To NCL Vets. Is Haven the only way to go now?

I have been on several other lines and have been loyal to Celebrity in recent years. However, the spa on Norwegian, and specifically, the renderings of the Escape led to my booking a spa balcony for Christmas week.

However, in light of recent "changes" to NCL such as the added gratuity in the specialties and now this "test" of a room service fee, I'm getting annoyed. I'm either going to cancel my cruise and rebook with Celebrity or I'm just going to wait until a cheap week opens for the Haven because it sees like on Norwegian, those in the Haven are the only ones spared the nonsense. AM I right or wrong about this with NCL cause honestly, while I have abandoned suites on other lines because I found I had just as much fun in a standard balcony, it appears to me that unless I go Haven, I'm going to get my pockets picked at every turn while onboard and if that's the case, I'd just assume pay the extra---even though I ordinarily wouldn't so it's not a matter of "if I could afford it" cause I really can't.

With all of the packages included with Haven, is that the way to go or will they still annoy me with small fees here, there and everywhere? Any insight or experienced opinions are appreciated because this Xmas cruise is not cheap with airfare etc. Thanks

The cost of the Haven, even with the added perks, will still be more than the nickles and dimes you will be paying.

At least you will know ahead of time and not have these charges added after you are on the cruise or past final payment.

I really like the new spas. While the Haven was nice, unless the cost were way down I would not book the Haven again, but I would get a spa pass.

Does Celebrity have a nice spa?

If you are happy with Celebrity you may just want to stay with them. I have always thought of myself as a NCL cheerleader but now all these things are just making me disgusted.

I do plan on going on my booked cruise next February but if the experience has any hicuups I will be looking elsewhere after that...

The cost of the Haven, even with the added perks, will still be more than the nickles and dimes you will be paying.

 

At least you will know ahead of time and not have these charges added after you are on the cruise or past final payment.

 

I really like the new spas. While the Haven was nice, unless the cost were way down I would not book the Haven again, but I would get a spa pass.

 

Does Celebrity have a nice spa?

 

If you are happy with Celebrity you may just want to stay with them. I have always thought of myself as a NCL cheerleader but now all these things are just making me disgusted.

 

I do plan on going on my booked cruise next February but if the experience has any hicuups I will be looking elsewhere after that...

The spa on the Solstice class which is their last 3 or 4 ships is nice in a toned down Celebrity way. It has the heated tile loungers overlooking the ocean, sauna, steam room, cold room, etc but nothing, NOTHING like what I saw on Norwegian with its pools and snow room.

I am concerned though and now more so cause you've been in the Haven and wouldn't pay for it again. LOL Why wouldn't you? From what I've seen, the pool in the Haven does look more like a small dipping "pool" than a real pool but is there something wrong with the other amenities?

I love the haven, but I don't mind spending more for it. It's A LOT more money to go Haven, like a couple thousand more for my family....That's a lot of Room Service Fees!

I think people like me that are very happy with the haven aren't worried that they are spending more for it. People happy in the Haven aren't super price conscious because if they were, they'd realize how outrageously more they spend to be there! Like thousands more.

So, if you are someone who really is concerned about the few dollars more in increased gratuity or you are concerned about gratuity for Specialty Dining or you are concerned about paying a few dollars for the 3 times you use Room Service, you are a bit too price conscious for the haven. I think you'd feel ripped off knowing you could probably take 3 cruises in a regular balcony for the same price you pay for one week in the Haven. People happy in the Haven don't think like that.

The Haven is over priced, a huge gimmick that is working well for NCL and as long as people will pay that kind of money to cruise, NCL will get what they want for it.

As far as all the extra charges that NCL has implemented, such as room service (a "test??!!!"), increased gratuities and the list goes on, you don't have to order room service.

I could understand the increase in gratuities if the crew were benefiting from that, however, they are probably not IMHO. I would (and will on my Sun cruise) tip each person as they give good service. I did pre pay my gratuities at the old rate. Even if I had not, I would not go to the desk and have them taken off. *Hopefully* those gratuities go to the "right" people (people we don't see, working in the laundry and kitchens, maintenance, etc.).

That's just my take on it.

 

The Haven is over priced, a huge gimmick that is working well for NCL and as long as people will pay that kind of money to cruise, NCL will get what they want for it.

 

I don't see how having so much more space and more personalized service is a gimmick. Other cruise lines have similar areas, it's not just NCL. Just because it doesn't suit you doesn't mean it's a bad thing.

OK I have to chime in here. I've been in the Royal Suite on Celebrity, the Owners and Grand Suites on RCL. Neptune Suites on HAL and Suite on Azamara. We usually book mini-suites/balconies on any cruise line unless we can get a deal. The aft Haven balcony suites are the cheapest by far of any of the above suites. We went on the Breakaway for the first time last year in an aft Haven suite, going again in May and again 2016. The only time I've gotten a better deal was on the Adventure of the Seas sailing the Canary Islands in NOV! We disliked EVERYTHING about the AOS. Our cruise(s) in the AFT Haven Suite are cheaper than some insides talked about on the RCL forum and for sure Azamara. I watch for specials and book more than 9 months ahead. IF plans change I can cancel before final payment. We love the Haven and the aft Haven suites. I happen to also love the Studio cabins on the Epic sized ships..have thought about getting connecting studios with DH sometime.

I love Celebrity Cruise Line and seriously consider them for any cruise I plan. That said, I have never found a better price on Celebrity than I find on NCL. Typically I can get an ocean view or balcony cabin for what an inside would cost me on Celebrity. Yeah, some of the changes on NCL could have been handled better, and Yeah, I would rather Room Service be free because I do tend to use it quite a bit for late night snacks, but when I compare total cost of cruise, even with all the new changes, NCL wins by a hefty amount. I stay with NCL because the cruise value is higher than Celebrity. If it gets to a point when it doesn't, I will switch but I am not willing to move on until the other options provide better value.

The spa on the Solstice class which is their last 3 or 4 ships is nice in a toned down Celebrity way. It has the heated tile loungers overlooking the ocean, sauna, steam room, cold room, etc but nothing, NOTHING like what I saw on Norwegian with its pools and snow room.

 

I am concerned though and now more so cause you've been in the Haven and wouldn't pay for it again. LOL Why wouldn't you? From what I've seen, the pool in the Haven does look more like a small dipping "pool" than a real pool but is there something wrong with the other amenities?

The pool was truly a kiddie pool. I did like curling up on the big day bed loungers to read. I also enjoyed the laid back friendliness and service of the Haven restaurant (as in slow, forced you to relax). The food was definitely a notch above the MDR. They would do anything for you BUT, in my tax bracket, the added cost to be in the Haven would mean a one week vacation every two years, vs. the timeshares every year and cruise almost every year we do now.

The spa, OTOH, is accessible to all, for a much smaller price. Very relaxing to go from hot tub to thallasotherapy (sp?) pool to heated lounger with a cup of tea.

If I could double our income the Haven would be a no brainer.

DW and I will *only* cruise in The Haven on the newest ships. We will sail in a standard suite in the others. It is defiantly worth the price of admission IMHO when it comes to the newer vessels. You have privacy and exclusivity. The concierge escorts you around the ship in a crew elevator, past waiting lines of people to disembark (and board too). Plus you have a private EVERYTHING (restaurant, pool area, sun deck). We were just in the owners suite on BA back in Feb. (3rd time in Haven on BA)

I love the haven, but I don't mind spending more for it. It's A LOT more money to go Haven, like a couple thousand more for my family....That's a lot of Room Service Fees!

 

I think people like me that are very happy with the haven aren't worried that they are spending more for it. People happy in the Haven aren't super price conscious because if they were, they'd realize how outrageously more they spend to be there! Like thousands more.

 

So, if you are someone who really is concerned about the few dollars more in increased gratuity or you are concerned about gratuity for Specialty Dining or you are concerned about paying a few dollars for the 3 times you use Room Service, you are a bit too price conscious for the haven. I think you'd feel ripped off knowing you could probably take 3 cruises in a regular balcony for the same price you pay for one week in the Haven. People happy in the Haven don't think like that.

It's not so much the dollars as it is the nuisance of being billed some change here, some change there. I prefer to go all in and not be bothered with anything extra onboard. So perhaps I worded it wrong. Is the Haven the only way to go if I want everything paid in advance??

The Haven is over priced, a huge gimmick that is working well for NCL and as long as people will pay that kind of money to cruise, NCL will get what they want for it.

 

As far as all the extra charges that NCL has implemented, such as room service (a "test??!!!"), increased gratuities and the list goes on, you don't have to order room service.

 

I could understand the increase in gratuities if the crew were benefiting from that, however, they are probably not IMHO. I would (and will on my Sun cruise) tip each person as they give good service. I did pre pay my gratuities at the old rate. Even if I had not, I would not go to the desk and have them taken off. *Hopefully* those gratuities go to the "right" people (people we don't see, working in the laundry and kitchens, maintenance, etc.).

 

That's just my take on it.

I appreciate your take. What do you find gimmicky though? For example, is the food in their Haven dining room an upgrade or is it really the same food from the other free restaurants? Stuff like that...

OK I have to chime in here. I've been in the Royal Suite on Celebrity, the Owners and Grand Suites on RCL. Neptune Suites on HAL and Suite on Azamara. We usually book mini-suites/balconies on any cruise line unless we can get a deal. The aft Haven balcony suites are the cheapest by far of any of the above suites. We went on the Breakaway for the first time last year in an aft Haven suite, going again in May and again 2016. The only time I've gotten a better deal was on the Adventure of the Seas sailing the Canary Islands in NOV! We disliked EVERYTHING about the AOS. Our cruise(s) in the AFT Haven Suite are cheaper than some insides talked about on the RCL forum and for sure Azamara. I watch for specials and book more than 9 months ahead. IF plans change I can cancel before final payment. We love the Haven and the aft Haven suites. I happen to also love the Studio cabins on the Epic sized ships..have thought about getting connecting studios with DH sometime.

You're saying you got an aft haven suite on NCL for cheaper than an inside room on RCCL?

OK I have to chime in here. I've been in the Royal Suite on Celebrity, the Owners and Grand Suites on RCL. Neptune Suites on HAL and Suite on Azamara. We usually book mini-suites/balconies on any cruise line unless we can get a deal. The aft Haven balcony suites are the cheapest by far of any of the above suites. We went on the Breakaway for the first time last year in an aft Haven suite, going again in May and again 2016. The only time I've gotten a better deal was on the Adventure of the Seas sailing the Canary Islands in NOV! We disliked EVERYTHING about the AOS. Our cruise(s) in the AFT Haven Suite are cheaper than some insides talked about on the RCL forum and for sure Azamara. I watch for specials and book more than 9 months ahead. IF plans change I can cancel before final payment. We love the Haven and the aft Haven suites. I happen to also love the Studio cabins on the Epic sized ships..have thought about getting connecting studios with DH sometime.

You might be my gold mine, Granny!!! Because I am down to canceling my Christmas cruise in a spa balcony and either rebooking an aft haven or just chucking it with NCL and going on AOS for the itinerary.

SOOOOOOOOO.....lol, do tell with this aft haven. Is the balcony as big as it looks? I've seen video of the BA and GA and it seems to have like 6 chairs, a table etc... Any soot? And as for the AOS, what did you hate about it?

I love the haven, but I don't mind spending more for it. It's A LOT more money to go Haven, like a couple thousand more for my family....That's a lot of Room Service Fees!

 

 

 

I think people like me that are very happy with the haven aren't worried that they are spending more for it. People happy in the Haven aren't super price conscious because if they were, they'd realize how outrageously more they spend to be there! Like thousands more.

 

 

 

So, if you are someone who really is concerned about the few dollars more in increased gratuity or you are concerned about gratuity for Specialty Dining or you are concerned about paying a few dollars for the 3 times you use Room Service, you are a bit too price conscious for the haven. I think you'd feel ripped off knowing you could probably take 3 cruises in a regular balcony for the same price you pay for one week in the Haven. People happy in the Haven don't think like that.

This is very true. I feel that The Haven has incredible value for everything it has, plus the fact that you can leave if you would like. We love the Michelin level service that our stateroom attendant (and butler) give us, plus the addition of the exclusive enclave is a huge bonus. Truth be told, you can sail on Oceania in a balcony (or higher) for what The Haven commands, even during an off peak sailing. But Oceania doesn't have all the "extras" that a large ship has.

You're saying you got an aft haven suite on NCL for cheaper than an inside room on RCCL?

I'm curious on this one as well because the cheapest aft haven I can find, at least on the Escape, is 3100 I believe per. Maybe she got a fire sale last minute upgrade type thing although that would truly be amazing with an aft.

On the flip side, RCCL has become, ime, the most expensive of the big 3 or 4. Celebrity is usually cheaper when all is said and done.

IMO Haven suites are worth the money, depending on the ship and destination. We recently did a AFT suite on the Epic and eating the Epic club alone was worth the extra money. It was like eating at a small specialty restaurant for every meal and the service was outstanding. Also very nice to have a less crowded sun deck with chairs a plenty. We have also done suites on smaller ships when the price is right but they don't have the Haven restaurant . Probably the only destination I would not spend the extra money is Alaska as a good old balcony works just fine.

I never use room service so a service charge for that would not change my opinion about cruising in NCL suite's, nor does the DSC as the staff on NCL is worth the extra money. Whatever you decide enjoy your cruise.

Why would you ever pay the price for the Haven. I can go on a luxury line for the price you pay for the Haven.

I laughed when I saw this post because I've been thinking it all week, but didn't want to come out and be the first to say it. But with all the new fees it kind of makes the Haven perks that much more "perky."

We didn't specifically choose the Haven on NCL, we fell in love with the DOS on the Gem bc it has its own hot tub. It just happens to be in the Haven, so we get all that comes with that. We booked our 2015 and 2016 cruises under the current promo, so our cruise is pretty much all inclusive at this point.

Either this site is messed up or I'm having big problems with my iPad. I've written four extensive responses and iPad has frozen. I'll try again.

RCL forum discussed 4 to a cabin on an inside on Oasis at $1600 pp.

AOS was a flash sale late on a Friday night. A few of the problems with the AOS were the Internet...worse than dial up. Butler cleaning room at 10pm...door locked and he wouldn't leave. Seating in MDR with kids...ship was full of kids. I could go on until my iPad freezes again.

Our cruise fare for the Haven aft is worth every penny but I get the best deal possible. i choose a date that fits my price! My DH says that the Haven is an experience and the other lines just give you a cabin.

Why would you ever pay the price for the Haven. I can go on a luxury line for the price you pay for the Haven.

Because I never have to dress up or worry about if I'm wearing something appropriate on an NCL ship. I find nothing enjoyable or relaxing about changing clothes three or more times a day. At NCL I only have to go from swim suit and cover up to shorts/jeans and top. That fits our personalities much more than a luxury cruise line.

Personally, though we can afford the Haven, we've yet to travel in it. The Haven on the Jewel class ships is too small in our opinion. The balconies within the Haven itself are way too small for our liking. Yes, I know the Aft Haven suites have larger balconies but so do the normal suites. The Haven on the Breakaway class ships is awesome but again, the balconies are less than desirable in our opinion. Honestly, the only trip I plan on doing in the Haven is when I book the Garden Villa for our 20th anniversary. Plenty of room and worth every penny.

This is very true. I feel that The Haven has incredible value for everything it has, plus the fact that you can leave if you would like. We love the Michelin level service that our stateroom attendant (and butler) give us, plus the addition of the exclusive enclave is a huge bonus. Truth be told, you can sail on Oceania in a balcony (or higher) for what The Haven commands, even during an off peak sailing. But Oceania doesn't have all the "extras" that a large ship has.

I have a spread sheet of the costs of every cruise we've taken?

Oceania Regatta 2007 balcony...$6528

I've never paid close to this for a Haven Aft and that doesn't include all the goodies that I've been given to book a Haven aft.

Why would you ever pay the price for the Haven. I can go on a luxury line for the price you pay for the Haven.

Luxury means different things to different people.

My idea of luxury is:

High speed internet

Bath with two sinks, separate tub and shower, make up area with hair dryer

Variety of restaurants...MDR food is banquet quality on most ships

Private dining room

Private pool

Private bar

Espresso machine in cabin

No formal night

Two bathrooms in suite

3 closets in suite

Breakaway Haven Aft cabin

Because I never have to dress up or worry about if I'm wearing something appropriate on an NCL ship. I find nothing enjoyable or relaxing about changing clothes three or more times a day. At NCL I only have to go from swim suit and cover up to shorts/jeans and top. That fits our personalities much more than a luxury cruise line.

You said it much better than I did!

We sailed the QM2 once...24 day cruise and 17 formal nights! Several of the other nights were room service because we had it with all the " prom nights".