Review of Getaway Feb 18-26

[sailorusvi]

So this was my first cruise in 25 years and husband first cruise ever.  While we knew it would be crowed due to school break, but it was way more crowed then we even imagined. 4800+ passengers!

 

Upgrading to the Haven was well worth it price. We were in Haven proper (deck 15), which was great because we didn't have to navigate the crowds to get up the bar/restaurant.  With the exception of the concierge, the staff was amazing.   Food was good.  The bar staff is great, plus they had all of DH's favorite bourbons.   

 

That said, the kid situation was out of control.  They estimated some 40 kids up there. Even the Haven staff appeared to be overwhelmed with all the kids. They took over the hot tubs and pool, snorkel gear and all.  They were running around upstairs in the "adult" area, including the smoking section in the front.    The concierge was telling people that kids were allowed up there now.  What the hell?  People were pissed! They (along with kids from other parts of the boat) were having cookie fights in the door way of the Deck 15 Haven entrance. Cookies EVERYWHERE.   Kids were blocking the stairways leading up to Deck 16 (which only had one side)  The concierge didn't seem to care.   I never saw a manager up there to be able to address our concerns.  Someone on here was making fun of us getting Vibe passes, yeah, well they came in handy this trip.

 

Breakfast we mostly ate in the Haven, but did go to the buffet once, which was decent.   When not at port lunches were mostly at the buffet.  Which is funny because DH typically hates buffets.  It was easy as our cabin was on deck 15. DH can't eat a lot at one sitting and having 3 sit down meals a day was too much for him.  We do a quick pop in for something small then leave.  A few hours later he would do another "drive-by" by grabbing something small again (or soft serve ice cream, boy did he like those).   We ate at O'Sheehan on the first day, which as only okay. The "spinach and artichoke" dip was a joke.  One piece of spinach and I'm still looking for the artichoke. Dinners were at Ocean Blue, Wasabi (3 times), Le Bistro and the Haven.   All our dinners were good.  Except for not having chocolate milk the 2nd day, we were able to get everything we wanted.  

 

Entertainment wise we lost money at the casino (never saw a casino payout so little before).  We saw Broadway Unplugged, Million Dollar Quartet (wasn't a fan) and went to Sid Norman's 3 times.  Rumours was my least favorite Sid's act,  but it was still entertaining. Last night before the show started the guy next to me got into a verbal fight with a guy behind him that resulted in him getting kicked out.  That was interesting. Wifey was pissed.     Sea days we hung out in Vibe, I got a great massage and was able to squeeze in about 5 minutes on the rope course before it started snowing. Disappointed I didn't do it earlier on the trip.

 

In PC we went to the beach.  GSP more of the same.  I would absolutely try to get a cabana, villa or at the very least an umbrella should we go again.  My skin needs a break from the sun. Since everything was sold out we went back after a few hours.   Some people were upset being re-routed to Miami instead of Bermuda.  Even more so because we all had to disembark to go through immigration and you couldn't get back on until the ship was cleared.  There was a video of people waiting to reboard booing the final 2 people who they had to go and find 🤣.  It sounds like they started the reboarding process sooner than they estimated.  Anyway, we were happy with the change.  We enjoyed our time in port. Went to South Beach, walked around and ate some great Cuban food.

 

Overall I had a good time, but DH said he wasn't a fan.  I think it was more because of the 1800 kids then anything else.   He liked the ports, food, Haven Bar, the hot tubs in Vibe and bought a couple Cruise Next certificates. So I think he liked it more than he is saying.  One thing is for sure, we will NEVER cruise during a school holiday again.

 

 

[FLAHAM]

What kind of cookies?

[sailorusvi]

Just now, FLAHAM said:

What kind of cookies?

chocolate chip.   I felt bad for the steward who had to clean it up.  They were stuck in the door frame too.

[david_sobe]

Wow, little did anyone know that there are times a Vibe pass is worth it while staying in the Haven.  Another reminder to self to never cruise during Spring Break 😬

Edited February 26, 2023 by david_sobe

[LoungerOnBalcony55]

This is absolutely ridiculous re: the kids. Security should have 100% gotten involved. Cookie fight in the halls? 

[JGmf]

20 minutes ago, david_sobe said:

Wow, little did anyone know that there are times a Vibe pass is worth it while staying in the Haven.  Another reminder to self to never cruise during Spring Break 

 

I would broaden that more generally....to be aware that kids will swarm the Haven pretty much most times when kids are out of school, summer time also being high time.  (Most are fine and behave like kids, but just know that the tiny pool,  and especially the hot tubs, will be their play area...and the bar will be a regular stop for them to get their virgin strawberry daiquiris and sodas).

[LoungerOnBalcony55]

48 minutes ago, sailorusvi said:

chocolate chip.   I felt bad for the steward who had to clean it up.  They were stuck in the door frame too.

These little bastards and their families should have been informed that if there was a single further infraction from any of them they'd be disembarked at the next port. This is outrageous. 

[sailorusvi]

10 minutes ago, LoungerOnBalcony55 said:

These little bastards and their families should have been informed that if there was a single further infraction from any of them they'd be disembarked at the next port. This is outrageous. 

 

The next port was NY which was our disembarkation port.

 

[sailorusvi]

25 minutes ago, JGmf said:

 

I would broaden that more generally....to be aware that kids will swarm the Haven pretty much most times when kids are out of school, summer time also being high time.  (Most are fine and behave like kids, but just know that the tiny pool,  and especially the hot tubs, will be their play area...and the bar will be a regular stop for them to get their virgin strawberry daiquiris and sodas).

 

This. 

[LoungerOnBalcony55]

25 minutes ago, sailorusvi said:

 

The next port was NY which was our disembarkation port.

 

Then they should have been put on a no-sail list.

[david_sobe]

57 minutes ago, JGmf said:

 

I would broaden that more generally....to be aware that kids will swarm the Haven pretty much most times when kids are out of school, summer time also being high time.  (Most are fine and behave like kids, but just know that the tiny pool,  and especially the hot tubs, will be their play area...and the bar will be a regular stop for them to get their virgin strawberry daiquiris and sodas).

Yes of course but Spring Break and Christmas are especially bad especially in the Haven since it caters to families and kids.  They have every right to be there and I have a right not to book at those times.  I prefer to sail in February when kids are in school.  The Haven pool turns into a kiddie pool and teenagers pack the hot tubs. 

[ashleyriley]

All of this talk of kids taking over the Haven and cookie fights has me a bit worried. Especially with what the Haven costs. We are on a May 20th sailing, never sailed in May before. Think the ship will have a lot of kids? Thanks 

[cruiseny4life]

11 hours ago, ashleyriley said:

All of this talk of kids taking over the Haven and cookie fights has me a bit worried. Especially with what the Haven costs. We are on a May 20th sailing, never sailed in May before. Think the ship will have a lot of kids? Thanks 

I hope this was a one-off in the Haven. Last year in April I cruised Haven during Easter week (NY/CT/NJ school break week). Tons of kids! All well-behaved. We did observe kids sitting on the stairs, but that was as obcsene as they got. "Milk Man" was not, but he was decidedly not a kid, except in personality. This sailing was about 110% double occupancy capacity, so lots of kids. And we saw them everywhere! 

 

We also cruised over New Year's Eve in the Haven, from Dec. 31st to Jan. 8th and again, a ton of kids, but no shenanigans. Ship was at 99.9% bed capacity (not double occupancy) which means there were a boatload of kids onboard! 

 

*one caveat, we do not stay in the Haven proper, so perhaps we don't observe all the shenanigans as we go back to our room, go to the thermal suite, and enjoy the Waterfront.*

 

As for May, you might be hitting the sweet spot, although I'm guessing some southern schools will be out for summer break. Most schools are still in session and parents will probably wait to take their kids on cruises until break begins...but, that's all just my thought process speaking out loud. Regardless, I think you'll have a lovely time, especially so long as the concierge restricts sweet little children from the adults-only sundeck. 

[FLAHAM]

I was on the Prima (not in haven) February 12-19 and don’t recall seeing more than just a few kids on board.

[skeeter195]

19 hours ago, sailorusvi said:

The concierge was telling people that kids were allowed up there now.  What the hell?  People were pissed!

I would have double checked with the concierge on this, then would have gone over his head.  I love kids and the things they do but the Haven sun deck is the only spot that is kid free.  Sometimes I want a kid free place to have a drink and relax.  There is no way that kids would have been up there if I were on the ship without showing me a change in policy.

[JGmf]

20 hours ago, david_sobe said:

Yes of course but Spring Break and Christmas are especially bad especially in the Haven since it caters to families and kids.  They have every right to be there and I have a right not to book at those times.  I prefer to sail in February when kids are in school.  The Haven pool turns into a kiddie pool and teenagers pack the hot tubs. 

 

I definitely agree that families with kids that pay the high Haven costs have every right to be there, but those who buy a Haven sailing with some notion that it's a sort of tranquil, swanky oasis should think otherwise if school is out.  Just have to pay attention to the school calendars....

[www3traveler]

4 minutes ago, JGmf said:

 

I definitely agree that families with kids that pay the high Haven costs have every right to be there, but those who buy a Haven sailing with some notion that it's a sort of tranquil, swanky oasis should think otherwise if school is out.  Just have to pay attention to the school calendars....

A little hard to do with different sections of the country on different vacation schedules.  Schools where I live in the Pacific Northwest have breaks from school any time from a couple of weeks ago until late April.  Schools let out for Summer vacations anywhere from early May until late June.  For me, I try not to cruise from mid February until a two weeks after Easter and from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

[ashleyriley]

4 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

I hope this was a one-off in the Haven. Last year in April I cruised Haven during Easter week (NY/CT/NJ school break week). Tons of kids! All well-behaved. We did observe kids sitting on the stairs, but that was as obcsene as they got. "Milk Man" was not, but he was decidedly not a kid, except in personality. This sailing was about 110% double occupancy capacity, so lots of kids. And we saw them everywhere! 

 

We also cruised over New Year's Eve in the Haven, from Dec. 31st to Jan. 8th and again, a ton of kids, but no shenanigans. Ship was at 99.9% bed capacity (not double occupancy) which means there were a boatload of kids onboard! 

 

*one caveat, we do not stay in the Haven proper, so perhaps we don't observe all the shenanigans as we go back to our room, go to the thermal suite, and enjoy the Waterfront.*

 

As for May, you might be hitting the sweet spot, although I'm guessing some southern schools will be out for summer break. Most schools are still in session and parents will probably wait to take their kids on cruises until break begins...but, that's all just my thought process speaking out loud. Regardless, I think you'll have a lovely time, especially so long as the concierge restricts sweet little children from the adults-only sundeck. 

Thanks for your input. Funny you mention not staying in the Haven proper...last time we were on the Breakaway in an aft Haven suite. While the suite and huge balcony were amazing, we wanted to try being close to all the amenities of the Haven this time so we are in a penthouse on Deck 16. Thanks again! 

[sailorusvi]

4 hours ago, FLAHAM said:

I was on the Prima (not in haven) February 12-19 and don’t recall seeing more than just a few kids on board.

 

It was reported there was 1800 kids, with some 50-60 in Haven.   NJ/NY/CT all get President's week off (Feb 20-24) and Getaway sailed out of NYC.  So it was an easy port for that area.   Unless they took kids out of school, they wouldn't have been on your cruise.

 

I'm guessing it was a one off.  The Haven staff even said there were way more kids then Xmas-NYE week. Wasn't thrilled it was our cruise.

[Peachypooh]

Our Haven 2 bedroom was under the Haven sundeck. I thought it was for adults only.

Wrong! Kids running back and forth overhead.

[BostonGal35]

Some concierges are better than others.  I too would have gone over his/her head abotu this Kids on sundeck rule.

 

Breakaway last month had a big sign at the entrance to the sundeck saying no kids.  it was enforced, surprisingly by the parents for their own kids!   We avoid school breaks, holidays and summer cruises period, haven or otherwise due to kids.

 

the times we've sailed Haven, the kids that have been there were either European or Home Schoolers (all well behaved and well mannered).  

 

Sadly, the majority of American children are out of control.  It easy to see why so many teachers are leaving the profession, i dont see how any of them can actually teach when kids arent taught basic manners and how to sit still and be respectful of authority.

 

 

[Laszlo]

11 minutes ago, BostonGal35 said:

Sadly, the majority of American children are out of control.  It easy to see why so many teachers are leaving the profession, i dont see how any of them can actually teach when kids arent taught basic manners and how to sit still and be respectful of authority.

 

 

Thats because they have lousy parents..... 😉

[bkrickles1]

25 minutes ago, BostonGal35 said:

Sadly, the majority of American children are out of control.  

Wow! I could not disagree more. 

It's a sad and ugly take on the future of our country.

[bkrickles1]

20 minutes ago, Laszlo said:

Thats because they have lousy parents..... 😉

You're 100% correct that the blame for bad behavior falls on the parents, but I strongly disagree with the statement (I know it's not yours) that the majority of American children are out of control.

[BostonGal35]

22 minutes ago, Laszlo said:

Thats because they have lousy parents..... 😉

well that's exactly what it is.   i see a lot of "just add water and watch em grow" parents.   i feel bad for the kids, really.