Haven-Help Urgent!

[mommysoncruiser]

Hi all,

 

I just got an offer from NCL to upgrade from a club balcony suite to a 2 bedroom family suite in the Haven for $1100 for the entire room. I am not sure what the benefit would be if I upgraded but my total for the room would come out to about $2725 for the entire cost (including port fees, taxes, etc.). If I upgrade, will I get the full Haven benefits or no? It's for a 5 day a Bermuda cruise in week. It's only two of us but do you think that is a good deal or would you do it if it were you?

 

It would be our first time in The Haven and our first time on NCL in over 7 years. 

[raitch]

Yes, you would get the full Haven benefits.  If the total price would be what you would have paid for a 2 bedroom Haven suite anyway then bid!  Look at your TOTAL price, the full fare you’ve already signed on to plus the Haven upgrade bids for both of you.   

[BennyBrun]

I am confused… is the offer to go to the haven $1100.00 total or per person?  I ask because you mentioned $2725 for the entire cost.  Look at the offer carefully if it says Haven and does not say that it excludes Haven access and the total cost is $1100.00 then I would go for it myself.  If it’s per person and excludes access to the haven then I would pass for a 5 night cruise to Bermuda.

[skeeter195]

This is the Gem correct?  If so the Haven is no big deal on the Jewel class ships.  See if you could get into a regular 2 bedroom suite for even less.  If you can't, $1100 for the 2 bedroom Haven is still a great deal.  

[dobiemom]

And remember, the cost of insurance may go up. 

[goldmom]

If this is the Gem, then I might not take it.  You will get all the Haven benefits, but the Gem doesn't have a large Haven or dedicated Haven restaurant like the new ships.  But you do get some nice perks.  It's a tough choice.  Good luck!

[goldmom]

If you've never stayed in the Haven though, it might be worth it for the experience.

[BirdTravels]

43 minutes ago, mommysoncruiser said:

Hi all,

 

I just got an offer from NCL to upgrade from a club balcony suite to a 2 bedroom family suite in the Haven for $1100 for the entire room. I am not sure what the benefit would be if I upgraded but my total for the room would come out to about $2725 for the entire cost (including port fees, taxes, etc.). If I upgrade, will I get the full Haven benefits or no? It's for a 5 day a Bermuda cruise in week. It's only two of us but do you think that is a good deal or would you do it if it were you?

 

It would be our first time in The Haven and our first time on NCL in over 7 years. 

I am not aware of any upgrade "offers". There are always opportunities to "bid" in which case that would be a $550 minimum bid (which would not likely win)

[mommysoncruiser]

1 hour ago, BennyBrun said:

I am confused… is the offer to go to the haven $1100.00 total or per person?  I ask because you mentioned $2725 for the entire cost.  Look at the offer carefully if it says Haven and does not say that it excludes Haven access and the total cost is $1100.00 then I would go for it myself.  If it’s per person and excludes access to the haven then I would pass for a 5 night cruise to Bermuda.

The offer is $550 per person for the upgrade. It does not say anything about excluding the the Haven. It's for the two bedroom family suite in The Haven. The total would be the $2725 if I chose the upgrade. Right now i am in the club balcony and it cost $1325 and is paid for.

[MoCruiseFan]

Where is the urgent part?

[mommysoncruiser]

1 hour ago, skeeter195 said:

This is the Gem correct?  If so the Haven is no big deal on the Jewel class ships.  See if you could get into a regular 2 bedroom suite for even less.  If you can't, $1100 for the 2 bedroom Haven is still a great deal.  

I can get the regular two bedroom for $360 per person but have no interests in the extra space. I only thought about the other offer because it was in The Haven. I'm happy in the club balcony but don't want to miss a good deal if this is one.

[mommysoncruiser]

Just now, MoCruiseFan said:

Where is the urgent part?

Urgent because the cruise is in 1 week and I leave tomorrow one a different cruise and would not have time to upgrade if I wait until my upcoming cruise is over. It's urgent because I want to either upgrade tonight or I might lose the opportunity.

[mommysoncruiser]

Thanks everyone for tour responses. I think I am going to go over the offer again and see if there is anything I missed before I submit the upgrade. Happy cruising everyone!

[ChiefMateJRK]

42 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

I am not aware of any upgrade "offers". There are always opportunities to "bid" in which case that would be a $550 minimum bid (which would not likely win)

This.  How did you get an "offer from NCL to upgrade?"

[raitch]

It’s definitely a good deal, and if you are sailing out of NYC then being in the Haven area on the Gem will allow you to sit on a lounger near a pool without freezing your butt off the first day. 

[don't-use-real-name]

Take the deal and don't look back ! ! !

 

Pros - - -

Haven - Butler and Concierge service

Breakfast and Lunch at Cagney's (or Moderno)

Lite breakfast in the Haven courtyard

Afternoon tea or coffee snacks in that courtyard

Cocktail party with ships officers

Escort to your 2BR cabin embarking

Designated theatre seating (port side balcony level)

Disembarking move to head of line 

 

Cons - - -

Price of insurance will go up probably about $100

Your Tipping pool just got bigger Butler and Concierge

 

 

[vacation44]

32 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

This.  How did you get an "offer from NCL to upgrade?"

Curious too.   Is it an upright offer or an opportunity to bid?

[ChiefMateJRK]

26 minutes ago, don't-use-real-name said:

Cons - - -

Price of insurance will go up probably about $100

Your Tipping pool just got bigger Butler and Concierge

Um, I think you left off "paying $$$$$$$$$$$ more for the Haven."  Of course, we still haven't heard how this "offer" emerged.

[DenGNNJ]

51 minutes ago, don't-use-real-name said:

Take the deal and don't look back ! ! !

 

Pros - - -

Haven - Butler and Concierge service

Breakfast and Lunch at Cagney's (or Moderno)

Lite breakfast in the Haven courtyard

Afternoon tea or coffee snacks in that courtyard

Cocktail party with ships officers

Escort to your 2BR cabin embarking

Designated theatre seating (port side balcony level)

Disembarking move to head of line 

 

Cons - - -

Price of insurance will go up probably about $100

Your Tipping pool just got bigger Butler and Concierge

 

 

We got the same upgrade bid offer … $550 per person MINIMUM bid for this room here’s why we’re not taking it:  

 

1. We already have 1 night in a specialty restaurant with the standard offer and purchased a package for an additional two (+100 pp)… that leaves two nights with complimentary dining, one night of which we’re going to have dinner in Bermuda.  I think it’s okay we’re missing one Haven dinner.

 

2. We bought a spa pass for the entire trip (+100 pp) because the thalassotherapy pool in the thermal spa is heated and I’m assuming the pool in the Haven area is not.  Water is pretty cold in December.

 

3. The cruise isn’t at full capacity… reserved theater seating isn’t much of a perk when the ship is half full.  Disembarkation… we’re catching a commuter train home.  Ship’s officers cocktail party?… had dinner with the captain on Windstar.

 

4. Butler & concierge … it’s a 5 night cruise.  We do Retreat on Celebrity and yes we love the service they provide, but we’ll be okay for this short cruise.

 

5. Special breakfast??? … would have to be some pretty damn good eggs for the added cost.

 

Long story, kind of not long… the extras we purchased for $200 pp for this cruise are sufficient for us to sufficiently “elevate” the experience for us.

[roger001]

The Jewel class Haven is just not all that great I don’t think.  Not like the Haven on the big ships.  My opinion.  Nothing really dedicated to the Haven guests other than the small courtyard.  

[BennyBrun]

18 minutes ago, DenGNNJ said:

We got the same upgrade bid offer … $550 per person MINIMUM bid for this room here’s why we’re not taking it:  

 

1. We already have 1 night in a specialty restaurant with the standard offer and purchased a package for an additional two (+100 pp)… that leaves two nights with complimentary dining, one night of which we’re going to have dinner in Bermuda.  I think it’s okay we’re missing one Haven dinner.

 

2. We bought a spa pass for the entire trip (+100 pp) because the thalassotherapy pool in the thermal spa is heated and I’m assuming the pool in the Haven area is not.  Water is pretty cold in December.

 

3. The cruise isn’t at full capacity… reserved theater seating isn’t much of a perk when the ship is half full.  Disembarkation… we’re catching a commuter train home.  Ship’s officers cocktail party?… had dinner with the captain on Windstar.

 

4. Butler & concierge … it’s a 5 night cruise.  We do Retreat on Celebrity and yes we love the service they provide, but we’ll be okay for this short cruise.

 

5. Special breakfast??? … would have to be some pretty damn good eggs for the added cost.

 

Long story, kind of not long… the extras we purchased for $200 pp for this cruise are sufficient for us to sufficiently “elevate” the experience for us.

Your way of thinking is spot on!  I would have probably done the same!

[kitty-sail]

I agree with roger 001. The Haven is not a big deal on ships below the Breakaway class.  When I cruise on these ships, I feel the Haven is a waste of money and I'm better off taking a "suite" class cabin instead which is much cheaper.  Suites on these ships still get Haven perks such as priority boarding, butler service, breakfast & lunch in Moderno. To compensate for lack of private pool, I book the spa which is heated.

 

[pcakes122]

1 hour ago, don't-use-real-name said:

Take the deal and don't look back ! ! !

 

Pros - - -

Haven - Butler and Concierge service

Breakfast and Lunch at Cagney's (or Moderno)

Lite breakfast in the Haven courtyard

Afternoon tea or coffee snacks in that courtyard

Cocktail party with ships officers

Escort to your 2BR cabin embarking

Designated theatre seating (port side balcony level)

Disembarking move to head of line 

 

Cons - - -

Price of insurance will go up probably about $100

Your Tipping pool just got bigger Butler and Concierge

 

 

Honestly, all this is available in the two-bedroom suite (except the dinky courtyard) for half the price.

 

I've received the same "upgrade offers" (i.e. bid email lol) for that cruise. I'm already booked in a non-Haven suite and my upgrade bids start VERY low (like $150 pp.)  Not worth it to me to give up my aft views. (That said, I'm also in an accessible cabin that I actually can't give up - but I still wouldn't if I could.)

 

They are REALLY pushing the upgrades like I've never seen. Today's email was an "extra special opportunity" and starting upgrade bids were lower than last week.  That excites me only because it means the ship is not going to be crowded. 😁

[mommysoncruiser]

57 minutes ago, DenGNNJ said:

We got the same upgrade bid offer … $550 per person MINIMUM bid for this room here’s why we’re not taking it:  

 

1. We already have 1 night in a specialty restaurant with the standard offer and purchased a package for an additional two (+100 pp)… that leaves two nights with complimentary dining, one night of which we’re going to have dinner in Bermuda.  I think it’s okay we’re missing one Haven dinner.

 

2. We bought a spa pass for the entire trip (+100 pp) because the thalassotherapy pool in the thermal spa is heated and I’m assuming the pool in the Haven area is not.  Water is pretty cold in December.

 

3. The cruise isn’t at full capacity… reserved theater seating isn’t much of a perk when the ship is half full.  Disembarkation… we’re catching a commuter train home.  Ship’s officers cocktail party?… had dinner with the captain on Windstar.

 

4. Butler & concierge … it’s a 5 night cruise.  We do Retreat on Celebrity and yes we love the service they provide, but we’ll be okay for this short cruise.

 

5. Special breakfast??? … would have to be some pretty damn good eggs for the added cost.

 

Long story, kind of not long… the extras we purchased for $200 pp for this cruise are sufficient for us to sufficiently “elevate” the experience for us.

I also purchased the spa pass as well. Thanks for this info! I am looking into the retreat on my celebrity cruise next year since it is a 15 night transpacific (we are only in the concierge class right now). I wanted to know if it would be worth it but your explanation has been extremely helpful. I guess I will stick with what I have since it is such a short cruise anyway.

 

I understand that it is a starting bid but it looks like they are desperate enough to actually upgrade at that price since they literally dropped it from $1100 starting to $550.

Edited December 3, 2021 by mommysoncruiser
Added info

[DenGNNJ]

28 minutes ago, mommysoncruiser said:

I also purchased the spa pass as well. Thanks for this info! I am looking into the retreat on my celebrity cruise next year since it is a 15 night transpacific (we are only in the concierge class right now). I wanted to know if it would be worth it but your explanation has been extremely helpful. I guess I will stick with what I have since it is such a short cruise anyway.

 

I understand that it is a starting bid but it looks like they are desperate enough to actually upgrade at that price since they literally dropped it from $1100 starting to $550.

I saw those 50% off upgrade offers too… still a no for us.  Save the $$$ and put towards the Retreat class on Celebrity… it’s terrific… you won’t be sorry - especially on a 15 night TP cruise.  With all those sea days, you’ll really get to enjoy the Retreat.

 

Not for nothing, for a relatively small bump in $$$, Aqua Class would be a better choice over Concierge Class on Celebrity.
 

Think of it this way…

balcony = coach,

concierge = coach with extra leg room,

aqua = business class,

retreat = first class.

Edited December 3, 2021 by DenGNNJ