Non-Haven Suite Experience on Pearl

[1025cruise]

I'm booked in a non-Haven suite on the Pearl. What type of experience can I expect?

[fox02554]

we're non Haven on the Jewel , there is no haven resterant on the " jewel class ships " so except for the pool and sun deck we're hoping all other suite amenities are the same.

[The Shrike]

You get all the amenities of being in the Haven, you're just not physically located there.  So butler/concierge, dedicated restaurant for lunch and dinner, Haven access, etc.

[phissy]

1 hour ago, The Shrike said:

You get all the amenities of being in the Haven, you're just not physically located there.  So butler/concierge, dedicated restaurant for lunch and dinner, Haven access, etc.

This is not totally correct.

NCL ships have Haven Suites  and Non Haven Suites

We have been on Pearl , in a suite.  Cabin designation is S-

Had breakfast and lunch in dedicated restaurant and butler.
No access to Haven proper.  
On the Jewel, we were in Haven Suite. . Cabin designation is H-

Breakfast and lunch in dedicated restaurant . Butler, concierge etc. 

No Haven restaurant . Must use main dining or specialty restaurants.

Had access to Haven pool and lounge area.
Also note…

NCL has changed mini suite to Club balcony Suite.

Cabin designation is M-

Slightly larger balcony cabin with a nice bathroom.

Not a suite -  you do not have private area for breakfast and lunch or butler. Does include some special perks , such as laundry, bottle of sparkling wine and bathrobe in cabin.

Edited June 4, 2022 by phissy

[The Shrike]

8 minutes ago, phissy said:

This is not totally correct.

NCL ships have Haven Suites  and Non Haven Suites

We have been on Pearl , in a suite.  Cabin designation is S-

Had breakfast and lunch in dedicated restaurant and butler.
No access to Haven proper.  
On the Jewel, we were in Haven Suite. . Cabin designation is H-

Breakfast and lunch in dedicated restaurant . Butler, concierge etc. 

No Haven restaurant . Must use main dining or specialty restaurants.

Had access to Haven pool and lounge area.
 

They've changed that, then.  The last time we were on a Jewel-class ship we were in the Haven, Jan 2019.  All of the non-Haven suite guests had Haven access.

Just did a mock booking to verify, and yep, no more Haven access.  Here are the listed perks for suite guests:
 

• 24-Hour Butler
• Concierge Service
• Personal Escort On and Off the Ship
• Cocktail Party with Ship's Officers
• Fine Bed Linens & Pillow-top Mattress
• Plush Bathrobe, Slippers & Products
• Sparkling Wine & Fruit on Embarkation
• Suite Room Service Available 24-hours
• Invitations to Exclusive Breakfast/Lunch
• Invitations to Exclusive Cocktail Parties
• Delicious Treats Delivered Nightly
• Priority Specialty Dining Reservations

[GeezerCouple]

1 hour ago, The Shrike said:

You get all the amenities of being in the Haven, you're just not physically located there.  So butler/concierge, dedicated restaurant for lunch and dinner, Haven access, etc.

 

This isn't quite accurate, or not completely.

 

There are Haven Suites that are not physically located in the Haven, but they DO have access to the Haven.  "Non-haven suites" that are not physically located in the Haven do NOT have access to the Haven.

 

Examples of the former are the wonderful forward corner suites on Decks 9 and 10, the ones with two balconies each (forward and side).

 

The point is to make sure that you are getting a Haven Suite if you want one, and otherwise understand that you aren't getting a Haven Suite.  Whether they are physically located in the Haven is not sufficient information to know whether there is Haven access or not.

GC

[The Shrike]

Just now, GeezerCouple said:

 

This isn't quite accurate, or not completely.

 

There are Haven Suites that are not physically located in the Haven, but they DO have access to the Haven.  "Non-haven suites" that are not physically located in the Haven do NOT have access to the Haven.

 

Examples of the former are the wonderful forward corner suites on Decks 9 and 10, the ones with two balconies each (forward and side).

 

The point is to make sure that you are getting a Haven Suite if you want one, and otherwise understand that you aren't getting a Haven Suite.  Whether they are physically located in the Haven is not sufficient information to know whether there is Haven access or not.

GC

See my post above.

[phissy]

To avoid confusion, pay attention to Cabin Code when looking at reservations.

 

-H is for true Haven.
Ship may or may not have Haven restaurant.

H suites are all over the ship not just in Haven proper.

 

-S is for Suite.

This are also all over the ship. 
No access to Haven Proper.

 

-M is for Club Balcony Suite

No suite perks except what is mentioned in category description.

 

Edited June 4, 2022 by phissy

[peg013]

6 minutes ago, The Shrike said:

They've changed that, then.  The last time we were on a Jewel-class ship we were in the Haven, Jan 2019.  All of the non-Haven suite guests had Haven access.

 

They have the VIP party in the Haven on the Jewel Class ships but otherwise regular suites with a Category starting with a "S" have never had Haven access since we began sailing on NCL in 2003. I believe there was a short experiment many years ago and the haven guests had a fit so it didn't even last a month. 

[1025cruise]

I know I'm in a suite, just not Haven (would have doubled the cruise price). Since its my first time in a suite, was just wondering what I could expect. I did put in a low bid for a Haven upgrade, but I'm not expecting to actually get it.

[The Shrike]

17 hours ago, peg013 said:

 

They have the VIP party in the Haven on the Jewel Class ships but otherwise regular suites with a Category starting with a "S" have never had Haven access since we began sailing on NCL in 2003. I believe there was a short experiment many years ago and the haven guests had a fit so it didn't even last a month. 

Interesting.  The only reason I thought they did was because a bunch of us were up top sightseeing while going through the fjords and there was a family of Aussies there.  The grandpa was bragging that he got his family non-Haven suites for thousands less but still got to use the Haven.  Apparently he was confused about the category of suites he'd bought.  Sorry if that caused any confusion, OP!

[peg013]

15 minutes ago, The Shrike said:

Interesting.  The only reason I thought they did was because a bunch of us were up top sightseeing while going through the fjords and there was a family of Aussies there.  The grandpa was bragging that he got his family non-Haven suites for thousands less but still got to use the Haven.  Apparently he was confused about the category of suites he'd bought.  Sorry if that caused any confusion, OP!

 

In Alaska 2019, all suite passengers whether haven suite or regular suite were invited to the Haven Sundeck to see the Glaciers in Glacier Bay Park on the Jewel but otherwise we did not have haven access except when specifically invited by the Concierge. Since we had a forward facing penthouse on the Jewel we didn't bother going up to the haven sundeck. The Havens on the Jewel Class ships are much smaller than the Haven areas on the Breakaway and Breakaway Plus ships and really do not have room for more than the Haven suites that are actually in the Haven. All suites, both haven and regular have breakfast in Moderno and lunch in Cagneys from the fleetwide Haven menu. 

[Shellbelle28]

On 6/5/2022 at 8:55 AM, peg013 said:

 

In Alaska 2019, all suite passengers whether haven suite or regular suite were invited to the Haven Sundeck to see the Glaciers in Glacier Bay Park on the Jewel but otherwise we did not have haven access except when specifically invited by the Concierge. Since we had a forward facing penthouse on the Jewel we didn't bother going up to the haven sundeck. The Havens on the Jewel Class ships are much smaller than the Haven areas on the Breakaway and Breakaway Plus ships and really do not have room for more than the Haven suites that are actually in the Haven. All suites, both haven and regular have breakfast in Moderno and lunch in Cagneys from the fleetwide Haven menu. 

We've had the same experience on both the Pearl and the Jewel sailing in Aft Penthouse suites. In the Fjiorlands in NZ, we were escorted to the Haven sun deck to watch the scenery, and in Alaska, during the Glacier Bay visit. 

Also, the concierge visits guests while they are dining in Moderno at breakfast and lunch and has a small desk there, rather than the in-Haven concierge desk. 

[Turtles06]

On 6/4/2022 at 5:53 PM, 1025cruise said:

I know I'm in a suite, just not Haven (would have doubled the cruise price). Since its my first time in a suite, was just wondering what I could expect. I did put in a low bid for a Haven upgrade, but I'm not expecting to actually get it.

 

We've sailed in non-Haven suites on the Jewel-class ships.  You should have a really nice experience.  As others have said, the only thing you won't have access to is the relatively small Haven area, including what they call a "pool" but is short and narrow.   One of the best suite perks, and one that you *will* have, is the ability to eat breakfast (and lunch) in a dedicated venue restricted during those hours to suite guests, usually Cagney's or Moderno.  The breakfast is a wonderful and calm way to start the day.  

 

Enjoy!!

[GeezerCouple]

On 6/4/2022 at 5:53 PM, 1025cruise said:

I know I'm in a suite, just not Haven (would have doubled the cruise price). Since its my first time in a suite, was just wondering what I could expect. I did put in a low bid for a Haven upgrade, but I'm not expecting to actually get it.

 

9 minutes ago, Turtles06 said:

 

We've sailed in non-Haven suites on the Jewel-class ships.  You should have a really nice experience.  As others have said, the only thing you won't have access to is the relatively small Haven area, including what they call a "pool" but is short and narrow.   One of the best suite perks, and one that you *will* have, is the ability to eat breakfast (and lunch) in a dedicated venue restricted during those hours to suite guests, usually Cagney's or Moderno.  The breakfast is a wonderful and calm way to start the day.  

 

Enjoy!!

 

 

I was going to write that all suite guests have access to other suite perks, but I'm not 100% sure how accurate that is these days.  I've read discussions about some suites having their perks sort of downgraded, but I'm not sure how accurate that is, or for which ships/suites.  In particular, there are the Butler services.

 

Some people enjoy those services and others don't.  We are among those who *love* dining in, and we very much appreciate having breakfast waiting when we get up, or being gently awoken by the smell of bacon and coffee, or some very gentle clinking of china as things are set out.

And then there are the dinners, including from the Specialties;  if there is a surcharge, the surcharge still applies, but the "room service" is so welcome if we are tired after an outing.  And for our Alaska cruise, we had a wonderful suite with a wide forward view, so we ate quite a few of our meals as the ship sailed by some exquisite views.  That was on the Sun, so there was no Haven, making our wonderful OS all the more special.  We think the Sun OS should be called a DOS, but that's just our opinion obviously.  (That was such a wonderful cruise...! 🙂 )

 

And the Butler can also bring you snacks that you prefer, if you let them know.  We request fruit, and DH eats a lot of it.  So after he ate all of the (few) pieces of fruit the first time, two platters showed up the next day.  Nice, but after we ate those, a humongous tray showed up the following day.  We thanked our Butler, and asked him to keep a certain amount, but no more, or we'd have to be rolled off the ship at the end. 😁

 

Does anyone know for sure if all suites on the Pearl still have Butler service?

(And if so, are there really some suites on some ships that no longer have it?)

 

Enjoy!

 

GC

 

[peg013]

44 minutes ago, GeezerCouple said:

(And if so, are there really some suites on some ships that no longer have it?)

 

The Joy suites definitely do not have butler service or special meals for breakfast or lunch like the Jewel class ships. 

[GeezerCouple]

38 minutes ago, peg013 said:

 

The Joy suites definitely do not have butler service or special meals for breakfast or lunch like the Jewel class ships. 

 

Do ALL other NCL ships (other than the Joy) have suites that get Butler service and the special breakfast/lunch arrangements?

I guess it's the Joy that I read about.  Any others?

 

Also, any idea why the Joy doesn't have these perks for "regular non-Haven suites"?

 

GC

[peg013]

16 minutes ago, GeezerCouple said:

 

Do ALL other NCL ships (other than the Joy) have suites that get Butler service and the special breakfast/lunch arrangements?

I guess it's the Joy that I read about.  Any others?

 

Also, any idea why the Joy doesn't have these perks for "regular non-Haven suites"?

 

GC

 

From what I read here on CC, they just took the suite meals and butler service away from the Joy suites in December 2021. The Joy was the only ship with "Concierge suites" while it was in Asia which had concierge service but no butler service. When they brought her back and refurbished her, most of those "Concierge suites" were made Haven suites and a few were left to be regular suites. I don't know why they bothered to leave just a few suites "out in the cold" for benefits, but they did. 

[vacation44]

52 minutes ago, GeezerCouple said:

 

Do ALL other NCL ships (other than the Joy) have suites that get Butler service and the special breakfast/lunch arrangements?

I guess it's the Joy that I read about.  Any others?

 

Also, any idea why the Joy doesn't have these perks for "regular non-Haven suites"?

 

GC

When the amenities where taken away last December on the Joy only, I was told it was due to staffing issues.   We were given a $200 OBC as when we booked all of the amenities were supposed to be included.

[Yesimapirate]

On 6/4/2022 at 5:30 PM, The Shrike said:

They've changed that, then.  The last time we were on a Jewel-class ship we were in the Haven, Jan 2019.  All of the non-Haven suite guests had Haven access.

Just did a mock booking to verify, and yep, no more Haven access.  Here are the listed perks for suite guests:
 

• 24-Hour Butler
• Concierge Service
• Personal Escort On and Off the Ship
• Cocktail Party with Ship's Officers
• Fine Bed Linens & Pillow-top Mattress
• Plush Bathrobe, Slippers & Products
• Sparkling Wine & Fruit on Embarkation
• Suite Room Service Available 24-hours
• Invitations to Exclusive Breakfast/Lunch
• Invitations to Exclusive Cocktail Parties
• Delicious Treats Delivered Nightly
• Priority Specialty Dining Reservations

That has not been ny experience. 

 

We have sailed twice in Jewel Class Aft Penthhouse suites and have 2 more currently booked.  I think it's one of the best values on NCL (though I miss the Haven restaurant of the bigger ships).

 

I have never had Haven access.  All of thr other perks were available but at least as far back as 2016, access has not been included. 

[Shellbelle28]

18 hours ago, GeezerCouple said:

Does anyone know for sure if all suites on the Pearl still have Butler service?

(And if so, are there really some suites on some ships that no longer have it?)

 

Enjoy!

 

GC

 

I think that there has been some creep in NCL's use of the term "suite" making that word a bad one to use to determine the included amenities.  The best way to tell is that the room category will start with "H." Taking a look at the room categories on the Bliss anyway, I don't see any rooms that had butler and concierge that don't now. 

[Turtles06]

22 minutes ago, Shellbelle28 said:

I think that there has been some creep in NCL's use of the term "suite" making that word a bad one to use to determine the included amenities.  The best way to tell is that the room category will start with "H." Taking a look at the room categories on the Bliss anyway, I don't see any rooms that had butler and concierge that don't now. 

 

That's not entirely correct (and especially not in a reply to someone asking about Jewel-class ships).  While Room Category "H" denotes Haven Suites (that is, Suites will full Haven access), those are not the only true suites on NCL ships.  Room Category "S" also denotes suites with amenities, except Haven access.  This is particularly important, for example, on the Jewel-class ships, which only have a small Haven area and no Haven restaurant.  As has been explained in comments above, the suites in category S on those ships have suite benefits except for access to that small Haven area. 

Edited June 8, 2022 by Turtles06

[Shellbelle28]

44 minutes ago, Turtles06 said:

 

That's not entirely correct (and especially not in a reply to someone asking about Jewel-class ships).  While Room Category "H" denotes Haven Suites (that is, Suites will full Haven access), those are not the only true suites on NCL ships.  Room Category "S" also denotes suites with amenities, except Haven access.  This is particularly important, for example, on the Jewel-class ships, which only have a small Haven area and no Haven restaurant.  As has been explained in comments above, the suites in category S on those ships have suite benefits except for access to that small Haven area. 

You're right, I'm mistaken.  When I was booked on the Pearl, Jewel, and Sun we were in aft penthouse suites, which do not have Haven space access but do have all other amenities, including butler and concierge. Our room category was SF. 

[jimsig]

On 6/5/2022 at 11:55 AM, peg013 said:

 

In Alaska 2019, all suite passengers whether haven suite or regular suite were invited to the Haven Sundeck to see the Glaciers in Glacier Bay Park on the Jewel but otherwise we did not have haven access except when specifically invited by the Concierge. Since we had a forward facing penthouse on the Jewel we didn't bother going up to the haven sundeck. The Havens on the Jewel Class ships are much smaller than the Haven areas on the Breakaway and Breakaway Plus ships and really do not have room for more than the Haven suites that are actually in the Haven. All suites, both haven and regular have breakfast in Moderno and lunch in Cagneys from the fleetwide Haven menu. 

For Alaska it may depend on the Concierge and/or ship if you get Haven access on glacier days.  I know of someone on the Jewel who had an Aft Penthouse in 2016 that had access when they did (I believe Tracy Arm) their glacier day.  When we sailed the Pearl a year later in the 2br Family Suite on deck 11 we did not have access when we did Glacier Bay.  But the neat thing was they opened the bow to everyone on the ship.  

[KeithJenner]

I was in a non Haven suite on the Jade in April. Literally the only difference between that and a Haven suite was access to the Haven area.

 

Totally the way to go on those ships for us. Paying an extra £100 for haven access wouldn’t have been worth it for us. We had everything we wanted.