RCL Star Class vs. NCL Haven

[Hutcha]

On 2/5/2023 at 1:56 AM, Spurschick said:

It goes to show how inconsistent Star Class is. we were in SLS and our genie had 2 other cabins being 2 bed Aqua Suite and and another large multi occupancy suite.

 

We really don’t ask for much as we are quite low maintenance and have sailed Royal a lot, however when we did make a request we always were playing second fiddle to the larger groups she had. 
 

For example she offered an escort to Barefoot beach and asked us what time we wanted to get off. When we said as soon as we dock she said she couldn’t do it then as she was taking another group at that time. As we had Cabana booked we wanted to make the most of our day so in the end she reluctantly agreed to take us with the other group. 
 

Didn’t really strike us as going above and beyond. 
 

I think where MSC excel in this is they have so many butlers onboard, that as soon as you dock they have all the butlers lined up in Top sail lounge. You go in the next butler in line escorts a small group off. And then they return, so there is always a butler available to escort you. They work much more as a team so you never wait for assistance if your butler is tied up with another guest.

It really is genie dependent. Perhaps she got a little apathetic with the low maintenance vibe you were giving, instead of bending over backwards when you did ask for something. Also, if the other group had already requested a time to get off of the ship, maybe that's the best she could do. What was she to do with the other group that got their request in earlier. Just playing devil's advocate.

 

NCL uses the same process you mentioned for priority disembarkation that MSC uses. For that, I do prefer the genie method. We always had him come meet us where we wanted. CK, our room, or the buffet. It didn't matter.

[mac_tlc]

On 2/2/2023 at 1:36 PM, phd1003 said:

Great review. When did you travel on the Star class trip. Have been reading that the Genie's power is dwindling post Covid.

Not our experience either. We have had three genie experiences. One in 2018, one in 2021 and one in 2022. I'll discount the 2021 a bit because it was just after the restart and the genie's powers -- and everyone else's -- were limited.

 

Our 2022 experience was as good as our 2018 one. Our 2022 genie could do anything we asked. 

 

 

mac_tlc

[Spurschick]

9 hours ago, Hutcha said:

It really is genie dependent. Perhaps she got a little apathetic with the low maintenance vibe you were giving, instead of bending over backwards when you did ask for something. Also, if the other group had already requested a time to get off of the ship, maybe that's the best she could do. What was she to do with the other group that got their request in earlier. Just playing devil's advocate.

 

NCL uses the same process you mentioned for priority disembarkation that MSC uses. For that, I do prefer the genie method. We always had him come meet us where we wanted. CK, our room, or the buffet. It didn't matter.

Having sailed Star class, MSC Yacht Club and Retreat and being low maintenance on all 3 being low maintenance really should not effect the standards and quality of service we receive. 

I do agree it is Genie dependent but it shouldn’t be down to the luck of the draw which genie you get. 

What she could have done is said that’s fine but I am also escorting another group off at that time so is it okay to go with them or would you rather wait for me to return to escort you privately. She only reluctantly offered that when we said that we would make our own way there.

 

Another thing we did notice was that on both MSC and Celebrity, when we ordered breakfast for the cabin it was on time and brought by our butlers and piping hot. On Royal it was late and brought by room service and warm. Not a game changer but also not exactly elevated service either.

Edited February 7, 2023 by Spurschick

[Cruising89143]

On 2/1/2023 at 11:03 AM, Hutcha said:

 

First off, I know it’s not a strict apples to apples comparison. The typical Haven room can be had for much less than the typical Star Class room. However, given some variables, that cost difference can quickly be reduced, or overcome.

I’ll start this thread in both the Norwegian and Royal groups. I don’t have any great status on either line, so I can be somewhat neutral. Some background on me; I’m married with five kids. I’ve been on about 15 cruises, and last year was my first in anything above a balcony. Sorry if this is a long read. I’ll give my review of each, and then compare the two at the end. First, I’ll start with a copy of the NCL review I wrote.

 
Rest of original post clipped……

 

Nice review. We tried NCL’s Haven just prior to the pandemic and were also on the Bliss and in an aft corner Penthouse but down on deck nine. Huge balcony. The room layout was good but if we were to ever book the Haven again, I would want to be in the actual Haven area. As much as we loved the huge balcony it was not convenient to the Haven area. We loved the lounge and forward observation area but the pool area was always filled with kids running around. Our butler was lazy. She just seemed to be going through the motions. We only dined in the Haven restaurant once and the other six nights in specialty dining. Food was good but did not blow me away. 
 

You actually got a very good price. We paid about three grand more. For that price we would opt for the retreat on Celebrity but wanted to try the Haven. The Bliss is a beautiful ship but once outside of the Haven, it was a zoo. At least that was our expertise. Too many people. Thank for sharing. 

[the more ports the better]

I have sailed on Royal, predominantly in an OS sometimes in a GS, maybe 30 times or so.  I have found that recently, the suites on Royal for 7 days have been so expensive that I can sail on a premium line in a comparable suite for 10 days for the same price, or even less.  Oceania or Azamara, for example, are not great for young kids but the food and service are far far superior, not even in the same universe.  Even 10-12 day sailings on Regent, Silver Seas and Seabourn price out less than Royal’s 7 day Star Class sailings many times.

 

I once sailed in the med for 12 days on Oceania with my husband, then he flew home from Venice and I flew to Barcelona where I met my kids for a TA on Symphony which was a blast!  During the TA, I ended up losing the weight that I gained on Oceania and wanted to cry a little thinking about the food on Oceania every time I had a meal on Symphony.  The Symphony TA sailing cost about the same as the Oceania sailing which was in port every day.

 

I enjoy Royal, we are on Wonder in a few weeks with 20 kids and grandkids but for an OS or higher category, they are now pricier and are a giant step down from the far superior premium and luxury lines.  Just food for thought……

[Spurschick]

19 minutes ago, the more ports the better said:

I have sailed on Royal, predominantly in an OS sometimes in a GS, maybe 30 times or so.  I have found that recently, the suites on Royal for 7 days have been so expensive that I can sail on a premium line in a comparable suite for 10 days for the same price, or even less.  Oceania or Azamara, for example, are not great for young kids but the food and service are far far superior, not even in the same universe.  Even 10-12 day sailings on Regent, Silver Seas and Seabourn price out less than Royal’s 7 day Star Class sailings many times.

 

I once sailed in the med for 12 days on Oceania with my husband, then he flew home from Venice and I flew to Barcelona where I met my kids for a TA on Symphony which was a blast!  During the TA, I ended up losing the weight that I gained on Oceania and wanted to cry a little thinking about the food on Oceania every time I had a meal on Symphony.  The Symphony TA sailing cost about the same as the Oceania sailing which was in port every day.

 

I enjoy Royal, we are on Wonder in a few weeks with 20 kids and grandkids but for an OS or higher category, they are now pricier and are a giant step down from the far superior premium and luxury lines.  Just food for thought……

Agreed, we booked our Regent for 10 nights for around what we paid for Star Class, and we had lifted and shifted that so definitely cheaper than booking Star Class now. Will be interesting to see how it goes to compare.

[the more ports the better]

19 minutes ago, Spurschick said:

Agreed, we booked our Regent for 10 nights for around what we paid for Star Class, and we had lifted and shifted that so definitely cheaper than booking Star Class now. Will be interesting to see how it goes to compare.

You will be blown away!!!  It is 100% understated elegance.  No crowds, no loud people…..  Fairly quiet overall but they port most every day, all day and always have something going on in the evening, music trivia, comedy show during the day, speakers, art classes, cooking classes, etc….  I’ve tried Seabourn, Celebrity, Paul Gauguin and Azamara too but settled on the NCLH luxury products, Regent and Oceania.  I prefer Oceania as we are allergic to group tours and typically hire our own guides, R includes all shore excursions and drinks where O does not, but both lines are lovely.  Most repeat clients jump back and forth between the two  regularly. We have not tried Silver Seas or Crystal (starting up again soon under new owners) but we are happy with O and R so I doubt we will.  Enjoy, it’s a treat.

[Hutcha]

On 2/6/2023 at 7:25 PM, Spurschick said:

Having sailed Star class, MSC Yacht Club and Retreat and being low maintenance on all 3 being low maintenance really should not effect the standards and quality of service we receive. 

 

You are absolutely correct. I was only offering a possible reason why she might have slacked on her service. I hope your tip and survey reflected your disappointment.

 

On 2/6/2023 at 7:25 PM, Spurschick said:

I do agree it is Genie dependent but it shouldn’t be down to the luck of the draw which genie you get

 

I agree. They all should offer a decent base level of service. That said, there are thigs that are absolutely genie dependent. Royal has their official policy on what a genie can do. Ask them to do something in a pre-cruise email, and you might get a no. Once onboard you'll find that request was carried out.

[amygutman]

Thank you to the OP as well as everyone for their insights.

 

This is really interesting and it goes to show you how everyone's experiences are personal and different. We loved the Haven on every ship we've been in and we've loved the YC we've been in. Some we've loved more some we've loved less but still we've loved over non-suite rooms. We've done celebrity suites but not a retreat class and just booked our first star class with royal genie on the allure for next year.  It's very cool seeing the comparisons but I think it just comes down to personal taste for each of the trips, each of the families, and each of the ships.

 

Honestly, any day at sea, especially on a suite, especially in a ship within a ship, is better than most any day not on a ship!

 

Warmest, Amy

 

 

[Hutcha]

16 hours ago, amygutman said:

Thank you to the OP as well as everyone for their insights.

 

This is really interesting and it goes to show you how everyone's experiences are personal and different. We loved the Haven on every ship we've been in and we've loved the YC we've been in. Some we've loved more some we've loved less but still we've loved over non-suite rooms. We've done celebrity suites but not a retreat class and just booked our first star class with royal genie on the allure for next year.  It's very cool seeing the comparisons but I think it just comes down to personal taste for each of the trips, each of the families, and each of the ships.

 

Honestly, any day at sea, especially on a suite, especially in a ship within a ship, is better than most any day not on a ship!

 

Warmest, Amy

 

 

I agree. Each has their own specialness about them. My first YC will be this year, and I'm looking forward to it. I haven't done The Retreat yet, but I really enjoyed our X cruise last month (1st time). I will definitely do The Haven again, for the right price, but I do not see the value in the more expensive rooms. 

 

I think you'll enjoy Star class. It's definitely lacking the "ship within a ship" concept, but the genie makes up for that.