PatJim

We’re also interested in this. We board the Joy May 19th, so some officers might be changed out by then.

The only cabin that got us booking a Haven suite on a ship without the Haven restaurant & bar, was the 3-bedroom Garden Villa on the Dawn. If not the largest, it has to be one of the largest cabin and balcony at sea: Stateroom Size: 6,694 sq ft* Balcony 4,455 sq ft* If three couples book it, it could be a very reasonable price per couple, for an unforgettable experience. Two of the 3 bedrooms are master suites; the 3rd is mini-suite size. There are two GVs on the Dawn. We had the starboard one, that comes with an industrial kitchen (port side GV didn’t, but had a bar area in the living/dining room), complete with microwave. I used it each morning to heat milk for my latte. The balcony was on 2 levels. We had a sauna beside the private hot tub on the lower level, and an outside table in the shade with a lazy susan center. The upper level had 6 loungers (crew changed the towel liners each morning, whether they were used or not), and a bar table with 6 stools. It overlooked the ship’s pool deck. There was also a setup that piped music to the lower balcony. We shared with my 2 sisters and their husbands. One sister’s husband was diagnosed with early dementia, so it was a safe environment for him. And four days after the cruise ended, that sister lost her beloved husband when a car drove up onto the sidewalk and hit them. That cruise was the last time all of us were together. Beautiful memories.

That’s easy to resolve. Just book with a TA that does!

Why book with NCL when you can get so much more from the right TA? For years, we booked directly with NCL. Then we met a fellow passenger on the Gem who was also a TA. He said he gives back part of his commission to clients booking through him. First we heard of this practice and didn’t believe/thought there was a catch somewhere, so continued to book through NCL. Our last NCL cruise consultant was so bad, in desperation we switched to the TA from the Gem. Now we’re kicking ourselves we didn’t switch sooner. He works for a large agency that specializes in cruising. Not only do we get back $$$ from him after final payment, he’s also been able to give us other perks like extending specialty dining to guests 3 and 4 in our 2-bedroom suite, resolves issues that may arise with NCL, and is always available - even on weekends. We ❤️♥️💕 him.

Yes! It’s great.

We had an aft large balcony on the Bliss, and we really ♥️💕❤️ it, too. The 220 steps from cabin to forward stairs/elevator, was a nice way to walk off meals. But I’ve come to agree with Jim that it’s more convenient to be in the Haven proper, even if the balconies in 2-bedrooms & Penthouses are tiny. A big Haven perk is being escorted off the ship at ports via private staff elevator. If we forgot something in our cabin, it was a trade off to leave without it, or be late disembarking. (Of course, I especially ❤️💕♥️ being close to our private bathroom!)

We usually book as soon as cruises are listed, for best price and cabin choices (Jim is very particular about cabin selection!). Our TA said a large group booked most of the Haven cabins on this sailing. Ours is where the cabin stewards park their gear… This will be our first Penthouse Haven suite on ships with Haven bars & restaurants, as we usually book 2-bedrooms, so we got the last one near the exit door. Jim and I will be sailing ALONE for first time in years. Look forward to meeting you😎

Congrats! Please make note of our cabin #17728 if you want to get together with Jim and me for drinks or the climbing wall 😱 or something else, if we miss each other at the Meet & Greet. I haven’t yet signed up on the Roll Call, but will.

Vancouver has luggage storage facilities outside the cruise terminal. Think the cost is @ US$11-12 per bag (C$15). Just drop off your bags at disembarkation, then explore the city. Great seafood restaurants along the harbor, and so much more to see. When heading to the airport, take the Canadian Line subway. It’s cheap and fast (half hour), and is near the cruise terminal. Enjoy your time in this beautiful city.

Thanks so much. If you do book the Escape for February 23 next year, please get in touch. Love to meet up for drinks or whatever. We’re in cabin #17728. BTW, just noticed from your signature that we were on the same sailing last November 4th😎 on the Getaway.

Those were such fun cruise days. I hosted a number of Meet & Greets on the Gem sailing out of NYC (see expanded signature, which also lists future cruise dates—would be great to reconnect!), starting when Jenny Lim was hotel manager (2014?). My favorite activity was planning cabin crawls. Jim and I were great fans of the smaller ships (Dawn preceded Gem), until we booked our 1st Haven cabin in a ship that had a Haven bar and restaurant. Since then, it’s been Haven all the way. And since restart after COVID shutdown, we feel a bit safer re getting the virus when staying in the Haven. Nonsensical, I know, but smaller crowds. However, I’ve just started going back to attend Meet & Greets, and really enjoyed the LCR game planned by Peg during last November’s cruise.

Thanks for posting a photo of your wine. This is a new vineyard to me, but looks like a very good choice for the price. We bring our own wine, but when sailing with friends, are always on lookout to buy a bottle or two from the ship. I’m thinking it would also go well with lamb…. Sorry for the misunderstanding re decanting. Jim has been known to request a decanter for the cabin, and do it himself. But he’s also requested that service in advance from the sommelier, without any problems. Seems like there are a lot of untrained/inexperienced crew on the Epic.

We’re looking forward to first time on the Escape. The Breakaway is one of our favorites; we’re on her out of NYC February 2026

Re Broadway shows, we were told last November by a senior entertainment crew member that NCL is ending them. The current ones will end as soon as their contracts expire. Instead, NCL will use in-house talent to produce entertainment. It’s a cost-cutting measure. Broadway contracts are expensive, as are having to buy and maintain authentic costumes, etc. (As an example, she said the sequined jackets worn for the finale in Million Dollar Quartet cost over $5000 each.) Anyone else remember the last time NCL decided to produce their own shows? Results were…Meh. With apologies to their many fans, I can’t believe they are now substituting Price is Right for quality show like Six!

Any cruise with @JIMESOPUS IS fun! But how about a 12-day Caribbean in February with NCL? We’re booked for 2025 and 2026, to get to some warmer weather mid winter here. We checked out MSC cruises, but their perks still don’t measure up to NCL’s re YC vs Haven. Though if the itinerary included Ocean Cay, it would be nice to experience Ocean House Beach, available to YC members. NCL doesn’t offer anything at their private islands to Haven guests, except early tendering. Am with those who have no interest in going from FL., annd agree with those who don’t mind cold sea days sailing out of NYC. We ❤️ sea days! Patricia

We’re on the Joy in May, in a 2-bedroom (H?) with friends from Copenhagen. Loved the Haven atrium and fantastic coffee machine there in the mornings. Latte? Yep. Cappuccino? Yup. Expresso? Yup…. Since dry dock, NCL eliminated the library/game room upper level of the atrium, to make room for 2 enlarged owner’s suite dining rooms that look out over the atrium. Wondering how, if at all, it affects the atrium atmosphere. Anyway, thank you for starting this post. Will be following along PS You may want to check out Secrets of the Haven thread on these boards. It’s loooong, but well worth reading.

Am really enjoying your review. Thank you for letting me join you vicariously, while waiting for our next cruise in May. Re the burrata salad, sounds like NCL has returned to serving Caprese salad, which consists of mozzarella, tomatoes and basil. In Amalfi, it’s traditionally dressed only with olive oil, not balsamic. At least that’s how we had it in Italy. That’s also how La Cucina served it several years ago, before they changed to burrata. Looks like it’s come full circle. Jim will be disappointed not to have the burrata, but I prefer mozzarella, so now I’m looking forward to that!

We’ve only had an aft Haven suite once, on the Joy. Loved the gigantic balcony, and didn’t mind the 220 steps (yes, I counted them!) from cabin door to front elevators/stairs leading up to the Haven proper. However, we didn’t see our butler once during the cruise. He showed up next to last day, and apologized for being busy training a new butler. We didn’t buy that excuse, but did tip him the usual amount we had set aside. If we had needed him, we wouldn’t have hesitated to ask the concierge to have a talk with him, and correct the situation. FWIW, we’ve not booked an aft Haven since because Jim didn’t appreciate those 220 steps every time we needed to travel between our cabin and the Haven. He much prefers cabins in the Haven proper. I concede that we’ve enjoyed hanging out at the Haven lounge and bar so much more, now that our cabins are nearby.

We’ve done E and S Caribbean cruises, so know most of these ports. In fact, our November 2025 cruise on the Breakaway has the same itinerary. We added the 2/26 cruise just to break up the Northeast winter 🥰

Jim and I usually book as soon as NCL posts new schedules. It’s the safest way to get the cabins we want, and almost always for the cheapest rates. Plus the happiness factor of anticipating the cruise! Is your Breakaway cruise February 22, 2026? We’re booked on that one! Also looking at Oceana, which is just a bit more $ than NCL Haven, but their 2026 schedule for the Vista isn’t out, yet. Might be worth it to fly to FL (air is included).

Same here. My sister cruises with us, and we always book a 2-bedroom in the Haven. She’s great about taking the 2nd bedroom, even though she’s paying 1/3 the cost. Likes having her own bathroom. Definitely ask for an eggcrate topper for the pullout couch. It’s always needed. But we’re on the Prima in November, and she’s looking forward to having a real bed! Jim and I have slept in the “tiny room” several times, when we’ve given the master bedroom to guests. We liked it.

All US ports. I always have a drink at lunch on embarkation day in New York, and pay the tax. Otherwise, would have to wait until @ 5 pm for my 1st drink!

Graphicguy, so sorry to hear about your fall. A while ago, on shore, I stepped in a hole (missing bricks in pavement) and twisted my ankle. Ship’s medical staff took care of me. Bill was @ $900, and that was years ago😱. Curious to know if NCL will still try to bill you. A wise Concierge once told us, avoid going to medical if you can avoid it—stepping through the door will cost you a minimum of $600! Though you should not be charged. BTW, re my ankle, the Ship doctor advised me to put a life vest under the mattress, to elivate it. Hope it’s useful for you, too.

To decide if upgrading to premium plus is worth it, just check the current list of wines and other alcohols for each package. Veuve Clicquot, for example, is no longer available ship-wide (now only in Le Bistro), and the rosé on offer just isn’t as good. Very disappointing.