Not the Haven experiance that I expected

I was very disapointed in the way things were handled. First let me say I have mobility issues. We arrived at the port of Miami and got through the security check just fine. From that point on, it was a mess. We waited in the Haven lounge and got our key cards. They took my family through the port, but when we got to the escalator to go upstairs, it was broken and I cant do stairs. Well, they took the rest of my family up leaving me to sit in a crowded corner. They wouldnt let me go up in the elevator because they said there were still 59 people still on the ship. What that had to do with taking the elevator up I have no clue. About 1/2 hour later, the got me into the elevator and up I went to find my family. When we finally got to where they scan your card, my daughter's and mine didn't work, so had to sit right there in folding chairs for another 20 min while they went back down and reprinted them...We missed the welcome talk in the Haven. I will get back to this with an update when I hear back from customer relations. Just wasn't what I was expecting [emoji35]

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Sometimes things simply don't go as planned no matter what the plan. As with everything else in life, many times you just have to move on.

I was very disapointed in the way things were handled. First let me say I have mobility issues. We arrived at the port of Miami and got through the security check just fine. From that point on, it was a mess. We waited in the Haven lounge and got our key cards. They took my family through the port, but when we got to the escalator to go upstairs, it was broken and I cant do stairs. Well, they took the rest of my family up leaving me to sit in a crowded corner. They wouldnt let me go up in the elevator because they said there were still 59 people still on the ship. What that had to do with taking the elevator up I have no clue. About 1/2 hour later, the got me into the elevator and up I went to find my family. When we finally got to where they scan your card, my daughter's and mine didn't work, so had to sit right there in folding chairs for another 20 min while they went back down and reprinted them...We missed the welcome talk in the Haven. I will get back to this with an update when I hear back from customer relations. Just wasn't what I was expecting [emoji35]

 

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Sorry things didn't go as you wanted, but for future reference, they repeat the "Haven talk" multiple times. If you missed it the first time, just hang out in the lounge and they'll go through it again. Especially on a ship the size of the Escape, not all Haven customers check in at the same time.

So how was the rest of the cruise?

So how was the rest of the cruise?

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Am I reading this right? Your family left you in a wheelchair sitting by yourself and none of them stayed with you? :confused:

No, I use a cane, but cant climb stairs...they were quite a bit ahead of me and didn't realize I wasn't coming up in the elevator and they wouldn't let my daughter come back down once she was up there

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When we finally got to where they scan your card, my daughter's and mine didn't work, so had to sit right there in folding chairs for another 20 min while they went back down and reprinted them.

The concierge could have made a new card right at their desk.

The concierge could have made a new card right at their desk.

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They wouldn't let us on the ship to get to the concarige...couldnt go past the scan station at the beginning of the gangway....this is on the Escape.

Sorry, I thought that you meant that the card didn't work while trying to enter the Haven (that has happened to me more than once).

Thats ok, I guess after all of the other issues, that was pretty much the icing on the cake if you know what I mean....lol

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So your family was waiting at the top of the gangway for you while you were waiting for the elevator?

So your family was waiting at the top of the gangway for you while you were waiting for the elevator?

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From what you are saying, your issue is with The Port of Miami and Not with Norwegian or The Escape.

Norwegian only controls what happens on board any ship.

The Port of Miami is the authority once you enter their property and until you walk on board your ship.

Poohby Joe says: "I'm sorry. As a bear of very little stature, I often forget how much my celebrity status can disrupt things. The wonderful Havens staff was sort of starstruck when they saw both Tigger and Piglet. They went all selfie mode and I think things got jammed up a bit. #100AcreHomies.

You're not the only one who was not delighted by the boarding process. My dear friend Eeyore felt similarly. I'm sorry that you and he did not meet on the ship. It would have been a "total hang" as kids say nowadays. #NeverMind.

we've sailed teh Haven/Suites twice, and neither time did the escort onto the ship ever work out. once we were left at security as my mother's card didnt work and the concierge left us. the second time a couple in front of us had problems with THEIR card and half the group left with the concierge and the other half of us were left behind. hoping three's the charm in April.

I understand your frustration. It's not a very good way to start off a vacation. Look at it this way, a vacation that does not quite meet your expectations is better than no vacation at all.

I understand your frustration. It's not a very good way to start off a vacation. Look at it this way, a vacation that does not quite meet your expectations is better than no vacation at all.

There's nothing as BAD as "not quite."

I understand your frustration. It's not a very good way to start off a vacation. Look at it this way, a vacation that does not quite meet your expectations is better than no vacation at all.

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Very true[emoji6]

 

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It's funny how chaotic Embarkation Day can be - you'd think they'd have a handle on it by now! And you'd think they'd figure out what to do with the tons of us who have mobility issues...like "The escalator is broken. Are you able to do stairs? No? Why don't we take the elevator."

I've cruised on suites on NCL several times and I've never had the escort thing work well. The closest I've gotten was our last cruise when we were able to sail in a Garden Villa - and even then on debarkation day the port escort insisted I take an elevator with my rollator even though both my son and I told them that we were perfectly fine to go down the escalator and we do that ALL the time! (I have one that is light and folds side to side).

I'm sorry it was a disappointment. I now just expect this will not be in the least special and look forward to being in my suite and doing the cruise! I hope you were able to enjoy the actual cruise!

I was very disapointed in the way things were handled. First let me say I have mobility issues. We arrived at the port of Miami and got through the security check just fine. From that point on, it was a mess. We waited in the Haven lounge and got our key cards. They took my family through the port, but when we got to the escalator to go upstairs, it was broken and I cant do stairs. Well, they took the rest of my family up leaving me to sit in a crowded corner. They wouldnt let me go up in the elevator because they said there were still 59 people still on the ship. What that had to do with taking the elevator up I have no clue. About 1/2 hour later, the got me into the elevator and up I went to find my family. When we finally got to where they scan your card, my daughter's and mine didn't work, so had to sit right there in folding chairs for another 20 min while they went back down and reprinted them...We missed the welcome talk in the Haven. I will get back to this with an update when I hear back from customer relations. Just wasn't what I was expecting [emoji35]

 

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So sorry! This is not how you want a cruise you've paid for a suite to start out. I wasn't in a suite but had a similar issue in Miami the year I went on the Epic with a knee scooter. Because people were still exiting the ship (how long does it take?), I could not use the elevator. Fortunately as I could walk (just wasn't supposed to be weight bearing on a bad foot), DH carried the scooter up the escalator and we went onboard. However, others with wheelchairs, etc. were stuck there waiting.

Somehow that system needs to change.

So sorry! This is not how you want a cruise you've paid for a suite to start out. I wasn't in a suite but had a similar issue in Miami the year I went on the Epic with a knee scooter. Because people were still exiting the ship (how long does it take?), I could not use the elevator. Fortunately as I could walk (just wasn't supposed to be weight bearing on a bad foot), DH carried the scooter up the escalator and we went onboard. However, others with wheelchairs, etc. were stuck there waiting.

Somehow that system needs to change.

It sounds like this was all due to the rules at the port, not allowing the elevators to be used until all previous passengers have disembarked, and the fact that the escalator was broken, and the port staff didn’t activate the cards.

There's nothing as BAD as "not quite."

:rolleyes: Well that they were not stuck on the poop cruise, the ship didn't catch fire oh and it didn't hit a reef and sink, I find it "not quite" over BAD...Just saying...Sometimes things go wrong on vacations. If people look on the bright side of things, it helps. I was only attempting to be kind, however some people will never agree.

OP-Again I am so sorry that it did not meet your exceptions. What happened to you is a disgrace to all with mobility issues. I just hope that you had some good memories too.:)

No, the Haven holding area upstairs before they go to the gangway....my daughter refused to board until they could get me up there...they wouldn't let my daughter come back down to sit with me...

 

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