Haven passengers, talk to me about your schedules

We had a week in Haven once - on the Breakaway - we bid low for upgrade and won and got the "worst" H cabin - 15100, lol - and had a great week! If you look at the deck plans - cabin was fine, but we clocked on a lot on our pedometers!

 

We loved dining in the Haven - menu was the same all week but they had different daily specialty. In fact, as it turned out, we had difficult time choosing what we wanted because we liked ALL on the menu!

 

So we ended up dining in Haven 4 times, used 2 out of our 3 SDP for sushi lunches on sea days, and the remaining one SDP and 2 Plat on other days.

Did you walk a lot because you were all the way forward on the ship?

Did you walk a lot because you were all the way forward on the ship?

Yes, plus the H cabin 15100 is the furthest away from the main Haven area. Breakaway Haven area is located on Deck 16 and the winning low bid put us in the H cabin the furthest away, lol.

We had a great week anyway.

Thank you Bluesea777

Wow. You found the haven restaurant that good?

I personally found the Haven restaurant significantly better than the specialty restaurants. We tried La Cucina, Le Bistro, and Teppanyaki and were disappointed in all 3. Cancelled our 2 remaining reservations and ate in the Haven breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This was on a 9 day cruise. The menu is small, but I'd rather eat something really good twice than something very blah and different. Ymmv

Alternatively, you can have your specialty dining meal delivered to your room in the Haven. This is what we did when we were told that Cagney’s was booked for the entire trip. It was our butlers suggestion, actually. He brought us all of the menus from all of the specialty restaurants. In the morning, we would decide which restaurant we wanted to eat that evening, wrote down what we wanted off of the menu and gave it to the Butler, always before noon, per his request. Also, what time we want of the food in the cabin. We did that with two of our three specialty dining nights. Also did it for breakfast from the Haven menu several times.

Just another option for you to consider.

We did a Haven cruise on the Escape last August and the Haven restaurant was by far our favorite! We also liked Cagneys. Haven every morning for breakfast even though we stayed in the aft penthouse. (Good way to get your steps in every day)! Lol

Although the food doesn’t change, it’s amazing and so is the service!

We are going in July and plan to also try Le Bistro, Cagneys and maybe one other but I could happily eat in Haven most nights!

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My wife and I pretty much do the Haven all the time on NCL now. We've been on the Haven aboard the Jade, Epic, Escape, and Getaway. We usually to the Haven restaurant everyday for breakfast and lunch, easily the best option on board for those two meals. The dinner menu is very good as well, however we like to go to the specialty restaurants whenever we can. We have a schedule which is a bit of a "Tradition" for us, which will be changing since we're now Platinum and get the 2 additional specialty restaurants as a perk. Typically we'll do:

Night 1: Cagney's

Night 2: Haven

Night 3: Le Bistro

Night 4: Haven

Night 5: Haven

Night 6: Haven

Night 7: Ocean Blue

No real need to book shows far in advance if you're staying in the Haven. The concierge always has tickets set aside and the best seats in the theater are roped off for Haven guests (as long as you get there early enough).

No real need to book shows far in advance if you're staying in the Haven. The concierge always has tickets set aside and the best seats in the theater are roped off for Haven guests (as long as you get there early enough).

Yeah.. our first cruise, we prebooked everything. We've learned alot since then. :D

Many nights we didn't feel like doing what we prebooked at whatever times we selected months earlier, because we were beat from excursions or whatever. It's nice having the flexability to hit up the concierge a few hours beforehand for restaurants or shows. Sometimes you strike out, but more often than not, it's not a problem.

I feel the concierge on NCL ships earn their money. They are a big help for last minute changes.

I usually get up early, make a cup of coffee. Getting to the gym before the crowds show up. Shower. Hit the Haven for breakfast. If in port, I disembark and do whatever excursion I’ve scheduled.

If it’s a sea day, I usually wander the ship to see what’s happening. We usually find an activity that interests us. Go back to the cabin for a snack which the Butler leaves in the room.

On the “away”ships, we head outside to one of the bars and have a few or the specialty restaurants. Then, we go to a show.

Go for after dinner cocktails. Then, hit the casino.

End up at one of the bars with live bands for nightcaps.

We usually make friends in the Haven, and meet up for late night cocktails in the Haven bar.

Rinse and repeat.

Does the Haven Restaurant have it’s own kitchen? I was under the impression that everything comes from the same food preparation site with the exception of the steak grill at Cagney’s etc.

Our schedule is to wake up at like 930, shower, stroll into breakfast at the haven dining room, then go do whatever it is we usually do during the day. Sit and read. Gamble.

Night time, we go eat dinner. See a show. Gamble.

We spent a lot of time in haven when booked in haven.

I do all my reservations for dinner and shows online when they open. I do occasionally ask the concierge to change a few things here and there.

It's a very relaxing way to cruise.

I LOVE your style and can relate! We too eat in the Haven a lot of the time...in addition to the specialty restaurants. And we DO gamble....as much or MORE than you! Not that we are proud of that fact! Enjoyed your post!

Does the Haven restaurant change from ship to ship or is it the same; also do you need to make dinner reservation for the Haven? Thanks

It should be noted that not all ships with Haven suites. Dawn class ships do not have Haven. Jewel class ships do have Haven Suites but do not have a Haven restaurant, Haven lounge or concierge lounge. It is not specified on NCL website at all. Only available on newer, larger, ships. All jewel class ships have Haven suites but there is no Haven restaurant, lounge or concierge lounge. there is a very small haven courtyard with very small pool . Our last cruise in Haven on Jewel, Many unhappy guests who were expecting Haven experience they have had on newer ships. Really not worth thousands of dollars more. Same perks as suite guests.We were Able to get lounger in courtyard but, roof did not work and heat drove all of us to our balconies. We were not given any preference when trying to dine or receive repairs in cabin.

really think NCL should disclose Haven amenities on website, as they do the cabin categories available on certain ships.

Question for you Amy, do you always book the same cabin in the Haven; or do you book different ones depending on your trip. What is the average square footage of a haven cabin; I have only been in non haven Penthouse suite on NCL

We were booked in 2 bedroom suite in the Haven on the Jewel. It was exactly the same square footage as the non haven 2 bedroom suites on lower decks. Penthouse suite was exactly same as the two that were attached to the Haven, as far as size goes. We paid approx 10,000 more for the Haven Suite. True, it was a 29 day cruise but, still not worth the extra money. No Haven restaurant, lounge or concierge lounge. The GV are massive and in Haven. DOS are forward and larger but quite a schlep to Haven. This is for the Jewel Class ships.

Best haven experience seems to be on newer ships.

I'll chime in....just got off the Getaway. Sailed in PH Aft large balcony Haven suite (10912), took our 2-youngest grand children (8 & 5). This was their 2nd Haven cruise, last one in DOS aboard Escape. They are very active and on Escape they spent much of their on-board time doing water slides and rock wall climbing. This cruise they took one slide ride and did one rock climbing experience. The rest of the on-board time they wanted to spend in the Haven. They met and played with kids their ages, drank copious quantities of mud slides and had an overall grand time. The synergy among the children was amazing! As far as meals, they insisted on eating in the Haven restaurant. Their favorite meal was lamb chops. We called ahead to place their order, as by 7 or 7:30 the youngest generally fell asleep at the table.

Yes, those ships with a Haven restaurant have their own attached dedicated kitchen and dedicated staff.

We were booked in 2 bedroom suite in the Haven on the Jewel. It was exactly the same square footage as the non haven 2 bedroom suites on lower decks. Penthouse suite was exactly same as the two that were attached to the Haven, as far as size goes. We paid approx 10,000 more for the Haven Suite. True, it was a 29 day cruise but, still not worth the extra money. No Haven restaurant, lounge or concierge lounge. The GV are massive and in Haven. DOS are forward and larger but quite a schlep to Haven. This is for the Jewel Class ships.

Best haven experience seems to be on newer ships.

I think you mean OS on Jewel class? The Jewel DOS are only one floor up in the Haven and just in front of the GV.

I would like to add that we always ordered breakfast to be served in our room if we had an early excursion. The Baltic cruise for example was very port intensive. Having the Butler bring breakfast saved some time. I could sleep a few minutes longer, especially when we had to meet our guide at 0800 after going thru Russian immigration! Plus if you are in the Haven you do not pay the $7.95 service charge.

Our schedule is to wake up at like 930, shower, stroll into breakfast at the haven dining room, then go do whatever it is we usually do during the day.

What hours does the Haven Restaurant serve breakfast? When we were on the Gem last month, breakfast for the Haven/Suite passengers ended at 9:30. Does the Haven Restaurant close at certain times during the day?

It should be noted that not all ships with Haven suites. Dawn class ships do not have Haven. Jewel class ships do have Haven Suites but do not have a Haven restaurant, Haven lounge or concierge lounge. It is not specified on NCL website at all. Only available on newer, larger, ships. All jewel class ships have Haven suites but there is no Haven restaurant, lounge or concierge lounge. there is a very small haven courtyard with very small pool . Our last cruise in Haven on Jewel, Many unhappy guests who were expecting Haven experience they have had on newer ships. Really not worth thousands of dollars more. Same perks as suite guests.We were Able to get lounger in courtyard but, roof did not work and heat drove all of us to our balconies. We were not given any preference when trying to dine or receive repairs in cabin.

really think NCL should disclose Haven amenities on website, as they do the cabin categories available on certain ships.

Thank you for you feedback. Seems like the Haven is nice; but only on the larger newer ships.

Thank you for you feedback. Seems like the Haven is nice; but only on the larger newer ships.

You don't think the Haven is nice on the Jewel class ships? ;p I think I know what you meant, LOL.

Do you need a show reservation? I thought haven guests were automatically reserved. Or am i wrong.

No you are not automatically booked.

You have an area you can sit at, and they may escort you to those seats

Wow. You found the haven restaurant that good?

YES!! The menu was not the same that was offered in the MDR's. It was more elaborate and the quality was much better (we ate in both since a member of our party was NOT Haven. It was much nicer, BUT it was much quieter not as intimate.

We actually found Cagneys to be a more intimate. romantic atmosphere (dimmer lights, table alone etc)

You don't think the Haven is nice on the Jewel class ships? ;p I think I know what you meant, LOL.

It is nice but the larger ships have more stuff added to the Haven so you don't have to look hard for something to eat.

I think I might be in the minority. While I agree the Haven can't be beat for breakfast and lunch, I found it kind of meh/hit or miss for dinner (at least the last 2 times I was on the Escape - but I was so in love with Food Republic and Tapas, that might've colored my decision lol)

I enjoyed reading your escape review and your review of the haven. Question for you; I have sailed in aft penthouse suite on NCL; non haven. Do you like the aft penthouse with haven access better than a suite inside the haven area?

We are booked *inside* the Haven for our next cruise, even though the room is smaller :( I think if you don't plan on spending a lot of time in the Haven, the aft room is amazing.

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