Pieson

I do this every time. Make sure I’m first on board.  Thankfully my latitude level affords me priority embark.  And I B line it to the reservation desk on board.  I am first in line and always have my pick for dates and times for all restaurants.  I’ve Done it every cruise.

Also restaurants frequently have cancelations and no shows. They’ve worked with me and helped accommodate me many times in the past. Just speak to the maître D/ host and a little politeness and it can go a long way.  I’ve had fantastic experience in the past with the excellent specialty dining staff 
 

this time, however, my girl friend is a super planner, so for my first time ever I have all my reservations made. Not sure what I will do with myself on board first. Always wanted to try a good ole fashioned dilly dally. 
 

https://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/790164-BEV_Package_Flyer_UOBP_PPBP Update_V7_no_crops.pdf
 

On board the Joy 16th-23rd

It will be my second time on this ship.   Very excited. Curious as to what the changes will be like since my last time on board. I was also haven last time  but will be in a regular cabin this time. So it will be a different experience either way. Hope they still have the full Beatles on board at tavern and also curious as to what other entertainment is there.  I am 
disappointed they removed the footloose for deal or no deal. Hoping the other entertainment makes up for it. 
 

looking forward to your full report ! 
 

have a blast! 

I was always under the impression that if you tip on the paper they give you it goes to a general tip pool. If you tip them in cash they get to keep it themselves. Which is why cash is king. 
 

I what I’m not sure about is how the prepaid gratuities work and who they go to 

I’ve heard people removing the grats once onboard. Does that hurt the employees?

Ahhh glad to have found the Washy Washy thread

 def delivers

What are haven bids Looking like these days. Going on 7 day on escape in January 

how aggressive have bids been? I got haven upgrade end of last year with minimum bid, but feel things have changed a lot since then 

14 hours ago, psac said:

For both you and Gary, does the Haven feel overly crowded?  I know the Joy has the most Haven-eligible cabins (by a good amount), someone on the face place said last week it was always way overcrowded. But that was Thanksgiving week, so it may not be a good judge of “normal.”   Any thoughts on that overall?   Glad you’re both enjoying!!   Thanks!

as mentioned, the haven is sold out either way. Only thing I can think of is more families packed into the rooms.  But it’s felt lovely without ever feeling overly crowded or overly busy.
Even with the ship being only half full the haven has been a wonderful escape from the crowds. 
 

I quickly realized how much better the haven spaces are and as a result we’ve spent most of our time there. It’s also the same crowds and groups in there so a wonderful Camaraderie  has built up between guest. It’s honestly the perfect amount of people.  And as mentioned if you want true quiet and escape the library is perfect for that and even the prison lounge.  
 

Also I can’t emphasize enough how far superior the Haven restaurant is. We have a voucher for La couch is still and we may opt to not use it in favor of the haven. 
Ive done three Disney cruises in the last couple months and I always held them to the best in the entire industry when it came to food til I ate at the haven.  Again never overly crowded.  Always the perfect amount of people and energy. 
 

Finally for the best news of the day! 
Today is the first day the crew has been able to get off the ship in months… for some ever over a year.  It’s a huge day for them and you can feel their excitement and energy.  I hope everyone realizes the huge commitment this amazing staff has made to help make your vacation dream a reality. It’s amazing to hear how much they missed it and truly are committed to it.  Speaks volumes of the people working on board. I encourage everyone to be extra appreciative and supportive of the crew. We started our day off hanging with a bunch of the crew before our excursion off shore.  They truly are a special bunch. 
feel free to also show appreciation. Inside thought to that. The tip on on receipts you sign goes to a general tip pool.  They only get to keep the physical cash you hand to the directly (which is also super appreciated for how long they have all been out of work)

Pardon  the long ramble. But wanted to share some of my insight so far as it’s coming to Mind.  

On the Joy in the haven. And I now fully understand why people say you can’t go back. This has been such an incredible experience and so far above and beyond anything I’ve ever been experienced.  
 

major thanks to you Gary as I read everything you wrote extensively heading into this cruise and it has made a world of difference. I feel my brother and I have truly taken full advantage  of all the haven has to offer… having a room in the courtyard itself is also a Huge plus.  
 

the staff has been nothing short of amazing. Armando and lyster and Luis at the concierge has been the big surprise… using them way more than we expected. 
 

Rodnie at the haven bar is the best I’ve encountered at sea and amongst the vets I’ve ever encountered ever.  He has made it such a fun experience and knows his mixology well. 
 

We’ve ended up spending our entire time in the haven it feels like. 
Our fellow guest in the haven have been a blast. Everyone has been  on the same page and building a great atmosphere.  
 

I’m not sure if ever formally met yet. But thank you again for the help as the Hanson brothers have been having the time of their life ! 

Joining The Joy tomorrow in the haven. Hopefully I’ll run into you !

1 hour ago, wolft927 said:

What sailing and ship are you on?

The NCL Joy November 27-Dec 5! 🙂

Just got upgrade to family villa in the haven from a balcony suite for this same sailing! Beyond excited. Me and my brother having a long overdue brothers trip. 
 

Been wanting to experience the haven for many years but it’s always been outta my price range. Beyond thrilled we have this chance. Not even sure where to begin or what to do to take full advantage of it. We will be on your same sailing it seems!

I think you posted another haven pro tip thread on here ? 
I’ve been avoiding it til now as to not get my hopes up. 

21 hours ago, wolft927 said:

So, Looking at my cruise for the 5th of December, there are currently 35 Haven suites still available. I have offers on several of them and not making any offers a lot over minimum. Anyone have any experience getting bids accepted with low offers?

just made my offer accepted! There were a total of 55 haven rooms Open on board. 
I won the Family villa with large balcony with a bid just slightly over the minimum! Put bids on every room in the haven. 
 

Very excited! now seems to be the best thing ever to get these rooms

I recently did a 7 day Disney cruise and the one thing that was seemingly

obvious to me is that the industry may never be the exact same as how we remembered and experienced it Before.  
 

I honestly think a lot of the changes are here to say and for me a lot of great changes and innovations. 
 

I leave in two weeks on my NCL so I’m curious to see how the two stack up in hope they operate. 

That being said, NCL is indeed taking certain measures to return to a sense of normalcy, or whatever new version of it is. It’s also, as mentioned above, my favorite of the mainstream cruise lines.  So welcome to the fam! 

Honestly the reason I like NCL is that it provides lots of smaller intimate places on board a large ship. 

Depends on the ship

But good chance during the day you can find plenty of quiet spots along the board board walk and it’s adjoining spots. 
 

Also Places like the library and observation lounge 

Especially right now with cruises sailing with limited capacity. I think your penchant for solitude will be met with great well sever.  

Counted 55 available Haven rooms on my NCL Joy November 27- dec 5th

and the prices just dropped significantly for all rooms. 
 

hoping that is good omen for my Haven upgrade. I’m slightly above minimum on all Haven rooms. 
 

Debating if I should increase that or not. Never done the Haven and bows my chance.  So I’m anxious 

47 minutes ago, CruiseAF said:

This happens when peoples credit cards decline. They will usually disappear the next day. Happened to me. I recently bid on a 2 bedroom Haven suite on the 11/13/21 escape sailing, I did not win on Wednesday of this week and the next day there were still 2, 2 bedrooms listed. I saw that, upped my bid a little going from a gty balcony and boom I was accepted. 
 

I won’t say my bid but I will say all in all I’m still saving 3 grand. 
 

You may still have a chance but up your bid a little ASAP

Was wondering about this very situation. All the bids seemed to have been accepted yesterday for the same cruise I’m going on the week before.  Which means my window is probably up now

will I see them slowly roll out the bids and if I’m not accepted have a chance to up my bid ?

I saw on the cruise the week before mine they still have a room available in the Haven in each category 

Also if you want one of the premium spirits, You just put the price difference 

it’s a great way to enjoy some truly top quality liquor.

also remember. Cash is king. If you want to tip(and I encourage you do) tip in cash. Any tip that goes on the card/receipt paper goes to a greater pool and not to the person you are tipping.

I usually find my one or two people

right away in the cruise and tip them in cash up front and go back to them rest of cruise. 

6 hours ago, italianstalion said:

I am going on the NCL Joy in a few weeks (Nov 2021) and my upgrade bid just got accepted.  I am going from a normal balcony stateroom (not sailaway) to a Haven Family Suite with balcony.  I booked this cruise about 45 days before it leaves and I got the email for upgrade bidding about 10 days or so after that.  I put in 4 different bids for haven only rooms...all poor on the bidding scale...and that one just got accepted today.  The trip is in 16 days i think...just so you get an idea of the timeline of events for this.  My bid was probably $10 above the minimum required bid.  I also had received an email about a week ago saying some of the other rooms were on "sale"...so when i went into the bidding section online there were two rooms where the minimum bid was really really low for an upgrade.  But, i didnt bid on those because the whole point for me was that I wanted the haven amenities.  This exact room costs almost exactly 10K for this 7 day cruise (just looked on the website 5 minutes ago).  I got it for less than 4K which includes the open bar, excursion credits, and 2 specialty dining nights.  What a deal!!! 

I’m on the Joy leaving November 27

have bids on all available Haven rooms. 
which ones and how many did you put bids on? You put 5 over min on all of em?

getting anxious !  

7 minutes ago, Sailing12Away said:

I've never had luck with the NCL wifi at all, so I don't bother trying to use it. We always found a better deal with our cell phone provider to connect with family/friends when we get to port in international travels. The few sea days we have are ours to enjoy. On the Encore this past summer I tried to connect to work email and it was too painful to go through the 200+ messages so I gave up. Was going to attempt to hop on a WebEx to check in with the team, but the free wifi wouldn't cut it so I went back to day drinking.

 

To each their own, but no, even with the most expensive streaming plan you will not be able to do the things you can do from home. 

It’s hard to know the truth and if it will be doable. 
I know the VOIP does not consume a ton of bandwidth.  He just needs to hop on the zoom with voice only a few times and he can do the rest of his work at his on pace. 
 

I know we are in a different port Monday - Thursday each day. Not sure if that makes a difference for the internet. 
 

our cruise consultant assured us the internet would be stable enough to do VoIP. 
 

Bad timing with him taking the new job and not being able to use his planned vacation like we thought. 

I’m going on the Joy in 3 weeks and my brother just got a new job 2 weeks ago. I planned this out way far in advance.  He is able to do remote work. So we bought the premium internet package hoping that will be able to cut it. 
 

Mostly he has a few zoom meetings he just needs to be able to phone into voice only

any advice or input is greatly Appreciated 

10 hours ago, mantadiver said:

We were upgraded today.  NCL Getaway sailing 11/14.  From a club balcony suite to The Haven Forward-Facing Penthouse with Balcony (HG).  I bid the absolute minimum.  The was a lot of availability in the Haven so I tried the minimum and it worked!

How much availability ? 
I’m seeing about 40 total Haven rooms available on mine in the joy 11/27

Many reasons they would do this. And agreed. Most likely the person on the phone has no idea. 
 

call corporate and feel free to share your findings so that anyone else also curious or concerned can become informed. 
 

I imagine it is quite the undertaking, and glad they are doing it.  We are learning a lot more about Sick building syndrome and a move for better air quality in all buildings was a long time coming 

24 minutes ago, jwdental360 said:

I am booked for the same trip! Where are you seeing 45 haven rooms open? Last time I checked a week ago there were only 15 left.  Good luck on your upgrade. I bid as well to upgrade from my club balcony. 

Awesome! 
And I’m seeing 10 available on category HJ alone. I’ll need to go back and go through again. But adding them all yo came out to about 45 last I checked 

what did you bid on? What perhaps is a reasonable bid ?

looking forward to it! Bringing my brother along as his birthday / holiday gift.  So really hoping we can get it. 

Just joined this site after lurking for years 

been sailing with norwegian for many years and finally hit Platinum couple trips ago and still have never done the Haven 

leaving in the November 27-dec 5 cruise in the Joy out of Miami 

got the upgrade advantage offer and have been trying to do my research as to how many cabins are available to see what my odds are. I’m seeing around 45 Haven rooms open total.
 

do we know if they ships are at full capacity ? I can’t quite seem to tell how many of the balcony suits have been booked and how many people like be competing with. I also read in another thread  that bids are being opened up to more than just the the meta categories ?

very much want to make this happen but hard to know which way to go

starting bids are at 300, 350, 400, 600 for respective categories. 
 

There seems to be the second sailing of this ship with the first week long right before mine. 
 

any advice is greatly appreciated :)