The NCL Haven Luxury VIP Experience "Secrets" REVISED for 2022

[CDR Benson]

38 minutes ago, vacation44 said:

So happy to read your vacation was everything you wanted it to be.    I was hoping you would report back with experience and really enjoyed reading your trip report.   

 

We just got off the Joy a few weeks ago and our cabin was three cabins away from our previous 14178.   While we also liked our non-Haven Suite, for us, nothing beats 14178 & 14778 for the price for a Haven cabin.

 

Thank you for your kind words.

 

Aye, 14178 and 14778 are the hidden gems of Norwegian Joy's Haven.  As I mentioned above, even if money were no object for me, I would not want any other Haven suite on board Joy other than one of those two.  The mid-ships location was especially handy the last full day of our cruise, an at-sea day when the ship was buffeted with heavy seas and high winds.  My wife and I barely felt it in 14778, but you can bet the folks in the Haven staterooms forward and three decks up sure did.

 

 

 

Edited September 30, 2022 by CDR Benson

[Wedgie Wedgie]

Secrets of the Haven-

 

pssst, hey guess what? You do not have to write your butler a letter if you want some M&M's.

[mearsfansinboise]

On 9/27/2022 at 9:09 PM, CDR Benson said:

The Good Mrs. Benson and I are back from our 16-23 September cruise to New England/Canada on Norwegian Joy.  I want to provide an insight to our experience in the Haven.  I suspect the OP of this thread, Mr. Tilkin, has been interested in this, given that I expressed concern over the quality of service after reading some posts submitted by Haven guests of cruises earlier this year whose experiences were less than expected.

 

Like Mr. Tilkin, I am a thorough planner.  After our 2020 cruise was cancelled when Canada closed its borders to cruise-ship visits, I spent a few months researching before deciding on a replacement cruise.  In February, 2021, I booked suite 14778 on Norwegian Joy.  14778 was one of the suites than had just been folded into Joy’s Haven enclave.  Presumably because they are not in the “millionaires’ row” of the Haven proper, these newly added suites were considerably less expensive than a Haven courtyard suite, while at the same time, being larger than a Haven courtyard suite.  14778 is one of the two suites (the other being 14178) with an angled balcony, slightly larger and a bit of a view forward.

 

We arrived in New York City the day before sailing and, the next morning, had no problem getting a taxicab to the Manhattan Cruise Terminal.  Our scheduled check-in time was 0900-0930.  We arrived at pier 88 at ten minutes before 0900, and I was surprised to find only about ten people ahead of us.  Of those, only one other couple were also Haven guests, so when the line opened on the hour, the GMB and I were the second couple through the priority embarkation line.  We proceeded smoothly through security to the NCL ticketing desk.  After a review of our documents and our photos taken, we were issued our key cards and escorted to the Haven waiting area.  (I hesitate to call it a lounge; it consisted of rows of banquet chairs and some tables with water, juices, coffee, tea, and light snacks.)  Elapsed time from our arrival at the pier to being seated in the waiting area:  thirty-five minutes. 

 

About an hour later, at 1025, Joy’s Haven concierge, Mr. David Newball, presented himself and, after a brief introduction, the boarding procedure began.  It was swift and efficient.  We were in the first group of Haven guests delivered on board to the Haven Lounge, where we received a briefing of the Haven’s services.  The GMB and I were seated in the lounge with our first cocktails in hand by 1050.

 

Around an hour later, when the waves of arriving Haven guests began to ebb, I decided we should complete the check-in for ship’s muster.  Our muster station was on deck seven.  On the way, we stopped by our suite to drop off our carry-on bag.  Although the staterooms had not yet been announced as ready for occupation, ours looked ready in all respects, except for no “welcome aboard” literature.  (The expression of delight on my wife’s face when she saw the space made it worth every cent I spent on this vacation.)

 

Muster check-in was easy.  Crew members were stationed at strategic junctions to direct guests to the correct locations.  At our muster station, our key cards were scanned and we were informed that we were not required to do anything when the emergency drill was conducted at 1600.

 

We had lunch in the Haven Restaurant, then relaxed in the Horizon observation lounge.  We wanted good seats to view the ship getting underway in a few hours.  At 1545, I went to our suite to see if our luggage had been delivered.  It had.

 

It is at this point that my narrative goes to the quality of service we experienced in the Haven on board Norwegian Joy.

 

 

I did some quick unpacking---just the items that I wanted up on hangers.  One of those items was my service dress blue uniform.  There would, indeed, be a cocktail reception hosted by the ship’s master, Captain Håkan Svedung and some of his officers for Haven guests the following evening.  Please, fellows, I don’t want to open yet another sartorial debate between people who dress and the t-shirt-and-Bermuda-shorts crowd.  I foresaw the possibility of this occasion and, in such an instance, the captain is our host and I am in his house; therefore, I felt that I should dress appropriately.  Unfortunately, I had tried a different method of packing my dress uniform, hoping to prevent wrinkling, and it backfired.  The trousers came out fine, but the jacket was horribly wrinkled.

 

I returned to the Haven concierge desk and spoke to Mr. Newball about the possibility of getting my jacket pressed.  No problem, he assured me.  He would send our butler to our suite to pick up the garment.  I said that I would head right down to meet him.

 

I waited for our butler for half an hour, but he never showed.  It was almost 1700, the scheduled time of departure, and I was going to watch it with my wife.  I grabbed the uniform jacket, intending to give it to Mr. Newball directly.  However, when I got to the concierge desk, he was busy with other guests, so I continued on, rejoining the Good Mrs. Benson in the Horizon observation lounge. 

 

The next ten minutes was the last time I had any ideas that we would experience poor service in the Haven.

 

In that time, our butler, Mr. Willie Erum, showed up where we were sitting and introduced himself.  He apologised to us for having missed us in our suite.  He had spent the last ten minutes tracking us down, so he could ensure my jacket got pressed.  Talk about making a good first impression!  I turned it over to him, figuring I’d see it the next morning.

 

The underway was delayed by an hour.  The GMB and I got back to our suite around 1830, and---how about that?---my uniform jacket was back.  However, it looked like it had been given a rush job; all the severe wrinkles were pressed out, but it still looked like I had taken a nap in it.  I was deciding on how to approach this when both Mr. Erum and our room steward, Richard, arrived at our door.  They couldn’t have been more willing to make our voyage enjoyable.  I informed Mr. Erum of how favourably impressed I was that he had gone to the effort of hunting me down to get my jacket.  Then, I pointed out that the fellows who had done the pressing had missed quite a few wrinkles.  Mr. Erum said he’d see to it.  (And he did---when the jacket came back again, it was completely presentable.)

 

 As I mentioned earlier in this thread, I followed the admirable lead of Mr. Tilkin’s original post.  My preparation for our stay in the Haven included two letters to our butler (the text of which appears in some other thread on this board).  One letter had half my intended tip to the butler attached to it, in expectation of a splendid working relationship; the other letter, if our butler had been a no-show that first day and seldom seen on the others, had no tip.

 

I gave Mr. Erum the letter with the money.

 

In the letter I expressed the following requests from the Good Mrs. Benson and myself:

 

■  All for-sale or charged items, especially those in the mini-refrigerator, removed from the suite.  (That had already been taken care of by the concierge.)

 

■  A pitcher of iced tea and a pitcher of orange juice placed in the mini-fridge as needed.

 

■  A bowl of potato chips and a bowl of peanut M&M’s provided daily.

 

■  Five memory-foam pillows for the bed.

 

 

I didn’t expect our remaining requests to be met until the next morning, and we were fine with that.  The only other task for Mr. Erum that night was my wife’s request for ice.  Mr. Erum was gone so long to handle that that I began to think that maybe he’d gone to the north Atlantic to chip some ice off a floating berg.

 

Then, he returned, with ice---and with a pitcher of iced tea and a pitcher of orange juice and bowls of potato chips and peanut M&M’s!

 

I knew for sure that we had a winner in Mr. Erum.  He kept us informed and provisioned throughout the cruise.  One thing I appreciated, because I hate waste, is that he supplied us with the tea and juice and snacks as needed, rather than automatically dumping out what we didn’t consume one day and replacing it.  He gauged it so well that we were never without, at any time.

 

But here’s where Mr. Erum went above and beyond for us.

 

Both the GMB and I suffer from arthritic knees.  Hers are worse than mine.  Months ago, as a “nice to have” measure, I hired an electric scooter for my wife to use on board, if needed.  Between the time I hired the scooter and the date of sail, her knees had declined to the point that “nice to have” was now pretty much “need to have”.  When the scooter’s battery ran low on the fourth day, Mr. Erum got it recharged.

 

On the second night, I lost the tip of my cane in a battle with elevator doors.  Mr. Erum could not find a replacement tip on board, so he MacGyvered a functioning tip out of packing material and masking tape.  It wasn’t pretty, but it worked as well as a manufactured version, getting me around the ship and Portland, and Saint John, and Halifax.  Since getting home, I haven’t even bothered to replace it, yet.

 

Funny, I didn’t expect to need a butler much, but he turned out to be invaluable.  I know that opinions on tipping are divided on these boards, but at the end of the cruise I was happy to give Mr. Erum the other half of his tip (with a bit more thrown in for good measure)---he’d well earned it.

 

 

Nor can I praise enough the Haven concierge, Mr. Newball, and his assistant, Rosemarie.  They provided all the nuts-and-bolts services and information that made our cruise go so smoothly.  They made our show reservations the first day; they arranged for the GMB to have a wheelchair available for debark/embark at every port visit; they escorted us to all of the event venues.  The concierge desk on Norwegian Joy’s Haven was our fount of all wisdom about events on the ship and how to get things done.

 

The Haven Restaurant was a luxurious dining experience.  We had never been catered to so graciously or generously.  At our first dinner there, I ordered the prime rib and asked for a lobster tail to be added.  The waitress smiled and said, “Of course.  Just one?”

 

The quality of the food, for our meals, at least, was first rate.  We ate in the Haven Restaurant several times, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and every meal was superb.  If I have any criticism, it’s that their cooking-to-temperature is just a little to high for my taste.  I ordered medium rare and the protein came out slightly nearer to medium.  Not a fatal flaw, but next time, I think I’ll order “rare” when I want “mid-rare”.

 

The GMB and I spent a lot of time in either the Haven Lounge or the Horizon observation lounge.  Mr. Tilkin and some others have tagged it right when they said that the seats at the bar of the Haven Lounge are perpetually occupied.  We noticed that the same gathering of barflies seemed to light there every night.

 

It didn’t matter, though.  No matter where we sat in either lounge area, a waiter appeared within a minute or two after we plopped down to check on us.  We made good use of the included Premium Beverage Package.  In that week, we both exceeded our usual alcohol imbibing rate for a year.

 

 

Some amplifying information on our suite.  Back in February, poster vacation44 remarked on her stay in suite 14178.  Suite 14178 is the “mirror image” (same layout and dimensions, only on the port side) of the one we occupied, 14778.  Vacation44 commented on 14178’s generously sized cabin and balcony and the handy walk-in closet.  The same hold true for suite 14778.  Plus, there were no noise issues above, below, or outside.  Yes, the space is close to an elevator bank, but we heard no disturbing sounds because of it.

 

In this case, being so near the elevators was a plus.  The suite was, perhaps, fifteen feet from the closest elevator.  Unless there was a rush, such as on the morning of debarkation for a port visit, we went from our suite to the Haven Lounge in one-to-two minutes.

 

 

One story before I wind this up.  It more appropriately belongs in a review of our cruise in toto, but it’s such a good example of serendipity that I have to mention it.

 

I mentioned the cocktail reception held by the ship’s master for the Haven guests.  Well, the evening of the reception, the GMB and I were dressed to the nines to attend, but a series of misadventures (including my duel with the elevator) kept us from getting to it.  I was a bit put out, but it wasn’t a disaster.  Since we were dressed for it anyway, we decided to go to dinner in the Haven Restaurant (that was our first dinner there).  It wasn’t crowded, but we had to wait a couple of minutes because the GMB requested a table by a window.  Shortly, we were seated.  We gave the waitress our drink orders and got settled in.  That’s when I took a look around the restaurant.

 

Wouldn’t you know?  A few tables away, behind the GMB’s left shoulder, Captain Svedung was having dinner with his senior officers.  I figured it was fate’s way of tweaking my nose over missing the reception and turned my attention back to the lady I brung to the dance.

 

The captain and his staff broke up just about the time that Mrs. Benson and I were waiting on dessert and coffee.  I looked over to see the ship’s officers head for the exit, but Captain Svedung go the other way.  He headed toward our table.  He’d noted my uniform and stopped by to welcome us aboard.  The captain and I talked shop for a few minutes.  I told him that his was the more difficult job---he had all of the sea-going responsibilities that I’d had, plus 4,000 guests for whom he had to provide a vacation experience.  He complimented his staff and insisted they were the ones that made it happen.

 

 

And that goes to the point of my entire post.  This was the most . . . the only word for it is serene vacation in the thirty years my wife and I have been together.  Sure, my planning gets some of the credit for that.  But, hugely, the reason for the success of our cruise lies in the crew of Norwegian Joy.  Never---I mean never---on our previous cruise, at any resort, in any hotel or restaurant, or at any other venue, have we encountered a staff of employees so willing, so eager, so gracious to ensure that their guests have a wonderful experience.  And they’re not so attentive because they have to be; they are because they want to be.

 

Was our experience flawless?  No.  But the few difficulties that arose were never more than short-lived hiccoughs because the ship’s staff responded quickly and with aplomb.  When a Navy captain is selected for flag officer rank, he is sent to the Navy’s knife-and-fork school for admirals.  One of the first things these admiral-selectees are taught is to be careful in what they express, because if an admiral were to say something like, “Gee, I loved Ovaltine when I was a kid.  I wonder if it still tastes as good?” then his staff is going to move Heaven and Earth to get the boss some Ovaltine.

 

For the Good Mrs. Benson and myself, our stay in the Haven was just like that.

 

As Mr. Tilkin has taken pains to point out, his posts only relate his experience in the Haven, after the preparations he took.  But, like the small print in the financial ads say, “Past performance is no guarantee of future results.”  He doesn’t---he can’t---promise anyone else who rides in the Haven will have the same level of royal treatment.  The same holds for my account above.  I’m only relating how it went for my wife and myself.

 

And, for us, it was the absolute best getaway of our lives.  We hope your experiences prove the same, or better.

 

 

 

 

"they arranged for the GMB to have a wheelchair available for debark/embark at every port visit;"

 

We have reached out to the pre-cruise Haven concierge and asked for a wheelchair for my husband at embarkation and debarkation.  They then sent us a form to fill out and said they would let everyone know and mark our reservation accordingly, etc.

But does that include on/off at ports, do you (or anyone) know? 

I'm not sure he would need it there, just the initial and end embarkation and debarkation because it's a longer walk.  But now you have me wondering if I should/could ask for port wheelchair assistance or if they are already planning to do it with the request I put in.

[mearsfansinboise]

On 9/28/2022 at 8:57 AM, CDR Benson said:

 

Not too much credit at all, sir.  Sure, I would have eventually ferreted much of what your original post recommended.  But you saved me a measure of time and effort by providing all that advice in one place.  To planners like ourselves, that's finding the mother load.  Moreover, you touched on considerations that wouldn't have occurred to me, otherwise.

 

As you know, the GMB and I are scheduled for a cruise with Regent Seven Seas in November, 2023.  You've said that Regent is the gold standard in luxury cruise lines, and I don't doubt that.  But I tell you, I'm finding it difficult to imagine any cruise surpassing our experience in the Haven---it was that sublime.

 

 

I agree 100% --- @Sthrngary starting these Haven threads have been of great help to us planning our first Haven cruise (this past March) and our upcoming one in 2 weeks.  

 

And, @CDR Benson much of your report is in-line with us and what we have done and our thoughts ... the barflies (lol) it's the same group always, hanging out in the Haven observation lounge ... same wants and needs ... and bum knees too!  We're sailing the Bliss but hope to have an equally serene sailing as you all did.

[Sailing12Away]

On 9/30/2022 at 2:00 PM, CDR Benson said:

Aye, 14178 and 14778 are the hidden gems of Norwegian Joy's Haven.  As I mentioned above, even if money were no object for me, I would not want any other Haven suite on board Joy other than one of those two.  The mid-ships location was especially handy the last full day of our cruise, an at-sea day when the ship was buffeted with heavy seas and high winds.  My wife and I barely felt it in 14778, but you can bet the folks in the Haven staterooms forward and three decks up sure did.

The category HH rooms are also a good hidden gem. They're in a similar location to the HI but on deck 15 just outside of the observation lounge. So a short elevator ride or walk up to the Haven lounge/bar, or steps from the regular observation lounge. We were in 15140 and the room was enormous, about double the width of a regular room with a balcony twice as long too. Bigger room, less expensive, and short 2 flights up to the 'real' Haven was a win in our books. 

 

Our next trip is back on the Joy and we were originally booked in an HI, but since prices have dropped and final payment is not yet here we were able to upgrade into the HH and get $400 off our remaining balance for the bigger room. A friend traveling with us was originally in an HJ and moved into our originally booked room (the one you had) the HI for only a $12 upgrade charge. Definitely hidden gems for folks sailing on the Joy. 

[CruzinMel]

On 9/29/2022 at 8:52 AM, CDR Benson said:

 

Glad that I was able to help.  As I mentioned, several months ago, I expected only minor mobility issues with the Good Mrs. Benson and hired an electric scooter for her to use as a just-in-case gesture.  By the time of the cruise, it became her primary means of getting around the ship.

 

There are a couple of scooter-rental companies that provide equipment for folks taking cruises.  I used Scootaround.  About two months before the cruise, I hired one from the types of getabouts that were recommended for cruise ships and provided the necessary info (dates of cruise, cruise line, name of ship, port of departure, etc.).  On the day of sail, the scooter showed up in our suite mid-afternoon.  In fact, it arrived before our luggage did.

 

We saw many passengers using these or similar conveyances on board, so it's something the cruise ships are geared to handle.

 

As for wheelchairs, the Haven concierge desk on board is the point of contact.  The concierges arranged a wheelchair for my wife, along with a crewman to push it, to get her off the ship at the port stops and to get her back on when we returned.  (I don't know if the ship will permit you use of the wheelchair for you to push during your port visit.  That wasn't necessary in my wife's case.)

 

The Haven concierge will also provide wheelchair transportation to various venues on board, such as shows in the Joy Theater.  And, if you contact the pre-cruise Norwegian Concierge Desk and notify it that your mother needs assistance in boarding the ship that first morning that you check in at the port terminal, the desk will flag her boarding documents as such and have a wheelchair for her there, as well.

 

The ship's staff, and NCL in general, was exceptionally accommodating with us with regard to providing wheelchair assistance.  I'm sure they will be for you, too.

 

Hope this helps.

 

 

It helps absolutely - my most pressing concern at the moment is making sure that she enjoys her cruise, and that she only stays in the cabin when she wants to and doesn't feel constrained.  Thank you again!

[RosieRoo]

On 9/30/2022 at 2:00 PM, CDR Benson said:

 

Thank you for your kind words.

 

Aye, 14178 and 14778 are the hidden gems of Norwegian Joy's Haven.  As I mentioned above, even if money were no object for me, I would not want any other Haven suite on board Joy other than one of those two.  The mid-ships location was especially handy the last full day of our cruise, an at-sea day when the ship was buffeted with heavy seas and high winds.  My wife and I barely felt it in 14778, but you can bet the folks in the Haven staterooms forward and three decks up sure did.

 

 

 

Thank you for sharing this. Just booked 14778 on the Joy for November. Glad to hear all your positive feedback. 

[CDR Benson]

22 hours ago, mearsfansinboise said:

 

"they arranged for the GMB to have a wheelchair available for debark/embark at every port visit;"

 

We have reached out to the pre-cruise Haven concierge and asked for a wheelchair for my husband at embarkation and debarkation.  They then sent us a form to fill out and said they would let everyone know and mark our reservation accordingly, etc.

But does that include on/off at ports, do you (or anyone) know? 

I'm not sure he would need it there, just the initial and end embarkation and debarkation because it's a longer walk.  But now you have me wondering if I should/could ask for port wheelchair assistance or if they are already planning to do it with the request I put in.

 

 

The pre-cruise concierge desk will set up a wheelchair for only the initial embarkation from the cruise terminal.  And you have to be a little careful there.  Even though your e-documents will be flagged for the chair, you get rushed through the embarkation pipeline so swiftly that it can be overlooked by the NCL reps.  That's what happened to us, and I had to ask the NCL greeter at the Haven waiting area run down the wheelchair for my wife.

 

As far as the port visits are concerned, you'll have to arrange a wheelchair for each debark/embark through the Haven concierge desk on board.  It's not a problem for them.  Just inform the concierge the night before what time you would like the chair available the next morning.

 

When you return to fleet landing at the end of your port visit ashore, there are ship's personnel stationed at the foot of the brow (the ramp leading to the ship) who will summon a wheelchair for you.

 

The on-board Haven concierge will also arrange for a wheelchair for you for debarkation to the cruise terminal at the end of the cruise.

 

Hope this helps.

 

 

[DaisyGoldberg]

You can also discuss the individual ports with the concierge -- some may have a level walk off platform, others a steep ramp. Very port- (and sometimes tide-) dependent. They should be able to clue you in as to which ports you might be more comfortable being wheeled off vs walking off. 

[mearsfansinboise]

4 hours ago, CDR Benson said:

 

 

The pre-cruise concierge desk will set up a wheelchair for only the initial embarkation from the cruise terminal.  And you have to be a little careful there.  Even though your e-documents will be flagged for the chair, you get rushed through the embarkation pipeline so swiftly that it can be overlooked by the NCL reps.  That's what happened to us, and I had to ask the NCL greeter at the Haven waiting area run down the wheelchair for my wife.

 

As far as the port visits are concerned, you'll have to arrange a wheelchair for each debark/embark through the Haven concierge desk on board.  It's not a problem for them.  Just inform the concierge the night before what time you would like the chair available the next morning.

 

When you return to fleet landing at the end of your port visit ashore, there are ship's personnel stationed at the foot of the brow (the ramp leading to the ship) who will summon a wheelchair for you.

 

The on-board Haven concierge will also arrange for a wheelchair for you for debarkation to the cruise terminal at the end of the cruise.

 

Hope this helps.

 

 

Perfect; thank you, sir for the information.

[mlwhite554]

Ahoy Mates!

 

I have read this board from first to last with great interest and rather enjoyed many of the posts especially the Commander's interesting way with words.

It has been suggested multiple times that one should do a mock reservation to see how many cabins are still available in a particular category. While I agree that it is useful information (as I have been doing it for years) I now wonder if the widespread use of the strategy may be contributing to the longer wait time for NCL to accept bids. Perhaps their algorithms are looking at perceived demand based on how many are going part way thru the booking process. I always get an email reminding me to complete my booking so they are surely gathering that data. Just a thought.

[Sthrngary]

28 minutes ago, mlwhite554 said:

Ahoy Mates!

 

I have read this board from first to last with great interest and rather enjoyed many of the posts especially the Commander's interesting way with words.

It has been suggested multiple times that one should do a mock reservation to see how many cabins are still available in a particular category. While I agree that it is useful information (as I have been doing it for years) I now wonder if the widespread use of the strategy may be contributing to the longer wait time for NCL to accept bids. Perhaps their algorithms are looking at perceived demand based on how many are going part way thru the booking process. I always get an email reminding me to complete my booking so they are surely gathering that data. Just a thought.

@mlwhite554 Try this instead and yes I know exactly what you are talking about.  Go to Cruse (DOT) com and look at availability not the NCL site.  With NCL, they hold the reservation for a time before the release it.  The other site for me at least is much more accurate.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[schmoopie17]

54 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

@mlwhite554 Try this instead and yes I know exactly what you are talking about.  Go to Cruse (DOT) com and look at availability not the NCL site.  With NCL, they hold the reservation for a time before the release it.  The other site for me at least is much more accurate.  

 

The site referenced above was my go-to for booking until I found a great PCC at NCL.

 

Having said that, I've noticed that the above site never has more than 15 cabins show up as available in any category. This leads you to believe that only 15 are available, while, in reality there could be many, many more.

[Justmekaren918]

TY all for all the information! I'm about to go on my first Haven trip on Breakaway. Can someone let me know are the coffee pods regular coffee & decaf only? They don't offer flavored pods, like vanilla or mocha? Do they have tea pods? Just ask for a crafe of hot water for tea & cocca? I understand NCL doesn't have Stevia😥! 

 

Please can someone explain about NYC disembarkation & does the Haven have a specific spot to find your luggage downstairs or mixed in gen population? Since NCL doesn't have a luggage service to send checked/big bags to the airport 😥, unlike RCL, just priceless! I'm semi disabled/cane solo & I believe I'll need a form of help finding bags, getting a porter & then to NCL transfer bus to JFK airport, since we're coming back during the NYC Marathon. I'm assuming @ JFK ain't going to be a picnic of bus & walk to a porter?

 

Any help greatly appreciated. TY!

 

 

 

 

[RocketMan275]

On 10/5/2022 at 11:17 AM, schmoopie17 said:

Having said that, I've noticed that the above site never has more than 15 cabins show up as available in any category. This leads you to believe that only 15 are available, while, in reality there could be many, many more.

Many sites will only show fifteen cabins available.

The real problem is accounting for guarantees .  Suppose there are 15 cabins truly available but there are 10 guarantees.  The reservations site will still show fifteen cabins available when only a total of five are available.

[Dcoy]

This will be our first real Haven experience at the end of the month. When they take you onto the ship, does the “guide” take you to your muster station to check in, then to the Haven lounge. If it makes a difference, we’re not in the Haven proper area but in a Haven Aft cabin. 
 

thanks

[Candy Apple 12]

4 hours ago, Dcoy said:

This will be our first real Haven experience at the end of the month. When they take you onto the ship, does the “guide” take you to your muster station to check in, then to the Haven lounge. If it makes a difference, we’re not in the Haven proper area but in a Haven Aft cabin. 
 

thanks

On our May Bliss cruise, the Haven rooms were called by muster station to board the ship, starting with muster station A. We were in the Haven proper and the grands were not, but we both were assigned muster station C. The guide took us directly to the muster station where our cards were scanned, then took us to the Haven for a tour. 

[Dcoy]

1 minute ago, Candy Apple 12 said:

On our May Bliss cruise, the Haven rooms were called by muster station to board the ship, starting with muster station A. We were in the Haven proper and the grands were not, but we both were assigned muster station C. The guide took us directly to the muster station where our cards were scanned, then took us to the Haven for a tour. 

Thanks

[Wedgie Wedgie]

Here's one for you:

 

Let's say I bring one of those insulated, stainless steel travel mugs. Will the Haven bartender make me a drink like a margarita or vodka/tonic in it? Or is it ok to just dump his glass drink into my mug?

 

Is it kosher to fill up the mug and then take back to the cabin, say one for the road?

 

How about unopened beers? I would guess gratuity will go a long way here...

[Sthrngary]

8 minutes ago, Wedgie Wedgie said:

Here's one for you:

 

Let's say I bring one of those insulated, stainless steel travel mugs. Will the Haven bartender make me a drink like a margarita or vodka/tonic in it? Or is it ok to just dump his glass drink into my mug?

 

Is it kosher to fill up the mug and then take back to the cabin, say one for the road?

 

How about unopened beers? I would guess gratuity will go a long way here...

@Wedgie Wedgie Here is a strategy for you.  With the Premium Drink Program, you can order two drinks at once.  Dump them both into the Travel Mug.  Problem solved.  Best to do it away from the bartender, which is just my opinion. 

 

On the beer, just order one or two and ask them not to be opened. Not sure if that will work but it has in the past. Yes a tip is always good.

 

Cruise Well and enjoy every moment. 

[FLcruisergrl]

13 hours ago, Candy Apple 12 said:

On our May Bliss cruise, the Haven rooms were called by muster station to board the ship, starting with muster station A. We were in the Haven proper and the grands were not, but we both were assigned muster station C. The guide took us directly to the muster station where our cards were scanned, then took us to the Haven for a tour. 

This may vary by embarkation port. We’ve never been called by muster station. In Port Canaveral, they’ve always just taken small groups based on arrival time. In Tampa, we were escorted on alone with no wait, as we were in the Garden Villa.

[RocketMan275]

18 hours ago, Dcoy said:

This will be our first real Haven experience at the end of the month. When they take you onto the ship, does the “guide” take you to your muster station to check in, then to the Haven lounge. If it makes a difference, we’re not in the Haven proper area but in a Haven Aft cabin. 
 

thanks

On Breakaway last March in NOLA, we were taken to the Haven.  We dropped bags in rooms and then found the muster station on our own.  We were in the Haven proper.  

This March, we're in a Haven Aft.  We know where the Haven is, we know where the cabin is.  As soon as possible, we will ditch the guide, drop bags in room, find muster station, and then go to Haven.

[RocketMan275]

11 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

@Wedgie Wedgie Here is a strategy for you.  With the Premium Drink Program, you can order two drinks at once.  Dump them both into the Travel Mug.  Problem solved.  Best to do it away from the bartender, which is just my opinion. 

 

Cruise Well and enjoy every moment. 

That's my plan.  We're planning on doing a dinner on the balcony.  I plan on getting our pre-dinner drinks just as you indicated.  

[RocketMan275]

11 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

@Wedgie Wedgie Here is a strategy for you.  With the Premium Drink Program, you can order two drinks at once.  Dump them both into the Travel Mug.  Problem solved.  Best to do it away from the bartender, which is just my opinion. 

 

Cruise Well and enjoy every moment. 

Doing that away from the bartender avoids possible suspicion that you're sharing the drink package.

[Candy Apple 12]

6 hours ago, FLcruisergrl said:

This may vary by embarkation port. We’ve never been called by muster station. In Port Canaveral, they’ve always just taken small groups based on arrival time. In Tampa, we were escorted on alone with no wait, as we were in the Garden Villa.

True. This was in Seattle. The cruise prior to ours had an outbreak of a gastrointestinal illness, so they were doing a thorough cleaning according to a paper they handed us upon array the port. Embarkation was delayed until noon, so there were quite a few guests waiting in the Haven area to board the ship. Taking guests by muster station was probably the most efficient way to do it, and stopping at the muster station got that task knocked off right away, so it worked well. The muster stations were called in alphabetical order, and group C only waited a few minutes—just enough time to groups A and B to clear out of the room. If your guide doesn’t take you to your muster station, it’s reasonable to ask your butler to do so if you are unfamiliar with the ship, especially if you have any mobility issues.  

Edited October 9, 2022 by Candy Apple 12