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Haven Access for non-Haven Guests - Thoughts?


pcakes122
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I just learned about this new offering and came here to see what folks were thinking but didn't see a discussion?  Did I miss it?

 

How will NCL monitor non-Haven guests in the bar/lounge?

 

From NCL site:

 

Limited availability: Non-Haven guests can enjoy an exclusive dining experience including a delicious 3-course dinner in an upscale, contemporary atmosphere. Come an hour early or stay an hour late and enjoy drinks at the exclusive Haven Lounge. Reservations can be made on board.
$50 per person for non-Haven guests (limited availability)
Edited by pcakes122
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Edit: did not see the link first time.  I dont think this is going to go over well at all.  The Haven guests pay a fortune for their cabins and use of a private restaurant, lounge, etc. I foresee many many complaints and I would not blame them. Hard to believe NCL is stupid enough to try this.

Edited by Greenpea2
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I included the verbiage from the NCL site on one of my non-Haven reservations.  It is showing as an option under Dining.  Folks on another forum are going cuckoo as you can imagine 😉.  I'm surprised it is quiet here.

Edited by pcakes122
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5 minutes ago, pcakes122 said:

I included the verbiage from the NCL site on one of my non-Haven reservations.  It is showing as an option under Dining.  Folks on another forum are going cuckoo as you can imagine 😉.  I'm surprised it is quiet here.

I know, sorry. I just didn’t see it first time around.  People are going to go crazy here too. Take cover, lol. 

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Seems easy to control. Just put a host stand at the entrance to the Haven. If you are not a Haven guest or on the reservation list you don't get in. As long as you limit the number of guests and the hours it is no big deal.

 

As an aside this tells me that the Haven concept is not doing as well as they hoped

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But how do you limit the hours?  I'm a regular Haven guest, but if I wasn't does this mean I will get a tap on the shoulder after an hour in the lounge (after dinner) and asked to leave?  Will they really do that?

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2 minutes ago, zqvol said:

Seems easy to control. Just put a host stand at the entrance to the Haven. If you are not a Haven guest or on the reservation list you don't get in. As long as you limit the number of guests and the hours it is no big deal.

 

As an aside this tells me that the Haven concept is not doing as well as they hoped

I agree it should be easy to control. But the effect it may have depends on how many guests they allow. Those Haven bars in many ships are not large. There will be some upset Haven guests when they can’t hang out at the bar for drinks because it is suddenly more crowded.

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1 minute ago, pcakes122 said:

But how do you limit the hours?  I'm a regular Haven guest, but if I wasn't does this mean I will get a tap on the shoulder after an hour in the lounge (after dinner) and asked to leave?  Will they really do that?

The bartenders pretty much know all the passengers, at least they did on my December cruise and called everyone by name.  If I was in the lounge and got tapped on the shoulder after an hour, I would simply show them my card and thank them for trying to make sure folks abide by the policy.

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Just now, phillyguy31 said:

it is a way to get people to see the Haven and maybe want to use it on their next cruise.

I definitely think this is NCL's motivation.  I cruise in the Haven frequently, but I will admit I don't have the same attitude about this (and the bidding process) that full-paying Haven guests may have since I get a deep discount from Casinos at Sea.  But if I was paying full price, I'm not sure how I would feel.

 

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2 minutes ago, pcakes122 said:

But how do you limit the hours?  I'm a regular Haven guest, but if I wasn't does this mean I will get a tap on the shoulder after an hour in the lounge (after dinner) and asked to leave?  Will they really do that?

That’s a very good question. An hour early or an hour late? That sounds awkward. One or the other? Both? How do they know? Let’s hope this is more well thought out than it sounds.

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The billing system may be able to do the metering. Non-Haven guests ship cards could be given a window where they are active in the lounge. It would surprise me if NCL ever asked anyone to leave. They don't do a good job policing their pool and hot tub policies. The inability to order a drink especially for a beverage package holder will likely get fannies moving along.

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Hmm, my dinners in the Haven restaurant on BA were absolutely nowhere near worth $100 for two people. They can keep trying to fragment their product into smaller and more exclusive bits, but the quality needs to be there.

Edited by perditax
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5 minutes ago, perditax said:

Hmm, my dinners in the Haven restaurant on BA were absolutely nowhere near worth $100 for two people. They can keep trying to fragment their product into smaller and more exclusive bits, but the quality needs to be there.

Actually it’ll be $120 for 2.

I think you’ll start to see negative reviews posted on the Haven restaurant.

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1 minute ago, Greenpea2 said:

Now that is interesting.  This one is for guests of the Haven and says nothing about hanging out at the bar before or after. 

You have to actually click on the choice to see the full details.

 

2019-06-15_15-53-40.jpg

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As a Haven cruiser this idea floats like a lead balloon to me.  Not happy, not impressed, but willing to tolerate the program and see how it goes.  They get a single shot - if they mess it up I'm happy to start exploring any of the other cruise lines that send me seemingly endless flyers.  I was pretty irritated when they started the upgrade program because it meant the Haven was ALWAYS full, but hey, they need to attract people who will book the Haven next time since they got a "taste" of the Haven.  If I don't notice increased crowding or any other pains, fine/whatever.  It feels to me like another money grab.  Given what happened to the equity after the Cuba update I'm surprised we aren't seeing even more desperate ideas thrown out there.

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I'll never pay for the Haven (If I'm spending that much $$$ on something like that, I would rather go on a line other than NCL) however, I would be pissed if I did pay all that money for Haven. Seems stupid when Haven people can meet their friends at other restaurants. It's another money grab. 

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10 minutes ago, FaithPlus1 said:

 Seems stupid when Haven people can meet their friends at other restaurants. It's another money grab. 

What's interesting and different about this is while Haven guests ALWAYS had the option of bringing a non-Haven friend to the Haven restaurant (for a fee and at the discretion of the concierge) - this option is now being offered to anyone on the ship.  You don't have to have a "Haven friend" to take advantage of this offer AND you will also have limited access to the Haven lounge as well.

Edited by pcakes122
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16 minutes ago, pcakes122 said:

What's interesting and different about this is while Haven guests ALWAYS had the option of bringing a non-Haven friend to the Haven restaurant (for a fee and at the discretion of the concierge) - this option is now being offered to anyone on the ship.  You don't have to have a "Haven friend" to take advantage of this offer AND you will also have limited access to the Haven lounge as well.

What a horrible ad. Had to reread this. Yeah I get why people would be annoyed. I don't really think there will be a huge demand though of people paying $50 per person. 

Edited by FaithPlus1
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7 minutes ago, FaithPlus1 said:

What a horrible ad. Had to reread this. Yeah I get why people would be annoyed. I don't really think there will be a huge demand though of people paying $50 per person. 

You would think not. If they do, it will likely be a bit of disappointment. Haven restaurant is good but come on. $50 per person, not that good. On the other hand, there may well be a number of people who would pay that just to say they were in the Haven. I just don’t like the idea, it makes me think “ugh” about NCL. They don’t care about what their Haven guests will think about it, obviously. 

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