Need more advice re: Breakaway Heaven Suite or 2 cabins

[nattie]

Hi all!

One more time I am asking this amazing community for help in planning things. 🙂

We have spa mini-suite booked on Breakaway for 3 of us (adults and 12 yo), now my grandmother wants to join us. She is 93 and only speaks Russian, she is an experienced cruiser, but has not cruised since Jan 20. Our last cruise was on Princess and we normally cruise Princess, so she is used to quieter atmosphere. So here are my options as I see them (please feel free to add one if you can think of it!):

• add an inside for her on the same floor as our spa mini. It will be a bit away from us, so a minus here. Plus we booked NCL air promo, and I'll have to wait for those flights to come out to book her on the same airplane. Could be $$$ for her flight
• cancel my original booking and book 2 connected balconies or minis and just buy spa access. Nothing wrong with this scenario, this is exactly what we did on our last Gem cruise 10 years ago. What I am worried about is crowds on Breakaway, grandma is older now, obviously and NCL is not known to be very senior friendly. We just came back from Princess cruise and it was at way reduced capacity (only 800 passengers on 3000 ship) and if NCL is the same reduced capacity, it shouldnt be a problem. But we are sailing over spring break and Easter (April 10), so normally way more crowded cruising.
• Pay twice as much as option above and book 2 bedroom Heaven. Sounds like additional benefits might be worth it for her (restaurant right there where they can cater to her, somewhat quiet pool area with shade readily available, away from crowds for COVID exposure, etc.) Are there any benefits I might be not thinking of that will help me justify additional $$$?

Your thoughts are appreciated!

 

[ColeThornton]

"Haven", not "Heaven".   🙂

 

Why do you think NCL is not senior friendly?

[nattie]

5 minutes ago, ColeThornton said:

"Haven", not "Heaven".   🙂

 

Why do you think NCL is not senior friendly?

Oops, sorry about that! 🙂

NCL was always more "family with small kids/30 somethings" line for me. Our last NCL cruise from NY on Gem was just that, we had great time (well, we were younger too), but it felt too crowded/loud/too much at times. Again, we are used to way more subdued Princess. If I knew grandma wanted to come, I wouldnt have picked NCL. Now we are stuck, because our first timer cruiser friends are also going.

[complawyer]

definitely book the 2 bedroom. if she's 93, you may want to keep a closer eye on her, especially if she speaks no english. she would still have her own room, with tv and shower,

and the pull out couch in the living room is more then adequate for a 12 year old.   

[GeezerCouple]

27 minutes ago, nattie said:

Hi all!

One more time I am asking this amazing community for help in planning things. 🙂

We have spa mini-suite booked on Breakaway for 3 of us (adults and 12 yo), now my grandmother wants to join us. She is 93 and only speaks Russian, she is an experienced cruiser, but has not cruised since Jan 20. Our last cruise was on Princess and we normally cruise Princess, so she is used to quieter atmosphere.

<snip>

 

A caveat:  We have not been on the Breakaway.  That's too big a ship for us.

We now sail on Oceania, because of the smaller size (less walking necessary; it's harder as one gets older) and because of the general peacefulness.  (IF we take the family, which includes a couple of young grandchildren, then we choose a Jewel class ship so there are some things for children, etc.  And we stay in the Haven.)

 

Your grandmother is... 93 and wants to go on another cruise! 🙂 

You are so very fortunate to have an opportunity like that!

If you can afford it (and it sounds like you can, although the cost is obviously a concern, and no surprise there), then YES get the Heaven/Haven. 😉 

And especially on a ship that has a Haven restaurant.  Think how much more convenient the entire vacation will be for her.  She can go wherever she wishes on the ship OR she can stay in the Haven for convenience and to be pampered a bit if she wishes (or not; just make sure the staff know what it is she prefers, given the language problem).

 

And she's used to a "quiet" ship.  No, the Breakaway wouldn't be, or at the least might not be, in the general ship areas.

 

You might also notify NCL about the language issue.  Perhaps if there are any Russian-speaking hotel-level staff, they might assign such a person to the Haven for that cruise.  (We've found NCL - and other cruise lines - to be remarkably helpful with respect to any special needs/requests, to the extent it is possible.)

Call the Special Needs desk at NCL and speak with them directly.  (When we did this, we got a questionnaire that many might consider to be incredibly intrusive.  It's ONLY so they make sure there is a place to address as many specific "issues" as possible.  We left a lot of it blank, and only wrote in what *our* issue was.  Their response and related on-ship behavior/care was extraordinary.)

 

ENJOY!!

GC

[Two Wheels Only]

I would go 2BR Haven (my grandma is 99). She would have her own space with bed and bathroom but she would still be close enough if she needs assistance.

 

The 12 year-old would be fine sleeping in the living room.

 

If not Haven, connecting balcony/club balcony would also work. I expect that capacity will start to increase over time but will still be less than normal by the time that you sail. There are calm/quiet places on Breakaway but you have to search for them. The Waterfront is usually quiet compared to the sundeck/pool area. It's not as quiet as the (adults only) Haven sundeck but it's usually a nice place to relax/read. Outside of La Cucina during the day is usually empty.

[Two Wheels Only]

22 minutes ago, nattie said:

Now we are stuck, because our first timer cruiser friends are also going.

 

Ahhhh, that complicates things. I don't think that you would want to be in the Haven while your friends are not. I don't know if they would be willing to upgrade to the Haven as first time cruisers.

 

If yes, go for it.

If not, go for the connecting balcony/club balcony.

Edited February 2, 2022 by Two Wheels Only

[nattie]

7 minutes ago, GeezerCouple said:

 

A caveat:  We have not been on the Breakaway.  That's too big a ship for us.

We now sail on Oceania, because of the smaller size (less walking necessary; it's harder as one gets older) and because of the general peacefulness.  (IF we take the family, which includes a couple of young grandchildren, then we choose a Jewel class ship so there are some things for children, etc.  And we stay in the Haven.)

 

Your grandmother is... 93 and wants to go on another cruise! 🙂 

You are so very fortunate to have an opportunity like that!

If you can afford it (and it sounds like you can, although the cost is obviously a concern, and no surprise there), then YES get the Heaven/Haven. 😉 

And especially on a ship that has a Haven restaurant.  Think how much more convenient the entire vacation will be for her.  She can go wherever she wishes on the ship OR she can stay in the Haven for convenience and to be pampered a bit if she wishes (or not; just make sure the staff know what it is she prefers, given the language problem).

 

And she's used to a "quiet" ship.  No, the Breakaway wouldn't be, or at the least might not be, in the general ship areas.

 

You might also notify NCL about the language issue.  Perhaps if there are any Russian-speaking hotel-level staff, they might assign such a person to the Haven for that cruise.  (We've found NCL - and other cruise lines - to be remarkably helpful with respect to any special needs/requests, to the extent it is possible.)

Call the Special Needs desk at NCL and speak with them directly.  (When we did this, we got a questionnaire that many might consider to be incredibly intrusive.  It's ONLY so they make sure there is a place to address as many specific "issues" as possible.  We left a lot of it blank, and only wrote in what *our* issue was.  Their response and related on-ship behavior/care was extraordinary.)

 

ENJOY!!

GC

Thank you so much! I am definitely willing to spend the money, since it is entirely possible this will be her last cruise with us.

Special thanks for the Special Needs desk suggestion. I think it might be very much worth it if they can have a Russian speaking server in the restaurant or something. There are normally plenty of Russian speaking crew on board.

 

[nattie]

8 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

Ahhhh, that complicates things. I don't think that you would want to be in the Haven while your friends are not. I don't know if they would be willing to upgrade to the Haven as first time cruisers.

 

If yes, go for it.

If not, go for the connecting balcony/club balcony.

It does, but I am really considering Haven from Grandma standpoint only. Our friends will probably end up on  Deck 16 sundeck near waterslides/kids area and my DH will hang out with his friend in Spice H20 near movie screen (probably complaining on how much better movie screen is on Princess 🙄) . So it is easy enough access from Haven areas I think. Besides, the beauty of cruising with friends is that you have separation, ie not stuck together like if you were in rental house.

[Two Wheels Only]

1 minute ago, nattie said:

Our friends will probably end up on  Deck 16 sundeck near waterslides/kids area and my DH will hang out with his friend in Spice H20 near movie screen (probably complaining on how much better movie screen is on Princess 🙄) .

 

In that case, Haven.

The others can be all over the ship and grandma can enjoy the enclave.

[GeezerCouple]

3 minutes ago, nattie said:

Thank you so much! I am definitely willing to spend the money, since it is entirely possible this will be her last cruise with us.

Special thanks for the Special Needs desk suggestion. I think it might be very much worth it if they can have a Russian speaking server in the restaurant or something. There are normally plenty of Russian speaking crew on board.

 

 

Terrific.  I had no idea what languages tend to be spoken by the crew, and obviously that varies by the specific crew on any specific sailing.  But it sounds like there'd be a better chance than I thought for them to find someone who speaks Russian who could be moved.  (Maybe there's a Russian-speaker who is just about due for a promotion to "Haven" [if it works that way?], and this might tip the scale?)

 

I just can't imagine having a 93 yo on a ship that size and need to walk to restaurants daily, or more than once daily.  Room service, if not in a suite, apparently isn't that great (but my info is only second hand).

MIL passed in Sept, 2020, a few weeks short of her 100th.  She was totally lucid until the last week or two, but she wasn't able to get around by the last few months.  Still quite amazing!

 

As for your friends, they can't go into the Haven common areas, but if you want them to join you in your suite for a while, that is definitely possible.

 

You might also alert/remind the Concierge and Butler about the language issue once you are on board, so they can keep a special eye out for her in case she needs something.  For example, if you are gone... if she wanders into the Haven common area, they'll know that she can't "just ask", etc.  Or if she uses the suite phone, they'll know immediately, etc.  

 

Have a great time!

 

GC

 

[kernie968]

Took my elderly parents on the Breakaway in a Haven 2 bedroom suite a couple years ago. Both parents still talk about the Haven and said it was the best vacation they ever had. I would never take them on a cruise without the Haven, which is heaven.

[BirdTravels]

3 hours ago, nattie said:

Hi all!

One more time I am asking this amazing community for help in planning things. 🙂

We have spa mini-suite booked on Breakaway for 3 of us (adults and 12 yo), now my grandmother wants to join us. She is 93 and only speaks Russian, she is an experienced cruiser, but has not cruised since Jan 20. Our last cruise was on Princess and we normally cruise Princess, so she is used to quieter atmosphere. So here are my options as I see them (please feel free to add one if you can think of it!):

• add an inside for her on the same floor as our spa mini. It will be a bit away from us, so a minus here. Plus we booked NCL air promo, and I'll have to wait for those flights to come out to book her on the same airplane. Could be $$$ for her flight
• cancel my original booking and book 2 connected balconies or minis and just buy spa access. Nothing wrong with this scenario, this is exactly what we did on our last Gem cruise 10 years ago. What I am worried about is crowds on Breakaway, grandma is older now, obviously and NCL is not known to be very senior friendly. We just came back from Princess cruise and it was at way reduced capacity (only 800 passengers on 3000 ship) and if NCL is the same reduced capacity, it shouldnt be a problem. But we are sailing over spring break and Easter (April 10), so normally way more crowded cruising.
• Pay twice as much as option above and book 2 bedroom Heaven. Sounds like additional benefits might be worth it for her (restaurant right there where they can cater to her, somewhat quiet pool area with shade readily available, away from crowds for COVID exposure, etc.) Are there any benefits I might be not thinking of that will help me justify additional $$$?

Your thoughts are appreciated!

 

For grandmother, I would take the Haven if you can afford it. You can coordinate with the Haven restaurant manager to bring your friends to dinner in the Haven one night (they would need to pay the flat rate dinner charges). 

[pcakes122]

8 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

For grandmother, I would take the Haven if you can afford it. You can coordinate with the Haven restaurant manager to bring your friends to dinner in the Haven one night (they would need to pay the flat rate dinner charges). 

When you have dinner guests in the Haven restaurant, the Haven guest is charged (not the non-Haven visitor.)

 

That said, I've had dinner guests in the Haven restaurant many times and have actually only been charged once. (Depends upon the Concierge.)

[cabincop]

Hi also figure into your cost increase tipping the butler & concierge. They are separate from regular gratuity. So with 4people in 2bdrm that will increase your costs

[SliderNc]

It was many years ago before the Haven existed that I cruised with my 96 year old grandmother, but she was a hoot.  She spent most of her time running the craps table for the casino guys and sitting on a small sundeck reading her books.  This was back in the 90s before any of these megaships were around and I miss those days cruising with her and dinners with her.

 

I agree with what many said and I would go for the Haven 2BR.  While the second bedroom is a bit tight, it will be plenty of room for her and you get all the great stuff that comes with the Haven.  Everything will be close for her and if she wants to venture out and explore, then she can.  Or she can choose to just stay there. 

 

Good luck with your choice and enjoy your cruise.  Bless her for still wanting to cruise at her age. 

[nattie]

Thank you everyone for replies and encouragement!

After some creative budgeting we decided to forgo our Alaska cruise in August and spend extra money to accommodate grandma on this cruise. I am going to call today to upgrade. Probably will need to cancel old reservation and make new one.

[Yinster]

11 hours ago, pcakes122 said:

When you have dinner guests in the Haven restaurant, the Haven guest is charged (not the non-Haven visitor.)

 

That said, I've had dinner guests in the Haven restaurant many times and have actually only been charged once. (Depends upon the Concierge.)

Not always the case. I have had guests on different cruises and each time, the guests were charged not me

Edited February 3, 2022 by Yinster

[pcakes122]

12 minutes ago, Yinster said:

Not always the case. I have had guests on different cruises and each time, the guests were charged not me

Maybe I was charged because I let the Concierge know I was inviting them as my guests?  (I wouldn't invite anyone to the Haven for dinner and make them pay, but that's just me.)

[Yinster]

12 minutes ago, pcakes122 said:

12 minutes ago, pcakes122 said:

Maybe I was charged because I let the Concierge know I was inviting them as my guests?  (I wouldn't invite anyone to the Haven for dinner and make them pay, but that's just me.)

 

No offence taken. All of my guests were people I met on board the cruise. I make friends easily . So I'm guessing they didn't think they would have an opportunity to eat in the Haven before they cruise. And so were happy to pay for their meals. They treated it like speciality dinner.

 

And each time  I asked the concierge and maitre'd before inviting people to the restaurant