Haven Prices now crazy!

[Hearthosesteeldrumsplayin]

I have to say that I am a big HAVEN fan.  We love the concept, especially on the newer ships where there is a dedicated restaurant and bar.  Enjoy the extra room and especially the embarkation/disembarkation perk.  That being said, the prices have gone up significantly.....to the point that I just looked at a 2022 Panama Canal cruise and the HAVEN Courtyard Penthouse price was MORE (!!!!) than a concierge suite on Regent Seven Seas!  And Regent's had 2 more days, plus flights, laundry, shore excursions, tips, and all dining venues included.  In fact, it was on par with a Distinctive Suite!  Ouch!  I know that the Pandemic has put a huge dent in earnings, but really!  I am now considering a different line (even though in the same family!)  I think I can deal with fewer bells and whistles on the ship to get the genteel experience at a better price.  (Especially with the additional inclusions that I don't get with NCL!)

Just wanted to remind those of us who enjoy the HAVEN.....make sure you check around!

[fastpitchdad]

We got a 7 day out of LA in the Haven on the Bliss for less than $6K for two people. 

Edited October 11, 2021 by fastpitchdad

[MaryZ]

We booked the Celebrity Edge in an aft sky suite to give their retreat a chance.   We sail Celebrity often but have never booked a suite on them.

[complawyer]

on the contrary, i think the'yre going down. we're booked on the epic sailing jan 23rd,2022 in the 2 bedroom haven suite on the epic. it's now down to about $2500 per person.  we're also booked on the jade in april from athens, he dawn from stockholm in aug, and the star from lisbon nov 2022. we have a 2 bedroom haven booked on all except the star which doesn't have a haven and i found the prices reasonable. the star is 14 day trans atlantic lisbon to rio, and the 2 bedroom is $4500 per person. i think that's reasonable.  the getaway sailing this nov 24th athens to rome was (in my humble opinion) reasonably priced, and also went down in price, but i had to cancel as i wanted to see israel and since their borders are closed, i didn't want to sale if the itinerary was going to change.

 

so in the end, i guess it depends on where and when you want to sail.

 

i looked into a suite on celebrity pre-covid and found the prices much higher than ncl

[MarkusToe]

You may have a look into MSC YC.

I don't like the mass transport out of YC but inside you're fine...

[SireDoime]

I booked the Eastbound Panama Canal (LA - Miami) cruise for this January. On this cruise the Haven HG, HE, & HC were all in the 30K$ range for a single cruiser (slightly less for a couple).

 

The buttkicker: for that same itinerary  for the December 2022 sailing, Haven suites are 17K-21K for a single person! So then, time of year always plays  HUGE role.

 

I didn't even know there was this itinerary in December. But I haven't been a ship since December 2019, so I guess I jumped the boat to set sail in January.

 

BTW, I decided on a "Mini" Club Balcony Suite on Deck 13, MA category. This cruise is more about the destinations than the accommodations.

Edited October 11, 2021 by SireDoime
...

[mooche]

I have also seen Haven prices skyrocket out of site! I have compared dozens of cruises from even just one year ago and it is considerably higher now.  I had 4 cruises canceled during covid and I kept all the info on all of them and now even with the 50% or 25% bonuses I got for the cancelations AND the "30% discount" (they claim) each one would be 2 or 3 thousand more total for cabin. It is definately being priced out of reasonableness IMHO.  I am going to look for alternatives even though I have several already booked in haven.

[FranknBeans]

Not only have prices gone up but our cruise out of New Orleans has gone up as well as one day was removed.

[Sthrngary]

Well, interesting turn of events.  Allow me to kick in so thoughts.  Remember, thoughts are just that, a person's experiences plus opinions.  

 

I also LOVE the Haven for its concept, quality, personalized service and the experience it gives me.  Some of you might know me as the "Haven" guy that wrote the op-ed on the "Secrets to the Haven VIP Experience".  

 

If you have read the posts above this one, it is clear that shopping for Haven Suites is a very good idea.  I watch the prices every single day on the sailings I am either on or would like to go on.  Some one above made mention of a Regent Seven Seas voyage for less then a Haven.  They said something about less bells and whistles on RSSC.  I just have to address that.

 

RSSC is without a doubt one of the best cruise experiences one can every have.  It is as close to all inclusive as you can get.  It is a Luxury Cruise, on smaller ships, that are port intensive with some of the very best personalized service on the sea. You simply don't go on these ships if you want waterslides or go carts.  It is a completely different animal.

 

I recently went on a Crystal Cruises for seven days to the Bahamas.  If was less then the least expensive Haven cruise in my past.  Crystal like RSSC is a luxury cruise experience.  No comparison on any level to the Haven.  These luxury cruises are the entire ship being the Haven on steroids.  Until you try one, you will never know what I am saying.  

 

Yet, I still prefer the Haven.  Did you think I was going this way????  I love the ability to go from energy, water slides, go carts, Broadway shows back to private, classy and secluded.  I want the best of both worlds.  Would I pay more for a Haven suite then a luxury cruise line like RSSC.  Not for the same itinerary.  I would do luxury.  However lets remember, this luxury cruise comparisons are not apples to apples.  They provide different experiences.  

 

So here is my advice.  The prices for Haven suites on certain ships and itineraries are going down. On their newest ships maybe not quite yet.  Evaluate the market has to offer, then remember to cruise they way you want and get what will make your cruise the best it can be.  All that matters is we cruise, relax, make new friends and have great memories.

 

Cruise well everyone.  

[pbenjamin]

Prices are all over the map.  We looked at Canada/New England in late September 2022.  Two people in Two Bedroom Suite, all the Free at Sea stuff.

 

H6 (large balcony) on the Breakaway, RT from NYC 9/25 $8679

H6 (large balcony) on the Joy RT from NYC 9/16 $12067

S4 (non Haven) on the Pearl  Quebec City to Boston 9/23 $9349

H6 (Haven) on the Pearl Quebec City to Boston 9/23 $12166

 

The difference between the Joy and the Breakaway makes little sense.  The H6 on the Pearl is obscene given the paltry Haven on Jewel Class ships.  FWIW the S4 on the Pearl is $1000 more than it was on this year's cancelled itinerary.

[SireDoime]

Yeah NCL has less shinier bells and throaty whistles than RSSC.

 

I'm only sailing on the NCL Bliss this January because of the itinerary through the Panama Canal, not for the so called "Mini Suite"...heh ehhe hehhe. And yes, Havens are far cheaper in December than January for the same ... wait, I typed that already....

 

Peace.

Edited October 12, 2021 by SireDoime
Read first, then post comment.

[Hearthosesteeldrumsplayin]

1 hour ago, SireDoime said:

Yeah NCL has less shinier bells and throaty whistles than RSSC.

 

I'm only sailing on the NCL Bliss this January because of the itinerary through the Panama Canal, not for the so called "Mini Suite"...heh ehhe hehhe. And yes, Havens are far cheaper in December than January for the same ... wait, I typed that already....

 

Peace.

BTW, SireDoime, if you book that TA on the Splendor from Barcelona this November, I'll see you on board!  Fingers crossed it goes!

[SireDoime]

11 hours ago, Hearthosesteeldrumsplayin said:

Fingers crossed it goes!

🤞🏿🤞🏿👋🏿👋🏿

[roger001]

I booked a Haven on the Bliss for two several weeks ago.  It has gone up $800 since then.  

[Trimone]

The prices are ridiculous, NCL are fully aware of the cruise credits customers took, and now showing their gratitude ?

[DCGuy64]

17 hours ago, pbenjamin said:

S4 (non Haven) on the Pearl  Quebec City to Boston 9/23 $9349

We're booked on the Pearl for the week before (Boston to Québec City) and it's almost $900 pp for an inside cabin. With the FAS offers it's around $1,000, which is the same as we paid for a Club Balcony suite last month in the Caribbean. Crazy! Not sure why, maybe supply and demand.

[Sthrngary]

1 hour ago, roger001 said:

I booked a Haven on the Bliss for two several weeks ago.  It has gone up $800 since then.  

All me to comment. I love watching prices mostly Haven Prices.  I kind of have to much time on my hands so I do little informal studies.  When a price on one of my cruises goes up, I look at how many of that category Haven Suites are available.  I also find it very interesting to do comparisons between different ship sizes and the newest ships.  I told you I had to much time on my hands.  

 

So here is my "unofficial" conclusion.  Holiday times are just nuts in a Haven Suite.  Just look at the week of Thanksgiving vs. the week after Thanksgiving on the Joy.  Look at the Haven 2-Bedroom family Villas.  The price discrepancy is insane. Normally I could see this because NCL does that 3-4th person free promotion so you really average out the cost by 4 vs. 2.  Thanksgiving is a family cruise because the kids are off of school.  This year, not so much with the NCL policy on Vaccination Only so many family are not booking until after January 1, 2021.  Still huge difference.

 

Then you go to other ships, same suites (Haven Penthouse not Family Villa) and the Haven prices are down.  Finally you go to the Prima and the prices are over the top.  

 

I think this stream is more about getting a reasonable Haven fare vs. how really high they are so I will address that.  The inexact science but seems to be working well for me is, cruise lines do the same thing as hotels for room/cabin prices.  If they have to many, they reduce the price.  Then cruise lines have another strategy, they offer bidding for Haven Suites like priceline. On a recent Encore sailing, there were a lot of Haven Suites left.  The price was going down after the full payment was required.  Still a lot were available.  Then when NCL sent out their bid for a Haven Suite went out, they were all gone.  Remember that when doing your planning. 

 

If you want a good deal on a Haven Room, book early and not on the newest ship like the Prima.  That is why I did the Joy.  Not enough difference from the Bliss or Encore to justify the costs.  Second, take a risk.  I have never won a bid for a Haven Suite.  That is because I don't offer much.  However if I want in with a strategy to win, I would know what the Haven Suite fare was, compared to what my stateroom actually is, then be aggressive with my up bid still getting a bargain.  Do your due diligence.  Remember you might come up empty handed that is why it is a risk.  Third, book late close to the cruise if you can and have flexible plans. 

 

Just remember, prices on all staterooms are weird now due to covid and 60% to 70% reduced occupancy.  Don't be upset with prices, just have some fun with them.  Be flexible and do it as a kind of hobby.  If cruising is fun which it is, so should shopping for a cruise.  

 

Cruise well everyone. 

[rxlowry]

I’ve sailed both and I’d pick Reagent hands down.  The food and service surpasses It by far.  

[mooche]

I have a Haven DOS that was booked for over a year ago and paid for mostly with the Credits from previous covid canceled cruises.... when I booked it it was 9k total for the cabin (just me and my wife)  now that same cabin is going for more than 18k  (even though they tout a 70% discount for 2nd guest) crazy pricing and they obviously think we are stupid to believe their discounts.

[wolft927]

Haven Prices have gone up...so i booked the Norwegian Breakaway for December 5th, paid for a Standard Balcony with all 4 free at Sea and it was just about $2100 for 2....what i did notice was about 30 days out there where alot of Haven Suites still available so i decided to bid. I bid just inside the fair area ( $850 PP more) and won the Forward facing Haven Suite. So for $3800 for 2 we are in the Haven. If you can stand a regular Balcony that is the route i would go. 

[Dcoy]

I recently booked a Haven aft penthouse on the Breakaway for next Sept. The cost for that booking was less than 4 years ago when we had an aft suite on the Pearl during an Alaska cruise. 

[Laszlo]

1 hour ago, Dcoy said:

I recently booked a Haven aft penthouse on the Breakaway for next Sept. The cost for that booking was less than 4 years ago when we had an aft suite on the Pearl during an Alaska cruise. 

I bet, an Alaskan cruise is probably the most expensive 7 day cruise around

[pcakes122]

A note on Regent for any NCL casino players interested in Regent or Oceania cruise lines.  BASED ON YOUR NCL CASINO PLAY, you can get a comp or discount on either of those lines.  I have never tried either line but was offered a comp back-to-back to Bermuda on the Oceania Insignia for summer 2022.  (I'm excited since the Insignia docks in St. George & Hamilton and spends 4 days in Bermuda on each leg of the B2B.)  Can't wait!

[Sailing12Away]

There's some amazing deals to be found in Haven now on some last minute sailings. I'm not going to specify which one because I'm still trying to find another couple to share the 3 bedroom garden villa with me and don't want any of you stealing from me - but the price is an absolute steal right now. If you put 6 people in the GV it would work out to around $350/pp. To me, that's insanely cheap for the biggest room on the ship.

[complawyer]

that sounds to good to be true. at that price, 6X350 is only 2100. at that  price, id book the cabin for myself without the need for any other people.