roddy good boy

I’m sorry, but you are mistaken. It’s called Meryem Ana Evi (mother Mary’s house). Recall in the scriptures, Jesus’s words from the cross to both John and Mary, “Mother behold your son. Son behold your mother.” It is believed that John took Mary with him to Ephesus. Whether you really believe it’s Mary’s original house is another question. I’ve been there, and it was a positive experience.

How is this helpful, kind, necessary or edifying in any way? Certainly, I enjoy other cultures, or I wouldn’t have travelled all over the world! I have actually been to Turkey, previously. I haven’t had an opportunity to visit Istanbul. I don’t like to be barefoot on carpeting in hotels, state side. It’s a personal issue, not an anything else! Social media allows folks to be so insulting!

I’m having the same issue with a cruise this fall. Excursions are listed for every port but Ephesus. I’ve been to Ephesus years ago on the Jade. It was a full day tour, however, that included Mary’s house and lunch. This time our ship will only be in port until 1:30 pm! I contacted NCL and was told that they were working on the matter and would soon list tours! My best guess is they are still trying to figure it out. I’ve been advised not to pick a private tour, because the desired locations are kind of far from the port, and it would be risky given the short time we’ll be there.

Thank you! I’m excited. I’ll just carry a cheap pair of footies with me to wear and toss!

Oh, my! I loathe for my feet to get dirty! It’s almost a phobia thing. That’s why I have TSA pre-check; you don’t have to take your shoes off. I’m not really much of a dress person, except to church. I guess I’ll wear a pair of crop or long cotton pants. I’ll have to get some khaki long pants for my husband, or try to get him to wear his jeans. He usually likes to wear shorts or jeans on vacation.

Could you explain further. What do you mean by carrying something to stand on. And, what is the flooring? I’m going in Sept. 2024. Thanks!

I guess it varies by sailing! I’ve been able to book spa passes for my Sep 1, Med sailing on Getaway. Also, spa pricing is listed. I am in the Haven, but I recently just upgraded from a club balcony where I still could purchase spa passes.9

I want to thank all of you! I mentioned this thread to my TA and she said she meant to list the pre-paid gratuities on my invoice, but forgot. She immediately listed them as complimentary! We’re in a Haven Suite this fall, so that’s a big savings!

Just to weigh in…I just flew from Chicago to MCO last Friday for a destination wedding. My flight was due to depart at 7:40pm, it didn’t actually depart until 10:45 pm. We arrived at 2:00 am, Sat. But…we were on time for the wedding!!

I have been in several categories in the Haven (the two bedroom, spa suite and aft balcony). It’s true that it’s a bit of a hike to the Haven from the aft, but that’s a beautiful suite. It’s also true that you feel like a bit of an outsider when you are not staying in the Haven proper. But, I love the thermal spa and am in there quite a bit. My husband loves the Haven sun deck, so when the kids sail with us we do the 2 bedroom, when they don’t we do the HI (old spa suite). It’s a great compromise for us.

This is also a haven cabin, so maybe that is the best I can expect. I reached out to the TA already and will see what she responds. It’s an expensive sailing (9 days med).

Thank you. It’s a few months before final payment. My TA gave some OBC and discounted the cruise about 8%, but it doesn’t equal the gratuities credit. I think I’ll go back and see what can be done.

It does. Just adding to the thread… We’ve been doing land vaca’s since Covid, but just booked a 9 day Med cruise. They still haven’t added any excursions for one of the ports, so I suspect they’re considering eliminating it. The port is one of the reasons we selected the cruise. We’ll go forward with the trip regardless, but it’s elimination may affect our future travel plans. Blessed to have options!

We sailed on the Bliss in 2019 on a supposed Mexican Rivera cruise. A tropical storm was headed to the area, so we continually contacted NCL leading up to the cruise asking about cancellation options. We were assured that the cruise could proceed and told that we were in the penalty phase without options. Shortly after the ship left the port, the Captain got on the horn and announced that due to weather we would be going to San Francisco, San Diego and Ensenada! Folks were furious, as many on board were from San Diego and San Francisco! We’re from the Midwest and had paid a significant price for a haven aft suite, to just spend the week sailing up and down the coast of California. I would have preferred to just stay and vacation in LA. No compensation was given or offered. NCL had made those arrangements well before boarding!

Did this offer also come with OBC?

We have a med cruise booked for Sept., and already many of the excursions are full capacity and have been removed from the site!

You know, I believe I have seen a duck or two! And, they ultimately end up on the haven menu. Just kidding! I worked a high stressed job for 40 years that afforded us the opportunity to go to amazing places, and blessed us to afford a few luxuries. I’m now trying to make the transition to retirement. After all, who needs designer purses and shoes when there’s nowhere to go? We may sail in the Haven a few more times, or not. Who knows? I do know that life is short and each of us should enjoy it, as we deem fit!

Our first NCL cruise was in a Haven spa suite in 2013. We had previously sailed on Carnival, RCL, and Celebrity and had never had a dirty room upon embarkation. The suite had hair in the large tub, a sock on the floor, and used bar soap and a razor in the shower. We complained and they sent someone to immediately clean the room. My husband swears that he saw our old steward being slow walked off the ship the next day, at the first port. I’m hoping it was a coincidence and he was at the end of his contract. I felt so terrible that I decided to never complain directly to housekeeping again. In future, I would just find the steward and directly ask him to clean the room. My husband is convinced that they must have had a recurring problem with that steward to dismiss him (if that is indeed what he witnessed).

According to the description and pictures on the NCL website, the big tub is still in the HI’s. The spa pass for our 9 day med cruise is $313, per person.

By the way, I’ve never used a special entrance when returning to the ship from various ports. We kind of stagger back with everyone else, and squeeze into the packed elevators! It’s part of the fun!

I’m not sure what they mean about parades. I’ve been in the Haven about 5 times. Most times, we board by ourselves with a butler. The butler comes to the registration area and takes whomever has completed registration and is ready to board. A few times we’ve missed a group and have had to wait for another butler. At most, I’ve boarded with about 6 to 8 other people. The butler takes the group up to the Haven in designated Haven elevators. It’s been a few years since my last cruise, 2019, (pre-COVID) but you don’t really intermingle with large crowds. You kind of bypass everyone else.

Had an aft Haven suite on Bliss to the Mexican Rivera. It is, in my opinion, the best. We had breakfast out on that huge balcony most mornings and even hosted a small gathering of CC folks.

Well, I hope all you haters remain firm in your convictions and refuse to bid on upgrades to the Haven! It’ll increase my odds! 😜 Just kidding; of course! 😝

I completely understand your point of view. And, if you never try it, you won’t miss it! Enjoy all your future trips!

You are right! I stand corrected. I just checked my sailing and the difference is $500 per person! I’m sure that factored into our decision. 😆 That, and the fact we really like the spa suites.