Brklynguy

We have booked three Havens - Love the perks and services, especially when on these large ships.

Breakaway out of NY 14 day winter/caribbean trip with 2 months to go and after a price drop - about $4500 each but with 1000 OBCs. It was a terrific cruise and well worth it. 

Jade out of Tampa - 7 day Carrib - $3500 each - near rack rate with 500 OBCs.

Jade transatlantic 15 days with two months to go and $4000 each - and with ship and broker $1500 OBCs. Also, the last two times the 2br suite was a few hundred more than the court suite, and that cabin is really hard to beat on any ship for that money. That was also a fabulous trip.  

The way we look at is that we take a cruise every year or so and  like a comfortable gorgeous room to escape from the large crowds when you want.  So we pay. Timing gets us a better rate but no bargains. And our savvy 'up bid' friends did not get upgrades the last two times, but because we were haven we got every restaurant reservation when we needed it and several in room parties.

We did a lot of Holland and found upgrades to Neptune easy, but sometimes rack. (our Alaska cruise was discounted maybe 10%). We like Holland a lot.

Just book our first Silver sea  10 days  carrib - $4500 each  - for a veranda suite - stay tuned.

My wife and I have cruised most of the mid tier lines and Azamara, (really excellent). For many trips our favorite line was Holland America, and usually end up in a neptune suite - real suite level services. However, our last three cruises have been on Norwegian and we book Haven cabins, which are fabulous. We are now big fans. We have been in their smaller Haven rooms - these were bigger but similar to the Azamara suites, but have booked the two bedroom suites for not much more money and these rooms are the unbelievable. What is different in the Haven is the service and amenities - If you are used to more luxurious cabins, the Haven offers you that, great packages, and you are on larger ships with many diverse restaurants and activities, and you can escape from the crowds in the Haven areas.

The answer is no but Im sure some have gotten it wihout charge. Even if you have UBP, you will be charged for soda or bottled water being delivered to your cabin, as well as alcohol.

 

 

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We were in the Haven and had the UBP. We bought a 7 bottle water package (wan't much) and never paid for drinks in the room except from the frigibar. Who needed it when you could order cocktails and soda in the room anytime for free.

The best tour we ever took was on Holland America Zuiderdam/2014 - from Bridge, to kitchen, to recycling, to quartermaster, to Engine Control room, then to the actual engine room and just above the bilge. It was great.

I am hoping for something more than the Bridge tour on NCL.

Both cruises in an Owners Suite. Anyone have a recommendation? Have sailed NCL but never on Azamara. Which line would you prefer? Thanks

We try to travel comfortably (suites) when we can and have had great experiences with Holland America, and are about to sail on the NCL Breakaway. RCL didn't make the grade.

However, Azamara is the class of ships above the middle tier carriers and many of the latter 'suite amenities' are available to all guests. Also, their ships are much smaller and more intimate. We had a suite on the Journey and it was better than any prior cruise experience and look forward to another.

I will report back after the NCL/Haven trip.

I was aware of this thread before we embarked on Feb 2 for 11 days. Our cabin (7076) was fine as was all others we travelled with or spoke to. Could they have repaired it?

Otherwise the ship looked fine.

Took the same cruise - ditto on everything.....and it was the happiest crowd I haver experienced. And we took the tour - I remember you.

I thought the ship looked fabulous despite some other reviews last month.

BTW, it is the best tour of its kind.....we booked right after we boarded - $150 and well worth it.

Our first cruise was in 2005 on the Zuiderdam, the ship that we shall be cruising the western Caribbean next week. I had resisted cruising and was talked into it by our cruising friends. My wife and I loved it the moment we boarded. It felt like that music they played when they were boarding the Titianic in the recent movie.

And HA is our preferred line.;)

I hate the morning of the disembarkation - The end of the mindless bliss and and indifference of the staff. Like, when you first get on board the crew can make you feel like you are the first passengers they have ever had, and on that morning you are the out with the garbage. Bring back personal tipping! It always feels like the end of all the vacations I ever took.

I also hate slobs in the MDR on formal nights - just go to the buffet.

And that I can't bring a bottle of booze (that they do not even sell) on board.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/images/smilies/mad.gif