Sthrngary

What you say is some what my experience. Allow me to clarify. Virgin Drinks, sure thing. Coffee and Specialty Coffee's yes, no issue. Will the fudge on occasion with higher end sprits, yes; but not all the time. They are much stricter on wine and things like Tequila 1942. Because I really don't want to debate this issue and my intent is to establish realistic expectations, all me to share. In the Haven I have had both the Premium Beverage Package and the Premium Plus Beverage Package. I drink spirits and my wife drinks wines. What the bartender will do is let you know for certain wines and spirits there is a extra charge. How do I know this, because I drink high end tequila's. The drink price for the normal package was up to $15.00. My tequila was $42.00 a shot. They told me and I choose another tequila. The next cruise I purchased the Premium Plus package and drink my high end tequila, high end champagne and wine the entire week. No extra ad on charges. I am not saying a nice bartender might give someone a upgrade on occasions. That happens all the time especially with the Smoking Drinks. I am saying, if it happens, don't have an expectation prior to boarding it will always happen. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Hello from Sthrngary the OP. Please remember this stream has been updated with the same name put revised at the end. On to your question. Make sure you son has the Soda package. On coffee's, in the Haven, all coffee, specialty coffee's are complementary. This is a perk that is not talked about often. On the Virgin drinks. You will have to get someone else to educate you on this. My strategy if in the Haven would be, to tip the Bar Tender and servers. Ask them if they can provide virgin drinks to your son. Or, if you could order a virgin drink and give it to them. I can not guarantee it but, in the Haven, something tells my they will treat your son like a King. On you and your spouse. Read the stream on the premium plus beverage package. I always get it and feel like a rock star. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

So sorry for the long answer before. I try to cover all bases. The answer is, YES. Just give them some notice. Also understand, the Haven is always a sellout. This is because NCL does the Upgrade Bid process. That means and this comes from experience, the Haven Sundeck is more crowded then let's say the Vibe Beach Club. The bar in the Haven is small so sit in the lounge and have the server bring you drinks to isolate a bit. The Haven Restuarant can also be as crowded or more than a specialty Restuarant so keep that in mind. Eating early solves that issue and the same hold true with specialty Restaurants fYI. Take full advantage of the Horizen Observation Deck for drinks as well, it is never crowded. They don't have a bar but they have servers that get you drinks. If you have any other questions, it would be my pleasure to assist. My wife and I have cruised three times in the last year. We are cruising again in December. We are fully vaccinated, 65 years old and recently both had covid anyway because we went to the World Games in Birmingham AL and saw Sumo in a small inside venue. I totally get your reason and want you both to be safe. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@pbenjaminAllow me to answer your question with what I recently did. My wife loves a desert from the Cagney's. We were eating in the Haven Restaurant and they got the desert for her. Since it was only desert, I was charged. I asked for this to be done the night before we wanted it. On to a more elaborate answer. The Haven Restaurant will accommodate you on almost anything it you request with a 24 hour notice. Do you actually need it, no. It is the right thing to do. It would also make it easier if you knew what you wanted exactly but no critical. Please understand it will take extra time to get it to you and it comes from a different kitchen so it might not be the same temp as if you were in the specific specialty restaurant. I have ordered from the the Main Dining Room also having it served in the Haven Restaurant with notice. Because I really want you to have the very best cruising experience, I would like you to consider actually going to the specific specialty restaurant instead of having it brought to the Haven Restaurant. The other restaurants are lovely and the service is excellent. I fully understand if one of your party is ordering from the Haven Menu and another party is ordering from lets say, Cagney's. I can see that. Or, which happens more frequently, you are dining in your Haven Suite. My big focus on this thread is to assist in realistic expectations. My suggestion above will get you the better outcome however it is not my call, it is yours. My focus is as nice as the Haven is, NCL is very process driven. Every time you approach an adjustment to that process could create disappointment. I hope I assisted in some way. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Agreed, it came as an email. Thank you for clarifying this. Always have a back up for sure. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@njkate You have made a very valid point. If all things were equal, I would never cruise any other what other than the Haven. In life, things are not equal. In life we have to make personal decisions some of which are budget related. I am about to write something that I have never written before and I hope it is taken in the way it was meant to be perceived. My first Haven Cruise was after being extremely sick. I recovered and wanted to reward myself with a cruise that was a cut above what I was used to. I look at the NCL Getaway out of New Orleans. I see the fares and at the end was something called the Haven. The rate per person for a seven day cruise was $1,980.00 and it was for Thanksgiving holidays. I started to research this think called the Haven. At the time, very little was written or online other then Travel Agents that just wanted to sell you a cabin. Anything I read or viewed was diluted. How can a person consider something that is over two or more times the normal cruise rate without a real overview of all the value and amenities from a guest perspective. I was both Excited and Frustrated. That rate today is kind of unheard of but who knew back then. Seemed more than fair so I booked it. My intent was to completely enjoy the cruise and also pay attention to all the value both known and unknown with booking a Haven Suite. When I came back, I wrote the first Op-En on "The Secrets of the Haven VIP Experience". I recently updated it to be more current. I did this to give a guest perspective from my point of view. However, I sincerely say now, if that fare was $3,000.00 plus I would have never considered it. Some may feel differently however I wanted to explain how it all happened. After that experience I was hooked yet like most of us, I am on a budget and our needs constantly evolve. Fast forward to my December 2021 seven day cruise on the NCL Joy. That cruise I booked the elusive (H2) Deluxe Owners Suite with Large Balcony. The real story is I originally booked a Two-Bedroom Haven Family Villa on the Encore. My cruise was cancelled four times due to Covid-19. With all the discounts, FCC %, I had a tidy sum I could utilize. First I booked the Encore to Alaska again this time in the Owners Suite. It was going to cost me $6,000.00 more. I said, what the heck, it is a family vacation now for my 42nd wedding anniversary. Gee how times fly's during a pandemic. That cruise was in May 2021 and as most of you know, it was my 4th cancellation. Prior to the cancelation, I did something kind of smart. I booked a back up cruise. It was the one I eventually went on. The NCL Joy, December 2021 with my family of 4. We were in the Owners Suite. What I never talked about was that instead of paying an extra $6,000.00 like on the Encore, it was less then the credits I already had. As the cruise came close, the other Owners suite was selling for literally $8,000.00 more then I paid. If the original price was that much more, I would have passed. Did I have a good time. My family and I had a GREAT time. We also decided we would never book the Owners Suite again. Not because it was not great. It was. Because at the current fares we would rather by a new car. I am a huge Haven Fan. I love it and know who to get every ounce of value from it. I write about it, do YouTube videos on it and help people consider it. The key is, there is a point when the price does not equal the value. Only you can make that decision. There is always the bid upgrade system that could some some money however that worked a lot better when the ships were 40% filled. If you get an upgrade bid, many will be very impressed. I have already put my upgrade bit in for my December 2022 cruise on the Breakaway. I hope I get but if I don't, I have a Cabana in the Vibe and did the Free at Sea Plus package. I share all this with everyone just as a point of reference. I am not the expert, I am just a guest like everyone else. Hope it assists. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@KeithJenner Free at Sea Plus was a mystery to me. Then, in a quest to get my Vibe Beach Club week pass to a Vibe Cabana, I called my Haven Desk associate. She looked at my booking and said, I can lower your costs and increase some benefits with the "New" Free At Sea Plus. I was completely in the dark. I of course purchased it along with the Vibe Cabana on the Breakaway for December 2022. I notices not only was it not published or available on my NCL online booking, it still showed I could purchase Premium Plus Beverage Package, Unlimited Internet, did not show the extra two Specialty Restaurants. Because I don't trust anyone, I called to make sure I had all the items that come in the "Plus" upgrade and they confirmed it. This kind of information really helps cruisers. That is why I really like CruiseCritic. Other then the occasional arguments, I have a heads up on new policy's that my favorite cruise line put in place. By the way, to find out the benefits to the "Plus" program I also found it on a google search. You had to know it existed though. Next step; I just got the Upgrade Bid Email and all things considered, on my cruise that Haven is almost sold out, I did some really low bids including a Haven Courtyard Penthouse and Club Spa Suite. My experience shows me I don't have a shot but what the heck. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@ChiefMateJRKYes, I read lots of folk that did not enjoy the experience. I go back to managing ones realistic expectations. Before Crystal Cruises went under, which probably happened because I drank all the vodka; I got to feel what in my opinion true luxury felt like. The food, personalized service, bar service, and experience. Hard to explain or compare. I would expect that same feeling if one went on Regent Seven Seas or Viking. You paid a significant premium which remembers me you get what you pay for. That said, the luxury cruising experience was not for me. It lacked some excitement and was some what boring. I would have rather gone in the Haven or Suite with the Vibe Beach Club. I love the big ship activities and pool games. On cruising there is give and take. Once you know what floats your boat, just go it. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

I personally would call to see if they can give it to you now. Many folks have had great luck calling. Good luck. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Thank you for confirming. A little extra information. I initially booked my week Vibe Beach Club with a representative on the phone. It was 120 plus days before my cruise. I was thrilled because, unless you are in the Haven, I really don't like getting to the port at 08:30 AM to be the first to board just to get a Vibe pass. If I am in the Haven, as most know, I get their about 10 ish because the board first. I digress. I found out after making that Vibe Week booking that you could get a Cabana on the Breakaway for just a bit more. I called back to get the Cabana and had a series of lets say, NCL folks with no clue. They all told me there was no Cabana's available. I gave up. Then out of the blue, I emailed a contact at NCL and bingo, Cabana Booked. Now I look at my online cruise, go to entertainment and there are still Cabana's available but the Vibe Beach Club Passes are not allowing purchases. I suggest if anyone is booked on a future cruise, look at your online booking if you want a Vibe Beach Club Pass. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Hello everyone. I have decreased my postings on Cruise Critic but today I thought, let's look at the topics. Those that have read my postings and comments can understand why I would write something on the topic of the NCL Haven. As I read all the comments it is about the same. Cruisers fall in to categories as it relates to the Haven: I love it and won't go any other way. I can go on 8 cruise for the price of 3 in the Haven. My Butler was awful. My Butler was the best. The Haven Restaurant is the best on the ship. The Haven Restaurant never changes its menus. Lots more. I love the Haven and would choose it every time. I don't because sometimes the investment is a bit to rich for me. That last statement is from a person who recently took his family on the NCL Joy in the Deluxe Owners Suite. I also recently went on a Solo Cruise on the Joy and was in a Club Suite. Cruises are what you make of them. You can book outside of the Haven and still have a spectacular time. I did it by added some extra's like the Vibe Beach Club, extra Specialty Restaurants and such. Was it different outside the Haven, Yep. Was it still a great experience, Yep. Would I have preferred the Haven, Yep. My main emphasis on the Haven is creating realistic expectations. Nothing is worse then investing in Premium, expecting what a fellow cruise shared, and it not being available. You feel short changed. So my humble advice is to do your research. Don't believe everything you hear. Take folks comments even my with a grain of salt. In December 2022, my wife and I will be on the NCL Breakaway out of New Orleans. My wife won the Slot tournament on the Joy in December 2021. That gave her an entry into the Slot finals on this cruise. My sister whom has never cruised before will be booking this cruise as a solo. I made it clear to my sister, I will be bidding for a Haven Suite. If I win my bid, we will only be joining her for the Specialty Meals when dining. Do I think now that the bookings are high again, my low ball bid will be accepted, NOPE. But you can't blame a guy for trying. Cruise well everyone and enjoy every moment.

@TheycallmeDrew NCL changed the way you can book the Vibe. I like you have done everything I could to be one of the first on board, ran to the restaurant where the Vibe Desk was to get my week long Vibe pass. Now, you can book the Vibe and or the Vibe Cabana pre-cruise under the entertainment tab. On my cruise on the breakaway in December 2022, I have a Cabana. Those interested can book a Cabana which comes with two vibe pass for the week still. They are not sold out. I hope that helps you. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

I have obsessed for months prior to a cruise. I would justify this action that my family does no planning and it was all up to me. I also sold myself on the fact, it I did not plan, I would miss or loss the opportunity to do something I would regret. My approach would be to start what I call a Journal document. Normal stuff like dates, times and reservations. Then my cruise got cancelled. This lead to adding my Covid-19 Card image, specialty restaurant menus and pictures of all passengers passports. This manual is now up to 20 pages. Then came my second of four total cancelations. In went the different between the Premium Beverage package and the Premium Plus. This process went on until I had a book, which I bound that had close to 30 pages. I gave the document to my wife and two adult children about two days before our flight. I choose that date because that is when all the stupid questions happen. Like, when is our flight, where are we staying pre-cruise, what ports are we going too and the list goes on. The moment I get one of those questions, I hand the journal out to everyone. After to doing all this work, no one really looked at this fine work of a Journal. That cruise was lovely however for me it was anticlimactic. I visualized each element so many times before sleep it seemed I had cruise this cruise hundreds of times before. My next cruise is in December, I have one page and it is a Excel Calendar with times and dates. On Cagney's. This steak house used to be one I would avoid. My last cruise in March 2022 solo, I tried Cagney's again on the Joy. I ended up eating their 4 nights of a 7 night cruise. My secret was going a bit earlier then I would usually eat. The Chocolate Cake is the very best. Hope my thoughts help. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Hello Folks: @sthrngary here. Thank you all for keeping this “Secrets to the Haven VIP Experience” alive. I would like to remind everyone; I updated this stream at the beginning of the year per many members’ request. To me, it does not matter which you post too. All that matters is that it helps everyone with information and education. I have attempted to back off answering every question that is asked on my postings that I have authored. My philosophy is, the knowledge of the group far exceeds the knowledge of any single member. When I read the responses, that logic is very true. I would like to address a few recent items from my perspective. Remember, we all have an opinion, and it does not make it 100% accurate. To Haven or Not to Haven. That is the Question? : When I wrote this blog and posted it on CruiseCritic.com, I did it for a reason. I was frustrated that all the information on the NCL Haven that was available seemed to be marketing by NCL or a personal cruise consultant whose take was everything was perfect. It did not allow me to make a business decision for what we all consider a premium priced approach to cruising. I posted this topic and what happened was simply amazing. Folks added items, clarified details, and updated new benefits. Also, some folk really criticizing both the Haven and those that choose to invest in the premium to stay there. That is fully expected in any social media format. All I ask is to always be respectful and kind. If someone disagrees with your position or point, there is no need to be harsh. Yes, I am aware some posters who are aggressive with their dislike for the Haven have never stayed there. Yet it is their right to post their opinion. This is about the love of cruising, not who is right or wrong. Haven Suite Phones: I have been in Haven Suites with and without the wireless phones located in the suite. Personally, I never utilized them. That was my choice. I have seen folks have the phones with them on the Haven Sundeck and call their butler. Because I rarely use the device, I have not noticed if it was in every Haven Suite on different ships. This leads me to a very important notion and additional reason for authoring this topic. I wanted all of us to establish realistic expectations. If you visualize the Haven as the ultimate in personalized service, you will be disappointed. If you look at it as a significant improvement from a normal cabin or suite, it will exceed your expectations. Please be realistic so your cruise is all it can be. Food, Glorious Food: I love to eat, drink, and have great service while dining. I have enjoyed the Suites Only Dining on Celebrity and the Haven Restaurant on NCL. On Celebrity the menu changes daily. When dining in the Haven Restaurant the menu for any meal never changes. In both my examples the food was consistently excellent. The service was superior. I don’t really care about variety so the same menu every day is fine for me. Yet I still take advantage of the ship specialty restaurants for the fun of it. Whether you dine in a specialty restaurant or a suite only restaurant like the Haven; you will have a better meal all around compared to most ship main dining rooms. The key is to know and be realistic with your expectations. The Upgrade Fairy is Alive and Well: I think NCL was brilliant when cruising began again after Covid-19. Not to say Covid-19 is gone, it is not. We have just managed around it. NCL on ships that were less than 50% filled, made sure their upgrade bid program filled every single suite in the Haven. Some bidders got the bargain value of a lifetime. This allowed many who might never get the opportunity to try this exclusive way of sailing. Now that the ship is filling up to capacity, these upgrade Haven Bids cost a bit more so not everyone can afford them. I know, even though I write a lot about the Haven, my last cruise and future cruise is not in the Haven. I made that decision based on my own personal budget. I assure everyone, I will be bidding on a Haven Suite, yet my expectations are it does not matter. I will love the vacation either way. Butlers: I made a comment earlier about setting realistic expectations. One of the biggest debating points seems to be on what your Butler can and can not do for you. If even having a butler is it worth the premium. Butlers in the Haven are hit or miss. The biggest complaints seem to be folks that read online what a butler did for another guest. Please remember social media often sound better than reality. About Butlers. Most of you know I write a pre-cruise butler letter. If I don’t see my butler right away, I ask the Haven Desk to have them come to my suite so I can give them my letter. Nothing in the note is excessive. No special favors. Over the years I have figured out, butlers want to please us. They just can’t read our minds. Guest sometimes are shy and don’t communicate or ask their butlers for anything. My suggestion is to read the many topics online focused on what a butler will and will not do. The letter I have written and other CruiseCritic.com members letters are attached to their posting on the topic. All that really matters is we know that the butlers on an NCL ship do not participate in the automatic gratuities program. How much you choose to tip them is up to you. The gratuities question happens once a month. It creates lively debate because it is both subjective and personal. Just remember, you butler has many suites and other responsibilities. They are not exclusively for you. They also don’t have a crystal ball so know what you might need or want and communicate with them. Ask for nothing you will get just that. Haven Embarkment Day Lunch: Because food is so important to my cruising experience, I take the subject very seriously. On all my Haven voyages, when you board you can have lunch in the Haven Restaurant if the ship has one or a special restaurant which NCL selects. Most recently on the Joy, it was the American Diner. I had the “Blue Plate Special” which was classic roast beef, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and bread. I loved that kind of food, so I was happy. My family all got different entries and they did not like them at all. I found it interesting that the Milk Shake was not part of the complementary meal. Those that got the shake, loved it though. On the Getaway some years back the lunch option was Margaritaville. My choice unless those I am with insist on something else is the Haven Restaurant. I just enjoy it better and I know it is a personal choice. The reason I initially booked the Haven way back when was the need to improve my cruising experience. I was upset about folks that unofficially reserved chairs by the pool, when the bar tenders would make my wife wait for a drink by the pool for 30 minutes plus, rows in the theatre venue saved for guest that did not show up, below average food in main dining rooms, and the hassle of getting on/off the ship. I just wanted a solution for some or all those items. The Haven did that for us. On the other side of the coin, I spent to much time in the Haven area and lost the fun of the rest of the ship. Now we approach both equally. Truly a ship with in a ship concept. I hope my thoughts assist in some way. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Great plan, glad you had a nice time. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@CoastalbreezesThat is exactly what I was hoping to here. Thank you for taking the time to share. Sound like my wife will have some fun and with here luck, she might even have shot. Better odds then the lottery, LOL. Thanks again. Cruise well and enjoy every minute.

If anyone has any actual experience on this Tournament, could you share any details. My wife won an entry. Thank you all in advance. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

I respect your opinion. The key is, does the Butlers find this practice offensive. The answer is in my opinion, No. The reason the pre-tip is an issue has been explained over and over again. The butlers were getting stiffed. The guest thought they were part of the normal tip process. I am the one that suggested a butler letter and tip upfront. I recommended it four years ago in an CruiseCritic.com op-ed. This was just not an idea I came up with on a random trip. It was developed only after many conversations with Butlers on more then one brand. The letter if written correctly explains the reasoning. It is controversial to tip upfront because that is not the way the cruise industry has done this in the past. My goal, was to take the Hit/Miss service from butlers and make is a Win/Win for everyone. It has worked perfectly for me and those that have commented after cruised. I spend 12 months waiting for and saving for a cruise. Anything I can do to make the experience better that is legal, moral and ethical are on the table. If one has always had great butlers than they should do what suits them. By the way, I learned this technique when I did several assignments in Germany. They paid me upfront for my services. It was weird at first then I realized it was about trust and appreciation. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Call the Haven pre-cruise desk. They will email you the letter right after the call. The luggage tags I never use. I bought special tags from Amazon. I print the tags on my printer from the check-in section. The tags I bought puts the paper tags in plastic and metal ring to attach. I have had those Brand Luggage tags fall off my bags. I hope that helps you. Cruise well.

It is no ones fault. This tread are just folks that like to cruise and want some input on proper tipping. There will always be lively debate. Again, no ones fault for the policies cruise lines put in place. We just want to be aware of them and make our own decision as you did. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

You are welcome. My family think I am illiterate, lol. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

LOL, first thank you. Second, my avatar reflects how my family feel about me and my writing. They seem me as a Grumpy Old Man. I am neither Grumpy or over the hill, I might be older than some. Your three bullet points are on the money. What you might have missed is that it took a while to figure them out. I was not always a very patient man, LOL. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Part of the issue was being extremely clear on what a Butler would and would not do for you. When you are clear, it is up to you to make the requests that will enhance your cruising experience. The first butler I had, I was a bit shy and the service was almost non-existent. My most recent butler was really good and made us feel like Rock Stars. You said you feel cheap now. You should not. In our American Culture, we tip based on service received. Not great service, the tip is low. That is the way Cruise Ships used to be years ago. Now, the world has changed which is why my gratuities happen even before I receive the service. Not right, just my way. Seems to get me the results I was hoping for. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

I am the Op-Ed on the Secrets of the NCL Haven Luxury Experience. There are lots of controversial topic on a social media cruise board. Tipping, Preparation and kids are big ones. I have addressed Tipping a lot and no one agrees completely with anyone else point of view. Here is a different tack that may allow the individual cruiser to make a good decision for themselves. When considering Butler tipping, understand what makes the gratuity different for a Butler then other members of the crew. Over the past ten years, the cruise companies started a policy to put your gratuities on your cabin account with the notion it would be easier for you. The real reason was folks left the ship, did not tip waiters, room stewards, ect and the crew were becoming disengaged effecting overall guest satisfaction. When the policy changed to include it into the cabin portfolio, the situation greatly improved. Now take the Cruise Butler into this situation. Usually if you have a Butler on an NCL ship, you are in the Haven. Even thought the automatic gratuities for the Haven are higher then all other cabins, those gratuities are not given to the Butler. Many folks don't know that. I used to ask Butlers to tell me what they like and did not like about their jobs. The one thing that came up all the time was after a week of doing everything a guest wanted, going over the top, they did not receive a gratuity. The notion of a Disengaged crew member happened yet again just now with the Butler Staff. We all can make comments on this and we would all be correct. I personally had only one objective in mind. Have the best possible cruise and do what ever pre-cruise preparation that could make the happen. Control the things I could control. That is when I started to write a butler letter with the things I was hoping for from their services. In the letter I gave them their entire weeks gratuities. From that first letter, my service from my butler on Mainstream Cruises has been much better and consistent. The amount given was based on the number of folks in the Suite. I will not establish a dollar amount except to say, I am on vacation which only happens one week a year or so. I am over generous because these men and women have been out of work for over two years. Now you do you. My goal is to remind us all of the history on Gratuities on a Cruise Ship. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

The lesson I have learned in retirement is you can absolutely do Haven Lite. I agree with you completely on the Thermal Spa. What a nice treat. I also agree with you on to much planning which was a big part of the op-ed I just wrote. I have you never feel like you are missing things when NOT in the Haven. There is a point when the investment is not worth the value if you plan other aspects of your trip like the Thermal spa, Vibe Beach club and specialty dining. Yet I will always look to win a upgrade bid with a reasonable amount. Enjoy your next cruise and I loved your post. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.