New to the haven

Hi NCL travelers. My husband and I just upgraded to the haven spa suite. This is definitely not our first cruise but first time in the haven. What are some tips for first timers? For example, don't worry about packing x, y and z because the haven includes that... Or things that we should ask for or take advantage of that we might not even think to ask about! We also have a SDP and a alcohol beverage pkg. I know the low down on the restaurants I can use (plus the haven restaurant obviously). The drinks.. Can we get a drink anywhere and no matter what it be covered? Does the drink package include let's say a latte? I know the haven includes a nespresso machine in room but could I have the Butler get me fancy coffee or would a haven first with a beverage pkg still have to pay extra?

Anyone know if we can ask for a couples massage in the suite? I thought I saw somewhere you could.

TIA

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Bottled water and specialty coffees are not included in the beverage package.

Sailed in the Haven on many occasions. My favorite perks are the Haven restaurant and the Haven Sundeck. Both are very peaceful compared to the rest of the ship. We sailed the Escape in January, and the sun decks outside the Haven were packed with people. It really is a different cruise experience compared to the rest of the ship.

You need to pack the same for the Haven as you would for a regular room. The room itself is nice and larger than a regular room, but functionally it is similar to a standard room.

With the UDP, you can get a drink anywhere with the exception of drinks from the mini bar. The butler will get you whatever you wish. However, if it is an item with a charge, it will be added to your bill. For example we requested bottled water for a beach excursion, and he brought us six bottles with a $27 charge. If you do make request of your butler, make sure he understands your request. There is occasionally a bit of a language barrier.

You will enjoy the Haven. However, once you sail in the Haven, it is hard to go back to a regular room.

Thank you.. Both very helpful info!

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We had a Haven Courtyard Penthouse Suite and a Haven 2 Bedroom Family Suite. There were small bottles of Bulgari shampoo, conditioner and lotion, as well as a shower poof, shower cap, bath salts and cotton balls in the bathroom. There were also bathrobes, slippers and umbrellas in the closet.

All of the pay per view movies on the tv were free (except for the "adult" movies). We also had DVD players in the rooms.

You order room service through the butler - you can ask him for anything from any of the restaurants (you pay any upcharges as applicable) or there is also a room service menu.

We had Lavazza coffees and teas in the room and there was a bottle of champagne and large bottle of water on the first day that was included.

That post is complete nonsense. There is no Haven Pin and the butler is not the one doing laundry (the room steward delivers the laundry to the same laundry facility as everyone else's laundry and the price and turnaround time are the same as for everyone else).

Well isnt that delightful .. :rolleyes: so glad that some people find it funny to ridicule peoples questions by giving false information Thank you Demonyte for giving more accurate information

Does the Haven Restaurant offer the specials that are in the other restaurants like the prime rib on the first day or the Beef Wellington in the MDRs?

Sailed in the Haven on many occasions. My favorite perks are the Haven restaurant and the Haven Sundeck. Both are very peaceful compared to the rest of the ship. We sailed the Escape in January, and the sun decks outside the Haven were packed with people. It really is a different cruise experience compared to the rest of the ship.

Question:

Does the Haven sundeck have a bar?

Also, we will be in a Haven AFT suite and since we are at the opposite end of the ship away from the Haven compound, is there anything we should be aware of when trying to utilize the Haven benefits such as the butler service, dining in the Haven restaurant, etc.?

Quite frankly, having an AFT room we are considering having breakfast brought to our cabin so we can eat outside. Any thoughts on arranging this?

We too will be in the Haven for the fist time, looks fantastic and we can't wait.

Agree with the statement that once you sail in the Haven it's hard to sail any other way. Nobody does Suites like NCL.

Answer a couple of questions answered....I was in the Haven on Breakaway, Spa Suite. While the cabin itself was nice (whirlpool tub in the cabin), it also allows for entrance to the Spa area, which is quite nice (the area is also available for extra charge to other cabin types).

There isn't a bar right outside the Haven outside area, but wait staff is always more than welcome to go to the inside bar and get whatever drinks you want.

We didn't use the butler so much, as we enjoyed eating in the Haven Restaurant. He did bring snacks (finger sandwhiches, fruit, chocolates) in the afternoon. And, he kept fresh ice available to us all day. But, really didn't have much need for him.

Our concierge, on the other hand, did just about EVERYTHING for us....booked/changed show times....booked/changed specialty dining times....took care of any billing issues...and much more. He received a larger tip than the Butler.

In short, you'll love it.

Hi NCL travelers. My husband and I just upgraded to the haven spa suite. This is definitely not our first cruise but first time in the haven. What are some tips for first timers? For example, don't worry about packing x, y and z because the haven includes that... Or things that we should ask for or take advantage of that we might not even think to ask about! We also have a SDP and a alcohol beverage pkg. I know the low down on the restaurants I can use (plus the haven restaurant obviously). The drinks.. Can we get a drink anywhere and no matter what it be covered? Does the drink package include let's say a latte? I know the haven includes a nespresso machine in room but could I have the Butler get me fancy coffee or would a haven first with a beverage pkg still have to pay extra?

 

Anyone know if we can ask for a couples massage in the suite? I thought I saw somewhere you could.

 

TIA

 

 

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If you would like a specific snack you can ask the butler for it since they bring afternoon snacks every day. Say I don't like cheese and only want fruit.

Being in a spa haven room the thermal spa is included.

Having the butler deliver breakfast in the morning is defiantly a perk you just need to order the night before. You can order anything just write it on the card. The Haven restaurant is wonderful and worth the time to go and try it out.

The concierge will escort you to any shows you want escorted to.

People have reported that if you are in the Haven and want to go to the comedy club you don't have to wait in the standby line and can go in with the reservations. I have not done that yet but plan on asking in June.

Thanks for the info graphicguy, appreciate it!

One other question; We typically do the rum-runner thing with vodka so we can have a drink in the room before dinner, etc. We plan to do the same thing even though we are in the Haven, unless there is Haven perk that would allow us to purchase a bottle of vodka for our room for those incidental cocktails.

Thoughts?

Does the Haven Restaurant offer the specials that are in the other restaurants like the prime rib on the first day or the Beef Wellington in the MDRs?

They will make you anything that's available from any on ship restaurant. If it's a specialty you'll be charged the same price as the specialty, but for the included restaurants like the examples you give, it is complementary.

unless there is Haven perk that would allow us to purchase a bottle of vodka for our room for those incidental cocktails.

Thoughts?

There's no perk needed for that. Any cabin can purchase a bar setup with their choice of bottle and mixers. It isn't cheap and there is no Haven discount.

Pax in OS and DOS get a certain number of bottles included, but not any other suite.

There's no perk needed for that. Any cabin can purchase a bar setup with their choice of bottle and mixers. It isn't cheap and there is no Haven discount.

 

Pax in OS and DOS get a certain number of bottles included, but not any other suite.

When you say "Purchase a bar set up", this is not referring to the items in the refrigerator/mini bar, correct? Reason I'm asking is that we are not interesting in various airplane size bottles for liquor. Ideally, we'd like a bottle of Belvidere or Gray Goose.

So if this is truly available for purchase, how and who do I contact to get this arranged?

I'd love to do it, even though it may cost a little extra. I'd rather pay a little more that worry about packing the rum-runners.

The cost is overly inflated. Like 120 a Ltr.

IMO you should just ask for some Vodka shots during the day and take them back to your room for later consumption.

At the bottom is the bar set up price.....price could change but Gambee is cruising Escape in May so he might update than. I for one can not wait he does amazing picture reviews.

http://www.cruisewithgambee.com/norwegian-drink-lists/

When you say "Purchase a bar set up", this is not referring to the items in the refrigerator/mini bar, correct? Reason I'm asking is that we are not interesting in various airplane size bottles for liquor. Ideally, we'd like a bottle of Belvidere or Gray Goose.

Yes, this is exactly it - a full bottle, plus mixers. I think it shows up as an option in MyNCL but you may have to call.

Here is a thread from a while back from someone who was unhappy with their mixers but posted a helpful picture of the setup. It looks like they paid $80/bottle in 2014.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1987957

Thank you Jenjer & ryager! This info is very helpful, appreciate it.

Thanks for the info graphicguy, appreciate it!

 

One other question; We typically do the rum-runner thing with vodka so we can have a drink in the room before dinner, etc. We plan to do the same thing even though we are in the Haven, unless there is Haven perk that would allow us to purchase a bottle of vodka for our room for those incidental cocktails.

Thoughts?

Up to you....but, my SO (who cruised with me at the time) always went to the Haven bar for a vodka/cranberry to drink she would have while getting ready for dinner. Butler noticed this, and on the 2nd night offered to bring her a vodka/cranberry at the same night, every night, which she took him up on.

So, up to you whether you want to hassle with the rum runners (personally, I repurpose shampoo bottles whenever I don't cruise with NCL because they're bigger). Given the Haven getting the UBP, and having a Butler delivering drinks to the cabin, I didn't feel the need.

Up to you....but, my SO (who cruised with me at the time) always went to the Haven bar for a vodka/cranberry to drink she would have while getting ready for dinner. Butler noticed this, and on the 2nd night offered to bring her a vodka/cranberry at the same night, every night, which she took him up on.

 

So, up to you whether you want to hassle with the rum runners (personally, I repurpose shampoo bottles whenever I don't cruise with NCL because they're bigger). Given the Haven getting the UBP, and having a Butler delivering drinks to the cabin, I didn't feel the need.

Appreciate the input. But having the AFT suite leaves us disjointed from the Haven bar. However, we could request if from the Butler every evening at X when we are getting ready for dinner.

Since we are on Deck 10, I could also just run down to deck 8 and hit up the Prime Meridian Bar, too.

Question did you pay full price for your haven or did you get a upsell there is a difference in perks such as no extra points,free drinks at bar ect.

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If you do a upsell you get the points and promos from your original booking no extra points and no extra perks. I doubt you will get luggage tags with a Upsell but not sure on that.

If you book the Haven you get all the promos and you don't have to pay the gratuities on them.

Just a follow up on my Haven sundeck question:

Based on your experiences, do we still need to get to the Haven sundeck early to get a lounger? Even though we are early risers, we don't want to have to have to worry about finding loungers. If we didn't land in the Haven AFT room, we would have probably frequent Spice H2o but even with that you still need to make your way out there early to get a lounger. At the same time, being at the AFT, we are not that far away.

With the Haven sundeck and Haven pool is forward, assuming that there is not a 1:1 ration of loungers for Haven quests and seeing that we land in Miami at 10:00am and boarding the ship via the Haven entry/line is there any benefit (other than the limited amount of guests) of trying for Vibe passes or do you think we would even have a shot at getting them? We just don't want to worry about getting a lounger outside regardless of the time of day.

I sort of feel like I am answering my own question but I'd like to hear from those who have lived it.

We did an Upsell and surprisingly got the luggage tags for our sail on the 15th of this month (we did the upsell around the middle of April, and got the luggage tags about a week ago). I was quite surprised!

If you do a upsell you get the points and promos from your original booking no extra points and no extra perks. I doubt you will get luggage tags with a Upsell but not sure on that.

 

 

If you book the Haven you get all the promos and you don't have to pay the gratuities on them.

Just a follow up on my Haven sundeck question:

 

Based on your experiences, do we still need to get to the Haven sundeck early to get a lounger? Even though we are early risers, we don't want to have to have to worry about finding loungers. If we didn't land in the Haven AFT room, we would have probably frequent Spice H2o but even with that you still need to make your way out there early to get a lounger. At the same time, being at the AFT, we are not that far away.

 

With the Haven sundeck and Haven pool is forward, assuming that there is not a 1:1 ration of loungers for Haven quests and seeing that we land in Miami at 10:00am and boarding the ship via the Haven entry/line is there any benefit (other than the limited amount of guests) of trying for Vibe passes or do you think we would even have a shot at getting them? We just don't want to worry about getting a lounger outside regardless of the time of day.

 

I sort of feel like I am answering my own question but I'd like to hear from those who have lived it.

The Haven sundeck and Vibe are right next to each other. The Haven sundeck will probably be pretty open. Not sure Vibe passes are necessary.....the point of both is to get away from the noisy and busy pool decks. Advantage of Vibe, however, is that it's adults only. There will be at least our two children in The Haven, although you won't see them out on the sundeck :)

Thank you MikeBTN, appreciate the response.

That's what I figured but just wanted to be sure. And yes, the goal is primarily to avoid the congestion at the main pool and be able to layout, enjoy the sun and have some beverages.