And when you get into The Haven price point you might as well just pivot to a luxury line like Silver Sea or Regent. Our Silver Sea Alaska experience last year was literally the Haven price you showed, it was door to door, included excursions, and essentially the whole ship is your oyster! It was a great experience and we counted only 3 kids out of 500 guests. That's a win! CAVEAT: For the shorter trips Silver Sea or Regent are a no-brainer compared to the Haven, however on longer trips say 12 days or longer because of the relative lack of things to do / places to eat on these smaller ships we would pivot to a larger ship and then the Haven would be on the short list.
We got upgraded to a suite on Royal Caribbean. It is hard to go back now. We have a transatlantic cruise on NCL in November. We booked in the Haven. There are 7 sea days, so we felt that justified the increased cost. Can’t wait.
Very thorough review BUT in the end it's clear that this is an apples & oranges comparison. Princess simply does not offer (at least when you sailed) a true "ship within a ship" package. The whole analysis can be boiled down to, "If you want hyper-pampering and a safe distance from the hoi polloi, just pay twice as much for it."
Excellent review, thanks Tim. Princess Suite check-in does need to be sorted better, pretty sure they miss out some big spending long term customers because of this. They also don't explain the perks clearly like Norwegian do. We found with Norwegian you knew exactly how it all worked within the first hour of being escorted onboard. Our Suite experience on Pride of America was awesome and your review reminded us how special they make you feel. Keep up the great work Tim!!
We haven't tried Princess Cruise Lines. Must be good. Hopefully someday. Anyhow, after having experienced The Haven many times, I can confidently say it's worth the splurge. After staying in regular cabins, I've become spoiled by The Haven's exceptional amenities. We absolutely love The Haven-the food, the pool, everything about it. On older ships like the Breakaway, Escape, Joy, Encore, and Bliss, The Haven truly shines. These ships offer the best Haven experience. However, I wasn't as thrilled with The Haven on the Prima and Viva. The design and feel are different, and it just didn't hit the mark for us. If you can afford to spend a little extra, booking The Haven is absolutely worth it. Rooms are spacious and big and amazing. Butler service is so cool. I remember one dinner at The Haven on the Joy when the server offered me two lobster tails. I was surprised and thrilled! And the table next to us? They had three lobster tails. Amazing, right? We also love the Haven pool and the spa on these ships ( Joy, Bliss and Encore ). The Haven really elevates the cruising experience to a whole new level.
@@silversurferhi I can certainly understand. That was obviously only one example, but The Haven is usually quite a bit more than Princess. Just depends on priorities I guess.
Agreed, for The Haven cost just pivot to Oceania, Regent, or Silver Sea for the same money and get limo service to/from the airport, excursions, and air included. Our Silver Sea Alaska cruise last year was $10.5k door to door albeit the suite was smaller than the NCL suite in this comparo but it was more than enough.
I am booked on the Jade in March 2025 in an Aft-Facing Penthouse Suite with Large Balcony and im hearing mixed confusing amenities. I am told it is NOT part of the Haven! It has less than 24 hrs of butler and concierge and i still don't know if i will be treated like a stepchild because I'm told this room has no access to the Haven proper like the Haven sun deck and the Haven restaurant! Can't always rely on NCL reps on the phone so I'm told that I should have Priority Access when boarding or leaving the ship, but this room not having access to the Haven proper makes me believe it gives them a loophole to not provide Haven amenities unless you push for it or demand it! Too much vagueness! Don't be saying little to no kids in the Haven proper i have watched several nightmare videos talking about kids everywhere there with parents or guardians not providing little to no control of the kids. For me in the Haven one child out of control is too many!
Unfortunately that stateroom is not part of The Haven. It is still a terrific cabin. The aft part of the ship has some of the best views and the large balcony gives you plenty of room to lounge about. Bon Voyage.
I've stayed in the Haven on the NCL Jade and the NCL Escape, and they are vastly different. The Haven on the Jade is disappointing, so I don't think you're going to miss much there. You will still have all of the Suite perks.
Hands down The Haven suites is superior to Princess suites. Princess is very good but in my opinion NCL is better. On the downside it’s more expensive.
And when you get into The Haven price point you might as well just pivot to a luxury line like Silver Sea or Regent. Our Silver Sea Alaska experience last year was literally the Haven price you showed, it was door to door, included excursions, and essentially the whole ship is your oyster! It was a great experience and we counted only 3 kids out of 500 guests. That's a win!
CAVEAT: For the shorter trips Silver Sea or Regent are a no-brainer compared to the Haven, however on longer trips say 12 days or longer because of the relative lack of things to do / places to eat on these smaller ships we would pivot to a larger ship and then the Haven would be on the short list.
We got upgraded to a suite on Royal Caribbean. It is hard to go back now. We have a transatlantic cruise on NCL in November. We booked in the Haven. There are 7 sea days, so we felt that justified the increased cost. Can’t wait.
Very thorough review BUT in the end it's clear that this is an apples & oranges comparison. Princess simply does not offer (at least when you sailed) a true "ship within a ship" package. The whole analysis can be boiled down to, "If you want hyper-pampering and a safe distance from the hoi polloi, just pay twice as much for it."
I have to totally agree with you. I have had the same experience on Princess and The NCL Haven.
Excellent review, thanks Tim.
Princess Suite check-in does need to be sorted better, pretty sure they miss out some big spending long term customers because of this. They also don't explain the perks clearly like Norwegian do. We found with Norwegian you knew exactly how it all worked within the first hour of being escorted onboard.
Our Suite experience on Pride of America was awesome and your review reminded us how special they make you feel.
Keep up the great work Tim!!
Thank you very much for your kind words!
Once we sailed in The Haven we have been "hooked" for life......
I can certainly understand!
Thank you so much for the information. You answer are exactly what I was looking for. That saves me from spending time doing a lot of research.
We haven't tried Princess Cruise Lines. Must be good. Hopefully someday.
Anyhow, after having experienced The Haven many times, I can confidently say it's worth the splurge. After staying in regular cabins, I've become spoiled by The Haven's exceptional amenities. We absolutely love The Haven-the food, the pool, everything about it.
On older ships like the Breakaway, Escape, Joy, Encore, and Bliss, The Haven truly shines. These ships offer the best Haven experience. However, I wasn't as thrilled with The Haven on the Prima and Viva. The design and feel are different, and it just didn't hit the mark for us.
If you can afford to spend a little extra, booking The Haven is absolutely worth it. Rooms are spacious and big and amazing. Butler service is so cool. I remember one dinner at The Haven on the Joy when the server offered me two lobster tails. I was surprised and thrilled! And the table next to us? They had three lobster tails. Amazing, right?
We also love the Haven pool and the spa on these ships ( Joy, Bliss and Encore ). The Haven really elevates the cruising experience to a whole new level.
Great Clip !
Do you tip your Concierge / Butler at the end of the cruise... and if so: How much ?
Thanks !
Sounds wonderful
After my NCL Jade cruise I will be Sapphire latitudes level.
At that price for the Havens you might want to try Oceania
Thanks. I hope to try it one day.
At double the price of Princess you expect better services for NCL. I personally rather have the larger cabin
@@silversurferhi I can certainly understand. That was obviously only one example, but The Haven is usually quite a bit more than Princess. Just depends on priorities I guess.
Agreed, for The Haven cost just pivot to Oceania, Regent, or Silver Sea for the same money and get limo service to/from the airport, excursions, and air included. Our Silver Sea Alaska cruise last year was $10.5k door to door albeit the suite was smaller than the NCL suite in this comparo but it was more than enough.
Since you are a solo traveler do you still pay the solo supplement on the suites
I am booked on the Jade in March 2025 in an Aft-Facing Penthouse Suite with Large Balcony and im hearing mixed confusing amenities. I am told it is NOT part of the Haven! It has less than 24 hrs of butler and concierge and i still don't know if i will be treated like a stepchild because I'm told this room has no access to the Haven proper like the Haven sun deck and the Haven restaurant! Can't always rely on NCL reps on the phone so I'm told that I should have Priority Access when boarding or leaving the ship, but this room not having access to the Haven proper makes me believe it gives them a loophole to not provide Haven amenities unless you push for it or demand it! Too much vagueness! Don't be saying little to no kids in the Haven proper i have watched several nightmare videos talking about kids everywhere there with parents or guardians not providing little to no control of the kids. For me in the Haven one child out of control is too many!
Unfortunately that stateroom is not part of The Haven. It is still a terrific cabin. The aft part of the ship has some of the best views and the large balcony gives you plenty of room to lounge about. Bon Voyage.
@@LTVegas-vf6kmI agree; the aft views at sea are priceless.
I've stayed in the Haven on the NCL Jade and the NCL Escape, and they are vastly different. The Haven on the Jade is disappointing, so I don't think you're going to miss much there. You will still have all of the Suite perks.
With Princess, do the suite guests get access to the Sanctuary and spa included in the price?
No, they do not.
Hands down The Haven suites is superior to Princess suites. Princess is very good but in my opinion NCL is better. On the downside it’s more expensive.