graphicguy

Have sailed both Haven (Away Ships) and Retreat (Edge and Apex). Both are a premium experience. They just go about it differently. Retreat on Celebrity offers private pool, concierge, bar areas….as does the Haven on NCL. Both lines make use of multiple concierges. Where they differ, NCL has a Butler, which does room service and brings snacks. The Concierges take care of booking meals in Specialty Dining (sometimes when it seems like the restaurants are totally booked) booking Excursions, getting “best seat in the house” in entertainment venues (excluding Comedy Clubs and Piano Bars), takes care of any billing or WiFi snafus. Concierges on Celebrity consist on two types. The ones in the Retreat Lounge duplicate what your personal Concierge does (who is a combination Butler and Concierge). The Personal Concierge will take care of reservations, billing issues, laundry, any in suite needs (except steward duties). Both offer very nice spaces to relax. I know in the Haven you don’t even have to go to the Spa to get a massage, if you don’t want to. They have a room for a massage in the Haven. The Celebrity pool area tends to be crowded on occasion. Never had that problem in the Haven pool area. Luminae private dining room in the Retreat has a rotating menu. Food is very good. Haven has their own private restaurant. But, as was mentioned, the menu is static. But, the food is very good, and you can make a special request to get food off the MDR menus served in the Haven Restaurant if you’d like. Cabins are very nice in all categories for both. Both are great experiences. They differ in some areas, but the differences are minor.

Yeah….the entire cruise industry had no meaningful revenue for a year or more. Just talked a bit about this when it was announced DelRio was retiring (and Fain at Royal retired). Juggling financials, appeasing the institutional investors, doing major overhauls of the business plans, planning the shutdown of ALL ships, planning the reapply and restart of all ships, laying off most staff, rehiring start up staff, etc, etc, etc was a monumental task. For the most part, they did it and are now back. I applaud them. Have policies and procedures changed? Sure. They had to. There are things here and there that I noticed. But overall, I believe there hasn’t been this huge service drop off. From the financial standpoint, they are generating revenue….a lot of revenue. And, they are free cash flow positive. They are generating more revenue qtr to qtr. They have more word to do, as do the other cruise lines. I believe the loan holders they secured knew this would be the long game. I’ve jumped in an out of this stock for about a year, mainly for the OBC. But, I had about a 40% ROI as a result. They are tweaking operations and processes. I think that’s obvious. But, I do believe they will be on better financial footing as a result.

True. I love my OHIO home. It's filled with rolling hills and for the most part, decent weather, at least 8-9 months out of the year. It's green and lush. I traverse it everyday. What it is not is the Caribbean, with turquoise waters. Or, Alaska with glaciers and majestic mountains, or the Mediterranean. My point is, we all go to the same places all the time. Where the cruise ships go, and where the crew get to go, are more idyllic than where most of us live. As far as the cost of living, again, they are getting free medical, food and board. So, cost of living shouldn't be much of a factor. And, not sure about tax laws, but I'm guessing they keep all they make given they earn most of it in international waters. Don't get me wrong, they work hard. But, if I were from an impoverished country, and had the opportunity to work on a cruise ship? Yeah...wouldn't think twice. As far as 2X/day cabin turndown, I really don't care. It won't make a hill of beans worth of difference for me. If it did, I would do some self reflection about how much of a slob as I really am.

Mahvalus!!!!!!!!! I dig this review.

The plan is to do a live review. So, I’ll be posting pictures of the activities I undertake throughout the cruise. Plus, I’ll be giving my impressions as I go. (Fingers crossed).

I more or less expected changes after the Pandemic restart. It had to happen. Some of it good (e-Muster), some of it different (one cabin refresh per day), some of it bad (Bailey’s Irish Cream now has a surcharge). Those are just a few of the changes. Obviously, there have been many more. But, anyone who has cruised for a little bit knows how the crew contracts work. They are between 6-8 months at a time. The crew usually works 7 days a week throughout the contract, 10-12 hours/day. That part hasn’t changed. How they do their jobs might change, but generally speaking, the hours/day worked are the same. Of course, the jobs they all do all have different schedules. Cabin attendants’ hours are pretty consistent. Fact is, they are some of the best paid crew given their jobs. Their tips can be quite good, and usually are (except for the tip curmudgeons who crop up here every once in a while who remove their tips). Bartenders have different schedules than the cabin attendants. Customer Service personnel have different schedules than bartenders, etc, etc, etc. The vast majority are working 7 days a week and more than 8 hours a day. But, they are only working 8 months out of the year. And, they are getting free room and board. Doesn’t happen often, but once in a great while I’ll run into a cabin steward who goads me into sympathy by recounting how hard they work. I always chalk that up as a desire for “sympathy tips”. Most are on multiple contracts. So, they must like it because they keep signing up again and again. So, do they work hard? Yes! Do they like what they do? I’ll assume so if they keep coming back. And, given they have no cost medical, food, room, recreational facilities, and get to visit the most idyllic places on earth would probably be the kind of job I would have been very interested in if I were young and came from an impoverished home country. Want to make a cabin steward’s job easier? Hang up your own towels in the bathroom. Don’t leave your dirty glasses all over the cabin. Throw your melted ice bucket water in the sink. Move your luggage/clothes out of their way.

Anyone who wants to attend can attend. Would like to have everyone signed up at the same place so I don't have to go to several threads (or FaceBook) looking for attendees. I'm just trying to get a relatively accurate count, as I know NCL likes to have officers there, some wait staff passing out beers and snacks. Am just starting to look at booking activities. Gonna pass on Vibe. Drink package looks like a pass. Internet upgrade looks like a "go" if I'm going to be posting live. Thermal Spa looks like a "go".

Some of the cheapest cruises I've ever taken was coming right out of the Pandemic. Given how few guests were on those sailings my guess is those were loss leaders. But, they were all trying to get people on board and the ships sailing. Even now, I am finding good deals, including the one I just booked on the Bliss for next month. Last Fall I was able to score a 7 day Breakaway Cruise to the Northeast (which was beautiful) in a Club Balcony for around $800 all in. In addition, got some nice OBC, to go along with it. I'm still able to find deals on NCL on their nicest ships. Right after the start up, I scored Celebrity Retreat cabins on both the Edge and the Apex for about $3,500 with tips, drinks, internet included. Plus, they were so desperate to get people on board, I was getting $2K+ OBC. No way those cruises were profitable. Fares have since gone up dramatically. Frankly, none of the Loyalty Programs are really that enticing to me. I get some nice perks with NCL (Free laundry, some discounts on other services, sometimes point multipliers). But, none of them entice me to be totally loyal to NCL. Even with Royal, I'm Diamond. Nothing there makes me want to sail them unless there are some good value fares available. They give me some free drinks (4/day) and access to the Diamond Lounge and Concierge, but those "perks" don't sway me one way or the other. Go cart tracks always had a line. Same with Laser Tag. So, I'm guessing they're popular...assuming more popular than the rock wall. It's the entire experience I go for, not just one or two features. I like the entertainment, which is the best at sea on NCL. The service has always been really good, too. Food? It's as good (or as bad) as any other cruise line's food.

That's a really good idea. Thanks!!!!!!

Henry....one can only hope! Every time I hear of some new WiFi/Internet play on cruise ships, I'm invariably disappointed in the actual results. But, maybe...just maybe...this time.......

I’m thinking the Pandemic was a highly stressful time for the cruise industry overall. That’s why we’ve seen a series of retirements over the last several months. First it was Richard Fain at Royal, then Mr Arnold at Carnival. Now it’s Mr DelRio at NCL. Not surprising in the least for all these guys. They had stock holders clamoring. They had banks clamoring. Operationally, they essentially had no revenue for at least a year. They all navigated their respective companies that they’re all sailing again. That took a lot of deft maneuvering.while being in the crosshairs. Easy to understand why they all needed to step back.

Great advice! Good suggestions. Thanks!

I understand where they're coming from. They're trying to capture the entire family instead of just a couple. More revenue for a family than there is for an adult couple. Adults are still going to drink and eat. But, if they can bring their younglings, they're also happy to increase revenue by putting in the arcades, or the race tracks, or the laser tag....things that appeal mainly to a younger demographic. Just having a jogging track and basketball court isn't going to cut it anymore. All the mainstream cruise lines are trying to appeal to the same demographic. Royal has ice skating rinks, "iFly" and bumper cars. Carnival has rollercoasters and elevated pedal cars fer cryin' out loud. If none of that appeals, adults have the typical "bingo", deal or no deal, trivia, etc. Do I like everything they offer? No...not by a long shot. But, I understand what they're trying to do. And, there's more than enough to keep me interested every single day. Interestingly, right after the restart I sailed a couple of Celebrity cruises on their (then) newest ships. I loved both of them. But, what I heard a lot was our cruises seemed to not have all the "stuff" the other cruise lines had. I didn't have an issue with that. But, some did. Can't please all the people, all the time. But, they're doing their darnedest trying to do just that.

Loving your review. I wonder if the unlimited would make a difference. But, I'm like you. I like to peruse the news every a.m. on my iPad with my coffee. Poor WiFi would put a damper on that. Plus, as you've noted, posting to CC is a real PITA, but not so sure that's all NCL's fault. CC should have some skin in that game.

Trying to decide whether it's worth it to book the VIBE given it's Alaska, in April. Rainy? Cold? I sure would like the views from there, however. Ping-Ponging back and forth on this. On the one hand, I'm wondering if the cruise is going to be crowded given the lack of much activity on the Roll Call. But, if it is sold out, I would appreciate being in the VIBE, but only if I can use it given the weather.

I had heard that. I put in a “POOR” bid, anyway. Who knows, maybe someone in the charter group doesn’t show up on the day of the cruise and they pick my name out of a hat without tossing it back. 😉

I’ve actually used that program. It’s great. Thanks for the reminder.

Just going over the perks…. Took Free at Sea. By now, everyone knows what that is… -Drink package -2 Specialty Dining credits -$50/cabin shore excursion credit -a little WiFi You pay for tips for the drink package and the dining package. Get this out of the way up front. Drink Package tips are $153. I know for a fact, without the drink package I would probably spend that amount after day 2 of the cruise. So, well worth it for me. $18 SDP tip? Two really good dinners for $18? Absolutely! Sign me up. This is particularly true given the Bliss has two of my favorite SDP venues…..Food Republic and Los Lobos. Given I’m Sapphire Latitudes, I get two more SDs, which means I’ll probably hit up Teppanyaki and Ocean Blu, too. I’m an outlier. But, as much as people have praised LeBistro, I’ve never had a meal worth my while. The last time I dined there I had Lobster Thermidor. The Lobster was tough. The sauce was pretty gross looking and tasting. Had Coq Au Vin one other time. It was so salty, I could not eat it. Both times the restaurant manager said they’d credit the meal. Problem was, it was “free” and they credited nothing. They didn’t even put the dining credit back in my account (believe me, I tried to get them to do just that). Cagney’s has always serviced me well prepared steaks and sides with great service. I know some have had issues with the venue. But, no complaints on my end. Food Republic has such a wide variety of thing I like, I’ve never had even a mediocre meal there. To me, Ocean Blu is the best restaurant on ANY NCL ship. I get a “bag” of free laundry for being in a Club Balcony, and another free bag because I’m Sapphire. That means, I pack light and get laundry done as needed. Given this is an Alaska itinerary, my clothes will be more sweatshirts and Khakis, which are bulkier, than the usual Caribbean outfits of light weight Hawaiian Shirts and shorts. Will need that extra laundry perk. Plus, they always do a great job with my laundry.

Skagway….even if you just roam around the town (which is touristy), it sits with a backdrop of a mountain so close it looks like you can touch it. The White Pass and Yukon Train excursion is worthwhile, too. Ketchikan has the lumberjack shows, which is kind of kitschy. But, if you like that sort of thing, it’s available. I did enjoy the Crab Fisherman’s excursion.

Personally, I like the go-carts. They’re fun. So is Laser Tag. Rock walls were never my thing, though. I think that was Sheehans’ idea.

Thank you!

I had heard about the rock slide. Also heard everything was back to normal. Can’t remember the source of the reports. So, who knows?

Thanks. I was on the Carnival Vista when I ran into Mr Donald. It was right before the Pandemic hit.

Wellllllllll...we're about a month of this sailing out of Seattle. It's going to Skagway, Juneau, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan and Victoria B.C. Am in a Club Balcony and as been my recent cruise experience, I'm solo. Kind of quiet Meet and Greet, but I've organized it. Go to the end of the thread if you're on this sailing and sign up so I can give NCL a more accurate count. They usually proved some snacks and drinks. The particulars......Seems any cruise I've taken since the restart (hard to believe, but I've sailed 5X since then) has been last minute bookings. Have done this itinerary before and probably ranks as one of my top 2 or 3 (Bermuda and Mediteranean being the others). What got me to look at this cruise was a targeted promo NCL was offering. It's still not clear to me who they were targeting or why. Just that some of us here at CC received coupons. In particular, 20% off the cruise fare on Alaska itineraries. It went as high as 50% off the cruise fare, but that is for sailings on the older ships. Plus, I've never been on the Bliss before. While many look for deals on fares only, I look for the high value cruises. That is, I don't worry about what the DSC is, what the tips will be, etc. I look at the total cost of what's coming out of my pocket. That includes the fare, the tips, the perks, the service charges, etc. Individually, all those charges may be higher or lower than any other cruise line's similar charges. But, the only thing that really matters is what my total out of pocket is by the end of the cruise. So, let's take a look....the pricing is a little wonky. Not sure how it happened the way it happened, but I'm not complaining. FARE=$2,822 (DISC)=-$1,064 TOTAL=$1,758 Let's stop right there for a moment. For those of you more astute mathematicians out there, 20% off is $564, amiright? My discount was $500 more than that, or the $1,064. How? Why? I dunno. But, in fairness (and a genuine desire not to be surprised with an NCL email stating "whoops, we made a mistake, here's the correct fare"), I contacted NCL and told them of the error. They admitted to it, but also said they could not change it as it was already booked. Alrighty, then! IF you've followed any of the threads here at CC about the Alaska discounts, you'll note it's a weird deal. Those of us Latitude members have had a 10% discount showing on the Encore to the Caribbean. Nothing to get excited about. But, the Alaska one, was a good and real discount. Apparently, it was also one that caused NCL agents fits, as it was relayed to me. Good idea, just poorly implemented. Not one who is a Cracker Jack decoder of NCL's discount jargon, but for those of you who know this stuff, here they are as they appear on my invoice. ALL4CHO DISC50 EASYFARE LATDBLX LATREW SHX50 I think what some of this means is I have the drink package, the SDP (2 of them). Let's add those in... FARE=$1,758 BEV SRV CHARGE=$153 DIN SRV CHARGE=$18 TAX AND PORT FEES=$325 TOTAL=$2,253 NCL, out of their infinite generosity is giving me $75 OBC. AMEX Platinum is giving me $200 OBC. My TA would have probably kicked in at least $50 OBC on this one, but she went on to other, greener pastures to work. Not sure where, she just sent me an email saying "au revoir" (actually, not that term). Tried to hook up with someone else at her agency, but apparently, they are in flux. So, booked this directly through NCL. I then transferred it to one of those YouTube travel vloggers/Travel Agents. So far it's going well. We'll continue this as things come up. The goal is to do this live from the time I leave my house to the time I walk off at disembarkation, chronicling everything in between (WiFi willing).

I actually met Kevin Sheehan when I was sailing the Epic, probably 10 a dozen years ago. My GF and I were at the Guest Services kiosk talking to the agent. We saw an entourage approach our position. Everyone got a little more upright, more friendly, more attentive when person who was leading the entourage came up to us and introduced himself. ”Hi…I’m Kevin. Are you enjoying yourself?” We were flabbergasted. We didn’t talk long….maybe 5 minutes. He wanted to know where we were from, why we chose the Epic, what we liked and disliked about the ship. And, if we were being promptly taken care of. Also ended up getting a free dinner at Cagney’s out of the encounter. Met Arnold Donald on the pool deck of the Carnival Vista. Actually, almost bumped right into him from the back on the pool deck stairs. He was also with an entourage. From the back, I couldn’t tell who he was. But, as he turned around we were face-to-face. Again, quick conversation. Introductions….how was my cruise…..having fun…etc. Mr Donald is no longer with Carnival, if memory serves.