Newbie 1st time on NCL Breakaway/Haven up sell

[Islandgirl0611]

Hi everyone! I'm new here so I hope I'm posting in the right place. Apologies if not. We are new to NCL. Have cruised Disney Dream and Fantasy several times with my DH, DS11, and DD8. We are cruising the Breakaway on 8/14 to Bermuda...and had booked a mid ship mini suite, and just did an up sell to the Haven 2BR family villa! :D:D I have a few questions hoping to get help with. When we booked we were able to choose 2 amenities. We picked UBP and DP which allows us 3 nights of upgraded dining. I know the original package stays in place on an up sell, so we will not get every benefit of the Haven. My question is what's included? I saw in photos what is in the rooms like waters, soft drinks, coffee machine, etc? I'm assuming those are an extra charge. In addition, are sodas included in the UBP for my husband and I at the bars and restaurants? I did purchase the soda package for both of my children. Also I am aware that the gratuities do not include the concierge and butler. What is typical gratuity for these? I want to be sure to tip accordingly. Lastly, the kids club for my 11 and 8 year olds. Can anyone tell me how security works and what there is for them to do in the clubs for their ages? Nervous mommy, lol. Also, if there are phones or something to let us know if they'd like to leave the kids area. We are really looking forward to experiencing Norweigan and super excited to stay in the Haven. Any advice or tips for a new family are greatly appreciated!! Thank you so much!!!

[zteamtwo]

Congrats on the upsell--do you mind telling us what you paid for the upsell?

[Sprasa03]

I was curious too!

I've never been in the Haven before or traveled with kids but - I think the UBP incluides all drinks except specialty coffee drinks?

I think in the Haven they'll give you bottled water and the room has a coffee machine.

If I'm wrong I'm sure someone will correct me.

[TYSONBOXER]

Ok first of all your going to love the Haven. You will get one large bottle of water and a bottle of champagne in your room. With the UBP you do not get cans of soda. You can get soda at a bar in a cup though. You get to use the Haven restaurant, which is great. Your room comes with a phone that you can carry while on board. If someone needs you they call your room and the portable phone will ring while on the ship. Of course you get the use of the haven courtyard. Private pool (small) for the Haven guests. Sun deck, bar, sauna. You can even have lunch by the pool. You will get snacks every day in your room around 4 pm delivered by your butler. Tipping depends on how often you use the butler or concierge.

 

 

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[Sprasa03]

Room snacks?! What kinda room snacks?!

[df5250]

Hi. Congrats on the upsell and welcome to cruise critic! Your going to love being in a suite!

 

 

 

Not all Haven Suites include bottled water and canned Soda that is replenished throughout the cruise. Usually just the owners suites and villa's have those amenities included. The fridge will have cans of soda and beer that you pay for like a mini bar, but you can have it emptied to make room for any bottled -water or cans purchased onboard or other items you want to keep refrigerated.

 

 

 

The UBP will only include fountain soda, but not specialty coffee's, cans of soda or bottled water.

 

 

 

You may not get all the promotion options that the suites are being offered but you should receive all the Haven Amenities. I can name many off the top of my head, but the NCL site lists them all (ncl.com/thehaven):

 

 

 

• Butler for anything you need in the suite (dinning in suite, any room service orders, replenish coffee and creamers); don't hesitate to ask the Butler for something, the worse that could happen is they say no.
  

 

• Concierge for anything outside of the suite (dining reservations, show reservations, priority show seating, Priority debarkation in Bermuda and in NYC)
  

 

• Haven area Access (Haven restaurant and Lounge for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Haven courtyard with small pool and hot tubs and the sundeck)
  

 

• Priority Embarkation/debarkation, including Suite guest check-in at the Pier and waiting area with coffee and small food items and an escort onto the ship to the haven restaurant
  

 

• treats delivered to room daily (if you want something specific, just ask the butler to bring it, like a plate of cookies or a plate of pound cake and banana cake)
  

 

• no fee for room service
  

 

• priority seating at the shows in the Theater and Spiegel Tent
  

 

• either Lavazza or Nespresso espresso machine in the suite.
  

 

I Hope this helps! Enjoy your cruise.

Edited July 16, 2016 by df5250

[gmazz]

Room snacks?! What kinda room snacks?!

 

We got cookies, crust-less sandwiches with chips, canapes and chocolate covered strawberries.

 

We also asked our Butler to keep a pitcher of unsweetened iced tea and water in the fridge which he happily obliged. The items in the fridge had already been moved into the cabin next to the fridge so if yours is not empty just ask. Also the Lavazzo machine is included, you gave espresso and flavored teas available. Wonderful way to start your day!

 

Enjoy the villa, me and my husband were in one last month, very spacious and 2 bathrooms was awesome.

 

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[Islandgirl0611]

To the question about price, I'm not sure how to directly respond under the question, I apologize, but we paid $1,500 for each adult in the 2 bedroom villa. Kids there was no up sell charge. I think it was high because there were only 1 or two rooms left in the Haven on my sailing, at least that's how I understood the pricing when they told me. There weren't any available that could sleep 4 guests besides the category I was able to get. Seems steep, but still less than booking there from the beginning. I have to be honest, we LOVE Disney Cruise Line, and have cruised concierge level with them, but the prices for a week long cruise for a family of 4 are getting pretty high. I feel like this is a lot more cruise for less money. First time like I said so we have an open mind.

Thanks df5250 and TYSONBOXER for welcome and that info, so helpful! Anyone's kids use the kids club? My kids keep asking me but I can't find much info. We are super excited!!!

 

 

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Edited July 16, 2016 by Islandgirl0611

[Vacationlover2]

To the question about price, I'm not sure how to directly respond under the question, I apologize, but we paid $1,500 for each adult in the 2 bedroom villa. Kids there was no up sell charge. I think it was high because there were only 1 or two rooms left in the Haven on my sailing, at least that's how I understood the pricing when they told me. There weren't any available that could sleep 4 guests besides the category I was able to get. Seems steep, but still less than booking there from the beginning. I have to be honest, we LOVE Disney Cruise Line, and have cruised concierge level with them, but the prices for a week long cruise for a family of 4 are getting pretty high. I feel like this is a lot more cruise for less money. First time like I said so we have an open mind.

Thanks df5250 and TYSONBOXER for welcome and that info, so helpful! Anyone's kids use the kids club? My kids keep asking me but I can't find much info. We are super excited!!!

 

 

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I have been on Disney in a concierge room and I can tell you this. Disney can't even come close to the suite benefits Norwegian has. The larger Disney ships have the concierge lounge with drinks and snacks, and you can order room service from the specialty restaurant on any Disney ship for no extra charge, but that's about it.

 

NCL has the private Haven area, private lounge, private bar, private sundeck, private restaurant with way better food. Norwegian's suite experience outdoes Disney by a mile. You are going to love this cruise.

[Islandgirl0611]

That's so great to hear!!!! We have felt like Disney is getting higher and higher for less and less. Thank you!!!

 

 

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[Fido Chuckwagon]

I was curious too!

I've never been in the Haven before or traveled with kids but - I think the UBP incluides all drinks except specialty coffee drinks?

I think in the Haven they'll give you bottled water and the room has a coffee machine.

If I'm wrong I'm sure someone will correct me.

 

Water and soda is not included with that class of suites. Only owners suites and above get free water and mixers. Regular suites get one free bottle of water.

[Suenelsen]

Haven on the Breakaway is awesome.... Separate lounge area separate dining area, pool area etc. if you want anything that is available on the ship ... They will get it for you .. The level of attention you receive is spectacular

[Bird in Jersey]

Hi everyone! I'm new here so I hope I'm posting in the right place. Apologies if not. We are new to NCL. Have cruised Disney Dream and Fantasy several times with my DH, DS11, and DD8. We are cruising the Breakaway on 8/14 to Bermuda...and had booked a mid ship mini suite, and just did an up sell to the Haven 2BR family villa! :D:D I have a few questions hoping to get help with. When we booked we were able to choose 2 amenities. We picked UBP and DP which allows us 3 nights of upgraded dining. I know the original package stays in place on an up sell, so we will not get every benefit of the Haven. My question is what's included? I saw in photos what is in the rooms like waters, soft drinks, coffee machine, etc? I'm assuming those are an extra charge. In addition, are sodas included in the UBP for my husband and I at the bars and restaurants? I did purchase the soda package for both of my children. Also I am aware that the gratuities do not include the concierge and butler. What is typical gratuity for these? I want to be sure to tip accordingly. Lastly, the kids club for my 11 and 8 year olds. Can anyone tell me how security works and what there is for them to do in the clubs for their ages? Nervous mommy, lol. Also, if there are phones or something to let us know if they'd like to leave the kids area. We are really looking forward to experiencing Norweigan and super excited to stay in the Haven. Any advice or tips for a new family are greatly appreciated!! Thank you so much!!!

 

I did an upsell in April and had the 2 bedroom-the bathroom is amazing. The second room is really not as small as other make it out to be. 3 TV's. In August I will be in OS(upsell- once you go Haven, it is hard to go back). You get sparkling wine and 1 large bottle of water with the 2 bd room. We got fruit bowls every few days(great) and I used the Lavazza coffee/tea machine few times daily.

You get all movies free(we were on the cruise in April, so staying in was easy)

Since you have younger kids, order breakfast in once. The haven breakfast is very good(fruit choices), so I preferred going there. We ordered dinner in one night served by our Butler-my daughter ate lobster). Snacks were great, usually saved for night).

cookies, finger sandwiches, canapés(not good), chocolates, chocolate covered strawberries).

My daughter order a pizza every night(night butler) and we always had our desert delivered to our stateroom to enjoy.

For me priority embarkation and debarkation is worth every Haven perk. You are escorted past long lines and hear everyone comment(they're in the Haven and smile).

I like having kids play in Haven courtyard, otherwise, it would be too quiet. Others may disagree. I enjoy watching people have a great time.

Haven dinner menu does not change, so having specialty dining is a plus).

After a few days, you recognize most haven guest and you do the wave and smile. We met wonderful people during our meet and greet.

Kids clubs are great(very secure). search threads, I just did a rundown of kids club on a breakaway thread today). I have a teen, who is an only child and each club age she has loved. Your kids will play, teens roam in packs. At 13 I was a little nervous-when she hit the teen club, but she is very level headed and mature for her age. My daughter has been signing herself out of clubs at the earliest allowable age(can't recall). There are parents that let their kids roam very freely. We have rules that we follow, some folks forget that they are on vacation with 4,000 strangers.