Everything seems to be booked !!

[joelle6667]

someone may know the answer.. I am cruising 1/9-1/16 on the escape .. There will be six traveling and I have two haven suites booked .. Last year I cruised the Getaway in their Haven suites and all my dinner and entertainment reservations were made through concierge once I was on board. Travel agent assured me I would not have a problem being in the haven .. but reading reviews I decided to book some dinners and shows .. Is it possible that they could already be booked ..? I have read some terrible reviews.. I am traveling with my two girls 21 & 24 husband and both my parents .. I called my father to ask if 10pm show would be ok for them and he asked if I had anything better going on, I explained they book quickly and then had to tell him that it didn't matter because I believe it's all booked .. He asked what kind of x mass gift did I give them .. Lol

I am excited for this cruise and I know nothing could make for a terrible time ..

I love making memories I just am hoping to have some at the specialty restaurants .. Any feed back so appreciated ..

[casofilia]

A couple of thoughts.

They only book a certain number of pax (? 30%) for the restaurants prior to boarding.

Larger groups are only often offered 5.30 or 9.30 in the restaurants, I don't know if 6 is large!!

Can't add anything for shows.

 

Mike

[Moby0215]

What exactly is your question? Asking if everything is already booked? Why would you think that?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[BirdTravels]

someone may know the answer.. I am cruising 1/9-1/16 on the escape .. There will be six traveling and I have two haven suites booked .. Last year I cruised the Getaway in their Haven suites and all my dinner and entertainment reservations were made through concierge once I was on board. Travel agent assured me I would not have a problem being in the haven .. but reading reviews I decided to book some dinners and shows .. Is it possible that they could already be booked ..? I have read some terrible reviews.. I am traveling with my two girls 21 & 24 husband and both my parents .. I called my father to ask if 10pm show would be ok for them and he asked if I had anything better going on, I explained they book quickly and then had to tell him that it didn't matter because I believe it's all booked .. He asked what kind of x mass gift did I give them .. Lol

I am excited for this cruise and I know nothing could make for a terrible time ..

I love making memories I just am hoping to have some at the specialty restaurants .. Any feed back so appreciated ..

 

A certain percentage of restaurant and show reservations were available to you online starting 10/01/15. They do fill up fast. You can still try to ring the pre-concierge at 1.855.625.4283, Monday through Friday, 9:00AM-9:00PM EST. Or engage your concierge once you get onboard. Things fill up and even Haven guests can't get in once restaurants are fully booked (or at least not at the time you want). You have a larger group and it is not as easy as a 2-top to sneak in on a walk-in basis.

[3kidsncats]

I was able to book my party of six on the Jewel at various times, not just the early or late slots -- but I did the bookings at 100 days out. It was still hard to get done, as the system kept crashing, took everything out of my cart, couldn't log back in, etc. But eventually got something for each night, various times between 6 and 8:30. Will try to shift some times once I'm onboard.

 

I would plan on meeting with the concierge, or have the iConcierge app loaded on your phone, so that you can get your reservations taken care of as soon as you board (because that's what you want to be doing the minute you get there, right?? LOL)

[cruise crazed]

Email groupeventescape@ncl.com and submit your requests for each restaurant with the date and time you prefer. Make sure you indicate you are in the Haven. They should email you back soon after they receive your request.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

[mugtech]

Did you try booking Margarittaville?

[punkincc]

someone may know the answer.. I am cruising 1/9-1/16 on the escape .. There will be six traveling and I have two haven suites booked .. Last year I cruised the Getaway in their Haven suites and all my dinner and entertainment reservations were made through concierge once I was on board. Travel agent assured me I would not have a problem being in the haven .. but reading reviews I decided to book some dinners and shows .. Is it possible that they could already be booked ..? I have read some terrible reviews.. I am traveling with my two girls 21 & 24 husband and both my parents .. I called my father to ask if 10pm show would be ok for them and he asked if I had anything better going on, I explained they book quickly and then had to tell him that it didn't matter because I believe it's all booked .. He asked what kind of x mass gift did I give them .. Lol

I am excited for this cruise and I know nothing could make for a terrible time ..

I love making memories I just am hoping to have some at the specialty restaurants .. Any feed back so appreciated ..

 

Not clear whether you have tried to book dinners and shows and they are unavailable, or if you are just assuming. Call 866-234-7350 and inquire. They told me they only book 20% pre cruise. The rest are available to book on board. And, you have access to the concierge, who has a little more leverage. If you can't get them made precruise, or if you book a 10:00 and you really want the 8:00, I'd make a list and maybe give it to the concierge in the pre boarding area.

[joelle6667]

Thanks so much for all the responses .. So helpful.. I will contact them and try making reservations over the phone .. Once I was placing them in my cart they were disappearing and the options that were available were slim to none ..

I'm sure all will be fine .. And if I noticed correctly Adrian from the Getaway is on the Escape .. Or hope he will be come Jan. Thanks again for all the great feed back .. I never posted a question so you might see this all over .. :)

[SuiteCruiser]

Thanks so much for all the responses .. So helpful.. I will contact them and try making reservations over the phone .. Once I was placing them in my cart they were disappearing and the options that were available were slim to none ..

I'm sure all will be fine .. And if I noticed correctly Adrian from the Getaway is on the Escape .. Or hope he will be come Jan. Thanks again for all the great feed back .. I never posted a question so you might see this all over .. :)

 

I would talk to your Concierge as soon as you board to get them changed if you prebook, or to get them booked if you don't prebook. People are making it sound like it's no big deal, and I hope it's not for you, but last March we were 5 in the Haven and I tried booking for the first night and there was only 5:30 or 9:00 available even through the Concierge! We then panicked and booked the whole week, and we were not able to have a meal in a specialty between 7:00 and 8:30 all week. I was very surprised as it was not my first rodeo, but they were giving away the dining packages and everyone onboard wants to eat in the specialties, so it's much more difficult now.

 

If your cruise is undersold, it may not be as bad, but just wanted to give you my experience.

Edited December 13, 2015 by SuiteCruiser

[blondie1746]

We just got off the Escape. We were a group of 6. Tried to book a couple of weeks before, and almost everything was gone. First call to pre-concierge said that they allow 100% to be booked ahead. Second call to a different pre-concierge said they only allow 25% to be booked ahead. When we got on the ship, went right to concierge desk to get reservations made. They said Cagneys was all booked, but they would see what they could do.

 

They did get us into Cagneys and Le Bistro, but I don't understand how 75% of the seating could be booked that quickly on the first day. it's always frustrating when you get different answers at the pre-concierge desk depending on who you talk to.

 

We were in the deluxe owners suite, best room on the ship. And on other cruises, being Haven guests meant they gave you a better table, a little better service. But at LeBistro, they squeezed us into a small corner, barely enough room for 6 and very cramped. Still a nice dinner, but we didn't get the little extra touches that make you feel special, like we have on previous cruises. Maybe that has to do with the size of the ship and number of Haven guests. Too many to get the personalized attention that we have had before. And it really isn't freestyle when you have to book everything 100 days before your cruise.

[joelle6667]

I have to agree, what I enjoyed most about cruising with Ncl was the free style and I would have to believe that giving the dinning and beverage might have something to do with everything being booked .. Six in a party to me is not large. I notice they are still offering the dining package on my sailing for sale.

I would want to believe if you are mostly booked you would not offer it. I would be upset if I had paid for the 7 day dinner package and was only able to eat two or three evenings. I have been told many different things about this sailing. I do believe they are not all on the same page. This is a $15,000 dollar cruise with out air fare and hotel .. I would have liked to have known ahead of time of changes made sailing in the Haven. You are paying for the extras and expect just that.

I read one review where it was stated that a vibe pass and specialty dinning would have been just as nice as staying in the Haven . Very disheartening to hear that.

Thank you for your input .. Happy Holidays All

[Zimomiller]

Use the pre cruise concierge service. I sent them all my requests via email and had my ressies back in a confirm the next day

[joelle6667]

I am going to contact them tomorrow, thanks so much

ill let you all know how I make out. I am sure to have a beautiful cruise !!

[staceehowse]

We are headed on Escape Christmas week......

We are not in the Haven but are on a casino rate and have 5 in our party. Can we use that same email to try to get better times than what we have which is 9:30 every night and couldn't get into Bayamo at all...

When I called they told me I would have no problem booking right when we get on board as well - but now I'm a bit nervous especially being Christmas week and other Escape people saying booked when they got on board??? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!!!

[SuiteCruiser]

We are headed on Escape Christmas week......

We are not in the Haven but are on a casino rate and have 5 in our party. Can we use that same email to try to get better times than what we have which is 9:30 every night and couldn't get into Bayamo at all...

When I called they told me I would have no problem booking right when we get on board as well - but now I'm a bit nervous especially being Christmas week and other Escape people saying booked when they got on board??? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!!!

 

Unfortunately they won't talk to you at the pre-cruise concierge office if you aren't in the Haven on Escape, they pull up your reservation first.

[BirdTravels]

We are headed on Escape Christmas week......

We are not in the Haven but are on a casino rate and have 5 in our party. Can we use that same email to try to get better times than what we have which is 9:30 every night and couldn't get into Bayamo at all... When I called they told me I would have no problem booking right when we get on board as well - but now I'm a bit nervous especially being Christmas week and other Escape people saying booked when they got on board??? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!!!

 

So,,,, you can not use the services of the pre-concierge if you are not a Havens guest. Restaurant reservations for your cruise opened on 9/20.

 

As soon as you get on board, head down 1 deck and restaurant reservations will be set up on Deck 6 in Headliners or at the Le Bistro reception desk across the aisle. You could also try the touch screens in the public areas. Lines are slow moving since folks are trying to juggle their dinner reservations for the entire cruise.

 

We were on the Escape last month and had a blast.

 

Have a Great Time!

[joelle6667]

Unfortunately they won't talk to you at the pre-cruise concierge office if you aren't in the Haven on Escape, they pull up your reservation first.

 

Going to phone pre conceirge in a few minutes and I will ask if there is a contact number you may call to pre book. Honestly, I am staying in the Haven but I could not get any of my reservations to remain in my cart. The web kept crashing .. I will let you know. Also I spoke with a party who just sailed, party of six they all had mini suites and I was told that there were a few occasions where they just showed up and waited a little bit but were seated.

I would not trust that with all my reservations but I would try if I had nothing to loose. I feel your concerns and how you may be a bit worried. My husband keeps asking why I am worried to just relax, but honestly he doesn't know the total $$$ of this vacation lol. ;)

[joelle6667]

Just wanted to give feed back on my call to the pre-conceirge 855-625-4283 ( thank you for sharing this with me). I was able to pre book all dinner and show reservation and what was not available she was able to but down as a request. I was very flexible. She was fantastic, she worked with me for over an hour due to me having two reservations .. She also sent me special request forms for in room for Haven guest that I was never aware of.

I asked her how one could go about making reservations and booking pre cruise entertainment if they were not haven guest and she told me that the can call reservation directly and if they were not able to help to have them contact the pre concierge number that I dialed ... They would be able to assist all passengers regardless .. :)

I would suggest trying to pre book prior to boarding because I hear it's a cluster mess..

Hope this was helpful good luck and beautiful cruise!

[CalLuvsCrusingToo]

Do what you can Ahead. Because once onboard Escape? EVERYTHING will be booked up the whole freakin week.

Only way we got in, (for 2 of us) was Show up at 5 or 5:30pm when the restaurant opens.....hand our card, and see IF we could be seated.

 

It usually worked.

Except Teppanyaki......we finally got in there Thanksgiving, lol, cuz Who goes there for Thanksgiving dinner? lol

WE DID, or never get in.

 

Pairs can also get into LeBistro, by just showing up.... (we had UDP, Not Haven.)

But more than a pair of people, you may have to wait everywhere, or get LATE rezzies all the time.

 

Good luck. Its not really freestyle anymore.....

[staceehowse]

Thanks so much everyone - will be calling right away and see what I can get changed and set up!!!! Cross my fingers!!!!

[joelle6667]

We are headed on Escape Christmas week......

We are not in the Haven but are on a casino rate and have 5 in our party. Can we use that same email to try to get better times than what we have which is 9:30 every night and couldn't get into Bayamo at all...

When I called they told me I would have no problem booking right when we get on board as well - but now I'm a bit nervous especially being Christmas week and other Escape people saying booked when they got on board??? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!!!

How did you enjoy the cruise .. Any feed back, I was was wondering how you made out with dinner reservations .. And I was also wondering if you felt it was extremely rocky.

I've read many reviews were they feel that this ship was more rocky than most.

:)