Thinking of trying Norwegian Haven suite...

[Cigar King]

Tried doing a search but I didn't see anything that answered my question.  

 

I've plenty of experience with suites on Royal.  I am thinking of trying a Haven suite on Norwegian.  (breakaway)  I'm looking for a comparison to Royal.  There's a lot of talk about "exclusive".  Is it really, or is it like Royal and various loyalty tiers have access too?  From what I am reading it looks like a nice experience than Coastal Kitchen and the lounge.

 

What's been your experience?

[RosieRoo]

I’ve sailed in suites on almost all cruise lines. The experience on NCL is different in that all the facilities are located in one area behind closed doors. You need a key to get into the Haven complex. You’ll have your restaurant, pool, bar, hot tubs, etc all within that closed in area instead of being spread out like on some of Royals ships. The Haven is a ship within a ship. The only other experience I can compare it to is MSCs Yacht club. 

 

 

 

[Cruising89143]

When comparing the two, NCL wins out by far IMHO. The Haven is a true ship within ship concept. Now after that once you leave the Haven it’s more of a zoo. I put it on comparison with MSC and Carnival. NCL used to have very good entertainment but it’s my understanding that they have made cuts here to save money. I suggest trying it for yourself. We did it once but it would take a very good price to try it again. 

[RosieRoo]

57 minutes ago, Cigar King said:

Tried doing a search but I didn't see anything that answered my question.  

There's a lot of talk about "exclusive".  Is it really, or is it like Royal and various loyalty tiers have access too?  

To my knowledge none of the lattitudes levels grant access to the Haven. It’s not like Pinnacles on Royal that have access to Coastal and the Suite Lounge. 

[mjkacmom]

Only those who book haven suites have access to the haven proper (on some ships there are suites that have access who aren’t adjacent to the haven, but can use the facilities and have a butler and concierge). Stays doesn’t give access. Haven guests do not have access to the the spa or vibe, that us still extra.

[sandebeach]

We have only stayed once in NCL Haven on the Escape, that was pre-Covid. We still talk about how much we enjoyed the lounge and restaurant. If you have stayed in a suite on Wonder, the Suite Neighborhood on Wonder has a similar feel and layout to the Haven. 

[sandebeach]

10 hours ago, RosieRoo said:

I’ve sailed in suites on almost all cruise lines. The experience on NCL is different in that all the facilities are located in one area behind closed doors. You need a key to get into the Haven complex. You’ll have your restaurant, pool, bar, hot tubs, etc all within that closed in area instead of being spread out like on some of Royals ships. The Haven is a ship within a ship. The only other experience I can compare it to is MSCs Yacht club. 

 

 

 

Yes, I agree, MSC Yacht Club has a similar feel to NCL Haven. 

[SplashOfWater]

We've stayed in the Haven twice, most recently on the Escape in January. Never stayed in a fulll suite on Royal, so I can't really give you a comparison.

 

The Haven complex is accessed via your keycard. Only Haven guests have access to this area. Loyalty tier does not get you access. There are suites within the Haven complex as well as ones outside (forward and aft suites on various decks). All suites come with a butler.

 

The Haven restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Unfortunately, the menus do not change during the cruise. You have your own bar, pool, hot tubs and sundeck. I believe the Breakaway has a retractable roof over the pool so you don't have to worry about inclement weather.

 

The Haven concierge can handle entertainment and dining reservations. They will also escort you off the ship on port days, bypassing the long lines. For theater shows they will escort you down early giving you first pick at the seats (there is also a Haven seating section if you want to sit there).

 

It's a great experience. The Haven always sails at full capacity, but it never feels crowded (unlike the rest of the ship). 

[Cigar King]

Thanks everyone.  Right now this is a plan B, but, I like what I see enough that I am thinking even if it doesn't work out this time I should give it a whirl.  In my mind, Haven is like Star class, with a better club area. 

 

I am still a bit confused on the Haven itself.  It looks like the cabins are all over the ship.  (we were looking at an aft penthouse)  Is there an area with cabins in the Haven?  I imagine this must be like deck 17 on Oasis.

 

Somebody mentioned MSC Yacht Club.  I've been wanting to try that since I saw a cruise show featuring their ship.  Wife not so much, mainly because we have had several reports that were less than complementary.  Is the consensus here that it's worth it?  I think they have (or at least *had*) status matching.

[neverbeenhere]

You might visit You Tube for videos on the Haven and Yacht club.

[SplashOfWater]

22 minutes ago, Cigar King said:

I am still a bit confused on the Haven itself.  It looks like the cabins are all over the ship.  (we were looking at an aft penthouse)  Is there an area with cabins in the Haven?  I imagine this must be like deck 17 on Oasis.

There are cabins in the Haven complex. These are usually more expensive than the ones outside the complex (the forward and aft suites). It looks like deck 16 on Breakaway has the cabins inside the Haven.

 

You might also post over on the NCL board for specifics on the Breakaway Haven.

Edited April 7 by SplashOfWater

[kitkat343]

The NCL Haven has a very strong reputation.  But please read the CC reviews on the Breakaway (or whichever ship you are considering booking) prior to booking because the NCL CC reviews raise concerns recently:

 

https://www.cruisecritic.com/cruise/norwegian-ncl/norwegian-breakaway/reviews?LoginEnabled=true

 

 If you are sailing primarily for itinerary, please note the following issue that comes up with itineraries being changed after final payment for nonemergency reasons like helping the environment:

 

 

[RosieRoo]

2 hours ago, Cigar King said:

 

Somebody mentioned MSC Yacht Club.  I've been wanting to try that since I saw a cruise show featuring their ship.  Wife not so much, mainly because we have had several reports that were less than complementary.  Is the consensus here that it's worth it?  I think they have (or at least *had*) status matching.

We’ve sailed MSC several times, both in a balcony, a suite and in the Yacht club. Everyone has their own opinion of MSC. Their website isn’t great and their shoreside customer service is lacking in my opinion, but I have never had a bad experience on MSC.  The Yacht Club experience is far superior to any other suite experience we have had (and we have been on over 100 cruises). It also costs a lot less than the Haven on NCL. The butler meets you on the sidewalk, walks you thru security, takes you thru check in and then walks you right onto the ship and into the Yacht Club. No other cruise line I have experienced does that. All of the Yacht Club facilities are behind locked doors that you use your key card to enter. Yacht club members only, no high level cruisers. All your drinks are included, including anything inside your mini fridge, which the butler refills daily. Any time you leave the ship you are escorted to the front of the line by a butler.  When you go to shows, you are escorted to the show by a butler. Their private island has its own Yacht club beach with restaurant and bar. No need to bring towels, they provide them at the beach. A butler escorts you off the ship and onto a golf cart that drives you to the beach.  There’s not one concierge to take care of you, but three at the desk most times.  

Honestly, for the money I think they offer the best experience out there. I have friends in Orlando who are Royal Pinnacles and were afraid to try MSC. I talked them into trying it and they booked 4 more cruises while onboard. Don’t be afraid to give it a try. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Also, they do still have the status match. It offers a few nice perks if you are at their highest level. 

Edited April 7 by RosieRoo

[mafig]

The Haven has some larger suites that accommodate families, so if you're "unlucky" you might get a sailing with a lot of children.  We were.  The kids were always in the pool.  They considered it theirs and any adults who ventured in got splashed a lot.  It seemed on purpose.  

 

The Haven restaurant was great, even though the menu doesn't change.  DH still talks about having lobster every day.  They do have a strange water policy, though

 

We were on Joy.  We'd still consider  booking another Haven cruise.  We've also been on MSC's Yacht Club and liked that too.  Royal Caribbean's Crown Loft Suite on Symphony is next.  I'll let you know how it compares.

[Cigar King]

3 hours ago, mafig said:

They do have a strange water policy, though

What's the strange water policy?

[mafig]

You can't bring water on the ship.

 

Bottled water is not included in their drink package.  

[RosieRoo]

10 minutes ago, mafig said:

You can't bring water on the ship.

 

Bottled water is not included in their drink package.  

This is such a weird policy. You can get all the free drinks you want, but not bottled water. 

[mjkacmom]

10 minutes ago, RosieRoo said:

This is such a weird policy. You can get all the free drinks you want, but not bottled water. 

It doesn’t include water or specialty coffees, or fresh juices. You can pay extra for the next level package. I do appreciate being able to bring on all of the wine I want, and I’m fine with the ship’s water.

[mafig]

2 hours ago, mjkacmom said:

. I do appreciate being able to bring on all of the wine I want, and I’m fine with the ship’s water.

I believe you pay a corkage fee for the wine, even if you drink it in your cabin.  You pay upon boarding.

[mjkacmom]

2 hours ago, mafig said:

I believe you pay a corkage fee for the wine, even if you drink it in your cabin.  You pay upon boarding.

But if you take the free at sea alcohol package you can bring on unlimited bottles with no corkage fee and drink them anywhere.

[Cigar King]

10 hours ago, mafig said:

You can't bring water on the ship.

 

Bottled water is not included in their drink package.  

That's a negative for us.  We don't drink, so bottled water is one of the things we get often.  Sparkling water the same?

[RosieRoo]

1 hour ago, Cigar King said:

That's a negative for us.  We don't drink, so bottled water is one of the things we get often.  Sparkling water the same?

On NCL no bottled waters included. You have to purchase water separately. 
 

On MSC unlimited waters both still and sparkling. Bottled water is also served in the Yacht Club restaurant both still and sparkling. 
 

[frank808]

On 4/7/2024 at 10:18 AM, mafig said:

The Haven has some larger suites that accommodate families, so if you're "unlucky" you might get a sailing with a lot of children.  We were.  The kids were always in the pool.  They considered it theirs and any adults who ventured in got splashed a lot.  It seemed on purpose.  

 

The Haven restaurant was great, even though the menu doesn't change.  DH still talks about having lobster every day.  They do have a strange water policy, though

 

We were on Joy.  We'd still consider  booking another Haven cruise.  We've also been on MSC's Yacht Club and liked that too.  Royal Caribbean's Crown Loft Suite on Symphony is next.  I'll let you know how it compares.

CLS is a lot nicer than the YC1 suites for sure.  The only suites that compare to CLS are the two story suites I have seen on euriba but still not the wow factor of a CLS. MSC two story YC rooms are smaller and are enclosed compared to CLS.

 

Hope our cruising paths cross again. We will be on MSC for a couple Med cruises in October, then sailing the last Med cruise on explorer of the seas and staying on for her TA and the next 3 cruises out of Miami.  Those last 3 cruises are long 10 and 11 day itineraries. Maybe you two can join us as we will be in your neigborhood?

 

Stay safe and happy cruising.

[Cigar King]

FWIW we booked a Haven Aft Facing Penthouse with Master Bedroom and Large Balcony.

 

Thanks everyone for your help.  There are quite a few differences between the NCL model and Royal's.  I'll have to start doing some research to figure it all out.

[jakeil7]

Please let us know about your experience after the cruise. I’ve done both (Symphony CLS and Haven front suite on the Breakaway) and want to hear what others think.  Our conclusion:  Haven is better suite area, Symphony is the better overall ship

 

PS. I ended up liking the fixed menu.  They did a few things, but they did them VERY well.