Shynook11 Posted March 23, 2018 #1 Share Posted March 23, 2018 Hello....we are on the Escape in June and just received our Upgrade Advantage email. I submitted offers for 3 Haven categories and 1 Mini Suite. I am curious....is there really an advantage to the Haven categories (none included the Thermal Suite pass). I know we won't get the additional at sea promos. Just not sure if extra room in the cabin and is worth the additional cost of the bid and tips, which easily will be 2K. We already have our dining/entertainment booked, so there's no benefit for us there. I think our kids will probably be at the slides and other ship activities most of the time. What else I am getting with the additional price? We have 2 kids 14 and 11. Trying to determine if the upgrade is worth it. We are currently in a Balcony on deck 11, and I know the mini suite offers only a larger bathroom, so I am fine with paying addition for that perk. Haven lovers, please let me know your thoughts. We aren't free spending people...so I am wondering if my money would be better spent elsewhere. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carnac767 Posted March 23, 2018 #2 Share Posted March 23, 2018 Priority boarding is a great perk. The Haven restaurant on Escape is great. You have a better room service menu and there’s no surcharge. You can have your butler deliver meals from the Haven restaurant (or any of the specialty restaurants). You do pay the specialty upcharge unless you have the udp. Having the concierge to book your meals, shows, and excursions is an excellent benefit. Having priority debarkation can also be a huge benefit, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLcruisergrl Posted March 23, 2018 #3 Share Posted March 23, 2018 Priority embarkation, escorted priority disembarkation at all ports, butler service, free room service, bigger room, private Haven area. We were upgraded on our last cruise and have immediately booked another in the Haven. We are hooked! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carnac767 Posted March 23, 2018 #4 Share Posted March 23, 2018 Experiencing the Suite Life is like flying first class. As Jerry told Elaine in the “Airport” episode why he was taking the one First Class seat. “You’ve never flown first class, so you don’t know what you’re missing. I have. I can’t go back. I won’t!” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted March 23, 2018 #5 Share Posted March 23, 2018 Hello....we are on the Escape in June and just received our Upgrade Advantage email. I submitted offers for 3 Haven categories and 1 Mini Suite. I am curious....is there really an advantage to the Haven categories (none included the Thermal Suite pass). I know we won't get the additional at sea promos. Just not sure if extra room in the cabin and is worth the additional cost of the bid and tips, which easily will be 2K. We already have our dining/entertainment booked, so there's no benefit for us there. I think our kids will probably be at the slides and other ship activities most of the time. What else I am getting with the additional price? We have 2 kids 14 and 11. Trying to determine if the upgrade is worth it. We are currently in a Balcony on deck 11, and I know the mini suite offers only a larger bathroom, so I am fine with paying addition for that perk. Haven lovers, please let me know your thoughts. We aren't free spending people...so I am wondering if my money would be better spent elsewhere. Thank you. If you have never been behind the gated doors of the Haven, you don’t know what you are missing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bklynjo Posted March 23, 2018 #6 Share Posted March 23, 2018 The Haven is Heaven! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dexddd Posted March 24, 2018 #7 Share Posted March 24, 2018 Hello....we are on the Escape in June and just received our Upgrade Advantage email. I submitted offers for 3 Haven categories and 1 Mini Suite. I am curious....is there really an advantage to the Haven categories (none included the Thermal Suite pass). I know we won't get the additional at sea promos. Just not sure if extra room in the cabin and is worth the additional cost of the bid and tips, which easily will be 2K. We already have our dining/entertainment booked, so there's no benefit for us there. I think our kids will probably be at the slides and other ship activities most of the time. What else I am getting with the additional price? We have 2 kids 14 and 11. Trying to determine if the upgrade is worth it. We are currently in a Balcony on deck 11, and I know the mini suite offers only a larger bathroom, so I am fine with paying addition for that perk. Haven lovers, please let me know your thoughts. We aren't free spending people...so I am wondering if my money would be better spent elsewhere. Thank you. Are you on the June 10 sailing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shynook11 Posted March 25, 2018 Author #8 Share Posted March 25, 2018 Are you on the June 10 sailing? Yes we are! We are in a balcony room now...so I bid on everything except the 2 most expensive Haven categories. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dexddd Posted March 25, 2018 #9 Share Posted March 25, 2018 Yes we are! We are in a balcony room now...so I bid on everything except the 2 most expensive Haven categories. For four people the only two categories available now are H6 (7) and H7 (1). So without knowing how the bid system works there are 8 rooms in the Haven that you could win. From some of the discussion on bids, the high range is often more than just paying for a straight upgrade and you'd get all the perks so you'll have to watch that if you are bidding. You may want to also bid on mini-suites. While not much bigger than a balcony you might be able to win one of those for a small price and get a bit bigger room and larger bathroom. ETA: Sorry - see you mention mini-suite and bidding on all cats above except highest two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MizDemeanor Posted March 25, 2018 #10 Share Posted March 25, 2018 For four people the only two categories available now are H6 (7) and H7 (1). So without knowing how the bid system works there are 8 rooms in the Haven that you could win. From some of the discussion on bids, the high range is often more than just paying for a straight upgrade and you'd get all the perks so you'll have to watch that if you are bidding. You may want to also bid on mini-suites. While not much bigger than a balcony you might be able to win one of those for a small price and get a bit bigger room and larger bathroom. ETA: Sorry - see you mention mini-suite and bidding on all cats above except highest two. You get the promos you have now. So instead of the up to five by booking Haven outright, you get the usual two if you do have the UDP and the SDP with your current booking. You will not get shore promo, and internet promo unless they were part of a promo at the time of your mini-suite booking on your folio, or the extras points toward your Latitudes Status that come from buying a Haven cabin. Adding guests later is dicey if you have that Promo now as they do shut down the ability to add guests at some point if you have that as a perk now and try to add somone later on in the timeline process. There is a difference between Perks and Promos. Yes, you would get the Perks of the Haven for sure, but you do not get all the Promos of the Haven as if you had bought it outright. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shynook11 Posted March 26, 2018 Author #11 Share Posted March 26, 2018 I know there's no additional free at sea. We also bid on the mini suite. We had 4 categories we bid on. I am fine if we get none...I was just curious. Honestly already booked our dining, and and for Bermuda priority port disembarkation is irrelevant. I wasn't thrilled with bidding 1K pp for a Haven room....now...maybe a SPA suite, but they weren't available. I think I bid on penthouse (rear and aft) and 2bd family suite and mini suite. I wanted to try and upgrade earlier but we had the free at see extra guests and that promo ended on this sailing so I couldn't. We'll see how the ball bounces. We are just fine in a balcony room if that is where we stay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shynook11 Posted March 26, 2018 Author #12 Share Posted March 26, 2018 For four people the only two categories available now are H6 (7) and H7 (1). So without knowing how the bid system works there are 8 rooms in the Haven that you could win. From some of the discussion on bids, the high range is often more than just paying for a straight upgrade and you'd get all the perks so you'll have to watch that if you are bidding. You may want to also bid on mini-suites. While not much bigger than a balcony you might be able to win one of those for a small price and get a bit bigger room and larger bathroom. ETA: Sorry - see you mention mini-suite and bidding on all cats above except highest two. How do you see what's currently available? H6 7 ad H7 1? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted March 26, 2018 #13 Share Posted March 26, 2018 How do you see what's currently available? H6 7 ad H7 1? Mock bookings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dexddd Posted March 26, 2018 #14 Share Posted March 26, 2018 You get the promos you have now. So instead of the up to five by booking Haven outright, you get the usual two if you do have the UDP and the SDP with your current booking. You will not get shore promo, and internet promo unless they were part of a promo at the time of your mini-suite booking on your folio, or the extras points toward your Latitudes Status that come from buying a Haven cabin. Adding guests later is dicey if you have that Promo now as they do shut down the ability to add guests at some point if you have that as a perk now and try to add somone later on in the timeline process. There is a difference between Perks and Promos. Yes, you would get the Perks of the Haven for sure, but you do not get all the Promos of the Haven as if you had bought it outright. Umm, ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cabin fever1111 Posted March 29, 2018 #15 Share Posted March 29, 2018 How do you see what's currently available? H6 7 ad H7 1? I've stayed in the haven 3 times, balcony twice and minisuite once. All on the breakaway. The haven is very, very quiet. It was great for me when I needed rest and cruised solo. I took my adult kids once and they hated the haven. Too boring, too quiet, no music and went to the main pool every day. They only came back to the haven to sleep! Early embarkation is ok, but I'm a platinum tier so I get on after the haven guests anyway. Same with disembarkation. I learned that if you get one of the bag handlers to help with your bags you bypass all the lines and exit with the haven guests! My dining and show reservations are always made prior to the cruise so I never used concierge. I had just as much fun staying in the balcony and minisuite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MizDemeanor Posted March 29, 2018 #16 Share Posted March 29, 2018 Umm, ok. Do you disagree with something that you want to point out in particular? If so please enlighten the group. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shynook11 Posted March 29, 2018 Author #17 Share Posted March 29, 2018 I've stayed in the haven 3 times, balcony twice and minisuite once. All on the breakaway. The haven is very, very quiet. It was great for me when I needed rest and cruised solo. I took my adult kids once and they hated the haven. Too boring, too quiet, no music and went to the main pool every day. They only came back to the haven to sleep! Early embarkation is ok, but I'm a platinum tier so I get on after the haven guests anyway. Same with disembarkation. I learned that if you get one of the bag handlers to help with your bags you bypass all the lines and exit with the haven guests! My dining and show reservations are always made prior to the cruise so I never used concierge. I had just as much fun staying in the balcony and minisuite. Thanks. I was thinking we may like the extra space, but I was thinking we wouldn't be benefiting too much otherwise. I bid low...no expectations. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaisyL Posted April 6, 2018 #18 Share Posted April 6, 2018 I just received a second notice for the Upgrade Offer today, for June 10th cruise. We were cruising with friends originally so we decided not to submit because we both may not get an upgrade, but they needed to cancel this week. So we now decided to submit offers for H5, H7, H9...which are still available when I checked. I'm sure we won't get it but I would love to stay in Haven just once. We cruised Breakaway 3 yrs ago and did not like the ship at all out of NY... too crowded at the pool, buffet, atrium, and O'Sheehans, so I would love to be in the quiet areas of Haven Lounge, pool, restaurant... etc. We're Platinum level but wouldn't mind earlier embark because of the crowds....even with Platinum... see a pattern here...lol. And having a junior suite on Royal once we really loved the extra space ...it's much larger than a mini on NCL, which we've had before and the minimal increase in size not worth extra money above a balcony cabin, IMO. I'll see what happens and will not be disappointed if we don't get the upgrade... already have a balcony anyway. And hubby would be happier not spending extra money. I'll be looking to see if your offer gets accepted. And I'll post here too. Good Luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grammyfrimpy Posted April 7, 2018 #19 Share Posted April 7, 2018 Once a Haven guest, you'll never turn back. Pamper, pamper, pamper. We sailed the escape in the Haven for our 50th Anniversary and you would have thought we were King & Queen ;-). We were on the Inaugural cruise and it was absolutely fabulous. We're booked for Bermuda June 10th & yes........HAVENS!!! We're on the top deck this time. Spoil yourselves ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shynook11 Posted April 7, 2018 Author #20 Share Posted April 7, 2018 Once a Haven guest, you'll never turn back. Pamper, pamper, pamper. We sailed the escape in the Haven for our 50th Anniversary and you would have thought we were King & Queen ;-). We were on the Inaugural cruise and it was absolutely fabulous. We're booked for Bermuda June 10th & yes........HAVENS!!! We're on the top deck this time. Spoil yourselves ;-) You are on the same cruise as us! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdvmd Posted April 7, 2018 #21 Share Posted April 7, 2018 I think for the reasons you mentioned previously, being in the Haven probably would not be worth it for your family. Save the money and go on another cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesea777 Posted April 7, 2018 #22 Share Posted April 7, 2018 I think for the reasons you mentioned previously, being in the Haven probably would not be worth it for your family. Save the money and go on another cruise. I agree, but bid on the mini-suite only - for the bathroom. It's a Bermuda cruise and you all will probably spend lots of time off ship while docked in Bermuda. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dexddd Posted April 7, 2018 #23 Share Posted April 7, 2018 Do you disagree with something that you want to point out in particular? If so please enlighten the group. I'm not sure why you quoted me. Did you mean to quote someone else by chance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dexddd Posted April 7, 2018 #24 Share Posted April 7, 2018 Once a Haven guest, you'll never turn back. Pamper, pamper, pamper. We sailed the escape in the Haven for our 50th Anniversary and you would have thought we were King & Queen ;-). We were on the Inaugural cruise and it was absolutely fabulous. We're booked for Bermuda June 10th & yes........HAVENS!!! We're on the top deck this time. Spoil yourselves ;-) We hope that is the case on the Escape but I can tell you other than it being quiet on the BA in the Haven, it was a very lackluster experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dexddd Posted April 7, 2018 #25 Share Posted April 7, 2018 I agree, but bid on the mini-suite only - for the bathroom. It's a Bermuda cruise and you all will probably spend lots of time off ship while docked in Bermuda. Well we've been waiting for an invite to your house since Michael and David Dunkley haven't invited us over yet. Have a great trip on the Spirit. We really like that ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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