Haven "briefing" question

[meglet]

Been in suites before, but never in the Haven.  What information is conveyed in the Haven "briefing"?  Anything that's really important I wouldn't know from the boards here, materials in the suite, and the NCL site?  When and how long is that meeting?  It's my partner's first cruise and I'm so excited to show him the ship, have lunch, and get a nice cocktail. We're on the Gem if that makes any difference. Thank you!

[BirdTravels]

More of an introduction from the concierge. It will be done in the suites restaurant with the  Haven and non-have guests as they arrive. When the concierge will be in the restaurant (which doubles as a suites lounge). Anything specific about the cocktail party or disembarkation. 

[DeltaOne]

If you're a CC regular then you won't learn much from the Haven briefing.  I'd still recommend going though.  They'll be giving out sliders/fries and welcome aboard drinks (free).  Don't overindulge...you'll want to enjoy lunch in the Haven restaurant on boarding day.

 

We've done two Haven sailings on the Breakaway.  The briefing will be about 15 to 30 minutes after the first Haven group boards the ship.  Our two briefings on the Breakaway were in the Haven pool/outdoor dining area.  

 

The briefing only lasts about 5 minutes.  On the Breakaway it was hard to hear the concierge, even though he was using a small portable public address system.

[goldmom]

OK, I must have missed this completely.  I've been on the Gem numerous times in both Haven and non-haven suites.  I don't ever remember having a welcome briefing (we did have it on the Breakaway).  Basically, we board, go to Cagney's or Moderno for lunch and then have paperwork in our cabin explaining the perks.  Any other questions we just ask the Concierge when we see them.

[don't-use-real-name]

Can't be that much of a briefing BUT for first time Haven guests the fun is just beginning - ENJOY !

The -AWAY class ships Haven have a separate restaurant bar and Concierge lounge.

The Haven on the JEWEL (GEM JADE PEARL) class ships is different from the -AWAY class with no restaurant or bar.

As the Butler escorts on board most of the details can be pretty much summed up and followed by a paperwork conclusion.

Not everyone in the Haven is going to be present on embarkation at the same time except for maybe the muster drill.

 

[RDH377]

No briefing on our Gem cruise last December. Almost all of our questions were answered pre-cruise and or by the concierge or butler once we were on board. Chatted quite a bit with others in the "lounge" pre-boarding. Note, on our cruise lunch in Cagney's on day one was awful, worst meal on the ship. Avoided Cagney's after that. Breakfasts in Moderno were wonderful, our favorite meals of the day. Did the Italian, French and Teppenyaki for the specialty restaurants. All were good to very good. Food in the MDRs is surprisingly excellent. Free Asian restaurant was not very good. Try the chicken fajitas in the 24 hour restaurant. I really liked them. Most of all, enjoy. Our concierge and butler were both wonderful. 

[gmbhardy]

The Haven introduction briefing is a total waste of time. The only reason we go is to confirm the free lunch at Margaritaville (where applicable). These boards are infinitely more informative. The only things that’s worse is the Haven disembarkation briefing that is basically an opportunity for the concierge to remind guests that many Haven staff are not covered by the DSC.

[GA Dave]

Our Haven briefing was quick and painless.  We were in the very first group escorted on the ship and had already gotten our first Rebellious Fish!

 

[pcakes122]

After going once to see what it was about, I've never gone again.  It's a waste of time if you are a regular traveler/cruiser.  You won't miss anything.  Just do your thing & enjoy!  😁

[dexddd]

Gem won't have one.  As said, it is on the big ships.  Jewel class or smaller concierge will usually try to meet you at lunch and answer any questions.

 

Won't miss much on ships that have one.  Key things already conveyed other ways like dining times.  If Margaritaville free for lunch and if FR half off for dinner although concierge missed telling us that one on Escape.  Info maybe about not bringing guests into shared Haven areas.  

 

 

[graphicguy]

1 hour ago, GA Dave said:

Our Haven briefing was quick and painless.  We were in the very first group escorted on the ship and had already gotten our first Rebellious Fish!

 

LOVE Anoop!

 

Sailed in a Suite on the GEM (great ship, BTW) and Elvina was our Concierge.  She was excellent, as are all the concierges I’ve had.  Didn’t do a group thing on the GEM, but she caught me in my Suite and introduced herself, told me she’d take care of anything I needed, gave me her personal ship phone number (mobile) and told me not to hesitate to call her day or night.  I wouldn’t do that, but she insisted I call her whenever I wanted something.

 

She did a personal briefing the day before disembarkation telling me where to meet her and to let her know the time I planned on disembarking so she could escort me down one of the service elevators instead of waiting on the main elevators (which were crazy packed).

Edited June 10, 2019 by graphicguy

[kitty-sail]

12 hours ago, goldmom said:

OK, I must have missed this completely.  I've been on the Gem numerous times in both Haven and non-haven suites.  I don't ever remember having a welcome briefing (we did have it on the Breakaway).  Basically, we board, go to Cagney's or Moderno for lunch and then have paperwork in our cabin explaining the perks.  Any other questions we just ask the Concierge when we see them.

I don't remember any 'briefing' - Been in Haven and Suites many times. Newer ships serve mini burgers and fries by pool immediately on boarding. Concierge will introduce himself to you at pier or once boarded.

 

[kitty-sail]

8 hours ago, gmbhardy said:

The Haven introduction briefing is a total waste of time. The only reason we go is to confirm the free lunch at Margaritaville (where applicable). These boards are infinitely more informative. The only things that’s worse is the Haven disembarkation briefing that is basically an opportunity for the concierge to remind guests that many Haven staff are not covered by the DSC.

Yes, I do remember being told several times - don't forget to tip your butler and concierge

[tskmstr]

We just returned from the Bliss in Alaska and we did not have a briefing when we boarded in the Haven.  Just checked in and our butler stopped by the room.  He went over several things with us in person though.  There was however, a short briefing before we departed.  From that - it was handy to have the times for priority disembarkation.

[FLConnie]

We have been Haven guests for several ships, and never heard of a briefing either!  

[Notnewtoit]

We've only ever been escorted to Moderno upon embarkation (Jewels) and handed our dinner reservations with the question "would you like to change any?" If you answer "yes" they then suck their teeth and say "ohhh errrr, that might be difficult, it's very busy you know" at which point one wonders why they bothered asking in the first place.

 

Then escorted to Cagney's for lunch and that's it.

Edited June 11, 2019 by Notnewtoit

[don't-use-real-name]

8 hours ago, Notnewtoit said:

We've only ever been escorted to Moderno upon embarkation (Jewels) and handed our dinner reservations with the question "would you like to change any?" If you answer "yes" they then suck their teeth and say "ohhh errrr, that might be difficult, it's very busy you know" at which point one wonders why they bothered asking in the first place.

 

Then escorted to Cagney's for lunch and that's it.

 

If you have not booked your dining reservations pre-cruise by all means when you get on board your ship head to

the Dining Reservations or alternate designated area and book those times or have the "ohhh errrr" Butler*** do right

then and there. Waiting means the times fill up and you may be out of luck. Have your dining times coordinated

with any previous shore excursions and post show times - be flexible - first come first served/reserved.

*** the Butler can do this acting as the Concierge's representative

The Concierge may have tables reserved for suite use but can't just bump existing reservations. 

[AlexandNessa]

Go enjoy lunch on the first day because the Gem won't have a briefing. If you haven't met the concierge at check in, he or she will come around at lunch or breakfast the following morning. Or will find you for a chat if you're lounging in the Courtyard. Have fun. 

[Notnewtoit]

On 6/11/2019 at 10:23 PM, don't-use-real-name said:

 

If you have not booked your dining reservations pre-cruise by all means when you get on board your ship head to

the Dining Reservations or alternate designated area and book those times or have the "ohhh errrr" Butler*** do right

then and there. Waiting means the times fill up and you may be out of luck. Have your dining times coordinated

with any previous shore excursions and post show times - be flexible - first come first served/reserved.

*** the Butler can do this acting as the Concierge's representative

The Concierge may have tables reserved for suite use but can't just bump existing reservations. 

I was playing with irony...

[elwood_98034]

At what point do they tell you that the extra ten thousand dollars that you paid for 'privacy' and 'exclusivity' is a joke, and the Haven is now open to everyone? Or do they skip that bit...

[Greenpea2]

1 hour ago, elwood_98034 said:

At what point do they tell you that the extra ten thousand dollars that you paid for 'privacy' and 'exclusivity' is a joke, and the Haven is now open to everyone? Or do they skip that bit...

Clearly, they skip that bit. And those canceling because of this will just have their suites filled by other people they don’t tell. Eventually this will bite them in the behind. Until then, they make money. 😞