jmh0603

I have only been in the Haven on the Getaway. We booked Haven for our 10/22 cruise on the Epic. Based on what I have read I believe Posh is included. Also, when I was in the Haven last year; there is special seating for Haven guests. You have to get to the theater during a specific time, the concierge will tell you. After a certain time they take the reserved seating notification away. They were also able to make reservations for the comedy shows so we didn't have to wait in line as well as specialty dining. Also, you can order room service through the butler.

My DH is allergic to almonds. When we originally booked our cruise last year I informed to agent of this. He was contacted by the special needs group and it was noted in his file. Also, anytime we went to a restaurant they commented about his allergy. There was never an issue.

I have the Haven 2 bedroom suite reserved for 4 adults in October. My DH and I have the drink package, my mom doesn't drink a lot and her friend will use the onboard credit we received. I am not too worried about it since only my DH is a big drinker. I will probably also go beers for my mom's friend too.

We were on our cruise last September for my DH's bday. When you book you have to give them your birthdate. I didn't tell anyone on the ship specifically on his birthday there was a cake in our room when we got back from our shore excursion.

We did the behind the scenes tour on the Getaway last September. It was the same price and we both loved it. We saw the kitchens, laundry and the garbage disposal area. We also went through what they call I5, which is the long hallway that goes the entire length of the ship for crew access to everything. I am actually thinking about doing it when we go on the Epic in October, but we will only have one day at sea.

I was on the same trip as you and love seeing your review. We enjoyed everything as well. We were lucky to be in the Haven and loved every minute of that. I was also on the Getaway a couple years ago and want to try other ships as well.

This happened to us last Dec on Getaway. Charges were processed through credit card but the hold stayed for weeks. We were trying to get our card switched to a lower interest during this time and the bank said we needed to call NCL and have them release the hold so that it wouldn't be pending. It took three calls (disconnects a couple times) and about 45 minutes on hold until it was resolved via NCL cust service.

 

Not sure if this happens every time as this was our first NCl cruise. It is not this way on RCCL - just a couple days after the actual charge comes through.

Do you remember where you called? Was it corporate?

I have taken a previous cruise through NCL, on the Getaway, and don't recall having a hold on that long.

My bf and I just did this excursion a couple weeks ago, 9/23. We both loved it. We did the later time. So you meet the tour group at the end of the pier then the guide walks with the entire group to the taxi area and you are driven to their beach area. Once there, you get lockers and watch a safety video. They then take you to get your snorkels, masks, fins and life jackets. You can't take anything big with you and no hats. You speed boat for about 20 minutes and they take you to an area a bit closer to the ships (you are still a ways away). You get out of the boats and snorkel. The current is strong, so the move the boats to the area you will end up and you aren't trying to snorkel/swim against the current. Then you speed boat for another half hour. When you get back you have lunch and can use their facilities for an hour or so. They they arrange a taxi back to the port area. It was one of our favorite excursions of the trip. I would recommend it. The snorkeling is good, the water is clear. If you don't want to snorkel you don't have too, but you will remain in the boat and there is no shade.

How is this a good example? OP is using a credit card not a debit card.

 

 

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I had the impression they were just commenting in general and not towards me since, I was specific to say credit card.

As I said above, I would never use a debit card for this or any other sort of travel expenses.

Definitely, I would never use a debit card for an OB account or really any type of travel.

Thank you. I knew they would place a hold, but I didn't realize it would last this long. When I looked for info last week most people said the held funds were dropped in a matter of days. I let my bf know. I think the OBC went through but the $1200 is still definitely pending.

My boyfriend and I were on the Getaway 9/18-25. He noticed a few days after we were back the charge for our onboard account, which we knew about, as well as a pending charge for $1200. He checked today and his card is still showing the pending charge for $1200, it hasn't come off yet. I have given him the number to call corporate, but was wondering is there anywhere or anyone else we can call? I know he wants to call NCL before calling his cc company. Thanks!!!

There was no lobster in the Haven restaurant. There was a seafood night in the buffet but we didn't go.

Margaritaville wasn't open last week. They finished the remodel during the week and staff was training. We did the behind the scenes tour and saw staff in the uniforms for there. I had thought about getting Vibe passes but then did an upsell to Haven so then there was no need. I didn't notice too much activity going on in Vibe either.

I just was on the Getaway last week and we had a Haven Courtyard Penthouse Suite. In my opinion, you will not need to the Vibe passes. The pool area isn't huge, it may get busy on sea days, but there is a sundeck above, that does provide some shade. We hung out there a few times. There is also a more open sundeck right by there and even a smoking area completely forward with umbrellas. I would save your money and not get Vibe passes. Also, people we met with spa suites loved using the spa as well. We loved all of the bartenders and wait staff in the restaurant, they were wonderful.

Just curious. Did you have the guaranteed room with no perks so lowest price possible for balcony or did you have a perk too?

 

After reading thru this then by upsell you didn't get the perks that normally come with a Haven? But who cares, you got a great deal for a Haven. But it would be even better with all the perks.

 

Thanks for taking the time to answer these questions.

 

Have a great cruise.

When we booked in January it was for a guaranteed balcony and came with 2 of the 4 perks. So we choose UDP (4 specialty meals) and UBP. When I noticed a price drop a few months later I called and they said the promo wasn't for the BX category anymore so we were better off keeping what we had. When we finally did get a cabin assigned it was in the BC category. We keep all of the original perks and don't get the Haven promos; which I am fine with since we still have the UBP and will get our 4 specialty meals. Since now we can eat in the Haven dining and get anything on any menu we can always order something if we want to try somewhere we don't go.

I called and got an upset yesterday too. I am on the Getaway that leaves Sunday. I upsold to a Haven courtyard penthouse room from a guaranteed balcony. Last week when I called it was $500 pp, yesterday it was $300pp; I couldn't pass it up. I thought about surprising my bf, it's both of our bdays; but I was so excited I couldn't keep it to myself.

See the other thread entitled Getaway VIBE Beach Club post # 53

Thanks, for letting me know.

The cabanas are regularly reported as being miserably hot with no breeze. Most reviews I've seen have people say they wouldn't get one again, and they didn't even add them on Escape's Vibe.

 

There is truly very, very little shade. The umbrellas will be down quite often due to wind. Early in the morning and in the evening you might get shade if you are against the wall, depending on ship's direction, or course.

 

If you sit at the bar, you can have some shade, again, depending on ship's direction. That's all you're going to get.

Thank you for your response. That helps a lot. I know I wouldn't enjoy that then, even though it's a kid free area. That is money that can spent elsewhere, maybe an upsell.

I am sailing on the Getaway this Sunday. We originally booked a guaranty balcony (BX) and it had the choose 2 of the 4 promo; we selected UDP and UBP. A couple months later I called because I noticed the price for BX dropped. Well, at that point BX wasn't subject to the promos. We would have lost our promos, so I kept our reservation as is. I do plan to call the upsell number today or tomorrow to see if there is anything available, not the Haven.

If I don't pay for a cabana in Vibe, are their umbrellas in the area? Both my bf and I are sensitive to the sun. I would love to be in a kid free area, but also need access to some shade. Thanks!!!

Agreed. How "quiet" it is depends on the crowd. It was a huge party when I was there, and that's the reason I'll do it again. There was nothing quiet about it.

 

Also, if one is not a sun worshipper, it might not be for you. There is basically no shade.

Aren't there cabanas and umbrellas in the Vibe area? I am going on the Getaway this weekend and am thinking about getting passes for me and my bf. If there isn't much shade then it may not be worth it, we are not ones to lay in the sun.