THE SECRETS OF THE NCL HAVEN LUXURY EXPERIENCE

[Sailing12Away]

We tend to ask the butler to bring a pitcher of OJ on the first day, so that day 2 we'll make our own mimosas with the free sparkling wine they give you. 

 

We've only sailed Haven twice so far, and it was a night and day experience from the first Haven cruise to the 2nd. Not so great on the Jade, simply amazing on the Epic. If all goes well with Covid we'll be on the Bliss in April for the tie breaker experience. Seeing what I've read so far from the rest of you who've sailed the Bliss in Haven, my guess is that we'll be hooked going forward - at least on those classes of ships that have the full experience.

 

It's not looking promising, but we've got an MSC YC Royal Suite booked for this coming January. I'd really like to see the comparison between the 2 lines myself as opinions can vary so widely, and with their Healthcare Heroes promo it was a no brainer.

[Sthrngary]

On 11/18/2020 at 7:37 PM, flyguyjake said:

We've just booked the Haven Deluxe Owner's Suite on the Bliss for 2021. I believe we can get 3 bottles of alcohol in the room included in the PPBP? We like to drink a bottle of Chandon each morning around brunch. Can we order Champagne by the glass to the room with the PPBP? What about cans of beer in suite? For 21K I would hope they would honor any drink request.

I am also in a Haven (H2) Deluxe Owners Suite in November 2021 on the Joy.  My wife loves here wine so I fully understand what you are saying.  Allow me to give you a strategy by letting you know what I am doing and have done.  We always upgrade our drink package to the "Premium Plus" package.  This allows us to get a full bottle of selected wines at any meal and take it back to our suite.  We are ordering Premium Brand Alcohol for our three bottles in the Owner's Suite.  We will do our normal routine by bring bottles of wine back to our room from dinning.  

I wish NCL would do what the Premium Plus and Luxury cruise brands do with room service adult drinks to the room however they do not.  The above is my fix which I personally have no issue with. In my situation, I will have five folks in our room.  I and they like drinks other then wine.  

I hope I was helpful.

[Sthrngary]

On 11/21/2020 at 12:16 PM, Sailing12Away said:

We tend to ask the butler to bring a pitcher of OJ on the first day, so that day 2 we'll make our own mimosas with the free sparkling wine they give you. 

 

We've only sailed Haven twice so far, and it was a night and day experience from the first Haven cruise to the 2nd. Not so great on the Jade, simply amazing on the Epic. If all goes well with Covid we'll be on the Bliss in April for the tie breaker experience. Seeing what I've read so far from the rest of you who've sailed the Bliss in Haven, my guess is that we'll be hooked going forward - at least on those classes of ships that have the full experience.

 

It's not looking promising, but we've got an MSC YC Royal Suite booked for this coming January. I'd really like to see the comparison between the 2 lines myself as opinions can vary so widely, and with their Healthcare Heroes promo it was a no brainer.

Smart Idea on the OJ.  I will be doing that.  The reason why the Epic was better then the Jade (or Pearl) is the Epic had a full Haven.  That means with Haven Restaurants and Haven Bar. The reason why you will like the Bliss is because it is just like the Joy and Encore which are sister ships.  The Haven Courtyard has a retractable roof.  Deck 19 Haven has the Haven Sundeck that also has two extra large hot tubs. I prefer larger ships then smaller ships especially in the Haven. 

[oteixeira]

1 hour ago, Sthrngary said:

Smart Idea on the OJ.  I will be doing that.  The reason why the Epic was better then the Jade (or Pearl) is the Epic had a full Haven.  That means with Haven Restaurants and Haven Bar. The reason why you will like the Bliss is because it is just like the Joy and Encore which are sister ships.  The Haven Courtyard has a retractable roof.  Deck 19 Haven has the Haven Sundeck that also has two extra large hot tubs. I prefer larger ships then smaller ships especially in the Haven. 

Totally agree, on the smaller ships I don't think the Haven would be worth the extra cost.

[HBCcruiser]

On 1/9/2020 at 7:49 AM, tumblew467 said:

The vibe beach club  is a sep entity. Has never been included for Haven. I beleive its 209 for the week. I saw that somewhere. But if I am inccorrect someone will let us know. I have sailed in the Haven and never thought I needed the vibe pass with the haven having its own private sundeck. I have seen in other posts that sometimes the concierage has tickets available , but am not sure how accurate this is. The vibe does not have a pool but oversized hot tubs. 

 

We were able to get day passes to the Vibe from the Concierge on the BA. It was worth it because the Haven sun deck does NOT have a hot tub. I did not like the indoor hot tubs by the Haven pool due to kids taking it over, plus it is indoors. The Vibe hot tubs on the BA have great ocean views! 

[RocketMan275]

We have our first NCL cruise booked for early 2022.  We will be in the Haven.  Does NCL allow one to bring their own wine aboard?

[ColeThornton]

11 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

We have our first NCL cruise booked for early 2022.  We will be in the Haven.  Does NCL allow one to bring their own wine aboard?

 

 

Yes, but there is a corkage fee.  A more detailed answer and lots of other info is included in NCL's FAQ page.  Here is the link:

 

https://www.ncl.com/faq

[RocketMan275]

33 minutes ago, ColeThornton said:

 

 

Yes, but there is a corkage fee.  A more detailed answer and lots of other info is included in NCL's FAQ page.  Here is the link:

 

https://www.ncl.com/faq

Thank you.  I read that as I can bring as many bottles of wine as long as I pay $15 per bottle (750ml).

Is that collected at check-in?

 

[oteixeira]

4 hours ago, HBCcruiser said:

 

We were able to get day passes to the Vibe from the Concierge on the BA. It was worth it because the Haven sun deck does NOT have a hot tub. I did not like the indoor hot tubs by the Haven pool due to kids taking it over, plus it is indoors. The Vibe hot tubs on the BA have great ocean views! 

What ship where you on?  Go up two levels and there are outside hottubs in the haven (from the pool area).  Also, they hottubs in the haven pool are are outside (when the roof is retracted).  Anyway, to each their own.  I hope you enjoyed your time.  Crazy part is the vibe hottub is feet away from the outdoor haven ones, just separated by a hard wall.

[HBCcruiser]

1 hour ago, oteixeira said:

What ship where you on?  Go up two levels and there are outside hottubs in the haven (from the pool area).  Also, they hottubs in the haven pool are are outside (when the roof is retracted).  Anyway, to each their own.  I hope you enjoyed your time.  Crazy part is the vibe hottub is feet away from the outdoor haven ones, just separated by a hard wall.

 

We were on the Breakaway (BA). The Haven Sundeck (upstairs) on that ship does NOT have a hot tub. The only hot tubs on deck 17 (Sundeck level) are in the Vibe. I even wrote that they should add one on my feedback card. The other Away Class ships have them. I guess they learned from their mistake. The BA was the first Away Class ship built. 

Edited March 8, 2021 by HBCcruiser

[HBCcruiser]

1 hour ago, RocketMan275 said:

Thank you.  I read that as I can bring as many bottles of wine as long as I pay $15 per bottle (750ml).

Is that collected at check-in?

 

 

OK so confession: I always bring 6 bottles of wine to drink in the suite in a roller carryon. I have (so far) not been charged the corkage fee UNLESS I take the bottle to a restaurant. Not sure why but...🤷‍♀️ I’m not complaining! (We purchase the wine the day before and board with it. We do not fly with it) 🥂

[don't-use-real-name]

The wine corkage fee is paid (billed to your on board account) at the security point.

After passing the security equipment - the wine or other beverages are flagged and

the guest is directed to a crew member who will bill your account and put a small

corkage sticker tag on the bottle(s).

The guest is then free to take and use the wine anywhere on the ship.

NCL will provide the cork screw to remove the cork (or twist top) to serve the wine

to you in one or its restaurants - in your own cabin bring your own cork screw or

have the cabin steward provide one and the glasses.

 

The issue with bottles that are not corkage tagged is when taken to a restaurant

the waiter will look for the tag and it being missing will bill your account at that point.

At least that is the way it is supposed to happen.

 

There have been times the corkage desk is not maintained or a shift change is in

progress the guest slips through the cracks without paying.

 

One must be really in love with their own wine to lug haul drag carry tote the bottles

onboard the ship and pay the corkage fee ($15 for 750ml to liter - $30 for a magnum

- NO box wines permitted {that is not serious wine}).

Consider the Viva Vino program for purchase of NCL wines or one of the alcohol

beverage packages.

 

[HBCcruiser]

20 minutes ago, don't-use-real-name said:

 

 

One must be really in love with their own wine to lug haul drag carry tote the bottles

onboard the ship and pay the corkage fee ($15 for 750ml to liter - $30 for a magnum

 

 

It’s not that I’m against paying the corkage fee, there was never an area I saw to pay. We were always escorted right to the Haven lounge then onto the ship. Yes, I am particular about my wine. They did not used to have the Cabs I like to drink on NCL. 

Edited March 8, 2021 by HBCcruiser

[Named-Tawny]

51 minutes ago, don't-use-real-name said:

The wine corkage fee is paid (billed to your on board account) at the security point.

After passing the security equipment - the wine or other beverages are flagged and

the guest is directed to a crew member who will bill your account and put a small

corkage sticker tag on the bottle(s).

The guest is then free to take and use the wine anywhere on the ship.

NCL will provide the cork screw to remove the cork (or twist top) to serve the wine

to you in one or its restaurants - in your own cabin bring your own cork screw or

have the cabin steward provide one and the glasses.

 

The issue with bottles that are not corkage tagged is when taken to a restaurant

the waiter will look for the tag and it being missing will bill your account at that point.

At least that is the way it is supposed to happen.

 

There have been times the corkage desk is not maintained or a shift change is in

progress the guest slips through the cracks without paying.

 

One must be really in love with their own wine to lug haul drag carry tote the bottles

onboard the ship and pay the corkage fee ($15 for 750ml to liter - $30 for a magnum

- NO box wines permitted {that is not serious wine}).

Consider the Viva Vino program for purchase of NCL wines or one of the alcohol

beverage packages.

 

Also though, you don't have to bring the wine with you every meal.  On the first day, just go to the MDR and give the steward your wine.  They'll also store it for you, and give you tags.

Then, no matter where you are on the ship, you can hand it a tag, and they'll fetch you the wine and serve it for you.

Honestly, at only $15 corkage for that service, it's one of the best values on the ship.

[don't-use-real-name]

45 minutes ago, HBCcruiser said:

It’s not that I’m against paying the corkage fee, there was never an area I saw to pay. We were always escorted right to the Haven lounge then onto the ship. Yes, I am particular about my wine. They did not used to have the Cabs I like to drink on NCL. 

Being in the Haven can be a distraction during check-in security and then the escort - things get

missed overlooked waived - Congrats "One flew over the cuckoo's nest" !

[don't-use-real-name]

14 minutes ago, Named-Tawny said:

Also though, you don't have to bring the wine with you every meal.  On the first day, just go to the MDR and give the steward your wine.  They'll also store it for you, and give you tags.

Then, no matter where you are on the ship, you can hand it a tag, and they'll fetch you the wine and serve it for you.

Honestly, at only $15 corkage for that service, it's one of the best values on the ship.

Well that is one feature I did not know about - giving your corkage paid wine to crew member

at the MDR for storage and handling.

That is the program that NCL has when you purchase the Viva Vino program.

You can of course take any or all the bottles to your cabin if you wish.

 

Don't forget to factor in the base cost of your wine to the $15 cork fee per bottle to see if this

is a real bargain/value service.

[RocketMan275]

9 hours ago, don't-use-real-name said:

 

 

One must be really in love with their own wine to lug haul drag carry tote the bottles

onboard the ship and pay the corkage fee ($15 for 750ml to liter - $30 for a magnum

 

 

It's been my experience that wines offered on board cruise ships are not particularly worthwhile.  We have been cruising Holland which has a similar policy to NCL and we've always brought at least one bottle per day aboard.  It's a hassle, but a hassle we'll worth it.  In fact, we often choose our pre-boarding hotel based upon it's proximity to a good wine store.  We've found that paying corkage is a very good bargain.  YMMV.

[Sthrngary]

On 3/7/2021 at 1:14 PM, HBCcruiser said:

 

We were able to get day passes to the Vibe from the Concierge on the BA. It was worth it because the Haven sun deck does NOT have a hot tub. I did not like the indoor hot tubs by the Haven pool due to kids taking it over, plus it is indoors. The Vibe hot tubs on the BA have great ocean views! 

The Haven on the Bliss, Joy and Encore which are all sister ships have two HUGE hot tubs on their sun deck.  Front left and right.  When I was on the Getaway, the Haven Sundeck did not have a hot tub. 

[david_sobe]

Its crazy for anyone to book Vibe when staying in the Haven. I agree with the poster's reasons but that pretty much explains the Haven is not worth it on those ships if you are paying a huge premium to stay on the Haven and admitting the sundeck and pool area is sub par to Vibe.  Yes its true, the Haven area can be over run with kids.  I wish NCL would create a kids area within the Haven to avoid these issues.

Yes its true, NCL expanded the Haven areas on the Plus ships adding one hot tub on the sundeck on Escape but 2 on the Joy, Bliss, and Encore.

Edited April 4, 2021 by david_sobe

[sverigecruiser]

4 hours ago, david_sobe said:

Its crazy for anyone to book Vibe when staying in the Haven. I agree with the poster's reasons but that pretty much explains the Haven is not worth it on those ships if you are paying a huge premium to stay on the Haven and admitting the sundeck and pool area is sub par to Vibe.  Yes its true, the Haven area can be over run with kids.  I wish NCL would create a kids area within the Haven to avoid these issues.

Yes its true, NCL expanded the Haven areas on the Plus ships adding one hot tub on the sundeck on Escape but 2 on the Joy, Bliss, and Encore.

 

Have to disagree.

 

The sundeck and pool area is sub par to VIBE on Breakaway but the Haven lounge and restaurant, + some other perks, are still worth paying for.

[BirdTravels]

2 minutes ago, sverigecruiser said:

 

Have to disagree.

 

The sundeck and pool area is sub par to VIBE on Breakaway but the Haven lounge and restaurant, + some other perks, are still worth paying for.

The sundeck of the Haven and sundeck of the vibe is about 3” (width of a metal divider) from the Vibe. 

[sverigecruiser]

5 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

The sundeck of the Haven and sundeck of the vibe is about 3” (width of a metal divider) from the Vibe. 

 

Very close but VIBE is still adults only and has a bar and hot tubs which the sundeck on the Breakaway hasn't.

[Two Wheels Only]

Not all VIBEs are equal. Not all Haven sundecks are equal.

 

If a Haven guests wants a VIBE pass, they should go for it (using whatever advantage that they have). If a Haven guest feels that VIBE isn't worth the cost nor the hassle, they should skip it.

 

It would be nice if NCL was a bit more uniform with Haven sundeck size for the BA/BA Plus ships. For ex., make the forward-facing sundeck Haven-only for all 6 ships instead of for just the last 3. BA/GA/Escape need more than just a small corner.

 

Since there is no Spice H2O on Encore, I would cut VIBE in half and make 1 side open to all adults (mini Spice, I guess).

[Sthrngary]

On 4/4/2021 at 6:32 PM, Two Wheels Only said:

Not all VIBEs are equal. Not all Haven sundecks are equal.

 

If a Haven guests wants a VIBE pass, they should go for it (using whatever advantage that they have). If a Haven guest feels that VIBE isn't worth the cost nor the hassle, they should skip it.

 

It would be nice if NCL was a bit more uniform with Haven sundeck size for the BA/BA Plus ships. For ex., make the forward-facing sundeck Haven-only for all 6 ships instead of for just the last 3. BA/GA/Escape need more than just a small corner.

 

Since there is no Spice H2O on Encore, I would cut VIBE in half and make 1 side open to all adults (mini Spice, I guess).

I agree with everything you have said.  I would like to add a few things.  Since the larger ships, Bliss, Encore and Joy have over 4000 guests yet under 180 Haven guests; I think access to the Vibe Beach Club should be included.  I know the Haven sun deck is right next door.  Just a nice thing that would not cost NCL one cent. You are right, All Havens are not made the same.  For me the biggest thing is the Haven Sun Deck.  On the bigger and newer ships mentioned below, deck 19 is not only a Haven Sun deck. It has two huge hot tubs.  If you were on the Getaway, it would not include the hot tub on the sun deck. Finally, what most folks don't figure out in time is tell your butler that all room service items should come from the Haven Restaurant.  Regulars room service foods are well, just ok. 

[oteixeira]

14 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

 Finally, what most folks don't figure out in time is tell your butler that all room service items should come from the Haven Restaurant.  Regulars room service foods are well, just ok. 

Funny, my butler did this for me.  I asked for all the breakfast menus so I can pick and choose.  He came back with the Haven Restaurant breakfast menu and said "anything you don't see I will just ask Haven Restaurant to make".  I figured it was for convenience for him, but now I wonder if he was just continuing to go above and beyond as we had a great understanding between us and he gave us amazing service the entire trip.