Breakaway Haven Courtyard

[acharris1]

We're sailing in one week in a Haven two-bedroom suite on the Breakaway. I've promised my family no crowds in the Haven courtyard and that for once we'll actually have a chair at the pool... But after reading some posts on here about chair hogs, etc., I'm worried the Haven will be crowded too... We usually eat breakfast as late as we can and then change and head to the pool, so maybe 11:00 or so. Can anyone provide input on how crowded the Haven pool area is around this time? Are my thoughts of pool bliss overly optimistic??

 

 

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[dexddd]

We're sailing in one week in a Haven two-bedroom suite on the Breakaway. I've promised my family no crowds in the Haven courtyard and that for once we'll actually have a chair at the pool... But after reading some posts on here about chair hogs, etc., I'm worried the Haven will be crowded too... We usually eat breakfast as late as we can and then change and head to the pool, so maybe 11:00 or so. Can anyone provide input on how crowded the Haven pool area is around this time? Are my thoughts of pool bliss overly optimistic??

 

 

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When we were on in March it was only fully packed one day and we had to sit upstairs. My guess is your sea days will be crowded and port days not. There were a few hogs including upstairs in the outdoor area. There are not a ton of seats directly by the pool. YMMV.

[JenLovesToTravel]

I toured the Haven while on board and it was very full by the pool but not upstairs

 

 

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[cyndepet]

We just got off the Breakaway today. We used the Haven the first 2 sea days and there were always seats on 16 - I didn't see anybody saving. The area by the pool was usually full, but it wasn't crowded. The pool is really tiny, and there are 6 loungers in a shallow pool area. The second day, it was just little kids jumping all over those loungers, using them as sliding boards :-). We were always able to get in one of the hot tubs. One morning there were 2 little boys playing in the one we got in, and the mom took them out. I thought that was very considerate, even though they really weren't bothering us. There seemed to be some very large groups in the Haven last week. And like us, it looked like everyone was enjoying themselves!

[Sailaway Girl]

Just left the Haven this morning.

 

It is usually busy right around the pool on sea days as families with small children like to use the pool and hot tubs as well as the outside dining tables.

 

If you go upstairs it is very quiet, has more chairs and is quite comfortable, has a rest room and access to the outside deck. I actually preferred the peace and quite upstairs.

[js]

Just left the Haven this morning.

 

It is usually busy right around the pool on sea days as families with small children like to use the pool and hot tubs as well as the outside dining tables.

 

If you go upstairs it is very quiet, has more chairs and is quite comfortable, has a rest room and access to the outside deck. I actually preferred the peace and quite upstairs.

 

Hi. We will be staying in the Haven in August. Do the Haven crew come around and ask if you want to purchase a drink as if you were outside the Haven or do we need to go to the lounge when we want a drink of soda or alcohol.

 

Thanks so much!

[Sailaway Girl]

Hi. We will be staying in the Haven in August. Do the Haven crew come around and ask if you want to purchase a drink as if you were outside the Haven or do we need to go to the lounge when we want a drink of soda or alcohol.

 

Thanks so much!

 

Yes there are waiters in the Haven that walk around asking if you want a drink. They are so accommodating and walk around the pool area, upstairs in the lounging area of the Haven and outside in the open air area. We had the UBP and had no problem ordering drinks from them. There is also a bar in the Haven with great bartenders that cater to your drink needs.

 

The kids got a kick out of going to the 'bar' for their sodas and we grabbed a drink before dinner or before leaving the Haven to go to a show or party.

[happy cruzin]

Yes there are waiters in the Haven that walk around asking if you want a drink. They are so accommodating and walk around the pool area, upstairs in the lounging area of the Haven and outside in the open air area. We had the UBP and had no problem ordering drinks from them. There is also a bar in the Haven with great bartenders that cater to your drink needs.

 

The kids got a kick out of going to the 'bar' for their sodas and we grabbed a drink before dinner or before leaving the Haven to go to a show or party.

Good to know. Thanks! ;) :D

[dnl_in_Illinois]

Since there are a few folks who have already sailed on the Breakaway Haven - perhaps you will know whether the shipboard credits that we receive can be applied towards the daily service charge? There are 5 of us in my group - in one of the family suites. With the wonderful service and offerings provided by the Haven restaurant, we will only do one specialty dinner (trying to get agreement among teens, parents and grandparent is always a challenge anyway). We are not doing any ship excursions preferring to hire local tours, so I'm thinking, other than our use of the Internet, I'm not sure we will spend it all.

 

Of course there is always shopping on the ship.

 

If you can give me the info I will appreciate it.

Edited June 8, 2014 by dnl_in_Illinois

[rvsullivan]

No matter where you stay on the ship, Haven or not, it is the same. If you have NCL on board credit, it cannot be used for daily service charge.

[sparkey2030]

We're sailing in one week in a Haven two-bedroom suite on the Breakaway. I've promised my family no crowds in the Haven courtyard and that for once we'll actually have a chair at the pool... But after reading some posts on here about chair hogs, etc., I'm worried the Haven will be crowded too... We usually eat breakfast as late as we can and then change and head to the pool, so maybe 11:00 or so. Can anyone provide input on how crowded the Haven pool area is around this time? Are my thoughts of pool bliss overly optimistic??

 

 

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Just off the Breakaway Today

Most of the Breakfasts are over by 10:30 AM

Here is a Picture of the Haven Crowd :cool:

[dnl_in_Illinois]

No matter where you stay on the ship, Haven or not, it is the same. If you have NCL on board credit, it cannot be used for daily service charge.

 

Thanks for this. We will plan accordingly. I will be curious as to how NCL handles the accounting on this. With an NCL ship credit as well as a TA ship credit. I recall in the past we start out with a negative balance in our account (the credits) that get spent as the cruise progresses and of course we usually end up with a balance due. I'm not so sure of that on this trip. Anyway, we will plan accordingly. Thanks again.

Edited June 9, 2014 by dnl_in_Illinois

[JasonV1]

Is that for NCL OBC only?

 

I ask because I have TA OBC coming. Not too worried as I'll probably blow through all the TA credit easily enough (even with a UDP and UBP) but I'd hate to leave money on the table should it be close.

 

No matter where you stay on the ship, Haven or not, it is the same. If you have NCL on board credit, it cannot be used for daily service charge.

[cyndepet]

Thanks for this. We will plan accordingly. I will be curious as to how NCL handles the accounting on this. With an NCL ship credit as well as a TA ship credit. I recall in the past we start out with a negative balance in our account (the credits) that get spent as the cruise progresses and of course we usually end up with a balance due. I'm not so sure of that on this trip. Anyway, we will plan accordingly. Thanks again.

 

Two weeks ago, the way ours came through was charges were booked until there was a sufficient amount to post the credits. Then we saw the credits.

[dnl_in_Illinois]

Two weeks ago, the way ours came through was charges were booked until there was a sufficient amount to post the credits. Then we saw the credits.

 

Thanks for that. After I posted my comments about a negative balance showing for our account I remembered that may NOT have been NCL as we also have sailed on RCCL and HAL. We were on the Epic twice and I can not recall how it was handled. I don't even know if we had the ship credits. Right now, I will go with the expectation that the credit will not apply to the daily service charge.

Edited June 9, 2014 by dnl_in_Illinois

[psac]

Thanks for this. We will plan accordingly. I will be curious as to how NCL handles the accounting on this. With an NCL ship credit as well as a TA ship credit. I recall in the past we start out with a negative balance in our account (the credits) that get spent as the cruise progresses and of course we usually end up with a balance due. I'm not so sure of that on this trip. Anyway, we will plan accordingly. Thanks again.

 

People on CC have said that you CAN apply OBC to pay for tips for the butler and/or concierge, if you have their names they can apply and will give you a voucher, not sure if that works with all OBC, though, since there are different types (TA OBC is treated differently than NCL OBC).

 

Also, allegedly you can take out OBC as cash in the casino for a 3% service charge.

[dnl_in_Illinois]

People on CC have said that you CAN apply OBC to pay for tips for the butler and/or concierge, if you have their names they can apply and will give you a voucher, not sure if that works with all OBC, though, since there are different types (TA OBC is treated differently than NCL OBC).

 

Also, allegedly you can take out OBC as cash in the casino for a 3% service charge.

 

Two EXCELLENT tips and knowledge! Now that I think back, we have used the vouchers for tips in the past. That is an excellent suggestion for us. And if all else fails as far as spending the $$ - - the casino is another way to go. Your post has gone into my cruise notes. Thanks so much.