browniegirl

1 hour ago, SailBreakaway said:

I think we should start a support thread- Previous Haveners Rehab- It’s ok! We did it and we turned out fine! We survived! Now we walk up that gangway three times for every one time we used to! For us it was hard walking past the Haven room with snacks for boarding and boarding first (however now that we have platinum its not such a big deal anymore) and walking past the magic door on Deck 15. But otherwise I felt more freedom and better about my decision over all. I guess for folks like us that save to do this, have a fixed vacation budget, because its the best time we spend on this planet, it makes sense to cruise more frequently without Haven premiums, but honestly, if we had more disposable income, we would pay the premium for the Haven and sail more, but that just isnt our reality. So YMMV with this discussion. 

 

We were just on the Gem and the Haven pricing was phenomenally high for our Bermuda cruise. We did a great MS, Thermal Spa, and had such a great time on her. She is such a great ship with so much to offer, we didnt even miss the Haven. Same with the Escape, and the new BA Plus class, that new Haven observation lounge looks to die for, but, theres another one for the ship, and, there is SO much great food and stuff to experience on the new ships, for a week, we will never end a day feeling anything less than great and blessed to be here. 

 

Side note:

We loved the upgrade and upsell department before the bidding stuff started. I knew though, as many used tk mention here, that all great things like that will come to an end, and it did. 

 

If you want the orices to come down, dont pay them. When the upcoming outrageous new ship capacity hits the market in the next few years, with more and more high end lines like Regent 7Seas, Viking, Azamarra, Virgin (these new young guys are going to hit the legacy carriers HARD you watch), and the new Celebrity ships (Edge) and makeovers, and Carnival’s new ship in a ship concepts, and the mind boggling capacity RCCL will have with all these mega ships, the supply and demand pedulum is going to swing. I for one, will be hanging onto it as it swings back the other way!!

 

 

thank you and YES we need a previous havener rehab board lol...….Your advice is fantastic and thank you for that.  Makes me feel better about my decision!!  But still might get my cabin changed to different local...….

Leah

8 minutes ago, Beachin2 said:

Off the Gem a few weeks ago.  Many MS cabins on deck 11 are NOISY and the deck plans are not always as accurate as you might think.  No way would we ever do that again.  Ever!

 

Between the noise, lack of sleep and the outright lies from guest services, that was our last NCL cruise.  YMMV.

Oh no!  What cabin were you in?  They have put us in 11060....yikes.  Might see if she can move us......

Anyone have any good ms experiences on the Gem that had quiet good location ones?

14 hours ago, JamieLogical said:

 

Since July or so, the Double Up promotion has said "any" sailing and we were able to book two balconies using 4 certificates back then for a sailing in October (so inside of 6 months). Then in November I used two more to book a balcony for April, so again inside of six months. 

that is awesome, I have 2 more to use and I booked as far out as I could and got an extension on 2....ie: January 2021 - was supposed to use by Oct 2020.  So I will try for an extension on those last 2 as well.  My pcl said as long as I book something before they expire, she can get an extension on them, yay!  My budget can't handle 2 cruises in a year haha.

37 minutes ago, tumblew467 said:

I have to say yes the prices are steep for the Haven. I have also noticed that they  really  went up considerably, I could not afford the prices they have. However I have been lucky enough to book thru casinos at  sea and they have saved me a ton. Its the only way I can book.  And if I look for the 3rd and 4th guest free, its a win win situation for me. 

 

Sorry for being naïve but even though this will be my 9th cruise on ncl, I do not know much about casinos at sea.  How does it work if you don't mind me asking?

Thanks!

Leah

Hi thanks.  I checked and it shows the pool bathrooms above us so hopefully not too bad for noise!!!  I have only stayed in mid ship once haha and that was in the haven so that doesn't count lol!!!  Yes a cruise snob and proud of it lol!!! 

1 hour ago, pugsammy said:

Can you still use two certificates when booking a balcony?

Thanks!

I just booked one with 2 certificates yesterday.... was some kind of promo...…...so got lucky.  Normally just one I was told

16 hours ago, Bonobochick said:

This is where I am. 😶 I've only sailed NCL and I'm platinum so I appreciate the perks that come with that status level. Looking at Bermuda cruises in June, they're running about $1800 with taxes (and not including perk gratuities) for a studio. I'll hold out to see if they fire sale the week I want close to the sailing date but I'm making alternate plans already, which includes checking out other cruise lines Bermuda prices. 

Yes I am platinum as well so it is nice to get at least some added perks on board even if not in a suite or the haven!

On ‎2‎/‎7‎/‎2019 at 9:32 PM, ugagal07 said:

Our December 14-21 Breakaway sailing is currently selling the cheapest Haven for $8200 without drinks, dining, or airfare and is $9700 with those perks added.  We are booked in a mini suite for $3200 with drinks and dining included in that price.  Yes, a mini isn't the Haven, but it's almost a third of the price.  We loved the Haven on the Epic, but that was before this bidding nonsense and we actually got a great last minute upsell when I called.

I am with you all.  I haven't sailed in anything less than a suite in years but with the pricing of suites and the haven now, forget it, just booked my first minisuite for 2021 on the Gem, no, it won't be quite the same and the price is still pretty high for a ms....but it's MUCH cheaper than a suite or haven and I didn't have to put a deposit down, used 2 cruise rewards!  And got free dining, drinks etc.... still be awesome!

44 minutes ago, Moonglo said:

Hi Browniegirl......it looks like you have the pool deck bathrooms above you.,,,,,,I doubt that will give you any noise trouble.....Im on deck 11 as well but a few doors down on a different cruise date,,,,,,(beneath the Garden Cafe).....Im sure we both will be good noise wise.....Have a wonderful Cruise!

Thank you, you as well!!!!

Hi all, just used a couple cruise rewards and booked a minisuite on the Gem quite a ways out, Jan 2021.  The deposits are so big for suites right now, so just used cruise rewards but could only get at best a minisuite.  So, our pcl booked us into 11060 but just read somewhere on here that the 11th deck is terrible for noise....I couldn't handle that.  Anyone have any good info?  I am a cruise snob lol.... haven't been in anything other than a suite or haven for quite some time....this might be a shock to my system hahaha. Are there even coffee pots?  It has been 2 years since I have cruised so things seem to have changed....

Thoughts?  

Thanks!

Crbrowniegirl

On ‎1‎/‎6‎/‎2019 at 1:33 PM, PJTM said:

Was there coffee pots in the mini suites and if so what type?

I would love to know this.  Just booked a ms on the gem quite far out and haven't been in anything lower than a suite in several years, so being a cruise snob am a little worried lol... also reading that deck 11 is bad, now I am worried, as she put us in 11060.... thoughts anyone?

Hi! To circumvent the $1500 Haven deposit, I used two certificates during a promotion to book a mini-suite for a cruise 2 years out, which covered my full deposit, and then when it got closer, I watched the availability and then upgraded to a Haven suite and paid the remaining deposit. Since the cruise certificates will be placed back in your account if you cancel, and since the cruise was nearly two years out, I didn't feel that I was really taking any risk, i.e., I could cancel and get them back if suites were sold out before I was ready to pay the difference required....

 

Slightly off topic, but does it annoy anyone else that if you purchase the 500. Cruise Next Haven/Suite Certificate, it covers the entire Haven deposit, but you only get 100. onboard credit. Irritates me to no end that 1) I am spending way more for a suite or the Haven; 2) I am spending way more for a single certificate; but 3) I am getting only 100. credit back when someone who buys two 250. certificates gets 200. back. I understand that now I get the added benefit of having it cover my whole Haven deposit, but before April, for a non-Haven suite, the deposit requirement was only 500. so I wasn't getting any added benefit, just paying more .... one of those little nits that drives me crazy.

 

Terry

Thank you, that is a great idea!!

Does anyone have a good pcc they can recommend to me? An email address? Mine is leah.b@telus.net..... need a new one, super not impressed with last one, gave me wrong info and will cost me a lot of money and lost promos.......not impressed!!!!

Hi all, I have had this pcc for a couple years and he's been ok, I really did all research etc for past cruises and he just booked them for me. But as I posted in another thread, he has given me some wrong information lately and totally messed a possible booking up for me, now to book it, the price has gone up, the cabin I wanted gone and when I emailed him, I got an auto response back saying he was in but busy, nice and that was 24 hours ago and still no response etc. So I'm pcc shopping............

I am totally unhappy with him and want to switch to someone else. Anyone else have any good suggestions of good pcc's they love??? You can email them to me if you cannot post them on here?

leah.b@telus.net is my email and would be much appreciated!!! I haven't had this problem before...........so not sure who to turn to other than cruise critic experts!!!

Leah

Hi all, how would I go about getting a new PCC - oops posted this twice!!!

Hi again,

I just checked the link someone posted above (thank you) and it shows a 5 day cruise deposit is only $250 for a suite!!! I am so choked at my pcc........not only did he tell me that the 5 days deposit was $1500 US, at that tine there was a big OBC promo plus free at sea and the cabin I wanted was open and the price was lower..........I just checked and the price has gone up $150 a person and the cabin I want is not listed........ I have emailed him and am choked. He gave me totally wrong info and has caused me to not only lose out $300 in the price of the cabin but almost $500 in an OBC!! Not cool...........

Will be interesting to see what line of "info" I am fed this time, am getting a little tired of NCL misinformation these days. I personally think they should honour price and obc that was available on the date of my email....

Leah

Hi, I just had this happen in past couple weeks. We have 4 cruise rewards to use up in next 3.5 years.....so I did lots of research on which cruise etc and from past experience had never paid more than $500 to a suite deposit and $1500 for haven. I figured with a current promo allowing you to use 2 cruise rewards they would cover a suite deposit and that is what my pcc told me in march (although could only use 1 reward in March)......well in April this has changed, when I finally went to book it and had decided on a suite and was pricing out two different cruises, one a 5 day, was told that my additional deposit was huge!! It was a $1500 US deposit, over $2000 CAN for a 5 day repositioning cruise......yikes!!! I was very disappointed as in all of my NCL cruises, this has never been the case, I always paid $500 for suite and $1500 for haven.....now its apparently $1500 US across for the board for suites and haven.......which when I personally want to book 2 years in advance to secure a trip, certain cabin, is an awful lot of money to put out 2 years early.......no thanks. $500 I could see but not $1500 for a suite. If I want Haven, then fine.......but a suite was always different. Not anymore, NCL has priced suites and the haven right out of contention for many of us, starting with the deposit!!!

Might be shopping around for other cruise lines......... and not sure what I will do with the cruise rewards other than maybe last minute cruises.......

Thanks everyone, I appreciate your responses and info!

Yes, I do have 3.5 years left to book and use them and will try and get a two cruise cert. promo for sure. It was just a double whammy for me really being told sorry, you can only use 1 and maybe 2 for certain promos (after being told something different) and then being told by pcc one week that the suite deposits were $500 and then two weeks later that the suite deposits were $1500 (not just haven, but all suites also). So it was a little bit of a disappointing hit, that's all.

It just means putting out a lot of money out front - I priced out a 5 day pacific coastal cruise which was fairly reasonably priced in a suite but the deposit was $1500 US (over $2000 CAN) which was almost half of the entire cost of the cruise and the cruise is over two years out and only 5 days long.... and the cruise reward did put a small dent in it but still, I just cant afford to put that much into a deposit. So me personally, cannot justify putting that much money down for a cruise that isn't for two years....just a personal thing.

Will keep an eye out on promos etc.

Leah

Hi All, I have been an NCL fan for many years and many cruises.........on our last cruise last October, we were talked into purchasing - they were great sales people :).....four cruise rewards. We were very wary of buying that many but were told we could for sure use them all at one time to put towards a suite or haven cruise deposit. We asked several times because I didn't think this was the case, but we were assured onboard, that yes, we could use them all at once towards the deposit. So we purchased four.

Fast forward a few months and I have been looking at cruises a ways out 2018, 2019 and in communication with my ncl guy..... who informed me that NO, we could only use one cruise reward at a time, but sometimes they have promos to use 2.......so I was disappointed, felt we were lied to on board in order to talk us into purchasing the four. So, he tells me that he will keep an eye out for such a promo, ie: using two rewards and low and behold this comes up a couple weeks ago and I confirm with him that the deposit for a suite is still $500 and Haven $1500... he says yes and that my two cruise rewards would satisfy the deposit for a suite. So I research the heck out of it and email him again yesterday, having found a cruise I wanted to book..... he then calls me back stating that it was his error and that the new cruise deposits for suites are the same as the Haven, so $1500 US, over $2000 CAN. So the deposit for this particular cruise was over $2000 Canadian for a suite on a 5 day repositioning cruise in a suite!!!! I am so disappointed with NCL right now, not only were we lied to about the cruise rewards on board, but then told one thing from our ncl person and then told something else yesterday........and he goes on to tell me that they are basically doing me a favour taking over $2000 from me now for a late 2018 cruise because prices will surely go up and I will have saved SOOOO much money by booking now........

Needless to say, I didn't book anything and feel like those cruise rewards will probably go unused unless I use them for a last minute thing. Being a single parent, forking out over $2000 Canadian for a trip in almost two years isn't something I can afford. Very disappointing as I love a particular cabin on the Star and would love it again..... but may have to start investing other cruise lines.........

Has anyone else experienced this at all?

Leah

Hi all, what is this "bidding" process for the upsell that you are talking about? I haven't heard of that, we only ever called.

Leah

Having done that drive before....it would simply take too much of our precious 2.5 days....key West is amazing but would want more time. I like the idea of staying close to Miami ie Hollywood beach or ft Lauderdale or somewhere similar....

Thanks too everyone for he awesome suggestions!!!

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I can't seem to get an email reply from them.....odd!

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Hi all. We cruise in a few weeks and fly into Miami Sept 29th. We were originally booked into south beach but for our own reasons have decided to switch it to Fort Lauderdale or Hollywood Beach or somewhere like that lol!!! We have a rental car out of Miami airport and have almost 3 full days to spend but do not want to drive too terribly far from Miami.

We have two kids with us, 10 and 13 year old girls so want somewhere nice and fun and things for them to enjoy around us. Maybe a beach day and shopping one day and an everglade tour or something like that on the 2nd day.

The Westin FL has a good rate for a suite. Crown Plaza Hollywood beach not bad rates......... Margaritaville looks cool but they are quite pricey and only have a 2 bed room so we'd be all I one room for 3 nights......eek but I suppose doable.

Would love some tips and suggestions please! It has been many years since I have been in FL and never to Hollywood. Or anything else we are missing? Many hotels are doing renos during this time, so we want to avoid disappointment and not get a hotel doing major renos.

Thanks!!!

Leah

We will be there October 12 and plan to do the snorkeling. So excited to go to LFK. It will be our first time there. We have been to Maya Key and liked that as well. It is a ship excursion though. Kind of wish LFK was so we don't need to worry about getting back in time:).

Yes it would be a bit of a relief that's for sure if was through cruiseline! We were there once before years ago..only one bus full that day and it was great and we were back at the ship with lots of time, so hopefully it will be good this time too!!!

Hi all, has anyone done the NCL's Island Beach break lately and if so, how was it? I haven't done this one before, have done done shark ray alley a couple times and zip lining and they were great, but wanted to try something different. 2 adults and 10 and 13 year old girls, want something they will really like, not something too fake or lame...... I read somewhere it wasn't that great....and we have this booked through NCL, so a tad worried.

Let me know....thanks.....or is there somewhere better?

Leah

Thanks to everyone with all their info on the board! We are there October 4th 2 adults, 2 kids and having been there before almost 3 years ago.....when it was super quiet - I was super concerned because there are two ships in port that day.

I have emailed the LFK for a confirmation of our reservation and to ask about the horseback riding add on and also how busy they expect it for that day so far.....crossing fingers not too insane!

Leah