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

[darlene62]

On 8/1/2023 at 5:01 PM, Candy Apple 12 said:

If I can keep my MIL from saying anything, I may be able to do that. Hubby and I will be platinum for the first time on this cruise, but in-laws are gold and my mom is bronze. My mom knows that we are in a 2 bedroom, but I don’t think she knows about the Haven. Maybe I can use that to my advantage. Maybe she’ll think the Haven is just a priority waiting area? The last two cruises Gian, the concierge, gave his Haven spiel while we were in the Haven terminal waiting area due to the delay in embarkation. For those of you who’ve had a normal embarkation time, does this spiel usually happen once you’re escorted up to the Haven? If so, that would make it quite a nice surprise. 

 

[darlene62]

I was lucky enough to have Gian as my butler.  I would never consider him as to spouting a spiel as a concierge. I believe him to be honest, hardworking and always no matter what pain in the butts we can be as helpful.  I can say this because he was a butler for me and my mother.  My mother was ill but got Dr's approval to travel.  Honestly Loved her but I was scared.  Gian without knowing circumstances treated my mother like a queen. As a butler he took special care of her, and I was so grateful.  She passed on a few months later but many times during our conversations she stated she loved cruise and love Gian for paying attention to her.  I am not criticizing anyone, but I do think sometimes we expect too much ...Not saying at all poster is rude and I understand we pay so much for the cruise. I just think that many passengers are a bit too demanding.  Gian was the best. 

[darlene62]

Just have to add...Gian in my opinion went outside his duties to make my mom special. I hope someday to be able to convey this to him as it being the last trip my mom took she felt so special.

[Treasure Hunter]

My mother loved cruising. I’m sorry I never got to take her in the Haven. I think CandyApple didn’t mean anything against Gian. Just trying to keep a nice surprise. I have had the speech in both places, in the pre boarding lounge ( which itself is a give away with the pastries and on board in the Haven lounge. Just go with the flow with a big smile and let them figure it out!

[Candy Apple 12]

8 hours ago, darlene62 said:

I was lucky enough to have Gian as my butler.  I would never consider him as to spouting a spiel as a concierge. I believe him to be honest, hardworking and always no matter what pain in the butts we can be as helpful.  I can say this because he was a butler for me and my mother.  My mother was ill but got Dr's approval to travel.  Honestly Loved her but I was scared.  Gian without knowing circumstances treated my mother like a queen. As a butler he took special care of her, and I was so grateful.  She passed on a few months later but many times during our conversations she stated she loved cruise and love Gian for paying attention to her.  I am not criticizing anyone, but I do think sometimes we expect too much ...Not saying at all poster is rude and I understand we pay so much for the cruise. I just think that many passengers are a bit too demanding.  Gian was the best. 

 

8 hours ago, darlene62 said:

Just have to add...Gian in my opinion went outside his duties to make my mom special. I hope someday to be able to convey this to him as it being the last trip my mom took she felt so special.

 

5 hours ago, Treasure Hunter said:

My mother loved cruising. I’m sorry I never got to take her in the Haven. I think CandyApple didn’t mean anything against Gian. Just trying to keep a nice surprise. I have had the speech in both places, in the pre boarding lounge ( which itself is a give away with the pastries and on board in the Haven lounge. Just go with the flow with a big smile and let them figure it out!

I definitely was not trying to disparage Gian! My apologies. I was just relating our experiences on the two cruises on which embarkation was delayed. Gian was wonderful on both of our cruises and remembered us on the second one. I hope he is on the Bliss on our upcoming cruise with my mom.
 

I was asking for others experiences so I would know if my experience was the norm or if it was unusual due to the delayed embarkation process. Thank you, @Treasure Hunter, for letting me know it’s been both ways for you. The concierge needs to give his spiel (AKA “this is what you need to know about the Haven) either in the pre-boarding lounge or in the Haven lounge so that Haven neophytes can make the most of the Haven experience. Knowing that the spiel may occur in either location helps me prepare for my surprise. 
 

I will definitely have a big smile on my face whenever she figures it out!
 

My condolences to both of you on the loss of your mothers, whether it was recently or many years ago. 

[Treasure Hunter]

Thank you. Each day is a gift. You all will have a fabulous time. We are on the Encore in February ( two bedroom family suite in the Haven with our daughter and two grandchildren. Making memories!

[Treasure Hunter]

Surf and surf! 😁

[Daniel A]

14 minutes ago, Treasure Hunter said:

Surf and surf! 😁

I had Turf & Turf tonight!  Tomorrow will be Surf & Surf...

[darlene62]

2 hours ago, Candy Apple 12 said:

 

 

I definitely was not trying to disparage Gian! My apologies. I was just relating our experiences on the two cruises on which embarkation was delayed. Gian was wonderful on both of our cruises and remembered us on the second one. I hope he is on the Bliss on our upcoming cruise with my mom.
 

I was asking for others experiences so I would know if my experience was the norm or if it was unusual due to the delayed embarkation process. Thank you, @Treasure Hunter, for letting me know it’s been both ways for you. The concierge needs to give his spiel (AKA “this is what you need to know about the Haven) either in the pre-boarding lounge or in the Haven lounge so that Haven neophytes can make the most of the Haven experience. Knowing that the spiel may occur in either location helps me prepare for my surprise. 
 

I will definitely have a big smile on my face whenever she figures it out!
 

My condolences to both of you on the loss of your mothers, whether it was recently or many years ago. 

I am so very sorry that my post was not more carefully worded.  Not once did I think you said anything to disparage!  Thank you for your condolences. 

[Daniel A]

I really hate to do this but I don't remember which Haven staff are not part of the general gratuities payments.   Can anyone direct me to the post(s) that clarify?  I am especially interested in the Haven Restaurant's wait staff, but any other staff not included in the gratuity pool would help too.

 

To clarify, I'm not asking for tipping guidelines,  just who isn't already covered.

 

Thanks.

[ggTexasGal]

1 minute ago, Daniel A said:

I really hate to do this but I don't remember which Haven staff are not part of the general gratuities payments.   Can anyone direct me to the post(s) that clarify?  I am especially interested in the Haven Restaurant's wait staff, but any other staff not included in the gratuity pool would help too.

 

To clarify, I'm not asking for tipping guidelines,  just who isn't already covered.

 

Thanks.

Butlers and Concierges.

[Treasure Hunter]

We also tip the head waiter in the restaurant. I know some people tip the bartender ( we don’t drink and don’t have the beverage package). Sometimes they give me a free coke so I tip. The waiters on the sundeck when they bring me lunch upstairs. And if the steward is amazing we give extra.

[scottie920]

Sorry if it has been asked before but which Drinks package is included for Haven Suite guests?

[Russiamomm]

1 hour ago, scottie920 said:

Sorry if it has been asked before but which Drinks package is included for Haven Suite guests?

None.  Haven guests don’t automatically get a drink package.  It’s the same as the rest of the ship.  You can get the basic package with Free at Sea or upgrade to the Premium package.

[psac]

On 9/7/2023 at 11:27 AM, Daniel A said:

I really hate to do this but I don't remember which Haven staff are not part of the general gratuities payments.   Can anyone direct me to the post(s) that clarify?  I am especially interested in the Haven Restaurant's wait staff, but any other staff not included in the gratuity pool would help too.

 

To clarify, I'm not asking for tipping guidelines,  just who isn't already covered.

 

Thanks.

In addition to the others already mentioned, we have also tipped the Haven restaurant hostess in the past on most trips. Usually they know our names after a few days and/or just greeting us with a friendly smile makes our mornings start off right!

[Daniel A]

2 hours ago, scottie920 said:

Sorry if it has been asked before but which Drinks package is included for Haven Suite guests?

 

37 minutes ago, Russiamomm said:

None.  Haven guests don’t automatically get a drink package.  It’s the same as the rest of the ship.  You can get the basic package with Free at Sea or upgrade to the Premium package.

Unless one has expensive tastes in beverages, the basic package works just fine.

[Daniel A]

1 minute ago, psac said:

In addition to the others already mentioned, we have also tipped the Haven restaurant hostess in the past on most trips. Usually they know our names after a few days and/or just greeting us with a friendly smile makes our mornings start off right!

I have had some staff whom I hadn't yet met address me by first name.   I think they keep a book in the back with our photos and names, and it really makes a difference in how it brightens the day in the Haven.  It makes you feel at home and welcome.  

[Russiamomm]

10 minutes ago, Daniel A said:

 

Unless one has expensive tastes in beverages, the basic package works just fine.

Completely agree.  I’ve never felt the need for the premium package.  Mostly I would use it for Starbucks,but the coffee is so good in the Haven that’s not needed!

[Gray Eagle02]

On 8/22/2023 at 9:24 PM, Ballwin Babe said:

Just for the record, we do not routinely buy travel insurance for our "routine cruises".  However, if $60K was at stake (no chance of THAT happening) it would be insured.   The premium would be VERY high. 

I have my first Haven cruise coming up but have been cruising on Regent ( plus one Seabourn, Oceania and Viking cruise) for 11 years. I would never go without insurance, though it’s not primarily for cancellation; it’s for medical and medivac coverage. I can afford to eat the $30,000+ for the cost of the cruise( after all, if you paid for the cruise you can obviously afford it) but can’t afford the cost of medical care in a foreign country and especially for medivac coverage that can run into in excess of $100,000. For that reason I choose my policies very carefully. If the coverage for medical is not at least $100,000 and medivac  at least $1,000,000, I get supplemental coverage from Squaremouth. Incidentally, I never get cruise ship coverage ( except for Seabourn) as it is almost always universally inadequate. And, yes these policies are very expensive as they are based on the cost of the cruise. I usually pay around $2,000 for the above noted coverage.  In addition to this I have an Medjet annual policy that covers medical evacuation from any hospital worldwide to any hospital near my home. Maybe all this is overkill but I was an emergency room Nurse Practitioner and know how bad things can happen anywhere; the cost of the cruise—even a very expensive one—pales in comparison to a serious accident or illness. 
And, yes, I had one claim after we missed a Regent cruise 7 years ago after my husband had a bad accident and received a check for $25,000. 

[Traveling Fools]

3 hours ago, Daniel A said:

Unless one has expensive tastes in beverages, the basic package works just fine.

I quit drinking 5-years ago.  The only time I drink now is when I'm on a cruise and believe me I have expensive tastes and get every penny's worth out of the upgraded package.  

 

I look at if from the perspective that I'm being comped the basic package, so I'm not really upgrading, but buying a simple package.

 

It really doesn't take many of the higher priced drinks to "break even".  And, No, I don't get drunk.

[scottie920]

I could be misinterpreting but this implies the mini bar in all the Haven suites is included. No asterisk against it suggesting only applies to High Level.

[RocketMan275]

4 minutes ago, scottie920 said:

I could be misinterpreting but this implies the mini bar in all the Haven suites is included. No asterisk against it suggesting only applies to High Level.

Been in Haven twice.  The minibar isn't included.

[ggTexasGal]

1 minute ago, RocketMan275 said:

Been in Haven twice.  The minibar isn't included.

I agree!  NCL really needs to remove that wording, or, add a qualifier such as "fees may apply."

[rattla]

On 9/9/2023 at 5:40 PM, scottie920 said:

Sorry if it has been asked before but which Drinks package is included for Haven Suite guests?

as it seems you are in the U.K., when we book a Haven cabin we get all the Free at Sea benefits included automatically with no additional charge. within this package it’s the Premium package with drinks up to $15, but excludes bottled water and Starbucks. You can chose to upgrade to Premium Plus for a fee.

In the US they have to pay gratuities on the parts of the package, but in the U.K. it’s a set fee, however that fee is include in the booking for Haven bookings.

N.B. I think if you get a Haven cabin via the Bid Up process, this may not be the case and you’d only get FAS if you booked it on your original booking

Edited September 11, 2023 by rattla

[graphicguy]

On 9/9/2023 at 2:18 PM, Russiamomm said:

None.  Haven guests don’t automatically get a drink package.  It’s the same as the rest of the ship.  You can get the basic package with Free at Sea or upgrade to the Premium package.

The “:SAILAWAY” rates, which deduct the Free at Sea perks, aren’t available for Haven Suites.  So, in reality, Haven guests get the FAS package.