The Secrets of the Haven VIP Experience in 2024 and beyond

[Sthrngary]

3 hours ago, Ticatraveler said:

I agree with @Sthrngary. A new cruiser will try NCL Haven and love the experience, while the experienced Haven cruiser wonders how many more changes will take place before the product is unrecognizable. 

We enjoy the Haven as a space without crowds and the perks associated with it. But as the price skyrockets and the quality declines we have started to look elsewhere. We have a cruise booked on the Viva in 2025. We are going with friends and I'm sure it will be enjoyable.

In May 2024 we cruised on the Prima Iceland to Southampton.  We had a wonderful butler and a fantastic room steward and loved the two bedroom suite. 

 Everyone's experience is different. We want to keep loving NCL but with every cruise we find more and more changes that don't justify the higher prices. 

Future cruisers new to NCL should give the Haven a try. It's a beautiful area with some special touches. You will not miss what you don't know.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

@Ticatraveler Thank you for your post.  EXACTLY.  Many have been disappointed in my overview of the Haven NOW. I was establishing human nature not only of myself but of others.  When something is New it is often GREAT until it changes enough or the brand does not continue to improve it.  If the product or service changes and increases the investment, it make the changes that much more apparent to the guest. This does NOT make a "Haven Lover" like myself discontinue book the Haven anymore.  We will absolutely book the Haven again. The effect to the loyal advocate is not that simple.  What it does do, is opens me and other, to other possibilities.  Other brands, approaches, ships and experiences. Kind of when you have a new job, a great manager and your manager soon gets promoted.  The replacement manager is not what you signed up for.  Similar human feelings. You might now be open to a new job.  

 

It is so hard for me to explain, because this is the kind of stuff I educated folks on throughout my career.  If a brand continually improves service, quality, and perks; price increases are justified.  If the quality stays the same and the price goes up, it makes client uncomfortable.  If the quality even on little things go down and the price goes up, loyal even super loyal clients do get really uncomfortable, they are open to wander to other options/brands/experiences.  Again, human nature.

 

I love the NCL Haven, will always love the Haven, I will always recommend the Haven, but now it is one of my options; not my only/or most used option.  Since I am known for the many articles, op-eds, and comments on the NCL Haven.  Those that read my long winded writings also know, I am transparent, honest, fair, and logical with my thoughts.  My last cruise was not the Haven but I looked and compared it to what I did take.  My next cruise is not the Haven and I evaluated it the same.  My 2025 Mediterranean cruise is also not the Haven, not because I am upset or angry, I just found a better option/ship/value/perks/experience.  

 

Folks, the times they-are-a-changing.  Which ever vacation option you choose, let it be to elevate your vacation experience at an investment you are comfortable with, providing the amenities/perk/value that meets your personal needs.  The NCL Haven should always be considered. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[RocketMan275]

I understand why some are so upset about reductions in quality and price increase.

Guys, that how people and companies react to runaway inflation.

They reduce quality/quantity and increase prices.

It is happening everywhere including those small luxury cruise lines.

Get used to it. 

[firstmickey]

@Sthrngary  I have always appreciated your posts and insights about the Haven and I completely understand the point you are making in this post.   We sailed two Haven cruises pre-covid (Escape 2017, 2018) and two shorter Haven cruises on the Sky immediately post covid when cruising reopened (Mar, Apr 2022).  We sail next week on Haven Breakaway so I will be happy to report back about any changes or updates.  

 

I try to go with the attitude that the cruise is what I make it and not let minor annoyances get in the way. I feel very fortunate to be able to afford a Haven cruise and the little luxuries that come with it.  

[Candy Apple 12]

2 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

I love the NCL Haven, will always love the Haven, I will always recommend the Haven, but now it is one of my options; not my only/or most used option.  Since I am known for the many articles, op-eds, and comments on the NCL Haven.  Those that read my long winded writings also know, I am transparent, honest, fair, and logical with my thoughts.  My last cruise was not the Haven but I looked and compared it to what I did take.  My next cruise is not the Haven and I evaluated it the same.  My 2025 Mediterranean cruise is also not the Haven, not because I am upset or angry, I just found a better option/ship/value/perks/experience.  

Did you do a trip report or review of your most recent cruise which was not in the Haven? I remember you posting your thoughts on how you choose that trip, but I haven’t stumbled across any posts that reference your experience afterwards (probably because I mainly read the NCL board because that’s what I’m currently booked on). I value your opinion and would like to see how your cruise compared to your previous Haven cruises. Thank you. 

[Sthrngary]

27 minutes ago, Candy Apple 12 said:

Did you do a trip report or review of your most recent cruise which was not in the Haven? I remember you posting your thoughts on how you choose that trip, but I haven’t stumbled across any posts that reference your experience afterwards (probably because I mainly read the NCL board because that’s what I’m currently booked on). I value your opinion and would like to see how your cruise compared to your previous Haven cruises. Thank you. 

@Candy Apple 12 I did a CruiseCritic.com review.  It was on Oceania Riviera, October 2023, 10 day Mediterranean Cruise. I did a live on-board topic which is located on the Oceania Board.  I did not post here because the topic was not NCL or Haven Related.  Thank you for asking.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[david_sobe]

I've sailed the Haven many times but I don't know about any "secrets."

Is there a secret handshake or passcode or something?

[kathyRW]

We became NCL cruisers after many years of HAL and Princess cruising. Our first cruise was aboard the Gem (smaller class ship) and without a Haven room. But we were pleasantly surprised with NCL (I had always read reviews that were not so complimentary of NCL for older, quieter travelers, which is us). The next cruise was Breakaway and an Aft Facing Haven PH with large balcony...Ding! Ding! Ding! That was the best cruise we had ever had to date and we booked again. This time on the Bliss, same aft balcony PH. But the Horizon Lounge up front was the clincher - we absolutely loved it and the Bliss is still our favorite NCL ship. We booked the Bliss again, this time inside the Haven Courtyard due to mobility issues I had at the time. Next was the Prima ... and here is where it started to go south. The Haven was still better than a non-Haven experience BUT...the ship layout on the Prima was not wonderful. No Horizon Lounge - huge disappointment in the chopped up small lounge spaces. They doubled the number of Haven suites and guests which significantly changed the level of personal service. The Haven restaurant was always crowded and the sundeck not great on this cruise due to weather. The deck 8 layout changed our balcony experience to one of constant noise. The main corridors of the ship were confusing and hard to navigate and the specialty restaurants were always full...we never got a chance to use all of our specialty restaurant credits because there were no bookings available if you didn't book ahead of time, even for a Haven guest. So we will not be booking the Prima class ever again. The price vs the level of service was not worth it, IMO. So this year we are going back to the Breakaway Haven, knowing the ship won't have as many venues to offer. But we had a great time on the Breakaway the first time so fingers crossed!

[kasimir]

First of all, thanks for starting a new thread on this topic because, let’s face it, a lot has changed! Also, apologies for my absence from the Cruise Critic boards since our last voyage—not because it was a disaster, but because life happened, and without a cruise booked, CruiseCritic is like a cookie without chocolate chips—just not as fun! 😂

 

Since our first Haven experience on the Prima (departing Barcelona on November 20th, 2023, for an 11-day transatlantic cruise to NYC), I thought it was high time to share some impressions and a summarized conclusion. 

 

Before the Cruise

 

Initially, my wife and I booked this cruise in a balcony cabin during our previous Prima cruise (NYC to Iceland) in May 2023. That trip was great, despite some hiccups—like missing a port and arriving a day late in Reykjavik. NCL gave us two compensation vouchers: one for 50% off a European cruise in 2023 and another for 25% off any sailing before the end of 2024. Not too shabby!

 

Back home, I called NCL and, like a bargaining ninja, got them to apply the 50% voucher to our already-booked transatlantic cruise (because it departed from Barcelona—loophole win!). Later, I noticed prices dropped and, after a quick call, we upgraded to the Haven (HE category) for $1335. As a a bargain enthusiast, I was over the moon!

 

A few days later, my in-laws decided to join the fun and booked themselves into the Haven (HE category) for around $6300. It was there first NCL cruise. We stayed in cabin 14918, and the in-laws in 12908. The pre-cruise concierge desk was super helpful with all our pre-cruise arrangements and questions we had.

 

A bit about us: We are in our late 30s, love traveling, cruising, and exploring new places. We’re pretty laid-back, enjoy a touch of luxury, and prepare well for our trips while leaving room for spontaneity and surprises. We were pumped for this cruise!

 

First Impressions (First Day only)

 

We spent a few days in Barcelona before the cruise, unwinding. On embarkation day, we dashed to the terminal to maximize our first-day fun.

 

We arrived around 10am, joined a small line, and waited outside for the check-in to open. After asking about the Haven queue, they put up the sign and took our luggage. We waited about 15 minutes but, on the bright side, we were first in the Haven queue!

 

Once inside the terminal, we were guided to a separate check-in area and were onboard within minutes. To note, there was not really a Haven lounge in the Barcelona cruise terminal, and it seemed that everyone could go on the ship as soon as they had their ship card. 

 

The Haven butler escort made us feel like VIPs. The first impression of the Haven area was a sight to behold—modern, with a special ambiance. The contrast between the bright general areas of Prima and the dim, wood-accented Haven was striking. Even the hallways in the Haven had a special touch, with low cabin density and some tasteful decor here and there.

 

Our room steward and butler introduced themselves, showed us the cabin features, and everything we requested in advance was arranged. The cabin itself was spectacular—huge, luxurious, and exactly what we needed. Once we dropped off our luggage we headed to the Haven Restaurant for lunch, stopped by the Haven bar for surprise drinks (a gin & tonic twist that wowed us), and thought, “What an amazing start!” 

 

The Haven Restaurant, however, didn’t quite wow us on the first day. The views from the restaurant were great, the food was solid but not spectacular. We hoped it would improve as the crew settled in. 

 

Still buzzing with excitement, we made a beeline for the Haven pool. Even though the departure day had a bit of a chill, the sun was shining beautifully. We sipped on some poolside drinks to keep the warmth flowing, but eventually, we sought refuge in the hot tubs. There, we met some fellow cruisers who were all delightful company. The outdoor area is lovely, but, much like the Prima itself, the Haven isn’t exactly built for cooler climates—think more “sunny retreat” than “winter wonderland.”

 

For the sail-away, we retreated to our cabin and soaked it all in from our spacious balcony, complete with some bubbly we brought onboard. I had read some gripes about noise from the lower decks, but nestled on deck 14, we were blissfully undisturbed—peaceful and perfect for our celebratory toast.

 

 

Slightly tipsy, we headed back to the Haven Restaurant for dinner and were immediately taken aback by how dimly lit the dining room was. It felt like we were dining in a chic cave—just a bit too dark in some spots. I had the steak tartare, which was fantastic, but the main courses were just okay, nothing to write home about. However, the desserts? They were a unanimous hit!

 

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

 

Let’s start with the good—actually, the best part: the cabin. We absolutely loved it! It was spacious, well-designed, and incredibly comfortable. The tech features were a delight for my inner geek, and the L’Occitane amenities were a hit (we even bought some after returning home!). Our cabin didn't creak, unlike the cabin of the in-laws. The only nit-pick was the closet doors sliding open and closed during rough seas, causing the closet light to turn on and the noise to keep me awake. I solved it with a piece of paper wedged in the sliding door, but honestly, this shouldn’t happen in any cabin.

 

One of the things we absolutely loved about the Haven, and something that doesn’t get enough credit, is the dedicated Haven elevators. It might sound silly, but we never had to wait for an elevator, and they access nearly all decks. We really missed them when we ventured to the front of the ship and had to wait a few minutes for an elevator on busy sea days.

 

The Haven bar staff were top-notch, crafting amazing bespoke drinks. Too bad the Haven bar area never really came “alive,” so we never stayed there for very long.

Our cabin steward was fantastic, but our butler was just okay, did his job but didn’t go above and beyond. My in-laws, on the other hand, had an exceptional butler who was attentive and engaging.

 

The Haven restaurant was disappointing, to be honest. We expected more. The staff (except for the restaurant manager) seemed tired and ready to go home. I had read about the staff learning your preferences and names, going above and beyond, but that never happened. The food, except for a few highlights (like some desserts and breakfast), was just above average, better than the main dining room but below specialty dining. We also got tired of the same menu. We were excited about a special Thanksgiving dinner item, only to find out the exact same was offered in the main dining room as well.

 

The onboard concierge wasn’t particularly helpful to us as most of the things we were able to handle ourselves quicker or was pre-arranged, and the priority benefits didn’t make a significant difference to us or were not offered.

 

Room service breakfast in the Haven cabin was bland and verydisappointing, unlike the delicious breakfast served in the Haven Restaurant. Other meals, like once we ordered dinner from Onda, were fantastic but came with a charge for drink delivery, which left a sour taste.

 

Onboard, the Prima showed signs of aging, and the food quality in some venues, like Indulge Foodhall, had noticeably declined. Many of our favorite items in Indulge were removed compared to our earlier Prima cruise. However, the newly installed Starlink made a huge positive difference in internet connectivity.

 

Conclusion

 

Despite a few hiccups, we had a fantastic cruise overall. We truly relaxed, soaking up the many sea days and reveling in the Haven’s tranquility. This was exactly why we booked a transatlantic cruise in the first place. We needed a break from our hectic lives and demanding jobs, and we found the perfect escape.

The peace we experienced in the Haven became truly apparent once we left its serene confines. It’s like spending a few hours in a top-notch airport lounge, only to step out into the bustling chaos of the main terminal. Objectively, the Prima wasn’t particularly noisy or busy on this cruise—there were barely any kids onboard—but the contrast was still stark when leaving the Haven area.

 

Would we book the Haven again? Yes, but only if the price is right. Paying more than $400 per person per night isn’t worth it, given what we experienced. For cruises with many sea days, the Haven is perfect. For busier itineraries, we’d opt for a Club Balcony Suite with additional packages instead, going with the "Haven Light" strategy. 😉 

 

The statement made by some “once you go Haven, you can’t go back” might be great, but we don’t fully agree. We’ve booked our next NCL cruise in a Club Balcony Suite because we felt it was priced correctly. If a Haven upgrade comes at an attractive price, we’ll consider it, but we won't pay 3.5 times more or the lowest Haven cabin category, which was the price difference at the time of booking. 

 

Perhaps the Haven experience on the Breakaway class ships is better, but I find it hard to believe that service and food quality would differ significantly due to ship design. We will eventually give the Haven another try, but first, we plan to explore other cruise lines again. NCL’s aggressive cutbacks over the past two years have impacted the overall experience, and we want to see how other lines compare post covid.

[Ticatraveler]

18 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

I understand why some are so upset about reductions in quality and price increase.

Guys, that how people and companies react to runaway inflation.

They reduce quality/quantity and increase prices.

It is happening everywhere including those small luxury cruise lines.

Get used to it. 

I understand it is the world we live in. But I can still opt to spend my money in different ways. If we try a different cruise line we might love the experience without knowing what I was missing before. We are fortunate to live in Germany and it gives lots of travel opportunities without having to cruise. I hope my next Haven stay wont be my last.  I have always loved the experience but it's getting much harder to justify the price.

[momofmab]

We've cruised in several NCL suite categories (owner's suites, penthouses), pre-Haven and really enjoyed the NCL product and ship activities.  We took a break from NCL and did a couple turns on RCCL in balconies and suites.  Took time off from cruising in general (busy family schedules) and came back post-Covid, as empty nesters, with a commitment to try other cruise lines and get an idea which ones we liked.

 

Our most recent cruises were on X's Beyond (concierge IV) and MSC Seascape (YC). While we enjoyed both, our overall conclusion was that we could thoroughly enjoy a cruise with X as a non-suite passenger, while being in YC on a MSC cruise would be a must.  Our only issue with MSC was not enjoying the environment outside of YC.  While the YC area is lovely, we missed utilizing the whole ship (the rowdy crowds and chaos always drove us quickly back to the serenity of the YC enclave).

 

Fast-forward to our upcoming Haven cruise, where we will try that product for the first time. I prefer to be on new or recently updated ships (particularly important is an updated cabin) and am not interested in paying high suite-level prices for outdated cabins.  Having a butler is nice, but we don't like to be fussed over - so as long as he/she brings us any food we happen to order to our cabin, we will be happy.  The ship we chose (Epic), while not new, does have nicely updated and appointed Haven cabins, and was an itinerary that we wanted, with a drivable port location, so it worked for us.

 

Things that I already know we will miss from our MSC experience: no charge for mini bar items (they stock it with your preferences), daily poolside breakfast & lunch buffet, new menus each day (I will combat potential repetitiveness with several specialty restaurants), not having to show a sea pass card to get drinks (not sure if we'll have to do that NCL).  For the price, I think YC is hard to beat.

 

We would love to try The Retreat on the E-Class ships, but the prices always come back too high. If I'm going to pay that much, I will move up to the smaller luxury lines (we plan to try Explora and Oceania in 2025/2026).

[cruiseny4life]

12 hours ago, kasimir said:

Still buzzing with excitement, we made a beeline for the Haven pool. Even though the departure day had a bit of a chill, the sun was shining beautifully. We sipped on some poolside drinks to keep the warmth flowing, but eventually, we sought refuge in the hot tubs. There, we met some fellow cruisers who were all delightful company. The outdoor area is lovely, but, much like the Prima itself, the Haven isn’t exactly built for cooler climates—think more “sunny retreat” than “winter wonderland.”

HEEEEEEEEY!!!! That's my husband and I!!! 

Thanks for the review - it was wonderful to relive our Pr1ma adventure! Cheers from NY to Curaçao!

[Sthrngary]

6 hours ago, Ticatraveler said:

If we try a different cruise line we might love the experience without knowing what I was missing before.

@Ticatraveler I recently wrote about this approach.  New folks love an experience because they are only rating their previous experiences on another line/brand. When you bring in a new brand, with a not approach, in this case the Haven or Ship-within-A-Ship concept; they love it because it improves their experience.

 

As time goes on, we humans now look at this new experience as "Same Old/Same Old".  When something changes about that experience like cost cutting or anything the client does not like, the client looks for a solution which could be another brand/category/approach to vacationing. The Price Value Formula kicks in. 

 

The cruise lines figure, the really loyal will stay, some will leave or greener pastures, and we will pick up some at the higher fare.  That is simply a business equation for the brand.  Everyone then has to make a decision on who to cruise with next.  Really kind of simple.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[Sthrngary]

3 hours ago, momofmab said:

(we plan to try Explora and Oceania in 2025/2026).

@momofmab The Epic is a lovely choose and you will have a great time.  As you may, or many not know, I am a huge fan of the Haven and write about it all the time.  

 

I am responding to your post because we are both thinking the same way.  I have a Explora Journey Cruise Booked for February 2025; I have my second Oceania Cruise booked for October 2025.  Both brands you are considering.  

 

From my standpoint here is how it works. 

• The NCL Haven: The Haven suites me if what I want is the Huge Ship experience yet a place to go back too for quiet, a lounge chair, better food and personalized service.  I love the observation decks if they have on in the Haven.  I also love the outdoor dining in the Haven Restaurant if they have it. The butlers are hit/miss even with a butler letter.  
• Oceania Cruises:  I found out, I love the smaller ship because it felt less crowded.  The real key was once everyone left their staterooms, regardless of type, everyone was pretty much treated the same.  Not so in the Haven, Retreat or Yacht Club.  The food was better but that is relative, the drinks/bar service was better and that was a fact.  This is my choice for port intensive cruises like Europe or Asia because the ship is less the attraction then are the locations/port.
• Explora Journey Cruises:  They are MSC obviously and the new level of luxury cruising MSC want to bring to the market. Consider Yacht Club on steroids, and just like Oceania, everyone is treated the same.  Explora is trying new things, attempting to fine tune things, and evolving over time.  Not as mature from a consistence as Oceania simply because they are a new brand. 

 

The best part is, we all have choices.  We learn from those that cruise these lines and set our expectations always to be realistic.  You really can't go wrong with any of these decisions.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[RocketMan275]

1 hour ago, Sthrngary said:

@Ticatraveler I recently wrote about this approach.  New folks love an experience because they are only rating their previous experiences on another line/brand. When you bring in a new brand, with a not approach, in this case the Haven or Ship-within-A-Ship concept; they love it because it improves their experience.

 

As time goes on, we humans now look at this new experience as "Same Old/Same Old".  When something changes about that experience like cost cutting or anything the client does not like, the client looks for a solution which could be another brand/category/approach to vacationing. The Price Value Formula kicks in. 

 

The cruise lines figure, the really loyal will stay, some will leave or greener pastures, and we will pick up some at the higher fare.  That is simply a business equation for the brand.  Everyone then has to make a decision on who to cruise with next.  Really kind of simple.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

Two points.

Some people prefer "Same Old/Same Old".  They find it comforting.

All those leaving one line for greener pastures are replaced by those leaving other lines for greener pastures.