Tears from Haven

[Shidah]

Not sure why you paid $500 for internet. As a Haven guest, you get the 120 minute package for free. We upgraded to the best one they had, can’t remember the name but unlimited and the one that can stream, for 54 ish dollars on the second day of the cruise. I can’t remember he exact amount, but can pull up my bill, but somewhere between 50 and 60.So it did not cost $500, closer to 50.

[Two Wheels Only]

Hi

We were on the Breakaway last summer with the masses;p And couldn't even stick our big toe into the main pool it was so crowded. Why they have one pool the size of a postage stamp for the amt of passengers is beyond me.

Breakaway has 2 pools for the masses on deck 15. One pool is for all ages and the other pool is for adults.

 

 

We booked an H5 with spa privileges that i used maybe once.But that was my fault. it was really nice. I did enjoy the jacuzzi tub in the room.:D

Were you in a H5 or a H9?

[GA Dave]

If you want a guaranteed cruise with no obnoxious brats, impeccable service, and lush amenities, there are alternatives:

 

https://www.yachtcharterfleet.com/luxury-charter-yacht-47976/savannah.htm

 

 

 

:')

[ElaineKeagy]

Do you have the special Haven code to post on whiny Haven threads?? [emoji6]

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[knots4crewzing]

Breakaway has 2 pools for the masses on deck 15. One pool is for all ages and the other pool is for adults.

I thought the other pool was for the kiddos or we would have gone in:confused:

 

 

Were you in a H5 or a H9?

we were in an H5 that included the spa pass

[shaun07]

Not sure why you paid $500 for internet. As a Haven guest, you get the 120 minute package for free. We upgraded to the best one they had, can’t remember the name but unlimited and the one that can stream, for 54 ish dollars on the second day of the cruise. I can’t remember he exact amount, but can pull up my bill, but somewhere between 50 and 60.So it did not cost $500, closer to 50.

 

I think its $244 per person. But you are right I did have a credit for like $120, I forgot. So cost me $368 for 2 people. Which is ridiculously expensive. As far as streaming goes 80% of the time I couldn’t even load a webpage never mind stream. It was terribile.

[shaun07]

Hi

But kids playing football in the pool is not my idea of a Haven. There should really be an adults only time during the day and evening as the OP stated.

 

I was on your cuise. I walked into the haven and a ball wizzed by my head, I just left. :mad:

[Enavigo]

We've sailed 3 times in the Haven on the Breakaway and absolutely loved each experience! Now maybe our view is skewed from only a few experiences and only in an H2 cabin, but we could not have wanted more out of our experiences! Our two Butlers (Ramona and Peter (x2)) were absolutely amazing and went above and beyond to get us whatever we needed. Ramona was seemingly clairvoyant and often met our requests before we even knew we wanted them!

 

As for the concierge, like the original poster, we did have one who seemed, well, bothered when we asked for something or made a request, but Anoop always went above and beyond . . . checking in on us each night in our speciality dining venue to make sure everything met our expectations and if there was anything he could do for us that evening. In fact, with Anoop we found that each time we checked in for dinner, the host/hostess ask us where we wanted to to be seated.

 

We also tend to cruise when school is in session so we have not had a ton of kids to deal with. That could sway my opinion, but for now NCL Haven still offers a good balance of seclusion, service, dining and entertainment versus luxury lines with an average passenger age 2x mine. I would maybe, maybe try a Star Class suite on an RCCL ship, but I would need to be really convinced that the lack of a secluded space, no contained lounge/dining is worth.

 

That said, we are really looking to our Sept cruise on the Escape .. it will be nice to compare the Haven and see the H2 cabin improvements (hopefully, the sound bleed from the DOS/OS wall issue is fixed!).

[Two Wheels Only]

I thought the other pool was for the kiddos or we would have gone in

The pool next to the kids' splash area is for all ages. The other pool is for adults-only.

we were in an H5 that included the spa pass

The H9 includes spa access but I've never seen a H5 that includes spa access and has a Jacuzzi.

[Two Wheels Only]

That said, we are really looking to our Sept cruise on the Escape .. it will be nice to compare the Haven and see the H2 cabin improvements (hopefully, the sound bleed from the DOS/OS wall issue is fixed!).

 

It is. There is a normal wall between the DOS and OS.

[Enavigo]

It is. There is a normal wall between the DOS and OS.

 

Hallelujah! The number of times I felt like I was inappropriately eavesdropping is jarring! Thank you for the information.

[zqvol]

For the kind of money OP says he paid you can easily go on one of the luxury lines.

[Enavigo]

For the kind of money OP says he paid you can easily go on one of the luxury lines.

 

True, and we looked into a 14 day on Regent (granted, a much smaller cabin), but while the ports looked great, the ship itself and the nighttime entertainment options looked like an absolute snooze fest. Not that we want to go crazy, but the luxury lines we looked at seem to roll up the sidewalk at 10pm.

 

Also, I continue to be amazed with the pricing variations for the Haven. As I mentioned, we have only sailed in one cabin type and each time it has been nearly the same price $12,000.

[shaun07]

True, and we looked into a 14 day on Regent (granted, a much smaller cabin), but while the ports looked great, the ship itself and the nighttime entertainment options looked like an absolute snooze fest. Not that we want to go crazy, but the luxury lines we looked at seem to roll up the sidewalk at 10pm.

 

Also, I continue to be amazed with the pricing variations for the Haven. As I mentioned, we have only sailed in one cabin type and each time it has been nearly the same price $12,000.

 

I could not agree more. I really like the bigger ships and all they have to offer. I think I would be bored on smaller ships.

[sjh422]

But how does the MSC line compare with NCL re entertainment? That's what led me to NCL this time over Celebrity.

 

Check out Jim Zims youtube review of the MSC Seaside. I have never been on the Seaside but according to the you tube review the NCL entertainment beats the Seaside by a mile.

[Two Wheels Only]

Check out Jim Zims youtube review of the MSC Seaside. I have never been on the Seaside but according to the you tube review the NCL entertainment beats the Seaside by a mile.

The entertainment has completely changed since that review (maybe MSC saw the JimZim's video :p). I didn't see any opera during the week. There may have been one opera show but the other shows were actually good (even though shows aren't really my thing).

[knots4crewzing]

The pool next to the kids' splash area is for all ages. The other pool is for adults-only.

 

Only saw kids in there. :confused:

 

The H9 includes spa access but I've never seen a H5 that includes spa access and has a Jacuzzi.

Yes we were in an H9~~~ sorry for the confusion

[knots4crewzing]

I was on your cuise. I walked into the haven and a ball wizzed by my head, I just left. :mad:

 

:eek: not fun for sure. NCL really needs to address this. there should be set times for kids and adults.

[FLcruisergrl]

I think its $244 per person. But you are right I did have a credit for like $120, I forgot. So cost me $368 for 2 people. Which is ridiculously expensive. As far as streaming goes 80% of the time I couldn’t even load a webpage never mind stream. It was terribile.

 

Wow, you paid for 2 packages? We just shared one package between the 3 of us. It worked out fine.

[dexddd]

Yes! Another whiny Haven thread!

 

I have cruised in the haven about ten times. I feel after my last cruise that it no longer delivers like it used to. While its still a nice place, with great suites and a great restaurant. it has lost a lot of what made it great. Yes a lot of these things are minor things but they add up.

Firstly, the kids!. Its been covered on CC numerous times. I think Kids should totally get to be kids in the Haven. I also think adult should be able to enjoy some peace. So maybe some quiet hours or adult only hours is the solution.

 

The prices have practically doubled while what you get for that money has decreased. I think when I pays $12,000 for a suite giving me 1 bottle of free water is just a joke. It just feels cheap. Give me no water or free water, or charge me $12100 and give me unlimited water.

 

They charge $500 for internet for 2 people for 7 days and it doesn't even work in your suite or on the Haven sundeck. When the Internet does work it is beyond poor compared to their competitors some of who include it when buying a suite.

 

The concierge is pretty much useless, you can make all your reservations online or on the app. He was never at his desk. The assistants that were there are very nice but even more useless. I asked them to change 2 reservations, which they did, but never canceled the original ones which caused lots of confusion for the restaurant managers.Speaking of restaurants it might be nice if they would keep some nice table for haven guests. One manager did this and it was very nice. I also asked the "concierge team" if they could see if the spa had any openings. It was very last minute so I figured maybe this is what the concierge is for. I figured he must have some pull or clout. Nope. So I went to the spa myself and they fit me in. I will say the priority disembarkation is great but every line offers that.

 

As far at the Butler goes I am sure some people love it and have great use for them but as far as I am concerned all they do is maintain the coffee machine and leave some old looking sandwiches in the room once a day. I think Royal has the right idea with their genies. Ncl should remove the concierge from the haven and let him be the loyalty program concierge. Let the butlers be the concierge for the suites they have. Then when they come to add water to the coffee machine you tell them what you want to do that day and they make it happen.

 

If you have not tried the Haven I encourage you to do so and decide for yourself as it can be amazing. If you have tried the Haven it might be time to try other lines and see if your money is better spent there. I will be.

 

This is probably one of the best summaries I've seen and VERY accurate.

 

At the end of the day it really doesn't matter though - NCL has been filling suites via upsell and this process must be making them more money so there won't be any change soon IMO. With that being said, we have one certificate left but we are spending our money elsewhere.

[dexddd]

I swear I've read this before.

 

Maybe post a link?

[dexddd]

Escape, David.... Sadly I couldn't even find him never mind escape him:p

 

I was going to ask what ship. Not surprised. He generally gets good reviews. I put him as bad as Ruth was.

 

We had him a few weeks back and it was literally Wednesday before he even said "hello" when we passed his desk.

 

The last day DW went over by the desk and he said something along the lines "...are you waiting for something..." and she said, "..yes, to disembark.." and he had one of the staff escort us off. That was it all week.

[dexddd]

I think my money is better spent getting a mini suite for 3 cruises compared to the Haven for one cruise for the same price;)

 

 

After we sailed BA a few years back I was thinking it would have been better to have saved the money and just booked two insides.

 

Our Escape experience was better as the ship is better and the service overall was quite a bit better but for the money...

[dexddd]

Hi

Just got back from our first Haven experience. July 1st sailing. Bermuda was amazing!!

 

We were on the Breakaway last summer with the masses;p And couldn't even stick our big toe into the main pool it was so crowded. Why they have one pool the size of a postage stamp for the amt of passengers is beyond me.

 

I then decided to convince my husband that maybe we should try the Haven.They have a nice pool and 2 hot tubs. and a beautiful sundeck. But kids playing football in the pool is not my idea of a Haven. There should really be an adults only time during the day and evening as the OP stated.

 

We booked an H5 with spa privileges that i used maybe once.But that was my fault. it was really nice. I did enjoy the jacuzzi tub in the room.:D

 

While we enjoyed the experience we will not indulge again.

Totally not worth the double price over a standard balcony cabin..

 

Don't get me wrong our Butler Cipriano cant be beat. what a gem.He was always around. So pleasant, but David the concierge was useless. And like the OP said he was never at the desk.

 

The afternoon snacks delivered to the cabin was a nice touch, but we can get that with our status on Royal so that's not a deal breaker. We also get drinks with our level on Royal. The unlimited drink pkg was nice along with the specialty dining. But you get that anyway with your cabin of choice other than the Haven.

 

The reason we jumped ship (we're diamond + with Royal) we wanted a longer stay in Bermuda:D hear that ROYAL!!!!

 

We have the Symphony of the Seas ,and Oasis class ship, booked for next July:hearteyes:

 

Can't wait!!!

 

Liz:D

 

Yep. We were on a couple weeks before you and same experience. He was at the desk at times but never saw him anywhere else, anywhere. Nimpha and the other guy were around though.

[dexddd]

Not sure why you paid $500 for internet. As a Haven guest, you get the 120 minute package for free. We upgraded to the best one they had, can’t remember the name but unlimited and the one that can stream, for 54 ish dollars on the second day of the cruise. I can’t remember he exact amount, but can pull up my bill, but somewhere between 50 and 60.So it did not cost $500, closer to 50.

 

It all depends what promo you have for the internet. We had 250 minutes and on Escape it was pretty decent speed. Others may have zero free minutes, again YMMV.