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3 hours ago, cl.klink said:

 

Ray,'

 

This is very helpful. Thanks.

 

When it's folded up, you can place it in a car trunk OK, then?

 

- Joel

Absolutely.  I’m 73 and my balance is so bad that I can’t lift it into the trunk but Teresia is able to with minimal effort.  I purchased my scooter from QVC.  If you access their website and search EV Rider, you will see the models available, along with some videos of QVC’s on air presentations.  Good luck with what ever scooter you decide to buy.

Ray

26 minutes ago, Algebralovr said:

There should not be any reason not to name who you bought from.  We just can’t list travel agents.  🙂

You are probably right,,,as many of you know, the shopping network I am talking about is QVC.  For anyone who is looking for a foldable Scooter you might want to check out QVC.

Joel,

If your wife is going to depend on a scooter for getting around not only on cruises but even at home for shopping and going out to dinner, I think it is best to buy a scooter.  I have owned my scooter for about 4 years and have used it on cruises as well as outings like Disneyland and Sea World.  I have no experience with the different brands other than the one I bought which is an EV Rider.  They are available at many Medical supply stores but I bought mine from a well known shopping network.  I'm not sure I can name the specific network.  Once you identify the network, you can view several detailed video reviews on their network. I have been very happy with my collapsible scooter. In fact, if it becomes necessary, I will probably purchase another one.  They have made significant "comfort feature" changes since I purchased mine.  They now have one that folds automatically instead of manually.  The measurements while folded are 18" (h);  31" (l) and 19" (w).  We have never had issues in getting it into our cabin---(folded).   The weight is about 45 lbs. without the battery and some of new models the weight is around 46 lbs. with the battery.  

As far as flying with the scooter, my experience has been the same as the other posters.  I ride it up to the door of the airplane where airline personal take it down to the cargo bay and then return it to me at the end of the flight.

I am also "thin skinned" when using it on cruises.  I'm so concerned that I will run into someone or run over their toes in an elevator that it really stresses me out.  I have to admit that for the most part fellow cruisers are thoughtful and courteous when I approach them.  

I am going to try and post a couple pictures of my scooter.  I hope you and your wife have many more fun cruises in your future...

Ray

16 minutes ago, swmichigan cruiser said:

We have done suites three times. Only one time when the suite was actually in the Haven. We would only do a suite again if it was in the Haven. Otherwise it just feels like you are a visitor to it. We have a 21 night cruise coming up on the Bliss and we have  only put in a bid for a suite that is in the Haven. Just our opinion.

I agree with you that you feel somewhat like visitor if you don't stay in the Haven but the Perks are the same...

17 minutes ago, drumming cruisers said:

Thinking of booking Bliss Alaskan cruise.

Looked at floor plans for Haven. H5 is forward deck 17  by lounge, pool, restaurant and observation deck. its a very small cabin, really doesn't look any bigger than a standard balcony. Also would it be really rocky in Alaskan waters? so high up and right in front of the ship?

The H7 has a living room and separate bedroom. Looks much bigger and nice than H5, but is on decks 10,12 and 13 I believe. A lot farther from the Haven amenities. Is less expensive too. 

Which would you book? Anyone seen both of the cabins? or been in them?

We were in a H7 on the Bliss in Late October.  It was cabin 10106.  I had wanted a suite in the Haven because of mobility issues but there was nothing available.  We booked the H7 and was very happy with it.  The separate bedroom made the suite feel much larger than the H-5.  While the walk is a bit longer than being in the Haven.  It was a relatively short walk to the elevators and after boarding the elevators, it's a short ride to Deck 17 and the entrance to the Haven.  About the only complaint with the H7 we had was that the balcony was very small.  It was small but comfortable.  I missed not being in the Haven but in the big scheme of things, it was not a big deal---not to mention the cost was less.  We organized and participated in a cabin crawl which included a Haven Penthouse suite.  We showed our cabin last and had several folks commenting that they liked our cabin better than the Haven Penthouse.

I don't know if this will work but I am going to try and attach some pictures of our Suite.

3 minutes ago, BrownEyedGirl686 said:

Is this the first time that you haven’t received the letter? 

I believe so, yes...

We sail in 8 days.  Received our luggage tags about 2 weeks ago and NEVER received a Concierge letter.  This will be our 15th cruise on NCL.  

I purchased my first and only scooter about 4 years ago from QVC.  It is called a EV Rider.  It is a low cost scooter that has served all my needs.  My model does not close automatically but collapses in two steps with little effort.  The weight is 67 pounds with battery and about 50 pounds without the battery.  I think I payed about $1300 for it 4 years ago.  EV Rider makes several models to include a new auto folding model that sells for about $ 2300 and weighs about 65 pounds.  Their website has all the info.  You might like to take a look...

We are currently booked into an H-7 on the Bliss but have put in a High bid for an H-4.  It is just the 2 of us but we really enjoy the extra room.  An H4 is physically located in the Haven while our H-7 is located on Deck 10.  I think the kids would enjoy having their own room and being close to all of the things the Haven has to offer.  The H-4 is significantly more than the H-7 but all things considered,  The H-7 is a better value for the family.

6 minutes ago, softl said:

Saw the video the other day but thanks for thinking of us. Our cruise is in November, si I'll await your review instead!

Darn!  Hoping your cruise was before ours.  We'll share our thoughts when we get back...

2 hours ago, softl said:

We are sailing the Bliss shortly, Haven package but the cabin 10106. We will move a bit, but it's a cruise ship. Moving is a huge portion of the experience.

We have also booked cabin 10106 for a cruise in late October.  We would sure like to know your thoughts of the cabin upon your return.  In case you haven't seen it, there is a very good tour of the cabin at the beginning of the YouTube  link.

Ray

17 minutes ago, dam64 said:

From what Ive heard from NCL directly its a computer not a person who decides and no it does not matter how often you have cruised with them before. We have cruised numerous cruises with them and never got accepted with strong bids. Its luck! Now when I want Haven I book it right away. The waiting game can play havoc on your nerves. Book the category room you are very happy with. Good luck!

Thanks for the reply.  I share a lot of the same thoughts as you.  Our cruise is in 60 days and I guess NCL does not post their decisions until shortly before sail date.  It's a long wait.  We are in Front facing penthouse suite and am hoping (and bidding) on a couple suites that are actually within the Haven complex.  Time will tell!

Ray

We have cruised many times with NCL but this is the first time we have bid on a cabin/suite upgrade.  Does anyone know what criteria they use for selection---other than bid amount?  Do they ever take into consideration the number of NCL cruises a person has taken or your Latitudes level?  I would suspect that those factors are not considered in the selection process but thought I would ask...

Ray

19 hours ago, Owenred said:

Hey Ray, 

 

We just used Windows movie maker really simple to use, although young im not that tech savvy. 

 

Hoping we can get up to 21 that'll be amazing.

 

 

Hi,

Thanks so much for the reply.  I have heard of the software but have never used it.  I think I will give it a try.  If I screw up, no one else will know.

Best of luck to you and your family and all of your cruise adventures.  We didn't start cruising until my 50th birthday.  You have plenty of time to reach the 21 cruise mark.

If any of your travels bring you to Southern California please let us know...

Ray

Hi,

Great video.  We are a few years older than you and we are about to start of 21st cruise and that will probably our last because of health issues.  Most of our cruises have been on NCL and the last will be on the Bliss.

I really like what you did and I am thinking about doing the same with our cruising "career".  Can you share with me what software you used to make the video?  It might be to complicated for us old timers but thought I would give it a try.

Ray

17 hours ago, Ozzieru1e said:

 

I reserved a Haven Forward Facing Suite on deck 10 on NCL Bliss 4/2020.  First Haven experience was on the Escape in a Penthouse Courtyard Suite which was very nice but the room was smaller than expected.  One of the trade off between the Forward facing Suite & the Courtyard Suite is the balcony.  The balcony in the Forward facing is approximately 32 sq ft while the Courtyard is around 54+ sq ft.  I like the shorter walk to the Haven complex also...just hope we don’t have problems with the elevators😎

I have also booked a Haven Forward Facing Suite on The Bliss on deck 10.  I'm in 10106 for a 10/27/2019 cruise.  The only thing I'm not happy with is the size of the balcony.

4 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

No problem for Haven guests not staying in the Haven complex. Your stateroom card gives access to the Haven and access to everything within it including the restaurant.

On our last NCL cruise we were in an Aft facing suite.  The only issue I had was the distance I had to walk to get to the Haven restaurant.  Our next NCL cruise we are staying in a forward facing penthouse on deck10.  The walk to the Haven will be much shorter.

1 hour ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

That is news to me. I know that some platters come at an extra cost (never ordered one, though) but having a butler bring basic items shouldn't be a problem.

That would be great news.  I have seen posts, where folks stated that their Butlers told them that they needed to order party trays from room service at a cost to the passenger.  Over the years, we have had some outstanding Butlers who went above and beyond with the food items they provided.

On previous cruises we have used our butler to provide snacks and party trays for functions that we were hosting.  I understand that NCL does not allow that service anymore.  Has anyone had any recent experiences with Butlers providing any type of snacks for private functions?

Ray

Outerdog--Well said and I couldn't agree with you more.

We have cruised 21 times without any issues except I came down with the dreaded Norovirus on our last cruise.

Thatssofetch---Hope you have a beautiful wedding and honeymoon---Just be careful crossing the street.

54 minutes ago, Tsdcruiser said:

Thanks Slugsta.  I do have bad hands due to the RA.  I can drive a car, but my hands and fingers start to ache after about 45 minutes.  

 

I would love to try many, but I don’t know of anywhere locally to try them.  

 

Do you take your electric wheelchair with you or rent one at the ship?  I see NCL only accepts scooters or electric wheelchairs with gel cell batteries.  

Tsdcruiser--------Since you specifically mentioned NCL in your last post, I making an assumption that you are cruising on NCL.  If I'm incorrect then disregard the rest of this post.  I think most cruise lines have "special needs" departments.  If you are not cruising with NCL then might check with your cruise line.

If you are cruising with NCL, I am attaching a link to their special needs function.  It might contain some helpful information for you.  I have cruised NCL with a scooter several times and I have found them very accommodating.

https://www.ncl.com/about/accessible-cruising

Ray

On 6/5/2019 at 12:08 PM, gizfish said:

The biggest hidden expense of the Haven is that once you have traveled like that, you will be spoiled for life and paying for it forever ; )

Amen to that---with a big smile on my face

47 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

There is probably nothing here that hasn't been asked before...so here is one thread about this, from page 4 or 5:

 

And another:

 

Thank you for the information.  Forgive me, I guess I didn't get the memo.  I hope I didn't ruin your Sunday..

Until recently, Cruise Critic boards had a tab which consisted of the  login name for all of it's members.  Does that still exist somewhere?   

Looking forward to Sharing your trip with you.  We have booked a forward facing haven penthouse suite on the Bliss in October.  Want to hear about your Haven experiences.

Have a great cruise...

Ray