NCL Jewel "Haven" PH vs. Princess Emerald Aft PH Suite

[Cruisin'Jenny2]

I haven't been on Jewel since it was brand new - never been on Princess. Now I need to depart out of Houston and these two are my choices.

 

Can anyone who is familiar with one or both of these ships and or cabin-types comment on the pros and cons to help me decide???

 

I"m not interested in eating in main dining room - only specialty restaurants. I'd like recommendations on this as well. What about that "Haven Private Restaurant" I've only heard rumor of?

 

Thanks!

Jen

[SuiteCruiser]

I haven't been on Jewel since it was brand new - never been on Princess. Now I need to depart out of Houston and these two are my choices.

 

Can anyone who is familiar with one or both of these ships and or cabin-types comment on the pros and cons to help me decide???

 

I"m not interested in eating in main dining room - only specialty restaurants. I'd like recommendations on this as well. What about that "Haven Private Restaurant" I've only heard rumor of?

 

Thanks!

Jen

 

There is no Haven restaurant on the Jewel, only on the 3 newest ships.

You do get breakfast and lunch in Cagney's, but for dinner you're on your own. I haven't sailed Princess in many years, so perhaps their perks for suites have increased, but I think NCL provides excellent suite perks, many more than most other lines.

[Cruisin'Jenny2]

I appreciate the response, SuiteCruiser.

 

Is breakfast and lunch in Cagney's a "sit-down and be served" or a buffet?

 

Also, would there be any (advanced booking, maybe or) Concierge or Suite "help-desk" to confirm dinners in specialty restaurants and chef's table upon boarding, or must I stand in an infinite line?

 

Thanks, Jen

[Freespir8]

I appreciate the response' date=' SuiteCruiser.

 

Is breakfast and lunch in Cagney's a "sit-down and be served" or a buffet?

 

Also, would there be any (advanced booking, maybe or) Concierge or Suite "help-desk" to confirm dinners in specialty restaurants and chef's table upon boarding, or must I stand in an infinite line?

 

Thanks, Jen[/quote']

 

Hi Jen,

 

Breakfast and lunch at Cagneys' is sit down and is one of the best perks of being in a suite IMHO. There is never a line as only suite guests are offered the option to eat there for breakfast and lunch. If you search the forum for Cagney Menu's you will see an example of what is served. It truly is a nice treat.

For dinner, it is recommended that you make reservations for the specialty restaurants and you will def not wait in line. You will have this option to book your reservations on line prior to boarding the ship. I would also recommend the UDP (Unlimited Dining Package) if you are only interested in specialty restaurants. There are some nice options however at the MDR and Blue Lagoon too and the crepes at the buffet are to die for so don't miss those! NCL is a great choice. Although I have never sailed Princess, I have heard that the "Suite Life" on NCL is far superior to other lines. You will have a great time! :D

[vince_g]

The suite perks on Princess are pretty good... you would get free laundry/dry cleaning, priority seating in dining rooms, the ability to order anything from the dining room and have it served in your suite or on your balcony, and the ability to bring on as many bottles of wine as you wish. Haven't cruised NCL yet, but I'll be in an aft penthouse suite in November.

[Cruisin'Jenny2]

So, Vince... I can actually "carry on" as much wine as I want to???? Never heard of THAT on any cruise line...

 

Jen

[Cruise_More_Often]

The suite perks on Princess are pretty good... you would get free laundry/dry cleaning, priority seating in dining rooms, the ability to order anything from the dining room and have it served in your suite or on your balcony, and the ability to bring on as many bottles of wine as you wish. Haven't cruised NCL yet, but I'll be in an aft penthouse suite in November.

On Princess isn't one bottle free and any others are charged $15 per bottle?

[WaldosPepper]

So' date=' Vince... I can actually "carry on" as much wine as I want to???? Never heard of THAT on any cruise line...

 

Jen[/quote']

 

Yes, you can. Each bottle will be charged a corkage fee, depending upon the size of the bottle, and regardless of where you consume it, but there is no limit to how many bottles you may bring along.

 

Directly from Norwegian's website: Wine & Champagne Policy Guests may bring bottles of wine and champagne on board. When bottles are brought on board and served or consumed in any restaurant, public room area or in their stateroom, a corkage fee will be charged according to bottle sizes noted below. 750 ml Bottle: $15.00 1,500 ml Magnum: $30.00 Wine or champagne sent directly to the ship by travel agents, friends, family, etc. or from another retail source, are subject to the same fees. Box wines are not allowed on board.

 

Also, regarding your other questions, you will not stand on line for anything, at any time. The Concierge will handle all of your dining reservations, ensure you have entry into the reserved seating area in the theater, and take care of any other reservations such as spa appointment, etc. Additionally, you will be provided with priority embarkation, be first off the ship in the ports, and receive priority disembarkation with an escort off the ship.

 

Meanwhile you will have the services of a Butler who will provide daily treats in your suite, serve any meal you choose en suite, complete with white table linens. The Butler will also ensure your suite is fully stocked with flatware, china and stemware, in addition to ample supplies for your Lavazza Espresso machine.

 

Inside the Haven courtyard, you will enjoy the services of the Haven Valet, who will also serve breakfast in the small dining area there. Various treats will also be available in the courtyard throughout the day. Coffee, tea and danish in the morning, Iced tea, lemonade, cookies and cakes the rest of the day, in addition to a nice selection of fresh or cut fruits.

 

I hope that helps paint a clearer picture of what you can expect with a Haven Penthouse on Jewel.

[tarps14]

Having sailed both NCL and Princess in suites, we much prefer NCL to Princess. We have sailed on the Jewel in an Owner's Suite (and a 2-bedroom suite, both pre-drydock) and Princess in a Vista suite (aft suite). While they both have good suite perks, NCL edges Princess out with the services of a butler and the concierge. We also like to eat in specialty restaurants and there are more choices with NCL in that area.

 

As for the perks themselves, they are very similar up to a point. Both NCL and Princess provide the daily nibbles, the in-suite dining option, they both charge corkage fees for wine brought on board and both are similar in average sq. footage of the suite. But as already mentioned, the butler and concierge services on NCL are truly second to none.

 

Princess was rather sedate for us with the nightlife. It was an older crowd (we are both 50ish) and just didn't seem to be as much to do after dinner as there is on NCL. I will admit though, if y'all are gamblers (and if not, this will be of no benefit to you), Princess definitely edges NCL out in the payout category as NCL has some of the tightest slots and video poker we've ever played. However, NCL has one of the best casino rewards programs around. We're cruising in Oct for substantially less because of their casino deals.

 

Hope this helps some. You might consider also posting the question on the Princess board, if you haven't already, and I'm sure you'll get a more detailed perspective in regards to Princess.

Edited August 20, 2014 by tarps14

[Cruisin'Jenny2]

I appreciate your spending the time it took to explain. THAT was more helpful to me than spending an hour on the website just trying to figure out where to look for information!!!

 

Any suggestions on specialty restaurants?

 

Jen

[Hikini]

I appreciate your spending the time it took to explain. THAT was more helpful to me than spending an hour on the website just trying to figure out where to look for information!!!

 

Any suggestions on specialty restaurants?

 

Jen

 

We have 3 favorite specialty restaurants and it's really hard to say which one is our favorite, except for the one we are in at the time! :)

 

Moderno

Le Bistro

Cagney's

[WaldosPepper]

I appreciate your spending the time it took to explain. THAT was more helpful to me than spending an hour on the website just trying to figure out where to look for information!!!

 

Any suggestions on specialty restaurants?

 

Jen

 

Very happy to know you found that information to be helpful! :)

 

Regarding specialties, my personal favorites are:

LeBistro - my hands-down favorite

Moderno - a very close second to LeBistro

Cagney's - although they're definitely missing some traditional Steak House offerings

 

I've enjoyed Teppanyaki on Jewel several times, and the meal is well prepared and very flavorful. The chef, and your table mates, can either make or break this experience.

 

My least favorite is LaCuchina, even after the menu change. Just doesn't come close to my expectation of an excellent Italian restaurant. Many disagree, however, so your opinion may be vastly different than mine.

 

Dining is such a subjective topic, really, so I would encourage you to try the options with menu offerings that suit your individual tastes. If something is not up to par, do let your server know and have an opportunity to make it right.

;)