Haven vs. just Spa Package

[NH Cruisers]

I sailed on the Breakaway a while back and was booked in the Haven.  I also had booked the Spa Package.  I spent hardly anytime in the Haven, but many an hour in the spa.  Other than the nice breakfast and lunches in the Haven restaurant, I really don't feel I will miss the Haven as much as I would have thought.  As long as I have the Spa Package.  Never cruised NCL with out it.  Don't know if I ever willingly would.  Back to standard balconies for me.  Being platinum helps too.

 

Any one else feel this way?

[NYcruzzer]

1 hour ago, NH Cruisers said:

I sailed on the Breakaway a while back and was booked in the Haven.  I also had booked the Spa Package.  I spent hardly anytime in the Haven, but many an hour in the spa.  Other than the nice breakfast and lunches in the Haven restaurant, I really don't feel I will miss the Haven as much as I would have thought.  As long as I have the Spa Package.  Never cruised NCL with out it.  Don't know if I ever willingly would.  Back to standard balconies for me.  Being platinum helps too.

 

Any one else feel this way?

 

I have experienced Haven on Gem and Breakaway. On our  recent NYE cruise on Escape our Haven bids weren't accepted. We booked the Thermal Spa as our consolation..  We spent so much time in the Spa that we didn't miss the Haven Area at all.  We also loved the fact that we saved about 2k plus additional tips for Butler and Concierge.Recently  bidding has gotten a little out of control. People desperate to get in are bidding much more this year than . Balcony /Spa  or Balcony/Vibe going forward. Money saved means I can squeeze in a 3rd cruise yearly

Edited January 18, 2019 by NYcruzzer

[BirdTravels]

We book both the Haven and the Spa. The only way to travel. 

[Ciref]

Congrats on finding a more enjoyable way to cruise that costs you less and allows you to cruise more often. I think it is great that NCL offers so many different ways to enjoy your cruise based upon your own personal tastes.  

[sverigecruiser]

 

We had a spasuite on our first cruise on the Epic but the spa was the only place we didn't feel welcome so we never used it.

 

For us it's Haven or another cruiseline. We will not cruise NCL without Havenaccess.

[LinnieRed]

Can you tell me if there is a day pass available for the Thermal Spa on the Jewel? This sounds like a great alternative to the high prices of the Haven. We are booked in a suite, so we have the benefits of the Haven without access to the courtyard. I’d like to “try before I buy” as I’m not sure what I’d do in the Thermal Spa.  

[mjkacmom]

7 minutes ago, LinnieRed said:

Can you tell me if there is a day pass available for the Thermal Spa on the Jewel? This sounds like a great alternative to the high prices of the Haven. We are booked in a suite, so we have the benefits of the Haven without access to the courtyard. I’d like to “try before I buy” as I’m not sure what I’d do in the Thermal Spa.  

Maybe on port days, maybe not.

[NH Cruisers]

From what I have experienced, if the weather is not conducive to being out doors the day passes are hard to get.  Otherwise they are usually available.

[FLcruisergrl]

For me, they are 2 different things. If you want relaxation, but don’t use the butler or concierge services (including priority embarkation and disembarkation) and don’t miss the upgraded breakfast/lunch or dedicated restaurant, then I would totally go with the spa pass. It gives you the feeling of having the private area without the much larger cost. We love the priority stuff, though, so it’s Haven only for us. I’m considering adding a spa pass on our December cruise, as I’d love a place to escape  to if the weather is bad.

[Son of a son of a ...]

We have run the gambit on cabins and spa packages/services.  We found that the spa v. Haven/suite choice is based on the cruise itinerary.  For port-intensive cruises, we like the Haven/suite and do not use the spa.  Our primary reasons are the restaurant and port-disembarcation escort.  With planning, we don’t use concierge much.  For “relaxation cruises” (either a lot of sea days or beach ports), we use the spa and a non-Haven/suite cabin.  

[DMH15]

I am kind of the opposite of you… Last cruise on NCL we were on the epic in the deluxe owner suite. We purchased the thermal spa passes and we did not really enjoy the spa… And I am a spa person!

 

 During our cruise the people in the spa were loud drinking in the hot tubs... partying and such! It was very very difficult to even get a ceramic tile lounger or a daybed as people camped out on them literally all day. There was nothing Zen about that spa experience. A waste of money. 

[NH Cruisers]

57 minutes ago, FLcruisergrl said:

For me, they are 2 different things. If you want relaxation, but don’t use the butler or concierge services (including priority embarkation and disembarkation) and don’t miss the upgraded breakfast/lunch or dedicated restaurant, then I would totally go with the spa pass. It gives you the feeling of having the private area without the much larger cost. We love the priority stuff, though, so it’s Haven only for us. I’m considering adding a spa pass on our December cruise, as I’d love a place to escape  to if the weather is bad.

Once you get platinum status you will get the priority embarkation and disembarkation.  I will miss the Haven or sometimes Cagney's restaurant for breakfast though.  French Press coffee, no big crowds.

[NH Cruisers]

1 minute ago, DMH15 said:

I am kind of the opposite of you… Last cruise on NCL we were on the epic in the deluxe owner suite. We purchased the thermal spa passes and we did not really enjoy the spa… And I am a spa person!

 

 During our cruise the people in the spa were loud drinking in the hot tubs... partying and such! It was very very difficult to even get a ceramic tile lounger or a daybed as people camped out on them literally all day. There was nothing Zen about that spa experience. A waste of money. 

To spend that money and have it be that way really sucks.  Why, oh why don't the attendants enforce some type of civility is beyond me. 

I will tell you though, if I were a loud mouth they would talk to me and ask to be quiet, I am that guy they will always pick to be made an example.

[DMH15]

On 1/21/2019 at 9:27 AM, NH Cruisers said:

To spend that money and have it be that way really sucks.  Why, oh why don't the attendants enforce some type of civility is beyond me. 

I will tell you though, if I were a loud mouth they would talk to me and ask to be quiet, I am that guy they will always pick to be made an example.

I felt bad for my sister and niece who paid for their thermal passes as well as I did.  I sort of sold it to them in advance, saying how much we would use it and like it.  We didn't.

 

I am booked solo on MSC Seaside in May in the YC and the thermal spa is included at no extra charge, so I will go in with an open mind... since I realize my experience on Epic might have been an isolated one.

 

Thanks for the kind words.

[MikeBTN]

I just turned Platinum last cruise, so my feelings have probably changed on this recently.  We've sailed exclusively in The Haven thus far, 6 or 7 sailings in the last 3 years.  I, too, always do the spa package.  Since I'm Platinum I'm virtually guaranteed to get Vibe passes now, which gives you the private, quiet sun deck away from the madness, so the Haven isn't quite as much of a draw.  Yes, the Haven restaurant is nice, but I could also do a specialty restaurant each night and still come out FAR ahead money-wise.  I don't ask a lot of the butler,.  The biggest perks of the Haven that I would miss are the covered pool/hot tub area (on most ships), actual dinner in the state room (not just a room service menu), and the larger stateroom.  But I can survive without all of those, especially at current prices.  We may still do the Haven, but we may also start doing balcony and bidding, knowing that if we don't win the bid we'll still be very happy.