goldmom

I can answer some of your questions. Both Haven Suites and Non-Haven Suites receive the VIP treatment. Special embarkation area, escort on and off ship, priority tender, private restaurant for breakfast and lunch, Butler & Concierge. The main difference between the 2 classes of suites is access to the small Haven Courtyard area and Sundeck. On the Jewel class ships you don't really get an early escort into shows. Generally there is no problems getting seats for the shows. There is a special seating area in the theater, but I don't remember if it's only for Haven or for all suite guests. It's on the side of the balcony area so not really the best seats anyway. As far as the bed, we have found that it usually feels bigger than a queen. Maybe like an oversized queen. Lol! We really like the non-haven 2 bedrooms suites even just for the 2 of us. They are the same footprint as the 2 bedroom haven suites without the huge price tag. Whatever you decide, enjoy!

Since you are past final payment, just go and enjoy the cruise. In answer to your other question. Yes, if you don't want to upgrade to unlimited minutes, you can also use your wife's Free at Sea internet minutes. Just sign in through her account. Also, if you don't upgrade to the unlimited minutes make sure to sign out every time you are finished otherwise those minutes disappear fast.

There is no savings if you don't go. Your wife would have to pay a single supplement unless she were going to have someone else in the room with her who is paying half. Also, I'm thinking that you are more than likely past final payment. If so, then I believe there may be penalties if you try to switch to a cheaper Haven suite. If not, then the cheaper Haven suite may be a good compromise. I think at this point you need to figure you're out the money and either just decide not to go or just go and make the best of it. I don't think you'll feel uncomfortable being in the Haven. We've met many very nice and down to earth people there and it's only 5 days.. Good luck whatever you decide.

I could be mistaken, but don't most of the casinos have ATM's that also cash the casino coupons? If so, that could have been an option. But, I'm sorry this happened to you. We have mistakenly walked off ships with coupons but usually for very small amounts. Anyway, it's a good reminder to passengers to make sure to cash in their coupons.

I recommend requesting it in advance. It will be on your e-docs when you print them out. We have found that NCL is very good with the wheelchair assist. Sometimes you may need to wait a bit until one becomes available. But it definitely makes getting off and on the ship much easier for anyone with mobility issues. DH doesn't use a wheelchair on a day to day basis, but has trouble with walking a longer distance especially up an incline, so the assist is greatly appreciated. I usually give the pusher a small tip.

I'm probably the only person happy about the coffee mate. DH is diabetic and I used to bring the coffee mate cups onboard for him as they don't have sugar. And he actually prefers them to cream or half and half. Now I wouldn't have to cart them in my carry on. LOL!

Yes, both or all adult passengers in the cabin must purchase it.

I would suggest that people start sending e-mails detailing this situation and stating that other cruise lines sailing from the same port are not suspending serving alcohol. Try sending e-mails to : vicepresidentguestservices@ncl.com I believe this is Katy Bird's address and I know her office has responded to customer concerns in other areas. Good luck and hopefully this situation will be dealt with.

I'm a bit surprised that they just haven't passed the extra cost on to the passengers. There are several ports in the US where you have to pay a tax on drinks while in port even if you have the drink package.

It's been a long time since I've needed to deal with this, but can't you order a crib through the cruise line? Maybe through special needs? Then they would be responsible for figuring out how to fit it into the cabin.

Beautiful kitties! My son has this gadget that has a camera and treats. I didn't know about it and was checking on the cats while they were away. All of a sudden I hear my DIL's voice and a cat treat pops out of this machine. I almost jumped out of my skin! LOL! Apparently, they can talk to their kitties and send treats even when they are traveling. Technology is fascinating! Enjoy your cruise!

As I mentioned, probably. Sometimes the website will let you make the reservation for the main dining room and sometimes it wouldn't. Just go into your reservation and check at the 120 mark.

Just saw that someone posted that they are onboard the Sun and a passenger came in to see if they could stay on for the next voyage and were told there were cabins available. So, I guess it's possible to book the next voyage onboard if there are cabins. OP I would suggest if you are thinking of doing this that you check with the Cruisenext desk very early in your cruise. Good luck!

You can still make reservations at 120 days out.

There seems to be mixed results on this. I've made dining room reservations before my cruise. If you are within the time frame to make dining reservations, then go to your explore and plan page and under dining select the Main Dining Room. If it gives you the drop down option to make reservations then you can make them before boarding. Good luck!

We've actually been offered discounted cruises if we stayed on but that was years ago. That was also a time when you could just show up at the pier with a suitcase and see if there were any cabins available. Nowadays, between security issues and manifests and pretty much sailing full, I can would think that you would not be able to stay onboard for the next cruise unless you had already booked it. But, I guess you could go to Cruisenext and ask if you can book it. Worse case, they say no.

We've run into the bike race and road closures a few times. It's a real pain for both boarding and disembarkation. But even worse when trying to get off. Good luck and hope you make your flight!

If there's nothing I want in the shops, sometimes I go to the Spa and buy overpriced creams or face wash. Enjoy!

Thank you! I will definitely look next time. It looks like fun! Enjoy the rest of your cruise.

Looks like you had a great stay. Thank you for your live report! Where is that mini-golf course? I remember seeing the sign for it last time we were there, but never seemed to find it. Knowing me, I was probably standing on it and didn't realize it. LOL Enjoy the rest of your cruise!

Good information. Thanks!

Yes, definitely wait until after final payment, keep checking the inventory and see where you end up. Good luck!

It may also depend on how much you are willing to bid for the upgrade. If you'd be bidding close to the amount of the upgrade cost (say within a few hundred dollars) then I would just go for the paid upgrade. It seems as if the Haven upgrades are becoming harder to get unless you're bidding pretty high amounts and that's assuming that there are even cabins available. This is a special cruise for you so my feeling is that if you can afford it and will be disappointed not being in the Haven, then just bite the bullet and pay for the upgrade. At least then you know it's a done deal. Whatever you decide, enjoy!

Well, that's just wrong. It's one thing to ask someone if you can share the table, it's another to ask someone to move. Now, back to mking8288's wonder live report!

Well, sometimes if a large table is the only one available for the 2 of us, if we see someone looking for a table we tell them they are welcome to join us. But it does sometimes become a problem with no real solution unless they don't allow the "campers" to take over the tables in the buffet. I do feel guilty taking a big table, but if that's all that's available that's what we have to do.