Cruise Suite Showdown: NCL Haven vs Royal Caribbean Suite

[@KVDC2008]

One key feature the The Haven and suite guests have on NCL than RCL premium cabins don't have is priority boarding for excursions. Both offer a lot of priority perks, but the key one I found useful is priority access for NCL excursions. The concierge escorts premium level guest to their buses first and gets their pick of the seats. There is no waiting with the hoards of other passengers in some auditorium for some number to be yelled out and then everyone start rushing for the buses. That alone is worth it. However, the slight downside is that you have to arrive earlier and wait for your concierge to escort you, so you have less time than other passengers before starting your excursion, but I thinks it is worth it.

[@21400]

Another perk I used it the haven was at night after the day winding down all the movies on the tv were free even the new ones

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Love that they have some free movies on the tv! Have watched them a few times! Live a Little Emma & Jack

[@littleskittles7733]

On my NCL Haven cruise, in the Haven pool area there were two chefs carving fresh fruit plates on our 1st sea day; that was a very nice surprise and seemed especially fancy.

[@brycelynch2306]

Owners deluxe on the jewel is a split level with a jacuzzi balcony

[@rebeccathibert7706]

The Haven sounds great, but would be nice if it included premium internet like Royal suite class does.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

We 100% agree with that!

[@barbaram7164]

Nice presentation--I've been looking for an honest comparison between these two categories; this was really helpful. Thank you.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thanks for watching and commenting. Glad it could help. Hope you have a great weekend. Emma & Jack

[@dianenelson3348]

Excellent content, presentation and you two are so fun! Thanks for sharing! Haven Encore Alaska is on our Horizon in October. 2nd time in Haven and this time Aft! Yahoo!❤️

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thank you for watching and such a nice comment. We really appreciate it! Hope you have an amazing time on your trip to Alaska. We have got a few surprise trips planned this year similar to Alaska so stay tuned for more stuff. Emma & Jack Live a Little

[@richboshart1201]

Stayed in the Haven a few years ago on the Escape. We said that it will be hard staying in steerage the next time. Sure enough, we’re booked into the Haven for a March Caribbean sailing on the Encore. Can’t wait. Loved everything about the Haven experience.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thanks for watching and commenting! Hope yal enjoy your trip in March! Emma & Jack

[@debbiewakeland605]

We stayed in a suite on RC in November 2023. Now I’m spoiled! I completely understand.

[@lenoragray5449]

Stayed in the Haven with a relative a few years ago. Loved it so much that I've booked another cruise with my daughter and grandsons, European this time. Once one experiences The Haven, always The Haven. Thanks for the wonderful presentation.

[@maggieyu6023]

On the Joy Haven now. Having shrimp toast everyday. Can't wait to see the celebrity comparison

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Emma would reply but her mouth is watering too much. Hope you enjoy your trip. If you run in to anyone in the Haven that may like our channel, we would really appreciate it if you could share. Stay tuned for the Celebrity comparison. We leave in 2 weekend! Emma & Jack

[@montyroc]

where is the shrimp toast available? I ❤LOVE shrimp toast!!!!

[@Yuki.Hinode]

The Haven is NCL's top product. Sky class is not Royal's top product. These two products are two different levels. There is no comparison. The only way to compare The Haven would be to compare it to Star Class. Comparing The Haven to sky class would be like comparing Star class to NCL conceirge suite. No comparison.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

While we can understand your POV, there is also stratification in the Haven on NCL. The higher end tier such as Owners Suites come with more benefits than the base Haven rooms. Additionally we have found Haven and Sky Class to be similar price. With higher end Haven rooms being similar priced to Star Class.

[@AnTiX410]

I agree with Yuki, you cannot compare sky class with the haven. You would have to compare Star class with the haven. Star class is on another level. I've stayed in both haven and star class and when it comes to perks and rooms the haven doesn't come close. I do like NCLs boat within a boat concept but other then that it doesn't compare with everything Star class has to offer. I'm looking forward to when you guys stay in star class, I promise you will be blown away. I recommend wonder of the seas or symphony of the seas if you ever get to plan a star class experience 😁

[@lindsayslivealittle]

@@AnTiX410 thanks. That’s what everyone says. Since we stayed in a lower level Haven we thought we could compare it to Sky class. We actually just booked a Sky class but it is not till next year so review won’t be for a little while. Just had to find a Sky class on a newer ship for a good price! The price of Sky can sometimes be crazy! Live a Little Emma & Jack

[@reneesutherland4959]

I just wish you would show little video clips of *everything* you are describing. We’re assuming you saw *in person* what you’re describing but it would be nice to see it too. What do The Royal Suites look like? The Sky, The Star? You only showed NCL haven on the vid we watched. As the video went on you did show more of what you were describing.

[@CathiScott]

Won't go back to Royal Caribbean any time soon. The Haven is our favorite way to cruise.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

We are going to give Star Class a try but the Haven is so much better than Sky Class on Royal.

[@CathiScott]

We have 4 cruises booked with Ncl one isn't Haven because the Star doesn't have a haven. We are on the Joy next month and the viva and Aqua in 2925. Ncl latitude perks are better than crown and Anchor, which is another reason we like NCL

[@LaszloBagi]

Have stayed in the Haven twice and suites a few times. The Haven is fantastic!

[@lindsayslivealittle]

We have our next Haven planned for this summer on the Prima. Excited to compare Breakaway class vs the new Prima class Haven. Emma & Jack

[@LaszloBagi]

@@lindsayslivealittle Have a great time, we have stayed in the Haven on the Escape and Getaway. I've heard too many negative things about the Prima, we won't bother. Our next cruise is on the Gem out of Boston to Bermuda. We are in a forward suite, its not the Haven but thats Ok. We get the same perks except use of the "Haven" sundeck

[@ironrose5403]

I watched your NCL Haven review and it was informative, thank you! I found you both relatable. I am saving up to take my elderly mother on the NCL getaway - in a Haven suite. She's 88 and can't walk much and she likes luxury so I'm sure she will love it! if she would agree to use a scooter there would be no problem with walking around a ship... but, she is VERY stubborn and refuses (and gets mad at me for thinking she needs one)! She say's she's not handicapped 🙄- once your kids grow up then you have to take care of your parents lol. Anyways, with the Haven every thing is right there so we could pick and choose activities outside of the restricted area. Also the easy embarkation is essential, get her on and off easy!

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thank you so much. Glad you found our channel and it could help. Our only additional reco in your case is to make sure and book in the Haven proper. Have a great week! Emma & Jack

[@tinamastenmitchell1399]

We just got off the Getaway Haven suite. For your trip I definitely advise the Haven. You truly get priority boarding and priority disembarkation at Ports. The Haven public areas are very nice and NOT crowded you will not need to leave if you don't want to.

[@vacationmode6286]

We are doing the encore haven in August in Alaska - what about dress code in Alaska for the haven dining room? we have heard with Alaska being colder its a little more relaxed.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Alaska is definitely a more relaxed cruise. For the Haven restaurant breakfast and lunch are more casual than dinner with most people wearing hiking or outdoorsy types of clothes. For dinner it is really a mixed bag but the majority of people wore smart casual clothes (button ups/polos and jeans for men and women wore blouses with skirts or pants).

[@littleskittles7733]

On my RCCL cruise in a suite, I noticed that the chefs took great care to ensure that the snacks/appetizer in the suite lounge were of high quality and nicely presented. I counted 5 different chefs one afternoon checking on the snack/appetizers.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Snacks were definitely good on RCCL suite lounge.

[@michaelnorwood3633]

Love your videos and love your adventurous spirit. My wife and I are going on NCL oct 2024. 7 days. And yes , we’re definitely staying in the Haven. I have found that there are quite a few extra costs however above and beyond the cruise itself. Ie. shore excursions etc. this will be my first cruise, hopefully the first of many.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thanks so much! There are several extras that can add up quickly on your trip. One thing NCL offers now is the premium plus package with unlimited WiFi, extra $50 for shore excursions per port, another speciality dining and premium drinks including coffee, energy drink and water. Might check that out to see if it is worth it. Hope you have an amazing first cruise. Starting with the Haven will set a very high bar. Emma & Jack

[@michaelnorwood3633]

@@lindsayslivealittle your right, and I have in fact added the Wi-Fi package. Actually found out that I had to pay extra for streaming lol. Also did the excursion package. But we have 4 people and it only applies to my wife and I. The excursions aren’t cheap. But, all in all , I think it will all be worth it. Definitely excited about the bar tenders or should I say “mixologists”. I did the premium plus drink package just for the free Starbucks coffee lol. We’re doing a southern Carrabian cruise, then off to hopefully do an Alaskan cruise. I watched all your videos on that. Looked breath taking

[@rgruenhaus]

Are the NCL Haven rooms still being called SUITES? I was searching for the room i want on the Viva and never saw one with suite in the name.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Some of them are. Most of them are referred to a penthouses now.

[@rgruenhaus]

The FAS drink pkg IS the Premium drink pkg. The better drink pkg (for some) is the Premium Plus.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

100% correct. We learned more after we published this episode. We really enjoy the Plus package for the premium coffees. Emma & Jack

[@teresadonaldson-smith3838]

We will be on the Norwegian Bliss Haven tomorrow heading to Alaska. Love your videos.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thanks so much! We hope you have an amazing time!

[@shamas.7823]

We just stayed at the Crown Loft Suite on Symphony of the Seas - best room ever! Don't know if I could ever go back to the balcony. Oh, and you have the elevator available on the 17th floor - always.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

We really want to check out the loft suites but just haven’t found the right option for the budget. It is nice to hear it is amazing though. Emma & Jack

[@agulot1]

I'd Love to hear a Haven vs The Retreat (celebrity cruises) comparison.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Here is a video of us debating which is better. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHWyiZpum7J_ntE

[@agulot1]

@@lindsayslivealittle not sure how I missed that. Thank you.

[@rgruenhaus]

The accessible penthouse with balcony aft looking 10954 does not have a seperation wall/door just a butler pantry with a TV mounted on either side as the only separation between the bed and the couch area.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thank you for sharing with the channel!

[@debbiewakeland605]

We stayed in suite class on RC. Several times we couldn’t get a seat in the small lounge at 5:00. There was also no restaurant. We are staying in the Haven in November and I’m so looking forward to it.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

We noticed that as well. It gets so crowded in the lounge. Enjoy your Haven trip!

[@21400]

I have this drinks app on my phone and my whole time on the haven I was just drinking random drinks

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Always nice to try new drinks that you might not normally order! The bartenders in the Haven are great bartenders too. Live a Little Emma & Jack

[@diedredavis8717]

You didn’t address the difference in the price point for both. That would help with the decision.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

The probably with that is it is all over the map. If you peak the median of the ranges they are very similar to each other. It’s hard to do a true a comparison on price. Emma & Jack

[@bababourbon4366]

Great information as always. Love your channel. Going in the Haven in April. Is there any extra charge at all to have room service set up by the butler in your room.? Do you pay a service fee to get breakfast lunch or dinner bought to the room from the Haven restaurant?

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thanks you so much. We really appreciate it when people comment about enjoying our channel. It makes our day. There are no extra charges for the room service and no service fee for the Haven restaurant being delivered to your room. It is 100% included in your cruise fare but would suggest making sure to take care of your butler when you do it. Hope you have a great week and continue to enjoy our channel. We have a pretty amazing year planned to share with the Live a little community. Emma & Jack Live a Little

[@mrjtrichardson]

For the Royal portion of the comparison, did you all have a Star class suite?

[@lindsayslivealittle]

We did not. We haven’t found an option with Royal that makes it affordable for a review. It is on our list to review once we can find an option within the budget. Emma & Jack

[@ronaldfish1569]

You will absolutely love celebrity you will get Buttler Service too in a suite as will I have been on two

[@lindsayslivealittle]

We do love celebrity and we leave to visit Norway on the Apex in a couple weeks. The Retreat is going to make it even better! Have a great week. Emma & Jack

[@ginolopresti2997]

Yeah royal sky suites are to die for if u got 40,000 to spend.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

That we do not. We look for good deals and have flexibility to be able to go last minute so maybe one day we will get to experience it. Emma & Jack

[@21400]

I remember one night I wanted a root beer float and my butler had to go all around the ship to get one

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Wow that’s a great butler! Love a good root beer float! Live a Little Emma & Jack

[@ReggieTatum-jq2ll]

Thank you, guys, for your video. We are going on the Breakaway on March 19th from New Orleans and have the haven aft cabin with the extra-large balcony. It's our first-time cruising and we are so excited. I'm a little worried about the distance from our room to the haven area, but I decided for the view we'll have it was worth it. The balcony is huge and so is the bathroom. The bathroom has a large window facing aft from the tub and shower. 30 days to go and we can't wait. By the way I would like to do a vlog on our room and experience. What type of camera and equipment are you using or is it your cellphone on a tripod?

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thanks for watching! We hope you enjoy your trip and wouldn’t worry too much about the distance. The view will be worth it and when you want to spend time in the Haven you just get there and don’t have to leave for anything. For the most part we just use our iPhones to film. Some footage is made with a GoPro but 90% is made just with our iPhone in our hands. We have tried using Gimbles and it is honestly easier with you holding the phone in your hand. We never thought we would be doing this on-going as it started with just let’s try it out. Honestly now we enjoy it and being able to share our experience and reviews with people. Emma & Jack Live a Little

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Also to add to that. If you use your phone to film go to your camera settings and set it to 1080p HD at 60fps. Honestly 4K at 60fps is better but it takes up more memory. A lot of what you see in this video is the 1080. Have a fantastic trip! Emma & Jack Live a little

[@mr.balloffur]

How is your trip? I'm going on the Breakaway and I chose the spa suite because I thought the aft cabin was too far away and I didn't think the butler would be as attentive.

[@ReggieTatum-jq2ll]

@mr.balloffur Our butler Rei was extremely attentive to our needs on the Breakaway. He seemed to know what we needed before we did. Lol. We couldn't have asked for better. Our steward Eko was also great. I just got back from Alaska last week on the Bliss and got the same aft cabin with the large balcony. It was great also, and I was told by the others in our group that were in the haven proper that their butler wasn't as attentive as ours. The spa suite will be great because you'll get to use the thermal spa whenever you want.

[@beverlycollins8634]

Thanks for breaking it down. It will help us make a decision on what cruise line to choose.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thank you! Let us know how it helps your next trip!

[@GrandSportC7]

How was the price in comparison between the two suites?

[@lindsayslivealittle]

NCL is usually slightly more expense on the base price because it includes alcohol. But from a total end spend they are very similar. For reference, we spent around $10K for the Haven to Alaska and when I just looked on Royal their suites are about $10K to Alaska for the same time of the year we went. Emma & Jack

[@paulrosenfeld366]

Thank you for your video. We are booked with a Haven.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Glad you enjoyed the video! We hope you have a great trip! Emma & Jack Live a Little

[@dresadin]

Very informative, and looking forward to the Haven versus the Retreat video, as I am booked on Retreat in April then haven for . . . [drum roll] a Halloween cruise. Perhaps we we be on the same Halloween cruise out of LA? I haven't cruised in 30 years, and had one planned just before COVID struck. Needless to say, that went no where. Now that mask and vaccine mandates are lifted, I am looking forward to trying it out again, and your vids have been very helpful.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thank you so much for watching and commenting. We honestly love when people comment on the videos! Perhaps we will be on the same trip. We are still finalizing everything for the year and do our best to stick with the motto of Live a Little, Jack is changing his mind on a daily basis. We are working to give everyone unique content and reviews. We can guarantee cruising has changed since you cruises 30 years ago and would love to hear from you the differences. Hope you have a great year! Emma & Jack Live a Little

[@dresadin]

@@lindsayslivealittle LoL . . . me too. I have changed my minds on which lines, itineraries and ships to go on over the last 3 weeks, I have a feeling the are all getting sick of me. Right now, I have 6 cruises booked, but I know I will cancel at least 3 of those. Again, thanks for the very helpful videos. One question, though. I keep reading about how pretty much all the lines have cut the quality (maybe not the quantity) of the the food offerings over the last month or two. Have you heard and or experienced the same?

[@lindsayslivealittle]

@@dresadin we have heard about the changes but haven’t experienced it yet. Our first trip in 2023 leaves next Saturday so stayed tuned for our thoughts. Overall we can understand the changes are needed to help manage costs and the amount of options previously led to some subpar options. Hopefully they focused on delivering quality and have just removed some of the quantity.

[@johnlindsay7352]

I think I want to go on the Haven.👍🏻

[@lindsayslivealittle]

It is hard to ever go back so tread lightly!

[@stephaniesandoval8214]

Yes, very hard. ❤❤❤❤

[@TheOriginalMarimoChan]

thank you very helpful!

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Glad it was helpful! Live a little Emma & Jack

[@Erik-fu1zl]

I’m new to your channel and this is the first video I watched so I haven’t had the time to scroll through your other videos. But I think you need to do another room comparison between the Haven and the Sky Suites since on this video, your comparison is based in the grand suite. Also, each ship has different designs. On Wonder of the Seas, the Owner’s Suite, which is a sky class category, has doors separating a walk-in vanity and the living room. There are no curtains separating the rooms. But thanks for your insight. I’ll be on the NCL Viva next year out of Athens and I’m looking forward to that.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thanks for finding our channel and your recos and feedback on other ships. At this point it comes down to budget. Our goal is to try as many as possible but the pesky budget doesn’t allow as many as we might like. But we will have a couple more suite class comparisons coming out this year so hope you enjoy the channel. Emma & Jack

[@joeyfloores376]

Royal is turning into carnival cruise, cutting perks and allowing kids to run around like a pack of wild animals. Carnival used to be fun but now it just a unpleasant experience. The only reason we went on carnival celebration is because all the kids school schedules lined up and it was the only cruise line that was cruising at that time and let me tell you carnival is doing a great disservice by allowing all those kids, from what I saw, age 8, and then some strange cases five all the way up to older teens, run around the ship, and make the experience completely unpleasantfrom them playing music on the portable speakers which aren’t allowed, but they got them in the foul language and the placing of their feet all over tables and benches, and in some cases standing on the benches and dancing like it’s some kind of show it was just a horrible experience and now royal Caribbean is starting to go that way it’s a damn shame

[@lindsayslivealittle]

We have similar thoughts on Royal. But have not done Carnival in over a decade.

[@tcmw779]

good video, but I have one disagreement, we have been on 3 Haven cruises in staterooms within the Haven complex and all the concierges were friendly, spent time with us, one even remembered us from a previous cruise 8 months prior and we had the same butler.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Completely understand. Glad you enjoyed the video and appreciate you commenting on your experience. We hope you have a great weekend and enjoy your next trip in the Haven! Emma & Jack

[@brucebaker3523]

RCL Star Class is our favorite but we booked a Haven suite H3 on the Viva for our first trip to Italy and the Med. Going on the Allure in April out of Galveston, suite 1758. (We like the door for the bedroom) In "Star Class" we can order room service from any specialty restaurant so the Coastal Kitchen has been our go to breakfast place because the staff go over the top to get us whatever we want which is exactly why we love RCL Star Class. Everywhere we go on the ship staff greet us by name and make our time aboard extra special. Hope NCL Viva can live up to RCL's levels of excellence. Loved your video, it's hard to find suite level reviews. We live in Hua Hin Thailand and want to see the World before we're too old! So many places to see and covid cost us years we can never get back!

[@lindsayslivealittle]

First off…We absolutely love Thailand. It is where we spent our Honeymoon. Thanks for sharing about the Star class. We haven’t found a cruise in budget at that level so our only reference point is the Sky class. Being able to have speciality dining as room service is a great perk. We hope you enjoy your Haven trip and would love to hear about your experience. We leave on the Celebrity Apex in the Retreat next week so looking forward to comparing that suite class as well. Hope you have a great rest of your weekend and hope you enjoy our future reviews and vlogs. Emma & Jack Live a Little

[@nikoleaponte9100]

NCL Haven could use serious improvement on customer service. We didn’t see our butler the first three days. The concierges did seem like you were bothering them most of the time. Not super welcoming/ personable.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Sorry you experience wasn’t good. Honestly we have never experienced the negatives with the concierge but have been hit and miss on the attentiveness and attention to detail of the NCL butlers.

[@nikoleaponte9100]

@@lindsayslivealittle we are going February 2024 Escape so hopefully things are different from the Bliss.

[@AvProWebTech]

Is that a Peter Max painting behind you?

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Yes it is. We love to collect pop art from a bunch of artists.

[@rgruenhaus]

If both passengers in a Haven room are Platinum or above does one have their perk Specialty dinners stripped off them?

[@lindsayslivealittle]

That we are not sure. If both are Platinum I would assume both would get the benefit. If both are Platinum, both get the laundry benefit. Emma & Jack

[@rgruenhaus]

@lindsayslivealittle if you look at the Latitudes benefits for Platinum you will see that there is an asterisk for the two Specialty dinners for a Platinum member and below it says only one perk per cabin. Seems like a breech of contract to me.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

@@rgruenhaus that does not seem fair but thanks for sharing the specifics. We haven’t hit that level yet on one of our trips to fully review the perks.

[@samuelmisir9159]

The haven is pure luxury

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Couldn’t agree more!

[@acemtydk]

Love the straight talk and style. Like talking to my friends about cruising. FYI - I've been on both cruise lines and agree that NCL Haven is superior.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thank you so much for the nice comment. That is exactly our goal. We aren’t partnered with any cruise line so our opinions are straight from the heart. Hope you have a great rest of your week and hopefully you enjoy more of our videos in the future. Emma & Jack Live a Little

[@kokorocky1]

Thanks for your review. I stayed in the royal suite class last year and I am going on NCL in the haven this year. This will be my first time in the haven, I can’t wait. Royal suite class did not impress me. My room was larger but the perks???? 🫤

[@lindsayslivealittle]

The perks alone in the Haven will impress you. It is truly a first class experience. We hope you have a great time in the Haven! And thanks for watching. Emma & Jack Live a Little

[@Americanallday]

Ive done both and found NCL suites way better

[@Americanallday]

I think we saw our Royal Concierge maybe once....

[@vilmasucy7579]

We have cruised Royal Caribbean, Star Class several times & it has been FABULOUS. This year we are trying NCL Haven. So we will be on high alert comparing the 2 choices. I know for a fact that Star Class includes laundry service which is pretty sweet. It means we arrived home with 98% of our laundry already clean! This service is NOT included in the Haven. I don’t look forward to returning home from our 10-day Mediterranean cruise with ALL that laundry. 😧. We’ll see how it goes.