few years ago, this was a big vacation for her She was ill but doctors gave her ok to go. My parents had scrimped and saved their whole lives to provide and Gian treated her like a queen. He brought her a special treat just for her and it made me cry to see how special she felt when he gave it to her. Sadly mom passed in August. I did try to reach out to him to make sure he knew how special he had made the vacation for her. In my grief I quickly booked the same cruise in April and had Mark Santos as our butler. He was awesome, personable, accommodating. I would give him a high rating. He told me Gian is now on another NE ship. I have to add that I have sent hero cards and NCL surveys etc.......NCL aggravates me with their lack of feedback ....I want to make sure that NCL acknowledges my feedback and they give back nothing.

I sailed the Breakaway shortly after my dad passed. I filled out hero cards, but Edgar in the Haven restaurant made our cruise; he is a very special person. Anyhow, probably a year later, I was booking a third cruise and thinking back on Edgar. I sent an email to customer service, letting them know how much I appreciated his care during a difficult time. They responded and said they had forwarded my email to the ship and it would be read at a staff meeting.

It would be nice if they acknowledged hero cards, but I imagine there are too many. Maybe try an email?

Cruised out of Barcelona last summer. Plenty of cabs at the airport. We made the mistake of not pre-booking pickup from the port. The new Harmony of the Seas was also in port that morning and we waited for close to 2 hrs in the line to get a cab. In the sun.

I know when the bidding first rolled out on a "trial basis", some travel agents weren't participating. Is this still the case now that the bidding is fleet wide?

In particular, does anyone know if I would be eligible if I book through Costco?

Thanks!

I'm booked in cabin 10666!

 

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Have done Haven on the larger ships and did this cabin on the Jade. I think you made the right choice. I spent a lot of time enjoying the balcony. There is a bar 2 decks up and very convenient. The spa was also great.

Unlike the larger ships, the Jade actually had room on the pool deck (and elsewhere on the ship). Instead of the chairs all pushed together, they were grouped with a small table in between each pair.

Hi Everyone! 8 days and counting until we set sail on the Getaway - cruising Haven for the first time with our 10 yo son. So excited!! I've seen several entries on this board that you guys have asked that the "refrigerator be emptied." Just curious, what is in the refrigerator before it is emptied? Also, is there a Diet Coke in sight on the ship? I'm from Atlanta, so this whole Diet Pepsi thing is quite upsetting! LOL

I believe it is the typical minibar set up that includes alcohol and canned soda. I always have them empty it so 1.) alcohol isn't there tempting my teen and 2.) he doesn't get lazy and drink that soda instead of going to the bar to get the soda covered on the package and 3.) we drink a lot of water and I like having a cold pitcher full in the fridge. We never have to buy a bottle package.

I would suggest pre-booking transport to the airport. The line for a taxi can be insane. It probably won't be an issue since you are leaving early, but better safe than sorry! That was my only regret from our trip last summer.

Yup I agree .. looks like im.going to have to either find a good place to people watch or hid out .. lol

 

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You'll be fine but I think you should take your hubby's suggestion and upgrade to the 2-bedroom. Trust me, the bathroom alone is worth it. Plus, you'll be right in the Haven and can enjoy the courtyard, lounge and restaurant w/out having to leave the Haven. You won't even know if there are crowds.

I wouldn't give up that balcony for the spa. I would buy a pass for your wife or both of you.

ETA: An aft balcony also sets you up for an upgrade since it is a very desirable cabin. I would hold onto it and see if you can get into a HAVEN spa suite. I'd give up the balcony for the haven.

The other thing we've done in an H4 is turn the light on in the bathroom and shut the door. Just a bit will peak out from under the door.