Rare graphicguy Posted September 13, 2019 #1 Share Posted September 13, 2019 Well....here I am...rock you like a hurricane..... Cheesy...sorry for the Scorpions reference! This thread is more or less a continuation of the now well worn thread outlining my attempt to sail the Breakaway on 9/. As we now know, that one never arrived in Miami to sail on 9/1, and actually stopped in New Orleans, before carrying on to the Bahamas to deliver humanitarian aid and supplies. I'm assuming it's sailing its normal itinerary right now. For my work, there's always a big push in the 4th quarter to, book, bill, massage, pull in, etc business to end the year strong. This year's no different. Those of you in the Business Development, Marketing, Sales etc depts know exactly what I'm talking about. As such, aside from births, deaths, marriages and funerals, no vacations are approved in Q4. We still take off most of Thanksgiving week (U.S.) and Christmas Week. All else? Grind it out. So, I was safely within the last of my vacation plans if I had sailed originally on 9/1. That ship has literally sailed. The idea of losing the last of my vacation was not appealing. But, since my dept and my team has done well so far this year, I was allowed a speciate dispensation to sail from 9/29-10/6. It took some cajoling and promises made, but it's done. Background, I've sailed both the "Away" ships in the past. They are among my favorite cruises of all time. I love the ships. I love their entertainment. I love the WaterFront, and.......I LOVE THE HAVEN. I'm still pretty chaffed about how NCL handled the 9/1 sailing and how poorly they communicated with me, sometimes not communicating what was going on at all. But, they didn't hesitate to refund the entire cruise amount quickly. We'll see if they're able to win back my trust. Looked at a Carnival Vista Havana Aft Cabin, which was the least expensive option I looked at. But, that included nothing...no drink package...no specialty dinners....no internet....nothing extra. By the time I added everything back in that I would want, the delta between the Haven Spa Suite (with all the perks) and the Havana was within a few hundred dollars. Looked at the Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas, too. Same thing...base fare was less expensive. But, adding everything back in that NCL offered, the price differential was a few hundred dollars. In both cases, I would not have had the access to the Haven (or whatever Carnival and Royal calls their similar Suites and Suite services). MSC Seaside Yacht Club was also an option. But, to get close to the NCL Haven Spa Suite price, I would have had to sail in an inside cabin, which I really didn't want to do. That brought me to the decision to snag a Haven Spa Suite, which includes free access to the Thermal Spa (which is a great part of any cruise in and of itself). Will post as the cruise gets closer (according to NCLS's "check in" page, that's a scant 16 days away. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisinMama2003 Posted September 13, 2019 #2 Share Posted September 13, 2019 Yay! I'm so glad you are coming back to do a review! Safe travels and enjoy 😎 you certainly deserve it after that 9/1 mess! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare graphicguy Posted September 13, 2019 Author #3 Share Posted September 13, 2019 8 minutes ago, CruisinMama2003 said: Yay! I'm so glad you are coming back to do a review! Safe travels and enjoy 😎 you certainly deserve it after that 9/1 mess! Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dolita22 Posted September 13, 2019 #4 Share Posted September 13, 2019 Yay! I've been following your story since the 9/1 debacle and am excited to see that you picked another cruise. That'll come up quickly! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AF-1 Posted September 13, 2019 #5 Share Posted September 13, 2019 Have fun on your cruise and look forward to reading about your spa suite 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_sobe Posted September 13, 2019 #6 Share Posted September 13, 2019 A-hem Tropical Storm Humberto lurking off the coast of Florida and the Bahamas 🙈 🙉 🙊 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two Wheels Only Posted September 13, 2019 #7 Share Posted September 13, 2019 What are the odds that something bad will happen? (Sees the name of the OP) Never mind...😉 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted September 13, 2019 #8 Share Posted September 13, 2019 Fair winds and following seas. Enjoy! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Von & John Posted September 14, 2019 #9 Share Posted September 14, 2019 Cheers to a Fantastic & Uneventful Cruise... Looking forward to your review - ENJOY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpark895 Posted September 14, 2019 #10 Share Posted September 14, 2019 I've been following your 9/1 "adventure" and glad you finally chose a new replacement cruise. Looking forward to following along! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare graphicguy Posted September 14, 2019 Author #11 Share Posted September 14, 2019 14 hours ago, david_sobe said: A-hem Tropical Storm Humberto lurking off the coast of Florida and the Bahamas 🙈 🙉 🙊 David...I saw that before I booked. Thinking Humberto will either cease to exist in two weeks, or won’t get near Miami before sail away. Anyway, those are my hopes. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_sobe Posted September 14, 2019 #12 Share Posted September 14, 2019 (edited) 12 minutes ago, graphicguy said: David...I saw that before I booked. Thinking Humberto will either cease to exist in two weeks, or won’t get near Miami before sail away. Anyway, those are my hopes. Of course. I was just teasing you. The forecast is always right. Dorian is hitting Puerto Rico, then the Dominican Republic and the mountains will reduce it to a depression off the coast of Florida No worries 😲🤪🤭 Edited September 14, 2019 by david_sobe 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare All-ready2cruise Posted September 14, 2019 #13 Share Posted September 14, 2019 Have a great cruise. 😉 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweetnspicy Posted September 14, 2019 #14 Share Posted September 14, 2019 I wish you the most relaxing cruise!! I work retail management so i know all about Q4 and the no vacation zone. My next cruise is January 2020 well after the holiday rush. I just have to make it through the nightmare, I mean Holidays. 🤣😭 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeesaB Posted September 14, 2019 #15 Share Posted September 14, 2019 Following along! Here's hoping for calm weather for the next few weeks. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaCruiseBug Posted September 14, 2019 #16 Share Posted September 14, 2019 23 hours ago, graphicguy said: MSC Seaside Yacht Club was also an option. But, to get close to the NCL Haven Spa Suite price, I would have had to sail in an inside cabin, which I really didn't want to do. How is that so? A YC balcony cabin on the 9/28 sailing came out to $4,098 taxes included. Didn't you saiy you paid $4,000 for a Spa Suite? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare All-ready2cruise Posted September 14, 2019 #17 Share Posted September 14, 2019 3 minutes ago, DaCruiseBug said: How is that so? A YC balcony cabin on the 9/28 sailing came out to $4,098 taxes included. Didn't you saiy you paid $4,000 for a Spa Suite? I'm thinking that perhaps there are more important things than money. I loved my cruise on MSC Divina, however, I've heard from friends that MSC doesn't treat solo cruisers nearly as well as NCL. Is that the reason? It would be for me, having experienced solo on several NCL cruises, and, in several different staterooms. Money is not everything. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaCruiseBug Posted September 14, 2019 #18 Share Posted September 14, 2019 4 minutes ago, All-ready2cruise said: I'm thinking that perhaps there are more important things than money. I loved my cruise on MSC Divina, however, I've heard from friends that MSC doesn't treat solo cruisers nearly as well as NCL. Is that the reason? It would be for me, having experienced solo on several NCL cruises, and, in several different staterooms. Money is not everything. He mentioned that he didn't chose MSC because of "price". Not sure why you're making it about solo travelers. He doesn't travel solo and even if he did...Haven/YC don't have solo pricing anyways. NCL has the studios with more solo activities but...you're talking about a room that's 100 sq ft. You can buy an inside room, pay double occupancy, and buy a beverage package for less than most NCL studios. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare graphicguy Posted September 14, 2019 Author #19 Share Posted September 14, 2019 1 hour ago, DaCruiseBug said: How is that so? A YC balcony cabin on the 9/28 sailing came out to $4,098 taxes included. Didn't you saiy you paid $4,000 for a Spa Suite? Correct....MSC YC balcony cost a bit more than the Haven Spa Suite. And, the Haven Spa Suite also included more and better perks. Solos are more than welcomed on NCL, too! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OceanBlueWaters Posted September 15, 2019 #20 Share Posted September 15, 2019 Well, I am hoping this trip works out for you. I know how it is with work and when life gets in the way with juggling vacation time. Have a great trip! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare graphicguy Posted September 15, 2019 Author #21 Share Posted September 15, 2019 (edited) 56 minutes ago, OceanBlueWaters said: Well, I am hoping this trip works out for you. I know how it is with work and when life gets in the way with juggling vacation time. Have a great trip! So true.....LOL! Thanks! Edited September 15, 2019 by graphicguy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare graphicguy Posted September 15, 2019 Author #22 Share Posted September 15, 2019 (edited) On 9/14/2019 at 3:57 PM, DaCruiseBug said: He mentioned that he didn't chose MSC because of "price". Not sure why you're making it about solo travelers. He doesn't travel solo and even if he did...Haven/YC don't have solo pricing anyways. NCL has the studios with more solo activities but...you're talking about a room that's 100 sq ft. You can buy an inside room, pay double occupancy, and buy a beverage package for less than most NCL studios. I did choose NCL because “like for like”, the Haven Spa Suite is nicer than the MSC YC Balcony Suite. And, the Haven was about $200 less, like for like perks. As far as inside cabin pricing, aside from the YC inside cabins, I wasn’t really priced any. Considering, for a brief time, regular spa cabins priced out the same as Haven Spa Suites (~$4K), made the Haven a heckuva price. Edited September 15, 2019 by graphicguy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare graphicguy Posted September 23, 2019 Author #23 Share Posted September 23, 2019 MY ACCOUNT 7-DAY CRUISE ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2019 6DAYS TO GO Prices Shown in USD Unless Otherwise Noted Download eDo Countdown has started......... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mking8288 Posted September 23, 2019 #24 Share Posted September 23, 2019 Go West ... Bon Voyage 😘 & wish you fair winds & following seas, love those ports. Here's a virtual send-off ... we had a great feast in Beantown, 1/2 mile or 10 minutes from Black Falcon Pier. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelleyfarms Posted September 23, 2019 #25 Share Posted September 23, 2019 3 hours ago, graphicguy said: MY ACCOUNT 7-DAY CRUISE ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2019 6DAYS TO GO Prices Shown in USD Unless Otherwise Noted Download eDo Countdown has started......... Hope you have smooth seas and a great time!! John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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