The Haven

[NLH Arizona]

Sounds like the typical "form letter" answer that was expected, unfortunately.

:(

 

I'm not cancelling our suite ONLY because I booked this particular cruise for the cabin, not The Haven ... but .... I can tell you that I will visit The Haven and see what it is like .... and will also be reading others experiences here. This may very well be the only suite I book on NCL. IMO it's insane to spend that kind of money and be subjected to a Walmart type of atmosphere.

I also have a suite for my next two cruises (neither Haven), but won't take the chance on The Haven, I'll be happy with my non-Haven suite.

[misterm32]

The other thread that was closed was due because someone post some personal information about an OP. And from what I can see, all the posts after this were removed.

It have nothing to do with the subject.

 

As for the Haven, I think that was a one time, bad luck. It was a Family that was travelling and were not policing their kids. From my reading, I understood that the kids were left alone at the pool while the parents were not present in the Haven. (Kids without supervision)

 

this is irresponsible from the parents anywhere on the ships if you ask me.

Even in the pool outside the Haven, this situation could happen.

I just don't understand how can you leave your kids alone at a pool without supervision.

 

The issue that was raise is that the OP was questioning if the Haven was seen like private from some OP's and that the parents think that supervision is not needed as they paid extra for this private area. (At least that what I understood). She was asking NCL about their policy about this. The intend was not to ban kids or family's from the Haven but just to know the limits.

 

I would not worry to much about it as it is an exception and was just bad luck.

 

Have a good cruise. :)

 

Mike

[tymike]

Well, here was their answer to the question about problems in The Haven:

 

What steps are Norwegian taking to keep The Haven Courtyard serene?

Norwegian Cruise Line welcomes all types of guests (families, couples, solos, etc) onboard our ships and in The Haven. We understand that our guests that book suites in The Haven are looking for a relaxing vacation. We are monitoring the behavior of our guests at all times and in all areas with our ship board management to ensure our standard rules and policies are followed.

 

I guess, if they don't know what is happening, I'll refrain from booking a Haven suite. Obviously, they don't monitor the behavior of guest on all cruises, from the recent experiences some posters have had. Maybe corporate has their head in the sand about this or they just don't want to make any waves or just don't care or the Haven suites are always booked.

 

 

Hi all. NCL's response has me wondering what their 'standard rules and policies' are when it comes the the "Haven". Are the rules the same as the main pool deck? The same as the kids' club? The same as Entourage? The same in the theater or muster drill?

 

At the end of the day, I have to agree with the original poster of all the recent Haven discussions.

 

The NCL promotional video makes the Haven seem like an actual Haven....not a free for all. I absolutely understand that families cruise on NCL and that NCL wants them to (and I am cruising this summer in the Haven as a family...albeit with my youngest being 16). I don't, however, understand how the "Haven" might be anything but. It sounds like there will be no modified rules for the Haven and sometimes the standard rules have not been enforced.

 

I will hope for the best....:confused:

[NLH Arizona]

The other thread that was closed was due because someone post some personal information about an OP. And from what I can see, all the posts after this were removed.

It have nothing to do with the subject.

 

As for the Haven, I think that was a one time, bad luck. It was a Family that was travelling and were not policing their kids. From my reading, I understood that the kids were left alone at the pool while the parents were not present in the Haven. (Kids without supervision)

 

this is irresponsible from the parents anywhere on the ships if you ask me.

Even in the pool outside the Haven, this situation could happen.

I just don't understand how can you leave your kids alone at a pool without supervision.

 

The issue that was raise is that the OP was questioning if the Haven was seen like private from some OP's and that the parents think that supervision is not needed as they paid extra for this private area. (At least that what I understood). She was asking NCL about their policy about this. The intend was not to ban kids or family's from the Haven but just to know the limits.

 

I would not worry to much about it as it is an exception and was just bad luck.

 

Have a good cruise. :)

 

Mike

There were others that posted their experiences, one being drunk women (one washing her hair in the pool), so it doesn't just seem to be a one time issue.

 

I don't think anyone should be banned, just some rules in place and for NCL to enforce those rules, so that everyone can have an enjoyable experience.

[sjbdtz]

Sorry psyco, I was very busy with my blog and articles on weebly that I haven't been on CC very much. I just received the answers today and I posted them within moments of opening the email. It was really nothing more than my having nothing to report which kept me from posting.

 

 

And everything prior to this post, including the 3 or 4 threads which were deleted, is how conspiracy theories are born.

 

This place has seemed like the twilight zone lately. Time to take a deep breath.

 

 

 

.

[MrsNancyG]

The following is copied in part from my blog. It just seems so timely, I thought I'd share...

 

"If you lurk and read enough, you'll see all kinds of comments on Cruise Critic. Now Cruise Critic really IS a great resource, however, as is the case in all public message boards, there are certain things one must be aware of."

 

blah blah blah, nothing relevant here. blah blah blah and we continue...

 

"... if people experience something truly negative, you can bet your bottom dollar that it has a huge following of readers and posters. While that kind of negative attention has the potential to discourage the future cruiser in its immediate aftermath, it also brings the problem to the attention of the company and gives them an opportunity to improve it.

 

However something else needs to be said. Each sailing is a whole new experience. Each embarkation brings the ship a whole new community of people. Great people. Families with kids, couples, and solo cruisers. Each one with a distinct personality and none with any connection to what happened on the cruise before. Severe and extremely disturbing behavior by fellow cruisers is really and truly the exception and not the rule.

 

Think of it this way. The typical working-class cruiser has to save for their cruise; in many cases the word "scrimp" precedes the word save. Most of these people aren't boarding the ship with the intention of being as disruptive, rude and boorish as they possibly can. Most board thinking about nothing more than relaxing, being taken care of instead of the other way around, experiencing new locales and letting off some steam.

 

Is there a chance that you will come across someone a little tipsy or even outright drunk sometime during your cruise? You betcha. But the odds are that they are probably out for fun and not to cause trouble. Most likely they'll be funny to listen to or talk with for a few minutes and then just fade into the background tapestry of your cruise."

 

Please feel free to read more at www.mrsnancyg.weebly.com

the site has an off the cuff thread, the blog and now even a forum to discuss stuff. I really hope to see you there! -Nancy

[Bubby&Hubby]

I was in the haven on the Breakaway last week. It was lovely. Children were rarely seen and the atmosphere was serene. Staff was attentive and, compared to the Main pool, it was quiet. Seats were readily available so there was no scrambling for seats. If you can afford it, do it.

 

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[MrsNancyG]

Oh hon no I wasn't saying anything negative about your not having posted the answers yet. With all the thread deleting and hand slapping of posters that went on the other day, I half expected to see something from you regarding the status of what was going on, that's all :)

 

Honestly, thank you for taking the time not only to conduct the interview but for posting the replies for the rest of us. Something you didn't have to do but so thoughtful of you to do it anyway :)

 

No worries, doll, I never thought you were thinking ill of me. How could you? What's not to love about me?! <KOFF, SPUTTER> It was my pleasure to try to help, I hope I succeeded in some small degree.

[shaun07]

Nancy you did a great job. It's the answers ( or lack of) that some of us are unhappy about.

 

So the haven may be peaceful and relaxing or a zoo. So basically when you book the haven you won't need to go to the casino as you are already gambling with $5000 plus. So the question is are you willing to roll the dice? In fairness the odds are in your favor but either way the house always wins.

[Mertziekakes]

On the Pearl in the Haven June 9-June 16 and no problems whatsoever. Think it all depends on the parental supervision and really tough for NCL to police it 100% of the time. In fact, there were few children in there the entire time we checked it out but again, think it depends on the parents and their discipline of their own children. We would not hesitate to book it again just because of all the other perks for Haven guests unrelated to the pool/courtyard area.

[misterm32]

There were others that posted their experiences, one being drunk women (one washing her hair in the pool), so it doesn't just seem to be a one time issue.

 

I don't think anyone should be banned, just some rules in place and for NCL to enforce those rules, so that everyone can have an enjoyable experience.

 

 

Agree with you.

We also have to understand that these behaviors wont happen on every cruise. Those are exceptions and NCL should do something about it.

 

Thanks,

 

Mike

[shaun07]

I haven't heard anyone say they had a problem in the haven with behavior and the staff jumped in. So when ncl says they will continue to monitor the area it does not instill a lot of confidence

[SissasMomE]

I was in the haven on the Breakaway last week. It was lovely. Children were rarely seen and the atmosphere was serene. Staff was attentive and, compared to the Main pool, it was quiet. Seats were readily available so there was no scrambling for seats. If you can afford it, do it.

 

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

 

Thank you :)

[tymike]

I haven't heard anyone say they had a problem in the haven with behavior and the staff jumped in. So when ncl says they will continue to monitor the area it does not instill a lot of confidence

 

Ditto! I will continue to try to be positive as I sail within the month on the Breakaway in a 3 Haven suites with a party of eight. Do I have a choice but to remain positive?:confused:

[mommyto2girls]

If it helps, I was on the Gem 3 times in the past 5 months, all Haven 2 bedrooms, I heard from NCL last week and I have booked 2 more Gem cruises in the Haven for Jan & Feb 2014.

 

Andrea

 

Perhaps this was missed the first time I posted it or perhaps ignored? I was on the same cruise as the OP of the Haven thread. It was 2 out of 3 cruises we had issues with and we did complain onboard. I contacted Guest relations a few weeks ago and will not post the letter I received but they have assured me enough to book 2 more cruises in the Haven. This also seems to be a problem more on the Gem than any other ship with a Haven.

[shaun07]

Without posting the letter could you share some of the assurances ?

[mommyto2girls]

Without posting the letter could you share some of the assurances ?

 

I was assured that the Haven is meant to be a quiet and tranquil place and that rules will be strictly enforced by the staff and crew when it comes to the Haven. i.e. Handling of food, noise and unsanitary conditions, one of which is small children and babies in the hot tubs.

 

I was assured that the Haven is a place to relax and that the HD, Security and Concierge will be available to enforce that concept if it becomes necessary.

 

I have enough faith to have booked 2 more cruises in the Haven on the Gem.

[shaun07]

I wish they would assure the rest of us

[littlelulu01]

I was recently I the haven on the Pearl to Alaska.The Haven courtyard was basically empty most of the time. When there were others in the area they were very quiet... Reading, relaxing. All staterooms were occupied during our sail, just not the courtyard area.

[mommyto2girls]

I wish they would assure the rest of us

 

I am sure they would if you called them. I am sure they won't on these boards.

 

Sorry to say Cruise Critic people do not make up the majority of a ships passengers, I love these boards and find them very helpful and like to volunteer what I can and although people can cause quite a stir here, they are not the majority.

 

Just think about it 14 suites in the Haven on that May sailing we were on and how many OS suites entitled to be in the Haven? Only 2 of us posted here.

[shaun07]

I am still very concerned about the Haven, especially on the jewel class ships. My wife and I spend almost everyday at the Haven when onboard. We like to chill and relax and have really loved the Haven, when it works.

 

I understand you will run into people that are selfish and don't care about others anywhere you go. I understand kids will be kids and I have no problem with kids in the Haven( adults can behave just as badly as any kid). What concerns me is I that there is no code of conduct. So even if someone is out of line and you tell the staff, what can the staff really do if they have no list of rules they can point to.

 

I am really disappointed because as I said I love the Haven. Most of the bad reports seem to be about the Gem. I had planned to book another cruise on the gem. I just cant spend that much money and hope for the best.

:mad::(:mad::(:mad:

[Econom405]

We are currently waiting to board the Gem. We are in room 14508, next Saturday I will give a current update of our Haven experience. They say we're sailing full, so we'll see.

[shaun07]

We are currently waiting to board the Gem. We are in room 14508, next Saturday I will give a current update of our Haven experience. They say we're sailing full, so we'll see.

 

Cool, thank you so much.

 

I hope you have a wonderful cruise :)

[1witchydiva]

Shaun,

 

How was your recent Haven experience on breakaway?

 

Is the Haven smaller than the Jewel class?

 

Thanks.

[punkincc]

I am sure they would if you called them. I am sure they won't on these boards.

 

Sorry to say Cruise Critic people do not make up the majority of a ships passengers, I love these boards and find them very helpful and like to volunteer what I can and although people can cause quite a stir here, they are not the majority.

 

Just think about it 14 suites in the Haven on that May sailing we were on and how many OS suites entitled to be in the Haven? Only 2 of us posted here.

 

It is true that CC members are a small percentage of NCL passengers on any given ship, but I would guess that 10s of thousands review this board weekly. That's a lot of potential cruise bookings and potential Haven guests. And we have big mouths:D.

 

If non CC cruisers on NCL have a bad, or good, experience, very few are going to hear about it. If a CC member has a bad, or good, experience the whole CC community is potentially going to hear about it. For that reason, I am sure NCL is concerned about the information that is presented here.