We've taken five cruises on NCL, all in the Haven going back about six years. We had certain expectations based on that past experience, and we were disappointed with a number of them. Let's start with the embarkation. My wife needs a wheelchair to get from the curb to the cabin. We had to wait 45 minutes sitting outside in Los Angeles before a wheelchair came and this was after I nagged half a dozen employees to get their attention.

In the past, there was a "Haven" lounge area before we got onto the ship where we had a snack, got our ID cards, had a chance to meet with the Concierge and had a nice welcome. And then we were personally escorted to our cabin. Not so this time. No lounge, no welcome. We did get escorted to our cabin, but I think that was because of the wheelchair.

The cabin, a two bedroom suite, was as we expected. Very clean, very well appointed. The decor has been updated and is much better. Everything worked as it should. But. In the past, Haven passengers were given a couple of bottles of liquor/wine of their choice. This time not. We had snacks/treats delivered every afternoon as part of the Haven butler service, but there was very little variety. On a fourteen day cruise it got very repetitive. The cabin service, butler, steward and concierge was without fault and is, of course, one of the big attractions of the Haven service. We especially love the unpacking and packing of luggage. In the private pool area, there were a lot of gaps during the day, when there was no service. Read more