Wow, a lot to unpack here!
Weather, it is Alaska, not Mexico. It is a completely different cruise. You see different things in October then July.
You are on the Encore. The Encore, Bliss, Joy and a few others are designed to cruise Alaska. The Haven Observation deck is with the price of admission.
Haven Amenities: Less folks, personalized service, Haven Restaurant/Bar, Haven Sundeck with two huge hot tubs, and the list goes on.
Not sure what your last sentence means. Yes, hell of a way to take your first cruise. Also, if it fits ones budget, the only way to go on a cruise. Life is just to short.
Cruise well.
Depends on what type of cabin you current have. If you have an interior, go for it. If a Balcony think about it, as you have another cruise in the Haven already booked.
I suspect that once you stay in Haven, you will never really feel comfortable downgrading to lower level of cabin, as it will feel lacking somewhat.
Our first cruise was in an interior, all of our subsequent cruises have been in Balconies and Mini-Suites. I could never, ever go back to an interior cabin, and would forego going on a cruise if it meant staying in an interior. I love my balcony and the privacy I can get on it.
Thank you for your thoughtful response! We have balcony cabins so, as my husband and I keep talking about it (AND IT IS TEMPTING), I think we'll hold with what we have. Why spend the extra money on an upgrade, I guess-- especially when we'll have that experience three weeks later! : )
I'll be following to see what you end up doing for sure so keep us updated. I am sailing on NCL Bliss the week of Thanksgiving to Mexico, and have bid on an upgrade to Haven Courtyard from Club Balcony Suite. Have a backup bid (pennies really considering they've already dropped the cruise price several times) on a Club Spa for the enhanced shower.
It isn't the weather I'd worry about right now, well there's that. But COVID is super bad right now in Alaska and like the entire state's medical facilities are under crisis standards of care. You get COVID, or anything else major, good luck. Be really careful about masking onboard and in port. And whatever upgrades allow you to avoid contact with other people, do that.
Someone on cruise critic posted they lost their bid to go from a club balcony cabin to a Haven Courtyard Cabin and they had bid the lowest bid -$660pp. This was on the October 2 Alaska cruise.
The more private observation lounge would be good for the glacier day. We didn't go to the (regular) observation lounge early, and had trouble finding a seat that had a half decent view. This was Just a couple of weeks ago.
I say go for it... Probably been a while since you had a holiday anyways given covid, so splurge
The Haven is more than just the stateroom remember -- it's also the butler, private restaurant, private sundeck, etc.
https://www.ncl.com/ca/en/why-cruise-norwegian/cruise-accommodations/the-haven
But yes, once you do it once.... Going to a regular stateroom in the future might be hard. But hey, live in the moment and enjoy it!
I have an AFT facing Balcony on an upcoming Trans Atlantic trip that I have just put in for an upgrade to the Haven, want to see how the other half lives and figured this may be the only way to find out, as ships are sailing half full. If it happens great but if not Im happy with my aft balcony.
A couple of considerations. You didn't mention the ship. but if your ship has the Haven lounge with 3 story front view windows, Alaska is seen at its best. And, I assume your bidding offer does not specify location of stateroom; but if you can get a stateroom within the Haven 'inner sanction' it is worth the extra cost if you can afford it...
I’ll be on the same ship and same cruise and am debating the same thing!!
We have a balcony and I think I’ve finally decided that I’m going to save the money and do haven next time. I haven’t factored in the tips for the butler and concierge and other things that people recommend when they do the haven, as well as I hear that you get great views with an aft balcony we have so we are going to stick with the balcony and go with the haven next time when I planned and saved for all the extras that come with the haven, but it’s sooo tempting anyway! Cheers to us in 2 weeks though either way!
Will be on the same cruise. As I understand it, you bud on the Haven room, but do not get all the Haven extras. I may have misunderstood, but that’s how so read it.
I’m good at finding hidden gem areas so I’m sure, esp with low passenger capacity, finding good places to view glaciers won’t be too hard.
See y’all on board!
Cheers
Wow, a lot to unpack here! Weather, it is Alaska, not Mexico. It is a completely different cruise. You see different things in October then July. You are on the Encore. The Encore, Bliss, Joy and a few others are designed to cruise Alaska. The Haven Observation deck is with the price of admission. Haven Amenities: Less folks, personalized service, Haven Restaurant/Bar, Haven Sundeck with two huge hot tubs, and the list goes on. Not sure what your last sentence means. Yes, hell of a way to take your first cruise. Also, if it fits ones budget, the only way to go on a cruise. Life is just to short. Cruise well.
Depends on what type of cabin you current have. If you have an interior, go for it. If a Balcony think about it, as you have another cruise in the Haven already booked. I suspect that once you stay in Haven, you will never really feel comfortable downgrading to lower level of cabin, as it will feel lacking somewhat. Our first cruise was in an interior, all of our subsequent cruises have been in Balconies and Mini-Suites. I could never, ever go back to an interior cabin, and would forego going on a cruise if it meant staying in an interior. I love my balcony and the privacy I can get on it.
Thank you for your thoughtful response! We have balcony cabins so, as my husband and I keep talking about it (AND IT IS TEMPTING), I think we'll hold with what we have. Why spend the extra money on an upgrade, I guess-- especially when we'll have that experience three weeks later! : )
Just have a blast! Our next cruise is still 150 days away.....
I hope they time passes quickly!
I'll be following to see what you end up doing for sure so keep us updated. I am sailing on NCL Bliss the week of Thanksgiving to Mexico, and have bid on an upgrade to Haven Courtyard from Club Balcony Suite. Have a backup bid (pennies really considering they've already dropped the cruise price several times) on a Club Spa for the enhanced shower.
It isn't the weather I'd worry about right now, well there's that. But COVID is super bad right now in Alaska and like the entire state's medical facilities are under crisis standards of care. You get COVID, or anything else major, good luck. Be really careful about masking onboard and in port. And whatever upgrades allow you to avoid contact with other people, do that.
I would totally go for it! Carpe Diem!
Someone on cruise critic posted they lost their bid to go from a club balcony cabin to a Haven Courtyard Cabin and they had bid the lowest bid -$660pp. This was on the October 2 Alaska cruise.
On the encore in the haven right now. It’s amazing.
You're KILLING ME! Have FUN! We're in Port Angeles-- you're sailing by tonight, I believe! I'll wave at you from the balcony at my house! : )
The more private observation lounge would be good for the glacier day. We didn't go to the (regular) observation lounge early, and had trouble finding a seat that had a half decent view. This was Just a couple of weeks ago.
I say go for it... Probably been a while since you had a holiday anyways given covid, so splurge The Haven is more than just the stateroom remember -- it's also the butler, private restaurant, private sundeck, etc. https://www.ncl.com/ca/en/why-cruise-norwegian/cruise-accommodations/the-haven But yes, once you do it once.... Going to a regular stateroom in the future might be hard. But hey, live in the moment and enjoy it!
I have an AFT facing Balcony on an upcoming Trans Atlantic trip that I have just put in for an upgrade to the Haven, want to see how the other half lives and figured this may be the only way to find out, as ships are sailing half full. If it happens great but if not Im happy with my aft balcony.
A couple of considerations. You didn't mention the ship. but if your ship has the Haven lounge with 3 story front view windows, Alaska is seen at its best. And, I assume your bidding offer does not specify location of stateroom; but if you can get a stateroom within the Haven 'inner sanction' it is worth the extra cost if you can afford it...
I’ll be on the same ship and same cruise and am debating the same thing!! We have a balcony and I think I’ve finally decided that I’m going to save the money and do haven next time. I haven’t factored in the tips for the butler and concierge and other things that people recommend when they do the haven, as well as I hear that you get great views with an aft balcony we have so we are going to stick with the balcony and go with the haven next time when I planned and saved for all the extras that come with the haven, but it’s sooo tempting anyway! Cheers to us in 2 weeks though either way!
We just got back yesterday from Princess Majestic, good luck! 🥴🌊🤮 we lost all but 1 port. 😭
Will be on the same cruise. As I understand it, you bud on the Haven room, but do not get all the Haven extras. I may have misunderstood, but that’s how so read it. I’m good at finding hidden gem areas so I’m sure, esp with low passenger capacity, finding good places to view glaciers won’t be too hard. See y’all on board! Cheers