Sthrngary

Can you elaborate on the Casino Drink Card and the goodies? I will be at Port of New Orleans, does that qualify. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@dbdbI am currently booked on a CAS cruise on the Breakaway in December 2022. The 20% off is off the current cruise far with the 40% discount. Remember, the additional 20% is limited to Club Suite or below not Haven Usually. It only applies to the actual fare, not the port or tax charges. If you use an American Express Platinum Card, you will not get your perks because you have to book through CAS. It is an excellent deal and you can always call prior to final payment for a lower price if on comes available. One more thing, always get the "Free at Sea" promotion not "Cruise Only". Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Thank you for the kind words. I am the Author. Remember, you can order from the Haven Restaurant for your room service (served by the butler) if they are open. Depending on the ship, the Haven Horizon Observation Lounge has coffee (Starbucks machine complementary) and lite breakfast. Please try the Almond Danish. It is ONLY in the Haven and it is to die for. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@weltekFunny I was hopping for the same thing, low attendance. I don't think that is going to happen because three months out, the Haven is almost completely sold out. This is the week after thanksgiving so all I can think is those that won, booked the Haven. I hope sincerely I am wrong. The ship is about the same as other. The 20% off I got from Casinos at Sea was very welcomed. Thank you for the good luck. I asked my wife what would she purchase first. She said, I have NO IDEA. I have some idea's for her though. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Hello everyone, I thought it would be fun to do a count down to the $100,000.00 Winner Takes All NCL “Casinos at Sea” Tournament. The cruise is 85 days away. Here is the story. My family and I was cruising on the NCL Joy, November 27 – December 4, 2021. I got each family member a buy-in ($30.00) in the ships slot tournament. Prior to my wife playing for the first round, she said, “I hate doing this slot tournament. It makes me so nervous.” When you do a slot tournament you can see who is leading on your screen until the last 15 seconds. There was my wife ahead of the pack with me in dead last. Bingo, she wins round one. This got her in the finals for the ship. In the finals which pays $500.00, I am watching her play, with a minute to go she was second. With 15 seconds to go she was first. Bingo, she wins the ship tournament. This is so odd. My wife does not gamble at all. I filmed her getting the hundred-dollar bills in her hand like they do on YouTube. She stashed the money as her MAD money, enjoy it for a few months. She was giddy. The next thing I know, they hand her a piece of paper which gave her an entry into the “Casinos at Sea” slot tournament finals on the NCL Breakaway, out of New Orleans, on December 4, 2022. At first, I thought we also won a free cruise. “Not in my lifetime”, we had to pay for the cruise which was just fine. Casinos at Sea did give us a 20% discount the fare, so I felt fortunate. For those of you that read my “Secrets to the NCL Haven VIP Experience” posting here on CruiseCritic.com, I immediately ask for the discount on a Haven Suite. That as a “NO GO”. You can’t blame me for trying folks. We did get a Club Balcony Suite (MA) which we are very happy about. I also, as you might expect, already put in my “Upgrade Bid” for a Haven Suite. The reality is there is only a handful of Haven Suites left so I have NO real chance of an upgrade. I would rather it be this way then waiting and getting disappointed at the last minute. Time for Haven Lite: With a Club Balcony Suite, my lovely bride and I will be doing the now famous “Haven Lite” approach. The first thing I did was book the “Free at Sea PLUS” program. This just became available just a few months ago. It includes the Premium Plus Beverage Program, Unlimited Internet (Not Streaming), another $50.00 off excursion (that gives us $100.00 off) and two more Specialty Restaurants (Giving us a total of four). From there I booked a Cabana in the Vibe Beach Club. This is again, a new thing that you can book the Vibe pre-cruise instead of running for the Vibe desk when you get on the ship. That used to make me so nervous, so I was thrilled. One of the things I aways do is attempt to create an all-inclusive feeling on an NCL Cruise. I pre-paid my gratuities, purchased my cruise insurance (We usually cost the insurance company money) and book/paid for a few excursions. As most of you know, when you are in a Haven Suite you can pre-reserve a specialty restaurant 130 days in advance. Since I am in a Club Balcony Suite it is 125 day in advance so check that box. There you have it, Haven Lite nailed. As the time comes closer, I will post again on this thread. As Casinos at Sea send us information, I will post it. When I am on the cruise, I will do “Live Postings”. Wish my lovely bride some luck. She said we could go on another cruise if she wins, LOL. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Have a GREAT cruise. Allow all of us to live through your experiences. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

The milk shake is awesome. The food is not to my taste however I did enjoy the "Blue Plate Special" which was Roast Beef, Mashed Potato's, Green Beans and bread. Since it is complementary to Haven Guest, worth a try. In the future, I will simply go to the Haven Restaurant for lunch instead. Remember food and opinions on food are all very subjective to the specific person. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@shepherdThat makes complete sense. I get what you were saying about the Olife. My second question is can I do the upgrade from online pre-cruise or wait until I am on board? Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

I have a question. Both my wife and I will want to have the Prestige Drink Program. Our cruise is a 10 Day Mediterranean Cruise out of Athens, Greece. It is on the Riviera, November 2023. As all you regular Oceania Guest know, I can choose One of Three Perks. I normally would choose the $600.00 OBC. Since we will both be purchasing the Prestige Drink Program which is $600.00 per person, $1200 for the couple. My understanding is if we change to the Drink Program instead of the OBC and upgrade to the Prestige Drink Program for $200.00. That seems to be the best approach. Please tell me if my logic is correct? Can you upgrade pre-cruise or do you have to do it when you get on the ship? Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@dhjson Diane, I got it and I sent you a reply. I hope it assists you. You can communicate with me by doing a reply to my email sent. Best of luck, I know you will have your issue resolved quickly. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

You are more than welcome. Cruise well and enjoy Every moment.

When you cruise opens up for On-Line Registration, which is 21 days prior if I am not mistaken. Get on right away and choose the earliest boarding time available. It is usually 09:00 AM. Show up at the port at 08:15 AM to 08:30 AM. There will already be a line and get on it. When you get in, you will move extremely fast. Have your information and covid cards (if they still ask for them) ready to go. Move directly to where they register you. It will be pretty seamless. The Taxi that took my to the port had some issues getting there because of the construction that is always by the port. So take that into consideration. That is the approach I will be using also. I hope that helps. BTW, I get to the port early because as soon as I get onboard, I head to the Vibe Beach Club which I already have a pass for my cruise. I end up being the first one in the Vibe and nobody at the bar. Remember, they will charge you tax while in port because that is how it works on Embarkment. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Will do. I have cruised through New Orleans before. It was not very smooth. The good news is, anything less than awful will seem like an improvement. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

The by the glass wines are very nice. The more you know about wines and what you like, they better you can enjoy this upgraded drink package. The bottle selected wines are not always the nicest. You can do much better by the glass. Not having a corkage charge is something I did not know about. So thank you for sharing. Bringing what you like onboard is a great idea now that it seems they will let you. Reminds me of decades past when this was an option. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Sorry for misunderstanding. The Tag line of "Cruise Well and Enjoy Every Moment" is used on 100% of my posts, Op-Ed's and comments. My goal in everything I write is to assist in the development of realistic expectations. This comes from the many mistakes I made in the past. Again, I was not meaning to be anything else other then the focus of sharing of ideas. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@LHT28 I want to complement you on your responsiveness, posts and comments. They are very helpful. On every brands blog, there is on Brand Advocate that stands out. I have found this true on NCL, Celebrity, Regent, Crystal and Holland America. You are the Advocate here on Oceania and it is much appreciated. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@Goldconnection Your comments came well after the comment you tagged. It is important to realize that what happened to you was not acceptable would fall into the ships/brands conduct on their ship. That said, the crew is in a rock and a hard place; not just on NCL. On all brands, in all segments and on all itineraries. If a crew member attempts to enforce a policy, they are often the recipient of a complaint from that guest. This effects their income and status. I don't like this fact but it is a hard cold part of cruise crew reality. Whether it is the uncalled for remarks you got; chair hogs at the pool; people touching food on the Buffet; or they person holding a row for their 10 family members at a show whom never show up. Rarely do you see a crew member get involved. The purpose of my post was to make sure you knew, that what happened to you is not acceptable and the post you quoted was not focused on your situation. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@rbxladyAll me to give you some of the things many folks do when in the Haven and on the Premium PLUS Beverage Package. First I want to address something. With as much as ANY Haven Suite investment currently is, they should include Soda, Bottled Waters and Juice in the suite mini-refrig. Other brands do for they suites and I find it a flaw in NCL's Haven Plan. On to the strategy. When I first found out about the Premium PLUS Beverage Package I choose it because of the ability to have Full Bottles of Selected Wines at meals. Then those bottles, if not finished, could be brought back to the suite for a night cap. Eliminating the walk to the bar and back. My wife would drink three glasses of wine at dinner and I would drink one. That allowed ordering an new bottle which we then after it was opened, brought back to the Suite. Some nights we had two almost filled wine bottles. Then I did some what the same thing with bottled water until a Haven Bartender said, "Hey Gary, to you want a bottle of Water for your suite?" I said, NO, can I have two. Every night from that point forward at the same late hour usually after the show, he would have two bottles waiting for me. My wife was thrilled. The last thing I really enjoyed about the Premium PLUS program was Tequila, Manhattan's and Champagne. I have written a lot about the Tequila 1942. I had no idea this was either available or on the program. The Haven Bartender suggested it in 2019 as a great Tequila and on the program. I was hooked. The Manhattan's I am speaking of are made at the Haven bar. They use wood to spoke the drink and it is a true show to watch. Finally is it the French Champagne. When I eat in the French Restaurant, I order the REALLY GREAT French champagne by the glass. After I drink the first two glasses, they just bring the bottle out and put it in the ice by our table. This is not a bottle you can order, it is only by the glass. It is over the top good. That is from a Tequila and Vodka Guy. Finally, even though in the Haven Restaurant the specialty coffee is complementary, I love to go to the Starbucks on the ship and get my specialty coffee made fresh. The alternative is the EXCELENT high-end coffee machine serving Starbucks in the Haven Horizon Observation Lounge. Oh the memories. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Tough thread and usually is with the subject of children. He is my story. In 2019, my wife and I were on the Getaway out of New Orleans. We were in a Haven Suite. It was Thanksgiving Week. I much prefer a Hot Tub to the pool. This was Pre-Covid. The Hot tub and pool on the main deck outside the Haven were completely packed. The Hot tub with young kids wall to wall. I thought we would be fine because the Haven had two Hot Tubs in the Haven Courtyard. Just like in the main pool area, the young kids were all over the hot tubs, all day long. It was the same group of 10. No parents to be found almost like the Haven area was the kids area. These young people were yelling, screaming, jumping in the pool that does not allow jumping. When on day three I finally got a seat in one of the two hot tubs. Two of the kids were laughing at me and I kindly said why are you laughing. They said, "You look so funny because you have yellow teeth." While I was embarrassed and never went into the Haven Courtyard pool or hot tub again. The first think I did when I got home was got my teeth whitened, I now drink my coffee from a straw, and I have a retainer that I use several times a week to keep my teeth white. I owe those two children a debt of gratitude for their honesty. The issue was not the children, they deserve to play and be kids. The issue was no parents watching their kids. My solutions was to never, ever go on Holiday cruises again on ships that are family oriented. Instead I go the week before or the week after the holiday. Better pricing and I have never had the same situation happen. This is a true story and it effected how and when I book cruises. The moral of the story is, "If you teeth are yellow, don't go into a hot tube with kids and get your teeth whitened." Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Funny, I had the same question because it is my first time on Oceania. I will share what I was told and found out. This in no way makes me an expert since I have never cruised with them. I am just glad other are wanting similar information as I did. I just booked the Oceania Riveara for Nov 2023. It you take the air from Oceania, the transfers are included. If you do your own air, they are not unless you are doing a Pre/Post cruise Hotel. This situation is similar to other Premium, Premium Plus and Luxury brands. All the Specialty Restaurants are included. Depending on your stateroom category, you have priority in day/time for a certain number. When you get on the ship, you can make more reservation if they are not fully booked. All indications are you go when you want. I know some other luxury brands have specific sitting like the old days. We have 6 excursions which means, I get three and my wife get 3 for a total of 6. They are the standard excursions which have a retail value of about $100.00 each. Notice your other options is $600.00 OBC. Or standard drink package for both passengers. Each come out to be about $600.00 in value. Again, I am NO expert however I did some deep diving before I booked. My last thought is I envy you for your past trips on Regent. It was always a goal but I gave it up due to expense. Love to hear your feedback after this cruise to the comparison. Good luck. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

I do remember you. I am so happy you had a good time in the Haven. I am no expert on Oceania which is the reason I did an Op-Ed here. The once thing I am sure of is that on your Oceania cruise, the entire ship is the Haven. I know because I did a Crystal Cruise and that was the feeling I got. When you left your Suite, everyone was treated the same. That is vs. the Ship-Within-A-Ship concept like Haven. Unlike the NCL blog, I am here to allow the Loyal Oceania Cruisers to share tidbits of knowledge to make my wife and friends cruise next year over the top. I also want to have realistic expectations so my day dreams about the cruise are more like the reality it is when on. I will be on the NCL Breakaway this December 2022 because my wife (who does not gamble, LOL) can play in the finals of the NCL Casino's at Sea Slot Tournament. Wish her luck. Thanks for reaching out. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

I don’t know if we will be on the same flight or not. NCL might not put them on the Delta flight that I’m going on.I don’t know if we will be on the same flight or not. NCL might not put them on the Delta flight that I’m going on.

I read your entire message. I tried to express my views. You are complaining on a NCL blog. You are not looking for feedback that disagrees with your assessment. Based on that, good luck and hope you resolve your issue. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@ORV What I did was find out all the option from the upgrade promotion. Priced it out to support my friends budget. Then called my Cruise Travel Agent to do the booking. My additional perks come from AMX. The upgrade for my friends to PC is $1,200.00 per couple. They can make that decision. My wife and I are going to use my Airline Points for Delta One Business Class. I am a 5 mil on Delta. On learning the ins and out of Oceania, watch out what you ask for. I tend to ask so many question folks want me to book another brand. Thank you for your offer, you know I will take you up on it. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Oh my, did you choose a tough subject. I know, I had a huge post and within that post I mentioned unruly children. The issue is not the kids. Kids will be kids. It is the parents that allow the children to go unsupervised and or don't care if the child is breaking the pool rules. We all have to remember, NCL has third and forth person free on some of their cabins and suites. If it is a time when it is a holiday or school is out, that is a bargain for many families. I made a decision to never cruise during those times and since then, never had an issue. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.