A (mostly) loyal Royal tries NCL

[drmomsc]

Thanks to everyone here on Cruise Critic- we decided to check out the Haven and see what all the raving was about. I love reading comparisons across lines, so I thought I would add my personal opinion.

 

I have been on Carnival, Princess, Disney and Royal. We are gold on Disney (when kids were young) and are diamond on Royal (once kids turned teenagers). We mostly sail in RCCL suites, most recently crown lofts on Allure and Oasis.

 

I have read so much about the Haven, I decided I needed to give NCL a try. We just got off the Epic and I must say- we LOVED the Haven. I was so sad to leave!

 

I will try to compare each category:

 

Cabins: both are wonderful. I liked the crown loft a little more than the 2BR Haven (can't beat the view! and I love the huge rain shower in the loft), but the second bedroom was so nice for my son. I thought the view of the ocean from the shower would be nice on our 2BR, but the window was always a little dirty and the view did not wow as I hoped.

 

Suite (Haven) restaurant: both excellent. I think service was more personal on NCL- they always called us by name. I wish NCL would change the menu midway through the cruise like Coastal Kitchen does...

 

Specialty restaurants: we ate in Cagney's (good, not great), Le Bistro (very good) and La Cucina (disappointing). I think 150 Central Park and Giovanni's are a bit better than these three. But, at the end of the day, the Haven restaurant beat them all.

 

Entertainment: loved Priscilla of the Desert! The comedians were good and the venue size was better than other ships, yet still intimate (Headliners). Haven seats are better than RCCL suite seats in the main theater.

 

Bars: I was afraid that the bars would be awful given that everyone has the drink package. I was so wrong! Service was quick and wonderful. Drinks were yummy and strong.

 

The Haven pool was delightful and nicer than the RCCL sundeck (no pool). I wish Posh had a shower like RCCL sundeck had though.

 

Concierge: so helpful! He was worth every penny for the tender escort and debarkation! Better than RCCL.

 

Butler: very nice. We didn't utilize him much (we do not like eating meals in our cabin), but he was always offering help.

 

Overall impression: We are no longer loyal to Royal, but I do see us cruising both lines, depending on price and itinerary. I do not know whether I would feel the same way if we had not been in the Haven. The Haven definitely won us over and I already booked a cruise in 2020 with my CruiseNext certificates.

[maja651]

Thank you for your review. We have only sailed NCL but I’m sort of dying to try one of the large RCCL ships. Can you let me know what perks suites in those ships come with? Do they have a butler? Concierge? Meals in rooms? Priority embarkation and debarkation? Drink package?

[OCruisers]

Very much appreciate your review! (y)

[Clarea]

Enjoyed the comparison report, thanks!

[brookie848]

Thank you for your review. We have only sailed NCL but I’m sort of dying to try one of the large RCCL ships. Can you let me know what perks suites in those ships come with? Do they have a butler? Concierge? Meals in rooms? Priority embarkation and debarkation? Drink package?

 

I've researched Royal suites, and there is no simple answer to this question. The perks are dependent on both the ship you are on and the cabin you book. There are three suite categories (and those may not include junior suites) and be careful when researching, because I think they are changing the names/benefits associated with certain suites.

Unlike NCL where your standard suite offerings are across the board (butler, concierge, at least a restaurant for breakfast and lunch), the Royal suites are much more dependent on the type of cabin you have booked. For example, only the highest category of suites have a genie (their combination of butler/concierge).

I'd consider trying them some day, but it will take a bit of research to figure out what benefits I would get.

 

To the original poster -- we loved the Epic Haven. It is the best Haven, but the Escape's Haven is a nice second place.

[jdvmd]

Glad you enjoyed!

[BNBR]

Thank you for your review. We have only sailed NCL but I’m sort of dying to try one of the large RCCL ships. Can you let me know what perks suites in those ships come with? Do they have a butler? Concierge? Meals in rooms? Priority embarkation and debarkation? Drink package?

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/royalsuiteclass

 

Sky Class would be your most typical suite and does not include a butler but does have concierge. As the OP said, they normally sail Crown Loft on Oasis-class and that's probably the type of room you would want to sail as well if your first time.

 

Sky Class will get you complimentary drinks only during the cocktail hour but will give you free internet. Star class is where you'll get complimentary just about everything including drinks, restaurants, etc. and includes a Genie (which is like a supercharged Butler), but it's pricey.

[graphicguy]

OP......good read. Thanks!

[Hearthosesteeldrumsplayin]

Thanks for the comparison, OP! We have only done 1 suite with RCCL (on the smallest ship), but many other cruises with them. We have done mostly HAVEN with NCL. I agree with your assessment that the Suite life is the way to go on NCL....otherwise, not sure I would be as happy as with a regular RCCL cabin. (however, I am willing to cruise just about any time, so.....) ;)

[drmomsc]

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/royalsuiteclass

 

 

 

Sky Class would be your most typical suite and does not include a butler but does have concierge. As the OP said, they normally sail Crown Loft on Oasis-class and that's probably the type of room you would want to sail as well if your first time.

 

 

 

Sky Class will get you complimentary drinks only during the cocktail hour but will give you free internet. Star class is where you'll get complimentary just about everything including drinks, restaurants, etc. and includes a Genie (which is like a supercharged Butler), but it's pricey.

 

 

 

Thank you for answering better than I would have done.

 

With the crown loft we did get priority embarkation and debarkation. We do not eating in our cabin, so I don’t know about meals. The concierge was good, but always had a line... I rarely had to wait for the concierge on the Epic.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Gershep]

Thanks for your review/comparisons.