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Norwegian’s Haven Experience is Heaven

I recently had the opportunity to sail for a week aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s brand new ship the Escape. Not only did I get to experience all the bells and whistles of a new ship, but I got to sail in an exclusive area of the ship called the “Haven”. It can best be described as a tranquil, relaxing, retreat from the hustle and bustle of a 4,000+ passenger ship. Or in one word, Amazing!

selfieTo set the stage I should mention that this was my 30th cruise, so I have a pretty good base for what a cruise should be like. Also, to put into perspective there are only about 300 passengers with access to the Haven out of over 4,000 on this sailing. I loved almost everything about this ship but the Haven was truly an appreciated bonus. It made for what I possibly consider the best cruise I have been on. I couldn’t resist including my traditional cruise selfie!

The Haven experience begins immediately after getting through the port security as you are invited to be checked in through the Haven Lounge. They offer water, coffee, and small snacks in the waiting area and you are seated in comfortable couches to wait for your key cards. Depending on your arrival time to the port you still may have to wait to board the ship, but as soon as the ship is cleared to take on passengers you will be some of the first guests onboard.

You are escorted to the Haven lounge and introduced to the concierge. The concierge goes over important details for the week and lets you know what he or she can do for you. You are then dismissed to go drop off any luggage in your suite, go get lunch, or explore the ship as you please. Below you will see the Haven courtyard which includes a private pool, Jacuzzis, and loungers.

Next up was our “special” cabin. We booked what is called a Haven Spa Suite. Not only did we have access to the Haven and all of its perks but we also had access for the week in the Spa Thermal Suite. I have not spent much time in the thermal spa on previous cruises but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I spent an hour or two in there every morning and left feeling refreshed.

Our cabin was located next to the spa and one deck down from the Haven itself. What is interesting is that this category of cabin is usually one of the lower priced Haven Suites yet it’s the only one to come with spa access. The Haven Spa Suite is clearly aimed towards couples as it only allows for double occupancy and has only one king sized bed.

Most standard cruise cabins have a king that is comprised of two twins pushed together. On top of all this it also has an in suite Jacuzzi tub, pictured below. We checked out the cabin for a bit and while we were there we were introduced to our butler. The butler can get you anything you may need from room service to afternoon snacks to drawn baths. It is just another one of the great perks of being in the Haven.

In addition to everything I’ve mentioned so far the Haven also comes with a private sun deck (seen below), a private restaurant open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, a private bar, and a laundry list of added perks and benefits. We got to experience all the public venues on this beautiful ship but it was always nice to have this retreat.

While I would love to say I could afford to sail this way every cruise, the truth is I cannot. However, if you can, this is the way to go. And for those of you in my situation you at least have to try it once! It truly was a fantastic way to experience the Norwegian Escape and cruising in general. Does the NCL Haven experience sound like it’s for you?

Written by Matt Theriault.

You can follow more of Matts’ cruise adventures through the following channels.
Cruise Life Facebook Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/CruiseLifeMatt/
Instagram & Periscope – @CruiseLifeMatt

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Two Ships in Two Days — A Study in Contrasts

Over the past weekend I had the opportunity to inspect two wonderful – and remarkably different – new shups

Saturday, Carnival Vista.  Big, beautiful, and bold.   Boarding at the Atrium, the ship was rocking & rolling with up-tempo music creating a typical Carnival party hearty atmosphere.  The main pool was already well utilized with guests soaking up the rays with the live steel drums maintaining the party atmosphere.   The casino is huge.  Entertainment options abound on this ship and even the most hyperactive among us would be challenged to hit all of them in a 7-night itinerary.   Water park, IMAX theater, ropes course, sky ride elevated bikes – Havana Lounge, Red Frog, Blue Iguana – production shows, comedians … the list just goes on.

While activity options abound at every turn, my exploration uncovered plenty of areas where guests seeking a quieter, gentler cruise experience could relax in peace and comfort.   Grab a good book and head toward the adults-only Serenity enclave …  I also found the aft pool area to be peaceful and almost totally deserted during my tour.

Vista is currently sailing 6- and 8-night itineraries from Miami.  This would be a perfect ship for families, for multi-generational groups traveling together, for any cruisers who prefer a high energy cruise environment with an array of activity and entertainment options.  She will move to the Port of Galveston later next fall.

PROS:   Loved the food, one of the best meals I’ve eaten on any ship anywhere; Havana Lounge; Kid’s program second to none; the prevalence of outdoor areas where a cruiser can connect with the ocean.

CONS:   Not much of a fan of the ship’s atrium area which seemed rather cramped to me; casino area had definite lingering odor of cigarette smoke; and I really did miss the white tablecloths in the formal dining room.

 

Sunday, Holland America Koningsdam   Classy, understated, elegant.   Holland’s new ship may be the largest in their fleet, but it remains a mid-sized ship with an upscale, intimate atmosphere.  HAL has moved to add touches of contemporary flare to their fleet, but they (thankfully!) still very much adhere to their traditional roots.   No climbing walls or water parks on these ships where instead you can enjoy an afternoon high tea, a wine tasting event, or perhaps a hands-on cooking class led by a well-known chef.

Entertainment still abounds onboard … though far less “in your face” than zip lines and belly flop contests.  Music is a resounding theme onboard Koningsdam.  B.B. King’s Blues Club offers classic blues as well as pop favorites.  Lincoln Center features outstanding classical presentations, while Billboard On Board features what you might expect – billboard classics.  And yes, there is a good-sized casino onboard as well.

Koningsdam could be a clear choice for cruisers who appreciate a mid-size vessel featuring fine dining, exceptional wines, beers and whiskeys, and enrichment programs over frenetic activity.   It is also a fine ship for families who prefer a more subdued family atmosphere.  The ship has great kid’s programming and a variety of oceanview and interior staterooms designed specifically for families.  Many accommodate as many as five passengers that offer split bathrooms that could have been taken straight from Disney’s playbook.

PROS:   Great food, varied enrichment options and intuitive service on intimate mid-size ships.  Elegant and refined shipboard experience – without a hint of stuffy.  I didn’t detect even the slightest hint of smoke in their casino.

CONS:   I found the suites I inspected to be surprisingly small, even cramped – though the bathrooms were large and beautifully appointed.  Very much a contrast with some of the expansive suite spaces found even on Royal Caribbean and Norwegian.

 

SO – Vista or Koningsdam – which brand of cruiser are you?   These days there truly is a ship and cruise style for almost any traveler.   We are available to help you sort through the lines, ships and itineraries to best suit your travel style, preferences and budget.  Contact us today … we welcome your questions.

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Carnival Sails Again!! – July, 2021

Carnival Cruise Line kicked off its first cruise in almost 16 months from Port Miami today with the departure of Carnival Horizon.

It’s the second Carnival ship back in cruising action in two days as the Vista sailed from Galveston on July 3.

Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy, Carnival Corporation President and CEO Arnold Donald and Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald kicked off the festivities with a ribbon-cutting ceremony officially welcoming guests on board. Prior to Duffy’s remarks, a moment of silence was held to honor those affected by the tragedy in Surfside.

“PortMiami is our number one homeport in terms of ships and passenger embarkations and today’s return to cruising with Carnival Horizon represents an important first step in getting our company back to business while infusing much-needed capital to the thousands of workers who rely on the cruise industry for their livelihood,” said Duffy. “The past year has been challenging to say the least and I wish to thank our state and local officials, Port Miami, and our business partners and suppliers for their incredible support and patience during this time.”

“The restart of cruise ships from Miami is an exciting day for Miami’s longshoremen. We have approximately 800 members at Port Miami and their wages dropped as much as 80% during the nearly 16-month cruise suspension. Today with Carnival Horizon’s first sailing, we get back to work and look forward to supporting our families again,” said Torin Ragin, president, International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1416.

Carnival Horizon will set sail today at 4 p.m. for a six-day cruise with stops in Amber Cove (Dominican Republic) and the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay.

In addition to Carnival Horizon’s departure this afternoon, Carnival Vista departed Galveston yesterday, with Carnival Breeze departing from Galveston July 15 and Carnival Miracle kicking off the line’s Alaska season from Seattle July 27. Mardi Gras, the line’s newest ship, sets sail from Port Canaveral July 31. Other ships in the Carnival fleet will begin service in August.

Celebrate your next cruise with a tee from Lido Deck Tees

Cruise Industry News

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Vaccinated Cruise: First Impressions

I’m on Carnival Cruise Line’s first ship to set sail in over a year. Here are my first impressions on the vaccinated ship.

https://snip.ly/97fjaf

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Thinking About a 3-Day Cruise? Think Again

We all know that Americans are infamous for overtaxing themselves in their careers—you know: working 80 hours a week, answering work emails at 3 am, and not taking any vacation days. Given the difficulty many of us have getting away for extended periods, a three-night cruise can sound quite appealing – a fun short getaway at a very attractive price point.

As alluring as the concept of this “fun getaway” may seem, the reality of the three-day cruise is that they most always miss the mark. Most of us will invest several hours simply traveling to the cruise port – a loss in travel time, or a significant chunk of our vacation fund, if a flight is involved.

Once at the pier, the morning of embarkation day is spent checking in … followed by an afternoon of unpacking & settling into your stateroom … and ultimately in attending the mandatory safety drill.  It’s not until around the 4 pm sail-away that you are finally able to kick back and begin to fully enjoy your cruise.

On a typical itinerary, you will spend a delightful Day Two of your cruise exploring colorful Nassau, while Day Three might call at the cruise line’s private island, or perhaps provide a relaxing sea day. Remember, however, that some portion of this third day will find you attending the ship’s disembarkation lecture … with a good chunk of your last evening spent packing up and preparing to disembark the next morning.

As the above typical itinerary demonstrates, for the majority of cruisers, a three-day itinerary means you may spend  more time traveling and settling in than actually enjoying the destination and shipboard amenities!  A three-day cruise generally provides a budget-friendly price point – but is rarely the best value for your precious vacation dollars.

To maximize your cruise experience, we recommend a cruise of five or more nights whenever possible … but even a four-night sailing will significantly improve the flow of your trip.  Exception:  the one time when a 3-night cruise could be a legitimate bargain would be for those fortunate individuals who live near the departure port. With no concern about travel time, and frequently the potential for added savings in the form of resident discounts as well, a 3-day sailing can provide a great weekend getaway for the fortunate few.

Are you considering a cruise vacation or possibly are among the “cruise curious” and have questions? We can likely save you hours of time and research and there’s never a service charge to our cruise travelers. At Dancing Moon Travel, we really are experts on everything cruise. Contact us today at (404) 913-4386.

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Norwegian’s Haven Experience is Heaven

I recently had the opportunity to sail for a week aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s brand new ship the Escape. Not only did I get to experience all the bells and whistles of a new ship, but I got to sail in an exclusive area of the ship called the “Haven”. It can best be described as a tranquil, relaxing, retreat from the hustle and bustle of a 4,000+ passenger ship. Or in one word, Amazing!

selfieTo set the stage I should mention that this was my 30th cruise, so I have a pretty good base for what a cruise should be like. Also, to put into perspective there are only about 300 passengers with access to the Haven out of over 4,000 on this sailing. I loved almost everything about this ship but the Haven was truly an appreciated bonus. It made for what I possibly consider the best cruise I have been on. I couldn’t resist including my traditional cruise selfie!

The Haven experience begins immediately after getting through the port security as you are invited to be checked in through the Haven Lounge. They offer water, coffee, and small snacks in the waiting area and you are seated in comfortable couches to wait for your key cards. Depending on your arrival time to the port you still may have to wait to board the ship, but as soon as the ship is cleared to take on passengers you will be some of the first guests onboard.

You are escorted to the Haven lounge and introduced to the concierge. The concierge goes over important details for the week and lets you know what he or she can do for you. You are then dismissed to go drop off any luggage in your suite, go get lunch, or explore the ship as you please. Below you will see the Haven courtyard which includes a private pool, Jacuzzis, and loungers.

Next up was our “special” cabin. We booked what is called a Haven Spa Suite. Not only did we have access to the Haven and all of its perks but we also had access for the week in the Spa Thermal Suite. I have not spent much time in the thermal spa on previous cruises but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I spent an hour or two in there every morning and left feeling refreshed.

Our cabin was located next to the spa and one deck down from the Haven itself. What is interesting is that this category of cabin is usually one of the lower priced Haven Suites yet it’s the only one to come with spa access. The Haven Spa Suite is clearly aimed towards couples as it only allows for double occupancy and has only one king sized bed.

Most standard cruise cabins have a king that is comprised of two twins pushed together. On top of all this it also has an in suite Jacuzzi tub, pictured below. We checked out the cabin for a bit and while we were there we were introduced to our butler. The butler can get you anything you may need from room service to afternoon snacks to drawn baths. It is just another one of the great perks of being in the Haven.

In addition to everything I’ve mentioned so far the Haven also comes with a private sun deck (seen below), a private restaurant open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, a private bar, and a laundry list of added perks and benefits. We got to experience all the public venues on this beautiful ship but it was always nice to have this retreat.

While I would love to say I could afford to sail this way every cruise, the truth is I cannot. However, if you can, this is the way to go. And for those of you in my situation you at least have to try it once! It truly was a fantastic way to experience the Norwegian Escape and cruising in general. Does the NCL Haven experience sound like it’s for you?

Written by Matt Theriault.

You can follow more of Matts’ cruise adventures through the following channels.
Cruise Life Facebook Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/CruiseLifeMatt/
Instagram & Periscope – @CruiseLifeMatt

Categories
Uncategorized

Thinking About a 3-Day Cruise? Think Again

We all know that Americans are infamous for overtaxing themselves in their careers—you know: working 80 hours a week, answering work emails at 3 am, and not taking any vacation days. Given the difficulty many of us have getting away for extended periods, a three-night cruise can sound quite appealing – a fun short getaway at a very attractive price point.

As alluring as the concept of this “fun getaway” may seem, the reality of the three-day cruise is that they most always miss the mark. Most of us will invest several hours simply traveling to the cruise port – a loss in travel time, or a significant chunk of our vacation fund, if a flight is involved.

Once at the pier, the morning of embarkation day is spent checking in … followed by an afternoon of unpacking & settling into your stateroom … and ultimately in attending the mandatory safety drill.  It’s not until around the 4 pm sail-away that you are finally able to kick back and begin to fully enjoy your cruise.

On a typical itinerary, you will spend a delightful Day Two of your cruise exploring colorful Nassau, while Day Three might call at the cruise line’s private island, or perhaps provide a relaxing sea day. Remember, however, that some portion of this third day will find you attending the ship’s disembarkation lecture … with a good chunk of your last evening spent packing up and preparing to disembark the next morning.

As the above typical itinerary demonstrates, for the majority of cruisers, a three-day itinerary means you may spend  more time traveling and settling in than actually enjoying the destination and shipboard amenities!  A three-day cruise generally provides a budget-friendly price point – but is rarely the best value for your precious vacation dollars.

To maximize your cruise experience, we recommend a cruise of five or more nights whenever possible … but even a four-night sailing will significantly improve the flow of your trip.  Exception:  the one time when a 3-night cruise could be a legitimate bargain would be for those fortunate individuals who live near the departure port. With no concern about travel time, and frequently the potential for added savings in the form of resident discounts as well, a 3-day sailing can provide a great weekend getaway for the fortunate few.

Are you considering a cruise vacation or possibly are among the “cruise curious” and have questions? We can likely save you hours of time and research and there’s never a service charge to our cruise travelers. At Dancing Moon Travel, we really are experts on everything cruise. Contact us today at (404) 913-4386.