Breakaway Haven Spa Suite Sailing 9/29/19-10/06/19

[david_sobe]

2 hours ago, Deeliteful said:

I attended a Captain’s reception on a different cruise and didn’t quite understand the loungers in the pool bit, very shallow so not really a pool but what is it? 
or am I being stupid ? (You don’t have to answer that bit!😱)

I think they are trying to copy or duplicate the high end resort hotels.  For example, the Four Seasons Hotel in Miami is an extremely posh hotel.  They have a beautiful swimming pool and a very shallow deck like the Haven one that surrounds the pool.  You can splash your feet and you are on a lounger in the water.  However, the NCL small space does not translate that well.  I would prefer a larger Haven pool rather than this 3 lounger area.

[Deeliteful]

Agree, I think it looks ridiculous! That whole area could be a decent size swimming pool.

[mking8288]

On 10/7/2019 at 11:30 AM, graphicguy said:

... "Street Food" ... Garden Cafe (abstracted/snipped)

 

 

GG, thank you for posting all these wonderful pix & images, and the changing options - but, what the heck is "Street Food" at the buffet (not that I think you would make a mad dash to go check them out personally ... we wouldn't).   Food opinions, as you & I all know - and, most here - are highly personal & subjective, and fine on offering Chicken Parmigiana in lieu of prime ribs or roast lamb, etc. as a lower cost substitute ... pitch it as healthy choice eating as they wish. 

[JCDCA]

On 10/7/2019 at 3:28 PM, graphicguy said:

I’m a Million Miler with a Delta.  They keep wanting me to get their AMEX card.  But, it has more restrictions than AMEX’s Platinum.  And yes, AMEX also dropped entrance to Proirity Lounges.

 

Chase is sending me their Sapphire Reserve card this week.  When I get it, I’ll cancel my AMEX.

 

Centurion Lounge at MIA is nothing to write home about.

Yes, I am a DL MM'er also.  There are a few perks I like on the Reserve card.  SkyClub access is one.  A free companion ticket each year is another (can even book into First with it).  And then when you hit the spending thresholds you get 15k MQMs which definitely come in handy.  I'm finding less perks on the Platinum other than I guess Membership Rewards points/travel partners, Centurion Lounges and Priority Pass.  Might switch the Platinum for Chase here at some point but will probably hold onto the Delta Amex.  Does Chase have any cruise benefits though?

[graphicguy]

50 minutes ago, Deeliteful said:

I attended a Captain’s reception on a different cruise and didn’t quite understand the loungers in the pool bit, very shallow so not really a pool but what is it? 
or am I being stupid ? (You don’t have to answer that bit!😱)

Not a stupid question.....loungers in the pool to stay cool in the water on hot days while reclining in the loungers.

[graphicguy]

6 hours ago, mking8288 said:

 

GG, thank you for posting all these wonderful pix & images, and the changing options - but, what the heck is "Street Food" at the buffet (not that I think you would make a mad dash to go check them out personally ... we wouldn't).   Food opinions, as you & I all know - and, most here - are highly personal & subjective, and fine on offering Chicken Parmigiana in lieu of prime ribs or roast lamb, etc. as a lower cost substitute ... pitch it as healthy choice eating as they wish. 

Thanks.....still have more coming!

 

Not exactly sure what Street Food is.  I did see Prime Rib on the menus, though!

[graphicguy]

Some of the other Haven areas.....there were always some waitstaff around taking drink orders or handing out fruit skewers.

[graphicguy]

Children pool area and infant play area....

[graphicguy]

Misc areas around the ship.....

[graphicguy]

Deck 6....Cruise Consultant/Shore Excursions, Customer Service/Restaurant reservations/Credit Services, Atrium Bar and Pastry/coffee Cafe...

 

 

Edited October 9, 2019 by graphicguy

[graphicguy]

FOOD....for the most part, it ranged from very good, to outstanding.  I ate in the Haven Restaurant for Breakfast every a.m. and for a lunch and dinner (first night).  I had a salad for lunch in the Garden Cafe, once.  It was fresh and the selections were really good.

 

I have already posted my meal in La Cucina.  It was flat out wonderful.  Sea bass was extremely good.

 

Tepanyaki is a show while they cook your food.  I had the Sea Food entre (Calamari, shrimp, scallops).  As is the case with these types of restaurants, you get to “sample” some of everyone else’s meal, too.  Steak was great (a little on the medium side rather than the medium rare side, which is how I like it.  But, the chef wasn’t cooking it to my taste, but to the taste of the person who ordered it).

 

 

[graphicguy]

LeBistro....very good steak.....cooked perfectly....

 

It was unfortunate that a couple on the other side of me was having a knock down, drag out fight....nothing physical....all verbal (loudly).  They were probably in their 60s, and based on how they were dressed and the jewels dripping from the lady, I assumed they were quite well off.  Upon being seated, I told my waiter that I’d come back some other time.  He understood, and suggested they move my table, which I agreed to.

 

Still, the couple could be heard bickering from about 20 feet away.  Take it to your cabin.  No one wants to hear your dirty laundry in public.

 

 

 

[graphicguy]

Misc photos from meals I had in the Haven.....

 

 

[graphicguy]

[graphicguy]

16 hours ago, JCDCA said:

Yes, I am a DL MM'er also.  There are a few perks I like on the Reserve card.  SkyClub access is one.  A free companion ticket each year is another (can even book into First with it).  And then when you hit the spending thresholds you get 15k MQMs which definitely come in handy.  I'm finding less perks on the Platinum other than I guess Membership Rewards points/travel partners, Centurion Lounges and Priority Pass.  Might switch the Platinum for Chase here at some point but will probably hold onto the Delta Amex.  Does Chase have any cruise benefits though?

Chase allows for Priority Pass entrance, whereas AMEX discontinued that benefit.  Used to be Delta Sky Club was permitted with Platinum AMEX, but that's only when you're flying Delta.  Cruise insurance is much better on Chase Preferred over AMEX, too.

 

There are more ways to get "points" on Chase than AMEX.

 

Some Centurion Lounges are good.  Some, not so much.  Same can be said for Priority Lounges, however.  The Priority Lounge in MIA is kind of a joke.  It's a space with some seats, a couple of mini fridges with drinks and sandwiches, and that's about it.  But, they're building a new one.

 

The MIA Centurion Lounge was crowded, but offered massages (I couldn't book one because there were none available in the window I had to book (about 3 hours).  So, of no use to me.

 

Chase is a little cheaper for their card, too.

 

AMEX is doing away with their OBC for cruises, also.

 

All-in-all, AMEX just doesn't do as much for me as Chase will.  So, I'm dumping AMEX for Chase.

[graphicguy]

ENTERTAINMENT......if there is one area that NCL stands head and shoulders above other cruise lines, it's entertainment.  I saw Rock of Ages, for the 2nd time.  Different cast this time.  Probably a little bit better than the first.  I didn't take any pics, as by now, that show has been replaced with "SIX".  It was a fun show, and played right into the wheel house of my "head banging" years.  I thoroughly enjoyed it, again.

 

I've posted some pics of the music and performers in and around the ship.  From those playing in the Atrium, to the band that played in Sydney Norman's Pour House (extremely good), to dueling pianos.  For whatever reason, I realized I didn't take time out to see the comedian(s) on board.  Not sure why.  It just never crossed my mind, as I was always doing something else (Glow Party, Crew shows, etc).

 

However, I did see VELVET.  It was very, very good.  It included a dinner, which isn't the highlight, but was good in its own right.  It was a steak (tender, prepared medium) and salad, and desert.  

 

Being a guest in the Haven, I was escorted to the front row of the show.  They didn't say we COULDN'T take pics (like they did with Rock of Ages).  But, they said if we posted them somewhere, we had to tag them.  So, here they are #Velvet.....

 

Disco themed.....great dancing, singing and acrobatics.  Of note, the acrobats DID NOT use a net or a harness, as they performed 25ft-30ft in the air.

[GA Dave]

23 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Given my chronological posting is now shot, the rest of the posts will be fairly random.  Might even be fun.....

 

Interestingly, there was about ⅓ of a bottle of Louis XIII sitting behind the bar.  IIRC, a 1 oz shot cost somewhere around $250 ea.  Someone bought the last of that bottle.  I figured there was about 5 or 6 shots left.  They got to keep the bottle (which someone mentioned was worth several $100.  But, do the math.  Worth it?

 

I’ve never tried the stuff, so I don’t know.

Here is the price list for the Louis from our Getaway cruise last year.

 

Edited October 9, 2019 by GA Dave

[graphicguy]

3 minutes ago, GA Dave said:

Here is the price list for the Louis from our Getaway cruise last year.

 

Thanks, Dave!

 

So, a “normal” 2 oz shot x $260ea x ~5 shots (round number) left in the bottle (I think it was more than that) = $1,300 less $75 for the drink package limit of $15/drink is $1,225.  It better be mighty good for that amount of money.  Or, to put it another way, I could buy and drink 38 750ml bottles of my favorite bourbon (Basil Hayden) for that amount of money.

[zencruisers]

4 hours ago, graphicguy said:

ENTERTAINMENT......if there is one area that NCL stands head and shoulders above other cruise lines, it's entertainment.  I saw Rock of Ages, for the 2nd time.  Different cast this time.  Probably a little bit better than the first.  I didn't take any pics, as by now, that show has been replaced with "SIX".  It was a fun show, and played right into the wheel house of my "head banging" years.  I thoroughly enjoyed it, again.

 

I've posted some pics of the music and performers in and around the ship.  From those playing in the Atrium, to the band that played in Sydney Norman's Pour House (extremely good), to dueling pianos.  For whatever reason, I realized I didn't take time out to see the comedian(s) on board.  Not sure why.  It just never crossed my mind, as I was always doing something else (Glow Party, Crew shows, etc).

 

However, I did see VELVET.  It was very, very good.  It included a dinner, which isn't the highlight, but was good in its own right.  It was a steak (tender, prepared medium) and salad, and desert.  

 

Being a guest in the Haven, I was escorted to the front row of the show.  They didn't say we COULDN'T take pics (like they did with Rock of Ages).  But, they said if we posted them somewhere, we had to tag them.  So, here they are #Velvet.....

 

Disco themed.....great dancing, singing and acrobatics.  Of note, the acrobats DID NOT use a net or a harness, as they performed 25ft-30ft in the air.

 

I agree with you on Syd Norman's Pour House. We were on the Breakaway last April and had a blast there. 

[graphicguy]

Other areas of the ship.....

[RedwingHockeyFan]

On ‎10‎/‎8‎/‎2019 at 4:58 PM, Deeliteful said:

Agree, I think it looks ridiculous! That whole area could be a decent size swimming pool.

 

Can't really put a full size pool there, it is above the Fitness Center and part of the Spa.

[graphicguy]

The inevitable lines for "giveaways" in the shopping areas.  Not sure what they were giving away, but thinking it wasn't going to be worth the wait....

[graphicguy]

Speaking of the shopping areas, as much as I've sailed NCL, I never noticed that you can see through all the shopping areas from one side to the next if no one is standing in your way.....

[graphicguy]

Stopped to have a snack on the WaterFront......

[graphicguy]

If you're staying in a Haven Spa Suite, you'll be very close to the Spa (Thermal and Treatment) and the gym.  You'll become familiar with these doors as they are right outside of the spa/gym.  They lead to a few stairs right into the Haven Concierge area.