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

[DCGuy64]

31 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

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. 

And that's why many people on here like and respect you. I don't disagree with @Agent999 about not having to experience something in order to comment. If I say "I don't like clams," and someone says "oh, but you have to try Clams Casino," I don't need to try that particular dish to know that since it contains clams, I probably won't like it. Making a general comment without prior experience is fine. He suggested that he didn't need to have major surgery to know it would take time to recover. But by way of analogy, it would be like saying "Dr. Smith is a terrible surgeon, but I've never been treated by him." That isn't a general comment, it's quite specific, so having no actual experience lessens its value. You might say that the Haven doesn't seem like a good deal, but to go on and make specific criticisms of the food, pool, service, etc., that you've never experienced, is really unhelpful. 

[RocketMan275]

2 hours ago, DCGuy64 said:

And that's why many people on here like and respect you. I don't disagree with @Agent999 about not having to experience something in order to comment. If I say "I don't like clams," and someone says "oh, but you have to try Clams Casino," I don't need to try that particular dish to know that since it contains clams, I probably won't like it.

Nine times out of ten, when I say I don't like liver, someone will say: "You need to try this recipe, it doesn't taste like liver."  Well, why would someone want to make a recipe that doesn't taste like what's in it?

[RocketMan275]

3 hours ago, Agent999 said:

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.

There are reasons for mentioning the Haven in a qustion.    

For example suppose I want to know what is served in the haven for breakfast.

I could ask, 'what's for breakfast'.  Might get a bunch of irrelevant answers describing the mdr menu.

Or I could ask, 'what's for breakfast in the haven'.  

[Ozzieru1e]

6 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

@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. 

My first cruise cabin in 2016 was a balcony on the Breakaway, 2017 MinSuite on the Gem, 2018 MiniSuite on the Escape; and, I’ve only experienced the Haven once resulting from winning an upgrade from MiniSuite into a Penthouse Courtyard Suite on the Escape in 2019.  As you see I am new to cruising but I know what I like. MiniSuites on the Escape was nice and I discovered was a balcony cabin with a larger bathroom; but, I did loved the larger walk in shower.  I don’t remember much about the Gem except for the tiny 13” TV in the cabin and that I never will cruise on the Gem again!  Cabin feel is important to me and the Haven felt like home (without a butler 😆)❗️I had reserved the Haven on the Bliss in 2020 but Covid HIT‼️. What I enjoy mostly about the Haven is the Suite decor and the Haven restaurant…no crowds and satisfying meals.  I wanted to try a Haven Suite with a separate bedroom outside the Haven complex but then on disembarkation I would not be able to take my luggage onto the service elevator in the Haven complex.  As a result from my experiences, I decided to reserve a Haven Penthouse Courtyard Suite with a large balcony on the Joy in 2024…the large balcony should make the experience different since I’ve only had small balconies on previous cruises.

I’m saying all this to say many who talks about the Haven is because it is a wonderful experience.  I love hearing different opinions about cruising no matter what cabins cruisers are occupying.  The only negative about the Haven is the price but it’s worth it to some.  I could save $900-$1200 if I reserved a Haven Suite outside the Haven complex but I like convenience.  Since I will only be cruising with my adult daughter I wouldn’t feel right to even consider bidding on a two bedroom Suite in the complex…there are those who probably could use a larger Suite for parties of 4-6.  Not to mention I’m paying a lot as it is…as I said I know what I like and I like the Haven. 

Happy Cruising 😎🍷

[Agent999]

1 hour ago, RocketMan275 said:

There are reasons for mentioning the Haven in a qustion.    

For example suppose I want to know what is served in the haven for breakfast.

I could ask, 'what's for breakfast'.  Might get a bunch of irrelevant answers describing the mdr menu.

Or I could ask, 'what's for breakfast in the haven'.  

 

Well, sure, when it is relevant it makes sense. However, my comment was on the number of times Haven is mentioned when it isn't relevant. Make sense now?

 

For example, suppose I want to know if I can have a snack. 

I could ask, "will the butler bring me a snack", but I don't have to say "I'm staying in the Haven in the Haven Owner's Suite. Will the Haven butler bring me a snack?"

[RocketMan275]

45 minutes ago, Agent999 said:

 

Well, sure, when it is relevant it makes sense. However, my comment was on the number of times Haven is mentioned when it isn't relevant. Make sense now?

 

For example, suppose I want to know if I can have a snack. 

I could ask, "will the butler bring me a snack", but I don't have to say "I'm staying in the Haven in the Haven Owner's Suite. Will the Haven butler bring me a snack?"

When you say:  "will the butler ....", you have said you're staying in the Haven.

[Two Wheels Only]

45 minutes ago, Agent999 said:

For example, suppose I want to know if I can have a snack. 

I could ask, "will the butler bring me a snack", but I don't have to say "I'm staying in the Haven in the Haven Owner's Suite. Will the Haven butler bring me a snack?"

 

Sometimes (not always), amenities differ from one suite category to the next. Mentioning DOS can have a different answer when it comes to mini-bar/soda cans, for example. Mentioning "3BR Garden Villa..." can have a different answer if the question relates to balcony smoking, for example.

 

It isn't always humble bragging but it does happen, sometimes.

[Ozzieru1e]

2 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

Nine times out of ten, when I say I don't like liver, someone will say: "You need to try this recipe, it doesn't taste like liver."  Well, why would someone want to make a recipe that doesn't taste like what's in it?

Sometimes it’s for the nutritional value.  I use to not like liver either but my Mother would cook liver smothered in onions/gravy and it would taste like a steak.  I think a good cook could make anything taste good.

[RocketMan275]

11 hours ago, Ozzieru1e said:

Sometimes it’s for the nutritional value.  I use to not like liver either but my Mother would cook liver smothered in onions/gravy and it would taste like a steak.  I think a good cook could make anything taste good.

Except liver.

[RocketMan275]

11 hours ago, Ozzieru1e said:

Sometimes it’s for the nutritional value.  I use to not like liver either but my Mother would cook liver smothered in onions/gravy and it would taste like a steak.  I think a good cook could make anything taste good.

A perfect example of someone telling me that I need to try their recipe that doesn't taste like liver. Your favorite recipe masks the liver by covering it with gravy and onions. That is nothing more than a waste of good gravy and onions.

[DCGuy64]

15 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

A perfect example of someone telling me that I need to try their recipe that doesn't taste like liver. Your favorite recipe masks the liver by covering it with gravy and onions. That is nothing more than a waste of good gravy and onions.

Exactly. As you said before, if you have to hide the flavor, then it really isn't about tasting the main ingredient anymore, it's about disguising it. 🤷‍♂️

[justhappy]

5 minutes ago, DCGuy64 said:

Exactly. As you said before, if you have to hide the flavor, then it really isn't about tasting the main ingredient anymore, it's about disguising it. 🤷‍♂️

And then there are some foods which function only as a delivery vehicle for butter and garlic and Parmesan cheese. Looking at you escargot. Looking at you oysters. Hate you naked, love you loaded!

[DCGuy64]

9 minutes ago, justhappy said:

And then there are some foods which function only as a delivery vehicle for butter and garlic and Parmesan cheese. Looking at you escargot. Looking at you oysters. Hate you naked, love you loaded!

100% right! French bread is a great delivery vehicle for garlic, butter, basil, mozzarella, salt, chopped tomato, etc. 😁

[Ozzieru1e]

1 hour ago, RocketMan275 said:

Except liver.

Funny 😄 

[graphicguy]

You could smother it in bacon, sausage gravy, cheez whiz, cheddar, etc.  I still hate liver…always have, always will.  

 

I don’t like the smell of it.  I don’t like the looks of it.  And, I certainly don’t like the taste of it, no matter how it’s prepared.

 

When I left my parents’ home at 18, I swore I’d never eat what they forced me to eat again.  I’ve stuck to my word.

 

And, that’s all I have to say about that!

[DCGuy64]

2 hours ago, graphicguy said:

You could smother it in bacon, sausage gravy, cheez whiz, cheddar, etc.  I still hate liver…always have, always will.  

 

I don’t like the smell of it.  I don’t like the looks of it.  And, I certainly don’t like the taste of it, no matter how it’s prepared.

 

When I left my parents’ home at 18, I swore I’d never eat what they forced me to eat again.  I’ve stuck to my word.

 

And, that’s all I have to say about that!

Same here, it's disgusting (to me, anyway). The only quasi-exception is something they used to sell in Cincinnati where my mom is from, called Braunschweiger. That stuff was delicious.

[graphicguy]

10 minutes ago, DCGuy64 said:

Same here, it's disgusting (to me, anyway). The only quasi-exception is something they used to sell in Cincinnati where my mom is from, called Braunschweiger. That stuff was delicious.

I knew there was a reason I liked you!!!!! 😉

[Von & John]

40 minutes ago, DCGuy64 said:

Same here, it's disgusting (to me, anyway). The only quasi-exception is something they used to sell in Cincinnati where my mom is from, called Braunschweiger. That stuff was delicious.

 

Hahaha  --  my Mom grew up in Wisconsin...
She loved her Braunschweiger...
Never ate that nor liver 🙂 
There were only (2) meals we were exempt from growing up....
Liver (any kind) Mom loved & Dad hated.

The 2nd one Dad loved & Mom hated - I don't even remember what that was...

But I sure remember the smell of the liver.

We had to taste each once & then that was it...

Everything else we were force fed...
With you @graphicguy  - all that taught me was to be more stubborn than Mom & Dad...

And I certainly don't eat those items since I left for college @ 17...

[RocketMan275]

25 minutes ago, Von & John said:

Liver (any kind) Mom loved & Dad hated.

I have a suspicion that the attraction to liver is something peculiar to the female of the species. 

I've met very few men who find liver appealing.  

[graphicguy]

Liver and onions were big in people's households where I grew up.  I think it's popular overall in the Midwest.  You could always tell what was cooking when you smelled it in your friends' household when they invited you to dinner with their family.  Always an invitation I regretted upon opening their door to join them.

 

My Father, who grew up in Europe, loved "baccala", which is salt cod.  From what he relayed to me, the reason they salted it so heavily was to preserve it.  No matter, I still didn't like it. Smelled bad while cooking it, which I could never get over.  But, during Lenten Season, it was a staple in our household.  We were forced to eat it.  I think that had a lot to do with me not liking it.

 

But, these days, I've tried it again.  And, it really has a mild flavor after you rinse it throughly.  Still not something I'd ever seek out.

 

I am SO VERY HAPPY none of these dishes are offered anywhere on any of the cruise ship dining establishments.  You think the smoking smell in the casino is bad.  How would you like to get a whiff of liver and onions while walking up to the hostesses pedestal?

 

Welcome to another episode of Cooking with GG! 😉

[DCGuy64]

14 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Liver and onions were big in people's households where I grew up.  I think it's popular overall in the Midwest.

My late father-in-law was fond of liver and onions. Yecch! There's something so stomach-turning about eating an organ designed to filter toxins, amirite?

[ColeThornton]

1 minute ago, DCGuy64 said:

My late father-in-law was fond of liver and onions. Yecch! There's something so stomach-turning about eating an organ designed to filter toxins, amirite?

 

As opposed to eating a rump roast or chicken eggs?  lol

[Two Wheels Only]

11 minutes ago, ColeThornton said:

 

As opposed to eating a rump roast or chicken eggs?  lol

 

I guess Rocky Mountain Oysters aren't even up for discussion, huh? 🤢

[DCGuy64]

5 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

I guess Rocky Mountain Oysters aren't even up for discussion, huh? 🤢

Glad you put the green man there, barf!

[graphicguy]

7 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

I guess Rocky Mountain Oysters aren't even up for discussion, huh? 🤢

Never had them....no desire to start!