Sell me on the Haven

[Two Wheels Only]

2 hours ago, JamieLogical said:

@Two Wheels Only While I have you here, do you have the link to that great thread about the sizes of the aft balconies on the Breakaway Plus ships? I used to have it bookmarked, but I seem to have lost it.

 

 

The alphanumeric codes have changed with NCL charging more for the larger balconies but the info is still the same.

Edited May 6, 2021 by Two Wheels Only

[JamieLogical]

4 hours ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

 

The alphanumeric codes have changed with NCL charging more for the larger balconies but the info is still the same.

 

Is there a similar thread for forward-facing penthouses? Do they differ in size or configuration depending on deck?

[armwinder]

I think it is one of those questions that requires the answer "if you have to ask it may not be for you". Kind of like how many MPG does your 42' motorhome get?  Not important if you enjoy the ride. 

[Dr. Cocktail]

9 hours ago, JamieLogical said:

 

Is there a similar thread for forward-facing penthouses? Do they differ in size or configuration depending on deck?

I have sailed in them and they are fantastic rooms!  There are minor size differences but I've never seen an actual thread that shows the specific square footage of each deck. The layout is pretty much the same.

 

You may wish to avoid connecting ones that are on each odd numbered deck. You may also wish to avoid the ones located directly under the bridge that have a hull-cutout balcony. I am guessing that it would leave the room pretty dark. 

[Dr. Cocktail]

Just now, Dr. Cocktail said:

I have sailed in them and they are fantastic rooms!  There are minor size differences but I've never seen an actual thread that shows the specific square footage of each deck. The layout is pretty much the same.

 

You may wish to avoid connecting ones that are on each odd numbered deck. You may also wish to avoid the ones located directly under the bridge that have a hull-cutout balcony. I am guessing that it would leave the room pretty dark. 

There are numerous videos out there - just search for a ship's name and Forward Facing Penthouse.

[Sthrngary]

17 hours ago, latebloomer56 said:

Oh no we are on the Getaway from NY/Bahamas March 2022? Does that mean we can't use the Haven the first day or two? No roof could be mighty cold to swim that time of year.

I was on the Getaway in the Haven.  The good news is the Haven Courtyard has two hot tubs.  I can't remember if the Haven Pool was heated but I don't think so.  The Hot Tubs will cover your for the first day or so I would think.  You will love the Entertainment on this ship.  Try the water slide and that is coming from a 63 year old.  Good stuff.

[Two Wheels Only]

2 hours ago, Dr. Cocktail said:

I have sailed in them and they are fantastic rooms!  There are minor size differences but I've never seen an actual thread that shows the specific square footage of each deck. The layout is pretty much the same.

 

You may wish to avoid connecting ones that are on each odd numbered deck. You may also wish to avoid the ones located directly under the bridge that have a hull-cutout balcony. I am guessing that it would leave the room pretty dark. 

 

In addition, I would avoid the lower decks since the view forward (from the bedroom) isn't very good and the walk to the elevator is longer.  I'd also avoid the 1 wheelchair accessible stateroom on deck 13 because it is 1 large room and a large bathroom (not a separate living room/bedroom like the others). 

 

Of course, that suite should be booked by someone who needs it but it can also be won via bid if it is available. Winning an upgrade for that category can be risky if the accessible stateroom is the only one available just as if deck 13 is the only available aft-facing suite. Yes, you would get the Haven but you could get the worst stateroom in the category.

[latebloomer56]

3 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

I was on the Getaway in the Haven.  The good news is the Haven Courtyard has two hot tubs.  I can't remember if the Haven Pool was heated but I don't think so.  The Hot Tubs will cover your for the first day or so I would think.  You will love the Entertainment on this ship.  Try the water slide and that is coming from a 63 year old.  Good stuff.

Thanks our grandson and I have a bet who will go on the slide that looks like a free fall and the ropes. I'm a young 65 and plan to beat him and our 2 sons out being first :).

The Haven on the Gem was covered so just assumed this was as well. I've been in a hot tub on a snowy evening in Vt. but will wait and see how this pans out.

Just having the dining in the same area looks nice. We do have Vibe over us but are way forward in 16106 so think we will be OK.

Thanks again for sharing all your knowledge. This is one of the reasons I joint CC, most folk's are helpful and nice.

Stay safe

[Sthrngary]

14 minutes ago, latebloomer56 said:

Thanks our grandson and I have a bet who will go on the slide that looks like a free fall and the ropes. I'm a young 65 and plan to beat him and our 2 sons out being first :).

The Haven on the Gem was covered so just assumed this was as well. I've been in a hot tub on a snowy evening in Vt. but will wait and see how this pans out.

Just having the dining in the same area looks nice. We do have Vibe over us but are way forward in 16106 so think we will be OK.

Thanks again for sharing all your knowledge. This is one of the reasons I joint CC, most folk's are helpful and nice.

Stay safe

The vibe is a pretty chill place.  You should have zero noise from it.  Funny little story.  My wife and I were on the Getaway out of New Orleans November 2019 during Thanksgiving.  Prior to sailing, We were on Keto.  I lasted 4 hours.  What got me was the Chocolate Cake Desert from the Haven Restaurant. From there, it was all down hill on the diet.  My wife lasted a day and a half.  Anything you want to know about the Getaway, just ask. Cruise well.

[pcakes122]

Jamie, I'm not going to list all the specific perks of the Haven, etc. but I will just say a few things.  As many others have said, it all depends upon what you value. That said, staying in the Haven (for me) is the difference between going to Disney World and staying outside the park at the (basic) Comfort Inn and staying in a suite in the Grand Floridian inside the park.  EVERYTHING is easier and more luxe.  EVERYTHING. 

 

A cruise in the Haven feels like VACATION.  Not just a cruise (which is great in any cabin between the sea, the ports, the shows, the casino, etc.), but a TRUE vacation where you get waited on hand and foot and your next drink is in front of you before you finish the one you are drinking, and where they know you love pineapple so you have a plateful on your table every day without asking, etc. etc.  A Haven cruise is not the kind of trip you come home feeling exhausted from, it's one that actually relaxes you!

 

The Haven is a TREAT and a splurge.  In my opinion, you need to experience it at least once.  If you are a teacher, you DESERVE it!

 

PS Breakaway or -plus class for the full experience!

[JamieLogical]

Okay, after MUCH deliberation and back and forth, we have finally decided to book the Haven for our B2B on the Joy in September. The clincher really was that the Haven category we wanted (the cheapest one) was sold out on the second leg of our B2B, but yesterday a cabin opened up. We won't be able to keep the same exact room for both legs, because the cabin that became available for the 9/11 leg isn't available for the 9/4 leg, so we are just going to book the one right next door. Won't be much of a move at least. And we will definitely keep an eye on both sailings to see if either room opens up on the opposite sailing so we can switch.

 

We are booking an HJ, which is a "Haven Suite With Balcony". Pre-COVID, this was a "Concierge Penthouse Balcony". For our 9/4 sailing, the base rate is $2050/person. For the 9/11 sailing the base rate is $1945/person. In addition to the "low" price, we actually liked this cabin best of the lower end Haven options, because it has a couch, instead of just a big chair. To get a couch, the next cheapest option was a Forward-Facing Penthouse at $450 more per person, and I was just not sold on the layout of that or the small, enclosed balcony. The next best option was the Family Villa Suite at $550 more per person.

 

Our rooms are on deck 14 forward, near the elevators, in almost the exact position that our last angled balcony on the Bliss was, so we know we like that location on the Breakaway Plus class ships. One flight of stairs up to the main Observation Lounge. Two flights up to the buffet. And now three flights up to the Haven areas.

 

Between our 10% discount, our $1000 of CruiseNext, and our FCC from our canceled March 2020 cruises, the total out of pocket for the two weeks in the Haven was a total we could stomach, so we are going to give it a shot. I don't think we'll see Haven prices this low again and we certainly won't have this amount of FCC again.

[graphicguy]

^^^^^^^^

 

Congrats!  You’re going to love it.  A Haven B2B sounds fantastic!

[ceilidh1]

2 hours ago, JamieLogical said:

 

We are booking an HJ, which is a "Haven Suite With Balcony". Pre-COVID, this was a "Concierge Penthouse Balcony". For our 9/4 sailing, the base rate is $2050/person. For the 9/11 sailing the base rate is $1945/person. In addition to the "low" price, we actually liked this cabin best of the lower end Haven options, because it has a couch, instead of just a big chair. To get a couch, the next cheapest option was a Forward-Facing Penthouse at $450 more per person, and I was just not sold on the layout of that or the small, enclosed balcony. The next best option was the Family Villa Suite at $550 more per person.

 

Wow - that is good pricing! Every 7 day sailing I have looked at on Joy/Bliss/Encore have been at around $4,000 per person for Haven. I guess I'm just not looking at the right sailings....now I'm going to have to do some research. lol

[Sthrngary]

2 hours ago, JamieLogical said:

Okay, after MUCH deliberation and back and forth, we have finally decided to book the Haven for our B2B on the Joy in September. The clincher really was that the Haven category we wanted (the cheapest one) was sold out on the second leg of our B2B, but yesterday a cabin opened up. We won't be able to keep the same exact room for both legs, because the cabin that became available for the 9/11 leg isn't available for the 9/4 leg, so we are just going to book the one right next door. Won't be much of a move at least. And we will definitely keep an eye on both sailings to see if either room opens up on the opposite sailing so we can switch.

 

We are booking an HJ, which is a "Haven Suite With Balcony". Pre-COVID, this was a "Concierge Penthouse Balcony". For our 9/4 sailing, the base rate is $2050/person. For the 9/11 sailing the base rate is $1945/person. In addition to the "low" price, we actually liked this cabin best of the lower end Haven options, because it has a couch, instead of just a big chair. To get a couch, the next cheapest option was a Forward-Facing Penthouse at $450 more per person, and I was just not sold on the layout of that or the small, enclosed balcony. The next best option was the Family Villa Suite at $550 more per person.

 

Our rooms are on deck 14 forward, near the elevators, in almost the exact position that our last angled balcony on the Bliss was, so we know we like that location on the Breakaway Plus class ships. One flight of stairs up to the main Observation Lounge. Two flights up to the buffet. And now three flights up to the Haven areas.

 

Between our 10% discount, our $1000 of CruiseNext, and our FCC from our canceled March 2020 cruises, the total out of pocket for the two weeks in the Haven was a total we could stomach, so we are going to give it a shot. I don't think we'll see Haven prices this low again and we certainly won't have this amount of FCC again.

Let me tell you what I love about your post.  First, you are doing a B2B, that is awesome.  Second, you did what most of use have done, you leveraged every benefit that NCL has offered during this trying time.  Third, you choose a suite with logic and strategy in mind.  

In my opinion, we all have to set realistic expectations for our cruises.  Since you have not done the Haven before, allow me to help you set an expectation.  I had a Haven Spa suite.  Very similar to yours.  Your suite and my spa suite was not in the Haven Courtyard complex.  For me and my wife, we could care less.  For some folks, they wanted to be in the Haven Courtyard.  Here was my feeling and I think you would agree.  For the price that you and we paid for a Haven Suite, a short elevator ride was no issue.  

You are going to have a fantastic time.  I will be on that ship at the end of November with my family.  Unless NCL takes their ships out of use because of the fight between the Governor of Florida and the CDC rules.  I figure they will get their stuff together well before then.  Enjoy and let all of us know all about your trip.

[david_sobe]

Congrats on your booking and esp your back to back. Wow, that's quite a vacation. Like so much of cruising, each sailing is a bit different and that includes the Haven.  Some sailings the Haven is a quiet sanctuary and then others are run over with kids.  It will be interesting to see how crowded the Haven will be with changing the concierge suites to Haven suites.  I already cant wait for your review.  Every time I come home from a Haven cruise, I tell myself that it was unnecessary to spend so much on the Haven.  And guess what?  The next cruise I book is in the Haven.  I've had Haven cabins both in and out of the Haven.  Personally, I would not book another out of the Haven because it changes the experience.  However, the Sky has no Haven complex at all but it was one of my favorite Haven sailings ever.  The personal service was insane since the concierge only has a few cabins.

[ShelleyQT]

On 5/7/2021 at 10:05 AM, latebloomer56 said:

Thanks our grandson and I have a bet who will go on the slide that looks like a free fall and the ropes. I'm a young 65 and plan to beat him and our 2 sons out being first :).

The Haven on the Gem was covered so just assumed this was as well. I've been in a hot tub on a snowy evening in Vt. but will wait and see how this pans out.

Just having the dining in the same area looks nice. We do have Vibe over us but are way forward in 16106 so think we will be OK.

Thanks again for sharing all your knowledge. This is one of the reasons I joint CC, most folk's are helpful and nice.

Stay safe

If your grandson is small, you may need to prepare him in case they don't allow him on the free fall slide that has the loop-de-loop.  You have to weigh over 100 pounds and they DO weigh you if it looks iffy.  They would not allow me on the slide and I was SOOO disappointed!

[latebloomer56]

1 hour ago, ShelleyQT said:

If your grandson is small, you may need to prepare him in case they don't allow him on the free fall slide that has the loop-de-loop.  You have to weigh over 100 pounds and they DO weigh you if it looks iffy.  They would not allow me on the slide and I was SOOO disappointed!

Thanks he weighs over that now he will be 12 in Oct.

[jmele999]

14 hours ago, JamieLogical said:

Okay, after MUCH deliberation and back and forth, we have finally decided to book the Haven for our B2B on the Joy in September. The clincher really was that the Haven category we wanted (the cheapest one) was sold out on the second leg of our B2B, but yesterday a cabin opened up. We won't be able to keep the same exact room for both legs, because the cabin that became available for the 9/11 leg isn't available for the 9/4 leg, so we are just going to book the one right next door. Won't be much of a move at least. And we will definitely keep an eye on both sailings to see if either room opens up on the opposite sailing so we can switch.

 

We are booking an HJ, which is a "Haven Suite With Balcony". Pre-COVID, this was a "Concierge Penthouse Balcony". For our 9/4 sailing, the base rate is $2050/person. For the 9/11 sailing the base rate is $1945/person. In addition to the "low" price, we actually liked this cabin best of the lower end Haven options, because it has a couch, instead of just a big chair. To get a couch, the next cheapest option was a Forward-Facing Penthouse at $450 more per person, and I was just not sold on the layout of that or the small, enclosed balcony. The next best option was the Family Villa Suite at $550 more per person.

 

Our rooms are on deck 14 forward, near the elevators, in almost the exact position that our last angled balcony on the Bliss was, so we know we like that location on the Breakaway Plus class ships. One flight of stairs up to the main Observation Lounge. Two flights up to the buffet. And now three flights up to the Haven areas.

 

Between our 10% discount, our $1000 of CruiseNext, and our FCC from our canceled March 2020 cruises, the total out of pocket for the two weeks in the Haven was a total we could stomach, so we are going to give it a shot. I don't think we'll see Haven prices this low again and we certainly won't have this amount of FCC again.

Congrats on your decision.  We are in the same Haven cabin departing on August 7th. 

[3kidsncats]

Our first Haven experience was a bit of a steal.  Back before Del Rio, only paid for 1st and 2nd so our four “kids” were free,  a 2bdrm Haven suite was comparable to 3 balcony cabins, plus we got phenomenal perks back then. Next time was an accepted bid on a 12 day between thanksgiving and Christmas.  Both times, we felt it was worth every penny.  We don’t love crowds, noisy poolside partying, or feeling like we are in a herd.  The accommodation is wonderful, the lounge, bar and restaurant (on newer ships) are all fantastic.  But I would not pay regular rates for it.  If you can get a great deal/upgrade bid, go for it.  But it is absolutely possible to have an equally great cruise in a regular balcony (which we did in Jan of 2020 before chaos hit)

[sverigecruiser]

5 hours ago, 3kidsncats said:

 But I would not pay regular rates for it. 

 

We would not pay regular rates right now either so for the moment NCL is not an option for us.

 

We moved to MSCs Yacht Club when NCLs rates became ridiculous and now the Haven must cost less than the Yacht Club for a similar cruise, if not we prefer the Yacht Club.

[oteixeira]

3 hours ago, sverigecruiser said:

 

We would not pay regular rates right now either so for the moment NCL is not an option for us.

 

We moved to MSCs Yacht Club when NCLs rates became ridiculous and now the Haven must cost less than the Yacht Club for a similar cruise, if not we prefer the Yacht Club.

Be mindful of the prices.  The YC has gone up, I am looking at sailings and they are very comparable to Haven prices cruise for cruise.  It is not like when the YC first started and everyone was raving about how much cheaper it was.  

[sverigecruiser]

2 minutes ago, oteixeira said:

Be mindful of the prices.  The YC has gone up, I am looking at sailings and they are very comparable to Haven prices cruise for cruise.  It is not like when the YC first started and everyone was raving about how much cheaper it was.  

 

We started to research other options when we should book the cruise we did in July 2017. Our first plan was to book the Epic which we love and have been on twice. NCL wanted almost $9000 for a week on the Epic and we thought that was too much. We then booked the brand new MSC Meraviglia instead and paid around $6000 if I remember correct.

 

This year we should have cruised on MSC Seashore and that cruise should also cost around $6000 but we changed that to MSC Seaview next summer, also around $6000.

 

Has NCLs fares for the Haven decreased a lot? If not, MSC is still much cheaper. 

[oteixeira]

12 minutes ago, sverigecruiser said:

 

We started to research other options when we should book the cruise we did in July 2017. Our first plan was to book the Epic which we love and have been on twice. NCL wanted almost $9000 for a week on the Epic and we thought that was too much. We then booked the brand new MSC Meraviglia instead and paid around $6000 if I remember correct.

 

This year we should have cruised on MSC Seashore and that cruise should also cost around $6000 but we changed that to MSC Seaview next summer, also around $6000.

 

Has NCLs fares for the Haven decreased a lot? If not, MSC is still much cheaper. 

Not sure they type of ship or the cruise you are booking but I can tell you my average Haven fair is $1000 a night for 2.  So that would be $7000 compared to MSC, which I find to also be around $1000 a night when I do the rooms.  Also, as you can see in this discussion, the Joy has fairs (even without all the extra discounts and such) that I was looking at this fall that could have you in a Haven room for just about $5000 for a week for 2, so less then the price you are quoting.

***EDITED*** To add that my prices include all taxes, port fees, dining and beverage packages.  I forgot to mention that.

It really depends on the ship, the cruise, etc. etc. but as far as sailing in the Caribbean out of the Florida area I find the 2 lines are similar in price over the past year, so I continue to stay loyal to NCL.  When I see a much better price on MSC I will jump in a heartbeat, since I really want to try their product as well (I am sure I will love it based on reviews I have seen)

Edited May 9, 2021 by oteixeira

[sverigecruiser]

14 minutes ago, oteixeira said:

Not sure they type of ship or the cruise you are booking but I can tell you my average Haven fair is $1000 a night for 2.  So that would be $7000 compared to MSC, which I find to also be around $1000 a night when I do the rooms.  Also, as you can see in this discussion, the Joy has fairs (even without all the extra discounts and such) that I was looking at this fall that could have you in a Haven room for just about $5000 for a week for 2, so less then the price you are quoting.

***EDITED*** To add that my prices include all taxes, port fees, dining and beverage packages.  I forgot to mention that.

It really depends on the ship, the cruise, etc. etc. but as far as sailing in the Caribbean out of the Florida area I find the 2 lines are similar in price over the past year, so I continue to stay loyal to NCL.  When I see a much better price on MSC I will jump in a heartbeat, since I really want to try their product as well (I am sure I will love it based on reviews I have seen)

 

I did some research and looked at ncl.eu for a correct price.

 

A spasuite on the Epic July 17 2022 from Barcelona cost $9300 if I book it now. 

 

The cheapest Havensuite on the Joy July 17 2022 from New York cost $9500 if I book it now.

Edited May 9, 2021 by sverigecruiser

[JamieLogical]

13 minutes ago, oteixeira said:

Not sure they type of ship or the cruise you are booking but I can tell you my average Haven fair is $1000 a night for 2.  So that would be $7000 compared to MSC, which I find to also be around $1000 a night when I do the rooms.  Also, as you can see in this discussion, the Joy has fairs (even without all the extra discounts and such) that I was looking at this fall that could have you in a Haven room for just about $5000 for a week for 2, so less then the price you are quoting.

***EDITED*** To add that my prices include all taxes, port fees, dining and beverage packages.  I forgot to mention that.

It really depends on the ship, the cruise, etc. etc. but as far as sailing in the Caribbean out of the Florida area I find the 2 lines are similar in price over the past year, so I continue to stay loyal to NCL.  When I see a much better price on MSC I will jump in a heartbeat, since I really want to try their product as well (I am sure I will love it based on reviews I have seen)

 

I can tell you that the final price four our B2B on the Joy in September was 10323.36 for two people for two weeks. That include the airfare with second-guest-flies free and airport transfers. The only thing it doesn't include is the pre-paid service charges, which we will pay after final payment is due.