Norwegian Getaway Review
1st time cruise at 49 & 46....Haven Suite 13902 ...Amazing time
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I'm an avid reviewer, beforehand and after. Fortunately, having a travel agent in the family, I ended up choosing Norwegian over Carnival. My wife and I have worked hard in our business and now have the luxury of being able to afford the nicer things in life so we booked this cruise going 1st class all the way. 20 years ago, we would have been in an inside room :-) So I hope I don't come across as snobby, nor can my review help those much that aren't in the Haven.
Now onto my review, hope it can help others. Beginner "I know now" tip #1....get to port by 11 to avoid a longer line. We did not get to port till about noon. Took about 45 min to get through security. After that, If you book a Haven suite...be prepared to be spoiled. We've been there done that with the all inclusive run of the mill resorts. You check in in a small private room, then you get a private escort bypassing the 2 or 3k people checking in. Your brought right up to the Haven lounge and to your room shortly thereafter. We booked an aft penthouse suite. I had seen the videos, read the reviews, but I have to tell you, the super large balcony and the suite itself is the bomb. Richard our butler (he had all ten suites on back of ship) came to room within an hour and went over everything.
Beginner tip # 2.... I've read about not tipping butlers but my belief is if you want superb service....tip beforehand. (I gave him $50 the first day and another halfway through) and told him I'd be using him as my one contact. Haven also has two concierge. They truly take very good care of you. We went on an ATV excursion and my wife and I were covered from waist down in mud. Including our new shoes. Richard took them to be dry cleaned and had them back to us by 8am next day!!! More on room below. Mini bar not included....no worries...i asked for couple beers a day to enjoy after coming back from excursions. Did not even finish what he brought. Asked for an amazing appetizer I had from Le Bistro....had two in room that night. Roasted Lamb Rack in Haven....amazing....waitress had a plate delivered to suite that night... nice midnight snack!! . Food and drink in Haven were superb. Wife is very particular about her Mojitos....made perfectly!! We actually tried even finding some food at buffet that wasn't good...couldn't do it. Wait...that's not true...we got a hot dog....little mushy..so...WE JUST DIDNT EAT IT :-) No, it's not 5 star food, but compared to the previous all inclusive resorts we've been to, it was great. Yes, I have dined at Jean-Georges in Manhatten and countless other 5 stars in NYC and other places. So even though I may like TGIF's, I can also appreciate the finer establishments too!!
Cabin Review
The Haven Aft-Facing Penthouse with Balcony
Suite: What can i say, almost 700 sq feet and the huge balcony. Buffet is next deck up for quick snack and Spice H2O two decks up for quick drinks. You can sit on the balcony and hear and feel the music. Shut balcony door and can't hear a thing!!! Had soot one or two nights, but the quietness and size of room/deck trumped that by far. Very minimal movement felt. After a day or so, didn't really notice much. Seas were moderate mostly, 6-8ft. Huge ship so think that helped. Soaking tub, shower both with floor to ceiling windows for an amazing view. Ample storage, two TV's, two bathrooms. (Second is much smaller, but still great to have) Heard many complaining of the walking....well, yes, large ship, but still only 5 minutes from front to back. Trust me, even though your on back of ship, you'll want the exercise anyways. Haven itself is smack in middle. Heck, we used stairs even when getting on and off ship to work off the drink and food calories. From deck 4 to 13 :-) Deck 13 is optimal, high enough up and quiet. 1 min to buffet, 1.25 min to drinks at H2O, 5 min to Haven lounge and restaurant.