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Haven for port intensive cruise?


KKB
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2500 more than our interior for 10 day Med cruise with only 2 sea days.

Worth it?
DH & I did Retreat on Celebrity in Caribbean--this would be totally worth it for the Caribbean.

We liked Retreat but it would have to be a VERY good price to do it again.

This is DD25 & I...

Edited by KKB
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I’ve only sailed Haven once so my opinion may be different than others. We actually preferred the Haven perks on Port days. We enjoyed meeting the concierge before the gangways went down to be escorted off the ship without having to queue with everyone else to fight our way off early. 

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Haven perks are great for getting off the ship on port days!  Just meet your excursion bus and grab the front row seats. We also like being a little more secluded the rest of the time and the breakfast in the Haven on port days is fast 🙂

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As always, totally dependent on what's important to you. We have an upcoming cruise in the Haven, and there are no at sea days. We probably won't get off in every port, but we like having Haven amenities on port days, especially early breakfast in the room before going on an excursion. But, everyone has to make their own decision on what's important to them, and whether or not it's worth the cost.

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$2500 total or each for an upgrade from an inside to the Haven?  If it’s total extra for the two of you for ten nights I say it’s totally worth it.  $5000 would require a little thought. As others have said, the perks in the Haven are fantastic, and arguably more important on port days.  The escorts on and off the ship and priority tendering are priceless.  It’s obviously your call, but for $2500 I would do that in a heartbeat.  Its $125 pp/pd.  Order extra lobster tails at dinner and it’s paid for itself.  😂

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2 hours ago, Treasure Hunter said:

The Haven is always worth it. What about the crew elevator to get to the shows and off the ship early. And the food in the Haven restaurant is great. 

This alone is worth it!!!

 

Elvis

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13 hours ago, Treasure Hunter said:

The Haven is always worth it. What about the crew elevator to get to the shows and off the ship early. And the food in the Haven restaurant is great. 

 

Does someone who does an upgrade bid from a non-suite cabin still get all that stuff if their upgrade bid to a Haven is accepted? I was told you just get the nice big cabin and none of the priority/butler stuff.

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6 minutes ago, Ellis1138 said:

 

Does someone who does an upgrade bid from a non-suite cabin still get all that stuff if their upgrade bid to a Haven is accepted? I was told you just get the nice big cabin and none of the priority/butler stuff.

You were told wrong. You get all the Haven perks no matter if you book the cabin or get it as an upgrade. You also keep any perks you booked originally, butler and concierge service is standard

Edited by Laszlo
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18 hours ago, FLConnie said:

Haven perks are great for getting off the ship on port days!  Just meet your excursion bus and grab the front row seats. We also like being a little more secluded the rest of the time and the breakfast in the Haven on port days is fast 🙂

 

13 hours ago, Treasure Hunter said:

The Haven is always worth it. What about the crew elevator to get to the shows and off the ship early. And the food in the Haven restaurant is great. 

And sometimes getting back on the ship depending on the port. 
We were at GSC and getting back on the tender we passed a LONG line of people. 

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For a port intensive, I would think one would definitely want the Haven. The Haven would provide you additional time to enjoy the amenities on the ship, when you are there. I won't say never, but there is a small chance we would ever not sail in the Haven. It's just such a value-add to our vacation. 

 

On port days, we have absolutely not had to wait in giant lines to get off the ship. Also, we've found a butler when coming back on and were escorted through security, passed off to the assistant concierge, and whisked by elevator to the deck our stateroom was on.

 

In Honduras, that allowed us to shower and get ready for our early dinner. If we had to contend with the crowds and elevator (or stairs) we would not have been as relaxed. Didn't hurt we had cold iced tea in the fridge, M&M's to snack on, and some chocolate covered strawberries left for us. 

 

Port intensive, or not, we would always choose Haven so long as our bank account will allow us. 

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We have a Panama Canal Cruise in Jan ( 2024) on Bliss.  We already booked Haven Aft with large balcony.  Since this is our 4th time doing a complete transit, we don't plan on getting off the ship ( except in Fuerte Amador).  Looking forward to just lounging and what ever else the ship has to offer while mostly everyone is doing their thing in port.  I would assume, if you enjoy balconies for sail aways, why not do Haven ( if the price is right).

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21 hours ago, KKB said:

2500 more than our interior for 10 day Med cruise with only 2 sea days.

Worth it?
DH & I did Retreat on Celebrity in Caribbean--this would be totally worth it for the Caribbean.

We liked Retreat but it would have to be a VERY good price to do it again.

This is DD25 & I...

I've done the Haven while being docked in Bermuda for 3 nites.  Loved using the Haven as my bed, restaurant, and bar the whole time.  If price is right, I'd do a port intensive Haven booking.

 

My rule of thumb, the Haven Cabin (regardless of type) must be under $5K all in for at least 7 days.  I just booked an 11 Day Mediterranean (port intensive) in the Haven for under $4,600 all in.  I think that's a great deal.

Edited by graphicguy
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1 hour ago, graphicguy said:

@Laszlo...I know I'm lazy, otherwise I'd check your site myself.  But, before I do, do you have any vids of the Epic Haven since the refurb?  I've seen a few on YouTube, but your vids are WAY BETTER!

 

TIA!

Thank you for the compliment.  Sorry, that is one ship we have never been on. I always wanted to book a Haven cabin on the Epic but the time and location never worked out. Check out Harr Travels channel, Danny Harr has over a 1000 videos

Edited by Laszlo
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Definitely! We just returned from the Alaska cruise on Bliss. Experienced the Haven for the 1st time-Penthouse with large balcony. OMG. We are spoiled for life. So happy we are also booked for same on Epic Nov. Haifa to Rome.Everything others have said about the excellent staff & perks is spot on.

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We have done several "Port Heavy" cruises in the Haven. To us, it is still worth it. For example, when we did Europe in 2019 we made tracks every day putting on about 15 miles of walking each day, we returned each day to a cocktail in the Haven bar then we passed out in our cabin, ready for the next day of exploring! Benefits were that we were the first folks off the ship in ports and if we did want to see some entertainment that night, (and could keep our eyes open) we were escorted up front. The escorting on and off the ship and to the theaters was worth it for sure! We LOVE NCL Havens and will keep booking 

!

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