A few questions for a 1st time Haven Guest

[Tralfie]

Greetings, all! I'm VERY excited to be doing my first sailing in a Haven suite early next year. I'm wondering — and this is specifically for people who have sailed in Haven suites both before the shutdown and since the cruise resumption — in what ways has the experience changed? Are there perks that were available before that no longer are? What words of wisdom might you pass on to someone about to enjoy all that the Haven has to offer for the first time? 

Also... odd question: Do they have sort of extra-large robes available? I love the idea of wearing a robe, but... while I'm not huge, I'm also not exactly a slim fella! 

Finally, and I know tipping is always controversial, but I'm wondering how tipping is different in the Haven. How much do you typically tip your butler, for example, for a week-long stay? Do you tip at the beginning, the end, or both? Do you tip the concierge, or do you decide that based on whether or not you wind up using their services? 

Any and all info will be both devoured (I love reading about experiences in advance!) and greatly appreciated. 

 

 

[Two Wheels Only]

2 hours ago, Tralfie said:

Any and all info will be both devoured (I love reading about experiences in advance!) and greatly appreciated. 

 

If you really want to read a lot about the Haven before and after Covid, start at the following......

 

 

more recent at the following... (same OP)...

 

 

[BirdTravels]

Tipping is controversial. When asked, we use the following general rules of thumb for the butler and concierge who are not included in the daily service charge and expect a gratuity.
 

Butler: $10-$15 per person in the room per days of cruise. $10 x 2 people x 7 nights = $140

 

Concierge:  $5-$10 pp pd

 

Room Steward: extra tip for cleaning your suite $5-$10 pp pd 

 

All at end of cruise. 
 

Others: Haven bartenders, haven waiters, haven restaurant manager. 
 

 

differences: degraded haven restaurant menus. Getting cheap. But still a lot better than RCCL coastal kitchen. 

Edited December 28, 2021 by BirdTravels

[Sthrngary]

I am the Op-Ed of the articles above.  First, thank you to @BirdTravelsfor reposting the articles.  Any questions you have please ask then on the article stream and I am happy to answer.  Enjoy your cruise in the Haven.

 

Cruise well.

[TSUmom]

We cruised in the Haven in October.  I did not notice any change in the service from our earlier haven cruises.  Snacks were left and our room was always made up and turned down.  

As others have stated tipping is up to you and the service you use.  That being said we always tip the Concierge and Butler something.  Our room Steward was fabulous and we tipped him well.  Being in a DOS with a hot tub we found out we also had another steward that took care of filling and cleaning the hot tub, and the deck area.  Had we not been in the cabin one morning when he stopped by we would not have known there was another steward - we made sure we tipped him also.  We always tip the day before we leave the ship.  

[Tralfie]

So here's a dumb question... but hey, that's why we have forums, right? 

 

What's the difference between the butler and the room steward? Is it sort of like... Downton Abby, where the butler is the guy who handles YOUR needs and the room steward handles the needs of the stateroom? 

 

 

[roger001]

We cruised in a Haven recently, Bliss.  The butler and concierge were both very available had we needed them.  We just don't use their services much at all though.  For tipping Haven or anywhere, there is no recommended, or standard, or expected amount at all.  It is up to you.  We tipped the butler and the concierge $70 each.  We tipped our cabin steward $70.  We enclosed this in an envelope with a note thanking them, giving it them last day.  We tipped the Haven restaurant maitre d $30 the last morning at breakfast.  We tipped the restaurant servers during the cruise $5 at breakfast and $10 at dinner.  We tipped our servers in the Haven bar $2 for each round served at our chairs and the bartender $2 if we got something from the bar.  We tipped our two favorite bar servers $20 each on our last day.  There is no agreement on a recommended amount of tipping anywhere.  You are not wrong whatever you do.  

[Karaboudjan]

13 minutes ago, Tralfie said:

So here's a dumb question... but hey, that's why we have forums, right? 

 

What's the difference between the butler and the room steward? Is it sort of like... Downton Abby, where the butler is the guy who handles YOUR needs and the room steward handles the needs of the stateroom? 

 

 

I think that's pretty much it.  Every cabin has a room steward but they don't all have butlers.  

[Sthrngary]

I recommend you search as much as you can find about what butlers do and don't do for you.  It helps with your utilization and expectation.  On tipping.  I agree with everyone that has posted.  Up to you except remember the Butler is not on the Gratuities program that NCL has. 

 

All I am going to do is give you one hint.  Tell your butler (whom is your room service provider) to only bring you food from the Haven Restuarant (as long as they are open).  The quality of the food is better than regular room service.  As the butler to take all "For Sale" Items out of your room.  That one is a lesson I learn many moons ago. 

 

Keep up your research and Cruise Well. 

[TSUmom]

19 minutes ago, Tralfie said:

So here's a dumb question... but hey, that's why we have forums, right? 

 

What's the difference between the butler and the room steward? Is it sort of like... Downton Abby, where the butler is the guy who handles YOUR needs and the room steward handles the needs of the stateroom? 

 

 

We only saw our Butler once - she delivered afternoon snacks.  The room steward is really the one that takes care of your room daily.  We used the concierge to change dinner reservations once and to escort us off the ship on the last day.  

[goldmom]

As far as I know the robes are all one size.  We asked if they had an extra large robe on our last trip and the butler said they are all the same size.  That being said, they are relatively roomy and quite plush.  My DH is a big guy and could wear the robe but just didn't have a lot of overlap.

Enjoy!

[roger001]

1 hour ago, roger001 said:

We cruised in a Haven recently, Bliss.  The butler and concierge were both very available had we needed them.  We just don't use their services much at all though.  For tipping Haven or anywhere, there is no recommended, or standard, or expected amount at all.  It is up to you.  We tipped the butler and the concierge $70 each.  We tipped our cabin steward $70.  We enclosed this in an envelope with a note thanking them, giving it them last day.  We tipped the Haven restaurant maitre d $30 the last morning at breakfast.  We tipped the restaurant servers during the cruise $5 at breakfast and $10 at dinner.  We tipped our servers in the Haven bar $2 for each round served at our chairs and the bartender $2 if we got something from the bar.  We tipped our two favorite bar servers $20 each on our last day.  There is no agreement on a recommended amount of tipping anywhere.  You are not wrong whatever you do.  

Oh yea.  Forgot to add, we gave the young lady at the Haven customer service desk a $20 the last day also.  

[Sthrngary]

58 minutes ago, goldmom said:

As far as I know the robes are all one size.  We asked if they had an extra large robe on our last trip and the butler said they are all the same size.  That being said, they are relatively roomy and quite plush.  My DH is a big guy and could wear the robe but just didn't have a lot of overlap.

Enjoy!

I am a bit portly.  One size does fit all.  A hint.  If you have additional guest in your suite, ask for a robe and slippers for each guest.  Also, if you have a guest in a second bedroom or pull out sofa, ask for the mattress topper. 

 

Cruise well.

[Kfamilycruise]

We just came back from Escape Haven and saw no difference from pre COVID times (other than everyone wearing masks of course). Our meals and service were excellent. We saw our butler every day. She always brought us special snacks and our steward was fantastic. The concierges also were great. 

 

On the Escape itself, the biggest difference were that splash academy was closed and all of the sports court stuff was closed for maintenance for the smoke stack.

[Tralfie]

13 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

 

 

Keep up your research and Cruise Well. 

 Oh my gosh. i'm reading your guide and... I keep saying "I'll read one more page" because I really,, really need to go to bed, but it's so fun and informative and witty and well written. 

You're my new best friend. Call me every five minutes. 

[kittykitty576]

I was in the Haven pre-COVID (1st time).  I am booked in the Haven in 2023.

 

If you have a desire for a lounger (or chairs/table) on your balcony, this is something you can request before hand.  I also understand you can ask for extra pillows or towels.

 

For my next cruise, I will pre-request afternoon treats.  I like strawberries, but won't really eat melons.  I like Cheese -- or maybe grilled cheese (1-day)... otherwise it sounds like I'd get strawberries and grilled cheese EVERY DAY.  hehe

 

These are just some pointers.  Get lots of opinions from lots of others 🙂