Is The Haven really needed?

[pieshops]

1. There's no "special line" for customs. US CBP doesn't care which citizens are haven or not.

 

Unless something has changed within the past couple of weeks I don't believe there is any priority line for customs ...no matter who you are ...there certainly is priority disembarkation but once you're off the ship everyone is the same

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While there is no special line for customs there is priority disembarkation.

 

Debarking from the BA last October we were escorted right past the huge line of people waiting to a point at the from of the line where we merged with the rest of the line but pretty much at the front of the line.

[jpcdds6]

Down with the proletariat!!!! Let them eat cake!!

[MickeyDs]

While there is no special line for customs there is priority disembarkation.

 

Debarking from the BA last October we were escorted right past the huge line of people waiting to a point at the from of the line where we merged with the rest of the line but pretty much at the front of the line.

 

We had priority disembarkation from the BA in March, we got off the ship quickly but once you hit the escalators everyone got in one big line. I don't want people thinking USCBP cares whether someone paid more for their cruise or not than the next.

[spanishguy1970]

I for one never been in the Haven or Courtyard. I for one like my inside staterooms or balcony and the prices i get for them so that is enough for me however i do think if The Haven people are getting special privileges to be in the Haven then they should knock themselves out they are as others say paying for it, so good for them. I am sure if i could get those perks i would enjoy them to the max :-):D:D

Edited September 29, 2016 by qtaromar1970

[Laszlo]

Nothing is ever really needed. Heck, I could be happy with a hammock

[LuvBNatC]

How "Titanic" this all sounds. Let's face it, with the Haven, NCL and other mass-market lines with similar programs resurrected the class system. Cunard never let it go.

 

I wonder... if the ship goes down, would certain lifeboats be behind red velvet ropes, reserved for Haven passengers only? Titanic passengers who paid a premium got saved first.

 

If I could afford Haven accommodations, I'd be booking on Crystal or Seabourn or Oceania with their entirely upscale ships and service, rather than be sequestered in one relatively small area prohibited from the common folk.

 

NCL is basically middle-class. Creating the Haven to make people feel otherwise seems forced IMHO, but I recognize their profit motive, and if they can sell it, more power to them.

[macanudo23]

Sounds like someone is a Bernie Sanders Supporter lol

 

Im a Bernie Sanders Supporter and I shell out $7,000 for a Haven. But I don't look down at anyone...I don't sit in the "Haven area" for shows or act like im above anyone....I do it because I like the quiet Haven areas, the Private Restaurant, bar. But I also love having a 2 bedroom suite so the bedroom is separate from the living area and priority disembarking because I usually take earlier flights back home. But I also travel at times with friends in Balcony rooms since they cannot afford Haven pricing and I have a great time and don't think about Haven anything.

[bobg529]

"I live on rice and beans, do those OTHER people really need steak?" [emoji6]

 

 

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[April42749]

How "Titanic" this all sounds. Let's face it, with the Haven, NCL and other mass-market lines with similar programs resurrected the class system. Cunard never let it go.

 

I wonder... if the ship goes down, would certain lifeboats be behind red velvet ropes, reserved for Haven passengers only? Titanic passengers who paid a premium got saved first.

 

If I could afford Haven accommodations, I'd be booking on Crystal or Seabourn or Oceania with their entirely upscale ships and service, rather than be sequestered in one relatively small area prohibited from the common folk.

 

NCL is basically middle-class. Creating the Haven to make people feel otherwise seems forced IMHO, but I recognize their profit motive, and if they can sell it, more power to them.

 

I like your thinking.

 

I could afford The Haven, but I prefer to be with the masses. (And no, I'm not a Bernie Sanders supporter.)

 

If I wanted an upscale experience I'd sail on an upscale cruise line and be with other upscale people.

 

As long as I can walk (to the theater)....and as long as I don't want a butler to bring me snacks (that I'd toss in the garbage) I have no desire to be in The Haven.

 

As a matter of fact....I like the idea of people paying thousands of dollars so they can be "elite for a week". That revenue allows me to book cabins for just about nothing (and thus my casino budget increases!).

[LuvBNatC]

I like your thinking.

 

As a matter of fact....I like the idea of people paying thousands of dollars so they can be "elite for a week". That revenue allows me to book cabins for just about nothing (and thus my casino budget increases!).

 

And now I like YOUR thinking! Good point. :D

[MickeyDs]

How "Titanic" this all sounds. Let's face it, with the Haven, NCL and other mass-market lines with similar programs resurrected the class system. Cunard never let it go.

 

I wonder... if the ship goes down, would certain lifeboats be behind red velvet ropes, reserved for Haven passengers only? Titanic passengers who paid a premium got saved first.

 

If I could afford Haven accommodations, I'd be booking on Crystal or Seabourn or Oceania with their entirely upscale ships and service, rather than be sequestered in one relatively small area prohibited from the common folk.

 

NCL is basically middle-class. Creating the Haven to make people feel otherwise seems forced IMHO, but I recognize their profit motive, and if they can sell it, more power to them.

 

Sequestered? You can still go throughout the ship, but when it gets extremely busy on sea days you can always retreat to the private areas. I just saw you're from south side, go Rams.

[huskerc]

I didn't read where you were unhappy with what you got for your dollar. Just that you were upset that other people got more for more dollars.

 

Did I really read that right, OP?

[Two Wheels Only]

I wonder... if the ship goes down, would certain lifeboats be behind red velvet ropes, reserved for Haven passengers only?

 

That is absolutely ridiculous.

 

Life boats....puhleeeez. :rolleyes:

 

Everyone in the Haven knows that the jet-packs that are under the suite bed are programed to take Haven guests to the nearest private island resort.

[Ktuluorion]

How "Titanic" this all sounds. Let's face it, with the Haven, NCL and other mass-market lines with similar programs resurrected the class system. Cunard never let it go.

 

I wonder... if the ship goes down, would certain lifeboats be behind red velvet ropes, reserved for Haven passengers only? Titanic passengers who paid a premium got saved first.

 

If I could afford Haven accommodations, I'd be booking on Crystal or Seabourn or Oceania with their entirely upscale ships and service, rather than be sequestered in one relatively small area prohibited from the common folk.

 

NCL is basically middle-class. Creating the Haven to make people feel otherwise seems forced IMHO, but I recognize their profit motive, and if they can sell it, more power to them.

 

 

There are 2 segments I can see that this appeals to:

 

1) I'm of an upper-middle class income, and fairly young (35yo). The clientele of NCL are a bit younger. I also enjoy the ships and the people on them. I like that I can upgrade to a premium service without being on a line filled with geezers and activities i'm not interested in. The product works for me in that regard. I'd imagine there are others that fall in this bracket.

 

2) Families who take advantage of the 3rd and 4th free in The Haven

 

In those instances, the move to a more premium line doesn't make sense.

[NewbieAce]

I have no issues with the perks. What I do have issues with is them hiding us around a corner hall (for those familiar with the breakaway the room those of us that were there early to the hall where the library/card room is) ... as if we can't even be seen by The Haven members. Seat them first, no problem! But we are not plebs that need to be hidden from their view. That's insulting.

[skiwee]

We were in the haven on the breakaway two weeks ago and never experienced that. We did go to shows and sat in the roped off area. Five minutes before the show started they removed the ropes. Even the row we were in and there was only 4 of us. We were led to another line in customs that was haven only. We still had to wait in a line. Not nearly as long as others but we paid for the privilege. We paid almost $6000 for our haven courtyard suite. We would have paid half for a balcony. If you were offered the haven for only $1000

you were very lucky!

 

 

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[DMH15]

You always slip that in there.

Honestly I don't think most folks on here (that always bring it up) tip like they say they do I just find it funny how often it is put out there.

And telling folks where your tips go is really strange I tip with no problem its part of life I do not make it a conversation its like talking about your electric bill.... Borrrrring.

 

 

Sorry, but those who are not used to being in suites and haven may not think of this. It is (should be) an extra expense they might not have otherwise considered.

 

You can bet I do tip well. I am honest. Sorry if you don't believe me.

 

I am not telling anyone where their tips go that is not common knowledge. These three are not part of the DSC so whatever you tip them belongs to them.

 

Sorry you were so bored.

 

 

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[pieshops]

We had priority disembarkation from the BA in March, we got off the ship quickly but once you hit the escalators everyone got in one big line. I don't want people thinking USCBP cares whether someone paid more for their cruise or not than the next.

 

I guess it depends on the day, we were escorted right to the front of the line

[NLH Arizona]

I have no issues with the perks. What I do have issues with is them hiding us around a corner hall (for those familiar with the breakaway the room those of us that were there early to the hall where the library/card room is) ... as if we can't even be seen by The Haven members. Seat them first, no problem! But we are not plebs that need to be hidden from their view. That's insulting.

I hope you brought this issue up while you were on the ship, because IMHO it was offensive.

[SuiteCruiser]

I have no issues with the perks. What I do have issues with is them hiding us around a corner hall (for those familiar with the breakaway the room those of us that were there early to the hall where the library/card room is) ... as if we can't even be seen by The Haven members. Seat them first, no problem! But we are not plebs that need to be hidden from their view. That's insulting.

 

I cruise in the Haven, a suite, a balcony, inside...but when I'm in the Haven and am given certain perks that I would like to make use of, sometimes it's awkward. I don't cut in on lines, and feel terrible about giving the impression that I think I'm privileged.

 

Sometimes when we tender, the line for people waiting is around a corner, so they aren't seeing people skipping past them, and I prefer that.

 

Sounds like they hashed up the explanation on the Jungle Fantasy. There was no need to tell the people waiting the reason they were waiting. On other ships, they would bring us in a separate door to try to avoid people being annoyed, not because we don't want to look at you. Of course, once you enter and see there's a bunch of people in there, you'll know someone got first dibs, but that's how it works.

 

I don't go to shows anymore (I've seen them all) so I no longer use that perk, but I will use the tender, embarkation and debarkation as I've paid for it.

Edited September 29, 2016 by SuiteCruiser

[NewbieAce]

Not sure why some of you are being so insulting. I simply expressed my opinion.

 

In all honesty even The Haven Suites are very cheap compared to most other Luxury liners. I have a Friend that sails with Cunard Yearly and the people in their Queens Suites (Comparable to The Haven, but at a much, much higher price) don't even get treated this way once on board.

 

I understand the Priority Embarkation/Disembark...Even reserving certain seats in the Theater...My main issue was with the Jungle Fantasy show...and A lot of people agree with me on that...

[mom2tcdx2]

Not sure why some of you are being so insulting. I simply expressed my opinion.

 

In all honesty even The Haven Suites are very cheap compared to most other Luxury liners. I have a Friend that sails with Cunard Yearly and the people in their Queens Suites (Comparable to The Haven, but at a much, much higher price) don't even get treated this way once on board.

 

I understand the Priority Embarkation/Disembark...Even reserving certain seats in the Theater...My main issue was with the Jungle Fantasy show...and A lot of people agree with me on that...

 

You know my husband and I started looking at prices of other luxury lines - for instance SilverSea, Seabourn and crazily enough they aren't really any more expensive than what NCL is wanting for the Haven. They are cruise ships with only suites, way less passengers and probably way better service than anything NCL could offer. I think if we ever decide to want to pay want NCL is asking for a suite we would be better off to go with a luxury line instead.

[NewbieAce]

The Queens Grill on The Cunard, 12 day to the Caribbean is 10k per person.

 

Point is, Cunard doesn't form a Pleb line for Non Queens Grill Passengers for Shows. They Do get Priority services, but never in an insulting way from other Cruisers.

[Ktuluorion]

The Queens Grill on The Cunard, 12 day to the Caribbean is 10k per person.

 

Point is, Cunard doesn't form a Pleb line for Non Queens Grill Passengers for Shows. They Do get Priority services, but never in an insulting way from other Cruisers.

 

 

I really don't understand why you are so upset by this. It sounds like the priority line at the show ruined your whole cruise?

 

Also, is your point here that you are going to stop cruising NCL because of how they treate non-haven customers?

[Two Wheels Only]

I have no issues with the perks. What I do have issues with is them hiding us around a corner hall (for those familiar with the breakaway the room those of us that were there early to the hall where the library/card room is) ... as if we can't even be seen by The Haven members. Seat them first, no problem! But we are not plebs that need to be hidden from their view. That's insulting.

What if you were sitting where a Haven guest wanted to sit? It would have been worse if the staff made you get up and move while the Haven guests were standing there.

 

To avoid the issue, just wait to take a seat until after those with priority are seated.

 

Looking at your first post, Haven guests walked right past everyone else to use the elevator. For the show, non-Haven guests weren't supposed to be sitting that early. In either case, Haven guests are either in plain view while getting priority or they are separate from non-Haven guests.

Edited September 29, 2016 by Two Wheels Only