Question about The Haven and location of Suites

[jewliana]

We are thinking of booking our very first Haven Suite on the Escape. There are several options for Haven Suites located outside The Haven on other floors, either aft or forward. These Suites look wonderful but I am wondering, do you think your experience is better to have your suite actually in the Haven area other than another floor aft? I am looking between the courtyard in the Haven which seems rather small or an aft balcony that looks nice and big but far from The Haven. Thanks in advance for your help. You always give the very best and most appreciated advice!!

[vulcan1971]

We are thinking of booking our very first Haven Suite on the Escape. There are several options for Haven Suites located outside The Haven on other floors, either aft or forward. These Suites look wonderful but I am wondering, do you think your experience is better to have your suite actually in the Haven area other than another floor aft? I am looking between the courtyard in the Haven which seems rather small or an aft balcony that looks nice and big but far from The Haven. Thanks in advance for your help. You always give the very best and most appreciated advice!!

 

I have been on the NCL Pearl and the NCL Epic... all times booked in the Haven. My personal preference is to be in the Haven. Not sure what factors are important for you. There are a few threads available on this topic. I have included a few links below:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2260658

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2252893

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2239105

 

I'm sure other cruisers may have different perspective that can be shared with you if you have more questions since I have only stayed in the Haven.

[Bluetail48]

We cruised in an aft-penthouse on the Jewel and loved it. While the Jewel has a Haven complex, we were not eligible to use it, so we had all the suite perks without the Haven perks. That being said, we are ecstatic about the Haven on the Escape and have chosen an aft-penthouse again. We are wholly unconcerned about being "so far away" from the Haven and welcome the walk to and from the complex.

 

We plan to take advantage of breakfast on our balcony most mornings, so we'll go for the quiet pool and bar experience. Some people just really want to be in the Haven the entire time and that's great if that's the vacation you're looking for. We want to explore the ship and our kids will want to go on the water slides and splash around in the pool (not happening in the Haven). I doubt that our proximity (or lack thereof) will affect our experience.

 

I wish you luck in choosing!

[Merriem]

We loved being in the haven. We did make some nice friends who had been in the haven last year, but this cruise they could not get a handicapped cabin that was in the have. They were still considere haven guests, but really missed being in it.i personally would only want to be in there.

Edited October 3, 2015 by Merriem

[Cruzncutie]

I've been in the Haven three times. Twice on the BA and once on the Epic. Never stayed in a suite outside of the Haven proper, so I can't make a comparison. That being said since this is your first time I'd recommend staying in the Haven itself. You'll be that much closer to what makes the experience special. The private restaurant, the lounges, the private decks, and the courtyard.

[jewliana]

Wow!! Thank you all for your responses. Lots of great info!! As I always say...you guys are the very best!!!

[cruiseat50]

If you are young and don't mind a bit of a walk I would say take the aft suite. If/when we ever get on one of the newer ships we will stay closest to the haven as it really would be too much walking for us with limited mobility. So far we have stayed in aft suites because the balcony is so much bigger and we love watching/listening to the wake of the ship. But truthfully it's also about price and if that wasn't an issue I would pick the haven :D but DH would always pick the aft.:D So, he unfortunately wins most of the time...:( but my day will come again.:cool:

[puddles99]

I live in a divided household ;)

 

I prefer the aft cabins because of the amazing balconies (and as another person already mentioned - breakfast on your aft balcony simply cannot be beat). I love the view, the breeze, and having a feeling of seclusion all tucked away in a corner of the ship where few folks wander by.

 

DH prefers to stay in the Haven. His preference is mostly based on laziness - which I completely understand! He'd rather be able to take a quick peek at how crowded the pool is before changing and planning to head in. When you're outside the Haven, you take a gamble when you get changed and truck up to the Haven only to find it's too crowded at that particular time.

 

Good luck making the choice - either way, you won't go wrong with the suite experience!

[cb at sea]

If you have use of the Haven, PLUS a bigger balcony space...it's a win-win.

[buckeye rob]

I live in a divided household ;)

 

I prefer the aft cabins because of the amazing balconies (and as another person already mentioned - breakfast on your aft balcony simply cannot be beat). I love the view, the breeze, and having a feeling of seclusion all tucked away in a corner of the ship where few folks wander by.

 

DH prefers to stay in the Haven. His preference is mostly based on laziness - which I completely understand! He'd rather be able to take a quick peek at how crowded the pool is before changing and planning to head in. When you're outside the Haven, you take a gamble when you get changed and truck up to the Haven only to find it's too crowded at that particular time.

 

Good luck making the choice - either way, you won't go wrong with the suite experience!

 

If you have use of the Haven, PLUS a bigger balcony space...it's a win-win.

 

We chose the aft penthouse for that very reason AND the extra bathroom on our Escape trip next August! Puddles, I was thinking though along the lines of what you said about your husband checking things out before changing. Is there a changing area in the Haven for those staying outside the Haven area to change without walking fore or aft to their suites ? Lets say we wanted to use the Haven amenities after breakfast or lunch some day. Thanks Gerry

Edited October 4, 2015 by buckeye rob

[puddles99]

We chose the aft penthouse for that very reason AND the extra bathroom on our Escape trip next August! Puddles, I was thinking though along the lines of what you said about your husband checking things out before changing. Is there a changing area in the Haven for those staying outside the Haven area to change without walking fore or aft to their suites ? Lets say we wanted to use the Haven amenities after breakfast or lunch some day. Thanks Gerry

 

 

I know there were small changing / restroom facilities on the Epic but for some reason I can't picture if Breakaway / Getaway had them. I would guess they do. I'll check on Escape in less than a month! :D

[tiggerfan616]

We have stayed in non haven suites on the smaller ships but Haven on the larger ones ie Breakaway and loved it, the one time we stayed outside the Haven in a spa suite on the Breakaway we really missed the Haven. I didn't find the difference in price worth it and would do the Haven any chance I get

[buckeye rob]

I know there were small changing / restroom facilities on the Epic but for some reason I can't picture if Breakaway / Getaway had them. I would guess they do. I'll check on Escape in less than a month! :D

 

Thanks. No big deal if there isn't, just would be a plus like having a shower/changing room in the spa area on some ships. Are you on the TA ? Sounds wonderful ! Have a great voyage. Gerry

[puddles99]

Thanks. No big deal if there isn't, just would be a plus like having a shower/changing room in the spa area on some ships. Are you on the TA ? Sounds wonderful ! Have a great voyage. Gerry

 

 

Yes! A very dear friend and I are doing the TA together in denial of a certain milestone birthday we both will pass this year. We're actually in a spa suite this time as we decided with all the sea days & some of them chilly, the spa would be the place to be. We're in the new H8 "Deluxe" cabin and as such will be just below the Haven itself, but not too far of a walk!

[happy cruzin]

Our first Haven experience was a 2BR Haven Courtyard - on the Epic. LOVED it - the Haven experience hooked us! But....we rarely left the Haven area - only for dinners and shows. So we got off feeling like we had missed experiencing a lot of the ship - because we just hung out in the Haven.

 

 

 

We've had Haven aft PH suites on the Breakaway, Getaway and how the Escape. We like the walk to the Haven area - helps us enjoy the rest of the ship and we still get the outstanding Haven service and the relaxed area of the Courtyard. That in conjunction with the HUGE balcony makes it an easy decision to stay PH aft! ;)

[dexddd]

Thanks. No big deal if there isn't, just would be a plus like having a shower/changing room in the spa area on some ships. Are you on the TA ? Sounds wonderful ! Have a great voyage. Gerry

 

On the BA there is a very large bathroom inside the area where they have a few massage rooms. It is on the left and I believe a unisex/family bathroom. There is also one on the 2nd floor - basically right above the area where you'd go from the inside bar/lounge area to the pool area. Don't recall if a shower in either.

[jcrabtree]

We stayed in the aft PH on the Getaway last year. Awesome. Got all the Haven amenities. The walk is not that far. Passed the shops. The casino on the way. Music stops. Well worth the walk. Now to the AFT. Fabulous views. Great sails ways. Had other haven guests we met down for sal a way festivities on huge balcony from St Marteen St Thomas and Nassau. Saw fireworks off the balcony plus Disney Cruise fireworks. Breakfast on balcony two mornings. Went to Haven restaurant three times great food and service. Cagneys was our fav. Having the AFT we got the same service as the HAVEN. Only way to travel

[BirdTravels]

We actually prefer the aft balcony for the views and balcony space. You still have full access to the Haven and can hang there.

[jewliana]

Thanks again for all your input. I really thought the value was in having a larger aft cabin at a great price still getting Haven privledges was the way to go but I wanted to make sure I wasnt making a mistake by not staying IN the Haven area I SO appreciate you all taking the time to give me your take on it

XO

[Sand and Seas]

Can you tell us which Aft PH cabins you stayed in? Was the bed by balcony or the bathroom? Which floor? We are trying to decide which one to try!

[happy cruzin]

Can you tell us which Aft PH cabins you stayed in? Was the bed by balcony or the bathroom? Which floor? We are trying to decide which one to try!

 

 

9316 - Breakaway

9316 - Getaway

 

Both had the bath by the balcony layout.

[buckeye rob]

We have deck 11 coming up on the Escape. From what I can gather only decks 11 and 14 have the bath by the balcony. I specifically chose that setup thinking it would be kind of neat and lighter in the bath and shower. I also like a dark bedroom and lean in that direction. Although I see that if you are traveling with others, you would have a second balcony access so as not to disturb them, a bedroom by balcony plus but that didn't factor for us. We just had an AquaSuite on Oasis and probably only accessed the balcony by the bedroom once or twice. Gerry

Edited October 5, 2015 by buckeye rob

[localoneguy]

I dont think you can go wrong with any haven suite, but one advantage to staying in the haven that i havent seen adressed is the concierges closeness. If we were disembarking he would take us down in a private elevator avoiding the crowds. The same for seeing shows. You could use him if you are in the other suites but if you stay in the haventhey are right there to take advantage of. A small thing but it helps.

[runnersmate]

Thanks. No big deal if there isn't, just would be a plus like having a shower/changing room in the spa area on some ships. Are you on the TA ? Sounds wonderful ! Have a great voyage. Gerry

 

Restrooms and showers in the Haven area by Saunas.

[mistertoaster]

We always buy Haven suites both inside or outside the Haven depending on ship and price. Not a big difference in the experience as we had Haven access in both scenarios. The only difference we noticed were fewer visits by the butler outside the Haven. Not a big deal for us. We rarely use the butler. A few more steps to the Haven, but you need those with all the fine food available.