1st Time on Epic in Haven Spa Suite

[taylortime05]

We are booked on the EPIC TA in April 2021 in H9 Spa Suite.  It's 14 nights from San Juan to Barcelona.  We've sailed mostly on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity.   We sailed once on NCL Escape and won a bid for Aft Haven and we purchased week passes for the Thermal suite.  We loved the ship, entertainment, food, Haven, Thermal Suite and the wonderful Aft balcony.  I do think it would have been even more relaxing had we had a cabin in the Haven area but the walking was good for us.   We have loved all of our 8 cruises so far.  All have been balcony cabins with 2 suites - Aft suite on Escape and Sky Suite on the Celebrity Edge.  

 

I picked the H9 Spa Suite for few reasons.   It was the least expensive suite and includes access to the Thermal suite and I was able to get 20% off as past guest + 20% off thru Casino at Seas.  H9 is the only Haven cabin that gets 20% discount from CAS versus 10%.  We are paying approx 7200 and this includes all the perks plus airfare from DTW to San Juan & then Barcelona to Detroit with 2 day deviation at the beginning & end of the trip.  I think it's a decent price but it's still a lot of money.  

 

I have read so many negative posts about the Epic and also Haven Spa Suite 14145.  Can you provide feedback on the ship and/or the specific cabin?   I need to decide if we should move to a different ship or a different cabin on the ship.

 

Thanks for your feedback.

 

 

[david_sobe]

I cant comment on the cabin but Epic's spa is still probably the largest spa at sea.  Even NCL does not make their spa's this large anymore.  Epic's spa is so much better than even the brand new NCL ships.  Thermal pools are larger.  Has an outside aft balcony.  The saunas have ocean front picture windows.  So if you are looking forward to relaxing in a spa at sea, you could not have picked a better ship.

[taylortime05]

6 hours ago, david_sobe said:

I cant comment on the cabin but Epic's spa is still probably the largest spa at sea.  Even NCL does not make their spa's this large anymore.  Epic's spa is so much better than even the brand new NCL ships.  Thermal pools are larger.  Has an outside aft balcony.  The saunas have ocean front picture windows.  So if you are looking forward to relaxing in a spa at sea, you could not have picked a better ship.

 

I have read others say the SPA on Epic is very nice. What about the rest of the ship?  How would you compare it to the Escape?   

 

Thanks for your feedback.

 

Sue

[All-ready2cruise]

Just throwing this out there in case you haven't seen this youtube video for Haven spa suite 14151

This one has a larger balcony but thought you might like it anyway. 

 

Awesome choice btw.  I sailed Epic years ago and enjoyed it better than others.  Epic seems to be a "love/hate" type of ship; you either love it or hate it.. I'm on the fence.  

Hope you have a great cruise. 

Edited December 30, 2019 by All-ready2cruise

[CarrieAP]

We were on this past November's TA from Barcelona to San Juan in a Haven Spa Suite and loved it!! Kind of an odd cabin with the round bed in the middle, but a wonderful balcony with 2 padded loungers and 2 chairs/ stool. We were in 14147, regular size balcony, with some have larger ones. We ended up with nice weather on the sea days and loved Posh sundeck, Haven courtyard and our balcony that we only went to the spa once. Usually we spend a lot of time there but were so many places to chill. I think the Haven in general is overpriced but we felt we got value for the money on the Epic, especially when you can enjoy the amenities on a longer cruise like a TA. The restaurant is outstanding and that combined with specialty restaurants offers many great meals. Le Bistro was our favorite. 

 

The ship as whole was much better than reports indicated. Outstanding entertainment, venues, etc. We would happily sail it again, either in Haven or out. In my opinion you've made a good choice and should have a spectacular cruise 

[BirdTravels]

The thermal suite on the Epic is the best in the fleet. In addition to what David mentioned, there are saunas and steamroom in the large locker rooms in addition to the coed space. And a large separate relaxation room. 
 

The Haven on the Epic is the best in the Fleet and includes access to the Posh Club (called the Vibe on other ships). A large lounges, large restaurant, a large separate outside eating area, private (small) fitness center, steamroom and sauna in the courtyard. One drawback is that it does not have a retractable roof. 

[LinnieRed]

We are booked on this cruise, also in an H9. We originally signed up for the low priced airfare from Detroit but have since changed our minds about using NCL’s flights. Flying to San Juan is cheap from here and we’ve decided to stay in Europe for a month at the end of the trip.

 

We did a TA in a regular balcony cabin a few years ago on the epic, it was my first cruise and we enjoyed it, but now will only sail in the Haven or at least a suite. 😂

[Vyhanek]

In addition to the great Epic Spa, the Haven on the Epic is also the best in the flleet.   It is much nicer and bigger than all other NCL ship's Haven's.   There is room for everyone, even on the sundeck......no chair hogging necessary in the Epic Haven.   

[Daweavette]

 

On 12/30/2019 at 9:47 AM, taylortime05 said:

I picked the H9 Spa Suite for few reasons.   It was the least expensive suite and includes access to the Thermal suite and I was able to get 20% off as past guest + 20% off thru Casino at Seas.  H9 is the only Haven cabin that gets 20% discount from CAS versus 10%.  We are paying approx 7200 and this includes all the perks plus airfare from DTW to San Juan & then Barcelona to Detroit with 2 day deviation at the beginning & end of the trip.  I think it's a decent price but it's still a lot of money.  

 

I have read so many negative posts about the Epic and also Haven Spa Suite 14145.  Can you provide feedback on the ship and/or the specific cabin?   I need to decide if we should move to a different ship or a different cabin on the ship.

 

We also picked the H9 Spa Suite, thought we were getting a great deal too.  There is a reason these cabins are so cheap.  We were in 14151 and my sister and BIL were in 14149.  Please read the "Cabin Review" portion of my review of our cruise last August:  https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=662856 and reconsider your cabin choice.

 

The couple in 14147 disappeared after day two of our cruise, we can only assume they complained enough to get moved, so I can't imagine 14145 will be any better.

[sverigecruiser]

On 12/30/2019 at 3:47 PM, taylortime05 said:

 

I have read so many negative posts about the Epic and also Haven Spa Suite 14145.  Can you provide feedback on the ship and/or the specific cabin?   I need to decide if we should move to a different ship or a different cabin on the ship.

 

 

We stayed in cabin 14145 on our first cruise on the Epic.

 

It was a few years ago but if I remember correct we found two minor problems with the cabin.

1. Lots of water came out on the floor  when we used the shower. We put a towel on the floor outside the shower and the problem was solved. (I assume they have fixed that now.)

2. Because of the curved side of the ship  the view is slightly limited. Other cabins stick out more so the view is better from some other cabins.

[taylortime05]

Thanks for the feedback.  I'm most likely going to cancel this reservation based on all the negative feedback.  The noise seems to be the issue since it's under the pool deck.  I wonder if we brought ear plugs if that would solve the issue.

 

Also, does our price seem like a good deal for 14 Night TA?

 

Thanks for all your feedback.

[taylortime05]

Thanks for the feedback.  I'm most likely going to cancel this reservation based on all the negative feedback.  The noise seems to be the issue since it's under the pool deck.  I wonder if we brought ear plugs if that would solve the issue.

 

Also, does our price seem like a good deal for 14 Night TA?

 

Thanks for all your feedback.

[swmichigan cruiser]

17 minutes ago, taylortime05 said:

Thanks for the feedback.  I'm most likely going to cancel this reservation based on all the negative feedback.  The noise seems to be the issue since it's under the pool deck.  I wonder if we brought ear plugs if that would solve the issue.

 

Also, does our price seem like a good deal for 14 Night TA?

 

Thanks for all your feedback.

I can't remember the cabin number  we had on a TA in one of these cabins on the Epic a few years ago. And maybe I am to sensitive to noise but the noise from people walking above the cabin really bothered me so I didn't enjoy the cabin at all. Suite seemed a lot smaller than the suite we had before on the Epic on a prior TA. Also pretty much decided we would not book a suite that was not actually in the Haven. Can't remember what price we paid but back then but we paid $1500 for the two of us to upgrade to this cabin. Just my opinion.

[sverigecruiser]

4 hours ago, taylortime05 said:

Thanks for the feedback.  I'm most likely going to cancel this reservation based on all the negative feedback.  The noise seems to be the issue since it's under the pool deck.  I wonder if we brought ear plugs if that would solve the issue.

 

Also, does our price seem like a good deal for 14 Night TA?

 

Thanks for all your feedback.

 

I don't remember that noise was a problem for us. 

 

The price seems like a very good deal. TAs are often cheaper than other cruises but not the Haven.    

[rachiem]

We had this room on our last sailing. First time in Haven, so hard to compare.

We weren't blown away by Haven tbh...not sure if it was the cabin position (being a walk away from the area) and our butler was non existent.

The suite was lovely but we did not like the overhang on the balcony. It made the room really dark.

We did however love the thermal suite. Loved that we could walk there in our robes too.

I wouldn't pay for this room again as we felt we had better value in the other suites we've had on the Epic.

 

Edited January 3, 2020 by rachiem

[sverigecruiser]

1 hour ago, rachiem said:

We had this room on our last sailing. First time in Haven, so hard to compare.

We weren't blown away by Haven tbh...not sure if it was the cabin position (being a walk away from the area) and our butler was non existent.

The suite was lovely but we did not like the overhang on the balcony. It made the room really dark.

We did however love the thermal suite. Loved that we could walk there in our robes too.

I wouldn't pay for this room again as we felt we had better value in the other suites we've had on the Epic.

 

 

Your post is really confusing me. I assume that my limited English skill is the reason.

 

You start with saying that it was your last  sailing and the first time in Haven, right?

 

In the end you say that you had better value in the other suites you have had on the Epic, right?

 

What am I missing?

[rachiem]

Sorry. Maybe a bit confusing but it made sense in my head 😂

We’ve sailed on the Epic 3 times (1 inside, 1 balcony and 1 Haven)

We’ve always called any cabin type a suite, so I think that’s where I’ve confused you.
the last time we sailed on the Epic was our first time in Haven. 
hope that makes sense 

[sverigecruiser]

1 hour ago, rachiem said:

Sorry. Maybe a bit confusing but it made sense in my head 😂

We’ve sailed on the Epic 3 times (1 inside, 1 balcony and 1 Haven)

We’ve always called any cabin type a suite, so I think that’s where I’ve confused you.
the last time we sailed on the Epic was our first time in Haven. 
hope that makes sense 

 

Then I understand. 

[taylortime05]

I'm bummed that the Haven SPA cabins on the EPIC are in such a bad location.  I thought I had really gotten a good deal for 2 weeks in EPIC Haven for 7200 including airfare and all the perks.  Some of the posts say the EPIC thermal suite & the EPIC Haven are the best in the fleet.  

 

I can't find anything comparable in price on another ship in the  Haven for 2 weeks.  Not sure what I'll do.  

Edited January 3, 2020 by taylortime05

[sverigecruiser]

3 hours ago, taylortime05 said:

I'm bummed that the Haven SPA cabins on the EPIC are in such a bad location.  I thought I had really gotten a good deal for 2 weeks in EPIC Haven for 7200 including airfare and all the perks.  Some of the posts say the EPIC thermal suite & the EPIC Haven are the best in the fleet.  

 

I can't find anything comparable in price on another ship in the  Haven for 2 weeks.  Not sure what I'll do.  

 

That is a very good deal.

 

The spa was the only place we didn't felt welcome on our first cruise on the Epic so we never used it.

[pinklady65]

This cabin was my first Haven experience and I absolutely loved it.  The room is lovely (especially the rainfal shower) and perfectly situated for the spa.  A couple of things to be aware of:

 

1. The bed is round so if anyone is really tall could be an issue but perfect for me at 5'8"

2. Others don't like the fact that there isn't an enclosed bathroom but in the Haven Spa suite the toilet is in a frosted glass cubicle so not an issue

 

Look at cruisedeckplans dot com for videos of the cabin.

 

To get to the Haven itself is really easy:  walk up the stairs one flight to the Lido deck (deck 15) and then get the exclusive lift by the outdoor buffet (one on the left as you look at them) either to the Haven itself or Posh sundeck, couldn't be easier.   

 

 

 

As others have said the spa is amazing and the only one with an open balcony and the Haven itself is the biggest in the fleet and has a proper pool.

 

With regard to noise from the deck enough I didn't really notice anything significant and I always bring ear plugs just incase but didn't use them.

 

You will have a fantastic time.  I'm back on her in May can't wait.

 

 

Edited January 3, 2020 by pinklady65
Added more info re noise

[taylortime05]

On 1/3/2020 at 4:48 PM, pinklady65 said:

This cabin was my first Haven experience and I absolutely loved it.  The room is lovely (especially the rainfal shower) and perfectly situated for the spa.  A couple of things to be aware of:

 

1. The bed is round so if anyone is really tall could be an issue but perfect for me at 5'8"

2. Others don't like the fact that there isn't an enclosed bathroom but in the Haven Spa suite the toilet is in a frosted glass cubicle so not an issue

 

Look at cruisedeckplans dot com for videos of the cabin.

 

To get to the Haven itself is really easy:  walk up the stairs one flight to the Lido deck (deck 15) and then get the exclusive lift by the outdoor buffet (one on the left as you look at them) either to the Haven itself or Posh sundeck, couldn't be easier.   

 

 

 

As others have said the spa is amazing and the only one with an open balcony and the Haven itself is the biggest in the fleet and has a proper pool.

 

With regard to noise from the deck enough I didn't really notice anything significant and I always bring ear plugs just incase but didn't use them.

 

You will have a fantastic time.  I'm back on her in May can't wait.

 

 

Thank you for all the information.

 

Is the SPA area on the Epic smaller than the Escape.  We were on the Escape and the SPA areas was so nice.   I also love Celebrity, but their SPA area is not as nice as the Edge.  They do not have any hot tubs or relaxation pool.