What is there for kids to do in the Haven common areas?

[luv2sleep]

What is there for kids to do in the Haven common areas? Are there toys, games, movies, etc. For the kids to do while their parents hang out? Or do people put their kids in the clubs and then go hang out there? I'll be traveling solo with my son and was wondering if I'd even have an opportunity to use the area.

Edited March 30, 2014 by luv2sleep

[time2cruise1]

What is there for kids to do in the Haven common areas? Are there toys, games, movies, etc. For the kids to do while their parents hang out? Or do people put their kids in the clubs and then go hang out there? I'll be traveling solo with my son and was wondering if I'd even have an opportunity to use the area.

 

No toys, games, movies, etc. just a quiet area to relax. Kids club is a great option

[luv2sleep]

No toys, games, movies, etc. just a quiet area to relax. Kids club is a great option

 

Oh ok doesn't sound like a good fit for families then if you don't want to have your kids in the clubs a lot. I'd hardly use it. So what is the benefit of staying in a Haven room for families besides the larger accommodates?

[LrgPizza]

Oh ok doesn't sound like a good fit for families then if you don't want to have your kids in the clubs a lot. I'd hardly use it. So what is the benefit of staying in a Haven room for families besides the larger accommodates?

It seems bizarre to me. NCL purposely designs the Haven to put many larger, family suites there, so obviously it is meant for kids. Yet many suite passengers want it to remain peaceful and relaxing and quiet. In a way it seems illogical, yet it obviously sells well and is working, and even expanding. Maybe because people send their kids off to kids clubs all day. haha.

Edited March 30, 2014 by LrgPizza

[djmess]

Oh ok doesn't sound like a good fit for families then if you don't want to have your kids in the clubs a lot. I'd hardly use it. So what is the benefit of staying in a Haven room for families besides the larger accommodates?

 

How old is your son? I'm a single mother and have cruised extensively with my now 11 y/o son. Started when he was 2 and average about 2 a year. We have not stayed in the Haven, but are planning to in Jan 2015. It will be our first Haven. He's excited.

 

My son has loved the kids clubs. We cruise because it is wonderful for us to have family time and also time away from each other. He meets and plays with friends in the club for a couple hours a day. I meet and play with friends at Martini Tastings, trivia, etc. My son loves lots of the shows and we enjoy going to those together. He loves watching deal or no deal. We play at the pools together. Play shuffle board, ping pong, even the arcade (not my favorite) He generally gets about $5 a day to swipe in the arcade, but only when I'm there.

 

I usually go the first night to the solo gathering and my son goes the first night to the kids club. Important for both to meet some people on that first night. I'm a shy person except when I'm cruising. I talk to most anyone that sits next to me at the pool, bar, lounge, etc. Cruising has been the best vacations or US!

 

We have never had a bad cruise together!

[Sail_Away_To_Europe]

It seems bizarre to me. NCL purposely designs the Haven to put many larger, family suites there, so obviously it is meant for kids. Yet many suite passengers want it to remain peaceful and relaxing and quiet. In a way it seems illogical, yet it obviously sells well and is working, and even expanding. Maybe because people send their kids off to kids clubs all day. haha.

 

I think many suite customers want the Haven to be to what NCL advertises it as, which does happen to be peaceful and relaxing.

 

http://thehaven.ncl.com/courtyard/#overview

 

I'm really tired of the implication that I'm the one being unreasonable for booking a "haven" experience when I'm looking for a tranquil vacation instead of being thrilled to listen to screaming brats...I mean... precious darlings.

[luv2sleep]

How old is your son? I'm a single mother and have cruised extensively with my now 11 y/o son. Started when he was 2 and average about 2 a year. We have not stayed in the Haven, but are planning to in Jan 2015. It will be our first Haven. He's excited.

 

My son has loved the kids clubs. We cruise because it is wonderful for us to have family time and also time away from each other. He meets and plays with friends in the club for a couple hours a day. I meet and play with friends at Martini Tastings, trivia, etc. My son loves lots of the shows and we enjoy going to those together. He loves watching deal or no deal. We play at the pools together. Play shuffle board, ping pong, even the arcade (not my favorite) He generally gets about $5 a day to swipe in the arcade, but only when I'm there.

 

I usually go the first night to the solo gathering and my son goes the first night to the kids club. Important for both to meet some people on that first night. I'm a shy person except when I'm cruising. I talk to most anyone that sits next to me at the pool, bar, lounge, etc. Cruising has been the best vacations or US!

 

We have never had a bad cruise together!

 

He's 7. We've been traveling together often also! Glad to see another single mom cruiser! :) He's not very social in new situations. He has high functioning autism and anxiety. He's great with long time friends. We've only done Disney so far. He likes to play video games in the clubs and socializes with other kids through those. Since I know that's all he'll do I don't leave him in there all day. I won't worry about the Haven. Sounds like there's tons to do on NCL. since you've cruised a lot do all of the NCL ships have the sane amount of around the ship fun stuff to do?

[Cruising4]

What do you envision for your vacation? How old is your son? Do you think he'd use enjoy the kids club - regardless of your cabin location?

 

But to answer your question - there aren't any kids activities in the Haven.

[isdoo]

If the children are well behaved I do not see a problem.

 

What is a problem is when the children are left to do whatever they want even if that means causing a disturbance to other people. Some parents have no control or even a desire to control their children.

 

The Haven is a small area and is clearly not designed for children, so if they are running around, leaping into the pool, splashing people it will cause issues for others, likewise if an adult sat in an area aimed at children they would be asked to move probably by security.

[isdoo]

I think many suite customers want the Haven to be to what NCL advertises it as, which does happen to be peaceful and relaxing.

 

http://thehaven.ncl.com/courtyard/#overview

 

I'm really tired of the implication that I'm the one being unreasonable for booking a "haven" experience when I'm looking for a tranquil vacation instead of being thrilled to listen to screaming brats...I mean... precious darlings.

 

What happens if you complain about these children?

[david_sobe]

I usually see the kids in the pool with their toys while their parents relax and sun. Or put on their goggles and scuba in the hot tubs.

Other than that, not much for the kiddies to do.

[LrgPizza]

I think many suite customers want the Haven to be to what NCL advertises it as, which does happen to be peaceful and relaxing.

 

http://thehaven.ncl.com/courtyard/#overview

 

I'm really tired of the implication that I'm the one being unreasonable for booking a "haven" experience when I'm looking for a tranquil vacation instead of being thrilled to listen to screaming brats...I mean... precious darlings.

I know it's supposed to be peaceful and relaxing, and you certainly aren't being unreasonable. That was the point I was making that it IS supposed to be like that, yet NCL puts large, family suites there so it attracts families with multiple kids.

 

The Haven is a small area and is clearly not designed for children....

The Haven common areas are clearly not, but many of the Haven suites clearly are. Edited March 30, 2014 by LrgPizza

[luv2sleep]

What do you envision for your vacation? How old is your son? Do you think he'd use enjoy the kids club - regardless of your cabin location?

 

But to answer your question - there aren't any kids activities in the Haven.

 

We hang out mostly. Have fun, swim, play, watch movies, see some of the shows. He spends a couple of hours in the club per day playing video games. As I wrote above he's not very social in new situations.

[hencoll]

What happens if you complain about these children?

 

From our experience this week in the Haven on the Epic, absolutely nothing. The concierge David, did nothing when kids were using the sides of the hot tubs as their diving board into the Haven pool, throwing each other in and loud games of Marco Polo.

[luv2sleep]

From our experience this week in the Haven on the Epic, absolutely nothing. The concierge David, did nothing when kids were using the sides of the hot tubs as their diving board into the Haven pool, throwing each other in and loud games of Marco Polo.

 

So I'm confused. Is it supposed to be an adult only quiet area? Or is it billed as a family area? If it's advertised as a family area and joy adults only quiet then quiet is definitely not a realistic expectation. Kids can't he quiet. How confusing. Disney has adult areas that are strictly adult and they are quiet. Kids are escorted out.

[djmess]

He's 7. We've been traveling together often also! Glad to see another single mom cruiser! :) He's not very social in new situations. He has high functioning autism and anxiety. He's great with long time friends. We've only done Disney so far. He likes to play video games in the clubs and socializes with other kids through those. Since I know that's all he'll do I don't leave him in there all day. I won't worry about the Haven. Sounds like there's tons to do on NCL. since you've cruised a lot do all of the NCL ships have the sane amount of around the ship fun stuff to do?

 

All the ships really do have the same type of around the ship activities. I forgot to mention the giant chess/checkers board. There are also games in the game room - library area. My son love yahtzee, an easy game for the 2 of us. Also dominos. Sometimes it's fun to just play a game. Some ships have cool kids pool areas in the Aft, like the Star, Dawn, Spirit. Great for a kid your son's age. The Jewel Class ships don't have the specific kids pool area as nice as those mentioned above, but they have a nice pool area for just playing around in. The newest ships have fun splash areas and the cool water slides.

 

The Sun is different than all the other ships and my son had a great time on it, even though it didn't have all the bells and whistles. We went non prime time. Only a handful of kids in the program. We did cruise with another family, so he had a buddy. They fell in love with one of the counselors and since they were the only 2 that generally went to the club, they got to play video games with the counselor and loved every minute they were there and never wanted to come out when we picked them up

 

Also, the kids club will give you a detailed schedule for the week. If you travel at off times, then sometimes the schedule is not adhered to exactly. We always talk to the counselors that first day when registering to see how many kids, etc. I homeschool, so we are able to travel at those off times. When there are more kids and more prime time, the schedule is really followed.

[Medtech2]

He's 7. We've been traveling together often also! Glad to see another single mom cruiser! :) He's not very social in new situations. He has high functioning autism and anxiety. He's great with long time friends. We've only done Disney so far. He likes to play video games in the clubs and socializes with other kids through those. Since I know that's all he'll do I don't leave him in there all day. I won't worry about the Haven. Sounds like there's tons to do on NCL. since you've cruised a lot do all of the NCL ships have the sane amount of around the ship fun stuff to do?

Hi there,

 

If your son is quiet, likes to play video games, and gets anxious he might actually be the perfect child for the Haven area. I, for one, don't believe kids should be running around the Haven area. It sounds to me like you could let him go to the kids club to try it out but if he doesn't like it he can be with you in the Haven. Bring his favorite handheld games and headphones. He might appreciate the peacefulness of the Haven vs. the loud chaos of the open decks.

 

Hope you both have a wonderful cruise!

[miataman19]

The Haven is for everyone. However I'm thinking the kids will get bored and bolt for Sponge Bob.. .lol

 

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Forums mobile app

[djmess]

So I'm confused. Is it supposed to be an adult only quiet area? Or is it billed as a family area? If it's advertised as a family area and joy adults only quiet then quiet is definitely not a realistic expectation. Kids can't he quiet. How confusing. Disney has adult areas that are strictly adult and they are quiet. Kids are escorted out.

 

It is NOT just and adult area. You will read people on this board that feel it should be, but it is not.

 

Now if kids or adults are breaking the rules, then yes, the rules should be enforced.

 

Kids can swim around and play marco polo, no rule against that, but some people that forgot what it was like to have kids or be a kid, may complain.

 

Now the Spa IS Adult only, and you will not find kids playing in that pool

 

So to answer your question, yes the Haven is for Families and it is for Non Families. It is for ANYONE that wants to pay for the extra services that are offered in the Haven area!

[KweezyCruiser]

So I'm confused. Is it supposed to be an adult only quiet area? Or is it billed as a family area? If it's advertised as a family area and joy adults only quiet then quiet is definitely not a realistic expectation. Kids can't he quiet. How confusing. Disney has adult areas that are strictly adult and they are quiet. Kids are escorted out.

 

It's not adults only, but it's not a kids theme park. Kids can be told by their parents that they should not be screaming in the Haven pools. In my experience, this was not done and the concierge did not make any effort to request this of the parents.

[djmess]

And yes, we travel with handheld devices. We usually have the Ipad and a back up Nintendo DS. Sometimes my son didn't want to go to the kids club, but I wanted to go to some event. I don't know what, but maybe watching the Chefs putting on some demo. Well, my son was right there with me happy as could be with his electronic device, while I enjoyed whatever the event was

[luv2sleep]

Are there signs that say "Quiet Area"? If not and it's a family area and family pool I can't understand why kids would need to be quiet. I have not been on BCL yet but if there's no rule about it being Quiet or Adult Only then it's family and everything goes. I can see why the staff won't do anything. There's nothing to enforce.

[silvercrikhix]

Well behaved children are adored everywhere they go.

Disruptive, boisterous, and rude kids are nearly always frowned upon, by some people.

It would be great if there were more kids having fun without being so obnoxious, with their parents supervising them, but we've pretty much all seen this.....everywhere these days.

 

I might think that because the Haven is frequented by peeps who have paid many thousands of $$$$ extra for service, etc...., that there is more of an expectation, by some passengers, of well behaved children in the Haven.

Unfortunately, poor parenting skills can be observed across all spectrums, including financial spectrums.

 

OP, your son should be just fine in the Haven with you.

Enjoy!

Edited March 30, 2014 by silvercrikhix

[luv2sleep]

Great info everyone! Thank you!

 

Debbie, thanks for the detail! I hope the social aspect for him get better as he gets older. I wish we had cruise buddies. Hard to find other single moms who can afford it. I can't homeschool so I have to travel for the most part during peak season. So great that you've got that set up! :)

[DrNora]

The Haven is for families no matter what anyone tries to sell you. The 2br suites are billed as ( or used to be) asa perfect second bedroom for the children.

But that does not give anyone carte blanche to take over, annoy , a fool or act in a disruptive fashion. To some, a. Children's game of Marco Polo is an atrocity. Mine were asked by grumpy old man to play it without speaking. I kid you not.

I had them compromise and they whispered, and g.o.m. Still complained. They were whispering too loudly! So, to some, even well-well behaved children are despised, as the cherished Haven is only for those traveling sans-a-kid. Makes me wonder what the pull down bunks are for- can't pictures my 85 year old mom up ther....

 

I digress.

To others, throwing chairs in the hot tubs in no big deal. We have been with this family.

 

 

Our experiences are all on the Jewel class. Three times it was semi-peaceful, twice it was overrun with teens and once- yikes!,,,Except for breakfast time, the courtyard area would be taken over by the multiple kids in the Garden Villas.Never were these children or their parents taken to task except when i got annoyed at them throwing chocolate chip cookies in the pool and we had a lesson in manners.

 

Think I scared the crap out of them- and then mom trotted out in her high - heeled flip-flops and tried to give me a piece of her " I am in the Garden Villa -how dare you speak to my babies" mind. I did not accept that piece and offered her a plate of the cookie smush that I made her little cherubs clean out of the pool. These kids were 13-15 years old- not 4.

Other suites reported them to the concierge- nothing happened.

 

While the cookie monsters were the worst offenders that we encountered, the Haven was never really peaceful except in the morning for breakfast , which we loved and enjoyed each day, and

In the late afternoon. My husband is much better at ignoring it- something to do with he stays out of the sun and wears. Noise canceling headphones!

 

But even with the take-over on some trips we preferred the area to the big pool

 

I hope that on the getaway size ships that the monster type children will be out on the slides and ropes

On our last trip, my 3 kids met a boy with autism ( non-verbal) and they really took to each other . They played in the haven pool and shared gameboy things- and went off to a quiet corner when needed.

I am sure you will f

Have a great time-even after the cookie kids, we skeptics going back!

Sorry about the th

Typing. I hate this ipad!

Edited March 30, 2014 by DrNora