Escape 8/6, Haven LIVE-ish

[Monica887]

Went back to the room for some balcony time and have alllll the snacks. We're going to actually have to ask them to slow down on the snacks. Too much of it goes to waste, but it IS fun to see each day. And I just accidentally took a bite of turkey thinking it was cheese, since I talked to him about cheese yesterday when reviewing my vegetarian preferences and sandwiches. Sigh. 

 

 

On the plus side, the bathroom does smell better, though strongly of a cleaning product, so hopefully that actually cleaned it and didn't just cover it up!!

[goldmom]

OMG, that fruit plate is gorgeous.  Did you request it?  

Loving your lazy day.  That's my plan too in a few weeks.

Be lazy and enjoy!

[Monica887]

Just now, goldmom said:

OMG, that fruit plate is gorgeous.  Did you request it?  

Loving your lazy day.  That's my plan too in a few weeks.

Be lazy and enjoy!

Nope, that's just what was sent! Same with the sandwiches. The pastries were sent by an officer my Aunt remembered and greeted from a past cruise. And the chocolates from the casino. 

[Monica887]

Super fun night! We eventually ventured out of the Haven for Choir of Man. For the record, I wasn't going to drink tonight because my stomach wasn't feeling great from yesterday's eating and drinking. But first....

 

DINNER AT THE HAVEN 

 

I was a little worried because the menu doesn't change and I hate asking for major accommodations. But they are so accommodating and offer suggestions and ways to help. Tonight I ordered from the menu but will work with them next time to try other things. Tonight was the raviolo. And a full salad size portion of the kale side salad. Both delicious! Aunt had trout. 

Had the OMG Butterscotch Cheesecake which was good but not OMG. 

 

We had an open bottle of wine being held for us at Bayamo from last night, but instead of getting us that one they opened a whole new bottle. And poured me a very large glass. And I didn't want it to go to waste, so drinking happened.

 

 

CHOIR OF MAN

 

For the 9:30 show, Haven guests are asked to gather in the Haven lounge at 8:45. They bring us down a service elevator into the empty theatre to sit wherever we like. I had a nice aisle seat in the second row. The show is just a music medley that takes place in a pub with all the regulars of the pub. They invite audience members up on stage to get a beer before the show. So more drinking happened. Then Aunt goes ahead and tells the cast it's my birthday (still not yet, but I guess it's all week now!) and yada yada yada the show starts and I get dragged up on stage and have to dance with some super cute cast member half my age. And I don't dance. And now I'm dead of embarrassment. And I sit at the on-stage bar for the rest of the scene while they give me another beer. 

 

 

Which leads me to tipsy typing in bed to all of you. Because better here than on my actual socials. 

 

Tomorrow: Roatan, day passes at the spa, and Cagney's

[cruiseny4life]

You are certainly experiencing the absolute best of the Haven! I can only hope my days in the Haven are half as good as yours. I hope your day in Roatan is amazing, and I am sure your day in the spa will be just perfect! 

 

Keep loving life and enjoying the good life! 

[Monica887]

I'll do a few separate posts for today.

 

Coffee in the room, breakfast in the Haven. No exciting pics, because I forgot, but my beautiful life-giving iced coffee was there for me. I had eggs Benedict with tomato instead of Canadian bacon. Aunt had the pancakes. Both good choices. 

 

 

Pulled into Roatan early, with no plan at all, but after yesterday's laziness figured we should walk a bit. It didn't appear that there was much beyond the port stores, but I didn't look into it that much. We browsed the shops. It was too early in the morning but otherwise we would have gotten some nachos and frozen drinks or something. Bought some color changing nail polish for my 9 year old at home. 

 

Getting off the ship was a breeze, meeting in the Haven lounge and being brought down the service elevator elevator. And when we got back on, asked if there was a Haven entrance, and they had someone escort us up the elevator. Since I'm clearly turning into a Haven-snob, I will say that I do hope that newer ships will have a dedicated elevator and not just the service one!

 

 

 

 

 

[Girr]

I wonder if using the service elevator is a conceirge decision.  I've never thought about it before, but I know on some ships they reserve one of the elevators for Haven, yet on others it's the service elevator.

 

Either way, I'll take it!  😀

Edited August 8, 2023 by Girr
Adding info.

[Monica887]

After returning from the port, we relaxed in the spa with our day passes for a little while. It was very quiet with only a handful of people and we had a whole side section to ourselves. The padded loungers are fantastic. The hard heated ones are nice for a while, but too hard for me for a longer period of time. There are towels and robes, oranges, infused and regular water, and tea. 

 

We had lunch in the Haven, and I missed a few pictures, but she had the couscous salad with shrimp and the angel hair with shrimp. 

 

 

 

I had the mushroom flatbread and a Cobb salad minus the meat. 

 

 

She had the banoffee and I had the pavlova. I was obsessed with the pavlova and could eat that every day!

 

 

 

Next spa post in a minute...it's easier for picture posting to separate them!

[Monica887]

ln this post, I will give my definitive answer to the age old question, "IS THE SPA PASS WORTH IT IF I'M IN HAVEN?"

 

In the spa, we tried everything! I didn't get pics of everything since after lunch time it did get more crowded and I couldn't take a million pics. Not too crowded though, at all. I do wonder how packed it is on a sea day. 

 

There's a sauna, a sanarium (like the sauna but not as dry), steam room, snow room, salt room, and the therapy pool with hot tub. We alternated between each of the hot rooms and the snow room, before ending in the salt room. I sweated, I froze, a good time was had by all. 

 

 

 

 

 

All clean and relaxing, often having space to ourselves, and occasionally encountering some friendly folks. 

 

***So, would I get the weekly spa pass next time? If I wasn't in Haven, 100% without a doubt. It's peaceful and relaxing, and an oasis of calm on a ship full of people. I thoroughly enjoyed it. But if I had the Haven pool area, it provides a lot of the same luxuries - a more comfortable space to lounge, an un-crowded hot tub, and peace and quiet away from crowds. I don't think you need both. But as they say, your milage may vary. ***

 

We got back to the room and snacks were waiting, of course. We did put in some specific requests, which they met. She wanted pb&j, I wanted veggies and dip. 

 

 

I also discovered that the little espresso cups in the room are the perfect vessel for the mini M&Ms that they keep well stocked for us! 

 

 

Until tonight....

[Molokai-Chuck]

Great Job keeping us informed through your words and Photos! Any chance you might be

able to do the Freestyle daily's scanned in?

 

Thanks for your work!

 

Chuck

[Monica887]

Just now, Molokai-Chuck said:

Great Job keeping us informed through your words and Photos! Any chance you might be

able to do the Freestyle daily's scanned in?

 

Thanks for your work!

 

Chuck

 

Here's today, day 3! Can't bring up other days on the app, and I'll check to see if I have the paper ones still. free-style-daily.pdf

[Sand and Seas]

Thanks for sharing!  Love your photos. I miss that Banana Banoffee.  They had mini's of that dessert in the Haven's Horizon lounge on the Bliss.

 

Have you tried the roasted tomato over spagetti squash at lunch yet?  I'm not a vegetarian, but I loved that dish on the Haven lunch menu on Bliss & Getaway 😋

[Monica887]

Just now, Sand and Seas said:

Thanks for sharing!  Love your photos. I miss that Banana Banoffee.  They had mini's of that dessert in the Haven's Horizon lounge on the Bliss.

 

Have you tried the roasted tomato over spagetti squash at lunch yet?  I'm not a vegetarian, but I loved that dish on the Haven lunch menu on Bliss & Getaway 😋

I haven't yet but I will! A mini banoffee would be perfect - this was huge, especially for lunch time. 

[Monica887]

Day 1 Daily

 

 

 

 

[Monica887]

Day 2 Daily

 

 

 

 

[Monica887]

Day 3 Daily

 

 

 

 

[Candy Apple 12]

3 hours ago, Monica887 said:

I'll do a few separate posts for today.

 

Coffee in the room, breakfast in the Haven. No exciting pics, because I forgot, but my beautiful life-giving iced coffee was there for me. I had eggs Benedict with tomato instead of Canadian bacon. Aunt had the pancakes. Both good choices. 

Pulled into Roatan early, with no plan at all, but after yesterday's laziness figured we should walk a bit. It didn't appear that there was much beyond the port stores, but I didn't look into it that much. We browsed the shops. It was too early in the morning but otherwise we would have gotten some nachos and frozen drinks or something. Bought some color changing nail polish for my 9 year old at home. 

 

Getting off the ship was a breeze, meeting in the Haven lounge and being brought down the service elevator elevator. And when we got back on, asked if there was a Haven entrance, and they had someone escort us up the elevator. Since I'm clearly turning into a Haven-snob, I will say that I do hope that newer ships will have a dedicated elevator and not just the service one!

 

 

Good idea to ask about the Haven elevator after returning from a port. Hubby and I try to hoof it up the stairs (he usually makes it; my reconstructed knee makes it about 10 decks), but my mom and in-laws could definitely used this perk.  

 

1 hour ago, Monica887 said:

ln this post, I will give my definitive answer to the age old question, "IS THE SPA PASS WORTH IT IF I'M IN HAVEN?"

 

In the spa, we tried everything! I didn't get pics of everything since after lunch time it did get more crowded and I couldn't take a million pics. Not too crowded though, at all. I do wonder how packed it is on a sea day. 

 

There's a sauna, a sanarium (like the sauna but not as dry), steam room, snow room, salt room, and the therapy pool with hot tub. We alternated between each of the hot rooms and the snow room, before ending in the salt room. I sweated, I froze, a good time was had by all. 

 

 

All clean and relaxing, often having space to ourselves, and occasionally encountering some friendly folks. 

 

***So, would I get the weekly spa pass next time? If I wasn't in Haven, 100% without a doubt. It's peaceful and relaxing, and an oasis of calm on a ship full of people. I thoroughly enjoyed it. But if I had the Haven pool area, it provides a lot of the same luxuries - a more comfortable space to lounge, an un-crowded hot tub, and peace and quiet away from crowds. I don't think you need both. But as they say, your milage may vary. ***

 

We got back to the room and snacks were waiting, of course. We did put in some specific requests, which they met. She wanted pb&j, I wanted veggies and dip. 

 

 

I also discovered that the little espresso cups in the room are the perfect vessel for the mini M&Ms that they keep well stocked for us! 

 

 

Until tonight....

 

Love the idea of asking for veggies and dip! Mini cups for mini M&Ms!

Edited August 8, 2023 by Candy Apple 12

[Mommapadraig]

Have you had a chance to see The Company of Men?We saw them on the Epic. Fantastic! 

[Monica887]

52 minutes ago, Mommapadraig said:

Have you had a chance to see The Company of Men?We saw them on the Epic. Fantastic! 

Oh, thank you! I blew all my money in the casino, listened to music in a few bars and had just sat down to try to figure out what to do next. Perfect timing!

 

[Molokai-Chuck]

A Big Mahalo for the Freestyles!!!!

Chuck

[debenson0723]

The Prima has a dedicated Haven elevator in the aft of the ship, starting on deck 6 or 7 (can't remember which). It's nice but you sometimes have to wait quite a while if there are lots of people coming up or down at the same time.

[Monica887]

Day 4 Daily

 

 

 

 

[Monica887]

Quick late night update - 

 

Cagney's for dinner. My vegetarian self actually really likes it, on a comfort food level - a wedge salad, and a baked potato with sides. Simple and delicious. Aunt had the crab cake but didn't love it - she doesn't like the shredded up type of crab, and didn't care for the seasoning. Her steak was cooked perfectly to her liking. 

 

 

She had the blueberry crumble for dessert and I had the chocolate cake since everyone here raves about it.

 I am super critical of NCLs desserts and this was definitely one of the better ones. 

 

 

Thank you to @Mommapadraig for the Company of Men suggestion. I had been wandering in and out of bars looking for the right music after losing at the casino, so her suggestion came just before the show started! Fun music, and the perfect way to end the evening. 

 

The Haven pool has a nice quiet vibe at night too, so I relaxed a bit before heading back to the room. 

 

 

Tomorrow - Harvest Caye where I have an excursion to see monkeys!

 

[Mommapadraig]

I’m glad you enjoyed the Company Men music! (I have to correct myself..I always want to add “of” in their name). I’m Looking forward to your report of your day in Harvest Caye.

[Monica887]

Day 4, Harvest Caye, Belize

Breakfast and excursion

 

BREAKFAST

 

Every waiter now knows my coffee order. I ate more avocado toast. 

 

MONKEY RIVER ECO TOUR

 

We woke up to rain, but it was gone before the 8:30 tour. We were escorted down from the Haven. The pier is LONG, but there are carts shuttling people back and forth. We walked. Signage was good, and all tours left from the Marina. The Marina itself was a bit chaotic - you have to pay attention to find your group. 

 

We boarded a 20 passenger boat, a little squished together. We got lucky with a great group of friendly people. 

 

The boat first goes quickly through sea water to get to the river lined with mangroves. You WILL get wet. Then we slowed down while the guides pointed out wildlife and plants. My phone camera is awful, so I'll spare you all the blurry little birds and bats. But we saw crabs, lizards, birds, bats, iguanas, and of course howler monkeys. Would have liked more time to watch the monkeys, but it was still fun to see them. 

 

We got off the boat for a brief "hike" which was on a narrow paved path. The guide was knowledgeable and talked about how certain plants were used for medicinal or building purposes. There we also saw a snake and some impressively large spiders. 

 

I wore long hiking pants and a long sleeve sun shirt, and I'm glad I did! We were all covered in mosquitos, even with bug spray. Closed toe shoes would have been a smart move. We turned around to make our way back, including a brief stop at a "gift store" of small trinkets, local beer and soda, and the bathroom (for $1). 

 

I loved that it wasn't a far away excursion - no bus needed! And the small group was nice so we could talk to each other, and ask questions. 

 

Accessibility wise, you need to be able to take a couple of big steps onto a boat and sit all smushed together. You don't have to get off for the walk, but I included a picture of the path for reference. 

 

Here are some slightly less blurry pics. 

 

 

Iguana

 

Bird

 

 

 

The pathway for the "hike"

 

Snake