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@Kay S I am the person that made one of the comments of PH or higher. I was not in anyway suggesting that it was the way to go. I was responding to another poster that it does not matter and whether the owners suite of inside cabin it is the decision of the guest. I would like to add to my comments. The entire reason I started to book on Oceania is because, Once you leave you stateroom, EVERYONE is treated the same. I hated on Main Stream Cruise Brands that folks were treated differently. Oceania is not like that. Please also know that the people, all the people I met were super kind, professional and humble. It made the trip for me. My cruising history started 44 years ago for my honey moon. We were in a bunk bed inside cabin on the SS Norway. We thought then and now it was one of the greatest experience of our lives. 30 plus cruises later we elevated our stateroom but the experience again is the same. I hope that all makes sense to you and other. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and allow me to further explain. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@FNSCGAL on the NCL Blog, I just posted the Excel Agenda and the Butler Letter for you. On the dining. I would have the Prime Rib in the Haven restaurant. I would choose the Seafood Restaurant and the French Restaurant. If you like noodle bars, it is complementary but you have to get there early or wait a long time. The 24/7 restaurant has good wings and burgers. The Buffet is good but not great. My favorite place is the Haven lounge in the front of the ship for early morning coffee and Danish. The high-end coffee machine has great specialty coffee's with Starbucks beans. The assortment of light snacks or breakfast suits me when I am up early. The lounge is my favorite place on the ship. The General Lounge is just below it with a real Starbucks with is only part of the Premium Plus Drink Package. The shows are always really good but NCL has cut back on the Broadway shows of recent. If they have a Cavern Club with the Beatles, don't miss a show even though it is always packed. In the main showroom, they have a side section for Haven Guest. Gain reservations for the show you want with the Haven Concierge in the Haven Lounge. The bar tenders in the Haven Lounge are the best on the ship but Haven Guest work the hell out of them so they are always very busy. When they are not, ask them to make a "Smoking Drink" even if you pay for it. Take out your camara and video the show. The Haven Sundeck is the place to be in one of the hot tubs when they do Glacier bay. Have a drink, look outside while in a hot tub is excellent. Again, ask me anything. Always gamble with a Card so you can get rated. Never ever gamble without a card. Learn from my mistakes. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@FNSCGAL This attachment might help your planning. Cruise well and enjoy every moment. Cruise_Agenda_Template.xlsxButler_NCL_Cruises_Template.docx

@fdnycruiser The real heat was my approach to putting the entire tip in the letter upfront. I get it. We all need to do what is best for each of us. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@FNSCGAL A first time cruiser, AND staying in the NCL Haven on the best ship the Encore. where do you go from there????? Good call on your part. Have you read my first post located on the NCL Cruise Critic blog call" The Secrets of the Haven....." That first posting is very long and has lots of information. I see you are also reading my posts on Oceania Cruises. My opinions are the same. However, I will attempt to give you what I would do here. Pre-Cruise Concierge: First, you contact email for them is " NorwegianConciergeDesk@ncl.com ". I would normally ask for changes in Restaurant Reservation, water as well as extension cords for CPAP machine, and general information. They can help sometimes and put a request into your reservation other times. When you are on the ship, the ship board Haven Concierge can get mostly everything done for you. Getting Onboard: Haven Guest can go onboard first. I always get to the port a bit early to be first onboard. Not everyone thinks this way, but I do. I then get to the On-Board Haven Concierge first or wait online to talk to them. A busy time for them. So since like you, want things done early, I wait. Worth the wait. Manage Your Expectations: The Haven is really nice but not crazy nice. Please keep that in mind. Leverage your expectations to be realistic so you can be pleasantly surprised. Dining: Yes relative to the person but you are asking me so here is my take. They will offer you a choice of lunch in the American Diner or some other restaurant or the Haven Exclusive Restaurant. Do the Haven Restaurant and expect a longer leisurely lunch. I would NEVER eat in the Main Dining room, ever. I would eat in the Haven Dining Room but since it has the same menu every night, I would choose carefully the Specialty Restaurants that would suit my tastes. I would also inform my butler that my room service should be from the Haven Restaurant not normal room service unless the Haven Restaurant does not have the item. Haven Butlers: Hit or miss and at very best Average. Knowing that, you need to communicate your needs to them. I do it in writing which I call the butler letter. Never huge items just thanks like coffee in the morning with Danish or almond Croissants which are only available to Haven Guest. Remember, not even your butler can bring you an alcoholic drink to your room without charging you. Regardless of your drink package. The stuff in your mini fridge is all at a cost so have the butler put it up. The Sparkling Wine given is complementary and horrible. I usually give to a newlywed. The afternoon snacks are the same for everyone so don't be disappointed. Sometimes your butler can bring chips or m&m. Realistic expectation. That was just a few things that I feel might make you vacation better. You can as any questions you want. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

The debate on staterooms (Dining Venues, Ports, Drink Packages, Amenities, and on) is similar to the debate on all things cruising. A cruise brand wants to have a variety of options to met lots of clients needs. Where one client wants a Penthouse and can give all the reasons they feel that way. Another client can do the same for any other stateroom. It is not a matter right or wrong. It is a matter of can a client justify the value based on the cost and/or simply client preferences. There is NO wrong answer, just what suits you best. I make no bones about it. I am a Penthouse or higher guy. I have been for years. I lived on the road for decades in every type of hotel room from the worst to the best. All paid by my clients. Now in retirement, it is my money, my choice. Regardless of anyone choice of stateroom, make it right for YOU, your vacation and your budget. We are so very blessed to have the ability to vacation. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Based on my limited experience, using the early departure request, you should be close but fine. Worst case is you take another train not direct. The point is, you are close enough, getting on trains are simpler then the airport and your terminal is close to the cruise port. Milan will be lovely. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

My point was simply to tell a story of a new experience for me. My first Oceania and Mediterranean Cruise we were on together was such a good time, I actually wanted to try a land only vacation in some of the same area's. Just like dining, to do or not do drink packages and type of staterooms we tend to choose; it is all relative and everyone is different. I hope my post did not sell folks from wanting to do land only adventures. That was not my intent. For me, only me, Cruise with a taste of a port seems to suit me best at the stage of my life. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@Barsoap I was in Venice last week for two days with my daughter. We took the Train from Rome to Venice. When I read your post I was not sure if you were taking the train from the Trieste Cruise Terminal to Venice or to another location. Another post above suggested you might be taking the Train to Venice. Please Clarify. On to Venice. When I did was two things. First, I used "My Google Maps" to create a map of Venice. I then added in the Train Station in Venice which we arrived in. I went back to my map and added in Trieste Cruise Port. The port is a long distance from Venice. You can hire a car (Expensive unless you share a van with others), the Bus (In expensive and only about 2 hours) or the train which you know about. If you do the Train, You might be cutting it close. Make sure you get a FLEX far so you can change trains at no cost. Word of advice, ONLY book the train with the actual train company. Don't use Ninja Train or High Speed Train. They are a rip off. When you get to Venice, you will be at the train station where I was just at. Do yourself a favor and take the Private Water Taxi which was $60.00 the Ferry is super crowned and you will wait for ever. If you have any other question I can answer, please let me know. I loved Venice a lot. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@Acruzaholic My wife feels the same way. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@Vineyard View For me it was a progression over decades. First, 3 day cruise; then 5 to 7 day mostly leaving from Miami. Time and cruises pass to finally going to the Mediterranean. First cruise only then adding days before and after cruise depending on ports. My cruise in November 2023 took me to Rome. I wanted more so my land trip last week we went back to Rome for more time. The Nice part of Europe is the train system can take you almost anywhere and it is safe and fun. Best of both worlds. So short answer, it progresses as your enjoyment of the area also progresses. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@DENIE So happy to hear this. Glad it worked out. You have no idea how much heat I have gotten from folks over the years on this letter. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@clo No, Please. No apology needed. NONE. If I write something, it is to invite comments. I know that before the first word. Opinions are like that. If my feeling are hurt by kind folks like you and other on CruiseCritic.com, I should not post. So, PLEASE know I was not even taken back by your comment. I tend to be a developed taste with the way I write. It has been that way all my life. Why change now. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@clo If and when that happens, I will let everyone know. All kidding aside, I worked hard, really hard. So much so, I almost died. So now, I want to live. If I can provide what my family calls a "Happy" (a nice present), I am here to do it. I do it for my wife, Daughter and Son. One day when I have grand children, I will do it for them. Life has been good especially after retirement. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@Harters All your points are well taken. Nice to have some conversation on both approaches. Gives other a frame of reference. Vacation is such a joy for all of us. I much prefer this type of online conversation that those that focus on everything wrong in our world. Cruise Critic is a very nice distraction for our world sometimes. Thank you for the comments. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@FetaCheese My next cruise is October 2025, on the Vista. I booked it while on the Riviera last year. The current four category upgrade sale is NOT included on this sailing at the present time. I am sure it is because this cruise is so far in advance. I am hoping that some type of cruise sale will happen however, I was luck to get a good rate on the ship so if that is all it is, I am happy. You know me way to well. I have NO issue with all the shopping. I bought my Daughter a "High End Purse" which I had budgeted for. I bought my wife another brand of purse to replace the "Mistake" I made some many years ago. All the Woman in my life are very happy. For now at least. "Happy Wife/Daughter, Happy ........." For those that go to Venice. Please consider going to one of the many glass blowing places. Take a tour, you get their by water taxi. I got a set of glasses for my whiskey and tequila their that are a one of a kind. GREAT experience. Thank for asking. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Last year on November 2023, I did a 10-Day Oceania Mediterranean Cruise on the Riviera. It was with my wife and best friends. They had a Penthouse and my wife, and I had a Vista Suite. Last week from April 22 through May 1, 2024; I went back to the Mediterranean with my adult daughter for a ‘father and daughter’ non-cruise vacation. When we returned, our friends asked, “Gary, what did you like better our cruise or the non-cruise experience?” My answer was immediate and clear. I preferred the Oceania Cruise and that is why I have another Oceania Cruise on the Vista to the Mediterranean for October 2025 with the same friends. Here are some reasons why I like the cruising experience better. My Age: I am 66 and about to be 67. I walk daily some days more than others. However, when you are with a 33-year-old who wants to see everything by foot, when the pain hits, it takes away from the experience. When I am with my wife and friends, we take it much slower. Age for me matters. The word for the day is “Hop on/Hop off” buses. They are a gift from God. Appetizer vs Main Course: When I cruised these same areas, we had 10 to 12 hours every day. A little taste of Rome or Sicily. An appetizer if you will. When you spend a few days in the same area, it is a Main Course. For whatever reason, even when I dine, I like the Appetizers better than the Main Course. How you ever said, “We should come back to the restaurant and just order a drink and appetizers?” Same kind of feeling for me. Many will disagree. Personal I guess. Hotel Room vs. Cruise Cabin: On my trip, I disliked packing and unpacking every other day or so. The hotel rooms ranged in quality and expense. I much prefer unpacking once and packing once. Having some complementary laundry service plus laundry facilities if needed is a plus. My bed in my cruise staterooms have always been outstanding, especially with Oceania. Dining: On this one, my daughter taught me some lessons. I watched many YouTube Video’s on food. I even put the places on “My Google Maps”. The one I had a reservation for was nice but not great. Yet, my daughter used her phone, went to her sources which I think was TikTok and found perfect places, close. She then looked for the ratings and if it was 4.1 or higher, we went there. Those were our best meals. When I cruise, I have found Oceania’s specialty restaurants as good or better than many of the dining I had at the ports. Remember, take me with a “Grain of Salt”. Food is relative to ones tastes. Excursions: I have learned my lesson. Hire a tour guide, with a golf cart tour. Split the cost four ways with the guest going with you. Save your knees and legs. Example, my daughter and I hired two Vespa’s with side cars for a three-hour Rome Tour at night. A Memory for a Lifetime. Outstanding. I rarely used Cruise Line excursions due to the hassle and expense. With Oceania, I will use the Excursion Credit given for sure. I am simply not afraid to hire tour guides on my own. Stress: A cruise for me is much less stressful. Once you get on the ship, you have your home base. It is like a walm blanket for me. My recent trip had; two high-speed train trips; three flights; and four hotels. I much prefer simply figuring out how to get from the Port to lets say Florence on a train for a day trip knowing getting back in time is my only stress point. Just me. Cost/Investment: It costs more, to do the non-cruise for me. Remember, I did everything for my daughter’s first class. This was her trip of a lifetime. In retrospect the difference is pretty close. The real money spent was shopping because, you guessed it, I was with my daughter. She finds shopping as entertainment when I find sitting at a Paris Café with a glass of red wine and bread for hours as my entertainment. Let’s say, my American Express Card is going to be a tough one this month. Conclusion: For me, not everyone. I have confirmed cruising is the better choice. I am glad to have had the time with my daughter though. She taught me so much about finding great places, how to use the metro, and getting everything possible from a unique experience. I am so much better suited to take our cruise to some of the same area’s in 2025 on Oceania. Hope this helps some. Feel free to ask any questions if you like. Enjoy your day. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@TravelinGert You will Notice that @AMHuntFerry on comment #58 referred you to an article/stream I wrote. Some many years ago, on the NCL Thread I also wrote an article on something I called the "Butler Letter". The letter outlines my wife and my wants and needs which are simple and specific to us. It helped gain much better communication early with our butlers from that point forward. Your question is a good one to be able to determine if you want to do a Penthouse or Concierge Level without a butler. I have been there myself and I need justification which I gained. To support you in your request for information, I will start below and it might save you some time. Remember, take anything that anyone gives you on social media with a grain of salt. Especially me. I tend to be very opinionated. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Utilizing Your Butler: Feature: Having a butler or your first butler is not intuitive. The first time you almost feel uncomfortable until you learn about what they will and won’t do. Benefit: Knowing how to utilize a butler made a huge difference in my elevated cruise vacation experience. A “go to” person for hard to take care of items. Once I knew exactly what they did from research/experience, it made it easier to ask and receive these special services. My Story: Oceania provides Butlers for Penthouse, Oceania, Vista, and Owners Suites. Things you will encounter and enjoy with a Butler. They will: · Menus: Each morning, they will bring you that day’s “Grand Dining Room” menu OR it will be on your TV screen. The Specialty Restaurants Menus are in the suite or on the TV screen as well. You MAY want to attempt to change your specialty restaurant booking that evening in the Specialty Restaurant based on “Grand Dining Room” menu. Make sure you can replace that reservation for another time that suits you before you cancel it. · Coffee: Bring your morning coffee and pastries if you like, even from the illy™ Barista Coffee Bar. Always give your butler good instructions, a head up, and time to prepare. We had coffee delivery every morning at 07:45 AM and on sea days, 08:30 AM. · Reservations: Assist in making or changing Specialty Restaurant reservations. Remember, “NO” guarantees especially on a sold-out cruise and that is why making those reservations pre-cruise as soon as you can, is important. · In-Suite Dining: Serve you in-suite dining from ANY restaurant. The butler will do this course-by-course. Please give your butler a fair head up and only order from one restaurant to avoid confusion. · Sweet Dreams™ Pillow Menu: Gain the pillow you want from the Sweet Dreams™ Pillow menu and exchange it for the pillow on the bed. · Afternoon Tea in your Suite: Oceania has Afternoon Tea daily in the Horizons Observation Lounge at 04:00 PM. You may choose to have a personalized Afternoon Tea in your suite. As with all uniquely special services, give the Butler a fair head-up. · Afternoon Canapes: Provide you with your afternoon canapes based on your selections provided to them in the morning. There is a nice list. Choose one or two. We never did but always had him bring nuts and pretzels. My request was NEVER bringing in huge amounts because I hate wasted food. It was honored no questions asked. · Bubble Bath: Draw you a bubble bath at a specific time. I did my own Bubble bath, and it was fantastic. I had the benefit of the huge Vista Suite jacuzzi though. · Escorts: Escort you to the main theatre shows, restaurants and events upon request. NOTE: A Butler is NOT your date. They take you to the location and drop you off. · Laundry: Takes care of your complementary laundry of three (3) bags of 20 items each. There is a three-day turnaround time for return. Ask your butler what the last day is for your third bag. I did not and had to do it myself on the last morning. · Shoeshine: Have a scuff on your shoes, give them to your butler. · Pressing: You have up to three-days after embarkment to provide four (4) items per cabin for pressing. · Port Reservations: Gain reservations even for port restaurants. · Luggage: Unpack and pack your luggage. This is NOT something I have ever had done. Those that have had it done seem to enjoy it. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

I hesitated to kick in but after reading some of the comments, I figured I would. I kind of authored that notion of "Haven Lite". As part of my plan in that thread, I had the Vibe Beach Club. So a true Haven Lite needs the Vibe. Here is my reasoning. My focus for so many years on the Haven was to eliminate some of the Mega Cruise Ship blues from excessive crowding at the pool, chair hogs, difficulty in getting a drink, kids controlling all the general population hot tubs. The Haven fixed those issue for me. Then came the constant price increases. When the price exceeds the value by one penny the client might not buy. This created the notion of Haven Lite. The Vibe portion is for nice lounge chairs both in and out of the sun. Access to a bar. Access to one or more hot tubs that are adult only. The staff in the Vibe always treated me like a super star which is always nice. It is NOT like the Thermal Spa at all. It is a private place that much less crowded with folks that if you treat them well, they treat you really well. You can still do Haven Lite without the Vibe. Works fine. Just give me that little bit of quiet I missed in the Haven. I hope that all makes sense. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Enjoy, you deserve a nice vacation. The Joy is a nice ship. I look forward to reading your review. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

In my opinion, the risks are simply to great to consider this. Have I thought about it, or gummy's, yes. These folks got off easy with a fine. Lots of question on this and other social media sites on this subject. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@Wordyways12 Where in Ohio are you from. I lived for three years in Ohio City across the street from the Market in a lovely town home. We saw the bottles going on the assembly line in the brewery across the street. Lovely but cold place. Venice is all about location. We are right next to the most famous bridge. We will take a gondola ride, water taxi to the hotel and we both love street food. It does not take much to entertain us both. the other thing is, most of this "Daddy" is paying for so we are on a different budget then when my daughter went to Europe at 18 years old. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@Wordyways12 Thank you for reaching out. My adult daughter and I depart on Monday, April 22, 2024 which is this upcoming Monday. I read my post that you replied to and need to make a correction. We will be ending our trip in Paris, France. We will be in Paris for three days. One of those days we "WILL" be going to Disney Paris. Relating to your post above, in November 2023, my wife and I did an Oceania Cruise on the Riviera for 10-days in the Mediterranean. We went from Athens to Barcelona. Rome was part of that trip and we loved it. So much so, I am going to Rome next week for another two days. Venice will be the end port of our Cruise again on Oceania this time the Vista in October 2025. Add to that, my daughter and I will be spending 2 days in Venice next week as well. Fun stuff. Thanks for reading. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@Barney Gallagher I think you mean April or May. That said, I will tell you what I do and you can consider others approaches as well. Assuming you will be leaving from Miami or New Orleans. Miami is my favorite because it is NCL new terminal. I get to the port about 10:00 AM. I usually have to wait for the security to open for my cruise. I wait at the beginning of the line which is why I get there early. Every guest has to go through the same security. Once through the security, go to the end passed the normal counters looking for the Haven Sign. Don't be surprised if the folks at the Port are clueless. Just look for the sign. As you know or don't know, Haven guest can board anytime. They are also the first to board the ship. So you check in at the Haven counter, go to the Haven Port Lounge, take a seat near the door exit to the ship. When you see them open it, get up and walk towards that door. You are first on board, first to check in at Muster, first to talk to the Haven Concierge about any changes you need. That is my approach. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

This thread has verged off the topic multiple times. It eventually comes back. No issue on my part. On the topic of luggage tags. I use a plastic piece with metal loop (purchased on Amazon) utilizing the NCL printable luggage tags. I do this because one cruise, I put the NCL provided tags on my luggage and it got ripped off by Delta Airlines. I put me the Haven NCL provided tags on just before I drop the luggage at the gate. My wife also puts a colored cloth on the handles of each of the luggage pieces so that are more easily identified. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.