Tips for the Haven?

[DevonianCruiser]

Been a few years since with been with NCL, have booked a two bed suite in the Haven on Epic for next summer. Just wonder if anyone’s got any tips for making the most of it?

 

At the moment it’s my wife and I and our daughter who’ll be 8. Had a penthouse on the Jade years ago but that’s a lot different to the Haven from what I can see.

 

 

[RocketMan275]

20 minutes ago, DevonianCruiser said:

Been a few years since with been with NCL, have booked a two bed suite in the Haven on Epic for next summer. Just wonder if anyone’s got any tips for making the most of it?

 

At the moment it’s my wife and I and our daughter who’ll be 8. Had a penthouse on the Jade years ago but that’s a lot different to the Haven from what I can see.

 

 

You'll find all the tips you want here:

 

[graphicguy]

Not sure specifically what you're looking for "tips" wise.  Generally speaking, you dine in the Haven Restaurant for every meal, if you so choose.  You have FAS, so there will be some specialty dinners available  to you.  Your concierge can take care of those reservations.

 

Butlers will handle your in suite dining requests, as well as stock your coffee maker and deliver snacks daily.

 

Your 8 year old may find the Haven pool a bit boring as it's usually pretty quiet.  But, you can always go to the main pools.

 

There is a private gym for Haven Guests.  And, there's a massage room in the Haven that is not part of the regular spa.  The Masseuses will come to you and escort you to the this private room vs you having to go to the spa for a massage.

 

You will have access to POSH private lounge area, but will share it with anyone who buys access (limited numbers of outside passes available, however).

 

Those are the big points.  Part of the fun is discovering other things available to you while on board.  Just talk to the Concierges about anything you may want/need.  If they can't do it, or get it, they'll point you in the direction to find it (like going to the Butler, the restaurant hostess, etc).  They will also escort you on and off the ship, and even to some entertainment venues where there may be an exclusive seating area for Haven guests.

[Sthrngary]

28 minutes ago, DevonianCruiser said:

Been a few years since with been with NCL, have booked a two bed suite in the Haven on Epic for next summer. Just wonder if anyone’s got any tips for making the most of it?

 

At the moment it’s my wife and I and our daughter who’ll be 8. Had a penthouse on the Jade years ago but that’s a lot different to the Haven from what I can see.

 

 

@RocketMan275 thank you for sharing this link with @DevonianCruiser.  @DevonianCruiser read the first post for the heavy lifting and ask any questions of me or @RocketMan275 if you like.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

[Grimix]

Oh no! Not another tipping thread! And not another post making a pun out of tips! (But yes bring them, the butler & concierge don't share in the standard pool. Not that I'm sure anyone shares in the pool except for NCL... but I'm a cynic and why I tip in cash...)

[DevonianCruiser]

2 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

@RocketMan275 thank you for sharing this link with @DevonianCruiser.  @DevonianCruiser read the first post for the heavy lifting and ask any questions of me or @RocketMan275 if you like.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Thank you all very much. Loads of helpful info from everyone 🙂

[Sthrngary]

1 hour ago, Grimix said:

Oh no! Not another tipping thread! And not another post making a pun out of tips! (But yes bring them, the butler & concierge don't share in the standard pool. Not that I'm sure anyone shares in the pool except for NCL... but I'm a cynic and why I tip in cash...)

@Grimix You read the post wrong.  The person that made it wanted, TIPS for the Haven, not gratuities.  How to leverage the Haven to gain the most enjoyment.  I can understand you mistake with so many threads on who and what to tip.  Not this one.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[Traveling Fools]

4 hours ago, DevonianCruiser said:

At the moment it’s my wife and I and our daughter who’ll be 8.

 

3 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Your 8 year old may find the Haven pool a bit boring as it's usually pretty quiet.  But, you can always go to the main pools.

 

Considering it is a summer cruise there probably will be other children in the Haven.  It has been our experience sailing with our grandchildren that they prefer the Haven's pool rather than the big one.  And, because we don't have to search for a lounge chair we prefer it too!😁

 

If there are other kids in the Haven they will all bond quickly and want to hang out together.

 

Chances are they will ALL also share the taste of Non-Alcohol Mud Slides! Keep that in mind when you go to tip the Haven's bar tender(s).

[Trivan]

Shirley temples were flowing pretty liberally at the haven bar my cruise.  
Kids did take over the warm tub (no it wasn’t hot) during certain parts of the day but they also seem to know when the adults were eyeing them to vacate. Lol

[graphicguy]

10 hours ago, Trivan said:

Shirley temples were flowing pretty liberally at the haven bar my cruise.  
Kids did take over the warm tub (no it wasn’t hot) during certain parts of the day but they also seem to know when the adults were eyeing them to vacate. Lol

I’ve been on both sides of that activity.  On one cruise, there were young’uns trying to “swim” in the shallow pool.  Bottom line….you can’t. What that caused was a bunch of splashing everywhere.  That in turn, kept the adults out of the loungers in the pool.  Not sure if NCL staff did it on their own, or if someone complained, but an NCL crew member politely said something to them, and they promptly left.  Not sure what he said as we witnesses this from the upper loungers looking down at the pool area.

 

Then, there were other times when I’ve seen kids leave on their own accord when the adults got into the hot tubs.                                   

 

Still thinking kids would have a better time at the main pool area, or if they’re young enough, at the kids pools.

[Traveling Fools]

5 hours ago, graphicguy said:

I’ve been on both sides of that activity.  On one cruise, there were young’uns trying to “swim” in the shallow pool.  Bottom line….you can’t. What that caused was a bunch of splashing everywhere.  That in turn, kept the adults out of the loungers in the pool.  Not sure if NCL staff did it on their own, or if someone complained, but an NCL crew member politely said something to them, and they promptly left.  Not sure what he said as we witnesses this from the upper loungers looking down at the pool area.

 

There is a point in time when parental supervision is required.  One of those times is when children begin to disrupt the sanctity of the Haven pool area.  Some parents fail in this respect.  We as grandparents do not and our guidance is addressed to all the children participants. 

 

That is one factor I have liked about the Haven. Through their children, families meet other families.  It has been our experience they have been of like minds regarding standards of behavior in the Haven and actually appreciate another parent stepping in as necessary to control things from getting out of hand.

[Sthrngary]

Those of you that know me, I am the author of the Secrets to the Haven VIP experience.  When you start bringing up children in a Haven Thread you are playing with fire.  I know.  I wrote the Stream mentioned above.  The first post was several pages long.  Two sentences, maybe 25 words were on the children in the Haven Pool and Hot Tub.  It was like nothing else in the op-ed was important. Parents came out of the woodwork commenting their children were well behaved, supervised, and on poster sent a picture of her daughters doing her studies at a table by the Haven Pool. Other parents argued their child paid to be in the Haven just like everyone else. 

 

This issue always creates debate and comes up at least every 60 days.  The issue is not the children.  The issue is not the well mannered children, most are.  The issue is the parents thinking the Haven Pool and Crew are baby sitters for their children when the parents are on vacation.  Kids are kids and without parental supervision, they can run a muck.  If I, a 66 year old man say something to a child that is not mine, the parent will not be happy.  So as my original op-ed stated, I simply go to the Haven Sundeck and from that point forward, only booked Haven Suites on ships that had hot tubs on the Haven Sundeck.  For my, problem solved. 

 

Funny story, I was in one of the two Haven Courtyard Hot tubs on the NCL Getaway.  These two hot tubs had a gang of 8 or so children with ages from 5 to maybe 10.  I went in when their was room for me and one of the kids in the hot tub said and I quote, "Why are your teeth so yellow!"  Out of the mouth of babes of time come jewels. 

 

When I got home I booked a teeth whitening with my dentist.  My teeth are lovely now.  True story.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[Yinster]

On 8/26/2023 at 7:40 PM, DevonianCruiser said:

have booked a two bed suite in the Haven on Epic for next summer. Just wonder if anyone’s got any tips for making the most it

 

1. You have use of the Posh club too on the Epic. Adult only so if your daughter was attending one of the lub, feel free to pop your head up there

 

2. Movies are free for Haven guests so if you fancy a movie night in your cabin, ask your butler if they can provide some snacks that evening and it will be done.

 

3. Room service is free for Haven guests so if you are tired as a family you can always dine in your cabin. Just let your butler know. Also anything can be bought to your cabin except sushi. If it's complimentary then it's will be the same. If it's a dish from a speciality restaurant then you will be charge it.

 

4. If you have any reservations for the concierge then make a note. The concierge is pretty busy in the first couple of days with everyone's wants so if you can be organised then it will help them too.

 

5. There's a pillow menu with different types of pillows. 

 

6. I often find the room steward works just as hard as the butler if not harder especially if you are low maintenance. Just remember that.

 

7. Lastly for now, you might be inclined to stay in the Haven as it is a lovely Haven but the Epic is a wonderful ship so take time to explore and use some of the other facilities.

[cruiseny4life]

23 hours ago, Traveling Fools said:

There is a point in time when parental supervision is required.  One of those times is when children begin to disrupt the sanctity of the Haven pool area.  Some parents fail in this respect.  We as grandparents do not and our guidance is addressed to all the children participants. 

I'm all for a quiet pool area, but I'd not quite call any part of the Haven sacred. That's stretching the definition slightly...having said that, I do appreciate when parents/grandparents rein their kids in. I wish the adult drunks had their parents around to rein them in too! Now, they, are the really annoying ones. 

 

I've actually had some quite pleasant experiences with the kids when they join us in the hot tub or engage us in conversation while we're lounging away. But...up until last year I had worked in some sort of youth development/education/coaching since I was out of college so I suppose I'm used to their activities.

 

So, here's a tip for the Haven, and it's actually quite important to remember @DevonianCruiser: the Haven is a family friendly space that accepts children, allows them in the pools, hot tubs, and in all spaces....except for one 16 year old and over sundeck space. That's the only place kids aren't allowed. Some people do book the Haven thinking it's a true "haven" from kids and loud people, but it's not. NCL doesn't sell it that way. 

 

Have a wonderful cruise and read every page of @Sthrngary's thread. There are lots and lots of great tips, secrets, and experiences from a really varied set of cruisers.

[ColeThornton]

11 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

 

Have a wonderful cruise and read every page of @Sthrngary's thread. There are lots and lots of great tips, secrets, and experiences from a really varied set of cruisers.

 

 

Great work by @Sthrngary on that thread and others he generates.  Having said that, not sure many people want to, or have the time to read 119 page thread that veered off course many times.   Threads tend to do that.  After a while when threads get too long they can lose effectiveness.  Might be time to salvage the beginning of the thread and reboot it in to a new one.

 

Just a thought which I hope gets taken as constructive criticism.  🙂

Edited August 28, 2023 by ColeThornton

[Sthrngary]

3 minutes ago, ColeThornton said:

 

 

Great work by @Sthrngary on that thread and others he generates.  Having said that, not sure many people want to, or have the time to read 119 page thread that veered off course many times.   Threads tend to do that.  After a while when threads get too long they can lose effectiveness.  Might be time to salvage the beginning of the thread and reboot it in to a new one.

 

Just a thought which I hope gets taken as constructive criticism.  🙂

@ColeThornton The original thread before I revised it in 2022 was even longer.  The only page that really matters to get what most people want is the original post #1.  If my memory serves me, when the original "Secrets" post was a couple of years old, a member made the suggestion you did.  So I did it again.  It was never taken in an offensive way.  My situation now is different, I will not redo this OP-ED again.  It was a lot of work both times and I am not in a position to invest that type of time. 

 

Just know, all threads that provide some good education go through this.  That is why when I redid it, I took all the great points made by others and added them with my own.  I encourage anyone who would like to do the same to feel free.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[cruiseny4life]

1 hour ago, ColeThornton said:

 

 

Great work by @Sthrngary on that thread and others he generates.  Having said that, not sure many people want to, or have the time to read 119 page thread that veered off course many times.   Threads tend to do that.  After a while when threads get too long they can lose effectiveness.  Might be time to salvage the beginning of the thread and reboot it in to a new one.

 

Just a thought which I hope gets taken as constructive criticism.  🙂

I was actually going to mention that last week, then got taken down some sort of abyss of a distraction. Anyway, definitely understand @Sthrngary's reasoning for not starting a new one. I wouldn't want to sit around babysitting a thread either....I still pick up little nuggets here and there from that thread though. I've even mentioned it on Facebook *gasp* I also remember being way too involved and reading the entire first thread when I found out about it previous to my April, 2022 cruise. 

[kasimir]

1 hour ago, Sthrngary said:

The original thread before I revised it in 2022 was even longer.  The only page that really matters to get what most people want is the original post #1.  If my memory serves me, when the original "Secrets" post was a couple of years old, a member made the suggestion you did.  So I did it again.  It was never taken in an offensive way.  My situation now is different, I will not redo this OP-ED again.  It was a lot of work both times and I am not in a position to invest that type of time. 

 

@Sthrngary I am so incredibly grateful for all the hard work that you did trying to summarize the important bits in your op-ed, but I also wanted to mention the same thing that reading through 120 pages is very time consuming. I also noticed it was written at a time when the Prima class ships were not around and it seems heavily focussed on the previous generation ships. 

Hopefully we can get an updated version of your op-ed started 🙂

 

3 hours ago, Yinster said:

2. Movies are free for Haven guests so if you fancy a movie night in your cabin, ask your butler if they can provide some snacks that evening and it will be done.

 

Is this true for all ships? Haven't seen that mention anywhere else. And to clear, when talking about movies, we are talking about the "on-demand movies" on the TV, for which some (not all) movies cost money? 

Edited August 28, 2023 by kasimir

[gingersvp]

My 7 year old is a rather picky eater - one of the ways we really took advantage of the Haven, was to have her dinner delivered around 5pm/6pm by the butler - where we could really be very explicit about how the food needed to be prepared. I found the servers at the Haven restaurant tried very hard, but were challenged by specific requests like (plain grilled chicken breast, no salt, no pepper, etc). She would eat in the cabin and then we took her to the kid's club. From there we could enjoy a more leisurely dinner. My daughter has also never really been a fan of kid's clubs, but the last sailing we made friends with another little girl of the same age, also in the Haven. WOW was that amazing. She had a friend in the Courtyard and also a friend at the kid's club. We were able to spend family time but also she was able to avoid the looooong dinners in the Haven restaurant. 

[JGmf]

On 8/27/2023 at 3:10 PM, Traveling Fools said:

sanctity of the Haven pool area

 

Um, at least in my experiences in the Haven, that's not at thing.

 

The Haven during times when school is out = kids fun zone in pool, hot tubs, and courtyard...spilling into the lounge/bar area when kids make the trek for virgin drinks and sodas. 

 

It's their vacation too, so it is what it is. 

 

Your daughter will likely have a good time.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[Sthrngary]

Not my thread so I won't hijack it.  If you want the Haven for Adults ONLY, NCL is not your choice.  If you want a fantastic family vacation during holiday times, and you want a quite NCL Haven, it won't work.  Choose the week before or after and the Haven Courtyard will be very quite.  It is knowing the ins/outs of a family cruise line.  Not good or bad, just some simple strategy.

 

On to the Haven for Adults ONLY.  Now if you have not read my posts let me start with a fact, I love the NCL Haven VIP Luxury Experience.  I love it so much I write about it.  I in no way think it is perfect but knowing the area's of concerns allows me to avoid them.  Now that I have that out of the way here is something to consider.

 

NCL did us all a favor when they increased the Haven Fares.  They opened up the door to going from a Mainstream Cruise Line to a Premium-Plus/Luxury and sometimes Ultra-Luxury brand.  Do the math by comparing the cost/fares/included amenities/gratuities and on.  You will be surprised.  When you choose Premium-Plus or above, the ships are smaller, it is port intensive, there are no kids programs, the atmosphere is far less crowded or hectic.  It is again, not better or worse; just different.  My favorite part is when you leave your stateroom, everyone in every category of stateroom is treated the same.  

 

Pick and choose your brands based on the experience you are looking for on your next cruise vacation.  There is always give and take. Nothing is perfect.  Just make a good business decision. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[Yinster]

9 hours ago, kasimir said:

 

@Sthrngary 🙂is true for all ships? Haven't seen that mention anywhere else. And to clear, when talking about movies, we are talking about the "on-demand movies" on the TV, for which some (not all) movies cost money? 

Sorry my copy and paste is awful. 

 

Yeah for all ships. It's listed as a benefit in NCL website as a benefit. One of the wee unknown under everyone's noses. And I do mean the on demand. The ones you pay at $9.95. No adult films though 😂. 

 

 

[kasimir]

3 hours ago, Yinster said:

Sorry my copy and paste is awful. 

 

Yeah for all ships. It's listed as a benefit in NCL website as a benefit. One of the wee unknown under everyone's noses. And I do mean the on demand. The ones you pay at $9.95. No adult films though 😂. 

 

 

That is awesome, not sure if many people are even aware of this. Not that I usually plan for watching movies on a vacation/cruise, but our upcoming cruise is a TA with lots of sea days, so I might end up watching a movie here or there. 😉 

[Yinster]

I don't think anyone plans to stay in their cabin to catch a film but it's an option. And like I said previously sometimes it's nice just to chill in your cabin having a movie night especially if you have a family and the butler can provide snacks 

[graphicguy]

21 hours ago, Yinster said:

1. You have use of the Posh club too on the Epic. Adult only so if your daughter was attending one of the lub, feel free to pop your head up there

 

2. Movies are free for Haven guests so if you fancy a movie night in your cabin, ask your butler if they can provide some snacks that evening and it will be done.

 

3. Room service is free for Haven guests so if you are tired as a family you can always dine in your cabin. Just let your butler know. Also anything can be bought to your cabin except sushi. If it's complimentary then it's will be the same. If it's a dish from a speciality restaurant then you will be charge it.

 

4. If you have any reservations for the concierge then make a note. The concierge is pretty busy in the first couple of days with everyone's wants so if you can be organised then it will help them too.

 

5. There's a pillow menu with different types of pillows. 

 

6. I often find the room steward works just as hard as the butler if not harder especially if you are low maintenance. Just remember that.

 

7. Lastly for now, you might be inclined to stay in the Haven as it is a lovely Haven but the Epic is a wonderful ship so take time to explore and use some of the other facilities.

Excellent!