dporter

Ship - VISTA

Deck - 11

Stateroom # - 11241

Stateroom Category – SPA BALCONY

Starboard or Port Side - STARBOARD

Quiet Stateroom? (With comments on problems) – YES, there was one evening when we heard dishes, they must have been picking up the dishes in the corrider

Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? - UNKNOWN

Balcony View - Give comments on view, noting if location of any obstructions was an issue. – NO OBSTRUCTIONS, 2 chairs and a small table, glass below railing, covered overhead - NOT a cove balcony

Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? - NORMAL

Was wind a problem? - NO

If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? - N/A

Any specific problems with this cabin? - NONE

Any other comments? - NONE

Hi GraphicGuy,

We cruise both NCL Haven and Celebrity Retreat; both are great.  I have tried to answer your questions below based on our experiences.

Questions.....

-I'm trying to gulp down as much information as possible, but what is the RETREAT?  Is it a Suites Only area with concierges and butlers, similar to NCL's Haven?

The Retreat IS a suite only area, each ship will be slightly different based on layout and age, you can check on the deck plans.  Typically included is a lounge, an outdoor space (not all have pools but most have hot tub or other water feature), private restaurant. Yes there are concierges and butlers.

-I saw the RETREAT has its own restaurant and pool area...all good news.  But, I can't tell if specialty restaurants are included in the RETREAT fare?

The Retreat restaurant is Luminae and the menu changes daily (unlike NCL Haven which is repetitive).  The specialty restaurants are NOT included.

-Looks like no casino on the Edge?  At least, I didn't see one advertised.

According to Celebrity website there is a casino on Edge.

-tips included?  They say so.  But, on NCL they call the separate tips "service charges".  I'll assume the same on Celebrity?

The tips ARE included on Celebrity, we never had to tip additional to concierge or butler.  Of course, you are always welcome to give more.

-WiFi included....how fast is it?

We rarely connect while on vacation, it is our time to disconnect.  When we did have the use it it was fine for email.

-RETREAT has priority seats for entertainment, embarkation, debarkation?

Yes there is priority embarkation and debarkation.  The priority seats for entertainment were different then NCL Haven, it was only for specific shows not every show.

-Looks like the Sky Suites I'm looking at are all centered around the "magic carpet"?  Is noise an issue?

Haven't sailed on a ship with Magic Carpet so unable to commit.

5 hours ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

Based on this post I assume you are in no rush to cruise any time soon. I don’t disagree with anything you said, although I would go on a cruise tomorrow if possible. 

I am with you I would cruise right now if they would welcome me aboard.  I think there are a lot of people on both sides of the fence, some that will cruise now and others that it may be a year or more before they are comfortable. Personally, I could care less about a thermal scan, I think they are useless because anyone who has paid a bunch of money to go on vacation will just take a fever reducer. 

Carnival, if you want to do a test voyage I volunteer!

you are welcome

1 hour ago, js said:

 

Is this the Edge and Apex? I'm on their site now.

The Edge and Apex are their newest ships, I haven't sailed those.  I bet they do have areas for suites, they call the Suite areas The Retreat.  

Here's a link to the Edge: https://www.celebritycruises.com/cruise-ships/celebrity-edge/staterooms

Check Celebrity, Millennium and Solstice class ships in a suite, they have a separate dining area, outdoor area (hot tub only), lounge/bar.  

58 minutes ago, poohdreaming said:

 

I'm not so sure about the child eating for free anymore.

Per NCL website:

https://www.ncl.com/why-cruise-norwegian/family-cruises/cruise-dining-and-entertainment

Kids 12 and under eat free from the complimentary kids' menu at all specialty restaurants.

46 minutes ago, Sersee said:

Thank you so much for the wonderful info. I think the specialty dining is 3  nights. So that is perfect.  I’m going during the summer for 7 day Caribbean . So hoping that means family!

You are welcome, yes there will be lots of families during the summer time.

Depending on when you are cruising will determine the demographics of your fellow cruisers.  Traveling during spring break does increase the college aged crowds.  Trips that are 7 days or shorter tend to have younger crowds while trips 10 days and longer have older crowds; this would be the same on most cruise lines.

If you found Carnival's Cheers program worth it then you will definitely find NCL's beverage package worth it.  NCL has main dining rooms and a buffet just like Carnival, the difference in the main dining room is that it is set up like Your Time Dining.  You can choose to make a reservation or just show up when they are open, if you just show up it will be just like going to a restaurant near your home where depending on volume you may have a little wait. 

The NCL beverage package costs can be found here: https://www.ncl.com/onboard-packages/beverage-packages The one that is a perk is now called the Premium Beverage Package and is $99 per person, per day.  The beverage perk and specialty dining perk, if you choose them, you are only paying the gratuity on the package value and tax.

You can purchase additional specialty dining packages for your 3rd person, if this is a child they can eat for free off the kids meal, even in the specialty restaurants.  You can find dining package information here: https://www.ncl.com/onboard-packages/dining-packages

Here is a link about Breakaway you can also look at the deck plans to see the various restaurants: https://www.ncl.com/cruise-ship/breakaway

The entertainment on board will be similar to Carnival, depending on the ship and sailing the entertainers may change.  They will typically have at least 2 big productions shows on a 7 day cruise.

Enjoy your cruise!

16 minutes ago, Sweetnspicy said:

Looong layover at DFW so we are at Pappacitos enjoying a couple margaritas! 

We love Pappasitos margharitas!!!!!  Have a great trip!!!!

10 hours ago, dexddd said:

I've been following the cameras on embarkation day.  The times around 11-12 are packed with cars.  This current sailing I didn't catch until 2:30 and there were maybe a dozen cars all moving just fine.

Could you tell me where I can see that camera. We sail the Epic in February in the Haven and are wondering what is best time to arrive at the port (not too early but not too late either).

I don't think you can get off once you actually board the ship on embarkation.  You can drop your luggage with the porters, check in at the desks and then leave the building and come back when you are ready to board, as long as you are there by all aboard time.

Seward is not a large town.  They are extremely great at holding on to your luggage if you want to do a tour before you board.  Resurrection Bay was awesome, you can do a 4-5 tour that is over by 5pm (check Major Marine).  They schedule most tours with ship, train and bus schedules.

Look into getting a coupon book (Toursaver), it has a ton of discounts all over Alaska that may save you money over a ship excursion.

Enjoy, Alaska is beautiful.

Haven king size beds in the bedrooms are true kings, they do NOT split into 2 twins.

2 hours ago, sorensesca said:

If you are booked in a suite in the Haven on the Epic does that include a pass to the spa/thermal suites area or do you have to pay extra as you are not booked into a "spa suite?"  What advantages are there to the Haven Suite area on the Epic?

 

Thanks

If you are in the Haven Spa Suite then the thermal spa pass is included, if you are in a different Have Suite you can purchase a thermal spa pass separately.

Haven gives you priority to almost everything, concierge can help get last minute reservations at restaurants and shows, if you have tender ports your concierge will escort you down when you want so you don't have to wait in lines, you have dedicated checkin areas at embarkation, you can go to the front of the line to board in any port, you can disembark at the end of your cruise when you want (early, late or in-between).  There is a Haven only restaurant, bar and lounge, sundeck, pool, hot tub.  The Haven is awesome and if there is something you want or need just ask they are usually able to help with most requests.

2 hours ago, Greenpea2 said:

dporter, on my upcoming cruise I tried booking a cabana via the preconcierge--they told me excursions are not part of their bailiwick and I needed to do it via the excursions department. 

Thank you.

i received a response that I have to do shore excursions through shore excursions. No worries we will see what choices are once onboard if nothing we will wander on our own or enjoy a quiet ship. 
 

I did receive confirmation yesterday that my thermal spa passes are reserved for us, this was the most important to us; I was trying to avoid an I told you do from my other half for upgrading out of spa room to 2 bedroom when he said to not bother. The price was the same I wanted the larger space in Haven proper.

While it is terribly sad that you were denied boarding and missed a highly anticipated trip it is not the fault of the cruise line.  NCL's website very clearly discusses required travel documentation. https://www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/cruise-travel-documents

Thank you for posting, as it reminded me to double check our travel documents and travel insurance to make sure everything was in order.

10 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

OK, I absolutely see how frustrating this can be. My cruise leaves in 122 days.  As I said in a previous response. Last week, I booked Specialty restaurants for the week on the cruise website.  My daughter wanted them all changes. So I sent an email a few days ago and have not heard back.  So I called the concierge earlier today.  Within minutes all the reservations were changed, showed up online and I was completely satisfied. 

I like I might be able to help you on the Spa Passes.  I am assuming you mean the Thermal Spa.  If so, good call on your part. Lovely place. We had access on our last cruise because we had a Haven Spa suite and the Thermal Spa comes with that.  On to my point, two approaches here.  First, I promise you without a question, you will be able to purchase the access pass to the Thermal Spa when you get on-board.  They are limited but especially on day one, they are readily available. Second, spa company (Canyon Ranch think is is) can be contacted directly just search on google.com.

On the excursions situation.  The excursion department is a much better place for all excursion situations.  I would call them directly.  There number is: 1-866-625-1167. I have always gotten much better answers from this number then from any other NCL source for Excursions. On this item also I would say you have NO ISSUE.  The number of folks that book excursions on the day you depart is minimal.  I still would call the number above.

 

I hope that helps.  Cruise well.

Thanks Sthrngary! 

We are about 30 days out from sailing. I will probably re-arrange dining with concierge on board, but if nothing else is available what we have will be fine.  We haven't tried Le Bistro and thought maybe we would give it a shot this time, of course we had already picked other restaurants.  Since I know they hold back slots this should be easily handled when we arrive. Yes I am talking about Thermal Spa passes for  the cruise, I went from a spa mini suite to the Haven 2 bdrm so I now have to buy the passes. We will get with concierge immediately upon boarding to get those, I am confident we will be successful.  I have never flown out so late after a cruise so I thought we would do an excursion through the cruise line.  I will try calling the excursion desk for the departure day excursion. I figured since we were Haven I would just work with them.

3 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

First, if you are in the Haven, you can book most shows and specialty dinning reservations 130 days prior to cruising.  If you are not in the Haven, it is 120.  I booked my specialty dinning on day 130.  Then like everything in life, my family wanted me to change almost every one.  Today is 121 days prior to cruising and the online Haven concierge has not gotten back with me as of yet on my changes.  I will be calling their phone number today to make sure I get what i want.  The key here is they can do miricles for you before you get on board or even after you are on board, just no guarantees. 

Second, check online for the excursion you want from 120 days to 7 days before your cruise.  Some excursions pop up all the time.  The greatest example was the Beach Villa for the NCL private island on my last trip.  It did not exist online yet I knew they had them.  I just figured they were sold out.  Then one day it showed back up.  If I would have missed it, the Haven concierge could have put me on a wait list if someone canceled it.  Remember, they can not nice things but not every time.  Hope that answers your questions.  Cruise well. 

I have had a lot of issues trying to book things online for some reason.  I called the concierge because I couldn't purchase spa passes online, they said they put a note on my file so I can do it once we board.  I have sent an email about shore excursions but they have not responded, we received our flight info so late and the disembarkation shore excursions were gone online. I was hoping they would be able to book it for me.  Maybe we will get lucky, if not I will just figure out something else to pass the 6 hours before our flight.

@Sthrngary I am hoping you can answer a question about the concierge and shore excursions.  If a shore excursion is not available on line would the concierge be able to add it for us once we are on board?  I know that they only release a percentage of dining reservations prior to cruising, I wondered if they did that with shore excursions too.

15 hours ago, GettotheSun said:

 

So I know not a direct answer to the question, but wouldn't the guests also get a bottle of "champagne" at the start of the cruise given they are in the Haven?

If you aren't a champagne drinker you could ask them to switch it for a bottle of red or white.

On ‎1‎/‎2‎/‎2020 at 8:24 AM, tampadee said:

I have a friend who just sailed on Carnival and she told me that have no perks for sailing in a suite!  She tried to book one.

I was looking at the Carnival Panorama and Carnival Mardi Gras and it seems like they may be stepping up some of their offerings between Havana rooms and Suites.  Panorama is sailing now, Mardi Gras will be launched later this year.

Also, NCL will be more casual in dress, there is no formal night per se.  You can dress up if you wish but we find it a bit more casual than RCCL.

Hmm. We are sailing 2/6 in the Haven and didn’t receive that letter. Maybe it’s because we will be only ship embarking that day?

13 hours ago, mitsugirly said:

Oh my gosh she's beautiful!!! We didn't get Loki until he was 3 years old. So, he was pretty much trained. I always said no more puppies. I'm only getting adults dogs that are already potty trained. He can do a bunch of tricks and he was kennel trained. But, I think he was kennel trained because he lived in a kennel the entire time and was so nasty and stunk. His fur was so yellow from laying in his pee. We pretty much rescued him. He was an escape artist at first and got out a few times and covered an area really far from us (chasing a deer). The people we got him off of wouldn't give us his kennel and we bought the king with the pan on the bottom and wire. He managed to pull up the pan and squeeze between the wire (after pulling it apart) and we knew that wasn't going to work. So, we bought him the huge plastic kind with the heavy duty door. When he sees us put our shoes on, he goes straight there. His kennel is his secure place. He'll go in there and lay during the day when we're home and he's not told to. But, we usually leave him out of it since he doesn't really destroy anything. I just can't believe how bad he was treated before. He was so skinny too. It just breaks my heart. He's now 5 1/2 years old and so hea;thy and looks great. Such a different life for him now.

 

I fully expect Kendra to give up on training sooner or later (it has happened in the past and she's given her dogs to family or friends after she decided it was just too much). I told her "make sure he's potty trained first before I have to take him. LOL  She just doesn't have the patience for training IMO.

Jewels was a rescue off the mean streets of Dallas, looked horrible.  She found us and we absolutely love her.  

OMG - that's one way to get a dog and not have to deal with the puppy stage.

Sakuri is an awesome artist, I absolutely loved the bubble jellyfish picture.  She sees art in everything, that is a true love and talent.

5 hours ago, mitsugirly said:

He's our baby and Sakari is obsessed with him. He's not your "normal" husky. He's so laid back and calm and doesn't tear anything up like the horror stories I've read where owners come home and their couches are shredded. We can trust him...except for an occasional pair of underwear. 🤣 

 

 

 

But boy don't husky's have a personality and love to talk. He doesn't bark at anything unless we get him talking or he says he has to go out. Other than that, he's the quietest dog ever.

 

I took pictures of Sakari for Christmas and she always has to have him in a few. He knows when you pull out the camera and completely refuses to look at it. You have to trick him into it or make weird noises. He just wasn't having it so I yelled at him and told him "bad boy, you look at me!" and this is the look I got....it was HILARIOUS!

 

 

 

 

 

That little §hit! But he's so funny with that husky personality. All my kids love him so much that Kendra just went out and got an all white one. She has not idea what she's in store for and it's a puppy. I keep telling her they're all not like our Loki. Hopefully she'll get a good dog.

 

Loki is gorgeous.  You are right they have personality overload and are super stubborn and smart.  We are lucky too.  Our Jewels is great, she roams free in the house and rarely do we have an issue; we even have a few cats. My middle daughter has a husky and she is just so sneaky and ornery, she can get out of her kennel and gets into tons of stuff. 

Training was tough but stuck with it, and it has made a world of difference; she is 4 now.  While I enjoy here immensely I will probably not have another one, I am too old!  You will have a blast watching your daughter trian her new fur baby!

I love the Christmas picture, its like the cat that caught the canary.

here are a couple of pictures of our Jewels with the youngest grandbaby.