THE SECRETS OF THE NCL HAVEN LUXURY EXPERIENCE

[Two Wheels Only]

29 minutes ago, ahersh said:

D, 3 Jacuzzis in the Haven 2 on pool level, and 1 on sun deck

 

Joy Haven has 2 hot-tubs on the Haven sundeck and 1 in the Haven courtyard.

Escape Haven has 2 hot-tubs in the Haven courtyard and 1 on the Haven sundeck. 

[luckyinpa]

are the captains receptions held on all haven ships? i have an 8 day bliss coming up and assume it would be the 2nd night? dont wanna plan dinner/shows if so

Edited December 3, 2019 by luckyinpa

[dexddd]

8 minutes ago, luckyinpa said:

are the captains receptions held on all haven ships? i have an 8 day bliss coming up and assume it would be the 2nd night? dont wanna plan dinner/shows if so

No,

 

On gem it wasn't in Haven.

[Momma Rene]

On 12/2/2019 at 2:46 PM, ahersh said:

Going to be on NCL Joy Dec 22nd in the Haven,  We have been on Haven before, (Breakaway, Getaway).  

 

Normally my wife and I get Spa access for the week, Plunge pools, jacuzzi, sauna, Steam room, etc....  Was debating if we should skip it in Haven this time, looking for opinions, and details on hidden Haven amenities....

 

A, SPA At the other end of the ship, just annoying vs cut through on 17 on some ships

B, Spa is smaller, and X-mass week will be a mess in the smaller SPA

C, Haven has a sauna (I think on Joy as other ships) by pool and private spa rooms

D, 3 Jacuzzis in the Haven 2 on pool level, and 1 on sun deck

 

Looking for opinions/feedback, any missing things/benefits?

We are in the Getaway Haven.  Is the spa worth it if you are in the Haven?  We have enjoyed the Princess front of the ship special area.  Fantastic lounges, wonderful service, towels, etc.  Brought us coffee, tea, sandwiches.  Really lovely.

[Greenpea2]

43 minutes ago, Momma Rene said:

We are in the Getaway Haven.  Is the spa worth it if you are in the Haven?  We have enjoyed the Princess front of the ship special area.  Fantastic lounges, wonderful service, towels, etc.  Brought us coffee, tea, sandwiches.  Really lovely.

Does anyone know what time that party is? I made dinner ressies and never even thought of that...

 

Edited December 3, 2019 by Greenpea2

[wilmingtech]

On 12/2/2019 at 1:46 PM, ahersh said:

Going to be on NCL Joy Dec 22nd in the Haven,  We have been on Haven before, (Breakaway, Getaway).  

 

Normally my wife and I get Spa access for the week, Plunge pools, jacuzzi, sauna, Steam room, etc....  Was debating if we should skip it in Haven this time, looking for opinions, and details on hidden Haven amenities....

 

A, SPA At the other end of the ship, just annoying vs cut through on 17 on some ships

B, Spa is smaller, and X-mass week will be a mess in the smaller SPA

C, Haven has a sauna (I think on Joy as other ships) by pool and private spa rooms

D, 3 Jacuzzis in the Haven 2 on pool level, and 1 on sun deck

 

Looking for opinions/feedback, any missing things/benefits?

We will be Haven Shipmates on the Joy.  We are on the same Dec 22-29th cruise.

 

Sadly, there is no Thermal Spa on the Joy.  There is a pay for services spa that has a sauna but it is his/hers so if you go to the spa with your significant other, not sure you can both go to the Sauna together and you have to pay for a spa service to use it.

 

The pay Spa will probably be busier than usual on Christmas week but typically there is always room to book spa services on a ship.

 

The Haven on the Joy (Sadly Again) does not have a Sauna (Someone please tell me I am wrong!!!) 

 

There is one hot tub in the Haven pool area and 2 hot tubs up on the Sun Deck in the Haven area.  One is on the all access side and the other is in the adults only side.  

 

-Sean

 

 

[ahersh]

48 minutes ago, Momma Rene said:

We are in the Getaway Haven.  Is the spa worth it if you are in the Haven?  We have enjoyed the Princess front of the ship special area.  Fantastic lounges, wonderful service, towels, etc.  Brought us coffee, tea, sandwiches.  Really lovely.

 

My wife and I both enjoy for the week getting access to the Spa, for Sauna, Salarium, stream room, plug pools, and heated chairs.  She does spa services (1 or 2 massages, so more than likely she should just pay as you go for a day pass would be smarter,)  I do not, so for a flat fee I can come and go all week, which I like to do, and find it "worth it"  although, I've debated, if I just use the sauna and hot-tub in the haven only area, maybe that would "be enough"  I find at least ini the spa there are Zero kids and it's even more relaxing than the haven alone areas, so worth it.

[Two Wheels Only]

29 minutes ago, wilmingtech said:

One is on the all access side and the other is in the adults only side.  

 

Did they split the Haven sundeck for all ages and adults-only?

If yes, I hope that the other ships do the same.

[wilmingtech]

14 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

Did they split the Haven sundeck for all ages and adults-only?

If yes, I hope that the other ships do the same.

 

Supposedly so.  Probably not enforced.  See here @ 2:40

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUnwNYXzW9g

 

[GettotheSun]

1 hour ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

Did they split the Haven sundeck for all ages and adults-only?

If yes, I hope that the other ships do the same.

 

I thought the distinction was the upper Haven deck, overlooking the Haven pool, was all ages, while the fully outside sundeck was 16+, no?

 

[Two Wheels Only]

30 minutes ago, GettotheSun said:

 

I thought the distinction was the upper Haven deck, overlooking the Haven pool, was all ages, while the fully outside sundeck was 16+, no?

 

 

That's what it is.

 

I thought that the previous poster stated that one side of the outer sundeck was all ages and the other side of the outer sundeck was adult-only.

 

So, it's still all ages in the courtyard and adult-only outside of the dome.

 

 

[Sthrngary]

Hello everyone, I am the original poster on this thread.  Thank everyone for your comments and thoughts.  My wife and I just got back from a wonderful week on the NCL Getaway for Thanksgiving.  So I would like to update my post with a few things.

1. Spa On The Getaway:  To the poster asking about the Thermal Spa.  May I suggest, if available, you consider a Haven Spa Suite.  It is not a huge suite however it is plenty for two folks like my wife and myself.  The positives were Haven access, and full access to the Thermal Spa.  That is what we just did last week and it was lovely.  Is the Thermal Spa with the week fee. Probably not, we only used it a few times.  Just my two cents.
2. Haven On Smaller NCL Ships:  After cruising on the Getaway, our next cruise was to be the NCL Pearl in June 2020 in a Haven Two-Bedroom Suite.  We canceled it and rebooked on the NCL Encore in the same Haven Two-Bedroom Suite.  WHY?  The Haven best value are on the ships that also have the Haven Restaurant and Bar. I have gone on 20 plus cruises and this food, service and drink experience was literally the best. 
3. Haven and Children:  I took a lot of heat on one line in my way to long post.  Children in the pool and hot tub in the Haven. Let me lay this out base on 7-days of recent reality.  First, the Haven pool/hot tub area is all ages on the NCL Getaway.  The upstairs sundeck, with is really lovely is 16 and up.  Second, on this trip, the hot tub and pool had lots of children and they were not well mannered at all.  Their parent let them be rude, scream, play with the lounge chairs that are in the pool like slides, splash water on the adults in the Hot Tub.  These kids were in the hot tub and pool area all day long.  That was my reality.  So what I did was went to the Thermal Spa and went upstairs where it was super quite and quite lovely.  In the front of the Haven Sundeck I was pleasantly surprised that it allowed smoking and my cigar enjoyment went up.  See, you make the best out of every situation.
4. Haven Captain Meet and Greet: To the poster asking if all Haven's have a Captain's reception. No clue.  The Getaway did.  It was very nice. The Officers are very professional. 
5. Embark / Dis-Embark:  I got to the port of New Orleans at 10:45 AM.  I was at the port Haven Lounge in less then 15 minutes.  Once the ship was cleared, we were first on with an escort.  On the ship and in the ship Haven Lounge by 11:20 AM. Dis-Embark was even easier and quicker.  We went to breakfast at about 08:00 AM.  Finish and when to the Haven desk at 08:45 AM.  Of the ship to our luggage in less then 5 minutes in  cab to hour hotel by 09:00 AM.  
6. Shows and Entertainment: There was a Haven Section in the main theater left side mid-way down.  Every show My wife sat on the end, in perfect seats.  Lovely Perk. 
7. Premium "Plus" Beverage Package & the Haven:  As most of us, my wife and I got the perk of the Premium Beverage Package.  I upgraded that package to the Premium "Plus" Beverage package.  WHY? Lots of reasons but here are just a few. a) Full Bottles of REALLY GREAT wine at meals not just a pour in one glass at a time.  You could take the bottle back to your room if not finished.  Actually, they would deliver it. b) No limit per cost of drink except two really high dollar items.  I was drinking 1800 Silver all week long.  c) Haven Bar specialty drinks or custom drinks.  No extra cost. d) Bottled water with and without gas at no extra charge. e) specialty coffee's at no extra charge. I am NOT sure about the Starbucks, we never needed it. You make your own decision.  
8. Haven Butler:  If you read my posts, I research everything prior to cruising.  The Butler is one.  I had a two page typed list of our requests which I gave the Butler on day one first thing. Nothing major just things I knew we liked, needed or considered important.  We were eating Keto most of the time so we asked for nuts, cheese and cold cuts instead of the normal late afternoon snacks provided, DONE. We ask for a bottle of wine instead of the Champagne. he left the Champagne and brought wine three of the four nights.  Now understand, we had the premium "Plus" package so it was no cost to NCL, it was just nice for my wife. We asked for the mini-refrigerator to be emptied of all cost items and a small container of have cream for our morning coffee, DONE.  One night, we asked for room service of the Haven Chocolate Cake, DONE.  Everyone asks me what did I tip him after the week.  $100.00.  Worth every penny. 
9. Help With Specialty Restaurant Adjustments: I asked to sit outside if possible noting once would be fine.  I wanted every to have the experience.  Each specialty restaurant offered it to us. From day one, our profile showed no bread at dinner, each waiter know that fact.  I asked to change a date and a time for the French Restaurant.  It was fully booked yet they handled it in 30 minutes. 
10. Getting Off Quick for Excursions:  Escorted on the Freight elevator and off the ship in 3 minutes or less. Just a note, my favorite Excursion was the All Inclusive Bungalow. However like everything else, you have to sometimes be willing to make your own fun.  I am an extrovert. Everyone in these Bungalow was staying kind of by themselves. I got a couple of those noodles to float with and went in the water.  Soon, folks kind of showed up all in a 15 minute time frame. THEN, I got the bar tender to get us all shots.  The rest was history.  The bus ride back was incredible.  
11. NCL Encore: I mentioned above I cancelled our cruise for June 2020 on the Pearl to rebook on the new NCL Encore.  The Encore only goes to Bermuda and stays a couple of days.  One port that is all.  What sold me on making this move was I was taking my family of five.  I showed my 28 year old daughter the new YouTube ship tour and that is all she wrote. That and the Kinky Boots Broadway show.  For me it was a three floor Haven.  SOLD.  The price with Airfare was almost exactly the same.  Easy call and so happy to share this Haven Experience with my adult kids. 
12. The Elephant in the Room: "Is the Haven Worth The Premium?" On the NCL Getaway is absolutely was in every single way.  On the smaller ship like the Pearl, not as much.  

My goal is to give accurate information yet understand not everyone thinks like I do.  It is clear, it is very expensive to pay this serious premium to a cruise.  I am 62, can afford it and make this choice to spend the extra money.  I was extremely ill last year and realized, I might as well have a good time with the years, months and days I have left. Hope I was again helpful to all reading this post. Enjoy and see you on the NCL Encore in May.

[Sthrngary]

10 hours ago, luckyinpa said:

are the captains receptions held on all haven ships? i have an 8 day bliss coming up and assume it would be the 2nd night? dont wanna plan dinner/shows if so

On the Getaway it was in the Haven. Very nice.

[sydmike]

On 10/13/2019 at 5:57 PM, themutis said:

First time Haven-er Question:

 

We received some specialty dining with our reservation.   Does anyone actually order a specialty dinner to be served in the Haven?  And if so, who do you contact and how would you organize that?

 

Thanks

We did on our Alaska JOY cruise. Our last night we were in Victoria until 10:00pm, just requested our Butler bring dinner from Cagneys when we returned to the ship. On this cruise the Haven dining room  was closed and we were given access to all speciality dining venues instead which turned out to be a great way to try a different one each night.

[Sthrngary]

On 10/13/2019 at 4:57 PM, themutis said:

First time Haven-er Question:

 

We received some specialty dining with our reservation.   Does anyone actually order a specialty dinner to be served in the Haven?  And if so, who do you contact and how would you organize that?

 

Thanks

I just got back for seven days on the NCL Getaway cruise.  I am the OP-ED on this topic.  You really don't want to order from a specialty Restaurants while eating in the Haven.  Instead, order it as room service or just go to the Specialty Restaurant and enjoy dinning outside. All that being said, the best menu and food on the ship is the Haven.  Also, Cagney's was a great disappointment. French Restaurant was the best. 

[luckyinpa]

main question is time of captains reception. cannot plan dinner or show if its at 7 but can if it's at 5. 

[Niffernay]

12 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

Haven and Children:    Their parent let them be rude, scream, play with the lounge chairs that are in the pool like slides, splash water on the adults in the Hot Tub.  You hit the nail on the head: kids wouldn't be as much of a problem if the parents were more attentive and cared about how their children's behavior affected others.  

 

The Elephant in the Room: "Is the Haven Worth The Premium?"  Huge YES!!!

 

Thanks for your recap.  How did the candy canes go over?? 

Edited December 4, 2019 by Niffernay
Added text

[graphicguy]

Thanks for this.  To add....

 

I was in the Haven Spa Suite on the Breakaway Sept/Oct this year.

 

-School was in, so practically no children...ever.  There was on family with two infants (thinking 2 year old and 3 year old).  They really wasted their money in the Haven.  They were never able to complete a meal without tending to their children.  They couldn’t sit at the Haven bar with their children (at least not together).  Haven with children is a tough call.  You’d be paying for premium experiences that you either could not use, or could not fully enjoy!  

 

I know...everyone’s own children are angels.  So, I’ll make no comment about those who want to bring their children on a Haven cruise.  To me, it’s really a tough decision given the Haven premium and how it’s really not geared for children.

 

-Breakaway Haven had the Capt’s reception, too.  Quite nice.  Enjoyed it!

-Haven Spa Suite w/included access to the Thermal Spa Suite.  Well worth it.  Cabin was wonderful and spent a lot of time overlooking the water while on the heated Spa loungers.

 

Maybe this will help some folks.

 

Thanks for the other info.

[Sthrngary]

2 hours ago, luckyinpa said:

main question is time of captains reception. cannot plan dinner or show if its at 7 but can if it's at 5. 

The time for us was 06:30 PM.  Very Casual.  It was in the Haven.  I had Cagney's for 6:30 PM reservations.  I had the Haven Desk rescheduled for 07:00 PM. I hope I answered your question.  Enjoy

[Sthrngary]

1 hour ago, Niffernay said:

 

Thanks for your recap.  How did the candy canes go over?? 

I am embarrassed to tell you, we forgot them.  I knew I would for get something.  We are going on the Encore in May.  I will figure something out for that.  I did tip a lot though.  My bad for forgetting.

[Sthrngary]

40 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Thanks for this.  To add....

 

I was in the Haven Spa Suite on the Breakaway Sept/Oct this year.

 

-School was in, so practically no children...ever.  There was on family with two infants (thinking 2 year old and 3 year old).  They really wasted their money in the Haven.  They were never able to complete a meal without tending to their children.  They couldn’t sit at the Haven bar with their children (at least not together).  Haven with children is a tough call.  You’d be paying for premium experiences that you either could not use, or could not fully enjoy!  

 

I know...everyone’s own children are angels.  So, I’ll make no comment about those who want to bring their children on a Haven cruise.  To me, it’s really a tough decision given the Haven premium and how it’s really not geared for children.

 

-Breakaway Haven had the Capt’s reception, too.  Quite nice.  Enjoyed it!

-Haven Spa Suite w/included access to the Thermal Spa Suite.  Well worth it.  Cabin was wonderful and spent a lot of time overlooking the water while on the heated Spa loungers.

 

Maybe this will help some folks.

 

Thanks for the other info.

GREAT comment.  To be completely honest.  I am taking my three children in the NCL Encore Haven in May 2020.  They are 34, 29 and 25 respectively.  I am afraid they will inturupt my vacation and asked my wife to leave them at home.  I will lose, LOL. With all seriousness.  The real issue here is choice and NCL perk policy.  I would NEVER been able to afford to take my children regardless of age.  Let me add that if I put the kids in another cabin out of Haven, they could not eat in the Haven or even join us.  To me, that would be unacceptable. I want to see my kids enjoyment of being treated like a "Rock Star".  Big difference from 2-3 year olds or 8-10 year olds which we both found. 

I also enjoyed our Spa room.  Very nice.  I also noticed if you want an Haven Spa room, you get book early.  Thanks again for your very well written comment. 

[justhappy]

21 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

I am embarrassed to tell you, we forgot them.  I knew I would for get something.  We are going on the Encore in May.  I will figure something out for that.  I did tip a lot though.  My bad for forgetting.

I’m taking some candy canes with me when we board the Getaway this Sunday!
So thanks for the idea.

Question: was there a separate security line for Haven passengers in the New Orleans terminal? 
And finally, thank you for your review.

[Niffernay]

37 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

I am embarrassed to tell you, we forgot them.  I knew I would for get something.  We are going on the Encore in May.  I will figure something out for that.  I did tip a lot though.  My bad for forgetting.

Bummer!  I think I'm going to take the individually wrapped Life Savers or something like that this time.  I don't want them to think they're getting left-over candy canes. 🤣

[Sthrngary]

11 minutes ago, justhappy said:

I’m taking some candy canes with me when we board the Getaway this Sunday!
So thanks for the idea.

Question: was there a separate security line for Haven passengers in the New Orleans terminal? 
And finally, thank you for your review.

You are more then welcome.  Security Line: No, that is why I got to the port at 10:45 AM.  To add to that, nobody seemed to know where the Haven Entrance was after security.  So here is how you handle it.  Go in to security. Go around the security wall, look to your far right side wall.  Go there and go in.  Should be no line.  

I wish they had better signs but they don't. Say hello to Patrick the bar tender from Gary and Tami. Be well and enjoy.

[justhappy]

20 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

You are more then welcome.  Security Line: No, that is why I got to the port at 10:45 AM.  To add to that, nobody seemed to know where the Haven Entrance was after security.  So here is how you handle it.  Go in to security. Go around the security wall, look to your far right side wall.  Go there and go in.  Should be no line.  

I wish they had better signs but they don't. Say hello to Patrick the bar tender from Gary and Tami. Be well and enjoy.

Thanks, and you will love the Haven on the Encore, I was able to tour it during a preview cruise last month. It is beautiful and Adrian Bica is an awesome concierge.