Tell me about the Haven, please.

[39august]

I didn't see much information on the web site and would like to know how the Haven works, please. Are there any balcony cabins, not suites,  that are included in the Haven? I have seen many pics in the past, but can't tell much about the individual cabins. I gather that there is a dining area and bar dedicated to the Haven, as well as a pool area only for Haven. Is there smoking anywhere in the Haven?  Are there butlers and if so, I assume they would only be for suites. Thanks for any and all info you can provide. 

[cruiseny4life]

There's a ginormous thread on the Haven here on Cruise Critic. Don't worry - I'll link to it below. It's only 114 pages full of information from many experienced, and not-so experienced Haven cruisers.

 

First though, all cabins are suites. And, no suites are interior rooms, though some don't have a balcony (floor to ceiling windows instead). 

 

The Breakaway, Breakaway Plus, Epic, and Pr1ma class of ships have a dedicated Haven Restaurant and bar. The older ships do not. They utilized specialty dining restaurants for breakfast/lunch, then you're on your own for dinner. Same for pools. 

 

There is smoking on Getaway and Joy, on the sundeck. I don't know about other ships. 

Butlers are only for Haven suites and those ships that have suites (not Haven) with butler access. 

 

 

[MississippiMom]

My cousin and his wife JUST booked a NCL cruise in The Haven.  I wish I could remember which ship.  Regardless, I can't wait to hear about it.  It sounds super fancy to me.

[graphicguy]

42 minutes ago, 39august said:

I didn't see much information on the web site and would like to know how the Haven works, please. Are there any balcony cabins, not suites,  that are included in the Haven? I have seen many pics in the past, but can't tell much about the individual cabins. I gather that there is a dining area and bar dedicated to the Haven, as well as a pool area only for Haven. Is there smoking anywhere in the Haven?  Are there butlers and if so, I assume they would only be for suites. Thanks for any and all info you can provide. 

Excellent info that @cruiseny4life posted.

 

What ship are you sailing?  That will help us help you.

 

In genreal, there are no "INSIDE" Haven Cabins with no balcony.  Speaking for the Breakaway and Plus ships, the smallest Haven Cabins are the Haven Spa Suites, which includes access to the ship's spa.  Those have a balcony, too.  And, most have a whirlpool tub actually in the room.  Sizes go up from there.  Some Haven Suites are actually in the Haven "proper" (where you just walk out of your cabin into the Haven open areas).  Yes, Dining and Bar areas are exclusive to the Haven.  They also have an exclusive pool and lounge area, both inside and outside.   The Haven Restaurant could be considered one of the best on the ship.  The Bar Tenders in the Haven Bar are definitely the best on the ship.  They make some amazing drinks and are great at getting to know all the Haven Guests.  Actually, this is true of the entire Haven Staff, from the wait staff all the way up to the Concierges.

 

Not sure about smoking areas as I've never seen any smokers in the Haven.  But, as in all NCL ships, there is NO SMOKING/VAPING on balconies or other spaces outside of designated smoking areas of the ship.  I don't know where those are, however.  There is one area where they allow cigar smoking, which is an enclosed room attached to Maltings Bar.  But, I have read where cigarette smoking is discouraged there.

 

There are Butlers as well as concierges who are available to assist you.  Concierges take care of reservations for dining and entertainment.  They also handle escorting you on and off the ship and take care of billing issues (vs standing in line at Customer Service).  Butlers serve meals in your cabin and take care of stocking your coffee and snacks throughout your cruise.  In addition, you'll have a room steward who will take care of your bedding and towel needs, as well as clean your cabin.

 

Hope that helps.

 

EDIT...I see you're familiar with Celebrity's Sky Suites.  The Haven is similar except NCL divides up the duties of the Concierge and Butler, whereas Celebrity combines them.  Haven restaurant is similar to Luminae.  Luminae has a changing dinner menu, where the Haven Restaurant does not.  However, the Haven Restaurant will accommodate reasonable dining requests (like ordering something off menu from another restaurant on board).

 

Depending on ship, the Haven area is larger than the Retreat I've stayed in (Edge and Apex).  Some Haven's actually have a private area to get a massage from the Spa.  The Retreats I've stayed in the outdoor pool areas had their own bar.  Haven's bar is actually inside, but there are roaming wait staff to accommodate you.  

Edited August 17, 2023 by graphicguy

[Monica887]

This is a regular Haven balcony room on the Escape -

 

 

It is a bit bigger than a typical balcony room but not huge. This one holds 3 people, with the pull out chair. 

 

Separate restaurant, pool, lounge/bar, sundeck. The pool has a light food menu and snacks. They will escort you to some shows, help you make reservations. Escort you on and off the ship to ports during peak hours (no long elevator lines!). Separate check in and security line and lounge when embarking (this may depend on the port).  They will deliver meals upon request to the room. They will deliver snacks daily to your room. The food in the restaurant is far better than typical cruise food. 2x/day room cleaning. 

 

Basically it takes care of all the negatives/little annoyances of regular cruising like the crowds.

 

 

[Monica887]

Also for the record, it does depend on the ship. Not all have the separate pool and restaurants. 

[Two Wheels Only]

1 hour ago, graphicguy said:

Speaking for the Breakaway and Plus ships, the smallest Haven Cabins are the Haven Spa Suites, which includes access to the ship's spa.  Those have a balcony, too

 

NCL took away Spa access on some of those H9 suites. The ones without Spa access are the same size as the ones that do have access but people should make sure that they are booking the correct ones (H9 or HI) if Spa access is important. Both have Haven access. 

[Russiamomm]

33 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

NCL took away Spa access on some of those H9 suites. The ones without Spa access are the same size as the ones that do have access but people should make sure that they are booking the correct ones (H9 or HI) if Spa access is important. Both have Haven access. 

True.  But you can always a spa pass a La carte.  In a lot of cases that’s cheaper than booking a spa cabin. 

[Two Wheels Only]

26 minutes ago, Russiamomm said:

True.  But you can always a spa pass a La carte.  In a lot of cases that’s cheaper than booking a spa cabin. 

 

I wouldn't want someone to book a HI and think that they have Spa access. Someone who booked a H9 in the past might book the exact same stateroom and think that Spa access is still included.

[graphicguy]

1 hour ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

NCL took away Spa access on some of those H9 suites. The ones without Spa access are the same size as the ones that do have access but people should make sure that they are booking the correct ones (H9 or HI) if Spa access is important. Both have Haven access. 

Didn't know that.  When did that happen?  And, how would they know if they do or don't have Spa access?

[Two Wheels Only]

13 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Didn't know that.  When did that happen?  And, how would they know if they do or don't have Spa access?

 

During the alphanumeric shuffle, some of the H9s were turned into HIs. The H9s kept their Spa access.

[cruiseny4life]

20 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Didn't know that.  When did that happen?  And, how would they know if they do or don't have Spa access?

I stayed in one of the impacted rooms on my first NCL cruise in April, 22! Loved it and the bathtub it still had. We purchased thermal suite separately. It looks exactly the same as the Haven Spa rooms, just doesn't have the perk of a thermal suite pass included.

 

Here's 14130 (HI) on NCL Getaway:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 17, 2023 by cruiseny4life

[drew69]

6 hours ago, 39august said:

I didn't see much information on the web site and would like to know how the Haven works, please. Are there any balcony cabins, not suites,  that are included in the Haven? I have seen many pics in the past, but can't tell much about the individual cabins. I gather that there is a dining area and bar dedicated to the Haven, as well as a pool area only for Haven. Is there smoking anywhere in the Haven?  Are there butlers and if so, I assume they would only be for suites. Thanks for any and all info you can provide. 

There is a smoking area for Haven guests up on the Sun deck

[Ozzieru1e]

15 hours ago, Monica887 said:

This is a regular Haven balcony room on the Escape -

 

 

It is a bit bigger than a typical balcony room but not huge. This one holds 3 people, with the pull out chair. 

 

Separate restaurant, pool, lounge/bar, sundeck. The pool has a light food menu and snacks. They will escort you to some shows, help you make reservations. Escort you on and off the ship to ports during peak hours (no long elevator lines!). Separate check in and security line and lounge when embarking (this may depend on the port).  They will deliver meals upon request to the room. They will deliver snacks daily to your room. The food in the restaurant is far better than typical cruise food. 2x/day room cleaning. 

 

Basically it takes care of all the negatives/little annoyances of regular cruising like the crowds.

 

 

Such memories!!!  I won an upgrade to NCL Escape Courtyard Penthouse in 2019…Suite 17114.

The Suite looked just like the video.  Loved it so much I reserved the Haven in 2024 on NCL Joy,  The Haven spoiled me so much I can’t cruise any other way on NCL.  I especially look forward to meals at the Haven restaurant or brought to my Suite if I so desire.  

Check out cruisedeckplans.com to view videos of various cabinets on different ships/cruise lines.

[Ozzieru1e]

6 hours ago, Ozzieru1e said:

Such memories!!!  I won an upgrade to NCL Escape Courtyard Penthouse in 2019…Suite 17114.

The Suite looked just like the video.  Loved it so much I reserved the Haven in 2024 on NCL Joy,  The Haven spoiled me so much I can’t cruise any other way on NCL.  I especially look forward to meals at the Haven restaurant or brought to my Suite if I so desire.  

Check out cruisedeckplans.com to view videos of various cabinets on different ships/cruise lines.

Oops…I meant cabins in lieu of cabinets!

[Sand and Seas]

1 hour ago, Ozzieru1e said:

Oops…I meant cabins in lieu of cabinets!

We started out cruising decades ago in cabins so tiny you could call them a cabinet😊

[Ozzieru1e]

8 hours ago, Sand and Seas said:

We started out cruising decades ago in cabins so tiny you could call them a cabinet😊

I could save a lot of money if I could deal with an inside cabin but I need space to stretch out.  I use to cruise once a year before Covid.  I figured on my next cruise I might as well do it up in 2024 in the Haven.  I can pick out my Suite and enjoy NCL ship within a ship experience.  

[goin'toalaska]

Does anyone know -- if you decline the free at sea drink package, can you still get free cocktails and sodas in the Haven lounge and Haven pool?  This was true at the Disney Concierge lounge.  My spouse is not happy about paying the gratuities on the "free" drink package as we really rarely drink and it seems like the gratuities cost more than what we would pay just buying drinks.  But with paying so much for Haven, it's irritating to then have to shell out $10 for a cocktail in the lounge.

[Russiamomm]

10 minutes ago, goin'toalaska said:

Does anyone know -- if you decline the free at sea drink package, can you still get free cocktails and sodas in the Haven lounge and Haven pool?  This was true at the Disney Concierge lounge.  My spouse is not happy about paying the gratuities on the "free" drink package as we really rarely drink and it seems like the gratuities cost more than what we would pay just buying drinks.  But with paying so much for Haven, it's irritating to then have to shell out $10 for a cocktail in the lounge.

Sorry, drinks do not come with a Haven cabin.  The same rules apply as anywhere else on the ship.  You have to have a package or pay by the drink.

[Yinster]

In the UK if you buy a haven suite or bid on one and were successfully, all free at seas are included. 

 

It is why we get one instead of paying them separately. Everything is included

Edited August 19, 2023 by Yinster