Candy Apple 12

Please elaborate. Thanks!

When was your voyage from Seattle to Alaska? When we sailed out of Seattle on the Bliss in May 2022, they were not checking our boarding times. They certainly could have or perhaps even should have because there was a delay in opening the terminal due to the previous cruise having a norovirus outbreak. They did not have a separate line for security for Haven, but I’ve since read here that some cruisers have experienced a separate entrance for security for Haven guests.

You’ll have to come back here and report how it went!

The arrow points out the fine print. Barely visible grey font on grey background. I believe what’s listed is the per person fees.

On the Bliss in May 2022 my kids were denied MDR food in the Haven restaurant, so they ate at both restaurants that night.

Might be a good idea in the future to take a screenshot and send email it to your TA so they have something to refer to when contacting NCL. This could be helpful to prevent the back and forth you had to go through, and prevent the category from actually selling out during that back and forth communication.

Good idea to ask about the Haven elevator after returning from a port. Hubby and I try to hoof it up the stairs (he usually makes it; my reconstructed knee makes it about 10 decks), but my mom and in-laws could definitely used this perk. Love the idea of asking for veggies and dip! Mini cups for mini M&Ms!

IIRC it showed up to pre-book in MyNCL 21 days before the cruise.

The Bliss concierge team needs to start giving passengers the list of shows doing while we are waiting to board. I’ve been on two Haven sailings on the Bliss, one out of Seattle and one out of LA. Both of them had delayed boarding (norovirus extra cleaning for Seattle and Coast Guard inspection out of LA) so we boarded just after noon. It would have been nice to peruse the shows while waiting, even though I had pre-booked “Six” for the LA sailing (it was not yet available on the Seattle cruise). Now that I know they do this, I’ll be asking the concierge team when I get to the lounge on my upcoming Bliss cruise. Thanks for the heads up.

I’m guessing you have to wait until you get your e-docs to know which terminal your ship is assigned to. Does anyone have photos of the Port Canaveral Haven areas?

Thanks for your quick reply! I didn’t think chairs would be extra.

Chairs are extra??

You are only two months out, so specialty dining has already been open for booking, even for those not in in the Haven, for two months. You may need to go right to the concierge desk upon boarding and request your specialty dining reservations because they hold back some reservations to be booked on board.

Thank you. That’s the quick answer I was looking for.

Please elaborate. I’ve never cruised with Princess, but I have considered it.

If I can keep my MIL from saying anything, I may be able to do that. Hubby and I will be platinum for the first time on this cruise, but in-laws are gold and my mom is bronze. My mom knows that we are in a 2 bedroom, but I don’t think she knows about the Haven. Maybe I can use that to my advantage. Maybe she’ll think the Haven is just a priority waiting area? The last two cruises Gian, the concierge, gave his Haven spiel while we were in the Haven terminal waiting area due to the delay in embarkation. For those of you who’ve had a normal embarkation time, does this spiel usually happen once you’re escorted up to the Haven? If so, that would make it quite a nice surprise.

Wow, private security! Big upgrade from both Seattle and LA. The waiting area, should we be so unfortunate as to have to wait until noon yet again, looks much more comfy than the one in LA. Thank you, both!

@cruiseny4life Just double checking my understanding of your post about Miami embarkation, there is someone outside the terminal with a Haven sign? If so, I assume you drop off luggage with the porters first and then head to the terminal area? I’m cruising with my husband, my mom, and my in-laws, and I’d like to be prepared. My mom has never been in the Haven, and I’m trying to keep it a surprise for her. It’ll be her first cruise since my dad died a few months ago. My in-laws have done the Haven, so I’ll make sure they don’t ruin the surprise. I’m trying to figure out the best way to surprise her on embarkation day.

What makes Miami one of the best? I know it’s a new terminal. Seattle—May 2022. Bliss. This was our first Haven experience. We arrived at the terminal shortly after 9 AM. A line was already forming outside the terminal. There was no one with a Haven sign outside. Unfortunately, the cruise before us had a norovirus outbreak, and someone handed everyone in line a letter explaining that we could choose to delay our trip due to the outbreak. We went through the same security process as everyone else and then headed upstairs to the separate Haven check in area which was on the right. There were no snacks for us and we didn’t board until just after 12 noon. Check in area: Seating area (it was packed at one point with people sitting on the floor): LA—April 2023. Bliss. We arrived at the terminal just after 10. There was hardly any line for security so we breezed right through it. As soon as we entered the main building (security was outside the main building in a tent-like building), there was someone with a Haven sign who walked us back to the Haven check in area. Check in was very quick but we still had to wait until close to noon to board because the Coast Guard decided to do their inspection. I guess they had nothing better to do on Easter morning! There were snacks and drinks available. Shortly after security (You can see the person holding the priority access sign. There was also a person holding a Haven sign. At the Haven check-in spot, there was someone checking off your name against the list of people in the Haven): The view into the Haven waiting area, separated from the general waiting area by the movable white dividers: From inside the very crowded haven waiting area: I’d love info and pictures from the Miami and Orlando terminals because those are the embarkation ports for my next two Haven cruises. I’m really hoping the third time is the charm for the next cruise, and we can actually board before noon!

I’m my family’s “travel agent” also. I just wish I could get the travel agent commission!

We will finally have platinum status on our upcoming cruise. Before I book the dinners I have a few questions. This is the fine print from NCL’s website: “Benefit is available on sailings 5 days or longer, and entitles each guest to an appetizer, one entrée and dessert of choice. Upcharges apply to certain premium menu items; Raw Bar Seafood Platter is not included. Bottle of Wine offered in all venues offering Complimentary Wine list, Palomar not included. In à la carte restaurants, coupon can be redeemed for 4 menu items per person (Sushi, Wasabi, Nama, Teppanyaki, Hasuki, Food Republic, Pincho Tapas Bar or Raw Bar). Additional entrées will incur supplemental charges. Dinner coupons are non-transferrable. Solo guests cannot claim two dinners. Coupons can’t be used for the same venue twice. 2 guests maximum. Dining options vary by ship.” There will be two platinum members in one stateroom. I assume that we get two coupons (one with wine and one without)? From the website: Dinner for Two with a Bottle of Wine6(per stateroom) Dinner for Two6(per stateroom) We will be traveling with a total of five people (only two are platinum). Can we take both coupons to the same restaurant at the same time to cover four of us and have the fifth person buy à la carte or using a SDP dining credit? We don’t plan on using it in any of the à la carte restaurants mentioned in the fine print. Which venues offer the complimentary wine list? It would be nice if they mentioned that in their fine print. The restaurants we will likely choose are Texas Smokehouse, Cagney’s, Le Bistro, and Ocean Blue. Thank you!

Thanks so much for pointing this out! It’s so annoying that they stopped making it easy to see the taxes and fees when doing a mock booking. Not only did NCL decide to observe truth in advertising by including taxes, fees, and port expenses in fine print, but they decided to do it in grey type on a grey background!

My favorite way to spend time on a sea day is in the Horizon lounge on the Bliss. I’ve done two Haven cruises on the Bliss, and your comment has me daydreaming about relaxing on the comfy lounge beds, gazing out the front, while enjoying the rocking of the ship.

Thanks to all who replied. My cruise had another price drop, so I called my TA today. She was not in the office today due to taking a long holiday break, but one of her partners got the price drop for me. Now, to start planning another cruise with the money I’m saving…

I’ve never seen a sign for Haven upon returning to the ship, but on future cruises I’ll be sure to ask before getting off.