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@NikkiPoooo27 I am sure it does not surprise anyone that I study cruise brands. I saved for a very long time to take my "Bucket List Cruise" to the Mediterranean. I developed an Excel Spreadsheet to list out the best cruise brands for the best time. All the big names were included like Regent, Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Viking, SilverSeas, Oceania, and a lot more. I included NCL with the Haven and Club Suite and Celebrity with the Retreat Suites. The task to list out what was received as an amenity and and extra cost was key. How can I compare one brand/voyage to another if I can't find a way to compare an orange to an orange. A lot harder then I had ever thought because the information is deep, deep in the details. I found that each and every brands Marketing Department make my life even harder. Airfare was only one aspect of the enormous challenge. When I started, I REALLY wanted to do a Regent Cruise, for 10-days on the newest Regent ship at the time. The vision of finally having a truly all inclusive cruise was my goal. Up to that point, I made my cruise all inclusive but it took lots of time, effort and due diligence. The deeper you dig, the deeper you realized some brands are more so called all inclusive than others. However no brand is as 100% all inclusive as they seem to market. You referred to Regent for Alaska. When I made my comment I was not talking about Alaska. I was referring to when you lets say want to do a Mediterranean Cruise starting from the United States. I live in Birmingham, Alabama. The closest Major hub is Atlanta a 2.5 hour drive. The segment to Atlanta is Coach, the segment to JFK is Coach, the JFK to Athens is Business Class. The brand of the airfare was completely controlled by Regent. That is when I found out some of the air brands they used. It was all over the board. Not all Business Classes are made the same. None of this was a surprise to me. Every single brand does not give you a choice of who you use unless you pay and additional fee. Again, no issue. UNLESS you are paying $25,000.00 for a 10-day cruise claiming business class airfare and all inclusive. Do I feel this was deceptive, "NO". If you look deep enough, it is all in the fine print. My point here is, for the price of a small SUV, I was hoping for something really over the top. I realize, it does not exist. This with all the research I had done brought me back full circle. I gave up completely in finding any cruise brand that is truly all inclusive and realize, I will have to create that myself. In doing so, I will only have to pay far, far less. We as consumer really have to take accountability to read the fine print. We have to think through the decisions we make. Our family, memories and vacations depend on it. Control and understand what you can control. What you can't control is out of your hands. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Sir, it was a JOKE. I was smiling as I wrote it. I love the experience you are about to have. The written word is not the best way to communicate sometimes. One day, you and I will be enjoying an adult beverage together, on a cruise and simply enjoying life. That is my hope anyway.

The key here which very much in your favor is what I call Frame of Reference. Those complaining are doing so based on many past experience with the brand. In the world of Social Media and brand reviews, the number of folks willing to post a complaint is much higher then those that are happy with the products. Disappointment creates a need in humans to gain consensus. You and Mrs. Benson have no frame of reference to what Regent has to offer. What I can tell you with a high level of certainty is, as much as I LOVE the NCL Haven; Ultra Luxury Brands excel in Personalized Service, Dining experience, Attention to detail, luxurious surroundings. The down side is an older crowd, the entertainment is not over the top, the ports are the appeal rather than the go-cart tracks, and everyone seems to go to sleep a bit earlier. Sir, this comment was below the belt. Not really, for me and obviously for you. A leather chair, a fine drink, a lovely cigar and a interesting conversation enhances any experience. You will surely receive this in the Connoisseur Club. Envy is the word I am feeling. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@Bufrenee I am very sorry that is has happened to you. The topic of using ANY cruise line air is one of the most debated topics (for any brand) on CruiseCritic.com. You put your faith in the brand to make this arrangement with you the guest in mind. Logically we ALL know, it would be best to just take care of our airfare ourselves. I used to think everyone thought that way but my travel agent opened my eyes. She told me very few folks want to hassle with airfare. They simply want it taken care of for them. I fully understand that simple logic. When you add coming from another country other than the United States it adds more challenges. Deviation fees, upcharges and all the other fees that can happen makes my head spin. I again am sorry, so very sorry this is disappointing you. However, I have printed your post to share with the guests we are traveling with to emphasize why I booked their ticket, they paid a bit more. It is my hope your experience will help other cruise guest on all brands. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@CDR Benson I am waiting until you go on your Regent trip to consider it for myself and my lovely bride. Regent is a Ultra-Luxury Brand providing Business Class for the International Leg. Coach for the domestic leg. It is one of many amenities and benefits of Ultra-Luxury all inclusive brands especially Regent. I also assume, you are going to fly in at least a day or two early. A little recommendation to you and the Mrs. for your upcoming trip. The real difference is being open to personalized service. The food is better but relative. It is still very important to know when you can book your excursions and specialty restaurant meals as relates to your suite category. Knowing the wonderful post you have made about how you enjoy dressing on occasion, you will be both pleased and appreciated. There is something about dressing for a fine dinner that makes it better or me. I also like to have a fine drink, in a nice glass and have turned down Champagne in a plastic cup. To light a cigar with a match, lighting a piece of wood so no chemicals get in the smoke. For me and I think you, little bits of preparation make a world of difference in our enjoyment. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@knscruiser322 It is a small venue. The seating is limited. I refuse to stand on lines one hour prior to the show to get a set. When I was solo, I could come in at show time and get a seat. If I was with my wife. It was standing room only. I have never seen the doors shut not allowing standing room only. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

I hope this list helps those new to the NCL Haven. Luggage Tags: I have NEVER used the Luggage tags sent by the NCL Haven. This habit comes from having similar Luggage tags that ripped off. In all of my Haven Trips, half the time I never get those tags anyway. Instead and I highly recommend this. I purchased on Amazon the plastic clear Luggage Tag holders, with the metal wire to hold on your luggage. After you do your 21 day prior online check in, print your own tags and put in the plastic holder. Haven Letter with Contact Number: Search this stream for the telephone number and email address. I have posted it many, many times. I hope you get Maria. She is awesome. Don't wait and a telephone call trumps an email. Specialty Restaurant Reservations: I make a homemade Excel Spreadsheet calendar showing days and times for my cruise. 130 days prior to the cruise, I book my specialty restaurant reservations. If the don't show online, I call the number listed in this stream. I don't wait. Yet, if I have to change one, I do it before or just as I get on the ship at the Haven Desk. With the ships filling up, it becomes more difficult but I have rarely been turned down. Large Theatre Show Reservations: As with Specialty Restaurants, I always do this as early as I can. That said, I have literally never seen or heard a Haven Guest turned down for a sold out show in the main theatre. No clarify, Haven Status means NOTHING for the Comedy Club, Cavern Club or small venue. They are first come, first served. Please have Realistic expectations. Yet folks claim special access to these small venues. It is rare and you simply can't depend on it. Haven Room Service: Always ask your butler when every possible to make sure your room service comes from the Haven Restaurant. The only time you can't have this is when you order something off the menu or the Haven Restaurant is not open. If you don't ask your butler to do this, they default to the normal room service menu. You paid a premium for the Haven, learn to leverage it and use it. NCL Butlers: Lots of reason to by a serious premium for a Haven Suite. Yet I read all the time that the Haven Butler is a waste for folks because they have simple needs. In my home, I have the Room Steward, Chef, Maintenance Worker, and Butler. On vacation, for a short 7 days, all I want is to relax and be treated as a Rockstar. The key to a butler is simply know what they do and don't do. A simple cruise critic search or google search away. With that information, I created a Butler Letter which included the gratuities for the week in it. I never asked for crazy stuff, just wanted them to know about us, likes and dislikes. Doing due diligence with an NCL Butler has made all the difference in good service for me and my lovely bride. I will no longer debate the use of the letter or pre-tip. You do you. Let all of be honest, the Butlers for NCL are NOT has good as those provided by luxury and ultra-luxury brands. Know that up-front and don't be disappointed. Young Kids in the Haven Sundeck: The age is 16 or above for a reason. I learned this reason on my very first Haven Cruise when the Haven Courtyard on the NCL Getaway had 6 young children that controlled the pool and hot tubs the entire cruise. The kids are never the issue it is the lack of adult supervision. NCL is a Family Cruise Line. NCL runs with 3 and 4th person cruise free in the Haven. The kids below and can enjoy the Haven just like the adults. As long as they follow the rules, and allow there to be a place where quiet and relaxation for those adults is honored. I now NEVER book a Haven Suite during a holiday and spring break. Since that decision, I have not had this issue at all. Make a note of that. Special Request in the Haven Restaurants: The menu is fixed for all meals. That is how it works. To expect anything is unrealistic expectations. Yet, with advance notice, kindness and class; one can make some requests. They can be granted or not granted. However, if I ever hear another guest being entitled, yelling openly in the Haven Restaurant because the think they own the place, I am going to help the Haven Staff put those folks in their place. I and the rest of us are on vacation. If I want Entitled children, I have that 51 days a year with my own children. I don't need it on my vacation. Time It Takes To Eat in the Haven Restaurant: If you want to Quick Meal like at lunch, go somewhere else. Not designed for that even if you ask. Just the way it is. Realistic expectations. Haven Lounge at the Port: The food and drink is limited. Wait until you get on board. Would you rather be outside the lounge in a room with thousands of people. Want Caviar, go on a Ultra Luxury Brand. Realistic Expectations. NCL Flights: Choose this option at your own risk. NCL is a cruise company. Their area of expertise is not flights. On the same subject, please, please, please consider getting to the port the day before you leave. If you roll the dice and come in the day of the cruise, don't write how bad NCL and NCL air is. You made a error in judgement. Only has to happen once to learn a lesson. Every item I wrote about above has been covered and recovered in this thread. The easiest way to learn the secrets of the Haven is to read the first post of this stream. If you Hate the Haven, that is your right. If you come to this stream to share how much you hate the Haven and have never experienced it, you are not coming from a position of knowledge. If you had a bad experience and did not tell the Haven Staff immediately, you did not do your due diligence and complaining about it here helps no one. CruiseCritic.com is a social media platform to help Cruise Hobbies to find a way to be better educated in enhancing their cruising experience. If you are a member in good standing, it is your obligation to help others. If you complain all the time, you simply want others to support your decisions which helps no one. We need realistic balanced comments because not even the NCL Haven is perfect. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Yes, thank you for the clarification.

@knscruiser322 You can make reservations for the Comedy Club or the Cavern Club. It is first come, first served for everyone. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Over the year after I booked my "O" cruise, I looked at the prices quite often. I learned this habit from cruising on Mainstream Cruise Brands. I saw very few fluctuations unless there was a promotion happening. When I looked at the Ultimate O Life, I did the simple math and price went up in direct relation to the amenities now included. On normal Olife, I was educated that the low price I saw on-line was cruise only, with no airfare and no Olife. The math worked out on this case also. As my year went on, I notices lots of debate on the complexities of the normal Olife options. Which was best or provided the most value. All great information and education for a new client like myself. The complaints seem to all focus on why can't these options/amenities simply be simpler. Hence what seems to be the decision to change policy and yes (remember the math reference above) the pricing. How do I know this with a 99% certainty, simple. Cruise lines do not reduce prices while giving more benefits. The do increase prices while giving less benefits though. On the topic of will someone who has booked a cruise for after Oct 1, 2023 as I have, mine is November 9, 2023. I did something I have rarely ever done. I am paid in full two months before the deadline. I usually wait to the last minute. Not this time. My online information says, Paid In Full. Now who really thinks "O" is going to charge me more money after it was paid in full. We contracted a price, we are following the policies. They can offer us a way to have it all. We can choose to stay with our contracted price. I will stay where I am and quite happy. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Seats for the Main NCL Shows for Haven Guests: This topic has been debated and rehashed over and over again. Allow me to help all worried about going to any Main Theatre Show on a Large NCL Ship. If you are in the Haven, I have cruised the Haven many, many times, you will NOT be turned down entry to any show. The Haven Area which is roped off until just before the show stares, is NEVER fully filled up. On other shows in small venues, it is first come, first served. Haven has no priority not matter what any one tells you. Sorry for the attitude here. My focus is always on Realistic Expectations. While we are on the subject. Changing of Specialty Restaurant Reservations when onboard if you are in the Haven. I have done this three times. I got the change two of the three times and had a reservation 30 minutes later on the third. No guarantees on this one but the premium you pay for the Haven usually comes through. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@cruiserchuck Yep, it was nice having it for 30 seconds though. The Upgrade Fairy disappeared. Oh well, still happy with everything. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@Jancruz I will give it a week or so and see what happens. You know when sometimes you hear something that is to good to be true. The original number was to good to be true. Easy to let that go and call it a mistake. Pressing it in a situation like this could truly negatively effect a new team member. However, I totally get your point. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

On the Topic of Guarantee Assignments, I took some advice from many of you here on CruiseCritic.com. I have a PH3 Guarantee for a November 9, 2023 sailing on the Riviera. The ship is ALL "Waitlist" including all three PH categories. Above the PH, the Oceania Suites is a Guarantee for new bookings. The Vista Suites has two available and the Owners Suite has three available. I reached out to my Travel Agent last week. I asked for her to let Oceania know, I was open to a "Paid Upgrade". Thank you for the advice to share this information with my agent. Today, my agent called me with Oceania on the other line. She shared the "Paid Upgrade" offer. I immediately said "YES". My agent verified twice verbally on the phone. I ran to get my wallet to give my agent my credit card. Side note, my final payment is NOT due until August 11, 2023, yet I paid in full two weeks ago well ahead of the deadline. In a matter of thirty seconds to get my AMX, the Oceania Agent changed the upgrade cost to several thousands of dollar per person more. As normal, my agent asked to speak to a supervisor and asked me if she could call me back. The outcome was a hard "NO" to the original offer but the situation is in my records. I am sharing this with this board because I want you all to know my feeling on this. Mistakes happen. The Amount Given was so reasonable I could not believe my ears. I thought for the briefest moment that the "Paid Upgrade Fairy" was alive and well. These kinds of situation happen with all brands. They hire new folks, those folks make a mistake. Do I wish it was my "Lucky Day", sure who would not. Just happy to be cruising to Europe for the first time in my life. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@YODERSMOMMY Hello and welcome to the NCL Haven. Thank you to @Hallux for bringing up my screen name and the post I have done. Your questions has been asked many times, had many answers and gets debated day after day. I will give you my experience of three times on the NCL Joy, twice in the Haven and once in a Club Balcony Suite. FYI, if you want to watch a video on the H2 Haven Deluxe Owners Suite on the Joy, I did it a year or so ago just search YouTube.com. Just an FYI. NCL is a Mainstream Cruise line. The Joy is a Mega Ship. It holds over 4200 passengers with one of the largest Haven's in the fleet with over 200 Haven Guests. The daily snack are product and the same for every Haven Suite simply for efficiency. If you have special requests, create a working relationship with your butler and express them. The Phase I use and have used with my butler is, "If it is ok with you, I would like to have (Insert) as long as it is not against NCL Policy. If there is a cost, please let me know and I will give you a yes or no." My request are usually basic and I have never really had an issue. The first Haven experience my wife and I asked for nuts because we thought (Key Word Thought) we were going to be doing Keto. That day our butler brought a soup bowl of raw unsalted peanuts that were awful. The moral of this story is remember to be very specific. My OP-ED's are very focused on one concept which has proven to be the best advice for having a elevated cruise experience. Please take everything that everyone tells you with a grain of salt including me. The key is always, "Realistic Expectations". Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@Daniel A It does not matter if this topic drifts. It always comes back. This gives me the an opportunity to create a new Lexicon. "Haven on Steroids". The Haven, Celebrity Retreat and MSC Yacht Club all fall under the umbrella of a "Ship-Within-A-Ship". A quiet, luxurious, private area for a small portion of the guest on a mega ship. Better personalized service, better bar, better access to cushioned lounge charges, better food/dining, exclusive hot tubs/pools and much less crowded. For this opportunity, a significant premium is imposed. Now these few lucky guest can have access to the entire ship and all of its activities and amenities. Whether go-cart tracks, rock climbing, Virtual Reality or Lasor tag; it is available to you. Yet when you want to go back to the quiet luxury and higher level of personalized service, it is just a door away. "The best of both worlds." Yet there is another alternative that is available. But with all changes there is pro/cons. The "Haven on Steroids" concept. This is the more premium-plus to luxury brands where once you leave your cabin, everyone is treated the same. Access to all aspects of the ship, amenities outside the cabin, specialty restaurants, sauna/steam rooms/thermal spa. Little to know difference outside the cabin. Much less children onboard. What you give up is that the mega ship. The ships tend to be smaller with much less guests. No go-carts on these ships. The entertainment is much more basic with no Broadway reviews. The nature of this kind of cruising is an older crowd with a much more port intensive itinerary. Let's say on day two of this cruise, these is no "Mr. Sexy Legs" competition by the pool. Dining and personalized service is a key to these kind of cruises. Yet everyone is treated like a Haven guest. Some like myself like both experiences. Some gravitate to one or the other. Yet, to my great delight, they are both rated as a benchmark of the NCL Haven. You got to love that. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Here is another installment. As I always say, don't believe me or anyone else on social media. Do your own investigation on these topic especially those you consider serious. Booking a Guarantee Stateroom: The best way to explain this is you choose a category of stateroom. Let's use a Penthouse but any category will do. In Penthouse there is three levels. PH3 (Lowest Priced), PH2 (Middle Priced) and PH1 (Highest Price). Location and or deck is usually the criterion for the different distinctions. In most but not all cases, the highest price staterooms are in the middle of the ship. For our example, we choose a PH3 Guarantee. This means when our stateroom is actually assigned, it will be a PH3 or better. We have no choice which stateroom it is and have to wait to find out which could be when we check in at the port. You don't like the stateroom it does not matter. You are in it. Your thought pattern needs to be, "I am good with any cabin in this code (PH3)." Now if the ship gets sold out in the PH categories, or in the PH3 Categories, there is a possibility you might get a complementary upgrade. The cruise brand first tries to get folks already on the ship to give up their cabin for a "Discounted Paid Upgrade". That might open up a PH3 for you. Or, as is the case on a cruise I am going on in 130 days, the entire ship is completely and fully booked. If no once cancels, the give guest onboard all kinds of incentives to go another week. From a strategic perspective which is mine and mine alone here is how I think. I book the PH3 Guarantee which gives me the lowest cost for the PH categories. I would be happy with ANY PH3 so no issues on my end. I choose a voyage likely to sell out. I did just that on my upcoming cruise. The penalty stage for cancellation on this cruise has already begun so this reduces the odds of folks cancelling. It does not eliminate it it just reduces it. This gives me better odds of gaining: A PH2 or PH3 upgrade. A higher than PH upgrade if all PH are sold out with no cancellations. An incentive offer for future cruising. What I have done to increase my changes of a complementary upgrade? Do day is June 25, 2023. My final payment is due August 11, 2023. Yet, I have paid both my booking in full two months before it was due. That shows skin in the game and commitment. Will it work and will I get an upgrade, time will tell and I will report back. My gut tells me base on past experience, yes. For me, that is sport and I enjoy the chase. I hope this entertained you and helps in some way. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@ak1004 I would tend to agree with you. Especially if you already have and been using that credit card for years. Used the Credit Card for your entire cruise. Add to this, purchasing Cruise Insurance even though you have that great Credit Card Benefit. Mute point. On another note, I am NOT trying to HiJack this Thread. I read your recent review on the Riviera. Thank you, very balanced and fair. I wish more folks would take the time as you did and do balanced reviews instead of only when they are upset. Back on Topic. From a business stand point. When you have a nice cruise brand, that accepts deposits that are 100% refundable for a time, the only client commitment is that money held by the cruise brand. When the client has to make a minor and true financial commitment because the deposit starts to have a penalty, this for the brand to take the guests on the fence on/off that sailing and makes them have skin in the game. I did not know that "O" did this but when I was informed, I could cancel and get back 100% of my deposit or as I said have skin in the game. The issue is a change in policy that benefits the cruise brand and not the client. I get that. This seems to be a serious issue for other as is the "Lack of Taste of Oceania Cookies". After Covid and not sailing for quite some times, we ALL knew something had to give. I HATE change also but we all have a choice. I am on "O" for the first time because I was disappointed in my last selections of brand. My wife likes average wine. She drinks wine in a box (really in a bag in a box) at home. Yet even with an upgraded expensive drink program it was hit or miss with more misses than hits. I like a decent steak cook to Medium Rare Plus, and got Medium Well more than once. Just some examples. It was time for a change. My money, my choice. An earlier $250/10% fee on my deposit to gain some level of guest commitment is not a big deal to me. Just me, not saying it should not be a huge issue for others. Just saying. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

This is a very dangerous conversation. I know because It almost cost me a lot of money. I have an American Express Platinum Card. Yes, it has come coverages that can be leveraged. Now I am 66 with Advantage Health Insurance. That does not cover me outside the US. When it has to do with something as important as Health Insurance on a ship, please double check and read every bit of fine print. I paid about $600.00 this insurance for a 10 day Mediterranean Cruise. I need air transport I have it, I need hospitalization I got is, I need to cancel with some restrictions I have it, lost luggage and the list goes on. Have I used my AMX for some past cost that the Insurance did not cover, yes. Please on this one, be as completely educated as you can be and depend only on your own due diligence. Nothing bad is going to happen to any of use however somebody one day is going to really need all the coverage. Sorry, I ranted but so very important for everyone to make their own decisions on the fact. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

I remember it was a small place and it had been there for a while. Gallop used to be in Lincoln and moved so I know it was in Omaha. Funny story. I was a professional speaker the majority of my career. I was on the road from Sunday night until very late Friday or all night fight getting in Saturday morning. The folks I worked with played a game to find the best steak and Prime Rib in America. The Prime Rib was House of Prime Rib in San Francisco. The steak we simply never found one but Peter Lugers in New York was at the top of the list. Those were the days and I miss them. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

For the life of me, I can't remember. To long ago, sorry. All I remember was eating the steak and saying it was GREAT.

@SATaxman My pleasure. By the way, I love Omaha, Nebraska. I got several weeks of training their by the Gallop Organization many years back. I also remember a very Fine SteakHouse downtown. Great Memories. Cruise Well and Enjoy Every moment.

@SATaxman I have been asked this question before and never had an issue. Issue happen when we suggest a specific Travel Agent. The company I used the last five cruises was Allianz Insurance Company. Like most providers, they give you Basic, Normal and Extra coverages. Very easy to navigate. I usually use the mid-level yet I always look at all options. I also do the actual day I leave my home and the actual day I get back home. Some folks just do the dates of the cruise. I have had two claims. One big one when we had to cancel the cruise 8 days prior due to wife getting covid and the cruise line charged 50% penalty. The next time my adult son got short of breath on a snorkeling excursion. Both times, a direct deposit was put into my checking account 15 business day or less from the time I put in the claim. I hope that helps you. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@LHT28 As normal, GREAT information and advice. Thank you. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Since other will have questions on how "Guarantee Staterooms" transitioned, allow me to create a real-time outline for those searching this topic in the future. If my history on cruising serves me, just because this is happening now, does not support it will happen in the future. Just interesting to watch this transition. Below is what my cruise looks like right now. It is 138 days away. Final billing is August 11, 2023 which is about 45 days away. We are in a PH3 Guarantee. I have paid my final payment two month prior to the deadline so my group of two Penthouses is paid in full. I have reached out to my travel agent and said I would be interested in a discounted upgrade paid opportunity. I have had great success with this on other brands. The alternative is just wait and see. I got everyone's thoughts on how this comes down. I fully get what everyone is saying. Logic tells me offers will be given to the most loyal guest first. I have no expectations simply enjoying how processes like this work out. Again, just a real time view of this single situation. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.