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

[JoieNsk]

16 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

My wife and I poured the one bottle we opened into the sink.  YMMV, others think they're fine.  We don't.  As others have noted, this isn't Veuve, not even close. 

 

Reports vary but veuve brut is hard to find only available at Le Bistro. 

I am not very fastidious about wine. But I had couple incidents when I didn't want to finish some wine I didn't like. I have my alcohol allowance, and I am not willing to waste it on something I don't like - just because it's free :)))))

 

So I probably will either get a bottle in some Marseille wine shop. Or maybe will just buy a bottle from NCL - in advance...

 

Thank you to everybody for the info and great advice!!!

Edited September 21, 2023 by JoieNsk

[Grimix]

18 hours ago, JoieNsk said:

Would they charge me a corkage fee for the bottle I bought from them - I wonder?

If you have the FAS package there is no corkage fee. You can bring on as much wine/champagne as you can can carry (no specified limits) or bring the bottle you bought onboard anywhere you want. I suspect if you want to you'd even be allowed to drink straight from the bottle walking around the ship! 🙂 

 

(Actually I'd avoid taking the bottle to the pool or hot-tubs. That will probably be disallowed!)

Edited September 22, 2023 by Grimix

[RocketMan275]

42 minutes ago, Grimix said:

(Actually I'd avoid taking the bottle to the pool or hot-tubs. That will probably be disallowed!)

If  you break glass anywhere near a pool, they will have to shut down the pool to clean it.  That's the only way they can ensure there's no broken glass in the pool.  

[JoieNsk]

I ended up buying a bottle from the NCL Gifts: 

https://www.ncl.com/shorex/236458982/53305043/gifts-detail/123

 

Does anybody know - if I did buy it from the cruise line like this, and it is delivered to the cabin from them - not from outside - if I take it with me to the restaurant - will they charge me the corkage fee on that one? 

 

Logically I would think they should not. But I learned that logic doesn't always work with things individual businesses do - especially the big ones like cruise lines are :))))

[scottie920]

Hi, I’ve got the premium beverage package. I know champagne is excluded. Can I purchase a glass of champagne in the Haven or other bars? And if so does anyone know how much this would be and would I just pay the difference above $15 plus 20% gratuity? Thank you. 

[RocketMan275]

54 minutes ago, JoieNsk said:

I ended up buying a bottle from the NCL Gifts: 

https://www.ncl.com/shorex/236458982/53305043/gifts-detail/123

 

Does anybody know - if I did buy it from the cruise line like this, and it is delivered to the cabin from them - not from outside - if I take it with me to the restaurant - will they charge me the corkage fee on that one? 

 

Logically I would think they should not. But I learned that logic doesn't always work with things individual businesses do - especially the big ones like cruise lines are :))))

You'll pay $144 for a bottle of veuve if it's in stock.  There will be no corkage fee.

[Sthrngary]

16 minutes ago, scottie920 said:

Hi, I’ve got the premium beverage package. I know champagne is excluded. Can I purchase a glass of champagne in the Haven or other bars? And if so does anyone know how much this would be and would I just pay the difference above $15 plus 20% gratuity? Thank you. 

@scottie920 Consider the Free at Sea PLUS program or the Premium PLUS Beverage Package.  Read the fine print because it matters.  Consider your options and your decision will be made for you. 

 

I always buy the PLUS beverage package.  Just me, not everyone.  I remember my family of four in the French Restaurant and we could have the Champagne by the glass on the program.  I think my adult daughter and I finished a bottle and a half.  After a while, the server simply brought the bottle over and put it in ice by our table.  I think that is what happened, I can't remember much except the next morning.  For another post.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.   

[JoieNsk]

15 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

You'll pay $144 for a bottle of veuve if it's in stock.  There will be no corkage fee.

I paid for it, yes 🙂 it's three times more than it is at Costco ;))))

 

But "a la guerre comme a la guerre" :)))) We have only one night in Marseille before the cruise. I don't want to spend any time to run around so I can buy a bottle of wine.  I would just rather relax and do something more interesting. The more that we still are going to in a jetleg state too.

[JoieNsk]

24 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

You'll pay $144 for a bottle of veuve if it's in stock.  There will be no corkage fee.

Sorry, maybe I have misunderstood.

 

Did you mean I would be better off just buying the bottle in the restaurant - for the same $144? And then I can take the rest back to the cabin? 

 

The reservation we have on the sailaway day is at the La Cucina - where people reported you are more likely to get some nice champagne.

 

I guess that would be the better option!

 

I am just the planner type - not the last moment type. I wanted to get it in advance, so I know what I get and when.

 

But I know that if they don't have it on the ship, we would not get it anuways - even if we ordered in advance  ;))) they would just say - sorry, and will give us onboard credit as a refund... :)))

Edited September 23, 2023 by JoieNsk

[Sand and Seas]

After boarding ship, I usually purchase the 'soda' drink package using my non-refundable OBC.  (We get free drinks in the casino, but I like my Diet Cokes everywhere else.)  Then I have to wait in Guest Services line to get a new key card printed with 'soda' on it.

  

We recently upgraded this next cruise to Haven (12 heavenly days....YES!)  Would the Haven concierge be able to process the soda package purchase for me and then print a new keycard?  

 

Our last Haven cruise, we had a small problem with something on our bill.  The assistant concierge 'caught' us waiting in the GS line and insisted we come back to the Haven with her so that she could take care of it for us😊    

 

 

[CruisnHallelujahs]

1 hour ago, Sand and Seas said:

After boarding ship, I usually purchase the 'soda' drink package using my non-refundable OBC.  (We get free drinks in the casino, but I like my Diet Cokes everywhere else.)  Then I have to wait in Guest Services line to get a new key card printed with 'soda' on it.

  

We recently upgraded this next cruise to Haven (12 heavenly days....YES!)  Would the Haven concierge be able to process the soda package purchase for me and then print a new keycard?  

 

Our last Haven cruise, we had a small problem with something on our bill.  The assistant concierge 'caught' us waiting in the GS line and insisted we come back to the Haven with her so that she could take care of it for us😊    

 

 

On Joy DH’s keycard info was all smudged from sunscreen.  Showed assistant concierge and in two seconds had a new one. 

[RocketMan275]

4 hours ago, JoieNsk said:

I paid for it, yes 🙂 it's three times more than it is at Costco ;))))

 

But "a la guerre comme a la guerre" :)))) We have only one night in Marseille before the cruise. I don't want to spend any time to run around so I can buy a bottle of wine.  I would just rather relax and do something more interesting. The more that we still are going to in a jetleg state too.

Could you buy the veuve at costco and pack a couple of bottles in your checked bags?

[JoieNsk]

18 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

Could you buy the veuve at costco and pack a couple of bottles in your checked bags?

:))))

 

I once actually did bring two bottles with me - FROM the cruise :)))) As we got two bottles of premium cognac from Celebrity, and it was 4-day cruise - we didn't even open them. But that was from Fort Lauderdale, the distance was much shorter, and surprisingly they didn't break (I did use special sleeves though).

 

But on our second Celebrity cruise - in Europe - we decided to leave the bottles behind. Hopefully the butler used them to get some extra money in addition to the tip we gave him. I don't want to take any chance to get all my stuff soaked in alcohol :))) And my husband complains that I pack too much stuff anyways - I would feel bad to make him drag extra weight of two bottles :))) 

Edited September 24, 2023 by JoieNsk

[Yinster]

21 hours ago, Sand and Seas said:

 

  

We recently upgraded this next cruise to Haven (12 heavenly days....YES!)  Would the Haven concierge be able to process the soda package purchase for me and then print a new keycard?  

 

😊

 

 

Yes and then print out another key card. One cruise, I had several cards printed out cos for some reason I couldn't get into my cabin. 

[Traveling Fools]

On 9/23/2023 at 3:32 PM, RocketMan275 said:

Could you buy the veuve at costco and pack a couple of bottles in your checked bags?

We have done this on most of our cruises, even the ones with foreign itineraries. You should be able to buy traveling wine bags at your local wine store.  You are not going to be lugging suite cases for any extended time, so weight will be minimal, especially if you are traveling with two suite cases and put a bottle in each bag.  

[RocketMan275]

37 minutes ago, Traveling Fools said:

We have done this on most of our cruises, even the ones with foreign itineraries. You should be able to buy traveling wine bags at your local wine store.  You are not going to be lugging suite cases for any extended time, so weight will be minimal, especially if you are traveling with two suite cases and put a bottle in each bag.  

amazon sells them as well.

[kasimir]

Anyone who has seen the latest Youtube video from "Cruise with Ben and David" doing their first Haven cruise on the Viva? 

 

Quite an interesting verdict and I am curious how others feel about it that already been in the Haven on Prima/Viva? 

[Sthrngary]

11 hours ago, kasimir said:

Anyone who has seen the latest Youtube video from "Cruise with Ben and David" doing their first Haven cruise on the Viva? 

 

Quite an interesting verdict and I am curious how others feel about it that already been in the Haven on Prima/Viva? 

@kasimir I just spent my early morning watching this video.  "Cruise with Ben and David" are a series I really enjoy.  They do a great job.  The entire reason for this hugely long and detailed stream is to find every way possible to enhance your Haven Experience.  Many have compared the Haven to the Retreat and Yacht Club.  Each are different in their own way.  Somethings better on some but not others. 

 

Every single complaint that Ben and David had are VALID.  Every one.  From the Menu, to drinks in the room, to coffee in the Haven Lounge.  When the Viva and Prima first came out, it was all the hot ticket.  Then some issues starting happening.  The water slides in the balcony of the some suites, they are simply a bad design.  Some categories of suites show hot tubs on the balcony but in reality don't have them.  The list goes on.  

 

On another of my streams I ask for "Great Deals" in the Haven.  This ship in Europe is one of those great deals.  Maybe those kinds of complaints honestly given by Ben and David is the reason the Haven on these ships are not selling out.  Yet I can't help thinking, if they did a little research prior, "I know it was a surprise", maybe their experience would have been better.  

 

Now allow me to be straight with every single person on this thread.  I took the last five years to find every single way to make the Haven an enhanced luxury experience.  Things few used to talk about. For me personally, it turned out well.  Yet the amount of work, study and due diligence was enormous. Not something everyone would do even famous YouTube cruise personalities. It was to much effort for obtaining a luxury experience unless the premium was not over the top.  I considered the Viva for my "Once in a Lifetime Mediterranean Cruise". I knew all of what "Ben and David" just found out.  I compared the pricing at the time a year ago to Luxury and Ultra-Luxury cruise brands.  In many cases the Viva was more money and provided less amenities.  It just was not a good value so I choose another brands.  The sales prices now available are much more competitive, but not at time of booking. 

 

This video review should be watched with other for ships like the Encore, Bliss, Joy Ect.  I prefer those ships to the newer Prima and Viva.  Personal choose.  Yet still, at these prices we all have to look at all brands in the Luxury and Ultra-Luxury categories and compare. Be open minded and know what the rules are to the game before you get to excited with your booking choice.  Another's words, "Have realistic expectations and a Plan to get there". 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[kasimir]

1 hour ago, Sthrngary said:

@kasimir I just spent my early morning watching this video.  "Cruise with Ben and David" are a series I really enjoy.  They do a great job.  The entire reason for this hugely long and detailed stream is to find every way possible to enhance your Haven Experience.  Many have compared the Haven to the Retreat and Yacht Club.  Each are different in their own way.  Somethings better on some but not others. 

 

Every single complaint that Ben and David had are VALID.  Every one.  From the Menu, to drinks in the room, to coffee in the Haven Lounge.  When the Viva and Prima first came out, it was all the hot ticket.  Then some issues starting happening.  The water slides in the balcony of the some suites, they are simply a bad design.  Some categories of suites show hot tubs on the balcony but in reality don't have them.  The list goes on.  

 

On another of my streams I ask for "Great Deals" in the Haven.  This ship in Europe is one of those great deals.  Maybe those kinds of complaints honestly given by Ben and David is the reason the Haven on these ships are not selling out.  Yet I can't help thinking, if they did a little research prior, "I know it was a surprise", maybe their experience would have been better.  

 

Now allow me to be straight with every single person on this thread.  I took the last five years to find every single way to make the Haven an enhanced luxury experience.  Things few used to talk about. For me personally, it turned out well.  Yet the amount of work, study and due diligence was enormous. Not something everyone would do even famous YouTube cruise personalities. It was to much effort for obtaining a luxury experience unless the premium was not over the top.  I considered the Viva for my "Once in a Lifetime Mediterranean Cruise". I knew all of what "Ben and David" just found out.  I compared the pricing at the time a year ago to Luxury and Ultra-Luxury cruise brands.  In many cases the Viva was more money and provided less amenities.  It just was not a good value so I choose another brands.  The sales prices now available are much more competitive, but not at time of booking. 

 

This video review should be watched with other for ships like the Encore, Bliss, Joy Ect.  I prefer those ships to the newer Prima and Viva.  Personal choose.  Yet still, at these prices we all have to look at all brands in the Luxury and Ultra-Luxury categories and compare. Be open minded and know what the rules are to the game before you get to excited with your booking choice.  Another's words, "Have realistic expectations and a Plan to get there". 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

 

Thanks for your wise words and fully agree with you that some of the complaints they had was lack of prior research, but lets be honest most folks will not go to such lengths to prepare for their vacation like some of us here. 😉 

 

One thing I was not aware off is that the drinks package can not be used for room service, while the room service is supposed to be "free" for Haven guests. Doesn't make any sense to me and that the nickel dimming doesn't seem to stop even for Haven guests (inside the Haven), while they pay a huge premium. 

 

I just wanted to confirm, it seems to me that most of their complaints were related to staffing issues? I mean an understaffed haven bar leading to long wait times, no service on the pool deck, concierge unavailable etc etc... I mean those are the kind of things that I expect to be top notch in the Haven. For us attentive service is so important to a "luxury experience". 

Imagine flying international first/business class and not once does the flight attendant come by to check on you for a drink. 

Those are the things that would make us mad as well and could be enough to actually ruin the entire experience. I mean, even in the non-Haven pool area(s) I receive some kind of drinks service without needing to go to the bar. 

 

So I am wondering if this staffing issue is related to the ship being so new and NCL wasn't able to hire/train all necessary staff in time for the ship launch, or does the Haven on the Prima-class generally seem to be understaffed? 

 

I will save my comments on the kids in the Haven pool/sundeck area as I see that this was discussed at length before, but trust me we would not be happy about that either and a major reason why we don't travel anymore during high season. 😁 

[Sthrngary]

15 minutes ago, kasimir said:

 

Thanks for your wise words and fully agree with you that some of the complaints they had was lack of prior research, but lets be honest most folks will not go to such lengths to prepare for their vacation like some of us here. 😉 

 

One thing I was not aware off is that the drinks package can not be used for room service, while the room service is supposed to be "free" for Haven guests. Doesn't make any sense to me and that the nickel dimming doesn't seem to stop even for Haven guests (inside the Haven), while they pay a huge premium. 

 

I just wanted to confirm, it seems to me that most of their complaints were related to staffing issues? I mean an understaffed haven bar leading to long wait times, no service on the pool deck, concierge unavailable etc etc... I mean those are the kind of things that I expect to be top notch in the Haven. For us attentive service is so important to a "luxury experience". 

Imagine flying international first/business class and not once does the flight attendant come by to check on you for a drink. 

Those are the things that would make us mad as well and could be enough to actually ruin the entire experience. I mean, even in the non-Haven pool area(s) I receive some kind of drinks service without needing to go to the bar. 

 

So I am wondering if this staffing issue is related to the ship being so new and NCL wasn't able to hire/train all necessary staff in time for the ship launch, or does the Haven on the Prima-class generally seem to be understaffed? 

 

I will save my comments on the kids in the Haven pool/sundeck area as I see that this was discussed at length before, but trust me we would not be happy about that either and a major reason why we don't travel anymore during high season. 😁 

@kasimir Your last point says it all.  You don't like the kids in the hot tub and controlling the Haven Pool.  I don't either.  So you adjust your places to avoid that.  Whether it is getting a drink at a bar, kids in the Hot tub, not providing drinks in the Haven Room service, or a Menu that does not change in the Haven Restaurant.  All things are manageable. "But should we have to do so???"

 

The Haven is GREAT for Family vacations with kids.  They stay free in the suite and makes choosing the Haven easier.  If a 60 something couple like my wife and myself go, we choose dates, times and itineraries very carefully to avoid some of those issues.  Would I go on another Haven Cruise, YEP, YEP, YEP.  I would just really study it and pick and choose to avoid disappointment.

 

I could and have chosen other brands but like I said, give and take.  Nothing is ever perfect on a cruise.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[JoieNsk]

18 hours ago, Traveling Fools said:

We have done this on most of our cruises, even the ones with foreign itineraries. You should be able to buy traveling wine bags at your local wine store.  You are not going to be lugging suite cases for any extended time, so weight will be minimal, especially if you are traveling with two suite cases and put a bottle in each bag.  

Thank you, I see your point. And like I mentioned - I did it once too.

 

But for me personally it just doesn't worth the trouble. All I need is just one bottle. First we don't drink much to begin with. That's why it's never worth to buy any kind of a drink package for us - it will never pay off. Second - my husband drinks wine sometimes, but at any time of a day his drink of choice would be a beer 🙂 Also I don't even like when toiletries leak, which they do once in a while. I can only imagine how much of a hassle it would be to clean the clothes, suitcases and everything else from wine! There is a small probability that the bottle breaks or explodes (pressure in the air) etc. - especially sparkling wine! And we have pretty pricey suitcases too!

 

I figured for us personally - it's just cheaper in any way to buy one bottle from the cruise line, and not worry about it anymore. Maybe I am just worrying type.

 

But I really appreciate all the great info everybody gave me! I feel like even if we know the cruise line and sailed with them before - I can not remember how things work, from cruise to cruise. But when you try new cruise line - gets even more tricky.

 

So this boards are priceless source of information! Thanks again!

Edited September 25, 2023 by JoieNsk

[JoieNsk]

I hope we will have great experience in Haven. I don't care about the Haven pool or hot tubs - I want a lap pool to do my laps, yes. But Heaven pool probably too short for that anyways. 

 

And our cruise is a port intense one - just one sea day. 

 

What I want from Haven - the great cabin, not standing in guest services line, and ability to request some things and save some time.

 

We are on the Epic, in the front facing 2-bedroom. As we are in the Mediterranean, I hope we would not regret booking the front of the ship: I would hope the waters are going to be smooth their in October. At least they were last year! I wanted to try that shower with the big window - so you don't miss any views even when you need to take a shower :))) And Epic is the only ship which have those upfront 2-bedrooms. So I figured we can give it a try - as we got a great deal on this cruise.

 

I still need to work two more shifts at work. But after that - I am on vacation :)))) We are leaving on Friday! Wish us luck with Haven :)))))

[JoieNsk]

I just called concierge with my requests. One of them was about the flowers, as I am allergic to certain flowers - not to the extent of an anaphylaxis of course -  but still not pleasant.

 

Guess what - NCL doesn't give any flowers, and you can't buy your own! :))))) Problem solved, no flowers at all... :))) They certainly made it simple for themselves 🙂

[Daniel A]

2 hours ago, kasimir said:

I will save my comments on the kids in the Haven pool/sundeck area as I see that this was discussed at length before, but trust me we would not be happy about that either and a major reason why we don't travel anymore during high season. 😁 

 

1 hour ago, Sthrngary said:

@kasimir Your last point says it all.  You don't like the kids in the hot tub and controlling the Haven Pool.  I don't either.  So you adjust your places to avoid that. 

I am just off Breakaway, and I was pleased to see one of the two hot tubs was posted "Adults Only."  Several years ago, we couldn't get into a Haven hot tub with kids monopolizing them on the Epic.  Why can't they have a dedicated adult hot tub or adult only hot tub periods?

[Traveling Fools]

3 hours ago, JoieNsk said:

I hope we will have great experience in Haven. I don't care about the Haven pool or hot tubs - I want a lap pool to do my laps, yes. But Heaven pool probably too short for that anyways. 

 

 

Sorry...there isn't a lap pool aboard ship and if there was one it would be congested or you would have to schedule your swim time.