The NCL Haven Luxury VIP Experience "Secrets" REVISED for 2022

[2animallvrs]

9 hours ago, wolft927 said:

So I have stayed in 9706 before. Was our first Have suite and honestly outside the balcony being very very small, we loved the space. Usually cheaper then most of the other Havens. We have stayed in this, 2 bedroom, as well as our upcoming April is in the Aft facing Haven on the joy. I prefer to stay in Havens with separate bedroom space becasue then your butler can just walk in when bringing coffee or breakfast in the moirning if you like. 

Thank you for your reply!  I can see where that would be very nice perk!  We're probably going to regret it, but we went back to our club mini suite with lag balcony.

[2animallvrs]

10 hours ago, HBCcruiser said:

There is a great website called cruise deck plans . com that will show you deck plans and photos of cabin. This is a link to the Youtube video of cabin 13106 which is the same category. Yes, it looks like a small balcony 

 

Thank you for your help!  I actually found a video & pics of one of the actual cabins.  The balcony was not only small but had something coming down in front of it, & the window looked out onto a bow area where crew can take breaks.  We were able to get our club suites with lg balconies back & we're already having a bit of remorse about our decision.

[Laszlo]

Here's a Haven Secret or maybe not so secret. On the Getaway don't book Haven Spa Balcony 14140. The cabin is fine, the location is not. The cabin is across the hall from the main forward crew only access. From 6pm - 10pm the crew door is constantly opening a closing, and when it closes it slams shut. And since your cabin door is in a little alcove the room stewards leave a cart right next to it

Edited February 14, 2023 by Laszlo

[raschwinger]

Thanks for all the great info.  I may have missed it and if so, I apologize, but we are trying to figure out in the free at sea plus package is worth it if we are in the Haven (11 night Greek Island cruise in June on the Breakaway).   Any thoughts on that.  I know many do it anyway, but has anyone not upgraded figuring the perks in the Haven will upgrade the experience anyway?  Thanks all.

[SEA DOGY]

22 hours ago, raschwinger said:

Thanks for all the great info.  I may have missed it and if so, I apologize, but we are trying to figure out in the free at sea plus package is worth it if we are in the Haven (11 night Greek Island cruise in June on the Breakaway).   Any thoughts on that.  I know many do it anyway, but has anyone not upgraded figuring the perks in the Haven will upgrade the experience anyway?  Thanks all.

Any thoughts cabin 14272. ?

we booked this cabin  for our cruise August 2023  its a suite in the very back of the ship Gateway 

not sure about this location 

[SEA DOGY]

On 2/12/2023 at 8:25 AM, cruiseny4life said:

I would never pay a penny more to be inside the Haven complex. I've sailed three times, once in a Haven Penthouse (deck 14, Getaway) and twice in a Haven Aft-Facing Penthouse w/Balcony (deck 13, Getaway). Both rooms are outside the Haven and we're booked in March in a Haven Suite on Joy. Again, it is outside the Haven.

I enjoy getting a vibe for the ship by being forced out of the Haven. It's interesting to wander back and forth on the pool deck from my room to the Haven. It also gives me time to see if there is anything interesting on the buffet. I won't go into my thoughts on the buffet here.
 

If you offered me an Aft-Facing Suite or Deluxe Owner's Suite (and it was just my husband and I), I'd always select the Aft-Facing Suite.

Unlike others, I'll always give you my opinion. Stay put. Save some cash. And enjoy a nice walk about the ship, or at least some stairs, between your Haven meals. At the end of the day though, you're going to love the experience and I hope you come back to tell us how the cruise was.

This coming summer we booked cabin 14272  penthouse suite Gateway. Any thoughts about this

cabin ? Not sure if this is a good location its away back  and we are concerned about vibrations and soot 

thank you

 

[cruiseny4life]

8 minutes ago, SEA DOGY said:

This coming summer we booked cabin 14272  penthouse suite Gateway. Any thoughts about this

cabin ? Not sure if this is a good location its away back  and we are concerned about vibrations and soot 

thank you

 

I haven't stayed in that cabin. I think your experience will be similar to mine on deck 13. The Penthouse Suite we had wasn't aft on deck 14, it was 14130, so I haven't stayed in one of those two rooms. I do think you will hear some noise from above as you're just below the rear of the buffet. You might hear a little noise on the balcony from Spice H2O, but honestly once we shut the balcony door, we didn't hear a thing from there. The reason I say you might hear something from the buffet is that we could hear the scraping of our upstairs neighbors when they moved deck chairs around. 

 

The vibrations don't bother me. The soot doesn't either. Is the soot annoying? Yes, but it's a cruise ship and I feel that's one of those things we have to realize is going to happen. The good thing is that the wind shifts, so you won't always have soot (or smoke) coming your way. Oh! it'll be sunny...which I guess isn't a surprise, but since you're going in the summer, just know it'll be hot out there when in the sun. If you like that, awesome! If you're like us...well, we hid out in the thermal suite where the temperature was a bit more controlled. 🙂

[Laszlo]

11 minutes ago, SEA DOGY said:

This coming summer we booked cabin 14272  penthouse suite Gateway. Any thoughts about this

cabin ? Not sure if this is a good location its away back  and we are concerned about vibrations and soot 

thank you

 

Friends who were on 13th of the Getaway Haven aft cabin didn't have any issues with vibrations. However we had dinner twice in the aft dinning room (Tropicana) and Cagneys. We noticed a considerable amount when having dinner

[raschwinger]

Hi everyone!  This is such a great resource!!  We are booked in a forward facing suite deck 13 on the Breakaway in June.  Was considering trying to bid for an upgrade to a 2 bedroom family penthouse on deck 15 or 16.  We are traveling with our two boys.  Both would have two rooms...just wondering if anyone has thoughts on if it would be worth it and based on experience what an upgrade like that within the Haven category would cost?  Thanks in advance.

[Treasure Hunter]

We are going on the Getaway today! Winter break with our daughter and grandkids 7 and 10. We have the two bedroom family suite in the Haven on deck 16. Great because it’s on the floor with the restaurant, pool and lounge. It’s really three rooms. The kids have a very small. Bedroom with bunk beds, my daughter will sleep on the pull out sofa in the living room which will be made up each night. The key is two bathrooms. We often stay in this room even if we go just a couple .It’s a great  room. Booked through the casino with a discount so I’ve never gotten the move up. This ship is totally booked ( maxed out) because of winter break. I heard there are 1500 kids. Wish us luck.

[justhappy]

On 2/14/2023 at 6:50 AM, Laszlo said:

Here's a Haven Secret or maybe not so secret. On the Getaway don't book Haven Spa Balcony 14140. The cabin is fine, the location is not. The cabin is across the hall from the main forward crew only access. From 6pm - 10pm the crew door is constantly opening a closing, and when it closes it slams shut. And since your cabin door is in a little alcove the room stewards leave a cart right next to it

 

Thanks to reading your Getaway review earlier, but after I had booked 14140 for our April cruise, as soon as prices dropped I upgraded our cabin for an aft penthouse suite for just a little more $$.
  I’m giving up the thermal spa access but gaining a huge bathroom, second bath and a living room.In 2019 we had an aft penthouse on the Getaway and love the aft views. This year it’s on deck 13 so no huge balcony but we love having the loungers. Just hope we don’t have a problem with soot as some have reported. Thanks Laszlo!

[palpieha]

7 minutes ago, justhappy said:

Thanks to reading your Getaway review earlier, but after I had booked 14140 for our April cruise, as soon as prices dropped I upgraded our cabin for an aft penthouse suite for just a little more $$.
  I’m giving up the thermal spa access but gaining a huge bathroom, second bath and a living room.In 2019 we had an aft penthouse on the Getaway and love the aft views. This year it’s on deck 13 so no huge balcony but we love having the loungers. Just hope we don’t have a problem with soot as some have reported. Thanks Laszlo!

 

While nowhere near as nice as the thermal spa, Getaway's Haven has a small sauna just forward of the pool.

[cruisebeachgirl703]

1 hour ago, Treasure Hunter said:

We are going on the Getaway today! Winter break with our daughter and grandkids 7 and 10. We have the two bedroom family suite in the Haven on deck 16. Great because it’s on the floor with the restaurant, pool and lounge. It’s really three rooms. The kids have a very small. Bedroom with bunk beds, my daughter will sleep on the pull out sofa in the living room which will be made up each night. The key is two bathrooms. We often stay in this room even if we go just a couple .It’s a great  room. Booked through the casino with a discount so I’ve never gotten the move up. This ship is totally booked ( maxed out) because of winter break. I heard there are 1500 kids. Wish us luck.

What week is break? How did you find out that number of kids?

[Treasure Hunter]

February 18-26 and it’s a guesstimate from prior cruises this week. The ship is sold out with max ( lifeboat numbers)

[Laszlo]

3 hours ago, justhappy said:

Thanks to reading your Getaway review earlier, but after I had booked 14140 for our April cruise, as soon as prices dropped I upgraded our cabin for an aft penthouse suite for just a little more $$.
  I’m giving up the thermal spa access but gaining a huge bathroom, second bath and a living room.In 2019 we had an aft penthouse on the Getaway and love the aft views. This year it’s on deck 13 so no huge balcony but we love having the loungers. Just hope we don’t have a problem with soot as some have reported. Thanks Laszlo!

Good to hear you moved, have a great cruise!

[SEA DOGY]

On 2/17/2023 at 9:27 AM, cruiseny4life said:

I haven't stayed in that cabin. I think your experience will be similar to mine on deck 13. The Penthouse Suite we had wasn't aft on deck 14, it was 14130, so I haven't stayed in one of those two rooms. I do think you will hear some noise from above as you're just below the rear of the buffet. You might hear a little noise on the balcony from Spice H2O, but honestly once we shut the balcony door, we didn't hear a thing from there. The reason I say you might hear something from the buffet is that we could hear the scraping of our upstairs neighbors when they moved deck chairs around. 

 

The vibrations don't bother me. The soot doesn't either. Is the soot annoying? Yes, but it's a cruise ship and I feel that's one of those things we have to realize is going to happen. The good thing is that the wind shifts, so you won't always have soot (or smoke) coming your way. Oh! it'll be sunny...which I guess isn't a surprise, but since you're going in the summer, just know it'll be hot out there when in the sun. If you like that, awesome! If you're like us...well, we hid out in the thermal suite where the temperature was a bit more controlled. 🙂

Thank you very much 

[Sailing12Away]

On 2/16/2023 at 1:04 PM, raschwinger said:

Thanks for all the great info.  I may have missed it and if so, I apologize, but we are trying to figure out in the free at sea plus package is worth it if we are in the Haven (11 night Greek Island cruise in June on the Breakaway).   Any thoughts on that.  I know many do it anyway, but has anyone not upgraded figuring the perks in the Haven will upgrade the experience anyway?  Thanks all.

The free at sea (or plus variety) has nothing to do with Haven perks. Free at sea gives you free soda, juice and liquor up to $15 per drink. Anything above that price you just pay the difference. The plus package removes the limit and gives you top shelf liquor, specialty coffee, and boxes of water for free.

 

In the Haven, if you don't have a drink package - you pay as you go for soda, beer, wine, liquor, etc. The only rooms in the Haven that get free drinks are the owners suites or garden villas, and that's only in your room are the drinks free.

 

Free at sea gives you 2 specialty dining credits to use at any restaurant. Haven guests get access to a Haven only restaurant on ships that have one. But you don't get to eat at the specialty restaurants for free if you don't have a dining credit with your package. You would pay as you.

 

Haven guests get priority access for getting on/off the ship, but that has nothing to do with free at sea. Free at sea perks give you either the $50/$100 credit towards excursions - again, has nothing to do with being in Haven or not.

 

Internet - again, with the free at sea the amount of free minutes is based on the length of the cruise. The plus one gives you unlimited minutes I think. Neither of those perks has anything to do with being in Haven.

 

So not sure if you're a bit confused by suite perks from another line, but Haven perks and the free at sea perks are 2 completely separate things. The choice to upgrade to plus depends on how much you like specific brands of liquor or bottles/boxes of water, if internet is important to you, and if you plan on using a lot of NCL excurions.

[nmuller328]

On 2/14/2023 at 7:50 AM, Laszlo said:

Here's a Haven Secret or maybe not so secret. On the Getaway don't book Haven Spa Balcony 14140. The cabin is fine, the location is not. The cabin is across the hall from the main forward crew only access. From 6pm - 10pm the crew door is constantly opening a closing, and when it closes it slams shut. And since your cabin door is in a little alcove the room stewards leave a cart right next to it

 

CLIP 1080.mov 17.68 MB · 12 downloads

thanks & we figure 14740 on the starboard side is probably the same.  We're on the Getaway staying in 14736 at the end of March - we're under the fitness room- believe the treadmill room, anyone have any experience - how loud does it get in the morning? 

 

[nmuller328]

Question- Is the Haven Restaurant, pool & bar open when the ship is in Port, if you decide to stay on board?  I know most if not all of the complementary restaurants are closed - and only the Garden Cafe & O Sheehan's  is opened- we're not sure we'll be getting off at some of the tender ports- and if we do- it may not be long (Getaway) 

 

[wolft927]

5 hours ago, nmuller328 said:

Question- Is the Haven Restaurant, pool & bar open when the ship is in Port, if you decide to stay on board?  I know most if not all of the complementary restaurants are closed - and only the Garden Cafe & O Sheehan's  is opened- we're not sure we'll be getting off at some of the tender ports- and if we do- it may not be long (Getaway) 

 

Haven bar is always open in port as well as the pool sundeck and hot tubs 

[estvil30]

7 hours ago, nmuller328 said:

Question- Is the Haven Restaurant, pool & bar open when the ship is in Port, if you decide to stay on board?  I know most if not all of the complementary restaurants are closed - and only the Garden Cafe & O Sheehan's  is opened- we're not sure we'll be getting off at some of the tender ports- and if we do- it may not be long (Getaway) 

 

Yes, The Haven restaurant is open on Port days.

We took advantage of an empty ship many times and loved it !

[ashkay16]

Been on NCL before but first time Haven this July out of NY .  How is nyc check in for haven guests ?   Also what time is Haven bar open till each night .  Thanks in advance . 

[Laszlo]

37 minutes ago, ashkay16 said:

Been on NCL before but first time Haven this July out of NY .  How is nyc check in for haven guests ?   Also what time is Haven bar open till each night .  Thanks in advance . 

The check in for Haven was simple and quick in January. At the front area is the security lines everyone goes thru. They had a separate line for Haven, one of the pier workers pointed us to which line to get in. After you go thru that the actual Haven check in was almost at the other end of the terminal on the left. This is were you checkin and get your cabin cards. The Haven waiting room was right across from this. This was the location at the time of our sailing, been going out of NYC for 12 years and I have seen Haven checkin at three different areas. From the time we walked into the terminal to the time we were in the Haven waiting area was 15 minutes.

 

 

 

Edited February 22, 2023 by Laszlo

[Aauclair]

1 hour ago, ashkay16 said:

Been on NCL before but first time Haven this July out of NY .  How is nyc check in for haven guests ?   Also what time is Haven bar open till each night .  Thanks in advance . 

Haven check in in NY was the fastest Haven check in we have had. It was seamless and we were on the ship within 20 minutes. The whole parking the car to being on the ship took about 45 minutes - kind of crazy. Getting out was as easy:). Have a great cruise. 

[CDR Benson]

4 hours ago, Laszlo said:

The check in for Haven was simple and quick in January. At the front area is the security lines everyone goes thru. They had a separate line for Haven, one of the pier workers pointed us to which line to get in. After you go thru that the actual Haven check in was almost at the other end of the terminal on the left. This is were you checkin and get your cabin cards. The Haven waiting room was right across from this. This was the location at the time of our sailing, been going out of NYC for 12 years and I have seen Haven checkin at three different areas. From the time we walked into the terminal to the time we were in the Haven waiting area was 15 minutes.

 

Our experience at the Manhattan Pier Terminal last September was identical to this.  Our previous embarkation (different cruise line, different city) had dropped us into the middle of a Chinese fire drill that forced me into a Gordian tactic to clear through the confusion.  So the swiftness and efficiency of Manhattan was a welcome surprise.