Tips for Haven boarding in New Orleans

[dpemd]

I’m sailing out of New Orleans on the Breakaway next month. I like to show up early and board early. I’ve read on the message boards that the Haven lounge is terrible. Is it a bad idea to get there early and be stuck in the lounge? Any other boarding tips?

[dwr777]

Hi, I wouldn’t say terrible, but it’s not anything special, and can get crowded. I wanted to arrive early so I could board as soon as possible.  Was on the Breakaway in the Haven in July, we had a great time. Enjoy!

[BirdTravels]

1 hour ago, dpemd said:

I’m sailing out of New Orleans on the Breakaway next month. I like to show up early and board early. I’ve read on the message boards that the Haven lounge is terrible. Is it a bad idea to get there early and be stuck in the lounge? Any other boarding tips?

We 100% exercise our privileges to be the first to board on every Haven cruise. We could care less if we get a folding chair in a roped off area (that was Boston).  

 

While you wait, in your folding chair, the concierge staff will have forms to fill out to book shows and dinners. Take advantage of booking or fixing your reservations. 

Edited March 5, 2023 by BirdTravels

[BostonGal35]

we sailed last month from NOLA, in the Haven.  we arrived at the pier around 930am, no wait in line, were escorted right away to the lounge.  it is small, but everyone had a seat.  the usual stuff was out (coffee, juice, tea, pastries, etc.)

[complawyer]

i'm with bird travels on this one! any haven waiting area beats sitting in the regular waiting area with a few thousand of your closest friends. 

at most it's taken us 15-20 minutes to be escorted onto the ship and taken to cagney's for a nice leisurely lunch and drinks.

 

there are always pastries ,finger sandwiches, coffee ,tea juices etc. additionally, the haven experience is an entire different animal!

[Pappion]

3 hours ago, complawyer said:

i'm with bird travels on this one! any haven waiting area beats sitting in the regular waiting area with a few thousand of your closest friends. 

at most it's taken us 15-20 minutes to be escorted onto the ship and taken to cagney's for a nice leisurely lunch and drinks.

 

there are always pastries ,finger sandwiches, coffee ,tea juices etc. additionally, the haven experience is an entire different animal!

You don’t go to Cagneys in breakaway (just disembarked today), you go to Haven restaurant or American Diner (free on first day only).  
 

You do have to stand in the normal security line before getting to the haven lounge. We went around 11 and it was long and not well organized.  Maybe earlier is better but 1030-12 was horrible.  
 

the haven lounge is nothing special but it’s good enough for a quick juice or coffee and waiting to be escorted up.  

Edited March 6, 2023 by Pappion

[complawyer]

going to the haven restaurant is even better   than being escorted to cagney's. forgot that a few of ncl's fleet have a complete haven complex. when we book a suite or haven suite, it's usually with just the private pool area, and breakfast in moderno and lunch in cagney's either way, it's a much,much better sailing experience.

 

and you may consider it nothing special, but it sure beats waiting around

[BostonGal35]

FWIW, Breakway was one of our best Haven experiences.  The restaurant was far superior to any of the specialties.   we ended up canceling our cagneys reservation which is typically our last night routine.

[dexddd]

Cagney's has generally gone down hill, prices increased, so yes, Haven generally a better option.

[CTCruiser001]

We are sailing the Haven from NOLA next Sunday. I plan to run a semi-live review Friday when we start our traveling towards NOLA. I will be sure to include a description and photos of the Haven areas at the pier. 

[rjm11]

26 minutes ago, CTCruiser001 said:

We are sailing the Haven from NOLA next Sunday. I plan to run a semi-live review Friday when we start our traveling towards NOLA. I will be sure to include a description and photos of the Haven areas at the pier. 

This is great! Thank you for doing a review- we are sailing in the Breakaway haven next month and look forward to hearing about your experiences! Have a great trip!

[BostonGal35]

i just today FINALLY wrote my Breakaway review which talks mostly about Haven since we didnt really leave it LOL - ill circle back and post the link when its published!

[BostonGal35]

My review is up if anyone is interested!  https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=696700&et_cid=3672465&et_rid=85219982&et_referrer=Boards_Million_Member_Newsub&address=aDuafTc%2bGqcxtkw1SQs1iTE4g952a1eMVMsVnZGISGg%3d

[rjm11]

Thanks for linking that! I'm glad to hear you had such a great trip!

[wolft927]

Tips I would Recommend for Haven boarding in New Orleans is the Security Line is bad, so either get there early or mid day. Once past Security you have a seperate Line for Haven, and then will be escorted to the Haven Lounge which is a small room with snack and such, along with a concierge that can assist in doing reservations.