A possible convert to NCL.

[chromered7]

We are looking to jump ship from our existing Cruise Line to try another one. If anyone has tried the Haven on NCL how did you find it, obviously it’s going to be in the water, first hand passenger experience is far better and did it live up to your expectations?

[RocketMan275]

You will find this thread very  useful.

 

 

[cruiseny4life]

Someday I'm going to start a topic that features my four Haven cruises in a year. In April, 2022 my husband and I went on our first Haven cruise. His first cruise. My second cruise: I had cruised Carnival way back in 2009 and swore off cruise forever...then I found the Haven. A year later, we have already cruised four times and are scouring NCL for our next one. 

 

@RocketMan275 is correct. Apart from lives that folks have done, the thread he linked to is the best Haven resource on the entire internet. There are so many cruisers that have contributed all sorts of advice, tips, and first-hand experiences. Before I cruised, I read the previous thread from four or five years ago, then read the above too. It was several hours well-spent (to me). My husband thinks I'm insane.

 

Here are my four postings about the cruises (one review/three live'ish reviews):

 

First (April, 2022) - Bermuda, 7 days, NCL Getaway

 

 

Second (September, 2023) - Bermuda (but not really), Bahamas, Miami, Orlando, 9 days, NCL Getaway

 

 

New Year's Cruise (Dec/Jan, 2023) - Bermuda (but not really), Bahamas, 8 days, NCL Getaway

 

 

Most recent (March, 2023) - Western Caribbean, 7 days, NCL Joy

 

You'll see, we feel there is only one way to cruise. That's NCL's Haven. And yes, I know we're a couple of young, privileged, white dudes that are super grateful for the opportunities our lives provide. Have fun researching and have a really, great time on your first NCL Haven cruise.

[graphicguy]

Not sure where you’re coming from, but I’ve sailed NCL’s Haven several times.  I’ve also sailed MSC’s Yacht Club and Celebrity’s Retreat.

 

NCL’s Haven is their top tier cruise offering. But, it varies from ship to ship.  On the Jewel class ships, it’s little more than a very small pool area with no Haven Restaurant, but with a concierge and a butler.  To me, not worth the price premium when you can get nearly all of that in a regular suite for much less.

 

On the Epic, -Away and -Away plus ships, it’s a very nice experience.  Those would include Epic, Breakaway, Getaway, Joy, Bliss, Viva, Prima, Encore, Escape.  

 

As mentioned, you’ll get a Concierge, who will take care of booking your dining, entertainment, excursions, priority escort on and off the ship, resolve billing issues, and sometimes even resolve internet issues.  The Butler will act as your in cabin dining server/room service, will bring snacks every day and replenish your coffee/tea.

 

You’ll also have a dedicated restaurant to dine for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  The restaurant rivals the Specialty Dining restaurants on board, but has a static menu that doesn’t change throughout the cruise.  

 

Then, there’s the Haven Bar.  You’ll have access to the best mixologists on the ship in the Haven area where it’s easy to find a seat, either at the bar or on one of the chairs or sofas in the area.

 

There’s a private pool area, although the pool is small.  On some ships, there’s even a private area for massages.

 

Service is top notch in the Haven and only available to those with a key card to enter.  Not all Haven cabins are in the Haven proper.  No issue for me.  But, some find having to walk to the Haven Bar/Restaurant untenable.

 

The rest of the ship?  Great entertainment, throughout.  Very Nice ships that are very clean.  Service is quite good throughout.

 

[Treasure Hunter]

We found out by accident. We were on the Pearl to Alaska and my daughter got into a conversation with a women in the elevator. She was invited to the Haven to see her suite. It was life changing. We have sailed Celebrity retreat many times , on the Edge, Reflection etc. and I still love the Haven best. I agree, stick to the newer ships if you want the full Haven experience. The food is better in the Haven restaurant than in Luminae on Celebrity, even though it doesn’t change. You can make minor changes, like get surf and surf or a shrimp cocktail or we order for lunch a sliced chicken BLT that is out of this world. The Haven concierge does special things, like bring you down early in the crew elevator to the shows. You are really treated fabulously. I like being in the Haven proper because I’m always running back to my room for something. The 16+ sundeck is wonderful ( Celebrity retreat has no adult only area).

[RocketMan275]

This is another great thread too.

 

[AstoriaPreppy]

9 hours ago, chromered7 said:

We are looking to jump ship from our existing Cruise Line to try another one. If anyone has tried the Haven on NCL how did you find it, obviously it’s going to be in the water, first hand passenger experience is far better and did it live up to your expectations?

 

You're going to find a lot of Haven advocates here, and it's likely you'll have a great time on NCL.

 

Our preferred line is Celebrity, so there's one thing I'd flag in comparison to other line's suite dining. The Haven restaurant is a little odd in that the menu never changes night to night. Regular Haven cruisers will tell you the menu is big enough to not need to change, but I've always found it a little lazy on NCL's part (and also a clear signal you should be going to specialties instead of just the Haven restaurant). The quality is absolutely fantastic compared to the NCL MDRs (which we avoid), but on par with Aqua Class on Celebrity.

 

 

As long as you go in with an open mind, and don't compare each point to your regular line, you'll have an enjoyable trip!

 

 

 

[FLAHAM]

9 hours ago, graphicguy said:

 

There’s a private pool area, although the pool is small.  On some ships, there’s even a private area for massages.

 

The “small pool” is a swim-against-the-current endless lap pool.  In my opinion, it is the best place in the NCL fleet to get a real swim.  Also, the Haven attendant will serve you a meal outdoors, if you wish.

[df5250]

I’ve sailed in suites and Haven suites outside the Haven on many ships on NCL over the years. I struggle with not choosing an aft facing cabin, which is my favorite location on the ship! I sailed in the Haven proper (aft wasn’t available) for the first time in early March on Getaway, and it was by far my best experience to date!  The service, having the haven bar and restaurant steps outside my cabin were amazing!  It was 12 days, so the haven menu got repetitive…. Also I don’t eat seafood! I got creative and they were absolutely happy to let me mix and match from the various menu options! I ate a lot of filet mignon and various potatoes! I do so miss the filet and eggs though!  For lunch it was a double Cesar salad with chicken! I mixed in specialty restaurants for dinner, and wandered to the casino periodically!  But I stayed in the haven more than I have in the past!! Now, I’m going to have a hard time not wanting to sail in the haven! 

[cruiseny4life]

20 hours ago, AstoriaPreppy said:

 

You're going to find a lot of Haven advocates here, and it's likely you'll have a great time on NCL.

 

Our preferred line is Celebrity, so there's one thing I'd flag in comparison to other line's suite dining. The Haven restaurant is a little odd in that the menu never changes night to night. Regular Haven cruisers will tell you the menu is big enough to not need to change, but I've always found it a little lazy on NCL's part (and also a clear signal you should be going to specialties instead of just the Haven restaurant). The quality is absolutely fantastic compared to the NCL MDRs (which we avoid), but on par with Aqua Class on Celebrity.

 

 

As long as you go in with an open mind, and don't compare each point to your regular line, you'll have an enjoyable trip!

 

 

 

I'm one of those advocates! For sure. 

 

I do agree the Haven menu is odd. I would like a daily special or two offered. Having said that, on our last seven night cruise, we had four specialty restaurant meals. We did have lunch at Food Republic for one of these four, so only three were during dinner hours.

 

I actually missed being able to go to the Haven Restaurant! On the last night I made up for this by ordering two entrees, so that I could have all my favorites. I tried to get them to leave off the potatoes, but they sent a baked potato, french fries, and mashed potatoes. Of course I didn't want to waste food, so most of those carbs were eaten too....ooops. 

 

I think a minority of Haven cruisers eat every meal in the Haven. I know a few who you're speaking of that say it isn't boring, but it really is. Everything is very traditional with little international variety. The food is also delicious, so I'm certainly not complaining about my meals in the Haven. 

[Sand and Seas]

Out of over 40 NCL cruises, we are about to go on our 3rd in Haven.  From our experiences on past Haven cruises, we declined the extra specialty dining package as we know we will want to have most meals in the Haven.  (We do have two latitudes meals to use.)   Of course, we will sneak down to O'Sheehan's for a Reuben!  

 

Our first Haven dinner I will have my favorite Surf & Surf of Crab Cake & Lobster😋  DH will order a shrimp cocktail (off menu but available).   They are happy to mix & match your dinner from anything they have available.  

 

I have to say, while not a vegetarian, I absolutely love the lunch Spaghetti Squash with a craveable Chunky Tomato sauce.  Extremely tasty and it makes me feel better about all the other things I'm eating that week.

 

[cruiseny4life]

8 minutes ago, Sand and Seas said:

I have to say, while not a vegetarian, I absolutely love the lunch Spaghetti Squash with a craveable Chunky Tomato sauce.  Extremely tasty and it makes me feel better about all the other things I'm eating that week.

Alright, maybe I'll try this. I'm very much a traditionalist and believe pasta should be...well, pasta. I've thought about ordering this. Then that traditionalism gets in my way. If you're saying it's that good, then perhaps it'll be ordered by moi next time I'm onboard. 

[Sand and Seas]

16 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

Alright, maybe I'll try this. I'm very much a traditionalist and believe pasta should be...well, pasta. I've thought about ordering this. Then that traditionalism gets in my way. If you're saying it's that good, then perhaps it'll be ordered by moi next time I'm onboard. 

I hope you enjoy it!  It was excellent on the Bliss. 

Of course, they would probably give you a nice tasting portion alongside your regular lunch🤔

[AstoriaPreppy]

On 5/11/2023 at 2:14 PM, cruiseny4life said:

Having said that, on our last seven night cruise, we had four specialty restaurant meals. We did have lunch at Food Republic for one of these four, so only three were during dinner hours.

 

I think that's NCL's position too... the expectation is that the Haven passengers are going to specialties throughout the ship, (not just dining in the Haven), hence the static menus. 

 

I am curious to know how the Prima class, static MDR menus have been received on guest surveys. CC members seem to be tripping over themselves to share how a "pick your own pasta shape and sauce" is the best thing to happen in cruise dining in decades, but I suspect the actual reception may be more muted. 

[Liljo22]

45 minutes ago, AstoriaPreppy said:

 

I think that's NCL's position too... the expectation is that the Haven passengers are going to specialties throughout the ship, (not just dining in the Haven), hence the static menus. 

 

I am curious to know how the Prima class, static MDR menus have been received on guest surveys. CC members seem to be tripping over themselves to share how a "pick your own pasta shape and sauce" is the best thing to happen in cruise dining in decades, but I suspect the actual reception may be more muted. 

There was a poster that is currently on the Prima that says the MDR menus have started to rotate again.