Possibly unpopular opinion - Havanna area is meh

[CHMan00]

For us the Havana interior is worth it. True, we could have had a balcony on almost any deck for about the same price, but the benefit of walking just a few feet and having a bar, and a whole pool deck without 2000 people on it, outweigh the benefits of the balcony.

I would never pay the premium for a Havana balcony or Cabana cabin though. IMO, there is not enough extras to justify that huge premium Carnival charges.

[nissach]

42 minutes ago, CHMan00 said:

For us the Havana interior is worth it. True, we could have had a balcony on almost any deck for about the same price, but the benefit of walking just a few feet and having a bar, and a whole pool deck without 2000 people on it, outweigh the benefits of the balcony.

I would never pay the premium for a Havana balcony or Cabana cabin though. IMO, there is not enough extras to justify that huge premium Carnival charges.

This is exactly why we are choosing an interior Havana room.

[Butterbean1000]

17 hours ago, GUT2407 said:

If it doesn’t suit your needs, don’t book it.

I think that is what  everyone is saying.  I don't see anyone being "riled" up. I see people stating opinions pro and con. Opinions are like belly buttons, everyone has one.  Everyone enjoy your cruise how ever it fits you! 😎

[JaniceB]

21 hours ago, SNJCruisers said:

I would recommend that you limit your possible Havana area bookings to the 3 Vista Class ships (Vista, Horizon, Panorama).  On the Mardi Gras, Carnival had decided to add additional cabins that have access to the area, while at the same time eliminate the hot tubs and reduce the size of the pool.  They were more concerned about the new Loft 19 area and the Havana area was an afterthought relegated to the side of the ship instead of the aft position on deck 5 that it claims on the 3 Vista Class ships.

I did not know that they changed the whole location of the Havana are to the side.  

21 hours ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

I think the biggest appeal of the Havana area is the ability to lounge around the pool/spa area in an environment far less hectic than the Lido pool(s) area.  Since I live in Florida and have a pool/spa in my backyard, the Havana area doesn’t really appeal to me since I have a similar area at home. Plus I don’t spend too much time outside on the ship on most days. When I do spend time outside, I find the Serenity areas more than adequate, with the exception of Sunshine.  

What is wrong with the Serenity on the Sunshine, it looks amazing? 

 

I chose the Havana area for my next cruise for the pool and bar area.  I love the Serenity on the Spirit class ships but do not enjoy the forward facing Serenity areas.  I think the Havana area may replicate the Spirit class Serenity areas that I love.

 

[PhillyFan33579]

6 minutes ago, JaniceB said:

I did not know that they changed the whole location of the Havana are to the side.  

What is wrong with the Serenity on the Sunshine, it looks amazing? 

 

I chose the Havana area for my next cruise for the pool and bar area.  I love the Serenity on the Spirit class ships but do not enjoy the forward facing Serenity areas.  I think the Havana area may replicate the Spirit class Serenity areas that I love.

 

 

The Serenity area on Sunshine is way too loud because it is located right next to the Lido pool deck. Even on the third level of the Serenity area you can clearly hear noise from the Lido area. 

 

I think the Serenity area on Spirit class ships are by far the best Serenity areas on any Carnival ship. 

[Matlily]

I get all the opinions, we love the havana area, no kids under 12 allowed during the day, our own bar is better than 5 rows deep trying to get a drink or a waitress. We have a group of 30+ going all with havana rooms its going to be our party that week!  We book the Havana interior (they have interiors, balonies and cabanas and our group has a mixture of all).  its so nice not to have to fight over lounge chairs or wonder off to have lunch and we can come back to our area.  We dont always book Havana but if its available we will.   

[johno1234]

I wonder if Carnival have considered this: folk who elect not to purchase a Havana cabin are likely to actively avoid ships that have them. This definitely applies to me. Don't get me wrong: I would consider a HC if I was cruising without the kids. But if with them, or if not wanting to pay the extra $, I would avoid these ships. By having a restricted area, the company are actively and intentionally reducing space and increasing crowding for the rest of their patrons.

 

 

 

[Saint Greg]

I stopped by Havana on Vista a couple nights. It was dead. Waste of space at night. I'd much rather have a bigger comedy club and dedicated night club which is basically what was sacrificed for that space.

[Remus2010]

I have not been stayed in the Havana area yet, but we do have 2 booked.   I think it will be worth the money to me, mostly because I don't like the loud, chaotic main pool areas.  I cruise to have a relaxing vacation.  I do agree with others that if Carnival did a better job, controlling the CHOGS this area may not be as important to me.  People are saying they feel they would miss stuff on the Lido because they are not there, but I miss things happening on the Lido because I am afraid to leave my chair in serenity and not find another comparable one.    This way I can come and go as I please and always have a spot.  No loud music, no screaming kids, no chogs, no splashing in the pool, and not overrun hot tubs.  Just my thoughts.  Very excited.

[PhillyFan33579]

6 hours ago, Remus2010 said:

I have not been stayed in the Havana area yet, but we do have 2 booked.   I think it will be worth the money to me, mostly because I don't like the loud, chaotic main pool areas.  I cruise to have a relaxing vacation.  I do agree with others that if Carnival did a better job, controlling the CHOGS this area may not be as important to me.  People are saying they feel they would miss stuff on the Lido because they are not there, but I miss things happening on the Lido because I am afraid to leave my chair in serenity and not find another comparable one.    This way I can come and go as I please and always have a spot.  No loud music, no screaming kids, no chogs, no splashing in the pool, and not overrun hot tubs.  Just my thoughts.  Very excited.

 

There are other cruise lines that provide a far more relaxing experience than Carnival.  Carnival markets themselves as Fun Ships,  so not exactly the best ships for a quiet, relaxing vacation. 

[TG6]

On 5/15/2019 at 11:04 AM, Mr. Nazzy said:

Correct.  There are both aft view and wrap around balconies.  Butterbean was referring to the Havanna Cabanas on the 5th deck.  Havana Balcony rooms are on deck 6 and 7.

From what I saw, it looked like everyone below could see right into your balcony and room when you are on the 6th and 7th deck.  I like a little bit of privacy.  Can they see in your room?

[bjd2]

We had a Havana Cabana on the Vista and then tried a Havana interior on the Horizon. The interior was great! Maybe we slept a little longer than we wanted to since it was so dark, but I would do that in a heartbeat to save the extra cost of the cabana. We never used it except to get to the pool area.

[xDisconnections]

18 hours ago, Remus2010 said:

I have not been stayed in the Havana area yet, but we do have 2 booked.   I think it will be worth the money to me, mostly because I don't like the loud, chaotic main pool areas.  I cruise to have a relaxing vacation.  I do agree with others that if Carnival did a better job, controlling the CHOGS this area may not be as important to me.  People are saying they feel they would miss stuff on the Lido because they are not there, but I miss things happening on the Lido because I am afraid to leave my chair in serenity and not find another comparable one.    This way I can come and go as I please and always have a spot.  No loud music, no screaming kids, no chogs, no splashing in the pool, and not overrun hot tubs.  Just my thoughts.  Very excited.

Based on this, I think you will find there may be cruise lines available to better suit your needs. Have you looked into Princess or Celebrity yet?

[five.]

13 hours ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

There are other cruise lines that provide a far more relaxing experience than Carnival.  Carnival markets themselves as Fun Ships,  so not exactly the best ships for a quiet, relaxing vacation. 

I too prefer a quiet relaxing vacation. And have never thought of the irony of being on a fun ship. I have always focused on money and even though I will see posts on here that reference the cost being similar and sometimes cheaper on other cruise lines. Every time I have ever done mock bookings it has always come out much cheaper with Carnival. Your post has really given me something to think about though. I've never considered other lines before. I have the next two years booked out. Magic this year and the Legend in Alaska next year.

 

And I've always really enjoyed myself on Carnival. Just never really thought of the fact that maybe I was a frog out of water.

[Jdfireman]

I agree. We did not find it worth what we paid.  We also got a kick out of a couple that bought wrist bands on e bay and they got lucky cause it was the color of the week. We found enforcement of the area to be not to bad but we did notice people sneak in. I still see CCL selling day passes for the Havana one day  

 

The music was not great... The service as slow for drinks as the OP said.  

We compared lines and we feel the following rating 

1 MSC Yacht Club   Best experience we have ever had on a ship and service 

2 Haven NCL  Very good over all. 

3 Havana CCL  lot of money for not a lot of bang.     

 

We all like different things if we want to go all out on a ship MSC Yacht club is our to go to 

[five.]

Huh. I never saw anyone sneak in and actually stick around without being noticed. If they did make it in, maybe 5-10 minutes later they were being escorted out. But there was a big rowdy group that was probably pointing out the wayward individuals. But mostly it seemed they were just on the ball and enforcing it.

[Mr. Nazzy]

5 hours ago, TG6 said:

From what I saw, it looked like everyone below could see right into your balcony and room when you are on the 6th and 7th deck.  I like a little bit of privacy.  Can they see in your room?

I was on deck 7, cabin 7456.  No one could see into our room.  If you are on the balcony standing or sitting close to the door, no one can really see you there either.  Step a few feet out and you can be seen from the rooms and the lido deck above.  Not sure on deck 6.  You may be able to see in those rooms from the havana hot tubs since they are elevated above deck 5.... I guess I just never really looked to confirm. 

[TG6]

Thanks!  Great info.  I just don't know that we will ever use them. I love looking out my balcony at the ocean.  😄

[James4me]

Please don’t tell me they are selling day passes to for the Havana retreat.  I read someone said they are.

[jbethel11]

39 minutes ago, James4me said:

Please don’t tell me they are selling day passes to for the Havana retreat.  I read someone said they are.

Mind quoting that? I don't see where someone said it! If they are, well there goes "private retreat"!

[James4me]

6 hours ago, Jdfireman said:

I agree. We did not find it worth what we paid.  We also got a kick out of a couple that bought wrist bands on e bay and they got lucky cause it was the color of the week. We found enforcement of the area to be not to bad but we did notice people sneak in. I still see CCL selling day passes for the Havana one day  

 

The music was not great... The service as slow for drinks as the OP said.  

We compared lines and we feel the following rating 

1 MSC Yacht Club   Best experience we have ever had on a ship and service 

2 Haven NCL  Very good over all. 

3 Havana CCL  lot of money for not a lot of bang.     

 

We all like different things if we want to go all out on a ship MSC Yacht club is our to go to 

It was this post, but I misread it.  They think eventually there will be a day pass.  I have a aft wrap, deck 6, on the Panorama.  I don’t see them changing to day passes if they are selling out full sailing.  Now those little cheaters buying bands on eBay trying to sneak in is another issue.  

[jbethel11]

41 minutes ago, James4me said:

It was this post, but I misread it.  They think eventually there will be a day pass.  I have a aft wrap, deck 6, on the Panorama.  I don’t see them changing to day passes if they are selling out full sailing.  Now those little cheaters buying bands on eBay trying to sneak in is another issue.  

It should be a scan of a key card, boom problem solved. If Carnival were to implement so-called "day passes", they should instead spend that money on a private part to the ship. Like on the Carnival Mardi Gras for example, the Aft Pool on the Lido Deck should be where the "day passes" are sold. 

[cruises42]

We had a Havana aft wrap on the Horizon in April. The chair situation was just like the Lido. Towels on chairs, no people. finally on the last sea day we were able to get 2 chairs and within 15 minutes of us being there an announcement was made that all aft decks had to be cleared for a helicopter medical rescue. So, it was nice for 15 minutes but maybe not worth it in the future.

[five.]

9 hours ago, Jdfireman said:

We compared lines and we feel the following rating 

1 MSC Yacht Club   Best experience we have ever had on a ship and service 

2 Haven NCL  Very good over all. 

3 Havana CCL  lot of money for not a lot of bang.    

This got me to thinking, so I looked it up. If cost is the deciding factor for you, like it is for us. This is what I found, doing mock bookings as far out as the ship would allow, with the cheapest cabin I could find in those areas, for a couple

1. MSC Seaside YC Interior (8 day): $3722

2. NCL Joy Haven (The Haven Family Villa Suite with Balcony) (7 day): $5986

3. CCL Horizon Havana Interior (8 day): $2223

 

If Horizon is "a lot of money," the others are way more. NCL Haven doesn't seem to do interior cabins, so it's way more. At least MSC does have a few interiors with YC access. Of course this is just preliminary research and 10 minutes looking into it. CCL still appears to be significantly (40%) cheaper, on first glance at least.

[Jdfireman]

4 hours ago, five. said:

This got me to thinking, so I looked it up. If cost is the deciding factor for you, like it is for us. This is what I found, doing mock bookings as far out as the ship would allow, with the cheapest cabin I could find in those areas, for a couple

1. MSC Seaside YC Interior (8 day): $3722

2. NCL Joy Haven (The Haven Family Villa Suite with Balcony) (7 day): $5986

3. CCL Horizon Havana Interior (8 day): $2223

 

If Horizon is "a lot of money," the others are way more. NCL Haven doesn't seem to do interior cabins, so it's way more. At least MSC does have a few interiors with YC access. Of course this is just preliminary research and 10 minutes looking into it. CCL still appears to be significantly (40%) cheaper, on first glance at least.

I will disagree with your Carnival price..  We like to drink so if we add the cost of cheers to the CCL room we will say a bit over 1000.00 with the gratuity. Coming close to 3300  

YC gives you unlimited drinks with no 15 limit. You also get a butler,  dedicated pool deck, inside and outside bar, restaurant that does not open after 7 pm to all guests. and concierge , priority on and off the ship in all ports

I feel MSC YC is the best for the price. I love the fact they also took my CCL DIamond and gave me their top level black card