Exel Suites on Mardi Gras

[chill6x6]

6 hours ago, ProgRockCruiser said:

OK, so this has me intrigued.

 

On every Carnival cruise we have been on, if we wanted to escape the hustle and bustle, there were always places we could go: Serenity, or one of the quieter pubs or bars, or a remote part of one of the decks, like the so-called "secret decks" at the front of the main cabin decks.  For meals there is the Steakhouse or the sushi joint (always seems quiet, though not empty).

 

Are these exclusive areas on the NCL or MSC ships a very different experience?  Is it quieter spaces with more attentive personal service and better quality food/drinks?

 

Sorry, this is going a bit off-topic, but I am truly trying to compare to what Carnival offers, including such areas as Havana as a previous poster mentioned.

In a word, YES! 

When staying in a Haven suite you are identified by a Haven "sign and sail" card. Your experience starts at embarkation. Those in Haven suites WILL be the first on aboard escorted by either a butler or concierge. Your key card will provide entrance to the Haven area which contains the Haven restaurant and bar and the Haven pool and sundeck.  No one else has access to this area. Definitely the Haven restaurant provides more personalized service with better food.  Just show up and you are seated. I think we have waited as long as two or three minutes to be seated.  You can eat there breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  We spent a lot of time at the Haven sundeck area. WOW there was so much room and available towel-covered loungers. Umbrellas too.  The two of us could have never been next to another person unless we wanted to be.  It was quiet and awesome.  The cabins feature a Nespresso coffee machine which we loved.  Every day when you get back from your excursion your butler will have some snacks waiting for you.  We picked club sandwiches! It is great to get to come back to the cabin and not have to go anywhere until dinner.  On top of all this you may have meals delivered to you off the menu during dining times.  Full breakfast on your balcony, white tablecloth and all is quite a treat! HTHs!

 

 

   

[ProgRockCruiser]

10 hours ago, chill6x6 said:

In a word, YES! 

When staying in a Haven suite you are identified by a Haven "sign and sail" card. Your experience starts at embarkation. Those in Haven suites WILL be the first on aboard escorted by either a butler or concierge. Your key card will provide entrance to the Haven area which contains the Haven restaurant and bar and the Haven pool and sundeck.  No one else has access to this area. Definitely the Haven restaurant provides more personalized service with better food.  Just show up and you are seated. I think we have waited as long as two or three minutes to be seated.  You can eat there breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  We spent a lot of time at the Haven sundeck area. WOW there was so much room and available towel-covered loungers. Umbrellas too.  The two of us could have never been next to another person unless we wanted to be.  It was quiet and awesome.  The cabins feature a Nespresso coffee machine which we loved.  Every day when you get back from your excursion your butler will have some snacks waiting for you.  We picked club sandwiches! It is great to get to come back to the cabin and not have to go anywhere until dinner.  On top of all this you may have meals delivered to you off the menu during dining times.  Full breakfast on your balcony, white tablecloth and all is quite a treat! HTHs!

 

 

   

Indeed, that does help.  Seems like a mix of Carnival's Havana & Serenity areas, but even more limited access - perhaps the new Mardi Gras Loft 19 concept plays into that.

 

Still not sure it would be worth the extra cost, but that is obviously a personal decision.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

1 hour ago, ProgRockCruiser said:

Indeed, that does help.  Seems like a mix of Carnival's Havana & Serenity areas, but even more limited access - perhaps the new Mardi Gras Loft 19 concept plays into that.

 

Still not sure it would be worth the extra cost, but that is obviously a personal decision.

 

Carnival is dipping its toes into the water, but they have to tread carefully. Just from what I've read on the Carnival boards over the years - there's a concern over being separated into classes of travel. That's my take on things.

 

Now, if Carnival could only get with the program and OFFER HOT FULL BREAKFAST via ROOM SERVICE, something I've been mentioning to them for perhaps 15 years solid. Maybe Excel Suites will have that as an option. (No, wake up Tom!)

 

Tom

[angiem0217]

LOL, well if you think regular suites are not worth the price, then you need to look no further. These price out above Carnivals typical offerings.

Jimbo how is this different than the Havana area?


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[jimbo5544]

23 minutes ago, angiem0217 said:

Jimbo how is this different than the Havana area?


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If you are asking about the Mardi Gras, the answer is it looks more upscale and certain cabin types get you access to the loft,  Thewe do not know as nobody as been on.

[angiem0217]

If you are asking about the Mardi Gras, the answer is it looks more upscale and certain cabin types get you access to the loft,  Thewe do not know as nobody as been on.

I guess I am just curious why they would add this area when they already have the Havana area. Why do you need two areas of the ship like this?


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[jimbo5544]

1 hour ago, angiem0217 said:

I guess I am just curious why they would add this area when they already have the Havana area. Why do you need two areas of the ship like this?


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First off, havana area is for havana guests.  The loft is for certain suite giests Ns available foe purchase.   The real answer is the size of the ship and the number of guests. Options are a good thing.  
 

Havana area was a flat out home run.  I am aure this will be as popular.   

Edited September 22, 2020 by jimbo5544

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

53 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

First off, havana area is for havana guests.  The loft is for certain suite giests Ns available foe purchase.   The real answer is the size of the ship and the number of guests. Options are a good thing.  
 

Havana area was a flat out home run.  I am aure this will be as popular.   

 

I learn something new every day. I was not aware that they were also selling spots (a la FTTF) there! Might as well, as most of the Excel suites have a large enough balcony that a fair number of people will camp out there (that'd be us), though we'll at least go check it out.  🙂

 

Tom