Haven restaurant or specialities?

We've only been on one cruise (NCL Epic) before and loved it so much we've decided to book another, but wanted to experience The Haven this time.

We've been given the 3 SDP with our booking but because we had a previous NCL cruise cancelled they have given us a further 3 SDP. So on our 7 night cruise we have 6 chances to use the speciality restaurants.

My question is would you do the speciality restaurants 6 times or do you think we would be better sticking with the Haven restaurant for a few of the meals instead?

We are not huge lunchtime eaters so wouldn't want to visit then.

TIA :)

:)

The Haven restaurant serves wonderful food at dinner, including prime rib, filet mignon and seafood dishes. You don't HAVE to dine there but it is definitely worth experiencing. I know many people who only eat there and skip the specialties.

That being said, NCL has great specialty restaurants so why not try a few especially since you have the option already included in your reservation? The a la carte restaurants can be pre-booked online and if you change your mind once on board, you can cancel with 24-hour notice.

Enjoy your cruise,

Tracy

We've only been on one cruise (NCL Epic) before and loved it so much we've decided to book another, but wanted to experience The Haven this time. We've been given the 3 SDP with our booking but because we had a previous NCL cruise cancelled they have given us a further 3 SDP. So on our 7 night cruise we have 6 chances to use the specialty restaurants. My question is would you do the speciality restaurants 6 times or do you think we would be better sticking with the Haven restaurant for a few of the meals instead? We are not huge lunchtime eaters so wouldn't want to visit then. TIA :)

:)

Here's what we would do....

At the end of the day, the Haven Restaurant is just another restaurant on the ship. The menu is fixed and never changes. And there are only a few things that we really want to try. We look for unique dining experiences on the ship. Yeah, I can get that strip steak or prime rib at any steakhouse on land,,, but maybe that orange duck is a little unique.

We are Platinum Plus members with NCL, so we get two specialty dinners with our status and normally select the 3 SDP as our Free at Sea option, giving us 5 nights.

We book all 5 nights in the specialty restaurant. If, on the night of a specialty dinner, we decide to go to the Haven Restaurant, we do,,, and don't look back. But make reservations for the specialty dinners,,, once fully booked, even the concierge won't be able to get you a table.

If you rebooked on the Epic, there are fewer specialty restaurants and fewer seats, so they will sell out quicker. Cagney's and Teppanyaki are the most popular. On a walk-in basis, you can also use the SDP at the sushi bar for a small upcharge. All you can eat sushi.

On embarkation day, you will be escorted from check-in to the Haven lounge and restaurant for an embarkation day lunch. Check out the current dinner menu. Then have the concierge staff adjust your specialty dining reservations, as needed.

The Haven definitely has the best food on the ship and the best service. No question. PP are correct, the menu doesn't change except they will offer a special. I would think if you are in the Haven you'd want to eat in the best resteraunt more than once!

Also, the specialty dining is ok. You aren't going to get a better steak in Cagney's than you will in the Haven. I always like the sushi bar which isn't even a part of the SPD. On the Escape, my favorite resteraunt is Food Republic which again, isn't a part of the SPD.

I think a package with 3 dinners is good. I think 6 would be excessive and I wouldn't use them.

When we cruised in the DOS on Epic last March we still had the old UDP. We were entitled to any specialty dining all week.

We quickly learned the Epic Club had the best meals but it was nice to have some variety in atmosphere and menu. We like Le Bistro, so ate there twice.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Can Cirque on the Epic be used as part of the SDP?

The Haven definitely has the best food on the ship and the best service. No question.

I totally agree. Last time we were on a NCL ship, we had a Haven suite and dined at many of the specialty restaurants too. The Haven restaurant was our favorite by far. We even left Cagney's before desert and went to the Haven to grab a bite of something sweet there. We just liked the atmosphere and service so much more.

Of course The Haven will spoil you. My wife won't let me book anything on NCL that isn't part of the Haven. :)

It really depends on if it is just two of you or more. Couple weeks back DW and I had 3 dinners plus Plat dinners but had kids with us. We had Teppanyaki booked twice and one Cagneys since kids like those the most.

Went to FR the first night on Escape since 1/2 off. Didn't use Plat at all and cancelled Cagneys. Not much you can't get at Cagney's that Haven doesn't have.

Plus I usually order two filets which would be extra charge at Cagneys. Haven service great - most nights had Francis who was superb. Also pretty quiet in there.

I agree with many posters here..... Haven was by far, our best meals on the ship (Getaway 2017). We used our 3 SDP but I think 6 would be excessive. Try lunch one day (I know you said you aren't big lunch eaters) because the lunch menu is amazing too.

My wife won't let me book anything on NCL that isn't part of the Haven.

Same here. We've added MSC Yacht Club to the "list" since we enjoyed Seaside so much. Both are very similar but the Haven wins in some things and the Yacht Club wins in others. Both were great for us.

Thanks for all the advice.

We will certainly prebook some of the speciality restaurants but see how we feel after our first night (where we will eat in the Haven)

Very excited about trying Haven but also worried that we will like it too much ;)

If you wanted to, you could also have your butler bring an SDP meal to your room.

When we were on the Epic, our butler (Roland) brought us all the menus from the specialty restaurants. Except for Teppenyaki, we had our dinners in the room. No need to worry about reservations!

He just asked us to write down what we wanted, from where, what time to have it delivered, and to have it to him by noon.

Oh, you can have a Haven Restaurant meal delivered too.

Are DH and I the only ones who will eat in 2 different restaurants in one night, lol? Last time we had the SDP we would eat at wherever, go do a show, and grab a quick “tasting” after of anything we wanted to try.

We also went to Cagney’s one night when he really wanted a steak from there but I wanted something from the MDR. Our plan was for me to sit with him while he had his steak then go get my dinner. Well, our Cagney’s waitress asked why I wasn’t ordering and when we told her she surprised me with the MDR dish served at the same time as DH’s steak! You can bet we tipped her well and put in a vacation hero card....

That said, do try those lunches in the Haven, yum! And the french press coffee at breakfast can’t be beat.

Can Cirque on the Epic be used as part of the SDP?

There is an upcharge but it’s not much, $10 for the regular seating

Are DH and I the only ones who will eat in 2 different restaurants in one night, lol?

No, not at all. Been there, done that.;)

We typically dine in the Haven for breakfast and lunch. By dinner time we are looking for a different experience. With Platinum Plus status and SDP, we typically have five dinners outside the Haven and two inside the Haven. Haven food is fine, but the prospect of 21 meals in the same restaurant on a seven day cruise is a bit much for us. Part of the NCL experience is great dining variety. We have a Canadian cruise booked on the Escape this Fall, and 5 in 2 out is already reserved. Enjoy, in or out, we find NCL’s dining to be a highlight of their ships.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Are they ok if you just wanted a starter for instance?

I don't tend to eat much at lunchtime but could manage a starter...I always feel bad for messing up the table for one course!

Are they ok if you just wanted a starter for instance?

I don't tend to eat much at lunchtime but could manage a starter...I always feel bad for messing up the table for one course!

Order whatever you want. If we have an early dinner “our” of the Haven, we sometimes drop by later for a dessert and coffee.

For lunch, we often only have a couple of starters (don’t need a double cut pork chop for lunch), but maybe a chilled soup and salad.

that's great...thank you...

one final question...is there a dress code for lunch? Can you wear shorts and a t shirt?

Can Cirque on the Epic be used as part of the SDP?

Yes. And that is an excellent use of an SDP and dining out of the Haven. There is a small upcharge. As a Haven guest, the concierge will escort you down and allow you to enter the theater via a side entrance. You will get the best seats on the house before general seating starts.

that's great...thank you...

one final question...is there a dress code for lunch? Can you wear shorts and a t shirt?

Yes you can wear t shirt and shorts for lunch...

Berries with grand marnier is my favorite "lunch" in the Haven.

I do love drinking my dessert :)

Amy

that's great...thank you...

one final question...is there a dress code for lunch? Can you wear shorts and a t shirt?

You can wear shorts and a t-shirt for any meal in the Haven restaurant.

Thing I loved most about the haven restaurant was their ability to accommodate some dietary restrictions. I am massively lactose intolerant. At our first meal I mentioned something about not being able to have dairy products. They put a flag on my account and made the necessary changes to my meal to prevent me from getting sick. The food was fantastic too. Steak and eggs of breakfast is the winner.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We've only been on one cruise (NCL Epic) before and loved it so much we've decided to book another, but wanted to experience The Haven this time.

We've been given the 3 SDP with our booking but because we had a previous NCL cruise cancelled they have given us a further 3 SDP. So on our 7 night cruise we have 6 chances to use the speciality restaurants.

My question is would you do the speciality restaurants 6 times or do you think we would be better sticking with the Haven restaurant for a few of the meals instead?

We are not huge lunchtime eaters so wouldn't want to visit then.

TIA :)

:)

A little of both.