THE SECRETS OF THE NCL HAVEN LUXURY EXPERIENCE

[Greenpea2]

5 hours ago, Lunesse said:

Thank you, Sthrngary et al!   I will make sure he has the soda package, so that we are indeed paying for something for him, not just trying to get him free drinks off our package without any investment in his.  If he has to come into Haven to get a specialty coffee, that can be up to him. I think because he likes the feeling of a nice atmosphere and a good book with his drink, he'd do that by choice over Starbucks by default. As to the virgin drinks, I'm a big believer in just asking, all they can do is say no, etc., but I knew this must be at least a somewhat well-trod path for parents of teens, or even littler kids, though I know he'd appreciate if he could order it himself and not have MOM do it for him. 😃  I will ask the Haven bartender at the beginning of the cruise with a tip in hand.  Thanks for the info on premium vs. plus as well. That is a discussion that must be had. I would think both people in the room must get the plus, as I am sure some folks would do the "ill get yours on my card" thing to try to avoid paying for it twice, but still get the "good stuff."  And I will go try to find the updated thread as well, I hadn't found that yet. Thank you again, everyone! Glad to be in the Norwegian house for the next year as we anticipate! 😃

Yes, if one person gets the super duper drink package, the other adults have to as well.

 

[Sthrngary]

21 hours ago, Lunesse said:

Thank you, Sthrngary et al!   I will make sure he has the soda package, so that we are indeed paying for something for him, not just trying to get him free drinks off our package without any investment in his.  If he has to come into Haven to get a specialty coffee, that can be up to him. I think because he likes the feeling of a nice atmosphere and a good book with his drink, he'd do that by choice over Starbucks by default. As to the virgin drinks, I'm a big believer in just asking, all they can do is say no, etc., but I knew this must be at least a somewhat well-trod path for parents of teens, or even littler kids, though I know he'd appreciate if he could order it himself and not have MOM do it for him. 😃  I will ask the Haven bartender at the beginning of the cruise with a tip in hand.  Thanks for the info on premium vs. plus as well. That is a discussion that must be had. I would think both people in the room must get the plus, as I am sure some folks would do the "ill get yours on my card" thing to try to avoid paying for it twice, but still get the "good stuff."  And I will go try to find the updated thread as well, I hadn't found that yet. Thank you again, everyone! Glad to be in the Norwegian house for the next year as we anticipate! 😃

@Lunesse You are more then welcome.  I have to clarify something.  Were many people are all about following the rules to a "T", if you don't you are not being a good person.  I am not that guy.  I suggested the Soda Package because when not in the Haven, I wanted you son not to feel uncomfortable.  In the Haven, they will make him feel like a king.  May adult daughter was on a recent NCL cruise with my wife and I on the NCL Joy in the Haven.  When she knew we had the Premium Plus Beverage Package and she did not, she was kind of upset with me.  I have spoiled my kids horribly.  Yes, with four adults in a room, two of the four can get the Premium Plus Package and the other two get the Premium standard package.  You just have to do a few hoops.  Back to my story, my daughter wanted the high end champagne which comes by the glass.  When we were at dinner, I just ordered two and gave her one.  I know that is not the NCL policy but no one said a word.  

My other updated Haven stream is 

 Please ask me any questions you like.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

[Chron]

Hey there we just got off Encore in a Haven suite.  I just wanted to update you on a few things. So, we only saw our Butler once in the room and a couple of times on the boat.  He really didn't do too much for us.  I think his name was Cipranni. The Haven Bar and restaurant staff were great.  A few things to note, we did the Premium Plus Drink Package and wanted to give everyone a heads up that NCL is changing things.  Some of the items that are offered as part of the package aren't honored when you get on.  The Evian water from Starbucks is not available any longer. Certain liquors and wines are only available at other venues.  This is not the fault of the wait or bar staff, it is NCL that changes things and leave their employees to face the consequences.  We are easy going but some others were not so it puts the employees in an awkward position. Another change we saw is in the past the concierge team reaches out to you to ask about special requests or ask you to call them in or email.  I emailed a few things to them, just because I didn't want them to waste their time or waste the snacks that I know we would never eat and only include what we would possibly consume.  Also, we requested a few board games. I received the below rather short email 

 

"Please note all treats brought to your room are at the discretion of the executive chef. If we note your reservations of these items ahead of time you will be charged. Please speak to your butler once onboard for any snacks or requests as listed in your letter

We do not offer board games. Feel free to bring some along with you."

 

I found this email a little off-putting that's just me. I think when you pay for an over the top service you expect a little more polished response. 

 

In the end, we just allowed all the snacks that were discarded to be delivered as we never had a chance to speak to the Butler and they of course had board games right above the observation lounge in Haven, so we just got them ourselves.  It was no big deal, I just wanted to share as sometimes one person's experience may not mirror another, so everyone should set their expectations appropriately.

 

One other thing that was different, when we got off at the ports upon returning Haven guests waited in the long lines like everyone else.  In the past they have had a Haven rep escort us to the front.  Again just passing along information.

 

Lastly, the staff were excellent in the bar and restaurants and if you're lucky you will get Bowen as the concierge- He was amazing.

[Sthrngary]

15 minutes ago, Chron said:

Hey there we just got off Encore in a Haven suite.  I just wanted to update you on a few things. So, we only saw our Butler once in the room and a couple of times on the boat.  He really didn't do too much for us.  I think his name was Cipranni. The Haven Bar and restaurant staff were great.  A few things to note, we did the Premium Plus Drink Package and wanted to give everyone a heads up that NCL is changing things.  Some of the items that are offered as part of the package aren't honored when you get on.  The Evian water from Starbucks is not available any longer. Certain liquors and wines are only available at other venues.  This is not the fault of the wait or bar staff, it is NCL that changes things and leave their employees to face the consequences.  We are easy going but some others were not so it puts the employees in an awkward position. Another change we saw is in the past the concierge team reaches out to you to ask about special requests or ask you to call them in or email.  I emailed a few things to them, just because I didn't want them to waste their time or waste the snacks that I know we would never eat and only include what we would possibly consume.  Also, we requested a few board games. I received the below rather short email 

 

"Please note all treats brought to your room are at the discretion of the executive chef. If we note your reservations of these items ahead of time you will be charged. Please speak to your butler once onboard for any snacks or requests as listed in your letter

We do not offer board games. Feel free to bring some along with you."

 

I found this email a little off-putting that's just me. I think when you pay for an over the top service you expect a little more polished response. 

 

In the end, we just allowed all the snacks that were discarded to be delivered as we never had a chance to speak to the Butler and they of course had board games right above the observation lounge in Haven, so we just got them ourselves.  It was no big deal, I just wanted to share as sometimes one person's experience may not mirror another, so everyone should set their expectations appropriately.

 

One other thing that was different, when we got off at the ports upon returning Haven guests waited in the long lines like everyone else.  In the past they have had a Haven rep escort us to the front.  Again just passing along information.

 

Lastly, the staff were excellent in the bar and restaurants and if you're lucky you will get Bowen as the concierge- He was amazing.

@Chron I truly appreciate your comments and feelings.  As you may know, I love the Haven and NCL.  Yet many of the items you outline I felt and saw coming.  Butlers were always hit/miss.  The dress the part but their actions or lack of action speak louder then words or looks.  This is why I did a butler letter which worked most of the time but was not perfect.  

 

When push comes to shove, NCL is a Mainstream Cruise line that has a lot of Mega Ships with 4,000 plus passengers.  The need to standardize what they do that takes away the feeling or personalization.  That is sad to me but the reality.  Your comments on the Premium Plus Drink Package is a shame however I hold myself accountable for this change.  With Joy in my heart I attempted to find ever ounce of value from this plan and did.  When other did the same, NCL realized they had to change the plan.  I am half joking her so take what I just said with a grain of sand.  

 

People make the ship and people are a hard commodity in todays world.  People who take their job seriously is another tough find.  I love the Encore and hope to cruise it in the not to distant future. I may or may not choose the Haven but I will choose the Vibe Beach Club. Thank you again.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[NW Pacific]

I have not read through 66 pages, so a little late to the game.  But Just off the Encore, Oct. 22.  We were very fortunate our Butler and room Steward went beyond.  Had regular drink pkg.  did pay extra for Espresso Martini, about $2.60,   We ordered our regular go to drinks, they were covered.

With a full Ship (4500 passengers)  the Haven was worth every penny we spent to book.  Will say the Haven restaurant, as others, has a noticeable decline in food quality, but was not surprised.  The afternoon snacks which sometimes appreciated, were not very good and were mostly put back to be taken away.  Many years ago, the snacks were awesome, but still too much to eat before going out to dinner.

[cruiseny4life]

9 hours ago, NW Pacific said:

I have not read through 66 pages, so a little late to the game.  But Just off the Encore, Oct. 22.  We were very fortunate our Butler and room Steward went beyond.  Had regular drink pkg.  did pay extra for Espresso Martini, about $2.60,   We ordered our regular go to drinks, they were covered.

With a full Ship (4500 passengers)  the Haven was worth every penny we spent to book.  Will say the Haven restaurant, as others, has a noticeable decline in food quality, but was not surprised.  The afternoon snacks which sometimes appreciated, were not very good and were mostly put back to be taken away.  Many years ago, the snacks were awesome, but still too much to eat before going out to dinner.

Sounds like a good experience...I'm sorry it wasn't as great as you remember. We're going on Pr1ma in November, so hopefully looking for a similar experience to March of this year. 

 

One note - Gary did update the thread for 2022. You may want to check this one out as it has double the pages to read through (I've read every page of both of these threads - I'm a nerd) and a lot more updated information on Haven. 

 

Here's the link: