Suite perks versus Haven suite perks

[old nutter]

I think the only thing not mentioned about the Jewel Class ship courtyards that we have cruised in is is the area at the end where you can get a variety of treats during the day. You can get hot water to make speciality teas that are supplied, orange juice, cold water, M&Ms, gummy bears, various cookies, and even cold towels that are kept in a chiller cabinet.

 

I would agree that the huge spaces and peace you have in the Haven and upstairs on the sundeck make a real difference to our cruises. That sundeck is almost like having a gigantic balcony. However, putting a price on those "soft" benefits is virtually impossible. It is also impossible for anyone who has not experienced it to make meaningful comments about it, so it is great that some contributors who have had the Haven experience have added their view on whether it is worthwile the uplift or not.

[boopsahoy]

Gem OS in May' date=' we had all Haven perks.[/quote']

 

The Gem OS is a Haven suite even though its not physically in the Haven

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Just my 2 cents, we have stayed in the Haven on the Jewel, thought the Private deck up above was way too windy and really only of good use when in port. We truly missed our aft deck 10 Suite balcony. While I loved the cabin itself and the wonderful bathroom we got absolutely no use out of our balcony which is important to us. With that being said unless I had one heck of a good deal for the Jewel Class to go to a Haven I would not do it again.

[Hearthosesteeldrumsplayin]

Maybe I can offer my opinion since I meet your requirements having cruised in both aft suites and Haven suites on the Pearl and Jewel 5 times in the past 6 years.

 

In the aft suites we have stayed in, we have received: priority embarkation and debarkation, priority tendering, breakfast and lunches at Cagneys/now Modernos on some Jewel class ships, access to the butler and concierge, afternoon treats delivered to your suite and invitations to special events.

 

The the 2 Bedroom Haven suites and Garden Villas we have stayed in we also received in addition to the above: access to the Haven area and sundeck above, reserved seating at the theater, private tour of the bridge for our family, a high level of attentiveness from the butler, concierge and room stewards.

 

Since we primarily cruise the week after Thanksgiving the weather can be somewhat iffy. Having access to the Haven area which can be pleasantly warm as compared to the cooler outside air temperature is an added value to us. Also, if the weather is nice, the retractable roof is opened allowing the fresh air and a gentle breeze to circulate. If it begins to rain a bit, the roof slides closed and you still can sit in your swimsuit and enjoy a dip in the pool or take a relaxing soak in the hot tub. My retirement aged parents used the small exercise area most mornings in the Haven where they didn't have to wait for the treadmill and they enjoyed playing the video games on the t.v. screens!:D If you want to be away from the masses, the activity and loudness of the main pool area on deck 12, and want to enjoy the sun in relative peace, then the upper Haven sundeck offers wonderful views and your choice of areas to sit. Most Haven sundecks will have a hammock or two to relax in as well. Every cruise we have been on there has been seating for well over 60 people and less than 10 have ever been using the sundeck while I have been laying in the sun up there. Our MOST enjoyed cruise was one where we stayed in a two bedroom Haven suite, just my husband and I. We would put on our swimsuits, open our door, walk less than six steps and be inside of the Haven. We experienced the most relaxed week of our lives having immediate access to our suite, the two bathrooms (;)) the pool, the hot tub, the suite restaurant, and a bar all within steps, not decks, from us. it was truly the best choice for us. I will also add...we book our suites of choice at least a year and a half out. We had originally booked an aft suite on deck 10. Two weeks before our cruise the prices dropped and we called our PCC who moved us, at no charge, to this 2 bedroom Haven suite and were able to keep all of our OBC. So the stars all fell into perfect alignment for this senario to happen!

 

As for the two Garden Villas we have stayed in? We booked two years out and saved our pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, dollars, to be able to fully pay for the suite of our dreams in cash. No-one should create a financial hardship to be able to cruise. Whatever cabin/suite you choose, remember, you are on the ship! Only YOU can make your vacation be the best it can be, so gather the facts, get opinions and make an informed decision! HAVE FUN and GOOD LUCK!

 

 

Absolutely have to agree with this post!!! We are waiting to have the wherewithall to book one of those 3 bedroom Villas! But we have done both the Haven and sailed in a suite (with Haven privileges), while our best friends were in a regular suite on this class of ship. My hubby particularly enjoys the Haven experience because he does not like crowds. When we sailed to Alaska, the courtyard area was quite pleasant because of the retractable cover. And, we could watch the icebergs from the private deck as we sailed through Tracey Arm. A true luxury experience!

[CRAustin]

So non-Haven on Pearl still get private breakfast and dinner in Cagneys and free movies and also free room service? I just booked a forward Penthouse large balcony.

[CRAustin]

So a non-Haven suite gets suite perks including free movies and free room service along with breakfast and lunch in Cagney? Sailing 9 day WC on Pearl forward Penthouse.

[BirdTravels]

So a non-Haven suite gets suite perks including free movies and free room service along with breakfast and lunch in Cagney? Sailing 9 day WC on Pearl forward Penthouse.

 

 

Yes. You get all perks (except access to the Havens courtyard). Including a butler.

 

BTW: as far as we are concerned, the forward facing penthouses are the best rooms on the ship!

[Demonyte]

I think the only thing not mentioned about the Jewel Class ship courtyards that we have cruised in is is the area at the end where you can get a variety of treats during the day. You can get hot water to make speciality teas that are supplied, orange juice, cold water, M&Ms, gummy bears, various cookies, and even cold towels that are kept in a chiller cabinet.

 

 

All of the above you can get to any suite simply by asking your butler (never heard anybody asking for cold towels but they can surely arrange those too :)).

[BostonGal35]

ive stayed in a 2 bedroom suite on the Star ( no Haven) and a 2 bedroom Haven suite on the Gem. rooms were identical. the only difference was access to teh courtyard area. both were done on an upsell deal (star i paid a total of $600 over balcony price (9 day sail) for 2 people, gem a total of $2k over balcony price (10 day sail) for 2 people).

 

unless we got a very good deal, we would most likely not pay full price for either suite. the perks were nice, but we would rather cruise more frequently than in fancier rooms.

 

interesting point. We were always those people that shunned staying in a suite saying hte common phrase "we dont spend much time in our room". well, we dont spend much time in our room. UNLESS we have a suite. LOL the sheer design of the room and the benefits entices you to stay in your room more. for example, we could walk across the hall to the Courtyard (dressed) and order breakfast. Or we could have it delivered to us in our PJ's in the room. you get free pay-per-view movies. so instead of spending some nights (and money) in the casino, we opted to order in pizza or food from a restaurant and watch a movie. there is an enormous bathtub that makes you want to spend an hour in it, overlooking the ocean rather than a 10 minute shower.

 

we are very social people, so the one thing abotu the courtyard was that we did socialize with all of the other regulars. so that was worth it. but again, to spend thousands more for that compared to a regular suite, where we could just socialize and meet regulars at a ship bar? meh. i think you do have to try both to determine what you like and what is worth it to you.

[MizDemeanor]

I am very happy to have found this thread with all this good information

 

Having been on Breakaway and Getaway and now booked on Jade, I am hoping someone can give me some insight into the pool area....

 

We found the pool set up on the BA and the GA very uncomfortable and undersized in our opinion. We have been in Haven or have been able to get the access to Vibe which we enjoyed very much.

 

On the Jewel class ships, is the pool area size more in line with the smaller number of passengers and more comfortable than on the larger class ships?

[Samstress]

We sailed last year in a Haven 2 bedroom suite on the Jade. We weren't sure what to expect since it's supposedly not a true 'Haven' experience because there is no restaurant or bar in the private area. We've done suites before but we had never had an area specifically for our use.

Our butler (Roberto...who was amazing) let us know that he was there to make sure we were looked after. And we were! We had breakfast (to order) most mornings in the small courtyard area. We often had afternoon cocktails and snacks there as well. We liked the private upstairs area where we could watch sailaway (or sun if we wanted to). And of course Roberto was always around to make sure our glasses were full.

All in all ...we loved this trip! And of course; now we're all about having the Haven experience again:-) I'm not sure what it's like on a larger ship but we certainly enjoyed ours on the Jade.

Happy sailing...

[TYSONBOXER]

Samstress, if you enjoyed the Haven on the Jade you will love it on the Breakaway. The Haven courtyard has a retractable roof that closes in bad weather. It also has the Haven restaurant and lounge.

 

 

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[ndrakc100]

Hello,

 

I've sailed in regular suites on NCL, but never Haven. I am wondering what perks they get on Jewel Class ships that regular suites don't. It seems to be around a thousand $ more so trying to understand difference.

 

Thanks!

I want to thank you for posting this question. I had the exact same question and the replies have been perfect to help me decide. I have an Autistic daughter with an anxiety disorder and the privacy of the Haven is precisely what we need. This helped me decide on NWC as the cruise line precisely because they have the Haven level that will make cruising accessible to her.

[boopsahoy]

I want to thank you for posting this question. I had the exact same question and the replies have been perfect to help me decide. I have an Autistic daughter with an anxiety disorder and the privacy of the Haven is precisely what we need. This helped me decide on NWC as the cruise line precisely because they have the Haven level that will make cruising accessible to her.

 

If you can afford it the Haven will be great for her. No loud crowds and privacy. Have a great cruise!

[FLAHAM]

The Jewel-class Haven pool is a swim-against-the-current "endless" lap pool and is wonderful for exercise.