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Haven Spa Suite on the Escape Booked - Few Questions


jlowe420
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Hello fellow cruisers! I just booked our vacation in early January (the 6th) on the Escape leaving out of Miami and heading to some very terrible ports! I had a few questions for you seasoned travelers that I was hoping you would be able to answer. Haven't had any luck finding specifics.

 

1) We're booked in a Haven Spa Suite, on deck 16. It seems like from the floor plan there is no direct stairway from within the stateroom corridor up to the haven, is that correct? Is the door to this corridor on the left side of the stairs, sort of beneath where the Haven entrance is? Is there a label on the door like Spa Suites, and is the door secured by a key card?

 

2) For those of you who have cruised in early January, what is the children situation like? I would've expected not that many, but even reading our roll call thread it sounded like many folks were bringing along the little ones. Am sort of hoping for a less than crowded with children Haven and water slide area.

 

3) On GSC it sounds like they are building a new lagoon area that will be reserved for Haven guests. I've read a few news articles on it, some saying complete in Summer 2017, some saying by January 2018. Is there anyone who has been on the island recently who can give a status update? Also I saw in some videos that the area just in the main "gates" had some ongoing construction. Do we know what is being built in that area?

 

4) Promised by GF that she could plan our port days since I forced her into the Haven (she really milked that one, huh?) and I'm wondering if there are suggestions for great excursions? The excursions listed on the NCL site sound pretty bad and there's not many options. From reading the forums it sounds like the suggestions are:

 

Falmouth - Margaritaville - Don't leave port.

George Town - Tenders suck, stay on board.

GSC - Hopefully the Haven area is up and running by Jan 6th!

Nassau - Possibly Atlantis

 

5) With the sailing date in mind, and the access to the thermal suite -- do you think we would need/want Vibe passes? I like the idea of the outdoor quieter bar, and the 99$ doesn't seem excessive, but it's just another thing to add on to an already expensive trip.

 

Thanks everyone for your time and answers! I'm super excited and don't know how I'm going to make it another 75 days. Folks sailing earlier need to make some youtube videos so I have new content! There's only so many times I can watch Jim say the same thing. :D

 

Jon

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Hello fellow cruisers! I just booked our vacation in early January (the 6th) on the Escape leaving out of Miami and heading to some very terrible ports! I had a few questions for you seasoned travelers that I was hoping you would be able to answer. Haven't had any luck finding specifics.

 

1) We're booked in a Haven Spa Suite, on deck 16. It seems like from the floor plan there is no direct stairway from within the stateroom corridor up to the haven, is that correct? Is the door to this corridor on the left side of the stairs, sort of beneath where the Haven entrance is? Is there a label on the door like Spa Suites, and is the door secured by a key card?

 

2) For those of you who have cruised in early January, what is the children situation like? I would've expected not that many, but even reading our roll call thread it sounded like many folks were bringing along the little ones. Am sort of hoping for a less than crowded with children Haven and water slide area.

 

3) On GSC it sounds like they are building a new lagoon area that will be reserved for Haven guests. I've read a few news articles on it, some saying complete in Summer 2017, some saying by January 2018. Is there anyone who has been on the island recently who can give a status update? Also I saw in some videos that the area just in the main "gates" had some ongoing construction. Do we know what is being built in that area?

 

4) Promised by GF that she could plan our port days since I forced her into the Haven (she really milked that one, huh?) and I'm wondering if there are suggestions for great excursions? The excursions listed on the NCL site sound pretty bad and there's not many options. From reading the forums it sounds like the suggestions are:

 

Falmouth - Margaritaville - Don't leave port.

George Town - Tenders suck, stay on board.

GSC - Hopefully the Haven area is up and running by Jan 6th!

Nassau - Possibly Atlantis

 

5) With the sailing date in mind, and the access to the thermal suite -- do you think we would need/want Vibe passes? I like the idea of the outdoor quieter bar, and the 99$ doesn't seem excessive, but it's just another thing to add on to an already expensive trip.

 

Thanks everyone for your time and answers! I'm super excited and don't know how I'm going to make it another 75 days. Folks sailing earlier need to make some youtube videos so I have new content! There's only so many times I can watch Jim say the same thing. :D

 

Jon

 

1. It's been a while, but if I recall correctly there is no stairway directly from the Spa Suite Corridor to the Haven area. I believe there is one in the spa that comes up into the Haven hall way. There's really only one way in and out of the Haven (barring emergencies obviously) and it's the main key card door.

 

2. In early January the child situation typically isn't terrible. There are always kids to some extent, but most are in school at that point.

 

5. I LOVE the thermal suite. I don' t find that I need vibe with it. Especially between the Haven and the thermal suite, I think you'll be ok. But it's a personal call.

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Just a couple of answers ,Nassau a resort for the day pass has worked for us in the past. Last time we went to British Hilton Colonial you can walk from the ship. Previously we went to the Melia which we enjoyed more ,better beach and food . We caught the local bus took a taxi back.

Vibe we sailed with and without Vibe passes and always with Spa passes. The vibe was fab always having a bed ,fab bar service and a hot tub, but would I save money and use the space outside the vibe next time probably. We were at the port early to get group one it was stressful running to Headliners not the way anyone wants to start a vacation. The spa on the other hand I won’t sail without just love it.

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...it was stressful running to Headliners not the way anyone wants to start a vacation. The spa on the other hand I won’t sail without just love it.

 

Thank you and Lacaena for the updates. I appreciate your help!

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3) On GSC it sounds like they are building a new lagoon area that will be reserved for Haven guests. I've read a few news articles on it, some saying complete in Summer 2017, some saying by January 2018. Is there anyone who has been on the island recently who can give a status update? Also I saw in some videos that the area just in the main "gates" had some ongoing construction. Do we know what is being built in that area?

 

 

 

Jon

 

Not finished yet. Given the state of them this past week (was there on Thursday), I'd say January is optimistic. The structures are in place, but not the landscaping & finishes (or interiors).

 

 

Stephen

 

.

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In Falmouth check out the food tour (google Falmouth Food Tour) - its great. Otherwise yea, I would stay on the ship. The Margaritaville food meh, but the pool is nice. However you'll have most of the ship and Haven to yourselves - enjoy it.

 

Grand Cayman is one of my favorite ports. Haven guests have priority tender access - just head up to the Haven and the concierge will escort you down. Go see the Sting Rays, its incredible.

 

GSC Haven area is still under construction, I don't think it will be done by your sailing.

 

Nassau - I personally have a hard time paying so much for Atlantis for a few hours, but if you're going to do it, just book directly through Atlantis, much cheaper. Slides don't open until 10 AM and shut down at dusk (which is earlier in January than during the summer). Check out resorts for a day, do Balmoral Island, Cable Beach, Bar Hopping Tour, or Blue Lagoon.

 

 

As for Vibe passes, up to you. The Haven sun deck is private and quiet, and you have servers taking care of you and a bar downstairs. Vibe is adults only, but depending on the crowd it can be quiet or fairly lively. The Thermal Spa is incredible, but as already stated, no need to purchase passes if you are in a Spa Haven Suite.

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GSC Haven area is still under construction, I don't think it will be done by your sailing.

 

You guys are depressing me with the non-favorable responses about GSC, but I appreciate the inside info! I think the only question outstanding is if the Have Spa Suite hallway is access controlled. Anyone know that for sure?

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You guys are depressing me with the non-favorable responses about GSC, but I appreciate the inside info! I think the only question outstanding is if the Have Spa Suite hallway is access controlled. Anyone know that for sure?

 

It is not. Only The Haven has controlled access.

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You guys are depressing me with the non-favorable responses about GSC, but I appreciate the inside info! I think the only question outstanding is if the Have Spa Suite hallway is access controlled. Anyone know that for sure?

 

Yes, it is, on the Escape. All the Haven spa suites are on deck 16, and you have to swipe your card to enter the stateroom corridor. Those are the only type of staterooms in that area on deck 16.

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You guys are depressing me with the non-favorable responses about GSC, but I appreciate the inside info! I think the only question outstanding is if the Have Spa Suite hallway is access controlled. Anyone know that for sure?

 

You do have to swipe your card to enter the Haven Spa suite hallway. The main entrance to the spa/fitness area is on the right of the stairs, and the haven rooms are to the left. There is also a private entrance to the spa from the haven hallway. If you go through the door at the far end of the hallway then turn left are you in the back of the spa by the steam room. It's a nice little short cut!

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Yes, it is, on the Escape. All the Haven spa suites are on deck 16, and you have to swipe your card to enter the stateroom corridor. Those are the only type of staterooms in that area on deck 16.

 

Ah, yes. My fault. I was thinking Epic for some reason lol.

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That door was not available for our sailing as they wanted everyone to check in at the desk. Still not a big deal to come out the hallway and just cross the stairs.

 

The door to the Haven Spa hallway is secured (and fairly sound proof, the difference when you exit during a pool party can be a bit jarring!

 

There is also no direct access to the Haven, but its a short walk up one flight of stairs.

 

You do have to swipe your card to enter the Haven Spa suite hallway. The main entrance to the spa/fitness area is on the right of the stairs, and the haven rooms are to the left. There is also a private entrance to the spa from the haven hallway. If you go through the door at the far end of the hallway then turn left are you in the back of the spa by the steam room. It's a nice little short cut!
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Post #19 of the following post has pictures of the GSC Havens Area after over a year of construction on the island.

 

Not opening in January

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2539744

 

You know it doesn't look as unfinished as I was thinking it would... I think there's still some hope here. The structure part of the builds should be the most time consuming. Throwing down a rug and some furniture is easy! I'll be optimistic but not disappointing if it's not complete. I also promise to get you guys some good updated photos of the area.

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