Booking Getaway Haven tomorrow qustions

[Keith.W]

Hi, i have only sailed on the epic in a studio twice, Parents in a mini suite. For our family cruise we are considering booking the Haven forward facing penthouse 3 adults. We have sailed the Epic twice in Europe so we think the large ship will suit us as we had such a good time.

 

We can avail of the Freestyle Choice offer that has only started for us here in Europe.

Our package includes:

2 * UBP

1* Soda Package

3* Dining plans

300 dollars OBC

 

Its costing us 4700 Euro, is this good Value for a Haven Suite.

 

I know that we are not located within the Haven, will this differ the level of service we receive.

 

Any tips with regards to room location, we have a hold on 9706 but i think we will go higher for views , any opinions. I was thinking deck 11 kinda midway point for using stairs if necessary.

 

Butler and Concierge, what roles have these and do we need to use them.

 

Weather wise, we are booking the 19th September is this going to be good or bad, we are coming from Ireland so anything will be sufficient as long as there is sun.

 

Sorry for the extremely long post

[SuiteTraveler]

My relies in red:

Hi, i have only sailed on the epic in a studio twice, Parents in a mini suite. For our family cruise we are considering booking the Haven forward facing penthouse 3 adults. We have sailed the Epic twice in Europe so we think the large ship will suit us as we had such a good time.

 

We can avail of the Freestyle Choice offer that has only started for us here in Europe.

Our package includes:

2 * UBP

1* Soda Package

3* Dining plans

300 dollars OBC

 

Its costing us 4700 Euro, is this good Value for a Haven Suite.

Yes.

 

I know that we are not located within the Haven, will this differ the level of service we receive.

Not at all.

 

Any tips with regards to room location, we have a hold on 9706 but i think we will go higher for views , any opinions. I was thinking deck 11 kinda midway point for using stairs if necessary.

Sounds fine

 

Butler and Concierge, what roles have these and do we need to use them.

Butler = room service

Concierge= excursion, show and dining reservations. Will also help you self disembark early (before all other guests), if you wish so you don't have to stand in a long line to get off the ship.

Weather wise, we are booking the 19th September is this going to be good or bad, we are coming from Ireland so anything will be sufficient as long as there is sun.

Should be hot, some chance of hurricanes in the Caribbean Aug - Nov - obviously the ship will avoid this type of weather. The biggest problem would be if you experience a flight delay or if a Hurricane happens to hit Miami on embarkation or debarkation day, so be sure to buy cruise insurance to cover your flights and the cruise.

 

Sorry for the extremely long post

[cruisebie]

Hi, i have only sailed on the epic in a studio twice, Parents in a mini suite. For our family cruise we are considering booking the Haven forward facing penthouse 3 adults. We have sailed the Epic twice in Europe so we think the large ship will suit us as we had such a good time.

 

We can avail of the Freestyle Choice offer that has only started for us here in Europe.

Our package includes:

2 * UBP

1* Soda Package

3* Dining plans

300 dollars OBC

 

Its costing us 4700 Euro, is this good Value for a Haven Suite.

 

I know that we are not located within the Haven, will this differ the level of service we receive.

 

Any tips with regards to room location, we have a hold on 9706 but i think we will go higher for views , any opinions. I was thinking deck 11 kinda midway point for using stairs if necessary.

 

Butler and Concierge, what roles have these and do we need to use them.

 

Weather wise, we are booking the 19th September is this going to be good or bad, we are coming from Ireland so anything will be sufficient as long as there is sun.

 

Sorry for the extremely long post

 

 

I had a Haven Spa Suite last year, which is also outside of the Haven, and had no complaint at all with the service I received. It was wonderful.

 

The butler will bring a snack to your cabin each afternoon, will service your Lavazza coffee machine and generally provide anything in room that you need or want. If you would like to have breakfast or dinner in your room, your butler will bring it and set it up for you. The concierge can make reservations for restaurants, shows, excursions and the spa. If you go to the Illusionarium, the concierge will escort you down before other guests are allowed to enter. Also, for disembarkment, they will escort you down to leave the ship bypassing all the lines. You do not have to use either the butler or concierge services, but they certainly add a lot to the experience. And believe me, irl I am so not a butler type person. They just make the whole experience so stress free.

 

For location, I think deck 11 sounds good. I'm sure both are nice suites, but deck 11 will make the trek to the Haven quicker.

[Dr. Cocktail]

Hi, i have only sailed on the epic in a studio twice, Parents in a mini suite. For our family cruise we are considering booking the Haven forward facing penthouse 3 adults. We have sailed the Epic twice in Europe so we think the large ship will suit us as we had such a good time.

 

We can avail of the Freestyle Choice offer that has only started for us here in Europe.

Our package includes:

2 * UBP

1* Soda Package

3* Dining plans

300 dollars OBC

 

Its costing us 4700 Euro, is this good Value for a Haven Suite.

 

I know that we are not located within the Haven, will this differ the level of service we receive.

 

Any tips with regards to room location, we have a hold on 9706 but i think we will go higher for views , any opinions. I was thinking deck 11 kinda midway point for using stairs if necessary.

 

Butler and Concierge, what roles have these and do we need to use them.

 

Weather wise, we are booking the 19th September is this going to be good or bad, we are coming from Ireland so anything will be sufficient as long as there is sun.

 

Sorry for the extremely long post

 

With respect to value, I would simply check some of the large US websites to see prices.

 

As others have stated, not being in the Haven proper will NOT effect the service that you receive.

 

There is an excellent spread sheet on these boards that shows the size of the various forward facing penthouses ... the two largest ones are on deck 9 and deck 12. I loved mine on deck 12 ... your view on 9 will basically be that of the forward deck and prow of the ship. With three people, you want the largest available.... I would strongly suggest deck 12.

 

The butler and concierge are there whether or not you need them .... it all depends on how much "hands on" care you do or don't desire.

 

On September 19, you are in peak hurricane season ... while it's not likely, your sailing may be diverted or changed. I frequently travel during this time period but I get cancellation insurance for this specific peril.

[Demonyte]

With respect to value, I would simply check some of the large US websites to see prices.

 

Exactly this. Even with euro plummeting prices are often significantly better in US (of course there are exceptions when booking through UK/EU is better) - we have booked all our cruises through either NCL US office directly or for the last few years, through an US travel agency.

[Keith.W]

Hey Everyone, thanks for all the reply's and information on the Suite Life. We went ahead with the Forward Penthouse cabin 9706. While deck 11 would be handier for the Haven, we went for deck 9 as deck 12 was sold out.

 

We priced Norwegian UK, Norwegian US and Norwegian EU and Norwegian EU came out the cheapest.

 

With regards to butlers and concierge, its great to know what we can expect if we require the service which i think may will come in handy at times. It is also good to know that we will not receive less service not being in the Haven.

 

The weather sounds good with us so, we have been to Orlando 3 times in August so know what to expect with regards thunder storms

 

Cant believe we are doing a suite already :):) My parents only have done 1 cruise and i have done 2 both on the Epic Western Med. We are looking forward to the sea days as well and the Haven Experience.

[cruisebie]

Have a great cruise! The larger cabin sounds great and it will really handy being near 678 Ocean Place.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[Keith.W]

Have a great cruise! The larger cabin sounds great and it will really handy being near 678 Ocean Place.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

 

Thanks, i thought the same as we had planned to take deck 11 but any extra space is greatly appreciated. Looking forward to trying the suite life, after only doing 2 cruises both with Norwegian

[Sauer-kraut]

Just be aware that the Butler and the Concerige are NOT included in the daily service charge (your steward is included). So have more cash on hand to take care of those folks, based on services rendered. :D

[Demonyte]

Just be aware that the Butler and the Concerige are NOT included in the daily service charge (your steward is included). So have more cash on hand to take care of those folks, based on services rendered. :D

 

Yes, but cash is not needed - one can also give them tips directly from onboard account to their onboard account (just go to Guest Services desk and have them make a tip vouchers for both).

[Keith.W]

Just be aware that the Butler and the Concerige are NOT included in the daily service charge (your steward is included). So have more cash on hand to take care of those folks, based on services rendered. :D

 

Thanks i read that alright so will make sure to look after them as well :)

 

Yes, but cash is not needed - one can also give them tips directly from onboard account to their onboard account (just go to Guest Services desk and have them make a tip vouchers for both).

 

Thanks for the tip we will probably use cash as we always tip with cash