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

[Sthrngary]

2 hours ago, vinotinto said:

I have this same question. My daughter is vegetarian, but also sometimes eats some fish and some seafood. When we last stayed in Haven, she ate at the Noodle bar without us a bunch of times and we also had dinner as a family in the MDR (they had shows with the dancers) a coup[le of times, but I have been hearing that with advance notice they can get or prepare something in the Haven for her. Would be valuable to learn more about this and whether they prepare it in the Haven restaurant or if they can bring it from the MDR. When is your trip? We're going at the end of March.

@vinotinto and @benel204 24 hours in advance, tell the staff in the Haven Restaurant what you want from the Main dining room.  When you get the Haven Pre-Cruise information packet about 30 days prior to cruise, call or email the Haven shore Concierge and ask for a special accommodation for the first night if you are not going to a specialty restaurant. The key is a kind heads up.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

[vinotinto]

11 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

@vinotinto and @benel204 24 hours in advance, tell the staff in the Haven Restaurant what you want from the Main dining room.  When you get the Haven Pre-Cruise information packet about 30 days prior to cruise, call or email the Haven shore Concierge and ask for a special accommodation for the first night if you are not going to a specialty restaurant. The key is a kind heads up.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Thank you! Do you know if the Haven will know the MDR rotating entrees/menu the evening before? They get posted the day they get served outside the MDR, but that would not give us enough time to give 24 hours notice...

[Sthrngary]

10 minutes ago, vinotinto said:

Thank you! Do you know if the Haven will know the MDR rotating entrees/menu the evening before? They get posted the day they get served outside the MDR, but that would not give us enough time to give 24 hours notice...

@vinotinto No I don't but they will most likely say to give them a heads up at breakfast.  Just let them know day one your intentions. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[renji]

10 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

@Treasure Hunter Please share your review after your trip.  Crystal seems to be coming back stronger then they were.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

I’ve been on old Crystal twice and loved it.  Curious to hear as well…

[renji]

4 hours ago, benel204 said:

Speaking of food on the Haven, I have a question about how to arrange a dish being served in the MDR.

We are primarily fish eaters (no shellfish, so if you see us in the Haven DR, you can have my lobster tail)....

I see Tuna and Trout on the Haven menu as the only fish options.

In the MDR, I assume like many cruise ships they will regularly serve either Branzino/Seabass or Salmon (all farm raised of course).

If I request either of those fish options a day in advance, does the Haven dining staff prepare it? Or is it prepared in MDR and then they just bring it upstairs? 

 

I’m in the same boat (pescatarian but no shellfish) and stayed in the Haven twice.  I wound up doing the specialty dining a lot for dinner because I had friends outside the Haven.  I found egg whites and smoked salmon the perfect breakfast and did fall in love with the squash for a light lunch.  But most dinners I ventured out.  (I found more salmon and branzino availability on Royal Caribbean and Cunard).  But it is worth asking your concierge at the beginning of the week (or in advance) if they would get it for you, perhaps even prepare it there.  

[Treasure Hunter]

Crystal removed their casinos. I still love the ship within a big ship concept so we shall see.

[Sthrngary]

12 hours ago, Treasure Hunter said:

Crystal removed their casinos. I still love the ship within a big ship concept so we shall see.

@Treasure Hunter Crystal WAS a fine product and it seems they have come back with a fine product after they were purchases.  Here is the relevance of the Crystal Brand and how it relates to the NCL Haven.  

 

The Haven was created to provide ALL the benefits of a huge mega ship and an exclusive VIP area.  They did coin the phrase, Ship-Within-A-Ship.  So we can do a giant water slide followed by a relaxing lunch by a private pool in a private area.  The best of both worlds, truly.  Yet there is a completely different experience when you do a brand like Crystal, Regents, Oceania, Ritz Carlton and other luxury/ultra luxury brands.

 

With brands like Crystal, the entire ship becomes the Haven.  I call it Haven on Steroids. Once you leave your Stateroom, everyone is treated basically the same.  The Personalized service is consistent across the ship not just in a specific area. Although there is a guest class system, it is very minor which on the NCL ships, it is major.  The nickel and dime is reduced but not eliminated which is a pleasant surprise. Yet the Chair Hogs are alive and well. The Luxury and Ultra Luxury Brands have much smaller ships and a higher crew to guest ratio.  The Butlers are better trained and the focus more on the guest needs. The food is usually better across the board. For this, you pay a premium. A Luxury/Ultra luxury ship seems to be better suited for a port intensive cruise especially if the port need smaller ships.  They also seem to attract an older demographic. 

 

If I go to Mexico or the Caribbean, my personal preference is the NCL Haven, Celebrity Retreat or MSC Yacht Club.  If I go to Europe of Asia, it is a Crystal, Regent or Oceania type Cruise level.  The cost between NCL Haven and Luxury/Ultra Luxury brands are closer then one knows until the do some real research.

 

My point is both work, both scratch an itch for different vacation needs.  This and other threads have focused on some of the cut backs like lobster tails being limited in the Haven Restaurant.  This is what happens when guest enjoy what they receive and the brand cannot improve on the theme.  Folks love the Amenities until they are reduced or eliminated with no substitute.  That is when Social Media has a topic which now seems to be Lobsters tails.  Third world problems but fun to write about.  

 

Hope that makes sense.  All cruise opinions work for the specific type of vacations we want to achieve. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

[joy walker]

Regarding MDR meal requests -  We are vegetarian (no fish) so the Haven menu is very limited but, on the Breakaway  (March 2023),  the Maitre d met with me in the morning (or once the night before) and we could order from the MDR menu to be served in Haven.  That said the Haven food was so much better we often did A LOT of Haven sides as our meal.

[DMH15]

1 hour ago, joy walker said:

Regarding MDR meal requests -  We are vegetarian (no fish) so the Haven menu is very limited but, on the Breakaway  (March 2023),  the Maitre d met with me in the morning (or once the night before) and we could order from the MDR menu to be served in Haven.  That said the Haven food was so much better we often did A LOT of Haven sides as our meal.

My niece is VEGAN and both Jewel and Epic Haven and Specialty Restaurants treated her like a princess. 
 

Even daily snacks were catered to her.  Crudite and a tomato vinaigrette was one of them.  
 

I remember Le Bistro did a beautiful entree and desert for her.  
 

A gorgeous veggie stack with marinara and bruleed bananas with garnish.  Lovely. 

Edited March 1 by DMH15
Typo

[Yesimapirate]

15 minutes ago, DMH15 said:

My niece is VEGAN and both Jewel and Epic Haven and Specialty Restaurants treated her like a princess. 
 

Even daily snacks were catered to her.  Crudite and a tomato vinaigrette was one of them.  
 

I remember Le Bistro did a beautiful entree and desert for her.  
 

A gorgeous veggie stack with marinara and bruleed bananas with garnish.  Lovely. 

This really bothers me.   

 

Not that they took care of your niece.   I think that's great and they should.   What bothers me is it seems so difficult to get my diabetic wife a sugar free dessert at the Haven restaurant.   The following are replies we've received when we asked.  Keep in mind that litterally EVERY other restaurant on the ship has sugar free/no sugar options available. 

 

-we only offer what's on the menu

-have you tried the buffet 

-we might have some fruit left over from breakfast 

-I don't understand 

-you should have contacted the special needs desk/pre-departure concierge (I had contacted both

-we don't have that because no one has ever asked

-you should tell your butler to get something and bring it to your room

-and just this morning I got an email saying it's up to the chef on board and I would need to discuss it with him

 

Yes, the Haven which claims you can customize things is not willing to go to the buffet/main dining room or anywhere else to get the sugar free dessert already on offer to others.   It's pretty frustrating and really just makes her feel bad for being a diabetic. This has happened on every single one of our cruises that had a Haven restaurant!  Ironically,  it's never been an issue on ships that didn't have a Haven restaurant when we asked at lunch. 

[cruiseny4life]

1 hour ago, Yesimapirate said:

This really bothers me.   

 

Not that they took care of your niece.   I think that's great and they should.   What bothers me is it seems so difficult to get my diabetic wife a sugar free dessert at the Haven restaurant.   The following are replies we've received when we asked.  Keep in mind that litterally EVERY other restaurant on the ship has sugar free/no sugar options available. 

 

-we only offer what's on the menu

-have you tried the buffet 

-we might have some fruit left over from breakfast 

-I don't understand 

-you should have contacted the special needs desk/pre-departure concierge (I had contacted both

-we don't have that because no one has ever asked

-you should tell your butler to get something and bring it to your room

-and just this morning I got an email saying it's up to the chef on board and I would need to discuss it with him

 

Yes, the Haven which claims you can customize things is not willing to go to the buffet/main dining room or anywhere else to get the sugar free dessert already on offer to others.   It's pretty frustrating and really just makes her feel bad for being a diabetic. This has happened on every single one of our cruises that had a Haven restaurant!  Ironically,  it's never been an issue on ships that didn't have a Haven restaurant when we asked at lunch. 

Have you ever had a conversation with the restaurant manager the day before asking for a sugar-free dessert? I completely get the I don't want to plan what I'm having 24 hours in advance, but in this case it might be advantageous. 

 

Best of luck....you leave, when? Seven or eight days? 

[graphicguy]

Generally speaking, I have found if you give the Haven Restaurant 24 hour heads up on what you want, if they can do it, they will do it.  Further, let the precruise Concierge any special needs so they can give the ship’s staff a bit to accommodate where they can.

 

While I do understand someone who would prefer an MDR menu, the Haven would transport that from the MDR.

 

Just dine in the MDR if that’s the menu you want!

[vacation44]

On our 2019 Escape cruise, my daughter ate a vegan diet.   Every afternoon she was told to go to the restaurant we were dining at that evening and discuss dinner options for her.    

[cruiseny4life]

Oh nevermind

Edited March 1 by cruiseny4life

[graphicguy]

I have ALWAYS found the restaurant manager to be accommodating.  

 

They regularly brought my GF sugar free ice creams and mousses.

 

The onboard Concierge would have handled this for you if the restaurant manager didn’t.

[Yesimapirate]

1 minute ago, graphicguy said:

I have ALWAYS found the restaurant manager to be accommodating.  

 

They regularly brought my GF sugar free ice creams and mousses.

 

The onboard Concierge would have handled this for you if the restaurant manager didn’t.

I'm happy to hear about your experiences.   However,  that is not mine.

 

Did they finally accommodate?  Yes. Usually by dinner on the 2nd or 3rd night. But I shouldn't have to ask more than once or more than one person.   I think mentioning if before the cruise, to the concierge upon board, in a letter to the concierge and to the restaurant manager at lunch should be enough to have something available for dinner.  I'm really not seeing how this is a difficult request.   I'm not asking them to make anything special.  Just do have ANYTHING from another restaurant on the ship available.   We don't care if it's from the buffet.   We just want her to be able to enjoy it at dinner rather than us finishing dinner and walking to the buffet ourselves.   

[graphicguy]

I truly am sorry to hear of your disappointment.  

 

I’ve seen some of your other posts. Sometimes a cruise line and a guest just don’t synch.  This may be one of those times.

[DMH15]

2 hours ago, Yesimapirate said:

This really bothers me.   

 

Not that they took care of your niece.   I think that's great and they should.   What bothers me is it seems so difficult to get my diabetic wife a sugar free dessert at the Haven restaurant.   The following are replies we've received when we asked.  Keep in mind that litterally EVERY other restaurant on the ship has sugar free/no sugar options available. 

 

-we only offer what's on the menu

-have you tried the buffet 

-we might have some fruit left over from breakfast 

-I don't understand 

-you should have contacted the special needs desk/pre-departure concierge (I had contacted both

-we don't have that because no one has ever asked

-you should tell your butler to get something and bring it to your room

-and just this morning I got an email saying it's up to the chef on board and I would need to discuss it with him

 

Yes, the Haven which claims you can customize things is not willing to go to the buffet/main dining room or anywhere else to get the sugar free dessert already on offer to others.   It's pretty frustrating and really just makes her feel bad for being a diabetic. This has happened on every single one of our cruises that had a Haven restaurant!  Ironically,  it's never been an issue on ships that didn't have a Haven restaurant when we asked at lunch. 

Wow.    I totally get you.   Both of my parents were diabetic.   So is my sister.  And my brother is too with many checks daily and insulin shots.  I am keto.  So, I heavily reduce my carbs and and no “real sugar”.   I have done lots of research and I have a pastry education as well as culinary and restaurant management.   But I do not use it professionally.  
 

My brother is an attorney in SC and goes out to high end restaurants.  His server asks if he wants dessert.   He asks if they have anything sugar free.  The answer is always no.  
 

It is the same here in Dallas.  
 

OPPORTUNITIES MISSED!

 

The cruise lines do too.  
 

What percentage of people for health or dietary needs or wants would choose a delicious alternative?

 

It is a shame.  
 

Restaurants - Cruise Lines… Get with it!  They could hire me. 

[JGander]

19 hours ago, Yesimapirate said:

This really bothers me.   

 

Not that they took care of your niece.   I think that's great and they should.   What bothers me is it seems so difficult to get my diabetic wife a sugar free dessert at the Haven restaurant.   The following are replies we've received when we asked.  Keep in mind that litterally EVERY other restaurant on the ship has sugar free/no sugar options available. 

 

-we only offer what's on the menu

-have you tried the buffet 

-we might have some fruit left over from breakfast 

-I don't understand 

-you should have contacted the special needs desk/pre-departure concierge (I had contacted both

-we don't have that because no one has ever asked

-you should tell your butler to get something and bring it to your room

-and just this morning I got an email saying it's up to the chef on board and I would need to discuss it with him

 

Yes, the Haven which claims you can customize things is not willing to go to the buffet/main dining room or anywhere else to get the sugar free dessert already on offer to others.   It's pretty frustrating and really just makes her feel bad for being a diabetic. This has happened on every single one of our cruises that had a Haven restaurant!  Ironically,  it's never been an issue on ships that didn't have a Haven restaurant when we asked at lunch. 

 

Hmmm, this being my first cruise since becoming diabetic I think this should be interesting. Will have to remember to bring my butler phone to the restaurant and order the butler to deliver the dessert to the restaurant table. And then make certain the concierge knows my opinion of this problem.

[Daniel A]

As @Sthrngary would say, one needs to have realistic expectations.  Asking for specialty dining options at the dinner table during their busiest time of day, is not going to maximize one's chances of obtaining those dishes.   Meeting with the restaurant manager in advance is much more likely to have a positive outcome.   Give the restaurant staff enough advance time to have what you would like when you arrive for dinner. 

[vinotinto]

On 3/1/2024 at 1:50 PM, Yesimapirate said:

This really bothers me.   

 

Not that they took care of your niece.   I think that's great and they should.   What bothers me is it seems so difficult to get my diabetic wife a sugar free dessert at the Haven restaurant.   The following are replies we've received when we asked.  Keep in mind that litterally EVERY other restaurant on the ship has sugar free/no sugar options available. 

 

-we only offer what's on the menu

-have you tried the buffet 

-we might have some fruit left over from breakfast 

-I don't understand 

-you should have contacted the special needs desk/pre-departure concierge (I had contacted both

-we don't have that because no one has ever asked

-you should tell your butler to get something and bring it to your room

-and just this morning I got an email saying it's up to the chef on board and I would need to discuss it with him

 

Yes, the Haven which claims you can customize things is not willing to go to the buffet/main dining room or anywhere else to get the sugar free dessert already on offer to others.   It's pretty frustrating and really just makes her feel bad for being a diabetic. This has happened on every single one of our cruises that had a Haven restaurant!  Ironically,  it's never been an issue on ships that didn't have a Haven restaurant when we asked at lunch. 

 

On 3/2/2024 at 8:54 AM, JGander said:

 

Hmmm, this being my first cruise since becoming diabetic I think this should be interesting. Will have to remember to bring my butler phone to the restaurant and order the butler to deliver the dessert to the restaurant table. And then make certain the concierge knows my opinion of this problem.

 

Even if there are a lot of us that follow a low-carb lifestyle (I'm including keto, diabetic / pre-diabetic here), they probably don't offer much because it doesn't get ordered much as we tend to be careful about desserts marked as "sugar-free," because some of them have a lot of carbs that can cause glucose spikes and it doesn't make sense to devote a lot of resources to prepare something that may or may not be ordered/requested. I'm not familiar with NCL's sugar-free desserts, but I've seen crazy stuff marked as "sugar free" that I would never order (e.g., brownies made with flour and starches come to mind). I also need to know what sugar substitute(s) are used as they don't all hit the same (e.g., stevia is OK for me, but I avoid maltitol, sorbitol, etc.) and that is often difficult to find out.

 

 

[Distinctive-Destinations]

My wife is diabetic and we have had these same issues in the Haven on the Epic in November.

 

No one seems to have any idea about it. Otherwise the food we thought was good and enjoyable, etc but as far as diabetic desserts go, she either had none (most nights) or one small bite of mine.

[surfclam2003]

Got our luggage tags in the mail today! 34 days to go for our Epic TA and 10 night Med. Car services, excursions and flights all done.

 

Just need to pack.

[tcmagnum]

On 3/4/2024 at 12:56 PM, surfclam2003 said:

Got our luggage tags in the mail today! 34 days to go for our Epic TA and 10 night Med. Car services, excursions and flights all done.

 

Just need to pack.

Have a great trip!!

We are doing the TA in October bringing the Epic back to the Florida coast.

[Battlement]

This is an amazing thread. Thanks to @Sthrngary @cruiseny4lifeand the other folks from this board who have answered my questions. 

 

We have been Retreat devotees for a decade, and this is our first Haven experience. Like Gary, if my wife is happy, I am happy. So, my plan is to tip the Haven staff early (bartenders, Butler, maybe concierge) and maybe even let them know that I would like to open my wife's mind to NCL Haven (sorta spark some friendly competition, give them a financial and pride-based reason to make the trip awesome!).

 

I hope we get a great butler. I'm ready with cash to toss his way (her way? are there female butlers? anyway...) 

 

Getaway room 13902, leaving in 3 days.  If you're on the ship or have questions about anything I'd be glad to try to pay it forward to all the folks that have answered mine.

 

One last question: my son is super excited for the noodle bar. All I keep reading is that the lines for it are insane. Any tips to help out with that? Can the concierge get us in the back door, or perhaps the butler bring dishes to our cabin? 

 

Thanks again, all!

Edited March 22 by Battlement