10 Things You Should Know About The Haven on Norwegian Cruise Line
Curious about The Haven on Norwegian Cruise Line? This elevated cruising experience feels like a private oasis within the ship, offering perks and amenities that embody The Suite Life. From priority embarkation and disembarkation at every port to private dining and a secluded pool deck, The Haven offers a blend of luxury and convenience that many cruisers rave about.
We first discovered The Haven in 2016 on the NCL Getaway, thanks to a lucky winning bid, and it immediately set the bar for what we’d love to experience on every cruise. We recently returned to the NCL Getaway to relive the experience, which reminded us why we love The Haven.
With two more Haven cruises on the horizon, we’re excited to share what makes this experience special. While The Haven might not be for everyone, it’s become a splurge we’ve come to love. If you’re thinking about booking The Haven, here are 10 things you should know before you decide.
1. Exclusive Access to The Haven Area
The Haven is like a private hotel within the ship, with its own secluded area featuring a pool, hot tubs, sundeck, lounge, and bar—all exclusively for Haven guests. Everything you need is conveniently located in one place, creating a peaceful retreat from the ship’s busy public spaces. In fact, you could easily spend your entire cruise within the confines of this luxurious space.
2. The Suites Are Next-Level
Staying in The Haven means booking a suite designed with luxury and comfort in mind. These suites come in various layouts and sizes, from one-bedroom options to multi-bedroom accommodations ideal for families or groups. Some suites are located within The Haven complex itself, offering direct access to the private amenities, while others are spread throughout the ship with the same exclusive perks and services.
Whichever suite you choose, you can expect premium amenities like plush bedding, high-end finishes, and thoughtful touches that make your stay feel special. For those seeking added indulgence, suites with large balconies or extra living spaces may also be available at a higher cost.
Tip: Research Suite Layouts Before You Book
Not all Haven suites are the same! Layouts, sizes, and locations vary by ship, so it’s worth doing some extra research before you book. Watching YouTube videos for specific cabins or reading other blog posts can give you a better idea of what to expect and help you pick the right suite for your cruise.
3. Priority Everything
From the moment you check in to the time you disembark, Haven guests enjoy priority access where it matters most—including at every port along the way. Embarkation and debarkation are a breeze with expedited lines, making it easy to board the ship or head ashore at a port of call. Tendering is just as seamless—you’ll be among the first to go ashore. Want to catch a show? Haven guests are often escorted directly to the theater and enjoy priority reserved seating.
This level of convenience isn’t something all cruise lines offer with their suite programs, making it a standout feature of The Haven. It’s like the cherry on top for booking a suite, adding an extra layer of ease and luxury that many cruisers—including us—truly appreciate.
4. Butler and Concierge Services
As a Haven guest, you’ll have access to a concierge who handles everything from securing dinner reservations to booking shore excursions, making your trip seamless and stress-free. Every Haven suite also benefits from a personal butler, responsible for delivering and setting up room service, arranging snacks, and taking care of thoughtful touches to enhance your experience. Your butler can even bring dishes from The Haven restaurant directly to your suite or, for an additional cost, meals from specialty dining restaurants—though the service itself is always included.
They’re there to manage your needs alongside those of other Haven guests, ensuring you enjoy a wonderful and relaxing vacation.
5. Exclusive Dining for Haven Guests
Skip the main dining room and enjoy exclusive access to The Haven’s private restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Reserved exclusively for Haven guests, this venue offers an elevated menu with personalized service, making it feel like dining at a specialty restaurant every night. Haven guests can even indulge in lobster every night, a treat not typically available in the main dining room.
While some guests note that the menu doesn’t change much from night to night, you can mix and match items or, on some ships, even work with the staff to order select dishes from the main dining room if nothing fancies you.
6. Private Pool and Sundeck
No need to fight for a lounger at the main pool or spend extra on passes for The Vibe Beach Club—The Haven takes care of that. With its own pool, hot tubs, and sundeck (18+), this exclusive area is just for Haven guests. There’s plenty of space to kick back and relax without the crowds. Grab a lounger, take a dip, or soak in the hot tub—the peaceful escape makes The Haven feel like a retreat within the ship.
7. Not All Haven’s Are Created Equally
While The Haven offers core amenities across Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet, the experience varies depending on the ship and class. For example, the Jewel Class ships don’t have an exclusive Haven complex but still provide Haven perks like priority access, personalized service, and luxurious suites. The Breakaway Class introduced The Haven Courtyard, offering a private retreat for Haven guests, and the Breakaway Plus Class added even more features, including an Observation Lounge on select ships.
The Prima Class reimagined The Haven by relocating it to the aft of the ship, bringing larger decks, an infinity pool, an expanded restaurant, and additional suites while maintaining the elevated experience Haven guests expect. However, with a larger Haven comes more guests, and some have noted that the intimate, personalized service that defined the Haven experience on other ships feels less prominent on the Prima Class.
Each ship’s Haven has unique perks, so it’s worth researching your specific ship to know precisely what to expect.
8. Front-Row Seats to the Scenery
On select ships—Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Bliss, and Norwegian Joy—The Haven features its own Observation Lounge, offering a private space with floor-to-ceiling windows for breathtaking panoramic views. These ships were designed with scenic cruising in mind, particularly for destinations like Alaska, where guests can enjoy glaciers, fjords, and stunning landscapes in comfort.
When I cruised to Alaska on the NCL Encore, I stayed in a standard balcony cabin and spent time in the main observation lounge, which is open to everyone. It was always so crowded. Additionally, NCL has recently reduced the size of the main observation lounges on these ships to make room for more cabins, meaning even less space for those seeking a quiet place to take in the views.
Access to the private Observation Lounge will make all the difference on my next Alaska cruise aboard the Encore in 2025. This time, I’ve booked The Haven and look forward to enjoying the stunning scenery from a peaceful and exclusive space without the crowds.
9. A Haven for Families
The Haven isn’t just for couples—it’s also an excellent choice for families and multi-generational groups. With multi-bedroom suites, spacious living areas, and personalized service, everyone in the family can enjoy the luxury and convenience of The Haven. Some suites even include separate spaces for added privacy, giving kids and adults their own areas to relax and recharge. It’s the perfect blend of practicality and indulgence for family travel.
While The Haven is a splurge, families can save money by taking advantage of Norwegian Cruise Line’s “More at Sea” promotion, which offers free or reduced fares for third and fourth guests on select sailings. This means families can still enjoy The Haven experience at a lower cost, complete with all its perks.
We’ve cruised with family before, and one thing that stands out is how much NCL’s crew love children. They go out of their way to spoil them. While kids aren’t allowed on The Haven’s sundeck, they can enjoy all the other Haven amenities, including the pool, lounge, and private dining.
10. Personalized Touches Add Up to Make the Experience
What makes The Haven so special isn’t just the exclusive amenities—it’s how everything feels focused on your comfort and enjoyment. From remembering your favorite drink at the bar to making sure your preferences are met at dinner, the staff goes above and beyond to create a thoughtful and memorable experience.
On our last stay in The Haven, the hostess at the private restaurant remembered our first names, our last name (which is tricky to pronounce and spell), and even our cabin number. We never had to hand her our cruise card again. The one time someone else covered for her, we were asked for our card, which wasn’t a big deal but made us realize how those small personal touches stand out.
Those small personal touches add up to a truly special experience, making The Haven feel worth the splurge. It’s what you pay for.
BEFORE YOU SET SAIL, HERE ARE SOME RELATED ARTICLES YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS:
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Kathy Ava
Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she's become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She's always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.