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

[RocketMan275]

8 hours ago, efuzz said:

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!

There is a VIP car on the train ride.  Much nice than the regular ride.  Rotating arm chairs.  In car refreshments including alcohol, sandwiches, etc.  Best thing is the in-car tour guide.  In the other cars, there is one guide for the whole train.   You can't ask him questions.  We think it's worth the extra.

[azappraiser]

On 8/27/2023 at 4:12 PM, Traveling Fools said:

Moving back on topic, here is some initial boarding advise for those who book aft Haven suites.  I search this issue on this thread.  It hasn't been mentioned, so it is new information for all.

 

Ships with the Haven are bigger ships than those without a Haven.  To facilitate a speedy boarding process, the cruise terminal will almost always have aft and forward boarding areas and operations.  The intent being passengers in cabins in the front half of the ship boards and checks in using the forward station and those in the back half use the aft boarding station. 

 

The system works well with none-Haven guests, but not so well for Haven guests in Aft suites.

 

Why????

 

As Haven guests your first stop will be....you guessed it the Haven.  And where is the Haven?  You guessed right again.  It is in the forward part of the ship. 

 

This means when if you use the aft Haven boarding station you will be escorted on board at the aft end of the ship and from there forward to the Haven lounge.  This meant for us, and the others in our group, using 2-non dedicated elevators and dodging passengers the entire length of the ship.  All that while tugging or toting your carryon luggage.  And if you are traveling with young children herding them while they get distracted by every little thing and at the same time trying to keep up with your group.  If you suffer from walking issues, things get exacerbated.

 

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.

 

Remember, fire doors are closed during the boarding process and you won't have access to the passageways (hallways) going to your suite. You have to pre-plan where you are going to hang out until they open the ship's cabins.  And once the announcement is made cabins are ready for occupancy, it is a goat rope navigating the entire length of the ship through the other several thousand passengers wanting to settle into their cabins.  

 

I'm so glad you addressed this; I too, have searched to no avail, for any scrap of info regarding Aft Haven suite passengers.  I'll be sure to "add" a Forward Boarding Request when I reach out to the pre-cruise concierge.

 

When the suites were ready, was it just a free for all with everyone heading aft, or was it organized chaos?  Group escorts?  Anything?

 

While we're on the subject of Aft Haven Suites; are the Butler's hours of availability reduced since the suites are not located in the "Haven proper"?

 

Would it be considered an out-of-line request to have the Concierge desk drop-off a package while in port; if the package is properly sealed and a shipping label is attached?  There are two shipping sites in the port, both accept FedEx shipments, but have different hours.

[Treasure Hunter]

The lumberjack show is good old fashioned fun too. It’s a great cruise. 

[Traveling Fools]

7 hours ago, azappraiser said:

When the suites were ready, was it just a free for all with everyone heading aft, or was it organized chaos?  Group escorts?  Anything?

 I don't remember being escorted from the Haven back to our suite.  But then I cheated.  Lunch for Have guests was available at one of the restaurants on the aft pool deck.  I can't remember the name of it.  Anyway, I was able to breech the fire door and get to my suite where I stored our carry-on.  Got caught doing it, was scolded, and escorted back out the common area.

7 hours ago, azappraiser said:

While we're on the subject of Aft Haven Suites; are the Butler's hours of availability reduced since the suites are not located in the "Haven proper"?

 

Great question!  I don't know how many butlers NCL assigns to service Aft Haven suites.  Ours took care of aft suites on more than one deck.  He was not very responsive and was the worst butler we have ever had.  Our disembarkation was self delayed while we waited for him to walk the length of the ship to the Haven "proper" to give him his tip envelope.  He didn't even say Thank-you.  I never said anything to NCL because it was witnessed by Virginia, the Concierge, with whom we had sailed with before.  She was as stunned as we were.  

 

We were sailing with our two young grandchildren and asked him to deliver breakfast to the suite on all but the last morning.  We also asked to deliver warm milk for our GS every evening.  He always seemed put out.

 

The BEST butler we have ever had hands down or up was MR. MAXIE.  He is absolutely the best!👌

[Girr]

Maxie was absolutely the BEST. 

[Sthrngary]

1 hour ago, Traveling Fools said:

 I don't remember being escorted from the Haven back to our suite.  But then I cheated.  Lunch for Have guests was available at one of the restaurants on the aft pool deck.  I can't remember the name of it.  Anyway, I was able to breech the fire door and get to my suite where I stored our carry-on.  Got caught doing it, was scolded, and escorted back out the common area.

 

Great question!  I don't know how many butlers NCL assigns to service Aft Haven suites.  Ours took care of aft suites on more than one deck.  He was not very responsive and was the worst butler we have ever had.  Our disembarkation was self delayed while we waited for him to walk the length of the ship to the Haven "proper" to give him his tip envelope.  He didn't even say Thank-you.  I never said anything to NCL because it was witnessed by Virginia, the Concierge, with whom we had sailed with before.  She was as stunned as we were.  

 

We were sailing with our two young grandchildren and asked him to deliver breakfast to the suite on all but the last morning.  We also asked to deliver warm milk for our GS every evening.  He always seemed put out.

 

The BEST butler we have ever had hands down or up was MR. MAXIE.  He is absolutely the best!👌

@Traveling Fools This issue with the inconsistent butlers has been a topic on CruiseCritic.com quite often. A few experience I have had with butlers will allow me to to make a point.  Others experiences might differ.  Kind of like food in restaurants, subjective. 

 

After getting some duds for Butlers a few times, I was frustrated.  My goal when booking a cruise is to "control, the controllable".  I had gotten to be friends with a few butlers and asked what was going on to create such a discrepancy.  The word around the campfire (shameless movie line from Pulp Fiction) was NCL created a situation where a high percentage of time, the butlers never got tips.  It seems the guest was unaware the Butlers in the Haven were NOT on the pre-paid gratuity program and the guest thought they were paid.  This lead to discontentment over time because this was how they made their living. 

 

When I found this out, I created what is now know on this and other boards as the Butler letter which included the entire week gratuity for the butler provided on day one.  I learned this from doing business in Germany when my client would pay me on day one and say, "I want you to know I trust you to do a GREAT job for us."  I would always do a great job but this simple gesture really had me focused on my customer just a bit more.  

 

From that point two things happened.  All of my butlers whether on NCL, Celebrity and Crystal Cruises were outstanding.  The Butler on Crystal was so over the top great I am afraid not butler on any line will ever come close.  His name was Engin for those Crystal Cruise fans.  The second thing that happened was pointed comments from the members saying what I was doing was horrible.  YET, if it is our goal to, "Control the Controllable" and I got noticeable better butler service after I change my approach, I achieve my goal.  

 

My next cruise will be on Oceania for 10 days in the Mediterranean.  The butler letter has been written over a year ago and the cruise is in 60 days.  I will report back my results but I have a very good feeling about it. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[Treasure Hunter]

The Butlers on Oceania are not as understaffed. They have time to chat. 

[Traveling Fools]

42 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

My next cruise will be on Oceania for 10 days in the Mediterranean.  The butler letter has been written over a year ago and the cruise is in 60 days.  I will report back my results but I have a very good feeling about it.

The butler on our Oceania Med cruise performed very well.  I do not think you will be disappointed by any of the staff you encounter.

[efuzz]

12 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

There is a VIP car on the train ride.  Much nice than the regular ride.  Rotating arm chairs.  In car refreshments including alcohol, sandwiches, etc.  Best thing is the in-car tour guide.  In the other cars, there is one guide for the whole train.   You can't ask him questions.  We think it's worth the extra.

Excellent. We looked at that earlier but it was full. I'm on the waitlist. 

[surfclam2003]

On 8/24/2023 at 7:00 PM, Kauaijim said:

The people who had NCL Flights leaving the spirit in Tahiti last November had to leave the ship at 4 am for the charter , lot of mumbling the day before. We have only done 3 trips on NCL only on  small ships w/o haven but we were well taken care of staying in a suite. 

I was on that trip. Friends of ours were off at 3am. We were lucky as we spent an additional 9 days in Tahiti.

[RocketMan275]

11 hours ago, efuzz said:

Excellent. We looked at that earlier but it was full. I'm on the waitlist. 

It is well worth the extra cost.  Hope your wait list clears.

[Sthrngary]

Hello everybody.  I have a idea.  I am happy to start a new Thread that is titled, "I found a GREAT price for a Haven Suite, and here it is!"

 

What does everyone think of this topic?

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[cruiseny4life]

1 hour ago, Sthrngary said:

Hello everybody.  I have a idea.  I am happy to start a new Thread that is titled, "I found a GREAT price for a Haven Suite, and here it is!"

 

What does everyone think of this topic?

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

Well, we know I'll be posting on it! The real question though, is did you find a price you like that means a return for another Haven experience for you after your Oceania cruise? Because that would be exciting!!!!

[Sthrngary]

6 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

Well, we know I'll be posting on it! The real question though, is did you find a price you like that means a return for another Haven experience for you after your Oceania cruise? Because that would be exciting!!!!

@cruiseny4life NOPE, I wish.  I miss it.  I really do.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[Daniel A]

14 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

@cruiseny4life NOPE, I wish.  I miss it.  I really do.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

I just got Into our Haven cabin on Breakaway.  I'm enjoying M&M's and a Budweiser on our balcony... @Sthrngary - thank you for the insights gained from this board!  

[Sthrngary]

2 minutes ago, Daniel A said:

I just got Into our Haven cabin on Breakaway.  I'm enjoying M&M's and a Budweiser on our balcony... @Sthrngary - thank you for the insights gained from this board!  

@Daniel A I am SO happy for YOU both.  I was on the Breakaway last year.  Nice ship.  M&M's and Budweiser sounds GREAT.  You are welcome BUT paybacks are hell.  My price for all the advice is a Hamantash and Lisnon Tart from NYC where you live.  Have you ever noticed I like Pastries, LOL.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

[Daniel A]

3 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

@Daniel A I am SO happy for YOU both.  I was on the Breakaway last year.  Nice ship.  M&M's and Budweiser sounds GREAT.  You are welcome BUT paybacks are hell.  My price for all the advice is a Hamantash and Lisnon Tart from NYC where you live.  Have you ever noticed I like Pastries, LOL.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Actually, we are a party of three, DS has joined us.  We are in a Family Villa.  It is much larger than how they appear on YouTube videos.  I plan to have some almond croissants for you. 

[RocketMan275]

34 minutes ago, Daniel A said:

Actually, we are a party of three, DS has joined us.  We are in a Family Villa.  It is much larger than how they appear on YouTube videos.  I plan to have some almond croissants for you. 

Send him some pictures of the croissants.

[Sthrngary]

1 minute ago, RocketMan275 said:

Send him some pictures of the croissants.

 

1 minute ago, RocketMan275 said:

Send him some pictures of the croissants.

@RocketMan275 LMAO, you are killing me.  I just lost 25 lbs so I can eat pastries for 10 days in November.  I know for a fact, Oceania does NOT HAVE Almond Croissants.  The pros/cons of choosing something other than the Haven.  I have to live with my decision though.  But, darn those things are so good.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[RocketMan275]

5 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

 

@RocketMan275 LMAO, you are killing me.  I just lost 25 lbs so I can eat pastries for 10 days in November.  I know for a fact, Oceania does NOT HAVE Almond Croissants.  The pros/cons of choosing something other than the Haven.  I have to live with my decision though.  But, darn those things are so good.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

You are to be congratulated on your weight loss. 

Last I heard, picture have zero calories and do not cause weight gain.

BTW, how'd you lose that weight?

[Sthrngary]

1 minute ago, RocketMan275 said:

You are to be congratulated on your weight loss. 

Last I heard, picture have zero calories and do not cause weight gain.

BTW, how'd you lose that weight?

@RocketMan275 I started pre-covid.  I weighed 300 lbs.  Not good especially since I was 5' 10". My adult son got my wife and I on Keto.  I lost 70 lbs.  Then stayed there for a while.  My wife in an effort to be able to walk a lot on our upcoming ports of call in Europe started to walk every day.  Be both went on Keto again and I walk with her ever other day.  My hips and knees are great.  Hers are getting better with the walking. 

 

I am 5 lbs away from my goal of 199 lbs for the cruise which is 60 days from now.  I did have ice cream yesterday though.  A little cheat. Thank you for asking.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[DMH15]

On 6/20/2023 at 7:02 AM, Branbay said:

Just for some laughs, my wife asked what stateroom we were in last night, she doesn't know we are staying in the Haven as it's a surprise. So I quickly blurted out it was on deck 15...she bought it...lol.  I also had some difficulty intercepting the Haven letter with the luggage tags, she's a school teacher and she's off for the summer.

I love it.  

 

My BIL did similar for my sis.  A land based trip to the Caribbean.   He totally surprised her inasmuch he packed for both of them, including passports, arranged a secret week off from her boss, etc.  The plan was to drive to the airport and let it play out.  
 

Only problem is he packed like 30 pairs of sox, no shoes, a beaded dress way too small, (it was vintage my grandmother made as a designer in hollywood) and really nothing appropriate.  My sis got to shop at the island store!

 

We all still talk about it!   You will too for years to come!!!  Good job. 

Edited September 3, 2023 by DMH15

[Jetswdo]

A question to Sthrngary re booking sp restaurants-- I have booked a Haven spa cabin-- 4 specialty restaurants  are included.  I am planning to make the reservations 130 days ahead as soon as the window opens. Here is my questions: If the restaurant times won't work for us (We are old farts and prefer to eat dinner 5:30 to 6:30 ish) do we make the resservations anyway for the wrong times and then email the concierge to fix the times for us?  Or do we not make the reservations on line at all and just contact the concierge?  What do you advise.  Thanks in advance.  Anita

[Daniel A]

27 minutes ago, Jetswdo said:

A question to Sthrngary re booking sp restaurants-- I have booked a Haven spa cabin-- 4 specialty restaurants  are included.  I am planning to make the reservations 130 days ahead as soon as the window opens. Here is my questions: If the restaurant times won't work for us (We are old farts and prefer to eat dinner 5:30 to 6:30 ish) do we make the resservations anyway for the wrong times and then email the concierge to fix the times for us?  Or do we not make the reservations on line at all and just contact the concierge?  What do you advise.  Thanks in advance.  Anita

If you know where you would like to dine and when, you should be able to contact the pre-cruise concierge and lock in your preferences before the rest of the others.

[Sthrngary]

50 minutes ago, Jetswdo said:

A question to Sthrngary re booking sp restaurants-- I have booked a Haven spa cabin-- 4 specialty restaurants  are included.  I am planning to make the reservations 130 days ahead as soon as the window opens. Here is my questions: If the restaurant times won't work for us (We are old farts and prefer to eat dinner 5:30 to 6:30 ish) do we make the resservations anyway for the wrong times and then email the concierge to fix the times for us?  Or do we not make the reservations on line at all and just contact the concierge?  What do you advise.  Thanks in advance.  Anita

First of all, you won’t have any problem getting those times at 130 days out. But if you do, make your reservations, then send a message to the pre-cruise concierge to change your time. Again, I don’t think you’re going to have any problem at all getting those times. Remember, they were 200 haven guests, and 4000 other guests. 
 

Cruise well, and enjoy every moment