Rough start to Haven.

[mscdivina2016]

Boarded the Encore yesterday.

Check in was a breeze. New terminal is very nice.

 

Other than that, things have gone sideways.

 

Once checked in before 11am  we went to a Haven waiting area on the second floor. Very nice but no restrooms. As we sat there for almost a half hour we noticed many others already boarding below. We tried to walk out and get in line but we're turned back. 

Apparently we needed to be walked on by a butler and taken directly to our muster station.

So much for priority boarding. 

 

Priority luggage??? We got it 6 hours later, a little after 5pm. Many other regular cabins had theirs.

 

We found our room not fully cleaned. A razor and a loofa in the shower. Ugh.

 

One other issue is we booked a category in the Haven proper thru a TA to discover when we arrived we had access to the Haven but not in it. Clue was when we were finally walked on, our muster was at the back of the ship.

 We are in what used to be a Spa Haven.

 

Be careful with one of the mega online TAs.

 I have paperwork from the concierge that they are wrong and I will address that when I get home.

[surfclam2003]

I always look at deck plans, find the cabin I want and book that. 

 

Don't know why you didn't check where cabin was before you got on.

[david_sobe]

If these are your complaints so far you are on track for a miserable cruise.  There is no such thing as priority luggage.  I have sailed Haven and non-Haven cabins and never found the luggage arrives earlier in the Haven.  Those Haven tags may make people feel special though.

Just because you are in the Haven does not mean you get to run on to the ship.  Its boarded in an orderly fashion and in groups from the Haven.  You need a Haven escort to jump the lines that will bottleneck through the process.   NCL does not stop the boarding process until all Haven passengers are boarded.  There will be plenty of non-Haven passengers who got there really early and were in the first boarding group.  I have waited in the Haven lounge with families with lots of kids with complicated passports. I sit there impatient too while I see hoards of people boarding the ship.   This happens at every port and every ship.  This is reality and should not have any impact on your cruise.  You can always find odd things under the bed or a sponge in the bathroom that were left behind and not removed during the cleaning process.  This again happens at every embarkation on every ship.  This is not a rough start.  Its a typical start.

Now go have a great cruise.  The Encore has an incredible 3 deck Haven. Soak it all in.  Just because you got on the ship 15 minutes later than you expected is not a rough start.

[graphicguy]

I personally do not care where my Haven cabin is.  Just a word of advice, the name of your cabin would read “Haven Courtyard (cabin type)” if it’s in the “Haven Courtyard”.  This is the same when booking the Yacht Club on MSC.  Some Yacht Club cabins are on decks that aren’t adjoining the actual Yacht Club.

 

Tell your cabin steward about the items left behind in your bathroom.  S/he will take care of them.

Edited March 18 by graphicguy

[cruiseny4life]

Are we in for a redux of your previous Haven cruise where everything was wrong? 

 

It's easy to determine an HI cabin is not "in" the Haven. They are lovely cabins. I've been in them on Getaway and really loved it. 

 

You have to go into this wanting to enjoy your vacation. Please, please take a minute to enjoy where you are so that you enjoy your cruise! I don't want to hear the same things you said a year or two ago (I don't remember how long ago it was). 

 

Here's to happy sailing ahead! 

 

[hallux]

29 minutes ago, mscdivina2016 said:

One other issue is we booked a category in the Haven proper thru a TA to discover when we arrived we had access to the Haven but not in it.

Who told you that you were in the "Haven Proper"?  I would have asked what cabin number and verified for myself before agreeing to complete the booking.  It's certainly something I would have done 2 minutes of research on once I got the room number...

[mscdivina2016]

Just now, hallux said:

Who told you that you were in the "Haven Proper"?  I would have asked what cabin number and verified for myself before agreeing to complete the booking.  It's certainly something I would have done 2 minutes of research on once I got the room number...

TA,

 It's even recorded. TA acknowledges the agent was wrong and was just reading off the description.

 

I have been traveling allot and did not really pay attention. I just wanted in the enclave, any room. I have actually sailed this ship before.

 

Everything else is fine overall. 

[ggTexasGal]

It really is a shame that you didn't actually end-up in a room you thought you would be in.

Hopefully, things start looking much better for you very soon!

 

[mscdivina2016]

3 minutes ago, ggTexasGal said:

It really is a shame that you didn't actually end-up in a room you thought you would be in.

Hopefully, things start looking much better for you very soon!

 

It's all good. 3rd cruise in 4 weeks.

[david_sobe]

I think some of the mix up is NCL calling the suites outside the Haven, Haven suites.  They do get access to the Haven which I understand why.  However IMHO being outside the Haven while having Haven access is not the same IMHO.  But they are so much cheaper its not like anyone is being ripped off.  If you booked with a TA then I would definitely address it with them.  But they did not lie in selling you a Haven suite.  I can see how its confusing.  Would you have spent $2000 more to stay inside the Haven?   If its a spa suite then you have access to the spa which is a HUGE perk that people staying inside the Haven do not have.  Its the glass half full approach.

[ChiefMateJRK]

17 minutes ago, mscdivina2016 said:

TA,

 It's even recorded. TA acknowledges the agent was wrong and was just reading off the description.

Why are you using a TA when they screw up this bad?

[ChiefMateJRK]

13 minutes ago, mscdivina2016 said:

It's all good. 3rd cruise in 4 weeks.

It looks like you need to update your signature.

[Big Red 85]

What cabin number?  That would settle the location question.

 

[mscdivina2016]

10 minutes ago, Big Red 85 said:

What cabin number?  That would settle the location question.

 

I know.  

 

25 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Why are you using a TA when they screw up this bad?

They have always been great. Apparently a new agent.

They will make good on it.

[mscdivina2016]

32 minutes ago, david_sobe said:

I think some of the mix up is NCL calling the suites outside the Haven, Haven suites.  They do get access to the Haven which I understand why.  However IMHO being outside the Haven while having Haven access is not the same IMHO.  But they are so much cheaper its not like anyone is being ripped off.  If you booked with a TA then I would definitely address it with them.  But they did not lie in selling you a Haven suite.  I can see how its confusing.  Would you have spent $2000 more to stay inside the Haven?   If its a spa suite then you have access to the spa which is a HUGE perk that people staying inside the Haven do not have.  Its the glass half full approach.

They used to give spa access. No more. 

 

The difference in price was about $200 actually.  I booked it this year. There were 12 cabins available.

Another thing I noticed besides the TA cabin description is the size this room is much bigger.

 

[ChiefMateJRK]

13 minutes ago, mscdivina2016 said:

They will make good on it.

How?  Aren't you already on the ship in the crappy non-Haven cabin?

[CWMixer]

1 hour ago, mscdivina2016 said:

Very nice but no restrooms

No restrooms on the Haven "lounge" level but there are one floor down, but not well marked. Agreed, weird design

1 hour ago, mscdivina2016 said:

So much for priority boarding.

You have "priority" when it's your time to board, and in our experience your 'time" is when the Haven lounge team takes you in. It's not a clock time or relevant to the rest of the passengers boarding times.  Having someone walk you on board and right into an express elevator to the Haven lounge (vs waiting w/the masses for a 'regular' elevator) is enough of a 'priority' to us. 

 

The room 'mix up'? Sounds like you have it covered with your TA: good.

 

"Stuff" in the room from prior occupant? &$it happens (not frequently, thankfully) whether a ship, hotel, AirBNB/VRBO, rental car, or plane (I've become very hesitant to look in the seat-back pockets): as long as it's taken care of promptly we move on.

 

Enjoy your cruise! 

[JustAPilot]

Please compare YC to Haven! So far I’m happy to have booked YC this summer, Haven is getting watered down more and more with price increases to boot. 

[ChiefMateJRK]

21 minutes ago, CWMixer said:

Having someone walk you on board and right into an express elevator to the Haven lounge (vs waiting w/the masses for a 'regular' elevator) is enough of a 'priority' to us. 

Oh brother.  I've sailed Bliss, Encore and Joy many times.  Avoiding "waiting with the masses for a 'regular' elevator" is worth about what it cost me to type this.

[valleyvillage]

Haven Penthouse Suite with Balcony

Total pampering awaits with features like a private balcony, king-size bed, whirlpool tub, soothing décor and a sitting area with a vanity. This penthouse suite is located near the aft of the ship and includes access to The Haven and all its premium amenities.

• Accommodates: 2
• Total Approx. Size: 339-343 sq. ft.
• Balcony Size: 84-87 sq. ft.

DECK(S)15

LOCATIONAFT

CATEGORY HI

 

I looks like they pasted the wrong description but gave you the correct category, HI is on deck 15.

You sound like you're making the best of it! Have a great cruise!

Edited March 18 by valleyvillage

[SomewhereGirl]

3 hours ago, david_sobe said:

You can always find odd things under the bed or a sponge in the bathroom that were left behind and not removed during the cleaning process. 

 

A razor an and a loofa? Since those are not cleaning items, I would absolutely wonder if the cabin was cleaned.  My next thoughts would be the sheets.   

[MoCruiseFan]

3 hours ago, mscdivina2016 said:

TA,

 It's even recorded. TA acknowledges the agent was wrong and was just reading off the description.

 

I have been traveling allot and did not really pay attention. I just wanted in the enclave, any room. I have actually sailed this ship before.

 

Everything else is fine overall. 

 

Yet another reason to not use a TA.  They are highly over-rated and most often, with a little effort, you can do just as well on your own as far as price goes.  I travel A LOT as well.  I always do my own booking and select my own cabin.  This way I know for a fact exactly what it is that I am buying, how much I am paying, and how I need to ALLOT my vacation funds.  🙂

[roddy good boy]

3 hours ago, mscdivina2016 said:

They used to give spa access. No more. 

 

The difference in price was about $200 actually.  I booked it this year. There were 12 cabins available.

Another thing I noticed besides the TA cabin description is the size this room is much bigger.

 

MSCDivina2016 is correct, there’s not much difference in price between the Haven Penthouse suite (the old spa suite) and the Haven Penthouse courtyard suite (which is located in the Haven complex). As mentioned, you no longer get complimentary access to the spa with the HI, but its location is conveniently located close to the spa. The balcony of the HI is typically larger than the courtyard suite’s.  It’s unfortunate your TA didn’t know the differences.

Edited March 19 by roddy good boy

[Wayward Son]

3 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Oh brother.  I've sailed Bliss, Encore and Joy many times.  Avoiding "waiting with the masses for a 'regular' elevator" is worth about what it cost me to type this.

 

Who uses the elevator right after they embark anyway? There's a bar right there.

 

[surfclam2003]

1 hour ago, MoCruiseFan said:

 

Yet another reason to not use a TA.  They are highly over-rated and most often, with a little effort, you can do just as well on your own as far as price goes.  I travel A LOT as well.  I always do my own booking and select my own cabin.  This way I know for a fact exactly what it is that I am buying, how much I am paying, and how I need to ALLOT my vacation funds.  🙂

 

I always use a TA. Booked on B2B in April for a total of 22 days and get $950 OBC that is refundable and a 10 night Alaska in 2025 and get $1,100 refundable OBC. Been using the same company and guy for 15 years. It's a big company that does only cruises.