Rough start to Haven.

[Two Wheels Only]

40 minutes ago, lemon bar said:

 

Oh man, that does sound awkward.

 

Do we have to do this? We will be in Haven (first time) on Aqua, boarding in Miami. I would rather not be lead around people who have been waiting for a while with a sign that says Haven. 😄 If we get of on/off ship at ports during non-peak times, can we avoid this?

 

The "parade" and the amount of "awkwardness" will vary by port/terminal. Some places are a mess of people and the Haven escort will squeeze a group between a crowd of people. Some places have a more discreet process.

 

For ports of call, you can get in line with everyone else....but I prefer to bypass the line when I can. 😉

[david_sobe]

3 hours ago, kimstoess said:

Being in the haven proper doesn't mean you spent less money. I have an aft large balcony haven room coming up soon on the bliss and I could have stayed in the haven proper for $1,000 less. 

I think you meant to say staying in Haven proper does not mean you spent more money?

However I am comparing apples to apples.  A Haven penthouse vs forward penthouse. They each have approximately the same balcony and one bathroom.   The aft suites are larger, have a completely different balcony and have another bathroom.  

[Fogfog]

On 3/18/2024 at 4:26 PM, david_sobe said:

If these are your complaints so far you are on track for a miserable cruise.  There is no such thing as priority luggage.  I have sailed Haven and non-Haven cabins and never found the luggage arrives earlier in the Haven.  Those Haven tags may make people feel special though.

Just because you are in the Haven does not mean you get to run on to the ship.  Its boarded in an orderly fashion and in groups from the Haven.  You need a Haven escort to jump the lines that will bottleneck through the process.   NCL does not stop the boarding process until all Haven passengers are boarded.  There will be plenty of non-Haven passengers who got there really early and were in the first boarding group.  I have waited in the Haven lounge with families with lots of kids with complicated passports. I sit there impatient too while I see hoards of people boarding the ship.   This happens at every port and every ship.  This is reality and should not have any impact on your cruise.  You can always find odd things under the bed or a sponge in the bathroom that were left behind and not removed during the cleaning process.  This again happens at every embarkation on every ship.  This is not a rough start.  Its a typical start.

Now go have a great cruise.  The Encore has an incredible 3 deck Haven. Soak it all in.  Just because you got on the ship 15 minutes later than you expected is not a rough start.

Interesting about the luggage. 

With MSC YC the bags are tagged YC and on separate carts. 

IDK that they arrive before/after other baggage, yet they do come early to mid afternoon.

So in the last 2 sailings- we were on the ship at 10:30/11 in YC lounge. Had lunch (carry ons dropped at the room) and luggage was at the rooms by about 2-4.

 

To temper expectations on our upcoming NCL Haven sailing, what is most typical. Please and TY for your thought.

 

[david_sobe]

7 minutes ago, Fogfog said:

Interesting about the luggage. 

With MSC YC the bags are tagged YC and on separate carts. 

IDK that they arrive before/after other baggage, yet they do come early to mid afternoon.

So in the last 2 sailings- we were on the ship at 10:30/11 in YC lounge. Had lunch (carry ons dropped at the room) and luggage was at the rooms by about 2-4.

 

To temper expectations on our upcoming NCL Haven sailing, what is most typical. Please and TY for your thought.

 

I can only speak from personal experience.  Bags arrive relatively fast on all the NCL cruises I have taken. I don't find them necessarily arriving faster in the Haven.  Perhaps someone else has a different experience.  There is always that one bag that seems to arrive later than all the rest no matter what.  IMHO those Haven tags look fancy but don't mean a whole lot.  But we would need NCL baggage handlers to comment to know for sure. 

[cruiseny4life]

10 minutes ago, Fogfog said:

Interesting about the luggage. 

With MSC YC the bags are tagged YC and on separate carts. 

IDK that they arrive before/after other baggage, yet they do come early to mid afternoon.

So in the last 2 sailings- we were on the ship at 10:30/11 in YC lounge. Had lunch (carry ons dropped at the room) and luggage was at the rooms by about 2-4.

 

To temper expectations on our upcoming NCL Haven sailing, what is most typical. Please and TY for your thought.

 

6 PM? 8 PM? Go hunt for your bags in the hallway and get them before 5 PM. Those have been a few of our experiences. 🙂 Temper your expectations now haha

[CWMixer]

Just catching up on this thread and am surprised to see the reactions to use of the word 'masses' in my comment on priority boarding experience (#17).  Apparently this is a pejorative trigger word to some, taken as a negative comment on other passengers (and generating an 'us vs them' sub-thread).  Oh brother indeed.  Not my intent at all.  As others have since used the synonym 'crowds' I'll trust it's ok and will rephrase my original comment, hopefully not inadvertently offending anyone this time but who knows:

 

I've flown enough with the crowds on Southwest to appreciate the different experience on the relatively few times I've been in front on a JAL or Delta flight.

I've traveled enough with the crowds on Metro North/NYC subways to appreciate the different experience on the relatively few times I've been able to take a private car service.

Same comparison goes with my cruising experiences.  It's a comment on our relative experience, not the other passengers.

 

Regarding elevators vs stairs: as stairs are not an option for my wife, we have to use elevators to get around.  General elevator etiquette issues have been discussed enough on these boards, and the availability of a 'private' elevator once in a while is a nice alternative experience.

 

I hope the OP is enjoying their cruise after the bumpy start.

[graphicguy]

7 minutes ago, Fogfog said:

Interesting about the luggage. 

With MSC YC the bags are tagged YC and on separate carts. 

IDK that they arrive before/after other baggage, yet they do come early to mid afternoon.

So in the last 2 sailings- we were on the ship at 10:30/11 in YC lounge. Had lunch (carry ons dropped at the room) and luggage was at the rooms by about 2-4.

 

To temper expectations on our upcoming NCL Haven sailing, what is most typical. Please and TY for your thought.

 

The only time I’ve checked luggage while staying in the Haven was last Oct.  Was staying in Europe for a month (week and a half cruising).  So had a big suitcase checked.  

 

IIRC, it was in my cabin around noon!

[Fogfog]

1 minute ago, david_sobe said:

I can only speak from personal experience.  Bags arrive relatively fast on all the NCL cruises I have taken. I don't find them necessarily arriving faster in the Haven.  Perhaps someone else has a different experience.  There is always that one bag that seems to arrive later than all the rest no matter what.  IMHO those Haven tags look fancy but don't mean a whole lot.  But we would need NCL baggage handlers to comment to know for sure. 

TY 

I do know that in Fl ports for example--the outside folks are long shoremen/union and not cruise line folks. so the bags are transferred from longshoremen, through security, to inside ship handlers. With MSC YC bags, they are put on baggage carts at the pier --all together. I would expect things can get separated though in all of our sailings on several lines and various cabin/suite levels, - only 1 bag went awol for a few hours yet it still arrived by dinner time 

[Fogfog]

3 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

The only time I’ve checked luggage while staying in the Haven was last Oct.  Was staying in Europe for a month (week and a half cruising).  So had a big suitcase checked.  

 

IIRC, it was in my cabin around noon!

Fingers crossed. On Prima in Haven soon.

Wish you and the GF were joining the TA 😉

[Fogfog]

8 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

6 PM? 8 PM? Go hunt for your bags in the hallway and get them before 5 PM. Those have been a few of our experiences. 🙂 Temper your expectations now haha

NCL baggage handling is THAT poor for Haven pax?

[cruiseny4life]

2 minutes ago, Fogfog said:

NCL baggage handling is THAT poor for Haven pax?

I have certainly not had the experience @graphicguy and @david_sobe had. Even when cruising inside the Haven on Pr1ma our bag (it's a relatively small duffel - 36'ish pounds on our last cruise for two) arrived around 5 PM. 

 

We don't really care as we bring a bathing suit in our day bag so we can swim/hot tub/lounge around. And, then just put on whatever it was we had after. But, we've never experienced pre-sail away delivery of our bags.  

[Two Wheels Only]

I've been lucky to never have an issue with luggage (knock on particle board, MDF, whatever cheap stuff that the cruise lines use) no matter what tags have been on them. One thing with Haven suites outside of the complex is that eventually, those bags end up all together with the neighboring non-Haven bags and get delivered all together.

[graphicguy]

12 minutes ago, Fogfog said:

Fingers crossed. On Prima in Haven soon.

Wish you and the GF were joining the TA 😉

Funny…she and I were just talking about that this past weekend.  Unfortunately, we can’t swing it.

 

I’m sure you’ll have a great time.  It’s a wonderful ship!

[Fogfog]

4 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Funny…she and I were just talking about that this past weekend.  Unfortunately, we can’t swing it.

 

I’m sure you’ll have a great time.  It’s a wonderful ship!

Hope all is well..including the ankle.

Best

fog

[PATRLR]

On 3/18/2024 at 4:06 PM, mscdivina2016 said:

We found our room not fully cleaned. A razor and a loofa in the shower. Ugh.

 

On 3/18/2024 at 4:26 PM, david_sobe said:

You can always find odd things under the bed or a sponge in the bathroom that were left behind and not removed during the cleaning process.  This again happens at every embarkation on every ship.  This is not a rough start.  Its a typical start.

 

I don't know what kind of places you normally stay but a razor and loofa in the shower makes it crystal clear to me that the room (at the very least, the shower) wasn't properly cleaned. That is not "a typical start" in places I stay and I don't consider it a typcial start on any cruise line.   

I'm not sure exactly how I would handle it, but, I have a feeling nothing less than the hotel manager would be at my room.  As someone else stated, I'd be worried about the sheets and to that end I could see myself stripping the bed and dumping it all in the hallway insisting they get me new bedding.

Prior passenger's personal effects left in the bathroom is 100% unacceptable.

[IAcruising]

22 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

But, we've never experienced pre-sail away delivery of our bags.  

 

Interesting. I'm trying to recall if we've ever not had our bags by sail away. I would say that 50% of the time they there when our rooms are called as ready. Do you tend to check in early, or late?

 

 

 

Edited March 20 by IAcruising

[PATRLR]

17 minutes ago, IAcruising said:

Interesting. I'm trying to recall if we've ever not had our bags by sail away. I would say that 50% of the time they there when our rooms are called as ready. Do you tend to check in early, or late?

50% when rooms ready?  That's really good compared to my experiences.  I'd say maybe 50% before sailaway is more like our experience (assuming a 4-5PM sailaway).  Very seldom (if ever?) have we not had them by dinner time (7-8PM).  We check in as early as we can, and if we can't checkin early our bags will still have been dropped with the porters early.

Edited March 20 by PATRLR

[IAcruising]

1 minute ago, PATRLR said:

We check in as early as we can,

 

Same. I'm going to have to confer with Mrs. IA to check my recollections. It's just in my mind's eye that we are always unpacked and settled in before sail away. However, I may be thinking of dinner.

 

But I am certain that 2 out of our last 4 NCL cruises, the bags were at the door when they called rooms ready.

 

[graphicguy]

41 minutes ago, Fogfog said:

Hope all is well..including the ankle.

Best

fog

Thanks….appreciate the well wishes!  Found out I had a hairline crack.  So, taking a bit longer to heal up, but I’m getting there!

 

Kind of focusing in on a Canadian Joy cruise!  Some nice fares right now!

[Fogfog]

9 minutes ago, IAcruising said:

 

Same. I'm going to have to confer with Mrs. IA to check my recollections. It's just in my mind's eye that we are always unpacked and settled in before sail away. However, I may be thinking of dinner.

 

But I am certain that 2 out of our last 4 NCL cruises, the bags were at the door when they called rooms ready.

 

Glad to hear this

We like to be unpacked, settled  in and have changed for dinner.

36 minutes ago, PATRLR said:

 

 

I don't know what kind of places you normally stay but a razor and loofa in the shower makes it crystal clear to me that the room (at the very least, the shower) wasn't properly cleaned. That is not "a typical start" in places I stay and I don't consider it a typcial start on any cruise line.   

I'm not sure exactly how I would handle it, but, I have a feeling nothing less than the hotel manager would be at my room.  As someone else stated, I'd be worried about the sheets and to that end I could see myself stripping the bed and dumping it all in the hallway insisting they get me new bedding.

Prior passenger's personal effects left in the bathroom is 100% unacceptable.

Agreed. That says the room was NOT cleaned.

[Fogfog]

1 minute ago, graphicguy said:

Thanks….appreciate the well wishes!  Found out I had a hairline crack.  So, taking a bit longer to heal up, but I’m getting there!

 

Kind of focusing in on a Canadian Joy cruise!  Some nice fares right now!

OUCH! So sorry. 

[cruiseny4life]

1 hour ago, IAcruising said:

 

Interesting. I'm trying to recall if we've ever not had our bags by sail away. I would say that 50% of the time they there when our rooms are called as ready. Do you tend to check in early, or late?

 

 

 

Except for our first cruise which had tons of issues, we always check in as early as possible. On one cruise my husband ran ahead and was the first passenger onboard. On others we've been within the first two Haven groups to be onboard. So, yep our bags are among the first to be collected. Maybe that means they are shoved way in the back of the pile to be loaded on the ship. Or, we just don't have good luck! 

[david_sobe]

4 hours ago, PATRLR said:

 

 

I don't know what kind of places you normally stay but a razor and loofa in the shower makes it crystal clear to me that the room (at the very least, the shower) wasn't properly cleaned. That is not "a typical start" in places I stay and I don't consider it a typcial start on any cruise line.   

I'm not sure exactly how I would handle it, but, I have a feeling nothing less than the hotel manager would be at my room.  As someone else stated, I'd be worried about the sheets and to that end I could see myself stripping the bed and dumping it all in the hallway insisting they get me new bedding.

Prior passenger's personal effects left in the bathroom is 100% unacceptable.

I have found socks under the bed.  I once found a plastic mouthwash bottle full of smuggled alcohol in a dresser drawer.  Unfortunately with how much needs done and cleaned during disembarkation and embarkation things like a sponge or shaving razor could be over looked.  While not great, I dont think it would reflect on how clean the room was.  I have never seen dirty sheets and every disembarkation I have seen all the sheets are ripped off the bed.  There is a difference between cleaning and deep cleaning.  Can you clean your shower and bathroom and leave a sponge or razor in the shower?  I think so.  We have a difference of opinion. I simply would throw those items away.  Calling the hotel manager over a sponge is a bit extreme IMHO.  But I respect your right to do so.  If I see dirt in the bathroom or smell something I will call housekeeping.  
I used to follow a certain cruise channel and this guy made such a big deal because while he was staying in the cabin one day the room steward did not empty the bathroom basket.  It had some kleenex in it (from himself). He made such a big deal that I unsubscribed from his channel.  I have seen how they vacuum and rip these rooms apart.  Small abandoned items does not equate to a dirty room IMHO.  But to each their own.

I suppose when they clean the shower every day with people in the cabin they are mentally trained not to touch the passenger's razor and sponge.  This force of habit could explain why he or she missed them this morning.  

Edited March 20 by david_sobe

[ChiefMateJRK]

14 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Sailed with you on that one (and enjoyed it immensely).  Now, since you know me, and knowing I sometimes sail the Haven, would you describe more more an elite?  Or, more like Jethro Bodine?  

I'll just call you Jethro from now on my friend!  Yes, we know each other's real names and will look forward to the time that we meet again.  When that happens, neither of us will give a hoot regarding which cabin we're in.  I guess that's the point of my rambling posts.  IT AIN'T ABOUT THE CABIN!  Of course, if somebody really finds value in the Haven, then knock yourselves out.😎

[ChiefMateJRK]

13 hours ago, roddy good boy said:

I’m not sure what they mean about parades. I’ve been in the Haven about 5 times. Most  times, we board by ourselves with a butler. The butler comes to the registration area and takes whomever has completed registration and is ready to board. A few times we’ve missed a group and have had to wait for another butler. At most, I’ve boarded with about 6 to 8 other people. The butler takes the group up to the Haven in designated Haven elevators.

Well, they are real.  I wish I took a picture (not really, I was on the ship for maximum fun and this just added to the amusement).  It's marketing.  Trying to sell steerage on the glories of Haven.  Like I said.  To the credit of some, they didn't look like they were enjoying being marched through steerage as a marketing gimmick.  The rest?  They were in hog heaven. I can't wait until my next B2B.  It's coming up soon!!!!😎