Is "class" cruising coming back

[UnorigionalName]

Best explanation I’ve heard.

 

Not sure why it matters to some if others pay more to get a better vacation experience. You see it all the time in the hotel industry. You can pay for Motel 6, in a dicey neighborhood. Or, you can stay at the Four Seasons, in a great part of the city with a much higher level of service and luxury.

 

The ONLY Haven Cabins I’ve ever seen that go for the $7K-$10K often thrown out as pricing are on the newest NCL ship and for much bigger Haven Cabins (like Garden Villas).

 

I’ve NEVER spent more than about $4K for my Haven Suites. While not on the latest ships, I spent around $3K for an Aft Suite (complete with Butler, Concierge, SDP, UBP, internet, etc) on the GEM several months ago.

 

Has nothing to do with the Caste System. You want an inside GTY cabin with no perks, you can get one....cheap!

 

If you want more than that, it costs more.

 

That’s true of ALL the mainstream lines.

 

I think the thing that people dislike the most about it is that it is another space on the ship that the steerage class is shut out of. Everyone would like to relax when they want on the cruise and to find a nice space to lounge, swim, jacuzzi, etc. and the nice places already are packed. So when they make the pay area like the vibe, that area is nice and decompressed but it makes it worse for everyone else who is not paying. Then the Haven would be some of the prime spots on the ship but it's even more exclusive and underutilized, cramming all the proles even more into the common areas.

 

It just in effect reduces the average ship space/passenger for those who don't want to pay.

[graphicguy]

I think the thing that people dislike the most about it is that it is another space on the ship that the steerage class is shut out of. Everyone would like to relax when they want on the cruise and to find a nice space to lounge, swim, jacuzzi, etc. and the nice places already are packed. So when they make the pay area like the vibe, that area is nice and decompressed but it makes it worse for everyone else who is not paying. Then the Haven would be some of the prime spots on the ship but it's even more exclusive and underutilized, cramming all the proles even more into the common areas.

 

It just in effect reduces the average ship space/passenger for those who don't want to pay.

I see what you're saying. On the flip side of that, the Haven areas are on the larger and largest NCL ships, meaning they have more room in general.

 

I think the traditional "let's sit by the pool" cruise type is going away. Not just NCL, but just look how crowded the pool areas are on all cruise lines. They're all crowded and the issue is exacerbated by the "chair hogs" who try to dominate chairs all day, whether they're in them or not.

 

Frankly, I was just off the Getaway a few weeks ago, and I saw plenty of open chairs at the main pools. Granted, this was around 10 a.m. But, I can remember a time if you weren't out by the main pools staking a claim by 7-ish, you were shut out.

 

The Haven is a lot more than just an exclusive area. The cabins are much nicer. The level of service is much better. The pool/lounge areas are much less crowded. You pay for that privilege. But overall, you get a whole level of "upgrade" that's several levels better than what you get for an inside GTY cabin that cost a few hundred dollars.

 

Again, it's not a caste system. You can pick and choose the level of service, food, accommodations, etc you want. Like everywhere else, you pay more....you get more.

[graphicguy]

It was not that expensive a few years ago.

Again, not sure what's going on in Europe. Every time I've been to Europe, it seems like everything costs more than it does in the U.S. I guess cruising is the same way.

[welove2cruise2014]

I see what you're saying. On the flip side of that, the Haven areas are on the larger and largest NCL ships, meaning they have more room in general.

 

I think the traditional "let's sit by the pool" cruise type is going away. Not just NCL, but just look how crowded the pool areas are on all cruise lines. They're all crowded and the issue is exacerbated by the "chair hogs" who try to dominate chairs all day, whether they're in them or not.

 

Frankly, I was just off the Getaway a few weeks ago, and I saw plenty of open chairs at the main pools. Granted, this was around 10 a.m. But, I can remember a time if you weren't out by the main pools staking a claim by 7-ish, you were shut out.

 

The Haven is a lot more than just an exclusive area. The cabins are much nicer. The level of service is much better. The pool/lounge areas are much less crowded. You pay for that privilege. But overall, you get a whole level of "upgrade" that's several levels better than what you get for an inside GTY cabin that cost a few hundred dollars.

 

Again, it's not a caste system. You can pick and choose the level of service, food, accommodations, etc you want. Like everywhere else, you pay more....you get more.

"Pay more get more" makes sense to me. I think though that there are people of the "pay less" mentality that don't necessarily equate "paying less" with "getting less". And therefore feel they are somehow being treated unfairly.

 

Sent from my SM-G930T using Forums mobile app

[missingcruzin]

Yes, and to anyone that says no I say you're simply not paying enough attention to what's going on aboard the past few years. Are you paying for this class system? Yes, we are if desired. We are only a few years away in my opinion where a "3rd class" will only have access to the buffet while having a choice to pay a lower rate. You'll have The Haven (1st class) the MDR (2nd class) and the Lido Buffet (3rd class). It will be reflected in pricing. Think I am crazy? Just wait and see .......

Isn't this something like the "Experiences" on MSC. I think the base experience has only one MDR and a buffet option and can only have set dining times.

 

Sent from my SM-G930V using Forums mobile app

[tallnthensome]

Isn't this something like the "Experiences" on MSC. I think the base experience has only one MDR and a buffet option and can only have set dining times.

 

Sent from my SM-G930V using Forums mobile app

We touched on this earlier in the thread. We sailed Bella on the MSC Seaside in April. You can make a request for MDR seating times with no guarantee what you would get for sure. We requested early and received early. Only the highest experience could have anytime dining. There is and no longer was an overflow of the MDR into the buffet. They added a third MDR seating time. Everything to us was perfect on MSC and the food in the MDR was delicious with great variety. The higher level of experiences didn't offer something we wanted for the extra costs.

[Linda the Book Lover]

"Pay more get more" makes sense to me. I think though that there are people of the "pay less" mentality that don't necessarily equate "paying less" with "getting less". And therefore feel they are somehow being treated unfairly.

 

Sent from my SM-G930T using Forums mobile app

A good statement no matter if it is cruises, hotels, or any vacation. Only you can choose how much you wish to pay for a vacation and then see what that budget will get you.

 

Isn't this something like the "Experiences" on MSC. I think the base experience has only one MDR and a buffet option and can only have set dining times.

 

Sent from my SM-G930V using Forums mobile app

Only the person purchasing their cruise can decide which experience fits your budget. There are so many cruise lines out there with each offering something different. The Experiences on MSC are laid out for every budget. This best describes the new dining changes to MSC:

https://www.msccruisesusa.com/en-us/About-MSC/News/MSC-Cruises-Elevates-Dining-At-Sea-With-Greater-Flexibility.aspx

[detroitlions]

Folks are still not understanding that the prices have gone up drastically in the last 2 years.

 

They think they can still get a haven room for $3000 to $4000. No you can not a standard balcony room for 2 adults and a child is $3000 to $4500. Do a mock booking for next year you will find out.

 

I am still cruising but I am not paying $7000 and up for a haven room. I don't think it is worth it at all. And I will not cruise just NCL like I used to there will be deals from the other lines on new ships that I will go on.

 

I can go to Europe for a week with my family for $7000 to 10000 easy.

So right now I still find value in a balcony room when that goes away I go away no big deal I will be doing other things I enjoy I will not be upset.

[Trimone]

Why would someone with class? Don’t quite know what that means these days, bother with NCL ? Silversea and others offer a better standard of everything throughout the whole ship, in reality the haven is like buying a mid range car and adding extras, when you could purchase the real thing!

[sverigecruiser]

Why would someone with class? Don’t quite know what that means these days, bother with NCL ? Silversea and others offer a better standard of everything throughout the whole ship, in reality the haven is like buying a mid range car and adding extras, when you could purchase the real thing!

 

 

How many Silversea ships has as many restaurants as any NCL ship? I like the service and attention I get in the Haven but I also like to be able to be more anonymous for a while and I don't think that I can get that on Silversea.

[Trimone]

How many Silversea ships has as many restaurants as any NCL ship? I like the service and attention I get in the Haven but I also like to be able to be more anonymous for a while and I don't think that I can get that on Silversea.

 

It’s not the quantity, it’s the quality, I agree if you want to retreat the Haven can be perfect, it’s just gone very expensive in comparison with 5/6 star cruises

[RDH377]

I really liked this post. Yes, my family and I are cruising in the haven in December. Yes, we expect certain perks that we are paying for. It is worth it to us as we are multi-generational, most of the family speaks no/limited English, and the purpose of the trip is to gather the family in comfortable surroundings for conversation/visiting together while getting to visit an island or two. Will we complain if the butler forgets to refill the water pitcher one day? Hopefully, we will not.

 

On an aside, I really do not know where the assumed 7 to 10k price (mentioned in the thread if not this post) to cruise in the haven comes from. Granted this is the families first cruise but,

 

1. We are doing a GV on the Gem.

2. 7 people in the 3 bedroom suite (3 couples in the bedrooms, 1 solo on one of the living room sofa beds)

3. Total cost for the 7, with all the NCL perks and incentives, and including insurance, and prepaid gratuities is approximately 3k a person for a 7 day. Yes, we know that the butler and concierge tips are extra.

 

If people can cite where 2 person suites are that ridiculous price, please do NOT tell me as I do not want to know. I prefer our blissful ignorance. By the way, it is my first cruise because I never wanted to pay a "singles supplement" so I never did. One of the "perks" of now being married. Have a nice day.

 

 

 

Solo, cheapo traveler here. I have very mixed feelings about you Haven people (smile) On one hand, I appreciate the fact that you are willing to pay $7000-10,000 for a room for a week and book that room 2 years in advance because that exact room is that important to you. That allows me to pay $359 for my inside sail away room for the same departure. Are you getting 20-30 times more the experience than I? I don't think so- you might. As someone mentioned upthread earlier, I buy a spa pass. I spend the week in the thermal suite and find my bliss. That makes me a bad revenue passenger- I don't go to the casino or shop in the stores or go to the art auctions- I just float there in the bubble tub and smile. I listen to Haven folks here discuss how much to tip the butler and how disappointed/angry/upset they were that they were not properly recognized by a bartender for being a Haven guest and that they were not given priority seating to (fill in the blank). To someone like me, that complaint sounds self indulgent and snotty, but to the person who paid 30 times my fare, they likely felt justified.

 

Different perspectives.

 

As far as paying double, etc- I sailed solo on MSC years ago with no problems. Now there are a number of people with stories about how they can't book on that line as a solo or the solo trip is that much more expensive. Guess what? Same on Carnival and Royal Caribbean. The easiest, most sane way is to simply approach a solo booking as the cost of the cabin for the trip rather than per person. After all, you buy the hotel room and the car- you don't pay by the bed or the seat. NCL offers some amazing deals to solos and downright steals fi you can go last minute. I did a cruise on the Pearl for $50 a day. You can't eat for $50 a day on vacation, much less a room and transportation.

[sverigecruiser]

It’s not the quantity, it’s the quality, I agree if you want to retreat the Haven can be perfect, it’s just gone very expensive in comparison with 5/6 star cruises

 

You said "better standard of everything" and if someone want more restaurants that's not correct. I agree that's about quantity but if someone want that Silversea doesn't offer better standard when it comes to the number of restaurants.

 

I prefer one good restaurant instead of many not so good restaurants but the Haven restaurant is good enough for me.

 

I agree with you that Haven is too expensive now so I have no plans to cruise on NCL soon.

[sverigecruiser]

If people can cite where 2 person suites are that ridiculous price, please do NOT tell me as I do not want to know. I prefer our blissful ignorance. By the way, it is my first cruise because I never wanted to pay a "singles supplement" so I never did. One of the "perks" of now being married. Have a nice day.

 

I can cite it but won't do it!

[sverigecruiser]

On an aside, I really do not know where the assumed 7 to 10k price (mentioned in the thread if not this post) to cruise in the haven comes from. Granted this is the families first cruise but,

 

1. We are doing a GV on the Gem.

2. 7 people in the 3 bedroom suite (3 couples in the bedrooms, 1 solo on one of the living room sofa beds)

3. Total cost for the 7, with all the NCL perks and incentives, and including insurance, and prepaid gratuities is approximately 3k a person for a 7 day. Yes, we know that the butler and concierge tips are extra.

 

As you probably know the first two persons in the suite is the highest cost and when you add more people the average cost gets lower. Because of that you only have to pay 3k each.

 

You get a supernice suite on one of the older ships for $21000 and I agree that if you split that in seven shares it's not to bad but you can't really compare 2 with 7 in one suite.

 

Do you know how much the suite should cost for 2 persons?

[RDC1]

Right.

 

A "class system" would imply that someone who had the money and preference, but was of the "wrong" class, could NOT then purchase the upgraded experience.

 

To suggest that it's a class system because some people pay more for suites (in cruise ships or hotels), or pay more for larger houses instead of smaller homes, or because some people pay less for smaller or used cars rather than larger/fancier/more expensive cars is... not understanding "class systems".

 

Sadly, there are still some situations/places where some of the above is still true, but I don't think "cruising" is generally (or ever, these days) among them.

 

RM

Hate to tell you but even on the old ocean lines the class as in first class, second class, etc, what is usually referred to when people talk about returning to a class system on cruise ships was entirely determined by what someone paid.

 

We are not talking about an Indian caste system, we are talking about cruise ship going back to the old ocean line type classes based upon ticket purchased.

[sailandcruise]

I think the class system has always been in place..that's why you can cruise from 700 pp to $7,000 pp for a typical 1 week cruise...its all just whats important to you. there are certain amenities that you pay for and those that are free.. that said its nice of NCL to offer the upgrade system for those of us who cannot write a check for a ship within a ship HAVEN. We were upgraded our last cruise to the Haven and I must tell you...at the Breakaway Haven Bar it was like the who's who of the ship... guys wore Tommy Bahama printed shirts with penny loafers and fancy braided belts holding up their neatly pressed chino shorts. The ladies were adorned with flowing summer dresses with "Red Sole" heels with well quaffed just left the salon hairstyles along with their Louis Vuitton "statement handbag" resting on the bar. They were lamenting over politics and 2nd vacation homes while sipping "through a straw" a well made muddled Mojito for her and for him a deep red glass of 1979 Chateau Lafite Rothschild while periodically glancing down at their Breitling Chronomat 41 timepiece awaiting their reservation at the captains table. I was just an onlooker and i felt privileged to be afforded a glance into their world.

Best,

Mark

 

With the UBP, anyone can be "well quaffed" nowadays. ;p

[ClarkBHM]

Why do the cruise lines differentiate anyway? To maximize profits, of course. An excellent video that describes the concept well is this one discussing the Economics of Airline Class. Go on and watch, I'll wait here. (whistle, whistle)

 

Got it? Now apply the lessons learned to the cruise line industry. They've found that they can maximize revenue per square foot by having different categories or classes of cruisers. In essence, the people who are paying more (and getting more) are likely subsidizing the cheaper fairs that "steerage" is paying for the same cruise.

[graphicguy]

Folks are still not understanding that the prices have gone up drastically in the last 2 years.

 

They think they can still get a haven room for $3000 to $4000. No you can not a standard balcony room for 2 adults and a child is $3000 to $4500. Do a mock booking for next year you will find out.

 

I am still cruising but I am not paying $7000 and up for a haven room. I don't think it is worth it at all. And I will not cruise just NCL like I used to there will be deals from the other lines on new ships that I will go on.

 

I can go to Europe for a week with my family for $7000 to 10000 easy.

So right now I still find value in a balcony room when that goes away I go away no big deal I will be doing other things I enjoy I will not be upset.

 

I just sailed in a Haven Suite on the Getaway a few weeks ago. I paid ~$4K. That did not include $1,000+ in OBC, and the UBP, SDP, the internet minutes, the Excusrion credits, etc. Those were all a bonus.

 

Back in the Spring, I sailed on the GEM in an Aft Suite. Not in the Haven as it’s teeny-tiny on the GEM. But, I got all the perks....$800 OBC, UBP, SDP, etc. Paid right around $3K.

 

So, to say someone can’t or didn’t. I have! Not sure where you’re coming from or what you’re looking at.

[sverigecruiser]

I just sailed in a Haven Suite on the Getaway a few weeks ago. I paid ~$4K. That did not include $1,000+ in OBC, and the UBP, SDP, the internet minutes, the Excusrion credits, etc. Those were all a bonus.

 

 

I just looked at the prices for Getaway Cruises next spring and the cheapest suites was almost 6000 Euro for two persons. That's around $7000.

 

As I understand it the Excursion credit is included in that price but nothing more. (I may be wrong but that's what I see without doing the booking.)

[graphicguy]

I just looked at the prices for Getaway Cruises next spring and the cheapest suites was almost 6000 Euro for two persons. That's around $7000.

 

As I understand it the Excursion credit is included in that price but nothing more. (I may be wrong but that's what I see without doing the booking.)

Again, not sure if you’re looking at high season, or my TA is really that good (which they are). But, I have not seen those kind of prices over the past year when I was looking to book.

 

I’ll keep booking with who I book with because it seems my pricing is inexplicably better than yours.

 

Not saying one is wrong or right. Just I’m seeing different pricing.

 

Maybe it’s because I don’t go though NCL directly?

 

I use a well known and respected on line TA that’s based in the U.S.

[takeadip]

"I bet if an NCL ship ever sinks the people on the lower decks will be locked below like on the Titanic. I heard a rumor the Haven has their own dedicated lifeboat with better rations stored on board and an emergency butler.

"

 

Funny you mention that because while not in the Haven as Dawn does not have one, I am in an Owners Suite and heard that I could tip my Butler $50, hand them my key cards, and he would "attend" the life boat drill for us, so we would not have to associate with the "rabble". We will be escorted to our own private lifeboat in the case of evacuation anyway so why actually attend the life boat drill??:rolleyes::rolleyes::');p

 

true story....wifw and i went out on our balcony and closed the curtain on the inside...we sat out there enjoying the view when my wife said...boy..the ship is so quiet..where is everybody??? turns out they were all at the lifeboat safety drill that we missed.

still had a great cruise and never felt safer that we were surrounded by 3500 people who now know exactly what to do in case there was an emergency...lol

[havenfan]

As you probably know the first two persons in the suite is the highest cost and when you add more people the average cost gets lower. Because of that you only have to pay 3k each.

 

You get a supernice suite on one of the older ships for $21000 and I agree that if you split that in seven shares it's not to bad but you can't really compare 2 with 7 in one suite.

 

Do you know how much the suite should cost for 2 persons?

That's not really a useful question. It's a three-bedroom suite with a king-size bed in each bedroom. Even the smaller bedrooms are similar to suites in themselves. A better comparison would be with six people in three suites.

 

We recently took a cruise almost identical to the poster you're responding to. Six people, multi-generational in a GV on the Pearl. We paid $19K before service charges, port taxes, etc. The six of us in three mini-suites would have been $15K on a like-for-like basis. The six of us were very satisfied with the value for the $4K difference (suite privileges, Moderno breakfast and lunches, a stonking big living room, private hot tub and deck). I think three penthouse suites (non-Haven) would have been $24K, but I don't remember the exact numbers.

 

The Haven in the Jewel class is much more less expensive than on the newer ships. We are a family of four with two smallish children. We can afford not to have to jam all of us in one cabin when we sail. We can still get a Haven Courtyard 2-Bedroom for not much more than two mini-suites. For us, the Haven on the Jewel class ships is very good value.

[havenfan]

The Haven in the Jewel class is much more less expensive than on the newer ships.

The Haven in the Jewel class is much less expensive than on the newer ships.

[sverigecruiser]

Again, not sure if you’re looking at high season, or my TA is really that good (which they are). But, I have not seen those kind of prices over the past year when I was looking to book.

 

I’ll keep booking with who I book with because it seems my pricing is inexplicably better than yours.

 

Not saying one is wrong or right. Just I’m seeing different pricing.

 

Maybe it’s because I don’t go though NCL directly?

 

I use a well known and respected on line TA that’s based in the U.S.

 

I looked on all cruises January to March. I guess that's high season.

 

I think the reason for the high prices may be that it's what I have to pay when booking the cruise in Europe.