The Haven? is it really worth it?

[emcelh]

Stupid question from someone who has NO experience w/ suites. I notice most are in the front or the back of the ship. Do you find that you feel the motion more?

 

I've been on 3 cruises all over 8 years ago and never on NCL. I've had an inside, an OV and a balcony and all have been midship. I did find that when in other areas of the ship (eating, seeing a show, casino, whatever) I did notice the motion more than when in the middle.

 

What is your experience? I'd hate to spend all the $$ only to hate being in the room becuase I felt the motion. That being said, as I mentioned haven't been on a cruise in a loooong time so wondering if the stablizers are a lot better now??

 

Not stupid at all. We had our first suite experience this past September and it was in an aft penthouse on the Jewel. We enjoyed it so much we have the same type of cabin booked on our next two cruises. We really didn't notice much motion. Perhaps on a smaller or older ship it might be more of an issue.

[garycarla]

I always chuckle over these "is it worth it" type posts - suite, penthouse, haven, etc.

 

Apparently, no matter what the posters here say, the vast majority of cruisers do not think it is worth it. After all, the number of suites on each ship is well under 10% of the available cabins. Most people seem to think balcony is "worth it". And many others think an inside is just the right price.

 

Different strokes for different folks.

[bonvoyagie]

I have seen the GV on the Pearl range from 6500 to 16500 for a 7 day cruise depending on the destination.

 

Alaska is the most expensive cruise destination - due to many factors including short season (around 20 wks), many ports, and more scenic crusing (see days not sea days), and the colder climate so people tend to spent less on boat drinks and more on hot drinks.The state of AK also charges a head tax on cruise ship passengers - which all the cruise lines pass on to passengers.

 

As to the Haven - I think that NCL has hit on a way to cater to the elite crowd who usually prefer the smaller cruise lines. With the Haven you get the best of both worlds - the economy of scale of the large ship with the attention of a small ship. In theory a Haven pax would never have to leave the Haven during the entire cruise - On the Epic they can dine at the Epic Club while on the Jewel class ships they would have to use the buttler and eat in their suites (or in the courtyard). I think that the old adage "if you have to ask the price - then you can't afford it" comes to play here.

[johnsak123]

Its a personal preference. However, if you can afford it you should treat yourself

Especially if you are traveling out of NY in the colder months. It is lovely to be in the haven with the roof closed experiencing the outdoor feel while you are not bothered my inclement weather

Enjoy!!

[Frick_&_Frack]

I

As to the Haven - I think that NCL has hit on a way to cater to the elite crowd who usually prefer the smaller cruise lines. With the Haven you get the best of both worlds - the economy of scale of the large ship with the attention of a small ship. In theory a Haven pax would never have to leave the Haven during the entire cruise - On the Epic they can dine at the Epic Club while on the Jewel class ships they would have to use the buttler and eat in their suites (or in the courtyard). I think that the old adage "if you have to ask the price - then you can't afford it" comes to play here.

 

Actually, on The Gem for certain, you can eat at Cagneys for Breakfast and/or Lunch. The only difference is the Epic Club has a dinner menu. On the Gem (and similar ships) - dinner you go to any of the restaurants for (and either pay or not - depending on whether the restaurant is free or a surcharge). And, yes, all meals can be brought by the butler to your suite or the courtyard.

 

DH & I love the size of the Gem - so, for us, it provides the perfect sized ship with some extra amenities that we love to have by being in a Haven Suite. He and I are not "the elite crowd" - we just enjoy having the use of a smaller, quieter area (mostly due to health issues - which makes it possible for him to be out and about more than he would if we were in another cabin).

 

Also, the Haven Suite we had in March was actually less than a Grand Suite on Carnival for the same week (and we got all the perks - and Carnival has none).

[lanceholt]

"if you have to ask the price - then you can't afford it"

 

Being able to afford it has nothing to do with what you buy in many if not most cases.....and I really don't think the suite customers are more of an "elite' crowd than anyone else on any ship.

 

Read a very pertinent book...."The Millionaire Next Door".

 

There is oftentimes a real snobbism on this board re suites. As I said before, different strokes for different folks. I agree with the OP that many many people think a balcony is worth it, but we know others who are fine with an inside and want to use the money they save for other things on the trip.

 

We feel that a full suite's perks are most important on a cruise that has a number of tender ports....priority tendering can make a big difference. Cagneys is nice and quiet for lunch some days, but so are the main dining rooms. More than the butler, we found that the concierage really made many many things we did much easier and we appreciated that. Those who love to sit poolside would make a lot of use of the Haven. I think what is important is to really look at how you like to travel, the amenities and services which will make the trip more enjoyable and then decide.

[ndabunka]

Read a very pertinent book...."The Millionaire Next Door".

 

This has GOT to be the funniest post in this thread. Anyone who has read that book KNOWS that "The Millionaire Next Door" gets that way by doing away with frivolous things like....a CRUISE!

 

Most drive cars that are ten years or or older, don't spend lavishly on ANY vacation, etc. Instead of a cruise, they might drive up to Alaska in a rented winabago... not on a luxury cruise at all. Well, maybe an inside cabin. well, no that would be frivolous...LOL

[mabones]

I have a trip booked for April 6, 2013 to celebrate our 35th Wedding Anniversary. I initially booked an Aft-facing Suite with my sister & her husband getting a mini-suite. When I realized that they would not be able to be with us in the Courtyard, etc. I decided to book the 2-bedroom Family Villa. They will pay what their Mini was going to be and we will pick up the rest. I couldn't leave them out of this experience. We can't wait to go. Soooo looking forward to being pampered. Will enjoy the peace & quiet at the pool area.

[old faithful]

I just made my final payment! The Haven area just looks sooo wonderful to me. I guess I can say that I used to be the guy who would walk real slow on the last day of the cruise ... looking into all of the cabins ... trying to get an eye full of a suite after people leave/before it gets cleaned without being in anyone's way ... I have been in the elevator eying that key card slot and wondering what the metallic key card looks like .... I have walked up the stairs to deck 14 and pulled on the door just to check if it was locked just because I wanted to see the Haven area.... I always wanted to do a cabin crawl in order to be able to see a suite and now I will have one!

 

To be honest I often think of other things I could do with the amount of money I am paying for this cruise ... I think I could do a balcony and still have cash for other things .... and every time I am still happy that I am booked in a Haven Suite ... I have also started to save for other things I will need cash for ... money for tips, car service, money for the bar bill, spa treatments, beauty treatments for Mom .... cash for after the cruise .... I know I can make this happen and I plan on doing it the right way ... I plan on tipping people WELL and enjoying everything

 

And OF COURSE my champagne taste and beer money helped me to catch "Breakaway Haven Fever" .... and of course that will be EVEN MORE money ... but I got more time to save ...:D

[old faithful]

old_faithful....BEST POST EVER.

 

Love that you live life to the fullest - not knowing what tomorrow brings.

 

ENJOY that haven on the Gem!!! I had a penthouse on the Gem so it had butler/concierge, but I have to say I missed the haven - love the private hot tub and pool.

 

I can't wait to sail in the Haven again on the Epic.....it's certainly worth it for us!

 

 

Aww thanks for the smile you gave me!

[old faithful]

The whole point of the thread was to see why and why not the Haven. Some great points on why it is worth it to some and why it isn't to others. Taking your Mom to the Haven has to be up there for reasons to do it.

 

 

I agree - not everyone has a Mom like I do =)

[old faithful]

Best post ever.

Do it and don't look back.

 

 

Thank you very much!!!!

[youngestof9]

It amazes me that some people appear to be getting into these cabins as cheaply as you are. I suspect that those are either shorter cruises, of season or considerably less expensive than the typical Alaskan cruise we are going on this summer so I know it is possible. Just not an option for us on this particular cruise & with school-aged children but maybe one day in the future

 

We would LOVE for our extended family (grandma is going!) to get out of our two current cabins (OV & Balcony) and into one of the Haven 2 bedrooms but like the OP, it would be at LEAST TWICE our current $150pp/day costs (at the current levels) and I personally cannot see paying $345/day per PERSON for those suites under ANY conditions short of winning the lottery.

 

If we could get into the 2 bedroom Haven for even $180/pp/day we would do it in a heartbeat but that does not appear to even in the realm of possibility unless........................................ we get a call from the upsell fairy.

 

But that's the thing - if you read the rest of this thread, it doesn't "appear" that I got it - I did. I got a more popular February week for 7 days in the Caribbean on the Epic for that price. It's just that I booked it very early, so I got a great early booking price. So in total, it's $167 per person, per week. 3rd/4th/5th passenger rates were LOW when I booked (read $249). I just booke very early to do so. For me, it's worth booking that early - I have time to budget to save and I have something to look forward to. Next up...Alaska summer 2014 - waiting with baited breath for the pricing to come out. Don't know if we'll do the Haven on that, but I'll sure as heck book as soon as it comes out. It can't hurt because if it goes down, I'll get a price adjustment.

 

Old Faithful - I love that you're taking your mom. We opted to take my MIL on this trip as well - and we're so excited to spoil her - she's never had a vacation like this and we're so excited to see it through her eyes!

 

As far as being elite....hahahahahaha. We also have champagne taste and beer pockets like Old Faithful and have no problem with that. I just like being pampered. As a mom, I'm taking care of everyone day after day. It's nice to have someone take care of me for a change. And I won't apologize for liking it :)

[ndabunka]

But that's the thing - if you read the rest of this thread, it doesn't "appear" that I got it - I did. I got a more popular FEBRUARY week...

 

Not certain how "in demand" a February cruise would be as the majority of kids are still in school at that time but Congrats on picking up a deal on a nice suite.

 

...3rd/4th/5th passenger rates were LOW when I booked (read $249).

 

Interesting note on the 3rd,4th & 5th passenger "additional" discounts. I have seen this on other cruises but didn't think you could get something like that on "opening day" but then again, I've never booked a cruise the first day it was available. However, I AM planning to do that for our next cruise to Hawaii so hopefully I can find a similar offer when that comes out with a summer cruise (We can't afford to pull the boys out of school for 7 days in the 1st quarter of the year or anything). Learning something new every day.

 

Note: Our school systems tend to change their scheduled days off EVERY year so knowing exactly which days our boys will have off a year in advance is...well, not really viable. Heck, spring break can vary by 2 weeks any one year so we don't have the luxury's other may have on scheduling so far in advance (for things like "spring break"). We are also snow skiers though so we are typically headed to a ski resort around those times anyway.

[LadyShiva]

Not certain how "in demand" a February cruise would be as the majority of kids are still in school at that time but Congrats on picking up a deal on a nice suite.

 

 

 

Interesting note on the 3rd,4th & 5th passenger "additional" discounts. I have seen this on other cruises but didn't think you could get something like that on "opening day" but then again, I've never booked a cruise the first day it was available. However, I AM planning to do that for our next cruise to Hawaii so hopefully I can find a similar offer when that comes out with a summer cruise (We can't afford to pull the boys out of school for 7 days in the 1st quarter of the year or anything). Learning something new every day.

 

From her countdown clock, I'm betting 2/16 -> Presidents' Day weekend.

[youngestof9]

Not certain how "in demand" a February cruise would be as the majority of kids are still in school at that time but Congrats on picking up a deal on a nice suite.

 

 

 

Interesting note on the 3rd,4th & 5th passenger "additional" discounts. I have seen this on other cruises but didn't think you could get something like that on "opening day" but then again, I've never booked a cruise the first day it was available. However, I AM planning to do that for our next cruise to Hawaii so hopefully I can find a similar offer when that comes out with a summer cruise (We can't afford to pull the boys out of school for 7 days in the 1st quarter of the year or anything). Learning something new every day.

 

Note: Our school systems tend to change their scheduled days off EVERY year so knowing exactly which days our boys will have off a year in advance is...well, not really viable. Heck, spring break can vary by 2 weeks any one year so we don't have the luxury's other may have on scheduling so far in advance (for things like "spring break"). We are also snow skiers though so we are typically headed to a ski resort around those times anyway.

 

In the northeast we're off the week that includes President's Day. It's our "mid-winter recess". It's a HUGE travel week for us in the NY/NJ/CT area. Our spring breaks always change too - but not our February week, since it always includes President's Day. Airfare is another story.....

[PandJcruisers]

We booked our first cruise on the Gem last December, and I figured what the hell lets do it first class. Yes it costs more, but so what as long as you enjoy. Well we did enjoy. the privacy and extras were well worth it to us. We just booked our 2nd cruise and its also on the Gem and in the Haven( 10/28/13). Can not wait to enjoy!!

[js]

I agree - not everyone has a Mom like I do =)

 

I haven't read the this full thread but I hope to be able to take my mom in the Haven one day.

 

However, she is taking my family and I on the Getaway in August and we are all in the Haven thanks to my mom!

 

I have a great mom too! :)