Experienced Haven guests - I’d love some input

[jplovestocruise]

Good morning!

 

I recently sailed with my family on the Norwegian Escape, out of Miami, in the Haven. It was amazing!

 

We are planning to book another cruise in the Haven in 2019. We have experienced the Haven on the Jade, a suite on the Dawn and as mentioned above, the Escape. This time we are hoping to leave out of New Orleans on the Getaway or try the Epic. Will we be disappointed after experiencing the amenities on the Escape with these two older ships? For example we always get the Spa package, does the Epic have a view of the ocean in the spa? How is the food, service? How about the casino (we love to gamble!)

 

Any input would be awesome! The Escape Haven was so amazing I don’t want my parents to be disappointed on our next trip.

 

Thank you!

[KarlChilders]

This time we are hoping to leave out of New Orleans on the Getaway or try the Epic.

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Neither of those ships are currently planned to sail from New Orleans. The Breakaway, however is.

[KarlChilders]

ooops, I stand corrected, looks like Getaway is coming to New Orleans in 2019

[jplovestocruise]

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Neither of those ships are currently planned to sail from New Orleans. The Breakaway, however is.

 

The Getaway leaves out of New Orleans in 2019. The Epic we just want to try no matter where it sails from. Sorry if I wasn’t clear :D

[Vyhanek]

The Epic Haven is the best Haven on NCL. It accommodates less Haven guests AND it's bigger, by a lot. It has POSH which is the upper sundeck but about 5 times bigger (or more) than the Haven sundeck on the Escape with it's own very large bar. It has lovely cushy chairs, lots of umbrella's for shade, its lovely........and less crowded than the Escape on the Haven. There is no chair hogging on the Epic Haven sundeck because there is more than enough space for everyone.

 

There are 3 bars total in the Epic Haven. The courtyard bar, the POSH sundeck bar and the Epic club bar. Again with less Haven passengers than the Escape and 3 bars, compared to 1 on the Escape.

 

The Escape Haven has the enclosed courtyard made of this enormous structure of glass and metal framing. It's great in theory but it's really, really loud. Any noise in the courtyard, like well behaved kids playing in the pool, the noise bounces all over the glass and metal framework and it's really loud and echo'y. The courtyard on the Epic is wide open, no retractable roof but also no loud structure.

 

I like the Escape ship it's self better than the Epic. I love the outdoor promenade and the outdoor dining. I loved Food Republic such amazing food! But the shows on the Escape suck. They are the worst shows in the entire fleet. Not up to NCL show quality at all I think.....I've been around a long, long time!

 

But if it's the Haven you love and if you spend the majority of your time in the Haven, you will not be disappointed in the Epic. It's a lot better Haven product than on the Escape.

[jplovestocruise]

The Epic Haven is the best Haven on NCL. It accommodates less Haven guests AND it's bigger, by a lot. It has POSH which is the upper sundeck but about 5 times bigger (or more) than the Haven sundeck on the Escape with it's own very large bar. It has lovely cushy chairs, lots of umbrella's for shade, its lovely........and less crowded than the Escape on the Haven. There is no chair hogging on the Epic Haven sundeck because there is more than enough space for everyone.

 

There are 3 bars total in the Epic Haven. The courtyard bar, the POSH sundeck bar and the Epic club bar. Again with less Haven passengers than the Escape and 3 bars, compared to 1 on the Escape.

 

The Escape Haven has the enclosed courtyard made of this enormous structure of glass and metal framing. It's great in theory but it's really, really loud. Any noise in the courtyard, like well behaved kids playing in the pool, the noise bounces all over the glass and metal framework and it's really loud and echo'y. The courtyard on the Epic is wide open, no retractable roof but also no loud structure.

 

I like the Escape ship it's self better than the Epic. I love the outdoor promenade and the outdoor dining. I loved Food Republic such amazing food! But the shows on the Escape suck. They are the worst shows in the entire fleet. Not up to NCL show quality at all I think.....I've been around a long, long time!

 

But if it's the Haven you love and if you spend the majority of your time in the Haven, you will not be disappointed in the Epic. It's a lot better Haven product than on the Escape.

 

Thank you so much!

[Kbkcruiser]

Jplovestocruise, thank you for asking the question about the Haven experience. Also, Vyhaneck, thank you for your comments regarding the Haven on the Epic.

 

My wife and I sail the Epic in the DOS in November 2018. The last time we sailed NCL was 2007. Long before the Haven model and a lot of the new concepts being offered in cruising. We are so looking forward to the 11 day cruise on the Epic and in the Haven..

 

Any other tips or thoughts that come to mind please jump in with more info and that goes for anyone who cares to share.

Again, thank you jplovestocruise for asking the question! enjoy your next cruise!

[jplovestocruise]

Jplovestocruise, thank you for asking the question about the Haven experience. Also, Vyhaneck, thank you for your comments regarding the Haven on the Epic.

 

My wife and I sail the Epic in the DOS in November 2018. The last time we sailed NCL was 2007. Long before the Haven model and a lot of the new concepts being offered in cruising. We are so looking forward to the 11 day cruise on the Epic and in the Haven..

 

Any other tips or thoughts that come to mind please jump in with more info and that goes for anyone who cares to share.

Again, thank you jplovestocruise for asking the question! enjoy your next cruise!

 

Enjoy your cruise KBK!!!

[bromleypod]

Jplovestocruise, thank you for asking the question about the Haven experience. Also, Vyhaneck, thank you for your comments regarding the Haven on the Epic.

 

My wife and I sail the Epic in the DOS in November 2018. The last time we sailed NCL was 2007. Long before the Haven model and a lot of the new concepts being offered in cruising. We are so looking forward to the 11 day cruise on the Epic and in the Haven..

 

Any other tips or thoughts that come to mind please jump in with more info and that goes for anyone who cares to share.

Again, thank you jplovestocruise for asking the question! enjoy your next cruise!

We were in the DOS on the Epic last summer and it was an amazing experience! The suite itself is extremely spacious and we had Maria as our butler who was a gem! All drinks in the suite were complimentary and Maria let us choose the 3 bottles of liquors of our choice even though some of them were not listed on the menu!

[dlynn0366]

Jplovestocruise, thank you for asking the question about the Haven experience. Also, Vyhaneck, thank you for your comments regarding the Haven on the Epic.

 

My wife and I sail the Epic in the DOS in November 2018. The last time we sailed NCL was 2007. Long before the Haven model and a lot of the new concepts being offered in cruising. We are so looking forward to the 11 day cruise on the Epic and in the Haven..

 

Any other tips or thoughts that come to mind please jump in with more info and that goes for anyone who cares to share.

Again, thank you jplovestocruise for asking the question! enjoy your next cruise!

 

I’ve sailed twice in a DOS on the Epic ....the greatest suite !