Thoughts on "The Haven" -- In General, But NCL "Joy" In Particular

[DCGuy64]

2 hours ago, vacation44 said:

When there is a price drop, it is a wonderful way to start the day!

We have until July to make final payment for our November 2 cruise, so I'm assuming we'd still be able to upgrade before then? After final payment, I suspect it's too late.

[vacation44]

6 minutes ago, DCGuy64 said:

We have until July to make final payment for our November 2 cruise, so I'm assuming we'd still be able to upgrade before then? After final payment, I suspect it's too late.

After final payment, as long as there will be a price increase to upgrade, you can upgrade without penalty.   

[Pens fan]

We were able to upgrade to the Joy Haven last October when the prices dropped a few weeks before our cruise.  We were in a category HI - specifically cabin 15130 which was located outside of the Haven.  While we would have liked to be directly in the Haven, for the price we loved this cabin.  As an added bonus we were just a few steps away from the Observation Lounge so we could take advantage of our Premium Plus package and get our daily Starbucks fix.  One thing we noticed was that the OL was often packed - especially at sail aways.  However the Horizon Lounge in the Haven usually was pretty quiet, as was the pool deck.  The only area that really ever seemed to get crowded was the Haven bar in the evenings, though people did seem to come and go as they left for dinner.

 

We loved the Haven bar!  The bartenders are the best on the ship.  We just told them what types of drinks we liked and they went to town making all kind of different things.  The food in the Haven restaurant was better than any of the specialty restaurants in my opinion, and the service was top notch.  We also loved being escorted off and (often) back on the ship at each port.  We love to make the most of our time in port, so getting whisked down the crew elevators was a wonderful treat.

 

This was our first time sailing in a Haven cabin having sailed in non Haven suites on the smaller ships in the past.  While those experiences were also great, the Haven really did spoil us.  I can't say I'd only sail in the Haven in the future, but I'd sure try to at least bid on an upgrade if the outright prices are too high.  

Edited March 16, 2023 by Pens fan

[DCGuy64]

28 minutes ago, vacation44 said:

After final payment, as long as there will be a price increase to upgrade, you can upgrade without penalty.   

One (obvious) caveat being, there have to be rooms available. We tried to bid on an upgrade to the Haven in December but all the rooms were sold out. So you can't buy what isn't available. 😒

[mearsfansinboise]

On 3/16/2023 at 8:54 AM, DCGuy64 said:

And, as the saying goes, therein lies the rub. We can't be flexible with dates or itinerary, due to our jobs and other commitments. I love my job and where I work, and I love my colleagues. But you HAVE to request time off WAY in advance, and if something comes up, you might risk not getting the time off.

 

We have the same issue.  + I don't fly, so, unless we are sailing out of Seattle, Vancouver BC, or San Pedro, we ain't goin'.  Someone here on the boards once told me that $500pp/pd is a good price for the Haven.  So, I watch for that.  And if I see it, and it leaves from one of our ports, and we can afford it at the time, and it's far enough out to get the time off work, we book it!

[ashkay16]

Sailed the Joy last year out if NYC to Bermuda and did not stay in Haven . Going on Joy again 7/30/23 to Bermuda again out of NYC and booked Haven HH which is on 

Deck 15 . There are five of us and since i booked it on 1/2/23 the price has dropped a total of $900 . I will be calling my PCC again next weekend before the 4/1 pay in full date to check on price .  Will also check after 4/1 but if price drops again will get 

FCC ( last year got $900 FCC which i used on this cruise ).  The Joy is an awesome ship and cant wait to experience the Haven .  Always keep checking for price drop even every morning with your coffee !!! 
Enjoy everyone !!!!

[JGmf]

Sailed the Joy twice so far, once in Haven, once not in the Haven.  

 

Loved the ship, the observation lounge is a wonderful amenity; and the Waterfront and its bars and ample seating are terrific. The crew and entertainment offerings are top-notch. 

 

We're sailing the Joy again this September...but not in the Haven.

 

Based on the Joy Haven experience (and multiple other Haven experiences on other ships), the cost/benefit for the Haven simply doesn't make sense ("cents") anymore.  The best benefit of the Haven is the restaurant, but it's not worth the giant cost difference.  Similarly, all of the other perks of being the Haven (early boarding, snacks in the room, butler, private bar area, etc.) we found nice to have, but not for the upcharge.  That's just our opinion of course. 

 

If not staying in the Haven, and getting in the sun on a lounger with more exclusive bar is your thing, then go "Haven Lite" as @Sthrngary has coined it and pay for Vibe passes.  We've done that.

 

Have a great trip!

 

 

[Sailing12Away]

We just did a 15 day Panama Canal transit earlier this month in the Haven. Never had a problem finding a quiet place to relax. Inside, outside, day bed in the shade, outdoor hot tub to myself most of the time, observation lounge was quiet and mostly empty, new drinks were coming in front of me before I even finished the last one (that got dangerous....).

 

Walking through the main pool deck every single chair was taken, extra chairs set up along the entire walkway were all taken...

 

Even with a split group of friends/family not in Haven, we will still book it if the price is right. There's plenty of times when we are not glued to our family 24/7, and having the option of a quiet place to escape where everyone knows your name and drink preferences is a blessing.

 

Deals can be found by booking very far in advance as well. It gives you time to save up, and if the price comes down since you booked it you can always get the price adjustment before final payment date. We booked this Panama Canal trip nearly 2 years out at a "normal" Haven price of $500/pp/day. By the time final payment hit we got price reductions on our balance making the final cost <$300/pp/day. So our price went from 'normal' to a great deal, and we had almost 2 years to save up for it.

 

Which reminds me.... my Prima sailing final payment is coming up in 2 months.... ouch on that one since there have been no price drops.

[gmbhardy]

On 3/16/2023 at 9:04 AM, Sthrngary said:

@vacation44 I could not agree more.  I think the term is Haven Lite and it is just great.  One more thing about the Joy.  It has the best Vibe Beach Club of any NCL ship I have ever been on.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

We’ve stayed in the Joy Haven five times and loved every one of them. Next month, we’re doing a Haven Lite cruise on the Joy (12 day Southern Caribbean) and have purchased Vibe passes and the plus beverage package. Just wondering what sets the Joy Vibe apart from the others. We’ve found that two things make or break the Vibe experiences, the weather and camaraderie with (or lack there of) your fellow Vibe passengers. 

[Sthrngary]

21 minutes ago, gmbhardy said:

We’ve stayed in the Joy Haven five times and loved every one of them. Next month, we’re doing a Haven Lite cruise on the Joy (12 day Southern Caribbean) and have purchased Vibe passes and the plus beverage package. Just wondering what sets the Joy Vibe apart from the others. We’ve found that two things make or break the Vibe experiences, the weather and camaraderie with (or lack there of) your fellow Vibe passengers. 

@gmbhardy Thank you for asking.  First know, I was on the Joy with my family November 2021 in the H2 Deluxe Owners Suite.  I followed this up in March 2022, solo in the Club Balcony Suite.  The Club Balcony was when I had the Vibe.  I also just did the NCL Breakaway, in a Club Balcony Suite and had a Vibe Cabana.

 

Your question is why did I like the Vibe on the Joy.  The Joy was originally designed to be for Asian clients.  That did not work out for NCL and they did a Drydock to make it more for the tastes of American's.  This makes the Joy different from other NCL ship her sized like the Breakaway.  The Joy Vibe Beach Club was both sides with hot tubs on both sides.  It was double the size of the Breakaway Vibe.  The bar on the joy, both sides were only for the Vibe.  The Bar on the Breakaway had one side for the Vibe and the other side for other guest not in the Vibe.

 

I liked the Joy Vibe better because of having double the space.  I cannot control the uncontrollable like weather or Camaraderie.  My opinion is simply the size and attributes. The Vibe on the Joy, in my humble opinion was much better than the Haven Sundeck which was always crowded. Hope all that makes sense.

 

Cruise well and enjoy Have Lite.