This was our first ever cruise. We were looking for something out of NY or NJ and a short 5 day cruise, just in case we did not like it. I’m not really sure how, but we wound up choosing NCL and at the time of booking, based on prices, due to number of people (5), we chose to go the Haven route. Figured we would go all out as it might be the last time we could all go together. Trying to keep a budget we chose the Haven Family Villa with Balcony (HH category).
The ship itself was grand. The ship was spotless when we boarded and the glass, banisters, and walls were shining. It stayed like this all through the trip. Yes, people are messy and just leave their glasses wherever, but staff were very quick to clean it up.
Room
The room itself was more than spacious enough for our needs. All the beds were comfortable. No complaints on the King Bed, the sofa pullout (easily fit two people), and the pull out wall bed. Plenty of drawer, cabinet, and closet space.
Food
I was impressed with all the food. We ate dinner once each night at the 3 MDRs (Taste/Savory/Manhattan Room), once at Specialty (Cagney’s) and the other 2 nights at the Haven. I thought the 3 main dining rooms not only looked gorgeous, but everything I ate there was delicious. The buffet, although I did not eat much there (only had breakfast and lunch there), was good as well. The breakfast in the buffet was just ok. Cagney’s was good, but truthfully I might not do Specialty again, I just do not feel the price was worth it, as the included meals in the Haven Restaurant and the MDRs were great. Even if I took away Haven, the MDRs were more than enough. I could easily have had breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the MDRs and switch around for ambience. The one weakness was the Local, I went there twice late at night (midnight or later) so the menu was the very small late night one (so I cannot judge the regular menu), but the wings were not that great and the burger was just ok. I found the Buffet burger to be so much better.
Washy Washy will get stuck in your head!
Elevators
The elevators are very slow and it is easier to just take the stairs especially if you are only 2 decks from where you need to be. But a lot of people on this ship, so it’s just a fact of life.
Entertainment
Footloose was enjoyable, not as bad as I’ve heard with people supposedly walking out of it. Elements is the show not to miss. This was excellent. We also saw the solo show with the magician Po from Elements and that was very good as well.
The Beatles Revolution was fantastic as well. I missed the Early Years, but saw the Sgt Pepper Era at the Cavern and the Later Years in the theater. My only complaint…too short wish it was longer. It was just so good.
The game shows were entertaining. I was chosen to play in Deal or No Deal and won, so that was great. My wife, unknowingly to me, put my name in for Wheel of Ill Will, and I was chosen. Had a good time with both.
Too much to do and not enough time, so I did not get to see/hear much of the music that was playing, which I regret, but only so much time. I did hear the Latin band one night at SugarCane.
The Laser Tag was fun (and this was a 46, 48, 25, and 17) year old playing. We all felt like little kids again. The Speedway was fun as well.
The Waterfront area is such a great place to walk and sit (especially at night). It’s quiet, great views, and it seems nobody goes there.
The Observation Deck is a great place as well. We always went by there late at night when it was quiet, so not sure how busy it was during the day.
The main pool deck to me is very crowded for the amount of people on the ship. It is also just not my type of environment anymore. I am old and boring now, I guess but it was just too loud and crazy for me. Too much of a party atmosphere for me during the day. I just don’t want to crowd with 15 other people in a hot tub.
Haven
The Haven was just excellent. I have read people say once you go Haven you will always want to go Haven. I can see why people say that. From the embarkation process to disembarking it was so easy and hassle free. Got to Pier 88 at 830am, waited on the side till 930am, went on the Haven line, was through security in about 15 minutes…checked in very quickly (maybe about 30 minutes to check in and that was only because my wife had a passport issue to be checked on) and sat for about 30 minutes before the Haven Concierge brought us onboard. I want to say we were onboard by 11am.
Were given a little tour of the Haven area, then went to make show reservations, had lunch at the Haven Restaurant, explored the ship, and I believe our bags were at the room by 130pm.
The second day when we went to the Haven Restaurant, I went to hand my card over, and the woman said that’s not necessary, your room is *****. When she knew the room number, I was absolutely amazed. My room steward was fantastic. The butler, who I did not really use, was very nice as well. The assistant concierge, Mr. X, was the best.
I enjoyed the hassle free ride down the service elevators to the shows. I’ll be honest, I felt special.
The pool area was great for me as well, as I like it quiet and not crowded. I’m in the period of my life where calm and quiet is what I enjoy.
We watched the sail away from the Haven Observation Lounge, which we enjoyed going to for snacks and drinks during the days and nights.
Disembarking was a breeze. Had breakfast at the Haven, the escorted to the ship exit. Grabbed bags, through security, and back on the city streets very quick.
In all, I thoroughly enjoyed my first cruise and will cruise with NCL again. Yes, Haven can be pricey, but I felt for me it was well worth it if you can afford it. I am already saving for my next cruise, which may be 2 years away (I wish it was less but must save for Haven)…though we have talked about going sooner than that non-Haven.
These are just my musings from a first time NCL cruiser. Maybe it helps someone with questions or on the fence.
