A Customer Review: Norwegian’s The Haven

Natalie Thomson, Senior Travel Designer

“The Haven” is an “Escape” or “Getaway” for guests hidden away at the top of the ship. It is home to the most luxurious, well-appointed and spacious accommodations. Not only will you have access to all the ship has to offer, but you will enjoy the personal service of a concierge and 24-hour butler service throughout your entire stay.

This area onboard NCL’s newer ships are exclusive to those guests who are booked and confirmed to sail in one of The Haven suites. The price point for these suites are at a higher premium; however, the perks you receive are well worth the additional cost. Once onboard, Haven guests get priority embarkation and disembarkation, and you meet your personal butler and take in your private areas aboard these ships, I promise, The Haven is completely unique and what you paid will be the furthest from your mind.

My Client’s Review:

Our cruise was wonderful!!!!

Honestly, we only had a couple little hiccups, NCL had changed pricing on many drinks and restaurants the day we got on board. So for the first couple of days there was confusion for the staff on who got things included and who didn’t (even though it was on our cards). I took care of it with the concierge, she promised it would not happen again. My point was that I should not have to check my bill daily to see what I had been erroneously charged. They fixed their problem and it was flawless from then on.

Our suite was unbelievable. Our butler told us 16102 is the best accommodations on the ship.  It was as close to being on a private yacht as we will ever get. In some ways it reminded me of the old cruise ships – like the titanic – with classes of passengers. No doubt all the Haven guest were special. From check in to departure. The ship is a ridiculous size, I would not have wanted to be anywhere else. The pool area was just too small for this many people. If you didn’t go claim a chair early am you weren’t going to get one. The size did not affect us thanks to the Haven.

As far as the Haven, the restaurant was spectacular, when we took advantage of it. We had breakfast served to us in our suite almost every day by our butler. How sweet is that?  Kayla had suggested I talk to the concierge about getting off the ship first to get to the airport. They informed me that our flight time was late enough we would actually be one of the last off the ship! O.K. I was still skeptical, but listened to him. We were able to stay in our suite as long as we wanted, we went to the lounge about 9:15 to be privately escorted off the ship! They used crew elevators to move the Haven passengers. Then on the pier we were escorted to a totally different area to go down to get our luggage. 30 seconds to find our luggage, a porter took us to the front of the customs line and then to the curb to wait for our transportation. 10 mins. tops!!!!!! Just an fyi for future clients he took us to a place to wait on the lower level. Car services have to use the upper level so through phone conversations and texting we found each other. No big deal we were at EWR at 10:05. Something happened with the other 4000 people and the lines to get off the boat were not moving for almost 3 hours.

This was my 4th trip to Bermuda, my husband and the Kmetz’s had never been. It is just a gorgeous place, the people are so nice and the turquoise water is like no other place. I thought the ship did an excellent job moving people. The dockyard where they dock it a great place. Last time I was there it truly was an old Navy yard. We lucked out with the weather calm seas and only rain at night.

I was not impressed with the Newark Hilton and would not recommend staying there. The rooms were very small and dark. Very tired looking but clean.

Just so you know the 15.50 pp we were charged everyday did not include the butler. We didn’t have a problem taking care of him on the ship, he was very uncomfortable telling us, he told us they make the butlers tell their guest about the policy. He didn’t mention it until the last evening when he was going over departure with us. I don’t remember seeing anything about the butler’s gratuities in our info. Gian was wonderful, I am sure we didn’t use his services enough.  We had the Kmetz’s in our suite for departure from Bermuda, he set up Champagne and snacks for us – including the white table cloth!

Thank you for all your help.  When we decide on another adventure we will contact you.  I can tell you I am ruined for regular cruising.  It’s the Haven or nothing!

– Julie Catlett, USA