Most controversial cruise opinion??

[MrsTocko]

So we too have no real interest in The Haven.  We are just not into the whole thing.  We would have no idea what to do with a butler....we have been invited to the captain's cocktail party in the haven, and are honestly not that impressed with the facilities, especially with the people talk about it.  We are quite happy with our mid-ship balcony.  Yes, the extra room would be nice, but still.  We usually end up right over where the gangway goes, so prime pier runner watching.

 

I dont care for buffets as a rule. I dont pay to eat out or all the money for a cruise and then have to wait in a line to get food.  I am there to be pampered, bring me my food. We have really enjoyed cagney's and moderno (we just turned platinum so we stopped the FAS specialty and are just going to go with the platinum benefit going forward)  What we get in the MDR is good for us.

 

We did the sail away for the first time last month.  We are always doing something and never realize it.  We didnt really feel like we missed much.  We do enjoy talking with the people in person that we have been talking to for months online, both here and other social media sites.

We ONLY book shore excursions through the ship.   I know, more expensive, but the added security of the excursion running late, and the ship waiting for us is worth it.  We dont ever want to be one of the previously mentioned pier runners...and we dont ever do the all day/inclusive beach excursion.  we want to learn about the port we are at (at least the first time there)

We wake early, no alarm, just awake at 6am.  which means we go to bed early.  like 9. so we are often missing the shows.

 

We like the cheesy port pictures.  I know...but we put them on our adventure/travel wall...we miss when they dont do them.

[mast3rn8]

Meh, I don't really dislike any part of cruising - I'm grateful to be able to take these trips and make the most of the experience. I try to see/do everything onboard and cram it all in.

 

Side note, reading this thread is making me question my booking at Cagney's (for the first time). I thought it was supposed to be the best of the best but not seeing rave reviews here.

[ColeThornton]

20 minutes ago, mast3rn8 said:

Side note, reading this thread is making me question my booking at Cagney's (for the first time). I thought it was supposed to be the best of the best but not seeing rave reviews here.

 

 

It's only a few people on one thread.  There have been plenty of positive reviews.  Like any other venue some meals can occasionally be hit or miss.  Try it once and make up your own opinion.   🙂

[CaptainBazz]

44 minutes ago, mast3rn8 said:

I thought it was supposed to be the best of the best but not seeing rave reviews here.

Been in Cagney's many many times...best restaurant on NCL cruise ships...never ever had a bad meal or bad service...been as a couple and with groups of 8/10...always very accommodating...rave...rave...rave...need more 😂

[complawyer]

mrstocko: while i appreciate your opinion, it seems just a wee bit inconsistent. you claim you like to be pampered, in that case you should love being in the haven complex. depending on the ship, you have your own pool area, bar and restaurant. the concierge is there to assist in whatever  you need, and if there is something special you want, ask  your butler. as soon as we meet him. i let him know that 1st 

thing every morning to please bring a carafe of coffee, a pot of hot water, small pitcher of milk, croissants, muffin's and sweet rolls.  they are there like clockwork when we get up. haven seems like  the top of pampering (at least on the ncl ships) .  while im a little like you, not overly fond of buffets and crowds (plus forget about trying to get a seat)  sometimes the variety of stations and choices are enough to go up and experience the buffet. while of course you need to get the food yourself, you will find the people behind the counters, and the wait staff are all very accomodating and helpful . just try and avoid the guy at t he front with the annoying "happy,happy, washy,washy" UGH!

[Travelling2Some]

I think I'm not interested in the Haven because, fundamentally, I'm not that into the ship or relaxing or being pampered (cue shocked gasp!) - although there is something special about cruising in general.  We are really about traveling to places of genuine interest with history and culture.  I'm not a beach (or pool deck) person, although my husband is. What we like about cruising is going ashore to see something new, coming back to a nice dinner (MDR is just fine) seeing a good show afterwards and waking up in a brand new place to explore.  We're retired so we're already relaxed.  The Haven wouldn't make any sense for us. 

[ChiefMateJRK]

28 minutes ago, CaptainBazz said:

Been in Cagney's many many times...best restaurant on NCL cruise ships...never ever had a bad meal or bad service...been as a couple and with groups of 8/10...always very accommodating...rave...rave...rave...need more 😂

I've had steaks at Cagney's that rivaled the best restaurants I've eaten at.  I've also had really bad steaks.  On one cruise, the Local had a NY Strip steak special one night.  We gave it a shot.  It was much better than the last NY Strip I had at Cagney's.  So, who knows?

[MrsTocko]

29 minutes ago, complawyer said:

mrstocko: while i appreciate your opinion, it seems just a wee bit inconsistent. you claim you like to be pampered, in that case you should love being in the haven complex. depending on the ship, you have your own pool area, bar and restaurant. the concierge is there to assist in whatever  you need, and if there is something special you want, ask  your butler. as soon as we meet him. i let him know that 1st 

thing every morning to please bring a carafe of coffee, a pot of hot water, small pitcher of milk, croissants, muffin's and sweet rolls.  they are there like clockwork when we get up. haven seems like  the top of pampering (at least on the ncl ships) .  while im a little like you, not overly fond of buffets and crowds (plus forget about trying to get a seat)  sometimes the variety of stations and choices are enough to go up and experience the buffet. while of course you need to get the food yourself, you will find the people behind the counters, and the wait staff are all very accomodating and helpful . just try and avoid the guy at t he front with the annoying "happy,happy, washy,washy" UGH!

I get the contradictions in my statement.  I think what turns us off of The Haven the most, is a the cost.  though if I may at some point bid on a haven, we just dont have it at time of booking or during the bidding as a rule.  Havent ever been in a Haven stateroom, but the common areas that I have seen are not worth double and triple the price of my balcony. The second part that turns us off is the entitled attitude of some (I know not all) of the people that book in the Haven.  For the most part, we want to be as far away from them as possible. The entitled ones are the louder complainers, and that is what we hear.  I heard a haven guy complaining that he and his girlfriend were very disappointed in irritated that the ship hit some rough waters the night before. THAT is what I hear more off, and what puts us off. All of that said, we still want to try it at some point...

For us, being on the cruise itself is a luxury. Having a plate of food brought tome that I dont have to cook...or clean up the kitchen afterwards...that is luxury to me. I don't want to fight my way to a food station to get a plate of food, then to find a seat, trolling through the garden cafe scoping out the tables trying to guess if someone is done or not.  That is not luxurious to me.  If my day warrants that the buffet is the best choice due excursion departure times or whatever, of course we do it.  I just really dont enjoy it.  Not the food or the crew, just the concept itself.  Embarkation day is usually Buffet. DH loves the crepe station on the smaller ships for evening snack.

We dont even do the free continental breakfast that EVERYONE can order through room service. Once we get up, we are up, lets start our day and go eat.  We dont want to snack on breakfast foods. so for us to ask a butler to go get for us...it is wasted on US, we would just go get it ourselves.  As a rule we ask very little of our room steward as it is.  Towel animals, pool towels (to use as bath towels), empty the fridge, this last time we also asked for ice for ice packs.  That is the extent of our asks.  We tip at the start (smaller - $20) and then a thank you at the end ($50). Plus whatever they get in the DSC.

 

But that is why we love cruising - we make it ALL work for US.  It is flexible enough to fit everyone's OWN idea of the perfect vacation.

 

And this is also why I love this topic.  Im not complaining (though it sounds like it), just stating my "unpopular" opinion...We are all in control of our vacations, it is what we make it.  The things out of our control, are just that, out of our control.  Being nice, and understanding will get you A LOT further when things DO go wrong (as they often do), then being mean, demanding and nasty.

[MrsTocko]

1 hour ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

I've had steaks at Cagney's that rivaled the best restaurants I've eaten at.  I've also had really bad steaks.  On one cruise, the Local had a NY Strip steak special one night.  We gave it a shot.  It was much better than the last NY Strip I had at Cagney's.  So, who knows?

DH loves the raspberry creme brulee and I am addicted to their OMG Caramel Cheesecake

 

[Shidah]

What I love that others don’t:  overpacking.  People say don’t do it, but I have never regretted it.  I’ve never thought “wow I wish I had less choices for outfits”, even with overpacking I always think “ man, I wish I had even more choices”.

 

[Yodalicious]

On 7/29/2022 at 10:57 AM, Kenlorz said:

The thing I hate that others love: the pool deck along with all its group activities. There are just WAY too many people around the pool for me. You’ll find me in the Vibe or on my balcony or some other quiet space where there are no crowds

 

The thing I love that others hate: Dressing up for dinner! I love getting all dolled up and feeling like a million bucks, taking the time to pose with the ship photographers. Then having a swanky cocktail at a nice bar before having dinner at a specialty restaurant. It makes me feel like my husband and I are back to our pre-marriage dating days when your heart skipped a beat when you saw each other for the first time for the evening. Even now just typing about it makes me feel all dreamy

I love the idea of dressing for dinner.  I always bring a dress. ( you may see it more than 1 night) and really miss the formal nights.

 

[2 Fun Guys]

43 minutes ago, MrsTocko said:

The second part that turns us off is the entitled attitude of some (I know not all) of the people that book in the Haven.  For the most part, we want to be as far away from them as possible. The entitled ones are the louder complainers, and that is what we hear. 

This. I remember coming to CC before my first-ever cruise. I had no idea what the Haven even was. But I'll never forget a Haven-related thread I clicked on and the very first post I read was someone deeply concerned that she'd have to see the "regular passengers." "Just how long from arriving at the pier do we have to mingle with the 'non-Haven class'" she lamented. "Isn't EVERYTHING separate for us?"

 

All I could think of was Rose's mother in Titanic - the ship is sinking, and she's approaching a lifeboat - "Will we be seated according to class?"

 

Yikes. Not all, I'm sure. But enough.

[The Shrike]

1 hour ago, 2 Fun Guys said:

This. I remember coming to CC before my first-ever cruise. I had no idea what the Haven even was. But I'll never forget a Haven-related thread I clicked on and the very first post I read was someone deeply concerned that she'd have to see the "regular passengers." "Just how long from arriving at the pier do we have to mingle with the 'non-Haven class'" she lamented. "Isn't EVERYTHING separate for us?"

 

All I could think of was Rose's mother in Titanic - the ship is sinking, and she's approaching a lifeboat - "Will we be seated according to class?"

 

Yikes. Not all, I'm sure. But enough.

A third of our NCL cruises have been in the Haven and only once have we encountered the stereotypical entitled people.  I guess we've been lucky.  For the most part, the folks in the Haven have been just like the folks on the rest of the ship:  people just wanting an enjoyable vacation, but just a bit elevated.

Although we did have fun a few years back with our ex-BIL.  He grew up poor and worked his butt off to get to where he'd earn a six-figure salary.  But he never forgot his roots.  We talked him and his wife into going in the Haven with us and some other family.  A few weeks before sailing we were talking with him and he mentioned he thought it would be too fancy for them.  I said "The people we'll be with are from all walks of life and just decided to get spoiled on a cruise; you have no worries.  Although when you're poolside in the Haven you will need to wear a Tuxspeedo."  😃

 

[UKstages]

1 minute ago, The Shrike said:

A third of our NCL cruises have been in the Haven and only once have we encountered the stereotypical entitled people.  I guess we've been lucky.  For the most part, the folks in the Haven have been just like the folks on the rest of the ship:  people just wanting an enjoyable vacation, but just a bit elevated.

 

i have also been an haven guest and i've never run into this entitlement thing that's being discussed here. never. i think the percentage of... trying to think of a word here that will be acceptable to profanity filters... let's just say that the percentage of less than happy folks who express their displeasure  at everything or make unrealistic demands is exactly the same as it is elsewhere on the ship. there will always be people who complain or express disappointment or disdain, whether it is warranted or not. i've seen plenty of entitled people at cagney's, at the bars on the pool deck, at the theatre, in the elevators, in the stores, at the spa, in the MDRs. i couldn't tell you whether they were haven guests or not. but i'm sure many weren't.

 

i personally think the opposite is true... while the haven may seem rather large, it is actually a pretty small community compared to the rest of the ship. and you do see the same people over and over again: at meals, at the pool, on the sun deck and just walking around. so there is actually a strong incentive at play for haven guests NOT to misbehave... because everybody will learn about it and finger point and talk about you. and there would be no escape (especially if you were sailing on the escape). i think haven guess are  - by and large - so thrilled to be there that it would be hard for them to put on their cranky pants and grumble.

[complawyer]

i'd like to think that i'm not in the category of 'ENTITLED FOLKS" when we are able to book a haven. i know that in some of my very early posts, i may have come off that way (for which i apologize, that was not my intent).  i have posted before that i am very anti-social and a complete grumpy old curmudgeon

so for me the haven is perfect. it's not a status thing, it's i dont have to deal with crowds.

 

i can curl up in my little corner of the haven and just chill. you should try it at least once. if you read back some of the posts, you will find that the downside of the haven experience is being satisfied with another category cabin.

 

by the way, the butler will bend over backwards to make your stay as delightful as possible.

 

i will also concede that we are able to book a haven because we get a % off through casinos at sea, and through cesar's entertainment.  also, we get offers for free club balcony suites, and apply the cost to upgrade to a haven.

 

mstocko, give it a shot at least once. sometimes i just take my  kindle and sit on one of the lounge chairs in the haven pool area and just chill. they also have staff that will bring you drinks and goodies while youre at the pool. the other good news, is whenever i have done this, the pool area has usually been devoid of screaming children and ive had t he area by and large mostly to myself. same with the haven restaurant and bar. very few people with whom to interact.

 

as the old commercial says "try it, you'll like it"!

[juju2454]

Love: sleeping in, late brunch ( best of lunch coming out and end o the breakfast area still going) , staying out later meeting new people at the bar(s) and chatting about where we're from/ they're from etc.  late night snack at the buffet ( I really enjoy the buffet, I sit down at home all the time lol) 

Dislike:  Moderno,  pushy people in the buffet, lines at restaurants, bars, saving seats at shows, pool,   elitist in haven ( yeah I get it you like haven and think it is lovely, and want to be alone on a cruise of 3000+ people lol)   dishes in the halls, and oh dear  I am gonna duck scooters that practically run you over.....*DUCKING* 

[juju2454]

1 hour ago, UKstages said:

 

i have also been an haven guest and i've never run into this entitlement thing that's being discussed here. never. i think the percentage of... trying to think of a word here that will be acceptable to profanity filters... let's just say that the percentage of less than happy folks who express their displeasure  at everything or make unrealistic demands is exactly the same as it is elsewhere on the ship. there will always be people who complain or express disappointment or disdain, whether it is warranted or not. i've seen plenty of entitled people at cagney's, at the bars on the pool deck, at the theatre, in the elevators, in the stores, at the spa, in the MDRs. i couldn't tell you whether they were haven guests or not. but i'm sure many weren't.

 

i personally think the opposite is true... while the haven may seem rather large, it is actually a pretty small community compared to the rest of the ship. and you do see the same people over and over again: at meals, at the pool, on the sun deck and just walking around. so there is actually a 

so there is actually a strong incentive at play for haven guests NOT to misbehave... because everybody will learn about it and finger point and talk about you. and there would be no escape

* we talk about you outside of haven lol, as you can see.  🙂 lol   I understand what you are saying but in all honesty, I have indeed been referred to as steerage by a Haven person.   If you want to be alone I have to ask Why go on a cruise of 3000+ people?    Honest question.

[UKstages]

49 minutes ago, juju2454 said:

If you want to be alone I have to ask Why go on a cruise of 3000+ people?    Honest question.

 

you're confusing me with somebody else, perhaps.

 

neither greta garbo nor i ever said "i want to be alone."

 

"being alone" has never been my rationale for booking the haven.  also, i leave the haven frequently. a great deal of time is spent outside of the haven, with 3,000 of my closest friends. i walk among you (just like that other fellow). please note: on many large ships, a certain number of haven rooms aren't even located in "the haven" proper.

 

if by "being alone," you mean being in a private area and having a private restaurant and a private pool and a private bar far from the madding crowd, sure, that's part of it. but i view that as a higher level of service, not as "being alone." (if NCL wanted to, with planning and renovations, the entire ship could be a haven... but the market and cruising public would not support that.) and i'm here to tell you... the haven itself can get pretty damn crowded! even in the current covid era, the ship can be at 65%,  but the haven is almost always at 100%.

 

the reason i book the haven is for a higher level of service and hospitality and - almost always - better food.

 

in the interest of full disclosure, i should mention that i also get a casino comp. (but even if i were paying full freight, i'd still book the haven.)  it ameliorates everything people sometimes hate about cruises, by applying a higher staff-to-guest service ratio and having generally higher service standards... everything from pillows to mattresses to room service to wait staff.

 

honest answer!

[juju2454]

12 hours ago, ontheweb said:

Same here, plus we, especially DW, sleep better in total darkness.

Us too, the dark is so nice to sleep in and we aren't there enough to justify higher than inside.

[juju2454]

4 hours ago, 2 Fun Guys said:

This. I remember coming to CC before my first-ever cruise. I had no idea what the Haven even was. But I'll never forget a Haven-related thread I clicked on and the very first post I read was someone deeply concerned that she'd have to see the "regular passengers." "Just how long from arriving at the pier do we have to mingle with the 'non-Haven class'" she lamented. "Isn't EVERYTHING separate for us?"

 

All I could think of was Rose's mother in Titanic - the ship is sinking, and she's approaching a lifeboat - "Will we be seated according to class?"

 

Yikes. Not all, I'm sure. But enough.

I got called steerage by haven people.  Not kidding,  I was flabbergasted.  Steerage?  I too thought of the Titanic,  and looked at my DH and said "oh honey she thinks we're gonna be the couple i n their bed, waiting to drown"  

[juju2454]

16 minutes ago, UKstages said:

 

you're confusing me with somebody else, perhaps.

 

neither greta garbo nor i ever said "i want to be alone."

 

"being alone" has never been my rationale for booking the haven.  also, i leave the haven frequently. a great deal of time is spent outside of the haven, with 3,000 of my closest friends. i walk among you (just like that other fellow). please note: on many large ships, a certain number of haven rooms aren't even located in "the haven" proper.

 

if by "being alone," you mean being in a private area and having a private restaurant and a private pool and a private bar far from the madding crowd, sure, that's part of it. but i view that as a higher level of service, not as "being alone." (if NCL wanted to, with planning and renovations, the entire ship could be a haven... but the market and cruising public would not support that.) and i'm here to tell you... the haven itself can get pretty damn crowded! even in the current covid era, the ship can be at 65%,  but the haven is almost always at 100%.

 

the reason i book the haven is for a higher level of service and hospitality and - almost always - better food.

 

in the interest of full disclosure, i should mention that i also get a casino comp. (but even if i were paying full freight, i'd still book the haven.)  it ameliorates everything people sometimes hate about cruises, by applying a higher staff-to-guest service ratio and having generally higher service standards... everything from pillows to mattresses to room service to wait staff.

 

honest answer!

I appreciate the reply,  I haven't ever felt less taken care of in an inside room, but then I don't spend time in it either.  so that could be why.  I had to read this twice, the ameliorates part kinda goes with what I said though,  if you don't like  those things about a cruise, why cruise?    I digress. But I don't think I will ever quite get over being told Haven considers the rest in inside etc, Steerage.  Again thank you for your response.

[juju2454]

On 7/29/2022 at 10:09 AM, weltek said:

Same--the Getaway was the one time I really liked them, and that was when the Howl at the Moon partnership was fresh. The performers were almost land-based Howl quality, and yes, there was good interaction late at night with other entertainment crew members. My two cruises on the Escape, the piano bar sucked. Mediocre and yeah, after about 30 minutes left.

We did howl at the moon once, gave the dudes $10 for "Love under the dash board lights" aka Paradise?   they took the money and then said, "we don't know that song. Who doesn't know Meatloaf infamous "sex" song?  lol

[stefmaia]

Dislike intensely: Disability scooters. I had never seen one of these things until I came to the USA and here  they are everywhere! Walking down narrow corridors and having these things barreling towards me at a rate of speed and having nowhere to go to avoid them! I have now had a fractured metatarsal in my right foot , and a laceration on my left leg that needed stitches! There should be a limit on how many there are on board, they are dangerous.

 

Now I will sit back and wait for the inevitable onslaught of indignation.

[complawyer]

i dont know who you may be referring to, but i would never consider or call any non-haven cruisers steerage. the thought would never even occur to me.  i cruise because i absolutely love to be on a cruise ship discovering new places. in the past 12 years. my wife and i have visited places on this planet, i never thought i would see. ive ridden a camel in tenerife, an elephant in bangkok, been kissed by a stingray, propositioned in hong kong (totally different story) 

 

im not into "meet and greet" Im not knocking those that participate, it's just not for me., ive posted before that im anti-social (not really true) im actually a loner and have been  most of my life.

 

i prefer not to be seated with strangers, and the haven affords me the opportunity to limit  contact with others. i dont chat with other people sitting at the bar, but the limited number of people in the haven complex suits me just fine.  

 

i dont look down or think less of other cruisers who dont book a haven.

 

as an aside, the more posts he and i write, the more i appreciate chiefmate jrk, and in a past post i told him if we're ever onthe same ship and im in a haven, he is welcome to a complete  tour, and the drinks and dinner are on me.

 

whoever made the comment about others being in steerage is just plain dumb. (i believe they are called "KARENS"

[boltnut55]

Things I like that others might not:

• Sleeping in and sleeping late:  We were on a 10-day cruise to Alaska, and most days, we woke up in time for lunch and slept around 3:00AM.  We also got room service before bed because... well, it's been about 8 hours since our last meal!😂
• Ordering lots of dishes in the MDR:  One night I had 5 appetizers/soups and 1 entree🤷🏻‍♀️
• Eating in the MDR:  love how waitstaff remember us, love dressing up (mostly because I don't get to at home, but my next cruise is on NCL, so I will just wear my daytime clothes)
• Using the fitness center:  I try to go every other day and work out about an hour each time
• Shows:  I'm paying a lot of money, and they've practiced hard, so I'm going!
• Dueling pianos:  Love this whether on land or at sea

-----------------------------------------------------

Things others might like that I don't:

• "Older" music:  I grew up with 80's music, so i'm less interested in 50's - 70's but noticed a lot of that on my last cruise (not NCL)
• Yes, those shower dispensers:  normally i bring my own but forgot last time; because I'm pessimistic, I'm leery that they've been tampered with!  I know it's just my imagination.
• Pool:  Other than resting for a few minutes on one of those lounge chairs once or twice, I have never been poolside on any of my cruises.  I've maybe been in a pool 1-2x and probably no longer than 30 mins.
• Buffet:  I'd rather be served; also I've seen people cough into the same hands they scoop food out of.
• Photos:  hate taking them and hate paying for them, but the people I go with seem to like to take photos, so I go along w/it🤦🏻‍♀️