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

[flying_dutchman]

14 hours ago, Pitzel said:

Your room steward is included as part of your Daily Service Charge (DSC), though you are welcome to tip more for exceptional service. The Butler and Concierge (or Assistant Concierge) are not part of the DSC and should be tipped separately.

To determine an amount for each, you may want to factor in how many people are in your cabin, how much you utilize each of their services, and how much they contribute to your overall satisfaction (or dissatisfaction) on your cruise. 

In the past, we have had situations where we have not tipped the Concierge at all...because we never once used their services (no reservations, no special requests, no escorts to anything, nada!). In other cases, the Concierge has been fantastic and we might tip $5-20 per "interaction" depending on what was involved -- totalling about $75-100 for the cruise.

For Butlers, we have tipped anywhere between $10-50+ per day for the cabin, depending on the service received and how they enhanced our cruise.

For room stewards, it is not uncommon for us to tip an additional $20-100 for a week long sailing, over and above the DSC. Again, depending on the level of service that we receive.

All of this to say, it is not uncommon for us to bring $500 or more in cash just for tips if we are staying in a suite for a week and expect to utilize all of the services available to us.

BUT...there are no hard and fast rules on tipping on the ship and there are many, many, many threads on CC around tipping and LOTS of opinions on all ends of the spectrum. If you search a bit, you will read all sorts of recommendations. It is up to you to choose what you are comfortable tipping.

This is very helpful and exactly what I needed! Thank you so much!

[Sthrngary]

11 hours ago, Ballwin Babe said:

@Sthrngary can I get the butler letter?  Thanks so much. 🙂

@Ballwin Babe Here you go!. Resize it if you need to get it to landscape.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Cruise_Agenda_Template.xlsx

Edited August 11, 2023 by Sthrngary

[Pitzel]

50 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

@Ballwin Babe Here you go!. Resize it if you need to get it to landscape.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Cruise_Agenda_Template.xlsx 21.06 kB · 7 downloads

@Sthrngary Can you post the Butler Letter template? I think that was what @Ballwin Babe was asking for. 

[Pitzel]

2 hours ago, flying_dutchman said:

This is very helpful and exactly what I needed! Thank you so much!

I should also mention that I mentioned $USD because we are from the US and that is what is easy for us (it is also the currency onboard NCL ships around the world). If you live in Europe, though, and you are sailing from Europe, you don’t need to go out of your way to convert € or £ to $USD. Crew onboard will gladly accept tips in any of these currencies. 
 

if you do use a currency other than USD, though, make sure to convert the guidelines that I provided (or that other posts might suggest) to that currency to make sure that you are not tipping more than you planned. 

[Sthrngary]

9 minutes ago, Pitzel said:

@Sthrngary Can you post the Butler Letter template? I think that was what @Ballwin Babe was asking for. 

@Pitzel Yes you are right.  That was my bad.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

Butler_NCL_Cruises_Template.docx

[cruiseny4life]

11 hours ago, kasimir said:

Two concrete questions out of curiosity: 

- What is the alternative lunch restaurant for Haven guests on the Prima for embarkation day? The other ships offer the American Diner, but that’s not available on Prima. 
- How are the Haven lounge facilities at the Barcelona cruise terminal? Anything to be aware off?

Thanks for asking these questions! I was wondering too as I am on the same sailing as you. We have a roll call if you're interested in joining/haven't already. 

 

 

I'm a little sad there isn't an alternative lunch restaurant since I enjoyed going to American Diner on my previous cruises. But, I'll certainly survive a lunch in the Haven! 🙂 

 

I'm curious to know about the BCN cruise terminal too. I haven't heard anything. We generally get to the terminal early so we're among the first on the ship, so we'll be camping out in the Haven Lounge for a couple of hours (minimum). I hope it's comfy, though I'm sure it's nothing like Miami. 

 

Looking forward to seeing you!

 

@pkay1, thank you for letting us know about lunch! I haven't sailed Pr1ma yet, so I can't really discount anything you said. I have sailed Haven four times, never in the proper/complex/whatever else you want to call it. I've enjoyed being able to be spread out on the ship. I know not everyone (including yourself) enjoys, but I sure do. I'm a little upset I can't take the stairs to the Haven proper area and must take the elevator. I'd rather not wait on the elevator. And, many times I'm coming from the thermal suite or elsewhere on the ship. I suppose now I'll have to pick a deck, wander to the aft, slip through the hallowed door to the Haven, and take the elevator. Is that right?

 

Thanks again for your comments! I truly appreciate them.

[GALSews]

1 hour ago, cruiseny4life said:

I'm a little upset I can't take the stairs to the Haven proper area and must take the elevator. I'd rather not wait on the elevator. And, many times I'm coming from the thermal suite or elsewhere on the ship. I suppose now I'll have to pick a deck, wander to the aft, slip through the hallowed door to the Haven, and take the elevator. Is that right?

 

No, you can get into the Haven "complex" without using the elevator. The door doesn't have a big sign on it saying Haven, but you can get in using your key card. The door is heavy, but click on the card reader and you'll get in. We were on the port side of the ship. We'd walk up the 2 flights of the aft stairs to deck 16. Turn left and instead of going right at the wall (right side of cabin16192), you use your key card on the card reader and drag the door open. You'll come in at the "back of the Haven" even though it is forward of most of the stuff in the Haven. After coming through the door, you'll be in a short corridors (not the least bit elegant, I guess they don't expect lots of people to use it), walk a few paces forward, you are forced to turn left and boom, you are in the Haven - no elevator required.  (The elevators at the top of the image are for all passengers) The Haven elevators are nearer the bottom.) (Oh, getting off the stairs don't turn right, you'll be trooping throught  "staffish" areas. The corridor you enter is behind the restrooms.)

 

So, you don't have to take the Haven elevator, but you do have a short staff feel for maybe 10 feet in the little corridor. 

 

Edited August 11, 2023 by GALSews
Left a lot of words out

[cruiseny4life]

1 hour ago, GALSews said:

No, you can get into the Haven "complex" without using the elevator. The door doesn't have a big sign on it saying Haven, but you can get in using your key card. The door is heavy, but click on the card reader and you'll get in. We were on the port side of the ship. We'd walk up the 2 flights of the aft stairs to deck 16. Turn left and instead of going right at the wall (right side of cabin16192), you use your key card on the card reader and drag the door open. You'll come in at the "back of the Haven" even though it is forward of most of the stuff in the Haven. After coming through the door, you'll be in a short corridors (not the least bit elegant, I guess they don't expect lots of people to use it), walk a few paces forward, you are forced to turn left and boom, you are in the Haven - no elevator required.  (The elevators at the top of the image are for all passengers) The Haven elevators are nearer the bottom.) (Oh, getting off the stairs don't turn right, you'll be trooping throught  "staffish" areas. The corridor you enter is behind the restrooms.)

 

So, you don't have to take the Haven elevator, but you do have a short staff feel for maybe 10 feet in the little corridor. 

 

First, I absolutely love your edit reason! But, second, thank you! This is so helpful! I love the detail and image. Ahhh, I feel a lot better now. I can get a few steps in at least. I might need my Haven, but I don't need the elevator every single time. YAY! 

[pkay1]

@cruiseny4life I stayed on a lower floor, so we took the Haven elevator up to the 16th floor, but there were plenty of times we'd be on 16 or 17 and would walk in the way that @GALSews explained. The Haven elevators(two of them together) are a really nice way to get to other areas of the ship though. Less wait and they pop you out right in the middle of the action! Like literally, right in the middle of the Local! You have to scan your card to use them, so they are not behind closed doors in the common areas of the ship.

[Trivan]

Tomorrow is the big day! A week cruising in the Haven.  I was wondering how many bartenders tend to work the week in the Haven bar.  I want to make sure I have enough to tip what I deem appropriate.  I follow @RocketMan275 philosophy of tip early, tip often, tip generously.

[amygutman]

10 minutes ago, Trivan said:

Tomorrow is the big day! A week cruising in the Haven.  I was wondering how many bartenders tend to work the week in the Haven bar.  I want to make sure I have enough to tip what I deem appropriate.  I follow @RocketMan275 philosophy of tip early, tip often, tip generously.

@Trivan Have a wonderful time!

Warmest Amy

[Daniel A]

1 hour ago, Trivan said:

Tomorrow is the big day! A week cruising in the Haven.  I was wondering how many bartenders tend to work the week in the Haven bar.  I want to make sure I have enough to tip what I deem appropriate.  I follow @RocketMan275 philosophy of tip early, tip often, tip generously.

I don't know if this is industry wide, but on some of my cruises on other lines, the bartenders at a particular bar pool their tips at that bar.  I've given a big tip on my first day to one bartender and the other one, knew my name and drink preferences before I met that bartender.  

[cruiseny4life]

3 hours ago, Trivan said:

Tomorrow is the big day! A week cruising in the Haven.  I was wondering how many bartenders tend to work the week in the Haven bar.  I want to make sure I have enough to tip what I deem appropriate.  I follow @RocketMan275 philosophy of tip early, tip often, tip generously.

On Getaway and Joy I've always seen two bartenders, plus a barback (dunno if that's what NCL calls them, but that's the job they perform). I can't tell you about other ships.

What ship are you cruising and where?

[Trivan]

18 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

What ship are you cruising and where?

Heading to Bermuda on the Joy. We are in a 2 bedroom, I decided on this thru some of the fine advice and comments from this thread.  

[Grimix]

On the Bliss there were 2 main bartenders, and two pool servers. Perhaps one was a barback as cruiseny4life mentioned because we mostly saw the one server outside, and the other was usually in the bar. I believe the bartenders do pool, but the servers told me (not verified though, and telling me this increases the chance I'd tip, and I did...) that they do not pool with the bartenders.

 

I tended to drop a $20 or $10 once a day with them. The first day I told them I was pre-tipping. (I didn't want to have to pull out a $1 or 2 every time I wanted a drink, especially if I was in a bathing suit some times.) They got the idea, and we had excellent service all week. (Others did too, not sure if they tipped or not. They were just really great.) I did give all 4 separate tips ($50) on the last night to thank them for the good times. The one pool server was off the last night so I gave the tip to her partner and said it was for her. She made a point during disembarkation of finding me to thank us. So I know it must have gotten to her.

[mthayer295]

On 8/10/2023 at 4:18 PM, 2Cruise4Ever said:

Hello fellow NCL-ers!  Leaving on Escape this Sunday and am so very excited!  @Sthrngary  I have my Butler letter ready to go, too (thank you for the template!).  Will write a review with pics when we return.  Thank you all so very much for the helpful advice!  We love the Haven and are super excited to return!

Speaking of the butler letter…can someone, maybe even @Sthrngary himself, post the template or a link to it.   We leave in a few days and it is time for me to create our butler letter

[mthayer295]

11 minutes ago, mthayer295 said:

Speaking of the butler letter…can someone, maybe even @Sthrngary himself, post the template or a link to it.   We leave in a few days and it is time for me to create our butler letter

I see you just posted it yesterday so I am all set…sorry that I had missed that

[Traveling Fools]

Booked two adjoining suites in Epic’s Haven yesterday.  Departs Port Canaveral on Jan 7, 2024 and returns the 14^th.  It is going to be a birthday/belated holiday cruise for our daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter, and grandson. 

 

Ports of Call are Great Stirrup Cay; Georgetown, Grand Caymen; Falmouth, Jamaica; and Cozumel.  DW and I have been to all but Falmouth, GD and GD have been with us to Great Stirrup and Cozumel, and it will be all new to DD and SIL.

 

Grandson’s birthday is on 12/27, granddaughter’s BD is on an 3^rd, and DD’s Jan 12^th.

GD and GS are no strangers to the Haven, but this will be DD’s and SIL’s first exposure to the Haven Experience.

 

NCL had a FAS sale in progress and was able to book the 11- and 14-year-old grandchildren using that perk.  Prices we crazy low prompting the booking.  The Kids will only miss 2 ½ days of school and return home to have Jan 15^th a no-school day.

 

I agreed with Sthrngary in another thread he created and nurtured regarding the reasons and advantages of booking the Premium Plus Package and will be booking the same for DW and me.  Unless I’m cruising I don’t drink.  However, we drink several of the non-alcohol beverages NCL charges for, but are free in the PPP.  AND, when cruising, DW and I in vibe in the top shelf brands sold by NCL.  We also like NCL’s policy of permitting passengers to initially board with adult beverages if they have purchased the PPP.  Gives us the opportunity of bringing aboard a great champagne for sail away, especially this cruise.

 

Don’t know if we will upgrade specialty dining options.  We have always enjoyed the menu and service and just the ease of eating in the Haven Restaurant after what is often a full day in port.

 

Regarding a question/situation posted earlier, yes, on more than one occasions, we have been escorted from the Haven into the backdoor of one of the shows.  It was always a dinner show, and I don’t know if they are still available.

[Daniel A]

Can the pre-cruise concierge make a reservation in advance for massages?

[RocketMan275]

23 minutes ago, Daniel A said:

Can the pre-cruise concierge make a reservation in advance for massages?

You can only call and ask.  

I'm guessing that they will say they will pass your request onto the ship.

[amygutman]

1 hour ago, Daniel A said:

Can the pre-cruise concierge make a reservation in advance for massages?

@Daniel A My husband has tried this for a birthday surprise. The pre-concierge will write down the request but the times / type of massage cannot be booked until on the ship. No worries though...there is always a spa therapist in the Haven (and often in the Haven terminal area) to take care of your requests. 

I hope you enjoy your spa time!

Warmest Amy

[Daniel A]

19 hours ago, amygutman said:

@Daniel A My husband has tried this for a birthday surprise. The pre-concierge will write down the request but the times / type of massage cannot be booked until on the ship. No worries though...there is always a spa therapist in the Haven (and often in the Haven terminal area) to take care of your requests. 

I hope you enjoy your spa time!

Warmest Amy

Do you know if the Haven spa offers the same massages as the rest of the ship has?

[Ballwin Babe]

4 minutes ago, Daniel A said:

Do you know if the Haven spa offers the same massages as the rest of the ship has?

I read that the massage staff from the main spa come up to the Haven as necessary.   I suspect the same menu is services would be available. 

[Sthrngary]

35 minutes ago, Daniel A said:

Do you know if the Haven spa offers the same massages as the rest of the ship has?

@Daniel A The Spa Representative has the same menu in the Haven Lounge as if you were in the spa itself.  The services are done in the spa of course.  This is simply another benefit of staying in the Haven.  

I have booked my spa treatments in the Haven with the Spa Representative and directly at the spa.  If I got on first, I do the Haven if I get on later, I go directly to the spa.  Hope that helps.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[juneaubliss]

Hi all, does anyone know if every Haven cruise booking will receive a letter in the mail from NCL about their stay? We booked about 50 days from the cruise, when can we expect to get the welcome package with the instructions?