Few Questions Regarding Escape Haven

[DPJAF]

I will be traveling in a Haven Aft room in May going to Bermuda. I booked the room thru CAS and also booked another balcony room.

 - Will the second room I booked be able to wait in the Haven area with me since the reservation is linked to my Haven reservation?

 - Can I ask our butler ahead of time to bring hors d'oeuvres to our room for sail away? What are some suggestions I can ask for?

 - We dock in Bermuda at 8am. I will be hiring private transportation. How early can I get off the ship?

 - Is it worth the cost to get Vibe passes? Wondering if the Haven feels crowded on a large ship.

 

Thanks so much in advance for any help you can provide

[eldrima]

I can weigh in on a few questions...stayed in a 2 BR Family Haven cabin on the Escape about 1.5 years ago.  IIRC, your friends in the other room may be able to join you in the Haven lounge for cocktails or in your cabin and you may be able to make arrangements for them to dine with you in the Haven Restaurant but I don't think the dining can be a regular occurrence and I doubt they will be able to get in the Haven area without you accompanying them.

 

There is a way to send in requests and preferences to the Butler ahead of time...think it was a concierge email address.  We did that and our requests were met however I have read that people have had mixed results getting their requests filled.  You could ask for a fruit plate, chocolate covered strawberries, cookies, etc..

 

Not sure what time you can leave the ship in Bermuda...about the same time as the rest of the ship however you can get an escort off the boat to speed it up a little.

 

Never bought the Vibe passes but heard they are great if you want a relaxed environment without kids and limited other guests.  We never found the Haven pool to be crowded so to me it would not be worth the added expense especially when we are traveling with children.  Haven pool may have kids...Vibe will not.  Depends whether that is important to you.  Haven pool has light snacks (gummy bears, M&Ms, etc) that are self-serve and also a food server periodically drops by with a lunch menu.  Your friends staying outside of Haven will probably not be allowed to use the Haven pool area so Vibe could be an ideal place to meet up with them if you can score enough passes.

[dexddd]

If NYC, you have to deal with screeners as they direct you into various lines and pretty strict.  You could probably sneak them with you but then Haven lounge isn't that big and whether they'd deal with them there, probably not is only my guess.

 

Best is to get there early and try for Vibe.

[Frick_&_Frack]

I have had the aft Haven suites before.  Once, when travelling and a friend in a balcony was aboard, we both got the Vibe passes so we had a place to meet up/hang while aboard together.  On the Breakaway, the concierge did offer if my friend wished to join me for lunch or dinner he would allow it (probably because we were both solo travelers, and, I guess he figured I was using a table for two anyway).  We did not take them up on the offer as we had plans for the other specialty restaurants during the cruise.

 

[Two Wheels Only]

11 hours ago, DPJAF said:

- Will the second room I booked be able to wait in the Haven area with me since the reservation is linked to my Haven reservation?

 

It can be done. I have done the same. It must be arranged ahead of time. The concierge desk can handle the request (it is a request) and you should receive a written confirmation. I suggest that you bring a copy of the confirmation just in case. 

 

11 hours ago, DPJAF said:

 - Can I ask our butler ahead of time to bring hors d'oeuvres to our room for sail away? What are some suggestions I can ask for?

 

Again, you would be working through the concierge desk (not the actual concierge) and they would pass the request onto the staff on the ship. Success rates will vary. If unsuccessful, just tell the butler what you would like and when. You should meet your butler hours before sail away but if not, speak with the actual concierge on the ship who will forward the request to the butler. 

 

11 hours ago, DPJAF said:

 - Is it worth the cost to get Vibe passes? Wondering if the Haven feels crowded on a large ship.

 

It's up to you. Your non-Haven guests and you could get VIBE passes and enjoy the time together since the non-Haven guests are not able to join you in the Haven courtyard/sundeck. VIBE is right next door to the Haven sundeck so it would be convenient for you to meet them there. 

Edited January 30, 2019 by Two Wheels Only

[DPJAF]

Thanks so much to everyone that has responded. I'm enjoying planning for this cruise.