Tears from Haven

This is why I used the example of ncl closing off the sundeck to kids. This certainly implies an issue that is more likely than not to occur and much more than a small chance.

Fair point. Is that a fleet/sailing-wide directive now?

I agree with you 100%.

 

And I have certainly been accused of being a NCL cheerleader. So I do not consider myself a complainer.

 

But, yes, we are a small percent of NCL's base here on Cruise Critic, and I have read many accounts over the year ranging from

 

A. Quiet and peacful without a kid in sight

B. Rich Kid's pool - kids there but not overrun. Some might be rowdy.

C. All-out mad house overrun with screaming kids

 

So, it is a crap-shoot. But what does that matter what someone else's experience was if your week is "C"???

 

I have experienced only "A" and "B" on Jewel class and Mega (Epic), but I do believe "C" happens. And I commisserate!

 

I like kids but well-behaved ones.

 

 

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I have 2 young kids and don't mind kids being around either. But the Haven courtyard is a place that is not designed for kids under 12 or so. They can't be kids. They want to make noise and play. It's what they do. I think it should be closed off to kids under 12, but it'll never happen as ncl knows the Haven is a family product even if they don't market it that way.

We have always booked our H2 at the asking price, but that price, for some reason, is never what is reported on here. For example, you quote $12K for an H6 but that is the price we pay for the H2 to Bermuda during the high season.

I should have specified. There are 4 of us and 2 are kids in school. We rarely get 3rd/4th free (it has happened, though) and I was using a "summer" price which is higher. I was also using a total price with promo service charges. If I was looking at a week sooner when the kids were still in school, it would have been less.

Fair point. Is that a fleet/sailing-wide directive now?

I have no idea. I believe it was posted in regards to Escape. Others may chime in.

I guess we'll find out what our experience will be in a few weeks. If I had little kids, I think I would assume they'd have more fun in the kid's pool, as opposed to in the boring Haven pool. On the other hand, if I was traveling with a larger family group, I guess it would be tempting to view the Haven pool as our own private pool. That said, for us, we decided to upgrade to the Haven, not for the benefit of having a private, tranquil pool area (and it seems the criticisms seem to be around the pool area) but for the private restaurant, lounge, and perks associated with the Haven. I'm thinking absent the "screaming kids in the pool" there aren't many complaints about kids over-running the other Haven areas that I've seen.

If it's advertise as "tranquility" that's how it shall be. If it's not people have to complain. NCL also have some guidelines and rules around the pool, isn't "no running" one of them?

If people aren't following the rules, they must be told to stop with whatever the rulebreaking is.

I understand if the concierge don't want to tell them but if people are breaking the rules can't the security staff step in?

The best thing should be if they had less 2-bedroom suites with Haven access. Of course families with children book the Haven when there are so many 2-bedroom suites.

Yup. Donna, as an aside, I see you have MSCYC upcoming in your signature... do you have any experience of this issue on MSCYC? (As a place an NCL Haven'r might bolt to?)

I was able to match to MSC Black. So, I thought I would try MSC YC. I have been immersing myself in research.

From what I have learned, the YC is totally self-contained. It really is a "ship within a ship" because there are not YC suites all over the ship. I do not think Seaside has 2 bedroom suites, although some YC have a separate bedroom, or might sleep 4, they are certainly not like NCL who has an abundance of 2 bedroom family suites. From what I read they do have some kids on MSC, but I believe, less.

Also, the Seaside has a large, beautiful Top Sail lounge where I see myself sitting and relaxing with a cold one or four.

I am not abandoning NCL. I definately plan to cruise on NCL Joy in honor of my mother, (Joy), who we lost in 2017. She loved cruising.

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Hey Dex

We finally booked the YC on this sailing NEXT October! Actually doing the B2B. It will be interesting to compare the Haven with the Yacht Club :)

Hi JVS! Hope all is well your way. We looked at those trips when they first came out but DS will be in football then and figured probably not the best time to go. It does look like a spectacular ship from what I've seen. The YC also looks very nice. We have two on Seaside YC booked next year with kids.

I guess we'll find out what our experience will be in a few weeks. If I had little kids, I think I would assume they'd have more fun in the kid's pool, as opposed to in the boring Haven pool. On the other hand, if I was traveling with a larger family group, I guess it would be tempting to view the Haven pool as our own private pool. That said, for us, we decided to upgrade to the Haven, not for the benefit of having a private, tranquil pool area (and it seems the criticisms seem to be around the pool area) but for the private restaurant, lounge, and perks associated with the Haven. I'm thinking absent the "screaming kids in the pool" there aren't many complaints about kids over-running the other Haven areas that I've seen.

The GA supposedly isn't as bad for noise by the pool area because you don't have roof that closes.

I was able to match to MSC Black. So, I thought I would try MSC YC. I have been immersing myself in research.

 

From what I have learned, the YC is totally self-contained. It really is a "ship within a ship" because there are not YC suites all over the ship. I do not think Seaside has 2 bedroom suites, although some YC have a separate bedroom, or might sleep 4, they are certainly not like NCL who has an abundance of 2 bedroom family suites. From what I read they do have some kids on MSC, but I believe, less.

 

Also, the Seaside has a large, beautiful Top Sail lounge where I see myself sitting and relaxing with a cold one or four.

 

I am not abandoning NCL. I definately plan to cruise on NCL Joy in honor of my mother, (Joy), who we lost in 2017. She loved cruising.

 

 

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Your research is pretty much on. No 2BR on MSC in YC. They do have some rooms on Seaside that sleep 5 in YC but it is just a bit bigger than your normal NCL mini. Some rooms also sleep 4. There are very few rooms with a separate bedroom. So basically what we've done for our one past and two future trips is booked two rooms (had 6 people and one room was a Royal), booked a deluxe and a YC inside, and third time is just a Royal.

Even having to book two rooms we were in for less $ than it would be for what we normally sail or could sail on in Haven.

As I've said before, our one MSC we did have an extended family with Octomom and her kids which were running amok EVERYWHERE we saw them. They wore diapers in the pool. However, the YC pool is a large area outside with a huge deck so noise out there isn't a factor. It was quiet as a library when these kids weren't there.

The lounge is large and beautiful. On Divinia it was like a fancy version of one of the Jewel class front observation lounges with a bar and snacks. On Seaside it is more like the Bliss Haven but it also has the seating outside in front of the lounge area in addition to the pool area.

Hi JVS! Hope all is well your way. We looked at those trips when they first came out but DS will be in football then and figured probably not the best time to go. It does look like a spectacular ship from what I've seen. The YC also looks very nice. We have two on Seaside YC booked next year with kids.

We also have Seaside YC in January:D

Actually, I just googled

 

 

And here is what it said on NCL.com

 

"Hidden away at the top of the ship is the Haven by Norwegian, home to our most luxurious,well appointed and spacious accommodations. Not only will you have access to all the ship has to offer, you'll enjoy the personal service of a concierge and 24-hour butler throughout your entire stay. On top of that, complete privacy and tranquility are just steps away on a sundeck reserved exclusively for guests of the Haven. From embarkation to debarkation, boarding of tenders to shore," entertainment to dining times you will have priority. In your own ship within a ship, the Haven will make for unique experience you'll never forget.

 

Next, I looked up "tranquility" in the thesaurus. Here are the synonyms - serenity, calmness, peacefulness, quietude, quietness, stillness, calm, quiet, stillness, silence, harmony, peace, stillness, hush and peace and quiet...

 

So, if NCL's marketing says one thing and reality "might" contradict that... how can we blame the OP or anyone for being anywhere from mildly frustrated to upset?

 

 

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That gives the OP the perfect excuse to drop or lower their DSC since their service was not what was advertised/promised and was not corrected.;p;)

Thanks, dexddd. I have been lucky on all my cruises so far.

It is funny, the 25 nights on the Sun in my aft PH out on my huge verandah beats anything else so far. Totally private and quiet. On the aft. Watching the wake and miles and miles of blue water. No Haven courtyard. Simple and pretty darn close to perfect.

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Fair point. Is that a fleet/sailing-wide directive now?

People have said Escape and Bliss for sure, don’t know about Breakaway or Getaway, with an exception for Sail-away. Epic sort of acted like this already with the free Vibe passes (no Haven sundeck).

Jewel class setup is so different that I don’t think it applies.

I was able to match to MSC Black. So, I thought I would try MSC YC. I have been immersing myself in research.

 

From what I have learned, the YC is totally self-contained. It really is a "ship within a ship" because there are not YC suites all over the ship. I do not think Seaside has 2 bedroom suites, although some YC have a separate bedroom, or might sleep 4, they are certainly not like NCL who has an abundance of 2 bedroom family suites. From what I read they do have some kids on MSC, but I believe, less.

 

Also, the Seaside has a large, beautiful Top Sail lounge where I see myself sitting and relaxing with a cold one or four.

 

I am not abandoning NCL. I definately plan to cruise on NCL Joy in honor of my mother, (Joy), who we lost in 2017. She loved cruising.

 

 

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Maybe you can come back and do a comparison thread for us after your YC cruise? I'd be curious about your thoughts comparing the two.

Hey Dex

 

We finally booked the YC on this sailing NEXT October! Actually doing the B2B. It will be interesting to compare the Haven with the Yacht Club :)

Are you on the October 8-18 sailing? We’re also booked in the YC.

Are you on the October 8-18 sailing? We’re also booked in the YC.

Yes we are! We are also on the following cruise too, although we will have to switch cabins...thats ok with us as we will get to try out different decks (14 & 15) in the YC suites.

Yes we are! We are also on the following cruise too, although we will have to switch cabins...thats ok with us as we will get to try out different decks (14 & 15) in the YC suites.

We are booked 15001 on Meraviglia.

We are also booked NCL Haven on Bliss 9/8/18 and NCL Haven Escape 9/23/18. This will be our first Non NCL cruise and hoping it will be as nice. Are you on the roll call? Barb

We are booked 15001 on Meraviglia.

We are also booked NCL Haven on Bliss 9/8/18 and NCL Haven Escape 9/23/18. This will be our first Non NCL cruise and hoping it will be as nice. Are you on the roll call? Barb

I am not "officially" on the Roll Call...just lurking so far, haha. I have 5 other cruises before these two :):)

I am not "officially" on the Roll Call...just lurking so far, haha. I have 5 other cruises before these two :):)

Wow. We’re 50 days out from our first and 65 from the second. You really must love to cruise;).

Maybe you can come back and do a comparison thread for us after your YC cruise? I'd be curious about your thoughts comparing the two.

I will be happy to. It is not until next May though.

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Yep you did well and that sounds like a great value combination trip!

 

I think the "I would never pay that" type responses here are fine... from the perspective of those writing them; but 'value' is a very personal thing and we are all calibrated differently in that respect for a myriad of reasons and circumstances. The Haven does (in general, most of the time) offer a different experience and delivers value in different ways to different people. My point being that blanket statements don't really work (in support of either argument).

 

For us the value is generally delivered upon, yes the ports are the same but the experience is different, the lines, the stresses, avoiding the scrum in the Garden Cafe for breakfast and dirty food covered tables, the cabin itself, embarkation, tendering... blah blah... those are all things we value. When we get lucky on an investment or a client buys an extra job, we look in the piggy bank and ask "drop an extra $6k for the Haven on our 11 day Panama at Christmas??? Hell yes...

 

On the other hand I drive a Jeep with a broken fender, not an Audi Q5, but I wear $300 shoes, sleep in $300 bedsheets but buy Wegman's own-brand Corn Flakes and soup, yet drink Blue Label Scotch. None of those choices are right, wrong, smart or stupid, they are personal... I apply my hard-earned cash to things I personally care about.

Notnewtoit, I think we were separated at birth! You just described me and my husband... down to the Jeep, except ours is a cracked side view mirror and dented front fender... both from that damn garage that keeps moving when we back out... 🚙 😂

The best thing should be if they had less 2-bedroom suites with Haven access. Of course families with children book the Haven when there are so many 2-bedroom suites.

As I mentioned above, the Jewel class ships have these 2-BR suites without Haven access. If you want to go on anything newer, your only choice with a 2-BR suite is the Haven.

Maybe you can come back and do a comparison thread for us after your YC cruise? I'd be curious about your thoughts comparing the two.

There are a couple out there already as more and more people defect/stray from NCL suites to MSC YC.

There are also a few comparison threads where folks have IMO fairly pointed out the pros/cons of each.

Nonetheless, it will be interesting to hear from some of the first timers as well what they think.

I was going to ask what ship. Not surprised. He generally gets good reviews. I put him as bad as Ruth was.

 

We had him a few weeks back and it was literally Wednesday before he even said "hello" when we passed his desk.

 

The last day DW went over by the desk and he said something along the lines "...are you waiting for something..." and she said, "..yes, to disembark.." and he had one of the staff escort us off. That was it all week.

We were in Haven on Escape in June 2017 and our concierge and entire staff in the Haven was amazing. Having the right team in place definitely impacts the experience. Both the Getaway and the Escape had awesome Havens in my view. And even though we went on school breaks both times, we didn't have issues with school age children. Our teenagers didn't even spend time in the Haven, they just went to the teen club. All the kids we saw were way more respectful than what I am reading about on this thread. The only thing that made me want to vomit was a toddler in the hot tub in a regular diaper:o and then with no diaper. I mentioned it to the concierge, but I think they don't know what to do in that situation.

I'm interested to hear what people say about YC on MSC because it doesn't appear that there is a room big enough for a family of five within it. They have a family room that is two balconies connecting, but that's not in YC.