Regular Joe in The Haven

[nitecapt]

 

Hello! First time cruiser and first time poster. Please be kind to me! LOL

 

My wife surprised me with an upcoming cruise which she planned along with her daughter, SIL and two grandchildren. We are a retired couple and 'the kids' do quite well for themselves. Not being familiar with cruising, she left all the planning up to them. We are booked on The Joy 5-night Bermuda. We will occupy a Haven Courtyard Penthouse w/Large Balcony. After all was said and done, I realized that the kids spared no expense in selecting our cabin category. Our final total was just shy of $8000 - ($800 of that amount was insurance). I can only imagine what kind of cabin they selected for the four of them!

 

I'm a bit upset with the unexpected expense and see that this trip could've been around $3200 had we selected a basic balcony cabin. I'm a simple guy - give me a lounge chair in a quiet spot and I'm fine. The thought of butlers doting and exclusive areas, quite frankly, makes me uncomfortable. Wifey isn't too happy with me because she realizes that if we booked a cheaper room we couldn't fraternize with the rest of the family in The Haven. So it looks like I've lost this battle. Lesson learned: do your own homework and don't leave it up to others to help you spend your money. Also, the stingy amount of allowed internet - 75 minutes! - seems out of line with the price paid. Now, on top of everything else, I have to dip deeper for internet. And yes, for a variety of reasons, I need to touch base with the folks at home. 

 

I guess my question is..is The Haven a worthwhile expenditure? Will I be like a fish-out-of-water with the upper echelon? Will I cringe as my party is lead past the passengers in steerage who are patiently waiting in line? I realize the ‘worth’ of something is subjective, but I’m looking for some feedback. 

 

[graphicguy]

12 minutes ago, nitecapt said:

 

Hello! First time cruiser and first time poster. Please be kind to me! LOL

 

My wife surprised me with an upcoming cruise which she planned along with her daughter, SIL and two grandchildren. We are a retired couple and 'the kids' do quite well for themselves. Not being familiar with cruising, she left all the planning up to them. We are booked on The Joy 5-night Bermuda. We will occupy a Haven Courtyard Penthouse w/Large Balcony. After all was said and done, I realized that the kids spared no expense in selecting our cabin category. Our final total was just shy of $8000 - ($800 of that amount was insurance). I can only imagine what kind of cabin they selected for the four of them!

 

I'm a bit upset with the unexpected expense and see that this trip could've been around $3200 had we selected a basic balcony cabin. I'm a simple guy - give me a lounge chair in a quiet spot and I'm fine. The thought of butlers doting and exclusive areas, quite frankly, makes me uncomfortable. Wifey isn't too happy with me because she realizes that if we booked a cheaper room we couldn't fraternize with the rest of the family in The Haven. So it looks like I've lost this battle. Lesson learned: do your own homework and don't leave it up to others to help you spend your money. Also, the stingy amount of allowed internet - 75 minutes! - seems out of line with the price paid. Now, on top of everything else, I have to dip deeper for internet. And yes, for a variety of reasons, I need to touch base with the folks at home. 

 

I guess my question is..is The Haven a worthwhile expenditure? Will I be like a fish-out-of-water with the upper echelon? Will I cringe as my party is lead past the passengers in steerage who are patiently waiting in line? I realize the ‘worth’ of something is subjective, but I’m looking for some feedback. 

 

Only you can make that determination.  I tell this to others with similar questions about whether the Haven is worth the fare…..if you feel uncomfortable spending the amount of money the Haven fare requires, don’t do it.  It’s not worth it if you have fret over the fare.  Especially true, if as you say, you’re a happy guy in a balcony cabin.  And, if you feel a Butler or the Concierge to be frivolous or unnecessary.

 

As I tell my family all the time, if you don’t want me spending your money, don’t tell me how to spend mine.  I wouldn’t think twice about a balcony cabin sailing to Bermuda….and, you can feel good about the fact that your fare is less than ½ that of the Haven.  Plus, you can actually book a 2nd cruise on board with the money you saved on booking the Haven.

[Liljo22]

This is a great thread to review to see if the Haven is worth it to you.

 

 

[nitecapt]

Sometimes I think the kids want to make their financial success visible to others, hobnobbing with the well to do at my wife's and my expense and indeed i would get a balcony cabin were wit not for my wife saying she will be separated from the grand kids because she will not have access to their "Haven" facilities. Personally, I can do without cruising. I have been a Captain for 40 years and I see a vessel as a means of transport. I would rather go on a plane and spend 5 days with the people of the island than a measly 8 hours. Plus I have some family illness here at home to worry about so it won't be peaceful..

Maybe I can use her internet allotment daily to stay in touch

[Peachypooh]

Welcome to cruise critic. You will find lots of "regular Joe's" in the Haven (including us). If you decide to get a regular cabin for less money it will be possible to be with your family but it is a bit logistically more difficult. We just did a sailing with people in mixed types of cabins and it wasn't ideal but doable.  I agree with what graphicguy said. You won't have a good time if you are fretting over the money spent and feel the Butler and Concierge are not your style. You said you are going to Bermuda? Think of your ship as a very fancy bus to take you there. You will be docked most of the time and the amenities on the ship will be less important. Also except for a very few exceptions most people won't notice you being escorted ahead of them since the concierge uses the service elevators. Good luck with your decision. When I decide to go "frugal" with family vacations while the others aren't I put aside the money I would have spent otherwise and put it in my grandchildren's college fund.

[graphicguy]

1 minute ago, nitecapt said:

Sometimes I think the kids want to make their financial success visible to others, hobnobbing with the well to do at my wife's and my expense and indeed i would get a balcony cabin were wit not for my wife saying she will be separated from the grand kids because she will not have access to their "Haven" facilities. Personally, I can do without cruising. I have been a Captain for 40 years and I see a vessel as a means of transport. I would rather go on a plane and spend 5 days with the people of the island than a measly 8 hours. Plus I have some family illness here at home to worry about so it won't be peaceful..

Maybe I can use her internet allotment daily to stay in touch

I think you’re answering your own questions.  Personally, I wouldn’t let anyone in my family “bully” me or “slight” any decision like this one.  But, if your wife wants to hobnob with your kids, in all frankness, there are lots of places on board to do that.  The Haven is only one venue.  You can meet in a variety of spaces all over the ship.  Plus, you can all dine together at a Specialty Restaurant, if that’s important, as well as some of the included dining venues.

 

Best of luck.  I’m with you on this one.

[graphicguy]

6 minutes ago, Peachypooh said:

Welcome to cruise critic. You will find lots of "regular Joe's" in the Haven (including us). If you decide to get a regular cabin for less money it will be possible to be with your family but it is a bit logistically more difficult. We just did a sailing with people in mixed types of cabins and it wasn't ideal but doable.  I agree with what graphicguy said. You won't have a good time if you are fretting over the money spent and feel the Butler and Concierge are not your style. You said you are going to Bermuda? Think of your ship as a very fancy bus to take you there. You will be docked most of the time and the amenities on the ship will be less important. Also except for a very few exceptions most people won't notice you being escorted ahead of them since the concierge uses the service elevators. Good luck with your decision. When I decide to go "frugal" with family vacations while the others aren't I put aside the money I would have spent otherwise and put it in my grandchildren's college fund.

Good point about Bermuda…..given there will be overnights docked there, you can be with family everywhere you want to go in Bermuda.

 

I personally like the Haven.  But, I won’t drop $6K-$10K plus to book it unless I can find a “deal” (matter of fact, it seems the only time I cruise is when I find a deal).  My cutoff for Haven is under $5K/cabin.  Anything over that?  I’m not interested.

Edited May 30, 2023 by graphicguy

[vacation44]

32 minutes ago, nitecapt said:

 

Hello! First time cruiser and first time poster. Please be kind to me! LOL

 

My wife surprised me with an upcoming cruise which she planned along with her daughter, SIL and two grandchildren. We are a retired couple and 'the kids' do quite well for themselves. Not being familiar with cruising, she left all the planning up to them. We are booked on The Joy 5-night Bermuda. We will occupy a Haven Courtyard Penthouse w/Large Balcony. After all was said and done, I realized that the kids spared no expense in selecting our cabin category. Our final total was just shy of $8000 - ($800 of that amount was insurance). I can only imagine what kind of cabin they selected for the four of them!

 

I'm a bit upset with the unexpected expense and see that this trip could've been around $3200 had we selected a basic balcony cabin. I'm a simple guy - give me a lounge chair in a quiet spot and I'm fine. The thought of butlers doting and exclusive areas, quite frankly, makes me uncomfortable. Wifey isn't too happy with me because she realizes that if we booked a cheaper room we couldn't fraternize with the rest of the family in The Haven. So it looks like I've lost this battle. Lesson learned: do your own homework and don't leave it up to others to help you spend your money. Also, the stingy amount of allowed internet - 75 minutes! - seems out of line with the price paid. Now, on top of everything else, I have to dip deeper for internet. And yes, for a variety of reasons, I need to touch base with the folks at home. 

 

I guess my question is..is The Haven a worthwhile expenditure? Will I be like a fish-out-of-water with the upper echelon? Will I cringe as my party is lead past the passengers in steerage who are patiently waiting in line? I realize the ‘worth’ of something is subjective, but I’m looking for some feedback. 

 

I know this was not your question, but I would change the cabin to the two Haven categories that are outside the Haven.   Still have all of the Haven benefits and facilities but it would also save you some money.      Would also look into purchasing the insurance on your own.

[mooline]

Hi @nitecapt, welcome to CC and to the world of crusing!

 

I understand how you feel. We're plain ol' regular folks too. By the looks of us, one would think we need a few bucks for dinner. I've had the same LL Bean handbag for 25 years, and my husband still wears clothes he's had for more than 10. We don't go to fancy restaurants (actually, we rarely eat out) and Publix's BOGO wines are my favorites.

 

That said, my one guilty pleasure in life is high-end travel. We've always booked suites on cruises, upgraded rooms or suites in hotels, and usually fly first class. Why? I'm not sure, maybe because it's something so out of the ordinary for us it makes our trips all the more special. You will enjoy the peace and better location of your suite, plus you'll be near your family - and that's what life's all about!

 

The butler won't make you feel uncomfortable - he or she will do as much or as little for you as YOU wish. In fact, our experience is that the butler can be nearly invisible if that's your preference. Our butlers have stocked the suite with our favorite things while we've been on excursions, have put coffee in the suite before we've woken up, etc.  - if that's what we've indicated we prefer. They are superb listeners and observers, and seem to have a 6th sense about what you will most enjoy. Plus, don't hesitate to tell them - they've seen every kind of passenger imaginable, so your situation won't be new to them. They will be very grateful that you are the kind of passenger who isn't demanding, arrogant, or full of himself

 

We've enjoyed talking with our butler, concierge and cabin stewards, simply to get to know them as people, hear their stories, and understand their worlds. 

 

Will you cringe when being led by other passengers waiting patiently in line? Maybe, and I get that. I never, ever flaunt my travel status (I mention it here only because I'm not personally known). You're not the kind of person to look down on people, it seems, so don't let it worry you - the special treatment won't change who you are.

 

As for internet - we had the option to purchase an upgraded, unlimited package that, on balance wasn't awfully expensive. There's a substantial discount when it's an upgrade from a provided internet package.

 

Relax, enjoy, be yourself and view this experience as an adventure. You'll have a great time!

 

Edited May 30, 2023 by mooline

[graphicguy]

Missed OP’s desire to check on folks at home.  You can certainly do that with the “included” package, as it’s good for texting.  But again, if you’re docked in Bermuda, there’s a little kiosk right at the dock you can use for a few dollars that worked just fine.  They even have some benches around it you can sit and use their WiFi.

[amygutman]

@nitecapt on behalf of regular Joe family” you have nothing to worry about. Is it expensive… Yes! But the experience of spending the time with your family in this amazing area is worth it for us. No lines, no waiting, outstanding service, a quiet place to sit with your family with staff. The staff knows you so well by day 2 that they anticipate your drink and food orders.

 

You will meet all different types of people in the Haven. I can nearly guarantee you that you will not know who is rich, who is got upgraded, who has waited five years to have that special room, or people who literally are in the Haven once a month - guess what… The staff in the Haven doesn’t care either. Are there Haven snobs? Sure. We generally just roll our eyes at them and move on with our vacation.

 

If your family wants to treat you, let them. The memories we have from taking three generations of our family in on a Christmas Haven cruise rooms will last forever. Both my mother and mother-in-law became seriously ill shortly after our cruise, and having that time together as a family and having them spoiled was worth the cost.

 

I think you will find the experience so much more rewarding as a family group then you would elsewhere on the ship. Any time with the family is glorious, but being spoiled as a family is so much better! 🥰 

 

However you choose to cruise, enjoy yourself and your family time.

 

Warmest, Amy

[meglet]

"Lounge chair in a quiet spot."  During summer sailings on Norwegian, I have only found this in the Haven.

[Two Wheels Only]

Some people book Haven.

Some people book mini-suite.

Some people book balcony.

Some people book oceanview.

Some people book interior.

 

They can all have a great cruise. Don't worry about what others have booked. Instead, focus on having a great cruise. There's nothing about the Haven that should make anyone feel out of place.

 

Not everyone who books the Haven is trying to "prove" that they are better than others. Yes, there are some people who gladly announce that they are Haven guests at every opportunity (nobody at the buffet cares) but those people are rare. Most Haven guests are good people just like most non-Haven guests are good people. If the idea of a butler makes you feel uncomfortable, don't ask the butler for anything. The butler may offer services but if you just want some peace and quiet, the butler won't hassle you.

 

Enjoy your cruise with your family. 👍

[Sthrngary]

1 hour ago, nitecapt said:

 

Hello! First time cruiser and first time poster. Please be kind to me! LOL

 

My wife surprised me with an upcoming cruise which she planned along with her daughter, SIL and two grandchildren. We are a retired couple and 'the kids' do quite well for themselves. Not being familiar with cruising, she left all the planning up to them. We are booked on The Joy 5-night Bermuda. We will occupy a Haven Courtyard Penthouse w/Large Balcony. After all was said and done, I realized that the kids spared no expense in selecting our cabin category. Our final total was just shy of $8000 - ($800 of that amount was insurance). I can only imagine what kind of cabin they selected for the four of them!

 

I'm a bit upset with the unexpected expense and see that this trip could've been around $3200 had we selected a basic balcony cabin. I'm a simple guy - give me a lounge chair in a quiet spot and I'm fine. The thought of butlers doting and exclusive areas, quite frankly, makes me uncomfortable. Wifey isn't too happy with me because she realizes that if we booked a cheaper room we couldn't fraternize with the rest of the family in The Haven. So it looks like I've lost this battle. Lesson learned: do your own homework and don't leave it up to others to help you spend your money. Also, the stingy amount of allowed internet - 75 minutes! - seems out of line with the price paid. Now, on top of everything else, I have to dip deeper for internet. And yes, for a variety of reasons, I need to touch base with the folks at home. 

 

I guess my question is..is The Haven a worthwhile expenditure? Will I be like a fish-out-of-water with the upper echelon? Will I cringe as my party is lead past the passengers in steerage who are patiently waiting in line? I realize the ‘worth’ of something is subjective, but I’m looking for some feedback. 

 

@nitecapt Below you will see someone linked my article "The Secrets of the Haven....." so you could refer to it.  I am 65 and my wife is 63.  We took our children on the Joy in the Haven so I am your guy for questions.  Ask me anything.  

 

I want to comment on one item.  You were upset with the internet as you should be.  Upgrade it online or if you enjoy top end spirits, upgrade your "Free At Sea" (Comes with the Haven) to the Free at Sea PLUS.  That will give you lots of great value and unlimited internet.  

 

Again, Ask Me Anything. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

 

To get my attention, start your post with @Sthrngary

[nhtravels]

@nitecapt  Just a suggestion for you (FWIW).  If you are sailing on the Joy, there are a few cabins that are not in the "Haven Proper" that provide access to the Haven, but are less $$ than the Haven Courtyard Penthouse.  You may want to consider any of the HH, HI or HG suites.  They truly are the best of both worlds.  

 

[Liljo22]

37 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

Some people book Haven.

Some people book mini-suite.

Some people book balcony.

Some people book oceanview.

Some people book interior.

 

They can all have a great cruise. Don't worry about what others have booked. Instead, focus on having a great cruise. There's nothing about the Haven that should make anyone feel out of place.

 

Not everyone who books the Haven is trying to "prove" that they are better than others. Yes, there are some people who gladly announce that they are Haven guests at every opportunity (nobody at the buffet cares) but those people are rare. Most Haven guests are good people just like most non-Haven guests are good people. If the idea of a butler makes you feel uncomfortable, don't ask the butler for anything. The butler may offer services but if you just want some peace and quiet, the butler won't hassle you.

 

Enjoy your cruise with your family. 👍

Honestly I have never noticed if someone is in the Haven.  I think the only place it stands out is at the shows where they have a section roped off. 

[nitecapt]

1 hour ago, vacation44 said:

I know this was not your question, but I would change the cabin to the two Haven categories that are outside the Haven.   Still have all of the Haven benefits and facilities but it would also save you some money.      Would also look into purchasing the insurance on your own.

How do I figure out what these cabins are? That would be most helpful! And maybe quite a savings

[nitecapt]

How do I figure out what these cabins are? That would be most helpful! And maybe quite a savings

[nitecapt]

10 minutes ago, nhtravels said:

@nitecapt  Just a suggestion for you (FWIW).  If you are sailing on the Joy, there are a few cabins that are not in the "Haven Proper" that provide access to the Haven, but are less $$ than the Haven Courtyard Penthouse.  You may want to consider any of the HH, HI or HG suites.  They truly are the best of both worlds.  

 

can you direct me to these cabins?

[ColeThornton]

6 minutes ago, nitecapt said:

How do I figure out what these cabins are? That would be most helpful! And maybe quite a savings

 

 

On NCL.com click on Explore then the ship you are going on.  Click on Staterooms where you will find descriptions of all cabin categories along with locations.

[nitecapt]

Sthrngary...it was booked by my affluent step son in law. It's my wife's kids and I am close to them. I just felt that the cost was prohibitive and now ai winder if I have my wife go alone whether we can get  a reduction in price.

[fastpitchdad]

$800 for insurance? Cancel that and get one from a 3rd party like AIG or Allianz. 

[nhtravels]

1 minute ago, nitecapt said:

can you direct me to these cabins?

the HJ is a Haven Suite on deck 14 (381 sq. ft)

the HI is a Haven Penthouse suite on deck 14 or 15 (436-449 sq. feet)

the HH is a Haven family villa suite on deck 15 (501 sq. ft)

the HG is the Haven forward facing penthouse on decks 9,10,11,12,and 13 (415 sq. ft)

[Sthrngary]

7 minutes ago, nitecapt said:

Sthrngary...it was booked by my affluent step son in law. It's my wife's kids and I am not close to them. I just felt that the cost was prohibitive and now ai winder if I have my wife go alone whether we can get  a reduction in price.

Please clarify.  I think I missed something.  You are in a solo cabin in the Haven?  Your wife is not joining you?  That is important information I might have missed. Confirm one way or another and I can walk you through the rest.  Deal.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.  

[Two Wheels Only]

2 minutes ago, nhtravels said:

the HJ is a Haven Suite on deck 14 (381 sq. ft)

the HI is a Haven Penthouse suite on deck 14 or 15 (436-449 sq. feet)

the HH is a Haven family villa suite on deck 15 (501 sq. ft)

the HG is the Haven forward facing penthouse on decks 9,10,11,12,and 13 (415 sq. ft)

 

There are also the aft-facing Haven suites (HB and HC) and many of those (especially HB) have a balcony that is large enough for the entire family to enjoy....except for deck 13.

 

These "outside of the enclave" suites have all of the amenities of the Haven including enclave access but are located in other parts of the ship. For some, the tradeoff of location in the enclave vs. stateroom size/balcony size/lower price is worth it. For the OP, they might be worth a look.