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Is this new?

Looking forward to seeing Adrian Bica as our Escape Concierge!

We drink wine, not beer but, but I just looked at my UBP T&C and it says is covers a "Variety of spirits and cocktails, wines by the glass and bottled or draft beer up to $10." Also, the "Ultimate beverage package option includes 15% gratuity on the package." If memory served me correctly, though, last year on Getaway, the limit was $8 on wine and mixed drinks, which really limited choices. So, I think there should be a reasonable amount of choices included this year on Escape as long as the bar prices haven't increased.

Also, the good news about the new package is if you buy a drink that is more than $11 you only pay the difference. The old package and $8 limit if your drink was more you paid for the entire drink.

I have booked Haven Spa Balcony 14128 and was curious if anyone who has stayed in one of these rooms could let me know if it feels too far removed from the actual Haven area. From what I can tell it is 2 floors below on the same side of the ship so I would think its just a quick ride up on the elevator but would love to hear what someone who has stayed in one has to say. Did you not feel like you are a part of the Haven?

 

Thanks so much!

No it is not far at all as you said it is two floors up so you don't have to wait for an elevator. You are going to LOVE it. You will not feel removed as you can be part of anything happening within minutes.

Please come home. Your cruise family misses you a lot!

Sincerely,

Everyone

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we're sailing on the 3/6/2016 Breakaway to the Bahama's. Any suggestion for sleep, park and cruise hotels in the NY/NJ area? Someone suggested staying in the LGA area... Do any hotels have shuttles or should we just get a car service? it will be 3 adults and one infant. thanks!! :)

We stay ay Ink48 which is a Kimpton Hotel. The hotel is amazing and we can literally watch our ship come in. Also, the bellman will take your luggage etc. on a bell cart to the ship (it is about a three minute walk..and they check your luggage in with the porters so you don't have to wait for the masses.).

We have done this cruise twice and both times rented a car (they have s shuttle to offsite rental company)and drove to Downtown Disney. They are expanding the area and there are fun things to do and great places to eat. You get the a taste of the Disney experience without going to a park which there is not enough time for.

We actually buy two arrangements from local florists and hand carry them. Much nicer than what the ship offers...

We usually book a second restaurant when we book the Cirque shows. The show is great....the food not so much. So we book the early show and have a few cocktails during the show and then have a nice meal after.

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I purchased OBC yesterday to use against my on board charges (usually minimal and will have a CAS drink pkg this time) was hoping to withdraw or transfer some of it for using in the casino. I don't want to carry a lot cash with me and since my NCL will be the 2nd leg of my B2B so i'd have something left to play with :D There were no terms and conditions shown on the page where you buy the OBC :confused:

The difference is the type of OBC. You can take out funds against the OBC you have purchased but not which was given by the cruise line.

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We have always bring arrangements for our cruises leaving from US ports. On the last cruise we brought on hyacinths which made the cabin smell fantastic. We had the florist but the arrangements in a long box and just carried it on. The arrangements were in great shape on the last day so we gave one to the cabin steward and one to the concierge as an additional thank you.

I would call the credit card company. They can force the additional holds off the account. They will tell you it will normally fall off within three to five days but they can force it sooner especially if the multiple charges are for the exact same amount made within seconds or minutes of each other. Also, they could temporarily raise your limit to accommodate you during this period if they refuse to force cancel the charges.

We were on Breakaway 12304 Aft PH and loved it. The balcony was enormous and we could only hear the parties from above when we were on the balcony at night. (that is most of time we were at the party so really didn't notice.

We love the Haven Aft Penthouse. We have stayed both in the Haven area (PH), Spa Suite and the Aft Penthouse. By far our best experience has been the Aft Penthouse. It provides you with the best of both worlds. The aft penthouse on Breakaway, Getaway and the new Escape (we hope) have some of the best balconies. You also have very little foot traffic at the very back of the ship. Yes you need to walk to get to Haven area but the exercise helps burn off all the food and drink intake! Last but not least - we have experienced some significant attitude with some of the Haven guest - so staying in the aft gives us a break from some of the attitudes we have encountered. We have booked a Haven Aft PH for the Escape TA and can't wait for the experience.

We stay at Ink48 and love it! Our room overlooks the pier and we watched our ship come in the morning of our cruise. Also, the hotel bellman walked with us and took our bags to the ship (which is a block away) and we didn't wait in any line to check our bags. Also, so much is within walking distance. In April we did 7 Broadway shows in 4 days prior to our last cruise. Oh, and if you love cheesecake you have to go to Juniors! Enjoy your experience whatever you do.

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No concierge/butler will be handling all 95 Haven Suites by himself/herself and therefore, no concierge/butler will be making 10k a week.

There is one concierge and one assistant on our last three cruises - am I missing others? The point is I agreed with the thought that IMHO $100 is adequate.

I agree I don't pay more than $100. either! I think a lot of people here write BS about what they actually do tip ;-)

I agree! On the new Escape there will be 95 Haven Suites...I can hardly believe that a concierge/butler (even at $100 per cabin) is worth almost $10,000 a week. I tip $100 for the butler and $100 for the concierge and I felt that was generous. We made all of our reservations for everything and had no meals delivered to the cabin. Although I did tip the cabin steward additional as he was awesome. Such a great attitude, helpful and the cabin was spotless (so he also got an additional $100.)

Our OMG moment was on the Breakaway in April. We had received our bags early...all but one. We waited and nothing. The butler came to the door and advised that we were requested in Security :eek: We were then taken to the bowels of the ship and there was our bag with a huge red tape with the words knife taped across the bad. Two demanding, not friendly security officers demanded that we open the bag. We had no idea what was happening. Well it turned out that the hotel packed us a "snack box" which we didn't open and just dropped it in the bag when we checked in. Apparently there was a set of silverware wrapped in a napkin at the bottom. Shame on us we tried to sneak on a butter knife... but we were caught so the ship was safe!! When we left we wrapped it in a bag and sent it to security as our parting gift. :D

Chicken Wings... I know it is odd but they were fantastic. Once we ordered them everyone at the surrounding tables ordered as well.

We will be on the Breakaway next Sunday and we have booked the 5:15 Jungle Fantasy show and 8:00 at Cagney's. All with no charge with the UDP.

We gave $100 to both the butler and concierge and an additional $50 to the cabin steward. They all seemed happy with the amount. Also, we have never had an issue getting a deck chair at anytime.

I buy OBC for each of our cruises. I don't like to have bills when I get back from vacation so I try to pre-pay as much as possible. On the last cruise we had several hundred left on the tab and we were able to take it out at the casino on the final night. You just take your room card to the casino cage and have it liked to your OBC account. This was easy to do and we did not have to wait for a check. Hope you have a great time.

Each area listed is describing the venue itself and what is has to offer. For example the description listed under O'Sheehan's includes "O’Sheehan’s has all your favorite comfort food and beer on tap 24 hours a day." also listed a complimentary. To apply your logic you should be able to get beer 24 hours a day.

Awesome! Thanks so much for the information!

I depends on how early you get to your cabin. One sailing it was already in the cabin when we checked in and another we had to call (it was the chocolate moose cake and needed to stay refrigerated.) Once called it was delivered within 15 minutes. Both cakes were awesome. We have pre-ordered another one for our upcoming cruise in a few weeks.