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

[RocketMan275]

10 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Out of all the things I thought would be taxed, traffic congestion never crossed my mind.  How will they collect it?  Toll booths in and out of the city?  I’m sure that will alleviate congestion!

License plate cameras.  Send bill to your address.

[graphicguy]

2 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

License plate cameras.  Send bill to your address.

Whoa.  They tried that in one of the Southern Ohio Municipalities.  It was a camera set up as a speed trap.  Been a while ago, but the local community sued the city they set it up and WON the suit on the grounds of its unconstitutionality.  Realitely small city that had tp pay a fine larger than their annual tax intake.  I think they appealed, but not sure the outcome.  Needless to say, the camera is gone.

[NclCruiuser]

21 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

License plate cameras.  Send bill to your address.

It will use the E-ZPass system, same as what is used now.

[Laszlo]

17 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

$15 isn't going to hurt anyone cruising Haven...heck, it ain't going to hurt anyone cruising. Personally, we travel into Manhattan (including below 60th) and prefer driving the city streets. It's interesting, gets us where we want to be (eventually), and allows us a little more flexibility. We'll just toss the $15 at the MTA and curse them a little bit more. I doubt the streets will be less congested...

 

It's only going to hurt those that travel into NYC for work on a daily. That's when $15 a day stinks. Oh well...that tangent was fun!

Driving Manhattan can be pretty daunting for some, not me. I deal with traffic and crazy drivers everyday in Philly. NYC is just one step above that Lol

[Daniel A]

Wouldn't this thread drift be better located here?

 

 

 

[NclCruiuser]

have a question about booking dinner at the specialty restaurants. Just picked one I wanted and tried to make a reservation, but it was going to charge my credit card. Found out I had to wait till I was on board to use the on board credit (duh). Given that I can't make a reservation till I board, will the concierge be able to get me a date/time that works for me? I see already that a bunch of time slots are already booked. Don't want to find only available time slot is 9:30. Anyone found this to be an issue?

 

Thanks... Steve

[Daniel A]

2 hours ago, NclCruiuser said:

have a question about booking dinner at the specialty restaurants. Just picked one I wanted and tried to make a reservation, but it was going to charge my credit card. Found out I had to wait till I was on board to use the on board credit (duh). Given that I can't make a reservation till I board, will the concierge be able to get me a date/time that works for me? I see already that a bunch of time slots are already booked. Don't want to find only available time slot is 9:30. Anyone found this to be an issue?

 

Thanks... Steve

Our concierge was able to book a table for four at Cagney's when it said it was full, but the concierge can't work miracles.  My advice is that if it is a special occasion and a must have, go ahead and charge it, if it's just to enjoy a particular restaurant, the concierge will be able to find something for you.

 

I don't know if this would work, but you might be able to a) ask the pre-cruise concierge to help, or you can usually book reservations at embarkation in the Haven lounge in the cruise terminal.

b) reserve a table with your CC and once onboard try to work with the concierge to cancel the CC booked reservation and have the concierge immediately re-book it using your OBC.

 

The worst they can do is make you walk the plank or get keel hauled.  😬 

[benel204]

6 hours ago, NclCruiuser said:

have a question about booking dinner at the specialty restaurants. Just picked one I wanted and tried to make a reservation, but it was going to charge my credit card. Found out I had to wait till I was on board to use the on board credit (duh). Given that I can't make a reservation till I board, will the concierge be able to get me a date/time that works for me? I see already that a bunch of time slots are already booked. Don't want to find only available time slot is 9:30. Anyone found this to be an issue?

 

Thanks... Steve

I had the same experience trying to reserve specialty restaurants online (or using the app) --- it wanted me to pay then.  However, I called NCL directly and was able to make the reservations just fine (we are planning to use our 'specialty dining' credits from the Free at Sea promotion). 

[Treasure Hunter]

There are no toll booths anymore. They have overhead cameras that take a picture of your license and mail you a bill unless you have E-Z pass  with an account that is charged per use.

[krazy4kruisin]

How are gratuities figured for people sailing in the Haven? I know the alcohol beverages gratuity

 will be added and the speciality restaurants. If we dining in the MDR on select days, gratuity will be added. I understand that the butler & concierge gratuities are our own responsibilities...Just want to be prepared.

[Russiamomm]

58 minutes ago, krazy4kruisin said:

How are gratuities figured for people sailing in the Haven? I know the alcohol beverages gratuity

 will be added and the speciality restaurants. If we dining in the MDR on select days, gratuity will be added. I understand that the butler & concierge gratuities are our own responsibilities...Just want to be prepared.

I’m not sire what you’re referring to for the MDR.  If you choose to eat there, gratuities are covered by the DSC.  There will be no additional gratuity unless you choose to leave one.  The only additional grats for being in the Haven are the butler and concierge, unless you choose to leave additional for other staff members.

[RocketMan275]

1 hour ago, krazy4kruisin said:

How are gratuities figured for people sailing in the Haven? I know the alcohol beverages gratuity

 will be added and the speciality restaurants. If we dining in the MDR on select days, gratuity will be added. I understand that the butler & concierge gratuities are our own responsibilities...Just want to be prepared.

The DSC, the service charge called by some gratuities, is added to your bill every day and that does not depend upon where  you dine.  $25 PP PD depending upon when you booked  your cruise.

https://www.ncl.com/faq#!#what-is-onboard-service-charge

[krazy4kruisin]

Thank you all. This is our first cruise in the Haven. 

[9tee2Sea]

we usually left $4-6 ( in two dollar bills) on the table every time we ate in the Haven restaurant.  As for making reservations in the speciality, the concierge took care of that for me.  I had to change 1 of the speciality restaurants for a different time, but they ( the restaurant) said they only had 9pm slots open.  I asked the concierge if anything cold be done to accommodate me, but also told him I can understand if he cant.  He said" consider it done, just show up at 5:30" ( which is fine, we eat early anyway).  FYI..inside the Haven Observation Lounge, there is an automatic coffee machine where you can make a really good Cappuccino or Espresso for free.Just push a button and out it comes.

[Girr]

While recent news reports reported some $2 bills may be worth a lot more than their face value, outside of the US it’s very hard to use them. (Even in the states I’ve had had people assume they were fake.). In tipping with $2 bills or $1 coins, especially on cruises outside the US, you may cause the crew members more work than you realize in trying to convert them to a currency they can use. 

Edited April 9 by Girr

[ejincali]

On 3/23/2024 at 1:37 PM, Sthrngary said:

@NclCruiuser Hello and welcome to CruiseCritic.com.  I have been on the NCL Joy in the Haven twice.  I read your post and understand your question and concern. Based on the mobility issues, I would stay in the Haven Proper.  Here is why.  The Joy has a elevator in the Haven that takes you to both Haven floors.  It also has an elevator that takes you to the Haven Sundeck.  The Haven Elevators are never crowded. 

 

Some one suggest HAL,  that is a very nice brand.  There are a lot of Very Nice Brands.  However I am simply addressing your question based on asking about the Haven.  BTW, I am the author of this stream.  Ask me and anyone else on this thread.  Everyone is really nice.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

Just off the Joy.  From the Haven lounge on Deck 17, you can go to Decks 18 and 19 only.  We were in a Haven Suite on deck 14, needed to use either stairs or the packed main elevators for that journey. Lots of kids on deck 14, and lots of kids in the Haven lounges and pool.  The nicest thing was on port days, a butler will take you from the Concierge desk on 17 to a freight elevator immediately behind for an express trip to deck 4.  That elevator is also used on debarkation day and makes things much easier.  

[Jordan61]

1 hour ago, Girr said:

While recent news reports reported some $2 bills may be worth a lot more than their face value, outside of the US it’s very hard to use them. (Even in the states I’ve had had people assume they were fake.). In tipping with $2 bills or $1 coins, especially on cruises outside the US, you may cause the crew members more work than you realize in trying to convert them to a currency they can use. 

 

On our last cruise I had a voucher with a small amount to cash out at the casino. Guess what they paid me with?

[Girr]

Absolutely agree. However try exchanging that $2 bill in Europe for euros or pounds. 

[Laszlo]

If you need to contact the Concierge Department via email here it is  norwegianconciergedesk@ncl.com

 

Our cruise is not until June but I was thinking about what we would like. Sent them an email this morning and within 45 minutes I got a nice reply back stating our request

[PatJim]

On 4/8/2024 at 1:14 PM, Russiamomm said:

I’m not sire what you’re referring to for the MDR.  If you choose to eat there, gratuities are covered by the DSC.  There will be no additional gratuity unless you choose to leave one.  The only additional grats for being in the Haven are the butler and concierge, unless you choose to leave additional for other staff members.

I was surprised to learn that bartenders also are not covered in the Daily Service Charge.  Has something to do with excluding staff who are not used by all cruisers, as not everyone drinks or is in the Haven!  We tip accordingly, usually with every drink order, plus a $20 upfront to Haven bar tender.

 

We also give tips to wait staff in Haven restaurant and elsewhere.  For quite a few cruises we didn’t know anyone did this, then on the Gem in Moderno at breakfast years ago we saw someone slip the waiter a tip, and that got us doing it, too.  This is highly subjective.  The wait staff doesn’t expect tips, and no one should feel they “should” tip.  But New York has a generous tipping culture.  A Concierge we knew once told us he was dismayed at being moved from the Gem to a ship not sailing out of NYC, because the tips were the best here.

[cruiseny4life]

2 minutes ago, PatJim said:

I was surprised to learn that bartenders also are not covered in the Daily Service Charge.  Has something to do with excluding staff who are not used by all cruisers, as not everyone drinks or is in the Haven!  We tip accordingly, usually with every drink order, plus a $20 upfront to Haven bar tender.

Bartenders/bar servers/ bar backs/etc. are covered in the 20% gratuity/service charge on the Free at Sea package. If purchasing a drink without a package, cruisers pay a 20% gratuity/service charge on that drink. 

[drew69]

4 minutes ago, PatJim said:

I was surprised to learn that bartenders also are not covered in the Daily Service Charge.  Has something to do with excluding staff who are not used by all cruisers, as not everyone drinks or is in the Haven!  We tip accordingly, usually with every drink order, plus a $20 upfront to Haven bar tender.

 

We also give tips to wait staff in Haven restaurant and elsewhere.  For quite a few cruises we didn’t know anyone did this, then on the Gem in Moderno at breakfast years ago we saw someone slip the waiter a tip, and that got us doing it, too.  This is highly subjective.  The wait staff doesn’t expect tips, and no one should feel they “should” tip.  But New York has a generous tipping culture.  A Concierge we knew once told us he was dismayed at being moved from the Gem to a ship not sailing out of NYC, because the tips were the best here.

The bartenders including those in the Haven are indeed covered - not by the DSC as no bartenders in or out of the Haven are part of that.  They are tipped by the 20% gratuity added to every drink purchase, including water, etc. delivered to the room, minbar items, etc. as well as the 20% charged on all drink packages or the value of Free drink packages.  

[Russiamomm]

3 minutes ago, PatJim said:

I was surprised to learn that bartenders also are not covered in the Daily Service Charge.  Has something to do with excluding staff who are not used by all cruisers, as not everyone drinks or is in the Haven!  We tip accordingly, usually with every drink order, plus a $20 upfront to Haven bar tender.

 

Sorry, but I think you’re mixing apples and oranges here.  While you are correct that the bartenders are not covered in the DSC, they are included in the gratuity you pay for the drink package, if you have one.  If you don’t have a package, the gratuity is added for each drink purchased. This is different from, and in addition to, the DSC.

 

I’m certainly not going to argue against leaving additional, but you are mixing apples and oranges.

[d9704011]

2 minutes ago, drew69 said:

The bartenders including those in the Haven are indeed covered - not by the DSC as no bartenders in or out of the Haven are part of that.  They are tipped by the 20% gratuity added to every drink purchase, including water, etc. delivered to the room, minbar items, etc. as well as the 20% charged on all drink packages or the value of Free drink packages.  

Yeah... I don't think cruisers should worry too much about people going unpaid.  Go ahead and tip if you wish.

[PatJim]

On 4/9/2024 at 10:43 AM, 9tee2Sea said:

….FYI..inside the Haven Observation Lounge, there is an automatic coffee machine where you can make a really good Cappuccino or Espresso for free.Just push a button and out it comes.

And lattes!💕 Alas, we’ve only found this fantastic coffee machine in the Haven Observation Lounge on the Bliss and Joy.  Was so disappointed not to find it on the Epic,  Breakaway and Getaway.  We’ll be in the Prima Haven in November for the 1st time.  Does anyone know if they also have it?

 

For ships that don’t, I make an approximate latte in the cabin, with hot milk delivered by the butler every morning (along with almond croissants).  It’s the one thing that gets me up!