Rough start to Haven.

[Miss Ellsworth]

4 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.

At least they didn't call them "steerage". 

[ChiefMateJRK]

3 hours ago, Wayward Son said:

 

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

 

Absolutely!  That's how the pros do it! 🐀

[ChiefMateJRK]

1 hour ago, Miss Ellsworth said:

At least they didn't call them "steerage". 

🤣It doesn't matter.  I don't mind a bit being referred to as steerage.  Hey, if the shoe fits!!  I'm already drinking with my buddy @Wayward Son and having the time of my life while they're following around a butler (as part of a parade no less) holding up a silly "Haven" (coming though!) sign to escort them to their priority elevator to their uncleaned room to complain about not having their luggage there yet.  Now tell me, who is having fun here?😎

[itsnotjustme]

9 hours ago, mscdivina2016 said:

As we sat there for almost a half hour we noticed many others already boarding below.

If you were on my last cruise, that could have been me boarding before you.  We were third in line for the Latitudes (sapphire) priority check-in when it opened.  We were seated in the MDR by 11:30 AM.   

[RedwingHockeyFan]

If I recall correctly, there wasn't much difference between a regular balcony, a spa balcony and a Haven spa balcony room.  The differences were that for the spa balcony you had access to the spa and the Haven spa balcony you had access to the spa and the Haven amenities.  But now since they have eliminated the spa balcony category rooms I wonder if the issue was somehow due to booking prior to the change?

[roddy good boy]

You check into the Haven in an area that has all kinds of snacks: sandwiches, cookies, water and juice. You then wait for a butler to take you onto the ship, up to the Haven lounge. Once there you can have champagne in glasses, an open bar, mini burgers and fry’s in fancy cups (until the Haven restaurant opens shortly for a full lunch)! You go to your cabin with everyone else…when the cabins open. Sometimes they do allow you to go drop off your carryon (especially if your room is in the Haven courtyard area). Until the rooms open, you can hang out in the Haven lounge, go out into the haven open sun deck area, or rom the ship and eat in the common areas, like everybody else.

 

 It’s a great experience! However, I’ve been in both Haven and regular rooms and have enjoyed..every..single..one of my cruises (even the ones diverted/delayed by hurricanes). But, that’s a story for another day!😀

[roddy good boy]

6 minutes ago, RedwingHockeyFan said:

If I recall correctly, there wasn't much difference between a regular balcony, a spa balcony and a Haven spa balcony room.  The differences were that for the spa balcony you had access to the spa and the Haven spa balcony you had access to the spa and the Haven amenities.  But now since they have eliminated the spa balcony category rooms I wonder if the issue was somehow due to booking prior to the change?

Yes, it’s my understanding that if you booked and sailed by Jan. 1 2024, you still got free access to the thermal spa. I saw someone say that they lowered the price to accommodate the change. Who knows?

[RedwingHockeyFan]

9 minutes ago, roddy good boy said:

Yes, it’s my understanding that if you booked and sailed by Jan. 1 2024, you still got free access to the thermal spa. I saw someone say that they lowered the price to accommodate the change. Who knows?

I looked at the deck plans too because my only experience with the spa was on the Breakaway.  The Breakaway has the spa and the Haven in the front of the ship.  But the Encore has the Haven in the front and the spa in the back, so those rooms were never collocated with the Haven.

Edited March 19 by RedwingHockeyFan

[roddy good boy]

14 minutes ago, RedwingHockeyFan said:

I looked at the deck plans too because my only experience with the spa was on the Breakaway.  The Breakaway has the spa and the Haven in the front of the ship.  But the Encore has the Haven in the front and the spa in the back, so those rooms were never collocated with the Haven.

 

 

Yes, on the Breakaway, they were locate right below the thermal spa. I can tell you that those old Haven spa suites (current HI’s) are nice! They have a whirlpool tub in them and a much larger bathroom and balcony. They also get the butler and all other Haven amenities. 

Edited March 19 by roddy good boy

[graphicguy]

Quick words of advice......

 

It's up to you to pick your cabin, even when you have the cruise line pick it for you.  You have to approve the cabin type and the location.  

 

Further, it's more expensive (usually by a lot) to have your cabin closer to the Haven Bar and/or Haven Restaurant.  

 

Luggage?  Luggage gets there when it gets there.  Who knows how that works when you leave it with the porter?

 

If you want your luggage immediately, bring it with you instead of checking it with the porters.  

Edited March 19 by graphicguy

[floridafish]

And this is why I always book directly. With deck plans in front of me.

[graphicguy]

2 minutes ago, floridafish said:

And this is why I always book directly. With deck plans in front of me.

Yeah....I have already researched the cabin I want and the fare.  When I call my TA, the only thing she has to do is book it and add her discount and OBC.

[cruiseny4life]

15 hours 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.

I stayed in an HI cabin on my very first cruise on Getaway, so not Encore - it was a Haven Penthouse Suite. Just like the OP was looking for. I was just down the hall from those that had the "spa" Haven rooms. We purchased the thermal suite separately since it wasn't included in our room. Now, it's not included in any room category, unless the room was booked prior to 1/1/24. 

Anyway, the real point is to say that I've also stayed in the Haven Aft-Facing with Master Bedroom Suites. These also aren't in the Haven "proper." I wouldn't change it one bit. I don't like being in the "proper." I like having easier access to the rest of the ship as I don't mind spending time with the chief 🐀s outside the Haven. 

 

The amenities you receive in these outside the Haven "proper" suites are exactly the same as you would receive if you were inside the Haven "proper." You have a butler, twice a day servicing of your room, Nespresso machine, fancy schmancy soap/shampoo/conditioner/lotion, butler-provided room service, daily canapes, and everything else you'd receive in a "proper" room. When you go to the Haven, you have full access to all the amenities, whether it's the sauna, pool, hot tubs, bar, restaurant, concierge, sundeck, and all the other options. You receive priority embarkation/disembarkation, priority tendering. 
 

It's the same Haven experience. You're just left out with the masses which is fine by me. 

Edited March 19 by cruiseny4life

[RocketMan275]

13 hours 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.  🙂

Every time I book, my TA gives me an 8-10% discount on my booking. 

I decide on the specific ship, cruise, date, and cabin I want.  I provide her that information and withing 30 minutes I receive my confirmed reservation.  If there are any issues, my TA promptly resolves those issues.  Even on weekends or late at night, my TA responds if those issues are urgent.  If I identify price drops, my TA resolves that with NCL.

[RocketMan275]

9 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

🤣It doesn't matter.  I don't mind a bit being referred to as steerage.  Hey, if the shoe fits!!  I'm already drinking with my buddy @Wayward Son and having the time of my life while they're following around a butler (as part of a parade no less) holding up a silly "Haven" (coming though!) sign to escort them to their priority elevator to their uncleaned room to complain about not having their luggage there yet.  Now tell me, who is having fun here?😎

My last cruise on Prima.  There were two different gangways for boarding the ship.  One was for steerage and the other for Haven.  The Haven gangway lead to the Haven only elevators which took us directly to the Haven.  There was no parade.  No sign to follow. Just a rapid embarkation to the Haven bar.    

[roddy good boy]

I received about a 8% discount on my last booking (a haven spa suite), using a TA. The discount included a reduced price and OBC.  I initially booked directly with NCL, reconsidered and re-booked the suite. I probably could have counter-offered and gotten even a larger discount or more OBC, but as an old, retired Attorney, I’m just tired of negotiating.

[agrimm01]

Whether you think you have a great cruise or a bad cruise, "You are right".  It is mostly what you make of it.  The planning of the cruise is much of the fun.  You need to be involved.  Not knowing where your stateroom is located is on you.

[david_sobe]

3 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

I stayed in an HI cabin on my very first cruise on Getaway, so not Encore - it was a Haven Penthouse Suite. Just like the OP was looking for. I was just down the hall from those that had the "spa" Haven rooms. We purchased the thermal suite separately since it wasn't included in our room. Now, it's not included in any room category, unless the room was booked prior to 1/1/24. 

Anyway, the real point is to say that I've also stayed in the Haven Aft-Facing with Master Bedroom Suites. These also aren't in the Haven "proper." I wouldn't change it one bit. I don't like being in the "proper." I like having easier access to the rest of the ship as I don't mind spending time with the chief 🐀s outside the Haven. 

 

The amenities you receive in these outside the Haven "proper" suites are exactly the same as you would receive if you were inside the Haven "proper." You have a butler, twice a day servicing of your room, Nespresso machine, fancy schmancy soap/shampoo/conditioner/lotion, butler-provided room service, daily canapes, and everything else you'd receive in a "proper" room. When you go to the Haven, you have full access to all the amenities, whether it's the sauna, pool, hot tubs, bar, restaurant, concierge, sundeck, and all the other options. You receive priority embarkation/disembarkation, priority tendering. 
 

It's the same Haven experience. You're just left out with the masses which is fine by me. 

I have also stayed in a forward Penthouse on Getaway outside the Haven.  The experience convinced me to get back to Haven proper.   It was such a long walk everywhere and felt like an outsider in the Haven. But the Haven on Getaway is an after thought which is another story.  The sundeck is horrible and the restaurant so tiny.  Its almost not worth it. 

[BirdTravels]

20 hours 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. 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.

On the Encore, about 1/3 of Haven rooms are not in the Havem complex. Personally, we prefer the “outside” rooms because, for us, they are better value for money. So, your room is not unique. Sorry that you didn’t look at a deck plan after buying your room. 

[zqvol]

4 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

On the Encore, about 1/3 of Haven rooms are not in the Havem complex. Personally, we prefer the “outside” rooms because, for us, they are better value for money. So, your room is not unique. Sorry that you didn’t look at a deck plan after buying your room. 

Problem was relying on a TA to pick her cabin instead of doing it herself. 

[Cruising Lynne]

17 hours ago, SomewhereGirl said:

 

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.   

I agree. These items mean the shower definitely was not cleaned. It is different and worse than a sock under the bed or something in the back of a drawer. I can't believe some would think that it is okay to have an uncleaned bathroom.

[BirdTravels]

3 hours ago, zqvol said:

Problem was relying on a TA to pick her cabin instead of doing it herself. 

The problem is that anyone needs to do a little due diligence when plopping down thousands or fends of thousands of dollars.
 

We never “book ourselves online”. we go through an agent and check what they are doing, in realtime. 
 

Those spa Havens are cheap, the the OP was probably looking for a cheap have room without understanding that “you get what you paid for”. 
 

We like cheap and space, so you would find us in a forward facing Haven on a lot of cruises. 

[Two Wheels Only]

Another thing to consider is that depending on the ship, the HI category could be towards the front of the ship near the Haven or nearly all the way aft away from the Haven.

[purpleally]

On 3/18/2024 at 4:42 PM, 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. 

Use a real travel agent, not a mega online one trying to get it on the cheap

[roddy good boy]

1 hour ago, BirdTravels said:

The problem is that anyone needs to do a little due diligence when plopping down thousands or fends of thousands of dollars.
 

We never “book ourselves online”. we go through an agent and check what they are doing, in realtime. 
 

Those spa Havens are cheap, the the OP was probably looking for a cheap have room without understanding that “you get what you paid for”. 
 

We like cheap and space, so you would find us in a forward facing Haven on a lot of cruises.