THE SECRETS OF THE NCL HAVEN LUXURY EXPERIENCE

[Sthrngary]

On 3/27/2020 at 8:22 PM, aubreyc1988 said:

Had to inject about the TP.  The Haven suites, I would imagine, are running the same plumbing as ALL the other cabins on the ship, which is a delicate system...they use the thin TP because it breaks down better and will not clog the system.  Just part of ship life folks. 

I am the original Op-Ed on this topic. I thought I would engage again.  Cruise Ships and RV's are kind of similar.  One is a house on wheels and the other is a house at see.  RV's have a tank called a black tank.  That is where all your Toilet/head waste goes including toilet paper.  The issue is regular toilet paper does not dissolve very quickly and clogs black tank and often the lines. 

 

Any cruise ship is very similar.  Just a lot more people (like 4000).  Side note, a very good friend of mine whom has done very well financially owned a lovely yacht.  His request was to take care of "#2" prior to and after leaving his yacht.  You can't do that nor should you on a cruise ship.  That is why the paper is not the nicest to some of our more, sensitive area's.  I was in the Haven, no difference in paper there then anywhere on the ship. 

 

Hope in some way this helps everyone with the concern.

[mconthehighseas]

On 10/13/2019 at 11:32 AM, salty dingo said:

Appreciated the review. I think the solution to the issue of parents bringing the whole family and kids running amok in the Haven is to steer the parents to Disney. Not really something NCL wants to do though but they have a great experience for kids and parents on that line, from what I have been told by relatives.

 

Another option is to book during the seasons when most kids are in school.

I'm going to have to disagree,  but only because I think bringing kids on a cruise is OK, as long as the kids don't run amok.

Uncontrolled kids would be an issue for me on any cruise.
We bring our young son on our trips, and while he drives me crazy,  he charms everyone else he meets.

Someone suggested sending families with kids to Disney.  We have stayed away from that line because they don't have a casino!

Royal Caribbean has a great kids program.  Carnival has a good program on paper, but there is no kids area, so kids see lots of activities that they should be sheltered from.

 

[TSUmom]

5 hours ago, mconthehighseas said:

I'm going to have to disagree,  but only because I think bringing kids on a cruise is OK, as long as the kids don't run amok.

Uncontrolled kids would be an issue for me on any cruise.
We bring our young son on our trips, and while he drives me crazy,  he charms everyone else he meets.

Someone suggested sending families with kids to Disney.  We have stayed away from that line because they don't have a casino!

Royal Caribbean has a great kids program.  Carnival has a good program on paper, but there is no kids area, so kids see lots of activities that they should be sheltered from.

 

Kids on cruises is not a bother for me, especially well behaved children.  I know from experience(my own grandkids) that even if well behaved most of the time they will occasionally have their meltdowns.  That being said I have seen adults on cruises that act much worse than a 2 year old having a tantrum.  Families should be able to enjoy a cruise just like the rest of us and having adult only areas is a great idea for those not wanting to be around kids.

[GA Dave]

1 hour ago, TSUmom said:

Kids on cruises is not a bother for me, especially well behaved children.  I know from experience(my own grandkids) that even if well behaved most of the time they will occasionally have their meltdowns.  That being said I have seen adults on cruises that act much worse than a 2 year old having a tantrum.  Families should be able to enjoy a cruise just like the rest of us and having adult only areas is a great idea for those not wanting to be around kids.

Agree with your assessment. 

Just as someone previously suggested families go to Disney cruises, it can also be suggested that adults wanting to avoid kids at all costs should go to Virgin Cruises.  NCL is a mass market cruise line.  With mass market anything, you are exposed to all types, ages, etc. of people.  If you are a person that truly cannot stand being around kids, there are adult-only resorts and communities all around the world.  I know my "kids" were better behaved at high-end restaurants when they were young than many adults I had the unfortunate experience to be exposed to.  Why should they be restricted on a mass market cruise line when misbehaving adults are not?  The adults already have the Haven sundeck, Vibe and, on some ships, Spice H2O.  Is that not enough?

[oteixeira]

I have no problem with kids on cruises.  If they are well behaved and being the kids they are, you can usually find many laughs watching them.  If not, you can laugh thinking about the parents who deal with them all year round.   😄

[Sthrngary]

On 10/23/2020 at 9:34 AM, GA Dave said:

Agree with your assessment. 

Just as someone previously suggested families go to Disney cruises, it can also be suggested that adults wanting to avoid kids at all costs should go to Virgin Cruises.  NCL is a mass market cruise line.  With mass market anything, you are exposed to all types, ages, etc. of people.  If you are a person that truly cannot stand being around kids, there are adult-only resorts and communities all around the world.  I know my "kids" were better behaved at high-end restaurants when they were young than many adults I had the unfortunate experience to be exposed to.  Why should they be restricted on a mass market cruise line when misbehaving adults are not?  The adults already have the Haven sundeck, Vibe and, on some ships, Spice H2O.  Is that not enough?

When I wrote this op-ed, many months ago, I outlined not my opinion on children onboard, instead my experience.  It was a sentence or two reference.  It seems I hit a nerve. All me to clarify. I have been cruising for over 40 years. My wife and I have two children that cruised with us when they were young to their adulthood.  As a matter of fact, my adult children will be cruising with us in May 2021 to Alaska on the NCL Encore.  

My experience on many past cruise showed very clearly, most children of all ages were respectful, well behaved, and had lots of fun.  Children like adults can be both excellent cruisers and selfish cruisers. It is human nature. My comments in the original post gave reference to several of NCL's Larger ships that had a Haven Courtyard.  The children in question were between 4 through 7 ish.  There parents were no where to be found.  This group of about 5 - 7 children, used the Haven Courtyard as their personal playground.  Getting in the hot tub was extremely difficult. They used the lounges in the pool as forts.  They jumped in the pool splashing anyone near the pool.  

Most of what was difficult to take was against the rules of the Haven or any pool area.  I made the Haven courtyard and all its original concept null.  On the occasion the parents showed up which was rare, they did not control the children until the situation got so out of hand, they had no choose. 

My comments were not because I don't like children, not at all. I just think, regardless of your age, proper behavior with in reason is expected.  I also think the kids program on a cruise ship is there for a reason.  Mostly, I think if you take your young children on board, you need to supervise them and not expect the staff of waiters or servers to be their babysitters.  

If you are a frequent cruiser, love big ships, have the ability to go to any VIP area like the Haven; all you ask is respect and relaxation.  Not to much to ask in my opinion. 

[mconthehighseas]

Sthrngary, I can't disagree with you - untended children can be a menace!
I can picture my son wanting to build a fort with lounge chairs - and me going apoplectic!

I'm so glad that idea never occurred to him - probably because we are always nearby.

[flyguyjake]

We've just booked the Haven Deluxe Owner's Suite on the Bliss for 2021. I believe we can get 3 bottles of alcohol in the room included in the PPBP? We like to drink a bottle of Chandon each morning around brunch. Can we order Champagne by the glass to the room with the PPBP? What about cans of beer in suite? For 21K I would hope they would honor any drink request.

Edited November 19, 2020 by flyguyjake

[Trimone]

6 hours ago, flyguyjake said:

We've just booked the Haven Deluxe Owner's Suite on the Bliss for 2021. I believe we can get 3 bottles of alcohol in the room included in the PPBP? We like to drink a bottle of Chandon each morning around brunch. Can we order Champagne by the glass to the room with the PPBP? What about cans of beer in suite? For 21K I would hope they would honor any drink request.

Just pick up a bottle of champagne from the bar before going to bed the night before, and put it in the fridge.

PPBP doesn’t apply to room service.

[dexddd]

9 hours ago, flyguyjake said:

We've just booked the Haven Deluxe Owner's Suite on the Bliss for 2021. I believe we can get 3 bottles of alcohol in the room included in the PPBP? We like to drink a bottle of Chandon each morning around brunch. Can we order Champagne by the glass to the room with the PPBP? What about cans of beer in suite? For 21K I would hope they would honor any drink request.

We normally stay in a DOS.  You get three bottles of booze with the room plus a bottle of champagne which NCL will often try to cheap out to a sparkling wine.  You also get unlimited in room water and soda.  For whatever reason, drinks with package not included in room.  Last trip first thing butler said was he could not deliver drinks to room.

 

They have been pushing up DOS prices.  If that cost is for 7 days they should be including a lot more.

 

 

 

 

[sverigecruiser]

4 hours ago, Trimone said:

Just pick up a bottle of champagne from the bar before going to bed the night before, and put it in the fridge.

PPBP doesn’t apply to room service.

 

Don't forget that "pick up" means buy!

[Trimone]

23 minutes ago, sverigecruiser said:

 

Don't forget that "pick up" means buy!

PPBP includes full bottles of wine and champagne, did it in February, although I think it was Veuve Clicquot ..

[sverigecruiser]

2 hours ago, Trimone said:

PPBP includes full bottles of wine and champagne, did it in February, although I think it was Veuve Clicquot ..

 

Thank you.

 

It's the first time I have heared that. Strange that bottles of Champagne is included but no drinks delivered to the cabin. 

[Trimone]

1 hour ago, sverigecruiser said:

 

Thank you.

 

It's the first time I have heared that. Strange that bottles of Champagne is included but no drinks delivered to the cabin. 

You don’t need to be in the Haven to do it, the package upgrade costs a bit.

[flyguyjake]

6 hours ago, dexddd said:

If that cost is for 7 days they should be including a lot more.

Yes that's for 7 days. Typically that's what we pay for 9 people in Star Class on Royal with absolutely everything included, no questions asked. So I'm not thrilled to hear I have to pay more for unlimited specialty dining, PPBP and no delivery service to the room? I suppose Royal has spoiled us.

[Two Wheels Only]

16 hours ago, flyguyjake said:

For 21K I would hope they would honor any drink request.

 

The reason that delivered drinks aren't included is that people would order drinks nonstop and the butlers wouldn't be able to keep up. Every butler has more than one stateroom to cover. You can order non-alcoholic drinks from your butler but the delivery will likely be a pitcher, not an individual drink. A butler can deliver an individual alcoholic drink but more than likely, there will be a charge even if you have the PBP or PPBP. 

 

6 hours ago, dexddd said:

They have been pushing up DOS prices.  If that cost is for 7 days they should be including a lot more.

 

ALL Haven prices have been going up for the last few years. A rising tide lifts all boats, I suppose. The days of $1200pp for the Haven are pretty much long gone. 

 

 

Edited November 19, 2020 by Two Wheels Only

[flyguyjake]

Many are excited to get back on the ships so I'm sure that's also pushing the prices higher. If you want a more luxury experience out of Los Angeles the Haven & the Bliss is your only choice.

[sverigecruiser]

1 hour ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

The reason that delivered drinks aren't included is that people would order drinks nonstop and the butlers wouldn't be able to keep up. Every butler has more than one stateroom to cover. 

 

The strange thing is that MSC deliver drinks to the cabin and their fares are also much lower, at least most of the times. (Yacht Club compared to Haven.)

[dexddd]

As it is, the NCL butlers have a pretty busy schedule, so my guess would be that it is so they don't get even more overloaded.  But the PP makes a good point but IMO there is much more behind the difference between MSC and NCL for YC vs Haven experience.

 

I truly think it starts at the top and the experience provided comes from that leadership.  On NCL you'll hear of widely varying experiences with concierges and butlers, even for the same person from different folks here on CC.

 

On MSC, you see the group work as a team.  You see the YC Director out and about, checking in with people, asking what else they can provide.  On NCL we've gone whole trips with not a peep from the Concierge - you'd think they'd (or an assistant) check in on you at least once to see how things are going, but nope.

 

On MSC, the butlers constantly offer to assist with things and take pride in their work.  You'll often have someone other than your butler assist with something.

 

MSC really isn't about in suite dining vs NCL so maybe that is partially why MSC does drinks while NCL butlers are more tied up with snacks and meals.  I can't say we've really had any MSC butlers offer to bring drinks to room though.  I know it is an option, but I guess since the bar is so close I just run down there.

[sverigecruiser]

1 hour ago, dexddd said:

 I can't say we've really had any MSC butlers offer to bring drinks to room though.  I know it is an option, but I guess since the bar is so close I just run down there.

 

We also try to order our drinks at the bar and take them to our suite but a butler always insist to bring them for us! I have also tried to order drinks at the One pool bar and take to my wife but the butlers insist to follow and carry the drinks! 

 

[Two Wheels Only]

Yacht Club is better at some things

Haven is better at some things. 

 

That's the thing about comparing Yacht Club to Haven. Each has some strengths and some weaknesses compared to the other. 

 

I still enjoy both. 

 

[ceilidh1]

On 11/19/2020 at 4:36 AM, Trimone said:

PPBP includes full bottles of wine and champagne, did it in February, although I think it was Veuve Clicquot ..

Curious - I though the "bottles" were only with dinner. If you can truly get a bottle at the bar and take it to your room, it would be worth the upgrade for me. Do you know if this is the case across the board, or did you just have a nice bartender?

[Trimone]

2 hours ago, ceilidh1 said:

Curious - I though the "bottles" were only with dinner. If you can truly get a bottle at the bar and take it to your room, it would be worth the upgrade for me. Do you know if this is the case across the board, or did you just have a nice bartender?

You can do it from any bar, read the conditions, you can have a bottle or two of verve whenever you want.

[ceilidh1]

5 minutes ago, Trimone said:

You can do it from any bar, read the conditions, you can have a bottle or two of verve whenever you want.

I did read the conditions - that's why I'm confused! The link to the NCL site: https://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/premium-plus-beverage-package-2020.pdf

 

says: *These wines are also available by the bottle with dinner (and Veuve doesn't even have an asterix....)

[All-ready2cruise]

6 hours ago, ceilidh1 said:

I did read the conditions - that's why I'm confused! The link to the NCL site: https://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/premium-plus-beverage-package-2020.pdf

 

says: *These wines are also available by the bottle with dinner (and Veuve doesn't even have an asterix....)

I seem to remember someone saying they ordered a bottle of Veuve Clicquot BRUT “Yellow Label”  Champagne, France evening of the cruise.  Apparently, the list of wines available by the bottle was changed after NCL found how popular some were.