From the Haven to a Regular Balcony... Our Experience

Hey all,

My wife and I have done 7 Haven/suite cruises, and always really enjoyed them (we always got an Aft suite with Haven/Suite privileges). However, the price has climbed higher, and combined with a higher health insurance deductible this year, we canceled our Haven room on this year's cruise (the Breakaway) and re-booked into a regular aft balcony.

I've always heard that once you go suite, going back is hard. So, how was our experience? I have to say, it was excellent. Let me break it down into several areas. I'll give each area a 1-10 score (and to make it easy, assume the Haven is a 10 for each.)

Disclaimer: My wife and I are Platinum, so that factors into things. Also, aside from the Restaurant, we also rarely used the actual Haven area (it always feels too closed in for us). One more thing: we are in our 50's, and we do not have kids. So all of my experiences/scores factor those in.

Embarkation:

This was an area of concern for me - I really hate lines. The Haven always made this easy. And yea, my heart sank a bit as we walked past that Haven sign, and I saw hundreds of people on that snake line in front of me... but wait!!! We were shown the Platinum line, which had three people on it, and we were given boarding group #2. Cool. We were on the ship about the same time as the Haven people. We then went to lunch at Margaritaville, where we had the place to ourselves. This was the only meal we paid for for the week.

Score: 10

The Room:

Truthfully, our aft balcony room was wonderful. Yes, we were missing the table/chairs, and didn't have that second bathroom, but all in all, it was still pretty spacious, with a good sized bathroom. Storage was fine. Plus, on the aft, all of the balconies are pretty big - we had 2 chairs, 2 lounges, and a table, so no downgrade there. I did miss the coffeemaker, though - the little drip pot they give is nowhere near as nice. But that's it.

Score: 8 (deducting 2 points for coffee).

Breakfast/Lunch:

I worried a bit about this as well. The Haven is great for Breakfast and Lunch. But you know, it wasn't a big deal. We frequented Savor for Breakfast and Lunch, and never had a problem getting a seat (and usually got a window seat). We went to breakfast at 8, and lunch at noon, and it was never crowded. I found the food quality for breakfast and lunch no different than the Haven, and the menu is actually larger. One thing: the service is a little better in the Haven. Just a little - I'll deduct a point for that..

Score: 9

Dinner:

We've always eaten specialty almost every night, and used the Haven to fill in the one or two nights we didn't feel like paying (I mentioned the Haven breakfast and lunch being the same as the free restaurants, but that's not so with dinner - the Haven is clearly superior to the free options). But for this cruise, we got 3 meals with the dining package, and another 2 for both being Platinum. That's 5 nights. We ate another dinner ashore in Florida, and our last night, we went to the Noodle bar (free and excellent.) Didn't miss this one bit. But again, we always do mostly specialty anyway, whether we have the package or not. YMMV.

Score: 10 (or N/A if you prefer).

Disembarkation:

In the Haven, we always got off the ship right away, carrying our own luggage. Always being homesick by day 6, we LOVED that. So again, I was a bit worried here. Shouldn't have been - it was a breeze. I even grabbed the wrong tags for Platinum, so we were sent to the "anyone who wants to walk off early" line, which, since we got there at 7:20, was not very long. In fact, we walked off right beside the Haven people (and I always remembered as a Haven guest that plenty of non-Haven people got off the same time as us.) The only downside here was no coffee while waiting. I like coffee, so I'll deduct one point for that.

Score: 9

Intangibles:

My wife and I are very "we'll do it ourselves" by nature, so we never used the Concierge (although it would appear Platinum gets access there too). We also had little use for the Butler. So we didn't miss those. Platinum also gets priority tender, so no issue there. Yes, we couldn't use the new private area on GSC, but whatever. As I mentioned earlier, the smaller room (and the fact that we didn't feel like "we paid so much for this we should use it") made us get out and explore more. We found so many quiet areas (hint: deck 8, outside of Cagneys... sit in the shade, watch the sea go by, and nobody is ever there.) We really enjoyed exploring the ship more. I also used to think having that Haven card mattered elsewhere on the ship. It doesn't - I noticed no downgrade in service anywhere.

Score: 9

Final Thoughts:

Our aft balcony was about HALF the price of a Haven suite. So, based on my scores above, I figure if I sacrifice a little coffee convenience, I can essentially get 2 cruises for the price of one. No brainer. The Haven was nice, but for us, it's now a pleasant memory. Aft balcony from now on.

I hope this review helps those in similar situations. If anyone has any questions, I'll try and answer.

great review!

always interesting to hear people's perspective on this matter.

i am also of the mind set that saving w/e money you would have spent on the next category up toward the next cruise.

Thank you for the comparison. Being Platinum, I found my last cruise in a balcony to be a similar experience to yours when compared to past suite sailings. However I did book a Yacht Club cabin for our next cruise, unfortunately MSC doesn't have coffee makers in any cabin.

We are always in Balcony cabins. Often wondered if we'd enjoy the Havens or would feel we paid too much. Thanks for the perspective. I pay for the good coffee in the Atrium instead. :-)

Thank you so much for your review. We were debating whether we should do the upgrade to Haven (we have a mini suite with large balcony). You helped us to see, it was not worth it for us. We probably would never use the butler, and we have dining package, plus platinum, plus beverage package. We felt, for the money, the Haven was not worth it for us. The extra money could go towards another cruise. Thank you again.

Great review, thanks! My husband and I just got off the Breakaway today. We were wondering the entire week if we should have sprung for the Haven. We haven't reached Platinum status (yet!) but are smart shoppers and take advantage of deals/promotions/packages. Also being the "do-it-ourself" type, we don't see much value in the butler. The other perks of priority check-in/disembarkation/access to less crowded areas does entice us. So it's nice to see that learning tricks of the trade (thanks to this forum) and combining our loyalty status perks... will eventually get us what we're looking for.

Fun read but I have to admit, I have never heard of anyone being "homesick" six days in to a cruise. ;)

Thanks for the comparison. I agree that 2 cruises in aft balcony that you are contented with is better than the Haven that is priced twice as much.

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First world problems....

We were originally booked in an aft facing balcony until we got upgraded to a Haven aft on our upcoming Epic cruise. Good to know that you CAN go back without too much pain!

First world problems....

heh, yea, :)

Have done both and when traveling with mom, in her late 80s, Haven wins for the convenience for her. From my perspective, mini-suite works just fine, especially if I can get Vibe. I found Vibe and the friendships that developed to be reminiscent of cruises past where sitting with strangers soon became sitting with friends.

Look at the Haven prices for the Dec 9, 2018 Escape 12 day SC I am booking. You could have 3 cruises in balconies for the cost of one in a spa suite. Prices are just getting insane. I normally book an H6 aft suite, but it's 5599 p/p, so I will pass this time. I have cruised a couple times in balconies, and they are really pretty nice. I think I'm going to take a B6 (large balcony). That location on deck 9 should be really nice and quiet.

• 
  
  • Inside
    from $1,029
    
  • Oceanview
    from $1,299
    
  • Balcony
    from $1,499
    
  • Spa
    from $1,709
    
  • Mini-Suite
    from $1,699
    
  • The Haven
    from $4,599
    

Our last 5-6 cruises with NCL have been in the Haven (or a Haven suite located aft). While we've absolutely enjoyed each one of them, we are much like the OP. Finances being what they are now and we are inching closer to retirement (still mid-50's), we are finding better places to put that money that the Haven would require. Our cruise coming up in Dec we are going back to an aft balcony as it was an inside comp cruise from CAS (yeah, that's another thing that has changed, what we drop in the casino :o) that we paid to upgrade to the balcony. We, too, are Platinum and so we get the same benefits. All dinner reservations have already been made so don't need the concierge for that. We've done all the shows and tours, including several bridge tours, kitchen tour, watching sailaway from some awesome sounding place (usually not any better than our own balcony to be honest) so we are more than happy to return to where we belong.

If you can swing it, I would always recommend trying the Haven at least once. I wouldn't give anything for the experiences we've had there but that's just not the reason or way we want to cruise now. I'd much rather be able to go when we can and not stress over what it's costing us in the process. Vacation is for relaxing and reconnecting as a couple for us. We can do that just as easily and much more economically in a non-Haven cabin.

I think the only thing I will truly miss is the afternoon snacks, believe it or not. It was really nice to come back to the cabin and have sandwiches and cold drinks waiting. (Little tip for those in the Haven, don't be afraid to tell the butler what you like and don't like. We mentioned the first day that we would much rather have BLT's than the fussy little 'horse-doovers' they usually provide. Every day after that's what we got with some little different something as a side, cheese and crackers, chips, etc. And cookies, always got cookies. ;)) That being said, the DH is always willing to run up to the buffet and get us something to munch on or there's always room service.

Now, all that being said, don't ever ask me to give up a balcony as that is just not gonna happen. No insides for this chick. Fortunately the DH agrees. :D

Our last 5-6 cruises with NCL have been in the Haven (or a Haven suite located aft). While we've absolutely enjoyed each one of them, we are much like the OP. Finances being what they are now and we are inching closer to retirement (still mid-50's), we are finding better places to put that money that the Haven would require. Our cruise coming up in Dec we are going back to an aft balcony as it was an inside comp cruise from CAS (yeah, that's another thing that has changed, what we drop in the casino :o) that we paid to upgrade to the balcony. We, too, are Platinum and so we get the same benefits. All dinner reservations have already been made so don't need the concierge for that. We've done all the shows and tours, including several bridge tours, kitchen tour, watching sailaway from some awesome sounding place (usually not any better than our own balcony to be honest) so we are more than happy to return to where we belong.

 

If you can swing it, I would always recommend trying the Haven at least once. I wouldn't give anything for the experiences we've had there but that's just not the reason or way we want to cruise now. I'd much rather be able to go when we can and not stress over what it's costing us in the process. Vacation is for relaxing and reconnecting as a couple for us. We can do that just as easily and much more economically in a non-Haven cabin.

 

I think the only thing I will truly miss is the afternoon snacks, believe it or not. It was really nice to come back to the cabin and have sandwiches and cold drinks waiting. (Little tip for those in the Haven, don't be afraid to tell the butler what you like and don't like. We mentioned the first day that we would much rather have BLT's than the fussy little 'horse-doovers' they usually provide. Every day after that's what we got with some little different something as a side, cheese and crackers, chips, etc. And cookies, always got cookies. ;)) That being said, the DH is always willing to run up to the buffet and get us something to munch on or there's always room service.

 

Now, all that being said, don't ever ask me to give up a balcony as that is just not gonna happen. No insides for this chick. Fortunately the DH agrees. :D

I know I am going to miss the Fritto Misto appetizer on the haven lunch menu. Not so much the afternoon snacks, although some of the chocolate truffle thingies Jose brought the last time were to die for.

Thank you for this detailed review. DH is a die-hard HAVEN person, but now that we are platinum, I am wondering if the perks will help offset the loss of HAVEN privileges. Just to try, DS and I opted to try a balcony (CAS invited inside, so we upgraded) for a Jan 18 cruise. Looking forward to checking out the differences. Hope I have as good an experience as you did!

Can't thank you enough for posting this. We always have been in Haven, and we were in the Aft Suite last time, but on 10/29 we're going on our next cruise and booked an Aft balcony (B1), so we're doing exactly as you have.

Differences are that we're not Platinum, and we have our 11 year old. That's the reason we prefer the larger Haven rooms.

Great review on your experience. I have a balcony booked with DD and DGD on POA and a mini-suite booked with DH on Pearl. Poa prices are too crazy and the DH and I decided to save money on our Pacific Coastal cruise. After reading your take it is just as we suspected we would only miss a few things such as snacks, DH's cookies, and coffee in the cabin. We have used the Butler and Concierge often but as we are also Platnuim we can still request things through the Concierge which makes cutting the teether a little easier. We are seniors so these next two cruises will tell the story for sure. I will already admit that our 2019 cruise will be Haven/Suite DH's 75th birthday celebration.

Look at the Haven prices for the Dec 9, 2018 Escape 12 day SC I am booking. You could have 3 cruises in balconies for the cost of one in a spa suite. Prices are just getting insane.

Yea, that's exactly how we felt - the price was just getting out of hand, and when we really thought about what we used and what we didn't, for us, it was prettymuch paying double for coffee and (so we thought) more convenient breakfast/lunch.

I would say if you will actually use the butler and concierge, and use that Haven area and bar a lot, it's worth it. But we didn't use those things.

Thank you for this detailed review. DH is a die-hard HAVEN person, but now that we are platinum, I am wondering if the perks will help offset the loss of HAVEN privileges. Just to try, DS and I opted to try a balcony (CAS invited inside, so we upgraded) for a Jan 18 cruise. Looking forward to checking out the differences. Hope I have as good an experience as you did!

The one thing I can offer as further advice is to make certain you get your Platinum perks. We kind of had to remind them a bit for some things... for example, nobody told us where to go for Platinum disembarkation - I will make sure to be clearer on that next time. We had to ask for the free laundry bag and free water (no biggie, but why make me ask?) We had to ask, and be clear in asking, where the Platinum line was during embarkation (nobody is holding a sign that says "Platinum" like they do for the Haven). We did have our meal coupons/etc waiting for us, though, so that was good.

Look at the Haven prices for the Dec 9, 2018 Escape 12 day SC I am booking. You could have 3 cruises in balconies for the cost of one in a spa suite. Prices are just getting insane. I normally book an H6 aft suite, but it's 5599 p/p, so I will pass this time. I have cruised a couple times in balconies, and they are really pretty nice. I think I'm going to take a B6 (large balcony). That location on deck 9 should be really nice and quiet.

 

 

• 
  
  • Inside
    from $1,029
    
  • Oceanview
    from $1,299
    
  • Balcony
    from $1,499
    
  • Spa
    from $1,709
    
  • Mini-Suite
    from $1,699
    
  • The Haven
    from $4,599
    

I assume that is price/pp, correct?

The one thing I can offer as further advice is to make certain you get your Platinum perks. We kind of had to remind them a bit for some things... for example, nobody told us where to go for Platinum disembarkation - I will make sure to be clearer on that next time. We had to ask for the free laundry bag and free water (no biggie, but why make me ask?) We had to ask, and be clear in asking, where the Platinum line was during embarkation (nobody is holding a sign that says "Platinum" like they do for the Haven). We did have our meal coupons/etc waiting for us, though, so that was good.

hmmm....you would think that wouldn't be an issue for haven stayers.

I'm wondering a bit about this. It doesn't sound like you have been eating dinners in the MDR on your previous cruises and it also doesn't sound like you ate any dinners in the MDR on this cruise. What are you basing your opinion on?

Dinner:

We've always eaten specialty almost every night, and used the Haven to fill in the one or two nights we didn't feel like paying (I mentioned the Haven breakfast and lunch being the same as the free restaurants, but that's not so with dinner - the Haven is clearly superior to the free options). But for this cruise, we got 3 meals with the dining package, and another 2 for both being Platinum. That's 5 nights. We ate another dinner ashore in Florida, and our last night, we went to the Noodle bar (free and excellent.) Didn't miss this one bit. But again, we always do mostly specialty anyway, whether we have the package or not. YMMV.

Score: 10 (or N/A if you prefer).

 

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I hope this review helps those in similar situations. If anyone has any questions, I'll try and answer.

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Wait, is the new Haven area open on GSC?

cool review. someday I'll do the Haven, we did an inside tiny cabin last minute on the Epic and liked it fine. all we do there is sleep and shower, dont need much room, plenty of view areas to sit if I wanted. Its true you do sleep a lot in an inside, never known hubby to sleep so much. Our cabin steward was super fast with any request. I don't eat breakfast, hubby grabs an apple or banana from the buffet. We are still bronze but I plan on retiring on a ship someday, so I'm trying to build up points.