Calling all past Epic Haven guests

[amy86]

Looking for general and specific feedback on Haven suites and perks on the Epic. We recently booked a Haven aft suite for a med cruise in May 2016 and I'm having some second thoughts, primarily because of the port intensive itinerary (only 1 day at sea). I do know that the aft suites are a far walk to the Haven area, but we're ok with that (gotta burn off the vacation calories!).

 

Did you love the Haven? What made it worth it for you? We do like the Butler services (we last had a butler on our honeymoon on NCL Spirit), and I think the priority disembarking will be helpful at the ports, but I wonder if the other Haven perks will be worth it - I don't want to pay $2000 more than a mini-suite just to use the Haven pool for 1 day. The recent Haven review mentioning that the Haven bar closes at 9pm was not great news.

 

Basically looking for good Haven Epic experiences/stories. :) Thanks.

[amy86]

Well I must say, the utter lack of response here is not helping me feel better about the Haven. Time to downgrade to a minisuite?

[stoneman56]

I found the Haven courtyard pool too claustrophobic, and the upper deck was too windy on sea days. Also the Haven pool area was over run by kids, and any attempt to get someone to sort them out fell on deaf ears. We don't use the butler, he doesn't (or won't bother) really do anything your room steward couldn't do. Now that's the person you want on your side.

Oh and we had an aft suite, the Haven is a looooog walk away from there. Also the suites were tiny with a minuscule balcony.

Edited July 22, 2015 by stoneman56

[brookie848]

We've cruised twice in the Haven on the Epic. The priority disembarkation is wonderful. We also love the breakfast in the Haven restaurant.

 

We enjoyed spending time in Posh (child-free area). We aren't pool people, so that didn't really matter to us. My husband also enjoyed the private gym in the Haven.

 

I don't think we would ever book a Haven suite that is not in the Haven -- we like the convenience of being right there.

 

We don't ask the butler for anything extra, but did enjoy the fruit bowl and the afternoon snacks.

 

Whether or not the Haven is worth it is very subjective. My husband won't cruise any other way (well, we would do a suite if no Haven was available on a ship). Even though we don't use all the perks, those we do are worth the extra cost.

[FreestyleNovice]

I am not here to sell you an Haven suite but..

 

- Epic has the largest Haven area of all current ships

- having anything from any restaurant delivered to your room

- a more spacious room

- the concierge service (shows, dinner reservations etc, anything you might miss or oversee otherwise)

- speedy bar service on Posh

 

May can be a spring holiday for lots of Europeans so the Haven might be a better choice. And Epic will be in drydock this fall so everything should be back to standard or better (i.e. currently no sun umbrellas at Posh..).

 

Cons are indeed the aft and the distance, I also thought that the Haven gym/sauna was really really small. And the 2br suites have indeed very small balconies.

But none of that ruined anything. ;)

Edited July 22, 2015 by FreestyleNovice

[jemz1949]

Wife and I stayed in a 2bdrm Epic Haven suite for our med cruise in 2013. As others have stated, this is a very port intensive itinerary. Assuming that you will be going into Rome, Florence and the outer Naples areas, your days will be very long. As a result, your time to enjoy the Haven could be rather limited. The Haven will provide you with a great deal of convenience on those long port days however. To us, that equates to the ability to get a few extra winks. It's great to be able to go directly to the restaurant for a quick breakfast or for a nightcap.

[amy86]

This is all helpful feedback - thank you! Keep it coming :)

 

Some of the reasons we booked the Haven suite:

- the expanded room service menu for breakfast (we almost always prefer room service for breakfast, esp. on port days)

- the expanded dinner room service (if we are very tired after port days, it would be nice to still get food from specialty restaurants)

- the private sun & pool areas on sea days (but only 1 sea day on this itinerary, and I'm less sold on the Haven perks now - seen reviews that anyone can go up to Posh, and worried about crowded Haven pool on sea day. The spice H2O area sounds like it might be just fine for us? We just want lounge chairs, drink service and no so many kids around.)

- priority disembarkment is also a bonus

- DVD player is nice perk for us too (don't really care about the fancy coffee maker)

- I like the Haven restaurant as an option, but we'd probably only use it for dinner once and lunch maybe twice?

 

Trying to balance all this against the $2300 I would save by booking a minisuite... (ugh)

[amy86]

Wife and I stayed in a 2bdrm Epic Haven suite for our med cruise in 2013. As others have stated, this is a very port intensive itinerary. Assuming that you will be going into Rome, Florence and the outer Naples areas, your days will be very long. As a result, your time to enjoy the Haven could be rather limited. The Haven will provide you with a great deal of convenience on those long port days however. To us, that equates to the ability to get a few extra winks. It's great to be able to go directly to the restaurant for a quick breakfast or for a nightcap.

 

Regarding that nightcap - there was a recent review that the Haven bar closes at 9PM. Was that your experience?

[FreestyleNovice]

This is all helpful feedback - thank you! Keep it coming :)

 

Some of the reasons we booked the Haven suite:

- the expanded room service menu for breakfast (we almost always prefer room service for breakfast, esp. on port days)

- the expanded dinner room service (if we are very tired after port days, it would be nice to still get food from specialty restaurants)

- the private sun & pool areas on sea days (but only 1 sea day on this itinerary, and I'm less sold on the Haven perks now - seen reviews that anyone can go up to Posh, and worried about crowded Haven pool on sea day. The spice H2O area sounds like it might be just fine for us? We just want lounge chairs, drink service and no so many kids around.)

- priority disembarkment is also a bonus

- DVD player is nice perk for us too (don't really care about the fancy coffee maker)

- I like the Haven restaurant as an option, but we'd probably only use it for dinner once and lunch maybe twice?

 

Trying to balance all this against the $2300 I would save by booking a minisuite... (ugh)

 

I would save the $2300, you said 2000 earlier ;)..

 

but.. book a Spa Minisuite, especially 14118 with the xl balcony (part aft facing curve!). The Spa will be a perfect plan B if the pool deck is too crowded, revive yourself after a port day, use Spice H2O a few decks up as touch base and splurge on some roomservice or takeout yourself (it's allowed again) at Osheehans etc.

 

If the price drops you can always take the jump?

[sjbdtz]

Sailed 3x on the EPIC, each time in a Spa Suite (with Haven access).

 

 

The Haven itself, the restaurant, the lounge, the sundeck - all make for a nicer experience than fighting the crowds.

 

 

Stephen

 

 

.

[FreestyleNovice]

Sailed 3x on the EPIC, each time in a Spa Suite (with Haven access).

 

 

The Haven itself, the restaurant, the lounge, the sundeck - all make for a nicer experience than fighting the crowds.

 

 

Stephen

 

 

.

 

I agree. But, would it be worth the extra $2300 for a week?

Edited July 22, 2015 by FreestyleNovice

[punkrocknow]

Haven on Epic - Last year, we did a spa suite on the Epic (Caribbean cruise) and the Haven perks were amazing. Walk to Haven was fine... I look at it as exercise. I agree with a previous comment on the Haven pool feeling a bit claustrophobic. We are on a boat so we can see water, not metal walls. We did spend every day in Posh, which is amazingly more relaxing than the regular pool areas. While they do sell passes for Posh, we were both surprised at how empty Posh was all the time. The Haven restaurant (Epic Club) was fabulous. We ate there every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner (with the exception of one night at Le Bistro, which we felt was not as good as the Haven restaurant). We had planned to dine at more specialty restaurants, but the service and food were so stellar in the Haven we didn't see the point of going elsewhere. They treat you like royalty.

 

Aft - My wife and I did the Western Med on the Gem (no true Haven on this one). Had an aft suite. While the cruise is port intensive, it is hard to beat lounging on your private aft balcony watching Italy get smaller. Really amazing. Cagney's was nice for breakfast and lunch.

 

Whether it is worth the extra coin is more of a personal choice than one we can help you with. I have been able to only do the suite life twice and wish we could do it every time. The money is long gone, but the memories of being spoiled have lasted. We are taking the kids (2 and 5) on the Getaway in a week and are in a balcony... of course, we wish we were in the Haven, but money doesn't grow on trees.

[sjbdtz]

I agree. But, would it be worth the extra $2300 for a week?

 

Yes, which is why I've since been in Haven on Getaway, and Breakaway x 2, and about to on Escape....

 

 

.

[DandDM]

We loved the haven and I don't think we would go any other way on the epic. Best parts were the concierge service, bars and restaurant in the haven. Wouldn't have missed the butler if he wasn't there.

 

At every stop, the concierge staff had an elevator on call and would escort right off the ship - front of the lines. On our one tender port, we by-passed that line too, probably saving a 30+minute wait in the cayman sun. The staff also escorted us to shows.

[SuiteTraveler]

I agree. But, would it be worth the extra $2300 for a week?

 

Yes. Here are the perks:

 

VIP embarkation and waiting room at the pier.

Personal escort onboard to The Haven or your suite, if it is ready

Free snacks in The Haven lounge until the suites are ready (usually sliders)

Welcome aboard bottle of sparkling wine and large bottle of water

Welcome aboard flower arrangement (usually very nice)

Elemis bath gel, shampoo, conditioner and lotion replenished throughout the cruise.

Seashell bath salts

Spa bathrobes

Butler service (pillow menu, dvd library and room service) You can place a standing order or you can order room service from any restaurant onboard as long as it is open when you order. (al la carte and fee restaurants charges apply)

Concierge service (questions, assistance with any issues that come up during the cruise, dining reservations in any restaurant including the MDR and show reservations, escort to VIP seating at shows, express self-debarkation - Haven guests were the first 12 off the ship on my Getaway cruise in May - this enabled us to catch at 10:30am flight out of MIA with 2 hours to spare, express tender tickets)

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner in the Haven Restaurant included - it is AWESOME!

The Haven pool

The Haven hot tubs

The Haven Sundeck

The Haven dry sauna and steam rooms

The Haven Cocktail Lounge

In your suite:

DVD player

Lavazza coffee maker and all accoutrements

Upgraded balcony furnishings

If you are in a The Haven Spa Suite, you get all of the above PLUS a jetted spa tub in your suite AND the BEST shower onboard in your suite, PLUS access to the Spa's Thermal Suite and water circuit. It is WONDERFUL - especially the water circuit on The Epic - I went everyday for several hours!

 

I would compare the experience to being on a private yacht. It is very special and very separate from the rest of the ship and we thoroughly enjoy it.

[SuiteTraveler]

This is all helpful feedback - thank you! Keep it coming :)

 

Some of the reasons we booked the Haven suite:

- the expanded room service menu for breakfast (we almost always prefer room service for breakfast, esp. on port days)

- the expanded dinner room service (if we are very tired after port days, it would be nice to still get food from specialty restaurants)

- the private sun & pool areas on sea days (but only 1 sea day on this itinerary, and I'm less sold on the Haven perks now - seen reviews that anyone can go up to Posh, and worried about crowded Haven pool on sea day. The spice H2O area sounds like it might be just fine for us? We just want lounge chairs, drink service and no so many kids around.)

- priority disembarkment is also a bonus

- DVD player is nice perk for us too (don't really care about the fancy coffee maker)

- I like the Haven restaurant as an option, but we'd probably only use it for dinner once and lunch maybe twice?

 

Trying to balance all this against the $2300 I would save by booking a minisuite... (ugh)

 

People have to buy a pass to go to Posh and it's not The Haven sun deck anyway. I don't think you would want to eat breakfast and lunch anywhere BUT The Epic Club once you eat there. Room service breakfast is OK, but they put out such an elaborate buffet plus the stuff you can order off the menu in The Epic Club - it is fun to go there and try everything. Especially if you are doing this cruise in the Med - that's an extremely port intensive cruise. Of course, once you know what the Epic Club has for breakfast, then it is easier to ask your butler for what you want as room service. The lunch is also fantastic. It's such great food it makes for a real experience and it is a nice quiet place for dinner as well. The in-suite Lavazza machine also makes tea and hot chocolate.

[DandDM]

People have to buy a pass to go to Posh and it's not The Haven sun deck anyway. I don't think you would want to eat breakfast and lunch anywhere BUT The Epic Club once you eat there. Room service breakfast is OK, but they put out such an elaborate buffet plus the stuff you can order off the menu in The Epic Club - it is fun to go there and try everything. Especially if you are doing this cruise in the Med - that's an extremely port intensive cruise. Of course, once you know what the Epic Club has for breakfast, then it is easier to ask your butler for what you want as room service. The lunch is also fantastic. It's such great food it makes for a real experience and it is a nice quiet place for dinner as well. The in-suite Lavazza machine also makes tea and hot chocolate.

 

 

We got free access to posh as a haven perk.

[laxfanmom1]

Can anyone who's been recently tell me if the Haven restaurant is open for lunch on the boarding day in Rome? I really dislike the crush of people in the buffet!

[sjbdtz]

Can anyone who's been recently tell me if the Haven restaurant is open for lunch on the boarding day in Rome? I really dislike the crush of people in the buffet!

 

 

It opens usually at noon. Even on boarding day.

 

 

.

[brookie848]

I agree. But, would it be worth the extra $2300 for a week?

 

For us, it is. My husband will only sail in a suite and therefore I have become spoiled as well.

[timmo44]

I've stayed in an Aft Facing Haven suite on the Epic. It has a nice big round bed and is almost twice the size of a regular balcony stateroom. Best thing about the cabin was having a bath in there. We used that every day. You also get the flash coffee machine and all the Haven perks such as Butler and still free room service (neither of which we ever used.)

 

But for us the Haven isn't so much about the room. It's the priority treatment you get from the moment you get to the port. The gigantic lounge with the Alice in Wonderland alike furniture in. The captain's drinks party, the private sun deck and bar. The peaceful restaurant for breakfasts and dinners etc. The priority entrance to shows. Stops with tenders eg. Cannes, on the way back at the end of the day while the rest of the coachloads are queuing in their 100s for the next lifeboat back the Haven folks have a separate line with you and half a dozen people in who get on first.

 

Lots of little luxuries that probably aren't value for money if you added every little thing up but once you've done it there's no going back.

[sandtrace1]

We cruised on the Epic from 7/15-7/22 boarding in Civitavecchia and stayed in a Haven Suite. We loved the amenities that were included. Our room steward (Ricardo) was absolutely wonderful and the concierge service went out of their way to accommodate excursions, dining and show reservations.

 

Butler service for us was very hit or miss. He seemed to be put off when we requested a service (i.e. pillow menu or breakfast delivery). After day two, we didn't ask him to do anything and we didn't see him again until it was time to check out. We had the ultimate dining package, but were not able to order dinner from the restaurants and have it delivered by the butler. Not sure if this is something new, or if our butler just didn't want to be bothered with it. He told us we could order from the room service menu, however the selection was very limited. Glassware and coffee cups were not restocked (even though someone took away the dirty ones daily). The mini bar was never restocked the entire week, so once we consumed something, it was not replaced. He delivered advertised "gourmet" treat 6 out of the 7 days, not sure why he skipped a day. Mostly it was a bowl of fruit (banana, apple, pear, orange), which was disappointing. However, one day we did get some chocolates, and another day canapés.

 

As mentioned on numerous threads, the haven pool is full of kids most days and you will need to get there early if you want a good seat. We did find that the pool emptied out around 4:00. We spent most of our time on the Posh deck as it was never crowded. The bartenders up there are wonderful! They even passed out fruit skewers and ice water throughout the day.

 

We loved the Haven restaurant and ate breakfast and lunch there when we were on the ship. We also had dinner there on 2 nights and found the food and service to be very good.

 

The Haven bar was open until 10:00 every night the week that we cruised.

 

Even though we were underwhelmed by the butler service, we loved everything else about the Haven and thoroughly enjoyed the perks that went with it. We would definitely recommend booking it.

[laxfanmom1]

We cruised on the Epic from 7/15-7/22 boarding in Civitavecchia and stayed in a Haven Suite. We loved the amenities that were included. Our room steward (Ricardo) was absolutely wonderful and the concierge service went out of their way to accommodate excursions, dining and show reservations.

 

Butler service for us was very hit or miss. He seemed to be put off when we requested a service (i.e. pillow menu or breakfast delivery). After day two, we didn't ask him to do anything and we didn't see him again until it was time to check out. We had the ultimate dining package, but were not able to order dinner from the restaurants and have it delivered by the butler. Not sure if this is something new, or if our butler just didn't want to be bothered with it. He told us we could order from the room service menu, however the selection was very limited. Glassware and coffee cups were not restocked (even though someone took away the dirty ones daily). The mini bar was never restocked the entire week, so once we consumed something, it was not replaced. He delivered advertised "gourmet" treat 6 out of the 7 days, not sure why he skipped a day. Mostly it was a bowl of fruit (banana, apple, pear, orange), which was disappointing. However, one day we did get some chocolates, and another day canapés.

 

As mentioned on numerous threads, the haven pool is full of kids most days and you will need to get there early if you want a good seat. We did find that the pool emptied out around 4:00. We spent most of our time on the Posh deck as it was never crowded. The bartenders up there are wonderful! They even passed out fruit skewers and ice water throughout the day.

 

We loved the Haven restaurant and ate breakfast and lunch there when we were on the ship. We also had dinner there on 2 nights and found the food and service to be very good.

 

The Haven bar was open until 10:00 every night the week that we cruised.

 

Even though we were underwhelmed by the butler service, we loved everything else about the Haven and thoroughly enjoyed the perks that went with it. We would definitely recommend booking it.

 

Wow! That's a horrible butler! And a horrible room steward! Not giving you clean glassware and restocking minibar everyday is unacceptable. If it happened more than once I would speak to a supervisor.

 

We will be in a 2 bdrm family suite in September and we look forward to the little things like the special afternoon treats. I hope we are not disappointed!

 

I am happy to hear that the Haven bar will be open until 10pm, as I had previously heard 9. But we have cruised in suites for the last five or so cruises and this kind of service would put me off of NCL if it happened to me. Fingers crossed!

[sandtrace1]

I think you will be fine. We had an amazing time and would definitely book the Haven again. As I said, we didn't care for the general attitude of the butler, so we stopped asking. When we discovered that he wouldn't deliver dinner from the restaurants, there was really no need for his services. We were having a great time and really didn't feel the need to report it to a supervisor.

 

I do think it is the butler's responsibility to restock the fridge and glassware. While our supply of glassware/coffee cups was never completely empty, it just seemed odd that things were never fully restocked. EXAMPLES: we drank two small wines from the mini bar early in the trip, the wine in the bar was never restocked and we were only given one wine glass for the remainder of the trip. We preferred to use the large coffee mugs in the room. They were restocked daily until the fourth day, after that we just had to use the smaller mugs. There are supposed to be 8 bar glasses on the shelf in the room (2 of four different types) and we never had all 8 after the first day. Again, none of these things made for a bad trip, just found it to be bit odd.

 

Absolutely no complaints with the room steward. He was such a sweet person and our room was always immaculate. Not to mention the wonderful towel art he left every evening!

 

Enjoy your trip!

:)

[Jofishes]

We cruised on the Epic from 7/15-7/22 boarding in Civitavecchia and stayed in a Haven Suite. We loved the amenities that were included. Our room steward (Ricardo) was absolutely wonderful and the concierge service went out of their way to accommodate excursions, dining and show reservations.

 

Butler service for us was very hit or miss. He seemed to be put off when we requested a service (i.e. pillow menu or breakfast delivery). After day two, we didn't ask him to do anything and we didn't see him again until it was time to check out. We had the ultimate dining package, but were not able to order dinner from the restaurants and have it delivered by the butler. Not sure if this is something new, or if our butler just didn't want to be bothered with it. He told us we could order from the room service menu, however the selection was very limited. Glassware and coffee cups were not restocked (even though someone took away the dirty ones daily). The mini bar was never restocked the entire week, so once we consumed something, it was not replaced. He delivered advertised "gourmet" treat 6 out of the 7 days, not sure why he skipped a day. Mostly it was a bowl of fruit (banana, apple, pear, orange), which was disappointing. However, one day we did get some chocolates, and another day canapés.

 

As mentioned on numerous threads, the haven pool is full of kids most days and you will need to get there early if you want a good seat. We did find that the pool emptied out around 4:00. We spent most of our time on the Posh deck as it was never crowded. The bartenders up there are wonderful! They even passed out fruit skewers and ice water throughout the day.

 

We loved the Haven restaurant and ate breakfast and lunch there when we were on the ship. We also had dinner there on 2 nights and found the food and service to be very good.

 

The Haven bar was open until 10:00 every night the week that we cruised.

 

Even though we were underwhelmed by the butler service, we loved everything else about the Haven and thoroughly enjoyed the perks that went with it. We would definitely recommend booking it.

 

so basically some good and some disappointing but overall good ?

 

It is such a shame about your butlers disinterest and it does sound like the butler can make or break the experience

 

I was planning on asking for very little but the little we do ask for I wasn't planning on expecting to hear things like "order from room service" when you specifically cannot order that item from room service or to feel that they couldn't be bothered with you as a guest, that is not really acceptable at all :(

 

I am so glad to hear that the haven bar was open til 10 pm :)

Edited July 25, 2015 by Jofishes