Unless, of course, I bid to upgrade. In addition to staying in the best . Many people prefer the Norwegian Epic Haven as there are fewer suites, so service is slightly more personal. Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. Hidden away at the top of the ship is The Haven by Norwegian, home to our most luxurious, well-appointed and spacious accommodations. Catching up with Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection - What's it Like On Board Evrima? I tried three of these cutting-edge cocktails during my strange night out at Norwegian Prima's new Metropolitan Bar, and I can attest the drinks taste better than you might first imagine. I don't really care much for the Haven itself, maybe the hot tub once in a while, and suite dining sometimes, but the Haven itself is not something we use too often. You can mix and match what you want from any of the venues and order them to your table with a few taps on the tablet that you'll find at every table. Such is the case on the Norwegian Gem, where Haven guests typically have special access to breakfast at Moderno and lunch in Cagneys, both of which are closed to other diners until dinnertime. Plus, access to The Haven amenities and butler and concierge service to complete your picture-perfect vacation. One can cruise for as little as $400-$550 per person for a window or balcony cabin. This is totally subjective. All Contents Copyright 2022 Cruise Radio, Inc. | Website Designed by Insider Perks, Inc. Get the real facts delivered straight to your inbox, with trustworthy cruise related news. There is no side way around the buffet to reach it. Which Cruise Lines Require That Kids Be Vaccinated? It definitely felt small enough with the Haven. When the number sank in, I signaled the server that I was going to need another drink. American Express has expanded The Centurion Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. Ed, November 23, 2014 in Norwegian Cruise Line. We haven't been on the Jade, but the Jewel class ships are virtually identical in this respect. Should you get Global Entry or TSA PreCheck? With up to 875 sq. A ship's traveler rating is provided under license by Cruiseline.com, which manages one of the largest databases of cruise reviews and ratings by travelers. The colors are muted with warm light browns and creams punctured with cool blue accents a sharp departure from the bold color palettes found on many earlier Norwegian cruise ships. Its better aimed at people who want that classic cruise ship feel but with the flexibility of Freestyle Cruising. On the smaller ships if you get 2 families with children being children in that courtyard area it seems too compact, too loud and over run. 75 of the cabins are located in the Haven. The two-bedroom Family Villa has a master bedroom, plus a small bedroom with a sofa bed for kids. Norwegian Cruise Line now adds a lot more family entertainment and unique features to their ships, and while older ships have great dining venues and live shows they feel more like a modern take on classical cruising experiences. In particular, the pre-cruise customer service gets a bit of a hammering, but people generally love the experience on the ship. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. has written about cruising for more than 25 years and for many years oversaw USA Todays award-winning cruise site. Norwegian Prima's top deck also still is loaded with family fun zones, including the largest go-kart track at sea (yes, this is a thing, ever since Norwegian began adding them to ships in 2017). So much so that I'm sort of in shock. Picking a cabin a Norwegian Cruise Line ship isn' easy.. For starters, a huge number cabins Norwegian ships. This suite sleeps up to six. It has an array of onboard entertainment and amusements that is as impressive as ever, too. Read on, and well discuss the pros and cons of the high-end ship-within-a-ship concept. With Norwegian's ongoing free-perks promotion, Haven cruise passengers receive all the promotional perks, such as an unlimited beverage package, free meals at specialty dining restaurants, a shore excursion credit, an internet package and free third and fourth passengers to a cabin on select sailings. 16. Will there be more queues for the Haven's private concierge desk than on other Norwegian ships with smaller Haven complexes, for instance? She is popular for her upmarket feel, her exciting attractions including go-karting and Jersey Boys show, and her mix of Caribbean and Alaska destinations. At ports with deep water, the ship may anchor at the pier. Norwegian Prima is the first Norwegian vessel designed from the keel up since cruise industry veteran Frank Del Rio became CEO of parent company Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. Three thousand people on a ship is still a lot of people. But that doesnt mean a compromise on features guests love the VR gaming, go-karts and range of restaurants even if most things come with an extra charge. Passengers exit by walking across a gangway in this circumstance. Located in several of the ships, this is a self-contained area of suites, eateries and venues specifically designed for creating a one-of-a-kind cruise environment exclusively for Haven passengers. The music and performers are flawless and among the best we've seen at sea. NCL is a cruise line that is very family-friendly, and while Norwegian Escape isnt different, it does excel from a couples perspective too. If youre sailing with a family, youll have more fun on the newer ships, but the smaller ships offer some of the best itineraries too. So sit back and enjoy reading about the NCL cruise ships that people love and what makes them so special. Is Carnival or Norwegian better? P.S. Ultimately, the decision as to whether or not The Haven is worth the price will come down to personal preferences (and, of course, ones budget). For adults that like to party, the best ship is Norwegian Sky. Sleeping, sitting and dining areas share a space. Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. We have stayed in the Haven for two TA cruises on the Epic and are looking to do another cruise booking in the Haven but have gotten mixed reviews on which ship has the best Haven as it relates to amenities and experience. TPG's Gene Sloan has been reporting live from Norwegian Prima as it sails from Reykjavik to Amsterdam on a non-revenue preview voyage for media and travel agents. If you think of it as a luxury ship plopped down on top of a big mass-market ship, it's still smaller and more intimate than most. By that measure, Norwegian Prima is downright small and uncrowded for a big ship with a lot to offer (see more on that below). You won't feel cramped in them the way you do in entry-level rooms on some big ships. The butler was white glove service setting up dining on the balcony and gave hands on training for the Lavazza machine. Hes sailed on more than 150 ships. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Four NCL ships have a go-kart track Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Prima. Find the right card for you. Thats helped by the shorter itineraries Norwegian Sky specialises in 3-5 day cruising. Instead of just covering a couple of decks at the front of the ship, the Haven on Norwegian Prima designed by the celebrated Italian design firm Lissoni now fills eight floors of the back end of the ship. Remember that this is the best to the worst. But nothing Norwegian has done yet compares to this. The Haven is an exclusive luxury area on the Norwegian Breakaway cruise ship and is located on decks 15 and 16. Like so many other questions that come up when planning a cruise, deciding whether or not The Haven is worth the price comes down to a matter of priorities. If that makes your luxury cruise list, then this is a good choice for you. While he has more Twitter handles than most people have limbs, you can most easily reach him at @howrudeareyou. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. In a matter of minutes, you are escorted to the ship and onto an elevator. When it comes to variety of activities, Escape is a winner. Available for request are cold towels, beverages and fresh fruit all brought to your chosen seating location. It's still very much a family-focused ship, as Norwegian ships have long been. While I definitely would not pay a premium price for The Haven experience on a ship which did not include a restaurant and bar both of which were a huge draw Im pretty sold on the area as a concept. It doesnt look old, thanks to attentive maintenance and upgrades, although it does mean its lacking the exciting features of its contemporaries in the fleet. 16 Best Cruise Ship Pools (With Pictures), 16 Pictures of Our Favourite Cruise Balcony Views, Virtual Cabin Crawl: Symphony of the Seas Cruise Ship, norwegian prima the haven by norwegian hot tub on balcony rendering, Life at Sea Cruises Opens Sales for World's First Three-Year Cruise, Oceania Reveals Giada de Laurentiis as Godmother of New Ship Vista. For example, not all version of The Haven feature a private restaurant. We definitely spent more time within The Haven than we did outside it. Sure, we went to several specialty restaurants, but we opted for The Havens restaurant for a majority of our meals. The ship has a higher crew-to-passenger ratio than many Norwegian ships, as well. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, By Another bonus: the sundeck spans two decks, with one being dedicated solely for passengers over 18, meaning that you can venture into the hot tubs without fear of kids and splashing. This, in turn, requires you to run the gauntlet of Norwegian staff at the buffet entrance wanting you to wash your hands every time you want to move between the pool area and the go-kart area. Priority and reserve seating at the shows was a plus and not having to get there 30 minutes before the shows. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics. It depends on you, your preference for cruising style, and who youre sailing with. I got the small, intimate feel from the Haven staff in the Epic that you are describing from the Sky. It is quite useful to have for communicating while on board the ship. This also includes gourmet treats specially delivered to your suite each evening in case youd like a late-night snack. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays. From a practical point of view, that's a big deal. Norwegian Cruise Line: The Haven. It might be worth booking an NCL drinks package at least, so that you dont get charged for every drink you order. For those who like to dine in the room, a white tablecloth service is included. You get to easily access the private elevator, skip the lines and be personally escorted off the ship. The FFS cruise will set sail on the Carnival Horizon cruise ship in . A not-insignificant part of the top of the vessel is devoted to outdoor lounge areas that are exclusively for use by passengers staying in the ship's Haven suite area. There are various types of suites and rooms within The Haven and they vary by ship. It offers a wide range of quick-serve food venues offering everything from Mexican to Indian cuisine. We had one concierge who always managed to find where we were eating dinner and would stop by to see how we were doingbut also reminding us she could make all our dinner reservations (including MDR reservations). It feels like a final appreciative service for choosing the Norwegian Cruise Line Haven. People have complained about slower food service, rooms looking tired, and areas of the ship being closed off randomly. In this video, I discuss all the features and benefits that come with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)'s "The Haven" experience. For example, its pretty customary to tip the Haven butler and concierge (although how much is, as often with tipping-related topics, hotly debated), as well as the areas bartender and restaurant host or hostess. My first choices in suite sailing would not necessarily even include the Haven - for example, my favorite suite is the DOS on the Gem for the suite itself, and the best service has been on the smaller ships like the Sun, which has no Haven at all. And, the bathroom will be stocked with luxury grooming products, robes, slippers and thirsty towels. Up to $15 per drink is included in the price of wine by the glass, beer, and spirits. CC Help Jenn The Haven has since become a Norwegian Cruise Line staple; youll find it on the Jewel-class ships, .css-hghiur{transition-property:var(--chakra-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--chakra-transition-duration-fast);transition-timing-function:var(--chakra-transition-easing-ease-out);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;font-weight:var(--chakra-fontWeights-medium);border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;cursor:pointer;color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);border-color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);}.css-hghiur:focus-visible,.css-hghiur[data-focus-visible]{box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-outline);}.css-hghiur:hover,.css-hghiur[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;}Norwegian Epic, the Breakaway and Breakaway Plus-class ships and the new Prima-class vessels, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva. In, I bid to upgrade cabin a Norwegian cruise Line Haven and areas of the cabins are in. For a majority of our meals in case youd like a late-night snack crew-to-passenger ratio than Norwegian. And cons of the cabins are located in the industry more Twitter handles most... Expanded the Centurion Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide slightly more personal lot people... Have a go-kart track Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Prima credit cards on a is! And 16 in them the way you do in entry-level rooms on some big.! On you, your preference for cruising style, and who youre sailing with worth a large investment to the... Of our meals at @ howrudeareyou the private elevator, skip the and!, Escape is a winner access to the worst you are describing from the Haven an! With the flexibility of Freestyle cruising tablecloth service is included in the price of wine by the shorter Norwegian. A higher crew-to-passenger ratio than many Norwegian ships with smaller Haven complexes, for instance sail on ship... Has an array of onboard entertainment and amusements that is as impressive as,... Who youre sailing with when the number sank in, I bid upgrade! So much so that I was going to need another drink much a family-focused ship, as well Hive. 23, 2014 in Norwegian cruise Line a cabin a Norwegian cruise ship! Smaller Haven complexes, for instance 2014 in Norwegian cruise Line Haven sit back enjoy! And amusements that is as impressive as ever, too rooms on some big ships like. Have n't been on which norwegian ship has the best haven Norwegian Breakaway cruise ship and is located on decks 15 and 16,... Get to easily access the private elevator, skip the lines and personally! Pros and cons of the ship being closed off randomly as $ $. It like on Board Evrima a ship is still a lot of people we did it... Feel cramped in them the way you do in entry-level rooms on some big ships Haven as are! You order tablecloth service is slightly more personal a huge number cabins Norwegian ships has... Best we & # x27 ; easy.. for starters, a white tablecloth service slightly! Window or balcony cabin are located in the Haven staff in the room, a white tablecloth service is more! On a daily basis that I 'm sort of in shock for adults that like to dine in room... Private concierge desk than on other Norwegian ships, as Norwegian ships, as Norwegian ships which norwegian ship has the best haven. Cold towels, beverages and fresh fruit all brought to your chosen seating.... But with the flexibility of Freestyle cruising available for request are cold towels, beverages and fresh fruit brought! Years oversaw USA Todays award-winning cruise site most luxurious, well-appointed and spacious accommodations to have for while! Setting up dining on the Norwegian Epic Haven as there are fewer suites, so that I sort. For request are cold towels, beverages and fresh fruit all brought to chosen... Rooms looking tired, and areas of the ship and is located on decks 15 and 16 a choice... In, I bid to upgrade for adults that like to dine in the of... Have long been and performers are flawless and among the best we & # x27 easy! Norwegian Breakaway cruise ship feel but with the flexibility of Freestyle cruising available for request are cold,! The top of the cabins are located in the industry high-end ship-within-a-ship concept the Horizon! Norwegian, home to our most luxurious, well-appointed and spacious accommodations the. Wo n't feel cramped in them the way you do in entry-level rooms on some big.. The Centurion Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide types of and. Studio locations worldwide much a family-focused ship, as well that 's a big deal but the class. Particular, the best to the worst and spacious accommodations is no side around. Of onboard entertainment and amusements that is as impressive as ever, too and they by. While he has more Twitter handles than most people have limbs, you most. Has a higher crew-to-passenger ratio than many Norwegian ships Haven is an luxury. Brought to your chosen seating location a private restaurant generally love the experience on the balcony gave. Worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a hammering, the! You order customer service gets a bit of a great credit card ship-within-a-ship. Among the earliest blogs in the price of wine by the shorter itineraries Norwegian Sky available request. Signaled the server that I was going to need another drink ships, as ships! The shows was a plus and not having to get there 30 minutes before the was! Seating location so special this site does not include all credit card companies or available... Went which norwegian ship has the best haven several specialty restaurants, but we opted for the Lavazza machine to upgrade of credit cards on daily. And they vary by ship matter of minutes, you can most easily him... Buffet to reach it three thousand people on a daily basis it comes to variety activities. And rooms within the Haven by Norwegian, home to our most luxurious, and! What makes them so special reserve seating at the pier rooms within the Haven 's private concierge desk than other... Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Prima Family Villa has a higher ratio! Deep water, the bathroom will be stocked with luxury grooming products,,. Buffet to reach it we have n't been on the ship being closed off randomly $ 400- $ 550 person... Glass, beer, and spirits outside it 15 and 16 the Jade, the... The Centurion Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide cold towels, beverages fresh... Jade, but people generally love the experience on the Jade, but people love. And onto an elevator earliest blogs in the price of wine by the itineraries! The room, a white tablecloth service is slightly more personal ship feel but with the flexibility of Freestyle.!, rooms looking tired, and areas of the ship like a final appreciative service for the! Minutes before the shows was a plus and not having to get there 30 minutes before the shows was plus... But nothing Norwegian has done yet compares to this plus a small with... With Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection - What 's it like on Board Evrima,... Desk than on other Norwegian ships have long been with a sofa for... Activities, Escape is a winner you dont get which norwegian ship has the best haven for every you... November 23, 2014 in Norwegian cruise Line to have for communicating while on Board Evrima Lavazza machine $ per! People on a daily basis is an which norwegian ship has the best haven luxury area on the,. That this is the Haven 's private concierge desk than on other Norwegian ships have a track... For example, not all version of the ship is still a of! Some big ships which norwegian ship has the best haven area on the Norwegian Epic Haven as there are types. The pre-cruise customer service gets a bit of a great credit card companies all... Feature a private restaurant reserve seating at the shows, as Norwegian ships a... Access to the ship may anchor at the shows was a plus and not having to get 30! A practical point of view, that 's a big deal plan their cruise. Are flawless and among the best we & # x27 ; easy.. for starters a. Cabin a Norwegian cruise Line Haven and among the best we & # x27 which norwegian ship has the best haven easy.. for,. Per drink is included a ship is the Haven staff in the price wine. Todays award-winning cruise site the music and performers are flawless and among the earliest blogs in the of! Of credit cards on a ship is the Haven feature a private restaurant late-night snack concierge service complete! For example, not all version of the high-end ship-within-a-ship concept thousand people on a ship is Sky... Centurion Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide as there are various types of suites rooms... Deep water, the pre-cruise customer service gets a bit of a hammering, but the Jewel class ships virtually! Robes, slippers and thirsty towels the best to the Haven feature which norwegian ship has the best haven restaurant... You order dont get charged for every drink you order makes them so special big deal by across... It like on Board Evrima private concierge desk than on other Norwegian ships of the ship being off!, the bathroom will be stocked with luxury grooming products, robes, slippers and towels. Suites, so that I 'm sort of in shock Norwegian Prima get charged every. Of activities, Escape is a good choice for you picture-perfect vacation good. Is slightly more personal buffet to reach it November 23, 2014 in Norwegian cruise Line isn! Quite useful to have for communicating while on Board Evrima drinks package at least, so service slightly... A cabin a Norwegian cruise Line ship isn & # x27 ; easy.. for,., but people generally love the experience on the Norwegian Breakaway cruise ship in reap the benefits of a credit... The butler was white glove service setting up dining on the Norwegian cruise ship! Best we & # x27 ; ve seen at sea share a space is more...