The Secrets of the Haven VIP Experience in 2024 and beyond

[firstmickey]

1 hour ago, SaltyPawz said:

Day 3 on Breakaway in the Haven (family villa) or the two bedroom with small balcony heading to New England/Canada. 
 

So far, so good. We got to the NY Manhattan Terminal around 9:30 a.m. After a short check in and wait, we were on board enjoying a tasty beverage and eating lunch in the Haven Restaurant by 11:30. 
 

I must say… ALL crew (staff at poolside bars and many other places) have been super friendly. Michael, Geeta, and Ayza in the Haven Bar are spot on!!! We are having a wonderful time already.  
 

If there’s anything you’d like me to check out, please let me know.
 

A few more days to go and some more pampering to be had! 

love those bartenders! Call Geeta “sassy”’and tell her D and D say hi! 

[ryarger]

1 hour ago, diver21 said:

if you are on deck 15, is there an "In haven" stairway that goes up to 16 to the haven lounge/restaurant?

No, the deck 15 Haven rooms are technically outside the Haven. There is no keycard barrier to the hallway on that deck and no direct stairway to the Haven area on 16.

 

That said, the main stairwell just outside that hallway, in front of the spa, takes you right up the main Haven keycard access door, with the lounge and restaurant just on the other side.

 

So its a very quick trip!

[DaisyGoldberg]

They tied down our lounges in the Garden Villa on the Pearl, but I think it was weather dependent and not every day.  There was a specific guy assigned to keep the area set up/broken down, check the hot tub temps, etc  and he came and went freely, mostly through hidden access doors, though he occasionally came in the main door and said hi before going out to check the area.

[SaltyPawz]

19 hours ago, diver21 said:

Great to hear its going well so far on the Breakaway. We are in a 2 bedroom villa in January, not sure what deck you are on but if you are on deck 15, is there an "In haven" stairway that goes up to 16 to the haven lounge/restaurant? Thanks! 

We are on the 16th floor. But today, we entered the Haven area via deck 15 near the common sun deck area (where they have the sail away celebration).  I took some pictures, but the quality isn’t the best. 
 

From the 15th floor access, we walked in, went a short distance down the hallway, turned right, walked up one flight of stairs, and we were on the 16th floor right by the Haven concierge desk. Just a few more steps, and there is the lounge area, bar, and entrance to the Haven restaurant. 
 

I hope this helps. If you’d like me to check on a specific room and where it’s located, let me know. 
 

 

[SaltyPawz]

19 hours ago, firstmickey said:

love those bartenders! Call Geeta “sassy”’and tell her D and D say hi! 

When I called Geeta “sassy” earlier today, she laughed with that infectious smile! And, Michael recalled one of your fancy glitter drinks. They are both gems! 

[diver21]

1 hour ago, SaltyPawz said:

We are on the 16th floor. But today, we entered the Haven area via deck 15 near the common sun deck area (where they have the sail away celebration).  I took some pictures, but the quality isn’t the best. 
 

From the 15th floor access, we walked in, went a short distance down the hallway, turned right, walked up one flight of stairs, and we were on the 16th floor right by the Haven concierge desk. Just a few more steps, and there is the lounge area, bar, and entrance to the Haven restaurant. 
 

I hope this helps. If you’d like me to check on a specific room and where it’s located, let me know. 
 

 

Amazing, thank you for taking the time to take pics, exactly what I was looking for.

 

Enjoy the rest of your trip!

[McGarrett5oh]

On 9/3/2024 at 10:20 PM, firstmickey said:

If there’s anything you’d like me to check out, please let me know.

We are on the Breakaway 9/29 sailing in a Haven Aft Suite.  Can you tell us about the Haven tender process you experienced in Bar Harbor?  Thanks for your posts!

[firstmickey]

1 hour ago, McGarrett5oh said:

We are on the Breakaway 9/29 sailing in a Haven Aft Suite.  Can you tell us about the Haven tender process you experienced in Bar Harbor?  Thanks for your posts!

Hi. My Breakaway cruise was to the Eastern Caribbean so I can’t speak to specifics of Bar Harbor. But in general, in the Haven the concierge escorts you down to the tender and Haven guests get on first. You don’t need tickets or numbers. 

[McGarrett5oh]

On 9/3/2024 at 8:57 PM, SaltyPawz said:

Day 3 on Breakaway in the Haven (family villa) or the two bedroom with small balcony heading to New England/Canada. 
 

So far, so good. We got to the NY Manhattan Terminal around 9:30 a.m. After a short check in and wait, we were on board enjoying a tasty beverage and eating lunch in the Haven Restaurant by 11:30. 
 

I must say… ALL crew (staff at poolside bars and many other places) have been super friendly. Michael, Geeta, and Ayza in the Haven Bar are spot on!!! We are having a wonderful time already.  
 

If there’s anything you’d like me to check out, please let me know.
 

A few more days to go and some more pampering to be had! 

Thanks for your posts @SaltyPawz.  We are on the 9/29 Breakaway itinerary following a similar route as yours.  How have you found the New England itinerary to be, the overall condition of the Haven and more specifically how was the tender process in Bar Harbor?   Thank you.

[Sthrngary]

Hello All:

 

OK, I don't engage with any of the three OP-ED's I wrote on the Secrets of the Haven as much any more.  However, I read every time someone posts a reply.  I am glad so many have found the topic interesting.  My goal in 2019 with the first OP-ED through today was for anyone that wanted to pay the premium for the Haven, to know what you got, get all the value and enjoy your cruise vacation to the max.  Mission accomplished. 

 

Now it is time for those that used the information provided by so many other contributors and myself, to share their current experiences.  Give us the new secrets, if changes happened, tell us how to leverage those changes to our best experience and value.

 

For me, I will check back and read everything posted.  I don't have a Haven cruise booked for my future YET.  I am trying different brands, categories, itineraries and ship sizes.  Do I miss the Haven that I know so well, sure.  Have I found other options that are as nice or better, yes.  Does any of my choices including the NCL Haven click all the boxes, NO.  This is the nature of cruising.

 

My hopes have always been, for a brand to have a semi-luxury experience, that folks that are not super rich can be treated like a Rock Star for 7-10 days a year.  Where a husband and wife, mom and dad, grand father and mother can let someone else cook, do the dishes, clean, for them as they have done for their families for decades.  Yes, even snacks with M&M's if we want them.  

 

Always have realistic expectations by doing your due diligence.  Take everything you hear, read or view with a grain of salt including this information I am providing.  Cruising and all its many options is best served with as know knowledge as you can gain.  Just have fun doing it, before, during and after the cruise.  Just enjoy.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

 

 

[SaltyPawz]

On 9/5/2024 at 9:29 PM, McGarrett5oh said:

We are on the Breakaway 9/29 sailing in a Haven Aft Suite.  Can you tell us about the Haven tender process you experienced in Bar Harbor?  Thanks for your posts!

Yes! The Haven priority process was the BEST for Bar Harbor! We booked a private tour with Oli’s Trolley for 11:30 - 2 pm, so we weren’t in a rush to get off the ship. When we were ready to get off, around 9:30 a.m, Omar (the concierge) took us down a service elevator, held the line, and allowed us to board the tender boat. I don’t know how many people were in line but it was A LOT! On the way back to the ship, there was a Haven sign, and the associate  again let us “cut” the line to board the tender boat. So, so convenient! 
 

I don’t know what you have planned for Bar Harbor, but it was a lovely port stop! We really enjoyed our time there! 

 

[SaltyPawz]

I’ve waited a few days to post a review of our recent Haven cruise on Breakaway with a New England/Cruise itinerary for a few reasons. I want to share positives and not-so-positives without seeming petty or listing “unreasonable expectations.”  

 

Our first and only Haven cruise last year on Escape set a high bar, but we boarded this cruise not expecting the same but similar experiences. So, here goes.  

 

Embarkation Day

The check-in process at MCT in NYC was very easy. Our check-in time was 10:30-11:00. We looked for a Haven sign, processed quickly through security, found the Haven area, and was given our key cards. We waited for a short time (drinks and light refreshments were available).  We were on board and greeted with a tasty beverage and having lunch within an hour of our check-in time. 

 

Butler 

We met out butler and gave him a “butler letter” with a small pre-tip.  (I know these are often called bribes, but we decided to give one.) We had a few upfront requests: 1) Remove all for-sale items in the room.  2) Bowls of peanut M&Ms and gummy bears. 3) One extra firm pillow.  4) A small pitcher of Diet Coke for the mornings.* 

 

Our butler was very friendly and personable.  He immediately attended to our initial requests, and checked in on us several times throughout the cruise. 

 

Our bowls of in-room snacks (gummy bears) we’re refilled once. We refilled the peanut M&Ms ourselves with the offerings by the pool. 

 

We ordered in-room breakfast service once. No salt and pepper and no hot sauce as requested. No condiments. I asked for French press coffee but was given a carafe instead. (Of note for coffee drinkers, I was only offered “Coffee Mate”).  

 

We did have chef snacks on all days, but the last sea day. What was noticeable was the variety and quantity offered. So, we wondered if…. Our last cruise was in a DOS and this one was a two bedroom family villa, were we offered more because of the room category, or have services changed? (Of note, on both cruises, there was two people.)

 

*I know this request is iffy. Even though we had the premium beverage package, I was fully expected to pay if we had to. We were given two cans on the first day. After, we’d stop by the Haven bar to ask for an unopened can. 

 

Room Steward

She was spot on! She would greet us everyday and ask what we needed. Helped us with a laundry request. Of all staff, we gave her the biggest tip. 

 

Bartenders

All were excellent with requests and remembering tastes and preferences. I’m the “can you make me something refreshing but not too sweet” person, and they did every time. Michael and Eyza were so good at their craft that it was fun to sit and watch them! 

 

Concierge & Priority Boarding 

This is where there was noticeable difference. 

 

We interacted with the head concierge once on the tender day in Bar Harbor. He took us down the service elevator, and we “cut the line” to board the tender boat. Getting back on the ship, there was a Haven sign, and we again “cut the line” to board a tender boat. This was a VERY good perk. 

 

After that, we didn’t interact with the head concierge. On all other ports, we were told to go to deck 7 to get off the ship. No priority getting on or off the ship. We never saw a person with a Haven sign to use the service elevators. 

 

Of note…. We found out later that to use priority to get off the ship, they limited the hours. This was new for us. 

 

Haven Restaurant 

Same menu as our last cruise, which was a delight to enjoy our favs. And, we’ve learned to add this or request an extra of that. Service was very slow at times. Some staff were friendly.  Others, not as much. 

 

Out of the seven days, we had dinner and lunch once and breakfast twice in Haven -opting to enjoy specialty restaurants or other options. 

 

Coffee options have changed. On our last cruise, Starbucks coffee was listed. It changed on this one. (Refer to picture.)

 

Overall

Overall, we had a wonderful cruise, and I will consider Haven again for a future cruise. The ship, ports, and, of course, cost will determine our next trip. 

 

Not Haven Specific, But Other Differences

-On the Escape in Nov/Dec 2023, we ate at Cagney’s and La Cucina. At both restaurants, we were able to take the bottle of wine we ordered with us at the end of the meal. (We had the premium package on both.)

-On the Breakaway in Sep 2024, we again ate at Cagney’s and La Cucina. At Cagney’s, we weren’t offered to take the bottle of wine with us. At La Cucina, we were told we weren’t allowed to take the bottle with us nor could it be delivered to the room.  

 

-Syd Norman’s “Rock the Prom” show on day 7.  People were lining up at 6:15 for a 9 pm show. Wow! 
 

 

[drew69]

Of note…. We found out later that to use priority to get off the ship, they limited the hours. This was new for us. 

 

Odd you didn't have a letter in your room outlining the hours for the availability of the escort off the ship for each day. 

 

It has always been limited hours and we have always had a letter in the room stating the hours for each day - usually the first 2-3 hours after arrival.

[McGarrett5oh]

14 hours ago, SaltyPawz said:

We did have chef snacks on all days, but the last sea day. What was noticeable was the variety and quantity offered. So, we wondered if…. Our last cruise was in a DOS and this one was a two bedroom family villa, were we offered more because of the room category, or have services changed? (Of note, on both cruises, there was two people.)

 

*I know this request is iffy. Even though we had the premium beverage package, I was fully expected to pay if we had to. We were given two cans on the first day. After, we’d stop by the Haven bar to ask for an unopened can. 

Thank you for the review. Very helpful.  We board the Breakaway in the Haven out of NYC  in 2 weeks. Can you elaborate on:

 

What are “chef snacks” and what did you “wonder if” on the last day?

 

What did you mean by “given two cans on the first day”?  Cans of what?

 

Lastly, did I understand that your butler did not refill the requested gummy bears and M&Ms daily?

TIA!

 

 

 

[CruisingSince1982]

17 hours ago, SaltyPawz said:

 

Concierge & Priority Boarding 

This is where there was noticeable difference. 

 

We interacted with the head concierge once on the tender day in Bar Harbor. He took us down the service elevator, and we “cut the line” to board the tender boat. Getting back on the ship, there was a Haven sign, and we again “cut the line” to board a tender boat. This was a VERY good perk. 

 

After that, we didn’t interact with the head concierge. On all other ports, we were told to go to deck 7 to get off the ship. No priority getting on or off the ship. We never saw a person with a Haven sign to use the service elevators. 

 

Of note…. We found out later that to use priority to get off the ship, they limited the hours. This was new for us. 

 

 

Who was your concierge? Some are MUCH better than others. 

[graphicguy]

Couple of "tips".  The Head Concierge isn't always available.  I know that they regularly check on Haven guests if they are dining in one or the other Specialty Restaurants, attending different activities throughout the ship, etc.  I've also found that using the Head Concierge's assistants is very effective in getting the things I requested.  They are trying to move up the Concierge ladder, and work hard to do so.  While I enjoy meeting the head concierge, his/her assistants are who I interface with the most.

 

"Snacks/Treats" in the room.  If there is something missing that you want, leave the Butler a note in your cabin requesting the items.  Same goes for the French Press coffee.  Although, I found the Nespresso machine in the cabin to be quite good.

 

 

 

[SaltyPawz]

5 hours ago, McGarrett5oh said:

Thank you for the review. Very helpful.  We board the Breakaway in the Haven out of NYC  in 2 weeks. Can you elaborate on:

 

What are “chef snacks” and what did you “wonder if” on the last day?

 

What did you mean by “given two cans on the first day”?  Cans of what?

 

Lastly, did I understand that your butler did not refill the requested gummy bears and M&Ms daily?

TIA!

 

 

 

We call the canapés/treats left in the room by the butler “chef snacks.”  And, in our butler letter, we mention that we have no food allergies and love snacks -especially mini-sandwiches, cheese and crackers, fresh fruit, etc. 

 

On our first Haven cruise, we were surprised and delighted at our chef snacks each day. (I understand for some it would be too much, but we enjoyed them.) The pic shows a typical day.

 

On Breakaway, we would get one tray.  Still nice and enjoyable. (Sorry I don’t have a pic to share.)

 

I mentioned this to note a difference and wonder why the difference? (I don’t know.) 

————————-

In our butler letter, we asked for a daily small pitcher of Diet Coke. We never received this, but on the first day, the butler did bring us two cans of Diet Coke.  On subsequent days, we’d just stop by the Haven bar and ask for unopened cans to take back to the room. Easy fix!

————————

 

During the whole cruise, the gummy bears were refilled once. The M&Ms were never refilled. We didn’t need a daily refill.  When the M&Ms were gone, I got some by the pool. Another easy fix! 

 

———————-

 

Of note…. It was a wonderful cruise with very enjoyable ports! I posted this review to share my experience and to note some differences between two Havens (Escape in 2023 vs Breakaway in 2024).  As I’m new to cruising (only three under my belt), I’m learning from each and from this forum. 

[SaltyPawz]

3 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Couple of "tips".  The Head Concierge isn't always available.  I know that they regularly check on Haven guests if they are dining in one or the other Specialty Restaurants, attending different activities throughout the ship, etc.  I've also found that using the Head Concierge's assistants is very effective in getting the things I requested.  They are trying to move up the Concierge ladder, and work hard to do so.  While I enjoy meeting the head concierge, his/her assistants are who I interface with the most.

 

"Snacks/Treats" in the room.  If there is something missing that you want, leave the Butler a note in your cabin requesting the items.  Same goes for the French Press coffee.  Although, I found the Nespresso machine in the cabin to be quite good.

 

 

 

Thank you for the tips! As we navigate this new way of holidaying, I’m certainly learning the ins and outs. Now….just need to book another cruise to use all these tips! 

[graphicguy]

1 hour ago, SaltyPawz said:

Thank you for the tips! As we navigate this new way of holidaying, I’m certainly learning the ins and outs. Now….just need to book another cruise to use all these tips! 

Great!

 

I do not think NCL uses “fountain soft drinks” (e.g. Diet Coke).  As a result, the can’t provide a “pitcher” of any soft drinks.  As you noted, you can get cans, however!

[McGarrett5oh]

Thanks @SaltyPawz.  It sounds like you maximized your experience despite your relative newness to cruising.   We've only been in the Haven once betore (Prima last Fall) and I've reported on that experience which pretty much mirrored your experience.   We drew a short stick on the quality of the Butler despite a detailed Butler Letter and some of his tip up front (which turned out to be the only tip he received as his performance and visibility left us disappointed).  We didn't have much use for the Concierge so we focused our renumeration on dining room and bar staff. 

 

This time around I'm not going to bother with the Butler Letter, but I've found bringing colored note cards with us to leave each morning (if necessary) was a more effective way to communicate with the Butler and cabin steward both in the Haven and a recent cruise in the Retreat on Celebrity (where the Butler was even more disappointing).  

 

Thanks again!  Cheers!

[SaltyPawz]

15 minutes ago, McGarrett5oh said:

Thanks @SaltyPawz.  It sounds like you maximized your experience despite your relative newness to cruising.   We've only been in the Haven once betore (Prima last Fall) and I've reported on that experience which pretty much mirrored your experience.   We drew a short stick on the quality of the Butler despite a detailed Butler Letter and some of his tip up front (which turned out to be the only tip he received as his performance and visibility left us disappointed).  We didn't have much use for the Concierge so we focused our renumeration on dining room and bar staff. 

 

This time around I'm not going to bother with the Butler Letter, but I've found bringing colored note cards with us to leave each morning (if necessary) was a more effective way to communicate with the Butler and cabin steward both in the Haven and a recent cruise in the Retreat on Celebrity (where the Butler was even more disappointing).  

 

Thanks again!  Cheers!

I LOVE the idea of using note cards to communicate with the butler and room steward! Thanks for the tip. 
 

Enjoy your cruise! 

[complawyer]

mcgarrett5oh.

 

sorry about the butler short straw. we've booked a lot of suites, and haven suites, but only one time (last cruise this past april on the star) did we have a body (butler) that i thought was useless.

 

remember, 24 hr butler service is incorporated into your cruise fare. You paid for it, you are entitled to his best efforts. he turned us off after the initial meeting, i had absolutely no qualms, whatsoever, the next morning, speaking to the concierge and having him immediately removed. his replacement was top-notch, and we gave him $150 at the end of our cruise

regardless, of cabin and price paid, everyone on board is entitled to whatever amenities are consistent with what they paid. 

 

no need to take anything less, or stand for any crap!

[df5250]

Regarding forward penthouse deck furniture, I was on the Jewel in Alaska in 9002 last summer where the furniture was never tied down.  However, on the Gem to Bermuda and Portland in 9002 a few weeks ago, all of the forward balcony’s furniture was tied down any time we were sailing or getting ready to sail. This was completely unexpected, and has me reconsidering forward facing balconies in the future in case this is a new thing!

[goldmom]

2 hours ago, df5250 said:

Regarding forward penthouse deck furniture, I was on the Jewel in Alaska in 9002 last summer where the furniture was never tied down.  However, on the Gem to Bermuda and Portland in 9002 a few weeks ago, all of the forward balcony’s furniture was tied down any time we were sailing or getting ready to sail. This was completely unexpected, and has me reconsidering forward facing balconies in the future in case this is a new thing!

We had that happen to us also on the Gem.  The furniture was tied up every day while we were at sea.  I asked the room steward and he said it was orders from the bridge.  The weather was not really that bad.  I spoke to someone else a few cabins away who had a different room steward, their furniture was set up everyday and tied up at night.  Obviously our steward didn't want the extra work.  I was a bit annoyed, but didn't say anything as it was the end of the cruise.  I did often untie one chair to sit on the balcony and tied it up when I was finished.  I sat by the railing and sometimes waved to the bridge crew and no one from the bridge ever called down to ask me not to use the balcony.  We did pretty much stop getting forward facing balconies after that trip.

[df5250]

10 minutes ago, goldmom said:

We had that happen to us also on the Gem.  The furniture was tied up every day while we were at sea.  I asked the room steward and he said it was orders from the bridge.  The weather was not really that bad.  I spoke to someone else a few cabins away who had a different room steward, their furniture was set up everyday and tied up at night.  Obviously our steward didn't want the extra work.  I was a bit annoyed, but didn't say anything as it was the end of the cruise.  I did often untie one chair to sit on the balcony and tied it up when I was finished.  I sat by the railing and sometimes waved to the bridge crew and no one from the bridge ever called down to ask me not to use the balcony.  We did pretty much stop getting forward facing balconies after that trip.

Good for you!! My neighbors untied theirs. I wasn’t confident I could lift the chair off the pile or tie them back up. I did drag one of the dining chairs out of the room though!!