Interesting article about the Haven

[renata102]

That's a lot of hot air coming from someone who must remove the DSC [emoji57]

 

You mean adjusted??? Yes I did. And my air is just right. 98.1 degrees F to be exact

[happy cruzin]

On our last cruise on the Breakaway, we boarded in group 11. As we were walking up the gangway, a lady at the back was trying to get people to move aside saying "Haven. Haven! Are you in Haven? I'm in Haven. Could you move, I'm in Haven." I swear she said "Haven" about 20 times in the 60 seconds it took to board.

 

But that's the only time in our two cruises we've had any interaction with an entitled Haven guest. Most are like everyone else and just looking to have a great vacation, not flaunting their status.

 

 

That seems weird - since Haven guests are usually escorted on to the ship from terminal in small groups.

[takeadip]

Is this family income? Or per person income? I am divorced with no kids so of course I have more discretionary income than someone who is feeding, clothing and insuring multiples in a household. I know families whose earnings exceed mine who are amazed at my multiple vacations a year in suites.

 

I once was at an event with a little known couple named William "Bill" and Melinda Gates back in 2009. In his first 10 minutes of speaking he said "it does not matter how much you make but rather how much you "save".

 

I know many couples who make just over a million dollars a year...but have a lifestyle that cost $950,000 per year....so in other words many couples live way beyond their means.

 

Best,

Mark

[Sissaaaaaa]

First of all, please, please, please let me know when it is cheaper to book a Haven suite than two balconies (so I can get in on that). I think I'm a pretty good researcher/deal finder, but I have NEVER seen that. The Haven is always AT LEAST twice as much per person as a balcony (or even a mini), but usually three or four times as much. You're already paying way more for two people in the Haven than you would for four people split in two separate balcony rooms.

 

I agree that the article is BS. I totally agree that you get what you pay for, and if people want to pay extra money for exclusivity and perks, then that is exactly what they should get. I have never sailed in a suite or the Haven, and although I know I'd enjoy it, I've never had the desire to do so. For me, I've always viewed cruises as a more cost-effective vacation that we usually plan last minute. I don't go on cruises looking for luxury...I'm fine with a standard room. When I've wanted a more opulent vacation, we spent more money on going to more exotic locales.

 

I'm not affluent by any means, but I don't think the Haven screams "rich"...it simply shows who has what priorities and wanted to pay more at the time, and that's perfectly acceptable. The super-fancy aren't sailing in the Haven...they're off on private yachts or cruising on Crystal or Azamara, let's be honest ;)

 

Well, for the past 4 years, it would have been cheaper for us to book the lowest category Haven suite, during spring break, than it was for our two balcony cabins. We chose the balconies so we'd have our own bedrooms / bathrooms, and because the amenities just don't mean much to us. In today's cruising pricing, whether it's because of FDR or just inflation, it is cheaper to take the two balcony cabins.

[Sissaaaaaa]

I know you're not the one who I replied to, but this proves my point. People who are upper middle class and wealthy have a skewed view on where they really fall. Hell, even your income isn't indicative of where you cruise. For example, I could afford the Haven the same way I could afford a bigger house, newer car, etc, but something else would have to give. Lots of folks out there living high on the hog who can't rub two nickels together.

 

This! You are 100% correct! I think that's really sad.

[zackarykeef]

Haven was cheaper than 2 balconies on our Getaway cruise this January. The aft balconies were approx $1300 pp and we had 3 ladies sailing. Putting the 3 of us in those balconies was about $5200, and then there would have been the additional 18% on our UBP. The Haven added up to $4500 for the 3 of us in a forward facing penthouse and included the UBP, UDP, and $550 OBC. And no 18% service fee.

 

I understand this, but I was referencing regular balconies. An aft balcony is already more expensive, so you can't really compare that. I can see where two aft balconies would be more expensive.

 

The most I've ever paid for a balcony was $799pp, and I don't think I've ever seen a Haven room for even close to $1600pp. That's where I was coming from.

 

I can only hope I come across one of those deals one day that y'all are talking about to maybe entice me with a Haven room...I'll stick to attempting upsells for now!

[Sissaaaaaa]

I understand this, but I was referencing regular balconies. An aft balcony is already more expensive, so you can't really compare that. I can see where two aft balconies would be more expensive.

 

The most I've ever paid for a balcony was $799pp, and I don't think I've ever seen a Haven room for even close to $1600pp. That's where I was coming from.

 

I can only hope I come across one of those deals one day that y'all are talking about to maybe entice me with a Haven room...I'll stick to attempting upsells for now!

 

The balcony cabins I was referring to were aft facing as well.

[samiam0403]

I understand this, but I was referencing regular balconies. An aft balcony is already more expensive, so you can't really compare that. I can see where two aft balconies would be more expensive.

 

The most I've ever paid for a balcony was $799pp, and I don't think I've ever seen a Haven room for even close to $1600pp. That's where I was coming from.

 

I can only hope I come across one of those deals one day that y'all are talking about to maybe entice me with a Haven room...I'll stick to attempting upsells for now!

 

Just keep looking and hopefully you'll find one someday! Just did a quick look at the Breakaway in August. The cheapest balcony right now is just under $8000 for 2 balcony cabins. Those are the cheapest ones available. The cheapest suite (a 2 room forward facing suite) is $8610 and includes beverage package, $200 OBC, Specialty Dining Package, 250 minutes internet, and $150 shore excursion credit - all without the 18% service fee tacked on to non-suite cabins.

 

I'm not trying to be difficult in the least - just pointing out that sometimes it really does work out to be less expensive or around the same cost to take the suite. I hope you get to try it someday - I'm glad I did even though my wallet doesn't always agree with me! :)

[momofmab]

I thought the article was funny and agree with other posters that the 1%ers aren't cruising on the crowded mega ships!

 

I like to cruise because I can unpack my bag once and choose from a multitude of pre-planned activities, without having to get into my car. I don't like crowds, rowdy drunks or having to battle someone's grandma for a deck chair. I cruise every few years and am able to afford to go suite level and bypass most of things that I dislike about cruising. Additionally, most of the Florida departure ports are close enough for us to drive, so we immediately save $1500 by not flying. To be honest, I am uncomfortable with the butler/concierge/being escorted around, but I do like the bigger rooms because we do spend time in our cabin and it's nice not tripping over each other. I've never been someone who doesn't care about their accommodations on a vacation because "all I do is sleep there".

[mistertoaster]

As regards balcony versus suite costs, you occasionally can book a suite for an amount similar to a single balcony. I recently booked a forward facing penthouse on the Sun departing to Alaska on May 8th. This suite was priced at $1649 per person. Non guaranteed regular balcony rooms were $1299 per person. However, I received a larger cruise credit with the suite and all four NCL promotions instead of two. Additionally, I do not have to pay the service fee on the UDP and SDP as a suite guest. Last but not least, my TA picked up gratuities for both guests. This was a suite only perk. I ran a spread sheet on the two options and the suite, with all of the above was the better deal. This is a non Haven ship, but I still receive a butler, concierge and private breakfast and lunch dining. If you are flexible with your schedule and check frequently, occasional a suite is available at balcony costs.

[rjm11]

we had a haven two bedroom on the Pearl to Alaska a few years ago that was $8000 for 5 people. It was the last week of August/first few days of Sept. though.... I think shoulder seasons are where you will see the biggest discounts on these.

[Sail_TN]

“We are living much more cloistered lives in terms of class,” said Thomas Sander, who directs a project on civic engagement at the Kennedy School at Harvard. “We are doing a much worse job of living out the egalitarian dream that has been our hallmark.”

 

Does the author of the article not realize the absurdity - quoting from 'the Kennedy School at Harvard' to highlight the atrocity of NCL allowing passengers who so choose to spend more for an upgraded room??

[fshagan]

We had never seen inside a suite until our last cruise,and the steward caught us lurking near the doorway,so we scurried away like naughty schoolgirls,laughing our heads off.This time we have booked our usual interior, right by a suite,just so we can maybe get a glimpse of the lifestyles of the rich and famous.We have read that some dismiss their canapé carrying butler,to pass on their fair to the peasants.:eek::eek:

 

On your next cruise join the roll call / meet and greet and suggest a "cabin crawl" ... they are the highlight of the meet and greet activities for us. You typically get to see every type of cabin from the inside to the suites. On the Epic we got to see an Owner's Suite. Very, very nice!