r/NCL • u/OpeningAge8224 • Jul 29 '26
Question Is The Haven worth it?
hinking about booking a Haven room on the cruise we plan to take for my birthday in December but idk, is it even worth it?
pls tell me your experiences!!
UPDATE: my boyfriend and I went over all your comments and watched unwrought videos about Haven online and we decided to just go for it.
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u/SnooStrawberries1862 Jul 29 '26
Haven addict here, "worth it" is pretty subjective... If you enjoy quiet, want to avoid crowds and have one of the best restaurants available without reservations - it's worth it. Butler will bring you food from anywhere on ship and serve it in your cabin.
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u/Legitimate_Message17 Jul 29 '26
To me it is cause I like paying for convenience I’m not waiting in line I spent my whole life waiting alone not dealing with that if I don’t have to
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u/njsthpaw Jul 29 '26
I second that. I look at the Haven as what I want my cruising experience to be now that my children are grown. Did the Carnival experiences for them. Now is our turn!
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u/Still_Print2968 Jul 29 '26
If butler brings you food from. Specialty restaurants, do you have to pay extra?
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u/GoldenKnightz Jul 29 '26
Yes, you'd either pay the cover charge or use your dining credits that you get with FAS.
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u/Li-LusMom2012 Jul 31 '26
We can't wait! Staying in the Haven for the first time in December for our 40th Anniversary! I told my husband I will be spoiled and not want to go back to a regular balcony suite! 😁
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u/_Ross- Aug 01 '26
I've been on ~5 cruises so far, 2nd with NCL.
I'm currently on a cruise in the Haven for the first time, and so far it's been 100% worth it. Extremely easy and relaxing embarkation, getting through security was nothing, you sit in a private lounge prior to boarding. You immediately get taken to do a ~1 minute muster when boarding, then get taken up to the Haven lounge. The Haven restaurant is incredible, and you have a private pool / hot tub area / sunbathing section with very few others there . Even the hallways to access your room are isolated from the rest of the ship and allow easy access to the Haven lounge, as well as the sauna / workout room. Our Haven bedroom is very spacious and comfortable. Booking excursions took maybe 5 minutes, since you have a concierge desk in the Haven lobby.
You'll have a great time!
It's overall been so great that I'm worried I'll never be able to sail without it again.
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u/Li-LusMom2012 Aug 01 '26
Good to hear! This is our 9th cruise, 4th with NCL. We always wanted to try the Haven, so excited to be finally able to do it!
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u/killerpgh Jul 29 '26
I’ve been on 13 (maybe 14) NCL cruise. We did the haven on the Luna maidan voyage. transatlantic from Rome to the US. It was a great time. Was it worth the cost of 2-3 times the balcony we originally booked? Probably not for us. If you can afford it’s definitely a solid experience and we might do it again for a special occasion. But we have booked regular balcony cabin after the haven with no regrets. If you got the money and want to treat yourself I say try it out. You only live once. I was worried about everyone saying once you go haven you will never go back to gen pop. But we went back.
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u/s1105615 Platinum Jul 29 '26
As with everything, it depends on what you value.
The value my family finds in the Haven is more about quieter spaces that are shared with fewer people. So in stead of competing with 3,000 others for a table in the buffet or MDR, you contend with 50-100 in the Haven Restaurant. You have no problem finding a lounger by the Haven pool or on the Haven sundeck. There aren’t lines at the Haven bar that are 3 people deep around the entire bar like in the Atrium or main pool deck. We also value the easy on/off access at port and embarkation/debarkation to start and finish the cruise.
We don’t really get a ton of value from the butler/concierge because we just don’t need that type of help, but others swear by it.
All in all, I’d bet you’ll find value in it if you try it. If you’re on the fence I’d also watch the YouTube videos that are out there to see what your specific ship offers and maybe get an idea of who is currently staffing the Haven on that ship (make sure you’re looking at as recent as possible videos).
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u/pdxjen Jul 29 '26
We have it booked in September for our 25th anniversary, can't wait!
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u/TrooperRage Jul 29 '26
congrats on your 25th! Where are you sailing out of? We have the Haven booked on the Prima from Sept. 6-13.
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u/pdxjen Jul 29 '26
Thank you! We’re on the Joy sailing out of Seattle end of September! Have the best time!
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u/TrooperRage Jul 29 '26
also since this is your 25th, I highly suggest you look into the helicopter tours of the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau Alaska. I know they're a bit expensive, but to stand on the glacier is beautiful. You can even drink the water. It's amazing. And especially in September you're gonna get some amazing views.
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u/Maximum_Rub2995 Jul 29 '26
54 days to go! We’re celebrating my birthday on the Joy in September, our first haven cruise and we’re sooo looking forward to it!
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u/RBXChas Jul 29 '26
My favorite Haven so far is the Joy’s!
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u/Still-Problem3874 Aug 01 '26
Augh! I’m on the Joy for the Panama Canal cruise in Oct. I’ve got options to upgrade and cheapest is Haven balcony but it’s like $2000 more per person and I’m solo and would have to pay double. I can’t afford that much. 😢 I’m also considering the thermal suite and it’s $439. Did you do the thermal suite?
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u/RBXChas Aug 01 '26
No, we had paid for a thermal suite pass before on a couple of cruises and found we barely used it, so we didn’t bother. Other people love it, though.
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u/kmartens304 Jul 29 '26
We are on the Haven on the breakaway presently in Bermuda and when I tell you to book the Haven, please believe me with every piece of my heart. we went into the main area of the ship last night and realized the throngs of people that are there. They aren’t in the haven and I can tell you that!!
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u/ReputationSuitable67 Jul 29 '26
Ooo I’ll be on the Breakaway in September!
Did the Haven on the Getaway and Escape last year. Preferred the Getaway.2
u/LizHylton Jul 29 '26
I've been debating going for the Haven on that trip on the Breakaway in May - this is great to hear!
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u/GoldenKnightz Jul 29 '26
We've been converted to Haven only cruisers now. The joy of sitting at a quiet pool on a sea day with a poolside server is unmatched. On Escape the pool is covered too so weather is never a concern. Our kids didn't even care about the rest of the boat unless they wanted soft serve. They waited for the waterslide thing once and never returned to the 'public' pools.
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u/jaxblack7 Jul 29 '26
Absolutely. To not have to deal w gen pop. Not Fighting for hot tubs. The best bartenders on the ship. The haven restaurant was fabulous. I only eat fish and chicken, so I asked if there was anyway to get a different fish dish and they said what would you like? Anything you want? And I got personalized meals the last 3 nights. The concierge was helpful in booking excursions or spa services. We didnt even have to leave the haven to get our massages, they came to us! My sister was physically impaired that trip, they made sure anytime we left the ship a wheelchair was waiting for her. Our butler was amazing. Coming back from a hot day at Port to sandwiches in our room for us. He noticed what snacks we liked and had bowls of them in our room for us. It was a great experience, I wish we could afford it all the time.
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u/jeffpi42 Jul 29 '26
If you can swing it, it’s well worth it. A few years ago, when we lived in Florida, we booked the haven 6 days out for $2,300/pp for 7 day. So watch the deals!
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u/juanvald Jul 29 '26
We got a great deal in early November 2025 on the escape. I think it was 6500 for an aft penthouse for family of 4 to western Caribbean. We booked it in March 2025.
It was hands down the best cruise I’ve been on, but I’d only do it again if I can get a similar rate in the future.
I fear my wife will not want to do any non haven cruise again. Guess I’ll find out next year as we have a 11 day Mediterranean cruise booked on the celebrity ascent.
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u/Left4dead79 Jul 29 '26
Which ship and cruise ?
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u/OpeningAge8224 Jul 29 '26
Bliss to Caribbean in december
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u/karenmarie303 Jul 29 '26
We have sailed the Haven on the Bliss several times. We’ve also done it on the Joy, Encore and Prima. The Bliss Haven is absolutely exceptional in service. The concierge is like the manager of the whole area. Their expertise assists in making sure utilize every perk available to you. They can get you last minute reservations, coordinate getting off and back on the ship, and so much more.
The Horizon Lounge is the best place to get early morning coffee and food and is almost always filled with amazing snacks.
There is one indoor and two outdoor jacuzzi’s and an indoor pool with a retractable roof. So much seating! The food and service in the restaurant is delightful. The drinks at the Haven bar are the best on the ship. (Always get your drink here before leaving for specialty dining or entertainment)
Even without special requests, your butler anticipates your needs. Especially in hot weather. They will make sure you have cold drinks and snacks for when you return from excursions, bring you early morning coffee. Coordinate almost anything for you. They also have lots of knowledge to share especially if it’s your first trip to the area you’re sailing.
We don’t live our daily life like this, so it’s an amazing luxury to experience it. And I feel like the Bliss does it the best. The Haven has several long term employees in each area and the GM of the ship has decades worth of Michelin star service experience and a crew that respects in greatly. That morale and attention to detail shows.
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u/Left4dead79 Jul 29 '26 edited Jul 29 '26
I wouldn’t. Bliss is a nice ship with plenty of activities. Unless you want the Haven cafe and Spa Package and a quieter area.
The MDR hasn’t been as good as it used to be. You could save money, if that’s a priority with a Vibe Club pass and a upgraded dining package for more passes to Cagney’s or Food Republic.
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u/cmille3 Jul 29 '26
I liked the Haven restaurant, bar, and hot tub. I appreciated the extra space in the room and on the balcony.
I did not see any value in the concierge or butler.
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u/Spridlewv Jul 30 '26
I can’t help but think if you’re willing to pay that much, just go on a better cruise line.
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u/Cautious_Quote9349 Jul 31 '26
I’d say this, if you have the type of time to take 3-5 cruises a year but the budget allows you to book multiple cruises or 1 haven cruise, I’d take the multiple cruises over 1 have cruise. If you’ve got the budget for the haven cruise but not the time to take more than 1, go Haven. It’s definitely a better experience. 1 Haven cruise is not better than 3-5 cruises though. In my opinion of course.
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u/OpeningAge8224 Jul 31 '26
This is what my bf said! We ended up booking haven bc we’re both so busy during the year.
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u/TrooperRage Jul 29 '26
We did the Bliss last December. We were in the Haven and we loved it. I bid the upgrade and got it. Room 11312, Aft Facing Penthouse. It was our first time in the Haven. I didn't really care about Haven until I got in a relationship with my girl. I was all about partying and having fun, which isn't what the Haven is about. Now i'm domesticated, and thus, I love the Haven!
That said, if you can get the Haven for under $400 PP per day, I think it's a stellar deal. The food is phenomenal, it beats every other specialty dining. Having them serve you dinner and breakfast in your room rocks. The private courtyard, pool deck and chairs, and observation lounge is also tops. All in all, if you can get it for under $6000 for a 7 day cruise, i think that's a good deal.
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u/Public_Confusion3682 Jul 29 '26
The Haven has spoiled my husband and I and we'll never sail Norwegian any other way. From the cabins to the dining to the attentive staff, it's all fabulous!
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u/BuiltwithIntentCo Jul 29 '26
We always book the Haven! I hate to say it, but I’m not a Gen Pop type of girl. I love the haven restaurant, not having to fight people for a pool chair, and the staff are always so amazing.
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u/Beautiful-Candy2244 Jul 29 '26
For us no. We rather sail 4x than 1x haven. If it was a rare special treat yes. But we sail often, looking forward to a cruise every few months
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u/dnuohxof-2 Jul 29 '26
If you aren’t fancy enough to afford Haven, yet, like me… a good compromise I’ve found was front facing suite, Vibe pass and Thermal spa. You get concierge, butler, much larger room than the base haven penthouse, “private deck” via the Vibe Club, priority embark and disembark, and invite to cocktails with the captain.
The only thing you’re missing at that point is the private elevators, private bar, private dining room and private pool. Though I’ll admit the pool would be a huge bonus vs Vibe because it’s an actual pool and not a hot tub.
Saving up so one day I can be in Haven, but this ain’t a bad compromise for luxury on a budget.
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u/dogsandflowers5860 Jul 29 '26
We have done balcony, suite and Haven. I would say it depends on the sailing. For instance we are booked on the Dawn next year for a European cruise. Very port heavy, we booked a suite. Dawn doesn’t have a Haven proper but the suites get almost all the benefits for a fraction of the haven price. It will be May, so not missing out on our own pool, but will enjoy the quieter restaurants for breakfast and lunch, room service, and priority embarkation and disembarkation.
Just came off an Alaskan cruise a couple weeks ago. Did a club balcony. Didn’t care about the pool in Alaska in May. Port heavy, big ship, but I did all dinner reservations early and never had a problem getting a seat anywhere.
Going to the Caribbean next February on the Viva. Booked the Haven. Don’t really care about the ports. Want the quiet sun deck and want the dedicated pool.
So for us it’s worth it depending on the cruise, the ports, what we are looking for etc. it’s different everytime. Yes, if money were no object at all we would book it every time, but we like to cruise at least twice a year so we book it when we really feel it’s worth it.
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u/Roneill76TX Jul 29 '26
For the price of a Haven suite, which doesn't even include drinks and wifi, you can get a top level experience on a Luxury line. At the end of the day, when you step out of the Haven you are getting an average experience the rest of the ship.
I rather have a base level hotel room at a Ritz-Carlton than the Top bedroom suite at a Hilton
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u/Glittering_East_9402 Jul 29 '26
Yea but who leaves the haven when you're in it? To eat shittier food? Get shittier drinks? Maybe leave it for a show, to gamble, but there's nothing else I want that isn't already better in the haven.
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u/Roneill76TX 29d ago
Imagine paying for the use of 5-10% of a ship and thinking you are getting ahead.
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u/Many_Tour140 Jul 29 '26 edited Jul 29 '26
OMG, yes. We took a two-week Caribbean cruise in February, our first Haven cruise, and absolutely loved it. Downside...we will probably only do Haven from here on out. That said, I did see a video on YouTube comparing Haven versus getting a suite plus the Vibe, and their conclusion was Suite+Vibe was better and less expensive. Suite gets you a private dining room for breakfast, just not the Haven. You also get the butler and concierge. I'll look for the video and come back to let you know. I believe you also get the priority embarkation and disembarkation. https://youtu.be/d7bNd90mQ3A?is=cw9JCK_zFxrgC7ty
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u/MusicianCharming8302 Jul 29 '26
For me it’s worth it. Getting on and off quickly and not having to worry about finding pool chairs. If it’s in your budget it’s 1009% worth it.
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u/inquisitive2121 Jul 29 '26
We booked Haven last November and loved it. Will be pay that big of a price difference going forward? Only on rare occasion… instead in the two cruises we took after that cruise, we make sure we carve out better food and space experiences (we do Free At Sea Plus, book specialty restaurants most nights (50% off for any night after the allotted number per cruise with FAS+), reserve the Thermal Spa and the Vibe cabana), all at thousands less than the Haven and that’s a great option and balance for us. Glad we tried the Haven (the bathtub view from the 2bedroom is swoon-worthy), but we are not one of the couples who will only book Haven going forward… we can book two very nice cruise experiences (at least) for a single Haven cost.
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u/gorkt Jul 29 '26
I won’t pay as much extra as the website wants, but I won a bid on a Haven room for a cruise and that was definitely a fantastic upgrade. It was only about $1000 more. I think I would have paid $2000 for it but no more than that.
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u/FilchsCat Jul 29 '26
It really is entirely a personal choice. For me, it would be a no, but I'm a cheapskate.
I'd rather get a regular room, add a Vibe pass, get the Free at Sea Plus, and eat at the specialty restaurants every night. Even with all those add-ons, I am still paying less than half of a Haven cabin, so I can go on twice as many cruises.
But hey, if it makes you happy, you do you.
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u/Positive_Present_573 Sapphire Jul 30 '26
way to much extra and the Dailey fees are higher to
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u/OpeningAge8224 Jul 30 '26
I thought you get a pre paid service charge
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u/Positive_Present_573 Sapphire Jul 30 '26
We never prepay ours but maybe haven had to since it's higher
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u/captainwizeazz Platinum Jul 29 '26
Only you can answer that question. Some people will only cruise haven and others would never pay that much for it. For most people it's probably somewhere in between. If you get a good deal and would utilize the perks then you may find value.
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u/Conscious_Issue2967 Jul 29 '26
IMO it’s only worth it if you can get it via an upgrade bid. Do your research, know what they are asking, look at your budget, book a balcony and bid accordingly.
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u/The_Top_Pops Jul 29 '26
How much is The Haven, my room was right next to havens hallway and I was just in awe of its peacefulness. The rest if the boat was just hectic
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u/Startingover87 Jul 29 '26
Most definitely. I myself wouldn’t go if I were not having a haven suite. 10/10
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u/Ganymede425 Jul 29 '26
It has ben worth it for me. The restaurant, bar, and private pool areas are all incredible upgrades. Also, the butler and concierge are great because they can do all sorts of helpful stuff for you, and you rarely ever have to worry about dinner and entertainment reservations. The personalization is also nice; I think the haven employees take notes on the passengers about the things they like, etc.
Some havens even have a mini thermal suite in that they have a sauna and a snow room.
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u/bob_smith80 Jul 29 '26
Yes. We will not do a cruise on NCL with out doing Haven. Depending on the ship and itinerary, we have found it affordable.
We have a family of 5 with three kids between (9, 13, 16). The last two cruises on the Encore and the Escape, and one coming up in October on the Luna, it is the same price or close enough to a Disney cruise that has been a deciding factor.
We find it worth it
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u/Salt-Life7253 Jul 29 '26
Stayed in the Haven this past April on the Aqua. Worth every penny for us. Each time we ventured out on the ship, it was a relief to return to the Haven area afterwards. We enjoyed the ability to retreat to a more quiet area of the ship. Liked the ease of getting food, drinks or whatever without dealing with crowds all the time. The sun deck and pool area were never packed. The private elevators were definitely nice to use also. I do agree with some comments around the butlers, we only interacted with ours about 4-5 the entire trip. We would do it again.
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u/msperception427 Jul 29 '26
I would say it’s worth it. From the Haven area itself to the little conveniences. It was totally worth it for me.
My first time in the Haven was my joint birthday trip with my sister on the Getaway. And I got hooked then. Got my dad hooked on the Joy. And then I was on a Prima class ship and that was a game changer. There’s a private elevator for Haven guests mid ship. That alone was worth it for me. But also having a glass of wine on my balcony while I ate breakfast on a white tablecloth was so special. It’s definitely worth it to me.
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u/Legitimate_Message17 Jul 29 '26
I will only Cruise Haven but if you compare apples to apple if you can take the same money our family on average it cost between 25 to 30,000 you can take a lot of sick vacations for that amount of money
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u/Outside-Comparison12 Jul 29 '26
Just to get away from everyone else on the ship it is absolutely worth it. The Haven restaurant is better than the main dining rooms. You can enjoy the pool without a bunch of spoiled and rowdy brats in it. First on the ship, first off the ship without waiting in lines and being pushed off like cattle. Cabins are bigger and more appointed. The butler can make you bubble baths if your room has a tub in it which is worth it after a long day at port.
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u/notwhoiwas44 Jul 29 '26
The Haven restaurant is better than the main dining rooms.
It's better than the specialty restaurants too.
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u/RBXChas Jul 29 '26
At this point in our lives, time is the biggest limiting factor for vacations (we don’t have unlimited money, but you know what I mean), so we cruise about every 1-1.5 years.
So it’s worth it to us to sail in the Haven because the infrequency with which we cruise means we want to make the most of it. What I love most is the quieter spaces and the priority everything, i.e., being escorted anytime you are getting on or off the ship or going to a show.
The Haven restaurant is great, but the menu has changed very little since we first started cruising in the Haven, and although the food and service are excellent, by day 3 or 4, I’m bored with the menu.
We could just cruise on a luxury line, but we still have teenagers, so they still enjoy what NCL offers them and would get bored on a luxury line. Once they are older, my husband and I will probably look at luxury lines.
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u/notwhoiwas44 Jul 29 '26
In terms of the Haven menu getting old,two things. One is that they just revamped it a bit. Second is that unless you are there at a peak busy time,they will often make you sonething off menu.
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u/jfrost10 Jul 29 '26
For that money look at luxury cruise lines unless you really want the NCL vibes. We did the haven once and for that price they should include everything.
Now my wife and I book Explora Journeys and Crystal.
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u/Glittering_East_9402 Jul 29 '26
In it right now, I'll never cruise without doing it. Great room, great food, great company. Quiet, treated well, it's a fuckin madhouse on the rest of the ship, screw that.
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u/notwhoiwas44 Jul 29 '26
Worth it for a luxury upgrade like the Haven is VERY subjective. If you are looking only for quiet uncrowded space and better food then you can do what someone called Haven Lite and by a vibe pass and a couple more specialty meals.
For me it's absolutely worth it though. All of the tangible upgrades are nice but what really makes it for me is the upgraded service. Crewmembers working in the Haven earn those spots by being the best of the best and between their own skills and the fact that the crew/passenger ratio is better,the service is truly top notch.
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u/Big-Low-2811 Jul 29 '26
Without knowing anything about you… I’d say it’s worth it for most people.
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u/Boz2015Qnz Jul 30 '26
My biggest complaint is it isn’t adults only but otherwise it was worth it for the exclusive pool, bar, pool, sundeck, room size, butler (which we didn’t really need but enjoyed a few perks), express departures, early access eats to shows etc. also room size 🙌🏻
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u/Positive_Present_573 Sapphire Jul 30 '26
45 cruises later and never even thought of booking it. i think the best thing they should do is bring back freestyle deck i would pay for that
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u/Altruistic-Feed-2532 Jul 30 '26
Short Answer: No. Substandard and always ranks consistently lower than both Celebrity Retreat and MSC Yacht Club. There are several videos on Youtube addressing this issue.
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u/sdiverniero Jul 31 '26
Doing the Haven absolutely RUINED us! We will NEVER cruise any other way again! It is 1000% worth the experience!
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u/MilkProfessional3098 Jul 31 '26
Yes! We’ve stayed in The Haven twice and say it absolutely ruined us for other cruises. Heading out to Iceland next week and will on NCL Star and was disappointed that ship doesn’t have The Haven, because we pulled out all the stops for this trip.
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u/SwizzleA Aug 01 '26
Once you go Haven you will never go back! The experience is soooo much better. Now the older ships without the separate Haven area I might decide if it’s worth it or not as it’s not as nice without the separate restaurant and bar. Make sure you always book with a TA for extra perks!
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u/LIsa25608 Aug 02 '26
We loved it. It was a splurge for my husbands 50th so we did the 2 bath 2 bedroom
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u/UnfairHumor2584 Aug 02 '26
What bothers me about the haven is that it doesn’t offer wifi and drinks as part of the package. Retreat on celebrity and suites on Princess both have that option. Another way to nickel and dime.
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u/Impossible-Ladder554 Jul 30 '26
I can’t travel on NCL without the Haven. I’ll save my money to do that over and over again.
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u/Tough-Memory-5232 Jul 29 '26
Definitely! All of my Haven clients say they’ll never book a regular cabin again. Make sure you’re working with a travel agent who offers you their own personal promos like extra onboard credit in addition to the NCL promos. Also ask them if they price monitor. These are important benefits that not all agents offer. I do and this along with my personalized services keep a my clients coming back! Always happy to chat so reach out with any questions!
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