THE SECRETS OF THE NCL HAVEN LUXURY EXPERIENCE

[Sthrngary]

2 hours ago, jkbec101 said:

Bid on Haven for our NCL Epic cruise in September 2022.  Can the butler/concierge get us Spa passes or would we have to run to the Spa on embarkation day and get them.  Same thing with Vibe/Posh?

 

Last one, does the Ship reserve seats for Haven cruisers for the big shows in the theater? 

You have to get your own spa reservations.  You can ask the on-board Haven Concierge to assist.  I would go directly to the spa.

 

The Haven has reserve section in the orchestra left.  You still have to reserve a seat for the big shows. 

 

Cruise well

[CDR Benson]

2 hours ago, GeezerCouple said:

 

 

Rinky Dink, anyone?

My favorite at the time.

 

GC

 

I didn't watch WINKY DINK AND YOU, hosted by Jack Barry, all that often.  In order to participate, by drawing the bridge or the axe or whatever Winky needed to get out of trouble, one had to have the Winky Dink Magic Drawing Kit---a "magic drawing screen"  to put over the television picture tube and "the magic crayons"---and my folks weren't about to spring fifty cents for something like that.

 

Fortunately, I wasn't quite the dim bulb as a couple of the other kids in my neighbourhood whose parents didn't buy them the Winky Dink kit, either.  Those kids just grabbed whatever pen or marker they could find lying around the house and rescued Winky by drawing directly on the television picture tube.

 

 

Edited June 24, 2022 by CDR Benson

[GeezerCouple]

3 minutes ago, CDR Benson said:

 

I didn't watch WINKY DINK AND YOU, hosted by Jack Barry, all that often.  In order to participate, by drawing the bridge or the axe or whatever Winky needed to get out of trouble, one had to have Winky Dink Magic Drawing Kit---a "magic drawing screen"  to put over the television picture tube and "the magic crayons"---and my folks weren't about to spring fifty cents for something like that.

 

Fortunately, I wasn't quite the dim bulb as a couple of the other kids in my neighbourhood whose parents didn't buy them the Winky Dink kit, either.  Those kids just grabbed whatever pen or marker they could find lying around the house and rescued Winky by drawing directly on the television picture tube.

 

 

 

 

Oops.  Winky Dink!  Thanks!  

(I guess I have some of my marbles left...  Oh wait, that's a different game! 🙂 )

 

I still remember waiting for that "kit" to arrive, with that plastic sheet to apply to the TV screen.

Some of those children's shows seem so very, very simple these days.  But then, in that era, even small children could just "run around the neighborhood", climbing trees/etc., and come back when they were hungry, etc.  Different times.......

 

GC

[The Shrike]

15 hours ago, jkbec101 said:

Bid on Haven for our NCL Epic cruise in September 2022.  Can the butler/concierge get us Spa passes or would we have to run to the Spa on embarkation day and get them.  Same thing with Vibe/Posh?

 

Last one, does the Ship reserve seats for Haven cruisers for the big shows in the theater? 

On our cruises on the bigger ships, during embarkation there's always been a representative from the spa in the Haven lounge so that Haven guests can make reservations.  It's been since 2019 for us, though, so I don't know if that's changed.

[mnpurple]

2 hours ago, The Shrike said:

On our cruises on the bigger ships, during embarkation there's always been a representative from the spa in the Haven lounge so that Haven guests can make reservations.  It's been since 2019 for us, though, so I don't know if that's changed.

Now that you mention that, there was someone from the spa in the Getaway Haven in March, so a definite possibility.

[pno4te]

This is a fairly convoluted question so I hope I can explain it as succinctly as possible!  We are in The Haven for the July 10 sailing out of Civitavecchia.  We get back into port around 6:00 AM on July 17.  We then disembark The Escape and board the MSC Seaside in the Yacht Club (she arrives around 8:30 AM).

 

How late could we stay on The Escape without being rude.  We can board the Seaside at 10:00.  

 

We just realized we probably need to prearrange some type of transportation between terminals!  Any suggestions other than hiring a private driver (we already are using Rome Cabs for 3 other tours/transfers) and that seems like overkill to get from one ship to another.

[GeezerCouple]

11 minutes ago, pno4te said:

This is a fairly convoluted question so I hope I can explain it as succinctly as possible!  We are in The Haven for the July 10 sailing out of Civitavecchia.  We get back into port around 6:00 AM on July 17.  We then disembark The Escape and board the MSC Seaside in the Yacht Club (she arrives around 8:30 AM).

 

How late could we stay on The Escape without being rude.  We can board the Seaside at 10:00.  

 

We just realized we probably need to prearrange some type of transportation between terminals!  Any suggestions other than hiring a private driver (we already are using Rome Cabs for 3 other tours/transfers) and that seems like overkill to get from one ship to another.

 

I'd suggest that you discuss this with your Butler, or perhaps the Haven Concierge, but we've only ever dealt with our Butler, so aren't familiar with what the Concierge actually does.  (We've never had a request/need that our Butler couldn't deal with, whether in the Haven or a ship without a Haven.)

 

Anyway, obviously, on turn-around days, the crew cannot clean every cabin/suite first thing.  And quite a few people are eager to be first off the ship anyway.

 

So if you let them know what would be useful (a late departure off the ship, and perhaps explain why), they should be able to help.  I'm sure they'll want you out of your suite in a reasonably timely fashion, but waiting in a common area is likely to be possible until... X a.m.

 

What is the boarding situation/schedule with the Yacht Club?  Do they have early check-in times for those guests?

 

We always spend at least one extra day wherever we are going, or sometimes continue with a land trip, so we never need (or want) to rush off the ship.  We'd rather be leisurely and be among the last off.  We just let the staff know in advance.  Occasionally a butler or steward will say we can just stay in our suite, and they'll let us know when they need to get in to start the cleaning, etc.  Whatever works for them!  And of course, we are ready to walk out as soon as they tell us.

 

Given that we don't have any rush to where we are going, we don't see the point in waiting in endless lines snaking throughout a ship, when we could be among those who end up towards the end of the line anyway. 😉 

 

I'd suggest giving the Butler perhaps 2 days to get things settled with the new arrivals, and then ask them about this.

 

Enjoy your cruises.  That sounds ideal.  It wouldn't be as difficult to leave one ship if we were going to get right back on another ship!

 

GC

[pno4te]

38 minutes ago, GeezerCouple said:

What is the boarding situation/schedule with the Yacht Club?  Do they have early check-in times for those guests?

We can board at 10:00 which I assume is probably one of the earliest times.  The Seaside isn't scheduled to arrive until 8:30 so I cannot imagine being able to get on any earlier.  I will say, we are always out of our cabin early.  We like to enjoy breakfast before we disembark and under normal circumstances are off a ship by 8:30 or 9:00 at the very latest.  

 

I can't imagine we are the first passengers in the history of cruising with this same problem. 🤣 But I will certainly take your fine advice about speaking to the butler or concierge once we figure out how we are getting from one terminal to the other.  That will help us determine a better time frame.  Thank you @GeezerCouple

[Greenpea2]

On 6/22/2022 at 10:28 PM, complawyer said:

being the anti-social animal that i am, not to mention a grumpy old curmudgeon, since they call the haven "a ship within a ship" other than going to the specialty restaurants, shore excursions, possible shows, and sugarcane, im more than happy to stay where i am in the haven. yes, ill explore the ship, but by and large, there isnt a great deal of anything else on board that i require or care to see or hear.

 

before i get blasted, we've been on 18 ncl cruises, and while i'm not as well haven versed as sthrngary, ive booked enough of them to stay put and stay satisfied

No reason for anyone to blast you on this. It makes sense to me, and I am not a grumpy old curmudgeon. 🙂 When I am in the Haven, I do venture out for some meals, an occasional casino bout, a show, the shops, etc. But mostly I am in the Haven as no other place on the ship is better! And I am paying a lot for it, besides. I like the relative peace and quiet there. It's my "home" for the week and I LOVE it.

 

[May B]

Asking for a friend:

 

#1-can you think of any reason to upgrade to the unlimited Internet package, before embarkation? when onboard, OBC can be used, so my thought is just wait

 

#2-is it honestly true that upgrading to unlimited, the regular speed, is just $49.93 for an entire seven-day cruise? the booking already has 250 shared minutes

 

#3-if purchasing the $9.95 pp texting and calling to other guests, is one expected to use one’s own cell phone? but what’s this rumor about a phone lent to guests from the Haven for use onboard?

[May B]

24 minutes ago, May B said:

Asking for a friend:

 

#1-can you think of any reason to upgrade to the unlimited Internet package, before embarkation? when onboard, OBC can be used, so my thought is just wait

 

#2-is it honestly true that upgrading to unlimited, the regular speed, is just $49.93 for an entire seven-day cruise? the booking already has 250 shared minutes

 

#3-if purchasing the $9.95 pp texting and calling to other guests, is one expected to use one’s own cell phone? but what’s this rumor about a phone lent to guests from the Haven for use onboard?

I did call NCL, and evidently Encore isn’t one of the ships that offers the cell phone for guest use? So they’d just use their own phones, and they’d download an app called Free-style?

[cruiseny4life]

15 hours ago, May B said:

but what’s this rumor about a phone lent to guests from the Haven for use onboard?

My understanding is this is only to call the butler. The only time I have used the cell phone is to call the butler to request room service. I know others may take it around the ship with them so they can contact the butler from whatever venue they're in. 

 

I do not believe this phone can be used to text/call anyone else on board (someone will correct me if I'm mistaken). 

[ColeThornton]

14 hours ago, May B said:

I did call NCL, and evidently Encore isn’t one of the ships that offers the cell phone for guest use? So they’d just use their own phones, and they’d download an app called Free-style?

 

 

You may be referring to the Cruise Norwegian App.

 

https://www.ncl.com/apps

[KKB]

16 hours ago, May B said:

Asking for a friend:

 

#1-can you think of any reason to upgrade to the unlimited Internet package, before embarkation? when onboard, OBC can be used, so my thought is just wait

 

#2-is it honestly true that upgrading to unlimited, the regular speed, is just $49.93 for an entire seven-day cruise? the booking already has 250 shared minutes

 

I'm curious about this as well since I see an "offer upgrade" of unlimited for $109 for 2 devices (tho I just need one.)

Unlimited wifi for 1 device shows the regular price at $178.

(PS I really just need it to be in constant contact by text to a father in assisted living--is the Social Media package enough for this?)

I have 150 min. included in each week of my bookings.

I have $100 OBC for each week--apparently I cannot use this if I book ahead?

Edited July 27, 2022 by KKB

[May B]

17 hours ago, KKB said:

I'm curious about this as well since I see an "offer upgrade" of unlimited for $109 for 2 devices (tho I just need one.)

Unlimited wifi for 1 device shows the regular price at $178.

(PS I really just need it to be in constant contact by text to a father in assisted living--is the Social Media package enough for this?)

I have 150 min. included in each week of my bookings.

I have $100 OBC for each week--apparently I cannot use this if I book ahead?

That’s frustrating about not being able to use OBC, but is that special price only if purchased in advance? If you can just wait to purchase at embarkation, that would be so helpful to you.

 

I would expect the social media package to be fine for texting to your dad. And of course, depending on where you’re cruising, you might be able to text for free whenever the ship is in port. 
 

 

 

 

[May B]

19 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

My understanding is this is only to call the butler. The only time I have used the cell phone is to call the butler to request room service. I know others may take it around the ship with them so they can contact the butler from whatever venue they're in. 

 

I do not believe this phone can be used to text/call anyone else on board (someone will correct me if I'm mistaken). 

It turns out that phone’s only available on four of the ships, not the entire fleet. That makes sense, as you describe it. Thank you!

[May B]

18 hours ago, ColeThornton said:

 

 

You may be referring to the Cruise Norwegian App.

 

https://www.ncl.com/apps

Exactly! Thx! 

[mearsfansinboise]

On 6/23/2022 at 7:19 AM, CDR Benson said:

 

Not at all.

 

First, let me state that there is no shame in not being able to afford staying in the Haven.  In fact, there is an eminently sensible argument for not staying in the Haven; to wit, if one spends less per cruise, one can take more cruises.

 

I'm not John Beresford Tipton, so that is the equation the Good Mrs. Benson and I had to balance.  We decided we preferred to cruise in luxury, but do it only once a year or every other year.

 

But enjoying your stay in the Haven and the attendent extravagances is nothing to feel self-conscious about.  You've paid for those perquisites.  It might be something you can afford to do every month, or it might be a once-in-a-lifetime blaze of indulgence.  Either way, wanting to capitalise on all that comes with it isn't snobbish.

 

 

 

 

 

I am so glad you and @cruiseny4life mentioned this. 

Lately I have read comments on the boards about the attitudes/elitism of people who sail in the Haven and it sort of brought me down a little.  We aren't "rich people" and just sailed in the Haven for the first time this past March.  (No one's business, but we took advantage of the real estate market and sold our rental property and set some money aside to live a little.) 

 

We absolutely loved the Haven experience.  We never had to leave there; meals, Horizon Lounge - with snacks and food and drinks all day + the ability to order off the Haven pool menu (I ain't too proud to eat a good hot dog and the best fries around) - the pool, hot tubs, etc. kept us mostly in our ship within a ship or whatever that expression is.

We only left there for specialty dining and for entertainment on the 6th deck Atrium on occasion.

 

We interacted with our butler (gave him our letter at the first meeting) and our steward, and the concierge.  The service and food in the Haven restaurant was fantastic - though easy to get sick of because the menu doesn't change, so, when we sail the Haven again in October (lol, I know I said we aren't rich people, but, we had some money left and found a good price for Alaska) will do more specialty dining dinners - 2 with the reservation and then we did the additional package of 2 more.

[Sthrngary]

39 minutes ago, mearsfansinboise said:

 

I am so glad you and @cruiseny4life mentioned this. 

Lately I have read comments on the boards about the attitudes/elitism of people who sail in the Haven and it sort of brought me down a little.  We aren't "rich people" and just sailed in the Haven for the first time this past March.  (No one's business, but we took advantage of the real estate market and sold our rental property and set some money aside to live a little.) 

 

We absolutely loved the Haven experience.  We never had to leave there; meals, Horizon Lounge - with snacks and food and drinks all day + the ability to order off the Haven pool menu (I ain't too proud to eat a good hot dog and the best fries around) - the pool, hot tubs, etc. kept us mostly in our ship within a ship or whatever that expression is.

We only left there for specialty dining and for entertainment on the 6th deck Atrium on occasion.

 

We interacted with our butler (gave him our letter at the first meeting) and our steward, and the concierge.  The service and food in the Haven restaurant was fantastic - though easy to get sick of because the menu doesn't change, so, when we sail the Haven again in October (lol, I know I said we aren't rich people, but, we had some money left and found a good price for Alaska) will do more specialty dining dinners - 2 with the reservation and then we did the additional package of 2 more.

Great plan, glad you had a nice time.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[complawyer]

while there is no shame in not being able to stay in the haven complex, if it's within your budget, there's no shame in booking a haven suite either.

 

while i have read posts here indicating no need or use for the butler and other reasons not to stay in a haven, i think its a great experience all around.

 

 i do agree with my good buddy chiefmatejrk. if youre going to go on  a cruise, and just need a place to shower and sleep, an inside cabin is just as good and dollar wise a much better value.  some people dont need/want the additional amenities. some people do . that's what makes the world go around. although, i recognize which cabin to book on a cruise ship is strictly a first world problem 

 

while i enjoy the pampering a haven cabin gives you, ive said before (many times) the ability of the concierge to walk you off the ship, to your luggage (which is a separate designated area) and get  you on your way within15-20 minutes, to me is worth the price of admission and booking a haven

[pcakes122]

On 7/28/2022 at 6:21 AM, May B said:

It turns out that phone’s only available on four of the ships, not the entire fleet. That makes sense, as you describe it. Thank you!

This can't be correct because I have been on 8 NCL ships in Haven/Suites and have always had the portable "house" phone (Someone earlier referred to it as a cell phone, but it's not a cell phone - it's just a hand-held house phone.) And you can use it to call anywhere on the ship at any time (just like your cabin phone.)  It's a portable extension of your cabin phone.

 

PS  It actually even works off the ship if you are close to the ship. I've used it outside from the pier to communicate with my butler at times.

[mearsfansinboise]

Has anyone sailed the Haven recently? - specifically on the Bliss (or maybe this is a thing on all ships).

When we sailed in March, there was the little Haven tour when we got on board.  I was too lazy and sent my daughter on it.  Later on I was hanging out in the Horizon Lounge and I saw another tour come through and they were told that until 3pm they could eat for free in the American Diner.  I was so bummed because we had already eaten in the Haven restaurant and at that point already 2:45pm.  (I know, #firstworldproblems.)

 

My question:  is this a standard Haven offering? Eat free until x time when board that first day?  Or was this something special that day for some reason?  Planning for October - figuring we'll take up that offer if there is one, because we can do lunch at the Haven restaurant every day thereafter.

 

Anyone know?

[pcakes122]

4 minutes ago, mearsfansinboise said:

Has anyone sailed the Haven recently? - specifically on the Bliss (or maybe this is a thing on all ships).

When we sailed in March, there was the little Haven tour when we got on board.  I was too lazy and sent my daughter on it.  Later on I was hanging out in the Horizon Lounge and I saw another tour come through and they were told that until 3pm they could eat for free in the American Diner.  I was so bummed because we had already eaten in the Haven restaurant and at that point already 2:45pm.  (I know, #firstworldproblems.)

 

My question:  is this a standard Haven offering? Eat free until x time when board that first day?  Or was this something special that day for some reason?  Planning for October - figuring we'll take up that offer if there is one, because we can do lunch at the Haven restaurant every day thereafter.

 

Anyone know?

Yes, this is a regular thing on embarkation day.

[The Shrike]

9 minutes ago, pcakes122 said:

This can't be correct because I have been on 8 NCL ships in Haven/Suites and have always had the portable "house" phone (Someone earlier referred to it as a cell phone, but it's not a cell phone - it's just a hand-held house phone.) And you can use it to call anywhere on the ship at any time (just like your cabin phone.)  It's a portable extension of your cabin phone.

 

PS  It actually even works off the ship if you are close to the ship. I've used it outside from the pier to communicate with my butler at times.

We were in a suite on the Star earlier this month and there was no portable phone.  Could be it's limited to the ships that have Havens.

[Yesimapirate]

8 hours ago, mearsfansinboise said:

 

I am so glad you and @cruiseny4life mentioned this. 

Lately I have read comments on the boards about the attitudes/elitism of people who sail in the Haven and it sort of brought me down a little.  We aren't "rich people" and just sailed in the Haven for the first time this past March.  (No one's business, but we took advantage of the real estate market and sold our rental property and set some money aside to live a little.) 

 

We absolutely loved the Haven experience.  We never had to leave there; meals, Horizon Lounge - with snacks and food and drinks all day + the ability to order off the Haven pool menu (I ain't too proud to eat a good hot dog and the best fries around) - the pool, hot tubs, etc. kept us mostly in our ship within a ship or whatever that expression is.

We only left there for specialty dining and for entertainment on the 6th deck Atrium on occasion.

 

We interacted with our butler (gave him our letter at the first meeting) and our steward, and the concierge.  The service and food in the Haven restaurant was fantastic - though easy to get sick of because the menu doesn't change, so, when we sail the Haven again in October (lol, I know I said we aren't rich people, but, we had some money left and found a good price for Alaska) will do more specialty dining dinners - 2 with the reservation and then we did the additional package of 2 more.

It's an internet chat board.  You don't have to justify the way you vacation.   Do what makes you and your family happy and enjoy it.