Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Families with teens enjoy the ship, with the Entourage venue proving to be very popular with older children looking for a place to relax away from adults. Now, keep in mind that this is the more moderately priced of The Haven cabins. Hidden away at the top of the ship is The Haven by Norwegian, home to our most luxurious, well-appointed and spacious accommodations. Professional freelance writer and published indie author. How Many Cabins Are on The Norwegian Epic? Related: How to get the most from Norwegian's Latitudes Rewards loyalty program. The eateries include Nama, a new sushi restaurant for Norwegian with a high design that is as sophisticated as the sushi it serves. The regular Owners Suites can sleep up to four, while the Deluxe Owners Suites, some with two bedrooms, can hold six. Norwegian Cruise Line pioneered the concept of an exclusive suite enclave, complete with private sun deck and pool surrounded by the ship's top accommodations, in 2005, and adopted The Haven moniker in 2011. Such is the case on the Norwegian Gem, where Haven guests typically have special access to breakfast at Moderno and lunch in Cagneys, both of which are closed to other diners until dinnertime. With 28 bars and restaurants onboard, most people will have . The bottom line is that Norwegian Prima takes Norwegian cruising to new heights. We had one concierge who always managed to find where we were eating dinner and would stop by to see how we were doingbut also reminding us she could make all our dinner reservations (including MDR reservations). Will your entire party be able to sail in The Haven? In fact, NCL is known for its family friendly cruises and advantageous "Kids Sail Free" promotions. By For comparison, Seabourn Venture, the new ship that just debuted from luxury line Seabourn, is built for 264 passengers. Soon after, another staffer took us not only onboard the ship, but to an elevator which took us directly to The Haven. This is another part of the "elevation" of Norwegian Prima. Passengers are also loyal to Gem and will cruise on her regularly after their first. 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. American Express has expanded The Centurion Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. Ive then looked at the average score for each ship on those three sites to rank the ships in order. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, By The Norwegian Epic has 1912 cabins, 128 of which are studio cabins designed for solo cruisers. But mostly they are quibbles. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. In the bedroom, youll find a pillow-top mattress, fine linens and a feather duvet. But better-than-average pricing and a whole lotta accumulated Future Cruise Credits left me saying, Its now or never. (This despite having been warned by numerous people that once I experienced The Haven, Id never want to go back to regular cruising again.). Norwegian Cruise Line has some of the best cruise ships for families. Located in and amongst the enclave is the all-suite accommodation section of the Haven. There are views of the ocean and the opportunity to relax beside the private pools. Is Carnival or Norwegian better? The ultimate guide to Norwegian Cruise Line, Why I loved Norwegian Prima's ridiculously big go-kart track, How to get the most from Norwegian's Latitudes Rewards loyalty program, strange night out at Norwegian Prima's new Metropolitan Bar, my attempt to test every dish at its 11 venues in four days, The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship, The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship, A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines, 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly, 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Technically, The Haven is a very particular area accessible by a special keycard which on most ships contains a lounge area, bar, private pool and sundeck, restaurant and concierge desk. Celestyal Cruises Adds Former Ryndam Cruise Ship to Fleet, Live From Azamara Quest: a 17-Night Cruise from Australia to New Zealand. In a matter of minutes, you are escorted to the ship and onto an elevator. Get up to $300 back per calendar year on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. Additionally, if you wish to taste the fare from other eateries located throughout the ship, reservations are also available. I was impressed. You can find all of his dispatches on his authors page. $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. That said, guests may find themselves eating in the Haven restaurant (which is included) as opposed to specialty restaurants (which are not). It really is elevated. What Is the Norwegian Haven and Which Ship Has the Best One? At ports with deep water, the ship may anchor at the pier. Ship. After five days on board Norwegian Prima in advance of its first sailing with paying passengers, I am skeptical no more. These chef-prepared meals are available for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 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. That's 22% fewer people than Norwegian Encore. And, all those other passengers seem to disappear when you are taken to a private room filled with comfortable seating and snacks. So it feels a little harsh that this exciting, feature-packed ship is nearer the bottom of the list. It has a curvy, sculptural feel, as if the entire space were an art piece. I understand. A total of 630 guests have reviewed . Norwegian has been at the forefront of the trend of big-ship operators putting exclusive "ship within a ship" suite complexes on their vessels, and the line has taken the concept to the next level with Norwegian Prima. I cruised on this ship in 2014 and loved it! From the massive Haven suite complex at its back to its stunning, sculptural central atrium and the striking designs of many of its eateries, the ship is home to an array of venues and experiences that truly are elevated as compared to what you know from previous Norwegian vessels. Norwegian Prima was built with a higher ratio of space to passengers, which itself is an upscale touch. ft. sleeps 2). Highlights again include the incredible live entertainment, with Norwegian Joy being the only ship at sea to host a production of Footloose. She got us priority tender and asked us when we wanted to leave, etc. There are nine floor plans to match how youd like to spend your days (and nights) at sea: As some of the largest suites available on any cruise ship, this area boasts a large living room, private dining and 3.5 baths. So I was a bit disappointed since my experience on Sky was so amazing. (Garden Villas are also found onboard ships without a Haven complex.). Its not a massive issue if you dont mind occasionally choosing the wrong staircase or elevator, and while theres nothing to really make it feel unique compared to modern ships, she offers a fun time with good service. It is older but specializes in short, fun-packed cruises. It also has just as robust an array of onboard entertainment, including a real Broadway show (the Tony Award-nominated "Summer: The Donna Summer Musical") in a stunner of a theater that converts late at night into a dance club. ft. sleeps 4), For relaxation at its finest, this is the room to reserve. Taking a bite-the-bullet approach, I booked an amazing two-bedroom suite and invited Doug (aka Mr. Cruise Radio) along for the ride. I only wish that Posh had a hot tub.. Norwegian Gem: Considered the best choice for year-round cruising, this ship carries 2,394 passengers, has no set dining times and includes kid-friendly spaces. If you think of it as a luxury ship plopped down on top of a big mass-market ship, it's still smaller and more intimate than most. Click the button above to compare the prices of cruises from all travel agents. Furniture features luxurious stone and light-wood finishes, and texture plays a big role. Norwegian Encore. Everything is clean and comfortable. The ship is the first in the Prima-class and features an entirely new layout and design. Like so many other questions that come up when planning a cruise, deciding whether or not The Haven is worth the price comes down to a matter of priorities. The outdoor lounge area at the Haven includes a stunning infinity pool that appears to flow right off the back of the vessel. The entryway to the ship deposits you at the three-story-high Penrose Atrium, which may be the most beautiful atrium of any big ship at sea. 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). Be the first to rate this post. Did it live up to the hype? In my basic balcony cabin, there was just a relatively small area of built-in closet space. Just off the Epic transatlantic and stayed up in the a Haven. The Haven is the all-suite section of Norwegian Cruise Line ships, accessible by keycard-holders only. Norwegian Star shares the same issues as Norwegian Dawn. ft. sleeps 4), Generous seating and living areas make this a comfortable choice of suites. Three thousand people on a ship is still a lot of people. Also created by Studio Dado, Nama boasts a cream-and-orange color palette and suspended light fixtures subtly inspired by masago (fish eggs) and a reception desk that hints at the marbling pattern found on fish. Its worth knowing, so you can consider booking through a travel agent instead of direct. Loved access to Posh and the two dedicated bars in the Haven area. TPG's Gene Sloan has been reporting live from Norwegian Prima as it sails from Reykjavik to Amsterdam on a non-revenue preview voyage for media and travel agents. If you dont want to go take this option, however, keep in mind that the Haven also has a variety of connecting rooms, although keep in mind that you cant stick two children in a cabin of their own. A notable element of Norwegian Prima (and the sister Prima-class ships that will follow) is that it has an unusually wide wraparound promenade that is filled with resort-like outdoor lounge areas. The impacted cruise is the ship's March 19, 2023 departure, a 7-night roundtrip . Norwegian is also a fantastic line for families with teens. A version of The Haven is available onboard the following ships: 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Norwegian Cruise Line vs. Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Getaway vs. Norwegian Breakaway. Still, people love the fun atmosphere on board, and modern updates keep the ships popularity going for now. 15 absolutely beautiful days and spoiled to the end. I'm so sorry that this post wasn't useful for you! Was it worth the price? The ship has a total of 80 all-suite Haven staterooms: The majority of them (50) are located in a two-story complex at the bow of the boat that spans both the . 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. Then, contact one with a best-price guarantee and have them beat it! We love the courtyard on the Epic and have heard that the other ships have smaller courtyards. Reading the reviews, the negative comments are mainly those levelled at the cruise line as a whole disorganisation at ports, the expense of paying extra for so much on-board, and pre-cruise service. Norwegian Bliss 4.466. There are no bad NCL ships. It might be worth booking an NCL drinks package at least, so that you dont get charged for every drink you order. How will the added expenses which come with staying in The Haven balance with those youd have in a regular stateroom? Like so many other questions that come up when planning a cruise, deciding whether or not The Haven is worth the price comes down to a matter of priorities. Norwegian has been at the forefront of the trend of big-ship operators putting exclusive "ship within a ship" suite complexes on their vessels, and the line has taken the concept to the next level with Norwegian Prima. Sure, we went to several specialty restaurants, but we opted for The Havens restaurant for a majority of our meals. But that doesnt mean a compromise on features guests love the VR gaming, go-karts and range of restaurants even if most things come with an extra charge. In 2020, Porthole Cruise Magazine named Norwegian Encore it Best Ocean Ship in the magazine's 2020 Reader's Choice Awards. Norwegian Cruise Line's Biggest Ships. 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. In exchange, you will have more space, fewer crowds and quiet public areas. For more cruise news, guides and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter. Like the Deluxe, this room also includes complimentary access to the Thermal and Mandara Spas. Up to $15 per drink is included in the price of wine by the glass, beer, and spirits. Courtyard was large with many loungers to choose from. Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. On most Norwegian ships, the exclusive sun deck is at the very top of the ship and typically forward, meaning it's the perfect place to sunbathe in peace or have a drink while you sail into a new port. Remember that this is the best to the worst. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. And elegant. Executives hint at an answer. Before the butler leaves, inquire about getting everyone an NCL mobile phone. This cruiser appeals to travelers of all ages thanks to the diverse entertainment options. The Haven allows passengers to enjoy everything from a private bar and lounge to a custom restaurant, secluded sun deck and calm courtyard, without ever leaving the suite complex. 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. Priority embarkation, debarkation, seating at shows and dining reservations also come de facto with that special metallic Haven keycard. In standard balcony cabins, the wall behind the bed is lined with a striking art piece featuring nature and butterflies a focal point. The high annual fee is only worth it if youre taking full advantage of the cards benefits. (4,451 sq. The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards. It seemed as if every few hours, someone swung by with a bowl of fruit or finger sandwiches. A few things to consider before booking The Haven: Does the ship on which youre sailing have The Haven features youre seeking? Norwegian Bliss has a total of 2043 passenger staterooms, of which 1599 are outside (suite, balcony, oceanview) and 444 inside cabins. Cruise fare for a room in The Haven varies by cabin category, length of cruise and destination. 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