Sthrngary

Step 1: Call NCL Step 2: Find out what Expedited Passports Rules are. Step 3: Find out the closed Passport Office is and determine if you can make it there reasonably. Do all the Due Diligence before you roll the dice. My advice only. Cruise well, Enjoy every moment.

I get so frustrated when I read these kinds of question on Social Media. I think there is great advice on CruiseCritic.com. I am going to try to provide some below. However, this is a BIG issue that can literally cause huge difficulties. CALL THE CRUISE BRAND AND BETTER YET, UPDATE YOUR PASSPORT. Why risk the possibility when all you have to do is update your passport. I am also going to Europe. One of the ports has confusing information about Visas. Social media talks out of both sides of their mouth. My solution, buy the visas. Problem Solved. I rarely take this strong a stand but I have also been put in a place where simple decisions can create better outcomes. Please go save vs. sorry. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@McGarrett5oh first, hello my friend. This question has as much to do with the person you speak with as it does NCL policy. If the first person says “NO”, professionally ask for a supervisor. now what I think you’re asking before is a good strategy. And I caution you, you are in a place where they can justify doing nothing. So the tone of your request and the way you outline it is critical. As a previous person, posting said, there was a high likelihood that they could give you onboard credit. That is always fun if you can get it. The other approach, which is what I preferred to do, is to get a nicer suite. An upgrade without doing an upgrade bid. another strategy is get the onboard credit, and then bid up to a nicer room at the minimum bid. That would be a double dip, and in my mind just plane fun and sport. The key words I always say, when dealing with people is, “ I know you don’t have to help me out, but I would appreciate a professional courtesy if you can see, fit in providing it.” Then tell him what would be good for you. cruise. Well, and enjoy every moment. Report back how this went. And don’t forget to eat the almond croissants.

You are using a purse to establish how someone acts and reacts. The term Average Joe or Jane used in this stream is based on Attitude, not bank account. The Haven guest could have saved up for a long time to have the experience or did a lucky upgrade bid. They also could have bought the suite full prices. How they carry themselves not the material things they bring on board is the real rating of Nose in the Air or not. My wife and I started our cruise experience 44 years ago in an bulk bed inside cabin. We had no money but just wanted to take our first real vacation. 30 cruise fast forward, we now fly to the cruise in 1st class, stay in suites and upgrade our drink program. When folks met me all I say is, "Isn't this experience wonderful." I don't follow that nor have I met folks that follow that with "Have you seen my Rolex Presidential with diamonds". The blogging on the Haven will go on for ever. It is very, very expensive. Is it worth it, probably not. It depends on your situation. Regardless, you will enjoy your cruise either way. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@HappyTravels4ever $20,000 is quite the cruise and I envy the experience you are about to have. My question is, would you still take the same cruise if you got nothing from your TA except the booking and service? If so, then here is the strategy I would suggest. Choose the Cruise/Brand: Select the date, time, brand and suite category. Select the best credit card you have with the very best perks for cruises. Make sure when and if you book, who ever you use, at absolute minimum give you those perks. Select a T/A first on quality of service and then on special perks if you choose to go down that path. The T/A is the last selection because it is also the hardest. Do you want direct control of your reservation, choose the brand and lose the credit card perks. Do you want the cheapest ticket than consider third party booking sides that offer great discount with low service. Or do you want the best perks, and service that would be T/A but always remember. The more discounts, you have to ask yourself, how much of the service would be discounted as wall. Just my two cents. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Hello All, I love the Haven and studied it for a long while. To have a bad experience at any part of a cruise vacation is a norm. Nothing is exactly the same. The Haven is no different. However it is rare and happens infrequently. Common sense tells use, mostly Average Joe's and Jane's go in the Haven. NOT folks that really want everyone to know how rich and powerful they are. These folks might have millions of dollars and other that are buying their trip over time. I look at it as if you are RVing. Some drive in with a tour bus and other have a pop-up. Both are cooking hot dogs for dinner right next to each other. As most of you know, I write and post all the time about the Haven. I have had so great Haven Adventures. Yet I have not cruised the haven recently. Instead, I my Next cruise is with NCL's sister line Oceania for a 10-day Mediterranean Cruise. Sometimes we want all the fun, excitement and craziness of a mega ship and other we want just lots of times in a port. We pick and choose our likes for the vacation experience we want. This OP will have a great time with his family if he gives up being upset on how he ended up in the NCL Haven. We can't help him on this nor is he asking. We can let him know, regardless of the price, he will have a very nice time. Simple as that. Cruise well and enjoy every moment..

We all worry about things at home. Just life. However it is better on a cruise ship than anywhere else in the world. The worry never goes away. Life however is to short not to embrace the positive aspects that make it worth living.

I went back to original post and re-read it. This was your first post on CruiseCritic.com and as you can see, lot of kind folks responded including myself. You have been given advice, thoughts and opinions. Some suited you and other did not. That is what social media is all about. Different frames of reference. No with all due respect, it is clear you will be going on my favorite of the NCL Ships the NCL Joy, in one of my favorite suites in my favorite area the Haven. You have made your final payment whether it was your idea or not. Time to shift the focus from the way you found out about the cost and cabin to having the time of your life and the people that love you. Read the streams on how to have the best time in the Haven, they will serve you well. I want to give you some very heart felt advice. It is time to simply forget about the investment you made or if it will be worth it. That is out of your control and based on your posts, you enjoy every ones company in your family. If you continue to feel somewhat manipulated based on your many posts, I assure you, this will not be a pleasant five days. I know, I have made that very mistake. Now focus on the Haven Horizon Observation Lounge, a very comfortable chair looking at the ocean with possibly a nice cup of coffee. It was my special and private place. Focus on the great time you will and have an I do suggest going on the go carts. I am 65 and had a ball. Now focus on enjoyment. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Mic Drop.

@nitecapt You are new to CruiseCritic.com and I want to say welcome. Your post struck a nerve with me. I to was invited to go to a lake house only to find out I had to pay more then it would have cost me to book it myself. It is the principle of the thing for me. I found that to be both unacceptable and disrespectful. It makes me blood boil just thinking about it so I feel your pain. I rarely say things as strongly as I am going to say this to you. Please forgive me for my bluntness. You are paying WAY to much for a Haven Suite on a 5 day cruise. Something is wrong with this picture. My advice which I really should keep to myself but in this situation just can't is, cancel the cruise and don't go. I don't know if you have paid already or it is still before the final payment. This just does not make sense and the what you are outlining it happened, is infuriating to me because it happened to me, Just Once. That is all it took. I apologize but I had to say this. Now do what is right for you. Cruise or don't Cruise. If you do cruise, Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

This thread is an example of everyone who knows the Haven trying to assist a fellow CruiseCritic.com member. Yet the information given now is unclear and it is very hard to assist if clarity is not there. Not a put down to the author, rather an apology if I did not understand the whole situation. All me to take all angles and do my best. If the Haven Suite is a Gift: Go, don't worry about it and consider the "Free at Sea PLUS" program if you like nice spirits and wine. If the Haven Suite was booked and you have to Pay It yourself: Based on all the other things you have going on in your life, the fact it is a 5 day cruise rather than a normal 7 day. My advice is to tell your kids, "Thanks but no thanks." If you wife insists on going, pass on the Haven completely and look at other options for her. If a Gift and You want to Lower the cost of the Haven Room: I would just accept the gift. The Haven is not a good option for a solo if your wife goes alone because it charges double. This ends up being a very difficult situation to navigate especially because you are not close to your wife's kids. However, if it is my money, I am close to that. Get out of the Haven and get a inexpensive balcony for 1/3 the price if your wife wants to go or you have to pay for it. That is also based on how little you will use the amenities on a big ship. Just my two cents. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Please clarify. I think I missed something. You are in a solo cabin in the Haven? Your wife is not joining you? That is important information I might have missed. Confirm one way or another and I can walk you through the rest. Deal. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@aroundtheriverbend You have had so many great replies to your questions. All me to add on: Big Shows Only: If you want to lock the in, do it at the Haven Port desk when you check in or with the Haven Staff when you get on board. I can tell your are a detail person so am I. I assure you, it will be NO issue. On the smaller shows like the Cavern Club, it is first come, first served for all gets. Luggage Tags: Again you have been given great advice. All me to give you what I do ever single time. I print the luggage tags after I do the 21 day on-line check in. I have special plastic with metal fastener devices I purchased from Amazon. I find what NCL sends to look pretty and not work so well. Some have actually been pulled off. Lunch Your First Day: I always recommend the Haven Restaurant even though you will have a complementary Specialty Restua4ant Lunch usually the American Dinner. For me, the food is better. Make Your Specialty Restaurant Reservations Early: You have access to making your specialty restaurant reservations at 130 or 125 days in advance. Do it and be done with it. I know the Haven Staff can always change them but we are both planner. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@nitecapt Below you will see someone linked my article "The Secrets of the Haven....." so you could refer to it. I am 65 and my wife is 63. We took our children on the Joy in the Haven so I am your guy for questions. Ask me anything. I want to comment on one item. You were upset with the internet as you should be. Upgrade it online or if you enjoy top end spirits, upgrade your "Free At Sea" (Comes with the Haven) to the Free at Sea PLUS. That will give you lots of great value and unlimited internet. Again, Ask Me Anything. Cruise well and enjoy every moment. To get my attention, start your post with @Sthrngary

Installment #4: Google Maps is Your Friend I am old yet very good with computers and apps. I traveled all my life for business so navigating travel is easy for me. I thought I knew it all but my wife had some tricks up her sleave. We are cruising for 10 days in Europe. I choose to do my own excursions, self guided tours and ground transportation. So I do extensive research which I find fun. When you are organizing what you want to do in lets say, Athens, Greece, laying out on a Google Map allows you to seamlessly go from from one location to the closest next location. It shows when you are far from the city center from the port you are dock at. That tells you to research ground transportation to get to the city center. One more plus was where the airport was compared to where the pre-cruise hotel was located. I know have a written document on distances, where to pick up the bus or train, websites for making ground transportation ahead of time. The ability to purchase attraction tickets online and the list goes on. Everything is laid out on my Google Map and I have one for each port. Side Note, I am the only one in my group of four that does one once of planning way ahead of time. My party will not even watch a video or spend more than two seconds discussing it. That is very frustrating to me because history tells me, they all will get real interested three days before we leave. By then, reservations will have been made, destinations will have been confirmed and I will be in no mood to change them because of sudden and late interest. Yes, I cope an attitude when my party starts wanting to change things and my wife gets upset with me. My line is this, "I asked everyone for feedback throughout this process. No one wanted to participate. If you don't like what I arranged, call your congressmen. I will be following the plan." I hope this stream is assisting some of you. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Installment #3: Live and Learn From my first cruise 44 years ago, it seems every time I take a cruise I attempt to improve the experience in some way. Often it is because of mistakes I have made and simply don't want to do THAT again. Below I call this information, "Live and Learn". Portfolio: This is you ongoing bill that usually can be viewed on your TV screen. I look at my bill at the beginning of every day as a habit. It is always a bit confusing however after a while, it all becomes much easier to understand. Here are some things that has happened and you can make your own decision if it makes sense to you. Drinks: When there were no drink packages, my wife and I had a bit to much fun a few nights. The fun ended on the last morning when the bill arrived. I should have checked. Drink Packages: I usually always have a drink package for all members of my party. Yet on three of the last four cruises, the cruise line messed up and did not have a member of my party with a drink package. My portfolio showed the cost of drinks and I went to the guest services immediately. For Sales Items In the Stateroom: Who knew all that stuff had a cost. My kids sure did not. Like with the drinks, it was a shock at the end of the cruise. I now have the butler or Room Steward take or move all that stuff out so it won't be used. Streaming Movies: Some cabin categories include these other you have to pay for them. Simply be aware so you are not surprised. Excursions and Ports: I have gone on some of the best and worst excursions available from the cruise brand. I find them ALL to be a bit disorganized, very expensive and often time shorter than you might think due to transportation. Due Your Due Diligence: Read about each port and make sure you know you can't do everything. YouTube is a great source. Time: The time in port and out of port needs to be taken into consideration when selecting excursions. Nothing is quite as disappointing as paying $499.00 for two in a All-Inclusive Over the Water Bungalow and only have about four hours there. Review Everything: Look at reviews and make it part of your preparation. Not everyone likes the same things. Food Off the Ship: Lots of tourist traps at ports. Research the best places to go at a port. This one will both save you time and money. It will also get you a much better dining experience. That should give you some things to think about. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@marne-c The dilemma you have is not uncommon. I have a potential solution but it is by no means ideal. Select a Two-Bedroom Family Villa with your friends. These suites on the Viva type ships are better then the other large ships. Usually, the third and forth person is free or limited expense and everyone is a Haven Guest with all the Haven has to offer. A long time ago, I booked two non-Haven balcony rooms. I then did what I suggest and everyone had Haven Access. That was a great idea. The only done side it the Second Bedroom does not have a view of the ocean. Fair trade off for most. Just a thought. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@marne-c This might help. Feel free to ask me anything.

I am completely confused. What the heck is going on. When you join a group, you do so to learn, be educated, enjoy the posts and have the ultimate outcome of a better vacation. No cruise line is perfect and I despise the marketing departments for all cruises brands. They have what should be simple and easy to in many cases rocket science. Unless you are going on your first cruise ever, you already know this. Whether we like if or not, it is our job do our due diligence. We are not booking a round trip to Miami here. We are booking a full vacation on the sea where "Murphy's Law" is alive and well. If you don't like the way a cruise brand lays out their information and TRULY believe it is deceptive. How can you even consider booking with them. That just does not make sense. Every CruiseCritic.com blog of a specific brand has members that are Super Positive, Super Negative and other they just complain about every think imaginable. At first, I thought this Blog on Oceania Topics was different. That the folk here were older, wiser and understood nothing ever works our or is exactly as it seems on any cruise brand. I hope that last thought will continue to be true. If you think a product is deception. contact the the company if you like or don't. Buy from the company it simply does not make sense. If you think they could communicate better, that is a whole different story. Lets be clear, Lets be fair, lets be educated, and lets focus on making vacations better. Sorry for the rant. Mic Drop. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Hello All: This stream has clearly established that a non-Haven Guest can visit a Haven Suite yet not use Haven Amenities. We have also established the use of common courtesy to the Haven Staff while doing so. The real issue is food, drinks, room service for your friends. I attempt to address these issue with one goal in mind, "realistic expectations". Where some Haven Guest have had their butlers bring food, room service and drinks in for their guests, this is not the policy. Yet with a kind word to your butler, almost anything is possible. My concern is we all remember if you are denied, not to get upset. That is a Realistic Expectation. My post is because of so many times when Haven Guest have gotten a personalized service or item that policy does not support and those reading think it is an amenity for all Haven Guests. Any example is early access and seating for the Cavern Club which as many times as I have cruise the Haven, I have NEVER received. At first I was disappointed then I realized, it was not the policy or a confirmed Haven Amenity. Going on a cruise and paying a premium for the Haven has so many amenities. It is one of my favorite ways to cruise. I find it the best of both worlds. Private luxurious space and huge ship with all of its activities. I hope what I have had to say will be taken with the appreciation I have for all CruiseCritic.com members. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@bubbaed I booked Oceania for the first time a few years ago and the cruise was cancelled due to the Pandemic. I rebooked in September 2022 for a November 2023 cruise in the Mediterranean. I am NOT an expert on Oceania but I made the decision to book after getting a bit frustrated myself. So, I totally get what you are saying. Please allow me to be of some assistance. Every cruise line has something that makes them confusing. Examples only and only from my perspective. NCL has the "Free At Sea" program that includes the Premium Drink Package. Yet when you select, the "Free At Sea" program (vs. Cruise Only), you have to pay a couple of hundred dollars for 20% tip as if you purchased the Drink Program at Retail. Regent Seven Seas Cruise states on international flights that they include Business Class Airfare. Yet that is ONLY on the international legs. Coach from your home base to the city with the international flight. If you are not by a airport like New York, Chicago, Atlanta, ECT, you pay an additional amount. If you want to choose itinerary or your brand, cost more. My point is, all cruise brands seem to do these things with Oceania in the mix. I blame all of the cruise brands marketing departments. I also don't like having to do all the checking to figure out what should be SO simple. It is, however simply part of our personal due diligence when cruising. What I have learned is when in doubt, check with your travel agent or if you booked directly with Oceania, call them. Example, I booked originally was a four-category upgrade in September 2022 and could not be happier. Then a NEW sale on my sailing came out and because of the fine folks here on this stream, I had my travel agent check my availability for additional reductions. Sure enough, the rate I was give was less than what I had and it simply did not show that way online. My agent had to call to get it. Happy I asked for help from my agent. I wish the marketing departments for ALL cruise brands would focus on clear, clean communication but what do I know anyway. So it forces the consumer to check and double check. I am fine with that. So blame the entire industry, I do. Oceania is simply playing the game they all are. My opinion ONLY. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Installment #2: Drink Programs There are many misconceptions on drink programs. It would seem, every cruise brand and category has their own take on it. NCL has a Perk called "Free at Sea" and it includes an adult drink program yet you don't get it for nothing. You have to pay a few hundred dollars for Tips which make the perk not exactly free. Other brands have no drink program however you can buy a Wine/Beer at lunch and dinner, wine only by the bottle or unlimited Spirits, Wine and Beer for a cost. That last example is Oceania. I have found most of these programs seem to be done by the cruise brands marketing department because they are not always as they seem when written on a cruise ad. As with everything, read the find print. Once you have a handle on it, you can make an informed business decision. Remember the goal of this thread, "Realistic Expectations". Here is the mistake new guest make when considering a drink package. They want to make the cruise brand lose money on them. They figure, how many drinks makes buying the package a deal or value. I have a much better approach to your decision but it end up being up to you at the end. If you drink daily at home, get a drink package. If you hardly ever drink, done. Just buy a drink when you want one. The tendency is to drink more on vacation so a daily drink at home turns into two or three. Will drink packages be a deal or value to you, "NO". Will they make your vacation a little more relaxing, subjective but I say yes. Since this thread is for 1st Time Cruisers stories of how I messed up might make you understand cruising better. In the OLD days, their was no drink package. My wife and I had little money to go on vacation. So we would buy the three-Bottle Wine Package and drink one bottle together every other night. One cruise we has a little extra money and we bought a cocktail from time to time. Then we got our bill, under the door of our cabin on the dis-embarkment day. All I am going to say is, "Not A Fun Document". This only happened once. My goal on a vacation is to make it as "User Friendly" while vacationing as possible. I do this by making it as "All-Inclusive" as I can. So I buy drink packages knowing I will over pay but control my expenses. I never worry about a bill under my stateroom door. All That was figured out before I left for the vacation. I also never count my drinks to make sure I get all my value. Did I do that when we were much younger, "Yes". Did I pay the price the next day with the Hang Over from Hell, "Yes". I learned my lesson. Maybe my story will help you. My final note to you as a new cruiser. It is so easy to over do it on drinks your first night. You are happy, excited and want to party the night away. Just use good business judgment so you first full day on the water is not spent in bed. Sound advice from a old man that learned the hard way. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@pezgirlroy77 That will work perfectly. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@Branbay I have an idea for you. I use a Cpap. They bring me a power strip and special water for my Cpap. Another idea is what I do also. I bring a round power strip that also has USB on it (Purchased on Amazon). I plug it in and have never gotten any push back. Remember, when you lights are off, the power in the suite also goes off. This is how they save electricity when you are not in the room. I have been on ships where they have card in the front that keeps the power on and also when only your key card when you are in your room will keep the power on. Just an FYI. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@Meander Ingwa This is a good idea, just go on the Bliss or the Encore. The reason is the observation lounge in Alaska is the best place for viewing. What for a Balcony to show no single supplement which happens on occasion than do the Upgrade Bid for the Haven. If you get that far, let me know and I will give you strategy for Haven Upgrade Bids. To be quite frank, I think you would be better off looking at Oceania Cruises. They have something now called the "Extraordinary Sale" and "A Four Category Upgrade". I would do the Marina or Riviera with a preference for the Riviera because it was just dry docked. 1200 passengers, quiet focused on personalized service and food. The key is the Itinerary you would like to go on. Here is the really important part, call them directly, the prices you see online are less. You can always transfer your booking to a TA within 30 days. Think Viking for less money and better food. I also and I know this is hard to believe look at regent seven seas which is a Ultra-Luxury brand. From time to time, the single supplement is less than one might think. Just worth a look. I get what you outlined and think that you would enjoy what i call Quiet Excellence. My challenge with cruising right now is over crowding, cutbacks in food and services. That is why I suggested the approach above and attempting to bid up to the Haven. As you made clear, being a solo is an issue that in most times makes you pay a premium of close to double. Not fare, yet many lines now have solo cabins and the ones that are Luxury and Ultra-Luxury are worth looking into. Just my opinion. Which is based on life being to short so you might as well have a really nice experience. Hope that gives you some places to look.