roger001

From when I first lived in S. Calif in the mid '50s, Ensenada was always a quick weekend destination for hordes from S. Calif. It quickly became a part of the US almost with so many visitors and land and housing purchases from those S.Calif folks.

Ensenada was a worthless stop , my opinion. I don't mind long port days. You can still stay on the ship and relax.

Or my wife's favorite, Capt. Morgan Spiced Rum instead of Vodka.

Two for me. Hurry or be relaxed on the last day. Two hours difference is no biggie for me.

BTF on the Breakaway last January was a brand new and totally different production. I liked the first, but this was super good and unrecognizably different. I recommend it. I'd see it again.

Ketchikan was a great stop when you docked right downtown. No to much so now. Shuttling and waiting for shuttles, plus that extra bit of anxiety, would stay on the ship now or just get off locally briefly.

Don't know the answer. But New Orleans port is a very crowed and difficult place. Street access is very poor and a train track frequently blocks auto traffic for a while. I had two Uber drivers give up after not being able to get to the pickup point or us not being able find each other. Doesn't answer you question, but I got to vent.

My only Acapulco stop was about 10 years ago on a PC cruise. I got off and wandered around. Leaving the port area look threatening. I hustled along and returned to the ship. I didn't take my wife off then. While wandering the shore line along the street I came upon a public restroom. I stepped in to pee. Was stopped immediately. A guard that said I would have to pay to pee. I didn't have the correct change. I had to use a bigger bill and he didn't give change. I do remember walking away from the ship area , I was immediately hustled by folks wanted to walk with me and give me a tour of the area. I eventually got them to take no as my answer. My Acapulco impressions from ten years ago.

LAX, once you reach the terminal just sucks. I've seen lines out the door and down a half block. And then it has to be repeated just to get through security then.

The Dawn class had Spinnaker lounges some years ago. All turned into additional cabins.

We're older. Give us the Dawn/Jewel class. However, if you want the Haven experience, then Breakaway or Bliss type bigger ship a must.

Was "Dress up or not" I believe.

We used one of the shuttles.

And the Spinnaker lounge, although indoors, has lounging type chairs and floor to ceiling windows from side to side. Deck 13 forward.

I'm telling you guaranteed 100% what I said is what happened to us and about 10 other guests. You mileage may differ with a different cruise. Have no idea. The shuttle from town stopped at the Navy security gate. A security guard said, "everyone show you passports". I said we didn't have ours with us, only our room card. The others few folks said the same thing. He then said for you without passports to get off the shuttle. We were then corralled into a holding area away from the gate. About 20 minutes later a ship security guard came for us. And that's the way it was.

If you dock at the NAVY dock, you sure needed it when we were last there. Or they will not let you back onto Navy property.

Our last stop there, we docked at the Navy pier, but they ran a shuttle into town. Since we we back in the US, we did not take out passports with us. Big mistake. Security would not let us and several others board the shuttle back to to ship. Placed us in a security area to wait. A security member from the ship had to come to us with a laptop, scan our card and verify we did indeed belong on the ship. Take your passport if docked on Navy property.

I think we were on the Breakaway the cruise before yours. Our experience in the Haven was just like yours...fantastic. Most wonderful crew we have ever seen. Loved everything about it.

Only twice have we noticed a sewer odor. Both times pouring water into the drains cured it.

Last Haven cruise, butler was great, tipped $100. Concierge good, $75. Cabin attendant, $75. Main bartender $30, but we tipped for each drink $1. Maitre D, $30 plus tipping servers for each meal. And just tipped other times as we felt like doing.

I thought it was good until I saw the new version of Burn the Floor. Still good but Burn was amazing.

Just being told by the poor server that he/she is going to have to charge me $25 for the next one just takes aways from the comfort of the Haven experience. NCL...stupid idea. Your cost for the extra lobster can't be that great. Don't tell a Haven guest no. That ruins the atmosphere.

Are free cardiac services included whit that plate of bacon? Although on one of our cruises, it was half full with a German tour group. I saw one of those guys one morning sit down with a plate of bacon filled at least three times as high than that plate. He ate it all.

By the way....the revised Burn the Floor is incredible! Don't know how those dancers/singers can do it.

No matter what, we are just fans of the Jewel and Dawn class ships. We just sailed the Breakaway, our 4th mega ship cruise. The ship is big, beautiful, wonderful crew, but too massive for us (we're older). This was a full ship and it is just too crowded for us. But, if you're going to book a Haven suite, mega ship is the only way to go. The Haven was fantastic. It is so nice to have the quiet and no crowds place to escape. The lounge/bar was wonderful with wonderful servers, bar tender, and crew. And the restaurant great. We left behind 4 speciality restaurant coupons we didn't need because of the Haven restaurant. I'm at the moment filled to the max on Surf and Turf. Never thought I'd get too much of it, but might have. And the restaurant staff and servers, outstanding. Mama T, the butler, outstanding, the best we've ever had. EZ, our cabin attendant, great. We've sailed in the Bliss Haven once. It is even bigger than the Breakaway with a huge observation lounge forward. But we didn't really use it much. The Breakaway size was just fine for us. Anyhow, if you want to try a Haven, do it on one of the Megas. My opinion.