Sell me on the Haven

[JamieLogical]

I have never been able to justify the additional price for a Haven suite on an NCL sailing. I just returned from an all inclusive that had a similar concept to some of the Haven perks. I allegedly had a "butler", who I never even met, but I did take advantage of the "virtual butler" via WhatsApp to do things like make restaurant reservations, request supplies for my room, and ask questions. So that was pretty handy. Mostly, though, our upgraded experience got us access to things like a more speedy and luxurious check-in, a private lounge, priority reservations at restaurants, and a private pool and beach area.

 

Having had that level of amenities at the all-inclusive has me thinking about splurging on the Haven for our next cruise. The main difference being that at the all-inclusive, it only cost us about $200 extra per person for the week and the Haven costs a minimum of about $1200 extra per person. So explain to me why I need to spend the extra money. What makes the Haven worth it to those of you who have done it or do it regularly?

[oteixeira]

Tell me what you love currently about cruising, and I will tell you how the Haven probably makes it better.  Do you spend you time at the pools, do you like eating fancy, do you like the places the ship goes?  Help us narrow it down for you.

[JamieLogical]

1 minute ago, oteixeira said:

Tell me what you love currently about cruising, and I will tell you how the Haven probably makes it better.  Do you spend you time at the pools, do you like eating fancy, do you like the places the ship goes?  Help us narrow it down for you.

 

We are definitely not big pool people. I mostly ever only hang out off to the side, in the shade, near the pool if I want to people watch or if a band I like is playing there. I would say my absolute favorite thing about cruising is that there are so many options for what to do or what not to do. You can be low-key, relax, and just enjoy the sounds of the ship moving through the water while you read or nap. Or, you can always find some sort of activity or entertainment if you are in the mood to do something more.

 

Definitely the drinking all day, every day is a a big draw for me. I don't like to be blitzed or anything. I just like to be happy and relaxed. We also do enjoy the specialty restaurants and the food in general.

 

Ports are really just kind of a bonus. We do like to see/experience new places, but if it's a port we've been to before or we just aren't feeling it, we are perfectly happy to just stay on the ship.

[oteixeira]

21 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

 

We are definitely not big pool people. I mostly ever only hang out off to the side, in the shade, near the pool if I want to people watch or if a band I like is playing there. I would say my absolute favorite thing about cruising is that there are so many options for what to do or what not to do. You can be low-key, relax, and just enjoy the sounds of the ship moving through the water while you read or nap. Or, you can always find some sort of activity or entertainment if you are in the mood to do something more.

 

Definitely the drinking all day, every day is a a big draw for me. I don't like to be blitzed or anything. I just like to be happy and relaxed. We also do enjoy the specialty restaurants and the food in general.

 

Ports are really just kind of a bonus. We do like to see/experience new places, but if it's a port we've been to before or we just aren't feeling it, we are perfectly happy to just stay on the ship.

OK, so.   I am also not a big pool person, but imagine an area where you can always get a chair in the shade, pull out a game, a book, or just relax, and have someone come over and ask you what you would like to drink (and eat, with limited menu).  The only pool I have ever been in on any ship was the Haven pool

Drinking....The Haven has a bar where they ask what things you like (sweet, fruit, sour, bitter) and what spirit you like and they make you surprise drinks.  It is such an awesome adventure.  They also can make any drink from any bar or restaurant anywhere else on the ship.  The Haven restaurant is basically a specialty restaurant open to you every day for every meal.  If you don't see anything you like, ask, the can probably make it for you (within reason).

Every port, you get off via special elevator and are first off if you like.  Royal treatment all the way, getting on the ship, getting off the ship.  Do you like shows and stuff?  They can get you into things that are already overbooked, and there is even a special area in the theater for Haven guests.

There are so many other things I didn't cover.  By the end of day one everyone knows who you are, what you like, and if you want to be left to your own devices or like to be checked on more then most.  There is the snacks in your room every day, room service is free in Haven, any time, any day.  If you want dinner in your room, they bring it.  

I hope I helped.

 

Edited May 4, 2021 by oteixeira

[kodos]

I'm trying it for the first time so I can't give you any first hand knowledge but I imagine everything you want to know is in here . Toward the end of the comments he has included a download of a longer version. I plan on using it as my guide. 

 

 

[oteixeira]

1 minute ago, kodos said:

I'm trying it for the first time so I can't give you any first hand knowledge but I imagine everything you want to know is in here . Toward the end of the comments he has included a download of a longer version. I plan on using it as my guide. 

 

 

This is the thread I used as my guide the first time.  🙂

[kodos]

I'd say the second most useful thread is this one. I have planned out every meal of my trip.

 

 

 

[oteixeira]

Just now, kodos said:

I'd say the second most useful thread is this one. I have planned out every meal of my trip.

 

 

 

Take this one with a grain of salt.  NCL has said quite openly that one thing they have done during the lockdown is work on menu changes.  I can't wait to see what stayed, what left, and what is new!!   🙂

[kodos]

For me it comes down to am I going for the destination or the ship. I have done both. If I know I am going to be in port from the time it arrives until it departs I go for the best deal on a cabin. Normally this is inside but sometimes I've needed a window to get the perks I want. When they launch a new ship and I want to just spend time on the ship and I have splurged a little. Most recently that meant a spa cabin and vibe passes on the the Bliss. I never left the ship. I've wanted to try the Haven for a while and had a 4 day booked last year on the Joy that was cancelled. With no cruising last year and my India cruise pretty unlikely this year I jumped on the Montego Bay sailing of the Joy. I'm splitting an aft penthouse with another couple so it makes it a little more economical. I wanted to do the Haven on the Joy specifically because the Joy has no thermal spa. That is may normal hide away from the crowds but if I was in the Haven I wouldn't need it. 

 

[nyc2pdx]

I stayed in the Haven just before the Pandemic, for a week on the NCL Joy from LA to Mexico.  I love being on a big ship, but hate the crowds.  Haven is the cure.  The service is wonderful, the personal attention is great.  I rarely wanted for anything, and I found the Haven to be an oasis on the ship.  I had my own pool, my own sundeck, wait staff for whatever I wanted.

 

As for the butler, I didn't see him much either...but this is also the purpose.  He was meant to be in the background, making things better.  He would serve breakfast in the morning in my suite, and I didn't have to greet him-he just set it up and was gone.  I went to Ocean Blue one night before going to the theatre.  My desert was okay, but the waitress noticed I didn't eat it all.  Asked if I liked it, I said it was okay...she asked if I wanted something else. I didn't have time.  She asked if I did have time, what would I get?  I said I'd take her recommendation.  When I got back from the theatre, my butler had brought another desert from Ocean Blue to my suite, timed it to the end of the show (ice cream was not melted!) and set up my table complete with table cloth.  He knew I was an evening coffee drinker, and anticipated that by having coffee on the table for me.  But otherwise he was no where to be found...but I knew he was there if I needed him.  

One day I had packed up some laundry, he saw it on the bed when he delivered breakfast, asked if he could take it for me.  Stuff like that.  It was nice to be treated well!

If you can afford the splurge of the Haven, do it, but only if you won't worry about how much it cost.  I justify it to myself that I am on the ship to be on the ship.  Not really a port person.  I love to relax, unwind from another year of work, and feel pampered a bit.  I value the extra attention and the larger space.  If you will too, do it!

[GA Dave]

The biggest differentiator for my wife and I was the ability to use all of the amenities on the big ship, while still being able to escape the crowds by going through that special door back into The Haven.  On our last cruise, the lounge was so relaxed, the restaurant was never crowded, and the service by everyone was just on a different level than in the rest of the ship.

Edited May 4, 2021 by GA Dave

[JamieLogical]

22 minutes ago, nyc2pdx said:

I stayed in the Haven just before the Pandemic, for a week on the NCL Joy from LA to Mexico.  I love being on a big ship, but hate the crowds.  Haven is the cure.  The service is wonderful, the personal attention is great.  I rarely wanted for anything, and I found the Haven to be an oasis on the ship.  I had my own pool, my own sundeck, wait staff for whatever I wanted.

 

As for the butler, I didn't see him much either...but this is also the purpose.  He was meant to be in the background, making things better.  He would serve breakfast in the morning in my suite, and I didn't have to greet him-he just set it up and was gone.  I went to Ocean Blue one night before going to the theatre.  My desert was okay, but the waitress noticed I didn't eat it all.  Asked if I liked it, I said it was okay...she asked if I wanted something else. I didn't have time.  She asked if I did have time, what would I get?  I said I'd take her recommendation.  When I got back from the theatre, my butler had brought another desert from Ocean Blue to my suite, timed it to the end of the show (ice cream was not melted!) and set up my table complete with table cloth.  He knew I was an evening coffee drinker, and anticipated that by having coffee on the table for me.  But otherwise he was no where to be found...but I knew he was there if I needed him.  

One day I had packed up some laundry, he saw it on the bed when he delivered breakfast, asked if he could take it for me.  Stuff like that.  It was nice to be treated well!

If you can afford the splurge of the Haven, do it, but only if you won't worry about how much it cost.  I justify it to myself that I am on the ship to be on the ship.  Not really a port person.  I love to relax, unwind from another year of work, and feel pampered a bit.  I value the extra attention and the larger space.  If you will too, do it!

 

Good to know you were on the Joy. That is the ship we will be sailing on for our September cruise. One concern I have, specific to the Joy, is that it has a lot more "Haven" rooms than the typical Breakaway Plus class ship, due to nearly all of the formerly "Concierge Suite" (or whatever they were called) rooms now being converted to Haven rooms. I am concerned about the Haven areas being more crowded.

Edited May 4, 2021 by JamieLogical

[DaisyGoldberg]

For me personally it's more worth it the larger the ship. The havens on smaller ships that don't have an in-Haven restaurant are pleasant, but I can certainly do without. Traveling with an elderly parent, they work for us, though, for more personal service and an extension of quiet space from just the cabin.

 

The newer, larger ships have nicer Havens. I've only been on the Breakaway so far, and no way would I sail that ship without being in the Haven.  With the public areas taken up with all the game shows and activities that happen in the show rooms on smaller ships, it just seemed like people people everywhere, and all traffic converged in the elevator banks, especially for shows and getting on/off ship. 

 

In contrast, the Haven had dozens of loungers to kick back and relax if I needed to leave my cabin for the steward but didn't feel like being out in the hustle/bustle. I don't drink but the bar seemed lively. The private restaurant was right there and enjoyed what I had there (but mostly ate elsewhere).

 

The biggest reason for me was the expansive area outside the craziness of the rest of the ship, the continuous presence of a concierge desk you passed coming in and out which made asking questions casually a breeze as opposed to having to search them out, the escort to shows, and most valuable of all on that ship, the private room  to await disembarking in ports. Cutting through the elevator bottleneck of people who had already been standing waiting for who knows how long, and stepping into a darkened theatre with drinks and snacks and comfy seats was amazing. 

 

And on the last day you can just relax in the Haven lounge and be escorted down in groups in the private elevator directly to security check out. 

 

The expedited on/off ship aspect was light years more valuable on the Breakaway than on the Dawn/Gem, etc. 

 

 

[Sthrngary]

47 minutes ago, kodos said:

I'm trying it for the first time so I can't give you any first hand knowledge but I imagine everything you want to know is in here . Toward the end of the comments he has included a download of a longer version. I plan on using it as my guide. 

 

 

Kodos:

You honor me with your endorsement.  Between now and your cruise, reach out to me any time.  My pleasure to assist you.

[nyc2pdx]

1 minute ago, JamieLogical said:

 

Good to know you were on the Joy. That is the ship we will be sailing on for our September cruise. One concern I have, specific to the Joy, is that it has a lot more "Haven" rooms than the typical Breakaway Plus class ship, due to nearly all of the formerly "Club Suite" (or whatever they were called) rooms now being converted to Haven rooms. I am concerned about the Haven areas being more crowded.

I don't believe the Club Suites have Haven access-they didn't when I was onboard.  I believe they had access to the spa, or were close to the spa, but were not Haven.  I was in a Haven Forward Penthouse, and as far as I know, it must say Haven in the cabin name to be in the Haven.  However, you needn't worry too much.  Besides the concierge/bar area, and the pool area and the gorgeous  Horizon Lounge, the Haven area is really quite large, and sparse.  It was never crowded...except when we boarded and everyone was there for the overview.  

[Sthrngary]

1 minute ago, nyc2pdx said:

I don't believe the Club Suites have Haven access-they didn't when I was onboard.  I believe they had access to the spa, or were close to the spa, but were not Haven.  I was in a Haven Forward Penthouse, and as far as I know, it must say Haven in the cabin name to be in the Haven.  However, you needn't worry too much.  Besides the concierge/bar area, and the pool area and the gorgeous  Horizon Lounge, the Haven area is really quite large, and sparse.  It was never crowded...except when we boarded and everyone was there for the overview.  

The club suite do not have haven access.  The club suites do not have Spa either.  The Spa suites are the ones with the thermal spa if the ship has a thermal spa.  For example, the Joy does not have a thermal spa. I hope I helped.

[JamieLogical]

3 minutes ago, nyc2pdx said:

I don't believe the Club Suites have Haven access-they didn't when I was onboard.  I believe they had access to the spa, or were close to the spa, but were not Haven.  I was in a Haven Forward Penthouse, and as far as I know, it must say Haven in the cabin name to be in the Haven.  However, you needn't worry too much.  Besides the concierge/bar area, and the pool area and the gorgeous  Horizon Lounge, the Haven area is really quite large, and sparse.  It was never crowded...except when we boarded and everyone was there for the overview.  

 

They do now. The did away with the "concierge" category altogether and now all but the interior cabins that were part of that category are Haven rooms.

[JamieLogical]

1 minute ago, Sthrngary said:

The club suite do not have haven access.  The club suites do not have Spa either.  The Spa suites are the ones with the thermal spa if the ship has a thermal spa.  For example, the Joy does not have a thermal spa. I hope I helped.

 

Right, I meant "concierge suites". "Club Suites" are the new name for mini-suites. On the new deck plans with the new bookings, all but the interior concierge suites have been reclassified as Haven.

[JamieLogical]

Sorry for all the confusion everyone! When the Joy was initially moved to the Western market, there was a room class called "concierge" that had some extra amenities, like concierge service, priority boarding, lunch in Cagney's, etc., but did not have Haven access or a butler. The vast majority of those rooms are now considered Haven rooms with all the Haven amenities. So, there are now eleven categories of Haven rooms and a total of 158 Haven rooms on board. This has me a bit concerned that the Haven areas will be more crowded than on a standard Breakaway Plus class ship.

[Sthrngary]

1 hour ago, JamieLogical said:

I have never been able to justify the additional price for a Haven suite on an NCL sailing. I just returned from an all inclusive that had a similar concept to some of the Haven perks. I allegedly had a "butler", who I never even met, but I did take advantage of the "virtual butler" via WhatsApp to do things like make restaurant reservations, request supplies for my room, and ask questions. So that was pretty handy. Mostly, though, our upgraded experience got us access to things like a more speedy and luxurious check-in, a private lounge, priority reservations at restaurants, and a private pool and beach area.

 

Having had that level of amenities at the all-inclusive has me thinking about splurging on the Haven for our next cruise. The main difference being that at the all-inclusive, it only cost us about $200 extra per person for the week and the Haven costs a minimum of about $1200 extra per person. So explain to me why I need to spend the extra money. What makes the Haven worth it to those of you who have done it or do it regularly?

Below you will see a link to my Op-Ed.  As folks share things with you that they like and don't like, you might have more questions.  Reach out to me anytime.  Happy to answer anything.

 

Since we don't know each other, I can't sell you on the Haven.  What I can do is explain why I like it so much.  It gives me the best of both worlds.  A large ship with lots of things to do and a retreat where when the crowds get to me, I can hide.  

 

As my op-ed will display, I am a little nuts.  I drill down on every detail prior to the cruise with the end game of a completely all-inclusive vacation experience.  I also have been on very nice All-Inclusive vacations.  For me, not everyone, I like the action, entertainment, variety on a large cruise ship. I also like better food which the Haven Restaurant provides, better service a bars which the Haven Bar provides, easy/early on and off the ship with priority, Room service from the Haven Restaurant.  Now the butler is a fine art.

 

With butlers you have kind of work the deal.  I will tell you what I do and since I have done it, I have had outstanding butler service.  For those of you that will disagree with me, just give what you do.  I am all ears.  I write a letter explaining the things my party and I like.  Foods, times for the room to be cleaned, pillow type, and the list goes on.  I put in the envelope with the letter, the butlers tip on day one.  You see, butlers are not on the Pre-Paid Gratuity program. That handles that.  My butlers can't do enough to may our trip perfect.

 

Lots more I can say, enjoy your research.  Smart move on your part.

[KeithJenner]

I'm going to give a different perspective.

 

We have stayed in a suite once, on the Pearl, so it doesn't have the Haven restaurant and bar and therefore may not give a great indication of what you get on the Joy.

 

The main thing we liked was the room itself. I would certainly pay a decent amount for that.

 

The Haven itself was OK, but if anything it overall detracted from the experience for us. We love to spend time on the ship, trying different bars etc. We felt that we should spend time in the Haven and overall spent less time doing the things we love about cruising.

 

Often when I hear people talk about the Haven it becomes clear that they don't particularly enjoy those things that I really like about cruising.

 

Would I stay in the Haven again? Maybe, but the price difference would have to be minimal.

 

Should you try it? Well there is only one way for you to find out whether it is right for you, and that is to see for yourself rather than rely on others opinions.

 

Over the years, posting on this site there are names that come up a lot, and you get an idea in your head as to what people may be like. Probably quite inacurate, but for what it is worth the impression I have of you is that you aren't as natural a fit for the Haven as many people are. As I say, probably totally inaccurate, but there you go.

 

Edited May 4, 2021 by KeithJenner

[Sthrngary]

4 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

Sorry for all the confusion everyone! When the Joy was initially moved to the Western market, there was a room class called "concierge" that had some extra amenities, like concierge service, priority boarding, lunch in Cagney's, etc., but did not have Haven access or a butler. The vast majority of those rooms are now considered Haven rooms with all the Haven amenities. So, there are now eleven categories of Haven rooms and a total of 158 Haven rooms on board. This has me a bit concerned that the Haven areas will be more crowded than on a standard Breakaway Plus class ship.

Good point, not an issue on the Joy, Bliss or Encore I assure you.  Never to crowded, always chill with the exception of some high volume holiday dates where the kids spend to much time in the Haven Pool.  When that happens, you go to the Haven Sun deck with is 16 and above and it has two huge hot tubs.  Hope that helped.

[ceilidh1]

I sailed on Bliss non-Haven and LOVED it. I don't consider myself to be a person that likes any fuss, so the thought of a butler or lots of extra attention wasn't my thing. Then I found a killer Haven deal on Bliss (not an upgrade) and figured I would give it a go. I definitely didn't make use of all that the Haven had to offer, but being in there on a ship like Bliss completely changed my whole perspective on it! I love the hustle and bustle on bigger ships, but just having the Haven to escape to for peace and quiet was amazing. The sun deck and hot tubs were never busy like the pool area tends to be, the Haven Observation Lounge always had lots of seats (and no one sleeping on them) and the fact that the bartender in the Haven bar would have my drink ready before I even got to the bar was wonderful! Sadly, I now have to admit that I don't know if I would be satisfied sailing on one of these big ships again without Haven. I am booked on Bliss in December and it's a regular club balcony room - already planning on upgrading to Haven. Don't go into it unless you are prepared to never sail any other way...lol

[Sthrngary]

3 minutes ago, KeithJenner said:

I'm going to give a different perspective.

 

We have stayed in a suite once, on the Pearl, so it doesn't have the Haven restaurant and bar and therefore may not give a great indication of what you get on the Joy.

 

The main thing we liked was the room itself. I would certainly pay a decent amount for that.

 

The Haven itself was OK, but if anything it overall detracted from the experience for us. We love to spend time on the ship, trying different bars etc. We felt that we should spend time in the Haven and overall spent less time doing the things we love about cruising.

 

Often when I hear people talk about the Haven it becomes clear that they don't particularly enjoy those things that I really like about cruising.

 

Would I stay in the Haven again? Maybe, but the price difference would have to be minimal.

 

Should you try it? Well there is only one way for you to find out whether it is right for you, and that is to see for yourself rather than rely on others opinions.

 

I completely get what you are saying.  You pay all that money, you should use the area.  Also, the Pearl as you stated, is not a full Haven Experience yet is cost the same.  Here is how one could look at this.  You have a suite in Las Vegas with all the amenities that comes with that suite. You love it and enjoy it.  However, you got down stairs to the casino, see shows, even go to other casino's.  Why, because you like to do that stuff.  When you want to chill out and calm down, you go to your private suite and area.  That is the strategy my family and I use.  I could never go on a ship that was all Haven.  I want some actions,  I want the main pool games, bingo, cigar lounge and on.  Then when I want quiet, I want a place to go with a chill bar and an much better restaurant.  It is all the way you approach it.  I hope that made sense. By the way, the Pearl is a very nice experience.  Kind of a special ship.  I like it. 

[KeithJenner]

I think that a lot depends on what you do and where you spend your time.

 

For example, I just don't feel that hustle and bustle that others talk of. On the larger ships we often spend time playing cards during the day at bars in the main public areas (for example Maltings on the Breakaway). Often the bar isn't open but the Waterfront one will be.

 

Getting away from the crowds isn't something that I ever feel the need to do. For others it is probably a big issue.