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

[Pitzel]

14 hours ago, Traveling Fools said:

The solution is easy. If booked in an Aft Haven suite, inform the pre-cruise concierge of your intent to use the forward boarding station...AND...ask for an acknowledgement of your intent.  By using the forward Haven boarding area to check in, you are escorted to a dedicated elevator that takes you straight to the Haven and its lounge.  After the concierge finishes with her welcome aboard speech, you can leave your carryon luggage in the lounge and begin exploring the ship.  If booked in an aft suite, it is unlikely your suite will be ready for occupancy before those in the Haven proper.  So, you want a place to stow your stuff until you can actually gain access to your suite.

That seems overly complicated. Why not just get your keycard at whatever check-in station you are required to go to and then make your way back to the forward Haven waiting area in the terminal (if there is more than one Haven waiting area) and then board from there with everyone else?

[Sthrngary]

Hello everyone.  So many threads ask the same questions.  So many new cruisers of new cruisers to the NCL Haven start new threads.  I think it is nice to have a group of folks that share how to enjoy any aspect of their cruising experience better.  Whether a hint, suggestion or secret.  Each does not directly relate to all contributors, all focus on vacation enhancement. 

 

Keep up the good work and share what every you have found to gain the maximum benefit from your cruise dollar.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

[Daniel A]

I just now discovered where one makes reservations for the shows.  I cannot find any early shows still being available on the website.  Is there a theater Haven reserved section on Breakaway?  Will the concierge be able to book shows even if the times aren't available on the website?

Edited August 28, 2023 by Daniel A

[DaisyGoldberg]

In the Haven lounge they usually distribute forms to fill out with requests for shows/dining and can collect them then or you can drop them at the desk on board. They do ask you to do it as soon as possible. Confirmation will appear in your room later.

 

There is a Haven section and you're free to go to it yourself at your leisure, or go in a group with the concierge - they usually leave the Haven about a half hour before the show, and the ropes blocking off the Haven section are removed about 5-10 mins before the show starts. 

[Traveling Fools]

6 hours ago, Pitzel said:

That seems overly complicated. Why not just get your keycard at whatever check-in station you are required to go to and then make your way back to the forward Haven waiting area in the terminal (if there is more than one Haven waiting area) and then board from there with everyone else

 

Because they board and escort Haven passengers in groups.  And as you walk the length of the ship the group gets strung out. This can be caused by mobility issues, passengers not in your group unintentionally obstructing movement resulting in a missed elevator, etc.

 

You can do as you wish, but I have found it less complicated, quicker, and easier to use the forward boarding station.

[kasimir]

9 minutes ago, DaisyGoldberg said:

There is a Haven section and you're free to go to it yourself at your leisure, or go in a group with the concierge - they usually leave the Haven about a half hour before the show, and the ropes blocking off the Haven section are removed about 5-10 mins before the show starts. 

 

I saw in a video somewhere that this "Haven section" in the theater doesn't exist on the Prima class ships and you have to wait in line 30 minutes before the show like everyone else. Is that true? 

 

Reason I am asking as our first ever Haven experience will be on the Prima in October and there seem to be some subtle but important differences between the Haven on the BA/BA+ ships and the Prima class ships. 

[Sthrngary]

2 hours ago, Daniel A said:

I just now discovered where one makes reservations for the shows.  I cannot find any early shows still being available on the website.  Is there a theater Haven reserved section on Breakaway?  Will the concierge be able to book shows even if the times aren't available on the website?

@Daniel A Haven reserved section which is never filled is left side, orchestra.  Yes, the Haven Concierge will assist you.  As I have said, never an issue for a Haven Guest getting into a big production show. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[GALSews]

24 minutes ago, kasimir said:

 

I saw in a video somewhere that this "Haven section" in the theater doesn't exist on the Prima class ships and you have to wait in line 30 minutes before the show like everyone else. Is that true? 

 

Reason I am asking as our first ever Haven experience will be on the Prima in October and there seem to be some subtle but important differences between the Haven on the BA/BA+ ships and the Prima class ships. 

No, there is a Haven section in theater in the Prima - lower left as you face the stage. As others have written, you leave from concierge desk in Haven about 30 minutes before show begins. 

[Candy Apple 12]

On 8/25/2023 at 11:16 PM, Sailing12Away said:

You'll probably hear different stories, but the Haven priority boarding only happens once you get into the terminal and past security and all checked in. Depending on the port for embarkation, some are more strict than others. 

When we sailed to Alaska out of Seattle, they were checking our boarding passes and wouldn't let us into the building until it was within 30 mins of our stated embarkation time slot. So it didn't matter that we were Haven and as soon as we had our room key could board the ship - we couldn't even get into the building to get our room key in the first place.

 

So long story short - but yes, you do need to still pick an appropriate boarding time to ensure you can get into the boarding to board in the first place. But once you're inside and checked in, your time slot doesn't matter at all - you'll be allowed on the ship as early as you want once it is cleared and ready for passengers.

When was your voyage from Seattle to Alaska? When we sailed out of Seattle on the Bliss in May 2022, they were not checking our boarding times. They certainly could have or perhaps even should have because there was a delay in opening the terminal due to the previous cruise having a norovirus outbreak. They did not have a separate line for security for Haven, but I’ve since read here that some cruisers have experienced a separate entrance for security for Haven guests. 

[kasimir]

1 hour ago, GALSews said:

No, there is a Haven section in theater in the Prima - lower left as you face the stage. As others have written, you leave from concierge desk in Haven about 30 minutes before show begins. 

Thanks for clarifying 🙂

[psac]

4 hours ago, Traveling Fools said:

 

Because they board and escort Haven passengers in groups.  And as you walk the length of the ship the group gets strung out. This can be caused by mobility issues, passengers not in your group unintentionally obstructing movement resulting in a missed elevator, etc.

 

You can do as you wish, but I have found it less complicated, quicker, and easier to use the forward boarding station.

I assume this is the Miami terminal you’re speaking of?  The New York terminal has a Haven waiting area in the back of the terminal, and then they automatically bring everyone to the front gangway to bring everyone directly to the Haven area, before anyone else is onboard to have the chance to intervene with the Haven crowd. It’s a lot of walking back and forth, but it keeps all the Haven folks together. 

[psac]

On 8/27/2023 at 8:36 PM, McGarrett5oh said:

This may have been covered many pages ago, but I'm going to ask again as I can't seem to find the answers I'm seeking regarding WIFI, specifically on the NCL Prima (and its Haven) and coverage in the North Atlantic (Iceland, Norway or even TA).  

 

1)  Does the Prima have the Starlink WIFI yet?

 

2)  Knowing it's still going to be slower than home, what has the recent experience been with anyone who bought the UNLIMITED Premium Wifi on the Prima or anyother NCL ship sailing IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC for reasonable ability to access video from the Internet and upload videos and/or photos to Cruise Critic or other common sites (Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, etc)?

 

3) I have a a note from a Harr Travel article about the (generic) Haven benefits that stated or implied that the NCL has deployed additional wifi hotspots within the Haven.  Can anyone substantiate that or how their overall WIFI experience was within the Haven.

 

Thanks in advance!  😀

I can’t directly answer any of your questions, but I’ll give some general experience. We were on the Anthem of the Seas from NJ to the Caribbean after they got Starlink, and the service was really spotty, except super early morning when not a lot of people were using it. As the afternoon hit, it was unusable. In the Joy Haven NY to Bermuda it was better, but still noticeable differences between times when not a lot of people would be surfing vs prime times. In both cases, I don’t think the Starlink had anything to do with it or not, I still think the internal traffic is the what overloads the system.  Maybe the newer Prima may have better routers/more hotspots, etc,, but I would still question how good the service would be!  

[Daniel A]

4 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

@Daniel A Haven reserved section which is never filled is left side, orchestra.  Yes, the Haven Concierge will assist you.  As I have said, never an issue for a Haven Guest getting into a big production show. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

@Sthrngary thank you for all of your help.  It is always reassuring and realistic.   I hope some day to meet up with you on some future sailing.  Even if you did replace your original elegant avatar with a cartoon curmudgeon.   Mister Wilson was enough of a role model for me!!

Edited August 29, 2023 by Daniel A

[Traveling Fools]

18 hours ago, psac said:

I assume this is the Miami terminal you’re speaking of?

Port Canaveral. 

[efuzz]

My wife and I are flying to Seattle in 4 days and will board the Encore the next day for our first Alaskan cruise. I cannot tell you how excited we are for this trip. It is also our first NCL and so obviously, our first time in the Haven. @Sthrngary @CDR Benson and many others, your input on this thread has been invaluable to our planning. Thank you all so much. My butler letter and luggage tags are ready, and I am surprising my wife on our flight as I have upgraded to 1st class both ways because I want her to be pampered from the time we get to the Atlanta airport. (And bonus that I get pampered too!) If any of you are on the Encore with us, I would love to share a drink at the Haven bar. I am having an almond croissant as soon as I board and plan to report back when we return with my observation/experiences. 

[CDR Benson]

Happy and safe travels to you both!  

[Grimix]

5 minutes ago, efuzz said:

I am having an almond croissant as soon as I board and plan to report back when we return with my observation/experiences. 

I hope so. But temper your expectations! I don't remember if they are only available for breakfast. I also don't remember if they serve breakfast on embarkation day... But unless supply issues have taken them out they should be available the next morning!

[Treasure Hunter]

You will have a wonderful time. If you can splurge I highly recommend the helicopter to the glacier to do the dog sledding. And if you are on the Yukon railroad sit on the left side. The train does reverse for the scenery but on the way down everyone is asleep!

[Sthrngary]

8 minutes ago, efuzz said:

I am having an almond croissant as soon as I board and plan to report back when we return with my observation/experiences. 

@efuzz I am afraid you will have to wait until the morning for the Almond Croissant.  Have a wonderful cruise.  The Encore has one of the nicest Haven's in the fleet.  I did a similar thing for my wife on our next cruise.  Our partners need to know how much we appreciated them for all they did for our families and us.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[Sailing12Away]

On 8/28/2023 at 5:34 PM, Candy Apple 12 said:

When was your voyage from Seattle to Alaska? When we sailed out of Seattle on the Bliss in May 2022, they were not checking our boarding times. They certainly could have or perhaps even should have because there was a delay in opening the terminal due to the previous cruise having a norovirus outbreak. They did not have a separate line for security for Haven, but I’ve since read here that some cruisers have experienced a separate entrance for security for Haven guests. 

2021, shortly after the reopening. So maybe it had more to do with that than anything else.

[amygutman]

2 hours ago, efuzz said:

My wife and I are flying to Seattle in 4 days and will board the Encore the next day for our first Alaskan cruise. I cannot tell you how excited we are for this trip. It is also our first NCL and so obviously, our first time in the Haven. @Sthrngary @CDR Benson and many others, your input on this thread has been invaluable to our planning. Thank you all so much. My butler letter and luggage tags are ready, and I am surprising my wife on our flight as I have upgraded to 1st class both ways because I want her to be pampered from the time we get to the Atlanta airport. (And bonus that I get pampered too!) If any of you are on the Encore with us, I would love to share a drink at the Haven bar. I am having an almond croissant as soon as I board and plan to report back when we return with my observation/experiences. 

@efuzz to let you know that @justhappy is doing a lifestream for the Encore in Alaska as we speak. She is not in the Haven, but is giving a wonderful review.

 

Have a fantastic time and get the ship ready for us… Our family and friends are boarding on September 24th!!!! 
 

Warmest Amy

[efuzz]

6 hours ago, Grimix said:

I hope so. But temper your expectations! I don't remember if they are only available for breakfast. I also don't remember if they serve breakfast on embarkation day... But unless supply issues have taken them out they should be available the next morning!

Well, I guess I'll have to eat 2 the next day! Thanks for the warning. I'll try not to think about it on the way to the port.

[efuzz]

6 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

@efuzz I am afraid you will have to wait until the morning for the Almond Croissant.  Have a wonderful cruise.  The Encore has one of the nicest Haven's in the fleet.  I did a similar thing for my wife on our next cruise.  Our partners need to know how much we appreciated them for all they did for our families and us.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

Thank you, sir! I like to spoil my wife when I can, and it appears you do as well. Cheers!

[efuzz]

3 hours ago, amygutman said:

@efuzz to let you know that @justhappy is doing a lifestream for the Encore in Alaska as we speak. She is not in the Haven, but is giving a wonderful review.

 

Have a fantastic time and get the ship ready for us… Our family and friends are boarding on September 24th!!!! 
 

Warmest Amy

Thank you. I will check the live review out now! I'll make sure to leave it as well or better than I found it for you.

[efuzz]

6 hours ago, Treasure Hunter said:

You will have a wonderful time. If you can splurge I highly recommend the helicopter to the glacier to do the dog sledding. And if you are on the Yukon railroad sit on the left side. The train does reverse for the scenery but on the way down everyone is asleep!

Thank you. I am booked on the railroad so I'll be sure to grab a seat on the good side and I will definitely look into the helicopter. That sounds fun!