Haven Spa Suite Review, Breakaway 11/2-11/9/2014

[Gregor4500]

I learned something this cruise. Something called Jersey week. Apparently New Jersey has a shortened school week for teacher conferences the first week of November so a lot of parents pull their kids out for a few extra days. From what I heard we had 1172 children on board. For the most part they behaved well enough; there were just sooo many of them.

My wife and I both in our 50’s were lucky enough to have a Haven Spa Suite. First time having use of the Spa. I thought it was just ok. I much prefer being outdoors. We did use the fitness center most days which is open to all adults.

The Breakaway overall was a well laid out beautiful ship. I was impressed how with the 2 banks of elevators it seemed smaller and easier to navigate than the Jewel class ships. Most all the bars, clubs restaurants, casino and shopping in one general 3 floor area. As well as the waterfront.

The Haven Courtyard area was hard to judge fairly with all those kids onboard. I didn’t feel the main floor of the courtyard was much bigger than the Jewel class, but had to accommodate 80 suites as opposed to 20. Just about every time we were in there children were in the hot tubs and pool. Not misbehaving, just monopolizing. I do think at least one hot tub should be adults only. Two thirds of what looks like pools are only a few inches deep. I hope future designs have 2 pools and 2 hot tubs with one of each adult only. That being said we did enjoy the upper sundeck outside. Also the Haven restaurant was very nice. With the added bonus (again compared to Jewel class) of having dinner also. The first and last nights we took advantage of this. Alina Mania was the assistant Maitre D’ and did a real nice job. If there was an actual Maitre D’ I never saw them.

We also ate at LeBistro, Moderno, the Cirque dinner show and the Manhattan room for dinner. Lebistro was our favorite. Everything was perfect. Moderno was good for what it is. This was the third time we ate at a Moderno and every time we say the same thing. “It was good but we’ll probably skip it next time”. So we wind up eating there every other cruise. The Cirque show was fun, and well done for such a small venue. The food was pretty good also. It was in the Manhattan room we met Rose (I think last name Santiago). She was the most pleasant sever I can remember in a long time. Our food that night was forgettable (except the hot and crispy spring roll) but she was not.

Lunches we ate at the Haven restaurant a few times, all a good experience. Also the Uptown Grill, I got a cowboy burger and my wife got a salad. I thought it was a great burger. I hear some people had a long wait for this but fortunately we didn’t. I suppose because it was a port day. One day we stumbled upon the Sabretts Hot Dog Cart and just had a couple of those for lunch. Another day we did taste for lunch, I had the Calamari and a chicken leg. The last full day we noticed a Bavarian Buffett in Modernos. Complete with a Polka Band and a Whole roast pig. It was a nice lunch.

Breakfasts we ate either in the Haven restaurant or the Courtyard. One morning we had it in suite.

We enjoyed all the shows and bands we saw. Rock of Ages, Burn the floor and Cirque. Most nights we would catch some Blues at Fat Cats and Dueling pianos at Headliners. Second city adult show was entertaining also.

A couple of tips or observations about the Spa Suite. When we had breakfast in the room the butler just left the tray. I assume this was because the table was too small to put on a table cloth and set. That was fine, after he left I brought in the table from the balcony for added space. The balcony itself I had read complaints it was too small. I disagree, yes it was narrow, but there was wasted space it was so wide. There was room for a “Murphy lounger” on a balcony divider, if such a thing exists. Sometimes if we had the balcony door open while sitting out there we would have the back legs of one of the chairs inside. Also for some reason the hot and cold were reversed on our sink. I’m embarrassed to say it took me several days to realize this. I just thought it took forever for the water to get hot. One last thing, although we had relatively calm seas our closet door would slide open. So we wedged a magazine between the doors. . Those last two things might have been particular to just our cabin. Edited November 10, 2014 by Gregor4500

[david_sobe]

Thanks for the review and welcome home. Your quote is perfect when the debate rages about kids in the Haven. Monopolizing not misbehaving. Kids are kids and their parents paid the same price and they have every right to use it. The big however is sometimes people like tranquil areas or get to use the facilities in the Haven. This is what frustrates me most with NCL. They keep expanding the suites but the haven aka courtyard has only gotten a little bit larger. There are no adult areas in the Haven area. It would be an easy solution to have an adults only hot tub or dip pool in the Haven. Pull those ridiculous chairs out of 2 inches of water and build something that people can use.
I purposely try to book cruises when school is in season :eek: But like your situation there is always a surprise ;)

[Gregor4500]

[quote name='david_sobe'] Pull those ridiculous chairs out of 2 inches of water and build something that people can use.
I purposely try to book cruises when school is in season :eek: But like your situation there is always a surprise ;)[/quote]

The only time I saw anyone use those chairs is when a little boy was jumping chair to chair. Edited November 11, 2014 by Gregor4500

[conandrob240]

Those chairs are totally stupid. What a waste of two pools. One hot tub should be adults only and take the chairs and make one adults and the others for families and kids. That would vastly improve the Haven area. They could also add an outdoor hot tub and make 1/2 or 2/3 of outside adults only with a small section for kids/families.

I agree about kids monopolizing. On the other hand, none of those Haven pools appealed to me anyway so, as far as I was concerned, the kids could have them.

Our hot/cold was reversed also. I too thought the sinks just didn't get enough or quick hot water. Duh!

[Gregor4500]

[quote name='conandrob240']

I agree about kids monopolizing. On the other hand, none of those Haven pools appealed to me anyway so, as far as I was concerned, the kids could have them.

[COLOR=Blue][COLOR="Green"]My wife agrees with you there[/COLOR]
[/COLOR]
Our hot/cold was reversed also. I too thought the sinks just didn't get enough or quick hot water. Duh![/quote]

[COLOR=Blue][COLOR="Green"]I wonder if it was the whole ship?[/COLOR][/COLOR] Edited November 11, 2014 by Gregor4500

[Gregor4500]

Something else worth mentioning is the Casino was the least smokey of any I've been in. Also this was the first week of the new smoking policy.

It was also nice to find $5 craps. I didn't win, but my money lasted longer.