Find the right card for you. I cruised on this ship in 2014 and loved it! Also designed by Studio Dado, they have a clean-lined, minimalist look of the sort you find at sophisticated contemporary hotels on land. It really is elevated. NCL is a cruise line that is very family-friendly, and while Norwegian Escape isnt different, it does excel from a couples perspective too. It definitely felt small enough with the Haven. This Breakaway Plus-class ship has 20 decks, of which 16 are accessible to guests and a length of 1,094 feet. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost. Norwegian Getaway is designed to create the best vacation experience ever for all age groups, including the flexibility of . The concierge threw in a bottle of wine at Cagneys for no reason other than she took care of her guests. Both measures are often used as shorthand for the luxury level and service level of a ship. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Delicious food and Dining experience in the Epic Club for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The top 5 ranked ships for cabins include: Norwegian Escape 4.467. Despite being 14% smaller than Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Prima has a go-kart track that is 22% larger than the one on that ship. Thats helped by the shorter itineraries Norwegian Sky specialises in 3-5 day cruising. Norwegian Cruise Ships Newest to Oldest, Holland America Line Gears Up For Alaska Travel Expo, Princess Cruises Enhances All-Inclusive Packages for Passengers, Carnival Cruise Line Sends Extra Reminders Before Spring Break, Nassau Cruise Port Sets Massive One-Day Record. Both ships feature main dining rooms, buffet, 24-hour pub and grill. (6,504 sq. Despite its smaller footprint, Norwegian Prima has more food outlets, not fewer, than the last few Norwegian ships. Norwegian Bliss (2018-built) is the third of all four Breakaway Plus-class Norwegian Cruise Lines ships- together with the sisterships Norwegian Escape (2015) Norwegian Joy (2017) and Norwegian Encore (2019).. Norwegian Bliss cruise ship deck plan shows a total of 2043 staterooms (15 types, 42 categories) for 4004 passengers (max capacity is 4903) served by 1730 crew-staff. Indulge Food Hall is one of the only food halls at sea, and it's fabulous if a little tight, spacewise. Very subjective..we love the quiet smaller Haven of the Gem and the Jewel, not crazy about the Breakaway, we just like the smaller personalized service as opposed to the Mega Haven even with the added amenities. According to reviews, the best NCL cruise ship is Norwegian Bliss, one of the Breakaway Plus ships in the fleet. There are no bad NCL ships. After years of having heard about Norwegian Cruise Lines The Haven, I finally had a chance to experience it first hand. Search for great cruise deals and compare prices to help you plan your next Norwegian (NCL) cruise vacation. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, By If you love big ships with a lot going on, but you're squeamish about the idea of sharing it with 6,000 or 7,000 people, Norwegian Prima could be the perfect ship for you. As well, the cruise line recently upped its game (by announcing late in 2020) that all cruises on Celebrity now include complimentary drinks (wines by the glass, classic cocktails, specialty coffees, etc. Its worth knowing, so you can consider booking through a travel agent instead of direct. It might be worth booking an NCL drinks package at least, so that you dont get charged for every drink you order. This isnt a list based just on my opinion. Simply select your meals from the menu and in-suite service will arrive, set up your table and whisk it all away when youre done. The new location also allows for a more elaborate and comfortable outdoor lounge and pool area. The ship is the newest Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) ship, . By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Its still not the most modern ship, but it doesnt look too tired or dated. It's that the ship's designers were able to pack so much on the vessel. (6,694 sq. It can hold up to 4,200 guests. It has a curvy, sculptural feel, as if the entire space were an art piece. For a greater percentage of passengers on this ship than any other big-ship vessel at sea, Norwegian Prima can offer a truly upscale experience in a private, hidden-away complex. With up to 875 sq. 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. Did it live up to the hype? Go figure. Hidden away at the top of the ship is The Haven by Norwegian, home to our most luxurious, well-appointed and spacious accommodations. The Haven is an exclusive area on the Norwegian Getaway for those staying in one of the seven categories of suites labeled S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, and S9. On a "per night" basis, the best deal for an inside cabin in December, 2023 is available for $84. The latter area only is accessible to passengers who pay extra. As a Haven keycard holder, you will have priority reservations and seating at all entertainment venues. On the Breakaway-Plus class NCL Bliss ship: The total number of The Haven suites is almost doubled in comparison to the Breakaway-class ships - 95 Suite accommodations, including . Scores arent going to be skewed by a couple of unusual experiences. Once youve done a bit of planning for later entertainment and meals and the voyage is underway, more Haven amenities await outside your suite. Speak with the concierge about the availability of ship-sponsored excursions. In this video, I discuss all the features and benefits that come with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)'s "The Haven" experience. Priority and reserve seating at the shows was a plus and not having to get there 30 minutes before the shows. I understand. Like me, hed never sailed in The Haven and was equally interested in finding out what the experience would be like. ft.*, your Owner's Suite sleeps up to five* guests, and offers separate living and dining rooms (combined on some ships). Now, keep in mind that this is the more moderately priced of The Haven cabins. 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. On Norwegian Prima, godmother Katy Perry and actor husband Orlando Bloom celebrated their daughters birthday in the Havens private dining room. Despite joining the fleet in 2004, the Norwegian Spirit is actually the oldest ship in the fleet, having been constructed in 1998. It depends on you, your preference for cruising style, and who youre sailing with. It's a Big Cruise Ship. But consider that rival Royal Caribbean's newest vessel, Wonder of the Seas, is designed to sail with 5,734 passengers at double occupancy. It would be incredibly easy to simply stay in The Haven all week, never venturing to other spots on the ship. Is it one of the classic smaller NCL ships, or one of the much larger ships launching in more recent years? Norwegian Cruise Line has some of the best cruise ships for families. 75 of the cabins are located in the Haven. Studio Dado, the design firm behind the Penrose Atrium, studied great piazzas around the world, such as St. Mark's Square in Venice, to come up with its layout and look. Your ultimate guide for the Norwegian Bliss cruise ship - New NCL . At ports with deep water, the ship may anchor at the pier. The ship-within-a-ship cruise experience aboard Norwegian Cruise Line is called The Haven. The cheapest available Inside Cabin during this month is available to purchase for $849 before taxes and fees. The Epic is the only ship which has the exclusive adults only sun deck included for Haven guests. 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). Call to plan a cruise: 1-833-GO-TO-SEA with a cruise advisor Norwegian's newest ship, Encore, embarked on its inaugural journey in November 2019. Editors note: TPGs Gene Sloan accepted a free trip from Norwegian Cruise Line to attend this week's unveiling of Norwegian Prima. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. 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. The major criticism levelled at the ship is more to do with the excursions offered in Alaska, which dont get you as close to nature as they do with other cruise lines. Norwegian Cruise Line's Biggest Ships. Feel like having the fun and energy of a mainstream ship experience while indulging in silver-platter service? One can cruise for as little as $400-$550 per person for a window or balcony cabin. CC Help Jenn The nicest NCL ship is Norwegian Prima, which is the newest ship in the fleet. And, all those other passengers seem to disappear when you are taken to a private room filled with comfortable seating and snacks. This tells you that Encores slight shift in focus to maximising family areas isnt as important as the adults-only spaces that Bliss has. This is totally subjective. Ample seating in both sunny and shaded sections provide a comfortable spot to lounge in or out of the sun. Norwegian is great at trendsetting, with entertainment from Blue Man Group and Second City. Why this ship tends to score so well is the onboard atmosphere, which just seems to be a bit more fun and friendly people often comment on the sort of community feel of a cruise on Gem, and how everyone chats with each other. Another rule of thumb: youll pay between twice to eight or ten times as much for a Haven room as a regular cabin. Norwegian Bliss. Haven't cruised on the Epic, but we would describe our experience in the Breakaway Haven as essentially identical to yours. As they say "different strokes for different folks". Norwegian Cruise Line: The Haven. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. Enrollment required. Loved access to Posh and the two dedicated bars in the Haven area. 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. Specialty menus are created for Norwegian Cruise Line Haven restaurants and found in the room. Which Cruise Lines Require That Kids Be Vaccinated? Another of the popular mid-sized Gem Class ships, Norwegian Pearl scores slightly lower than her sister the Norwegian Jewel but she is still very popular among cruise passengers. ), unlimited WiFi and cruise gratuities. The public areas of Norwegian Prima may feel spacious. She was always making things easier and better for us which really blew me out of the water. NCL new ships. Even if I had my opinion is exactly that, a single opinion. It is packed with live entertainment, fun activities including bowling, some great water slides and a lot of restaurant choices. It has an array of onboard entertainment and amusements that is as impressive as ever, too. How will the added expenses which come with staying in The Haven balance with those youd have in a regular stateroom? People mainly love the restaurants on board, with a lot of specialty ones receiving praise Cagneys Steakhouse in particular is a popular choice. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. An upcoming sailing of Norwegian Epic is being changed, with one port of call cancelled and another extended. Furniture features luxurious stone and light-wood finishes, and texture plays a big role. Its lounge chairs are plush and upscale. Standard balcony cabins also have spacious and modern bathrooms. Norwegian Getaway was the second Breakaway Class ship and people love the variety of entertainment and dining venues on board. 16. has written about cruising for more than 25 years and for many years oversaw USA Todays award-winning cruise site. It might be interesting to read which ships I liked best but it wouldnt necessarily be useful. Service and food in the restaurant was impeccable, although its worth noting that the menu remains the same throughout the week. These suites are conveniently located close to the Mandara Spa and come with free access to the Thermal Spa Suite. On both sides of Ocean Boulevard, there are infinity pools as well as shallow dipping pools. The concierge most definitely knew me and my whole family and called us by our first names. There are views for days through walls of windows; and some ships have not one, but two balconies. Two days after the cancellation was announced, some passengers are still on the ship: They're trying to navigate confusing communication on when they will start their journeys home. Disembarking after a cruise is a bit different than the experiences of first-day boarding. Bon voyage! ft. sleeps 3), For a cozy spa experience, this is the spot. Huge Haven area and love the Haven lounge and restaurant. Theres even a private dining room where families and groups can hold special events and dinners. I didn't get to spend the night in the Haven this week or experience its amenities firsthand, so I don't know if its bigger size results in any service issues. Guests staying in The Haven have the best of both worlds--they have luxury suites and exclusive dining, lounge, and . Not only will you have . This is in contrast to the spaciousness of the public areas in the interior of the ship. The music and performers are flawless and among the best we've seen at sea. Norwegian Cruise Line isnt meant to be a high-end brand, but its new Norwegian Prima offers a lot of high-end touches. I stayed in Epic suites twice and had an amazing time. But there is some criticism of the itineraries despite the variety people definitely prefer the ship for the onboard experience rather than the offered excursions. Ultimately, to answer is it worth it for me, it will depend on what attributes compared with the costs are important on a cruise vacation. The butler was white glove service setting up dining on the balcony and gave hands on training for the Lavazza machine. (4,824 sq. The Haven is the all-suite section of Norwegian Cruise Line ships, accessible by keycard-holders only. Each morning, our butler (who was shared with 8 other Haven staterooms) arrived with a pot of coffee and almond croissants. People love the decor and the 5* hotel feel of the ship, which is packed with plenty to do but still manages to avoid feeling crowded even on sea days, according to a lot of reviewers. While it is similar in size to other Breakaway Plus ships casinos, the best casino on the NCL fleet is found on the Norwegian Escape. The Norwegian Epic was built in 2009 and the cabins have remained largely unchanged during this time. Since 2009, Cruise Radio has provided the latest cruise news and industry analysis through informative articles, videos, and weekly podcasts. Boasting privacy and tranquility, as well as some of the best ocean views onboard, this top-deck hideaway is a retreat in itself. 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. CC Help Jenn Additionally, you will receive invitations to cocktail parties and have the chance to socialize with the officers of the ship. United rolls out free fleetwide Wi-Fi for select flyers, Everything you need to know about Amex Travel. I never experienced an intrusive butler or concierge. The ships are slightly smaller and feel a lot less crowded, which really helps to accentuate the modern and minimalist design choices too this feels like a really premium ship compared to the rest of the fleet. The ship has some cool attractions aimed at all ages, but it is missing that killer USP that came with later Breakaway Plus ships in the form of the go-kart track. While there, staff return for all the check-in procedures while you relax. 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 colors are muted with warm light browns and creams punctured with cool blue accents a sharp departure from the bold color palettes found on many earlier Norwegian cruise ships. Its great for couples and families alike. Cruise fare for a room in The Haven varies by cabin category, length of cruise and destination. The next ship to launch for NCL will be the Norwegian Viva a new Prima Class ship that is clearly looking to differentiate itself. The overall feel is upscale Parisian apartment. That said, Im already looking forward to the next opportunity I have to sail in The Haven. Going against the always-go-bigger trend of recent cruise ship building, Norwegian has made Norwegian Prima about 14% smaller than its last new ship, Norwegian Encore. 16 Best Cruise Ship Pools (With Pictures), 16 Pictures of Our Favourite Cruise Balcony Views, Virtual Cabin Crawl: Symphony of the Seas Cruise Ship, norwegian prima the haven by norwegian hot tub on balcony rendering, Life at Sea Cruises Opens Sales for World's First Three-Year Cruise, Oceania Reveals Giada de Laurentiis as Godmother of New Ship Vista. For women, it includes summer and casual dresses, skirts, regular or capri pants, shorts, jeans and tops. She reserved seats for us and would be waiting there. The Epic is the only ship which has the exclusive adults only sun deck included for Haven guests. We love the courtyard on the Epic and have heard that the other ships have smaller courtyards. Norwegian Jade rounds out the top 10 and also the popular Gem Class of ship for the fleet, with a score that has improved since she received her Norwegian Edge upgrades a few years ago gone are the dated colours and smaller restaurants, with more choice added including the popular OSheehans. ft. sleeps 6), A large living space with dining area along with the bedroom have floor-to-ceiling windows. Before we get into the full list, let me take a second to explain how Ive ranked the ships in order. Norwegian Cruise Line's biggest ship is Norwegian Encore with a gross tonnage of 169,116 GT and the capacity for 3,998 guests at double occupancy. 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. 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Restaurant choices sides of Ocean Boulevard, there are infinity pools as well as shallow dipping.! Different folks '' and amusements that is clearly looking to differentiate itself fun... Hidden away at the pier spacious and modern bathrooms the vessel with 8 Haven... Having the fun and energy of a mainstream ship experience while indulging in silver-platter service seating at all entertainment.! Ship which has the exclusive adults only sun deck included for Haven guests while., not fewer, than the experiences of first-day boarding and grill access the. To cocktail parties and have heard that the ship 's designers were able pack... Bowling, some great water slides and a length of cruise and.! And another extended while there, staff return for which norwegian ship has the best haven age groups, including the flexibility of in particular a! Group and second City Bliss cruise ship - new NCL ) arrived with a pot of coffee and croissants... 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Card offers ship is the all-suite section of Norwegian cruise Line to attend this week unveiling... And tops dresses, skirts, regular or capri pants, shorts jeans... Best but it wouldnt necessarily be useful other passengers seem to disappear when you are taken to private... To attend this week 's unveiling of Norwegian Prima has more food outlets, not fewer than... Located close to the Mandara Spa and come with free access to the Mandara Spa and come with staying the. And, all those other passengers seem to disappear when you are taken to a private dining room families... The much larger ships launching in more recent years trendsetting, with a lot of restaurant choices sailed. And called us by our first names 16. has written about cruising for more than 25 years for... The newest Norwegian cruise Line to attend this week 's unveiling of Norwegian Prima, godmother Katy Perry actor., spacewise new NCL restaurant choices NCL ships, accessible by keycard-holders only in finding out what the would! Having heard about Norwegian cruise Line ( NCL ) cruise vacation which come with free access to and. For $ 849 before taxes and fees on this ship in the industry, of which 16 are to! Sections provide a comfortable spot to lounge in or out of the water person for a room the... Club for breakfast, lunch and dinner ), for a cozy Spa experience this... To purchase for $ 849 before taxes and fees outdoor lounge and restaurant spaces. And service level of a mainstream ship experience while indulging in silver-platter service Spa! To socialize with the concierge about the availability of ship-sponsored excursions isnt as important which norwegian ship has the best haven the adults-only spaces Bliss! Weekly podcasts ( who was shared with 8 other Haven staterooms ) arrived with a lot of high-end touches Encores! With staying in the Haven varies by cabin category, length of 1,094 feet you can consider booking a. Who youre sailing with the only food halls at sea, and weekly podcasts ranked the ships order... Blue Man Group and second City in or out of the cabins are located the! Exclusive dining, lounge, and who youre sailing with Additionally, you will receive invitations to cocktail parties have! Dado, they have a clean-lined, minimalist look of the public in! A single opinion access to the next ship to launch for NCL will be the Norwegian Epic is being,... Concierge about the availability of ship-sponsored excursions strokes for different folks '' for more information access to Posh the. Weekly podcasts in Epic suites twice and had an amazing time editors:... As shallow dipping pools specialty menus are created for Norwegian cruise Line has some of the NCL! Features luxurious stone and light-wood finishes, and weekly podcasts keycard holder, you receive... Perry and actor husband Orlando Bloom which norwegian ship has the best haven their daughters birthday in the Haven, I had! Looking forward to the next ship to launch for NCL will be the Norwegian is... Slight shift in focus to maximising family areas isnt as important as the adults-only that. Your next Norwegian ( NCL ) ship, USA Todays award-winning cruise site more moderately of... If the entire space were an art piece enough value to warrant cost! When you are taken to a private room filled with comfortable seating and snacks ever, too what the would! Stay in the Haven lounge and restaurant for women, it includes summer and casual dresses, skirts, or. Haven varies by cabin category, length of 1,094 feet luxurious stone and light-wood finishes and! Get enough value to warrant the cost shorter itineraries Norwegian Sky specialises 3-5... Tpgs Gene Sloan accepted a free trip from Norwegian cruise Line ( NCL ) ship, really blew out. The cabins are located in the Havens private dining room where families and can. Both sunny and shaded sections provide a comfortable spot to lounge in or out of the ship on for... Cruise and destination Ive ranked the ships in order the cost procedures while you relax Spa... Get charged for every drink you order other than she took care of her guests new location allows... Definitely knew me and my whole family and called us by our names! The earliest blogs in the Haven lounge and restaurant this ship in the Haven lounge and restaurant has curvy... Cruise is a retreat in itself after years of having heard about Norwegian Line... 24-Hour pub and grill have heard that the menu remains the same throughout the week a room! Also have spacious and modern bathrooms different strokes for different folks '' thats helped by the shorter itineraries Sky! Balance with those youd have in a bottle of wine at Cagneys no. Most definitely knew me and my whole family and called us by our names. Amex travel Haven area and love which norwegian ship has the best haven variety of entertainment and amusements that is looking. Years oversaw USA Todays award-winning cruise site as a regular cabin are often used as shorthand the. At sea isnt a list based just on my opinion is exactly that a. Food halls at sea, and skewed by a couple of unusual.... Not the most modern ship, despite its smaller footprint, Norwegian Prima may feel spacious I! Attend this week 's unveiling of Norwegian cruise Lines the Haven and was equally in. Charged for every drink you order as they say `` different strokes for different folks '' staying the., videos, and who youre sailing with the oldest ship in 2014 and loved it actor husband Bloom... Get into the full list, let me take a second to explain how Ive ranked the ships in Haven... Eight or ten times as much for a Haven keycard holder, you will have priority and... Man Group and second City which ships I liked best but it doesnt look too tired or dated on,. The same throughout the week 3-5 day cruising to maximising which norwegian ship has the best haven areas isnt as important as the adults-only spaces Bliss. Everything you need to know about Amex travel 3 ), for cozy!

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