Considering the Haven / special needs child

[bluestar1]

I’m mulling over upgrading to a Haven room after receiving the bid option email, and reviewing videos and commentary of those who have used the Haven. Mostly, my reason is leaning towards a special needs child that will be with us. Currently I have a balcony booked, we had already upgraded from a family Oceanview to the Club Balcony Suite on the Encore in the fall to Alaska.

 

My child is high functioning but also when he is done, he’s DONE. So hence the balcony room, we considered that if he needs downtime, at least one or both parents can have a balcony to chill on while he has some downtime watching TV, or just having quiet time. One sensitivity he has is noise, he will wear headphones just fine to offset, and if taken to a place he considers “boring” he can escalate quickly. Thankfully escalation looks like just asking over and over to leave, or shutting down, no tantrums or screaming. Usually people cannot tell he’s reached his point unless you are right next to him.

 

On top of all this, he has multiple food allergies and is super picky. On our last cruise (2019) included a rolling small suitcase of shelf stable foods he will eat (certain brands of granola bars, prepackaged muffins, etc). We paired those with foods he could eat – fruits, veggies and meats from the buffet or main dining but felt on guard all the time.

 

Would being in the Haven add another level to accommodate his needs? – in terms of food allergies, could I as an example, as for gluten free, egg free waffles for him each day, we may be able to get in the main dining, but instead they are just delivered to the stateroom in the morning and he doesn’t have to endure another level of stimulation for breakfast and save his efforts for playing in the kids pool or going to the splash academy.  

 

Also knowing that splash academy isn’t open on port days (we aren’t planning to have excursions each time to keep it low key) and that we are traveling in the fall to Alaska the other on board outdoor fun may be closed because of rain we would have a larger room to retreat to. Or perhaps the Haven pool is still open if its raining because its closed in?

 

I know it would provide a larger area if we upgraded, for him to have even more quiet space, and with options like the small dine table we could set up small activities or games in our room rather than trying to do this in the main areas. On the cruise in 2019 we had an inside stateroom and we spent some part of the day there for him to have chill time - which normally meant him watching TV, reading, coloring or just playing with a few toys he brought along. The parent on that duty felt claustrophobic in the room each time. 

 

I’ve read accounts of people being very specific for Haven needs, certain foods, certain diet and having those needs met.

 

I totally understand this all comes with a cost and providing additional gratuity to the room butler, and for me it's worth it for a chill vacation.

 

Just curious if my thinking is way off here or if I should really consider the upgrade?

[RocketMan275]

I would think it's worth considering.  For one thing, you can get all  your meals delivered to your room from anywhere on the ship.  Of course, if it's specialty meals there is a cost other than the two that come with Free At Sea.  I don't know if gluten free, egg free waffles are available.  I would suggest you contact the special needs department and get their input.  

Here's the form to contact special needs.

https://ncl.secure.force.com/AccessDeskForm/

BTW, lots of folks bid on the haven rooms.  If you really want one you might consider just paying the price.  I would look at the 2bdr have rooms on deck 17.

[Pitzel]

28 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

BTW, lots of folks bid on the haven rooms.  If you really want one you might consider just paying the price.  I would look at the 2bdr have rooms on deck 17.

Absolutely agree! If you want the Haven and you would be disappointed if you didn't get it, go ahead and pay to upgrade outright, if you can.

One of the other perks of the Haven is being escorted on and off the ship by the concierge staff, often through staff staircases and elevators. This is a HUGE plus if your kiddo gets overstimulated easily when surrounded by lots of people or gets frustrated when having to wait in lines.

The Haven restaurant is much quieter and more "chill" than either the buffet or the main dining rooms. If you need to leave in the middle of a meal and return to your room, they will even pack up the food and have your butler bring it to you in your suite to finish it.

Haven also comes with free on-demand movies, so you have many more movie options to choose from and can start them at any time.

Haven rooms come with a small portable phone that can be used anywhere on the ship. You can contact the butler or concierge at any time if you need anything (even if it is just a "phone a friend" to have a snack brought to where you are or need assistance with anything), but it also means that the Splash Academy staff can reach you at any time, anywhere on the ship. This offers a lot of peace of mind if there is a high likelihood that your kiddo might melt down or have challenges there and need some respite.

[retired714]

The larger room would be way more comfortable for all 3 of you. 
we did a cruise in the Bliss in rear facing haven, and found 2 things that would apply. First is the Haven dining room is not stuffy, but we found it quieter and less hurried than the main dining room (we tried the MDR one night). The second thing is I am lactose intolerant. They were so attentive. I don’t know how many gluten free choices they may offer, but I do know that I mentioned lactose intolerant before the cruise and so they were ready for me, actually in every restaurant to let me know what I shouldn’t eat. Still be a good idea to bring you GF muffins & snacks for just in case. 

[amygutman]

@bluestar1 As the mother of a high-functioning autistic teen, I feel ya when you say "when he is done, he is done"! From first hand-experience, I can tell you that the service and care our son has received in the Haven is amazing. The quiet areas are perfect for him, and having a dining room / wait-staff that is smaller and more attuned to his needs, catering specifically to his likes and dislikes is fantastic. 

 

Special food orders were never an issue, and even down to his drink preferences were provided with a smile. We worked with the room attendants, butler and concierge to ensure that when we needed to quickly leave a venue, unfinished meals were boxed and sent to the room, room service was happily provided, and if he was in the middle of a difficult afternoon (meaning, please, please do not disturb), we were not disturbed. 

 

Other guests were kind and understanding, except for a few rare ugly stares and comments. One couple accused us of "using our child to go to the head of the line" - um, it's the Haven...that's what we pay good money for. When he splashed people once in the pool, once couple complained (even though we and he apologized) and asked the concierge to "ban us for being rowdy", the concierge refused them but asked them to speak to us if they had concerns (they did not...they just shot us dirty glances for the rest of the cruise).

 

The only issue we have consistently have is when we pack into elevators for priority tendering / priority show seating and that is a big "hold your breath and hope for the best" for us - but most people are very understanding. 

 

Use the pre-concierge early and often to ensure his dietary requirements are pre-ordered if possible. Also, you they will send you the "special needs" forms to fill out before the cruise. My email is prehospitalmd@gmail.com - reach out at any time and I can give you more specifics. You will have a wonderful cruise and the Haven staff makes family time with any child, special needs or not, wonderful. 

 

Warmest, Amy

[Monica887]

Every kids is different, but it sounds like you have it well thought out, and past experience with cruising to know how the upgrade will help. 

 

My kid has some special needs too, which is why we cruise so much - we mostly know what to expect, have a place to escape to, and always get a balcony so that when she is done we can still enjoy. The food has never been a problem, even in the MDR. They know the food allergies and quickly learn the preferences ("would you like your pizza and strawberries tonight, Miss? The cake has nuts but how about a cookie?")

 

The escorting off the ship, breakfast in the room, specific foods in the room, and secret elevators sounds EXACTLY what would upgrade our experience for our kid too! 

[gizfish]

Your chances of winning a bid are really quite low unless you are willing to bid high.  Even then, so much goes into the process that you still are not even close to being guaranteed to win.  If you can afford it, definitely just upgrade to the haven.  Being in the haven will make it so much easier and more comfortable for everyone in your party for all the reasons you have talked about.  

[omahabob]

gizfish beat me to it. Bidding is a long shot. If you want the Haven, call them and upgrade.

[BirdTravels]

6 hours ago, bluestar1 said:

I’m mulling over upgrading to a Haven room after receiving the bid option email, and reviewing videos and commentary of those who have used the Haven. Mostly, my reason is leaning towards a special needs child that will be with us. Currently I have a balcony booked, we had already upgraded from a family Oceanview to the Club Balcony Suite on the Encore in the fall to Alaska.

 

My child is high functioning but also when he is done, he’s DONE. So hence the balcony room, we considered that if he needs downtime, at least one or both parents can have a balcony to chill on while he has some downtime watching TV, or just having quiet time. One sensitivity he has is noise, he will wear headphones just fine to offset, and if taken to a place he considers “boring” he can escalate quickly. Thankfully escalation looks like just asking over and over to leave, or shutting down, no tantrums or screaming. Usually people cannot tell he’s reached his point unless you are right next to him.

 

On top of all this, he has multiple food allergies and is super picky. On our last cruise (2019) included a rolling small suitcase of shelf stable foods he will eat (certain brands of granola bars, prepackaged muffins, etc). We paired those with foods he could eat – fruits, veggies and meats from the buffet or main dining but felt on guard all the time.

 

Would being in the Haven add another level to accommodate his needs? – in terms of food allergies, could I as an example, as for gluten free, egg free waffles for him each day, we may be able to get in the main dining, but instead they are just delivered to the stateroom in the morning and he doesn’t have to endure another level of stimulation for breakfast and save his efforts for playing in the kids pool or going to the splash academy.  

 

Also knowing that splash academy isn’t open on port days (we aren’t planning to have excursions each time to keep it low key) and that we are traveling in the fall to Alaska the other on board outdoor fun may be closed because of rain we would have a larger room to retreat to. Or perhaps the Haven pool is still open if its raining because its closed in?

 

I know it would provide a larger area if we upgraded, for him to have even more quiet space, and with options like the small dine table we could set up small activities or games in our room rather than trying to do this in the main areas. On the cruise in 2019 we had an inside stateroom and we spent some part of the day there for him to have chill time - which normally meant him watching TV, reading, coloring or just playing with a few toys he brought along. The parent on that duty felt claustrophobic in the room each time. 

 

I’ve read accounts of people being very specific for Haven needs, certain foods, certain diet and having those needs met.

 

I totally understand this all comes with a cost and providing additional gratuity to the room butler, and for me it's worth it for a chill vacation.

 

Just curious if my thinking is way off here or if I should really consider the upgrade?

So, in your post, you mention getting an email to bid for an upgrade. One thing to consider is that you are bidding on an upgrade. There are over 1000 cabins on the ship which are eligible to bid on a few Haven rooms that are unsold the week before cruise, if any. In general, the probability of winning an upgrade bid is very slim to none. And you won’t know if you have won an upgrade until three or four days and before departure up to the moment the ship leaves the dock. If you really wanna Haven room pay for it.

[dexddd]

The Haven pool area can be as quiet as a library or as noisy as day care before snack time.  Or you could get a Caddyshack moment with pool shut down for a whole day when some kid fouled it with their baby ruth.  True story but not a candy bar.

 

As others have said, if you want it, pay outright and don't rely on bid.

[Grimix]

We also are headed to Alaska this Fall on the Encore with a high-functioner (16 years old as of July 5th.) We've already booked the Haven 2-bedroom (because we have 3 kids and 2 adults going). We did a Mexican Riviera (also in the Haven) and he loved it. He doesn't have allergies, but is very food specific. He will basically eat off the kids menu the whole trip. Pasta and Chicken fingers. (Doesn't even like ice cream because of the temperature. I'll suffer and eat his if any shows up...) We didn't do the kids club, but mostly because we did so much as a family. The priority embarkation/disembarkation aren't just for high-functioning ASD kids, but if you have any kids!

 

The Haven was actually very peaceful and calm for our Mexican Riviera (5-day) and would expect it to be at least as peaceful for an Alaskan trip with school (mostly) in session. 

 

As those have mentioned if you want to upgrade the amount you would probably have to bid to win is often more than just calling NCL (or your TA) and upgrading to the Haven.

[amygutman]

17 minutes ago, Grimix said:

We also are headed to Alaska this Fall on the Encore with a high-functioner (16 years old as of July 5th.) We've already booked the Haven 2-bedroom (because we have 3 kids and 2 adults going). We did a Mexican Riviera (also in the Haven) and he loved it. He doesn't have allergies, but is very food specific. He will basically eat off the kids menu the whole trip. Pasta and Chicken fingers. (Doesn't even like ice cream because of the temperature. I'll suffer and eat his if any shows up...) We didn't do the kids club, but mostly because we did so much as a family. The priority embarkation/disembarkation aren't just for high-functioning ASD kids, but if you have any kids!

 

The Haven was actually very peaceful and calm for our Mexican Riviera (5-day) and would expect it to be at least as peaceful for an Alaskan trip with school (mostly) in session. 

 

As those have mentioned if you want to upgrade the amount you would probably have to bid to win is often more than just calling NCL (or your TA) and upgrading to the Haven.

@Grimix We are on the Sept 24th Encore Alaska...I understand if you don't want to give details but if you happen to be on this sailing our 14 yo Ronan would love to meet a new friend! Since he moved up to the teen club from the kid's club, he has spent less time there as most of the kids have been >16 and very clique-y. The staff are wonderful, but meeting kids in the Haven has always been our best bet. He too is a great lover off all things chicken fingered and plain (dear Lord no sauce, no butter, no green garnish) pasta!

Warmest, Amy

 

[Grimix]

5 minutes ago, amygutman said:

 We are on the Sept 24th Encore Alaska...I understand if you don't want to give details but if you happen to be on this sailing our 14 yo Ronan would love to meet a new friend! Since he moved up to the teen club from the kid's club, he has spent less time there as most of the kids have been >16 and very clique-y. The staff are wonderful, but meeting kids in the Haven has always been our best bet. He too is a great lover off all things chicken fingered and plain (dear Lord no sauce, no butter, no green garnish) pasta!

Warmest, Amy

Unfortunately we're going the following week (Oct 1st) my son would also have enjoyed meeting him! But please make sure you don't steal our good weather! (I know it's a crapshoot at the end of the season, but we all had so much fun on the ship that I'm not going to let a little bad weather get us down. The kids all were born raised in upstate New York so they/we can also handle the cold.) 

 

I wish he would eat them plain, but the only sauce he will eat is worse than no sauce. The vile condiment named Ketchup. He actually will eat that with a spoon if you let him... (The pasta is plain of course with butter, not even parm, which as part Italian is also blasphemy to me!) 

[bluestar1]

Thank you all for the kind comments and tips. We decided to upgrade today and received some great tips from the NCL agent that assisted me with the upgrade. Somehow their system routed me to an Access Coordinator but he assisted with the upgrade, and when I mentioned why we did the upgrade, the special needs and allergies he said "well you have the right person!' and proceeded to answer all my questions, explain some tips and who to reach out to for what. 

 

One tip he shared with me, I feel everyone should know - he said if we had stayed with our regular room there is an assistance program called "Pier Assistance " you set up ahead of time and call a number when you get to the pier and someone will come out and help expedite you through the regular line. He also said once on board guest services can connect you with the accessibility officer to also request disembarking in a faster and less crowded fashion. This is available to all passengers with special needs. It just has to be set up ahead of time. 

[amygutman]

8 hours ago, Grimix said:

Unfortunately we're going the following week (Oct 1st) my son would also have enjoyed meeting him! But please make sure you don't steal our good weather! (I know it's a crapshoot at the end of the season, but we all had so much fun on the ship that I'm not going to let a little bad weather get us down. The kids all were born raised in upstate New York so they/we can also handle the cold.) 

 

I wish he would eat them plain, but the only sauce he will eat is worse than no sauce. The vile condiment named Ketchup. He actually will eat that with a spoon if you let him... (The pasta is plain of course with butter, not even parm, which as part Italian is also blasphemy to me!) 

We will keep that good weather vibe going for you!!!

Met my DH in Cooperstown, so I feel ya re: cold weather. 

Ketchup on pasta must hurt you to your bones...I offer you my sympathies!

We booked Sept to have the max hope of both humpbacks and northern lights...you should have the same luck in October and I will cross my fingers in your son having a wonderful, amazing time.

Warmest, Amy

[RocketMan275]

13 hours ago, bluestar1 said:

Thank you all for the kind comments and tips. We decided to upgrade today and received some great tips from the NCL agent that assisted me with the upgrade. Somehow their system routed me to an Access Coordinator but he assisted with the upgrade, and when I mentioned why we did the upgrade, the special needs and allergies he said "well you have the right person!' and proceeded to answer all my questions, explain some tips and who to reach out to for what. 

 

One tip he shared with me, I feel everyone should know - he said if we had stayed with our regular room there is an assistance program called "Pier Assistance " you set up ahead of time and call a number when you get to the pier and someone will come out and help expedite you through the regular line. He also said once on board guest services can connect you with the accessibility officer to also request disembarking in a faster and less crowded fashion. This is available to all passengers with special needs. It just has to be set up ahead of time. 

If I may suggest, upon your return, write a 'lessons learned' review.  I'm sure all those with special needs would appreciate that.

[Hearthosesteeldrumsplayin]

I think the Haven experience will be very beneficial for your family and their needs.  You should know that the Haven pool is not like the other pools on board....it is mostly for sunning....only a small space for actual swimming (more like one of those resistance-type pools)....so if your son is truly interested in a pool for swimming, you might need to go to the main ship pool.

I hope you have a wonderful and stress-free cruise!