Garden Villa experiences

[FLcruisergrl]

We are a mere 239 days out from our next cruise! 😂 It will be exactly 2 years from the day that cruising shut down and since we’ve been on a ship. We’re on the Dawn out of Tampa in the garden villa (have to use that FCC on what will be a once in a lifetime experience!). I’d love it if other who have sailed in a GV can share their experiences, tips, links to their cruise reports, etc. We usually cruise in the Haven, but we are not high maintenance. We do want to take advantage of the GV experience, though, so I’d love ideas for meals, snacks, uses for the awesome deck, drink mixers, etc!

[jingle5616]

The Garden Villa's on both the Star and Dawn are awesome!  I say that without ever actually staying in one.  But I have visited and hung out in them on both ships and they are beyond huge.  The people I knew staying in them were treated like Kings and Queens.  I have no doubt you will be taking a trip of a lifetime!  Enjoy!  Sorry I have no tips...... Signed,  Jingle, king of the interior $399 specials.

 

[Jed12345]

We had a great time in a GV aboard the Star to Alaska. Loved everything about it!

[Sailing12Away]

Didn't stay in one myself, but when we were on the Jade in the DOS had made friends through the roll call here on CC with the guy who was booked in one of the GV. He invited us to come in and take a tour, and invited us to hang out with all of their friends every night. Super down to earth guy, just wish I could remember his CC name to see if he's still hanging around here. Adam - where are you?

 

They had large coolers brought up to the room filled with beer, and multiple bottles of liquor at their bar. Non-stop party in that suite, with the butler at their beck and call. He taught us the ways of the Haven and what to ask for, how to get stuff done, and how to make the most of our trip. 

[toyotaford]

We have stayed in all the GV's in the NCL fleet.   The Star and Dawn are by far our favorites because of the huge decks.  You can actually open the wall that joins the two GV's if you have them both.  The decks can also be opened to each other.  You are treated like royalty as guest in the villa's.  We don't consider ourselves high maintenance but they insist on going above and beyond to pamper us.  We don't need escorting to all our dinners but they do it.  We don't need to be escorted every time we get off the ship but they do it.  If they noticed we consumed all of an afternoon snack they ask if we would like to have it everyday.  If we get them to bring us a movie they include popcorn with it.  Many people have said and it is true, if staying in a GV you really don't want to leave the ship.  Enjoy every minute of your trip.

[goodguyrick]

We have cruised in the Garden Villa both on the Star and the Jewel (Star was on a Mexican Riviera and Alaska on the Jewel). 

 

I liked the Star GV 14000  better because of the monstrous balconies and the room we had included a galley kitchen Rm. 14000

 

My family liked the Jewel GV 14000 more.  My wife really liked it more because it was more modern looking and my kids LOVED the swimming pool area. 

Edited August 4, 2021 by goodguyrick

[lastingtouch]

We stayed in the GV on the Gem And the Jewel.  Once during the Super Bowl.  We had a Super Bowl Party and had the Butler deliver invites to our M & Greet friends.  It was a blast. We asked the Butler for suggestions on food.  He said "You're in the GV, you can have anything you want"  so he provided typical party eats.  And even offered to be the bartender.  Made us feel like kings.  We are by no means rich but at that time you could get an upgrade offer.  The other couple we were traveling with gave up their balcony and with a couple $$ we were in. 

 

on the other trip, we surprised our friends that didn't know we were on the ship.  We had the butler invite them for a tour of the villa.  They were shocked to see us and were able to move their things into one of the cabins.  So many memories.

[don't-use-real-name]

The GVs on the DAWN and STAR are larger in that there is no Haven and no deck 15 cabins

sharing the space. Just simply 2 cabins (actually 3 in each) sharing 12k of deck space on 2

levels 14 and 15.

The GVs are now sold out frequently by guests pooling their money from junior or smaller

balcony club suites to enjoy this fabulous life at the top of the ship !

 

NCL Dawn 14000, Quebec-Boston B2B 2nd leg 10/19-10/26/2018.

 

Won a bid for this on the cheap side - ship was not sailing full and my partner and I

did indeed have the life of Riley. 

Would have liked the opportunity to upgrade another couple of friends but the folks

in 14500 had already exceeded the number of guests occupying this life boat zone.

 

One of the neat perks that one remembers well is the final hurrah departure from the

ship is the complimentary Private Limo to take you to the airport for your flight or

hotel (or residence within 25 miles of the port).

 

Other notables:

Complimentary 6 bottles of booze and a wet bar fully stocked with any all soda drinks

mixers juices

Microwave in galley to warm or heat anything - breakfast items 

Food from any venue (except Teppanyaki) on the ship Butler served

Snacks and munchies and those M & Ms

Mini-fridges in all 3 cabins butler stocked 

 

Escort anywhere on/off the ship if needed

Cell phone to call for any service

Private deck 14 key card elevator access

Reserved seating in the theater port side first balcony row

 

Hot tub - steam room 

 

2k + deck space to sun lounge party view have a blast

 

Watch the Youtube Videos of this extraordinary cabin and marvel wish and dream on !!!

 

[dtiger]

I stayed in 14500 on the Dawn. It was fantastic and the service was superb.