Just back from 9 day Getaway in Haven

[WarfRatWA]

16 hours ago, EngrJones said:

People pay thousands to be pampered by "their" butler in the Haven.  Why on earth would you leave a penny?  We don't have this problem in steerage.

If someone is staying in the Haven for the butler experience, they will be very disappointed.  The OP's butler experience, is a very typical experience on NCL.  Perhaps try the product, you might have a different opinion.  

[drew69]

48 minutes ago, Fredrik said:

Thank you for the review!!

 

How was embarkation in Pireus? What time slots were you offered?

We had an 11-1130 time slot.  We got there about 1030.  When the baggage handler saw our tags, he called over someone to escort us to a separate security line/building for Haven.  No wait and brought us in to sit down.  Around 15 minutes later about 5 people came over to us and the other parties waiting with pads and checked us in.  About 10 minutes later, the concierge came over with our keys and a couple of butlers and walked us onto the ship and to the Haven.  Bar was open and they were passing some hot bites.  1145 the restaurant opened.  By 1-115, rooms were ready and our bags arrived before 2.

[roddy good boy]

30 minutes ago, WarfRatWA said:

If someone is staying in the Haven for the butler experience, they will be very disappointed.  The OP's butler experience, is a very typical experience on NCL.  Perhaps try the product, you might have a different opinion.  

I don’t know. I haven’t sailed since before the pandemic, but have been in the Haven on the Breakaway ( 2xs), Encore and Bliss. Sometimes I was in the courtyard, sometimes not, but I’ve always met my butler on the first day, received daily snacks, and helpful advice! In fact, my husband didn’t care for one of them because he said she was always hovering in the hallway.  She was just trying to determine whether we were in the room! 😁

I’ll also be on the Getaway in Sept. and was a bit concerned about OP’s experiences. Hopefully, the issues with that Butler will be addressed by management.

[MarkieMarkNYC]

I definitely didn't choose the Haven for the butler. I've had butlers on Cunard and Oceania and generally don't really like having one. I don't ask for much either and don't really enjoy the extra attention.

But if one comes with the elevated price tag, then I expect to get some benefit from them. I wrote on another thread about this butler that one day I asked for a cheese plate (the kind that is routinely given in the Haven). The butler said "I don't have that today". It's cheese on a plate. Were they out of cheese or out of plates? Other things we asked for (chocolate-covered strawberries, little sandwiches that other cabins were getting) were not delivered. I asked for softer pillows and he tried to talk me out of that, saying he thought they might not have any. Fortunately our wonderful steward was walking by at the time and said "sure, no problem". 

Our butler became the butt of our jokes and the topic of funny conversations with friends we made in the Haven lounge. As I said before, this didn't ruin our cruise. But I would prefer a cruise where the standards are a bit higher and one gets what one pays for.

 

[dexddd]

22 hours ago, MarkieMarkNYC said:

Hmm, I bet we had the same butler. I was on the Getaway in May and stayed in a Haven complex room right by the door to the lounge. His name starts with P (and our steward was terrific).

He never introduced himself, never asked what we wanted, and generally didn't bring things we asked for (despite other rooms getting those things). He did bring us M&Ms after we requested them on day two but rang the buzzer when our do not disturb light was on, thereby waking us from a nap.

Of course it didn't ruin our trip, but as our first Haven experience it did make us feel that the premium price in Haven doesn't mean a truly premium experience. 

We wouldn't book Haven again and have some nice upcoming sailings on Oceania and Viking, where we've consistently received what we pay for.

That is not uncommon. 

[david_sobe]

I watch lots of cruise vlogs and service is slipping on Cunard and Oceana too.  Some very popular channels report they have received better service on the main cruise lines than what some call the "luxury" lines.  But then again, is not service slipping everywhere on land too?
The job market is so hot that its hard to fill positions.  The positions that are filled dont feel so fortunate to have a job and realize a better job will come available tomorrow.  Thus we all get a big downgrade in service.

[WarfRatWA]

21 minutes ago, david_sobe said:

I watch lots of cruise vlogs and service is slipping on Cunard and Oceana too.  Some very popular channels report they have received better service on the main cruise lines than what some call the "luxury" lines.  But then again, is not service slipping everywhere on land too?
The job market is so hot that its hard to fill positions.  The positions that are filled dont feel so fortunate to have a job and realize a better job will come available tomorrow.  Thus we all get a big downgrade in service.

My wife and I are very pleased with the service on Oceania (Riviera & Marina).  Our kids have aged out and we have been messing around with NCL's sister....and we like it.  I don't judge a line on their butler service cuz frankly that is my least favorite part of an upscale cruise experience.  I believe the Haven is aptly named and its the main reason I like it, because its a haven from the madness.

[9tee2Sea]

I have only stayed in Haven once ( Bliss, early this year).  I met the Butler one the first day.  Asked him to have juices and in the fridge, and no snacks were to be delivered.  I would call when the pitchers needed re-filling.  I think after three calls ( It was a 16 night cruise), he got the point of checkin every few days. IMO, I really don't need a Butler to pop in every day, having him be able to be reached by phone ( at reasonable hours) is just as good.

[complawyer]

whenever we've had a butler (many x's) he/she always checked in the very 1st day. told him what we wanted and had no problems throughout the cruise. except for the last cruise (star in april) the butler was an incompetent jerk, when we requested things we have always gotten in the past, he told my wife it wasnt his job. we went to the concierge, and he was replaced the next day

 

note, we always ask for a pot of coffee, a pot of hot water, tea bags, milk and sweet rolls/ croissants to be delivered to the cabin every morning. like clockwork, it always showed up

[Two Wheels Only]

1 hour ago, 9tee2Sea said:

I really don't need a Butler to pop in every day, having him be able to be reached by phone ( at reasonable hours) is just as good.

 

Even at an unreasonable hour, there is a backup butler if you ever need anything.