NCL Haven
Does it deliver a quintessential experience?
Behind the unassuming keycard-access door on every NCL ship lies ‘The Haven.’ It promises a ship-within-a-ship experience, priority boarding, private dining, and a 24/7 butler, but after a week on the NCL Escape, I wanted to see if that premium price tag actually delivers a truly “quintessential” experience
Pre-Cruise Experience
My travel partner and I booked this room for a birthday cruise since our birthdays fall in the same week. We wanted to see what the luxury and service were all about. When you book a Haven suite, you’re given a dedicated concierge number to help with arrangements and questions. Our main goal before setting sail was to book two specialty restaurant dinners for our birthdays. Booking online was frustrating because the available times were very limited, and unfortunately, Haven status doesn’t grant extra access to the online reservation system. When we called the concierge to handle it, they told us no times were available. They said they would put in a request, but offered no promises.
Embarkation
Before the cruise, priority luggage tags were mailed to the primary booker. Since my partner and I live in different states and arrived on different flights, I printed my own tags just in case we didn’t meet up before boarding. We did manage to meet at the port, and I attached the priority tag to my suitcase, expecting it to arrive at our room almost immediately.
Upon arrival, we were directed to a special door that bypassed the standard line. Priority boarding is fantastic. You skip the long queues and are taken to a private waiting area with snacks, cold water, and comfortable seating. It’s a huge improvement over the typical hour-long wait. As an added perk, other family members traveling with us were allowed to join us in the lounge even though they weren’t in The Haven.
When it was time to board, we were escorted to the ship in small groups and taken to the Haven Lounge to wait for our rooms. During the wait, we were given a paper form to request dining times. Surprisingly, there was no record of the special requests we had made weeks earlier. It’s a point of friction in an otherwise high-end experience.
Once our rooms were ready, we headed up expecting to find our luggage, which had been taken at the curb at 10:30 am. Even though our suite was outside the main Haven security area, we expected the priority service to matter. However, we were dismayed to find only one bag had arrived. By 4:00 pm, we were panicking. I have trackers in my bags, and mine showed they were still on the dock at 3:30. Eventually, the butler and two officers were in our cabin explaining that tags can shift, causing bags to be misplaced. I told them that was a reason, not an excuse. They found the last bag just as the ship was leaving port. I’ve always had my bags much earlier on other NCL cruises, so this was a letdown. To top it off, the closet hangers were broken, and even the staff couldn’t get them to work. I give Haven luggage handling a zero. It was far from a ”quintessential” experience.
Our Suite
We chose a suite on deck 12 with a portside balcony and a window overlooking the bow. The room was fantastic once we were at sea, but while in port, we dealt with a strong “rotten egg” smell on the balcony that drifted inside. The staff cleaned the patio quickly, but the odor remained until we were underway. I suspect it was a ventilation problem the staff aren’t allowed to discuss with passengers. While ships aren’t always known for pristine smells, this was particularly overwhelming.
Luxury is the focus here, and the cabin mostly delivered. With a king-sized bed, a full living room, and a bathroom larger than many hotel rooms, it was more like a hotel suite than a cruise cabin. There was more closet and storage space than we could ever use, even for a week-long cruise.
The nearly extinct room pen
I was pleasantly surprised to find an NCL pen and writing pad by the phone. Most cruise lines have stopped providing these, which is a real annoyance when you need to fill out the various forms delivered to your room.
Magic Fingers Massage
Our suite was at the very front of the ship. On the NCL Escape, forward cabins experience severe vibration from the side-thrust impellers used during docking. Since most ports involve an early arrival, we had a 6:00 am wake-up call that felt more powerful than a 5.6 earthquake I recently experienced in Tokyo.
The Bathroom
The bathroom exudes luxury, featuring two sinks, backlit mirrors, and a makeup station with a magnifying mirror. With separate doors for the shower and toilet, it really feels like a high-end spa.
The shower has so many spray options it almost needs a user manual, but once you master the settings, it’s a pleasure. There’s also a full tub, which we never used, but its presence adds to that quintessential luxury feel.
Light Switches
The light switches were a bit frustrating: dark icons on a black surface. Sorting out the functions took some time, and even after a week, I wasn’t entirely sure what every setting did. A simple guide in the room would be a big help.
We didn’t want to call the butler just to turn out the lights while we were in bed, so we just muddled through on our own.
The Lounge and Restaurant
While you still need a drink package, the bar staff is excellent. I was impressed that they learned our names on the first day and made a point to stock our favorite drinks.
The bar is rarely crowded, and the private restaurant always seemed to have a table. The menu is impressive, featuring premium choices like steak and eggs for breakfast, lobster rolls for lunch, and surf and turf for dinner.
The Pool and Sundeck
The pool area and sundeck are covered by a retractable glass roof and are fully air-conditioned, so they are accessible regardless of the weather. You’re treated to upscale lounge chairs and attentive poolside service.
From noon to 4:00 pm, there’s a popular snack station with M&Ms, gummy bears, and cake. The pool area does allow children, so it can get noisy, especially when they’re on a sugar high from the snacks. You can also order hot food poolside, like ahi tuna or lobster rolls. The service can be slow at times, likely due to staffing levels, but the team is very professional.
Reserved Seating Priority Tendering and Room Service
If you head to the theater within 15 minutes of a show, there’s reserved seating for Haven guests—a great perk for popular acts. In tendered ports, Haven guests go to the front of the line for much faster disembarkation. Finally, 24-hour room service with no delivery charge rounds out the experience.
Final Thoughts
I feel the discounted rate we secured for The Haven was worth it, though I’d find it hard to justify the full retail price. Was it a quintessential experience? I think so. Despite a few shortcomings, it was worth doing at least once. On my next cruise, when I’m fighting for a spot around a crowded, humid public pool, I’ll definitely be missing the quiet comfort of The Haven.
I hope you enjoyed this look inside the exclusive NCL Haven. Happy cruising!
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Project Aegis
I love to travel and visit new places but sometimes my imagination takes me elsewhere. Each week I will release a new chapter of my book and you are invited to travel along.