Breakaway Syd Norman's Pour House - Haven Guest Question

[Sthrngary]

48 minutes ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

If 10% of the 200 Haven guests take advantage of the early entry to Syd's perk, that means that 20/50 or 40% of the available seats will be for Haven guests.  

@CruizinSusan70 You are new to Cruise Critic and by default new to this NCL blog on Cruise Critic.  Welcome.  
 

When I and other pay 3 to 4 times as more for a stateroom on a sailing, there are perks. It seems early entry to Syd’s is one.  Early boarding, Early exiting, prioritized reservations for specialty restaurants, private sun deck, private pool, suites only dining, reserved seats at the big shows, butlers, private bar, special line for go carts, afternoon snacks, specialty coffees, and many, many more. In addition, a Haven guest has full access to the rest of the ship. They paid a hefty premium for these and other benefits. 
 

Celebrity does the same with the Retreat. MSC does the same with the Y Club.  All fares are about the same comparison. If this makes you uncomfortable, stay in the Haven, live with the fact people pay for the privilege or cruise another brand.

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. Enjoy your flag ship sailing. 

 

Edited October 18, 2022 by Sthrngary

[Sthrngary]

14 hours ago, deliver42 said:

Why do Haven guests feel so Entitled? You have the Haven and all it's perks. That's what you're entitled to. Not the whole ship.

@deliver42 The Haven guest is entitled to the entire ship.  That is way it is called “A ship with in a ship”. They pay a huge premium for those benefits and perks.  The benefits and perks are given by NCL.  The Haven Guest did not make the rules, NCL did. Celebrity and MSC did the same.  
 

As a Haven Guest, I would take full advantage of every benefit my premium fare provides me. When no in the Haven, I don’t get those perk because I did not pay for them. Just the way it is and NCL created it that way and the Haven is sold out on most every sailing.  
 

Cruise well and regardless of cabin classification, enjoy every moment. 

[cruiseny4life]

9 hours ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

Enjoy your 14 nights on the 9 year old Breakaway next month.

We'll be spending 11 nights on the flagship of the fleet and away from your elitist attitude.

What gets your dander up so much about Haven guests? Did you experience some sort of trauma at the hands of a yankee doodle way up high in the Haven? I'm really interested to find out why you hold such vitriol toward those that do sail Haven.

[2boyzmom]

11 hours ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

Enjoy your 14 nights on the 9 year old Breakaway next month.

We'll be spending 11 nights on the flagship of the fleet and away from your elitist attitude.

LOL - who is the elitist here? No sense of humor whatsoever. Chill out....

[2boyzmom]

2 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

What gets your dander up so much about Haven guests? Did you experience some sort of trauma at the hands of a yankee doodle way up high in the Haven? I'm really interested to find out why you hold such vitriol toward those that do sail Haven.

I love you 😍

[graphicguy]

This thread has turned very, very weird.  

[Sthrngary]

14 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

This thread has turned very, very weird.  

@graphicguy I would have to agree.  Not sure how it happened however if I was in some way the cause, I apologize.  To help change the subject, allow me to say this.

 

I am cruising on the Breakaway on December 4, 2022.  I can't wait.  I have not had the opportunity to be in a Syd's for quite some time.  The most recent ships I cruised had the Beatles and the Cavern Club both of which were true highlights to my past cruises.  

 

Syd's will provide that small venue feeling with live music that creates a down home feeling. Whether I am standing or lucky enough to be sitting, this is an experience I look forward too greatly.  

 

We all are coming off some stressful time.  We all seem to really love cruising.  Having something to look forward too is so essential for our mental health.  My Cruise is in 40 + days.  I have a bit more spring in my step every day knowing that.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

[CruizinSusan70]

2 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

What gets your dander up so much about Haven guests? Did you experience some sort of trauma at the hands of a yankee doodle way up high in the Haven? I'm really interested to find out why you hold such vitriol toward those that do sail Haven.

I have no vitriol against Haven guests, with the exception if someone laughs at us while standing in line which was mentioned in another thread about an incident on the Prima recently.

The ship within a ship concept pertains to the Haven area.  Haven clients deserve the peripheral perks as well such as early specialty dining reservations, priority embarkation, etc.  

But, having 20 Haven guests bypass the line at Syd's and occupy 20 out of 50 seats or having 40% of the small venue dedicated to Haven guests is what crosses the line to me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Juncti]

7 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

@graphicguy I would have to agree.  Not sure how it happened however if I was in some way the cause, I apologize.  To help change the subject, allow me to say this.

 

I am cruising on the Breakaway on December 4, 2022.  I can't wait.  I have not had the opportunity to be in a Syd's for quite some time.  The most recent ships I cruised had the Beatles and the Cavern Club both of which were true highlights to my past cruises.  

 

Syd's will provide that small venue feeling with live music that creates a down home feeling. Whether I am standing or lucky enough to be sitting, this is an experience I look forward too greatly.  

 

We all are coming off some stressful time.  We all seem to really love cruising.  Having something to look forward too is so essential for our mental health.  My Cruise is in 40 + days.  I have a bit more spring in my step every day knowing that.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

 

Having been on this ship twice with a third booking coming the day you get back I can definitely say Syd's is my favorite area on the ship. Live classic rock music, and the group that performs does a really good job keeping the energy in the room up.

 

They also have some nice drinks that are only there, so I tend to have a few of those over the course of the week, although if we upgrade to plus I might have to explore other options and see what might be available.

 

I'd be interested in seeing what plus options you find around the ship as I'm sure you will be exploring.

[CruizinSusan70]

11 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

@deliver42 The Haven guest is entitled to the entire ship.  That is way it is called “A ship with in a ship”. 

 

6 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

@graphicguy I would have to agree.  Not sure how it happened however if I was in some way the cause, I apologize.  

Have to disagree Gary.  The Haven guest is not entitled to the entire ship.  They are entitled to stay in their ship within a ship area and get priority reservations and a roped off area in the theater.

The contention comes into play regarding a perk that you as a past guest of the Haven was not even aware of and that is the crux of the thread regarding Haven guests getting priority entrance into Syd's.  I fully realize that this is dependent upon the concierge on each ship and of course they will promote it in order to get additional gratuities from Haven guests.  

The situation is what it is and we will deal with the consequences when we sail on NCL 4 times between now and March on the Prima with Syd's and the Encore with the Cavern Club.

[Sthrngary]

3 minutes ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

Have to disagree Gary.  The Haven guest is not entitled to the entire ship.  They are entitled to stay in their ship within a ship area and get priority reservations and a roped off area in the theater.

@CruizinSusan70 I never mind a person disagreeing with me.  I am not a Know it All and never wanted to be considered one.  Yet, I am a person that will appreciate boundaries.  All me to explain.  The Haven Area was designed to increase the profitability of the NCL Sailings.  From day one, with the premium paid, it was the highest profit area of NCL sailings per cabin.  

It was marketed from the beginning as the best of both worlds.  You could have the Mainstream experience and have a Haven area to retreat too. I actually met one of the executives, a previous retired ship captain on the Getaway that told me the whole story. 

 

NCL wanted to open up an area that would attract clients that would go on Luxury and Ultra-Luxury cruises.  They learned that if they could provide a Mainstream environment for all the activities, dining venues and public events; add to this a VIP area; that would bring in other higher profit clients.  It worked.  It worked so well other brands followed.  

 

The entire ship plus this VIP area was always the notion.  If it were the case that Haven Guests would not have full access to the entire ship, their would not fare less folks willing to pay the premium.  That experience exists on brands like Viking, Seaborne, Oceania, Regents.  Those entire ships are all Haven on steroids.  Those other options also cost very similar to what a Haven Suite costs.  So guests are willing to go on a Mainstream Cruise Line like NCL, if they can have that experience plus the rest of the ship.

 

You disagreed that the Haven Guest should have access to the rest of the ship.  That is your opinion.  The marketing, and intent of NCL for those Haven Guest are much different then your opinion.  On another note, I wrote the op-ed, "The secrets of the Haven VIP Experience" and recently revised it.  It is try I did not know that Syd's early access was not part of the perks.  Now I was educated differently.  That is the purpose of this stream.  When not in the Haven as will be my case in December, I fully realize I will not have that early access and understand completely why that will be the case. 

 

I have said all I can say on this topic.  My apologies to the Op-Ed.  I will not stop following the topic.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

 

[AnitaVacation]

42 minutes ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

I have no vitriol against Haven guests, with the exception if someone laughs at us while standing in line which was mentioned in another thread about an incident on the Prima recently.

The ship within a ship concept pertains to the Haven area.  Haven clients deserve the peripheral perks as well such as early specialty dining reservations, priority embarkation, etc.  

But, having 20 Haven guests bypass the line at Syd's and occupy 20 out of 50 seats or having 40% of the small venue dedicated to Haven guests is what crosses the line to me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I do believe Syds holds more than 50 people… although I’m not sure, because as a Haven elitist everyone else was behind me 😂😜🤪

[JGmf]

12 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

When I and other pay 3 to 4 times as more for a stateroom on a sailing, there are perks. It seems early entry to Syd’s is one.  Early boarding, Early exiting, prioritized reservations for specialty restaurants, private sun deck, private pool, suites only dining, reserved seats at the big shows, butlers, private bar, special line for go carts, afternoon snacks, specialty coffees, and many, many more. In addition, a Haven guest has full access to the rest of the ship. They paid a hefty premium for these and other benefits. 

 

I, too, disagree Gary.

 

I may have started this thing on this thread against Haven priority for Syd's.  That's fine, as I truly believe that giving Haven guests (like me, who stays in the Haven) early embarkation, early tenders, early disembarkation, private dining and bar, their own butler, snacks, etc. is great and commensurate with what we pay, but none of those perks prevents the non-Haven passenger from eventually enjoying (later) embarkation, (later) disembarkation, (non-exclusive) sundeck and hot tubs, (non-exclusive) dining and snacks in the buffet, and (general admission to) shows in larger venues.

 

Using the same logic, maybe NCL should rope-off part of the Atrium seating for Haven guests for the game shows they have in there?   That would be interesting.

 

When a venue like Syd's, by its design, is so small that earlier entry for Haven guests would curtail eager, lined-up non-Haven passengers from enjoying the same, then that's a plain fairness issue ...in my own humble opinion. 

 

Before you pile-on, if Haven passengers are offered the perk, go ahead and use it. 

 

I just think NCL shouldn't offer it. 

 

 

 

[Sthrngary]

8 minutes ago, JGmf said:

 

I, too, disagree Gary.

 

I may have started this thing on this thread against Haven priority for Syd's.  That's fine, as I truly believe that giving Haven guests (like me, who stays in the Haven) early embarkation, early tenders, early disembarkation, private dining and bar, their own butler, snacks, etc. is great and commensurate with what we pay, but none of those perks prevents the non-Haven passenger from eventually enjoying (later) embarkation, (later) disembarkation, (non-exclusive) sundeck and hot tubs, (non-exclusive) dining and snacks in the buffet, and (general admission to) shows in larger venues.

 

Using the same logic, maybe NCL should rope-off part of the Atrium seating for Haven guests for the game shows they have in there?   That would be interesting.

 

When a venue like Syd's, by its design, is so small that earlier entry for Haven guests would curtail eager, lined-up non-Haven passengers from enjoying the same, then that's a plain fairness issue ...in my own humble opinion. 

 

Before you pile-on, if Haven passengers are offered the perk, go ahead and use it. 

 

I just think NCL shouldn't offer it. 

 

 

 

If the issue is simply Syd's, or the Comedy Clubs and the Cavern club venues.  I fully agree.  Let all be clear, I was never given Haven Access to these clubs and to be honest, I only asked once. If access was offered, I would have jumped on it.  Nowhere is it stated on NCL marketing that these little venues are included in Haven Perks.  That is why I was surprised about Syd's.  

 

As you said, if it was a perk, and I was in the Haven, I would use it.  If it is dependent on the ship you are on or the Haven Staff decision, then this entire stream is missing the point.  My only debate here is Haven Guest should have access to the entire ship not just the Haven Proper.  If special access is provided, it should be consistent from ship to ship and well documented by NCL.  If perks are documented, and non-Haven guests (I will be one in December) need to take their issues up with NCL. 

 

Sidenote for context: On November 2021, I finally did my family vacation put off due to Covid with four cruise cancelations.  We were in the Haven, after all the extra's for cancelled cruises, I gave my family and especially myself a treat.  A "Once in a Lifetime" "Bucket List Suite".  We were on the Joy and had one of the two, H2 Haven Deluxe Owners Suites.  Folks don't hate the messenger.  This happened because all the stars and the moon were finally in the right places.  I asked if I could get early entry to the Cavern Club and or the comedy venue and told, "NO".  On this situation with my family, I did ask.  

 

So many things and experience people have on NCL can be inconsistent from one cruise to another.  I just thought that might bring some flavor to what I am trying to say.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

[2boyzmom]

Thanks everyone for your comments. Can't wait to return to cruising. Going to be a great trip and I will be sure to enjoy Syds either way !!!  

[graphicguy]

Syd's does not have a bad seat in the house...whether you're sitting in the front row (in one of those rickety wooden chairs at a small table) or SRO in the back.  You will see and hear well, no matter where you are.

 

Personally, don't care what anyone else thinks.  If priority seating is available to me, and I'm willing to "hang around" the venue for 45 minutes at my "priority seat", then so be it.

 

I won't have priority seating on my upcoming cruise 10/30.  I know that.  I'm fine with it as I spent about $600 on the cruise....not $4K as a Haven guest.

 

If I were staying in the Haven?  I would be first person waiting at the Haven Concierge's desk for an escort to Syd's before anyone else.

[AnitaVacation]

On 10/14/2022 at 2:13 PM, wil e coyote said:

Yeah, we were really surprised when we got told "we don't do that" on Breakaway. Thought maybe our earlier experience had been the exception, but it sounds like they got it right on GA.

When was this? We were on the BA last Oct and our Conceirge made it very clear that this was a thing and to just let her know which nights we wanted to go so that she could make sure she or someone else was available to take us down. I'm sorry that you did not get the same experience. 😞 

On 10/15/2022 at 3:54 PM, Treasure Hunter said:

We just got off the Breakaway and our concierge also told us ( and this was the first time in our many times in the Haven) no about being escorted to the theater early. I said point blank that this was not acceptable. The haven seats are not close enough for me to comfortably see and my husband to hear. She arranged for our butler to bring us down. When others in the Haven saw us go they were so happy to join us. Needless to say her tip reflected this and our butler received double . 

Do you mean the big/main theatre?  I don't remember if being escorted to the main theatre was a thing...just that there was a section reserved for Haven guests (and honestly, not even a good section), we make our own way to the main theatre and get our own seats, if we want good seats we arrive a little earlier than usual...

 

We've mostly had a good experience with our conceirge and tip accordingly.  There was one sailing, our very first Owner's Suite on the Dawn where I felt like the conceirge completly ignored us, she didn't even muster up a 'good morning' at breakfast (her desk was just outside of Cagney's).  She never really said anything to us at all.. but I did see her engage with other guests... her tip reflected her efforts... $0

[cruiseny4life]

2 hours ago, AnitaVacation said:

Do you mean the big/main theatre?  I don't remember if being escorted to the main theatre was a thing...just that there was a section reserved for Haven guests (and honestly, not even a good section), we make our own way to the main theatre and get our own seats, if we want good seats we arrive a little earlier than usual...

September was my first time utilizing the concierge to take me to a show - Million Dollar Quartet, on the Getaway. I saw the reserved Haven seats, however the concierge told us to sit wherever we would like. Once seated, the main doors opened. I don't know if this is how that concierge does things or if it was because the ship was at just barely more than 30% full. 

 

I do know that I would never sit in the Haven seats. They are too far back, and too far to the side, to be good seats. I'd just get in line early if I wanted to be up front on a ship that was fully occupied. Since this was my first time using the concierge in this manner, I'm not sure how the experience differs from ship to ship, or from concierge to concierge. I was fine with what he did, and there were a plethora of seats available for everyone who entered after us.

[Treasure Hunter]

The point is that NCL advertises that the service in the Haven is exceptional. We had two recent concierges on the Getaway and the Encore that went above and beyond. We were told when to come to the desk to be escorted without asking. They printed off my husbands crossword with a smile. Every thing was yes . We tipped generously. 

[disneywackerdh]

On 10/18/2022 at 12:39 PM, JGmf said:

 

I, too, disagree Gary.

 

I may have started this thing on this thread against Haven priority for Syd's.  That's fine, as I truly believe that giving Haven guests (like me, who stays in the Haven) early embarkation, early tenders, early disembarkation, private dining and bar, their own butler, snacks, etc. is great and commensurate with what we pay, but none of those perks prevents the non-Haven passenger from eventually enjoying (later) embarkation, (later) disembarkation, (non-exclusive) sundeck and hot tubs, (non-exclusive) dining and snacks in the buffet, and (general admission to) shows in larger venues.

 

Using the same logic, maybe NCL should rope-off part of the Atrium seating for Haven guests for the game shows they have in there?   That would be interesting.

 

When a venue like Syd's, by its design, is so small that earlier entry for Haven guests would curtail eager, lined-up non-Haven passengers from enjoying the same, then that's a plain fairness issue ...in my own humble opinion. 

 

Before you pile-on, if Haven passengers are offered the perk, go ahead and use it. 

 

I just think NCL shouldn't offer it. 

 

 

 

Well said.  Perfect, in fact.  If it is offered, if I were in a Haven room, of course I would use it and wouldn't (shouldn't) feel bad about doing so.  However, if offering early seating to Haven guests means that the rest of the ship gets the shaft, then no, of course it should NOT be a perk for Haven guests.  

[wil e coyote]

8 hours ago, AnitaVacation said:

When was this? We were on the BA last Oct and our Conceirge made it very clear that this was a thing and to just let her know which nights we wanted to go so that she could make sure she or someone else was available to take us down. I'm sorry that you did not get the same experience. 😞

@AnitaVacation, this was June 2022.

[graphicguy]

Haven seats in the big(ger) venues aren't really much to write home about.  I usually just find a seat for the main shows where I feel most comfortable.  Again, in any venue, short of SRO, there aren't any bad seats.

 

My pet peeve?  Those who show up late to any performance and insist on standing while blocking aisles to survey what seats are left.  Or, spying someone in your group, and forcing everyone else to get up to let you through while everyone else is trying to see the performance.

 

You're late. You're rude.  Be as inconspicuous as possible and sit where you're the least obtrusive.

 

Better still, if you're going to be late, find another showing of the performance that you can be punctual for so your not a disruption to the performers and the entire theater.

Edited October 20, 2022 by graphicguy

[AnitaVacation]

1 hour ago, graphicguy said:

My pet peeve?  Those who show up late to any performance and insist on standing while blocking aisles to survey what seats are left.  Or, spying someone in your group, and forcing everyone else to get up to let you through while everyone else is trying to see the performance.

 

You're late. You're rude.  Be as inconspicuous as possible and sit where you're the least obtrusive.

 

I agree, very rude!!  

A long time ago, I was in a venue that had special seating for late guests...it was up in the back and to the sides and that was the only place they were allowed, they were not allowed to go 'look for friends'...the downstairs main doors were shut and latecomers were directed to go upstairs.  I've also been in venues that shut the doors at showtime and don't allow anyone to enter!!

[CruizinSusan70]

 Just wanted to give an update regarding the Haven people getting led into the venues prior to those standing in line while escorted by their concierge.  This did happen in the Prima theater prior to the Noise Boys show, but thankfully did NOT happen prior to the Rumours show at Syd's.  Those patrons that waited outside Syd's for an hour or more before the show were let in about 600 pm for the 700 show.   The show was fantastic.  Unfortunately there were only two showings over the course of the 11 days and the prom show was cancelled as well.  The singer in the band who portrays Stevie Nicks was unable to perform so the shows got switched to nights 10 and 11.   The show on night 11 also got cancelled because of a music oriented show that replaced Press Your Luck in the main theater that the drummer, keyboardist and one of the guitar players were needed for.

[Shidah]

We were escorted down every show on the Getaway to Syd’s.  Like another poster mentioned, the concierge had a sign out every day on what time to meet in the evenings for Syd’s, theater shows, etc.  We had to meet 45min to an hour before each show time.  So the Haven wasn’t getting in last minute or anything like that.  Instead of waiting in line outside, we got to wait inside.  But we still had to get there early.