Denverbri69

On 11/5/2022 at 9:12 AM, Benita said:

I like the aft cabins on deck 7- much deeper balconies as they are over the dining room. The most aft cabins wrap around, so you get  aft views as well as side views on a huge balcony- unfortunately, that makes them PH1, but when we can get them, we splurge.  Cabins 7130 or 7135.  If they are not available, we take one of the B3 cabins from 7108 or 7111 to -7131 or 7126. Balcony size trumps cabin size to us, but many prefer midship cabins. 

On 1/28/2024 at 12:55 PM, brer111 said:

denverbri69 they did one time years ago. I wonder if there is someone to ask?

On 1/28/2024 at 12:30 PM, brer111 said:

I love playing Maj Jongg and will make sure to bring my card with me

If you enjoy eating at the buffet, but want an elevated experience,  try giving the attendants at your favorite station a $2 bill. It covers a beer in the crew area. You will be surprised how your experience gets elevated quckly.

2 minutes ago, UKstages said:

just to be clear, when you say "haven staff members," it is typically the butler and the concierge(s) that we're talking about here... those haven staff members are not covered by the onboard service charge. others are covered, but you can tip anybody you like, including your cabin steward, who is covered by the OSC.

 

those who choose to tip tend to tip the bartenders, the sun deck and pool attendants, the butler, concierge and cabin steward. others like to throw a little cash toward favorite wait staff in the restaurant and the host and/or maitre d'.

Good info. I thought Haven staff included the bartenders & restaurant servers. But I planned to reward those that provide good service. 

Thanks, very helpful guidelines. 

22 minutes ago, Laszlo said:

You can do a search..... Lots of talk about what to give. It really depends how much you use the butler and concierge. 7 day cruise we will typically tip the butler $100, concierge $50..... Lots of options. Last cruise it was $150 for the butler and nothing for the concierge... we didn't use them and only spoke to the person once

Thanks. Good guidelines. 

I just found out that Haven staff members do not share in the per diem gratuity charges. Can anyone confirm this. I always tip those team members that directly take care of us, over and above the per diem. If you ever worked for tips, you become a generous tipper. But, if the Haven staff are not included in the per diem, then I need to bring a lot more cash. What do people suggest for the butler?

We just booked on the Viva in the Haven. Looking at reviews, this Haven does not have light snack out for grazing on as on other NCL ships. Can you order food on the sun decks?

Thanks to everyone responding to my question

I heard in a Harr Travel video that in the Haven Owner's suite they provide 3 bottles of your choice of liquor. Anyone know if this true. If so, then what selection is available (shelf category). 

Thanks 

Chef B

What is included in the unlimited open bar package?

56 minutes ago, david_sobe said:

Also, you wont be able to use your drink package to have your butler deliver drinks to your room.  However you can walk to the Haven bar and use your drink package and take the drink to your room. 

To make it clear, you butler can bring drinks to your cabin that are included on your drink package? 

Are the beverages in the cabin fridge included or extra charges?  We will have the premium beverage package. 

Thanks. To be more clear, if a ship of this size is in rough seas, will the whole ship be bouncing more or less than a ship 2x the size? For example a HAL ship?

First time sailing on Oceania. Will will be on the Riviera.  Looking at Penthouse Suites on deck 11. Our experience on larger ships in high seas the forward & aft experience a lot of movement.  But, on a ship of this size does does mid ship suites experience as much movement as forward and aft? Your response will help us decide between PH2 & PH1. 

I want to thank everyone for jumping on this question and sharing your experiences. I was planning on wearing some upscale athleisure wear &/or Eddie Bauer thermal shirts, which sounds ok to do. DW will probably suggest/demand that I pack a few dress shirts and dress jeans.... We will see if the hippie in me perseveres. LOL

What, if any, are the dress 'code' for the Haven restaurant or for the Ocean Blue restaurant. On HAL specialty restaurants wanted a collared shirt (golf shirts qualified). This is an Alaskan 7 days cruise and we are hoping to travel light and very casual. 

Thanks to everyone who has shared their experiences and assessments.  Very enlightening. We are now more excited about our choices. 

19 minutes ago, goldmom said:

You should be able to see all your reservations when you log into your account.

 

If one of them is missing there is a place on the left side of the screen where it says something like "don't see your reservation"  fill in the info and hopefully the missing reservation will come up.

 

Been on many NCL cruises and never had to set up a separate account for each cruise.

 

Agree with above poster.  Been in Neptune Suites and Haven.  Haven is hands down the winner!

Many thanks

34 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

I can't comment on viewing cruise history.

I have been on four HAL cruises and two NCL.  We have no plans to return to HAL since we like the Haven. 

Our biggest attraction to HAL was the huge aft neptune suite balconies.  We can do just as well with NCL after Haven suites.

We much prefer dining in the haven.  Here's a link you'll find useful.

HAL simply can't compare.

We would not cruise NCL except in the Haven.  

Nor can the Neptune Lounge compare to the Haven Lounge. 

While you can self-serve drinks in the Neptune Lounge that doesn't compare to the bartenders in the Haven Lounge.

The concierges in both cruises are fairly comparable except the NCL concierges will escort  you to the entertainment and greatly expedite debarkation.  They will escort  you past all the lines.

Specific questions?

Thanks!!!

I have two questions. 

First, with your HAL login you can see all your cruises, past & future. I have two cruises booked on NCL and only one of them was showing up when I logged into my account. I called NCL. I was told by the NCL customer service agent that on NCL each cruise needs its own specific login. It is correct? There is no way to have all your cruises listed in one login?

Second, for those that have cruised on both HAL and NCL what do you see are the differences between the two experiences? We usually stay in a Neptune Suite right across the hall from the Neptune Lounge. But, in doing some comparative research I notice that the Haven cabins are equally as nice and have a lot more facilities and features.

Thoughts?

We have booked Alaskan cruise on the Bliss May 4th, 2024 and Mediterranean/Transatlantic on the Getaway next November.  

On 10/29/2022 at 11:29 PM, Crew News said:

 Here is a photo of my Eurodam Neptune Suite (7038) nightstand with outlets:

 

Facing the bed, is that the right or left side? Many thanks. I already packed my 15ft extension cord. 

I will be staying in a Neptune suite. Is there an outlet by the bed for a CPAP?

Are Neptune Suite passengers assigned a check in time or is it just open for the passenger's leisure?

Thanks you one and all for your responses. We would not consider cruising without a Retreat Cabana. It is decadent and tranquil. The cabana is always included in our calculus for the overall cost of the cruise; like flights and pre & post hotels. FYI, The Retreats on the newer ships have their own hot tub. 

I rented a retreat cabana for my cruise. I was wondering how far I have to wander for a drink?

18 hours ago, carolina_yankee said:

Hopefully this means that cruise lines will offer you the option of staying in your cabin. (I do think the option of moving should be given for protection of other family members).  I do think testing before cruising is wise, but I wouldn’t complain if mandatory testing were eliminated.

I am curious about your statement of 'staying in your cabin'. I was aware that we had to stay in our cabins at all.... please, clarify.