Fogfog

On the older ships, it was the way the fish were swimming. Funny no one told you🤣

We hear you on the price. It is a ride. And a whirlwind tour of sights to get an overview of the city (we got a good lunch too) I do want to say--that on our excursion--we had unanticipated traffic/rerouting both directions due to construction on the roads. Because we were on a ship tour that ran over an hour late (like 90 min)-- and a few buses were late--the ship had a late dinner in the buffet with a local music group performing, local food brought in etc and going late. We didn't miss out.

We would do every port for some sort of outing/meal/culture thing- and choose carefully. They are certainly old enough for this trip. We started traveling with ours at 3ys and 6 mos ... August you will contend with the heat and a couple of those port stops- have longer bus rides. If you can swing it--choose the smaller bus/van excursions. Bring water bottles. Plan an ice cream budget. You've got this!!

The one disadvantage with these roller bags is the bag weight for certain. We have some very light "travel Lite" roller aboards and duffels that I bought years ago from a UK company. The roll-aboards were made to fit Ryanair specs. We used them for years Just in Feb my better half said enough is enough because dragging the duffels was a pita--and we bought the hard side roller bags. Wow--so much easier for self assist disembark this past Feb-March when we did semi B2B and had to change ports. They were great. We have an early disemb at Southampton so we will self assist-roll off again (here's hoping Haven does what they promise) And like you--I like packing cubes. My better half doesn't use them..so if we share bags to spread out the weight shoes 😉 ) at least shoe bags help. Toiletries/liquids double bagged. Goal is for under 40#. Re the rainy weather Sat....That's really going to make it a bad hair day 😞

Your guess is as good as ours. Check Wunderground--which only goes 10 days out for Halifax. Otherwise, sites that tell you seasonal/typical for late April for Iceland and beyond

Good to know the options We are using Carmel. Prepaid. All in with fees/tips etc is spendy. Just didn't feel like doing the mass transit route Bigger vehicle than we needed yet with 2 roller bags and carry ons, we weren't certain the 2 rollers would fit in the reg sedan trunk. Didn't want a hassle from the driver You are doing a better job of packing than I am. My stuff is in growing piles on a guest bed... and my better half won't start thinking about it til about Wed 😲 Weather for Sat changed to rain. Fingers crossed it changes again and it is dry for embarkation.

Rug shops in Morocco too. ha. We figured even if we didn't know the woman, she certainly hustled to make sure we were happy. So she earned her tip. I am amazed that the YC staff knows names and preferences so quickly. I do wonder if the smart ships and wristbands help them at point of service. We have had more than 1 bartender from ship to ship that seemed to know when to expect us whether before or after dinner and would have 2 fingers of Macallan neat for DH. We had a bartender he'd find us on deck and bring us fabulous icy drinks of melon/basil and ? while we were enjoying a sea day (another line) Great crew are a treasure. Sail well 😉

I believe it. On recent B2B we were discussing how the YC Dir and others often have the ability to make you think you are the center of the universe, and then do the same for the guy in the next chair. It is quite a gift to make everyone's vacay special. Requires a lot of stamina OTOH when we boarded the Seashore, going into Lunch at Embarkation and Asst M'D knew us from Meraviglia-- and so did a few others in the YC crew/staff. We did remember the Asst M'D. One of the Butlers said he knew us from the Meraviglia. We had done 4BtoBs so had gotten to know a lot of the YC folks and we spread the ca$h to a lot of people when we left that sailing. That said we weren't certain that the waitstaff/waitress that claimed to know us really did. Even if she was playing us--she did a great job of making certain we were happy. We always do handwritten notes in envelopes with ca$h because we are treated so well without having to ask.

Hopefully any travel insurance on your credit card can help. Or ombudsman with that airline? One would think those fees (seats and baggage) would be returned to you since you aren't on that carrier, aren't filling that seat etc. So sorry

Was thinking about this today as well. If we can't arrive at the pier until at least Noon, I am thinking we may not onboard until 1/1:30 at earliest and only if lucky. So what about lunch service? And - this is all predicated on the ship zero-ing out in a timely manner. Fingers crossed everyone gets off asap (travel etc) If Wunderground is to be believed, partially cloudy for embarkation at this point.

That large lounge for YC in Miami was nice Though in March, we dropped the bags, were whisked inside into the AC, checked in (very small room) and the YC Dirc and some butlers were moving small groups onto the ship very quickly. We were in the YC lounge and drink in hand right about 11! Lovely food and beverages in the lounge. So very civilized. On the crew shenanigans.. we hear that's pretty common. We are trying another line shortly (because we couldn't get into YC and on a ship we wanted for a TA). And the differences are startling. I wont bore you here with it all (not nearly "inclusive"---- except to say there will be no YC type of check in with special porters/tags/YC Dir greeting and wristbands. Have a great sailing. Look fwd to reading. Best, FOG

True. And really obvious and many ways to address it. And the OPs title and subject was about Haven - so just trying to get his thread back on track 🙂 Happy sailing

Your Haven luggage would have Haven tags on it as well, yes? Both embarkation and debarkation. Have you received your Haven tags?

You make a Great point One has to wonder --are the interlopers aka trespassers.. also open to going into neighborhoods they don't live in? Into homes to "see" what others have/use? Going into a neighbors yard to use their pool? Why do folks think they can do this on a ship (don't have the ticket/contract of carriage)? We have been on sailings when as many as 6 trespassers at one time have been removed by butlers/security at lunch because lobster was being served at the pool grill. and they were in suite class they didn't buy 🙄

I'm suggesting the OP find a different cruise line--something with small boutique ships under 200 pax...and skip Haven

Was it an amaretto sour thing? Or a twist on an old fashion? I did try it on a recent sailing- Was very strong and sweet.

Maybe Smaller ships- boutique size are a better fit if "180 is manageable and 400 isn't" We will be 2 in a suite that holds 6 TO avoid crowd- do like others suggest: Sail when kids are generally in school, low season and then multiply -- Cabins for 2, Cabins for 4, 6 etc. If that number is over your 180, then NCL Haven is likely the wrong cruise experience for you Good luck and let us know what you choose.

This. @JamieLogical does an outstanding job.

@Sthrngary THAT story about the boorish and rude imposter is shocking and crazy. I imagine it took a good bit of self control to give him enough room to hang himself. If he was that impertinent in person, imagine what he is like behind a screen and on a keyboard. Thanks to you for your posts and what you contribute to this CC community. It is appreciated.

How did your sailing go? We had Ryan and Susmita in Le Muse as well a few sailings before yours

Hangry and other peoples kids does make for unfortunate circumstances Thanks for the post

Spring break --ugg I hear you and we try to avoid sailing then so its more adults Starbucks--I thought that was an upcharge and required premium plus (same for bottled waters) Was that not the case on Viva? Vandalism... that sounds awful. What a shame that some ruin it Were the open eateries busy between meal hours? Meaning it was after lunch (and a later afternoon all aboard 3:30p) and Before dinner service which is maybe 2-3 hours later.

TYVM Didn't know this. Will take a look

As the OP notes, plenty of rudeness, lack of civility, ignorance, and entitlement to go around Lack of manners, please, thank you, holding doors etc Lack of manners in-out of elevators Lack of table manners Lack of proper dress code Using cell phones loudly in public Using personal music and screens without ear buds Chair hogs Gluttons with piles of wasted food Rudeness to crew and staff and its not isolated to a certain culture, nation, class, economic level.. plenty of it all around.

Somebody posted about doing it to make them work--and incentivize. So not directed at those of us needing the reminders. No offense meant