The haven

[CCLCruiser4321]

Thinking about booking my first NCL cruise on the epic is the haven worth it. I've been telling my wife I'm not ever booking NCL unless it's the haven but I guess I'm hoping it's awesome now that I'm actually planning it. Also do you think a long time carnival cruiser will easily adjust to the NCL way?

[Merriem]

Yes

[Quilting_Cruiser]

I've sailed NCL only once and it wasn't in the haven, so I can't speak to that, but I'm Platinum on Carnival and had absolutely no trouble enjoying my NCL cruise. So much so that I purchased an FCC and am sailing on the Epic in March. :D I loved all the dining choices and didn't even eat in the MDR. I always eat in the steakhouse when I sail Carnival and I found Cagney's on NCL to be not quite as good as the Carnival steakhouses but still very good. The other restaurants for the most part were really good. The service on NCL was comparable to Carnival, the cabin was smaller than what I'm used to, and the decor was less garish. I don't typically go to the shows, but people generally think the entertainment on NCL is much better than on Carnival. Another thing I really liked about NCL was that there were fewer announcements than I've experienced on Carnival.

 

Personally, I don't plan to go back to Carnival any time soon. :o

[mistertoaster]

I have stayed in the Haven many times. Below are my pro's and con's:

 

Pro's

Priority boarding including private waiting area and escort on to the ship

Ship within a ship concept. Ample outdoor seating in a private sun deck, private dining and private lounge. Essentially, you can spend all your time in the Haven if you desire and never encounter crowds.

Priority excursions. You are the first to leave the ship at port.

Larger room with more amenities.

Butler and concierge. I do not use either service much, but they are available if you desire.

 

Con's

Price. The cost of a Haven suite keeps rising. If you are flexible on dates, and do not mind staying in a suite outside the Haven with Haven access, you can lower this cost somewhat. However, staying in the Haven is typically about twice the cost of a mini suite even with a good deal. I think it is worth the cost, but it is something to consider when booking the Haven

[brookie848]

"Worth it" is something you can only determine. We only sail in the Haven (and have been in Epic's Haven twice) and it is worth it to us.

 

A few great things about the Epic Haven -- you have access to Posh (adults-only sun deck), there is a small private gym in the Haven and there are great views in the Haven restaurant. I also loved the Courtyard Grill. It is technically an indoor area, but the windows/sides are open, so you get a nice breeze. It is a great place to relax, feel the outside air, but be out of the sun. Also, it's where you find the cookies and the chocolate croissants! :D

[Jenjer]

Don't book the Haven for Posh. Never heard of that before but maybe on Epic. You do NOT have Posh access on the Away ships (Getaway, Breakaway and Escape)You have a access to a Haven sundeck but not Posh unless you pay extra for it. Now you get to be the first to board so you can buy access to Post. But really why do you need it? Maybe if your travelling without kids during kid vacation time or having kids around you really annoys you. There are kids in the Haven. You have everything Posh has in the Haven already.

 

Carnival does not appear to have anything at all like The Haven. Vista will have the Havana Cabana that's the closest but still not the same.

 

I think of the Haven as you get what you pay for. You pay more you get more. Only you can decide if what you get for money is something you will enjoy. Private pool, Private restaurant, Private club, Extra space, Butler's attention.

 

I hate crowds but enjoy all the features a mega ship offers, so I have to put up with crowds. We are a family of 4 and as my kids grow the rooms seem to get smaller and smaller. The jump from 2 minisuits to a 2bed Haven is not that much more and worth it to me. Other people will say no way its really a personal choice.

[CCLCruiser4321]

Thanks for all the responses. Sounds like we're going try out the haven

[pieshops]

Dont do it, the Haven is horrible, it is all a big giant scam by NCL.

 

Once you do it, you are hooked, its NCL's Version of crack.

 

We are now in a Haven support group but it is not working we keeping booking the Haven. I promise my wife we will do a cheap inexpensive cruise and it starts that way, we book 2 insides and then as the months progress I move up to an ocean view, then a balcony and then its an easy jump to hey a 2 bedroom haven is not much more expensive then 2 balconies and hey you get all 4 promotions.

 

I don't know what to do, I need help.

 

We leave Sunday for Bermuda in the BA and have a 2 bedroom haven again, we can't wait to be pampered. Go for it you will love it but be prepared for the addiction

[brookie848]

Don't book the Haven for Posh. Never heard of that before but maybe on Epic. You do NOT have Posh access on the Away ships (Getaway, Breakaway and Escape)You have a access to a Haven sundeck but not Posh unless you pay extra for it. Now you get to be the first to board so you can buy access to Post. But really why do you need it? Maybe if your travelling without kids during kid vacation time or having kids around you really annoys you. There are kids in the Haven. You have everything Posh has in the Haven already.

 

 

The Epic is not an Away ship and does not really have the Haven sundeck that those ship have (it does have the standard Haven pool). Posh is one of the best parts of the Haven on the Epic. And you DO NOT have to pay extra for it on the Epic -- it is part of the Haven and is where your sail-away parties are held.

 

They do sometimes sell passes to Posh, but since you are already in the Haven, you do not have to worry about that.

[Merriem]

I have some great pictures, how do you upload them so they are full size...just off the Breakaway 2 weeks ago.

[Jenjer]

Brookie848 thanks for the clarification. I will edit my post

[tmilak]

Dont do it, the Haven is horrible, it is all a big giant scam by NCL.

 

Once you do it, you are hooked, its NCL's Version of crack.

 

We are now in a Haven support group but it is not working we keeping booking the Haven. I promise my wife we will do a cheap inexpensive cruise and it starts that way, we book 2 insides and then as the months progress I move up to an ocean view, then a balcony and then its an easy jump to hey a 2 bedroom haven is not much more expensive then 2 balconies and hey you get all 4 promotions.

 

I don't know what to do, I need help.

 

We leave Sunday for Bermuda in the BA and have a 2 bedroom haven again, we can't wait to be pampered. Go for it you will love it but be prepared for the addiction

 

Hey Pieshops,

We are in a 2 bdrm on the BA next week. We are from Point Pleasant Beach. Do you have kids going with you?

[pieshops]

Hey Pieshops,

We are in a 2 bdrm on the BA next week. We are from Point Pleasant Beach. Do you have kids going with you?

 

yes our 2 daughters, are you sailing the 11th or the 18th

[brookie848]

Brookie848 thanks for the clarification. I will edit my post

 

 

No problem! Posh is just one of those unique Epic items that wasn't repeated on other ships.

 

Honestly, on the Escape and Getaway, we're going to miss Posh (but aren't going to purchase Vibe passes) and having the buffet right below us for quick ice cream runs!

[cmdchiefthom]

Thinking about booking my first NCL cruise on the epic is the haven worth it. I've been telling my wife I'm not ever booking NCL unless it's the haven but I guess I'm hoping it's awesome now that I'm actually planning it. Also do you think a long time carnival cruiser will easily adjust to the NCL way?

 

We've done two cruises in the Haven on the Epic, each time in a Courtyard Villa suite, H4, and loved every minute of it. You haven't mentioned what category of suite you're looking at. The H4 has two baths, and essentially a fold out second bedroom which we've had our grandson's in. If you're OK with the cost, I'd say it is the room I would book for my wife and I. We had our son and his fiancée booked in an aft Penthouse suite H6, and they loved it, but the floor plan sucked IMHO, an oval bed which, depending on your height, may have your feet hanging over the edge of the bed, a curtain behind it for the bathroom.:eek: The kids liked it, but of course as it was their engagement cruise, those issues didn't bother them much. There are several of those H5 in the Haven, with the same floor plan. The problem of having any of the Haven suites not physically in the Haven is its a PIA to have to travel to the Haven every time you choose to use its facilities. So you just need to decide if its worth it. I have two cruises coming up on the Escape and the Getaway, I'm in a Haven suite H6 on the stern of the ship with a 257 sq.ft. balcony, as compared to 54 sq.ft. on a H4 aboard the Epic. I take the large balcony whenever I can get one. You have a great cruise;)

[Cruzncutie]

Dont do it, the Haven is horrible, it is all a big giant scam by NCL.

 

 

 

Once you do it, you are hooked, its NCL's Version of crack.

 

 

 

We are now in a Haven support group but it is not working we keeping booking the Haven. I promise my wife we will do a cheap inexpensive cruise and it starts that way, we book 2 insides and then as the months progress I move up to an ocean view, then a balcony and then its an easy jump to hey a 2 bedroom haven is not much more expensive then 2 balconies and hey you get all 4 promotions.

 

 

 

I don't know what to do, I need help.

 

 

 

We leave Sunday for Bermuda in the BA and have a 2 bedroom haven again, we can't wait to be pampered. Go for it you will love it but be prepared for the addiction

 

 

This is SO true. Our last three cruises were in the Haven and we are definitely addicted. We booked the Escape DOS sailing January 2016 before NCL went nuts with the prices. We will also be in the Haven on the GA sailing October 2016. Because not traveling during the Summer is unheard of, we are doing a "budget" cruise in June 2016 on the BA. Non Haven...oh the horror [emoji37]. First world problems...I know [emoji53]. OP, you'll enjoy the Haven on the Epic...just prepare yourself and your wallet lol

[tmilak]

yes our 2 daughters, are you sailing the 11th or the 18th

Sailing on the 11th with 11 year old daughter and 13 year old son and wife of course

[rsato]

My wife and I have sailed in the Haven 4 times (Jade x 2, Pearl, and Breakaway) and most recently on the Jewel to Alaska in a Non-Haven 2 bedroom suite.

 

There is life outside the Haven! Granted, we had no choice in the matter as the Haven was sold out for our last minute decision to sail to Alaska - but not having the covered swimming pool, lounge chairs, and Haven snacks was tolerable. You actually find some pretty great places to hang out on sea days like the Spinnaker lounge chairs - some of them were like beds!

 

I would say though that we would really miss the Haven for a warm weather cruise such as the Caribbean as having ample chairs for lounging on the sun deck or around the pool was a huge advantage.

[toyotaford]

We were platinum on Carnival when we first cruised NCL 8 years ago. We have never gone back. We love NCL and as others have said the suite life is addicting.

[mergele]

Dont do it, the Haven is horrible, it is all a big giant scam by NCL.

 

Once you do it, you are hooked, its NCL's Version of crack.

 

We are now in a Haven support group but it is not working we keeping booking the Haven.

 

Fellow support group member. It started with a balcony. Then we tried an aft penthouse suite. Our third cruise coincided with a birthday and I surprised DH with an upgrade to a Courtyard Penthouse... That huge tub with the picture window, dinner from Cagney's in our private dining room, the butler who couldn't do enough for us... Just awful! :D

 

Fast forward a few years during which life intervened and we found ourselves in a position to take a nice vacation again, and presto! There was one Owners' Suite still available on a sailing that worked for us (strictly speaking, not *in* the Haven, but Haven class nonetheless - and hey! TWO balconies!). We have a giant countdown on our kitchen fridge.

 

Yup. No two ways about it. Great big scam.

Edited October 10, 2015 by mergele
eta: title

[smokie36]

Please provide more info on this "support group"! This was one of the more hilarious, but so true, postings I've read.

 

The Haven, along with other ships' comparable accommodations, are addictive. As with previous posters, I'll book a balcony early on, as time passes, the urge to upgrade takes hold! (i.e. - The hubby has the flu, let's cheer him up with an upgrade. I have a tough day at work - no problem - upgrade. It goes on and on...)

 

Also, I'm somewhat clastrophobic, so large crowds don't appeal to me. The Haven has plenty of space to stretch out. Only once did I take a mini-suite (travelled solo - booked a few days before sailing - due to a bad day at work) and not upgrade.

 

For next month's sailing, we are on a second room change (currently in the Haven Spa Suite - which is great as I also enjoy the Thermal Spa on the BA - started with a balcony suite). By next month who knows where we will end up!!!

 

No matter what...cruising is awesome! :D

(I'd like to figure out how to retire on a cruise ship.)

[xriva]

 

No matter what...cruising is awesome! :D

 

(I'd like to figure out how to retire on a cruise ship.)

 

 

Have you considered retiring as a lounge singer?

[smokie36]

Have you considered retiring as a lounge singer?

 

That job implies that I'd be required to carry a tune! (Trust me, I wouldn't want to be on a cruise that would hire me to sing.)

lol

:cool:

[Quilting_Cruiser]

 

 

 

(I'd like to figure out how to retire on a cruise ship.)

 

 

It's been figured out. Check out The World. :p