MMMD

I've been on the Jewel & the Breakaway.

The size of the Jewel was perfect for us. The public areas were never crowded, nor were the restaurants.

The Breakaway was a mob scene everywhere. The public area's at times were so crowded with people pulling chairs from the computer area & coffee shop -you couldn't even get by. We even had a suite & the Haven area to get away from the crowds, but when lots of big families with lots of kids are in the Haven 24/7 -it's not a relaxing place at all. It seemed wherever we went -there were crowds of people.

Luckily we had a beautiful balcony, but who wants to spend 7 days trapped in your own cabin to escape crowds?

We'd never sail a ship that size again.

But having said all that -read some reviews to get a feel of what your experience may be like.

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I voted a flat out 'no.'

Not only kids ruined my last Haven experience, but their 'we paid our fare too' parents did as well.

Most of parents needed adult supervision.

I won't sail again with NCL until the Haven experience they sell -is actually guaranteed.

I left our kids at home for a relaxing time & was frustrated & angry instead.

I'm fine with land vacations at adults only resorts till then -or other lines.

It's probably not best to generalize about take-out orders.

I think it depends who you ask & how you ask.

On the Breakaway in October I asked for a plate of chicken fingers & fries to-go & the wait staff couldn't have been nicer. They wrapped the plate for me to keep everything hot & away I went to my balcony.

On a different day I was given burgers & wings to go.

My sister was on the Breakaway a couple weeks ago & was able to get a plate of wings & some hot dogs to-go one day too.

I know many on CC have asked & been told no too.

For me, I figured asking didn't hurt & if they said no -then so be it.

Haven Hands down no one can beat.....but you are right...I sailed the Getaway this past May in a 2 bedroom penthouse suite and paid $6200, I am sailing the Epic this December same type of room $7000 and so I was looking at December 2017 on the Getaway 2 bedroom and it went up to $8400 given it is a different ship (smaller than Epic) still way more expensive. I hear great things about Celebrity suites and I would love to try them and see how they are but I love the whole "ship within a ship" concept on NCL.

Unfortunately the Haven 'experience' isn't guaranteed.

Mine on the Breakaway last October soured me on NCL -probably for good.

I realize NCL can't guarantee the type of fellow Haven passengers we will have, but get stuck with bad ones & the entire 'experience' is a bust. It seems NCL has rules -but won't enforce them. The standard line they get is 'we paid the Haven fare & will do as we please'

Unfortunately, I too paid the Haven fare & my experience was miserable.

If NCL ever decided to make the Haven adults only (even for some sailings) I may reconsider, but for now good reviews have me looking at MSC & Celebrity.

I wouldn't mind paying the price if every perk was guaranteed & the Haven really was a place to relax.

But, our experience on the Breakaway in Oct was terrible.

Since NCL (or anyone) could ever guarantee the type of fellow passengers you will have, every cruise & experience is different.

Although we loved our Aft suite & large balcony, the Haven itself was a nightmare (including the restaurant) Screaming children running all over constantly with parents who just sat & ignored the noise. Outside, inside running everywhere. Just wanted to sit by the bar a few nights to have a drink before dinner & left each time. People were lying all over the furniture & floor, yelling back & forth to one another. Some it seemed never moved from the Haven. Whenever we went in, the same large loud crowd was always there.

Our Butler was almost invisible. I heard the word no too many times to count. One rough night I simply asked for ginger ale & was told they didn't have any. He never asked if I wanted anything else, just said no. Over & over (and even before the cruise) I told the Butler that we didn't want any seafood as snacks. I made it perfectly clear. What did I get each day? Seafood of some sort.

I felt for the almost $6500 we paid for the 2 of us -we didn't receive what was promised. From that bad experience, we've decided to stop cruising for now.

Again, the price was fine with me when I booked, but in the end the services were lacking & impersonal. I really felt the staff was stretched over so many suites that not everyone was going to get good service. And if some suite guests are pushy enough, I guess they took up a lot of time.

For the prices they charge, I expect the services I paid for without having to complain each day of my vacation. The service should just be there -not something I have to beg for.

For us, it wasn't worth the price.

Thank you so much for your detailed & entertaining review.

I realize your smoking neighbor situation is long over -but I wanted to share my sister's experience on the Oasis.

Their balcony neighbors also smoked & it seemed as if they actually waited for my sister & BIL to go out on their balcony before lighting up.

The schedules somewhat matched, so they were subject to smoke pretty much each time they sat on their balcony.

My sister politely told the neighbors that smoking was no longer allowed & not so politely was told off. She received the standard line of 'we paid for this balcony & will use it as we like'.

After a few calls to complain she had enough & escalated her complaint rather quickly.

Each time, just as you described, security couldn't catch them smoking & nothing was done.

My sister would not give up & insisted that the security personnel come to her cabin to witness the smoking.

Before going out to her balcony in the morning, the security team (there were 2 men) came to my sisters cabin. She & her husband went out onto their balcony just like every morning & were talking about the upcoming day -when there it was...cigarette smoke accompanied by laughing.

The laughing didn't last long when one of the security guys stood on the chair, looked over the partition & told them to go open the door for his partner. Busted!

She believes they were moved to another room & probably charged a cleaning fee, because for the remainder of that day, staff were in & out cleaning & airing out the room. The room remained empty for the rest of her cruise.

I share this as a possible solution for others who may find themselves in this situation.

I also wanted to comment on sharing your vacation with your Mom.

I've been choked up more than a few times reading along & seeing how attentive & loving your Mom & you are & how much fun she had.

My sisters & I were planning a cruise vacation to take our Mom on, but she sadly passed away before we could go.

Each time you wrote to enjoy your life & your time together, & how family is everything, it made me cry. How true.

Thank you for the reminder.

Now I'm going to read the reviews I missed. Thank you again for taking the time to share your cruise with all of us.

This is exactly what I'm worried about. What types of request did you make?

Please don't worry. I didn't let the experience ruin my cruise.

We had asked to have some extra creamers in the fridge & for it to be cleared out so they could place a couple cans of ginger ale inside, as well as a pitcher of ice tea. I also asked for some tea bags so I could brew my own ice tea.

I asked for the coffee machine to have no flavored coffees & that we used sugar in the raw.

I asked that no seafood be brought as the afternoon snacks -that we'd rather have fruit, cheese & some breads/crackers.

Instead, the fridge was full of everything but the ginger ale & ice tea & creamers.

Most of the coffee was flavored & only white sugar was offered. No tea bags ever came & yes, we received seafood each day.

I left a few notes each day with reminders of what we asked for, but they were ignored.

In the end, it was easy enough to go to the buffet & bring back whatever we wanted (bring some ziploc bags) & I went to a bar to purchase a few cans of ginger ale & got tea bags to brew my own ice tea. I never used the coffee machine.

The Suite/Haven experience was just off for us on this cruise. I'm not sure if the staff was too light for the amount of Suite guests -or what the problem was. Our Butler was the worst. Thankfully we did have a great room steward who did bring me the extra pillows I asked for & always had a smile.

We're now seriously considering a different line & added land vacations for the future. I think I need a break from NCL.

I hope your experience is much better.

I always bring my own travel mug (because it's nice & large) & just brew my own tea with a tea bag then fill my cup with ice.

Comes out perfectly.

Just wanted to add that my husband took my mug one day to the buffet, filled it with the soft serve ice cream then poured hot coffee in the mug. It was delicious :D

Have fun!

I was in a Suite on deck 11 on the Breakaway in October & only heard a bit of music one night from one of the clubs. With the door closed & the TV on -we barely heard it.

Never really felt any vibration.

The view from the aft can't be beat.

Hope you have a great time.

I can only give you my experience on the Breakaway in October.

Although I did send a short email with some requests, none were fulfilled.

They did write back to me in a few hours saying they 'took note' of my requests, but that ended up being the only positive -the timely email.

Our entire Haven/Suite was a disappointment from the moment we entered the port.

Hopefully your experience will be much better.

I know people will tell you that you *should* be OK with just a passport, but a lot can change in the couple months before you sail.

No one knows when (or if) new ID restrictions will be put in place. Things can change in our World in an instant.

I would change the documents to all match the correct legal name and/or bring copies of the marriage license that clearly shows a name change.

If you aren't asked for it, great. The problem comes in if you are asked & don't have it with you.

Have a great cruise.

This is a great tip about the Vibe.

I was on the Breakaway in early October & the Haven was awful. Not the area, but the fellow Haven passengers with kids.

Never saw so many running screaming kids in one place. No place to sit quietly for a drink or read, running, yelling & splashing in the pool & hot tubs while parents sat oblivious.

Even after complaining nothing changed, as I'm sure the standard line is 'I paid for the Haven'.

Well, I paid for the Haven too & couldn't use it comfortably.

When we got off the ship I said to my husband that unless there were some sailings where the Haven was adults only -I'd never pay those prices again for something we couldn't enjoy.

But you have given a great alternative. You had me with- no kids allowed.

Thanks.

Interested, how was your experience? We did not have such a great Butler on the Getaway in October. Hoping it will be better on BA in May.

In a word? Awful.

Although we set sail after 2am due to the Captain wanting the hurricane to bypass Bermuda, the Butler, Renado never came to our Suite.

The only time I met him was the day before we were to leave & he stopped by to ask if we were placing our luggage outside or taking it ourselves.

Not once did any of the things I asked for in an email before we sailed ever happen & nothing we asked for concerning snacks in the afternoons were accommodated. Not even ginger ale. I was told he couldn't get any. Yes. That he couldn't get any.

I voiced my complaints to the Concierge, Virginia to no avail. I met with the HD and nothing changed, so by day 3 I just picked up what I wanted from the bar (a few cans of that elusive ginger ale) & the buffet.

I never asked for anything else. I feel we paid for an experience we didn't receive.

As a side note, the Haven itself was a huge disappointment. This has to do with our fellow Haven passengers. Screaming babies, & running toddlers & children took over the area. The lounge is a nice area, but it was impossible to be able to sit & have a drink before dinner with constant noise. The pool & hot tub were full of children & teens. We tried to visit at different times, but it was never a relaxing place. The restaurant is nice, but not that large, so add a table or two with crying children & you can imagine that it wasn't the nicest dinner. We spent little time there & only ate in the restaurant twice.

We had an aft Suite & luckily had a lovely large balcony that was quiet. We ended up spending most of our time there.

Now I know some with children will say 'but we paid for the Haven too' -and I understand that. The difference is that they used the Haven & while I also paid for it, I couldn't use it.

It might be nice if NCL put aside a few dates for the Haven to be adults only, but I don't imagine this will happen.

I sincerely hope I didn't put a crimp in your expectations for your upcoming cruise, but I wanted to be honest & at least tell you our experience. It's possible you will have a completely different crew & I hope a much nicer time.

For us, we are putting NCL aside & thinking of another cruise line or some land vacations.

We also think the Breakaway has far too many passengers for the space. This may be why the Haven was continually crowded. Most public places on the ship were crowded & loud.

We did sail on the Jewel a couple years ago & think the design of that ship fits us better.

Make sure you eat at O'Sheehans on the BA -we loved it there. I hope you have a wonderful cruise & Haven experience.

So I just wanted a little feedback from other cruisers. My family booked the aft penthouse suite on the Breakaway next April. I will be traveling with a 2 year old and 4 year old. My parents will also be traveling with us (1 room away). We decided to splurge a little since they were offering 3&4 guest free at the time and the space would be great for the kids. I don't expect us to really use the haven pool (mainly just the kids area and slidesand maybe the restaurant). I've seen a couple reviews that frown upon kids in the Haven areas and wanted to know what other families have experienced. Maybe I should post this in the family section but I thought I would get a some good feedback here. Thanks[emoji4] [emoji4]

 

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I have to admit that screaming kids ruined the Haven experience for me on the Breakaway in October.

We didn't spend much time there for this reason. Running through the lounge, screaming & splashing in the pool & hot tub all day & evening. Couldn't enjoy a quiet drink before dinner, or dinner. The restaurant isn't that big & just one table of unruly kids can ruin your meal.

Not once did I see any NCL employee ask the kids to stop running or screaming. Maybe they aren't allowed to.

Yes, of course these families paid for the Haven, but so did we. I wish some sailings were adults only for the Haven, but I don't expect that to happen.

In O'Sheehans there were a group of kids traveling together in some type of group with 4 chaperones. They took up 3 tables, yet you'd never know they were there. They were having fun sharing food & joking, but so very well behaved. I even complimented the chaperones as they were leaving.

I don't see a problem with your children in any area of the Haven if they are well behaved. In fact, I wish some of the adults acted like adults in places on the ship :)

You paid for the Haven experience, so enjoy it.

On my sailing (10-4) the Concierge was Virginia.

I did speak to the HD about some problems, but I'm sorry I just can't remember his name.

Just as a side note, I wasn't impressed with either.

Hope you enjoy your cruise.

I sailed on the 10-4 Breakaway cruise & asked once in the Haven if I could have an entree from the MDR or something similar.

I was told no & never asked again.

My experience in the Haven on this sailing was less than impressive, so your experience may be better.

There isn't any harm in asking if you want something else -just don't be surprised if the answer is no.

I was on the 10-4 Breakaway & this is the same Haven menu we had.

Truthfully, the restaurant isn't that great. Breakfast was the best meal (in my opinion). Only ate lunch there, as the food was only OK. After a few days of the same choices we found better options in other restaurants. Not sure if the menu changed once the NY/Bermuda itinerary was finished.

I was on the 10-4 Breakaway & had the chicken fingers & mozzarella sticks for lunch on more than one day. They were terrific.

O'Sheehans also had a prime rib night, a BBQ rib night & a fried chicken night. All delicious.

I hope they are still on the menu when you sail.

I was recently on the Breakaway & the service charges for my suite were $15.50 per day per person. I believe the regular rate is $13.50

But every time we cruise we treat the wait staff the same as we do on land. We tip in cash for our meals & drinks. We've always had very pleasant people waiting on us & the money we leave them is always welcome.

I'm not saying this is required, it's just what we do. The service charge to your on board account each day covers tips.

But if you are in a Suite, your Butler & Concierge are not covered under your daily service charge & should be tipped separately.

We thought Virginia was very pleasant.

Yes. Virginia was very pleasant. She smiled & nodded her head at all the right times as I told of about the difficulties we had with our Butler & the Haven lounge/restaurant area.

Nothing changed. The problems persisted & Virginia remained 'pleasant'.

I'm happy you had no complaints on this cruise.

 

thiswillbefunnj: you were disappointed in the Haven experience? wow I don't think I have heard many, if anyone say that. I wonder what disappointed you?

I don't wish to jump in ahead of thiswillbefunnj, but we were on the same cruise & met one another in the Haven lounge. The Haven was a waste of money & not the special experience it's advertised as. Of course NCL can't know who your fellow Haven passengers will be, but I think the time has come to make it an adults only area. Screaming children running through the Haven restaurant, pool area & lounge constantly is unacceptable. Teens & kids taking over the pool & hot tub, screaming, splashing & asking for food & drinks that were left everywhere. We even tried to sit in the lounge to have a drink before dinner & had to leave. The noise level from kids & drunk adults was too much. The Haven restaurant was nice looking, but tables are close together & just one family with unruly children can ruin your dinner -now add 3 or 4 families & you can understand why we rarely spent time there. The buffet was quieter.

I had an invisible Butler. Actually the same one as thiswillbefunnj. Never brought one thing we asked for.

As she stated, we did complain & nothing changed. Well, something changed. Now I'm thinking of sailing with another line. Not worth paying Haven prices if we don't even receive the minimum 'special' treatment.

Didn't mean to hijack the thread. Just wanted to answer you.

I liked the part where it said 'the consumer has choices'.

 

Very true. I was absolutely disappointed on my Breakaway cruise & the Haven experience. I felt I paid for for an experience I didn't receive. (yes -before anyone asks, I did complain. Nothing changed. Let's leave it at that please)

 

Now I'm looking into all inclusive resorts & the RCI Anthem of the seas.

 

This consumer is looking into choices other than NCL.

 

Thank you OP for posting the article -I didn't see this one before.

Agree. We met in the Haven lounge & compared our experiences.

Worst Suite experience I ever had.

I've been checking the RCI threads too & am considering switching from NCL.

Would also like to thank the original poster for the article.

We had prime rib night, BBQ rib night & fried chicken night on the Breakaway at O'Sheehans -but did notice on a few other threads that the O'Sheehans menus seem to be different on some ships.

We loved all the food we had here.

The only place I found some peace & quiet was on my own aft balcony. The Haven lounge area (inside by the restaurant entrance) was always busy with families, people playing games & running screaming children. The pool area was worse.

 

The Haven area is nice, depending on who your fellow Haven travelers are.

 

I think on my cruise a lot more people crowded the Haven because the rest of the Breakaway was chaos most of the time. The crowds & noise were something hard to get away from. No place to sit & talk with a drink or after dinner coffee, or listen to some music.

 

I agree with MMMD who said they paid for perks they didn't get. I feel the same way. My butler was disinterested, Virginia wasn't visible unless you actually entered the Haven area & the Haven restaurant was just OK. The hot tub was in constant use & the pool full of rowdy kids.

 

Many times during the day I visited the Haven for some quiet & only found it to be crowded & noisy, just like the rest of the ship.

 

I've sailed sailed on the Gem & Jewel & always found quiet places throughout the ship to sit & read or hold a conversation with someone without yelling. These mega ships are not for me. First time on the Breakaway & the last.

 

I imagine the new Escape will be worse. Virginia (the Concierge) mentioned how many more Suites were being added. Just think of the chaos in Haven areas after that. If they keep it up, the Haven won't be special anymore. I already felt this way on the Breakaway.

 

All inclusive resorts that cater to adults is what I'll be looking for if ship building continues to add more & more passengers crowded into small venues.

We met in the Haven lounge, correct? Nice to see you again. I remember our conversation comparing our suite disappointments & how we kept having to move away from some very loud fellow Haven guests.

I absolutely agree that the Haven is becoming less and less special. I looked at the deck plans for the Escape and see the same problems the Breakaway already has, small public places, more suites and more passengers crammed in. I'm guessing the butlers will be stretched even further with the additional suites and the amount of people allowed to occupy them.

I'd never sail on a ship the size of the Breakaway again, so the Escape who holds even more is a definite no.

Further to the NCL suite experience as related by MMMD.

 

I dislike speaking in generalities, but having just recently experienced my first (and possibly last) NCL suite experience, I am left with the feeling that they promise a lot that they do not deliver.

 

It does seem plausible that one single lazy worker can create an experience a good deal less enjoyable than what one had paid for. Our cabin staff were pleasant and adequate, but nothing more. As with many of the cabin staff, I got the impression they were quite overworked (Not by their complaints however).

 

And I thank the OP for keeping me off crowded, badly designed and oversold floating hotels.

Not only 'promise' more than they deliver, but certainly charge a lot more. Just check the prices for the new Escape in the Haven area. Unbelievable.

With no guarantee that I would receive the perks I paid for, I'm turned off sailing with NCL for now.

I'll be interested to read Haven reviews from the Escape to see how more suites added in will will be a good thing. If the butler is invisible & the things you ask for are impossible, if the Haven lounge is just as noisy and crowded as public places on the ship, and embarking/disembarking isn't much different from anyone else, then I'm wondering what the 'special' part of the Haven is.

I'll be looking for some all inclusive resorts with Thiswillbefunnj to vacation in the future, especially if new ship builds are for 4K+ passengers from now on.

I'm sorry your first suite experience was disappointing as well. This seems to be a trend.