Getaway Western Caribbean 9/9/2018

I really loved this balcony.

IMG_0686 2 by D J, on Flickr

Mentioned the Haven bartenders and how good they are at their craft. This is Miroslav, from Croatia. In addition to being passionate about his craft, he had a load of interesting stories about Croatia. If you caught him late at night, he would really open up about his home country (which he truly loves, but is dismayed regarding its government). He actually won an award on Friday for serving the most expensive Cognac on board. They had them displayed (unfortunately, I have no pics, but they had it in a separate, secured cabinet.

IMG_0753 by D J, on Flickr

IMG_0755 by D J, on Flickr

The man made the best martini I've ever had, bar none.....

IMG_0756 by D J, on Flickr

Want to make mention for a moment about the service in the Haven, and in my opinion, what sets the Haven experience apart from the suite experiences of any other cruise line.

For example, I never pre-planned anything. Like magic, if I felt like going to a show, like Cirque, which sells out, all I had to do was contact my concierge and, like magic, I had front row seats for the evening's show....complete with an escort around the lines waiting to get in.

One night, I was sitting at the bar and decided I was hungry for a steak. Mentioned it to the concierge, and BOOM, a quick call was made. All I had to do was walk to Cagney's and ask for the manager and I was immediately seated.

Again, I planned NOTHING in advance.

In addition, any billing problems I had (will comment more on this in a moment), I voiced them to my concierge, I would walk away, and it was taken care of.

I keeping with the string of EXCELLENT concierges I've had on NCL, this is Anoop....

IMG_0759 by D J, on Flickr

He's one of a string of concierges I've had the distinct pleasure of knowing on NCL. Since he made most of the reservations (his assistant, I think Jefferson was his name), he knew where we were most of the time and checked up on me to make sure everything was to my satisfaction. This included the restaurants where I ate. If there was the hint of the problem, he remedied it immediately.

I can't stress enough how good NCL's concierges are. I see people say they barely talk to them. You're missing out on one of the major advantages of sailing in the Haven.

Anoop continues the outstanding service I've experienced from Adrian, to Virginia, to Elvina. Can't compliment them enough.

That leads me to billing snafus. I expect sometime to have them crop up. But, for far too long, these seem to become the rule rather than the exception on my last couple of NCL cruises.

For example, I had a Spa billing snafu. Won't go into particulars, but the Spa charged me for something I didn't request, nor wanted (some sort of "scrub" in the Spa). It wasn't a lot of money, but still, it was about $30. I don't know if they think it's something passengers won't notice, or something not worth bothering about.

It did bother me. And, it took Jefferson (asst concierge) and me 3 days to rectify. So, a couple of thoughts. Every customer service person, every concierge, every host/hostess...everyone seems to have access to my charges. Why does it seem it takes an act of God to correct a discrepancy?

I'm nowhere near a snob. But, I was entitled to some perks as a Platinum Latitudes member. One of them was a dinner at a specialty restaurant, and another was a bag of free laundry. Ordinarily, on the first day of the cruise, you get a package with all of your Platinum perks awaiting you in the cabin. I didn't receive mine, but no biggy. I had "Platinum" stamped on my key card. Shouldn't be an issue.

Well, apparently it was an issue as I had literally show them the dinners I had as part of my package and how many I had used. Again, this is all shared knowledge on their terminals. Even with my concierge's help, it took a lot of effort to get it rectified. So, you're supposed to get a coupon for the specialty dining dinner in your Platinum package. I didn't. But, why bother? You have all the info on the screen. Why go to the expense of printing coupons?

The spa was incredibly nice on the Getaway. Got a massage that was wonderful and no attempt was made to sell me any way overpriced elixirs. The last thing you want, as you're going over your massage services bill, is a billing snafu that you have to fight to have rectified.

I know the spa is a separate entity than NCL, and offers services apart from NCL. But, jeez-Louise NCL....they are operating on your ships. You need to get them to shore up their billing dept. This has been an issue for the last few cruises.

Lastly, I (used to) love Shanghai restaurant. At one point, there was a modest charge to dine there. I loved it. The food was simple but delish. The service was great. And, for less than $10, it was a bargain.

Now, there is no charge. The last few cruises I've taken, the service has become dismal. My food was slow to come, and when it did, it was undercooked and cold. This is not an isolated incident. It's happened more than once.

NCL always tells us at the M&Gs to let management know if something isn't right before posting here.

I told them this when I sailed the GEM, and when I sailed the Breakaway. So, for roughly two years, nothing has changed with Shanghai.

Not expecting any changes, but clearly whomever runs the Shanghai restaurants for NCL isn't doing a very good job.

Those are my rants.

Will have more pics and review to come.

OP: quick question. I also have an Amex Platinum and have read a bit about the extra perks of booking through them (can't just use the card to pay with as I understand it). Anyways, just wondering: if I book through the Amex cruise site with my Plat, do I still get the "free at sea" offers? How are those selected? Once I'm booked, I assume I can pull up my reservation on NCL site and start booking dinners, etc. Any insight into the general process is much appreciated. Thanks!

OP: quick question. I also have an Amex Platinum and have read a bit about the extra perks of booking through them (can't just use the card to pay with as I understand it). Anyways, just wondering: if I book through the Amex cruise site with my Plat, do I still get the "free at sea" offers? How are those selected? Once I'm booked, I assume I can pull up my reservation on NCL site and start booking dinners, etc. Any insight into the general process is much appreciated. Thanks!

I did not book through AMEX travel. It was another web site that advertises AMEX Platinum right on their front page.

Unfortunately, CC won’t allow us to post links or mention other travel agent sites.

I paid with my Platinum. I got $300 OBC from them. Plus, I got a bottle of wine and a free specialty dinner by booking using the card, also.

Once booked, you can indeed go to the NCL site and book dinners, entertainment, etc...as long as you have your booking number.

You get “Free at Sea” offers as a part of booking NCL (non-GTY cabin). Using AMEX doesn’t change any of that.

Still enjoying your review. Your rants are justified. Even though $30 may not be a lot of money its the principle of the wrongful charge. I swear sometimes they drag you through 3 days hoping you give up. NCL is famous for hit or miss latitude rewards stuff being in your cabin. When they gave out pins, sometimes you would get the pin, other times not along with other stuff too. Just like any vacation, you have to roll with the changes. Being in the Haven really does help you fix improper bills or perks without waiting in the lobby customer service line. That is something that is rarely mentioned in the perks. You can see your daily charges on the TV and report any inaccuracy immediately.

OP....did Anoop say how long he would be on Getaway? He is one of the best as you mentioned. Would love to see him in November

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Still enjoying your review. Your rants are justified. Even though $30 may not be a lot of money its the principle of the wrongful charge. I swear sometimes they drag you through 3 days hoping you give up. NCL is famous for hit or miss latitude rewards stuff being in your cabin. When they gave out pins, sometimes you would get the pin, other times not along with other stuff too. Just like any vacation, you have to roll with the changes. Being in the Haven really does help you fix improper bills or perks without waiting in the lobby customer service line. That is something that is rarely mentioned in the perks. You can see your daily charges on the TV and report any inaccuracy immediately.

I don’t want those snafus to overshadow the overwhelmingly good time I had.

But, if NCL doesn’t know, they can’t get better.

OP....did Anoop say how long he would be on Getaway? He is one of the best as you mentioned. Would love to see him in November

 

 

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Unfortunately, I did not ask. He is one of the best, though!

OP....did Anoop say how long he would be on Getaway? He is one of the best as you mentioned. Would love to see him in November

 

 

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I’m sailing next week in Haven. I’ll try to remember to ask him on your behalf.

@starry Eyes. Thanks so much!

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I’m sailing next week in Haven. I’ll try to remember to ask him on your behalf.

Tell Anoop “Daniel”, who sailed solo, says “hi”!

Enjoying your review and following along on the other one as well. Any one else get excited seeing pictures of the embarkment walkway? Can't wait to see it in person in 17 days.

People really need to watch their bill as "accidental" charges seem to happen. Last year on the Dawn I was getting double charged for most of the drinks I order at the pool. Since I booked the cruise 3 days before the ship left on a sail away, I didn't have a drink package. $11.00 drinks add up pretty fast. Luckily, customer service was quick to resolve the issue.

Enjoying your review and following along on the other one as well. Any one else get excited seeing pictures of the embarkment walkway? Can't wait to see it in person in 17 days.

 

 

 

People really need to watch their bill as "accidental" charges seem to happen. Last year on the Dawn I was getting double charged for most of the drinks I order at the pool. Since I booked the cruise 3 days before the ship left on a sail away, I didn't have a drink package. $11.00 drinks add up pretty fast. Luckily, customer service was quick to resolve the issue.

Maybe I’m OCD, but I checked my account every morning. If it’s wrong, report it. Even if you question an charge, check it out!

Maybe I’m OCD, but I checked my account every morning. If it’s wrong, report it. Even if you question an charge, check it out!

Lol I am too as I check every night. My DD cN also join the club as she does too. I match my receipts-yikes I am one of those and mJe sure they match up.

Lol I am too as I check every night. My DD cN also join the club as she does too. I match my receipts-yikes I am one of those and mJe sure they match up.

Absolutely. Nothing wrong with that.

I wouldn’t overlook wrong charges when doing my day-to-day shopping at home. Why would I not do it on vacation? It’s my money!

I’ve met some who say “I’m on vacation. I don’t want to bother with combing over my charges”. I don’t get that.

This isn’t just an NCL issue. I’ve had billing snafus on just about every cruise line I’ve sailed. I view them like I do a hotel/resort. If those places can get billing right, why can’t the cruise lines. These are not isolated incidences.

The worst snafu I had was on the RCCL Anthem. They charged me over $600 for someone else’s drinks. Still not sure how that happened, but it took me over an hour at customer service to get that rectified.

Carnival seems to be OK with billing, but they’re not without their faults, too.

Haven offers free lunch at Margaritaville on embarkation day. I took advantage of that.

It was not crowded at all. Matter of fact, I never saw very many people there, regardless of the day or time of day....

IMG_0663 2 by D J, on Flickr

IMG_0662 2 by D J, on Flickr

IMG_0661 2 by D J, on Flickr

IMG_0660 by D J, on Flickr

The food was good. I nearly always forget to take pictures of the food or the menus. But, I had Conch Fritters and a Blackened Shrimp Salad. Both very tasty.

Margaritas (yes, I had two)....were very good!

It was time to explore a little before muster drill.....

Kids pool area and bottom half of water slides....

IMG_0725 by D J, on Flickr

Jogging/Running track....8 laps made a mile....

IMG_0723 by D J, on Flickr

Maybe nothing at all, or maybe I just should let things be. But, every day, I did a couple of miles on this track. Not a lot, just a cross between a jog and a fast walk....just enough to not put on "cruise pounds". I varied my jog every day. Sometimes it would be before breakfast, sometimes it would be mid afternoon, sometimes I would go when it was cooler before sun up. Each time, the same guy would be on the track. Every time, regardless of how crowded or empty the track was, he would pass me and bump me. Irritating. Not sure why or how he knew I was there, or why he felt the need to "bump" me every time.

Maybe just me!

MDRs....

IMG_0860 by D J, on Flickr

IMG_0859 by D J, on Flickr

IMG_0858 by D J, on Flickr

Being as I had the specialty dining package, and the Haven dining area, I never ate in either of these places. However, I did hear some of the passengers say they liked the food. Never heard any complaints, either.

Both had the same exact menu, just different locations (across from each other).

Ropes course.....I had every intention of doing this. I have done it on other NCL cruises and loved it. This go round, it seems I was always doing something else and didn't get around to it. That could probably be the theme of this cruise. There was just so much that caught my interest, I needed more time to do all the things I wanted to do.

IMG_0722 by D J, on Flickr

The NCL trademark chandelier.....and yes, it changes colors all the time....

IMG_0853 by D J, on Flickr

Cool scale model of the Getaway....

IMG_0861 by D J, on Flickr

IMG_0721 by D J, on Flickr

One of the boats I hope I never have to use.....

IMG_0678 by D J, on Flickr

IMG_0677 by D J, on Flickr

I liked this as it showed the NCL logo changes through the years....

IMG_0805 by D J, on Flickr

More NCL history....

IMG_0807 by D J, on Flickr

IMG_0806 by D J, on Flickr

That brings us to the imperative muster drill. Not much to comment about it. It was efficient and quick (quite the opposite of what I experienced with MSC).....

IMG_0676 by D J, on Flickr

Got lots more...I just need to do some more sorting.

Tell Anoop “Daniel”, who sailed solo, says “hi”!

Will do.

I’m enjoying your review. Thanks for sharing.