darlene62

2 hours ago, Candy Apple 12 said:

 

 

I definitely was not trying to disparage Gian! My apologies. I was just relating our experiences on the two cruises on which embarkation was delayed. Gian was wonderful on both of our cruises and remembered us on the second one. I hope he is on the Bliss on our upcoming cruise with my mom.
 

I was asking for others experiences so I would know if my experience was the norm or if it was unusual due to the delayed embarkation process. Thank you, @Treasure Hunter, for letting me know it’s been both ways for you. The concierge needs to give his spiel (AKA “this is what you need to know about the Haven) either in the pre-boarding lounge or in the Haven lounge so that Haven neophytes can make the most of the Haven experience. Knowing that the spiel may occur in either location helps me prepare for my surprise. 
 

I will definitely have a big smile on my face whenever she figures it out!
 

My condolences to both of you on the loss of your mothers, whether it was recently or many years ago. 

I am so very sorry that my post was not more carefully worded.  Not once did I think you said anything to disparage!  Thank you for your condolences. 

Just have to add...Gian in my opinion went outside his duties to make my mom special. I hope someday to be able to convey this to him as it being the last trip my mom took she felt so special.

I was lucky enough to have Gian as my butler.  I would never consider him as to spouting a spiel as a concierge. I believe him to be honest, hardworking and always no matter what pain in the butts we can be as helpful.  I can say this because he was a butler for me and my mother.  My mother was ill but got Dr's approval to travel.  Honestly Loved her but I was scared.  Gian without knowing circumstances treated my mother like a queen. As a butler he took special care of her, and I was so grateful.  She passed on a few months later but many times during our conversations she stated she loved cruise and love Gian for paying attention to her.  I am not criticizing anyone, but I do think sometimes we expect too much ...Not saying at all poster is rude and I understand we pay so much for the cruise. I just think that many passengers are a bit too demanding.  Gian was the best. 

On 8/1/2023 at 5:01 PM, Candy Apple 12 said:

If I can keep my MIL from saying anything, I may be able to do that. Hubby and I will be platinum for the first time on this cruise, but in-laws are gold and my mom is bronze. My mom knows that we are in a 2 bedroom, but I don’t think she knows about the Haven. Maybe I can use that to my advantage. Maybe she’ll think the Haven is just a priority waiting area? The last two cruises Gian, the concierge, gave his Haven spiel while we were in the Haven terminal waiting area due to the delay in embarkation. For those of you who’ve had a normal embarkation time, does this spiel usually happen once you’re escorted up to the Haven? If so, that would make it quite a nice surprise. 

I think there was a misunderstanding of my post.  I was not being combative rather I wanted other's view....I know I did not say or omg "threaten" in any way NCL costs...I just wanted some opinions....kind of like opinions and not threatening posts...you get that right? You do know that others may disagree with you and that is ok...its opinion and not a threat to their bottom line.

Over the years have been on several NCL cruises and I have enjoyed...I find the prices even with discounts now to be ridiculous!  Was wondering if others felt same way.  I liked some of my Haven cabins, but current prices make me feel disrespected and out of proportion to services. I

'm curious to hear other reviews...kind of not huge because I can find other ships,

Thanks 🙂 

A few years ago I was on my 3rd trip on the Breakaway and was looking forward to theme night in O'Sheehans. I liked eating there because it's more relaxed for me.  I was very disappointed when I was told they stopped the prime rib and ribs.  I found out that on later sailings the theme nights were brought back.  I will be on the Bliss in November and hoping they will continue with theme night.  

Amazon has collapsible silicone straws that with a carrying case that can be clipped on to a belt loop, purse or even attached to a lanyard. I ordered the pack of 4 that each container had it's own straw and cleaning brush. I prefer straws over drinking from glass but to each his/her own 🙂

Thank you for your reply!  I do appreciate the responses.  I am more comfortable with my choices now.  But...still not understanding of why you can't seem to get a straight clear answer on cabin questions when your directly contact the cruise line. I am not just picking on NCL because I have had a similar issue when trying to ask specific questions on other cruise lines...for example if I call NCL and ask if specific cabin has a balcony space of 43 feet or 120 feet...why can't I get an answer? 

Thank you very much for your response! My sister even encouraged me to post to the board because she thought someone here would have an answer.  It is frustrating that NCL couldn't provide an answer to a simple question.  One of the friends I will be traveling with is having a special milestone birthday so we hope to make use of the extra balcony space.

I am a planner...I love to research the cabin and cruise so I am informed when I book so I know what I am booking and if it fits my needs (mobility issue with injured knee)  such as being able to get from point A to point B to my fav spots with minimal issues.  LOL I am not always successful as one cruise that I took with my mom (she had cancer) and I booked a haven spa suite after my TA told me the bed could be split...well...no...mom and I survived :). I just booked a haven 2 bedroom with a friend on the Bliss.  I was in a 2 bedroom on Breakaway that included a shower in the second bedroom.  When I looked at the pics of cabin they all had diagrams of 2nd bedroom having a shower.  When I looked at description of cabin some said no bath or shower.  Also the balcony length was from 43-127 feet (I love a big balcony).  When I booked today with a TA who was very helpful he offered to call NCL to get answers on my questions.  After being on hold for over 15 minutes (he frequently checked back) he told me that shower was in small bedroom but he could not get an answer on the balcony length of cabin I wanted to book...he even asked to speak to a supervisor who couldn't answer his question.  My question is why can't NCL answer a specific question on a cabin?  Why all the smoke and mirrors when you call to NCL and they can't answer a seemingly simplistic question? Is there something I am not understanding about the process that would make it difficult so that even a supervisor does not have the tools available to answer a specific question regarding a cabin?   Thanks for any help!

I agree with statements that tips are highly personal and due to level of service and due to circumstances.  I took my mom (she had COPD and battling cancer) on a cruise and we didn't have wheelchair service until inside the terminal and in the "special needs" area (we were at NYC port).  I had booked a haven suite for us and from the terminal thru customs to the haven check in and haven spot and it's a long distance.  Everyone from customs to the NCL employees were extremely helpful.  I had tipped the attendant $20 because of the distance and how attentive he was toward both of us.  When we disembarked we waited in the haven area and the attendant got us off the ship..found our misplaced luggage, found a porter, breezed us thru customs and even took us thru the long distance to the area where the bus was to pick us up.  He was amazing, kind, helpful. Memory fails me now but he did remember us from on the ship, I don't think a room steward.  I tipped him $35 which I would consider to be high but he went way outside of the norm to help us find luggage and the very long walk and I know he missed out on other tips he could have made.  

I agree with  ...especially within maybe last 10 years I have noticed even among friends that there is almost a fear of handshaking.  I can tell you in my ancient college days my friends (OMG this was never me) had NO problem hugging the porcelain thrown, yet today they can't even touch the door handle of the bathroom door without a tissue in hand.  Life has a way of changing you...I learned from my dad's cancer that hats are sometimes ok...my aunts Alzheimer's, that messing up on using wrong utensils is ok...I learned that my friends attachment to her phone was not due to what I thought was her self involvement but due to her fear after a domestic violence issue and the need to connect to her kids ASAP.  We don't know what is going on with the people around us. It's more important that they are not hidden away and trying to enjoy life around us ..maybe some of the past rules were too stringent???  I think one thing is certain, we are ever changing and life around us is changing, maybe for better or worse. Who knows...but one thing is certain is that we should be kind and respectful to on another...hold doors open, give up seats, smile, be polite, be friendly. be understanding that there are some things going on with the person we cant possibly understand.  I am a work in progress...I am trying to enjoy my life and not let other's action bother me especially when on vacation.   OMG with ONE HUGE EXCEPTION....DO NOT....I REPEAT DO NOT...wear white after labor day!!!!!   🙂

8 minutes ago, NurseJEB said:

 

 

OK please explain to me what medical issue requires one to wear a hat in a dining facility.  I don't know of any.

Well when my father had brain cancer  his scalp and eyes were very sensitive to some of the lighting especially bright lights or even sometimes the heat from the lights hanging from lower ceilings.  While he wasn't a vain man he was aware of people who may have been uncomfortable to see the scarring and scabbing of his scalp especially when they were dining. It drew more attention then a cap. 

There are people who wear baseball hats due to underlying medical and medication issues.  

Because I wasn't sure (and still not sure) the few times I did use the services of the night butler I tipped him at the time of service. He was quick and delivered what we had wanted and extremely pleasant I wanted to make sure that he was appropriately tipped. For me it was the same night butler, but not sure if it is always the same.

Not sure what ship he is on now...Gian has a special place in my heart because he was the butler on the Breakaway for my mom and I 2 years ago in April. He really treated her like a Queen and doted on her which meant so much to me as she had never been on a Caribbean cruise and, recently had lost my dad. She had some serious health issues that he made all staff aware of her dietary issue . .Your post is odd to me as it is just 2 years today that she passed on..she was a hero to me...she was dealt a bad deal and met my dad and they both turned lemons into lemonade...life lesson for me and sis :)

I think it is dependent on the cruise...I have been on the Breakaway 3 times and have seen them readily offering "to go"at O'Sheehan's and next cruise saying no and people "sneaking off" I say that loosely There is no consistency ....my last cruise they supposedly abolished the prime rib and rib or fish dinners and few cruises later I seen folks on here saying that it was on menu..

They will absolutely make virgin drinks for you! A couple of years ago I took my mom on a cruise to Bermuda. She had terminal cancer and due to the drugs and her condition she was unable to drink alcohol. She was excited to order a virgin strawberry daquri and well i of course ordered a non virgin drink :) ........The waitress delivered our drinks and just as mom was putting the drink to her lips the waitress comes running over and grabs the drink from her....We looked at her stunned..apparently the bartender didn't quite understand the order and had put alcohol in it....she promptly delivered another drink.. Now some might be critical but mom and I chalked it up to what a great waitress and a happy memory of our cruise.

Last April when I was on the Breakaway they had stopped the prime rib and bbq rib specials in O'Sheenans. I had asked the staff and they had said it was stopped a few weeks earlier. I was very disappointed as I had enjoyed eating there over the other complimentary places. I am hoping that NCL changed their mind and brought back the O'Sheenans specials....planning another cruise there in October!

Haven is great and October will be my 3rd haven suite on Breakaway. Not sure if it is worth the money but I splurged for my mom on first trip so she could be treated like the queen she was...second trip was to celebrate our memory of her and my next trip is my retirement cruise for me. Probably my last splurge. I love the perks of the Haven especially since the last cruise I have a very bad knee and walking long distances very painful and I have issues with dinner hours that are too long for me. That is MY issue, not fault of cruise-line. I have had great butlers with Mark and Gian. We didn't have much use for concierge but they also were very attentive when in haven and embarking and disembarking. No need to stress (like my mom did) in disturbing our butler for a late night snack when she was having breathing issues because there is a night butler to attend to needs. Now all that said about Haven....Now my opinion......most of the staffer were wonderful.....including outside the Haven but my last 2 cruises I can see the stress cracks. Dealing with the public is not easy and some are just plain rude ...because you are giving a gratuity does not make it ok to be mean....NCL needs to more supportive of their staff.and I don't see that they are. I have addressed that with some of management. That said...I will say.......you are entitled to the perks of the haven you paid dearly for that......while I personally did not want or need all of them, you still paid for them. I didn't need or want unpacking or packing of luggage....but that is a perk you paid for and deserve.

Bird - that's the old school "sorry that's not my department" approach. A far superior approach is to empower and reward employees for problem solving. The bottom line should be a positve customer experience - the cruise industry is getting more competitive and better customer service is a no-brainer on product differentiation. Tough nuts works for a monopoly, but fails when there are choices. Look at the cable TV industry. Likewise for the prevalence of warranties in auto sales.

The problem with employees answering every question is they cannot possibly be trained for every area and frequently rules can change. I think we have all been savvy to that....thinking the recent threads on specialty restaurants allowing extra side items or not. Managing a call center I find the best solution is to get people to the right area that can correctly answer their questions even if you initially frustrate someone when you transfer, at least they will get the correct answer. And then I hope that the powers that be have given us the updates when policies change even within our own departments. When I was a call center rep I would cringe when "helpful" staff from another area who tried to help a customer and gave inaccurate information and I had to be the person who gave the bad news. Maybe back in the day a phone rep could provide general information but I think there are too many ...if this than this but if that than this...

LMAO i know I am so LAME....I am in my 50's but still like a party. I went to Bermuda and shared a cabin with a friend in a Haven Suite we invited another friend to dinner in our cabin with the thoughts of hitting the casino and bars on board that night...After dinner we were just talking with the tv on chilling before we ventured out and then OMG no...the movie caught our attention...we needed to see the ending....then OMG another movie came on and we couldn't tear ourselves away....made a few trips to the bar.......lmao maybe even a butler involved.........and then maybe a pizza delivery ...its all such a blur...but I would have to admit that with the balcony door open, hearing the ocean, watching a movie with some awesome friends just finally really relaxing.....it was the best :) A cruise is what you make of it......

I have been on probably 8 cruises....I LOVE cruising but I would have been a wimp and terrified. But that is how I roll:) That said.....I don't think NCL put anyone in danger over money...at least where I live the weather is never exact science and can change in a heartbeat. I do believe that it's not just that easy to divert or cancel or just end up at any port so between NCL management and captain they had made the best decision they could for everyone....i absolutely do NOT believe it was based on money. There is too much at stake with passengers and crew and ship. While it would be nice and I would be thrilled if I had got some kind of compensation I would not expect it. If we like it or not we are bound by the four corners of the contract and NCL has no obligation to compensate. Of course I would be upset if I didn't get the vacation I wanted and got the vacation that stressed me and NCL could have been more proactive on communication. NCL does annoy me with their lack of communication......but I do see that the majority of the staff does the best with the tools NCL gives them and I do applaud the staff especially of handling the best they could even if not can be said of corporate.

Wow! Glad they handled that well at least.

Yes they did...it should not have happened....someone should have had a clue that the strong glue smell would be a problem and the fans should have been out there at the very least for the workers. I was terrified and calling out help help when I noticed her going down....but you have 2 choices..you can dwell on it and let it define the cruise or say wow ok this happened it was wrong...but it happened and people came to help and the situation was immediately taken care of and the butler visited us a few times that night to let us know the smell had dissipated....we enjoyed and that is all that matters. Life is too short to hang on to the negative.