Pre-Cruise Haven request ignored?

[TraJon9]

We just got back from Haven Breakaway.. Now we booked with a upsell offer so we never received the email "welcome to Haven" . I called like 6 days before, the Haven concierge line. I let her know this was new to us. She decided we needed one of every pillow selection. Ha! They were in the closet and the memory foam was there which is what I wanted. A empty fridge with milk and half and half. And no decaf coffee. We had the courtyard penthouse and once there I realized the patio could fit a lounger. This was the room stewards job.

He was more then happy to.

 

 

Now we never had room service and he asked what type of snacks we like. So that was there everyday and a few surprises like carrot bread when we came back way late in the night. He caught on to what fruit we went through quickly. Little things..

 

Our room steward was AMAZING. his name was Ven. Our butler was pretty good, Nelson. We never asked much from Nelson but he probably figured out quickly I loved the espresso machine. He gave us our tutorial the first afternoon.

 

I did see him working his butt off for other guests, primarily a ton of room service for families, which makes sense.

 

I was beyond impressed with everyone who worked in the Haven. Then again we were easy so of course they probably loved us and we spent our time with them having friendly conversation more then anything.

 

One night out of the corner of my eye I saw something in the top of the closet. My other half is very tall so we found 3 ladies shirts pushed way to the back and took them to Nelson and Ven. It was no big deal but they were so stressed out about it. Seriously lol like a sin was committed. Unless tall it would never be discovered..

 

I could not figure out for us what to do with Nelson.. We had a few good laughs at things we could ask for... I really wonder to what extant people ask for things..

 

The little touches did make Haven special.

[Mustangdrew]

Does anyone know if the haven restaurant is opened for lunch the first day of the cruise ?

[ashlyn1109]

Why don't you call them and do it over the phone?

 

 

I work during the hours they are open, I'm working 60+ hours a week right now so email is significantly easier & faster for me. Not to mention I'm in a completely different time zone right now so yeah, it's almost impossible to call them during their hours without me making a significant effort & taking time out of my day. On the other hand it takes 3 minutes to send an email, and It can be done when its convenient for me. However, it looks like I'll have to give them a call.

 

Yes, I could book the dinner online but I have other request and it would be much easier for them to take care of all of this so I don't have to deal with it. I feel like the whole pre-cruise concierge service shouldn't be advertised as a benefit for haven guest if they don't actually assist the guest in this aspect. I'm paying a lot of money for this suite and it would be nice for them to be able to follow through on their end and simply make a few reservations on my behalf, is that really too much to ask?

[Pugzila1022]

Does anyone know if the haven restaurant is opened for lunch the first day of the cruise ?

 

Yes. You will be escorted there upon embarkation.

[hunterjackson]

In suites on the Jewel and the Escape so far this year.

 

Each time, my requests have been honored before we boarded.

 

on the escape, we had requested certain food items, and they were in the fridge. When they ran out, they were replenished. All the way to having BREWED iced tea in my suite after he saw me icing tea in a cup on brought with me out of the coffee maker.

 

Great job to them!

[Mustangdrew]

Yes. You will be escorted there upon embarkation.

 

 

That's awesome can't wait !

[goldmom]

Funny about the reading wedge. I ordered one of those for DW for our upcoming trip - we'll have to see if it is still elusive.

 

Let us know if it arrives!

 

I will make requests with the Pre-cruise Concierge. Sometimes it worked sometimes it doesn't. No big deal either way. I'll make a copy of the list and bring it with me to give to the Butler if he didn't receive it.

 

Most of the Butlers seem to be very grateful for a written list as the first day is very hectic and many passengers are making multiple requests. I always tell them there is no rush.

[watchdiva]

We always give our butler a list on day one. We let him/her know what we wish for our afternoon snacks, and we update them on our dinner reservations and any other info (special requests etc) that will help them do their job. We introduce ourselves to our cabin steward and give him/her a list for the suite (extra towels) as well as the fact that we are early risers and would appreciate our room being tidied or made up early morning. This has always worked well for us in the past.

[happy cruzin]

Yes. You will be escorted there upon embarkation.

 

 

Yep...we get our first drink from the Haven Bar - then we head to there for a bite if lunch. It's the perfect start to the cruise!! [emoji4]

[Sand and Seas]

We always give our butler a list on day one. We let him/her know what we wish for our afternoon snacks, and we update them on our dinner reservations and any other info (special requests etc) that will help them do their job. We introduce ourselves to our cabin steward and give him/her a list for the suite (extra towels) as well as the fact that we are early risers and would appreciate our room being tidied or made up early morning. This has always worked well for us in the past.

 

We are late risers...so I hope we don't upset the stewards schedule. This will be our first time in the Haven and we really don't know what to do with a Butler. Thanks for all the good tips!

[aladin553]

If you are booked in the haven then just make you reservations with the concierge onboard. Why stress now?

[watchdiva]

No worries Sands and Seas....they will love work around you. We just prefer that our suite be made up earlier rather than later. We also have breakfast and lunch served in our suite (if we are in a non-Haven suite) most days as well as an occasional dinner. Remember the crew want you to have a great time!

[realmccoy]

We had the Haven once and even though our requests were "confirmed" via email...none were met. You should make your own dinner reservations.

[cruzsnooze]

I had called the pre concierge to make dinner reservations and they didn't do it. NCL makes big promises about the amenities of having a concierge (in a suite or Haven) but doesn't deliver.

[Pugzila1022]

I had called the pre concierge to make dinner reservations and they didn't do it. NCL makes big promises about the amenities of having a concierge (in a suite or Haven) but doesn't deliver.

 

I can't speak to the pre-concierge because I never use it, but I have always had great results with the concierge desk in the Haven. The escort through the "secret elevator" to the Cirque show so we could get the best seating is a great perk, and the concierge has always been able to get me any show or dinner reservation I want - even if the restaurant was showing booked for the time I want.

 

I know others have had issues from time to time, but thankfully I haven't!

[NLH Arizona]

Called 100 days out and was able to make all my dinner reservations (all showed up on my reservation), sans Teppanyaki, which I have to make on board. Also gave the pre-concierge a list of items I would like. I've done this on each cruise and my requests have always been fulfilled upon my arrival.

[david_sobe]

The pre-concierge is always hit or miss. I tried to use it twice with mixed results each time. Don't sweat the small stuff though. Anything the pre-concierge can do can be done when you board and meet the real concierge. If you want to book a restaurant in advance, do it yourself as others have mentioned.

IMHO too much planning or over planning can lead to craziness when you board.