Review:The Haven Jewel Class vs. Breakaway

[cruise2much]

Just back from a run to the Bahamas on the Breakaway with a Haven booking.

 

If you have never experienced the Haven before you will probably like it. If however like me you have had the pleasure of the Haven experience on the Jewel Class ships there is a good chance you will be disappointed. IMO, like the rest of the cruise industry they have taken what was an exclusive luxury experience, exposed it to a large number of people cheapening the overall experience with the exception of price.

 

First is embarkation – The Haven room in the terminal was a joke. It was crammed packed with guest many standing the whole time due to the lack of seating and being admonished by the terminal employees for standing in the wrong place. My wife asked when confronted by a terminal employee where she was expected to go? The employee said I don’t care but you can’t stand here. After about 20 minutes the place started smelling like a locker room. Remember being escorted by your Butler with maybe 10 other guests to your cabin? Forget it. The entire room was herded at once to the courtyard area, an estimated 80 to a 100 guests.

 

Décor - The serine warm and inviting atmosphere of the Haven on a jewel class has given way to a cold, sparse space indistinguishable from the rest of the ship on the Breakaway. The foliage and trellises are gone and it just seems like a space meant to accommodate the maximum number of guests. The courtyard butler is replaced with restaurant staff and the ever present drink hustlers.

 

Amenities - The amenities aren’t much different, meaning the same amenities meant to accommodate 14 suites on the jewel class are also meant to accommodate over 40 suites on the Breakaway. The jet assist pool for simulated lap swimming is gone and a simple 8x10 soaking pool with an added extension of a soaking section of water about 8 inches deep with lounging chairs? There is a loft type area but again its only design is to accommodate more people. I suppose atop your Haven booking you could opt for the exclusive, exclusive sunning area for an extra charge?

 

Decorum – Intentionally booking the Haven you expect certain decorum that is lost on the Breakaway, this we confirmed by certain crew members as largely due to up-sells. Now before you blast me I will explain this decorum includes the expectation you will not be exposed to someone changing a dirty diaper at pool side when a bathroom or their cabin was only steps away. The same dirty diaper that was just in the pool and it wasn’t a swimmers diaper, thus resulting in the need to sanitize the Haven pool. Children running and screaming, jumping and splashing rendered the courtyard useless to anyone wishing to relax. With the roof closed and sparse décor is sounded like the echoes in a gym.

 

Butlers – As many of you know to become a butler they have proven themselves capable of providing exceptional service. Their efforts however are stretched to the max on the Breakaway by the volume of guests they are meant to serve. Our poor butler was often sweating when we seen him, his phone never stopped ringing and he was constantly apologizing knowing we were accustomed to this service and could see a difference. One of the butlers we knew from previous cruises told us he longed to be back on a jewel class where he could extend the service he is used to providing.

 

Separation – I guess NCL has given up any pretence of child/adult separation. The pool, hot tubs and sauna is a free for all and as you can imagine 2 kids in an 8x10 pool doesn’t leave much room for relaxation.

 

In room dining - In the penthouse suites the table provided is about 24 inches round and barely has room for a single place setting. The seating provided presents a challenge simply to stay in them without sliding to the floor. Again we found our butler apologizing with the understanding he couldn’t provide us with a pleasurable in cabin dinner service.

 

Concierge – Well as they are permanently stationed, yes that’s plural due to the number of guests, they greet you ever time you pass but the personal relationship is lost due to dealing with several different staff filling the roll at any given time. We were greeted by the head concierge on embarkation day in the haven lounge in groups again due to the volume of guests.

 

Access – If you are on the courtyard deck that’s located on deck 16 forward. There is no isolated elevator or key call options. There is a bank of 8 elevators located forward and aft. Only 4 of each bank go to the 16th deck. The elevator call buttons don’t distinguish between what elevators come available. So if one that only goes to deck 15 arrives you have a choice of using that and climbing stairs to your floor which isn’t a problem if you aren’t hampered by physical limitations. If you are however be prepared to wait in frustration for an elevator that will take you all the way up. There is a slot for a key card, maybe there is a handicap option, not sure on that but I know for certain a standard key doesn't activate it.?

 

All in all, I won’t be back on a mega ship. I’m not suggesting you forgo booking the Haven if you cruise on the Breakaway as there is a massive number of people. But again, if you have experienced the Haven on smaller ships you should lower your expectations some or be prepared to be disappointed.

[dexddd]

Who were the concierges on board and how long will they be there? Who was your butler?

[cruise2much]

Ruth was the head concierge very nice but overwhelmed I think... One of the Butlers is Roy... Great guy, he served us on other cruises. I cant remember our butlers name off hand. I'm sure my wife does I will ask... But that in its self kinda tells you something... :( They do rotate and may be in another portion of the ship...

[RoutemanDan]

Thanks for the honest review. We had a feeling it would be like that. We'll stick to the Jewel Class.

[cruise2much]

We had the Gem booked again but our flight was cancelled and we missed the ship... When we started making plans for the Breakaway my only request was if we were going to try a Mega Ship the courtyard was a must! For that I'm glad even though being disappointed I would have been miserable without some respite from the masses :D I cant wait to be back to the serenity and sanity of the Jewel class :)

[RichNY]

Was your cabin in the haven ???....We are in a S7 bow penthouse...

Roy was our butler on the Gem, a great guy..

[cruise2much]

Yep... deck 16 haven level. Just outside our door. Didn't use it at all though sadly... :(

[sverigecruiser]

On the Jewelclass there are three levels of cabins: "normal" cabins, cheap suites and suites with access to the Haven.

 

Because of that the Haven is more exclusive than on the Breakaway.

 

Since all suites has Havenaccess on the Breakaway, it isn't as exclusive than on the Jewelclass ships.

 

People must have different expectations on the Havenexperience depending on which ship they are on.

 

We love the newer ships because of the Haven restaurant but understand that it's very different to book a Havensuite on the smaller ships.

[dexddd]

Ruth was the head concierge very nice but overwhelmed I think... One of the Butlers is Roy... Great guy, he served us on other cruises. I cant remember our butlers name off hand. I'm sure my wife does I will ask... But that in its self kinda tells you something... :( They do rotate and may be in another portion of the ship...

 

Was your butler Lucky?

[cruise2much]

Was your butler Lucky?

 

If by Lucky you mean name then no. If by lucky you mean having guests with past butler experience that know to tip... YES :)

[CruiseGirlKS]

Thank you for the review! :)

[Sundiego]

Thanks for the honest, well written review. Much appreciated!

[Cubechick]

Interesting. I OTOH prefer the Havens on the Epic, BA, and GA. I find the Courtyard area on the Jewel class ships to be nothing more than a nicely decorated indoor pool. I love that the "megaships" have the dedicated restaurant and lounge in the Haven and that there is so much more space. I realize the space is needed because there are more passengers, but we love it.

[cruise2much]

I did notice some positive comments about the Epic's Haven... Key activated elevators for example... The dedicated restaurant was nice... But that's about where it ended for me. I think they may have skipped a few steps on the Breakaway that they afforded on the Epic.

[LegallyBlonder]

On the Jewelclass there are three levels of cabins: "normal" cabins, cheap suites and suites with access to the Haven.

 

Because of that the Haven is more exclusive than on the Breakaway.

 

Since all suites has Havenaccess on the Breakaway, it isn't as exclusive than on the Jewelclass.

 

 

Great point- I hadn't thought of it that way before.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[wasiii]

.....the first was on the Star, had a forward facing suite. Never really used the butler or concierge for anything. It was nice but I didn't think it was anything really special.

 

Last year on the Breakaway (end of August), we had a spa mini-suite. That was nice and having gotten the Vibe pass to go along with it, we never really went out into the general areas during the day, we were in the spa or Vibe.

 

This year I just booked the Getaway and decided on a spa suite until my wife saw where it was located on the ship and wanted me to change it to a cabin in the Haven, which I did to keep the Queen happy. ;) So now I must spend an extra $400 on the spa passes for the week, although I did save $54 going form an S9 to an S5. :rolleyes:

 

We were invited to tour the Haven on the Breakaway last year and there were a lot of kids in there. But then again, New York schools don't start till after Labor Day and I am hoping that is why. By going out of Miami on the Getkaway (end of August), I'm hoping there will be less kids due to school has already started down there.

 

Thanks for pointing out the differences, much appreciated.

 

wasiii

Edited March 11, 2014 by wasiii

[Nvadav]

I too prefer the Jewel class havens. We did do a haven suite on the EPIC and while we did enjoy the trip, and the dedicated restaurant, the sheer size and volume of guests did dilute the experience. We had Ruth as our concierge on the Jewel in Dec. 2012 and she was fantastic. We have discussed sailing Breakaway, and have read many good reviews, but still on the fence for this very reason. Thanks for the comparison.

Edited March 11, 2014 by Nvadav

[dexddd]

If by Lucky you mean name then no. If by lucky you mean having guests with past butler experience that know to tip... YES :)

 

I meant name.

 

Actually your post reminded me of this one:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1852365

 

That user went on the BA afterwards and as I recall had a great time:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1915393

[david_sobe]

I agree with the OP 100% but relate to the Epic (since I was not on Breakaway). I read that the new NCL Escape will have close to 100 suites. While the Haven area is larger than Jewel class ships, it is not that much larger to make up for the difference of the larger number of passengers with Haven access.

The concierge is stuck at the desk and the personal touch is lost.

Just my opinion of course but I share it exactly with the OP.

[cruisetraveler2]

Thanks for the comparison....definitely something to think about.

[Linda the Book Lover]

Thanks for the review. The DH and I talked about a return to Bermuda on the Breakaway with DBIL and a 2bed suite option. This gave me food for thought.

[cabincop]

I have to agree with the op about boarding I hated the new waiting room and cattle call. I missed my butler bringing me onboard. I had an s9 and was glad I was not in the Haven proper I went there when I wanted to. I also missed the concierge roaming the ship. Of course Adrian who is the best did visit around the ship but they are more locked to the desk

[tymike]

I agree with the OP 100% but relate to the Epic (since I was not on Breakaway). I read that the new NCL Escape will have close to 100 suites. While the Haven area is larger than Jewel class ships, it is not that much larger to make up for the difference of the larger number of passengers with Haven access.

The concierge is stuck at the desk and the personal touch is lost.

Just my opinion of course but I share it exactly with the OP.

 

I have to agree with the above in a number of ways. My very first cruise was in a forward facing suite on the Dawn (no Haven) with Anoop as concierge. I was blown away by the personalized service.

 

On the Breakaway, I stayed in the DOS and really never felt that the concierge (Ruth) knew our names or where we were staying. The only time I ever saw her outside of the 'desk' was to escort us to the Cirque show and disembarkation. Soooo different from Anoop on the Dawn who was seemingly everywhere!

 

I totally realize this is because the Breakaway is so much bigger, but it did make a difference in how I left feeling about the Breakaway. I preferred the Dawn's personalized service overall. Ruth was helpful with several excursion and bridge viewing issues, but we never felt she was 'part of her clients' like Anoop could be.

 

Having said this, I have to add that our BA butler, Lanie, was truly outstanding! I don't even remember our butler on the Dawn....but Lanie I will remember forever her service and measure any others' against that standard.

 

I will also add that Lanie, also said she was hoping to go back to a smaller ship as she literally had to "run" around the ship to meet all requests.

 

Ok...enough! :)

[mommyto2girls]

We were on the same cruise in an S6 Haven aft balcony. I could not have said it better than the OP. I did a first impression post when we first got on the BA and my opinion never changed. The balcony was the only plus we had, it was huge. The trek up to the Haven was not worth it.

 

The 3rd Concierge was Kadek (Special K) former Butler on the Gem.

 

Ruth was vey sweet Adrian will be back mid april

 

The other butlers in the Haven were Fernando and Carlos. They rotate every 2 weeks. We will not cruise the BA again but glad we gave it a shot.

[Cubechick]

I have to agree with the above in a number of ways. My very first cruise was in a forward facing suite on the Dawn (no Haven) with Anoop as concierge. I was blown away by the personalized service.

 

On the Breakaway, I stayed in the DOS and really never felt that the concierge (Ruth) knew our names or where we were staying. The only time I ever saw her outside of the 'desk' was to escort us to the Cirque show and disembarkation. Soooo different from Anoop on the Dawn who was seemingly everywhere!

 

I totally realize this is because the Breakaway is so much bigger, but it did make a difference in how I left feeling about the Breakaway. I preferred the Dawn's personalized service overall. Ruth was helpful with several excursion and bridge viewing issues, but we never felt she was 'part of her clients' like Anoop could be.

 

Having said this, I have to add that our BA butler, Lanie, was truly outstanding! I don't even remember our butler on the Dawn....but Lanie I will remember forever her service and measure any others' against that standard.

 

I will also add that Lanie, also said she was hoping to go back to a smaller ship as she literally had to "run" around the ship to meet all requests.

 

Ok...enough! :)

 

Lanie is the best butler ever! :D