ssremodel

Not sure if it was even mentioned in this thread, but be careful if arriving on a Saturday and you didn't book a driver in advance. Many are Seventh Day Adventists and don't work on Saturday. We had to wait over an hour last week in the hot sun and then our driver could only spend 2.5 hours with us because he had to pick up someone else. There were literally no taxis at the dock and plenty of upset people sitting in the waiting area.

If you are arriving in Bermuda on a Saturday, book your private taxi in advance. I was there last Saturday. When we got off the boat there were no private taxis. We were told there was a shortage because many drivers on the island are Seventh Day Adventists and choose not to work that day. We waited over an hour for a taxi and then were only able to book him for 2.5 hours since he had a prior booking later in the day. I wish I had booked in advance, but I came here and read the tips and since everyone said there were plenty available at the dock, I didn't reserve one ahead of time. There will not be enough on Saturdays.

If you are arriving on a Saturday, book in advance. I just came back from a cruise there and we were in port on a Saturday. When we got off the boat there were no private taxis. We were told there was a shortage because many drivers on the island are Seventh Day Adventists and choose not to work that day. We waited over an hour for a taxi and then were only able to book him for 2 hours since he had a prior booking later in the day. I wish I had booked in advance but I came here and read the reviews and since everyone said there were plenty available, I didn't.

The H6 balcony doesn't connect to the balcony of the connecting stateroom. Only certain H6s have a connecting stateroom.

Oops, did not know this. I know they are not connecting rooms, meaning no door inside, but I assumed you could connect the balconies. Thanks for that info!

Lots of finagling going on. Kids are involved. I hope it works out.

 

 

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Thanks! Haven’t booked anything yet. Might have to try a different cruise line, but that particular date and itinerary worked. I could either forget the suite or get it and only use the perks now and then for the two adults. They’re teenagers and they’ll want to do things on their own anyway. I thought I would ask in this forum because there’s a lot of smart cruisers here who know how everything works and have given me more reliable advice than the reps on the phone. I’ve only been on NCL once so have no experience with the Haven and it’s quirks.

The suite seating on Breakaway is no big deal. Don't worry about it, it is basically a useless perk. We never sit in it and have never had a problem getting nice seats.

Awesome! Thanks for that info!

Why should anyone who doesn't pay for Haven access be allowed to enjoy the benefits? It is totally unfair to those of us who do pay the money.

But I would be paying if I put them in the suite. I’d actually pay less that way. With a second cabin, I’m paying more AND I offered to book them in my suite and then pay for the balcony cabin too, but NCL won’t let me. I’m not trying to score a deal here.

If you do a mock booking with the two rooms you are booking, and compare that with a 2 bedroom family haven, your booking comes out to be about 500.00 more. But, by booking two, now you also get whatever free extras you choose for 2 rooms, not just 1 room (internet, dinning, drinks, or shore excursion credits) plus, you are also gaining 3 times the balcony size, and a nice big room for the kids. I would get that in a heartbeat for my family of four. My kids 17 and 18 would definitely prefer that, to the 2 bedroom family suite we always book, and I could pick two more extra freebies for that room. Sign me up for that deal! You are essentially making that penthouse into a huge balcony suite, with a bigger, better, 2nd bedroom option, and double the perks.

NCL should actually just make that an option, and charge even more than the 2 bedroom family suite, as you are definitely getting more for your money if everyone in those rooms gets suite perks.

Yes! I would pay for that! A lot of people would

If a second aft penthouse was available would you pay for that? Or perhaps put two people in a cheaper Haven spa suite. Is the connecting room truly necessary?

They’re minors. I need them next to me

The phone rep may have given you outdated information. Many have reported that the spare key will give access to the stateroom but not to the Haven. Also, many have reported that those not booked in a suite are not allowed to dine in the Haven restaurant with Haven guests even if willing to pay the $25pp fee. The concierge (not the phone rep) makes the decision. Even the concierge desk can't give access if the concierge denies it.

I agree with you. The people here are much more knowledgeable than the phone reps. I actually said that to her and she took offense. Oops. :')

Norwegian will make more money if you book all four in the suite because they will sell the cabin next to it to someone else.

 

NCL doesn't care which two in your family that get access to the Haven so it may be possible to get access for the adult booked in the cabin next to the suite instead of for the teenager booked in the suite. It's probably up to the concierge to decide so I'm not sure that it can be preapproved.

Yes, thank you! They said they would do a key swap once onboard. I offered to book everyone in the Haven aft penthouse plus also pay for the balcony next to it but they won’t let me do a ghost booking. I’m definitely not asking for anything special. I’m willing to pay, but the way it’s set up isn’t an option unless we all stay forward. And well, you should see my face turn green when in the front theaters :')

From NCL's perspective, it is better for all 4 to be booked in the suite AND the connecting is booked by someone else. NCL would rather have 4 (in suite) and possibly 4 others (in connecting) instead of 2 in each.

 

 

 

 

The question isn't strange. NCL has (as mentioned above) tightened the reins on giving Haven access to those not booked in a suite. With the changes, things that may have worked for others in the past are no longer allowed.

I said “strange” because someone else who replied used the eye rolling emoji as though my view that the kids should be include was selfish or stupid. I appreciate your help and understanding so thank you! :)

I’ve never asked for anything requiring flexibility but I know ppl often talk it about it on here. It’s just too bad they can’t take care of something like this during the booking process. The concierge shouldn’t even be put into the position to decide, they are pulled in enough directions. Again, I’m thinking if you have 2 or 3 kids with you and the cabin sleeps 4-5, you pay for them in both cabins. It will never be implemented I’m sure because there would be too much red tape.

You’re absolutely right, so I called NCL. They told me that they would do a key swap so my husbands key would have Haven privileges once we got on board. She also said we could bring the girls in the Haven, but not the restaurant without an extra fee. She also couldn’t answer how they would handle last minute show requests. Royal has reserved seating for suite guests and I thought the Haven on NCL did too. Would they only let us sit there and not our children? These are the things I’m worried about but I can get no answers until I actually speak with the concierge.

I never get offended when asked for credentials, for any reason. It means they are doing their jobs.

 

I cruise in full-fare suite, not upsells. I am not rich but I appreciate the value in a suite and I budget accordingly.

 

I have cruised with family and friends who were not in suites. It is doable. I meet up with them after breakfast or lunch or dine in a venue with them that is open to all. I would never ask for a "favor". I feel it puts the Concierge in a precarious place.

 

Haven and VIP perks are for those who pay for them or those NCL bestow on them. Problem is that someone is given that priviledge, brags about it on a forum, and others expect it too.

 

If someone is booked in a balcony, no matter which cabin it adjoins, that person is paying for the perks that go with a balcony.

 

The only guarantee for 100% Haven access is to book ALL in Haven cabins. Either squeezing into one or booking two. Or you take a chance that you might not get lucky. And I know some NCL Concierges that make no exceptions.

 

 

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Yes I could agree with that side of it if I wasn’t bringing minors and instead putting my parents next to me. I’m talking about two teenagers. They would be splitting up a family or forcing us to give up perks. I prefer suites too and it’s usually how I travel, but this situation is troubling. Even worse there are no other suites on Breakaway that aren’t Haven, so I can’t book a non Haven suite. It’s an 11 night cruise. I don’t want to put 4 people in one room and as I said before I get very woozy in the forward part of the ship for some reason so I’m very hesitant to book two rooms there.

Personally I do feel at if you have a suite that sleeps 4 or 5, but want your kids are in an adjoining cabin they should have suite perks as long as your total isn’t more then the suite accommodates. This is for children only, not grandparents, etc. I say this as someone who has sailed in a suite or haven 6, soon to be 7, times. I have never done this before but again, I personally don’t have an issue with it as long as it’s the children and the total number is not more then what the suite would sleep on it’s own. JMO, and I understand both sides.

Thanks for understanding! I didn’t think it was such a strange question. If the balcony next to the aft penthouse was a haven balcony, I would pay the extra cost to get it with the penthouse but NCL doesn’t give me that option.

OP lost me at “I feel all 4 of us should get access to all Haven perks” .... just saying :rolleyes:

Why did I lose you and why are you rolling your eyes?? I honestly don’t like bullies or people who are condescending, so don’t go there because I’ll be happy to go back and forth with you all day. :mad: The reason I feel that all four of us should have access is because if I only got the penthouse suite and put all 4 of us on there, then we would all have the perks. I’m actually choosing to spend more money and get a the balcony next to it. It’s not my choice that the cabin next to it isn’t Haven eligible. If it was I’d pay for it.

This is debated here all the time. I assume since its an aft suite this is a Jewel class ship and this suite does not have access to the Haven but has the perks of priority boarding and eating breakfast at Moderno/Cagneys. If this is the case I would bet this is not a problem at all. I don't see NCL breaking up a family just because you are paying more money for an extra cabin. However this is the decision of the concierge. If Haven access was involved, I would not think it would be possible. But the simple perks of the suite to keep everyone together during boarding and eating? Of course.

It’s the Breakaway so yes there is Haven access.

Those booked in the suite have Haven access. Those not booked in the suite do not have Haven access.

 

The days of "...adjoining guests also get access.." are no more. The concierge has the final word but don't expect him/her to make an exception. If the Haven is important, put all 4 in the suite.

I understand what you’re sayimg but it’s ridiculous. It would mean that only I would have Haven access and my husband wouldn’t, when in reality we are staying in the Haven suite together and only separate on paper. The main reason I want the aft suite is because it has a separate bedroom, but we both deserve to get the perks that go with it, not just one of us just because they won’t let us list two 16 year olds in the room next to us without an adult. Also why would I have to squeeze 4 people into the room to all get access? I’m actually paying Norwegian more money by getting the extra balcony cabin next to it. So the rules are saying 4 of us can have access if we stay together in the aft, but only 2 can have it if I spend another $4500 for the balcony next to it. Makes no sense. Yes I could go for the 2 bedroom Haven suite, but I get sea sick if I’m forward and prefer aft. Plus the 2 bedroom has a teeny balcony.

I want to book an aft Haven penthouse for my husband and I, and then book the adjoining aft balcony cabin for my 16 year old daughter and her friend. Per NCL rules, one person over the age of 18 needs to be in each room. So I would have to list it when booking as me and one minor in the Haven cabin, and my husband with the other minor in the balcony. So how would that work with the Haven? Does that mean that if my husbands name is on the balcony cabin, that he won’t be allowed in the Haven or the haven restaurant? Would my daughter and her friend not be allowed? How would Norwegian handle this situation, because technically I could put all four of us in the Haven aft penthouse and save money, but I’m choosing to buy another balcony cabin for even more room and I feel all 4 of us should have access to all Haven perks.

Does anyone have the name and email of the concierge on Quantum?

Does anyone know the email address to the Concierge for Quantum?

Hello everyone ! I made it on board. . .

 

I arrived at the pier entrance by 8PM, and there was quite a line for baggage drop off, and a longer line for parking.

 

I waited for a while in line to get into the terminal, and just one more line to check in. By the time I saw the check in agent, things were very smooth and very fast.

 

I made it to the ship by 10PM. There was a very short shuttle ride (2min).

 

Captain Olav Nyseter announced that there would be no muster drill tonight, as it was getting very late, and we will have our Muster drill tomorrow at 10:15AM. We were supposed to turn our clocks forward tonight at midnight, but that was delayed until tomorrow as well. Our Cruise Director, Mike Hunnerup announced that at noon tomorrow, we will adjust all clocks to 1PM.

 

We left the pier at 11:30 tonight, and the Casino opened at midnight. There will be no Casino Royale for me tonight. . . I need to hit the rack.

 

Here are a few pics from the boarding process tonight. . . Many more pics will come tomorrow !

 

The comments everyone have posted have been very nice.

Thank You, and thanks for tuning in. . .

 

 

 

 

I can't believe it is 12:30AM, and I am still awake.

 

 

 

Radio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Explorer of the Seas is ready for me now !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Uh oh. . We have a long line to get into the terminal. . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Almost there. . .We are in the terminal and ready for security.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wow. . There is a lot of people in here !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Diamond Plus Desk was a very good sight for me. . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We made it ! I am very happy now. . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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My husband and I are standing in line in the 3rd picture. That's so funny you got us in a shot. It took us 2 hours to board, and didn't go so smooth for us. The line shut down for 30 minutes. Someone said their computers went down.

And the casino never opened the first night. We were there at midnight. No casino bar and no betting.