NayRN

10 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

Interesting - I never would have considered a need to close the drapes, but I suppose they do need that absolute darkness. Wouldn't be a problem for us as the night lights in the Haven rooms are usually pretty fantastic (those blue lights at the base of the tub and bed). 

 

Appreciate your thoughts on the wind - I suppose I'll need to add this as a possibility. That private hot tub got me! 

Make sure you grab one on deck 8 - the hot tubs are huge! Deck 9 deck and hot tubs are smaller!

21 minutes ago, KiddieKruzer said:

Question:  if I booked my room as a solo (not at 200% supplement) and I got an invitation to bid for an upgrade, am I still bidding at x2 or since I’m 1 person, the “per person” would be x1.  Example: min bid for suite $25 per person. If I bid $25 and win will I be charged $25 or $50?  
 

 

Like prov2727 said - you pay double what you bid. As a solo cruiser myself, I can vouch for that!

That looks like 8201! I sailed there twice and 8001 twice. I love those suites.

@cruiseny4life I didn’t think the wind was too bad. The balcony is steel which blocks a lot of the wind when you’re sitting. If I’m standing at the railing, I loved the wind blowing in my face. What is difficult about the forward-facing suites is that your drapes have to be closed prior to sunset so the light from your room doesn’t interfere with the bridge which is two decks above you. I received a call from the bridge to turn my lights off if I was going to be back and forth from the balcony to the room. No big deal - I just turned the lights off in the living room and kept a light on in the bedroom so I could see when I went back in.

I always book the suite I want but if the OS or DOS pops up for a bid, I will low-ball with my bid to see if they bite. I’m a solo cruiser so I already pay too much to cruise (heck, I like to spoil myself once a year) which is why I bid a smidge above minimum - and then double it. If I win a bid, GREAT! If I don’t win a bid, GREAT!

4 minutes ago, tetleytea said:

Note that my actual question was what happens to the cabins vacated due to positive covid testing, which has to happen within 48 hours of sailing.  And whether our bidding process figures into that at all.

 

What you said “They cease covid testing after that” in reference to August 1 can cause some confusion and make others think that NCL is ceasing covid testing after that date.

1 hour ago, tetleytea said:

They cease covid testing after that.

That not true for all! Please read the information from NCL carefully…

https://www.nclhltd.com/investors/news-events/press-releases/detail/495/norwegian-cruise-line-holdings-announces-revisions-to

5 hours ago, HBCcruiser said:

Breakfast today. It’s free with our room. Nice!

 

That’s the way to do it! I always stay in a club room with a port view!! Totally spoil myself!!

@HBCcruiser - looks like you’re traveling in style! Safe flight and enjoy your cruise!

The IC is my favorite hotel in Miami - but I haven’t been there since 2019 😢

I’ve been in the deck 8 Owner Suite 4 times….best suite on the ship! We really didn’t use the hot tub…but the deck is BIG with enough room for the hot tub, table with 4 chairs, two loungers - with still room to dance!

Have some great cruises!!

I’ve sailed twice in the aft PH on the Getaway deck 9 - and will book that location again in a heartbeat! I honestly didn’t mind the 5 minute walk to the Haven restaurant.

Another bonus for me was the fact that the Haven bar always seems to have the same people sitting there for hours - sometimes making it difficult to even get a drink let alone a seat. With the Prime Meridian bar on deck 8 directly below us, we just ran up and down the stairs. The bartenders there are just as fabulous and got to know us well. Sure we didn’t get the fancy smoked drinks - which I wouldn’t drink anyway - but they had their own “specials” that they would make up for us. 

I’ve stayed in a hotel about 1000 feet away from Ink 48 (Holiday Inn Express on 48th) with 2 kids under 10. Suffice it to say that not only is it walkable - it’s a very safe walk! Crossing 12th street was super easy and the porters are right there to greet you, tag your bags and cart them off! 48th street runs in the opposite direction from the port, so unless it’s raining, I’d save the money for a taxi or Uber and walk it!

26 minutes ago, ccc321 said:

Thanks everyone.   I guess it was a little hard to articulate exactly what I was looking for.  

I know exactly which picture you are looking for! I’ll look for it and, if I’m able to find it, I’ll post! It was a great way to see where your cabin was - unlike cruise ship deck plans which doesn’t show the cabin location from the outside of the ship!

I received my email this morning. I read it - then I filed it! My next cruise is a closed-loop and really has no impact on my sailing at all - I’m just grateful that I get to cruise again and that NCL is being proactive with their notifications!

This will be my second solo cruise on the Breakaway. There is also Spice H2O on deck 16 full aft that is for adults only during the day. While there is no pool, there are hot tubs and what I refer to as an adult splash pool as well as a bar. But just because it’s labeled “adults only”, please don’t expect this area to be quiet. Also - the adult-only pool is on the main pool deck and a short walk from the family pool and the kiddie pool. 

If you’re looking for a quiet cruise, either book as a solo in the Haven (which is typically quiet but like Two Wheels Only said, there are families sailing in the Haven as well) or maybe look at a smaller ship that doesn’t have all the “bells and whistles”.

13 hours ago, sasand01 said:

My father passed in November and had four CruiseNext credits remaining under his name.  My cruise consultant is telling me that we can't transfer them to my mother, his wife- even though I sent in his death certificate.  Anyone have any experience with a situation like this?  Have you been able to transfer those certificates to a spouse following a death? 

 

Many thanks, 

Sarah 

So very sorry for your loss…..

1 hour ago, KeithJenner said:

It would me quite an achievement to get value out of the Plus upgrade just at Starbucks. That is a lot of coffee to drink every day for a cruise (and I say that as someone who can drink some coffee).

I learned the hard way! LOL No idea what I was thinking….but I know I won’t upgrade ever again. 

My last cruise I upgraded to premium plus just for Starbucks. Turns out, it was a lot cheaper to buy the coffee as I wanted them compared to what I paid to upgrade!

16 hours ago, KKB said:

OOOH, boy.

That is EXACTLY what I am doing for Dad...amazing how much care is still involved when he lives in assisted living.

I had decided I am FINE w/o Haven.

I probably am.

But perhaps I should make those bids.

Who knows?

Maybe they won't be accepted & that is that.

But maybe they will...and maybe I'll need it...

Yes, you will be fine without the Haven - probably better than fine! Just taking the time for YOU is what’s important!

3 hours ago, KKB said:

THAT is the biggest reason I am leaning toward it.

2022 has been very difficult. 

Mom passed after a year battle with cancer in Feb; Dad moved to assisted living in Mar. & discovered his prostate cancer from several years ago has spread.

And we sold their home last month. 

(so while this has been tough for me, MUCH tougher for him)

I did retire 2 weeks ago so my load is lightened in that regard but Dad still needs lots of support as he does not drive. 

But travel is my respite. 

First, I am sorry for all your losses and my heart goes out to you. I was the prime caregiver for my father who lost his battle with cancer in 2015 and now, the caregiver for my 92 year old mother….

For what it’s worth and having sailed in the Haven solo, I just say do it! For me, between working full-time (40+ hours/week due to nursing shortages) and then coming home to my mom who, while very healthy, needs to be driven to doctor appointments, grocery shopping, heck, just getting out of the house to “blow the stink off” as she says as well as  knowing that I only get one week a year to vacation on my own (I have to fly my sister in from out of state to stay with her while I’m gone), the Haven will truly be my haven and I know I deserve it!

Sure it’s not for everyone - but I love the peace and quiet, the never having to look for a lounge chair, having a restaurant and bar within steps of my suite….ahhhhhhhh! If I want to experience crowds and noise - I just walk outside of the Haven. It’s just that I really need to shut things off and being pampered in the Haven is just what the doctor ordered for me. 

You need to just do you….do what your heart (and wallet) are telling you to do! Even if you don’t book in the Haven, you’ll still be getting away from your everyday life and relaxing!

11 hours ago, Coastalbreezes said:

There really is no need to tip on the first day. Being in the Haven, you should expect great service. I always bring thank you cards and on the last day, present cash tips and a personalized note to my butler, steward and concierge.

I agree! I’ve never tipped the first day and have always have exceptional service - and that includes being in an aft Haven PH (which, in all honesty, was probably the best service in my suite/Haven cruising experience)!

56 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

@NayRNFirst and foremost, thank you for what you do as a RN.  You don't just work hard, you save lives and that is so very important.  You deserve the Haven more most including myself.  

 

If we ever cruise on the same ship, a bottle of champagne is on its way to you.  I wish that NCL would have a policy the rewards first responders, military, doctors and nurses.  

 

Cruise well.

Thank you so much for the kind words…and seriously, no champagne is necessary. I love what I do (although sometimes it does feel pretty thankless)! I also take care of myself - as does the health system I am fortunate to work for - they push self-care so much because they know that we are unable to help others if we don’t first take care of ourselves!

I work hard - so when I cruise, my choice will always be in the Haven. My upcoming cruise will be my second solo in the Haven. Was it expensive? Sure! But I only cruise once a year and my other time away from work is always staycations. I just feel that I’m worth the pampering once a year!

My coworkers have sailed on CCL and RC - both used Walgreen’s and boarded without question. My plan is to utilize Walgreen’s for my cruise in September….and (currently) the test is free!!

On 4/4/2022 at 4:13 AM, detwings said:

We are traveling on the Breakway in April.  Does anyone know who the concierge is in the Haven right now?  Thanks

As April has come and gone, I’m sure you found out who the Concierge is/was! I’ll be sailing in September and curious as to who it will be….the same as yours????

On 5/4/2022 at 11:25 AM, DirtyDawg said:

Americans have Kraft Macaroni and Cheese but we have KD. Yes, that's what's on the box, a big KD. My Canadian co-works tell me that the American version is better - probably because the Canadian version is more healthy than ours! 😎

 

Also, Swiss Chalet Dipping Sauce. Basically a chicken gravy but you have to taste it! I may have had a bad batch - but I didn’t like the gravy at all!

 

Another is Kinder Surprise, it's a chocolate egg with a toy inside. (But you might get arrested bringing them back to the U.S. as they were banned some years ago in the U.S.) So eat them all before you cross back into the States! We can purchase Kinder Surprise eggs here - but maybe that’s only in the Detroit Metro area.

 

And besides ketchup chips and all dressed chips I don't think you have Dill flavoured potato chips in the States.  Again, maybe it’s because Detroit is so close to Windsor but we get Ketchup chips, All Dressed chips and Dill chips - thanks to Lays. I will add that the Canadian version of all three types is far superior to the American versions! Thankfully I work in a huge healthcare system and we have a lot of Canadian nurses who cross the border daily to work and bring us the “goods”!!

 

I'm getting hungry!! And I’m feeling the need to cross the Ambassador Bridge for a candy run!!

 

 

The candy bars from Canada are absolutely amazing! Try the Coffee Crisp and Aero Bars! I’m not a fan of the Smarties which are  like M & M’s and not the American Smarties.