haven back to non haven room: who's done it?

[luckyinpa]

with all the threads of haven being worth/not worth it, i was wondering who actually stayed in haven one time then next time decided not to

 

specific rooms/ships would be helpful in your reasoning response.

[pcakes122]

I have stayed in the Haven and non-Haven suites on several (total) casino comps and really enjoyed those cruises. When the casino has offered me lesser comps (mini-suites) I have occasionally upgraded to a non-Haven aft suite, but not the Haven. I enjoy my mini-suite cruises just as much. I am Platinum Latitudes and VIP tier at the casino, so I do still have concierge service and a level of extra service, so maybe that factors into it? Of my 7 upcoming cruises, I only upgraded to aft suites on two of those. I actually downgraded my mini-suite comps to aft balconies on several cruises because I'd rather have the aft balcony than extra cabin space.

 

I don't see myself ever paying for a Haven upgrade because when I have stayed in the Haven, I rarely spent time in the Haven. I prefer the specialty restaurants for dinner - and I like Vibe or my balcony for the sun. (The Breakaway Haven pool area is like being indoors - and I prefer to be outdoors on a cruise!)

[smrtypnts]

I've done it. We had an aft facing cabin which was a suite and therefore had access to the haven in mid January 2014. I have sailed a few times since and none had haven again. Would I like to have it again? Absolutely!! There's nothing like having those butler and concierge perks with all the little things like the pool and morning breakfast, but alas, if I have the choice of getting on a ship (or any vacation for that matter) vs waiting until I could afford the perks again, I choose getting on the ship no matter where I stay. I'm sailing in December in a standard family balcony. The upgrade to aft-facing was $900, so a suite was out of the question. Not even sure Dawn has a haven pool etc. Good luck in your decision.:cool:

[mom2tcdx2]

We had a suite on the Star, but I don't recall there actually being a haven. This however was many years ago. We loved the cabin, however we would never pay the suite prices outright. If we happened to get a reasonable upsell offer we might consider them, but we would never book them to begin with. They just aren't worth the ridiculous price that is on them IMO.

Edited September 13, 2016 by mom2tcdx2

[njhorseman]

We've gone from Haven back to regular balcony cabins recently. We far prefer staying in a Haven cabin, but their prices have increased so much that we felt Haven cabins are now grossly overpriced. For example, an H9 Haven Spa Suite on our upcoming cruise to Bermuda would have cost about twice as much as as the B9 Spa Balcony we booked. So after having H9's twice on the BA to Bermuda, this will be our second B9. Having spa access with the B9 makes up for a lot of what we're missing by not having Haven access.

Edited September 13, 2016 by njhorseman

[gymbomb]

with all the threads of haven being worth/not worth it, i was wondering who actually stayed in haven one time then next time decided not to

 

specific rooms/ships would be helpful in your reasoning response.

 

 

I have not yet, but I am sure I will. I have stayed in every room type from inside to courtyard haven suite, and I would do them all again if the price/time/ship were right! My last 2 cruises were in suites because I got good upsell deals. One was an SG on the Star and one was a Haven Courtyard suite on Breakaway. Although the Haven is nice, I much preferred the room and the service we got on the Star. (Disclaimer: I was traveling with just my Mom on the Star so I got to enjoy everything. I had my 2 year old along on Breakaway so my time in the Haven was limited!)

 

If you told me I could cruise to Bermuda tomorrow in a Family Oceanview on Breakaway or a Mini Suite on Dawn I would jump on it.

 

The real reason we upgraded to the suite on Breakaway was because there was a little "hallway" right inside the door where we thought my son would sleep in his pack n play. Turns out he would only sleep in our bed, and we would have been just fine in the family mini that we had originally booked for the bath tub.

[BirdTravels]

Jul 2015 forward facing suite Jewel

 

Sep 2015 aft facing suite on the Sky

 

Oct 2015 forward facing Haven 2 BR on the Epic

 

Nov 2015 minisuite on the Escape

 

Apr 2016 balcony on the Spirit

 

May 2016 forward facing Haven on the Escape

 

Aug 2016 aft facing balcony Jewel

 

Sep 2016 forward facing suite Dawn

[littlelulu01]

Our first NCL cruise was a Haven 2bedroom on the Pearl. My husband had sworn off cruising until he tried this for Alaska. It was probably one of our best vacations ever. The same season I sailed inside gt last min with daughter. We had just as much fun. Last year I did an oceanview two weeks on the Jade med with my kids, no husband. We had an incredible vacation. I thought all the extra attention was given on first NCL cruise because we were Haven guests. Our subsequent cruises in non suite rooms were just as attentive, our room stewards were just as good, not having priority tender was really not an issue at all.

 

In non haven I felt like I got more into the vibe of what was going on, met more people and participated more in the activities around the ship.

 

Will clarify that I've yet to sail on one of their mega ships. Also found the food in free venues has gotten much better and so has the dining service. I know food is subjective but I felt that NCL was much ahead of HAL on food and entertainment.

 

Spa passes give you a feeling of luxury and pampering. Also ordering things like a romance package to have some fun pampering things like breakfast in bed, flowers, a couples massage, afternoon treats can add to my feeling of a more pampering vacation and in the grand scheme don't cost much compared to a Haven suite. I wouldn't hesitate to sail in a non suite, inside or oceanview on a Jewel class ship. Of course I'd prefer the Haven but would be quite happy in any room.

 

When its all said and done, while I'm not crazy how NCl structures their packages for the extras, it's not really a deal breaker to order a case of water, a few coffees, perhaps an upcharge if you want lobster. In the end if you just figure there is going to be some costs like this then it's kinda nice when you get the extra treats and still feel like you aren't paying an arm and leg. I know people don't like the changes here and there with the line but each time we have cruised with them we've had an excellent vacation.

 

We now have a few cruises on NCL and can honestly say we've had just as much fun Haven as non haven- just different experiences.

Edited September 13, 2016 by littlelulu01

[Cruzncutie]

My first three cruises with NCL were inside cabins. First one to Bermuda on the Majesty, second one on the Epic Eastern Caribbean, then third on the Epic Mediterranean. Prior to that, I had no experience with cruising. Over the past two years I have only booked Haven suites. I have flirted with the idea of booking a mini suite, but then I check promos and pricing. Nowadays, I only book during a third & fourth person sails free promo. If the price difference between a 2 BR suite for four vs two mini suites is no more than $600 pp then I book the Haven. For me that's a decent price for the upgrade. If I decided to stay in a non Haven cabin I'd definitely buy the SDP and possibly a spa pass. I'm not a fan of the food served in the MDR's or the buffet. I'm sure I'd have a great time without my precious Haven, but I'd rather not have to confirm that [emoji5].

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[justhappy]

My first cruise on NCL was last Sept on the Pearl, and my father was paying so he booked ocean view for my sisters and I.

Next cruise was in the Haven on the Getaway last October for my husband and I. We booked a Haven H5 as a splurge for our 40th anniversary, and got free unlimited drinks, free unlimited specialty dining, free gratuities, and $300 onboard credit. We spent a lot of time in the haven area that cruise, and thought what we paid was quite the bargin compared to the cost of a regular balcony cabin on Disney cruise line that we cancelled to go on the Getaway.

 

We will be cruising again this October on the Escape, in a regular balcony cabin,

Since our best friends are cruising with us, we will spend much more time out and about so we feel the cost of the Haven would be wasted as we wouldn't take enough advantage of the offerings.

 

We enjoyed being pampered in the Haven, and might cruise in the Haven again one day, but feel we can have just as good a time without it.

Edited September 13, 2016 by justhappy

[TSUmom]

When we first started cruising we stayed in standard balconies, then aft balconies, then forward PH's. Our last two cruises were Haven and we absolutely loved it but all good things must come to an end....With the prices of the Haven suites we are back to aft balconies, which we love but we will miss the perks....

[detroitlions]

Most folks on here only go on the Haven when there is a up sell option. And if it is not offered or cheap enough they go back to their balcony. With equal enthusiasm ...

[cruisencrazy]

We had a Haven spa suite on our med cruise last year. It was not an upsell. We liked it, but didn't love the Haven. We had a lazy butler and kids messing with our do not disturb sign. We are cruising Saturday in a balcony and I think we will be just fine. Someone shared very wise words with me on a cruise. They always book inside cabins. She said: I really don't care what kind of cabin we have, we all arrive at the same time.

If you have to rely on the staff to have a good time, then you will probably need to be in the Haven, but it would be a whole lot cheaper to just give a nice tip to your bartender :)

[vince_g]

We had a Haven spa suite on our med cruise last year. It was not an upsell. We liked it, but didn't love the Haven. We had a lazy butler and kids messing with our do not disturb sign. We are cruising Saturday in a balcony and I think we will be just fine. Someone shared very wise words with me on a cruise. They always book inside cabins. She said: I really don't care what kind of cabin we have, we all arrive at the same time.

If you have to rely on the staff to have a good time, then you will probably need to be in the Haven, but it would be a whole lot cheaper to just give a nice tip to your bartender :)

 

 

Have a wonderful time. I have to wait until November for my next cruise fix.

 

May I ask in what respect your butler fell short?

[cruisencrazy]

Have a wonderful time. I have to wait until November for my next cruise fix.

 

May I ask in what respect your butler fell short?

 

The hairdryer in our suite was broken. He wanted me to hold the button down and it only blew cold. Finally our cabin steward got me a new one. We did not get our afternoon "snacks". We always had to call for coffee pod refills. Dirty glasses, coffee cups were not replaced or taken away..... Waited forever if we needed something small.... Overall, bed was worn out and shower leaked (design flaw) a lot. It was still a really fabulous trip; these things didn't ruin it for us, but it wasn't right.

[khaide612]

RCCL - Enchantment of the Seas - inside

RCCL - Empress of the Seas - inside

RCCL - Explorer of the Seas - inside

NCL Dawn - inside

NCL Spirit - balcony

NCL Jewel (3 times) - 2x obstructed oceanview then 2 bedroom Haven (Haven was Mom's treat)

Carnival Victory - aft suite

NCL Gem - 2 bedroom non-Haven

NCL Breakaway - studio

 

We are looking at insides on Jade for next cruise as the cost to upgrade is prohibitive to some in party. I can go back and forth with no issue but I do miss the suite dining perks. Then again, I've never gone hungry on a cruise.

I also wander around and see what's happening versus just sit by the pool so Haven is sort of wasted on me.

[vince_g]

The hairdryer in our suite was broken. He wanted me to hold the button down and it only blew cold. Finally our cabin steward got me a new one. We did not get our afternoon "snacks". We always had to call for coffee pod refills. Dirty glasses, coffee cups were not replaced or taken away..... Waited forever if we needed something small.... Overall, bed was worn out and shower leaked (design flaw) a lot. It was still a really fabulous trip; these things didn't ruin it for us, but it wasn't right.

 

I never expect much from my butler other than delivering meals/snacks and keeping the coffee stocked, but yours did not even seem to perform those core tasks. I realize that butlers are a shared resource, and that there are passengers who require more attention than I do. I am ok with that, in fact I would be ok without a butler. For my upcoming cruise in November, I am telling the butler to nix the snacks. If I want something I will venture out and get it myself.

 

I agree that cruising is fun no matter what accommodations you book. Of my last 3 cruises with NCL, the last 2 have been in balcony cabins, and we had more fun than we had in the haven (maybe because we had UBP, but did not have it in the haven). While we enjoy the haven perks, we never even missed them at all on our last 2 cruises. We were far too busy having a great time. When compared to going work, just being on a cruise feels like a first class experience.

 

Whether the haven is worth it or not, is just too subjective a topic. Someone with a high income might say they only cruise in the haven, and that it is so worth it. Someone else who had to scrimp and save, might say that while it was very nice, it was not worth the extra expense. One really needs to experience it, and then form their own opinion.