NCL HAVEN EMBARKATION QUESTION

[lisaannelizabeth]

What is everyone’s experience with embarkation as a Haven guest?  We checked in at the terminal and were taken to the little room where we waited with a few other couples to be escorted to the boat (NCL ENCORE). Then a woman came and got us and we all followed her upstairs as she carried her little sign through the terminal.  When we got to the top, we had keycards swiped by security and then we had no idea what to do.  Our escort was gone and we didn't know if we were supposed to stay there, go ahead and board, or what.  Our escort never spoke a word to us and vanished like a ghost.  We were ghosted.  So we stood there for a minute and decided to go on board.  When we got on board we had no idea where to go.  We walked around and asked someone where the Haven was.  It was a little awkward since we just wandered in on our own,  but everyone was very kind when we got there and it’s been great so far.  We were just wondering if thats the typical experience...the other couple who was lost with us felt the same way!  It wasn’t the first impression we expected, but maybe we expected too much!

[Greenpea2]

12 minutes ago, lisaannelizabeth said:

What is everyone’s experience with embarkation as a Haven guest?  We checked in at the terminal and were taken to the little room where we waited with a few other couples to be escorted to the boat (NCL ENCORE). Then a woman came and got us and we all followed her upstairs as she carried her little sign through the terminal.  When we got to the top, we had keycards swiped by security and then we had no idea what to do.  Our escort was gone and we didn't know if we were supposed to stay there, go ahead and board, or what.  Our escort never spoke a word to us and vanished like a ghost.  We were ghosted.  So we stood there for a minute and decided to go on board.  When we got on board we had no idea where to go.  We walked around and asked someone where the Haven was.  It was a little awkward since we just wandered in on our own,  but everyone was very kind when we got there and it’s been great so far.  We were just wondering if thats the typical experience...the other couple who was lost with us felt the same way!  It wasn’t the first impression we expected, but maybe we expected too much!

Have never had this happen! How strange. Always had a Concierge take us onboard. 

[Two Wheels Only]

You usually get "handed off" to another staff member who escorts you to the Haven lounge. After the "hand off", the sign holder goes back for the next group.

[Suite Heart]

That IS weird! And totally like any Haven experience I've ever had. I've always been "escorted."

[dexddd]

The shoreside person with the sign should have handed you off to either an onboard butler or concierge or asst. concierge.  On the larger ships it is normally a butler, not necessarily yours though.

 

The getting to the lounge and security also varies by port.  Some have separate security lines for Haven, others don't.

Edited January 13, 2020 by dexddd

[david_sobe]

I've had the same experience.  Somehow we lost our escort immediately after boarding into the casino on Epic.  Luckily we had been on Epic before so we knew where to go.

[bozman2112]

We were in Haven on Epic out of Barcelona in October and for whatever reason, our experience was perfect. Maybe it was because the terminal was not super busy yet. Security was for everyone but then we were led right to private check in. Whisked to a private room where we were offered snacks. Stayed there for 30 seconds or so the led onto ship, and into Haven. Handed to our Butler who then proceeded to give us a tour of the Haven complex.

[CVA34]

1 hour ago, dexddd said:

The shoreside person with the sign should have handed you off to either an onboard butler or concierge or asst. concierge.  On the larger ships it is normally a butler, not necessarily yours though.

 

The getting to the lounge and security also varies by port.  Some have separate security lines for Haven, others don't.

Is there a separate security line for HAVEN guests in Miami?

[lisaannelizabeth]

No, I think it’s the same security checkpoint for everyone in Miami.  Honestly it seemed disorganized from the time we walked up outside the terminal...there was no one at the Haven kiosk and we had to wait 10 minutes outside in the heat while everyone else in regular rooms was going right into the terminal.  Then when we got into the little Haven room inside the terminal, the girls at the check in COULD NOT understand that we were not travelling with the other couple who had come in same time as us. We tried every way to tell them we were not together.  They kept looking at us blankly and asking if we had two rooms, did we have adjoining rooms, etc.  It was almost comical!  Finally the other couple said we don’t even know them!!!  Lol.  That makes sense why it was awkward when we walked into the Haven, they’re used to people being escorted in.  Oh well it didn’t ruin our trip, it was just not what we expected 😊

[dongordon]

It happened to us once.

All the other times, we were taken to the Haven restaurant or Cagney's.

[david_sobe]

2 hours ago, CVA34 said:

Is there a separate security line for HAVEN guests in Miami?

No. In Miami the security line outside is for everyone.  You don't get a separate Haven  line until past security.  Not sure if the new terminal will change things.  Been a few years since sailing the Haven from Miami but everytime there is only one line to enter the terminal. Glad someone else posted the same since I am not the most recent cruiser.  I think its neat how others post in other terminals across the country that the Haven has their own separate security line.  I suppose this has to do with the port and not NCL.

[BirdTravels]

7 hours ago, lisaannelizabeth said:

What is everyone’s experience with embarkation as a Haven guest?  We checked in at the terminal and were taken to the little room where we waited with a few other couples to be escorted to the boat (NCL ENCORE). Then a woman came and got us and we all followed her upstairs as she carried her little sign through the terminal.  When we got to the top, we had keycards swiped by security and then we had no idea what to do.  Our escort was gone and we didn't know if we were supposed to stay there, go ahead and board, or what.  Our escort never spoke a word to us and vanished like a ghost.  We were ghosted.  So we stood there for a minute and decided to go on board.  When we got on board we had no idea where to go.  We walked around and asked someone where the Haven was.  It was a little awkward since we just wandered in on our own,  but everyone was very kind when we got there and it’s been great so far.  We were just wondering if thats the typical experience...the other couple who was lost with us felt the same way!  It wasn’t the first impression we expected, but maybe we expected too much!

That’s horrible treatment. You should have immediately reported it to the concierge and directly to the General Manager (even if was via a comment card for the GM at guest services). Inexcusable. 

[lisaannelizabeth]

2 hours ago, david_sobe said:

No. In Miami the security line outside is for everyone.  You don't get a separate Haven  line until past security.  Not sure if the new terminal will change things.  Been a few years since sailing the Haven from Miami but everytime there is only one line to enter the terminal. Glad someone else posted the same since I am not the most recent cruiser.  I think its neat how others post in other terminals across the country that the Haven has their own separate security line.  I suppose this has to do with the port and not NCL.

There isn’t a separate security line at Miami....but before you even walk in the terminal you check in at a little kiosk (picture Lucy’s psychiatrist booth on Charlie Brown) outside the terminal, where u wait for a Haven person to walk u through security and into the Haven waiting area.  

[lisaannelizabeth]

2 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

That’s horrible treatment. You should have immediately reported it to the concierge and directly to the General Manager (even if was via a comment card for the GM at guest services). Inexcusable. 

Yes I don’t want to make a stink while on board bc I don’t want a label on my back (and also I didn’t know it wasn’t common until I posted this question), but will definitely address it via comment card/survey after the cruise.  When you make a big decision to double the money you’re spending on your 20th anniversary cruise, it was a little disappointing!  And again, the other couple we were lost with felt the same.  And she appeared to be in the middle of cancer treatment.

Edited January 14, 2020 by lisaannelizabeth
Forgot something

[Love my butler]

You spent a lot of extra money for very shoddy treatment.  It definitely would have been addressed by me immediately to the concierge and/or general manager.  Unless you notify them they are screwing up, they won't know and won't make corrections.

[lisaannelizabeth]

General manager of the ship?  Or of the Haven.  It really was the shoreside girl who messed up, I feel.  She didn’t communicate with us at all and left us.  

[BostonGal35]

It has been hit or miss with us.

 

first time, we were escorted but my mom's card didnt work.  we got delayed at security and no one stayed behind with us.  having never stayed in a suite before, i didnt know if there was some pre-meeting to go over perks, benefits, etc.  i did know to lunch at cagneys but that was only from my prior research.  it was somewhat confusing when we tried to figure out where to go, as we said we got separated from our escort group and at first no one seemed to know where to send us.  

 

second time, there was confusion as it was a small ship with Haven and suites.  the escort came and said "haven guests follow me".  we asked if suite guests were also supposed to go and he said Haven only.  after seeing Haven go on and then non-suite guests, etc. starting to board we all teamed together and walked up saying the escort left us and we showed our key cards and were put to the front of the line.

 

there was a third time we had an issue but i honestly cant remember what it was.

 

the last few times it has worked the way it was supposed to.  its also a mix of having your butler meet you at the wait in area vs. the concierge meeting you.   

 

 

[GA Dave]

This was our experience.  Escorted to the elevators and then straight to the Haven Lounge on the Getaway.

Edited January 14, 2020 by GA Dave

[abugarcia1]

If you're a guest of the Haven and your check-in is before the boarding time for your ship, do you spend that time in a Haven waiting area or are you escorted onto the ship early?

[dexddd]

6 hours ago, abugarcia1 said:

If you're a guest of the Haven and your check-in is before the boarding time for your ship, do you spend that time in a Haven waiting area or are you escorted onto the ship early?

A two year old thread but you will wait to board. Once ship is cleared and boarding starts, Haven will be one of the first groups to board.  They don't always go first come, first board for Haven.

[abugarcia1]

Thank you

[PaulBrowning]

It has apparently gone downhill recently.  We just sailed the Getaway.  No special area or greeting for embarking.  Just a priority line they put you into.  Our line was about 1hr of standing.  No escort onto the ship.  Luggage and butler shows up around 10PM on first day.   Was disappointing.

[Dcoy]

We were on the Oct 29th sailing on the Getaway from Port Canaveral. We had a great experience.  Directed to an escalator labeled Haven, went right through security and pointed the direction to go and check in. Checked right in and had snakes till they took us in groups onto the ship and the Haven lounge around 10:45. 45 minutes from parking garage to having first drink on the ship. 
 

luggage showed up around 3 but we were in an aft Haven cabin so I could see why luggage was a little slow. Met Butler around 4. He had just joined the ship so it took him sometime to make his rounds. 
 

I would repeat this experience in a heartbeat. 

[dexddd]

9 hours ago, PaulBrowning said:

It has apparently gone downhill recently.  We just sailed the Getaway.  No special area or greeting for embarking.  Just a priority line they put you into.  Our line was about 1hr of standing.  No escort onto the ship.  Luggage and butler shows up around 10PM on first day.   Was disappointing.

Welcome to CC.  Maybe add those comments to the ...Haven luxury experience..  thread.

 

Was this at PC and what terminal?  Overall, the experience can vary.  Some have both a separate security line and check in.  Some only have the separate check in.  Our last trip out of South Hampton no separate security line and to get to Haven check in we had to go through the regular check in, then a light check in then Haven.

[vacation44]

How about the Haven check-in experience in San Juan?   Is there a separate line and lounge area?