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

[Beach Life 1]

 

Thank you @cruiseny4life and @CDR Benson.  We have stayed in suites on the smaller Jewel class ships,  but we never had access to the Haven, and they don't have a Haven Restaurant.  We are so looking forward to the Haven Experience.  @cruiseny4life,  we are staying in a Haven Penthouse Suite.  I believe they used to be Spa suites,  but are now Haven Penthouse Suites.  It does seem like a quick elevator ride to the Haven.   Thanks again. 

[Sthrngary]

1 hour ago, Trivan said:

Thanks again to all those experienced Haven travelers and the advice given.  I'm about 1 month out from our trip on the Joy, butler letter in draft mode and figuring out our plans for each day, some which include doing nothing!!   I realize everyones' tastes are different, but please reminisce and share what was your "secret(s)" to your most enjoyable day at sea, even if you didn't use Haven services to experience it. 

@Trivan The NCL Joy has a GREAT Haven and GREAT Haven staff.  Here is my sea day.

 

1. Great Breakfast with way to much French Press Coffee.
2. Shower
3. Haven Bar to gain a drink to take to the Haven Sundeck.
4. Hot Tub with my newest friends.
5. Shower
6. Haven Bar for another drink or two
7. Lunch at the Haven Restuarant
8. Main Pool Deck to watch the "Mr. Sexy Legs Contest" with a drink.
9. Haven Bar for another drink.
10. Spa massage which needed the several drinks prior to forget how darn expensive that massage will be.
11. Two bottles of water
12. Shower
13. You guest it, more drinks. 

 

"Not that I plan things our or anything."

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[Trivan]

2 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

@Trivan The NCL Joy has a GREAT Haven and GREAT Haven staff.  Here is my sea day.

 

1. Great Breakfast with way to much French Press Coffee.
2. Shower
3. Haven Bar to gain a drink to take to the Haven Sundeck.
4. Hot Tub with my newest friends.
5. Shower
6. Haven Bar for another drink or two
7. Lunch at the Haven Restuarant
8. Main Pool Deck to watch the "Mr. Sexy Legs Contest" with a drink.
9. Haven Bar for another drink.
10. Spa massage which needed the several drinks prior to forget how darn expensive that massage will be.
11. Two bottles of water
12. Shower
13. You guest it, more drinks. 

 

"Not that I plan things our or anything."

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

This is great, I think I have 1 day planned!

[js]

Hi. We will be on the Joy in August. Approximately what is the earliest time we can get taken down for disembarkation. 
 

Also, we plan to arrive at the pier by 10 am in NY, is this what you would all suggest. We are Platinum on NCL and sail Haven often but not since pandemic. 
 

Thank you!

[Sthrngary]

13 minutes ago, js said:

Hi. We will be on the Joy in August. Approximately what is the earliest time we can get taken down for disembarkation. 
 

Also, we plan to arrive at the pier by 10 am in NY, is this what you would all suggest. We are Platinum on NCL and sail Haven often but not since pandemic. 
 

Thank you!

@js I am anticipating your reason for your question an early flight.  If you are on the Joy, in the Haven, the moment the ship is cleared, you can have the Haven desk escort you on the service elevator out.  Let's say it gets to the pier at 07:00 AM, at latest, you are off at luggage at 08:00 AM.  If you get in at 06:00 AM you are at luggage at 07:00 AM.

 

On embarkation, do Online Check-In the moment you can (21 days out) and get the earliest time for boarding.  In reality, it does not matter I just always act like I am in a Club Balcony Suite even if I am in the Haven.  The Haven can board first and can come to the port anytime they want.  So, you will be in the Port Haven Lounge until the clear the ship.  Be in the first Haven group being escorted in.  That is what I always do.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[Pitzel]

6 hours ago, drumming cruisers said:

@Sthrngary Are there special breakfast room order forms for Haven to hang on door the night before? I have never seen any in the cabin. 

They have the standard continental breakfast door hangers, but our butler advised us that we could request anything from the suites room service menu or from the Haven restaurant and write that on the tag and he would bring it to us at the time we specified. We could have also given him our order written on a note pad or called in our order to him as well.

[js]

53 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

@js I am anticipating your reason for your question an early flight.  If you are on the Joy, in the Haven, the moment the ship is cleared, you can have the Haven desk escort you on the service elevator out.  Let's say it gets to the pier at 07:00 AM, at latest, you are off at luggage at 08:00 AM.  If you get in at 06:00 AM you are at luggage at 07:00 AM.

 

On embarkation, do Online Check-In the moment you can (21 days out) and get the earliest time for boarding.  In reality, it does not matter I just always act like I am in a Club Balcony Suite even if I am in the Haven.  The Haven can board first and can come to the port anytime they want.  So, you will be in the Port Haven Lounge until the clear the ship.  Be in the first Haven group being escorted in.  That is what I always do.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

Thank you! Actually, we live not too far of a drive from the port but we always like to leave early and be home early. 
 

I would like to be in the first group

or so going up to the Haven so thinking I want to arrive by 10 am to the port. 
 

Thank you so much for your answer and this fabulous thread! It is one of my favorites!

[Pitzel]

6 hours ago, Trivan said:

Thanks again to all those experienced Haven travelers and the advice given.  I'm about 1 month out from our trip on the Joy, butler letter in draft mode and figuring out our plans for each day, some which include doing nothing!!   I realize everyones' tastes are different, but please reminisce and share what was your "secret(s)" to your most enjoyable day at sea, even if you didn't use Haven services to experience it. 

Some of our favorite sea day activities:
- Grabbing a shaded padded lounger or day bed somewhere and reading. The Waterfront is great for this, as is the Haven Sundeck.
- Morning trivia, afternoon trivia, music trivia, etc. Always a highlight for us on our cruises.
- Playing cards somewhere with an amazing view of the water.
- Grabbing glasses of champagne from the bar and heading back to our suite to sit on the balcony with a fruit and cheese tray.
- Walking around the Waterfront, as it is almost always quiet and we love looking at the ocean passing by.
- A little bit of window shopping through the onboard shops.
- Watching the sunset while having a delicious specialty meal, followed by listening to live music or watching a show with a nice after dinner drink.

[js]

Hi.

Leaving on Joy on August 13, cannot wait!

I know we can arrive any time staying in the Haven, but I do want to still do online check in and try to get the earliest time available. 

Reading that online check in opens for all (or Haven) at 21 days, what time of day does it open? Midnight?

 

Has anyone been on the Joy recently and can tell me what was the earliest they were able to get off the ship when it docked back in the city? We live in driving distance and thinking we are going to have someone pick us up or car service and want to be off as early as we can.

Thank you.

[omahabob]

You might want to clarify what city you're asking about. Not everyone reads all the posts.

[Sthrngary]

15 minutes ago, js said:

Hi.

Leaving on Joy on August 13, cannot wait!

I know we can arrive any time staying in the Haven, but I do want to still do online check in and try to get the earliest time available. 

Reading that online check in opens for all (or Haven) at 21 days, what time of day does it open? Midnight?

 

Has anyone been on the Joy recently and can tell me what was the earliest they were able to get off the ship when it docked back in the city? We live in driving distance and thinking we are going to have someone pick us up or car service and want to be off as early as we can.

Thank you.

@js I cannot tell you how excited I am for you.  I LOVE the NCL Joy.  I can answer your question.  We left and came back from New NCL terminal in Miami.  The ship docked at 06:00 AM.  We were in the freight elevator, behind the Haven Desk at 07:00 AM. I had my luggage in hand at 07:05 AM, I was at the cab stand at 07:15 AM.  Baring any unforeseen situations, that is my experience. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[Trivan]

1 hour ago, js said:

Hi.

Leaving on Joy on August 13, cannot wait!

I know we can arrive any time staying in the Haven, but I do want to still do online check in and try to get the earliest time available. 

Reading that online check in opens for all (or Haven) at 21 days, what time of day does it open? Midnight?

 

Has anyone been on the Joy recently and can tell me what was the earliest they were able to get off the ship when it docked back in the city? We live in driving distance and thinking we are going to have someone pick us up or car service and want to be off as early as we can.

Thank you.

It leaves from NYC. @js see you at the bar! We're on the same cruise, we'll have a toast to @Sthrngary

Edited July 13, 2023 by Trivan

[Grimix]

1 hour ago, js said:

Reading that online check in opens for all (or Haven) at 21 days, what time of day does it open? Midnight?

Midnight east coast time. (Since you're east coast midnight it is!) Being west coast we get to check in a day earlier than you at 9pm. 🙂 (Royal you as we aren't on this cruise.)

[CDR Benson]

2 hours ago, js said:

Hi.

Leaving on Joy on August 13, cannot wait!

 

 

Like Sthrngary, I get a nip of cruise fever just hearing that you're so close to sail date.  It doesn't help that the Good Mrs. Benson and I are only 135 days from our Regent cruise (which I booked in February, 2022).  I know how fast things approach from this point.

 

Still, we love Norwegian Joy and its Haven so much that I'm excited for you by extension.  We have our next cruise on Joy booked for 2024, but I frequently talk myself out of tapping into our investment funds for a sooner cruise.

 

You're about to embark on a fine ship, and I'll just have to find the patience to wait until our turn next year.  Wishing you and yours the most idyllic of voyages!

[Daniel A]

@Sthrngary - Now I am finding out why you don't use NCL Air.  I got my air confirmations for my upcoming cruise, and I immediately booked and upgraded our seats directly with the airlines.  Now, I have discovered that despite written confirmations from both airlines, they have relocated our seats to all middle seats in the four across section in the middle of the aircraft.  We had 3 adjoining seats confirmed with one window, a middle, and an aisle seat.  When I called Air Canada, they said I have to go through NCL Air, but NCL Air says all seat assignments are done directly with the airline.  Catch 22 Airlines!!  This is the last time I book air through the cruise line.  Lesson learned.  🤬 

[ashkay16]

I will be on the Joy to Bermuda 7/30 out of Manhattan to Bermuda .  Did same cruise last year but this year will be  in the Haven .  Thanks to you good people I feel fully prepared and so ready to experience the Haven life .  Love the Joy and Bermuda is awesome as well . Thanks again for all the advice and info about Haven life as now I have realistic expectations .  

[Sthrngary]

24 minutes ago, Daniel A said:

@Sthrngary - Now I am finding out why you don't use NCL Air.  I got my air confirmations for my upcoming cruise, and I immediately booked and upgraded our seats directly with the airlines.  Now, I have discovered that despite written confirmations from both airlines, they have relocated our seats to all middle seats in the four across section in the middle of the aircraft.  We had 3 adjoining seats confirmed with one window, a middle, and an aisle seat.  When I called Air Canada, they said I have to go through NCL Air, but NCL Air says all seat assignments are done directly with the airline.  Catch 22 Airlines!!  This is the last time I book air through the cruise line.  Lesson learned.  🤬 

I am so sorry this happened to you. I try my best without being too forward to help folks on things like this. The good news is your cruise will be fantastic. Don’t let the air affect your enjoyment of your vacation.
 

Cruise well, and enjoy every moment

[knscruiser322]

I saw another thread about laundry service and wondered how is the laundry service on NCL? specifically the Joy. And where can I find the prices for them? Is there something in the cabin that I can see the prices for?

[Branbay]

12 hours ago, knscruiser322 said:

I saw another thread about laundry service and wondered how is the laundry service on NCL? specifically the Joy. And where can I find the prices for them? Is there something in the cabin that I can see the prices for?

Hi knscruiser322,

While I cannot speak for the Joy as we just got off of the Escape last Sunday.  We did laundry two times in the Haven.  There is a price list/checklist and a bag located inside the closet, you just fill it out and leave the bag on your bed and the steward will take care of it. Each time we did ours I was charged $29, the second bag of laundry was "fill the bag for one price" I believe it showed up on the third day of the cruise. For the first bag, I should have been charged considerably more but I wasn't.

[Treasure Hunter]

I don’t for sure but if you are in the Haven , they take extra care. Our laundry always came back beautifully folded.

[knscruiser322]

Thanks both! While I don't think we'll need to use the laundry service, its good to know that it is available and pretty good for Haven.

[McGarrett5oh]

2 hours ago, Treasure Hunter said:

 

I don’t for sure but if you are in the Haven , they take extra care. Our laundry always came back beautifully folded.

 

We’re 14 days on the Prima in September plus 2 days early arrival. We’re budgeting for Haven laundry so we can pack less and save room for the layers we’ll need in Iceland and Norway.  

[NikkiPoooo27]

The laundry service is pretty good, Haven or not, though (even in the Haven) it can sometimes take a full day to get it back if you put it out at a busy time (like when they put out the $29 bag offer). I've only ever used wash and fold, though I think I might have a few items pressed on the upcoming TA. In the last year or so they've made the bag much better than it used to be... it used to be paper and not hold very much without ripping, but now it's a polyester drawstring bag that holds a TON. You still have to list all of the items on the sheet, and they'll come back with little tags stuck in them.

 

 

[NikkiPoooo27]

2 hours ago, McGarrett5oh said:

We’re budgeting for Haven laundry so we can pack less and save room for the layers we’ll need in Iceland and Norway.

 

For the Alaska cruise we used the roll-up space bags to pack bulky stuff that wouldn't wrinkle, or would easily straighten out like leggings, outerwear, a Comfy (wonderful for morning coffee on the balcony), and sweaters.

[RocketMan275]

5 hours ago, McGarrett5oh said:

We’re 14 days on the Prima in September plus 2 days early arrival. We’re budgeting for Haven laundry so we can pack less and save room for the layers we’ll need in Iceland and Norway.  

My wife likes to send out as much as she can expect to get back before the end of the cruise.  

That way she minimizes the laundry she has to do when we get home.