The Haven

Well, just returned from the NCL Breakaway. I'm not the best at reviews but will answer any questions as some wanted me to do the comparison.

Quick synopsis:

For my husband and I-it is NCL suite every time now. When you read that NCL has better suite perks then Royal, believe them. From the moment you arrive at the terminal until the day you leave, in the personal service far exceeds anything from Royal.

Early arrival at terminal has you waiting in a private area with coffee juices and snacks.

Escort to the Haven. Drinks and snacks begin immediately.

Main Concierge, [ shout out to Anoop ] welcomes you with a brief introduction and quick hints. They, yes they, are available at the desk for 8AM to 8PM taking care of all your needs because he has a team. No need to pre-book anything, they take care of all of it with escorts to the dinner show, excursions, visits you at dinner if you are dining outside the Haven to make sure all is good and a roped off area for all shows-left side of the theater with someone seating you.

Butler which can be used how you would like. We just liked the afternoon snacks and keeping the fridge stocked with milk and chocolate milk. Didn't use the packing, unpacking or room service options but she was wonderful!! Shout out to Flor. Oh-and your own personal specialty coffee machine in your room is fantastic that your butler keeps stocked with coffee or tea choices!!

Haven dining room-all I can say is excellent. All 3 meals are wonderful.

Included beverage package, dining package and $300.00 OBC was great. Now all suites get the drink, dining , free wifi and shore excursion credits.

Having a private pool area, deck area and a huge bar area was great. This Three hour drink fest in a small room that can often be overcrowded from Royal really does not compare.

Loved it so much did a price comparison for next year on another NCL Breakaway vs. Royals Anthem. Same time of year...Royal-about $100 cheaper. NCL- The Haven, free beverage, dining Wifi and shore excursion credits. A no brainier which to choose. Keeping in mind-ALL suites get these promos. Not like Royal with only the certain suite staterooms.

With MSC doing loyalty matches and NCL having these wonderful suite services-Royal needs to keep evolving with this.

I'll answer any questions.........

Merry Christmas Eve everyone!

I've been leaning to try MSC or Norwegian. This review really makes me want to try it out. Thanks!

Wow thanks Deb we are on Escape in 2017 and anxious to hear your comments!

I've been leaning to try MSC or Norwegian. This review really makes me want to try it out. Thanks!

My first cruise was on the Breakaway in the studios. I really enjoyed it-- however, I see that you are from Jersey-- my biggest complaint with the Breakaway was that it wasn't really designed for cold weather cruising and the pool area (when we finally thawed out) was woefully insufficient. I'm excited to try the Anthem this February because both of those issues seem to be better (although the food reports there not really impressing me)

My first cruise was on the Breakaway in the studios. I really enjoyed it-- however, I see that you are from Jersey-- my biggest complaint with the Breakaway was that it wasn't really designed for cold weather cruising and the pool area (when we finally thawed out) was woefully insufficient. I'm excited to try the Anthem this February because both of those issues seem to be better (although the food reports there not really impressing me)

The pool area in the Haven is fully enclosed and suited perfectly for cold weather. Two hot tubs and a small pool. Yes, this is very small and really only good for a quick dip. One thing I thought was strange was one pool area was wasted with lounge chairs in them. Here is where I thought one larger expanded pool would of probably been better. I think the newer builds have gotten rid of the lounge chairs in the pools, maybe. :confused:

Thanks for the great review. As a suite cruiser, I have heard many NCL cruisers on RC say "the Haven this and the Haven that" etc. To get a RC cruiser's view point is unbiased IMO and it means a lot.

I will always go for a ship with a flowrider first, but if there isn't one NCL and Princess will be compared to RC offerings. The price and perks will win. We are looking at our options for Alaska in the coming years and I am interested to experience the Haven.

Thanks for the great review. As a suite cruiser, I have heard many NCL cruisers on RC say "the Haven this and the Haven that" etc. To get a RC cruiser's view point is unbiased IMO and it means a lot.

 

I will always go for a ship with a flowrider first, but if there isn't one NCL and Princess will be compared to RC offerings. The price and perks will win. We are looking at our options for Alaska in the coming years and I am interested to experience the Haven.

You are very welcome.

I will say, those slides and that free fall drop slide they have are just way too much fun!! We stayed on board during the Nassau stop and had a fun time enjoying all the activities when the ship was quiet. The main pool area is very congested. It is a bit crazy on sea days but that's when the Haven really comes in handy!!!;)

The pool area in the Haven is fully enclosed and suited perfectly for cold weather. Two hot tubs and a small pool. Yes, this is very small and really only good for a quick dip. One thing I thought was strange was one pool area was wasted with lounge chairs in them. Here is where I thought one larger expanded pool would of probably been better. I think the newer builds have gotten rid of the lounge chairs in the pools, maybe. :confused:

I just was on the Escape a few weeks ago and they still have the 3 to 4 wicker chairs in the 6" deep pool water in the Haven.

We had a great cruise, and the Haven and its perks are definitely nice.

It was really good to find your thread. Does this mean our date in the Windjammer is off?:( Maybe we will have to meet up in the Haven.;)

And Merry Christmas right back at you.:)

Thanks for the great review. As a suite cruiser, I have heard many NCL cruisers on RC say "the Haven this and the Haven that" etc. To get a RC cruiser's view point is unbiased IMO and it means a lot.

 

I will always go for a ship with a flowrider first, but if there isn't one NCL and Princess will be compared to RC offerings. The price and perks will win. We are looking at our options for Alaska in the coming years and I am interested to experience the Haven.

We were very disappointed in our suite on the Caribbean Princess earlier this month -- both the space itself and the perks.:( Princess would have to completely redo their suite amenities before we'd think about booking another. In our opinion, the suite experience on RCI and HAL was far better than the experience we had on Princess.

I sail regular balconies on other lines but Haven on NCL. IMO, the mainstream lines cannot compare suite experiences with the Haven.

Thank you for your review! Sailing Haven in August and cannot wait!

It was really good to find your thread. Does this mean our date in the Windjammer is off?:( Maybe we will have to meet up in the Haven.;)

 

And Merry Christmas right back at you.:)

Oh no my friend. We will still probably have a WJ date!! When traveling with the family-Royal has the larger rooms that meet our needs as a family when they want to cruise. The NCL experience has greatly decreased the amount of Royal cruises we will take but can not say done with them!!

I did get a peak at NCL's 2 bedrooms and they are not large enough for older family members. Only kids IMO!!:(

As for my husband and I-we would love to see you in the Haven!! :D

Thanks for the review/feedback.

If my 2013 Epic cruise (in a balcony stateroom) didn't suck, I'd be more open to trying them again.

How was the Breakaway otherwise (not the suite stuff)?

Thanks for the review/feedback.

 

If my 2013 Epic cruise (in a balcony stateroom) didn't suck, I'd be more open to trying them again.

 

How was the Breakaway otherwise (not the suite stuff)?

Don't know if you were asking me, but here is what I thought:

I did the Ultimate dining package when it was $119 and included the cirque show-- thought the food was totally awesome!

Loved the entertainment. Although I never ate in the MDR, went twice to the "dinner" show and sat off to the side to see the dancing. Piano bar far superior to Royal.

The weather absolutely sucked, which obviously wasn't there fault, but since I wasn't in the Haven, the pool was totally unusable. The one nice day we had was port canaveral and it was STILL crazy with the space.

I'm doubled booked for February 2017-- depending on what I think about anthem this year, I will make my decision (certainly doesn't hurt that I booked NCL on cyber Monday and it includes free drinks AND dining)

Well, just returned from the NCL Breakaway. I'm not the best at reviews but will answer any questions as some wanted me to do the comparison.

 

Quick synopsis:

For my husband and I-it is NCL suite every time now. When you read that NCL has better suite perks then Royal, believe them. From the moment you arrive at the terminal until the day you leave, in the personal service far exceeds anything from Royal.

 

Early arrival at terminal has you waiting in a private area with coffee juices and snacks.

 

Escort to the Haven. Drinks and snacks begin immediately.

Main Concierge, [ shout out to Anoop ] welcomes you with a brief introduction and quick hints. They, yes they, are available at the desk for 8AM to 8PM taking care of all your needs because he has a team. No need to pre-book anything, they take care of all of it with escorts to the dinner show, excursions, visits you at dinner if you are dining outside the Haven to make sure all is good and a roped off area for all shows-left side of the theater with someone seating you.

 

Butler which can be used how you would like. We just liked the afternoon snacks and keeping the fridge stocked with milk and chocolate milk. Didn't use the packing, unpacking or room service options but she was wonderful!! Shout out to Flor. Oh-and your own personal specialty coffee machine in your room is fantastic that your butler keeps stocked with coffee or tea choices!!

 

Haven dining room-all I can say is excellent. All 3 meals are wonderful.

 

Included beverage package, dining package and $300.00 OBC was great. Now all suites get the drink, dining , free wifi and shore excursion credits.

 

Having a private pool area, deck area and a huge bar area was great. This Three hour drink fest in a small room that can often be overcrowded from Royal really does not compare.

 

Loved it so much did a price comparison for next year on another NCL Breakaway vs. Royals Anthem. Same time of year...Royal-about $100 cheaper. NCL- The Haven, free beverage, dining Wifi and shore excursion credits. A no brainier which to choose. Keeping in mind-ALL suites get these promos. Not like Royal with only the certain suite staterooms.

 

With MSC doing loyalty matches and NCL having these wonderful suite services-Royal needs to keep evolving with this.

 

I'll answer any questions.........

 

Merry Christmas Eve everyone!

My husband and I, we are frequent RC and Celebrity fans tried the Haven this past August on the Breakaway. We also loved it. However if you are not in a Haven Suite the rest of the ship is much too crowded. We found it expensive and typically sail in August on the Summit. You do not get as many perks with either Celebrity or Royal in a suite, however since the overall experience is great you do not have to take a suite. We may try NCL Haven again if the price is right. I want to caution you as the Anthem, twin to the Quantum, which we sailed on (in a suite) was a huge disappointment and we felt like we were in steerage

Thanks for the review/feedback.

How was the Breakaway otherwise (not the suite stuff)?

I can totally agree with denatravels that the pool area is a zoo. So crowded and people really seemed to be on top of each other. Definite downside to non haven guests.

We made it a point to eat in one of the MDR's for dinner and it was really good. Food subjective I know.

As you can see from by conversation with Ocean Boy that we are real fans of the WJ buffet. Here Royal is far better. I love the stations that royal has where NCL has everything in one long long. Seating-never an issue. i found the buffet always busy and that surprised me with so many other breakfast and lunch options.

Did trivia a few times and the thriller dance class. Many people complain that these are held in the Atrium and a very busy area but I did not find that at all. We enjoyed it!!

Shows. Fantastic. Rock of ages did not disappoint!!

With so many of us status matched to MSC Black, I wonder how NCL's Haven compares with The MSC Yacht Club? With MSC Black you also get a Specialty Dinner for 2 and 5% off all bookings.

I want to caution you as the Anthem, twin to the Quantum, which we sailed on (in a suite) was a huge disappointment and we felt like we were in steerage

Anthem already lost due to price comparison and knowing it had nothing even close to the Haven!! ;)

Everyone should take a NCL cruise at least once then you will know for yourself just how good it is.

We were on the Jade in November 2015

Everyone should take a NCL cruise at least once then you will know for yourself just how good it is.

 

We were on the Jade in November 2015

The Haven is only on

Epic

Breakaway

Getaway

Escape

Correction: The Haven is ALSO available on the Gem, Pearl, Jade and Jewel. Soon to be on the Bliss as well.:D:p

The Haven is only on

Epic

Breakaway

Getaway

Escape

We were very disappointed in our suite on the Caribbean Princess earlier this month -- both the space itself and the perks.:( Princess would have to completely redo their suite amenities before we'd think about booking another. In our opinion, the suite experience on RCI and HAL was far better than the experience we had on Princess.

I will admit it's been a while since we've sailed in a Princess suite. We would look at them though as we are two cruises away from elite under their current ranking system.

I will admit it's been a while since we've sailed in a Princess suite. We would look at them though as we are two cruises away from elite under their current ranking system.

We were, frankly, taken aback at how dated and shabby everything was. Nothing matched -- it appeared to be decorated about as carefully as a college apartment. The ancient patterned bedspread that got shoved under the bed every night certainly didn't add anything to the décor!:rolleyes:

Our big complaint, though, was with the AWFUL vibration we had 24/7 in our cabin. I've been aft on three other lines, and have never experienced anything like it. It was so pervasive I couldn't sleep, and I literally didn't have one really good night's sleep the whole week. Everything in our suite shook, and we had to wrap the TVs in beach towels to dampen the noise. Unfortunately we couldn't do anything about the giant vanity mirror that also shook!:eek:

Overall the suite was a huge disappointment and negatively impacted what was otherwise a nice trip. We had high hopes going in because past experiences with Princess had been good, but I'd be really hesitant to spend suite $$$ again after our experience.

Correction: The Haven is ALSO available on the Gem, Pearl, Jade and Jewel. Soon to be on the Bliss as well.:D:p

They too have the haven, but not as nice as the ships that were built with the Haven from the start.

Being told they are not naming the new ship Bliss anymore either.

The Haven is only on

Epic

Breakaway

Getaway

Escape

Simply said your wrong look it up, Jade does have a Haven smaller than the other but still there.

Check out Deck 14 on Jades deck plans