New to Haven - please share your favorite secrets or tips to make it great!

Hi all,

 

New NCL and new to the Haven on the Breakaway for 9 nights in June for Russia/Scandinavia. Traveling with DH and son age 18. We were lured by the Haven because we booked late (end of Feb) and the ship appeared to be quite full and after reading SO many reviews about how crowded this ship can be/feel in the buffet and elsewhere and the lines to disembark in key ports like St. Petersburg, we decided to splurge. Seriously considered Viking, Seaborne and Azamara given the Haven cost, but our availability of dates due to work and having an 18 yr old with us (not sure how fun those other ships would be for him!) tipped us over to the Breakaway. Hoping that having the Haven seems to be "worth it" especially to DH who is still smarting at the cost lol ; )

 

What are your tips for taking full advantage of the benefits of the Haven? Any "secrets" of the Haven alums?

 

Thanks all!

 

Lynne from Boston

hi congratulations on your Haven room. There are a few things that we learned.

1) as soon as you start to board tell someone you are in the Haven. You will be escorted to a special line, then a special waiting room for refreshments and then as a small group you will be taken up to the Haven. You will have a tour and then lunch in their special restaurant.

2) don't feel like you have to dress up at all in the restaurant. Most people were very casual

3) the restaurant chairs were too tall for my 5'2 frame so just grab a pillow from the couches outside

4) you will need your card to enter until they get to know you in the restaurant.

5) usually only one elevator to the Haven and you insert your card to get there

6) Your concierge will get you into a show early so you can have good seats. You do not need to sit where they have the roped off area.

7) your concierge will accompany you for a fast disembarkation

8) your butler will bring a little snack ( cookies, chocolates, fruit, ordoerves) each day

9) your butler will help you run the coffee machine and will stock up on your favorites

10) Enjoy being pampered

What are your tips for taking full advantage of the benefits of the Haven? Any "secrets" of the Haven alums?

 

We've sailed on the Breakaway in Haven rooms twice. First time our room, while a Haven room, wasn't in the Haven area. It was on deck 13. Second time we were in the Haven area, about a month ago. Definitely better having your room in the Haven area than not.

 

You'll have no trouble enjoying the benefits of the Haven. Very quiet, laid back. The main area has two hot tubs and a small pool. We enjoy the loungers on the upper level for those lazy cruise days of reading, listening to music or just relaxing the day away. There's also a Haven only outside area if you want that.

 

The concierge desk is there, for those times you need information or help.

 

Having your own private bar, between the concierge area and restaurant, is nice! The bartenders are friendly and will make any thing you want.

 

The Haven restaurant is fantastic. Almost never crowded. I think we only waited for a table once, and the wait was no more than a few minutes. Our routine was to eat all breakfasts and lunches in the Haven restaurant. The only dinners we ventured out for were the nights we ate in specialty restaurants. You can also dine out in the pool area. We did that a few times for breakfast or lunch. Also, no reservations necessary.

 

The Haven restaurant menu is the same each day. However, the staff has menus for the other restaurants and will bring you something from those other venues. I don't think they like doing so, because the maitre 'd cautioned us the two times we used it that it would incur a ten minute delay. One dinner I ordered the fish 'n chips from O'Sheehan's. I really didn't notice a delay and it was delivered hot just the way it would have been in O'Sheehan's. One night my wife ordered creme brûlée for dessert (we don't know which restaurant it came from).

 

Priority embarkation and debarkation are nice perks. On debarkation, pay attention to the Haven signs...they even have special (short) lines for customs.

 

You'll be greeted by your butler the first day. He makes sure the in-room coffee maker is stocked and will bring snacks to your room each afternoon. (fruit, candy, sandwiches) Be sure to let the butler know your likes and dislikes for the afternoon snacks and they'll try to accommodate you.

 

And Haven rooms have a free selection of movies that you can view in your room.

remember to tip your butler and the concierge based on how much you use them. tehy are not included in the daily service charge.

 

enjoy a dinner in suite some night. order pizza anytime (your son might like this!). we like to order in breakfast on port days (you can get the room service breakfast or the haven breakfast menu, really anything you want!).

Breakfast in the room is the best no getting up to go to the restarunt.

 

Besides breakfast the lunch and dinner gets really repetitive I have a teenager he did not want to eat there everyday neither did I.

 

Butler does get you what you want. And yes they do tell you they need to be tipped separately as all the Captain Obvious folks on here will beat you to death with.

 

Try not to stay in the Haven all day everyday explore the rest of the ship and be with others having fun. My teenager did not have much interest in it he was out meeting kids his age. He did like the suite and the Butler though.

This is good information for us too. We are going on the Getaway in September. It will be our first Norwegian cruise. We booked the Haven Spa Suite on deck 14. Is that in the main Haven area? I'm not exactly sure where the main Haven area is located.

 

Keep the tips and Info coming. :D

 

Thanks,

Karen

Hi all,

 

New NCL and new to the Haven on the Breakaway for 9 nights in June for Russia/Scandinavia. Traveling with DH and son age 18. We were lured by the Haven because we booked late (end of Feb) and the ship appeared to be quite full and after reading SO many reviews about how crowded this ship can be/feel in the buffet and elsewhere and the lines to disembark in key ports like St. Petersburg, we decided to splurge. Seriously considered Viking, Seaborne and Azamara given the Haven cost, but our availability of dates due to work and having an 18 yr old with us (not sure how fun those other ships would be for him!) tipped us over to the Breakaway. Hoping that having the Haven seems to be "worth it" especially to DH who is still smarting at the cost lol ; )

 

What are your tips for taking full advantage of the benefits of the Haven? Any "secrets" of the Haven alums?

 

Thanks all!

 

Lynne from Boston

 

Have been on BA in Haven. Not my favorite ship. Done the Baltics on NCL Sun - what a fabulous place to go. Are you doing mostly private excursions?

 

What category and/or room are you in?

 

 

ETA: It will be a quiet retreat from the rest of the busy ship though.

Edited May 10, 2018 by dexddd

This is good information for us too. We are going on the Getaway in September. It will be our first Norwegian cruise. We booked the Haven Spa Suite on deck 14. Is that in the main Haven area? I'm not exactly sure where the main Haven area is located.

 

Keep the tips and Info coming. :D

 

Thanks,

Karen

 

On BA/GA the Haven main area is on 16. There are rooms in the "gated" area of the Haven on 15 and 16 though. If you come in on 15 there are stairs up to 16. Concierge desk is also on 16. You can exit 15 to go to the gym easily. 17 has the upper sitting area and outside Haven area.

 

There is no regular elevator in the Haven for guests to use as a PP mentioned. There may be one in a crew access area I've read if you have mobility issues.

We've sailed on the Breakaway in Haven rooms twice. First time our room, while a Haven room, wasn't in the Haven area. It was on deck 13. Second time we were in the Haven area, about a month ago. Definitely better having your room in the Haven area than not.

 

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So happy to hear that we have chosen the right cabin for our first Haven experience. I have heard many mixed opinions regarding an aft cabin vs right inside the Haven. Some love the very large balcony and larger cabin in AFT, but we think we will prefer being right inside, with all those amenities so close by!!

So happy to hear that we have chosen the right cabin for our first Haven experience. I have heard many mixed opinions regarding an aft cabin vs right inside the Haven. Some love the very large balcony and larger cabin in AFT' date=' but we think we will prefer being right inside, with all those amenities so close by!![/quote']

 

The aft Haven cabins on BA/GA are all H6 which are very nice rooms plus the large balcony. They might even be considered better than the OS and DOS on 16 in the Haven proper. That's why most people don't mind the distance.

Have been on BA in Haven. Not my favorite ship. Done the Baltics on NCL Sun - what a fabulous place to go. Are you doing mostly private excursions?

 

What category and/or room are you in?

 

 

ETA: It will be a quiet retreat from the rest of the busy ship though.

 

Hi, we are in H5 16130, which should be convenient to the Haven Dining & Lounge. Yes, I'm a bit nervous about sailing on the Breakaway...so many mixed reviews on the design and how she handles the crowds. But, hoping that for the Baltics, it might be a different vibe than all the NYC-based sailings.

 

Can't wait to visit these ports...that was the driver! The great ports, not the ship. Yes, right now planning mostly private tours, but since I have $100 in credit for each port stop, we may do a few NCL excursions, even if it's just a ride into a city and back. Still finalizing tour plans...if you have private excursions that you loved...please share!

 

Thanks much! Lynne

Hi, we are in H5 16130, which should be convenient to the Haven Dining & Lounge. Yes, I'm a bit nervous about sailing on the Breakaway...so many mixed reviews on the design and how she handles the crowds. But, hoping that for the Baltics, it might be a different vibe than all the NYC-based sailings.

 

Can't wait to visit these ports...that was the driver! The great ports, not the ship. Yes, right now planning mostly private tours, but since I have $100 in credit for each port stop, we may do a few NCL excursions, even if it's just a ride into a city and back. Still finalizing tour plans...if you have private excursions that you loved...please share!

 

Thanks much! Lynne

 

Are you sure about that $100 credit per port stop? The excursion benefit is $50 per STATEROOM per port, not per person.

Are you sure about that $100 credit per port stop? The excursion benefit is $50 per STATEROOM per port, not per person.

 

$50 per cabin is my understand too.

We've been in the Haven twice, once on the Escape and once on the Getaway, which was the same cruise you are doing. One of the best benefits with this cruise is the priority disembarkation in the ports. This is especially vital in Russia, where passport control can be looooong. It was an amazing perk to be one of the first on the line! You will meet in the CL as soon as they give the all clear. Do utlizie this - its the best!

 

The snacks everyday are great. Don't be shy to let your butler know if you prefer certain snacks. I kept forgetting! Breakfast in your room on early port days is fabulous! We loved the restaurant both times, but if I'm remembering correctly, the menu doesnt change, so we really enjoyed the specialty dining venues. We did not eat in the main dining rooms at all.

 

I think you made the right choice to stay in the Haven - its great to enjoy the proximity to everything the first time. Also on this itinerary you will hopefully be in all the wonderful ports so there is not nearly as much time to just enjoy the room/balcony.

 

About the ports, I would suggest using a private tour provider for Russia so you will see the maiximum amount. People that took the ship's excursions here just didn't get to see as much. We did take a ship tour in Finland which was fabulous.

 

You will love this cruise, soak it all up!

No real secrets for the Haven, per se. NCL outlines it pretty well.

 

Been on Getaway and Breakaway....both are incredible ships and both among my favorite cruises.

 

Haven is a respite from the rock climbing wall, main pool area, etc. You'll have your own Haven Pool area. Plus, there's a Haven sun deck, which is great for relaxing, reading a book, etc.

 

Concierge takes care of all your dining and show reservations (with "best seats in the house" for all shows). The shows are all some of the best I've seen at sea. They'll make and change all dining reservations. If you have billing issues, they'll handle those for you, too.

 

Butler takes care of all room service requests and delivery of mid day snacks, coffee maker supplies, and any sort of room related special requests.

 

Haven restaurant is really good, no crowding, and good food. As others mentioned, you can order from other restaurants on board and have it delivered to your room or the Haven Restaurant.

 

You're on a great ship in a great area of the ship. You're going to love it.

Hi all,

 

New NCL and new to the Haven on the Breakaway for 9 nights in June for Russia/Scandinavia. Traveling with DH and son age 18. We were lured by the Haven because we booked late (end of Feb) and the ship appeared to be quite full and after reading SO many reviews about how crowded this ship can be/feel in the buffet and elsewhere and the lines to disembark in key ports like St. Petersburg, we decided to splurge. Seriously considered Viking, Seaborne and Azamara given the Haven cost, but our availability of dates due to work and having an 18 yr old with us (not sure how fun those other ships would be for him!) tipped us over to the Breakaway. Hoping that having the Haven seems to be "worth it" especially to DH who is still smarting at the cost lol ; )

 

What are your tips for taking full advantage of the benefits of the Haven? Any "secrets" of the Haven alums?

 

Thanks all!

 

Lynne from Boston

 

 

Lynne congrats!!! What haven are you sailing in? Ie. what room type?

The aft Haven cabins on BA/GA are all H6 which are very nice rooms plus the large balcony. They might even be considered better than the OS and DOS on 16 in the Haven proper. That's why most people don't mind the distance.

Add me to the list that love the after. We only went into the actual Haven proper a few times and even at that it was just a 2 min walk and I have mobility issues so others I am sure could have made it quicker. We are not the lay out all day type of people so we're where everywhere on the ship. Several of the specialty restaurants where on the aft any way.

 

Only down side was that the disenbarked while in Port from the front so I hated having to walk to the front to then walk back to the rear of the ship once we where on the dock. Having the mobility issue bugged me having to walk more then needed.

 

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There is no regular elevator in the Haven for guests to use as a PP mentioned. There may be one in a crew access area I've read if you have mobility issues.

 

The 3-elevators used on the Getaway for priority disembarkation are located on Deck 16 in a Crews' passageway adjacent to the Concierge 's desk.

 

When you board for the very first time go to the forward boarding area, REGARDLESS if you have an aft cabin. It will expedite and streamline your boarding process! While you will still get priority boarding privileges if you sue the aft boarding station, you have to get off the elevator on Deck 7, lug your carry-on's thru the ship and crowds to the forward bank of elevators yo catch another elevator to Deck 16. Having done that on our last cruise, I can personally attest it is a real PITA!

Are you sure about that $100 credit per port stop? The excursion benefit is $50 per STATEROOM per port, not per person.

 

Hi, thanks for the concern, certainly worth re-checking!

 

For clarity, we received many promotions when we booked in the Haven and have a $50 Per Port Shore Ex Credit and a separate $50 Choice Shore Ex Credit, which when combined equal $100 per port. Confirmed this with the Shore Ex desk when I booked our Rostock excursion to the Schwerin Castle.

 

This combined with Unlimited drinks, 250 min of internet for our son, $300 OBC, 3 nights of speciality dining, bottle of wine, choco-strawberries, 120 min of phone calls etc etc...made NCL such a good deal when compared with the Vikings/Azamara etc lines.

 

Thank you and keep the tips coming!!

 

Lynne

The Haven resteraunt will have the best food on the ship. The menu remains the same, I'm sure to encourage you to dine around back before specialty dining was inclusive. But there are a few days you want to avoid dining in the Haven resteraunt for diner. The first day, because everyone in the Haven has the exact same idea......Eat in the Haven! It's crowded! Wait for the Haven restaurant for night 2. Then everyone who ate there the first night is somewhere else and you will have no crowds! The other night is the last night of the cruise. Everyone in the Haven has dined around all week and realizes the haven resteraunt is the best. Everyone wants to eat there the last night too.

Just enjoy...Just relax...and just enjoy The Haven.

 

And for a secret, quite a few of the offerings on the Cagney's menu are available in The Haven Dining Room. This leaves freedom to either love what you eat all the time or try something in Cagney's that is unique to that Venue if you decide to go there....

 

Have a Great Cruise!!!

Haven is great and October will be my 3rd haven suite on Breakaway. Not sure if it is worth the money but I splurged for my mom on first trip so she could be treated like the queen she was...second trip was to celebrate our memory of her and my next trip is my retirement cruise for me. Probably my last splurge. I love the perks of the Haven especially since the last cruise I have a very bad knee and walking long distances very painful and I have issues with dinner hours that are too long for me. That is MY issue, not fault of cruise-line. I have had great butlers with Mark and Gian. We didn't have much use for concierge but they also were very attentive when in haven and embarking and disembarking. No need to stress (like my mom did) in disturbing our butler for a late night snack when she was having breathing issues because there is a night butler to attend to needs. Now all that said about Haven....Now my opinion......most of the staffer were wonderful.....including outside the Haven but my last 2 cruises I can see the stress cracks. Dealing with the public is not easy and some are just plain rude ...because you are giving a gratuity does not make it ok to be mean....NCL needs to more supportive of their staff.and I don't see that they are. I have addressed that with some of management. That said...I will say.......you are entitled to the perks of the haven you paid dearly for that......while I personally did not want or need all of them, you still paid for them. I didn't need or want unpacking or packing of luggage....but that is a perk you paid for and deserve.

The 3-elevators used on the Getaway for priority disembarkation are located on Deck 16 in a Crews' passageway adjacent to the Concierge 's desk.

 

When you board for the very first time go to the forward boarding area, REGARDLESS if you have an aft cabin. It will expedite and streamline your boarding process! While you will still get priority boarding privileges if you sue the aft boarding station, you have to get off the elevator on Deck 7, lug your carry-on's thru the ship and crowds to the forward bank of elevators yo catch another elevator to Deck 16. Having done that on our last cruise, I can personally attest it is a real PITA!

 

I'm aware of the crew elevators by concierge desk to disembark. The one PP made it out to sound like there were regular, public elevators with keycard control to get you into the Haven area on BA/GA. There aren't. The public elevators are aft of the Haven area and you have to use your card to get the Haven door open.

Hi, we are in H5 16130, which should be convenient to the Haven Dining & Lounge. Yes, I'm a bit nervous about sailing on the Breakaway...so many mixed reviews on the design and how she handles the crowds. But, hoping that for the Baltics, it might be a different vibe than all the NYC-based sailings.

 

Can't wait to visit these ports...that was the driver! The great ports, not the ship. Yes, right now planning mostly private tours, but since I have $100 in credit for each port stop, we may do a few NCL excursions, even if it's just a ride into a city and back. Still finalizing tour plans...if you have private excursions that you loved...please share!

 

Thanks much! Lynne

 

NCL used to do this as a couple day longer trip out of Dover and even then it was port intensive (same ports) so the vibe will be a bit different then when out of NYC.

 

As far as operators, the main ones on the port of call boards will be fine and get good reviews. If you have a credit in Russia, you may want to look at doing a private tour for the two days and if you have any interest do the night time ballet through NCL if they still have that.

 

As far as your room, you are close to the Haven door and once you go out the door and take a quick right is an exit to the outside area and you can go down stairs to the pool deck.

Lynne congrats!!! What haven are you sailing in? Ie. what room type?

 

Hi, we're in H5 16130...have bid on the Owners and 2 bedroom suite, but since they appear to be sold out, doubt that we'll be anywhere other than 16130! Any tips?? Thanks so much! Lynne