Exactly what IS included in the Haven?

[kitty-sail]

17 hours ago, gizfish said:

 There are no included alcoholic beverages in the Haven (unless you have a package that includes it) other than at the officers party which takes place one evening and includes bar service.  

Very good point about no alcoholic beverages included in Haven unless beverage package purchased. Many people would assume included.

Also good point about ship's drinking water vs bottled. Unless you're going for Perrier or Avion, ship's water is fine.

 

Edited August 21, 2019 by kitty-sail

[kitty-sail]

13 hours ago, BNBR said:

 

I tried that... Didn't fix it. 

Well I guess you'll just have to keep cruising Haven until you find the right one. 🤣

[graphicguy]

20 hours ago, GA Dave said:

Private lounge, restaurant, pool deck, sun deck, biggest prime rib on the ship!!

I see some familiar faces........!!!!!:)

[graphicguy]

Someone mentioned kids in the Haven.  I’ve seen some.  The ones I did see were well behaved.  The Haven has never been overrun on the 4 times I’ve stayed in the Haven.

[kfnesq]

4 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Someone mentioned kids in the Haven.  I’ve seen some.  The ones I did see were well behaved.  The Haven has never been overrun on the 4 times I’ve stayed in the Haven.

Agree.  We have stayed in the Haven on the Getaway and on the Bliss and at no time did we encounter many children, and those we did were very well-behaved.  We didn't have an issue with them taking over the pool or hot tub either.

[mafig]

1 hour ago, kfnesq said:

Agree.  We have stayed in the Haven on the Getaway and on the Bliss and at no time did we encounter many children, and those we did were very well-behaved.  We didn't have an issue with them taking over the pool or hot tub either.

 

Has this changed?  I recall reading many reviews complaining about out of control children in the Haven …. one of the reasons for us staying away (the other might have to do with the price, too).  If this is true, it's good news indeed.🙂

[tlc1972]

2 minutes ago, mafig said:

 

Has this changed?  I recall reading many reviews complaining about out of control children in the Haven …. one of the reasons for us staying away (the other might have to do with the price, too).  If this is true, it's good news indeed.🙂

 

I've only sailed in the Haven once before (Escape), but returning at the end of next month (Bliss).

 

I also did not encounter any unruly children running around, nor did we have any misbehaving adults for that matter. Maybe we've all gotten lucky, but could also just be timing - I think I read in one complaint that they sailed during spring break. 

[Two Wheels Only]

1 minute ago, mafig said:

 

Has this changed?  I recall reading many reviews complaining about out of control children in the Haven …. one of the reasons for us staying away (the other might have to do with the price, too).  If this is true, it's good news indeed.🙂

 

The "kids taking over/kids behaving badly" stories are overblown, IMO. The vast majority of sailings probably do not have those problems. However, if someone does end up on one of those sailings, they are more than likely to complain about it. 

 

Yes, it would suck to spend Haven money and have the cruise ruined by out of control people (children or adults) but based on the number of people who continue to sail the Haven, I think that the problem guests are only on a small number of sailings. 

[GA Dave]

50 minutes ago, mafig said:

 

Has this changed?  I recall reading many reviews complaining about out of control children in the Haven …. one of the reasons for us staying away (the other might have to do with the price, too).  If this is true, it's good news indeed.🙂

Timing is everything.  If you cruise during summer break, spring break, even Christmas break, you are much more likely to have more kids onboard.  Also, seven day cruises are more popular with families.  Our last cruise was a seven-day, but it was in second week of September, and there were only two tweens and two toddlers in the Haven.  Our next is a ten-day during the second and third weeks of September in the Med.  Not expecting many (or any) kids on that one.

[mafig]

Good.  Perhaps I'll look at the Haven again.

I recall reading threads where people were complaining that the Haven guests were taking all the Bliss (?) reservations because they got on early and I thought to myself that's just crazy that you're in Haven and still have to purchase a place where you can have peace and quiet.  (Is it Bliss? you know the area where you pay to have some privacy, not sure if that's the name).

[tlc1972]

55 minutes ago, mafig said:

Good.  Perhaps I'll look at the Haven again.

I recall reading threads where people were complaining that the Haven guests were taking all the Bliss (?) reservations because they got on early and I thought to myself that's just crazy that you're in Haven and still have to purchase a place where you can have peace and quiet.  (Is it Bliss? you know the area where you pay to have some privacy, not sure if that's the name).

 

I believe you are thinking Vibe Beach Club, which is not attached to Haven.

 

The Haven already has it's own private pool, hot tub(s),  and outdoor deck areas (on some ships). 

 

Vibe Beach Club is a pay-for exclusive deck area that includes hot tub(s) and bar, usually located near The Haven area. They only sell as many passes as there are chairs in Vibe (someone can correct me if I'm wrong).

[sverigecruiser]

3 minutes ago, tlc1972 said:

 

The Haven already has it's own private pool, hot tub(s),  and outdoor deck areas (on some ships). 

 

 

And sometimes too many children. That's one of the reasons for many Haven guests to pay for VIBE.

[mafig]

Yes, sorry, Vibe was what I meant.

 

I just think it's crazy to have to pay more than what you are already paying.

Some have said there's not a problem with out of control children, but then why do so many pay for Vibe?

 

 

[graphicguy]

I've seen one, maybe two folks complain about kids on these threads, but even then, it wasn't clear what they were irritated about.  I remember one person who was upset because there were kids in the hot tub.  But, I've always used the Haven hot tub, and the only time I saw kids in it, they left as soon as I got in.  Not sure why kids would keep someone out of the hot tub.

 

Want even more privacy?  Go to the 2nd level of the Haven looking down at the pool.  There's RARELY ANYONE THERE.  You also have the area of the Haven that abuts the VIBE.  Plenty of nice loungers and padded chairs there with servers bringing drinks and fruit skewers.

 

I have never run into anyone who was staying in the Haven and also bought access to the VIBE.  That makes zero sense, especially what they're charging for VIBE access these days ($209/pp).

 

$418/couple to get the same loungers as they can get in the Haven?  Even the service in the Haven is better than in the VIBE (yes, I've been in both).  

 

IMHO, that's just nuts!

 

For $418 I can get a top notch small, big sensor, camera.  Or, I can get the best headphones on the market. All these things would be worth more to me on a cruise than sitting in the VIBE.

Edited August 21, 2019 by graphicguy

[GA Dave]

The door in this picture is what is between the Haven sun deck and Vibe.  Literally only a wall separating the two on the Getaway.

 

[mafig]

Thanks, Graphicguy, I agree.  I'm sure I've just given too much weight to the very few bad reviews I've read vs. the very good ones. 

[sverigecruiser]

7 hours ago, graphicguy said:

I have never run into anyone who was staying in the Haven and also bought access to the VIBE.  That makes zero sense, especially what they're charging for VIBE access these days ($209/pp).

 

$418/couple to get the same loungers as they can get in the Haven?  Even the service in the Haven is better than in the VIBE (yes, I've been in both).  

 

IMHO, that's just nuts!

 

We paid for VIBE on the Breakaway.

 

1. Adults only. (Not many children in the Haven but we couldn't know that until it should have been too late to pay for VIBE.)

 

2. Outside bar which the Haven doesn't have.

 

3. Better hot tubs.

 

4. Main pooldeck overcrowded and the Haven sundeck too quite. (Not something we could know before but paying for VIBE gave us the choice.)

 

Some people spend money in shops or casino but I'm not interested in that. The extra money for VIBE was worth it for us.

[dexddd]

Kids in Haven luck of the draw.  Yes, during school less likely but then you hear of certain cities with week long breaks not during traditional times.

 

We've been during spring break and very few kids.  We've gone in June and tons of kids including one who managed to close down the pool the last day.  

[graphicguy]

@sverigecruiser....hey, not denigrating your decision.  I just don’t understand it.  Your money...as you say, you don’t use it in the casino, so spend it as you wish.

 

I’ve been in the Haven area and there was always a server milling about getting drinks and handing out fruit skewers.  So, I didn’t need a bar.

 

The area @GA Dave pictured above is literally on the other side of the VIBE.  As he pointed out, it’s only separated by a wall from the VIBE.  But, Haven guests without VIBE passes can’t go into the VIBE, and VIBE guests can’t come into the HAVEN.

 

I guess the confusing part, you mention the 2nd floor of the Haven pool is too quiet.  No kids that I’ve ever seen up there, too.  So, you can move down to the first floor of the Haven pool area where there are usually a few more people.

 

I’m a little peeved at NCL for doubling the price of the VIBE.  I didn’t find that out until I was aboard and was buying a VIBE pass (had a Balcony Cabin, not the Haven).  To me, $209/pp is crazy money for a place to just hang out that’s quieter than the hot tubs in other locales (thinking Spice H20).  Not sure if it’s true, but I’ve also heard the VIBE hasn’t been selling out nearly as often since the price increase. Maybe that’s the plan.....make as much money (or more) as before but with fewer people in the VIBE.

Edited August 22, 2019 by graphicguy

[Greenpea2]

I have been in the Haven three times (all 10-day cruises in Jan or Feb, NOT during school breaks) and only once were annoyed by the kids, there. It was a pack of 4 and they seemed always to be in the hot tubs or pool, which in itself is not a problem of course. The problem was that anytime we also went in the pool or hot tub, they got upset and would accusingly ask "Why are YOU in here?" I would just calmly say, "Because it's my hot tub/pool too." They would huff and get out and shoot us dirty looks. Never any parents around. Didn't ruin the cruise but it was pretty annoying to have to deal with every time we wanted to use a pool or hot tub. The ships we were on did not have a hot tub on the adult sun deck. But even if it did, that is bad and rude behavior that we want to avoid as much as possible. 

Edited August 22, 2019 by Greenpea2
typo

[sverigecruiser]

2 hours ago, graphicguy said:

I’ve been in the Haven area and there was always a server milling about getting drinks and handing out fruit skewers.  So, I didn’t need a bar.

 

I guess the confusing part, you mention the 2nd floor of the Haven pool is too quiet.  No kids that I’ve ever seen up there, too.  So, you can move down to the first floor of the Haven pool area where there are usually a few more people.

 

I’m a little peeved at NCL for doubling the price of the VIBE.  I didn’t find that out until I was aboard and was buying a VIBE pass (had a Balcony Cabin, not the Haven).  To me, $209/pp is crazy money for a place to just hang out that’s quieter than the hot tubs in other locales (thinking Spice H20).  Not sure if it’s true, but I’ve also heard the VIBE hasn’t been selling out nearly as often since the price increase. Maybe that’s the plan.....make as much money (or more) as before but with fewer people in the VIBE.

 

For me it's a big difference between having an outside bar and the possibility to order drinks from someone walking around on the deck. 

 

The first floor of the Haven pool area feels more like an indoor space than a sundeck which VIBE is, at least on the Breakaway. We wanted a sundeck less quite than the Haven sundeck but not as crowded as the "public" sundeck. VIBE was perfect for that. 

 

We paid for VIBE because it was adults only but we got the other things as a bonus.

 

I can agree that it cost much but since our vacation costed way over $10000 it was worth it to be sure we had a place without too many children. 

[PeleNipsy]

On 8/21/2019 at 8:49 AM, kitty-sail said:

Very good point about no alcoholic beverages included in Haven unless beverage package purchased. Many people would assume included.

Also good point about ship's drinking water vs bottled. Unless you're going for Perrier or Avion, ship's water is fine.

 

 

Not entirely true.  Haven Garden Villa, Haven Owner's Suites, and Haven Deluxe Owner's Suites include bottled alcohol.  GV gets 6 bottles, and OS/DOS get 3 bottles each.

[chill6x6]

Thanks for more info!

 

I'm not so much worried about children.  I'll just join them!  If they are too much looks like I can go one deck up and all is well.  I can always go back to the cabin to what looks to be a huge aft facing balcony with two full-sized loungers and a large table.  It's nice to have choices!

[Planner88]

Is the Haven Sun Deck on the Escape, adult only?

[BNBR]

On 8/22/2019 at 10:43 AM, Greenpea2 said:

I have been in the Haven three times (all 10-day cruises in Jan or Feb, NOT during school breaks) and only once were annoyed by the kids, there. It was a pack of 4 and they seemed always to be in the hot tubs or pool, which in itself is not a problem of course. The problem was that anytime we also went in the pool or hot tub, they got upset and would accusingly ask "Why are YOU in here?" I would just calmly say, "Because it's my hot tub/pool too." They would huff and get out and shoot us dirty looks. Never any parents around. Didn't ruin the cruise but it was pretty annoying to have to deal with every time we wanted to use a pool or hot tub. The ships we were on did not have a hot tub on the adult sun deck. But even if it did, that is bad and rude behavior that we want to avoid as much as possible. 

 

Our Haven kids disaster was on a Feb 24th sailing...  And 1 out of 3 for you sounds like a high risk of "not worth it."  Why would anyone want to gamble with their vacation when the odds are so high of having annoying kids around to make the Haven not such a haven?