Sastone25

They did Haven upsells today.

So if I didn’t get a upgrade email today, does that mean no Haven? :(

I doubt anybody can quantify how much it will increase your chances, but I think bidding on more categories would tend to increase your odds of winning. Would you be happy in H5 or H9 at the minimum bid (or higher) price? Or would you instead be sad you missed out on a beloved H7?

 

I sail GA the same day. Are you on BA? There are many haven suites lavailable on my sailing. I bid every Haven category that would make us happy for the price. Our bids may be too low to win, especially for the high end suites, but that’s all I’d be willing to pay. I don’t have my heart set on any of them, and I’ll be plenty happy in our balcony cabin if we the bids are not accepted.

Yes on the BA, but can’t tell if there is available Haven cabins. Tried to do mock booking, but they have taken the cruise off the site. Does that mean it’s all booked? Any other way of telling if there is available Haven cabins?

I originally placed my upgrade bid on a Haven H7 cabin only. I’m now thinking if I bid also on an H5 and an H9 it would increase my chances. My cruise leaves on 9/23. How much would this increase my chances if I add the H5 & H9 bids?

It is a mid-ship balcony cabin. As Jana60 mentioned it is a connecting cabin and we prefer to avoid them also but for us it isn't a deal breaker. If you are sailing with children who will be spending time in Splash Academy club this is a terrific location. If you are just two adults I would avoid deck 12, especially mid-ship due to its proximity to the kids club.

Thanks for the feedback. With respect to being near the kids club, I don’t think that should be much of an issue, as it’s a Baltic cruise, so don’t expect many children on the cruise. Do you know if there are any balcony obstructions for this room?

TA assigned us Breakaway cabin 12808. Before we give payment, does anyone know pros or cons for that room?

Is it better to bid early when it is 1st offered, or wait a week or so before my cruise to bid?

(Breakaway/Getaway)

 

H5- one room.

 

 

H7- all except 13106 are separate livingroom and bedroom. Deck 13 has a partially enclosed balcony.

 

 

H9- one room. Built-in Spa access. Tub/whirlpool in the room (can be a plus or minus, I suppose) some have a support pole near the tub.

Does the partially enclosed balcony make you feel like you’re not outside?

Also, is there a strategically a good time to bid? Early in the process when it is first offered, or late, a week or so before the cruise?

location, location, location

 

Which ship?

The Breakaway

Thinking about making a bid for a Haven suite. What are the differences between the Penthouse suite H5, the Forward facing Penthouse H7, and the Haven Spa suite H9? Thanks for any & all info :D

Hi All,

Thanks for all the great info on Baltic tours. We just booked 6 tours from Alla Tours. We found them to be very responsive through email, their website was easy to use, and their pricing was fantastic compared to the cruise ships. I’ll post a review after our trip :D

WE are on the July 13 sailing and based on everything I read on these boards and the Roll Call I decided against NCL tours except to de ark in Copenhagen and the Hop on Hop off bus in Helsinki. I booked the Alla tour for both SPB and Stockholm and hope it will live up to expectations. I found the NCL tours to be rather pricey. The other ports we will do on our own. We are planning on either taking the train to Rostock or remain in Warnemunde. Tallin and Helsinki are doable. So I am using my trusty Rick Steves guide to finalize our plans. 12 Days!��

What is the Rick Steves guide?

I have booked with Alla Tours on several trips to the Baltics and her tours are great! If your ship does not dock at a port, Alla will not charge you for that particular tour. Also, if you are booking her group tours, you do not pay any money upfront - you pay in St. Petersburg on the first day of your tour (she accepts credit cards). Alla offers tours in all your Baltic ports of call and when compared to the cruise tours, Alla's groups are much smaller & more personal, the itineraries are more comprehensive, and the prices are MUCH more affordable.

Great info....thanks. How did you pay for gratuities? Were you able to use US cash?

Hi, we just booked the Breakaway in the Baltic's for the last week in September, and are trying to figure out if we should book our excursions through NCL or an outside tour agency? I saw a lot of good reviews about Alla Tours, who does tours for all the ports on this cruise. Any info good or bad would help...

Also, if the ship for some reason cannot stop at a certain port, do you get a refund for not going out on that excursion?

How do you figure out which balcony rooms have the bed near the balcony?

Are the prices of hotels near the Vatican reasonably priced?

Hi Tee, not sure what is considered reasonably priced, but we paid $200 (us) for a night a the Vatican View. Looks very nice and got good reviews on Trip Advisor. We are only staying for one night before our cruise, so didn't think that was too bad.

Hi Dani,

Thanks for the info, I will definitely contact them. Also, can you tell me if we could tour Rome (Vatican & Colosseum, etc..) on our own, or should we go through a tour company? We are staying very close to the Vatican if that matters. We have about 8 hours before our cruise. Thanks for any and all comments. :)

Hi Trixie, thanks for the response. The cost from the cruise line is $75 (US) per person, so that may be the way to go, if we can't find others to split. :)

We are sailing on the Harmony from Rome this September. Does anyone know the cost of a taxi (in Euros) from airport to dock? Thanks:)

Does anyone know in cabin #8318 is the bed next to the balcony?