Breakaway Haven

[ranchette]

Tell me about the haven is it worth the money and what are the features?

[armwinder]

Just go do it. Or look it up on u tube, lots of info there. 

[Travelicious]

It is very nice, but is it worth full price?  I won an upgrade bid, which was far, far less than what is charged if you book initially.  It was probably a once in a lifetime experience, as I would never pay the amount NCL charges for an initial booking.  It would not be worth it to me.  But if you have more money than you know what to do with, it could very well be worth it to you.

[ColeThornton]

17 minutes ago, ranchette said:

Tell me about the haven is it worth the money and what are the features?

 

 

Depends.  What do YOU consider "worth the money"?

[vpearlkc]

We were in the Breakaway Haven on our last cruise a year and a half ago. We booked an aft penthouse suite on another ship for about $1900 early and they replaced our suite with a 1 BR aft Haven suite when they changed ships for our itinerary. I was curious about what kind of deal we got and found that the Haven Suite we were staying in was going for about $3400. We loved the Haven Suite, Restaurant etc, but never would have paid $3400 for it. For us the Suites without the Haven are about our limit. The Butler we had on an earlier cruise on the Dawn in a regular suite was actually better than the one we had in the Haven Suite on the Breakaway and the breakfast and lunch were just as good. The only difference was no dinner service.  

[Laszlo]

33 minutes ago, ranchette said:

Tell me about the haven is it worth the money and what are the features?

Similar to the Escape...  You can probably find a tour on the BA Haven

 

[BostonGal35]

we love the Haven, but only sail Haven when its priced right (less than $3k pp) or if we win a bid.

 

on smaller ships, you get the all the same stuff in a non-haven suite for much less money - just no courtyard access.

 

[valleyvillage]

For me it is worth every penny if it is the full Haven. If on the small ship non-haven suite it just fine. For us the main thing is the breakfast and lunch. 

[The Traveling Man]

We have sailed in the Haven twice, once on the Breakaway on a two-week Caribbean cruise from NYC that had a bunch of sea days and once on the Getaway Transatlantic.  Each time we were in a Haven Spa Suite and each time we were able to get a reduced last-minute price or win an upgrade bid.  If you're going to be spending a lot of time on board, as on a Transatlantic, it's worth every penny.  The meals in the Haven private dining room are fantastic and the service is impeccable.  The last time we were in the Haven, we saved our Latitudes specialty dining coupons and simply enjoyed dinner in the Haven Restaurant.  We used the coupons on our next cruise, doubling up on specialty dining opportunities. 

 

There is a serenity in the Haven lounge that can't be found on the pool deck, the Waterfront, or any of the other lounges on board.  If you book one of the Spa staterooms, you get full access to the thermal spa, a great way to while away the hours on board.  The officers usually host a cocktail party in the Haven Lounge once or twice per cruise.  This is in addition to the Latitudes party, the CC M&G, Platinum Plus dinner with an officer, or any other opportunity to meet the senior officers.

 

The Haven is more expensive, to be sure, but on the right cruise with the right number of sea days, it's the only way to go!

[Yinster]

Everyone has different level of pricing. If it's thousands of dollars more from the next highest level of cabin - usually club - then for us it's too expensive but I generally find a price a few hundred dollars more acceptable. Why? Cos for me then you get all the perks included plus the private areas too which is worth it for us. 

 

 

[Blueberry89]

56 minutes ago, The Traveling Man said:

The last time we were in the Haven, we saved our Latitudes specialty dining coupons and simply enjoyed dinner in the Haven Restaurant.  We used the coupons on our next cruise, doubling up on specialty dining opportunities. 

 

You can do that?? I just assumed they tracked it. We did get double the coupons once but never used them. 

[The Traveling Man]

2 hours ago, Blueberry89 said:

 

You can do that?? I just assumed they tracked it. We did get double the coupons once but never used them. 

Somewhere the rules say that the certificates are not transferable and that you "use it or lose it", but we kept ours from the Getaway when we ate most of our meals in the Haven restaurant.  We used them on our next cruise.  We simply made a bunch of specialty restaurant reservations, used up all of our Free at Sea options first, then started handing the hostesses one Latitudes certificate after another.  They never checked to see how many specialty restaurant meals we already had on that cruise.  They just accepted the certificates.  Please note, however, that on some ships the certificates are not generic, but include the ship name and sailing date.  Obviously those would be easy to spot if you tried to use them on a different cruise, but most of the time there are no identifying codes or marks on them.  If one hostess rejects them, just save them for your next cruise.  Who knows, you might get lucky.  We did.

[Georgia_Peaches]

Been in Haven on Breakaway twice.  For us it's the only way to go.  We loved everything about our experience.  Lots of videos on youtube are available to give you ideas of the complex amenities and also the stateroom categories.  My favorite thing about the courtyard on the Breakaway is that they do not open the retractable roof.  This means that it remains cool in the courtyard.  Unlike Escape, where they retracted the roof during the day making it very hot with no breeze.  If you want heat and sun, you can go to the private Haven sun deck.  With changes being made to cruising due to Covid, the Haven may be the best place on the ship!

[NW Pacific]

IMO if you want to stay in the Haven,(which is like being in a separate exclusive place on a huge ship) stay in the a room that is  actually in  Haven Area, you are only steps away from the special amenities of the Haven Experience.  Dining Room, Bar Lounge, Sundecks, Pool (small but there), the ambience of the area and very intimate experience compared to the rest of the Ship.  First time in Haven we stayed in a "Haven Suite" but a good walk away from the entrance to the Haven area.  Since then we stayed in the Haven Proper" and WOW, so nice to be steps away to the special treatment.  Right now thinking about those memories, worth every Penney, would love to be able to even think it will ever happen again.     I am referring to the big Ships (Breakaway, Getaway, Bliss, Joy).  the smaller Ships, (Jewell, Pearl, etc.) have what is called Haven, but it is nothing like the bigger Ships at all, secluded, but no private dining room, bar or service.   the observation areas on the Bliss and Joy are fabulous, huge,  so few people extended this area so like your own front room for viewing whats ahead of you.

[BirdTravels]

We try and sail in the Haven (or a suite) at least once per year. And we enjoy it very much. The last time we were in the Breakaway Haven was in 2017 where we had a Spa Haven room. 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2414203-breakaway-to-bermuda/

 

[dexddd]

To us, BA was a dud.  Escape was much better.

 

Prices have gone waaaay up too.

[Georgia_Peaches]

46 minutes ago, dexddd said:

To us, BA was a dud.  Escape was much better.

Are you talking about your Haven experience or the ship in general?  If ship, then I would agree that Escape had a bit more to offer in terms of venues and theater entertainment.  And the Haven is larger on Escape with the three stories.  I would certainly do Escape again but I really didn't enjoy the courtyard nearly as much as Breakaway.

[NayRN]

After finding suites on my third cruise....I always sail in a Haven suite or a regular suite if the ship doesn’t have a Haven. My favorite Haven suite is the Aft PH...and I don’t mind the walk. While I do spend a good amount of time in the Haven proper, I find I enjoy the solitude of the huge aft balcony more. I still get everything that those who sail in a suite connected to the courtyard, but I also get a better view, a larger balcony and a start on burning those Haven Restaurant calories by walking a little further for the Haven dining room! 

[graphicguy]

The "Away" ships are some of my favorites in the NCL suite.  

 

Worth it?  Taking price out of the equation for now, it's really a luxury experience.  The Concierge(s) and Butler do everything you want from scheduling dinners and entertainment, to scheduling excursions, to taking care of any billing snafus, to even fixing internet issues.  You just tell them what you want to do, and they take care of the rest.  They even escort you past all the lines whenever you embark or disembark.

 

In addition, the Haven Bar is a great hangout place.  I met friends I still stay in touch with there.  And, whether before dinner, taking a break from all the activities, or just a night cap, I would always find someone there I enjoyed chatting with.  Plus, the level of service from the bartenders at the Haven bar rival those of any high end hotel/restaurant bar on land. 

 

The Haven restaurant is quite good, too.  Again, service is exemplary and it's a nice respite to dine outside of the usual spots.  Again, they get to know you and how you like your service.  Food is quite good, too.  The downside, the menu doesn't change.  That's OK by me as the specialty dining packages that usually accompany the Haven rates allow for more variety.  And, there's always the traditional spots like Savor or O'Sheehans to eat if you desire.

 

I wouldn't consider the Haven pool a traditional pool (you can't really swim in it), but it's uncrowded and there's always a chair available on one of the two decks reserved only for Haven passengers.

 

Bedding is better in a Haven cabin.  It's not the "stiff as a board" bedding I've sometimes found in other cabin types.  The Butler keeps you plied with "snacks" throughout the day, every day.  S/He keeps your coffee in stock (very good Nespresso machines).

 

But, add price into the equation?  I think you have to keep an eye on fares.  Personally, I wouldn't pay more than $5K/Haven cabin (or, $2,500/pp) on the Away ships.  I've had fares as low as $4,200/Haven Cabin.  Usually, they come with some sort of significant OBC, too.  I see some pay double that amount.  To me, for that kind of money, I have a whole other world of possibilities for a vacation that I would enjoy.

 

After looking at other cruise lines (CCL, MSC, Royal, Celebrity), more often than not, I find I can book a Haven cabin for about the same price as I can a Jr Suite on those other lines.  That makes it a no-brainer.  I've also stayed in the MSC Yacht Club, also quite nice.  But, given a choice, I'd still take NCL's Haven.

 

I haven't bid on a Haven cabin, yet.  But, I would give it a shot, maybe my next cruise.

 

 

 

 

[GA Dave]

Worth it.

 

Edited June 11, 2020 by GA Dave

[dexddd]

On 6/11/2020 at 6:40 AM, Georgia_Peaches said:

Are you talking about your Haven experience or the ship in general?  If ship, then I would agree that Escape had a bit more to offer in terms of venues and theater entertainment.  And the Haven is larger on Escape with the three stories.  I would certainly do Escape again but I really didn't enjoy the courtyard nearly as much as Breakaway.

Both.

[Sailorgrl7392]

On 6/10/2020 at 7:20 PM, The Traveling Man said:

Somewhere the rules say that the certificates are not transferable and that you "use it or lose it", but we kept ours from the Getaway when we ate most of our meals in the Haven restaurant.  We used them on our next cruise.  We simply made a bunch of specialty restaurant reservations, used up all of our Free at Sea options first, then started handing the hostesses one Latitudes certificate after another.  They never checked to see how many specialty restaurant meals we already had on that cruise.  They just accepted the certificates.  Please note, however, that on some ships the certificates are not generic, but include the ship name and sailing date.  Obviously those would be easy to spot if you tried to use them on a different cruise, but most of the time there are no identifying codes or marks on them.  If one hostess rejects them, just save them for your next cruise.  Who knows, you might get lucky.  We did.

 

I wasn't able to go on a cruise once but the other person in my room was. he saved the coupons for the platinum dinners. so i accumulated 4 of them for the next cruise. sure enough we used all 4 on one cruise, no one ever said anything. 

[BEACHBARB]

Our first Haven experience was before the bidding process.  Just called before cruise and asked how much an upgrade would be.  Myself and 2 sisters were in a balcony and the upgrade to a forward facing Haven was a total of $2,000.  We were hooked.  We certainly don't have money to burn but we can't go back.  The last 2 cruises we had aft Haven's but next year (if it happens) we are in a 2 bedroom in the Haven area (with my 2 brother-in-laws).  Should be cozy but will LOVE being right there.  Just open your door and head to the Horizon Lounge or pool or wherever.  WE LOVE IT!!!!

 

[Peachypooh]

We always sail in the Haven but we prefer the much smaller one on the Jewell class ships.

There are less people, it seems much quieter and the private dining in Cagney and Moderno

was just fine. We ate at the specialty restaurants at night and didn't miss the Haven restaurant.

To us it is worth the money on that class ship.

When we  sailed on the Encore and utilized the Haven restaurant we thought the food was good but

it lacked variety. To us it wasn't worth the extra money.

That said my brother sailed on the Breakaway in the Haven and said it is the only way

he would sail that ship.

[Carolina Girl 99]

Our family of 3 adults is currently booked in an angled balcony cabin and the upgrade advantage email just came out today for our 14 day Oct 16th cruise. Now I'm trying to decide which cabin to bid on. We stayed in the 2 BR suite on Getaway a few years ago with 4 us and I have had a tour of the Courtyard penthouse so I know how both of those are set up. I love aft cabins, but want to be in the Haven proper.

 

That leaves me 3 choices: the 2 BR suite (minimum bid more than I want commit to), the Courtyard PH or the Forward Facing PH. I've only seen the FF in pics, so that's my unknown. Which would you bid on and why?