graphicguy

So, I start planning about a month in advance of any sailing. Just got my luggage tags. Sounds like a good place to start. Will take you through the booking and planning and go live when I board. This cruise is two fold... A) June is my birthday month, and I always try to take a cruise on my birthday month. It's a little dicey as schools are usually out by June, which means the little rug ra......er.....precious little angels will be cruising. So, I try to stay away from the Caribbean given that seems to be the route most of the parents like to take with children. Thus Bermuda, which I haven't been to in about a decade. I don't except it's changed all that much. But, a decade is a decade. And, I do enjoy Bermuda way more than the Mexico and Caribbean itineraries. I also have always enjoyed staying in one place over nite (actually, 3 nites) so I can take my time and really explore without being in a time crunch. B) Those of you who followed my foibles early this year, are aware of my wretched clumsiness by hitting a pool of water in The Local on the Prima, which doing a Buster Keaton inspired face plant. As a result, NCL graciously admitted there shouldn't have been a pool where I did the clumsy dance and granted me a fairly nice discount on my cruise. Had to use the discount within a year. This seemed like a good place to use it. I'm from Ohio and have to make my way to NYC. So, will have some cringe inducing plans for that. Traveling solo, which I have been doing a lot lately. I'm retired. GF is not. Even though I teach at the local community college, summers a slow. I also do work with my local community as an advisor for our recreation endeavors. Despite that, I have plenty of time on my hands. My GF, does not. Last cruise we took together was right after the restart a few years ago. Since she needs some lengthy notice to take a week or two off, she can't just pick up and leave. I can. We're looking at a cruise for next year in the Nordic, region however. This is a Haven booking. Extravagant? Especially for a solo? Probably! I don't care, though. Will take you throughout the ship, in addition to the Haven, the excursions, entertainment, food, drinks, bars restaurants, casino, theaters, getting there, and getting back, etc. Not much of a pool person, but I'll try to sneak in some pictures around that area, too. I like doing this, but it is time consuming, especially since it's a vacation. I'll do my best to offer up the info most people want to see. But, I make no commitments nor any promises (that sounds like a one nite stand, fercryinoutloud)! This will probably start out slow, but will pick up speed (and posts) as we get closer.

I have sailed on the Retreat (Edge and Apex) and the Haven (Getaway, Breakaway, Epic, Prima). The Retreat fares and total costs were ALWAYS significantly higher than Haven. Celebrity and NCL price differently. The Retreat bakes service charges and tips into the fare, which as mentioned, is higher than the Haven, which has lower fares but add in service charges and tips.

I think it depends on how well the bar is stocked. I've ordered a soda at some bars and they regularly give me a can. But, at O'Sheehans/Local, they always seem to give me the fountain variety. Just an unscientific observation, I also note that if they're really busy, they'll pull a can out of the cooler vs getting ice and pouring me a fountain drink.

Ah-Hah! There are cookies on board. Just have to know where to look. I found them just outside of CoCos on a standalone kiosk.

I certainly share this with all the sailors on the Prima.......I can't tell you how happy your review makes me. What a wonderful trip. Thank you!

Those Merrell boots should be fine. I think they forbid sandals, "flip-flops" and the like.

Happy Birthday!!!!!

No issues....they've offered to take us to be seated first when we're staying in the Haven. I have no problem taking advantage.

In other news, @YVRteacher found plenty of cookies on her Jewel Alaska cruise. So, apparently it's not an NCL policy or a cut back, but a ship to ship decision. My promise to all my CC friends, I will get an straight answer to this seemingly baffling NCL shifting with the winds policy about cookies. Sorry Henry....back to regularly scheduled programming.

Then again, Haven guests paid significantly more for their cabin for better perks and service. So, from that perspective, it is quite fair. 😉

The food is good there, too. I had some smoked pork and sides along with (several) beers while listening to the music. I think I stayed there a couple of hours. Enjoyed it.

They may be allowing Haven passengers to enter Syd's before the doors open. I've heard they don't do that any more. But, I have been able to do it (with Concierge escort through the back entrance) previously. I doubt the Head Concierge, Lyster, is still on board (think he was headed to Encore and then Viva). But, he said they didn't do that any more, and then ended up doing it for a few of us in Feb,

Makes one wonder if the line cooks just don't care. They are tasked to get their particular potato prepared. Wonder if there is any QC on "HOW" the potato (or any food) is prepared. I know they are tasked with getting 1,000s of vegetables cooked and plated at each meal. But, if you can't do it right, what's the point? Personally, I've been known to send dishes back if the plate, and anything on it, isn't to my liking. Truth told, if you report the potato sadness to the restaurant manager, you'll get properly prepared potatoes, and probably get a whole basket of fries sent to your cabin. 😉

Seen that on Carnival, too. Since I don't sail Carnival as much as NCL, and I'm not going to "pay" to board early, it's a non-issue for me. But, it is more orderly. Where things get chaotic with NCL, those who get to the port early think they're going to board early. And, most of the time, that's simply not the case. If you arrive early, and you're not a Latitude member, you're going to be waiting a while. On NCL, boarding times are separated by Limited mobility, Haven and then Latitude status, in that order. Not nearly as regimented as Carnival.