Haven = Bleh

[collectingcoke]

Kids shouldn’t be allowed in the haven pool area. That’s why there are slides and pools on the pool deck. Or put the kids in the kids programs, we pay to relax in peace not listen to your kids splashing and taking up the spas in the haven area.

[Barb Nahoumi]

We try to book longer cruises during times when school is in session. But it is not always children who cause disturbances. Adults who have "over imbibed," can be very obnoxious.

 

I wonder why parents who wish for some time away from their little darlings, don't sign them up for Splash Academy, rather than let them run loose in the haven.

[apietros]

Kids shouldn’t be allowed in the haven pool area. That’s why there are slides and pools on the pool deck. Or put the kids in the kids programs, we pay to relax in peace not listen to your kids splashing and taking up the spas in the haven area.

 

 

 

Why? Is their money not green?

 

 

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[Two Wheels Only]

Kids shouldn’t be allowed in the haven pool area. That’s why there are slides and pools on the pool deck. Or put the kids in the kids programs, we pay to relax in peace not listen to your kids splashing and taking up the spas in the haven area.

The Haven is marketed to families....always has been.

[notafanofthecold]

Guess what. Those kids are also paying to be there. Man people are unbelievable. I totally agree that children should behave properly but they have as much right to be in the hot tub as you! Go to the adult only area if you don’t want to see children. This is a family cruiseline. 😫😫

Kids shouldn’t be allowed in the haven pool area. That’s why there are slides and pools on the pool deck. Or put the kids in the kids programs, we pay to relax in peace not listen to your kids splashing and taking up the spas in the haven area.

[gja360]

Kids shouldn’t be allowed in the haven pool area. That’s why there are slides and pools on the pool deck. Or put the kids in the kids programs, we pay to relax in peace not listen to your kids splashing and taking up the spas in the haven area.

 

And I pay to have a vacation with my kids.....

[dgparent]

NCL should do the same thing with the Haven as they do with those $1 deposit deals. You can't book a suite/haven on the $1 or $50 deposit and you should not get the 3rd/4th person free either in the Haven, this would reduce the number of parents that think "Hey look we can book a great suite and someone else can look after our kids"

[AlexandNessa]

NCL should do the same thing with the Haven as they do with those $1 deposit deals. You can't book a suite/haven on the $1 or $50 deposit and you should not get the 3rd/4th person free either in the Haven, this would reduce the number of parents that think "Hey look we can book a great suite and someone else can look after our kids"

I would tend to agree that 3rd and 4th sail free shouldn't apply to Haven. But any relief from families not booking Haven without 3rd/4th sailing free would be negated by all those families winning Haven bids since bid amounts only apply to first two guests anyway.

 

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[MizDemeanor]

NCL should do the same thing with the Haven as they do with those $1 deposit deals. You can't book a suite/haven on the $1 or $50 deposit and you should not get the 3rd/4th person free either in the Haven, this would reduce the number of parents that think "Hey look we can book a great suite and someone else can look after our kids"

 

 

 

Like who? Haven has kid care now?

 

 

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[Two Wheels Only]

NCL should do the same thing with the Haven as they do with those $1 deposit deals. You can't book a suite/haven on the $1 or $50 deposit and you should not get the 3rd/4th person free either in the Haven, this would reduce the number of parents that think "Hey look we can book a great suite and someone else can look after our kids"

During the months/holidays that have the most children sailing, there usually isn't "3rd and 4th free" available.

 

The deposit size doesn't really matter. The reason that NCL doesn't offer the small deposits for suites is that if people back out, it is more difficult to fill a suite at regular price.

 

If someone could deposit $1 on a suite, they and everyone else would and would also book a balcony or mini-suite. Nearly all suites would be up for bid at a discounted price after the mass cancellations.

[DarkJedi]

Kids shouldn’t be allowed in the haven pool area. That’s why there are slides and pools on the pool deck. Or put the kids in the kids programs, we pay to relax in peace not listen to your kids splashing and taking up the spas in the haven area.

 

The Haven is marketed to families and being a children's play area. You can't blame the parents or the children for using it exactly the way NCL designed it. You can only blame NCL for marketing it as something it isn't and taking away the adult areas to the point that you have to pay extra just to have adult time.

[ClarkBHM]

NCL should do the same thing with the Haven as they do with those $1 deposit deals. You can't book a suite/haven on the $1 or $50 deposit and you should not get the 3rd/4th person free either in the Haven, this would reduce the number of parents that think "Hey look we can book a great suite and someone else can look after our kids"

 

I'd be ok with that if the newer ships had 2-BR suites that were outside of the Haven. But since that's the only place I can go to get the room I want, I'd prefer they keep the deal.

[FLcruisergrl]

Guess what. Those kids are also paying to be there. Man people are unbelievable. I totally agree that children should behave properly but they have as much right to be in the hot tub as you! Go to the adult only area if you don’t want to see children. This is a family cruiseline. 😫😫

 

Completely agree. Well said.

[skierjj]

Oh man, I completely diss agree with op.

Given, it was our first and only time in the Haven, we are in love with our experience on the Escape (during Christmas week!) and probably can never go back to “regular” NCL cruising.

In fact we bumped ourselves up to the Haven for our Panama Canal cruise on the new Bliss.

Our Escape Haven cabin was a spa cabin that did include the thermal suite, and we had our own in suite hot tub, but we used all of the hot tubs through out the Haven over the course of 7 days. No issue with kids or adults. Everybody was on their best behavior, even when Santa arrived in the Haven.

Food, entertainment was excellent. Our butter and concierge made our trip unbelievably great and comfortable, treating us like royalty. We had UBP and UDP. Loved having 1st place in line for tendering and shows. What was not to love?

 

 

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[bmwman]

Kids shouldn’t be allowed in the haven pool area. That’s why there are slides and pools on the pool deck. Or put the kids in the kids programs, we pay to relax in peace not listen to your kids splashing and taking up the spas in the haven area.

 

Absolute rubbish. How do you define a kid. On the Epic last year we saw adults splashing shouting and causing havoc in the Haven - They had paid for Haven and were going to use it. Indeed as this was a large group security said there was little they could do. Shall we ban large groups and ell them they have H2O.

 

If you do not want Children on your cruise do not book NCL and if you want luxury without children do not book Haven. Haven is a poor mans upgrade rather than booking on a 5 or 6 star cruise line.

 

What I do admire though is NCL in how they have marketed it and getting such premium prices.

 

As to first place in line and priority tendering well the latter Platinum get and I would queue for 1/2 and hour rather than pay the silly prices for Haven.

[bmwman]

I would tend to agree that 3rd and 4th sail free shouldn't apply to Haven. But any relief from families not booking Haven without 3rd/4th sailing free would be negated by all those families winning Haven bids since bid amounts only apply to first two guests anyway.

 

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The third and forth place free has to stay for Haven as they simply cannot fill it otherwise.

 

Also how would NCL deal with upgrade fro 4 people if they had to pay the full price for 3 /4 persons form say a mini suite.

 

It is without a doubt the best marketing I have seen in a long time.

 

Uneconomic prices for a product that is exclusive, but is not on a ship where once outside the Haven is the same for all. UBP and UDP all "free" or priced in from the UK so not worth worrying about.

 

Our kids are grown up now but when they were younger and in the Haven (before the silly pricing) with us they did not shout or run around but as soon as other children turned up we had our work cut out but WE would be embarrassed if they made a noise so as to disturb others that was our values. Sadly not everyone shares that value and you have to accept that so if you want piece an quiet go elsewhere there plenty of tonnage out there on the high seas.

[dexddd]

It's a haven from the grossly undersized and overcrowded one main pool for 5,000 people. Though granted, the main pool is adults only and more of a haven from brats and inconsiderate parents than the Haven...

 

Personally I think spice H2O is more of a haven, if you could only find a deck chair.

 

That is more or less what DW said when we sailed BA and would go into Haven area. Plus the crammed atrium area.

[newmexicoNita]

Absolute rubbish. How do you define a kid. On the Epic last year we saw adults splashing shouting and causing havoc in the Haven - They had paid for Haven and were going to use it. Indeed as this was a large group security said there was little they could do. Shall we ban large groups and ell them they have H2O.

 

If you do not want Children on your cruise do not book NCL and if you want luxury without children do not book Haven. Haven is a poor mans upgrade rather than booking on a 5 or 6 star cruise line.

 

What I do admire though is NCL in how they have marketed it and getting such premium prices.

 

As to first place in line and priority tendering well the latter Platinum get and I would queue for 1/2 and hour rather than pay the silly prices for Haven.

I have to agree with you 100% and yes, there are times when the kids, regardless of where they are get out of hand. There are some parents that do not teach the kids how to behave and I am the first one tho gripe about young children eating in specialty dining rooms, especially Le Bistro which is usually a long dinner experience for little ones. But if a family chooses to pay for the Haven or any other cabin that includes certain special areas they have every right to enjoy what they have paid for and enjoy it as a family. I do think adults who would rather not be around busy kids need to find a place on the ship that is not going to attract the younger set or travel on ships that are not as likely to have a bunch of kids sailing.

 

That being said; parents do try and realize there are people who really would rather your kids keep the noise level down a bit and leave the hot tubs to the adults.

[dexddd]

Was it Presidents week when most schools are closed? That would be just like booking during spring break or summer.....

 

People keep mentioning Spring Break. We sailed on BA spring break out of NYC and the Haven was very quiet and few kids. Only real thing was the family that changed their kid in the Haven area while they could have easily gone to one of the large bathrooms nearby.

 

Bottom line - you are not sure what you'll have until you get on the ship.

[bmwman]

I have to agree with you 100% and yes, there are times when the kids, regardless of where they are get out of hand. There are some parents that do not teach the kids how to behave and I am the first one tho gripe about young children eating in specialty dining rooms, especially Le Bistro which is usually a long dinner experience for little ones. But if a family chooses to pay for the Haven or any other cabin that includes certain special areas they have every right to enjoy what they have paid for and enjoy it as a family. I do think adults who would rather not be around busy kids need to find a place on the ship that is not going to attract the younger set or travel on ships that are not as likely to have a bunch of kids sailing.

 

That being said; parents do try and realize there are people who really would rather your kids keep the noise level down a bit and leave the hot tubs to the adults.

 

Thanks - I know exactly what you mean about Le Bistro. The issue is this NCL is a family cruise line and not 5 or 6 star and you are always going to get children.

 

What you say is the actually the cornerstone - if they pay then why not. Children makes a noise and people need to get over it. Stop thinking "I am in the Haven" and I have paid. So have others Its NOT exclusive. If you want exclusive then open your wallets and go Seabourn. The service there is truly amazing and exclusive.

[rbt001]

We have sailed the Breakaway Haven in early December a few times. Last December there was a family with two kids who screamed in the pool. When Dad came it got much worse. The year before there was a family that would entertain their young child with the iPad in the Haven restaurant playing classics like ‘wheels on the bus’ at a loud volume for all to enjoy.

 

Next month I'll be sailing for the first time in The Haven and have been excited as I look forward to "all things great" about the experience.

 

And then I find this thread! Reading all the OP's comments, it becomes obvious to me there's an emotional negative bias.... especially when through their eyes they reported "5000+" at the pool.

 

Mid-March probably does mean more families. Reading some of the bad parenting experiences related by others on here brought back memories of those times I've had to endure mommy and/or daddy believing it was okay to let their children make the environment uncomfortable for others.

 

My takeaways from the thread:

 

-get staff involved, expecting them to resolve the issue.

 

And for the parents who feel it's okay to let their children use devices without earbuds, I've packed my Beats Pill, which pumps out exceptionally loud and high quality sound. First, of course, I'll ask if the policy is to permit devices without earbuds, pointing to the offending table. If the answer is "no," and they correct the issue, great. But if there's any push back from staff or they're unable to silence them, then out comes my device, which I think will help them resolve the issue.

 

In reality, I doubt I'll need to do that. I hope not. I'm looking forward to a great time.

[DarkJedi]

That is more or less what DW said when we sailed BA and would go into Haven area. Plus the crammed atrium area.

 

We cruised the Epic last year. found the ship to be extremely crowded during sea days or when at GSC. The lines for anything were very long. At night it wasn't as bad, but most activities were shut down. The club had young teenagers in it hanging out with obvious 20-30 year olds and the few 40+ that always seem to hang around hoping someone gets drunk enough. We did use the out door hot tub one night after 10pm, and even then we shared it with 3 kids (teens). The hot tub next to it had 5 kids in it, no adults.

Most of the time we spent in the spa or up on the freestyle deck when on board. Although I have since learned that the freestyle deck is gone and now is another place for children.

 

Except for the kids in the nightclub and casino I didn't see anything wrong with the kids. Yes, there was yelling and screaming out by the main pool. There was running on the decks and back and forth to the ice cream. Kids being kids.

 

What NCL needs to do is just admit that they are marketing their cruises to drunk adults and families and get over the rest of it.

[bmwman]

We cruised the Epic last year. found the ship to be extremely crowded during sea days or when at GSC. The lines for anything were very long. At night it wasn't as bad, but most activities were shut down. The club had young teenagers in it hanging out with obvious 20-30 year olds and the few 40+ that always seem to hang around hoping someone gets drunk enough. We did use the out door hot tub one night after 10pm, and even then we shared it with 3 kids (teens). The hot tub next to it had 5 kids in it, no adults.

Most of the time we spent in the spa or up on the freestyle deck when on board. Although I have since learned that the freestyle deck is gone and now is another place for children.

 

Except for the kids in the nightclub and casino I didn't see anything wrong with the kids. Yes, there was yelling and screaming out by the main pool. There was running on the decks and back and forth to the ice cream. Kids being kids.

 

What NCL needs to do is just admit that they are marketing their cruises to drunk adults and families and get over the rest of it.

 

Perfect

[cynbar]

We were looking at the Haven for our next cruise, but this thread has made us seriously reconsider. We have sailed in the Haven before and had no issue with out of control kids, but apparently that is the luck of the draw. I have no problem with kids in the Haven, but I would have a problem with out of control kids. I do understand that NCL is geared towards families, but they also have to understand that the experiences described here would be unsettling to most adult cruisers. They obviously can't be all things to all people. So, as adult cruisers whose kids are grown, we will take our business elsewhere.

[DarkJedi]

So, as adult cruisers whose kids are grown, we will take our business elsewhere.

 

It seems to be the general consensus among CC members that if you are not willing to tolerate their children doing whatever they want, you should not go anyplace that can possibly allow their children to go. So yes, you should look elsewhere or limit your vacations to whenever they are not taking their's. But whatever you do, you should not expect them to control their children.