The NCL Haven Luxury VIP Experience "Secrets" REVISED for 2022

[Sthrngary]

14 minutes ago, mamashanks said:

we are considering a Haven Suite on Escape but will be traveling with our adult children and wonder if it is possible to invite them to eat with us at the Haven restaurant (can we pay extra for that) or is that not allowed under any circumstance?  We would like

to have them join us but not sure if this is a good situation for us considering they aren't allowed in Haven areas - except our suite.  Am I understanding this correctly?

@mamashanks Your question is asked all the time.  The answer is not as clear as I would like to be.  In the Haven Restaurant has space, usually they approve this request.  It cost more then Specialty Restaurant I think $50.00 per person for dinner. 

 

I don't know your situation however have you considered a Haven Two Bedroom Family Villa or the H2 Owners Suite with second bedroom.  Both usually have 3 and 4th person are free or discounted.  Just a thought.  I did the H2 Owners Suite Joy with my adult children.  We had a great time.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[Russiamomm]

16 minutes ago, mamashanks said:

we are considering a Haven Suite on Escape but will be traveling with our adult children and wonder if it is possible to invite them to eat with us at the Haven restaurant (can we pay extra for that) or is that not allowed under any circumstance?  We would like

to have them join us but not sure if this is a good situation for us considering they aren't allowed in Haven areas - except our suite.  Am I understanding this correctly?

It is up to the concierge and the restaurant.  It has to be arranged in advance.  On our trip on the BA in May we invited friends not staying in the Haven for dinner.  We were allowed to give them a quick tour of the complex and have a drink in the bar before dinner.  It was lovely, but as has been said, there’s no guarantee it will be allowed.

[RocketMan275]

51 minutes ago, mamashanks said:

we are considering a Haven Suite on Escape but will be traveling with our adult children and wonder if it is possible to invite them to eat with us at the Haven restaurant (can we pay extra for that) or is that not allowed under any circumstance?  We would like

to have them join us but not sure if this is a good situation for us considering they aren't allowed in Haven areas - except our suite.  Am I understanding this correctly?

As others have stated, sometimes it is allowed.  Sometimes not.

But, be aware, even if it is allowed, it's unlikely that it will be for more than a single meal.

[mamashanks]

thanks everyone - I will keep all this in mind.

 

[mamashanks]

another question - so if we are Haven and our children aren't, would they be allowed to board with us early and use the same debarkation time to leave early for excursions? Has anyone done this before?  I don't want to be a rule-breaker but also don't want to miss out on these great perks.  I would prefer to keep our group together since we are doing excursions together at each port.

 

[Sthrngary]

7 minutes ago, mamashanks said:

another question - so if we are Haven and our children aren't, would they be allowed to board with us early and use the same debarkation time to leave early for excursions? Has anyone done this before?  I don't want to be a rule-breaker but also don't want to miss out on these great perks.  I would prefer to keep our group together since we are doing excursions together at each port.

 

@mamashanks Impossible to answer accurately. Have people done this successfully, yes.  Can you also be turned down at the Haven Check In Desk, yes.  I know you just found this thread so I want to make my standard statement.  I focus on Realistic Expectations and sometimes someone else experience in a grey area is not accurate to all.  If you expect this amenity to keep your family together and you don't receive it, it can be disappointing.  

 

I suggest considering a bigger Haven Suite for all members of your party.  I know that is not ideal.  Another alternative but not guarantied is to have your Adult Children bid up to a Haven Suite when bids are made available.  If they win a bid, problem solved.  Just looking for as many ways as I know to keep your family together. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[CDR Benson]

26 minutes ago, mamashanks said:

another question - so if we are Haven and our children aren't, would they be allowed to board with us early and use the same debarkation time to leave early for excursions? 

 

 

This is a touchy subject.  Many Haven guests guard the privileges of the Haven zealously.  It's not so much that they would have a problem in your particular case.  (It'd be O.K. with me.) It's that it opens the doors for abuse.

 

Haven guests with their two non-Haven adult children?  Sure, they can come on board early with you.  But that leads to two Haven passengers out of a family group of, say, seven or eight or nine.  Would it be O.K. if all of them got to board early with the Haveners?  What if it's a family of ten or twelve?

 

And what about friends?  Should Haven guests Rob and Laura travelling together with their best friends, non-Haven passengers Jerry and Millie, be permitted to board early together?  And what if Buddy and Pickles and Sally and Mel, who all have inside cabins, came with them?

 

And, if so, then what about the Haven couple who's there with sixteen other people from the message board's roll call and says they're all friends?

 

This is the sort of thing that the Haven staff has to guard against.  Individually, they probably wouldn't have a problem admitting your offspring at the same time as you.  But they have to consider the potential backlash.

 

That said, it's possible that on the particular day you check in, with that particular staff, you might get a "yes".  It will not hurt to ask, but please understand why, if the answer is no.

 

 

Edited July 25, 2023 by CDR Benson

[RocketMan275]

6 minutes ago, CDR Benson said:

And, if so, then what about the Haven couple who's there with sixteen other people from the message board's roll call and says they're all friends?

 

This is the sort of thing that the Haven staff has to guard against.  Individually, they probably wouldn't have a problem admitting your offspring at the same time as you.  But they have to consider the potential backlash.

Then there is the 'but you let ...."

[goldmom]

Also, when we have checked in at the Haven check-in our key cards are right there.  Anyone who is not a Haven guest would need to go to the regular check-in line to check in and get their key cards.  You would then need to ask the Concierge if they can join you in the Haven Lounge, then find them in the regular line and bring them in to the Haven Lounge.  I would think that this could become pretty convoluted.

As far as getting off in ports, I would guess that if they wait with you in your room they could be escorted off early with you as long as you had prior agreement from the Concierge.  I think this is done quite a bit as I have to say that I seem to see a lot of new faces when we get escorted off early in ports.

Enjoy!

[RocketMan275]

57 minutes ago, goldmom said:

As far as getting off in ports, I would guess that if they wait with you in your room they could be escorted off early with you as long as you had prior agreement from the Concierge.  I think this is done quite a bit as I have to say that I seem to see a lot of new faces when we get escorted off early in ports.

Enjoy!

This is basically a form of line jumping.

If this becomes more common, then complaints will increase.

At some point, this perk may be denied even Haven Guests.

[Treasure Hunter]

Then Haven guests will be really angry. If you pay for the Haven , you should get the perks. If you don’t pay for the Haven , you shouldn’t. Very simple. 

[Daniel A]

4 hours ago, mamashanks said:

we are considering a Haven Suite on Escape but will be traveling with our adult children and wonder if it is possible to invite them to eat with us at the Haven restaurant (can we pay extra for that) or is that not allowed under any circumstance? 

 

2 hours ago, mamashanks said:

another question - so if we are Haven and our children aren't, would they be allowed to board with us early and use the same debarkation time to leave early for excursions

 

I don't mean to be a wet blanket, but DW & I worked very hard to earn the money that we are paying in order to enjoy the benefits of sailing in the Haven.  If I had friends or relations sailing on the same cruise as us, and taking our meals and excursions together was a high priority for us, I would book similar cabins in the same part of the ship.  The best way to ensure that you are able to stay together is to have your children book where you plan to be or for you to book where your children plan to be.  My sister is sailing with us on our next cruise, and we are paying extra for her to stay in the Haven with us.  As you can see, I am not just talking the talk, I'm walking the walk.  It would be unfair to us that we should be paying extra for perks that others are being given for free.  Some on here will agree with my belief and some will disagree.  I guess it all comes down to your comfort level.

[jlowe420]

What does everyone think about this scenario.  A solo traveler in the haven.  Should they be allowed to bring a friend or someone they met on the ship to dinner in the haven restaurant? 

[Daniel A]

1 minute ago, jlowe420 said:

What does everyone think about this scenario.  A solo traveler in the haven.  Should they be allowed to bring a friend or someone they met on the ship to dinner in the haven restaurant? 

Sure, as long as they are staying in the Haven too... 🙂

[CDR Benson]

4 minutes ago, jlowe420 said:

What does everyone think about this scenario.  A solo traveler in the haven.  Should they be allowed to bring a friend or someone they met on the ship to dinner in the haven restaurant? 

 

I don't think the circumstance of a solo traveller in the Haven blunts or obviates any of the points raised in the previous posts on this topic.

 

 

 

 

Edited July 25, 2023 by CDR Benson

[jlowe420]

Just now, CDR Benson said:

 

I don't think the curcumstance of a solo traveller in the Haven changes or obviates any of the points raised in the previous posts on this topic.

Just having paid double occupancy a few times for the haven it always bothers me 🙂

[Russiamomm]

8 minutes ago, jlowe420 said:

What does everyone think about this scenario.  A solo traveler in the haven.  Should they be allowed to bring a friend or someone they met on the ship to dinner in the haven restaurant? 

 

6 minutes ago, Daniel A said:

Sure, as long as they are staying in the Haven too... 🙂

Agreed.  If they aren’t staying in the Haven, they cannot eat in the restaurant or use any of the amenities.  You may, with permission, be able to invite them to dinner, but there will be a cost.  I believe it’s $50, but must be arranged in advance and there’s no guarantee that it will be allowed.

Edited July 25, 2023 by Russiamomm

[Russiamomm]

1 minute ago, jlowe420 said:

Just having paid double occupancy a few times for the haven it always bothers me 🙂

I get it.  I travel solo often, but never in the Haven.  I just can’t justify the cost and I’ve never seen them reduce or eliminate the solo supplement for Haven cabins.  But those are the rules.  Sorry!

[NikkiPoooo27]

2 minutes ago, jlowe420 said:

What does everyone think about this scenario.  A solo traveler in the haven.  Should they be allowed to bring a friend or someone they met on the ship to dinner in the haven restaurant? 

I've been told absolutely yes, since I've paid the fare for 2 people. On the Jewel class ships where they don't have a Haven Restaurant I was told specifically that I was allowed to bring a guest to breakfast and lunch at Cagney’s as well. 

[jlowe420]

1 minute ago, NikkiPoooo27 said:

I've been told absolutely yes, since I've paid the fare for 2 people. On the Jewel class ships where they don't have a Haven Restaurant I was told specifically that I was allowed to bring a guest to breakfast and lunch at Cagney’s as well. 

Interesting.  My guess is that I would experience the same.  Don't worry folks - I'm an introvert.  I won't meet someone on the ship and invite them to meals.  That's the opposite of my personality! 

[Russiamomm]

3 minutes ago, NikkiPoooo27 said:

I've been told absolutely yes, since I've paid the fare for 2 people. On the Jewel class ships where they don't have a Haven Restaurant I was told specifically that I was allowed to bring a guest to breakfast and lunch at Cagney’s as well. 

Interesting, indeed.  I’ve never heard of this.  Did you try it?

[Treasure Hunter]

You will meet many terrific people in the Haven, either at the bar or around the pool who will invite you to join them. The bar and lounge can be very jolly. 

[jlowe420]

1 minute ago, Treasure Hunter said:

You will meet many terrific people in the Haven, either at the bar or around the pool who will invite you to join them. The bar and lounge can be very jolly. 

Sometimes people are so friendly that I have to abandon the haven bar because they won't stop making small talk and interrupt my social media browsing.

[UKstages]

On 7/23/2023 at 9:55 AM, PatJim said:

All NCL ships have libraries…

just as a belated point of clarification… the prima (and presumably all prima class ships going forward) has no library or public meeting rooms.

 

 

 

 

 

[Daniel A]

3 hours ago, CDR Benson said:

And what about friends?  Should Haven guests Rob and Laura travelling together with their best friends, non-Haven passengers Jerry and Millie, be permitted to board early together?  And what if Buddy and Pickles and Sally and Mel, who all have inside cabins, came with them?

Definitely not!!  They're supposed to be watching Richie!!  😅