complawyer

i'd like to think that i'm not in the category of 'ENTITLED FOLKS" when we are able to book a haven. i know that in some of my very early posts, i may have come off that way (for which i apologize, that was not my intent). i have posted before that i am very anti-social and a complete grumpy old curmudgeon so for me the haven is perfect. it's not a status thing, it's i dont have to deal with crowds. i can curl up in my little corner of the haven and just chill. you should try it at least once. if you read back some of the posts, you will find that the downside of the haven experience is being satisfied with another category cabin. by the way, the butler will bend over backwards to make your stay as delightful as possible. i will also concede that we are able to book a haven because we get a % off through casinos at sea, and through cesar's entertainment. also, we get offers for free club balcony suites, and apply the cost to upgrade to a haven. mstocko, give it a shot at least once. sometimes i just take my kindle and sit on one of the lounge chairs in the haven pool area and just chill. they also have staff that will bring you drinks and goodies while youre at the pool. the other good news, is whenever i have done this, the pool area has usually been devoid of screaming children and ive had t he area by and large mostly to myself. same with the haven restaurant and bar. very few people with whom to interact. as the old commercial says "try it, you'll like it"!

mrstocko: while i appreciate your opinion, it seems just a wee bit inconsistent. you claim you like to be pampered, in that case you should love being in the haven complex. depending on the ship, you have your own pool area, bar and restaurant. the concierge is there to assist in whatever you need, and if there is something special you want, ask your butler. as soon as we meet him. i let him know that 1st thing every morning to please bring a carafe of coffee, a pot of hot water, small pitcher of milk, croissants, muffin's and sweet rolls. they are there like clockwork when we get up. haven seems like the top of pampering (at least on the ncl ships) . while im a little like you, not overly fond of buffets and crowds (plus forget about trying to get a seat) sometimes the variety of stations and choices are enough to go up and experience the buffet. while of course you need to get the food yourself, you will find the people behind the counters, and the wait staff are all very accomodating and helpful . just try and avoid the guy at t he front with the annoying "happy,happy, washy,washy" UGH!

thank you, that helps a great deal

hey, davechipp1974! with that line of thinking, do you also feel you should be able to have "sex" on your balcony? the ban on smoking on the balconies, is for consideration of others near your cabin. cant you exist without the cigar?

if you check your cruise docs, they willhave the address of the port at the top

while there is no shame in not being able to stay in the haven complex, if it's within your budget, there's no shame in booking a haven suite either. while i have read posts here indicating no need or use for the butler and other reasons not to stay in a haven, i think its a great experience all around. i do agree with my good buddy chiefmatejrk. if youre going to go on a cruise, and just need a place to shower and sleep, an inside cabin is just as good and dollar wise a much better value. some people dont need/want the additional amenities. some people do . that's what makes the world go around. although, i recognize which cabin to book on a cruise ship is strictly a first world problem while i enjoy the pampering a haven cabin gives you, ive said before (many times) the ability of the concierge to walk you off the ship, to your luggage (which is a separate designated area) and get you on your way within15-20 minutes, to me is worth the price of admission and booking a haven

ok, it's not the end of the world, but im starting my disappointment early. we're leaving on the bliss in 6 days. if all the cabins ive put bids on still say "pending" am i still in the game, or am i down to wishful thinking?

the magic 8 ball says "aint no way"

sorry, not in this lifetime. only the $50 off per excursion, and whatever % you get off based on your latitude status. sometimes (depending on the port) i just get off the ship, wander around the city and take pictures, or take the tour descriptions with me, talk to any cab driver (there are usually a bunch) at the port, show him what i want, and try and negotiate a decent price. this has worked for me many times in the past

chiefmatejrk: if at anytime we happen to be on the same cruise, and i have a haven suite booked, you can bet your a** I WILL definitely invite you up for a beer, a drink, and a meal. count on it(lol)! and bring your bathing suit along so you can chill out at the haven pool, jaccuzzi, or sun deck. my pleasure!

it's beautiful, might be exciting, state of the art, but still way out of my price range, and we try and book a haven suite whenever possible. guess i'll just have to sit this one out

well for as long as it may last, i cant afford to book the prima.

that's really nice, but prima has priced me completely out of any potential cruises on her

we bid on 3 haven cabins for the bliss sailing on 8/6. 8 days to go, and unfortunately, i'm not holding my breath!

the beatles, elvis, sinatra, some music and some entertainers are timeless. the song "yesterday" has been covered over 2,000 times by various artists. a great song is a great song, regardless of when it was 1st sung. i believe that some of the ncl ships have "jersey boys" as their broadway production show. frankie valli is 81! satisfaction by the rolling stones is still an alltime oldie-but goodie (it was also the #1 song when i graduated high school) you are doing yourself a major disservice by dissing anything earlier than the 90's. on the other hand, at my age, if i happen to watch the grammy's, or the american music awards, i have absolutely no idea who some of these people are, and rap/hip hop makes me cringe and run for cover. i understand, adele will be performing at cesar's palace in las vegas next year. we usually get comped for shows there, but even with a comp, i'll pass. if i heard one of her songs being played, im afraid (1) i wouldnt recognize it (2) i wouldnt know i t was her singing

ok, im 74!

moot point as berlin is no longer on the itinerary!

febtober, obviously you missed the point of the 1st world problem. instead of complaining about potential room sizes, book the room that will accomodate your needs. if your mother in law needs to join you, get the bigger room. there are loads of cabin choices. if these choices do not conform with your wants, book with another cruise line. there is absolutely no reason to complain about cabin size with the number of choices available

personally, im happy whenever i can get on the ship. i dont care at all what others like or dislike, the concept of sailing, sitting on my balcony with a glass of champagne or an ice cold heineken is all i require. sometimes i even forget there are shows offered, and never make it to the buffet. however, i have to admit, the devil in me does love to sit on the balcony at departure times and watch the port runners scurrying to get t o the ship before it sails off into the sunset. and if its a sea day,or a port i have no interest in, i will sleep in and chill out. if im lucky enough to have booked a haven, we'll leisurely stroll down to their restaurant. when it comes to cruising, im very easy to please. i dont require anything special, just go with the flow,although, unfortunately, i'll admit i'm not as laid back and mellow as chiefmatejrk

i dont even consider the bathroom. i merely book the cabin i feel that i want and can afford. in 18 ncl cruises since 2010, i never considered the bathroom size when making my decision. however, to each his own. if thats your priority, i respect your criteria

sorry to ask this, but if your bid says "pending" does that mean they are still under consideration, or are we "sol"

log on, go to view your reservation, check drink packages and you should see water booze and soda packages offered. click on the soda package deal and you should be good to go

well they were unscrupulos in letting me know they cancelled the berlin stop on my set 16th cruise. by the way were you referring to the bliss sailing aug 6th?

we're on t he same cruise (i think) i dont believe a half hour deviation on arrival in port is earth shattering enough to get upset over. as a practical matter, i wasnt even planning to get off the ship in vicctoria, so the change doesnt bother me at all.

you are sounding harsh. you have a major alternative. if youre not happy, or dissatisfied with the potential size of the cabin, simply dont book it! the gem is one of their older ships and remember the ancient adage "you get what you pay for" and i dont want to sound harsh. spend a little more and get a balcony or club suite. you seem to have what others affectionately call a 1st world problem