Is the Haven on NCL really worth it?

[@TLifeDailyVlogs]

Heading on NCL Joy from Miami to LA end of this year (2024) through the Panama so thank you. This video was very educational and the video inserts were greatl! Cheers on your next adventure!!! We are a vlogging family as well AND we always end up being apart of the entertainment of the ship because we are soo outgoing. :)

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thank so much! Hope yal have a great time! The panama cruise is on our bucket list!

[@TLifeDailyVlogs]

@@lindsayslivealittle Get to booking then ;) Nov30th. You got this. hehe

[@oldguybutalive]

Been in Haven many times... Platinum status. Great vid and only correction I can mention is re tipping. Room Steward is auto tipped from advanced payment tips or per day on ship account... Bar tenders are in the tip pool you pay for the Beverage package. The Butler and Concierge are NOT in the tip pool and should be tipped as per usage total. Obv tip amounts can vary and are up to the individual ...but, extra tips to bar tender do go a long way :)

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thank you so much for watching our video. And we really appreciate the tip on the tips. We weren’t 100% certain as it was our first Haven experience. Hopefully we will run into each other on a future Haven trip as Jack has the urge to book another one soon. Emma & Jack Live a Little

[@oldguybutalive]

@@lindsayslivealittle Also will add re Butlers.... Have been in the DOS (deluxe owners suite) and the other Haven rooms. Other than size of room, service from the Butler really depends on WHO you get. I've had the best Butler service in one of the cheaper Haven rooms so it varies greatly tho all were good. Some complain of poor butler service online and if so you should see the Concierge re same.

[@trowan9495]

Great tips. I felt their video needed more info but your feedback helped. Maybe you should do a video!!

[@me-un4jl]

These are by far the best videos on cruising in Alaska and the NCL/Encore Haven experience. Great pace, no fluff or excessive rambling, great editing and camera work. Nice work! I feel so much more prepared and excited!

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thank you so much!!! That comment really means a lot to me! I have only been doing this for 3 months! Not sure if you have subscribed yet but I would really appreciate it if you do! I also have some vlogs about Alaska! I keep them short as well. 25 min is the longest one and that’s because it’s 3 days.

[@me-un4jl]

@@lindsayslivealittle Yep, I subscribed. I took a screenshot, too, to remember it when you reach a million subs! Haha Can't wait for the next Alaska vlog!

[@lindsayslivealittle]

@@me-un4jl our little channel is growing and small right now but to get up to a million is our goal. Gotta take our learnings and growth and get to 1K first. Thanks for joining the ride and hope you enjoy as much as we do! And if you know anyone else that wants to jump on board please feel free to share our channel broadly.

[@MaksimOutdoors]

Great review, we just got back from the Haven on the bliss as well we agreed with just about everything you brought up. Really enjoying your channel!

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thanks again. We appreciate it and hope you continue to enjoy the content. We like to live our motto of get out and Live A Little so you will see an eclectic mix. Emma & Jack

[@doobette5554]

Great review. We (husband and I) booked The Haven on the NCL Gem in September. The NCL Gem's Haven doesn't have a dedicated restaurant and bar like the larger ships do, but we're cruising with two other friend couples who aren't in The Haven, so we'll have our dinners with them. For us, we wanted the upgraded suite, priority embarkation/disembarkation/tendering, overall quieter experience, and private pool/deck/hot tub. We take only one vacation a year due to having high-stress corporate careers where taking extended time off is really hard - so when we travel, we splurge.

[@southernchristopher2680]

We are in the Haven next week on the Breakaway and cannot wait. We successfully bid for an upgrade to Haven a few years ago and had an amazing experience. I am not sure we could go back after that cruise as it does completely spoil you. I am glad you two had such a great trip, thank you for the video!!!

[@lindsayslivealittle]

I completely understand it definitely spoils you! If you loved this video would love to have you subscribe! Enjoy the Haven on the Breakaway next week!

[@ajtam05]

I read briefly on this bidding process, but can you tell us your experience? I'm wondering if I should just book a Club Balcony Suite.....and then put in a fairly high bid that is still near (but below) the current Haven pricing? What are you thoughts? Thanks!

[@southernchristopher2680]

@@ajtam05 I had bought a balcony suite and did not know the bidding process when I first booked. I looked at the price of a Haven Spa Suite compared to what I had already paid. I bid 60% of the difference for my bid and won the bid and was upgraded. I have heard from others that was a decent bid but it is possible I could have won with a slightly lower bid. Depending on how full the ship is when you book, the bidding can get very competitive. Good Luck in you your bidding, I hope you win and experience the Haven!!!!!

[@Cha-y412]

Thank you very much for the excellent video. We have been on 4 NCL cruises since 2015. Breakaway - Spa Suite Breakaway - Haven forward facing suite. Encore - Haven Mid Ship suite JOY - Haven Mid Ship. This is what I can share. The Spa Suite is a great deal for people on a budget. The Breakaway has great mid ship Spa suites but they are limited. The Joy does NOT have Spa suites. Or the thermal spa. The Joy Haven does NOT have Sauna or steam rooms, the other ships did. The Haven sun decks / hot tub areas are for people 18 years old and over, but it appeared that as long as children were up there with adult supervision nobody cared. The use of the crew / service elevators in port is huge. The ship cell phone is great. Consigniers made all dinning / entertainment bookings, reserve seating. One thing we found a little creepy was that our butler would just show up where ever we were on the ship to ask us if we required anything. Without being called. Stalker ? I think he tracked us by the phone. Priority boarding and disembarking - sweet * Once in Bermuda on Breakaway got a bad Sunburn , the ship store was sold out of Aloe. the Butler brought me his own personal bottle of Aloe. I thought that was very kind of him. My Wife thought the same , first day go to complimentary American Diner. The American Diner was awful. Service was painfully slow and food almost not edible. On Joy 7 / 28/ 22. Do not book a Haven forward facing suite if you dont like walking down narrow hallways, sometimes with room service carts, and other passengers in the hallway. Every time I walked to the mid ship elevators I would say walking the mile walking the green mile. Never heard or knew about that tip pool thing. Sounds crazy paying several hundred in tips up front and my guys arent getting it. We like the Haven because if we want to join or retreat from the crowd we can. This is not a Haven option - But Ive met some of the nicest people male and female after dinner in the Cigar smoking lounge. I like a cigar once in a while. My tip - bring your own Cigars from home. The Cigars sold on the ship they are double what they cost at home. I know the Haven is expensive and not in everyones budget. We have devised a plan to skip certain yearly things and save up for a Haven trip we feel it is so worth it. We are booked on the NCL Prima for an 11 day Transatlantic voyage. NCL upgraded us from a Penthouse Haven suite to a Haven Owners Deluxe suite which is huge for our lattitude rewards. . The balcony alone is bigger then the first spa suite entire cabin we had - We are very excited. Thank you again for posting.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thanks for sharing your experiences. Learned a few things from you there. Hope you enjoy the Prima Haven! And yes the butler showing up randomly is a bit creepy. Emma & Jack

[@AV8R_1]

Short answer, YES. It nearly doubles the cost, but its worth every penny if you want to avoid the crowds and you want good food. My family tried it once, and we no longer cruise any other way. Three Haven trips so far, and once you try it you will never go back to the other way again.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

The best way we can describe it is flying business class overseas. Once you travel that way it is hard to go back and we would rather skip a trip and save to do it the suite or business class way. Emma & Jack

[@BrianDiCrocco]

Thanks for making this video. We just booked in the Haven for a 2023 Alaska Cruise. This really helps out.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Absolutely! So happy you found it helpful! I also have a vlog that’s coming out (each week) all about Alaska if you haven’t watched or subscribed.

[@ricobhi]

We were in the Haven for the final Encore Alaska itinerary in October 2022 and totally agree with your reviews. Lesson learned about the daily snacks is that you can actually let the butler know when you're going to be off the ship and ask not to have the snacks delivered too early so they don't sit and rot all day.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thanks for watching and commenting. We definitely learned that lesson and just got off our latest Haven experience. Have a great weekend. Emma & Jack

[@martygivens6726]

We did an Alaska trip in the Haven a few years ago, while we were in Glacier Bay someone left the outdoor entrance to the Haven deck open so random people starting filtering in - I told them all they have to leave and I'm sure they all thought I was a jerk - but I paid for this perk and you didn't- so get off my lawn!

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Haha! I probably would have done the same thing! The New Yorker in me would have come out! You payed a lot more for that perk. Surprised NCL employees didn’t say anything.

[@carriepohlman2453]

This is one of the best reviews I've seen on the Haven experience. Thanks for the info!!

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thank you so much for the feedback. We actually decided to book the Haven on the new Prima ship for January 2023 so looking forward to comparing. If you haven’t already, we would really appreciate it if you could hit that subscribe button. We will continue to have weekly vlogs coming out around our trips both on land and sea and really any other way to travel. Hope you have a great weekend! Thanks Emma and Jack

[@lindawoody8501]

Maybe in the future if you do choose the Haven, you could inform your Butler of when you would prefer snacks and which type. Perhaps the Butler could arrange for a snack delivery to the lounge for you or in your cabin's refrigerator if that is better and needed.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

We will be doing the Haven again in January (on the Prima) so we will probably try and communicate with our butler a little more! I know our friends we made, said the same thing and they have done the Haven a lot!

[@brodieellis2545]

This is a super vlog thank you so much. We are on the Breakaway in the Haven in a couple of weeks. This video is so helpful. Can you let me know who you tipped not how much just who? Thanks!

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Glad this is helping yal out. We tipped the butler, room steward, Haven concierge and the Haven bartender. We would also leave a few dollars in the restaurant every time we had a meal. Let us know if you have any questions and enjoy your trip. If you haven’t already subscribed, if you don’t mind we would really appreciate it.

[@TheKennedysTravelChannel]

I don't know whether your boarding experience was peculiar to the port as we have never sailed from a US port, but our last Haven cruise was from Piraeus (Athens, Greece). We arrived at the port (no lounge) and were met as we got off the coach and were escorted straight into the port and handed our room cards, we didn't go to a check-in desk other than for 30 seconds to get the cards, and were then escorted through security and onto the ship. From arriving at the port to stepping onto the ship probably took just over ten minutes, so it's not all bad! We are sailing on the new Viva from Civitavecchia in a couple of months so it will be interesting to check out the boarding process there. Thanks for the video though.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

We have only traveled from US ports in the Haven. Not all had a separate room as some just roped off a Haven area and had you wait until they were ready. Emma & Jack

[@karensorbello142]

Personally for me i would book the Haven or the Retreat. I have mobilty and walking problem. I don't do well in large crowds. I'm afraid of being pushed and falling. But i want to enjoy the activities. Just the pool alone is a treat for me.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

That is a great point. Thank you for sharing your reasoning. Emma & Jack

[@wc6975]

great video... no crap, just some sincere information. The budget definately will determine this for most, as the Haven is expensive.💰💰💰💰💰

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Appreciate it. We will always be unbiased and straight forward. Emma & Jack

[@186bingo]

Taking our first NCL trip in May in the Haven. Thank you so much for the detailed review. What is a good tip for the Haven crew on a 7 day cruise? Like $10 a day per different role?

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thanks so much. $10-15 per day per person is a good budget.

[@rodneyscales2648]

They don’t put snacks in the solo lounge at night. I didn’t want to go to the Local.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

We think that NCL could really benefit by more snacking location options in total. It adds such a nice, interactive setting for the cruisers interact with their fellow cruisers. Appreciate you giving us the context for solo cruisers as neither of us have ever done that. We will have more reviews coming out as well in the future for other cruises and experiences. If you haven’t already, we would really appreciate you subscribing. Have a great week.

[@dnw9181]

My family and I are avid Cruise goers as they say. But for us it's truly a lifestyle. We have been loyal devout patrons of NCL since the 1970s. Our relationship with the company is simply sublime and superlative within every category. I sincerely and truly can say that it has been an honor to have experienced the evolution of this cruise line. We do have a perspective we have traveled and sailed on all the other competitors within the industry throughout our days. And we have been very blessed and fortunate to have these experiences to the point that we are diamonds and platinum and beyond repeat passengers on some of these alternative cruise lines. As for the others it has been interesting to watch them evolve as well they have grown exponentially and not always bigger is better. We've experienced them all at their peak and also as they declined. But NCL has continued a trajectory of simply going up-and-up. The customer service and treatment Of their passengers is simply beyond. They surpass what we've experienced on more exclusive premium Ships. Without A doubt I know that when I leave the ship I am skipping down the gangway due to the fact I had an incredible holiday and travel experience. Your pros and cons were interesting to hear. But simply all you need to do is ask I think many of your concerns and issues would have been resolved immediately. The entire team and crew aboard NCL'S ships go above and beyond Consistently. To alleviate any of your future travels whether it is on their fleet of ships or their competitors and you are once again traveling in a high end or premium category or cabin . You should simply prepare a preference sheet and hand it to your Butler upon arrival, Problem resolved. We are booked on the new fleet of the Prima class ships Which we can hardly wait to experience. See you in the "Haven" P.S No we have never experienced what you seem to have endured at check in. Ironically we were Back on the Encore as well this past Alaskan season.🤔 ❤️NCL

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thanks so much for sharing you experiences as a well traveled cruiser. We historically haven’t done many cruise vacations but have more planned now especially with having a family. The truth is the cons are the hardest thing to come up with because you are right the crew is great and tries their hardest to make your experience memorable. Hope you enjoy our upcoming trip vlogs. And we have already booked the Prima Haven for January of next year. If you see us in the Haven, please come say hi. We would love to meet our subscribers in person. Emma & Jack

[@lauragwillim1055]

Like you say, NCL always one ups themselves. I really love the layout of the breakaway and breakaway plus class ships. But that Prima looks like no other ship I’ve ever seen!

[@lindsayslivealittle]

We are excited to try out the Prima and compare it to other Havens.

[@skiippys]

just was on encore as my first cruise to alaska was amazing let me just say that

[@lindsayslivealittle]

@@skiippys glad you enjoyed your trip. Let’s us know in the comments on our videos what your experiences were. And if you haven’t, please hit that subscribe button. We haven’t traveled much on cruise ships but a few coming up so as we learn and experience more hopefully it helps plan your next cruise or trip. Thanks, Emma & Jack Live a Little

[@justinyoung6403]

Maybe if you had responded to the concierge email you wouldn't have had issues with dairy based snacks. I know you said it's a nit pick, but I feel like that's on you.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

We actually let them know in the pre-cruise concierge email. But we know next time to just double check on Day 1 with the Butler to make sure everything is passed along. Thanks for watching. Emma & Jack

[@TheKennedysTravelChannel]

Only a very small comment, but we travelled in a Haven Owner's Suite a while back and the mini bar was free for us and the Butler filled it with anything we wanted and refilled it every day at no charge, so I think there are differences in what you get depending on the category of your suite.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thanks for sharing. We learned that after filming our video but that is a great bonus for the owners suite! Thanks to watching and commenting. Emma & Jack

[@dominicalbarez7651]

Could you send my wife and I a list of what we can use the butler for.? We are going to be first time Haven cruisers. Thank you so much.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

This is honestly the toughest question we get. We typically use the butler for a few things: private dinner/breakfast in our room, special requests for our room (i.e. snack, drinks, coffee and tea), and any other special requests we have for our room. However, others get laundry expeditors, shoes shined and clothes pressed. You can also use your butler to through a party in your room, escort you to dinner if your running late, and drinks delivered throughout the ship. You can really ask for anything and if they can’t do it they will let you know. Also make sure to use the concierge as they handle all your reservations. That is one thing that the butler is not in charge of. Have a great trip. Emma & Jack

[@RBXChas]

I just came across your video, and it's very helpful, especially if you've never cruised the Haven before! I recently booked our second Haven cruise for me, my husband, and our two kids in a 2BR suite. We were on the Getaway previously, and our next one will be on the Epic. Anyhow, one little perk that we didn't expect to use was that little bit of help when one of our kids got a stomach bug mid-cruise. We alerted the concierge in case there was anything the medical staff needed us to do (there was nothing), but concierge must've alerted our butler because he brought "easy" snacks for when our son was able to start eating again. He also bent over backwards to bring us Haven restaurant food in our cabin so that we didn't inadvertently spread illness to anyone else. The concierge was also amazing in getting us refunds on our excursion for that day as well as the next day, because we wanted to give him a break after being sick. (Thankfully, nobody else got sick.) We cruised out of Port Canaveral, and the port staff screwed us all up with not understanding that we were in the Haven even though we told them we were. When we finally found the Haven "gatekeeper", she didn't believe us because the person we'd been led to had given us non-Haven keycards. The Haven staff had to go fix it after the fact, though they were very gracious about it. My advice is to tell every port staff member you encounter that you are in the Haven so that they will know where to lead you. Do not be shy about it, even though you might feel like a jerk constantly announcing it! That said, we got spoiled by cruising in the Haven and can't imagine cruising any other way. We are introverts and enjoy quiet, so it was our literal haven for when we were overwhelmed with the noise and crowds on the rest of the ship. To us it is worth the money. We don't have time for a lot of vacations due to our work, so the times we do go, we don't mind spending more to get that experience.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thanks for watching and sharing your experience . The concierges are amazingly helpful to just relieve stress when you are vacationing. Can’t put a dollar value on it but the piece of mind is something that is incredible. Emma & Jack

[@LuisLarrazabal-f5o]

We are booked in the same room style that you had for this video. Did you feel like you were too far away from the Haven area? They have us on the 11th deck for our cruise. Thanks!

[@lindsayslivealittle]

We didn’t feel it was too far away and really like our room. It isn’t as convenient to get a drink randomly during the day if you want from the Haven bar but it also forced us to experience more of the ship and the overall experience. We hope you enjoy!

[@craigpetersen2757]

Thanks for the help with Pros/Cons. Not sure we will do the Haven, but it gives us some "food for thought". Thanks.....

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thanks for watching and commenting. If you see a good deal for a trip your booking it is definitely worth it. Emma & Jack

[@dancingfishfish]

I always look at the price and because you spend so little time in your room and on the ship (excursions) I wonder if its worth it?

[@lindsayslivealittle]

It definitely depends on the total trip. For some locations it may not be worth it if you are off the ship everyday, but if you are traveling to locations with several sea days and cruising days it adds so much to the total relaxing experience. Emma & Jack

[@broncobill3902]

A bar in the lounge would be nice but the bar is very close and for us, the Haven lounge was never even close to being crowded…..ever. But I do agree with the port lounge overview.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

True and the new Prima class ships have larger and additional bars!

[@richardz481]

Hi !! Great Review. Liked and subscribed ! I read in the comments below that you are booked on the Prima in January 2023. So are we (Jan 29th). Unfortunately not in Haven :( Still, hope to meet you :)

[@lindsayslivealittle]

We really appreciate the like, comment and subscribe. It means a lot as we try to build out our channel. We would love to meet up on the cruise and excited to meet any of our subscribers. We can plan out as we get closer to our cruise. Emma & Jack

[@keithmalatesta7660]

Good video. We just booked a 7 night western Caribbean on The Joy, Haven Family Suite. (Mom, Dad, Son 13, Daughter 12) for spring break in March! Super excited!

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed our review. We hope you and your family have a great vacation! Let us know if you have any questions. Emma & Jack Live a Little

[@jodilynn2767]

Everything they brought to your room breakfast is all that free of charge or do you tip them when they bring it or just tip at the end

[@lindsayslivealittle]

We typically only tip at the end however there are people who choose to tip throughout the cruise for things like food delivery. It is really up to you. Emma & Jack

[@rholuxe9998]

Every port has different haven setups. Miami is amazing. Seattle middle of the road. Athens Greece no lounge at all. You wait outside in the Covid tent until they r ready. LA lounge was a room with chairs but not a lounge. Agree it is strange and honestly all our haven experiences have had very different levels of service.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Appreciate the feedback on some of the other Haven ports. We think that is really something they could work on the maximize the experience.

[@lauragwillim1055]

Can you expand on your service In the haven? How did it vary.? Which ship had your favorite Haven?

[@NotSoAmazing]

Great video! My wife and I are booked in the Haven for the first time this coming January. Looking forward to it!

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thanks so much. We hope you enjoy it! Emma & Jack

[@thomasjackson2498]

I cruised to Alaska in September on the Spirit, which doesn't have a separate Haven area. But got the Haven service! In October, I cruised from Quebec to Boston on the Pearl, which does have a Haven. I'm sold! If you can afford it, cruise in the Haven!

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Glad to have you as a Have convert like us. Hope you get to enjoy another trip soon. We just got off a Royal Suite class trip so be on the lookout for our newest videos where we compare the Haven vs Royal Sky class. Emma & Jack Live a Little

[@marionlogan6069]

Speaking of tips, would it make sense to go to customer service and remove tips from your bill and go with the option to in person tipping instead? That way, your tips go to your attendees.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

That is tough to answer. If you plan to only use the Haven, then it would be an option. However, there is so much unseen support staff that relies on those pooled tips outside of the Haven that we wouldn’t necessarily suggest doing that. Hope that helps. Emma & Jack

[@jnbond]

Thank you for sharing these insights. Am looking at a NCL Joy Haven room for a Caribbean/Mexico cruise. This video was very helpful for those of us who thrive on more information versus less. God Bless!

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thank you for watching and commenting. Glad our review could help you! Have a great vacation and get ready to be pampered for a week! Emma & Jack Live a Little

[@karlavassy9133]

Thank you so much for this! I think we just may book The Haven on the Bliss this year!!! Plus, you two are so sweet and kind and I enjoyed your review. =)

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thank you so much for watching and leaving such a nice comment. Glad it could help! We are traveling in the Haven again in early May to see if things have adjusted post Covid so be on the look out for an updated video. We hope you have a great week and vacation! Emma & Jack

[@barbarahagelberg1135]

If you thought embarkation was uncomfortable , you should see Boston, metal chairs, very close together, and uncomfortable. Just my opinion, but I think the Haven is or should be only on the newer ships. Older ships don’t have the luxury as the newer ships.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

That does not sound like a great start to cruising in Boston. We haven’t been on the older ships but just based on what we experienced on the Encore, we completely agree it should only be on the newer ships. We are in the Haven on the Prima in January so looking forward to see how they have improved the overall experience. Emma & Jack Live a Little

[@JosephDickersonUX]

Done the Haven twice - First on the Encore, Second on the Breakaway. I put a bid to upgrade for the first and called two weeks before the cruise to upgrade the second time. The Encore Haven was FANTASTIC. The Breakaway, not as much (the concierge was not as helpful). Going on the Joy next month, and already have three bids to upgrade. If I don't win any I will call before sailing to see if I can get upgraded (the 'upgrade" cost is usually a lot lower the closer you get to the cruise). If you can afford it, it is SOOO worth it... But try to do the upgrade path to save some $$. AND the butler will do special requests. Want extra nespresso capsules? Love smoked salmon for breakfast? Done.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thanks for sharing your experience. We will have to try that in our next non Haven cruise. We have booked on the Prima Haven for January next year to compare. Hopefully they have taken all the current learnings and designed an even better experience. Good luck on your upgrade for the Joy and have a great time. If you haven’t already, please hit that subscribe button so you can get alerted when our next Haven trip is up as well as our other suite experiences are up.

[@mozimzim]

This will be our first experience with NCL. Just got an e-mail to bid for upgrade on the Encore to Alaska. Do all the benefits of Haven apply when you win a bid? this is all new to me. Thank you for the videos. I just found you guys and am looking forward to seeing all the Encore videos for more information!

[@JosephDickersonUX]

@@mozimzim Yes, except you don't get the early concierge service via phone.

[@donvin999]

Liked and subscribed because you asked so nicely.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thank you much. It means a lot to us and hope you enjoy our new vlogs coming out every Wednesday! Emma & Jack

[@whiskywillie]

How much tipping for butler and concierge? we are doing the Med cruise this September and arestaying on The Haven Suite. Thanks for your great review!

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Typically we budget $15-20 per day for each for tip. It really is dependent on your personal experience though. Appreciate you watching and commenting and hope you have an amazing time. Emma & Jack

[@whiskywillie]

Thanks Emma! I will certainly take care of them! Safe travels!!!

[@bababourbon4366]

We booked a cabin on the Norwegian bliss in the Haven. our penthouse is on the 13th floor. Do you think that’s an issue at all. I got the forward facing penthouse. I liked it because it had a door separating the bedroom. Will the 13th floor be good or do you think I need to try to upgrade to a family suite. Just two of us.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

I think you booked a perfect room. Especially for 2 people. The 12th and 14th floors are both cabins so noise shouldn’t be a problem and the views out the front and side of the ship are just amazing in the forward facing cabins. We hope you enjoy you trip. We have booked the Haven on the Prima for January to do a good comparison of what it is like on the new ships. If you haven’t, hit the subscribe button so you can see more of our reviews. We really appreciate it and let us know if you have any other questions as you plan your trip. Emma and Jack

[@JoieNsk]

Thank you very much for the video! Sorry, you might have answered this question in your video already. But we never sailed NCL before, so I might have missed here. Is the bar in the Haven area included, or is it upcharge? We are not big drinkers, so we are not paying for any drink package - it just doesn't worth it for us. The cabin we are booked into is Haven 2-bedroom family one on Epic. Thank you in advance!

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thanks for watching and commenting! If you booked the Haven and took all the free at seas then it is included. If you decided not to take beverage portion of the free at sea then there will be a charge. Typically drinks are anywhere between $7-10 for beer to $10-20 for cocktails depending on what you want. We hope you have a blast and we recently stayed in a 2 bedroom on the Encore and really enjoyed it. That specific video will be coming out in the next few weeks. Emma & Jack

[@JoieNsk]

@@lindsayslivealittle Thank you! Really appreciate fast response!

[@ericf1451]

This is the first video of your I have seen. My wife and I are big fans of the Haven. We successfully bid up to the Haven on a Baltic cruise and fell in love experience. You should note that the Haven originated on the NCL Epic and NCL has improved it with each new class of ship. They have installed "Havens" on older ships but they don't have the exclusive Haven area including the restaurant and I believe are a lesser overall experience. The four Breakaway Plus ship Havens include the wonderful outdoor dining area and the beautiful lounge looking out the front of the ship.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

This was our first Haven trip. We honestly didn’t know exactly what to expect. Glad to hear your perspective of the other ships and how it has only gotten better.

[@newktz993]

On the Norwegian joy the haven lounge has a bar your ship didn’t have one

[@lindsayslivealittle]

On the encore the bar is located in the Haven lounge. I think we may have misspoke in the video there is no bar in the observation area.

[@robohs6030]

just booked a 14 day Trans Atlantic in November on Encore in the Haven. curious if you have advice on tipping amounts for Haven staff. I realize its subjective, just looking for a baseline.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

First we hope you enjoy. A transatlantic is on our list to experience. As for tipping, we usually budget $15/day foe the butler, $10/day for the concierge and room steward and $5-10/day for the bartender. Hope this helps. Emma & Jack

[@robohs6030]

Thank you so much! You actually inspired us to book the Haven.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

@@robohs6030🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@donnapoirier]

Do they still offer a little bowl of snack food like pretzels, fish crackers when having a drink in the bar? Or did this end with covid?

[@lindsayslivealittle]

They did offer nuts and popcorn some nights which was nice. Each person or couple had there own cup and they cleaned up and served fresh to new people.

[@mr.balloffur]

We are going to Mexico in 2024, we can't wait, never cruised before.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

You will enjoy every second! It is like first class service all the time. Hope you enjoy your trip! Emma & Jack

[@jacobelliott3160]

Thank you. That was a great honest review. We’ve been debating on whether or not to book it. I really appreciate your help and advice.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thanks for watching and leaving such a nice comment! We honestly went in thinking we would not think the price was worth it but left more impressed than we could have believed. It is honestly what led to this channel and now our reviews of the other suite classes. Have a great week. Emma & Jack Live a Little

[@elainedoyle-gillespie6035]

We always made fun of the Haven and people in it....but then a few years ago, I came across this amazing deal for a room in the Haven. It was a short cruise from Vancouver to LA. The Haven experience was incredible and my daughter cannot stop talking about all of it. We had booked another Haven cabin for May 2020 and it was cancelled. When trying to rebook it, the price almost doubled....so we are not in the Haven for our upcoming cruise. We already know we are going to miss all the perks, especially the quiet pool area. Like you, we made friends at the bar and my daughter at the pool. We did not have that bad Haven check-inlounge experience. We had our own separate line and then there was a tiny little waiting area with some basic food and drink and then we got right on the ship very quickly.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

The Haven is an amazing experience if you can find a great deal and afford it! I understand why people make fun of people in the Haven and we even were making comments before our cruise. I am so sorry to hear that your cruise got canceled in 2020! And I am also very sorry you weren't able to stay in the Haven when you went to rebook it! That's a shame! Hopefully you will be able to enjoy it again in the future. I am so glad to hear that you had a very smooth experience when getting on the boat! Thank you so much for letting me know! Hopefully that was just a Seattle issue and doesn't happen on our other trips! Would love it if you could subscribe to my channel!

[@stretchwithmike981]

What did you guys tip your butler. I have no idea?

[@lindsayslivealittle]

We budget $15-20/day for the butler. Emma & Jack

[@cherylbourgerie8868]

Great video. I'm booked in a family suite in The Haven section later this year and am always on the lookout for reviews specific to that area. I was happy to see the cons were relatively minor. We're doing the Mexican Riviera so we won't have to deal with the Seattle terminal :)

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thanks for watching and enjoying the content. We hope you have a great time during your trip! Emma & Jack Live a Little

[@BarefootBeachBling]

How much did you cruise cost? How many days?

[@lindsayslivealittle]

It was a 7 night Alaskan cruise and roughly $10K.

[@lizarichards2243]

Tips for Haven passengers absolutely do go to SOME of the employees there... bartenders, servers, cabin steward. That's why the tips are more in the Haven vs outside the Haven. But, not your butler or concierge. But, we give more cash to all of them anyway.

[@ajtam05]

Awesome breakdown. Appreciate this! Was debating between Club Suite and Haven. Def going to do Haven, but now I'm wondering if I should book the Club Suite and put in a bid for the Haven. Haha...but not sure if it's worth the risk of not getting it.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thank you for watching! Hope you subscribed! I think it is definitely a risk to hope to upgrade but if booking it outright is out of your budget then definitely can’t hurt to try. I have seen some Havens being sold out before sail away.

[@robdigma8609]

hello, thanks for some excellent videos. one thing. you mentioned that we should give a good tip to the butler and concierge but now ncl automatically adds a $25 per person per day charge for haven rooms. So the extra tip you mentioned, is that in addition to the $25 per person per day they charge?

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thanks for watching and commenting. The $25 per day/pp does not go to the concierge or the butler. That specific service charge goes to the general pool of tips which the Haven specific attendants are not part. We suggest tipping the Haven concierge and your butler based on your experiences and usage of their expertise. Suggest budgeting $10-20/day for each (i.e. butler and concierge).

[@robdigma8609]

@@lindsayslivealittle thank you very much. very clear

[@bethsaraza3956]

Yes for us it’s worthy..

[@rebeccajacobs4885]

What do you recommend for tips for the haven butler and room Steward?

[@lindsayslivealittle]

That is one of the hardest questions to answer and it is really dependent on your interactions and experience with each individual. This was our first Haven cruise and had no idea on what to budget so we planned on $150 for each (steward, butler and concierge) but increased for both the room steward and concierge due to how helpful they were.

[@broncobill3902]

The Haven bar area is my favorite place to hangout at the end of the day. Such great bartenders and great atmosphere. Highly recommend. Our last Haven trip was to Alaska and we had the aft suite…..the one with the giant balcony on the outside corner of the rear of the ship. This is the best on an Alaskan cruise for whale watching and taking in the scenery.

[@sambrill9305]

Well done video; great content, pacing, delivery, and video. I found it helpful and enjoyable to watch!

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thank you so much! That really means so much to me! Appreciate it!

[@andrewhimes1923]

Our first time on NCL. Haven is sold out so we’re hoping for a miracle!

[@lindsayslivealittle]

We will keep our fingers crossed. But know you will having an amazing trip no matter the outcome! Emma & Jack

[@andrewhimes1923]

@@lindsayslivealittle I actually called NCL directly after bidding on the haven didn’t work. Got lucky as a haven cabin was available! Amazing!

[@talbright101]

We just did the Encore Alaska cruise in July. Loved it, as well. Check in for us was great! No line. In the waiting area maybe 45 minutes before we were escorted on board. I guess it varies from week to week. Haven was totally worth it, just like you said. My only suggestion was that a little variety in the Haven restaurant menu would be great. Thanks for your review!

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thanks for the feedback from your experience. I think we would agree on the variety or possibly adding a daily special to add some flare to the Haven restaurant. We actually just booked our next Haven trip for Feb on the prima. We really want to see if they have taken the learnings from the Haven on other class ships and maximized it on the Prima. If you haven’t already, we would really appreciate it if you could subscribe to see how our experiences go moving forward and would love to continue to hear what your experience are. Thanks, Emma & Jack - Live a Little

[@beverlycollins8634]

Very informative!

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thank you!

[@trowan9495]

A few questions: Which ship were you on? Which Haven level room did you have? What were the prepaid gratuities for haven level. Meaning concierge butler etc How did you find the Haven longe at port if there were no sign? Could you mention the items the bulter can do that you wish you had known in advance.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

First thanks for watching! Answers below: Ship - Encore Haven Level - Forward-facing penthouse with bedroom Gratuities - believe ours were $18 per person/per day; however, the butler and concierge are not included in that tip pool so you have to budget extra for them (about $20 per day for each of those - that is total not by each person in the room) Lounge at Port - Honestly we just got in line with everyone else until some came around and asked if anyone was Haven. They did have signs but weren’t put out yet Butler services - they will deliver a drink to you anywhere on the ship from the Haven bar; they will set up a party in your room if you want to surprise your significant other; they will run a bath for you and have it ready at a set time; they can customize your daily snacks in your room to exactly what you like Let us know if you have any more questions. Emma & Jack

[@trowan9495]

When you had meals delivered to your room did you pay a room service charge or was that included in bulter service? Thank you for responding so quickly. One thing I would like to mention that you did really well was cover the Haven dining room. I will 100% try those crab cakes. 🙂🦀

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thanks so much! The room service is included at no additional cost and you can order from the main dining room or the Haven restaurant for room service.

[@RodBourne]

The answer is no.....

[@lindsayslivealittle]

As the costs keep going up and benefits get cut, we can see your point. Ours is based on our experience on that trip and was almost 2 years ago. Emma & Jack

[@cruzinandcashin]

We love the Haven. Unfortunately we also sail a lot.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

That does make it tough. It is sort of like flying business/first class overseas. It is hard to ever go back to economy! Emma & Jack Live a Little

[@marciabeyer4518]

Great video!! Looking into booking the Encore Haven AFT Penthouse large balcony for Alaska. Did you like Royal or this cruise better?

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thank you so much for the nice comment! We really appreciate you enjoying our vlog. We really liked NCL. It is tough to compare the 2 though as they target different customers. Royal is more kid friendly with their activities and NCL feels a bit more targeted to adults with still some options for children. What I will say is that with NCL’s Free at Sea program we feel you get a better bag for your buck as stuff like drinks are included in your cruise fare. Stops unwanted surprises. Let us know what exactly your looking for in a cruise and would be glad to recommend or provide more specific feedback. Emma & Jack Live a Little

[@marciabeyer4518]

@@lindsayslivealittle good to know about RC. We have been on there 1x but with kids. I really think this Encore is beautiful! How did you book your trip? Through NCL?

[@lindsayslivealittle]

@@marciabeyer4518 we booked directly with NCL. There is a good NCL Haven travel agent named Lower Latitudes that does usually have benefits for booking with them.

[@RetC130Nav]

Super video, thanks! Mel

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thank you so much. We hope you have a great week! Emma & Jack Live a Little

[@ricksher1320]

I am thinking about surprising my wife and putting in a bid to upgrade from a club suite to a haven spa suite. How much is considered proper to tip the butler and concierge per person per day. Having never had a butler or concierge I don't want is appropriate and I don't want to be cheap but at the same time don't want to break the bank.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

That would be an amazing surprise. We typically budget $20-25/day for the Butler and $10-15/day for the concierge. It can go up and down based on our experience with the crew but most the time that is where we net out.

[@ricksher1320]

@@lindsayslivealittle And that is on top of the $25 a day per person that we plan on prepaying, correct?

[@lindsayslivealittle]

@@ricksher1320 that is correct. The $25/day goes to the general employee tip pool. The Haven specific employees are not part of the general tip pool.

[@ricobhi]

Thanks for this video! I really appreciated hearing your perspective because you two seem kind of like me when it comes to cruising, especially with not being experienced at cruising or really knowing how to leverage the butler situation (I'm also a non-dairy person so thanks for that pro tip). Plus, thanks for giving a realistic review of the check-in experience. Other videos make it seem like a breeze, but I would be very uncomfortable being stuffed in a room with a bunch of people for 2 hours, especially if I didn't anticipate it!

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thanks Rico. We really appreciate the comments and subscription. We both are really new to the cruise experience having only done a few our entire lives. Our goal is going to be showing multiple options on how to travel and tidbits to help the experience. We have such a beautiful world that we hope everyone can experience whether it is local or international. I have been dairy intolerant for a few years now and know it is a growing concern with people traveling. We will make sure we highlight more options/ideas with respect to that in future videos. Hope you enjoy your travels and our videos of the rest of our planned trips this year. If you ever have any questions, feel free to comment or email us.

[@fondmemories4947]

The haven lounge in NYC is a small 15 × 20 room. People standing everywhere. There are only chairs a little better than ones at a rent a hall. People would kill for the Seattle lounge!

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Appreciate the feedback on the NYC Haven. We were actually looking at cruises out of there this weekend and glad to know not to expect anything better at port than what we had in Seattle.

[@fondmemories4947]

@@lindsayslivealittle actually we haven't been there since 2020 so they may have improved it. We are going to Bermuda at the end of the month so I'll be able to tell you for sure.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

@@fondmemories4947 let us know if anything changes. Hope yal enjoy your trip. Getting out there an “Living a Little”.

[@jackiefordham3554]

How much did you spend on this trip

[@lindsayslivealittle]

For the cruise part alone, it was roughly 30% more than a traditional balcony cabin for Alaska. We have seen it much higher than that but we found the best price being in May or September. Those are the beginning and end of the seasons. If you would like the exact detailed breakdown, feel free to email us at [e-mail]. Emma & Jack Live a Little

[@websterrussell7969]

An FYI, not a complaint Cool it on older people. Dee and I are 75+ and we cruise a lot. We have been around the world twice and been to 90+ countries. We go on excursions as do others. In short, old people don’t always sit and read.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

I am so sorry it came across that way. We in no way meant anything negative and really appreciate your feedback and will do better to communicate our reviews.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

We hope moving forward you keep watching our channel and help us better communicate our reviews to a broader audience. Your feedback is what we need to do our endeavor better Thanks, Emma and Jack

[@TheCshort01]

Great Video, thanks.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thank you much for watching our video and the comment. Glad you enjoyed the review. Have a happy new year! Emma & Jack Live a Little

[@nicktrader03]

Great video and thank you for sharing yoru experiences and feedback. My question is for you or any of your readers regarding the Haven and the "upgrade" options. We have booked our first NCL Trip leaving from SEA for Alaska. 2 rooms (family of 5); 1 balcony and 1 interior. Started looking 01/2023.. saw some great prices.. when on RCL cruise in 02/2023 (yes Royal, we actually really like them)... Decided to do Alaska after going on RCL. Booked NCL because everyone said it was the best for Alaska. Booked in mid March on a fair price (not as cheap as when I was looking in 01/2023). Nonetheless, My questions is.. Was looking to "bid" on the Have that sleeps 6 so my entire family can stay. Does anyone know if this is allowed? I would assume so? NCL says they only charge for 2 on the upgrade. Also for those who did the call in for the upgrade.. How long before your cruise date did you call them to see if you can upgrade? ie: 24 hours before? Also for the bidding process, can you submit multiple bids even if you got denied on the first? Sorry for the long message. TYIA

[@lindsayslivealittle]

1st off we hope you have a great vacation to Alaska. Now for your specific questions: - The bidding process does not allow you to move from 2 rooms to 1 room. The bidding process is attached to the booked single room. - When bidding to upgrade you are only charged for 2 guests if you win the bid. - For calling to upgrade, would suggest in your situation to call before final payment is made to understand the options. After final payment is made you would be looking at some loss as combining reservation to larger room is looked to as canceling one of the rooms. However, if you call NCL directly and speak with a representative usually they will work with you to receive the loss as some sort of credit. - For a single reservation that you want to upgrade to the Haven, we would suggest calling around 30 days before your trip to understand the options. A lot of time the Haven books fully before the bidding review so just keep that in mind. Emma & Jack

[@nicktrader03]

@@lindsayslivealittle Thank you for your reply. Yes makes sense. I guess I can ask for the refund/loss as a credit; but I was also thinking the cost of the interior room would just be a "cost" if i was able to get the Haven 2BR. Then i can move my entire family into the upgraded 2BR Haven. The interior room would just be there and empty. :) lol not sure, just trying to see what would be the best and "cheapest" option.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

You can do that but know that if you do that then only the people that are in the room that was upgraded have access to the Haven amenities. So the people in the other cabin don’t have access to the haven lounge, restaurant, and sun deck! Hope that helps. Live a little Emma & Jack

[@nodentures4u]

@@lindsayslivealittle We are booked for the Haven Aft suite. We will be traveling with other family members who will be staying in Balcony Suites. Will it be possible to bring guests into the Haven Lounge or courtyard? TIA

[@lindsayslivealittle]

@@nodentures4u it will be dependent on your concierge. Technically they are are only allowed to go to your room but for an extra fee they may be able to join you in the Haven restaurant.

[@randalldobson1589]

Thanks! My wife Ann and I are heading out on Bliss this week in Haven suite and your videos were very helpful and interesting! Thanks! Randall

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thank you so much! We hope you have an amazing time in Alaska!

[@tamikanealy-farmbry773]

I love the Haven

[@lindsayslivealittle]

We could not agree more! Emma & Jack Live a Little

[@aliciamersdorf4426]

This is very helpful!

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thank you very much. Glad it could be helpful. Emma & Jack Live a Little

[@lynnleipold2617]

Thanks!

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thank you so much. We really appreciate it! Our weekend just got even better. Emma & Jack Live a Little

[@mukkaar]

I don't really care for high end room or priority boarding, but service, food, drinks and exclusive space definitely seems worth it.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Agree. Then room space was nice because of the type of trip Alaska was, but the service, food and exclusivity is what truely made it worth it for us. We are going to try some more suite experiences on other lines and ships in the coming months to give a comparison across the board hopefully.

[@dianewalker5921]

how much should you tip the Butler?

[@lindsayslivealittle]

It really depends how much you use your butler. Ours we didn’t use too much and we had very few requests so we did $15-20 per day of the cruise. Speaking to other patrons it is really all over the board. You end up tipping a few people: Concierge, Butler, Room Steward, Haven Bartender and haven restaurant staff. Emma & Jack

[@dianewalker5921]

Thank You so much. I couldn't find and answer anywhere.

[@edwardf5071]

Your videos are great what is cost of the lowest cabin type for Haven thanks

[@lindsayslivealittle]

We appreciate it! That is really dependent on where, when and what ship you are going on; however it can be as cheap as $1500-$2000 per person. Emma & Jack

[@joanizaccaro3839]

Thank you for the informative review. Our TA told us the tip we are paying ahead of time included butlers and everyone else on advance. Thank God I listened to this video and got this information. What do you think would be a good butler tip for the day? Bartender? Concierge? Etc.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

When we talked to other Haven guests the Butler and Concierge tips were all across the board and really depends on how much you need their help. Would suggest budgeting about $15-20/day each for butler and concierge and adjusting based on your interactions. For the bartender would suggest around $40-50 for the entire trip. This is 100% up to each Haven cruiser and we spoke to some cruisers who tipped more and less than that amount but is probably a good starting point. Hope you enjoy your Haven experience. We just booked our next Haven trip yesterday for Halloween of this year. Emma & Jack Live a Little

[@debramorel3649]

@@lindsayslivealittle Thank you so much from someone that truly has no idea. And that goodness I saw this video.

[@chriswright6817]

The extra time in the pre-cruise lounge, could have been related to a delay in the ship returning, and or customs clearing the ship for new guests, there could have been a coast guard “safety issue”.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

That’s a good point! I didn’t think of that! Thanks for watching!

[@terryk1260]

Free at Sea isn’t Haven-exclusive.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

That is 100% true but depending on the offer at any given time. The Haven is the class that guarantees you qualify for all the free at sea offers. Some of the other classes do not offer you all the free at sea promotions during certain booking times.

[@fc1114_]

What about laundry, is it unlimited and included?

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Laundry is not included. But they typically offer mid-cruise a bag you can fill up. You can stuff as much as you want in the bag for about $25. We are going back in the Haven in couple weeks so we will be doing an update vlog on our experience so will make sure to check any changes with the laundry. Thanks for watching. Emma & Jack

[@fc1114_]

@@lindsayslivealittle Thanks, sounds good. If I'm in the Haven I'll definitely be using the laundry.

[@IslandPrincess-w3t]

Now that you did yacht club and haven. What would u do again?!?

[@lindsayslivealittle]

We would do both again. However we the two were the same price and the same itinerary, we would pick the Haven over the Yacht Club.

[@IslandPrincess-w3t]

@@lindsayslivealittle you should do a comparison video between the 2;-)

[@lindsayslivealittle]

@@IslandPrincess-w3t that’s the plan. Keep an eye out for it!

[@lauragwillim1055]

I can’t believe you pay all those tips and it doesn’t go to the Haven staff. That makes no sense at all.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thanks for watching! Hope you enjoyed the video and subscribed! Yea it’s a shame that some of the tips you pay for when booking don’t go to the Haven staff.

[@michelealkins616]

I think that’s incorrect. I cruised Haven on the Joy in 2019 and it was made very clear that Haven bar staff got gratuities on drinks they served you if you had the drink package. And your room steward and restaurant servers get tips from the service charges. The Concierge, Haven restaurant maitre’d and butler, however, do not get part of the tip pool because they are salaried positions. So tips for them are not necessary. That being said, we do tip the butler (amount depends on how much we use them) and even give extra $150 to the room steward. Only tipped concierge a little depending on how much we used them. Again, they are salaried so tips are upside for them.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

@@michelealkins616 thanks for clarity there. It is one of the aspects of the Haven that we want to get more details on while on our next haven cruise in January.

[@michaelnorwood3633]

Fantastic review. Planning a haven cruise soon. This clinched the deal for me. Thank you

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thank you so much for the comment. We really appreciate it. Hope you have a fantastic adventure and be sure to let us know how you much you enjoy it! Emma & Jack Live a Little

[@enjoyslearningandtravel7957]

Are there any solo travelers in the Haven?

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Yes and we actually met a solo cruiser during our trip to Alaska. He said he does this every year for the pure relaxation that is the Haven as a solo traveler. It is a great experience because you and interact with the other Haven residents as much as want to and you can find a nice quiet corner if you are looking to enjoy the scenery and peace/quiet.

[@AndersonRyan2013]

Did you upgrade your drink package to the premium plus? Thanks!

[@lindsayslivealittle]

We did not upgrade the drinks package. You honestly get so much already included that it didn’t make sense to us. You get to spend up to $15 per alcohol drink and anything above you just pay the differential.

[@AndersonRyan2013]

@@lindsayslivealittle do you happen to remember if champagne is offered with the free drink package? Great video!!

[@lindsayslivealittle]

@@AndersonRyan2013 you can get glasses at the bars. It is limited options in the free at sea package but if you just want some bubbles they do have it available. Appreciate the comment. If you haven’t already, we would really appreciate it if you could subscribe. It means a lot to us and we have many more trip reviews coming out over the next few months. Have a great evening!

[@michelealkins616]

Really liked this video! Thank you! We cruised NCL Haven on the Joy in 2019 and recently on Pride of America in a suite (no haven on that ship). Getting ready to board the Joy in a Haven suite in a couple months so it was nice to brush up on what it’s like now, post-COVID. We’re going to pick a little later check in time to hopefully have little or no wait in the lounge.😆

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thanks we appreciate it. Hope yal enjoy your trip. Let us know how your experience goes. We are in the Haven on the Prima in late January to see how much they have improved the new class of ship. Emma & Jack

[@nancyfisher4123]

We will be in the haven for the first time just after Thanksgiving. Your videos are very helpful. Thank you.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thank you so much for the comment and watching our video. We hope you enjoy your vacation and have a great Haven experience! Would love to hear your thoughts on the Haven after your cruise. Emma & Jack Live a Little

[@joannekelly2578]

NCL told me that don't call or email anymore. :( What do you consider generous for a 7 day cruise for the butler, cabin steward, bartender and waiter?

[@lindsayslivealittle]

That is sad about the pre cruise call and email. As for tip, we typically budget $15-20 per person per day and then decide as the trip goes along on what we will tip. Emma & Jack

I’M IN THE HAVEN ON THE ESCAPE -- RIGHT NOW (4-15-24) , sailing from NYC TO ROME. I WOULDN’T GO ANY OTHER WAY. BUT I’M NOT GOING TO SAIL WITH NCL AGAIN. I’M GOING BACK TO PRINCESS, BECAUSE IT’S aBETTER VALUE AND ORIGINATES FROM SAN FRANCISCO, WHERE I LIVE.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

We haven’t been on Princess yet but look forward to one day being able to share that experience.

[@militaryfriendlyagents]

I was in the Haven on the Breakaway in September and we loved it. We will save this upgrade for once a year. Since I gamble I get a free club balcony suite when I cruise.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Well worth the saving for the experience! Emma & Jack Live a Little

[@jtburn7862]

Thank you for the great video. We are booked on a trip in the Haven on the Joy next July. After booking, my bad I found out about only over 18's on the Sundeck. We will have our 14 year old son with us and for us to miss out on this as a family may be too much. We were so looking forward to using this facility. We probably will be cancelling our booking and are exploring other options. I think they should at least have an area family's could use.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Thanks so much for watching our video. The only area in the Haven that doesn’t allow under 18 is the sun deck. Everywhere else in the haven is family friendly including the pool. The sun deck is designed very similar to the non-Haven adults only vibe beach club. We saw many families in the Haven during our trip and plenty of kids your sons age. Emma & Jack

[@Cha-y412]

We were on the Joy July 28th 2022 out of NYC to Bermuds as Haven guests. DONT STRESS BRINGING YOUR 14 YEAR OLD UP ON THE JOY HAVEN SUNDECK. There is nobody checking or any seperate gated manned by anyone checking ages. The Haven Sundeck has a few waiters and Cabana boys walking around and theyre not checking ages. * Note during the evening hours I did see a ships security walk thru . That was one in the evening after 8 pm There were several teenagers up on the sundeck and it appeared to me as long as there was not any unruly behavior --- NOBODY CARED. Younger Children were up there too and as long as they had adult supervision and not unruly -- NOBODY CARED. I wouldnt stress this issue at all. Check it out for yourselves.

[@jtburn7862]

Thank you for the info. That is great to hear. My Son will almost be 15 when we sail and probably taller than me then! I have seen somewhere that the limit is actually 16. I t will be so much nicer to share this space as a family. Thank you.

[@Cha-y412]

@@jtburn7862 I believe it is 16. Our Children are all adults and were not on the Joy this last trip. But the issue did come up with a family I befriended at the Haven pool with two pre teen girls. I told them also----- NOBODY CARES. They spent the afternoon up there.

[@samcolt1079]

NONE OF THESE TRIPS ARE WORTH IT. ARE YOU KIDDING.

[@lindsayslivealittle]

Our experience was we got what we paid for throughout the trip. Can you do it for significantly cheaper and still enjoy a great Alaska cruise; of course you can.

[@samcolt1079]

@@lindsayslivealittle ITS STILL THE SAME. NO THERE NOT WORTH IT.