Haven to normal cabin

[Jana60]

Hey all,

 

Me and the wife to be are cruising for our honeymoon in November. The first week we are in a Haven Spa Suite on the Escape, we then disembark for one day and board the Getaway which we currently have a Mini Suite booked. This will be our first time in the haven having previously done mini suites.

 

My question is if it was you would you upgrade the second week to a haven suite and if we don't will we notice a huge difference?

 

I personally can't afford Haven rooms except on rare occasions as an upsell. My sister and I stayed in the Haven on Escape last July but we paid far less than the standard price because we were offered last-minute upgrades which ranged in price from $500 to $1,500 per cabin. I know they are now doing the upgrade Advantage Program instead of the upsell system they used to use but you might still want to call that old up cell number and tell them it's your honeymoon and see if you can get a good upsell offer for the second Cruise. NCL UPGRADES: 1 (800) 625-4309

 

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Edited June 10, 2017 by Jana60

[Two Wheels Only]

Exactly what do you get if you're in a Haven suite vs. say a Mini Suite ?

https://www.ncl.com/why-cruise-norwegian/cruise-accommodations/the-haven

 

Things will differ depending on which ship.

[Cruisin' Again 86]

https://www.ncl.com/why-cruise-norwegian/cruise-accommodations/the-haven

 

Things will differ depending on which ship.

 

Thanks, looks like a great upgrade !

[dexddd]

IMO, that's intentional. NCL wants non-Haven guests who have been waiting in the terminal for hours or waiting several minutes for an elevator to see Haven guests walk on by...

 

Non-Haven guests will think "Hey, I want that next cruise..."

 

MSC actually uses a separate check-in tent for Yacht Club guests to enter the ship. Maybe the "parade" feeling is less. (Never sailed MSC but I'm booked)

 

I don't know when you are booked but I can tell you about the boarding in just over 60 days.

 

Sounds like MSC has some priority tending off/on ship so we can speak to that as well.

[Two Wheels Only]

I don't know when you are booked but I can tell you about the boarding in just over 60 days.

I have many months to go. Also, with MSC renovating/updating the Port of Miami terminal, I have no idea what things will be like when I sail. The renovations won't be complete until the end of 2017 just before Seaside gets there.

 

 

The new Terminal F will include:

 

• An expanded waiting area that will accommodate 1,500 people
  
• A private VIP waiting area for MSC Yacht Club passengers on Seaside
  
• Dedicated waiting areas for cruisers who booked the Aurea Experience with priority embarkation and MSC Black Card members
  
• A "more flexible and efficient" baggage claim area as well as advancements that will work with Seaside's "smart ship technology" that will lead to a "smoother debarkation process"
  

[Owenred]

Guys,

 

Thanks for all your comments much appreciated, I'm going to contact my TA this week and see any offers/deals they can do.

 

We only picked the first week for the haven as we have done that itinerary a few times so not that interested in getting off the ship so will be spending most of the time on board unlike the other itinerary we have never done that one.

 

Again thanks for all the advice and comments

[uneamie]

Since this thread has been hijacked into being about Haven guests, I will add my 2 cents. One reason people think Haven guests are snobs is they are paraded in front of everyone during embarkation and disembarking, they get reserved seats in the theater (which are not the greatest ). You find snobs everywhere.

 

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Hmm....I've never seen anyone parade in front of me. But if I did I would have no way of knowing they were Haven guest. Generally, we've never had a long wait to board in NYC. Never more than an hour wait. That said, anyone parading on by probably would not impress me enough to pay 6K per person for a week vacation until I hit the lottery, LOL, ....and if I did I would totally expect to get reserved seats in the theater.

[Two Wheels Only]

Hmm....I've never seen anyone parade in front of me. But if I did I would have no way of knowing they were Haven guest. Generally, we've never had a long wait to board in NYC.

He's referring to the escorted service that Haven guests get. The escort leads Haven guests through the terminal while holding a sign. There is no real wait once priority boarding begins. Once on the ship while others are waiting for an elevator, suite guests have their own elevator reserved for them (I wish it was always reserved for the entire cruise).

 

In a way, some people on both sides wish that the embarkation process was a bit more discreet.

[uneamie]

 

In a way, some people on both sides wish that the embarkation process was a bit more discreet.

I guess for some that might be true. I don't really have a problem with all the perks the Haven gets. They are paying through the nose for them so they are entitled. Same with first class on a plane. People pay a hefty sum to sit in box seats at baseball and football games.....none of that bothers me. I will say that considering the Haven has it's own quiet place, I don't think they should be entitled to get vibe passes before the rest of the passengers. They get to book all their entertainment and restaurants 10 days before others....and I get that. But I think Vibe passes should not be included in that. If they didn't have a pool, and quiet place of their own then that would be a different story.

[Two Wheels Only]

I will say that considering the Haven has it's own quiet place, I don't think they should be entitled to get vibe passes before the rest of the passengers.

This is often debated but the way that it is currently is the way that it should be. Haven guests (or any other adult guest) shouldn't be barred or banned from getting a VIBE pass. MANY guests board before general boarding. Getting a VIBE pass sooner is a benefit that has been either earned or paid for.

 

If they didn't have a pool, and quiet place of their own then that would be a different story.

The Haven isn't adult-only like VIBE is.

 

Would you prevent Spa guests from buying VIBE? Spa guests have a pool and the spa is adult-only but there is no sun.

 

If anyone wants a private, adult-only sundeck, VIBE is the only option and is available to all adults until passes are sold out.

[uneamie]

This is often debated but the way that it is currently is the way that it should be. Haven guests (or any other adult guest) shouldn't be barred or banned from getting a VIBE pass. MANY guests board before general boarding. Getting a VIBE pass sooner is a benefit that has been either earned or paid for.

 

 

The Haven isn't adult-only like VIBE is.

 

Would you prevent Spa guests from buying VIBE? Spa guests have a pool and the spa is adult-only but there is no sun.

 

If anyone wants a private, adult-only sundeck, VIBE is the only option and is available to all adults until passes are sold out.

Perhaps you miss understood. I didn't say Haven guest should not be able to access Vibe...Yikes! I simply said they shouldn't get to buy passes for it 10 days ahead of everyone else if they have their own quiet place....adults only or not. I hear a lot of comments about how they love their quiet place and would not book anything else because of it. I also hear that the rest of us better get on board early and run to any passes that might be left after Haven guest have booked theirs. That is my complaint.

[Two Wheels Only]

I simply said they shouldn't get to buy passes for it 10 days ahead of everyone else if they have their own quiet place...I also hear that the rest of us better get on board early and run to any passes that might be left after Haven guest have booked theirs. That is my complaint.

Haven guests can't get VIBE passes 10 days early. VIBE passes are only available after boarding begins.

 

The VIBE passes are first come, first serve....for everyone. The concierge will have a few passes in pocket for later arriving Haven guests but once those are gone, there are no more other than the usual passes.

 

People in general boarding will get whatever passes are available and later arriving Haven guests won't get anything after the concierge is empty.

[DMH15]

I guess for some that might be true. I don't really have a problem with all the perks the Haven gets. They are paying through the nose for them so they are entitled. Same with first class on a plane. People pay a hefty sum to sit in box seats at baseball and football games.....none of that bothers me. I will say that considering the Haven has it's own quiet place, I don't think they should be entitled to get vibe passes before the rest of the passengers. They get to book all their entertainment and restaurants 10 days before others....and I get that. But I think Vibe passes should not be included in that. If they didn't have a pool, and quiet place of their own then that would be a different story.

 

 

The haven pool is not 18+ only. Vibe and Posh is. And that matters to some of us.

 

 

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[cantthinkofanythingfun]

Haven guests can't get VIBE passes 10 days early. VIBE passes are only available after boarding begins.

 

The VIBE passes are first come, first serve....for everyone. The concierge will have a few passes in pocket for later arriving Haven guests but once those are gone, there are no more other than the usual passes.

 

People in general boarding will get whatever passes are available and later arriving Haven guests won't get anything after the concierge is empty.

 

So I can get VIBE passes from the concierge instead of going to guest services? I was kind of wondering how that works since Haven guests are escorted to the Haven area after they arrive.

[uneamie]

Haven guests can't get VIBE passes 10 days early. VIBE passes are only available after boarding begins.

 

The VIBE passes are first come, first serve....for everyone. The concierge will have a few passes in pocket for later arriving Haven guests but once those are gone, there are no more other than the usual passes.

 

People in general boarding will get whatever passes are available and later arriving Haven guests won't get anything after the concierge is empty.

I didn't know that....I've been miss informed. Someone else was complaining that there was only a handful of passes left when they boarded and they assumed I guess that it was due to Haven guest getting them 100 days out. Thanks for correcting this information. Guess I will still have to put on my running shoes. LOL

[Two Wheels Only]

So I can get VIBE passes from the concierge instead of going to guest services? I was kind of wondering how that works since Haven guests are escorted to the Haven area after they arrive.

Trying to rely on the concierge is RISKY. He/she might not have any left (if other Haven guests ask before you get there). On rare occasion, the concierge can call down to guest services/Headliners and ask for a pass to be held (if there are any left) but that is even more risky.

 

 

The BEST option for Haven guests is to go on their own during priority boarding. Haven guests are free to break away instead of going straight to the Haven lounge.

[uneamie]

Trying to rely on the concierge is RISKY. He/she might not have any left (if other Haven guests ask before you get there). On rare occasion, the concierge can call down to guest services/Headliners and ask for a pass to be held (if there are any left) but that is even more risky.

 

 

The BEST option for Haven guests is to go on their own during priority boarding. Haven guests are free to break away instead of going straight to the Haven lounge.

 

LOL....well there's the "catch". Haven guest get on board first so they get the Vibe passes first. There's no way around that one. Maybe they should have just made Vibe bigger to hold more guest. 70 some guest passes between 4000 people is pretty funny!

[dongordon]

If spending money on an upgrade so that you have a Haven suite on both ships is not an option, then it would in my opinion definitely be better for you to have a regular cabin on the first cruise and a Haven suite on the second! It is some truth to the saying "You don't know what to miss if you haven't experienced it". Other vise you might be spending the second cruise comparing everything to that (probably) amazing first cruise....

 

I agree.....after the Haven, it is hard to go back.

My wife is so spoiled with being in a Haven suite, it is hard for me to convince her to take a regular cabin again!:D

 

Don

[Two Wheels Only]

Maybe they should have just made Vibe bigger to hold more guest. 70 some guest passes between 4000 people is pretty funny!

That would partially defeat the purpose of VIBE. The service and exclusivity (and bar :cool:) are what people love about VIBE. Add too many adults and all aspects of VIBE suffer.

[FantasyGoddess]

Haven...both weeks. Why not be treated like royalty? You only live once!

 

I was on the Getaway in the Haven a couple of years ago and all I can think about is going back to the Haven. And we just booked a Getaway Haven cruise yesterday! :)

 

So I am probably shooting myself in the foot here but if you want a HUGE cabin, ask for room 16128 - it's the handicap accessible room and available for anyone but you have to ask for it. We stayed in it last time and were part of a 50+ person cabin crawl. Everyone fit in the cabin at the same time. However, the balcony for this room is a bit smaller so if that is important, choose a different cabin. Also, you will be bumped out of the cabin if a handicap person wants to book the cabin but NCL cannot downgrade your cabin class when you are bumped. ;)

[Vyhanek]

The Haven on the Escape is definitely not quiet.

It's in fact, really, really crowded. NCL has figured out on the Escape just how many people they can accommodate in the Haven. The sun deck is way too small for the demand. There will be chair hogs on the Haven sundeck on the Escape because there are about 20 loungers for about 200 Haven guests!! And then a good portion of the Haven sundeck is the smoking section!

 

I actually agree with the poster above that said the Haven on the Epic is really nice because the Haven guests access POSH. Its a big, lovely sundeck with big private bar. There is no bar on the Escape Haven sundeck. There is like 1 or maybe 2 bar servers who run down 2 flights of stairs to get drinks for you. They are working hard but the service is noticeably slow and they serve a lot of Haven guests!

[Cruise a holic]

The Haven on the Escape is definitely not quiet.

It's in fact, really, really crowded. NCL has figured out on the Escape just how many people they can accommodate in the Haven. The sun deck is way too small for the demand. There will be chair hogs on the Haven sundeck on the Escape because there are about 20 loungers for about 200 Haven guests!! And then a good portion of the Haven sundeck is the smoking section!

 

I actually agree with the poster above that said the Haven on the Epic is really nice because the Haven guests access POSH. Its a big, lovely sundeck with big private bar. There is no bar on the Escape Haven sundeck. There is like 1 or maybe 2 bar servers who run down 2 flights of stairs to get drinks for you. They are working hard but the service is noticeably slow and they serve a lot of Haven guests!

Compared to the rest of the ship not at all crowded plenty of deck chairs on the indoor haven upper level can be moved to accommodate haven guests. The rest of the ship must be scary crowded, if the Haven is crowded at a peak time. If you can afford it only sail in the Haven on NCL. Otherwise consider another line. Even Carnival wasn't nearly as bad as the non Haven outer decks.

[uneamie]

That would partially defeat the purpose of VIBE. The service and exclusivity (and bar :cool:) are what people love about VIBE. Add too many adults and all aspects of VIBE suffer.

Hmm...then maybe they should have made the balconies on this ship a reasonable size so one could just lounge in their own private space.....a space they paid for anyway. The balcony size is hysterical! We got a balcony because we both are cloustraphobic....I need a way to get air. But I see that is all it's gonna be good for on this trip. And yes, I know we could have paid for the "extra large" balcony but we don't like being in the front of the ship which is where all of those are located.

[Two Wheels Only]

And yes, I know we could have paid for the "extra large" balcony but we don't like being in the front of the ship which is where all of those are located.

The aft-facing balconies are larger/huge on certain decks.

 

^^ Deck 12

 

 

^^ Deck 9

BA/GA

Edited June 13, 2017 by Two Wheels Only

[Owenred]

So contacted my TA and at the minute it works out at 2300 GBP to upgrade to the haven which is a bit more then our Escape cruise. From your previous experience has the priced dropped as it gets closer to the cruise date or increased? At the minute there are 14 rooms of the category free so no urgency.