Haven Access for non-Haven Guests - Thoughts?

[pcakes122]

I get that NCL wants folks to see the Haven in order to encourage them to book the Haven.  I would be totally fine with them offering a free Haven guided tour each cruise for people who are interested (or even just curious!)  I'm just not really happy about selling parts of the Haven experience as add-ons for non-Haven cruisers because I do think it does dilute the "exclusivity" aspect.

 

[elwood_98034]

3 minutes ago, vpearlkc said:

 

Sorry to tell you this but there are already plenty of people staying in the Haven with big hair and tattoos. There is another current thread "Observations From The Breakaway Haven." Check it out.

We are committed now. They have one last chance, and then we take our money elsewhere. We can't cancel at this point. This is our third cruise with NCL, and there is an excellent chance that it will be our last. 

[NLH Arizona]

13 minutes ago, pcakes122 said:

I get that NCL wants folks to see the Haven in order to encourage them to book the Haven.  I would be totally fine with them offering a free Haven guided tour each cruise for people who are interested (or even just curious!)  I'm just not really happy about selling parts of the Haven experience as add-ons for non-Haven cruisers because I do think it does dilute the "exclusivity" aspect.

 

Here is where we differ.  I would rather a few come in and have dinner and drinks, then a ton of folks traipsing through the Haven.

[pcakes122]

Just now, NLH Arizona said:

Here is where we differ.  I would rather a few come in and have dinner and drinks, then a ton of folks traipsing through the Haven.

I hear you, but I really don't think NCL is going to throw anyone out who comes in for dinner - so it's more like $50 for an "evening in the Haven."  I also don't see them calling out to anyone who tries to get on the Haven elevator to check out the Courtyard, sundeck, etc. "Hey!! You can't go there!!"  So, I just don't see how they can control the "dinner PLUS one hour lounge access."

[kochleffel]

It sounds to me like the Haven dining room is underutilized. If the passengers for whom it's complimentary aren't eating there, why would anyone else want to pay $50 for it?

[pcakes122]

So that we don't wander waaaay off-topic, I think we should all agree that money doesn't guarantee people are "nice" and/or "civilized".  Some of the worst people in the world are the richest.  

 

I think the real issue is that NCL is marketing an EXPENSIVE "exclusive" experience and then diluting that by offering open access for a relatively small fee.

 

I love that the Haven is empty most of the time.  I spend alot of time in the noisy, smoky casino (by choice - I know, I know) and it is heaven to come back to the quiet, uncrowded atmosphere of the Haven.  I hope that doesn't get ruined.  😕

 

[BirdTravels]

16 minutes ago, kochleffel said:

It sounds to me like the Haven dining room is underutilized. If the passengers for whom it's complimentary aren't eating there, why would anyone else want to pay $50 for it?

In all of the times we have had dinner in the Haven, the restaurant was "busy". Busy=waiters/galley not being able to keep up with the guest requirements. 

[elwood_98034]

3 minutes ago, Blm03 said:

Just because I have tattoos doesn’t mean I’m anti-social.  (For the record, I have 3 and the most social person you’ll meet).  And any inappropriate comments made at my 15 year daughter have been made by straight men.  

 

Just because you spend more money doesn’t mean you get “better” people.  

The people may not be better, but by paying a higher price it is fair to expect that the people who will be staying there have higher paying jobs. I have a high paying job, and if I get so much as a misdemeanor conviction I am required to report it to my professional licensing agency, which has the ability to 100% cancel my right to work in my chosen profession. That makes me a very thoughtful, and well behaved person. 

However, the main reason I am upset is that I was paying for restricted access, so that my kids can move around a little more freely within a confined area, with a known group of individuals. My wife and I were both sexually assaulted as children, and we are extremely protective of our kids. We don't want our kids roaming freely with 6,000 strangers. We want a much smaller group, and  much smaller area to be in.

[perditax]

1 minute ago, pcakes122 said:

So that we don't wander waaaay off-topic, I think we should all agree that money doesn't guarantee people are "nice" and/or "civilized".  Some of the worst people in the world are the richest.  

 

I think the real issue is that NCL is marketing an EXPENSIVE "exclusive" experience and then diluting that by offering open access for a relatively small fee.

 

I love that the Haven is empty most of the time.  I spend alot of time in the noisy, smoky casino (by choice - I know, I know) and it is heaven to come back to the quiet, uncrowded atmosphere of the Haven.  I hope that doesn't get ruined.  😕

 

 

The whole hospitality industry has cottoned on to the fact that offering a more “exclusive” experience is a cash cow, especially as they try to squish more and more travelers into the same spaces. The problem is, they keep slicing that “exclusive” experience thinner and thinner and thinner. You pay for airplane legroom by the inch now. 

 

So yeah, NCL is probably going to expand its levels of “exclusive”. I think I read recently that Escape is going to have its rooms recategorized, and not all Haven suites will have butler and concierge service, or something like that. So there will be Haven lite, essentially. Much like RCL’s multiple suite/status tiers.

[Blm03]

Just now, elwood_98034 said:

The people may not be better, but by paying a higher price it is fair to expect that the people who will be staying there have higher paying jobs. I have a high paying job, and if I get so much as a misdemeanor conviction I am required to report it to my professional licensing agency, which has the ability to 100% cancel my right to work in my chosen profession. That makes me a very thoughtful, and well behaved person. 

However, the main reason I am upset is that I was paying for restricted access, so that my kids can move around a little more freely within a confined area, with a known group of individuals. My wife and I were both sexually assaulted as children, and we are extremely protective of our kids. We don't want our kids roaming freely with 6,000 strangers. We want a much smaller group, and  much smaller area to be in.

Your logic just doesn’t hold. If you are going to assault kids, it doesn’t matter how much money you make.  

 

We can afford  to stay in the Haven. We chose not to because the benefits are just not there for the cost (for us).  It isn’t like the haven has a free babysitter for you. 

[elwood_98034]

1 minute ago, Blm03 said:

Your logic just doesn’t hold. If you are going to assault kids, it doesn’t matter how much money you make.  

 

We can afford  to stay in the Haven. We chose not to because the benefits are just not there for the cost (for us).  It isn’t like the haven has a free babysitter for you. 

You don't get the point. Haven access was limited to fewer than 6,000 random strangers. Now it isn't. It was less people we need to try to keep and eye on, and we aren't getting what we paid for. 

[perditax]

1 minute ago, elwood_98034 said:

Nah, I just reported you for harassment. Have fun.

 

Getting your arguments picked apart isn’t harassment. 

[elwood_98034]

1 minute ago, perditax said:

 

Getting your arguments picked apart isn’t harassment. 

Aaaand again.

[Blm03]

Just now, elwood_98034 said:

You don't get the point. Haven access was limited to fewer than 6,000 random strangers. Now it isn't. It was less people we need to try to keep and eye on, and we aren't getting what we paid for. 

I don’t think you are going to have as many “takers” as you think you are.   They are going to have to cap how many people that are allowed due to capacity requirements alone. 

[perditax]

Just now, elwood_98034 said:

Aaaand again.

 

No but seriously, it’s right here:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/ignore/

[mertziek]

As Haven only customers, if this goes through this loyal NCL customer will jump ship.  Been thinking about doing just that for a long time and now they have given me a reason!  We pay extra for that “ship within a ship” experience and if NCL waters that down, no reason to book with them any further.  You better think this through carefully NCL!

[Howardr]

My family of twelve are booked in the Haven (3 suites including the Owner's suite) on the Bliss for tomorrow's departure to Alaska.  Two years ago we were in identical suites on the Escape.  I just came across this board and was astounded to learn of this new NCL dining policy.  You can bet that one of the first actions I take after embarkation is to advise the Haven dining staff of my expectation to have my entire entourage seated when we desire.  Any exception to this request will result no further bookings with NCL.  Hopefully, NCL administrators monitor this board!

 

[littlelulu01]

This isn’t the first time ncl has tried to water down the exclusive Haven experience. A few years ago they sold limited “passes” for Haven access upon boarding.  A few years prior to this they gave the s suites on jewel class Haven access. Both were very short lived. Just those few extra “S” suites in the Haven was enough to pretty much negate the Haven experience. I think the Haven concept is selling tranquil, quiet and excellent service from dedicated staff who will know your preferences and have the time to give you the experience you pay dearly for - be that a quick meal with no wait, or just a quiet leisurely dinner. They certainly sell the heck out of “limited” spa passes.  Looks like selling Haven access caught back on. 

[Two Wheels Only]

16 minutes ago, Howardr said:

My family of twelve are booked in the Haven (3 suites including the Owner's suite) on the Bliss for tomorrow's departure to Alaska.

 

......never-mind...

[valleyvillage]

3 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

......never-mind...

LOL! 

[Harratine]

As a Haven person, I can see both sides. As many Haven guests have specialty dining as perks, it would seem that dinner would be the least attended meal as it is probable that the Haven guests would be elsewhere.  Would I think that it could be abused? Yes.  Do I think it should be offered during the captains reception?  Probably not.  

[GA Dave]

If this is offered on my Sept 2020 Med cruise, my wife and I will be canceling our full-price ($12,500) Haven reservation.  The only reason we pay this kind of money is for the immediate service we get in the lounge, in the restaurant, on the sundeck, etc.  With them bringing in additional non-Haven people to the restaurant and lounge, this will go away.  Not worth it any more.  Guess they’ll have to sell 250 of these packages to make up for the lost revenue on our cabin.

 

[JohnIreland]

I hope they don't do it on the away ships where the haven restaurant is already too small.

[perditax]

1 hour ago, JohnIreland said:

I hope they don't do it on the away ships where the haven restaurant is already too small.

 

Ah, interesting. I haven’t wanted to mention it,  but the Haven restaurant was always pretty busy during normal meal times on Breakaway. Lunch (a sandwich) could take me an hour, solo. 

[Cruising89143]

This reeks of greed on the cruise lines part. It’s been ten years since I have cruised on NCL but we paid a premium price to cruise in the Haven for our upcoming cruise and I hope the onboard product is better than their shoreside customer service. I am willing to go in with an open mind as I have experienced poor shoreside customer service and a great onboard experience with other cruise lines.

 

I have been cruising for over thirty years and have witnessed a lot of changes. Some good and some not so good. NCL needs to rethink this.