erisajd

8 hours ago, SeaShark said:

 

?? How can I look at a menu and know that your "old favorites are gone"?

 

Besides, you put 2000+ people on a ship and every menu item is bound to be somebody's favorite.

We’re getting on the bliss in 3 weeks.  It’s our first cruise on NCL. So everything is new. For us.  And in the Haven we won’t know any better. 

On 5/15/2024 at 7:40 AM, UKstages said:

edocs, and thus the bar code, is available within the app.

 

but i recommend taking a screen shot of the bar code in case the app fails or you don't have phone or internet service at the pier. all you need to check in at the terminal is the bar code. but i do recommend you save a pdf of your edocs on your computer, phone or tablet.

I would also recommend not saving that photo until the day before sailing plus or minus.  
 

why?  It will closer to the top of your photo list opposed to buried three weeks ago! Depends how many photos you’ve taken. 
 

if you print them - use a PDF editing app to only have the names, dates and barcode - and print front and back for two names.  Saves paper. 
 

id be willing to bet they only need the reservation number and to see your passport. The rest of it is window dressing for the passenger. 

Thanks all. Interestingly it appeared as a $50/$50 on each of sides of the reservation.  You would think that it would show as a single $100 credit to me since my wife is not on my IRA account!  

15 hours ago, astera said:

Either way it seems like there is nothing to worry about, and once you're onboard the first drink will definitely make you forget about any photo issues that might have happened earlier... 🙂

I'm not much for day drinking - my first drink will likely be a cappuccino. . . 

The one weird thing I noticed when checking in for our cruise in a couple weeks was on my iPad when I selected photos, the 'Done' was in the upper right hand corner and was the same color as the photo surround - so I had no idea it was there until after several attempts I noticed it - weird that it was the same color - no idea if that is an apple issue or an NCL programming issue - but having 'Done' be white like the image surround made no sense.  

I submitted my OBC form.  They approved it.  How long does it take to appear on my pre-cruise account?  And then - what does it look like? 

They approved it this past Tuesday [May 14] - 

Does it appears as a line item such as "Shareholder OBC:  $100] or in some other format?  

You might want to look at the Ryanair flights. 
 

they operate from ciampino instead of FCO with lower fares and decent service. 

8 minutes ago, Nilbog said:

Because more and more society is becoming unable to see anything but their own point of view.  It's all about them.  And for too many, the best way to make themselves feel better is to put others down.  

Just let it be known, if I can hear your music I might just come join you at the party.  

Ok. You’re welcome. If you can hear it outside my stateroom in the middle of the day you’re welcome. 
 

I note to everyone I asked about options in the stateroom. stop adding facts so you can create a strawman to complain about. 

1 hour ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

On one hand, you will only have balcony neighbors on one side. On the other hand, sound travels in more than one direction.

 

If the volume level is such that others above, below, or next to you aren't disturbed, it shouldn't be a problem. If a neighbor does complain, you should lower the volume.

 

Inside of the stateroom, it would be no different than watching TV. Loud enough for you but not loud enough to disturb others is fine.

 

Have you considered airpods, earpods, or something similar?

Where did I ask about the balcony?

10 minutes ago, KansasTexan said:

It's not always a matter of getting harassed - sometimes it's just wondering if you've considered that the people in the balcony next to yours might not want to hear your music. Or any music. It's really just a matter of manners.

Fair enough.  But in a forward facing suite NOBODY can hear you in the living room of your suite. Your bedroom is to your left.  Nothing in front. And to the right is your balcony.   To the rear is the hallway.   So. All I do is introduce myself to the person in the balcony cabin next to me and have them tell me if I am disturbing them.  
 

But you bring up a good point.  Perhaps we will keep the TV on too.  

13 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

No radio. Bring a speaker. Just don't tell anyone here as they'll lambast you. 

We don’t play it loud. Just something to listen to while enjoying an adult beverage or late aftn or even on the balcony.  
 

But you’re right.  I’m sure I’ll get harassed.  It’s what cruise critic does 

Leaving for the Bliss June 8 Alaska departure in a fwd facing Haven suite. 
 

question:  is there an onboard radio we can plug into?  I assume the Bluetooth is way outside any expectation but is there a radio type unit in the suite and if so is it rca or 3.5mm plug in?  

im leaning toward just bringing a Soundcore brick speaker but it does add weight. 

On 5/14/2024 at 5:28 PM, smarterman64 said:

in Ketchikan it's berth 4. 

Ketchikan is Ward Cove. . . 7 miles out of town.  

41 minutes ago, eowyn13 said:

Thank you for the response. Unfortunately my name does not show on the statement.

Then - as I said - you do not posses a sufficient ownership interest to comply with their shareholder rules.  I bought my shares in my self-directed IRA- waited a few days for the month to end, and sent in the portion of the holdings that identify NCLH.  

How does you name not show up on the statement?  Is it a trust? [send them the certification of trust with you as beneficiary or trustee]  A IRA?  [My IRA has my name in the FBO section]  Is it held in some other name?  Then you are gonna have a problem because the rules state you must send a brokerage or other statement with your name as beneficiary or owner.   

You need to tell us how YOU own stock without the shares being in an account you are the owner or beneficiary of . . .  

Remember also - you will get what the company advertises or promises - do not count on a single thing more.   I think this will be akin to the airlines - on 99% of flights you will see the flight attendants in the premium cabins perform the service trained and expected.  That's it - its not 1975 any longer.  On 1% of trips - like my last flight from DFW-TUS on AA in F, the flight attendant was available pretty much the entire flight - walking the cabin, refilling drinks, extending the snack tray - he was spectacular.  He got a special service sticker from us.  

So - if you have a butler who is spectacular or you heavily tip the concierge you might see spectacular service - otherwise - expect to see what is promised. Expectations should  be promised service and no more-  

I expect the butler will make sure our special requests for pillows are taken care up on arrival.  I expect that s/he will bring our pre dinner snack as directed by the manual.  I expect s/he will tailor those snacks to our reasonable request - fruit, peanut m&ms [no special colors] and bring the french press of coffee at 6a, keep the fridge stocked with tomato juice and half and half or light cream, keep the ice topped off.  And then one night, with 3 days advance warning, bring us a meal from a specialty restaurant after a 5 hour excursion at the time requested.  Thats it - don't need packing or unpacking.  But all of those are things are services promised in the Haven literature.  

Can the Haven restaurant staff know your preferences?  sure - will they necessarily?  No.  Don't EXPECT that level of service.  CAN they go over the top and bring you items not on the menu?  Sure - will they?  Don't EXPECT it - ask politely.  If you get - tip.  It's not complex.   Like the OP says - its not a 6 star hotel in the Maldives or in the middle east.  While you are paying a pretty penny for the Haven, it is NOT a private yacht.  I just expect moderately attentive service and a lack of long lines every where else on a ship with 4000 people.   

If I ask my Butler and cabin steward to have the room made up at 8am every morning - and the other 11 cabins they are servicing ALSO ask that their rooms be made up between 8 and 10, I'm going to be disappointed - but - this is where communication does work best both ways.  Our last cruise [ in 2006] we had a cabin steward in the Royal Suite on a RCCL cruise tell us up front [on day 2 of the cruise] that he wasn't going to get to us til mid afternoon because our suite was too far outside his normal duty.  and he only showed up on Day 2, 5 and 6!  Didn't tip him when he showed up hat in hand on Day 7. 

I like tequila - good stuff.  They don't have Don Julio Anejo in the Haven bar or anyplace else.  Patron is pedestrian as hell.  So - you gotta drink what they have.  Can't complain!  But after the first couple of days of decent tips I hope the bar tender and haven bar staff will see me coming and have that double anejo and cup of sliced limes waiting!  

It is about relationship building - do it early and often.  

On 5/14/2024 at 6:42 AM, RocketMan275 said:

I received an email from NCL this morning welcoming us to our next Haven cruise.  Nothing really new.  The email informed us of  the on-shore concierge team and provided their phone # and email address and invited us to contact them.  It did state that specialty reservation were not available till 130 days prior to sailing.  

We've never received this type of email prior to any of our three previous Haven cruises.  Our cruise isn't till Jan 2025.

 

 

 

That’s just so funny.  We leave in 24 days and have not heard anything from the concierge team and have not received a letter like this at all.  You would think it would be standardized. 

We're in the Haven - and have a 5 hour glacier excursion on the Juneau day- we have FAS+ so we have a total of four specialty dining res - we are saving one so the night we return from the long excursion we will select one of the restaurants to have food delivered to our cabin at 7p - we will let the butler know that morning what we want - we already have our 630p reservations for the other restaurants selected - prob gonna select the Texas bbq spread - and I'll run up to the Haven bar and grab some beers for the spread . . . . 

we are looking forward to this cruise - 

Good thing its not Holland America . . . 

On 4/26/2024 at 2:14 PM, icft said:

WilsCM made an innocent, easily understood, rational comment. Why twist it into something nefarious?

Because many of the regulars on this board are bullies = 

My TA told me [after calling NCL] that they have discontinued ALL pre cruise HAVEN mailings EXCEPT for the luggage tags sent approximately 30 days out.  Since I am on the June 8 Bliss sailing and we have received no luggage tags yet - so @pamelanjmust be on the June 1 Bliss or June 2 Jewel sailing!  

Everything else you need will be in you post check-in documents available for mailing and download from the app or the web app. . . . 

You get your special gold tinged Haven keys on check in at Embarkation. . . 

We will only have carry on bags - so we shall board the ship and then promptly drop our carry on only bags in our cabin . . . 

On 4/17/2024 at 12:49 PM, jjesq99 said:

 

Bird, any idea where the Encore will dock in Ketchikan? A tour we are looking at says they p/u at cruise ship berth two; any idea if that will that work?

 

EDIT: I think I found the answer...appears to be Ward Cove.  I don't feel that great trying to get to the meeting point if I have to be there by 745am.  Google maps has it as 17 min, but I know there will be horrible lines.

 

Do you think I can make it? What time would I have to be downstairs ready to get off the boat?

 

check the description of the tour carefully - our excursion says it will pick us up at Ward Cove in a separate bus . . . . 

Here is the LEGAL deal - ANY NCL agent can enforce the T&C because that is the legal rule you agreed to.  

They can refuse overweight bags.  They can charge you extra for overweight bags.  You have little to zero negotiation ability standing at the pier with an agent.  Thus - don't ask stupid questions and do not be argumentative over which rule applies.  

Your choice is to pay whatever they assess and dispute it later in arbitration in Florida.  I have not heard that the luggage weight is a big deal, they can stay afloat if your bag is a little bit heavy.  

Its like arguing with an airline agent at the ticket counter or gate - you are not going to win. 

Its like arguing with a cop on the side of the road, thats not the time or place.  

That all said - most check in agents are too damn busy to care what your bag weighs . . . like others have said.  

So on day 4 of a 7 day cruise they have a laundry special that could get you back your laundry on day 6?  Doesn’t seem all that helpful. 

We are on this cruise in the Haven June 8-15 - see below:

1. Where is the port located in Seattle? It appears to be the Smith Cove Cruise terminal, but looking to confirm.

Search Google or other Map app for 'Pier 66'  

2. Anything to pack (or not pack) for an Alaskan cruise (other than the obvious)? We've only ever done Caribbean cruises.

When you go is important.  April May Sep Oct will require heavier clothing - but LAYERS and a warm waterproof jacket is key most of the year.  Its rains a lot - even in summer.  Plus, if you do a glacier expedition - its cold since the ice is cold.  

3. We are in the Haven. What time should we get to the cruise port to get on the ship ASAP? Is it still "arrive anytime" for Haven guests?

You will not get on the ship until 11am  Haven guests go first along with top elites.  So it doesn't matter when you arrive - you won't get on til 11.  And then you are escorted to the Haven lounge for a briefing and lunch - the Haven cabins are usually available by 1pm.  

4. We've sailed in the Haven before, but not for quite a few years. Any new Haven tips/tricks that we should be aware of to help us enjoy our time?

Apparently it has changed alot - no more free booze delivered to the cabins.  They don't ask you 50 days out what pillows you want - you are treated pre cruise very much like a regular pax except for you do have some priority in getting reservations for specialty dining.  

5. Any particular Bliss tips/tricks that folks have learned that would help us?

Lots of websites and threads for this. 

6. We are set for excursions, but also open to any recommendations for things to do/see/eat/drink in the Alaskan cruise ports. We visit Juneau, Victoria, Dawes Glacier, Sitka, and Ketchikan.

Victoria is in Canada and we do not arrive until 8pm: most shops are closed.  There are a few Dawes Glacier excursions listed under tghe Juneau port day - everyone raves about the Dawes Glacier boat trip leaving the ship at 115p . . . I hear the Lumberjack show in Ketchikan is a must see.  OTT - sit on your balcony with the provided binocs and watch the show go by.