The NCL Haven Luxury VIP Experience "Secrets" REVISED for 2022

[Daniel A]

Does the concierge have some pull to get passes for Vibe Beach Club?

[Sthrngary]

3 minutes ago, Daniel A said:

Does the concierge have some pull to get passes for Vibe Beach Club?

@Daniel A You just opened up a can of worms but I will share what I know.  First, I love the Vibe Beach Club and now you can book it online until it is sold out.  The Vibe for me is much better than the Haven Sundeck unless the Haven Sundeck has hot tubs.  Not all of them do. 

 

It has been my experience, not saying it will happen this time, that the Haven desk has a few Vibe Beach Passes stashed away.  Here is what I would do, I would send my wife to the area where they book the specialty restaurant which also has a desk for the Vibe Beach Club.  You are on first so get in the first group.  I would go directly to the Haven Desk.  He or she that is successful first wins.  You just increased your odds.

 

Many say the Vibe and the Premium Plus Beverage Package are a waste.  I always do them both as long as my budget will stand it.  Just me. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[graphicguy]

1 hour ago, KangCruiser said:

We were on the Epic in December booked in a 2 bedroom, and then bought the spa pass on top of that. At $350, I would book the 2BR all day long just for the huge bathroom....But, you should also know the spa is quite the hike from Haven Courtyard. We found that because of the distance (and other factors) we didn't use it much. Similarly, if we had of chosen the spa room, I don't think we would have gotten full use of the Haven services like priority on/off ship at ports or escorts to shows. There is no way I would go upstairs to the opposite end of the ship to use this service to go back downstairs. Just something to think about! 

Thanks…good points I hadn’t thought about.  Just spoke to my TA.  She said prices dropped.  The 2BR is now “only” $187 more than my current Spa Suite.  Of course, I lose the free access to the spa in the process.  Personally, I don’t mind waking to the Haven.  I know it’s a couple of decks higher than the Haven Spa Suites.  But, one thing I can always use on a cruise is a little more exercise.

 

If this were a regular 7 day cruise in the Bahamas, I’d lean towards the Spa.  But, this is an 11 day Mediterranean cruise, where I’d probably be less likely to use the Spa as much!

 

This is a hard decision…not a bad decision either way, just hard!

Edited July 6, 2023 by graphicguy

[Sthrngary]

3 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Thanks…good points I hadn’t thought about.  Just spoke to my TA.  She said prices dropped.  The 2BR is now “only” $187 more than my current Spa Suite.  Of course, I lose the free access to the spa in the process.  Personally, I don’t mind waking to the Haven.  I know it’s a couple of decks higher than the Haven Spa Suites.  But, one thing I can always use on a cruise is a little more exercise.

 

It’s making this a hard decision!

At $187. That’s too much of a bargain to pass up. Even if you purchase thermal spa on its own. I know you were solo, that room is so nice even I couldn’t pass it up at that number. I just thought I would check in. Please let us all know what happens. 

[Sugar Magnolia]

28 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Thanks…good points I hadn’t thought about.  Just spoke to my TA.  She said prices dropped.  The 2BR is now “only” $187 more than my current Spa Suite.  Of course, I lose the free access to the spa in the process.  Personally, I don’t mind waking to the Haven.  I know it’s a couple of decks higher than the Haven Spa Suites.  But, one thing I can always use on a cruise is a little more exercise.

 

If this were a regular 7 day cruise in the Bahamas, I’d lean towards the Spa.  But, this is an 11 day Mediterranean cruise, where I’d probably be less likely to use the Spa as much!

 

This is a hard decision…not a bad decision either way, just hard!

My heart aches for you.

 

I agree. I normally buy the spa pass on every cruise, but on my upcoming Dawn cruise which is very port intensive, I opted out. I might do a day pass on a sea day. 
 

[KangCruiser]

5 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

At $187. That’s too much of a bargain to pass up. Even if you purchase thermal spa on its own. I know you were solo, that room is so nice even I couldn’t pass it up at that number. I just thought I would check in. Please let us all know what happens. 

Ooof! Agree, that is a steal! At that price you can upgrade to 2BR and get the spa pass. Another thing to think about is the Epic Haven has a sauna and hot tub right in the courtyard…

 

Or one other idea would be to upgrade and then book yourself a massage or two. Use the spa facilities on those days. (I assume you can use the spa if you get a massage? But would need someone else to verify this)

[JoieNsk]

On 6/29/2023 at 3:38 PM, graphicguy said:

I can upgrade my Haven Spa Suite for a 2 BR Haven Suite within steps of the Restaurant, bar, concierge etc.  Again, I'm a solo, but the upgrade would be about $350.

 

Would you?  Could you? Pros?  Cons?

 

I usually don't feel guilty, but this has me talking to myself given I'm considering it.  

 

 

Maybe you already did it, as this post is "old".

 

But I will still chime in. I would do it just for the bathroom in 2-bedrooms! Did you see that shower looking into the sea? :)))) We are two of us, and I feel a bit guilty too, as we really didn't need the second bedroom. So I think I know where you are coming from. But I always wanted to try that shower with the view!

 

BWT, how did you get that upgrade for $350, if it is not a secret?

 

We are booked in 2-bedroom - on the same cruise, and we are getting what I feel like an amazing deal, considering how much those rooms normally cost. But we are still paying considerably more. Maybe because we are 2 people?

 

I guess it would not matter for this time, as we are paid in full. But I would like to get any tips for the future :))) I would LOVE to get the 2-bedroom on the Antarctica cruise I booked for 2025! But I just can't swallow the price. I still am crying about the price of the Penthouse I booked :))) But it is a 14 days cruise, and I really wanted nicer and bigger bathroom - even just for the two of us.

[graphicguy]

Thanks!  Y’all have given me great points to consider.  TA is closed until tomorrow.  Looks like there aren’t many Haven Suites left.  So, will have to dance or let the band go home if I’m going to do this by tomorrow!

[graphicguy]

3 hours ago, JoieNsk said:

Maybe you already did it, as this post is "old".

 

But I will still chime in. I would do it just for the bathroom in 2-bedrooms! Did you see that shower looking into the sea? :)))) We are two of us, and I feel a bit guilty too, as we really didn't need the second bedroom. So I think I know where you are coming from. But I always wanted to try that shower with the view!

 

BWT, how did you get that upgrade for $350, if it is not a secret?

 

We are booked in 2-bedroom - on the same cruise, and we are getting what I feel like an amazing deal, considering how much those rooms normally cost. But we are still paying considerably more. Maybe because we are 2 people?

 

I guess it would not matter for this time, as we are paid in full. But I would like to get any tips for the future :))) I would LOVE to get the 2-bedroom on the Antarctica cruise I booked for 2025! But I just can't swallow the price. I still am crying about the price of the Penthouse I booked :))) But it is a 14 days cruise, and I really wanted nicer and bigger bathroom - even just for the two of us.

No secret.  I’ll say up front I have no idea how NCL chose who to send coupons to, but they sent me Alaska and Europe coupons that offered significant percentages off the fares.  I took advantage of the Alaska coupon on the Bliss in a Balcony Cabin.

 

These Mediterranean fares were attractive but really great deals with the 20% off coupons.  That caused me to look at the Haven, as those fares are particularly attractive.

 

My TA kicks in some of her commission, too.

 

There are other tricks,  but mostly surrounds using charge card perks.

 

None of this is a secret, though!

[graphicguy]

One last thing, I check cruise prices daily.  I keep  a spreadsheet with prices of cruises I’m interested in!

[JoieNsk]

21 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

One last thing, I check cruise prices daily.  I keep  a spreadsheet with prices of cruises I’m interested in!

Thank you! 

 

I check too, but not every day.  I think we actually got the same kind of price - but we are two, and we booked 2-bedroom upfront. We also had 20% coupon - for our cancelled cruise in February.

 

I guess I just have to hope that price will go down on my other cruise too 🙂 But I don't believe it will... I think this Epic sailings in October are very unusual - price-wise, that's it.

 

Unfortunately I can't book at the last moment usually. And the best deals probably come up after final payment date - if the cruise is not sold out.

 

But I am anyways very happy that I finally get to try that shower :))))

[Wombservice]

We’re sailing on the Escape in the Haven two bedroom family villa…..just one adult will be using the second bedroom, and I’m wondering how comfortable/uncomfortable the fold out couch is in there.  We did pre-order the egg crate pad, but will that be enough to get a decent night’s sleep?

Thank you!

[Treasure Hunter]

Yes

[Sthrngary]

5 hours ago, Wombservice said:

We’re sailing on the Escape in the Haven two bedroom family villa…..just one adult will be using the second bedroom, and I’m wondering how comfortable/uncomfortable the fold out couch is in there.  We did pre-order the egg crate pad, but will that be enough to get a decent night’s sleep?

Thank you!

@Wombservice Very comfortable.  I even like the room.  Small yet felt private and had everything one would need.  NCL has changed their approach for these two-bedroom family villa on their new ships to have a full sized bed.  They have also increased the investment.  I think the Escape, Bliss, Encore and Joy do a very nice job with these suites.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[Wombservice]

1 hour ago, Treasure Hunter said:

Yes

 

51 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

@Wombservice Very comfortable.  I even like the room.  Small yet felt private and had everything one would need.  NCL has changed their approach for these two-bedroom family villa on their new ships to have a full sized bed.  They have also increased the investment.  I think the Escape, Bliss, Encore and Joy do a very nice job with these suites.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

Thank you both!!  I do wish it was a regular bed, as @Sthrngarymentions the newer ships have - but hopefully it will work out just fine 😆

[amygutman]

6 hours ago, Wombservice said:

We’re sailing on the Escape in the Haven two bedroom family villa…..just one adult will be using the second bedroom, and I’m wondering how comfortable/uncomfortable the fold out couch is in there.  We did pre-order the egg crate pad, but will that be enough to get a decent night’s sleep?

Thank you!

@Wombservice First of all...fantastic name. 

Now...to your question - very comfy. My kiddo LOVES this room, but there have been nights when he and my husband have had "man time" and fell asleep watching movies in the main bedroom relegating me to the 2nd bedroom. Not only is the bed comfy (with egg crate), it is firm and not saggy at all like many pull-out couches. 

He actually keeps the bed open all day because he likes to stretch out on it and my 300 lb husband and he will also read and play games together. So yes - comfy and although not as large as the master, very roomy. 

 

Warmest, Amy

Warmest, Amy

[Wombservice]

1 hour ago, amygutman said:

Not only is the bed comfy (with egg crate), it is firm and not saggy at all like many pull-out couches. 

Thanks so much for that info, @amygutmanvery helpful!  ((I was a birth doula/childbirth educator for many years - hence the name!)

 

Susan

[graphicguy]

That's it.  I BLAME ALL OF YOU!

 

I pulled the trigger on the Haven 2BR Suite on the Epic sailing 11 days in the Mediterranean....as a solo.

 

I don't know if I feel lucky or guilty.  But, my TA gave me the final delta between the Haven Spa Suite and the Haven 2 BR Suite.  It was another $113.28 after applying the 20% COUPON.  So, as they say....why not?  So, I did!

 

 

[Treasure Hunter]

That’s fabulous. You only live once.😁

[Sthrngary]

20 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

That's it.  I BLAME ALL OF YOU!

 

I pulled the trigger on the Haven 2BR Suite on the Epic sailing 11 days in the Mediterranean....as a solo.

 

I don't know if I feel lucky or guilty.  But, my TA gave me the final delta between the Haven Spa Suite and the Haven 2 BR Suite.  It was another $113.28 after applying the 20% COUPON.  So, as they say....why not?  So, I did!

 

 

Way to go, enjoy it.  Lots of room, GREAT bathroom and a TV room with a couch.  Have party.  It is also steps away from the Haven Bar and Restaurant.  Very happy for you.  Enjoy.

 

Cruise well and have one of the GREAT Haven Almond Croissant for me!!!!!

[omahabob]

47 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

That's it.  I BLAME ALL OF YOU!...

 

I accept the blame. You may beat me with a wet noodle next time you see me.

[Sugar Magnolia]

53 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

That's it.  I BLAME ALL OF YOU!

 

I pulled the trigger on the Haven 2BR Suite on the Epic sailing 11 days in the Mediterranean....as a solo.

 

I don't know if I feel lucky or guilty.  But, my TA gave me the final delta between the Haven Spa Suite and the Haven 2 BR Suite.  It was another $113.28 after applying the 20% COUPON.  So, as they say....why not?  So, I did!

 

 

You could probably ask your butler to set up your fancy bathroom as a luxurious thermal spa. 
 

[KangCruiser]

1 hour ago, graphicguy said:

That's it.  I BLAME ALL OF YOU!

 

I pulled the trigger on the Haven 2BR Suite on the Epic sailing 11 days in the Mediterranean....as a solo.

 

I don't know if I feel lucky or guilty.  But, my TA gave me the final delta between the Haven Spa Suite and the Haven 2 BR Suite.  It was another $113.28 after applying the 20% COUPON.  So, as they say....why not?  So, I did!

 

 

Yay! You are going to love it!! 
 

Edited to add the question….will you also add the spa pass now? Inquiring minds want to know 🤣

Edited July 7, 2023 by KangCruiser

[omahabob]

1 hour ago, graphicguy said:

...I pulled the trigger on the Haven 2BR Suite on the Epic sailing 11 days in the Mediterranean....as a solo...

 

Forward facing? Make sure you give us a wind report if it is. A few people seem to be concerned with that lately.

[omahabob]

Does the Behind the Scenes tour cost anything?