TravelJoe

No, it's not or it would be TEPS.

 

insure:

1. to guarantee against loss or harm.

2. to secure indemnity to or on, in case of loss, damage, or death.

3. to issue or procure an insurance policy on or for.

 

ensure:

1. to secure or guarantee

2. to make sure or certain

Sorry -- I'm still going with my "I" under the definition of "1. to guarantee against loss or harm. " An unhappy butler or waiter/waitress can cause some major harm to you when they do whatever to your food if they don't like you :)

When cruising, tipping is done on the last evening.

I do both.. a tip at the beginning of the cruise and say "here's a little something in advance" (remember - TIPS is an acronym for "to insure propmpt service") and tell the butler that I'll also take care of him also at the end. We have never had to ask for anything or when we did ask, all requests were acted upon very quickly.

Actually it does connect to a PH. There is a small door like the regular cabin door between the closet that is part of the master bath and the guest bath. So you could book the PH just behind the DOS plus the OS and have three connecting cabins.

Yes, that is correct. On our recent family reunion cruise, we had 16700, 16702, and 16704 togehter (OS, DOS, and PH). We had the wall opened the entire trip, and opened the partition on the front deck while in port (too windy across the bow to have it open while sailing). We cheated a bit and opened the partition as we sailed out of NY harbor, and it was amazing having half of the front of the ship to ourselves.

It was an awesome place for the 17 of us to meet, have cocktails, and hang as a group. Once in a lifetime trip for us -- but we all agreed it was worth it.

I am familiar with all the standard perks that come with booking a suite in the Haven. NCL prides itself on being the best in terms of suite amenities and service. On that note, I am looking for feedback from anyone who had an extra special "perk", experience or moment as a Haven guest. This would be outside the normal amenities already provided. The more details the better!

Our best experience... my nephews and brother were sitting at the bar in the Haven area on BA discussing our dinner plans for one of the dining rooms that required long pants. Despite everyone being told how to pack, my 22-y/o nephew failed to pack a pair of pants. Apparently the bartender (Jelli) overheard the conversation. About an hour later after everyone was back in the cabin, my sister-in-law got a call from someone in the wardrobe department (I think that's what she called it) that they heard he failed to pack long pants, and asked what size my nephew's waist was. They were going to send up a few pair of pants for him to try on, and they would tailor the pant-leg on the pair that fit the best. We were all shocked by the offer!

This was truly going above and beyond anything I've ever experienced in outstanding customer service!

I booked a Haven suite on Deck 18 of the Escape. I'm assuming Deck 19 is going to be either the Haven sun deck, or a public sun deck. So, for anyone who has stayed in the Haven, directly under one of the sun decks, did you hear "chair noise"? My husband and I are early risers, but my daughter will be on college break, and I'm sure she will want to sleep in some. Thanks!

We were on the BA in early July with our family in staterooms on both sides of the ship. What we found was those on the port side (with the public area above) heard the chairs being moved (dragged) across the deck. But our cabin was on the starboard side (below the Haven deck), and we never heard any noise. I guess since there were more availability and there was someone there to move the chairs for Haven guests, there was less dragging of chairs.

Kids are not banished from the Haven. Free to come and go as long as they have a Platimum Haven keycard. We were on the BA 7/6 with a 12 y/o in out group with no issues whatsoever. Also families with kids on strollers in the lounge and dining room.

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I agree with the poster above. The dining room servers in the Haven are not accommodating with variations from that menu. Not even a little bit.

 

I'm sure if you wanted to involve the Butler he could arrange to get you what you wanted from any restaurant but that would require the surcharge for that restaurant and then of course a special tip just to the Butler. You can't expect that level of service from your server in the Haven Club restaurant though.

 

On the Epic I asked the butler about getting an appetizer order of escargot from le Bistro. The Butler told me that I would be charged for the full meal...meaning entree, appetizer, dessert, etc. I couldn't just get the escargot delivered to the haven Club area for example and pay just for the escargot. It would have been $20 surcharge plus then the tip to the butler......It would have been a $30 appetizer.

 

Another time I was in the Haven restaurant and I wanted to order the fish sandwich with the greens that I had for lunch the day earlier from the outdoor haven dining area. This area is literally attached to the Haven restaurant and surely must share the same kitchen. It couldn't have been any trouble at all. But my server gave me the side eye and "had to ask her supervisor"?!? Eventually they could work it out for me. I think they realized I was going to make this work even if I had to walk 25 feet out the sliding doors, order the fish sandwich out there and then bring it back in to eat with my husband.

 

They are not nearly as accommodating about ordering food from all over as posters on this board would lead you to believe.

Not sure about the Epic, but guessing that the model for the design of the ships are similar. We had a behind the scenes kitchen tour on the BA last month. The Haven and all of the specialty restaurants each have their own dedicated kitchen due to the nature of the different meals. Only the 3 MDRs share a kitchen.

Did he say the same thing to you implying that he will be back on BA after his vacation?

 

 

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Yes, Adrian was amazing. We were on the 7/6 sailing, and he idicated that he wants to return, but it may not be up to him.

As for butler, I believe they can change, but we were also starboard in an H4 and Roy was our butler. Very helpful and provided outstanding service. Our mom was in the DOS and she needed some special attention and he could not have been more helpful and patient. Cecilio was our room steward, and also top-notch.

Depends which lifeboats they need to test.

Exactly .... Week of 7/6, we docked port to port, and with the DOS and it's balcony, we had an awesome view of just pure ocean and not the front (or back) of another ship.

I have never been to Ocean Blue, but it doesn't seem to be mentioned on the web site as one of the restaurants which don't allow shorts. Where does it say you can't wear them?

It's posted in the dailies and I know I saw it somewhere on one of NCL's pages...

We're just off the ship two weeks ago, and it's enforced -- pic posted by someone else in the forum

impressive! Feel bad for the family, but would have been awesome to see this from the owner's suite we were in on our sailing earlier this month. All we got to see was the Dawn pass us :)

Anyone know what day this is typically offered? We are doing the 7 night on the Breakaway. Also debating if we should do the UDP....opinions on the main dining rooms food have me worried...

We were on the 7/6 sailing to Bermuda, and the Chef's tasting was on Friday night. It was awesome -- food was great and wine was paired nicely and free-flowing. The executive chef runs through each course and was very entertaining. There's also a behind-the-scenes tour of the kitchens the next day that was very interesting.

I have reservations at Cagneys. It is a subjective question..love both! But in your opinion, what is a better choice?

I had the bison sirloin this trip -- it was excellent and something you can't get everywhere. I'm also a sirloin fan though; less fat than a ribeye and more texture, but as stated, very subjective and personal choice.

Shorts are allowed in Moderno. The only speciality restaurant where they aren't allowed in Le Bistro.

 

You don't tend to see shorts in the speciality restaurants very often, but they are allowed.

You cannot wear shorts in LeBistro, Ocean Blue, or the Manhattan dining room. If you attend the Chef's tasting, it's also recommended that you dress a little more formally (but we wore nice shorts and were fine).

ooh, he's not going to be happy. lol

Really? Of the 16 options, there's only 3 places he can't go casual, and two of them are not free (LeBistro and Ocean Blue). Aside from the Manhattan dining room's code, shorts/sandals are good everywhere else.

Here's the full list of dining rooms:

http://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/Dining-Guide-06202014.pdf

I brought one pair of long pants for Ocean Blue and LeBistro and a pair of Timberlands with a polo -- shoes just can't be sandals. Worked fine both nights.

Thanks for all the thoughts on my daughter. Rash from 2 day pretty much subsided by the time we got to Bermuda, but didn't totally go away until the trip home. She wanted to try the Rock Wall, but decided standing outside in the sun wouldn't be the best thing to do (we agreed).

We all had a great trip and can't wait to book again!

First -- no panic or issues here -- our experience when NCL thought there *could be* an issue. We were on the Breakaway last week (7/6) when NCL thought there could even be the slightest possibility of bed bugs or any other sort of insects in a stateroom or on board, and how they reacted to it.

Our 25 y/o daughter broke out in a rash on day 2 of our trip -- we think most likely now it was due to the propellant in her suntan lotion (Coppertone), but at the time to be safe that it wasn't sun poisoning or something else, my wife took her to deck 5 medical to be sure. They were great and gave her some cordozone cream and told us it was most likely an allergic reaction as it didn't appear to be sun poisoning or anything else.

But during the exam, they noticed two spots on her arm that looked like bug bites and asked her about them. She didn't recall getting them in NYC before the trip, but she only noticed them while in medical.

The medical crew immediately excused themselves and advised that they were going to contact pest control and that they would not be allowed back in the stateroom for an hour or so while they investigated the matter.

I saw a crew of 3 people show up in our stateroom (I wasn't with them in medical), strip all the bedding and bag them, remove the mattresses and start to use an ultra-violet scanners and some other device to scan the room before asking me to leave. When they were through about 75 minutes later, they confirmed they found nothing, in not only the bedding or carpeting, but they checked the ceiling tiles to ensure there was nothing up there as well. They also sprayed the room with an okay smelling vinegar-like something as a further precaution.

I'm sure bed bugs show up all the time (I've been in some 5-star hotels where they have outbreaks), and am sure cruise ships are no different, but I was very impressed how seriously they took this matter and jumped on it immediately.

I thought Spice H2O was an adult-only area; why are kids' movies being shown there?

Daily states that it's adult only until 6pm -- not sure why there was a 4:30pm movie on day 2, but the others are all after that time. We didn't attend, so no idea. I have no desire to watch movies on a cruise that I can watch at home, but something for the kids to do -- but there's so much more to get engaged with.

Yes, there was a 3D one as well -- I have my dailies at home and will try remember to post when I get home later.

 

But as previously cited, I think there was a movie a day around the ship.

Here's what I have from my Freestyle Dailies....

Day 1 (Sunday): No movie

Day 2: 2:15pm, 3D Movie, Gravity (Theatre)

Day 2: 4:30pm, Delivery Man (Spice H2O)

Day 2: 11:00pm, Grudge Match (Atrium)

Day 3: 10:45pm, Delivery Man (Atrium)

Day 4: 12:30pm, The Hobbit 2 (Atrium)

Day 5: 12:30pm, The Hunger Games (Atrium)

Day 6: 12:30pm, The Muppets (Atrium)

Day 6: 2:00pm, 3D Movie, Thor 2 (Theatre)

Day 6: 8:00pm, Frozen (Spice H2O)

Day 7: 8:00pm, Monsters University (Spice H2O)

We also had the World Cup games broadcast, so not sure if that superseded other movies in the Atrium.

But there is a boatload (pun intended) of things to do. You can't do it all - it's literally impossible, and if "you" (not you specifically) leave the ship thinking you were bored and there was nothing to do... then those people need to look in a mirror. We can't wait to cruise again and attempt to take on some of the activities we missed.

Nice review cookie eater. We were on the same week. Had a blast. I'm working on a review and hope to have it done shortly.

Wish we were still onboard :(

Loved Breakaway and Bermuda!!!!

P.S. Best cruise we have ever done!!

 

~Robin

Norwegian Breakaway July 2014

Carnival Miracle 2010

Carnival Legend 2006

Ditto here! The Haven was great and all of Cookieeaters comments were spot on.

Add that LeBistro was excellent as well as Wasabi (sushi) and the Noodle Bar were also top notch! Sushi was as good as what I've gotten at some sushi bars in NYC at a much cheaper price.

I have read many times that the wait staff appreciates receiving the stickers from wine/champagne bottles on which we have paid a corkage fee.

Do they receive a percentage of the fee back?

Can we give the stickers to any staff member or only restaurant personnel?

 

Thank you in advance-

 

Nora

Not sure if there is any benefit -- we had a bottle at dinner one night with about 1 glass left (barely) that we brought back to our stateroom, and the server in the restaurant left the sticker on it. I didn't see them removing any of the stickers from the full bottles that we fully consumed.

Does anyone know what deck you board the Norwegian Breakaway?

Deck 7 out of NYC -- Deck 4 in Bermuda

On our way into Bermuda, we passed Dawn port side around 7am. Awesome sight. Will upload pics when we get home. Gorgeous day in Bermuda.

Awesome sight... not too sure how oftern two NCL ships pass

Are you saying that I wasn't happy? (Since you quoted my post.) We were happy and I never said anything else. I just said that the butlers were very different and because of that I'm wondering if they get the same intructions/informations.

 

I'm 100 % sure that we are sugar!

Nope -- not saying that all -- just a general comment -- apologies if it came across that way.

The butlers are very different and how they do their job is very different too. I'm wondering if they all get the same instructions/information on how to do their job? How they shall approach the passengers, what they shall do, how they shall respond to requests thay aren't their responsibility etc.

 

We have had three butlers.

 

The first was correct and did what she should but didn't seemed interested to do anything special. Her instructions seemed to be, stay away from the passengers and don't disturb them unless they ask you for something.

 

Our second butler talked to us a lot and every day we had a dinnerreservation he called us and asked when and where he should pick us up to escort us to the restaurant. Not a perk we need and we shouldn't have thought about asking for it ourself but it was nice to be escorted.

 

Our third butler was nice but very absent-minded. For example he forgot to give us our invitation for the captains reception and some other things.

Our butler on the Breakaway (Roy) was amazing. We never ran out of ice in our room, had fresh fruit replaced as consumed, and had a nice variety of sandwiches and crudites delivered to our room every day.

But I started the cruise with an introduction to him, spoke about the daily snacks and asked that something gluten-free be delivered daily for my 25 y/o daughter. I also mentioned we loved the BLT sandwiches, and liked something sweet. The bowl of gummy bears and M&M's that was always full was a nice touch.

So on day one, I introduced my entire family, and gave him an advance tip (remember what TIP actually stands for). When we asked one afternoon if we could have our white wine chilled in advance of a dinner reservation, he took the wine from us and delivered it to the restaurant.

The butler will retrieve anything you order from any of the dining rooms (fee would apply if specialty). You don't call room service, you call him. My kids love the french onion soup from the MDR (that's not on the room service menu), and they enjoyed that a few times.

He could not have done more.

But as I've learned after many years of travel and being in a services business, sugar goes a long way over vinegar. And if you're not happy or expectations aren't being set, speak up nicely -- and if your butler doesn't respond, he has a manager he reports into. At our meet and greet, the crew were very clear to us -- if you're not happy, please don't blog about it afterwards, tell us immediately so they can fix it.