graphicguy

For hydration, I always bring the IQ mix...sometimes I bring Propel powder and Pedialyte, too. The BOOM-BOOM nasal sticks are great for hot climates when there's a lot of "stuff" in the air that makes your sinuses "stuffy". My trusty THERMOS bottle has been with me for a while. I fill it with water throughout the day. Depending on what I did in the evening, I throw in some IQ mix and drink before bedtime and in the a.m. while getting ready to go out, I'll throw in Propel Electrolyte powder. Good to go for another day. 😉

I bring a water bottle with a filter in it. I like to bring electrolyte powders for my water (sometimes Propel, sometimes IV, etc). I fill that bottle at the Garden Cafe. https://knpr.org/npr/2024-01-10/researchers-find-a-massive-number-of-plastic-particles-in-bottled-water?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjLGyBhCYARIsAPqTz18kOWbzxIVs1Y2IcH8VfJEq4hiVA7Qoy_8F953TeKV9-T_3WmX_EDgaAr9eEALw_wcB

You know, that was part of a family trip. I sailed the Mediterranean and spent another 3 weeks bumming around Italy, partially on my own, partially with family. As such, some more precise planning had to be done. So, I think I booked that one several months in advance.

I can't bring myself to pay more than $1,000 to $1,500 more for the Haven than a Balcony cabin.

Prima Haven Balcony Suite-7 nites 3-4 months ago....Cozumel, Costa Maya, Roatan, Harvest Cay..... Cruise $ 4097.90 Add-ons $ 172.40 Taxes & Fees $ 187.83 Total Amount (USD) $ 4458.13 Total Paid $ 4458.13 Paid in Full *Additional benefits of points and onboard credit to be announced for using NCL credit card* Please pre-register at www.ncl.com to obtain your electronic boarding documents. CRUISE DETAILS Cruise Line NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE Ship NORWEGIAN PRIMA Deck DECK 13 Itinerary 7 NIGHTS CARIBBEAN - Start Date 02/02/2024 (7 Nights) Dining Open Category / Cabin No. HE - THE HAVEN PENTHOUSE WITH BALCONY / NO. 13306 Cruise Line Res # 54840993

Haven Spa Suite on the Epic 6- months ago... Cruise $ 4439.40 Add-ons $ 257.60 Taxes & Fees $ 148.27 Total Amount (USD) $ 4845.27 Total Paid $ 4845.27 Paid in Full Please pre-register at www.ncl.com to obtain your electronic boarding documents. CRUISE DETAILS Cruise Line NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE Ship NORWEGIAN EPIC Deck DECK 14 Itinerary 11 NIGHT EUROPE - CLASSIC MEDITERRANEAN Start Date 10/02/2023 (11 Nights) Dining Open Category / Cabin No. H9 - THE HAVEN SPA SUITE WITH BALCONY / NO. 14137 Cruise Line Res # 53319809

Which "vlogger" was it? Some are accurate. Unfortunately, some are not. We've already covered milk, coffee, juices (all free). If you do not drink alcohol, you can go with the soda package if the juice, milk, coffee that's available isn't enough. Look near the bottom of the link below. https://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/790164-BEV_Package_Flyer_UOBP_PPBP Update_V7_no_crops.pdf Also, which ship are you sailing? Knowing that we can help you find where the juice, ice water, coffee and milk is located.

Same here... Got the email last week (month in advance) and the letter about 5 weeks in advance of sailing....both are highlighted earlier in the thread. email takes a little longer for the immediate response you get by calling. They have had boxes of water in my cabin the last few cruises. Not sure if it was a Latitudes thing, a Haven thing, or something else. Mentioned it before, water in the plastic bottles are filled with plastic shards. I don't like the taste of the water in the cartons. The water out of the faucet is free and better filtered than anything in a bottle or carton.

I 2nd that!!!!!!

The question of leftovers has been asked at more than one Meet and Greet I've attended. They DO NOT service leftovers. They do dehydrate it to make it small and unload it at each port. Now, what the port does with it after that can be the focus of wild speculation.

I usually don't book that far in advance. I find the closer the sailings, the better the fares. That's a generalization, but my observations.

Yeah.....I liked my Retreat experiences on Celebrity. But, like you, shopping Celebrity now and I have seen the same jaw dropping fare accelerations over the last year or two. Like it, but not at those fares, not even remotely. I can still find deals on the NCL Haven. Just have to shop a little bit.

Again, things will change, but predicted Bermuda Weather... https://www.accuweather.com/en/bm/hamilton/2595/june-weather/2595 Not all that different in NYC! https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/new-york/10021/june-weather/349727 Looking good across the board.

Disney has fares that are MUCH higher than NCL's. Someone has to pay for those "free" sodas, as well as Mickey's salary. 😉 NCL has free water (dispenser) which is probably better filtered than anything you'll get in a bottle or carton. They also have free milk, coffee and the juices you find in the dispensers. If you have Free at Sea package, sodas are free. There's also a soda package for those who want more than what NCL includes. To my knowledge, none of the other mainstream cruise lines (aside from the afore mentioned ones) include sodas without a package. So, not all that weird.

luuuuuvvvvv Food Republic!!!

A little less than a month out from embarkation. Can't believe it, but I'm going to the closet looking for what I'm going to pack. That's WAY TOO early for me to be thinking of packing. LOL!

A tip of the hat and a little dance of thanks for such a great review....

Well.....what are they saying? Don't trip over your own feet? Don't jump rope in front of the door? Let's put a sign on the floor to keep NCL out of court?

Got this today, too. FYI!

I've only had one mediocre Butler. All of my room stewards, all of my concierges, all of the Haven wait staff and bartenders have been outstanding. That said, I don't require much (if anything) from my Butler. IF s/he keeps my coffee pods stocked, we're all good. Fact is, if they left a bunch of coffee pods in the cabin, I wouldn't even require anything from my Butler. Concierges, on the other hand, I meet up with them on the first day of sailing, get my dinner and entertainment reservations done. They escort me on and off the ship through the "special entrance/exit". Any changes need to be made, I drop off a note at their desk and "voila" it's taken care of. And sometimes, they seem to be able to pull off the impossible. Bartenders know my drink(s) and have them ready when I approach. While the Haven's menu is static, they mostly accommodate any requests I have within reason. Have sailed the Retreat, too. LUminae has a changing menu, but the choices are fewer. They will also accommodate me within reason. I had read where Celebrity was cutting back on what their Concierge's will be able to accommodate. Makes sense. The last time I sailed the Retreat (Apex), may Concierge was so overwhelmed I felt sorry for her and didn't want to burden her even more. MSC's Yacht Club is fine. Their service in the bar and restaurant were a bit slow, but fine overall. Nice Concierges but if you want to book something that's sold out, or has a wait list, they won't go above and beyond like NCL's Concierge's do. As has been pointed out, the key is to communicate, find out about those who are there to help you. Every one has a story. Everyone likes to talk about it. Listen. You'd be surprised what you'll learn and how it will help them to help you.

Thanks! That's a nice thing to say. We all love cruising. We do it as much as we can. Truth is, I'm a month away from my next cruise and I'm already looking at cruises past that. BTW.....y'all have me looking seriously at a Nordic cruise. Looking at a smaller ship this go round....maybe Spirit class. I know I had a blast on the GEM (which is the ship I met Henry on).

Had a Butler mike that once. Didn’t see him until the last full cruise day. Saw him 5 times on the last day “hanging around”. I know he was around as snacks showed up in my cabin! But, aside from that…nothing! I tipped him but I was soured at the blatant “anything g you need?” approach on the last day!

Had this conversation with my son last weekend. He is WAY ahead of where I was at the same age (mid 30s) regarding retirement savings, investments, etc. That said, I was saving for his college, sending him to private schools, dealing with his Mom’s (soon to be ex) private in-patient re-hab costs. Not complaining…just a big chunk of change flowing out at the time. Proud of him.

Did you go to the Street Fair? If so, how was it? Thanks!