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. Guests staying in this exclusive and . You can read the full trip report, starting with Day 1 here, so what follows will be less a blow-by-blow than an overview. For women, it includes summer and casual dresses, skirts, regular or capri pants, shorts, jeans and tops. She reserved seats for us and would be waiting there. The most noticeable one is the crowds. If youre reading this, theres a pretty good chance you know what The Haven is and are considering booking. This is another part of the "elevation" of Norwegian Prima. Rather than wait in line, we were escorted to a large room where we were able to help ourselves to coffee, snacks and finger sandwiches. People often comment on how good the crew are on NCL ships but for some reason, Pearls staff get even more mentions than usual. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. There are no bad NCL ships. Many people prefer the Norwegian Epic Haven as there are fewer suites, so service is slightly more personal. Standard balcony cabins also have spacious and modern bathrooms. That being said, the Epic is probably our favorite actual "Haven" experience for two reasons. The elegant feel of the Penrose Atrium carries over to the many restaurants, bars and entertainment venues that spread out from its three levels (decks 6, 7 and 8). (Perhaps the reason it ranks near the top of the list is because I got to entertain passengers back in the day as part of a handbell choir special performance on a Caribbean cruise!). NCL The Haven is spacious, luxurious accommodation found at the top of NCL cruise ships. So I was a bit disappointed since my experience on Sky was so amazing. Almost immediately upon arriving at the New York City terminal from which we were departing, you could tell this was not going to be your typical check-in experience. The following ships (as of publication) offer this enclave for the discerning passenger: The price point for booking accommodations in the Haven is higher than rooms in the rest of the ship. Could you please tell me how I can improve it? Khakis, jeans, shorts and casual shirts are fine for men. With a passenger capacity of 3,804, not to mention its 1,821 crew members on board, the Norwegian Joy is like a little community of travelers with just enough people to make a large neighborhood. Theres no single answer for which is the best NCL ship. Passengers are also loyal to Gem and will cruise on her regularly after their first. So while the Haven areas are nice my favorite suite experience was on a ship with no Haven. Once the attentive staff have escorted you to your room, take a beat to soak in the surroundings. That isn't to say Norwegian Prima is perfect. Keep in mind that actual square footage, floor plans, suite locations on the ships and lists of amenities will vary by vessel. In their effort to make the rooms as minimalist and spacious feeling as possible, the designers seem to have overlooked the real need for lots of hanging space and drawers in cabins on a ship that will likely be operating seven-day sailings for much of its life. Picking a cabin on a Norwegian Cruise Line ship isn't always easy.. For starters, there are a huge number of cabins available on some Norwegian ships. The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Indulge Food Hall is one of the only food halls at sea, and it's fabulous if a little tight, spacewise. Scores arent going to be skewed by a couple of unusual experiences. Available for request are cold towels, beverages and fresh fruit all brought to your chosen seating location. The waterslides are incredible, although I couldnt try all of them due to being pregnant at the time. The Metropolitan bar is billed as the first sustainable bar at sea, and it offers a fabulously odd mix of handmade drinks that incorporate leftover food items on the ship, such as day-old croissants and banana peels. And elegant. Simply select your meals from the menu and in-suite service will arrive, set up your table and whisk it all away when youre done. I understand. Enrollment required. There will be a mini-bar and coffee/espresso/cappuccino machine with supplies. Business Insider - The parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line says that the sluggish economy isn't deterring wealthy passengers from splashing out on luxury cruise trips. You don't even have to leave for meals because The Haven (on Epic, Breakaway, Getaway, Escape, Encore, Prima and Viva) includes its own, sophisticated restaurant, serving its clientele with a breakfast, lunch and dinner menu designed just for suite passengers. Norwegian Dawn - 3.92. 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). (6,694 sq. Penthouses are great for people who love to entertain. But in typical journalist fashion, I've been skeptical. I was impressed. Because there are just a handful of suites the service was over the top. On a Norwegian cruise, you can be yourself while enjoying endless opportunities for entertainment, lots of thrills, and a huge selection of dining options. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. What is Norwegians best ship? Do they have a separate dining room like Epic Club were you get breakfast, lunch and dinner? Very subjective..we love the quiet smaller Haven of the Gem and the Jewel, not crazy about the Breakaway, we just like the smaller personalized service as opposed to the Mega Haven even with the added amenities. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. In the afternoon and early evening, a variety of snacks could be found in the courtyard. Given his love of eating, drinking and gambling, its astonishing how long it took him to discover the joys of cruising. Since 2009, Cruise Radio has provided the latest cruise news and industry analysis through informative articles, videos, and weekly podcasts. Then, contact one with a best-price guarantee and have them beat it! The nicest NCL ship is Norwegian Prima, which is the newest ship in the fleet. It is older but specializes in short, fun-packed cruises. And I say this as someone who has sailed on every one of the 18 ships operated by Norwegian except two (Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Spirit). Norwegian Jade rounds out the top 10 and also the popular Gem Class of ship for the fleet, with a score that has improved since she received her Norwegian Edge upgrades a few years ago gone are the dated colours and smaller restaurants, with more choice added including the popular OSheehans. The main highlights of Norwegian Jewel are the live entertainment, including comedy and magic shows, and the food. Why this ship tends to score so well is the onboard atmosphere, which just seems to be a bit more fun and friendly people often comment on the sort of community feel of a cruise on Gem, and how everyone chats with each other. It really is elevated. With 28 bars and restaurants onboard, most people will have . 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. (3,440 sq. Learn more. Of NCL Epic cabins, 75 located signature -suite complex " The Haven ". The Norwegian Jade is one of the older ships in the fleet, but she got fully renovated in 2017. The Haven is the all-suite section of Norwegian Cruise Line ships, accessible by keycard-holders only. The major criticism levelled at the ship is more to do with the excursions offered in Alaska, which dont get you as close to nature as they do with other cruise lines. As a Haven keycard holder, you will have priority reservations and seating at all entertainment venues. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. Gold-leaf wallpaper lines its booth seating. Included in your cruise fare are the services of a concierge and butler. But then it was large enough, the courtyard area with the pool and hot tubs was actually big enough to accommodate everyone. A few things to consider before booking The Haven: Does the ship on which youre sailing have The Haven features youre seeking? While folks arrived on a bit of a random schedule at the start of the cruise, everyone is packed and ready to exit the ship at the same time at the end. I loved the Epic Haven. It's a Big Cruise Ship. But several times I had the pool and hot tubs in The Haven courtyard to myself and wound up enjoying them (as well as the poolside cocktail service). It's built around three massive crystal chandeliers costing nearly $100,000 that hang down all the way to the floor a showstopper of a design element. But, in trying to offer the variety needed for this to work, the ship ended up with a really confusing layout packing in restaurants and bars with apparently little thought to how guests would navigate them easily. In this video, I discuss all the features and benefits that come with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)'s "The Haven" experience. A private balcony is perfect for outdoor relaxing. This is all relative, of course. Id be willing to bet I spent quite a bit less time (and money) in the casino than I typically might, opting instead to relax at The Haven bar or watch the free in-room movies that were one of the many perks. LauraS Which Royal Caribbean Suite Should I Book? Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. Courtyard was large with many loungers to choose from. Best card for premium perks while traveling, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, Did Norwegian Cruise Line make its new ships too small? Why? Norwegian Bliss 4.466. Older ships are smaller, quieter and more relaxed but they still have a fun vibe great for young couples who want to let their hair down. 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