GorillaPaper

We stayed in a haven spa suite on escape feb 27 sailing. Loved the butler naveen. He brought sliced limes at my husbands request, breakfast our room one morning and the daily afternoon snacks. We didn't ask for a lot but we're happy with everything provided. He genuinely showed an interest in our daily routine and what we had scheduled. I could not be more disappointed in a concierge. Our concierge was David Contreras. His assistants were better, but he put us aside to talk to another guest even though we had been in line for done time and that was our 1st impression. We passed by the concierge desk almost every morning on our way to breakfast in the haven restaurant and back and he never even said good morning. The one show we tried to book through the assistant was cancelled. They were supposed to try to reschedule us. Never heard from them. Needless to say we didn't tip anything. We did not use them for any disembarkation either. We tipped our butler and room steward well. We personally thought he concierge was useless. Loved the escape and loved our spa suite.

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We were haven guests and purchased vibe passes for a couple reasons. We had a lot of on board credit to use and already had UBP and UDP. Also there are no kids in vibe, but there were plenty in the haven. We also weren't able to get the sun chairs my husband wanted in haven. The small outside sunning deck was always full (this was on Escape). It is right next to vibe. You need a special key card to get into vibe though. There was a gate to go to the haven from vibe, yes, but you would need a vibe card to get from the haven to vibe. We enjoyed vibe and spent most of our time there, didn't use the haven pool/sunning area at all. It was French Canadian spring break though so maybe there are less kids at other times of year in the Haven.

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On 2/27 they were sold at headliners. We boarded early since we were in the haven and we were the 1st ones. They sold 70 that week.

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I hope it's just a dinner reservation and not other areas

I tried asking when I called about the reservation. All they would tell me is that the restaurant is closed that night and I could reschedule which I did and was told it should not be a problem, but haven't yet received the confirmation. Wouldn't even confirm if it was a group, that's purely my speculation based on the other events and things rumored (like why a bunch of people lost their haven rooms)

Must be an important group

*moderno (love love love autocorrect)

I saw on our roll call someone's modernize reservation was also cancelled. Not sure for which night. I guess whoever took over the haven rooms is now making dining arrangements. I really hope they don't interfere with more plans or what's the use of planning and reserving ?

Yeah I hope so too.

Was just informed that our reservations, booked months ago, are cancelled. Supposedly I can book another evening but still awaiting confirmation. I was told "should be ok". Not very convincing. The restaurant is closed that evening. My guess is probably a private event. I'm just hoping they aren't going to surprise us with more "closings" like the spa or Haven area. I realize they can close things for private events or whatever but it's really crappy when you think you are paying for one thing and then you get something else. This after a bunch of haven people's rooms were taken and they were moved elsewhere and the off again on again MDQ. Waiting for the next change to our sailing only 4 days away.

Loving this review! Thank you for live reviewing, love your style and humor.

Is the Brewhouse on the UBP. I thought I read somewhere they were taking it out of the program.

Wondering about this too. If removed will place a damper. I hate when things are changed from what you expected based on when you booked

Hmm. Works for me even on a different PC where I am not logged in to Google...

Hmm, maybe just a problem with where I am. I will have to try it later from somewhere else. Thanks.

Here's the spreadsheet I did. Still current as far as I know...

 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1M2fq7q2sMMrqLdCPAfaA-JHrBd1qxjtdX4MjpFm1NjA/edit#gid=0

Link not found...

Don't wait, prices will only go up.

 

 

 

I would take the Loews or the SLS for that rate.

 

 

 

Since you will be in town, you should attend one of the SBW&FF events. They are a lot of fun!

Will look into it. Thanks! Wish we had more than 1 day pre/post cruise!

If you don't mind being in the downtown/brickell area, you can get the JW Marriott Downtown which is on Brickell ave for $228.04 or the JW marriott Marquis for $162.74.

 

 

 

As far as for south beach, they have quite a few hotels on it.

 

The Royal Palm is $322

 

Loews for $376

 

SLS for $370

 

national for $360

 

And a few others that I don't know about for less.

 

 

 

These are all on last minute travel

Thanks, will check some of these out. Yep, must be south beach for the hubby. I would take the Loews for that rate. Thx again!

Having stayed in hotel and finding bed bugs in my bed in the morning (In South Beach, after a cruise), I can relate to how disturbing it is. While the circumstances are a little different, I think the compensation given was quite sufficient. In my case, the hotel did not charge us for the room, however the manager implied several times that we must have brought them and argued with me over reimbursing us for dry cleaning. It was a bad end to a nice vacation as we then had to sort through our clothing in the garage and put it in plastic bags to be dry cleaned. Thankfully we didn't bring them home with us as they are EXTREMELY difficult to get rid of. This particular hotel even went as far as sending me an invoice for a pest inspection of that particular room (right, they just invoiced that room - clearly doctored!) the day before we stayed...I still don't buy it.

I think the OP got a new more acceptable room and monetary compensation AND their clothes cleaned. It is terrible to have to deal with and sad to lose hours of your vacation, but fair. Afterall, another cruiser brought them in and NCL has to take the blame for it. They may not have known they were even there as bedbugs hide pretty well.

Back when I was in the travel world, you had to wait 11 months out to book hotels and flights. So that would mean if you are looking at Feb 26th, 2016...a Friday night.....you would not have available dates until March 26, 2015. So you are looking just a few days too early. I saw the hotel prices and they are ridiculously high. Just check in a few days and I think you will see many more choices. So if that is still true, you will have to wait a least 1 more week to book your hotel at the end of your cruise....

 

 

 

And yes that food show is Feb 25-28, 2016

Thanks- that's what I told my husband yesterday...it's too early and convinced him we can wait a little while at least. [emoji1]

I found a couple I would accept between 300-400 that I will likely book then watch. [emoji1]

Great info. Will be sailing on Escape next feb. In a spa suite so this was helpful as I've never experienced the thermal suite /spa before (or been in a suite for that matter!) and wasn't sure what it entailed.

*forward

I don't mind $300 but 6-700 is out of my price range! I'm either going to just pick now and cancel if a better rate comes along or wait awhile. One TA told me to wait until sept. But I also don't want to end up missing out. The day after the cruise is much cheaper so I thought there must be something happening. I know it's a long way off still but I like to plan ahead. Gives me something to look gorwRd to. lol

Yeah maybe but I think we've stayed during the rest before and haven't seen these kind of prices and sell outs. Maybe I will reserve now and watch for drops.

Was doing some early looking for a cruise at end of feb. 2016. We normally stay in south beach 1 night before and 1 night after. For the night before, feb 26, hotels seem to be astronomical or sold out. Anyone know if there is something going on in the area or am I just that early?

The big bus shuttles take lots of people and stop at many hotels. Best to use prearranged transport. Johnny cab and kings are like taxis but they give you a rate-you don't pay meter. If traffic is heavy that is a very good thing!

How do you bring a sandwich onto the plane. Stone an agricultural checkpoint?

Thanks

Agricultural checkpoint is only for checked luggage not carry on. Put your sandwich in your carry on through TSA xrays - you will not have a problem.