Should I book Royal's new Icon for $7K or NCL's Joy in the Haven for $7K?

[Sigyn]

58 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

This is a no brainer.  $6K for the Haven Cabin vs $7K for a balcony Cabin on Royal?  Haven  Restaurant, Butler, Concierges, Haven Bar…..etc.

 

Joy has lots for your son to do…..Laser Tag, Go-CArts, Galaxian Pavilion, great shows.  

 

Easy decision!

It was actually $7K for the Haven cabin. I think $6,700 to start, but then all the fees, etc. There was one for $6K, but it was the smallest Penthouse and I wanted the forward facing HG category penthouse with two rooms, hence the $7K price tag. (We get 10% off for military pricing since my husband is a veteran, so it's slightly higher if you look at that cruise without that discount.)

I'm sure we'll all have a great time. And this incudes the basic drink package, whereas you don't get that with your $7K on Icon. That's another $1,400 or so for two people. Yikes. I didn't buy the drink package before on Royal. It's just not worth it. I don't drink that much! But it's fine when it's included. 

[Sigyn]

2 hours ago, mjkacmom said:

As a parent of 5 I agree, my kids loved to meet others, sit in hot tubs, and eat for free.

Yes! The late night free pizza was a huge hit! And the ice cream. And milkshakes. I think my son lived on that stuff on our spring break cruise. He also felt like a big shot buying milkshakes for his friends who didn't have the money on their cards. I would add to his card and he could get them stuff. Small price to pay for teenage happiness. (On the Harmony, everything was free except the milkshakes at Johnny Rockets. We didn't have that package.)

Edited May 28, 2023 by njsmom

[kitkat343]

Two things to be cautious about with NCL:

 

1. They've changed itineraries after final payment.  On my cruise, they dropped one port and the morning of another for environmental reasons and continued to advertise the original itinerary for the next month.  No one was allowed to cancel or reschedule, even people who purchased  the cruise after the port cancellations who bought their cruises directly from NCL and weren't notified of the changes by NCL.  The Spirit was also affected by cancellations this season, and NCL canceled the inside passage after final payment and did not let people make changes.

 

2. NCL has "free at sea" drink packages.  You pay significant taxes and fees on these packages (and can choose to decline the free package if you don't want to pay the taxes and fees).  Recently, some NCL ships were not serving alcohol to guests in some European ports who had purchased the drink package, and at least initially refused to refund their taxes and fees (I think after some protest NCL refunded fees on some sailings but am not sure since this turned into a really long thread I haven't finished reading).

 

These issues may not concern you significantly (there were plenty of people on my sailing who were just happy to be out of the cold in NY, but if either of these are important to you then you can factor that in).  Someone on one of these boards suggested sailing NCL at the last minute when prices are cheap so you won't be too frustrated if they cancel ports.  If your schedule is flexible that might be a really good compromise.

[mjkacmom]

4 minutes ago, kitkat343 said:

 

Two things to be cautious about with NCL:

 

1. They've changed itineraries after final payment.  On my cruise, they dropped one port and the morning of another for environmental reasons and continued to advertise the original itinerary for the next month.  No one was allowed to cancel or reschedule, even people who purchased  the cruise after the port cancellations who bought their cruises directly from NCL and weren't notified of the changes by NCL.  The Spirit was also affected by cancellations this season, and NCL canceled the inside passage after final payment and did not let people make changes.

 

2. NCL has "free at sea" drink packages.  You pay significant taxes and fees on these packages (and can choose to decline the free package if you don't want to pay the taxes and fees).  Recently, some NCL ships were not serving alcohol to guests in some European ports who had purchased the drink package, and at least initially refused to refund their taxes and fees (I think after some protest NCL refunded fees on some sailings but am not sure since this turned into a really long thread I haven't finished reading).

 

These issues may not concern you significantly (there were plenty of people on my sailing who were just happy to be out of the cold in NY, but if either of these are important to you then you can factor that in).  Someone on one of these boards suggested sailing NCL at the last minute when prices are cheap so you won't be too frustrated if they cancel ports.  If your schedule is flexible that might be a really good compromise.

You need to let it go. I’m sorry your ports were canceled, but it’s not a problem on NCL on all ships or sailings. I’m guessing you just keep copying and pasting the same post. NCL’s free at sea rocks, for $20 a day (the cost of 1 1/2 cocktails) you can drink to your hearts content, damage your liver left and right. Plus the other perks, but as someone who has actually paid full price for the UBP before it was a perk, I think it’s awesome.

[Sigyn]

@kitkat343 I'm not worried about the taxes on free at sea, and as for ports, any cruise line has the right to change or cancel ports. When we were on the Prima in December, the ship couldn't make it to two of the four ports due to weather, and at the third port (Cozumel) it was pouring down rain on Christmas Day and winds were gusting at 25mph, so we opted to stay on board. Yet we still had a fantastic cruise on a beautiful ship. We try to go with the flow. We're lucky enough to be able to do this cruise in the Haven, so that will be amazing, no matter what else happens. 

[hallux]

1 hour ago, kitkat343 said:

NCL has "free at sea" drink packages.  You pay significant taxes and fees on these packages (and can choose to decline the free package if you don't want to pay the taxes and fees).

You pay $20 pp/pd if you take the drink package.  Compared to what other lines charge for the drink package (it can double the cost of the cruise on some lines) it's entirely reasonable as an included perk.  Sure, it's unreasonable when considering a European itinerary where alcohol service may be limited.  Neither of the cruises in question is going to have that issue.

[Sailing12Away]

7 hours ago, kitkat343 said:

 

Two things to be cautious about with NCL:

 

 

2. NCL has "free at sea" drink packages.  You pay significant taxes and fees on these packages (and can choose to decline the free package if you don't want to pay the taxes and fees). 

 

We have different definitions of 'significant'. When we sailed our one and only RCC trip, the drink package cost us $59/pp/day - and that was after a 'sale'. With NCL it works out to about $20/pp/day. Free? No, I suppose not, but certainly much more affordable than any other line.

[Liljo22]

14 hours ago, Sailing12Away said:

We have different definitions of 'significant'. When we sailed our one and only RCC trip, the drink package cost us $59/pp/day - and that was after a 'sale'. With NCL it works out to about $20/pp/day. Free? No, I suppose not, but certainly much more affordable than any other line.

How long ago was that $59? RCL increased their drink package significantly in the past year.  The cheapest I have seen it is $71.99/pp/day plus 18%.  Honestly still worth it for my wife and I.  
 

My last two cruises have been with RCL but the perks brought me back to NCL for my next cruise.  Shopped a pre Christmas cruise out of Galveston.  Family of 4 in a balcony on the Prima came to about $4,800 after the cruise first discount,  Harmony with one less port was about $5,000.  I would then add over $1,200 for the drink package.  This doesn’t even factor that we have two dining credits for my wife and I to enjoy.  

[kitkat343]

17 hours ago, Sailing12Away said:

We have different definitions of 'significant'. When we sailed our one and only RCC trip, the drink package cost us $59/pp/day - and that was after a 'sale'. With NCL it works out to about $20/pp/day. Free? No, I suppose not, but certainly much more affordable than any other line.

Sorry - I meant the charge was significant enough that if NCL can't fulfill the alcohol due to a legal dispute with the local ports they should refund it.   If the fees were really cheap like only 50 cents a day, I could understand them not bothering to refund people if they can't provide drinks due to a legal dispute.   But I totally agree  that the base NCL alcohol package is quite reasonably priced when the drinks are available.

Edited May 29, 2023 by kitkat343

[Sigyn]

On 5/28/2023 at 3:26 PM, hallux said:

You pay $20 pp/pd if you take the drink package.  Compared to what other lines charge for the drink package (it can double the cost of the cruise on some lines) it's entirely reasonable as an included perk.  Sure, it's unreasonable when considering a European itinerary where alcohol service may be limited.  Neither of the cruises in question is going to have that issue.

Agreed. 

 

5 hours ago, Liljo22 said:

How long ago was that $59? RCL increased their drink package significantly in the past year.  The cheapest I have seen it is $71.99/pp/day plus 18%.  Honestly still worth it for my wife and I.  
 

My last two cruises have been with RCL but the perks brought me back to NCL for my next cruise.  Shopped a pre Christmas cruise out of Galveston.  Family of 4 in a balcony on the Prima came to about $4,800 after the cruise first discount,  Harmony with one less port was about $5,000.  I would then add over $1,200 for the drink package.  This doesn’t even factor that we have two dining credits for my wife and I to enjoy.  

Same here. My March trip on Harmony of the Seas was $71.99 pp/day plus the 18% extra. I didn't buy it, just bought my drinks as I went along, and drinks for my teenage son as he wanted them. I paid less than $300 total for our drinks on our cruise doing it that way for the two of us. Much cheaper. I didn't have much at all to drink both because many types of alcohol can give me immediate headaches and I was on a mother-son trip and wanted to be alert and ready for mom action at all times. 

My husband will be with us on this trip and he is able to drink without side effects like I get, so he'll enjoy the drink package much more than I will. I do love Veuve Clicquot, and it doesn't give me headaches, but I saw that NCL doesn't allow that on the premium drink package any longer, so we definitely won't be upgrading. 

 

2 hours ago, kitkat343 said:

Sorry - I meant the charge was significant enough that if NCL can't fulfill the alcohol due to a legal dispute with the local ports they should refund it.   If the fees were really cheap like only 50 cents a day, I could understand them not bothering to refund people if they can't provide drinks due to a legal dispute.   But I totally agree  that the base NCL alcohol package is quite reasonably priced when the drinks are available.

Makes sense!

Edited May 29, 2023 by njsmom

[cruiseny4life]

Ok, I'm jumping in, just because this question excites me! I know you already booked Joy. That would be my decision too at this time! 

 

But, unlike other posters on this thread, I've seen Icon's layout/marketing/etc. and both my husband and I can't wait to go on it. I'm thinking it may be our first non-NCL cruise in about three to five years. Once the costs go down. Just like on NCL, we would need to be in that suite neighborhood!

 

But, gosh, that top deck looks wonderful! So much to do. I really wish Norwegian would do something as nutso as this!

 

Source: https://www.cruisemapper.com/ships/Icon-Of-The-Seas-2110

[Sailing12Away]

3 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

But, unlike other posters on this thread, I've seen Icon's layout/marketing/etc. and both my husband and I can't wait to go on it. I'm thinking it may be our first non-NCL cruise in about three to five years. Once the costs go down. Just like on NCL, we would need to be in that suite neighborhood!

 

But, gosh, that top deck looks wonderful! So much to do. I really wish Norwegian would do something as nutso as this!

 

Source: https://www.cruisemapper.com/ships/Icon-Of-The-Seas-2110

Reminds me too much of times square.... so many lights, so many people.... makes me itchy and twitchy just thinking about it.

Where's the ship with a nice sky friendly dark zone on the upper deck? Out in the middle of the ocean and still can't see the millions of stars.... The more trips we take the more we're interested in smaller ships that can get to hidden gems without 5,000+ other people there at the same time.

[cruiseny4life]

15 hours ago, Sailing12Away said:

Reminds me too much of times square.... so many lights, so many people.... makes me itchy and twitchy just thinking about it.

Where's the ship with a nice sky friendly dark zone on the upper deck? Out in the middle of the ocean and still can't see the millions of stars.... The more trips we take the more we're interested in smaller ships that can get to hidden gems without 5,000+ other people there at the same time.

The designs make it seem whimsical and I love my whimsical! It'll be interesting to see the real thing, in action, once people are onboard posting videos. That'll really be the deciding factor for us. 

 

I imagine it will also be a one time thing and we'll rush back to the Haven...but maybe it'll surprise us. I don't know. I do want to take some small ship cruises. Not sure my other half is onboard with that idea yet. If I had my choice, our eventual Alaska cruise would be on Uncruise or this really cool 12 passenger tugboat, Swell. There is no chance in me convincing him to go that route though! 

 

That dark zone would be really cool! I haven't seen many stars on my cruises...of course we go to sleep by 10 PM, so that might be why...thankfully, I am able to go in my backyard and see all the stars my heart could want. Come to CNY and I'll give you a tour of the sky. 🙂

[wolft927]

So I am going to Jump in on this, I have sailed RCCL Symphony of the seas in a balcony that was last October. Now Icon different ship, but no that different. Sailed the Joy this April in the Aft Facing Haven with 2 teenage girls 16 and 17. Hands down choose the Joy and the Haven. Still lots to do such as Go Karts, Water slides, Laser Tag, the VR arcade. Sailing in the Haven provides a level that a normal Balcony cant compare to. I get the Icon is gigantic and has things that the Joy doesn't, but I will say food will be much better on the Joy with the Haven and specialty dining perks.   Also, Having room service available 24 hours a day free of charge is amazing for the teenagers that want to do late night snacks and such. My teenagers used it all the time. 

 

Also Priority Embarkation and Debark in ports and getting off the ship the last day is amazing! Meet in the Have lounge and be escorted down a crew elevator directly to the gangway. Also have sailed in the Forward facing Haven you are contemplating and also amazing room for the price. Separate bedroom from living room area, only down side is the balcony is small. 

 

Just my opinion, Icon in a balcony or Joy in a Haven Suite, absolutely choose the Joy  

[Liljo22]

I personally would love to sail on the Icon but I also have two teenagers and I am a kid at heart.  The only change that I do not like is that they changed the boardwalk to a play area you would find in a mall.  I know older Royal loyalists have said they have no plans to sail on her.  

[quagmire0]

Granted, I haven't stayed in the Haven, but you said the magic words 'Spring Break'.  Having a place where you don't have to deal with as big of a crowd may tip the scales there.  

[quagmire0]

1 hour ago, Liljo22 said:

I personally would love to sail on the Icon but I also have two teenagers and I am a kid at heart.  The only change that I do not like is that they changed the boardwalk to a play area you would find in a mall.  I know older Royal loyalists have said they have no plans to sail on her.  

 

That's funny.  I watched the video on the Icon recently and thought the exact same thing.  It seems very mall-like.

[david_sobe]

With a teenager, I would probably pick the new Icon.  The forward penthouse is not located inside the Haven so you will be walking.  The Joy is sort of the odd bird of the NCL fleet. It has no thermal spa, a tiny race track compared to her sister ships.

If it was a suite actually located inside the Haven like a 2 bedroom then I could change my mind. I've stayed in a forward suite on Getaway.  Fantastic cabin.  Hated the long walks to everything and felt like a visitor to the Haven. 

[KKB]

Joy, no brainer.

NCL is just as family friendly as RCCL, imo.

Lots of bells & whistles that teens like on both.

Typically any spring break cruise has a lot of families/teens/kids.

Of course, never any guarantees.

But 2BR Haven vs. OV? (and you are paying & it's your vaca too)

NO BRAINER.

[Sigyn]

Thanks for the input! I ended up booking the forward facing HG category Haven suite on the Joy - it has two rooms, which essentially serves as two bedrooms since there's a door for the main bedroom for my husband and I, and then our son will sleep on the couch that converts to a bed in the living room area. It gives us our privacy that my husband likes, and we get the Haven perks. 

My son didn't really care for the race track on the Prima, so the size of the one on the Joy won't matter to him. He'll probably do it once or twice at most. It'll be a great cruise and I won't have to stress as much about some of the things that bugged me on Harmony of the Seas - it was really TOO big and he made SO many friends that I had to corral him and get him to the room every night at 1 am. I want him to have fun but I don't want it to be a madhouse of people and teenagers. This will be a teensy bit more low-key but that's fine. He'll still have fun and if the worse thing he can complain about as an adult is that "my parents made me stay in the Haven on a smaller ship at spring break instead of taking me on the Icon" well, I think he'll be okay. 🙂

[BoundForSea]

7k$ for a week in the Haven on a BA+ is a BARGAIN these days esp from NY. 
 

Here’s what we can’t answer though. What’s more important to you, luxury attentiveness and accommodations, upscale food, Private quiet areas, so on or…. FUN. This is the best way I can put it. These are two very different experiences and such thats really the choice and nobody here can determine that for you! 
 

if you don’t take the Haven for 7k$, I’ll grab it!  Haha. 

[RoundGuy2771]

 

Just curious, does anyone else think the Icon is ugly as sin? It's like the Epic on steroids.

 

 

[hallux]

1 hour ago, RoundGuy2771 said:

 

Just curious, does anyone else think the Icon is ugly as sin? It's like the Epic on steroids.

 

 

I guess you missed my first reply in this thread?

[RoundGuy2771]

25 minutes ago, hallux said:

I guess you missed my first reply in this thread?

 

 

Heh. That was a month ago. I can't remember what I had for breakfast this morning.

 

 

[hallux]

26 minutes ago, RoundGuy2771 said:

 

 

Heh. That was a month ago. I can't remember what I had for breakfast this morning.

 

 

You can go back and read my post, but I believe I used the word 'gaudy'...