Haven Dinner Question

[TampaGambler]

If we see appetizers we like from the main dining room, are we able to order a couple of those in the Haven restaurant as well?

[The Shrike]

50 minutes ago, TampaGambler said:

If we see appetizers we like from the main dining room, are we able to order a couple of those in the Haven restaurant as well?

Yes.  But if you do it at the table it will take some time to get them.  So I recommend checking the MDR menu earlier in the day, and if there's something you want from it when you eat in the Haven DR, arrange it through the host/hostess or concierge earlier in the day so that they can have it for you more promptly.

An example from a few years back:  the MDR had stracciatella ice cream for dessert, but the Haven did not.  DW loves stracciatella and when it came time to order dessert she asked if she could get some.  The waiter said "Of course, but it will take about twenty minutes as we have to go down and get some."  It took about 15, which was no big deal as we were in no hurry and just enjoyed some after dinner drinks and coffee while we waited.

[TampaGambler]

8 minutes ago, The Shrike said:

Yes.  But if you do it at the table it will take some time to get them.  So I recommend checking the MDR menu earlier in the day, and if there's something you want from it when you eat in the Haven DR, arrange it through the host/hostess or concierge earlier in the day so that they can have it for you more promptly.

An example from a few years back:  the MDR had stracciatella ice cream for dessert, but the Haven did not.  DW loves stracciatella and when it came time to order dessert she asked if she could get some.  The waiter said "Of course, but it will take about twenty minutes as we have to go down and get some."  It took about 15, which was no big deal as we were in no hurry and just enjoyed some after dinner drinks and coffee while we waited.

 

Thank you, I assumed that was the case, but wanted to confirm. 

 

I was looking at the MDR menus for our upcoming cruise, and if they stay the same, we wouldn't mind trying some of the apps on a few days. 

[BirdTravels]

1 hour ago, TampaGambler said:

If we see appetizers we like from the main dining room, are we able to order a couple of those in the Haven restaurant as well?

You can. It may take a waiter or galley staff out of the Haven to run down to the other end of the ship to get it for you. That impacts the service in the entire restaurant. Or they may call your butler off of evening turndowns to run and get it for you. Bottom line is if you realllly will die if you don't get that MDR dish, eat at the MDR that evening. 

[YVRteacher]

No, that’s not the bottom line. That’s your opinion.

 

The bottom line is Haven passengers pay a huge amount of money for Haven services and your butler can arrange for food from other restaurants to be delivered to you.

[david_sobe]

I think its up to the Haven manager (not concierge or butler).  It could vary from ship to ship but they dont want non-Haven food brought in.  When I was on Encore in 2020 I asked the concierge if we could get Onda delivered to the Haven restaurant since Onda was sold out.  I was told it would have to be cleared with the Haven manager.  The face that I got looked like it was going to be a no.   They want you to eat food delivered by your butler in your cabin.   However many years ago people would report they did this.  I could see its a strain on manpower with a butler and interfering with Haven protocol.  No restaurant appreciates customers eating food from another restaurant in it.  I am not saying it cant be done but I dont think they will encourage you to do it.  But then again you could get a ship with really accommodating concierges and butlers.   Then again just because you can do it means you should do it.

Edited August 22, 2022 by david_sobe

[cruiseny4life]

3 hours ago, david_sobe said:

I think its up to the Haven manager (not concierge or butler).  It could vary from ship to ship but they dont want non-Haven food brought in.  When I was on Encore in 2020 I asked the concierge if we could get Onda delivered to the Haven restaurant since Onda was sold out.  I was told it would have to be cleared with the Haven manager.  The face that I got looked like it was going to be a no.   They want you to eat food delivered by your butler in your cabin.   However many years ago people would report they did this.  I could see its a strain on manpower with a butler and interfering with Haven protocol.  No restaurant appreciates customers eating food from another restaurant in it.  I am not saying it cant be done but I dont think they will encourage you to do it.  But then again you could get a ship with really accommodating concierges and butlers.   Then again just because you can do it means you should do it.

Wow! That would be one fun conversation with the Haven Restaurant Manager and Concierge. They absolutely are supposed to bring food from other restaurants and serve it in the Haven Restaurant. That's aa perk of being in the Haven. You can have food from anywhere delivered to you in the restaurant, or in your room. 

 

These aren't land-based competitive restaurants. They don't care where you eat. Now, it's possible that there wasn't enough time between your request and when you were eating to pull it off. That's the only time I could see this happening.

 

Sorry you didn't get what you wanted - I would have pushed back, but I'm a NY'er. 🙂

[mearsfansinboise]

11 hours ago, TampaGambler said:

 

Thank you, I assumed that was the case, but wanted to confirm. 

 

I was looking at the MDR menus for our upcoming cruise, and if they stay the same, we wouldn't mind trying some of the apps on a few days. 

 

May I ask where you saw the MDR menus?

We couldn't find a place to see them while we were on our cruise, and as I had mentioned on another thread, I got sick of the Haven menu for dinner and knowing what they were serving in the MDR could have gotten us to eat there.  However, now knowing that it's possible to get something in the Haven restaurant from the MDR (request, and with notice and be ok if they cannot do it for some reason) that makes for another good option.

[wolft927]

3 minutes ago, mearsfansinboise said:

 

May I ask where you saw the MDR menus?

We couldn't find a place to see them while we were on our cruise, and as I had mentioned on another thread, I got sick of the Haven menu for dinner and knowing what they were serving in the MDR could have gotten us to eat there.  However, now knowing that it's possible to get something in the Haven restaurant from the MDR (request, and with notice and be ok if they cannot do it for some reason) that makes for another good option.

Typically they are posted early in the morning for that nights service right outside the dining rooms. 

[StackSkipton]

Just eat in MDR. Talk to concierge and have them get you MDR reservations. It will be hard time reservations and you will be seated about as quick as you would in the Haven. 

[PTC DAWG]

My thought is, if you want MDR food, eat there. 

[PTC DAWG]

11 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

No, that’s not the bottom line. That’s your opinion.

 

The bottom line is Haven passengers pay a huge amount of money for Haven services and your butler can arrange for food from other restaurants to be delivered to you.

 Big difference in “can” and “ should”. 

[The Shrike]

1 hour ago, mearsfansinboise said:

 

May I ask where you saw the MDR menus?

We couldn't find a place to see them while we were on our cruise, and as I had mentioned on another thread, I got sick of the Haven menu for dinner and knowing what they were serving in the MDR could have gotten us to eat there.  However, now knowing that it's possible to get something in the Haven restaurant from the MDR (request, and with notice and be ok if they cannot do it for some reason) that makes for another good option.

Usually three locations:  
1)  Outside the MDRs themselves.
2)  At the restaurant reservations desk in the Atrium.
3)  On a table near the exits in one of the buffets (this varies from ship to ship).

[graphicguy]

4 minutes ago, The Shrike said:

Usually three locations:  
1)  Outside the MDRs themselves.
2)  At the restaurant reservations desk in the Atrium.
3)  On a table near the exits in one of the buffets (this varies from ship to ship).

Yeah...all menus for all dining areas (except for Haven Menus) can either be found outside the MDRs or at the reservation desk in the Atrium.

 

Actually, they're pretty easy to find.

[Two Wheels Only]

14 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Yeah...all menus for all dining areas (except for Haven Menus) can either be found outside the MDRs or at the reservation desk in the Atrium.

 

Haven menus might as well be carved into marble and put out on display. 😉

Edited August 22, 2022 by Two Wheels Only

[wolft927]

So, I will never Judge anyone for utilizing the services that you have paid for. If you are staying in the Haven and would like to have dishes from the main dining room brought to the Haven Restaurant that is your choice as well as your right since it is an advertised perk that you have paid for. 

 

I have cruised in inside balcony and haven suites. My last 2 and my upcoming cruise September 29th 2022 are all Haven Suites. Now, do I take advantage of a lot of the perks, absolutely. That is what I am paying for. But me personally would I ever order off the main dining room menu and have it brought to the Haven, no...for a few reasons. One, if I want something in the main dining room, I would simply ask my concierge if they could make us a reservation for that night. Two, honestly I would not want anyone to have to go down 7 or 8 decks for my food, the crew on the ship work hard enough as it is I personally would feel bad. But again, it is a perk that is offered and whoever wants to take advantage of it, I would never make them feel bad about it. 

 

Haven perks are paid for and take advantage of all of them you like, Honestly one of the greatest perks is the priority embarkation, debarkation, tendering and walking off the ship. I actually had a lady yell at me last cruise because when the guest from the Haven were brought down a service elevator to the gangway, they stopped the line to allow us to exit the ship. She actually called us all A**holes lol. 

 

 

[ColeThornton]

13 minutes ago, wolft927 said:

So, I will never Judge anyone for utilizing the services that you have paid for. If you are staying in the Haven and would like to have dishes from the main dining room brought to the Haven Restaurant that is your choice as well as your right since it is an advertised perk that you have paid for. 

 

 

But is it an actual advertised perk listed as a Haven amenity?  Or, is it just something that a few people had experienced then other people expected the same accommodation?

 

Just thinking out loud.    😉

[mearsfansinboise]

2 hours ago, wolft927 said:

Typically they are posted early in the morning for that nights service right outside the dining rooms. 

 

Oh yes, I know - but it sounded like the commenter was seeing them now prior to being on ship, so I wondered if they were posted somewhere as I had never seen the on the NCL site.

[cruiseny4life]

10 minutes ago, ColeThornton said:

 

 

But is it an actual advertised perk listed as a Haven amenity?  Or, is it just something that a few people had experienced then other people expected the same accommodation?

 

Just thinking out loud.    😉

Argh you got my mind spinning so I started diving into NCL promotional material. I've been searching for a bit, but haven't found anything stating specifically that Haven guests can have any meal in the Haven Restaurant. I'm going to continue not working, so I can see if I find an "official" answer. My boss better hope someone beats me to it. 🙂

[Quencups]

21 minutes ago, wolft927 said:

So, I will never Judge anyone for utilizing the services that you have paid for. If you are staying in the Haven and would like to have dishes from the main dining room brought to the Haven Restaurant that is your choice as well as your right since it is an advertised perk that you have paid for. 

 

I have cruised in inside balcony and haven suites. My last 2 and my upcoming cruise September 29th 2022 are all Haven Suites. Now, do I take advantage of a lot of the perks, absolutely. That is what I am paying for. But me personally would I ever order off the main dining room menu and have it brought to the Haven, no...for a few reasons. One, if I want something in the main dining room, I would simply ask my concierge if they could make us a reservation for that night. Two, honestly I would not want anyone to have to go down 7 or 8 decks for my food, the crew on the ship work hard enough as it is I personally would feel bad. But again, it is a perk that is offered and whoever wants to take advantage of it, I would never make them feel bad about it. 

 

Haven perks are paid for and take advantage of all of them you like, Honestly one of the greatest perks is the priority embarkation, debarkation, tendering and walking off the ship. I actually had a lady yell at me last cruise because when the guest from the Haven were brought down a service elevator to the gangway, they stopped the line to allow us to exit the ship. She actually called us all A**holes lol. 

 

 

I can do you one better...LOL.....We are a fairly large multicultural family and we cruise alot in the Haven.....We are gamblers, but we pay ALOT to upgrade our comped cabins to the Haven.....And I find us to be pretty fun, nice people ....On one Gem cruise we were in the Garden Villa and we went to the Haven seats in the Theatre...we didn't need our Butler to escort us because we knew where they were...anyway, when we sat down...I actually heard a woman say to someone..."They do not belong here"....my daughter and I looked at each other (Thank GOD my husband didn't hear her)....so I turned around and I said "Not only do we belong here, we will be here all week...nice to meet you"...LOL....

[mearsfansinboise]

1 hour ago, The Shrike said:

Usually three locations:  
1)  Outside the MDRs themselves.
2)  At the restaurant reservations desk in the Atrium.
3)  On a table near the exits in one of the buffets (this varies from ship to ship).

 

Yes, but the commenter sounded as if they were seeing them right now before being on a ship, so I was wondering how.

[david_sobe]

4 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

Wow! That would be one fun conversation with the Haven Restaurant Manager and Concierge. They absolutely are supposed to bring food from other restaurants and serve it in the Haven Restaurant. That's aa perk of being in the Haven. You can have food from anywhere delivered to you in the restaurant, or in your room. 

 

These aren't land-based competitive restaurants. They don't care where you eat. Now, it's possible that there wasn't enough time between your request and when you were eating to pull it off. That's the only time I could see this happening.

 

Sorry you didn't get what you wanted - I would have pushed back, but I'm a NY'er. 🙂

I think they do care.  If you managed a restaurant, you would want servers running back and forth from other restaurants bringing food into yours?  I think not.  It causes delays, longer wait times for other customers let alone working already over worked butlers to the brink.  I am not being argumentative but that is not a perk assigned anywhere from the Haven page.  Many years ago people would write here how they would get specialty dining appetizers for free in the Haven restaurant.  NCL stopped doing that several years ago.  If you want a specialty dining appetizer you must go to that restaurant and pay.   If you have been sailing NCL for over 10 years, you have seen the changes. The Haven restaurant is for guests of the Haven to eat. It is not an extension of your cabin to get food deliveries.  Having said that, you could score a ship where they may try and make it happen but its definitely not encouraged.  In 2010 on Epic when NCL had lobster night, it was an offering since the Haven did not have lobster on the menu.  But that again was the old NCL.

Edited August 22, 2022 by david_sobe

[Sand and Seas]

We have found you can see the daily MDR menus on the kiosk screens located by the stairways on the Away & AwayPlus class ships.  We scan them looking for my favorite Soufflé desserts.    

 

Even if we have a Specialty dinner that night, we have been known to go to the MDR just for dessert😋

(And, since this a Haven thread, I would rather get it at MDR where it will be served at the right temperature rather than ask the Haven to get it for me.)

[The Shrike]

1 minute ago, david_sobe said:

  If you want a specialty dining appetizer you must go to that restaurant and pay.   If you have been sailing NCL for over 10 years, you have seen the changes. The Haven restaurant is for guests of the Haven to eat. It is not an extension of your cabin to get food deliveries.  Having said that, you could score a ship where they may try and make it happen.    

Great advice!  So OP,  just have the MDR appetizer sent to your room and hand-carry it to the Haven restaurant.  That should satisfy all those who are engaged in anguished garment-rending over the fact that you ordering that appetizer will cause the precarious house of cards that is Haven service to come to a screeching halt.  🙄

Ignore the naysayers.  Order what you want.  If the staff can do it, they will.  If they can't, they won't.  No, the other guests won't starve to death as foraging teams of Haven sous chefs are sent out to secure your appetizer.  No, the turn-down service won't suffer causing other guests to -GASP!- have to fluff their own pillows because a butler has to take an elevator down eight floors, grab an item, and return.

Nothing brings out the apocalyptic scenarios on CC quite like the incredibly minor request of a Haven guest.

 

[cruiseny4life]

31 minutes ago, david_sobe said:

I think they do care.  If you managed a restaurant, you would want servers running back and forth from other restaurants bringing food into yours?  I think not.  It causes delays, longer wait times for other customers let alone working already over worked butlers to the brink.  I am not being argumentative but that is not a perk assigned anywhere from the Haven page.  Many years ago people would write here how they would get specialty dining appetizers for free in the Haven restaurant.  NCL stopped doing that several years ago.  If you want a specialty dining appetizer you must go to that restaurant and pay.   If you have been sailing NCL for over 10 years, you have seen the changes. The Haven restaurant is for guests of the Haven to eat. It is not an extension of your cabin to get food deliveries.  Having said that, you could score a ship where they may try and make it happen but its definitely not encouraged.  In 2010 on Epic when NCL had lobster night, it was an offering since the Haven did not have lobster on the menu.  But that again was the old NCL.

 

As a former baker, I was most happy when the customer was satisfied, so I'm thinking those managers of restaurants likely have the same thought process. Not sure what "over worked butlers" matters to this conversation. It is a definite perk of the NCL's Haven to have a butler deliver food to guests. 

 

Hence why I said this in response to Cole Thornton's reasoned response:

 

1 hour ago, cruiseny4life said:

Argh you got my mind spinning so I started diving into NCL promotional material. I've been searching for a bit, but haven't found anything stating specifically that Haven guests can have any meal in the Haven Restaurant. I'm going to continue not working, so I can see if I find an "official" answer. My boss better hope someone beats me to it. 🙂

 

I continue to search for added verbiage on NCL's site. If I cannot find it, then I'll just ask in a couple weeks onboard. I do know the Haven staff were kind enough to bring us pretzel rolls every evening (probably from the buffet) after they inquired as to why we were not eating the bread. 

 

The bottom line, as The Shrike says, is:

18 minutes ago, The Shrike said:

Ignore the naysayers.  Order what you want.  If the staff can do it, they will.  If they can't, they won't.  

The server/host/manager really are the last word - and until I find confirmed NCL writing/video that a perk of the Haven is to order from anywhere and have it delivered to the restaurant (if I do), I take back my earlier words:

 

5 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

Wow! That would be one fun conversation with the Haven Restaurant Manager and Concierge. They absolutely are supposed to bring food from other restaurants and serve it in the Haven Restaurant. That's aa perk of being in the Haven. You can have food from anywhere delivered to you in the restaurant, or in your room.