Wow. Surprised by this. I thought our experience was eh mostly because all the changes Celebrity made during the time we cruised. Disappointing to hear. And you were in a Royal Suite.
Virgin is the only cruise line I go on that I don’t feel the need to take a reusable water bottle with me. Water is always readily available and in my cabin when I’m in for the night. I just bring a little collapsible straw
I completely agree with you-it's not the children who ruin cruises, but the parents who let their kids run wild without any supervision. That being said, I've never really had a cruise ruined by anyone. For me, a cruise is always a good time, and I make it a point not to let anyone spoil my experience. That said, cruises without kids do have a completely different vibe, it was relaxing and enjoyable, FOR ME.
The adults even have a more relaxed spirit because they didn’t bring their children with them. I love kids and family cruises are a yearly reunion for my extended family of a couple dozen ppl. But adults only cruises are a different thing entirely. It kinda has to be experienced for u to get it.
Great video! I completely agree that it's different cruising without kids. I love kids, but I do appreciate (after cruising with Virgin) that the environment is SO much more chilled with it being adult only on here!
Last time I was in the Retreat was just after covid and then the prices started to become unreal! They have priced themselves into the one and done class of cruisers. All of the ships have changed the amount of staff and services even in the ship within a ship area. NCL is starting to suffer from feeling like they can charge 10-15-30k and then cut services and staff! I think that this model is on the verge of coming to an end as almost all of them end up having rooms left over and then they resell to people who want to bid on them.
Have just found your channel - hello from your newest subscriber! My room tour of this exact cabin grade on Scarlet Lady has also just launched - SNAP! Ha, great to find you!
Good review-most honest I’ve seen. So would you say the Haven is a better deal? Oddly, the only reason I wanted to get a Sky suite is for the balcony-those infinite balconies do not appeal to me. However, $10,000 for a cruise is insane.
Based on my past experience sailing NCL The Haven compared to my recent Celebrity The Retreat, I'd say that The Haven provided better personalized service, food, inclusivity and overall luxury experience for the price. Of course butlers are now back on Sky Suites and perhaps that would change my opinion a tad but I'm not booking The Retreat again anytime soon. As far as it being a better deal, I'd say it's about the same costs but it varies between ships and itineraries, worth comparing and looking into. The Retreat does a great job including a premium beverage package and Wi-Fi into their rates while The Haven does not.
Thank you. The gallery wall set comes from Wayfair: www.wayfair.com/decor-pillows/pdp/east-urban-home-americanflat-retro-world-travel-posters-12-piece-framed-gallery-wall-set-ebnu4583.html
Absolutely agreed! Luminae doesn't really serve great food, just great service. We are finished with Celebrity! They are way overpriced for all future cruises like 30% more even on the Solstice class ships.
Bro, thank you so much for showing me all of this because I will be going on a cruise in June and this really gives me like a heads up on what is going to be there and like how it is gonna look so thanks a lot
Great review! Your critique of the Luminae food was dead on. Also, like you said, the prices for future cruises have skyrocketed, making me think twice about this cruise line. Thanks for the video!
I couldn’t agree more with your video. Stayed in the edge villa last year and wanted to book again with our children but the prices have skyrocketed. I’m having a very hard time trying to justify the new pricing. Thx for the video I’m glad to know it’s not just me who thinks the price isn’t justified
Your experience with Retreat is so similar to mine. The sundeck was the best part. I was lucky enough to be in it one time when you did have butler, and a second time when I didn't. Huge difference. At this point, unless the price isn't that different, Retreat isn't worth it. The sundeck and the rooms are an improvement, but that's it, in my opinion.
The Open Bar Package should cover most drinks shown in this video. On our last cruise we decided to upgrade to the Premium Plus Beverage package for our own personal reasons. You can check out this post where I explain the differences but Open Bar is usually enough to covet most popular drinks on NCL: www.tastyitinerary.com/ncl-drink-packages/
@@tastyitinerary also, I have another question I was wondering if vaccinations are required we are leaving New York and stopping in Bermuda for two days . Also, I was told by someone that we don’t need passports to do this.
@@lisagardner4814 Lisa - Bermuda dropped vaccination requirements and travel authorizations Nov 2022: www.gov.bm/coronavirus-travellers-visitors. When we sailed on the Joy, at the time, it was required, but not anymore. Passports are not required for US Citizens sailing from a US port and returning to a US port when visiting Bermuda, but I always travel with mine just in case. You just need a valid driver's license. Of course, you should always double-check the fine print of your itinerary with the cruise line.
@@lisagardner4814 Hey Lisa- I wanted to add some information to the passport question. If you do not bring your passport, you need to have a valid government ID AND proof of citizenship which can be a birth certificate, see here on NCLs site: www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/cruise-travel-documents
No, we did not experience any cigarette smoke smell from the balcony, thankfully. I think that would have been a real issue for us had we smelled cigarette smoke.
Great video. I'm on this ship in a couple of weeks, right near this one in 8137. How did you like the location? Specifically, was there a lot of noise that you noticed from people on the stairs or elevators?
The noise we heard was mostly from the neighbors talking really loud or slamming their cabin doors. The walls are thin for sure. We weren't close enough to the stairs or elevator to be bothered by that.
Thanks for your video. Your complete review was great! My brother and sister-in-law are cruising first time next month and I went through your review with them…how helpful your links to the daily events…great job! I’ve never cruised NCL, and only cruised RC and Disney. Looking forward to more videos from your future adventures!
Appreciate your comment! Made my day when I saw it during my recent travels. Happy you found the post helpful. Not sure what may future is on here on YT, figuring it out, but I am thankful for your support! Have fun on your cruise!
@@lisagardner4814 There were no coffee makers in our cabin when we sailed on the Joy. You can try to ask the cabin attendant to bring you one. Note: Requests are not always granted, but you can ask.
