Haven question

[Temple790]

Just booked the Haven for the first time for our family cruise on the Escape May 5-16, 2024. Just wondering do we get advance booking  for specialty dining and shows because we are in the Haven or is it first come first served?

Any help is greatly appreciated as it is only our second cruise😀😀😀

[Anoynmous Phoenix]

I think that you get a few days to make bookings BEFORE they are opened up to everyone else.

 

If you ever have any trouble getting any bookings see the Haven Concierge.

[Temple790]

Thanks…not sure this works🤪

[BirdTravels]

1 hour ago, Temple790 said:

Just booked the Haven for the first time for our family cruise on the Escape May 5-16, 2024. Just wondering do we get advance booking  for specialty dining and shows because we are in the Haven or is it first come first served?

Any help is greatly appreciated as it is only our second cruise😀😀😀

Welcome to Cruise Critic!

 

Dining reservations for Haven guests opens exactly 130 days prior to departure (on or about 27 Dec 23). Reservations for top-tier latitudes and Club Balcony guests opens 125 days and general reservations opens 120 day. So,,, take advantage of your extra 10 days. 

 

Always book Teppanyaki and Moderno first followed by the a la carte restaurants. 

 

Popular restaurants like Cagney's and Ocean Blue will sell out of prime time reservations quickly, especially on sea days. 

 

 Show reservations may open 25 days prior to departure (general reservations open 21 days coincident with the opening of online check-in). 

 

Once onboard, the concierge desk can help will all reservations on embarkation day. 

 

For a pictorial look at the Haven menu last month, check out my link below

 

And as a reminder, the Concierge and your Butler are not included in the Daily Service Charge and you are expected to tip them separately. 

 

NCL: Certain staff positions (e.g., concierge, butler, youth program staff and beverage service) provide service on an individual basis to only some guests and do not benefit from the overall service charge. We encourage those Guests to acknowledge good service from these staff members with appropriate gratuities.

Edited October 20, 2023 by BirdTravels

[Grimix]

For shows in the main theater I don't think you need to worry. Maybe it's the times we've cruise but the Haven reserved section is never full. For dining if you really want a time go for it. This last cruise we didn't do anything before getting on the ship. At embarkation we decided where and when we wanted to eat, gave the list to the concierge, and we got everything when we wanted within 30 minutes. Perhaps that is unusual.

[Temple790]

Thanks for the info!

[JasmineC]

On 10/19/2023 at 8:01 PM, Temple790 said:

Just booked the Haven for the first time for our family cruise on the Escape May 5-16, 2024. Just wondering do we get advance booking  for specialty dining and shows because we are in the Haven or is it first come first served?

Any help is greatly appreciated as it is only our second cruise😀😀😀

On past NCL cruises, when it came to the main show room for shows, there was a section cordoned off for Haven guests.  They seemed to be 1st come, first serve.  If it does not fill up with Haven guests, just before the show starts, they open the section up to regular guests.  

[debbyfelse1963]

You will love the Haven on the Escape.  We did 2 bedroom last November on Transatlantic.  Haven restaurant is great, just ask and they will get it for you.  Concierge was great, woops forgot his name.  Make sure when you dock go to him to take you down priority to disembark for tours. Also he took us down to "Choir of Men" in the first couple of rows in front of the stage.  Loved the pool and hot tub area of the Haven too.  Didn't get to use the outside are for Haven only as our weather wasn't that great on the crossing.  Enjoy the Haven experience and your cruise

[Treasure Hunter]

Usually you fill out a form for the main shows while waiting in the Haven pre boarding room and then get confirmation that first afternoon . We would meet the concierge a half hour before the theater opened to go down in  the crew elevator. Always got our pick of seats. Teppanyaki should be booked online as soon as restaurant  bookings open, just to be safe. The concierge will try to make changes for you but a full ship may make it more difficult. The concierge will bring you down for tender ports also in the crew elevator to cut the line. Leaving on the last day is amazing, as they escort you to the front of the line for immigration. Ours also printed the New York Times crossword every day for us. You would be amazed at what they will do for you. And if you are trying to make a show, you can pre-order your starter and main course with the Maitre'd . Be served as soon as you sit down and then come back after the show for dessert. We also tip the head waiter extra.

[chill6x6]

5 hours ago, debbyfelse1963 said:

You will love the Haven on the Escape.  We did 2 bedroom last November on Transatlantic.  Haven restaurant is great, just ask and they will get it for you.  Concierge was great, woops forgot his name.  Make sure when you dock go to him to take you down priority to disembark for tours. Also he took us down to "Choir of Men" in the first couple of rows in front of the stage.  Loved the pool and hot tub area of the Haven too.  Didn't get to use the outside are for Haven only as our weather wasn't that great on the crossing.  Enjoy the Haven experience and your cruise

Their concierge will probably be Dillip.  He is one of the best I've ever had.  Very conscious and wants to help you any way he can.  BTW our butler on Escape was Renson...did an excellent job!

[DominicAUS]

11 hours ago, debbyfelse1963 said:

You will love the Haven on the Escape.  We did 2 bedroom last November on Transatlantic.  Haven restaurant is great, just ask and they will get it for you.  Concierge was great, woops forgot his name.  Make sure when you dock go to him to take you down priority to disembark for tours. Also he took us down to "Choir of Men" in the first couple of rows in front of the stage.  Loved the pool and hot tub area of the Haven too.  Didn't get to use the outside are for Haven only as our weather wasn't that great on the crossing.  Enjoy the Haven experience and your cruise

It was David, from Colombia. Was on the same cruise in the Haven!  He was great as were all the staff in the Haven and throughout the ship. 

[debbyfelse1963]

8 hours ago, DominicAUS said:

It was David, from Colombia. Was on the same cruise in the Haven!  He was great as were all the staff in the Haven and throughout the ship. 

Oh my gosh thank you. Yes it was David and you're right he was awesome.  Well like you said they all were. We had never done the Haven before and so it was a great experience to have it on that 16 day trip.  Hopefully can do it again someday

[BmanOnTheSea]

Like others have said, you do get things opened up early for booking as a Haven member, but I have noticed that their IT guys aren't the greatest, and sometimes you simply can't book the reservations.  I strongly recommend calling the concierge line ahead of time, they will take care of things for you and are easy to deal with.  Once you're on board, get to know the concierge, he can work miracles.  That said, be kind to the concierge.  He can work more magic if you're nice to deal with!  We've had plenty of luck getting into sold out restaurants and shows.  

 

Also, like others have said, book Teppenyaki early, it does fill up and it's trickier to shoehorn people in due to the seating arrangements and popularity.

[RocketMan275]

2 hours ago, BmanOnTheSea said:

Like others have said, you do get things opened up early for booking as a Haven member, but I have noticed that their IT guys aren't the greatest, and sometimes you simply can't book the reservations.  I strongly recommend calling the concierge line ahead of time, they will take care of things for you and are easy to deal with.  Once you're on board, get to know the concierge, he can work miracles.  That said, be kind to the concierge.  He can work more magic if you're nice to deal with!  We've had plenty of luck getting into sold out restaurants and shows.  

 

Also, like others have said, book Teppenyaki early, it does fill up and it's trickier to shoehorn people in due to the seating arrangements and popularity.

Here's the contact information for the pre-cruise concierge.

855-625-4283

norwegianconciergedesk@ncl.com

All you need is  your booking number.

 

Strongly agree with your suggestion to call.  Wait time is minimal and they may have suggestions they can share if you call.

 

 

 

Edited October 23, 2023 by RocketMan275

[jack300s]

We were in the Haven a few weeks ago. We booked all of our diner reservations 125 days before the cruise. You can book at 12:00am eastern time on that date. We had no problem booking dates and times we wanted.

 

While on the ship we heard that Bayamo by Ocean Blue was very good. We didn't have a reservation for the restaurant and it was booked up. We asked our Concierge if he could get us in and he got us a 7:00pm table. 

 

Also, there was an excursion we wanted to do, however it was sold out. We checked with our Concierge and he booked us. Haven life is good!   

[Temple790]

Thanks for the info

[gingersvp]

On Escape, you don't need to reserve the shows ahead of time. When you board they'll have a quick session to go over scheduling with you. For the shows, there's a reserved Haven area but the concierge will walk you down early for front row seating also. 

 

I forgot to book my dining and couldn't get the slots I wanted online, so called the pre-concierge line. They told me that the Haven will be able to get the tables. But also, on prior sailings I need to move some around last minute and they easily found good dining times for us. 

 

The entire point is to not have to worry about it!

[Kernteam]

How far in advance can Haven guests book a thermal suite pass?

[graphicguy]

I’ve sailed in a Have Suite 5 times.  Maybe I’m lucky, but I’ve never prebooked specialty dinners, entertainment or excursions.  My concierges always were able to make my arrangements when I boarded the first day without issue!

Edited November 6, 2023 by graphicguy

[Laszlo]

On 10/19/2023 at 10:01 PM, Temple790 said:

Just booked the Haven for the first time for our family cruise on the Escape May 5-16, 2024. Just wondering do we get advance booking  for specialty dining and shows because we are in the Haven or is it first come first served?

Any help is greatly appreciated as it is only our second cruise😀😀😀

Have a great time on the Escape!

 

 

[wilmingtech]

Ive been in the haven twice, on Jewel and Joy and never needed to make reservations with the exception of Teppanyaki.  Many times we have walked up to the host/hostess, showed our haven cards and were seated.  I wouldn't really worry about reservations unless you are set on certain days/times and as mentioned earlier, you can just hand the concierge a note with your reservations listed on them and you will get taken care of.

[Temple790]

Thanks for the info!