NCL Haven vs. RCL suite class

[BCirlin]

My family and I (46, 41, 11) are considering our first NCL cruise next Thanksgiving, and I'm looking at Haven suites.  We've done the Royal Suite Class on Harmony of the Seas, and really enjoyed all the perks.  The majority of the Haven perks seems pretty similar (priority boarding, private restaurant/ sun deck, etc.).  I'm just curious if there are any huge differences- better or worse- that I'm missing.  Anyone who's done both, I'd love your insight!

[Two Wheels Only]

Which NCL ship are you considering?

[BCirlin]

Oops, sorry- that would have been useful information...  😉

I'm looking at Breakaway, Encore (kind of a long shot at current pricing), or Getaway.

[brookie848]

The best thing about the Haven suites on these ships is that all the perks are the same for each cabin with a couple of minor exceptions. The exceptions are that the Owners and Deluxe Owners Suites get three free bottles of alcohol and unlimited water and mixers. Besides that, all the suites get the same benefits.

 

If you've had a Genie on Royal, your service from your butler isn't going to be as personalized. You are still going to want to make some reservations before you get on the ship -- the concierge can help you out, but they aren't always able to work miracles. You can, however, dine in your suite if you can't get reservations at a restaurant.

 

The major difference between the Breakaway and the Getaway is that the Breakaway has a roof over the Haven pool -- you might want to take that into consideration. We've sailed on the Getaway and it was my least favorite Haven (I've also been on the Escape and the Epic), but it was still great. If you can sail on the Escape, I would choose that ship over the -aways in a heartbeat.

 

Another difference between Royal and NCL is that the Haven is just for suite customers, minus a few times it is opened up for parties. The lounge will not normally be open to high-level loyalty members like it can be on some Royal ships.

 

I've not sailed on Royal, but I've considered it. For now, we prefer the suite program on NCL. We like the flexibility, the fact we don't have to dress up, that all suites get the same perks, and the afternoon snacks! If you have any specific questions, ask.

[eynsteinp]

I have sailed in a suite on Royal Oasis of the Seas and the Haven on  several different NCL ships.  Unless you have the Genie on Royal, I find the NCL haven far superior to Royal's Suite perks.  First, I did not find the concierge on Royal to be available except for very limited times and they were far less friendly or helpful.  I had a family emergency come up in the middle of my cruise which caused my wife and I to leave the ship early and they offered zero assistance at all with making arrangements or even showing any concern for our situation.  It was incredibly disappointing.  While I have never had a similar situation on NCL, the crew on NCL, especially in the Haven, have gone above and beyond to make sure our cruise was as good as can be.  I cannot imagine any crew on NCL that I have dealt with responding with the absolute lack of concern as they did on Royal.  Also, I really like having the private pool on NCL that Royal did not offer.  I may be a little snobbish in saying this but when I vacation, I do not want to fight huge crowds to find a place to sit at the pool.  This is a big difference to me between the cruise lines.  Finally, I must say that I found the Oasis to be a more impressive ship than any of the NCL ships I went on  I was amazed with the ship as a whole.  My wife and I agree that if we take our kids with us the large Royal ships offer more for them but if the two of us travel alone we prefer the NCL ships.  I hope this helps!!

[Bigbluegal]

We have stayed in the Haven (Escape) and in the Family Owners Suite on Royal (Freedom and Oasis).We like the accommodations better on NCL...loved the snacks and the private area pool.  RCCL did have an area roped off at the pool but the Haven was much more personalized.  We loved the afternoon snacks delivered to the room as well with NCL.  We love both lines and will be supporting both.  Next up, Alaska on the NCL Bliss:)

[momofmab]

We have traveled suite class on both lines (albeit not Haven or Genie level) but I agree with the other sentiments that the service level with NCL has always been so much better than with Royal - so much so that when cruising on Royal we now opt for 2 balcony rooms instead of a suite (other than the room size we didn't feel "pampered" enough on Royal's suite class to justify the difference in cost).

 

Even though the Genie level sounds like it's more of a pampering experience than Royal's basic suite classes, I would still choose Haven for its private Haven-only areas.  I also would feel uncomfortable with a Genie escorting me everywhere on the ship - it's not a requirement for me.

[kitty-sail]

Escape Haven has a Haven Only private pool, sun deck, restaurant and bar. I really like this ship the best. Very relaxing atmosphere.

 

[dalmoradie]

5 hours ago, kitty-sail said:

Escape Haven has a Haven Only private pool, sun deck, restaurant and bar. I really like this ship the best. Very relaxing atmosphere.

 

so do the Breakaway and Getaway

[Peachypooh]

I have sailed in an Owner's suite on Liberty of the seas and in an Owner's Suite on three of the Jewell class ships of NCL. NCL was far superior. There is one exception and that is on Liberty there was a dedicated Concierge lounge with appetizers and cocktails at night right down the hallway. NCL does bring a late afternoon snack to suites but on Liberty they were hot appetizers and you could almost make a meal out of them.

[Trimone]

Why not try MSC Yacht Club, bit classier than both, and better value  

[Granny DI]

We have done suites on RCCL and NCL. Haven on the Breakaway and owners suite on Liberty of the Seas, plus Grand Suites on numerous other RCL ships.  We will never do another full suite on RCCL. The suite lounge on the Liberty of the Seas was over run by a huge family with bratty kids. Grandma had the suite but invited the whole family. It was a nightmare. The kids were on the tables, tasting food and putting it back on trays. The staff looked the other way...guess GrandMa was a big tipper. My DH said the suites on RCCL offer nothing other than a large cabin. We’ll only do junior suites on RCCL. We’re the sailing the Breakaway in the aft Haven Suite again in Jan. 

[Hammergirl]

We did both the Haven on the Breakaway and a Star class suite on the Harmony this year. We decided that we liked the Haven better than the Star Class suite. We are 44,44,14 and 9.

 

The genie was great, don't get me wrong, but it was not worth the price tag we paid for it. The things that we loved about Star Class was being able to eat whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted (there are some things that are not included) and having our genie reserve the best seats for us at the shows. We also loved that he let us know everyday what we were doing as normally I am in charge of that and I was happy to not have that responsibility this trip. We did not get daily snacks except the first day, which I thought was really odd. We have also sailed sky class on Oasis and it was nice as well, but nothing spectacular.

 

The Haven, however, is it's own little oasis and nothing on Royal can compete with it. There is something about stepping into that quiet space and leaving the rest of the crazy ship behind. There were moments where it got loud when people let their kids be that way and one time a guest invited some drunk non-haven guests in and they took over the bar. Our butler Seka was amazing and it was so nice to see her multiple times a day. We rarely saw our genie unless he was doing something for us. Seka would stop by just to say hello if we were eating at the Haven restaurant. It was really nice.

 

One thing I thought was really odd was every time we ordered room service in the Haven our table was always set up with a table cloth and nicely done. Our butler took care of this. In Star Class on the Harmony we ordered room service several times (including from specialty restaurants) and not once did anyone set our table with anything. They came in, put the food on the table and left.

 

Our kids enjoy the Royal ships more than NCL so when they are with we will do Royal. Probably just 2 balcony rooms. If it is just my husband and I, we will do the Haven.

Edited November 13, 2018 by Hammergirl
added paragraph

[newty25]

We haven't been yet... leaving on Sunday for our Thanksgiving cruise, but we originally book an RCCL cruise and then canceled and rebooked on NCL.

 

We looked at many different suites between the two lines and settled on an H4 on the Getaway. To me, the suites on RCCL ships look awkward and not very usable. As if they made the rooms larger because those rooms are suites, but they couldn't figure out how to furnish them. I find the NCL rooms are much nicer and well thought out. Not Regent nice... but still well thought out.

 

That said, I like RCCL ship layouts better.

 

But, the private Haven area was the thing that finally sold us. Restaurant, pool, lounge, etc. We don't mind joining the party, but we don't want to sleep in the middle of the party.

[Traveling Fools]

We have booked suites on X, RCCL, and NCL (both Haven & non-Haven) and have found the service far better on NCL.  As has been said, the Haven experience is plain super!  Be aware not all Haven class suites are located in the Haven and that factor somewhat diminished the Haven experience for us.  Those are the Aft balcony suites.  Owner's suites on both Haven and non-Haven ships are great.  Haven't booked a villa, so can't address those perks.

 

DW & DD booked a RCCL suite on a Cuba cruise and returned with a never book RCCL again attitude.

[RetiredBird]

On ‎11‎/‎13‎/‎2018 at 11:39 AM, Hammergirl said:

We did both the Haven on the Breakaway and a Star class suite on the Harmony this year. We decided that we liked the Haven better than the Star Class suite. We are 44,44,14 and 9.

 

The genie was great, don't get me wrong, but it was not worth the price tag we paid for it. The things that we loved about Star Class was being able to eat whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted (there are some things that are not included) and having our genie reserve the best seats for us at the shows. We also loved that he let us know everyday what we were doing as normally I am in charge of that and I was happy to not have that responsibility this trip. We did not get daily snacks except the first day, which I thought was really odd. We have also sailed sky class on Oasis and it was nice as well, but nothing spectacular.

 

The Haven, however, is it's own little oasis and nothing on Royal can compete with it. There is something about stepping into that quiet space and leaving the rest of the crazy ship behind. There were moments where it got loud when people let their kids be that way and one time a guest invited some drunk non-haven guests in and they took over the bar. Our butler Seka was amazing and it was so nice to see her multiple times a day. We rarely saw our genie unless he was doing something for us. Seka would stop by just to say hello if we were eating at the Haven restaurant. It was really nice.

 

One thing I thought was really odd was every time we ordered room service in the Haven our table was always set up with a table cloth and nicely done. Our butler took care of this. In Star Class on the Harmony we ordered room service several times (including from specialty restaurants) and not once did anyone set our table with anything. They came in, put the food on the table and left.

 

Our kids enjoy the Royal ships more than NCL so when they are with we will do Royal. Probably just 2 balcony rooms. If it is just my husband and I, we will do the Haven.

 

We were in the Haven on the Pearl and had a couple of meals in our Haven Suite.  The wife commented to our butler that he didn't need to put the table cloth down, and his immediate response was, "but Ms. Denise you don't understand, if I didn't put the table cloth down and my supervisor saw it I would be terminated immediately."  So there is definitely a level of expected service that you will always get in the Haven, not that we really needed it.  But for the cost of a Haven Suite, it's nice to be pampered on your cruise.  It's this level of service where the Haven is in a class all by itself.

 

[Hammergirl]

3 minutes ago, RetiredBird said:

 

We were in the Haven on the Pearl and had a couple of meals in our Haven Suite.  The wife commented to our butler that he didn't need to put the table cloth down, and his immediate response was, "but Ms. Denise you don't understand, if I didn't put the table cloth down and my supervisor saw it I would be terminated immediately."  So there is definitely a level of expected service that you will always get in the Haven, not that we really needed it.  But for the cost of a Haven Suite, it's nice to be pampered on your cruise.  It's this level of service where the Haven is in a class all by itself.

 

I absolutely loved the table cloth and them putting the table together for us. It was something I REALLY missed in Star class. It was such a strange thing to miss, but we paid much more for our star class suite on royal than we did the Haven and I think it just shocked me a little. It was really unexpected when they just placed all the plates on our table and left. They did not even remove the covers or anything. Just plopped the plates down and walked out. It made me really appreciate the Haven that much more. 

[Sthrngary]

I have been in the Haven on the Bliss and Getaway.  I am booked in the Haven Deluxe Owners Suite on a May 2021 sailing to Alaska.  I also wrote the article on the Haven Experience here in CruiseCritic.com.  I have not gone in the suites class on Royal.  I have gone on the Suites class on Celebrity.  I have cruised 23 times, in 40 years with and without my children.  

 

The NCL Haven Experience is the literal best unless you go on a "Luxury Cruise".  From the Haven Spa Suite to the Haven Deluxe Owners Suite.  The best experience of any main stream cruise line.  Do you pay for it, YES of course.  Can you travel in an inside cabin for far less? Goes without saying.  So here is why.

 

The Haven on the larger ships is the only way to do Haven.  Lots of reason however let me give you the high hard ones. 

 

First and my personal favorite, the Haven Restaurant/Bar.  Same menu for every meal however you get usually 3-4 specialty restaurants to add serious variety. Note, my May 2021 sailing on the Encore I paid for it with American Express Platinum Card and received an additional $300.00 OBC and dinner for two at my favorite  specialty restaurant, the French restaurant.  All that being said, the Haven Restaurant even with the same menu would have been perfect for my wife and myself.  The smaller ships don't have either a Haven Restaurant or Bar.  You get Breakfast and lunch at Cagney's Steakhouse.  Just Not The Same.

 

Second, when you chose the larger ship, get the one with the retractable roof like the Bliss or Encore.  My best example would be my upcoming trip to Alaska.  The roof will be retracted close, the pool will be heated in the Haven.  The rest of the ship has to have one of the limited turmoil spa package. Worth the price of admission right there.

 

Third, both dis-embark and excursions.  From the Haven Desk, they send you down the crew elevator with an escort.  You are in and out in less then 3-minutes.  Never had this experience on any ship regardless of price or category.

 

My Celebrity Suite called, the "Celebrity Suite" lol, had a butler also.  Had a suite only restaurant which was nice. Cost a lot of money and had no Haven courtyard.  Never again.

 

I hope I help even though my post is really late.  Be well and cruise well. 

[mafig]

31 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

 

 

My Celebrity Suite called, the "Celebrity Suite" lol, had a butler also.  Had a suite only restaurant which was nice. Cost a lot of money and had no Haven courtyard.  Never again.

 

I hope I help even though my post is really late.  Be well and cruise well. 

 

The new Celebrity ship (Edge)  has the "Retreat" which is more like the Haven.  Apex (coming soon) is a sister ship.

MSC's Yacht Club is also comparable to the Haven.

 

Royal Caribbean's suite experience is not.  My opinion, of course.❤️

Edited April 17, 2020 by mafig

[jacksonx]

I’ve done the haven on the getaway and the yacht club on the MSC divina.

the yacht club blew the haven out of the water, no competition. (And the other folks we met who had previously sailed haven agreed.)

 

the facilities, perks, all-inclusive nature, service, and value were far, far superior on MSC’s product vs NCL.

[david_sobe]

The Haven on Encore/Bliss is SO much better than Breakaway and Getaway.  Suites on Encore get access to the amazing Horizon lounge. It was such a tremendous perk for us especially in the morning. Totally uncrowded compared to the Observation lounge.  The Haven Sundeck on Encore/Bliss is so much larger with hot tubs.  The Haven sundeck on Breakaway and Getaway have no water features.  The Haven restaurant is so tiny on BA and GA yet the Encore/Bliss Haven restaurant is twice the size plus an outdoor area.  Really there is no comparison.

[UODuckMan]

The Haven on Epic is also amazing with really a ship within a ship experience.  The Epic Restaurant is great with some of the best views on ship and the food was fantastic!  Although smaller than the mail gym and spa, the workout area and sauna/steam at the Haven were never crowded.  I'd definitely try to get a suite within the Haven complex because part of what we loved was the proximity to the Haven pool, lounge and restaurant!!