GCWNJ Posted July 4 #1 Share Posted July 4 I leave in about 10 days on the Joy out of NYC and we're staying in a Haven room for the first time. I'm looking for suggestions on how to make the most of this experience and tips anyone has. How was embarkation? Haven dining room? Any problems finding a chair on the outside Haven deck? Anything you can offer on your experience it much appreciated. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrownEyedGirl686 Posted July 4 #2 Share Posted July 4 We loved our experience on the Joy - it was May 2023. But it never felt crowded anywhere. Granted we didn’t go summer and never have so I can’t speak on the crowding but May 2023 no crowding and a wonderful experience on the Joy 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted July 4 #3 Share Posted July 4 This is an excellent thread This was an update to my Haven Restaurant post 10/2023 (Prior to recent dry dock) 4 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sthrngary Posted July 4 #4 Share Posted July 4 55 minutes ago, GCWNJ said: I leave in about 10 days on the Joy out of NYC and we're staying in a Haven room for the first time. I'm looking for suggestions on how to make the most of this experience and tips anyone has. How was embarkation? Haven dining room? Any problems finding a chair on the outside Haven deck? Anything you can offer on your experience it much appreciated. @GCWNJ Welcome to CruiseCritic.com. @BirdTravels linked my article on the Haven. Happy to answer any specific questions you may have. I also cruised on the Joy, in the Haven twice and in a Club suit once. I truly enjoyed the Joy. Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elvis1209 Posted July 6 #5 Share Posted July 6 (edited) We are going to take our 3rd Haven cruise this February. As far as I'm concerned The Haven is the only way to go! And, if you have any questions, the topics in this thread cover just about everything!!! Just about anything written by Sthrngary or Birdtravels will be right on. Elvis Edited July 6 by Elvis1209 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare graphicguy Posted July 7 #6 Share Posted July 7 Loved the Joy Haven Cruise I just disembarked a few weeks ago. Have sailed the Haven several times on several NCL ships. Some general observations.... -get to know the Concierge(s). Efran was the head Concierge on my cruise, but don't know who it will be on your cruise. They are all good, though. Use them to make/change dining reservations, entertainment reservations (where and when allowed), make/change excursion reservations, provide escorts on and off the ship where/when available, take care of any billing snafus...etc. -Butler...will take care of anything to do with stocking coffee (you'll get a very nice Nespresso machine in your cabin), snack delivery, etc. Personally, I don't use them much. I contact the pre-cruise concierge to take care of my cabin wants/needs. You can reach them at norwegianconciergedesk@ncl.com or (855) 625-4283. The Horizon Lounge is a GREAT place to hang out...270º views from the floor to ceiling windows. They have a GREAT coffee machine (makes better coffee than Starbucks) and offer different snacks throughout the day. There were days I'd go grab some fruit and yogurt for breakfast there, as well as pinwheel type lunch sandwiches with chips for lunch as opposed of going to the Haven restaurant for a more formal dining sitting. Arguably, the Haven Restaurant is the best restaurant on the ship. The down side, their menu is static throughout the cruise. But, you probably have Free at Sea, so you can eat at a Specialty Dining restaurant a couple of times to get different dining experiences and menus to supplement your Haven Menu. Service is superb. Not sure who is bartending on the Joy. But, I used to like to hang out at the Haven bar before and/or after dinner or a show. Bartenders are, again, usually the best on the ship. This time not so much. The male bartender of the group seemed more focused on chastising his bar backs than serving the customers. He wasn't happy, for whatever reason. Just a negative vibe, which is highly unusual for the Haven Bar area. So, I didn't go there much. I let the servers bring me drinks outside the bar area in the Haven. @BirdTravels posted pictures of the Haven areas. So, won't repeat them. But, here are some random ones from the Haven Horizon Lounge..... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare graphicguy Posted July 7 #7 Share Posted July 7 Haven restaurant (inside and outside) and other pics of Horizon Lounge and cabin.... 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiservictor Posted July 7 #8 Share Posted July 7 Hello @graphicguy Nice pictures. Bring back memories of our sailing on the Joy last fall. We are going to be on the Joy again in a few weeks, in 18126. Would you mind saying what cabin you were in when these pictures were taken? Want to see how similar it was to the one we’ll be in. Thanks. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare graphicguy Posted July 7 #9 Share Posted July 7 2 minutes ago, cruiservictor said: Hello @graphicguy Nice pictures. Bring back memories of our sailing on the Joy last fall. We are going to be on the Joy again in a few weeks, in 18126. Would you mind saying what cabin you were in when these pictures were taken? Want to see how similar it was to the one we’ll be in. Thanks. #14202 I loved the Joy…it’s a beautiful ship. Overall, the Breakaway Plus ships are some of my favorites in the fleet (which the Joy is)! 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare graphicguy Posted July 7 #10 Share Posted July 7 (edited) Edited July 7 by graphicguy 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaisyGoldberg Posted July 8 #11 Share Posted July 8 Just got off - best Haven I've been in. Staff is wonderful. One caveat if you haven't stayed Haven before - if they have tubs not showers, it's REALLY hard to get in and out. You can see from the photo above how high the tub side is - you need to lift your foot above your knee, which could be challenging to many folks, old or young. There is a grab bar inside (which is an improvement over my Breakaway Haven tub/shower which didn't have it), but there's nothing to grab onto coming out but the glass doors which seems incredibly unsafe. Although the sink counter is there, you can't really put your hand down without leaning around the glass. I wonder if they've gone with a different design on the newer ships, because this has always seemed incredibly unsafe to me. That said, wonderful cruise, wonderful people. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiaGirl14 Posted July 9 #12 Share Posted July 9 I agree about the tub being an issue...... 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruiseny4life Posted July 9 #13 Share Posted July 9 Somehow I get out of my tub every single day without injuring myself. Seems a whole lot to do about nothin'. Worried? Just sit on the side and scoot yourself in/out. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two Wheels Only Posted July 9 #14 Share Posted July 9 If the tub is high, people complain that it is dangerous. If the tub is low, people complain that they can't fit or that the water overflows when they get in with more than 6 inches of water. ... can't win. 🤪 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RocketMan275 Posted July 9 #15 Share Posted July 9 1 hour ago, Two Wheels Only said: If the tub is high, people complain that it is dangerous. If the tub is low, people complain that they can't fit or that the water overflows when they get in with more than 6 inches of water. ... can't win. 🤪 The winning play is get rid of the tubs. 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MagBob Posted July 10 #16 Share Posted July 10 Sitting on the side and "scooting" in and out can be painful with the Guide Track for the shower doors which is mounted on the tub! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MagBob Posted July 10 #17 Share Posted July 10 On 7/7/2024 at 3:46 PM, cruiservictor said: Hello @graphicguy Nice pictures. Bring back memories of our sailing on the Joy last fall. We are going to be on the Joy again in a few weeks, in 18126. Would you mind saying what cabin you were in when these pictures were taken? Want to see how similar it was to the one we’ll be in. Thanks. It's identical to 14138 which I was in 6-23/30. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackieodonnell Posted July 10 #18 Share Posted July 10 Haven aft penthouse has a separate shower and tub! I love that room. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackieodonnell Posted July 10 #19 Share Posted July 10 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiaGirl14 Posted July 10 #20 Share Posted July 10 2 hours ago, MagBob said: Sitting on the side and "scooting" in and out can be painful with the Guide Track for the shower doors which is mounted on the tub! Agreed!!! I get out of my own tub easily, but the one in the Haven rooms, not so much. I hit my foot on the shower track more than once. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare graphicguy Posted July 10 #21 Share Posted July 10 18 hours ago, Two Wheels Only said: If the tub is high, people complain that it is dangerous. If the tub is low, people complain that they can't fit or that the water overflows when they get in with more than 6 inches of water. ... can't win. 🤪 That was my bathroom in my cabin in that picture. I have a hip that's about the be replaced. Would I have preferred a shower? Yes. But, I really had no issues getting in and out. Are the sides high? Yep! But, you're right, no matter how low or high you make them, someone will have a problem. How you get in or out I'm sure you can figure it out. I guess do some exercises at home before boarding lifting your knee up 24"s? That would probably get you to where you need to be if there are any mobility issues getting in and out. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare graphicguy Posted July 10 #22 Share Posted July 10 10 hours ago, GeorgiaGirl14 said: Agreed!!! I get out of my own tub easily, but the one in the Haven rooms, not so much. I hit my foot on the shower track more than once. That is the issue. Making sure you don't smack your foot getting in or out. I was "high stepping" getting out of the shower. 😉 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Laszlo Posted July 10 #23 Share Posted July 10 22 hours ago, cruiseny4life said: Somehow I get out of my tub every single day without injuring myself. Seems a whole lot to do about nothin'. Worried? Just sit on the side and scoot yourself in/out. I have to say I don't consider myself old at 61 and with a right hip that was done 5 years ago. With that said both my wife and I found the tub in our forward suite on the Gem last week to be one big pain in the ass. I must have hit my toes a half dozen times. I swear its 4 inches taller than ours at home. I'm 6'3 and my head was about 1/2 inch from the ceiling. Lesson learned, no more tubs on a cruise ship for us 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiaGirl14 Posted July 10 #24 Share Posted July 10 Regarding the commentary on the tub and "not pleasing everyone". It's one thing if a "gripe" is a matter of "taste". It's quite another, if the dissatisfaction has to do with safety or potential injury. My "two cents". 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two Wheels Only Posted July 10 #25 Share Posted July 10 47 minutes ago, GeorgiaGirl14 said: Regarding the commentary on the tub and "not pleasing everyone". It's one thing if a "gripe" is a matter of "taste". It's quite another, if the dissatisfaction has to do with safety or potential injury. My "two cents". Tub too low, water overflows, floor gets wet, potential slip and fall. There's potential for injury either way. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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