Getaway 5/31 Haven Aft PH #9916 Review

[craig-n-carol]

A little about our travel party, My Dad and Mom in their early 70's, DW and I in our late 40's, early 50's. This was our 6th cruise, our 4th with NCL.

 

This review will be done in segments, as quickly as time allows. Please be patient, I have been slammed at work since our return!

 

So let's get started with a few pics...

 

The largest ship I have ever sailed on, the size of this ship cannot be comprehended until you actually see her.

 

The excitement was nearly too much to bear as we entered the gangway.

 

After boarding we were quickly escorted to the Haven Restaurant where we had a much awaited shrimp cocktail (it is now 4 shrimp in each cocktail), mmmm soooo good. Sorry no pic, was too excited. :D

 

The food in the Haven restaurant was excellent, had I not bought the UDP, I would not have had a problem eating there everyday. More on dining later...

[craig-n-carol]

This was our first time in a Haven Suite. We have normally sailed in non-Haven Aft PH's, and once in a non-Haven 2BR Family Suite. I must say, this was our best cruise experience yet. We sailed in a Haven Aft Facing PH, Suite #9916.

 

The balcony was HUGE!

 

This is a panorama photo, it was too big to get in one shot

[craig-n-carol]

A couple words of caution:

 

 

If you are tall, and sit at the dining room table in the suite, watch out for the light, it hurts! I am 6'2" and you can see someone even 5'9 or so would hit their head on the light fixture.

 

Watch Your Step from the room to the balcony! Stubbing your toe hurts too!

 

 

[craig-n-carol]

Sorry for the dark images, excitement caused me to not think, lol.

 

Living room area

 

 

Master bath

 

A few things waiting in our room

 

 

[barnacle_boy]

If you are tall, and sit at the dining room table in the suite, watch out for the light, it hurts! I am 6'2" and you can see someone even 5'9 or so would hit their head on the light fixture.

 

 

I had that suite the week before, and I was constantly hitting my head on that damn thing whenever I sat at the table. I'm a bit taller than you, so I whacked my nose too!

 

 

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[KirkNC]

Thanks for the report! That's quite the balcony.

[Cruisegirl2004]

Great start. Can't wait to read more!

 

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[aubreyc1988]

I think I just drooled a bit!

 

 

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[Mrswood83]

Can't wait to read more!!! Great review so far:)

 

 

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[Winchester Ranger]

I miss the Haven SO badly.

 

Did you notice if Rose was still the Maitre d and any of the servers (Michelle, Estela) or Joyce the bartender ?

 

Wish I was there now.....

[PathfinderEss]

Enjoying your review.

[Keith1010]

Enjoyed the review and the photos.

 

Keith

[craig-n-carol]

I miss the Haven SO badly.

 

Did you notice if Rose was still the Maitre d and any of the servers (Michelle, Estela) or Joyce the bartender ?

 

Wish I was there now.....

 

Yes, Michelle, Estella and Ester, and Suzanna was the Maitre Dei'. They were all our cruise heroines. They made the Haven dining experience special! Love these ladies!! And yes Joyce was there, she made a mean Pina Colada!!

[craig-n-carol]

Continuing on, sorry again for the delays, work is overwhelming right now.

 

The guest bathroom in our suite.

 

 

 

[craig-n-carol]

Random thoughts on this sailing:

 

This was a very full sailing, Captain Rune announced there were 5000 pax aboard this sailing. At times it did feel a bit crowded, especially when the shows let out.

 

Not having a midship elevator was not good IMHO, we waited at times for over 10 minutes for an available elevator. We didn't mind the walking, but if someone were mobility impaired,

I could see issues.

 

The casino smoke did get overwhelming at times. We spent a fair amount of time in the casino. As far as it pouring out into the atrium and common areas,

it was not really that bad. If I hadn't heard of it in other reviews before and never entered the casino, I probably wouldn't have noticed it.

Edited June 13, 2014 by craig-n-carol

[craig-n-carol]

The often photographed atrium chandelier, it subtly changed colors.

 

 

 

 

[craig-n-carol]

We bought the UDP, and dined in Cagney's, Le Bistro, La Cucina, and Teppanyaki. But none of these compared to the Haven Restaurant.

It was simply excellent. The best Filet of Beef I have ever had, land or sea. On Lobster night, they tried an new thing in the Haven Restaurant,

a WHOLE LOBSTER and shrimp over white rice served with melted butter and lemon!!!! The Corporate Executive Chef, the guy based in Miami who

oversees the entire fleet was on board preparing the lobsters, as we were told by the staff. Sorry, i don't know his name.

But this is what we were served, and it was as good as it looks.

 

Edited June 13, 2014 by craig-n-carol
Line breaks

[LrgPizza]

The often photographed atrium chandelier, it subtly changed colors.

 

I was surprised to learn that the often photographed atrium chandelier isn't in the atrium. LOL

[craig-n-carol]

Later in the week at the Haven, there was Surf and Turf, which was a filet with truffle sauce and a lobster tail and claw with onion rings and asparagus. We asked for baked potatoes which are not on the menu, but it was no problem. Another excellent meal in the Haven.

 

 

And in lieu of the chocolate buffet, they had an all chocolate dessert menu, save the apple pie ala mode. There were 4 of us dining, and they brought all of this!!

 

 

 

[craig-n-carol]

I was surprised to learn that the often photographed atrium chandelier isn't in the atrium. LOL

 

I know, right? LOL. It just seemed natural to call it that, although it is really the centerpiece to the 6, 7 and 8 deck lighted stairway if I remember correctly.

[craig-n-carol]

I had that suite the week before, and I was constantly hitting my head on that damn thing whenever I sat at the table. I'm a bit taller than you, so I whacked my nose too!

 

 

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I figured by showing this picture maybe it will prevent others from getting smacked in the head by it. It is not fun for sure!!

[craig-n-carol]

The dreaded roof overhang from the Waterfront did inhibit some of the view from our balcony, but it didn't ruin it. Unlike the Jewel class ships, you are not able to look straight down to the water. When at port in Nassau, my wife and I were on our balcony, and an officer walked right past our balcony on this roof. I looked around the corner and he and several workmen were doing some work on what appeared to be a window washing platform. So much for privacy, sure glad no one wasn't decent! Also glad we weren't using our bathroom, because you can see in to the bathroom from the balcony. When in port or if you have guests on your balcony, it is best to pull the blinds in the bathroom windows so this is not an issue.

 

 

Edited June 13, 2014 by craig-n-carol

[craig-n-carol]

A word to the theater staff. The shows were excellent. Burn the Floor was the best production I have seen at sea. Although Legally Blonde isn't my thing, I did enjoy the show. The Illusionarium was a very entertaining production. The food was not the best, but it wasn't horrible. It is obvious the food was not the same par as the specialty restaurants.

 

My only real gripe about the theater is the non-enforcement of late-comer entry, and not stopping folks from using their cameras during the shows. A couple came in 35 minutes late to Burn the Floor, they were allowed to come in, and they sat right in front of us and both used their cameras for the remainder of the show. Despite our polite requests to stop, they ignored us and kept going with the cameras. If we weren't with my parents who have limited mobility, we would have moved to another seat.

 

Aside from that, the shows were all excellent. The production value of on board entertainment has greatly improved.

 

This is the view from Haven reserved seating. And yes, I took the pic before the show :)

 

[rocky55]

Loving your review! I got the UDP for free with my Haven Suite. I wont feel bad about not eating at any of the speciality restaurants, because it was a free perk. Having said that, which ones do you think were worth it over the Haven? Did you sit outside at any of the restaurants? I ask this because when I did on the Breakaway I felt it enhanced the whole experience. I just want the best food and service, and if this means eating at the Haven every night I will. I am so excited! Did you hear any feedback from Ocean Blue?

 

 

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[craig-n-carol]

Loving your review! I got the UDP for free with my Haven Suite. I wont feel bad about not eating at any of the speciality restaurants, because it was a free perk. Having said that, which ones do you think were worth it over the Haven? Did you sit outside at any of the restaurants? I ask this because when I did on the Breakaway I felt it enhanced the whole experience. I just want the best food and service, and if this means eating at the Haven every night I will. I am so excited! Did you hear any feedback from Ocean Blue?

 

 

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Thanks! The only restaurants IMHO that compare with the Haven were Cagney's and Le Bistro. The 4 cones appetizer (Les Quatre Cornets) at Le Bistro is the most flavorful app I have ever had. It compares with flavors introduced at the Chef's table. Cagney's beef is now all Argentine Beef, and is superior in quality to most land based steakhouses. But the service in the Haven restaurant eclipses all experiences of dining on board anywhere. Keep in mind the menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner are always the same, save the 2 specialty nights for lobster and surf and turf. But if there is something in particular you want, just ask. if it is on board, they will get it for you. We did not dine in Ocean Blue, so I have no opinion on that. But the reviews we had already read were not particularly positive, so we did not bear the expense of it. You could dine in the Haven every day for all 3 meals and not be disappointed IMHO.