Sthrngary

Thanks. I am thrilled to hear that La Cucina is improved. My choices for the four specialty restaurants are; Cagney's Steakhouse; Ocean Blue; La Cucina and Teppanyaki Japanese (Always the last night). I have not eaten in La Cucina in a long time. Can you recommend your favorite dish? I also love Sushi, however I am hoping it is open for lunch one day. If not, the once thing my area has is excellent Sushi. I usually always go to LeBristro. It is part of the Perk as Dinner for two with American Express Platinum Cards. This time, my reservation was with NCL Casino's at Sea so I also won't go. I like the food their but only one entrée so passing on it, like you. won't be hard. Thanks again for the kind words. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@graphicguy I want to thank you for always being the voice of reason with your posts. It makes these kinds of communities a better place. I am excited for you. I can't wait to hear about your experience and adventures. It will give me even more to look forward to on my upcoming trip on the Breakaway. My I suggest just one thing? If you eat in Cagney's, please leave room for the Chocolate Cake for desert. I originally had this cake when it was a three inch circle about four inches high in the Haven. They stopped making it I thought. Then, I ordered it in Cagney's as a normal cake slice. This was unusual for me because I usually do the Apple Pie. The Cake was over the top. Regardless, have a great time. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@CruizinSusan70 I never mind a person disagreeing with me. I am not a Know it All and never wanted to be considered one. Yet, I am a person that will appreciate boundaries. All me to explain. The Haven Area was designed to increase the profitability of the NCL Sailings. From day one, with the premium paid, it was the highest profit area of NCL sailings per cabin. It was marketed from the beginning as the best of both worlds. You could have the Mainstream experience and have a Haven area to retreat too. I actually met one of the executives, a previous retired ship captain on the Getaway that told me the whole story. NCL wanted to open up an area that would attract clients that would go on Luxury and Ultra-Luxury cruises. They learned that if they could provide a Mainstream environment for all the activities, dining venues and public events; add to this a VIP area; that would bring in other higher profit clients. It worked. It worked so well other brands followed. The entire ship plus this VIP area was always the notion. If it were the case that Haven Guests would not have full access to the entire ship, their would not fare less folks willing to pay the premium. That experience exists on brands like Viking, Seaborne, Oceania, Regents. Those entire ships are all Haven on steroids. Those other options also cost very similar to what a Haven Suite costs. So guests are willing to go on a Mainstream Cruise Line like NCL, if they can have that experience plus the rest of the ship. You disagreed that the Haven Guest should have access to the rest of the ship. That is your opinion. The marketing, and intent of NCL for those Haven Guest are much different then your opinion. On another note, I wrote the op-ed, "The secrets of the Haven VIP Experience" and recently revised it. It is try I did not know that Syd's early access was not part of the perks. Now I was educated differently. That is the purpose of this stream. When not in the Haven as will be my case in December, I fully realize I will not have that early access and understand completely why that will be the case. I have said all I can say on this topic. My apologies to the Op-Ed. I will not stop following the topic. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@graphicguy I would have to agree. Not sure how it happened however if I was in some way the cause, I apologize. To help change the subject, allow me to say this. I am cruising on the Breakaway on December 4, 2022. I can't wait. I have not had the opportunity to be in a Syd's for quite some time. The most recent ships I cruised had the Beatles and the Cavern Club both of which were true highlights to my past cruises. Syd's will provide that small venue feeling with live music that creates a down home feeling. Whether I am standing or lucky enough to be sitting, this is an experience I look forward too greatly. We all are coming off some stressful time. We all seem to really love cruising. Having something to look forward too is so essential for our mental health. My Cruise is in 40 + days. I have a bit more spring in my step every day knowing that. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

They don’t partner with AMX. They can take your card for payment. But don’t partner with the AMx cruise perks. Simple as that. Cancel and rebook with an agency that provides the AMX perks or directly with American Express Travel. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Yes, if served by the glass. If your wine is served only as a bottle, that would not qualify unless it is denoted “Selected Bottle” clearly described on the list. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

The TA needs to Authorize by AMX. You need to make sure that is the case first. If they are not, you don’t get the perks. Perks are both OBC and a dinner for two in the French Resturant. Every cruise I go on with NCL, I get both perks. All TA know the drill. They should have told you up front. Cancel and rebook with another TA for the benefits. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@deliver42 The Haven guest is entitled to the entire ship. That is way it is called “A ship with in a ship”. They pay a huge premium for those benefits and perks. The benefits and perks are given by NCL. The Haven Guest did not make the rules, NCL did. Celebrity and MSC did the same. As a Haven Guest, I would take full advantage of every benefit my premium fare provides me. When no in the Haven, I don’t get those perk because I did not pay for them. Just the way it is and NCL created it that way and the Haven is sold out on most every sailing. Cruise well and regardless of cabin classification, enjoy every moment.

@CruizinSusan70 You are new to Cruise Critic and by default new to this NCL blog on Cruise Critic. Welcome. When I and other pay 3 to 4 times as more for a stateroom on a sailing, there are perks. It seems early entry to Syd’s is one. Early boarding, Early exiting, prioritized reservations for specialty restaurants, private sun deck, private pool, suites only dining, reserved seats at the big shows, butlers, private bar, special line for go carts, afternoon snacks, specialty coffees, and many, many more. In addition, a Haven guest has full access to the rest of the ship. They paid a hefty premium for these and other benefits. Celebrity does the same with the Retreat. MSC does the same with the Y Club. All fares are about the same comparison. If this makes you uncomfortable, stay in the Haven, live with the fact people pay for the privilege or cruise another brand. Cruise well and enjoy every moment. Enjoy your flag ship sailing.

@CruizinSusan70 LOL, the Haven Guests are not Prima-Donna's. But I can see how some folks might think that. These Guest pay a premium to have essentially the same cruise as those in an Inside Cabin. There are all kinds of perks. Since there are only about 180 to 200 Haven Guest I don't think they will take up to much room. Now so everyone knows I am not jealous of this little perk which I just found out about. I will be on the Breakaway, December 2022. It has a Syd's. I am not in the Haven (YET). If I am, I will by all means take advantage of this, if not, I will enjoy those that have the opportunity. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

This is great information. Thank you for the clarification. This is something most everyone in the Haven should know about. Thank you again. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@Juncti That you for the call out. I want to address this question personally. In all my travels in the Haven, I have never been given early access to the Cavern Club, Comedy Venue to this venue early. I have read were lots of folks were given this luxury but it was never me. I have been offered an escort to the main shows which I never took. I know the sets for the Haven there are left of stage. I want to apologize to everyone that thought this was a policy of the Haven. If I ever gave you that impression, it was incorrect. All that said, would I ask in the future. Yes I will. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

This question is asked all the time. The Haven Beds do not separate. Your choice for bid upgrade need to consider a two bedroom family villa but remember it's bed is, lets say, needs a mattress topper. The other alternative is a Penthouse with a couch that turns into a bed. I don't know why it is this way be not the best for friends traveling together. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@cruiseny4life Thank you for the comment. My wife and I are doing Haven Lite in December on the NCL Breakaway. It will be her first time doing Haven Lite. I spoil her because she puts up with me. For those that love the Haven as I do, you would think not being in the Haven would make for a less satisfying cruise. You would be wrong. It takes some work but the Haven Lite Strategy has merit. Will some things be different, of course. Yet different can sometimes be nice. Allow me to explain just a few things. Upgrade Bid to Haven: I will always do an upgrade bid to the Haven when on a full Haven ship. I have five bids for different suite currently. I expect not to win because I bid low and the Haven shows sold out 40 days prior to the cruise. That does not stop me from bidding though. I also have a bid on the Club Suite Spa cabin which is also sold out. All of this is part of the Haven Lite approach. Sundeck: When in the Haven, the Haven Sundeck is a huge positive to me and my lovely bride. Yet it is much more of a positive on the "Plus" ships. They have huge hot tubs on the Haven Sundeck unlike the Getaway and the Breakaway which just have the sundeck. When we cruise the smaller ships like those, the Vibe Beach Club is simply a better experience all around especially since the have hot tubs, better staffing and a full bar. This trip, I got a Cabana for my bride. Free At Sea PLUS Program: When you are not paying the premium for the Haven, you can have the luxury of putting far less money into your vacation opening up other area's for potential spending. The Free At Sea Plus Program was a welcome surprise. It made complete sense to the way my wife and I like to cruise. We are not fans of the Buffet or the MDR. So we have a seven day cruise with five Specialty Meals. The fifth one is a perk from American Express Platinum. We will still do a few nights at the MDR or one of the other complementary dining venues. As a complement, my breakfasts at the MDR have always been great. Excursions: We have gone on most all of the excursions on a Caribbean cruise. None of them have been fabulous so we tend to not book them. The only ones that have been memorable were the Over the Water Bungalow, and the Beach villa's on the Private Island. This trip, we did not even book them. We will rent a golf cart of shooter instead and make our own excursing. Full disclosure. I will miss most the Haven Restaurant. I literally can eat Prime Rib and Lobster every night. Steak and Eggs every morning. But what I will miss most are those almond croissants only available in the Haven. Because I have written so much about the Haven, many of those that know when I am on board but not in the Haven will show me mercy by bringing one out to me when I have coffee at Starbucks. I refuse to go into the Haven Proper when I did not pay for the opportunity. The only exceptions in day one to say hello to many of my friends with the Haven Staff Permission. Cruise well everyone and enjoy every moment.

No clue. I called, it was added to my account and increased my final payment. You did it online, I did it via phone. That seems to be the only difference. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

I don’t remember. Please ask and tell us. I always have the Premium Plus Beverage Package. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

It was added to my final payment. Simple and I did not have to pay up front. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@cntryboy83 It was my pleasure. Now that you tried the Almond Crusted Croissant, time for your next assignment. Go to the Haven Bar, ask them to make a "Smoking" drink. Have your video camara's ready. It is an event. A good strategy is to wait for the bar to be just a little less crowded. Get a seat, then call everyone in the lounge to join the show. It is amazing. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Butler_NCL_Cruises_Template.docx Here you go. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

The notion of should I or should I not book airlines with the cruise line is a question for the ages. Every month on different cruise brands the question comes up. The answer is pretty simple if you truly understand cruise lines, brands and the industry. Cruise lines look for the cheapest most inconvenient way to get you from home to the port. Direct flights are more expensive then changing planes. Just try to book the same flight yourself and you will see. What attracts us all to at least looking at cruise line flights are the special promotions. Second passenger has free airfare promotions are what happened most recently. The more a guest cruise, the more lessons are learned. I learned decade ago, to never book air with the cruise line. I did once which is all it takes for most people. I had to take red-eye. The plane was delayed and got to the port airport really late. I was the last guest and they were pulling up the gangway as we got to the port. They had every intention to leave without us. I was completely stressed, my wife in tears. I said that day, this is NEVER going yo happen again. Now, over 20 cruises later, I always and I mean always get to the port the day before. If I can't, I simply don't book the cruise, period. That is the result of this one situation. Can it cost a bit more, yes. Is it worth it, absolutely. Side note, I am going on a different brand next year to the Mediterranean on a 10 days cruise. My friends are talking the airfare, my wife and I are not gaining a discount of $1,000.00 per person. Add to this, I booked through the Cruise Brand the pre-cruise hotel. My friends refused to do this which means for this very expensive cruise, they are coming in the morning of the cruise. I told them the risk and he refused to consider the Pre-Hotel option. He said, the cruise line will hold the ship since he booked the airfare with them. He is an idiot. Cruise ship hold the ship for no one. Hope this wordy post makes sense to most whom read it. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Thank you for the shout out. Many folks hate the letter and tip concept. I have had only great results. Glad it started out well. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@HuliHuli If I had used a travel agent, I would agree with you. My next trip had to be booked with NCL Casino's At Sea. My wife won the Slot Tournament on the Joy in December 2021 so she has an entry into the "Winner Take All $100,000.00' slot finals. So I called NCL, went to the NCL Haven Pre-Cruise person even though this cruise I was not in the Haven. She handle it in less then five minutes. Normally, I would call my agent, Staci and she would get it done for me. So for not being clear. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Just call NCL. I only had the P+DP also and they upgraded to the Free at Sea Plus for a few extra dollars. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Thank you to all that participated in the Blog Stream. A favor. If you are currently on an NCL ship, with the Premium Plus Beverage Package, can you share your current experience. Everyone that reviews this blog wants up to the day experiences. Do they have the spirits or wines you were hoping for? Did something change for the positive or negative? Any and all live feedback would be much appreciated. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.