Sthrngary

Butler_NCL_Cruises_Template.docx

Extremally well done. I have never cruised out of NY and loved hearing about it. Your entire overview and writing style was so easy to follow and allowed us all to live through you. Thank you again. Cruise well and Enjoy every Moscow Mule, LOL

I did this suite in 2019, it was on one side of the bed only. I brought a small round power strip which also had USB. Hope that helps. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

You can ask, but that might be pushing it. Usually, only access to you suite is permitted.

I thought it was there. Sorry, I will attempt to do so in the future and thank you for the complement. A little history. When I first attached the letter and how I used it, I got so much push back. People hated it and especially objected to my upfront gratuities. Fast forward to today. I get at least two requests a week for the letter. No more push back and everyone uses it differently. It makes me feel good that something I do, gives others benefit. It keeps me motivated so thank you. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

If you only have the minutes for the WiFi, make sure you log out after each usage. I have truly enjoy all of your post in the past. I will be on the Breakaway, out of New Orleans in just over 30 days. I loved the Getaway which is a similar ship. Can't wait to here your thoughts. I favor which I know I don't have to ask you but will. PLEASE focus on your trip. We can wait a few days for your thoughts. It is fun to reply to everyone with question, I know, it give me great pleasure. However we all wait for this special time on a cruise. That really should be all of our priorities. Glad you are with your brother, that makes a trip even better. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

OK, thank you to the OP for the Pictures. I wanted to let the stream take shape before I kicked in to deeply. There are three kinds of guests that will obviously comment on this. First, past Haven Guests; Second, non-Haven Guests; Third, non-Haven Guest that have never liked or wanted to sail in the Haven. My perspective is as a past Haven Guest. The Haven Pool: I have only used the Haven Pool once. It is in the Haven Courtyard with or without a retractable roof. The feel I want is the full shine of the sun which is lost when in the Haven Courtyard. The Prima fixes that issue with the infinity pool which has a much better view on a nice day. The Haven Bar: Most folks complained about the size and staffing of the Haven Bar. The Prima adds crew and has more bars. This is a great benefit for the outside area and I think they learned from the Vibe Beach Club having a bar. The Haven Location: The front of the ship was nice however the back is much nicer when the ship is sailing. NCL took a page off of other brands idea's and locations. The Haven Extra Bedrooms: The Two Bedroom villas and the Owners Suites have real beds in their second bedrooms. An Actual second bedroom that is just as comfortable as the Master Bedroom. The Haven Sundeck Shade: This is a mistake by NCL. I love to be outside but it only took on really bad sunburn to look for a shaded area. This is sad to me because when you enter the Vibe Beach Club, the first question is where do you want the umbrella placed. The Haven Lounge Chairs: They have always been comfortable however these look to be even more comfortable. The bottom line is NCL fixed some issues, improved some issues and missed some issues. When someone whom has not stayed in the Haven comment that it seems to be the same as the rest of the ship, they are missing the concept of the Haven. Quiet, less people, personalized service, better food/drink, and exclusivity. If that does not float someone's boat, the rest of the ship is quite lovely it seems. If we are evaluating the cost, than this debate will never end. No correct answer. All I know is the Haven sells out quick during normal times. That in itself it the results NCL is looking for. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

We will all try to micro manage what happen to you. The fact is, you were treated very poorly. Calling NCL is a Hit or Miss situation when you need to get things done. I could guess what the cause is but that will not matter. They treated you poorly and you have every right to feel upset. On to the future. You are now in the Haven. In the future, call ONLY the Haven Customer Service number. That is one of the main benefits of the Haven. I will tell you what happened to me so you can understand my advice. I had just come off the Joy in the Haven. I went back on three months later as a solo non-Haven Guest. I had an issue that no one could handle for me. As a matter of fact, it was a Vibe Issue. I called my Haven Customer Service Person, I told her I was not in the Haven. She said, don't worry about it. I handled about three items in five minutes that the other folks had no clue about. You will love the Haven Experience. Please let all of us know how your cruise goes. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

You have a no lose situation here. Prima of Joy. The odds are your vacation will rock. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Your opinion is appreciated. Regardless of where a stateroom is located, cruises are what we make of them. I dearly love the Haven. I also want a shaded area. So I also book the Vibe Beach Club. Seems like a waste because you have the Haven Sundeck. It probably is a waste. The difference is when I go into the Vibe, the crew ask me where I want to sit and if I want an Umbrella, Frozen Fruit and Ice water. When I go on vacation which is rare, I simply want to feel like a "Rock Star" for a week out of my life. All that said, the Haven is a complete joy. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

If you think you want the package, buy it now. Why would you wait to buy it on board. If you don't want the package, just cancel it before you sail. I give the same advice for the Vibe Beach Club and Excursions. Why wait when you can always cancel it. One less thing to think about. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

You got the right attitude. I just want a portfolio with no extra's at the end of the cruise. So I pay for everything up front. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Thank you and yes they did treat me well. You have to know the whole story. First, in late November 2021, my family and I sailed on the NCL Joy in one of the two Owners Suites. As you read this stream which I originally wrote four years ago and updated at the beginning of 2022, people know me and my writings. They know I do both a Butler Letter and a Haven Desk Letter. The butler letter has his tip included upfront. I really don't want to debate this, I am only stating this as a matter of fact. the Haven Desk Letter is similar and has their full tip included as well. During the week, I would make a point of smiling and making jokes so folks would laugh. In a day or so, everyone knew my name and anything we wanted, was there for the asking. They started to call me Mr. Haven which made my wife very embarrassed. She had no clue why folks would stop me all the time and ask me questions about the Haven. My wife hates the way I write, LOL. When I came back on the Joy, three months later, it was the same staff. They thought initially I was back in the Haven. That should put the extra personalized service I got into a different perspective. They are great all the time but they kind of knew me from the past. Please take that under consideration. Just thought it was important to tell the whole story. By the way, after that first drink, I never went in the Haven area again. As I said in my original post, I did not pay the premium and think those that did need full focus by the staff. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Two separate questions here. What ever the Haven Serves is available. This includes specialty coffee's. Ask for an additional shot of espresso. It should not be an issue. Adding alcohol to it will be an extra cost regardless of the drink program you have. Please don't get the two confused. The machine in the Horizon Lounge will allow you to add as many shots as you want. The French Press from the Haven Restaurant is some of the strongest I have every out outside of Europe. The French Press can be delivered to your Haven Suite by your butler. You also can go down one level to the Observation Deck to the actual Starbucks which you will have to pay for unless you have the premium Plus Beverage Package. My advice is to purchase the water package. The water in the pitcher is filtered, it has to be. It will be consumed by people. The water package is simply better water and very inexpensive. You do you. Part of the Haven Experience is to be in the Haven Port Lounge, be the first on-board and tour the Haven area's. You also get to drop off you carryon in your Haven Suite before it is ready to make it easy on you. Your guest will fully understand. Have a meeting place and time with them. Ask the Haven Desk if you can take them for a tour and this is your wedding party. They will say yes. Bring them to the Haven Sundeck for sail a way. All will be forgiven. I assure you. No crowds to beat at this pool. If it is a holiday, you might have some kids in the pool during the day time. I went on the Joy twice in the last year. First time in the Haven with my family. I don't remember the closing time of if they even had one. My recommendation is look for Dailies for the Joy on CruiseCritic.com. Go to the page for hours of operations. The service is t that said. Mistakes happen at the best dry cleaners. I would check with the Haven Desk onboard and make sure they know the importance of the clothing being pressed. That is what I would do based on how important this is. You are more than welcome. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

The NCL Policy is yes, there is a charge. If you have been reading the answers to this question from others, it is clear, some butlers would take your suite cards to the starbuck counter and bring you a coffee. That has not been my experience. Since we have conflicting experiences, it seems it is a hit or miss from a butler standpoint. This happens on certain topics in the Haven Sometimes. My goal is on this and other topics to establish a realistic expectation. If the butler does this for you, you would be thrilled. If he says NO, you would be disappointed. Knowing it could go either way, lessens to expectation if it does not happen. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

This is hit or miss. The buffet is your best bet just don't expect a great meal. Just tasty. Safe your appetite for dinner. I always book the Cagney's for dinner the first night if I am not in the Haven. The more important question is where to get a nice drink for the sail-a-way, LOL. The one thing I can promise you. You will never go hungry on a cruise especially NCL. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

I wish you and your soon to be spouse a fantastic trip. My wife and I did our first real vacation as our Honeymoon some 43 years ago. It was on the Norwegian SS Norway, the largest cruise ship in the world at the time. Norwegian is now called NCL. 25 cruises later we sail NCL the most of all the brands. I hope you have the same wonderful memories as we have. The fact that you are in the Haven, thrills me. Let me know if in any way I can support or assist you. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Thank you so much. I is great seeing it is real, lol. Thanks again. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

No issue. I am on a cruise in about 30 days. I have the Free at Sea PLUS so I know all about it. I love traveling on NCL so I know the normal Free at Sea. If you have any other questions, just ask. I am happy to help you. When you want me to answer your questions, put @Sthrngary at the beginning of your post. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

If you upgrade to the Free At Sea PLUS you will each get another two (2) nights of specialty restaurant giving you a total of four (4). Four for you, four for you guest. You can cancel the extra's up to a day or so before the cruise. They credit you back to the card used. Now to be clear, once you pay your final payment for your actual fare, there are penalties for that fare. Not for the extra's. Hope that makes sense. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

I am very interested in your Breakaway comments. I will be sailing her on December 4, 2022. Have a great trip.

Just a question for you. Did we cruise on the Joy together? I did the Joy twice. Once with my family in the Haven. Three months later solo in a Club Balcony Suite. You online name seems so familiar.

Oh boy you just made my day. I watch every day. That is great information. Thank you. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

I sent Casino at Sea an email for the information. That is what they sent. I have done all of these ports. The only excursion I loved was the Beach Villa on the private island. I did not do it this time because it is to pricy for two people. Long story short, the only excursion we have is Cozumel and a cabana in the Vibe Beach Club. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Yes, it is call both Ultra Premium and Luxury. Vs. Ultra Luxury. I should have used both in my post. Sorry, my bad. One of the three perks, you have to choose on, is the drink program. It is only beer and wine at meals. You can upgrade to the Premium Drink Program when you get on the ship for $200.00 per person. I am all in on that. It took a while to figure out which one of the three perks I would take but this one was my strategy. Food is very important to me. We are going with our best friends and this will be their first cruise. One drinks (a lot, lol) the other does not drink at all. With every choice you make on cruising and brands, just know the deal. We need to do our own research and make the best choice for us. The Haven is and always will be my first choice. Yet when weight costs and considering our friends budgets, sometimes you have to deviate. In this case, our friends ability to join is more important than the Haven on this trip. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.