Never-Haven Cruiser sails in the Haven. Here are her thoughts.

[Smitheroo]

10 hours ago, kismetique said:

Oh, I wasn't offended, just curious why anyone wouldn't enjoy that.  I say that, but my son would prefer to go to the buffet of all places!  So, yes, I get what you're saying.  As we've gotten older, we like to sleep late and have breakfast service.  I don't mind the buffet, but I just think it sorta all starts tasting the same after awhile.  I really enjoy finding a server in the main dining room that I like and asking for their table each evening.  On our last cruise, we were a party of 8 and our preferred server would hold a table of 8 open for us because she knew we tipped so well.  When she would see us arrive, she would order our drinks and have them on the way by the time we were seated.  That's the way dining used to be and we really miss that aspect of cruising.  

You tip extra ((which is easier to do when you only have one waiter, I tip the room steward extra)  but also after each meal?  Or does she remember you from previous cruises?    Yes, if you are a group and want to dine together you do have to do things a little differently and it helps  for a server to know you.  I will eat in the buffet when I'm in a rush for some reason but prefer the main dining room due to people bumping into you and the lines in the buffet.   I dont know why I wouldnt prefer what you describe.  

Edited August 23, 2023 by Smitheroo

[Smitheroo]

18 hours ago, kismetique said:

Well - that's a funny story as well.  And no - people sitting in their seats already having a drink is hardly the same as families bunched up together wrangling their carry on items on this little gang plank and me having to negotiate around them while I cut the line.  Economy people merely walking by in the same space that is used to get to a luxury seat will be me this next trip!!!   My husband will be sitting in First Class as I trip by him on my way to Economy!  He has blood clots in his legs to the point of having had double pulmonary embolisms, so I gladly give him the airline points for the First Class ticket and since we are retired and spend 24 hours a day together - I'm quite looking forward to few ALONE hours!  🙂

Yeah, I dont get it when husbands and wives cant sit apart for a few hours.  I read on other forums about the requests people make to switch plane seats  "so I can sit next to my husband".   Actually I feel embarassed for the first class passengers sipping on their cocktails as the economy passengers walk past.  And the guy sleeping on his flat seat- LOL

Edited August 23, 2023 by Smitheroo

[Smitheroo]

10 hours ago, kismetique said:

Oh, I wasn't offended, just curious why anyone wouldn't enjoy that.  I say that, but my son would prefer to go to the buffet of all places!  So, yes, I get what you're saying.  As we've gotten older, we like to sleep late and have breakfast service.  I don't mind the buffet, but I just think it sorta all starts tasting the same after awhile.  I really enjoy finding a server in the main dining room that I like and asking for their table each evening.  On our last cruise, we were a party of 8 and our preferred server would hold a table of 8 open for us because she knew we tipped so well.  When she would see us arrive, she would order our drinks and have them on the way by the time we were seated.  That's the way dining used to be and we really miss that aspect of cruising.  

People have quoted reasons from their childhood that make them appreciate or not want pampering in the Haven.  Maybe I like to be with the masses because it brings back memories of my youth when my mother introduced me to this way of travel.  After that first voyage when I was 16 I became a ship groupie. Living outside of NYC I was able to follow the ship schedules in the paper and take a bus over to the city, walk down to the docks and get on the ship as a visitor before it sailed.  I think a small donation in a big jar for the seaman's club was all it cost. Then when it was time to sail a crew member would come around the deck   announding "all ashore who's going ashore".   Fond memories.  Interesting how that "baggage" from childhood affects us. I have a cousin who served in Viet Nam and states "No, I dont want to go camping. I have had enough of that"

[Smitheroo]

2 minutes ago, Smitheroo said:

People have quoted reasons from their childhood that make them appreciate or not want pampering in the Haven.  Maybe I like to be with the masses because it brings back memories of my youth when my mother introduced me to this way of travel.  After that first voyage when I was 16 I became a ship groupie. Living outside of NYC I was able to follow the ship schedules in the paper and take a bus over to the city, walk down to the docks and get on the ship as a visitor before it sailed.  I think a small donation in a big jar for the seaman's club was all it cost. Then when it was time to sail a crew member would come around the deck   announding "all ashore who's going ashore".   Fond memories.  Interesting how that "baggage" from childhood affects us. I have a cousin who served in Viet Nam and states "No, I dont want to go camping. I have had enough of that"

 

This discussion reminds me of the scene in Titanic where the ship has taken on so much water its flowing down the corridors and the third class passengers are huddled behind an iron gate watching the water level rise.  I guess a little girl questioned why they werent leaving and her mother (I assume) said in a very sweet way that they would get their turn after all the first class passengers had a chance to get off. 

[graphicguy]

Seems like a lot of this discussion centers around worrying what other people think.  Do you really care?  I don’t care what others think if I’m escorted into Syd’s or Cavern Club ahead of every one else, for example.  It’s a perk…one of the many that come with the Haven.

 

If anyone cares that I get that perk, it has nothing to do with me.

 

Same with the private restaurant, lounge/bar, etc.  I don’t care what others think when I book a Haven.

 

Now, in all frankness, I’ve met some….ummm….”characters” staying in the Haven that act like a Saudi Prince .  I just laugh them off because of their “self-importance”.  Mostly, they are nice people with the same outlook on life as me. But, I also have met some horse’s posteriors on most of my cruises, regardless of my cabin type…..just like in real life.  Sluff them off. Ignore them when and where I can, and move on enjoying myself without a care.

 

My marital status, my financial condition, etc really is my business only.  I rarely share any deeply personal information about myself while on a cruise.

 

That said, I’ve met some great people on my cruises, too.  Some of them I consider cruise friends and would sail with them again, in a heart beat.  Many of them populate these boards.

 

Now, if you see me on board and I’m wearing ornate flowing robes, don’t bother approaching me.  I’ll be too busy sniffing rarified air you can only get in the Haven.  If you see me in a tattered t-shirt with “REN and STIMPY” on the front and ripped shorts with my “all business” tattoo showing out of the front of them wearing my blown out “flip-flops”, you’ll know I am staying in an inside room on a “sail away” fare with no FAS at the service desk removing the DSC.

 

See, I can do both.  And, I pull off both with the same aplomb.

Edited August 23, 2023 by graphicguy

[Sthrngary]

I am trying to grasp the point of the conversation going on now on this thread.  Not sure if my addition is on topic or not.  When creating the perfect vacation, we all have to take a few moments to be sure of what our likes, loves and dislikes have been.  The things that matter and don't matter to each of us.

 

Cruising provides a unique opportunity to do some pre-planning.  Allow me to give some thoughts and I sincerely hope it is helpful or at the very least entertaining. 

 

Airfare: I book my own airfare because I want to gain the best price and choose my seating.  Our next cruise is a 10-day Mediterranean Cruise.  I saved Airline Points for years to gain two Delta One Business Class tickets.  My wife has never done business class.  Because of my research and my wife/my preference to have a window seat, we book two different rows.  I am in row two and she is in row four.  These seat are closest to the view of the window.  The flight is 10 hours.  I can be in a seat for 10 hours without holding my wires hand. 

Gratuities: I miss the old days of having the same server in the Main Dining Room.  Having those same folks every dinner meal was uniquely fun.  I was obviously in the minority because all the Main Stream cruise lines went to eat any time and we lost those relationship.  I have found I could come close to it by staying in the Suites only sections like the Haven, Retreat or Yacht Club.  That buy itself did not justify the insane premium however it was part of the justification. 

Lounge Chairs:  It was never so much you could not get a lounge chair near the pool as the so called reserved lounge chairs by folks that seemed to never use them.  That seem so rude and I felt greedy.  I really wanted not to have to plan my day to get up early and grab a chair.  The VIP area's above solved that issue for me.  They also gave me a private sundeck, butler phone for snacks and roaming servers for drinks.  Those folks we saw frequently and tipped accordingly. 

 

There are so many more thing that improved the overall cruising experience for my wife and I.  The reason many folks seem to have a issue with this area is they really have not got a strategy to receiving every bit of value for the premium they spend.  Whether the suites only restaurant, butler,  personalized service, suites only bar or amenities.  Some folks simply don't want those things and that is that.  So if you want it, you can have it.  If you don't, you don't have to have it.  You both can still enjoy the majority of the ship activates.  The best of both worlds.

 

The issue was the intense premium paid.  It has gone higher and higher because of the popularity of these area's.  Over the past few years, some things have changed for the better and worse.  Like with any other business, this drives guest to look at other options.  One is a Haven Lite Strategy and another is to choose a Luxury Cruise Brand that actually can cost less than being in the Haven.  

 

The point of my rant is all of these options are available for each of us and we can make those decisions for ourselves.  Don't like something? I assure you if you choose a different options you can find what you like.  Planning and due diligence can solve almost any vacation issue. That is the nature of cruising.  Just my two cents.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

 

[RocketMan275]

25 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Seems like a lot of this discussion centers around worrying what other people think.  Do you really care?  I don’t care what others think if I’m escorted into Syd’s or Cavern Club ahead of every one else, for example.  It’s a perk…one of the many that come with the Haven.

Then there's the discussion of what to pack and what to wear.

What will they think of me if I wear the same pair of shoes on two nights when dining in the MDR?

Which leads to bringing a steamer trunk, two full sized suitcases, a carry-on, etc., for a four night cruise.

[Smitheroo]

36 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Seems like a lot of this discussion centers around worrying what other people think.  Do you really care?  I don’t care what others think if I’m escorted into Syd’s or Cavern Club ahead of every one else, for example.  It’s a perk…one of the many that come with the Haven.

 

If anyone cares that I get that perk, it has nothing to do with me.

 

Same with the private restaurant, lounge/bar, etc.  I don’t care what others think when I book a Haven.

 

Now, in all frankness, I’ve met some….ummm….”characters” staying in the Haven that act like a Saudi Prince .  I just laugh them off because of their “self-importance”.  Mostly, they are nice people with the same outlook on life as me. But, I also have met some horse’s posteriors on most of my cruises, regardless of my cabin type…..just like in real life.  Sluff them off. Ignore them when and where I can, and move on enjoying myself without a care.

 

My marital status, my financial condition, etc really is my business only.  I rarely share any deeply personal information about myself while on a cruise.

 

That said, I’ve met some great people on my cruises, too.  Some of them I consider cruise friends and would sail with them again, in a heart beat.  Many of them populate these boards.

 

Now, if you see me on board and I’m wearing ornate flowing robes, don’t bother approaching me.  I’ll be too busy sniffing rarified air you can only get in the Haven.  If you see me in a tattered t-shirt with “REN and STIMPY” on the front and ripped shorts with my “all business” tattoo showing out of the front of them wearing my blown out “flip-flops”, you’ll know I am staying in an inside room on a “sail away” fare with no FAS at the service desk removing the DSC.

 

See, I can do both.  And, I pull off both with the same aplomb.

Funny!  I laughed out loud reading about you in flowing robes sniffing rarified air 

[Agent999]

1 hour ago, graphicguy said:

Seems like a lot of this discussion centers around worrying what other people think.

 

Honestly, though...isn't that exactly what it is all about here on Cruise Critic?

 

When you look at the number of Studio, Inside, Oceanview, Balcony, and Mini-Suite cabins vs the number of Haven Cabins you quickly realize that Haven cruisers are a small percentage of the cruising population.

 

However, when you read Cruise Critic, the number of Haven related posts far exceeds the percentage. Almost as if people go out of their way to take every opportunity to tell people that a) they are going to sail in the Haven, b) they are currently sailing in the Haven, or c) they have sailed in the Haven. Heck, people don't even ask questions about the butler without calling him/her the "Haven butler" (in case we were confused and thought they were referring to the non-Haven butler).

 

So yes, when it comes to the Haven, there are a lot of people (not all...some) who very much care what other people think. I think many of them would walk around with lighted Haven signs above their heads if they could.

[graphicguy]

16 minutes ago, Agent999 said:

 

 

So yes, when it comes to the Haven, there are a lot of people (not all...some) who very much care what other people think. I think many of them would walk around with lighted Haven signs above their heads if they could.

Oh WOW!  What a great idea.  I think I'm going to have a t- shirt made that says "I'm in the Haven....ask me how"!

[Sthrngary]

8 minutes ago, Agent999 said:

 

Honestly, though...isn't that exactly what it is all about here on Cruise Critic?

 

When you look at the number of Studio, Inside, Oceanview, Balcony, and Mini-Suite cabins vs the number of Haven Cabins you quickly realize that Haven cruisers are a small percentage of the cruising population.

 

However, when you read Cruise Critic, the number of Haven related posts far exceeds the percentage. Almost as if people go out of their way to take every opportunity to tell people that a) they are going to sail in the Haven, b) they are currently sailing in the Haven, or c) they have sailed in the Haven. Heck, people don't even ask questions about the butler without calling him/her the "Haven butler" (in case we were confused and thought they were referring to the non-Haven butler).

 

So yes, when it comes to the Haven, there are a lot of people (not all...some) who very much care what other people think. I think many of them would walk around with lighted Haven signs above their heads if they could.

@Agent999 You make a good point.  Allow me to make a different point.  In my pre-retirement life, I was part of some very large companies development of survey systems.  Very interesting topic and blessed to have been part of it.  It seems that most folks need to have an emotional reason to do a survey and add verbatim comments.  I hate the brand or I love the brand.  

 

The term Brand Advocate is the goal of most brands.  An Advocate are guest that are so thrilled with the brand that they want to tell the world.  A guest that is satisfied (Customer Satisfaction) feels the brand simply did what they said they would do. No real emotion with that one.  We all know what a dissatisfied guest will say and do.  

 

I love the Haven and share why I feel that way because I want other to have the same benefits if they choose too do so.  If not, as my adult son says, "You do YOU!"   If you don't like my decisions or opinions, again "You do YOU!".

 

What I seriously do not like on this and other social media cruise boards are definitive comments on things like the Haven from those that have never experienced it.  How do they have a frame of reference of how the experience feels other they resentment or longing.  

 

Here is the bottom line.  Every guest needs to do a pro/con list of what the want to make their next vacation or cruise vacation all it can be.  With that comes all aspects including budget.  They take that list and book what comes comes closest.  There choice, their decision and their money spent.  If things are not what they expect, their results.  If you are upset about the result, feel free to share, I just don't care because you got what you planned to get and miscalculated.  If you love your result, I am happy for you for doing your due diligence.  Neither will effect of change my life even one little bit. Just social media. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[graphicguy]

Someone mentioned it earlier...if there's a "bugaboo" I have with the Haven, it's the amount of crew that one feels they need to tip.

 

I like to think I'm relatively generous with crew, regardless of what my cabin type is.  You go over and above for me?  I'll tip over and above the already charged tip amount.

 

In the Haven, the crew make a point to let the guests know they are not included in the tip pool that everyone else is.  I've always assumed (we all know what that entails) that they also make a higher salary as a result.  They are truly the "best of the best" of the crew on the ship.

 

But, I don't know how I can be expected to tip every single waitstaff in the Haven Restaurant who may have interfaced with me during my Haven stay.  Did you pour me a glass of water on the first day of the cruise and expect a tip?  

 

Bartenders in the Haven are truly special.  They get a buck or two for every drink they make for me...because every drink they make is excellent.  And, they know me and my wants from the first day of the cruise.  I have not had to wait...at all...for any drink in the Haven Lounge/Bar.

 

More controversial (at least for me), if I only ask the Butler to remove the included sparkling wine (which I don't drink) and s/he leaves it there the entire length of the cruise in the melted ice, nor remove the chocolate covered strawberries which I'll never eat, etc.  Should I tip them?  I get it.  They do replenish my coffee pods and they do bring daily snacks, whether I want them or not. But, if they don't honor my requests, which I consider very simple, do they deserve a tip?  I do give them something.  But, it's not anywhere near what I give the Concierges, who book my excursions, make my restaurant reservations for me, escort me on and off the ship, take care of my billing snafus, etc.

 

I just don't require much from my Butler.  I prefer it that way.  It's not like I don't value them.  I just don't need them.  I tell them up front..."I'll be the easiest guest you'll have during this trip".  

 

I just realized, I'm guilty of yet another tipping post.  I should be flogged!!!!!!

[Smitheroo]

39 minutes ago, Agent999 said:

 

Honestly, though...isn't that exactly what it is all about here on Cruise Critic?

 

When you look at the number of Studio, Inside, Oceanview, Balcony, and Mini-Suite cabins vs the number of Haven Cabins you quickly realize that Haven cruisers are a small percentage of the cruising population.

 

However, when you read Cruise Critic, the number of Haven related posts far exceeds the percentage. Almost as if people go out of their way to take every opportunity to tell people that a) they are going to sail in the Haven, b) they are currently sailing in the Haven, or c) they have sailed in the Haven. Heck, people don't even ask questions about the butler without calling him/her the "Haven butler" (in case we were confused and thought they were referring to the non-Haven butler).

 

So yes, when it comes to the Haven, there are a lot of people (not all...some) who very much care what other people think. I think many of them would walk around with lighted Haven signs above their heads if they could.

Inside that true in life in general?    Or there could be other factors. Maybe Haven people are more curious so ask questions. They have to mention "Haven" or they may not get their question answered.   I often wonder myself where all the inside cabin travelers are.  Only a few identify as such on here.   I dont care that others care about what others think (that's a mouthful)  Its their waste of energy. 

 

I cant help but think of my teen age years (and laugh)  when I really did care what others thought  The hair, the clothes, just about everything. But especially the hair.

Edited August 23, 2023 by Smitheroo

[lgdesign]

20 hours ago, kismetique said:

Well - that's a funny story as well.  And no - people sitting in their seats already having a drink is hardly the same as families bunched up together wrangling their carry on items on this little gang plank and me having to negotiate around them while I cut the line.  Economy people merely walking by in the same space that is used to get to a luxury seat will be me this next trip!!!   My husband will be sitting in First Class as I trip by him on my way to Economy!  He has blood clots in his legs to the point of having had double pulmonary embolisms, so I gladly give him the airline points for the First Class ticket and since we are retired and spend 24 hours a day together - I'm quite looking forward to few ALONE hours!  🙂

I may be in the same position in a little over two months... my husband is very tall and had two knee replacements last year... I was able to get him into a business class seat to Europe so he wouldn't be crippled by the time we got there.  They were only offering one seat at the lowest price I had seen all year.  Since then the prices have gone up, up and up.  I already warned him I would be sitting in steerage if prices don't come down in the next month.  We too can deal with some alone time if need be!

[RocketMan275]

39 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Someone mentioned it earlier...if there's a "bugaboo" I have with the Haven, it's the amount of crew that one feels they need to tip.

 

I like to think I'm relatively generous with crew, regardless of what my cabin type is.  You go over and above for me?  I'll tip over and above the already charged tip amount.

 

In the Haven, the crew make a point to let the guests know they are not included in the tip pool that everyone else is.  I've always assumed (we all know what that entails) that they also make a higher salary as a result.  They are truly the "best of the best" of the crew on the ship.

 

But, I don't know how I can be expected to tip every single waitstaff in the Haven Restaurant who may have interfaced with me during my Haven stay.  Did you pour me a glass of water on the first day of the cruise and expect a tip?  

 

Bartenders in the Haven are truly special.  They get a buck or two for every drink they make for me...because every drink they make is excellent.  And, they know me and my wants from the first day of the cruise.  I have not had to wait...at all...for any drink in the Haven Lounge/Bar.

 

The only crew not included in the tip pool are the butlers and the concierge. 

The bartenders are included in the gratuities added to the beverage packages.

The waitstaff are included in the DSC.

We do give an additional tip to the waitstaff but that is our choice.  No member of the waitstaff has ever mentioned that they're not included in the DSC.

 

[kismetique]

2 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Seems like a lot of this discussion centers around worrying what other people think.  Do you really care?

Nope, not a bit. I don't care one whit what someone else thinks about me.  I care about what I think about myself and how my actions affect others.  It's about MY principles and morals, not about what they think.  There's a difference. 

 

I gladly accept my perks that I worked hard to pay for. But when my perks interfere with others enjoyment and experience (pushing them aside on a narrow gang plank to get by and cut the line), that's where I draw the line. I'll either go to the back of the line next time, or, as I plan to do on my up coming cruise, get there early enough so I'm one of the first on the ship, negating that issue all together. It's a personal decision.

 

There's simply no reason to encroach on others as a way to advertise for NCL... "See what you get to do when you buy the Haven?" 1. I don't see it as a perk, it was annoying as hell. 2. Why would others want be as uncomfortable as I looked?   Was it really a perk?

 

I had absolutely no problem getting on a tender ahead of others, because I was taken through a priority line that didn't push others aside, although they saw us getting on before them, I wasn't inconveniencing them at all. 

[Two Wheels Only]

2 hours ago, Smitheroo said:

I guess a little girl questioned why they werent leaving and her mother (I assume) said in a very sweet way that they would get their turn after all the first class passengers had a chance to get off. 

 

Do you mean the scene with the Irish Little Boy and his mother, Irish Mommy?....

 

 

What bothers me the most about that scene is that the Irish Mommy should have grabbed her M56 Smart Gun  and said "Let's ROCK!!!!" and charged her way through...

 

 

...or at the very least, stabbed her way through with her arm...

 

 

(Jenette Goldstein) 🥂

Edited August 23, 2023 by Two Wheels Only

[kismetique]

34 minutes ago, lgdesign said:

We too can deal with some alone time if need be!

My family are outaged that we will be separated and that he's in First Class.... While I am secretly ecstatic about it!!!🤗

 

I can't wait to bend down and kiss him while he's already sitting in First Class as I walk past to economy!  I think it will be very amusing!

 

I'm planning to ask to buy an upgrade to premium economy if it's available, but I already have really nice seats reserved in economy, if not.

[RocketMan275]

6 minutes ago, kismetique said:

I can't wait to bend down and kiss him while he's already sitting in First Class as I walk past to economy!  I think it will be very amusing!

You need to come  up with something very clever to say after you kiss him.

May I suggest:  "Will I see  you later tonight.?"

[kismetique]

1 minute ago, RocketMan275 said:

May I suggest:  "Will I see  you later tonight.?"

Yes!!!!  Excellent... Thank you!

[Two Wheels Only]

22 minutes ago, kismetique said:

I can't wait to bend down and kiss him while he's already sitting in First Class as I walk past to economy!  I think it will be very amusing!

 

Before you kiss him, say something like "Excuse me, sir. You have very pretty eyes" then kiss him and keep walking. The passengers who witness it will be dumbfounded. 

[Agent999]

2 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Oh WOW!  What a great idea.  I think I'm going to have a t- shirt made that says "I'm in the Haven....ask me how"!

 

That is funny and I know you are joking, but just know that there are some out there who would do exactly that if they could.

 

2 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

What I seriously do not like on this and other social media cruise boards are definitive comments on things like the Haven from those that have never experienced it.  How do they have a frame of reference of how the experience feels other they resentment or longing.  

 

Interesting perspective. First, how would you know if someone had never experienced it? Not everybody shares everything. Second, isn't it a bit myopic to think that someone needs personal experience to comment? I've never had major surgery, but I can still make the comment that recovering from it would be difficult. If experience is necessary, then nobody should ever comment on anything as those without experience shouldn't comment, and those with experience wouldn't need to comment since they already have experience.

 

2 hours ago, Smitheroo said:

Inside that true in life in general?    Or there could be other factors. Maybe Haven people are more curious so ask questions. They have to mention "Haven" or they may not get their question answered.   I often wonder myself where all the inside cabin travelers are.  Only a few identify as such on here.   I dont care that others care about what others think (that's a mouthful)  Its their waste of energy. 

 

Sure. Could be lots of other factors. Sure they could be more curious (although I don't know why a person's curiosity level would be tied to their cabin choice), or they could also just braggarts. Who knows? In any case, I've never seen a situation where a question wouldn't get answered due to whether the person was in the Haven or not. I'm not sure why anyone would think mentioning "Haven" would prompt people to answer questions for you. The inside cabin travelers are all over the place. Maybe they just don't feel the need to preface every post with "I'm in an inside cabin". YMMV.

[Sthrngary]

2 minutes ago, Agent999 said:

Interesting perspective. First, how would you know if someone had never experienced it? Not everybody shares everything. Second, isn't it a bit myopic to think that someone needs personal experience to comment? I've never had major surgery, but I can still make the comment that recovering from it would be difficult. If experience is necessary, then nobody should ever comment on anything as those without experience shouldn't comment, and those with experience wouldn't need to comment since they already have experience.

@Agent999 I am somewhat surprised at your response to me.  Maybe I was not on point with how I outlined my comment.  Anyone on social media can comment on anything they want.  That should be a forgone conclusion.  Yet to address the notion that making determinations of what is felt, received or appreciated is not worth the premium should be done by a person who had it.  Someone who has not had it, is just guessing.  Want to put down Haven, Yacht Club or Retreat on anything other then the price, do it was actual knowledge.  If not, all you are doing is trolling.  

 

My focus on CruiseCritic.com is and always will be only to comment or give my opinion on things I actually have experience and know about intimately.  This helps other with making a business decision to proceed or not to proceed.  To say things like The Haven Pool is awful, the Haven Restaurant is over rated, the Haven bar does not have my brands or the Haven sundeck has bad lounge chair when you have never experienced any of it is wrong.  Especially when you come to a thread focus on the Haven that is all about actual experience.  

 

Look, I don't own NCL Stock.  I do not have any skin in the game to help their sales.  I liked it better when the ships were half filled and the crew could actually provide personalized service.  However, if you forcefully give an opinion that you Like or Dislike something with no personal experience, that is simple wrong.  Since I have been posting on this topic for over six years, I can tell you many complaint come from those that never experience the benefits.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[graphicguy]

30 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

I do not have any skin in the game to help their sales.  I liked it better when the ships were half filled and the crew could actually provide personalized service.  However, if you forcefully give an opinion that you Like or Dislike something with no personal experience, that is simple wrong.  Since I have been posting on this topic for over six years, I can tell you many complaint come from those that never experience the benefits.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

Applause....Applause......

 

 

Edited August 23, 2023 by graphicguy

[Sthrngary]

1 minute ago, graphicguy said:

Applause....Applause......

 

https://youtu.be/jVAjptAp9Kk

@graphicguy I am blushing.  Great video.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.