If I pay $9k for a cruise I would expect to get my water replenished in my room for free. The fact that you guys had to buy a bunch ahead of time was my first red flag 😂. Loved the honesty of the review as usual. After seeing this and your past Virgin reviews, I think I’m still set on trying Virgin over any others. Seems like the best value for the money from what I’ve seen on your channel. And no kids!
If you want water then yes you pay for it. However there are plenty of stations to replenish water bottles etc. Free at sea does give you excellent value. But at the end of the day, it is what ever floats you boat so to speak. Virgin would be too party for me. Takes all sorts to make a world
@@michaelgunney1183 good point, the water stations definitely mitigate. I’m just saying you’re paying a small fortune for a room they should at least give you 2 free waters per day for being first class. If you need more than that then sure, gotta pay for it or use the refill stations. And my fiancé and I aren’t big on the party vibe either but I think you can just not participate in the few on-board parties they have and do something your own speed instead. And definitely don’t do weekend cruises I heard that’s what the partiers do lol
@@allmightygriff Please buy the water in other countries lol, most don't have same level of purification as USA, UK, Canada etc. They can drink it because they are use to it lol.
I really love how you guys are never overly-wowed (like a lot of influencers) yet also never overly-doomy (like a lot of TH-camrs). You're the Goldilocks of cruise reviews.
That's the difference in willingly paying for your cruise compared to the cruise line asking you to come on for free or asking the cruise line to let you come for free and we're denied.
@@Cruisewith MSC's new Luxury line & their current Yacht Club is mostly "all inclusive," yet NCL never stops charging you! NCL's Chairman said that the average guest would pay an additional 40% of their cruise fare based on on board expenses: I did not know, this included Haven guests too.
I absolutely love your honesty. You point out the brilliance, the drudgery, and the mediocraty of your experiences. For those of us who don't cruise often, it provides a realistic expecation of what to look forward to with our bookings. Thank you. Keep up the GREAT work.
My wife and I did a 2 week Mediterranean cruise on Viking Cruise Line, absolutely wonderful. No children, No casino, and No night clubs we paid more than other cruise lines but we felt it was worth the Money. Viking did have the drink package and it’s $600 for 2 people, we didn’t get it because beer and wine are free with lunch and dinner at all dining options and I had plenty to drink. Saved some cash there, Viking we gave an A and would sail again. I love the review guys :) I have been watching your channel and enjoy the honesty!
We are doing Iconic Western Med for our 1st Viking cruise in March…8 day cruise and this is giving me some buyer remorse. We paid $8500 (with $1K of cancel anytime insurance) for the lowest level. Haven’t even paid for any excursions yet! (We lost all of our pre-paid excursions and tips when Covid shut it down with 3 days from our embarkation day). What are your tips for getting the most out of a Viking cruise?? (I don’t have much faith in Viking after seeing this! 😢)
@@jamalbryan3887 Not boring at all, we actually looked for a cruise line without casino, clubs, belly flop contest we wanted to avoid those cruise lines. Viking was a great choice and after your daily excursions your plenty tired. There is entertainment on board just not Las Vegas style. I guess your age depends on what style vacation you want. I would recommend Viking
@@wearethelarosas6395 Hello, I am not sure if we picked the right time to go but we didn’t have any issues with ports of call. The weather was great on most ports…. A few cloudy slightly rainy days. I was a little shocked at your cost. We paid $6,500 per person in a deluxe veranda room. We did get the travel insurance because of the cost of the trip. We also added going to Paris, France for 5 days after the cruise so I wanted the coverage. We participated in all the excursions daily…we didn’t do much of the lectures they have as I enjoyed the wine selection and the atmosphere tried to embrace each country we visited. My wife and I were tired after a long day. I know for reservations to the Manfreddis and The Chefs Table there cancellations all the time. We ate there a few different nights. I hope you enjoy your trip :)
Hello Ben and David, I'm a frequent cruiser with NCL i have booked Inside, Oceanview, balcony and have been recieved very good service . I never given a thought of booking the Haven. I really am never in my cabin , i like being out and about doing things around the ship. I am sorry you guys were so disappointed with your experience. Thank you very much for your honest opinion,. You are the first to really be honeat about the Haven. I have watched other videos that gave there reviews and they made it out to be the ultimate experience. After your rwview i will never consider booking the haven. Guest should be given the ultimate experience .
They always seem unhappy even when all others say it was excellent, that is a dislike of me. They are to critical. Been on NCL and it was more then fine
Got off my first cruise this morning… I started watching you all last year to see what cruising was like so I knew what to expect. Y’all I’m hooked. I’m officially a cruiser.
What a wonderful surprise David had for your birthday, Ben! That's true love, and the absolute joy in David's face to present his surprise to Ben was amazing! Thank you for showing us your great Haven suite, delicious food, and that lovely ship. Thank you also for your honesty in reviewing what the Haven lacks as well. I love that I can always count on your telling it like it is. I can't wait to see more videos on this cruise. ♥
what blows me away with this cruise is the fact that you're in a $900 a night suit and even with a beverage package you're still paying for a pop to be delivered to your room!!!! thanks guys for this review, i'll stick with Princess (even though they just did some bad changes too)
This is the first time I saw one of your videos; I have to say, amazing reviewing of the downsides and you show no bias, well done. I used to be a consultant working on customer satisfaction and troubleshooting for the blue chip companies and major brands including cruise lines. If the large firms received video appraisals like this, the board of directors would be extremely keen to see your views but tbh, unless you directly target these seniors, the findings will sail by them (bad pun intended). Marketing departments will often view TH-cam but they don't always get 'heard' by the board of key decision makers. But you have so much to offer them that no one else may be offering. You could really differentiate your channel not only by appealing to the end users (the cruise guests) but also by inviting the cruise lines to sign up to 1-1 board-level feedback at a subscription rate per annum. They spend big $ on customer feedback programs and there is no reason why you couldn't get a slice of this because your feedback style is perfect for what they are looking for. I'm pretty sure they would get behind it.
I cannot thank you both enough for the fair an honest review on the Haven. I have been wanting to stay in the Haven but for the price I often wonder if its really worth it. Cruising several times a year and with prices raising, I really want to make smart choices with my cruise vacations. With the Haven charging a premium, I really was hoping it was not a nickel and dime type experience. I watch all of your videos an appreciate you both. Really great review guys, many of thanks and Happy Birthday Ben.
Call me shallow and superficial but the best part of this video is Ben's bon voyage fruit bowl, busting out all over with happiness and joy, so beautifully, it takes first class to a whole new level. Nobody can or will ever cruise like Ben and David....nobody
Sorry you didn’t have the best experience, I can totally understand your disappointment. I really appreciate the honest review. When I was researching cruise lines for our Northern Europe trip, I was leaning towards Viking but I decided to compare the suites for the major lines and found Viking to be cheaper and more appealing when considering what’s included and no kids was a big plus.
By far, your most compelling review. This was refreshingly different to your others because we got more than Ben entertaining us with his glittering personality. It was an actual review. The good, the bad, and the ugly parents who fail raise their own children, but are wealthy enough to dump them in the ice room and sauna and ruin the whole experience for everyone else. And the extra charges nonsense? It was, well, nonsense. I just got off my worst ever British Airways flight experience. The main problem? Yes. Not enough crew. And a corporate culture that alienates the customer.
The worst flight experience we ever had was on British Airways in 1996 (we were going on our first cruise for 25th wedding anniversary). One of the stewardesses was most obnoxious. Kept going on that she was normally based in First Class. Ignored the pair of us the WHOLE time. Refused to fly with them ever since.
I really do appreciate the fact that you're not afraid to call a company out on their shortcomings. Especially when it's a premium product that doesn't end up feeling premium. A lot of the things you brought up would not have been an issue in the least if you were booked in a regular cabin, but when you are booked in one of the "ship within a ship" suites and get nickled and dimed like this, I don't blame you for being unhappy. Thank you for your honesty.
I loved David’s sweet surprise. Also appreciate your honest review. If they are charging you full rate for The Haven but can’t staff it, they should not be charging you full rate. Also, I have 3 kids and 7 grands. I feel like areas like the Haven should be adults only. Kids will be kids but…parents need to supervise them!
Again, listening to your final minutes of grievances, I am remembering how wonderful it was to see the adults-only areas on Holland America and Royal Caribbean cruise-ships.....zero children.....zero crowds....always room in the swimming-pool....always room in the heated Jacuzzis.....easy access to the fitness-centre and to the spa....Royal's Solarium (on Rhapsody of the Seas, for example) even has its own restaurant, Park Cafe, which beautifully complements the opening hours of the buffet-deck....and provides an alternative whenever the buffet-deck is crowded.....and all of this was at no extra charge to all adult guests, even those in Inside Cabins.....So Suites are not so sweet, it seems?
Thank you for including us in the exciting surprise! What a great gift. It's a shame the cruise experience wasn't what you had hoped. Happy Birthday Ben!
Hi Guys, and Happy Birthday to Ben. I appreciate your review. I am a loyal NCL Haven cruiser. Mainly because I enjoy the adult only spaces and the fabulous butler service. My best advice is to ask for what you desire and it will be delivered. I have found that if you give the chefs a headsup they will prepare you whatever you want. It is really unfortunate that parents are not raising their children with respect for those around them. In most Haven spaces the crew is being much more vigilant about monitoring children and their behavior- especially if it is brought to their attention. Unfortunately you experienced a brand new ship which hasn’t been fully staffed with its crew and entertainment which is why most travel representatives recommend not taking the inaugural sailings and waiting until the bugs are worked out. I sailed Prima when it had just started it’s Florida sailings last December as a brand new ship and experienced some issues…when we sailed again in March most issues were resolved…except for the child parenting problems! I am sailing Viva in January (hopefully the crew and entertainment will be fully staffed and running…and kids will be in school!) I’ll let you know how it goes.
Shouldn't sail if not fully staffed or if they are sailing, you can't charge those sort of prices and have the bars and hot tubs closed.. not acceptable. Kids in adult only areas aswel, grrrrrrr
I’m so glad you both do not sugar coat the experience!!! I love that you tell the truth and explain your story!!! I love your videos and I hope you both stay true and honest with your channel!!!!
First of all, happy belated birthday, Ben! 🎉 Secondly, I couldn't help but share in your excitement when David surprised you with The Haven upgrade. That must have been an incredible moment! However, it's a bit disheartening to hear that your experience didn't entirely match the anticipation, especially considering the significant cost involved. Kudos to both of you for delivering such an honest review of your time in The Haven. It's clear from your video that The Haven offers a stunning stateroom, but it does make one wonder whether the added expense truly justifies the experience. As a point of comparison, my husband and I are currently booked in a mini-suite stateroom on the Sky Princess for a 12-day voyage to the Canary Islands departing from Southampton. While it may not be as lavish as The Haven, we're certainly eager to see how our own experience unfolds. Your TH-cam content consistently delivers top-notch entertainment and valuable insights. It's like having a high-quality television show, but even better because it's real and relatable. Keep up the fantastic work, gentlemen! Many of us truly appreciate the effort you put into sharing your cruise adventures with us. Cheers to more exciting journeys ahead! 🚢✨
Happy Birthday, Ben!! It was very thoughtful of David to book the Haven suite for your birthday. I'm sorry it didn't meet your expectations, but you always do a great job of giving us your honest opinion. It's too bad the staff is understaffed, and I would be upset like you if I had to pay for every little thing, especially considering what you paid. Thanks again for your candid review of the ship. Cheers to the both of you.
I sailed on the NCL Joy Haven in October 2022 (also via the upgrade system) and I have to say the experience was amazing. The menu didn't change every night, however it was large enough that I failed in my attempt to try everything on a 10 night cruise. Furthermore, the head waiter was more than happy to provide off menu items whenever asked. Not sure if B&D asked for this service, but I'm pretty sure vegetarians and people with other dietary requirements would be well catered for if they made their requirements known. Overall service was absolutely amazing, food quality was superb and we did not experience staffing issues. For me personally I wouldn't say it is good value for money at full price, however that's simply because I'd rather sail cheaper and more often. I completely understand folks who get value out of the experience.
I sailed on the prima recently and totally agree with you about these ships being better suited for warmer weather. The outdoor spaces are gorgeous but it’s impossible to make use of them in Norway and Iceland.
For as many ships as they have and build… I’d of thought they had a whole ship designed for cold weather cruising. Obviously not a ship as big as this one, but still. Do they?
I want you to know that we just canceled a $25,000 NCL Haven Aft Owners Suite Norway Iceland cruise based on this review. Thank you for your honestly. No way I’m giving them a dime of my money.
I am a teacher and can relate to no one answering the phone when u need them for the simplest thing - which scares the 💩out of me if there was a real emergency! Love your videos - u guys are the best!
Happy, happy Birthday Ben! I'm sorry the cruise didnt end up being totally fantastic. I so appreciate your candid evaluation. In spite of all, you had me smiling ear to ear watching your delight when you boarded. It's always so fun to watch the two of you. I know these cruise ships are hurting but they've got to figure stuff out or they're gonna lose loyal passengers. What you described is just stupid, silly, inexcusable stuff for the cabin you booked. Shortly after the pandemic/reopening, my daughter and I sailed on Symphony of the seas and did a bid-up and won a crown loft suite. We literally felt like royalty. And the service was impeccable (partly cuz they were running with fewer passengers). For the money you paid, and for the Haven option, they should have been falling over themselves to ensure you had a perfect experience! And the kids in adults only area! YIKES! Not cool.... Thx again for another amazing vlog! I hope the execs at Norwegian see this!
Welcome to NCL's 20% added for your convenience. We've done 3 NCL cruises and always feel they are nickel and diming us to death. The same menu daily drove us crazy the last time. The balcony's are not great unless you have a rear penthouse. Those are fantastic. Out trip on the Pearl and the Gem were great. The Breakaway was awful. We had a forward facing penthouse. It had the smallest balcony ever--not just for the penthouse, but any cabin. The rear penthouse balcony was outstanding! And, they do not have white crème de menthe. But they do have dedicated elevators when returning from a day trip. I don't remember paying for sodas or coffee. But I'm old and don't remember much. Your video is spot on. Lots of splash -- no dash! but, 20% added for your convenience. For everything. What a rip!
Thank you so much for your honest evaluation of the Haven. I've never been tempted to stay there on any Norwegian ship as I enjoy our simple, balcony rooms. Loved the review of the Mexican Restaurant, Los Lobos. It looks fantastic. Happy Birthday, David! Love to you Both! You're my favorite cruisers by far.
You know, my experience is that if there are children on board you can forget about the pool. I went on a cruise early last year. I was sitting on the deck looking out to see when a little toddler ran up and stared climbing through the railings - I was getting up to catch her as I thought she was going to go overboard. The mum just stood there smiling and taking photos. There was a woman sitting next to me who said the same toddler was found face down in the pool, the mum was not even near her. I really enjoyed your review, happy birthday
My parents surprised us with a haven penthouse on the Escape! Had no idea till we were escorted to the private check-in room and then they told us lol. Also had people booing us because we were being escorted onboard lol.
Thanks for your unbiased, honest review. This is what people need to know so they can spend their money wisely. Sorry you had a crappy experience and thanks for sharing. You two are too cute!
And here I was literally looking at The Haven…. That’s a BIG FAT NEIN DANKE now! - thanks for sharing your true opinion and experience! This is why I love your videos! Influencers just sell you the PR dream.. you keep it real!
Massive fail for no coffee on the Haven Lounge. Thank you for pointing that out. You guys are great with that. And, amazing how far behind Celebrity and Royal are when it comes to food.
Had a similar experience on an older Norwegian ship recently. Most of the trip the pool chairs were tied up even when it was sunny out, half the bars/restaurants were closed.
Happy birthday Ben, great video and wonderful to see the excitement of your boarding and the Haven suite. I was on an inaugural sailing of the Norwegian Bliss, and agree the new ship smell is wonderful. The race track on the Bliss was alot of fun . And they have definitely upgraded their food from what it was years ago . Thanks for the always fabulous content
Wow thanks for the review. Happy birthday! I also had the EXACT same experiences in the Haven recently on the Joy. The concierge was unresponsive, the bar service slow and helped “tipping” passengers. The sun deck has no loungers on sea days and the pool was loaded with kids. The Haven restaurant food was meh and the service slow and aloof. I agree with every point and will not be staying in the Haven again. While I loved my suite the rest was not worth the price paid for sure. So glad to hear it wasn’t just me. I don’t understand when everyone said “once you go Haven you never go back”. I think there are many other higher end options considering the price point the Haven has reached.
Thank you for this honest review! It definitely didn’t end like I was hoping. That’s so disappointing that even after paying a premium for the Haven you are still charged for things. Extra charges for water in your cabin and charges for coffee everywhere except in your cabin???!!! That’s crazy! And the fact that a portion of the elevated gratuities doesn’t go to the butler is absolutely ridiculous! You’re paying $5 more per person for the Haven so you would think that extra money would be allocated to the butler! Sorry, NCL, I am no longer interested in booking a cruise within The Haven.
This was all so sweet. I love watching both of you. Happy birthday Ben. I’m so pleased the two of you get this experience. It couldn’t happen to two nicer people.
Happy Birthday, Lovely Ben! I love how positive and bubbly you both are on your videos, but you don't scrimp on your honesty when it comes to reviewing your cruise experience. I absolutely respect this, one of the many things from you, Ben and David. I have to catch with watching all your videos. I am so behind!
Happy Birthday Ben! What a lovely surprise from David. He was so excited to tell you. Love to watch both of you. Your videos are informative and totally fun!
We were on this cruise also, ours was for our anniversary though. Just seeing the first day brings back the flood of memories from our first Norwegian experience. We were on a tour with you both in Pisa/Florence and enjoyed talking with you for a bit, then came home to find you on TH-cam, what a great surprise. Loved your review of the ship and can't wait to try the Haven eventually. Hope you had a great birthday!
Thank you for always being completely sincere and honest about the Haven, I had been looking into it. You guys are some of my favorite TH-camrs! Hope you had a swell birthday! ❤🎉
For 900.00 a night you can go on Silverseas & get alcohol in your room. Way more Premium experience. Plus even Celebrity the Luminae restaurant has a different menu all the time. Fresh orange juice included. A beautiful lounge with different bites of food throughout the day. A coffee machine that makes lattes, too.
I was tempted to go for the upgrade bid to the haven on my next two NCL cruises. I think you saved me some money. I have luckily booked the Vibe Beach club in December, and the Posh in March. Definitely worth the money. Thank you for your survey at the end.
Most excellent comparative review - it surely helps that you've taken cruises on other lines. All service industry positions have been hit hard by personnel shortages. There are just NO people to fill the vacancies. You would think SOMEONE would be making an issue out of this reality, but then, truths would become known, and apparently, we don't want that to happen. Good work, gentlemen. Honesty is so refreshing.
I disagree. There are plenty people who would fill the vacancies, it is simply that the industry refuses to pay a decent wage for the services a skilled employee would provide. This is about corporate greed.
First, that was lovely David!👏🏻 No matter what the outcome was, the intention was 100% heartfelt surprise. ♥️ This cruise vlog is actually what I have been waiting for. Our honeymoon was on a Norwegian ship in Apr. 1994 so I have been eyeing the Haven suites on the Viva or Prima since our actual ship was scrapped long ago. Planning a 30th anniversary cruise is why I started watching your channel. Sounds like I need to keep looking a bit more or at least skip Haven. 🤔
The wife, and I cruised in the Haven on Prima earlier his year. We felt quite a disconnect with all the areas being cordoned off. The ideas was that passengers wouldn’t feel intimidated with crowded areas. The Haven is quite good, however our stateroom was 4 decks above the main Haven areas, so we had to go use the private Haven Elevator. This is just me splitting hairs I know, but I like having our stateroom on the same level of the Haven Bar, and restaurant. In addition, if you want to use the Spa, we found that they kept it in front of the ship, and the Haven is all aft. Since the wife, and I like using the Thermaspa, we got well over our 10000 steps for each day with the lengthy trek from our Haven Stateroom all the way to the bow of ship where the SPA is located. Overall we give the Prima a 7 out of 10. The Haven is of course nice, but we found the layout of ship to be cumbersome going back and forth from it.
Great review as always boys! It almost perfectly matches our recent cruise on the NCL Prima. The ship,design is poor, especially when sailing in colder areas where everyone is crowded inside. But the extreme price we paid but then being extra-charged for everything really has turned us off to NCL, unfortunately.
I only did the Haven once, on a 14-day cruise. I got a regular stateroom and put in the minimum bid for the Haven and got it. It was a repositioning cruise. The ship was only about 60% full. From that perspective it was a good deal. I paid about $3000 less than you. There was no staff shortage so we were able to get anything we wanted. The food and service were outstanding. We're not vegetarians and liked the gelatin dessert so it wasn't an issue for us. A lot of grandparents bring kids with them in the Haven. We only had a couple on our cruise. They were well-behaved and did not bother us. I've never done it since but I'm glad I did it the one time.
Hi Guys…thanks for another great video. Really appreciate the honesty. My wife and I are about to go on our 5th cruise so we’re not newbies…neither of us, however, could keep track of what was included on your cruise vs what wasn’t. Can’t believe you had to pay for a Sprite or buy your own water. We travel on Viking exclusively and everything is included. Makes the experience so much more enjoyable. Will NEVER travel on one of these mega ships. Thanks again. Happy Birthday Ben.
Love this review, very honest and gives great insight into what to expect. Not just the good, but also the things that need to improve. I hope that Norwegian step up their game a bit.
Hi Ben and David. What a wonderful birthday surprise! To start, the ship looked beautiful. The Haven area looked very relaxing. It's a shame that the Haven is lacking in so many areas, especially for the money that it costs. I have sailed the Haven a few times and always had a good time. Totally agree the menu needs to change. Having the same exact menu every day is boring. They also need more choices for all passengers without having to go a day ahead to request a specific meal. Parent's need to be told that the Haven isn't a playground. I understand the parent's pay for them to be there as well. However, there needs to be supervision and a little consideration for other's who would like to use the pools, hot tub, etc. The cutbacks are out of control. I've recently gone to MSC and totally enjoyed the Yacht Club area. Night and day difference from NCL. Also a Major cost difference, MSC is considerably less expensive and better value for the money. As always thank you for all your hard work. ❤❤
Thank you. You just saved us a TON of money. We are booked on Norwegian for a cruise in 2024, but I am tempted to switch back to Viking. Recently cruised on Norwegian. It was good enough, but I would prefer something more upscale, but it does not sound like the haven is the answer.
We have always been intrigued by the idea of The Haven, but have never booked it. After seeing this, it has sort of confirmed our fears. We will def stick to a balcony cabin. You are absolutely right that this new class of ship is a warm weather ship. We did Iceland and Norway on the Prima and didn't get to enjoy the outside spaces at all.
Incredibly informative and matter of fact! Love your guys descriptions of things both amazing and disappointing - it is very emotive and brings so much understanding across. Love both of your quirkiness in your descriptive way of sharing information - Its honest, humble and oh so flippen funny. Say it as it is but with no personal vendetta or malice at any specific party. Its rare in today's world of social media to find the perfect balance to reflect a reality.
DAVID. WHAT AN ADORABLE SURPRISE. Honestly seeing Ben surprised is just so cute. Ohh. Disappointed that the television doesn't have a swivel, but deeply appreciative that it was included in the review of the cabin. As a solo who doesn't really gel with a "family" vibe, a Haven review is exactly what I needed to get me to decide on my next sailing. Thank you for the review as always.
Happy belated birthday Ben! What a shame about the shortcomings of the Haven; and bless David he was so excited to be able to give you the surprise! You`ve probably saved a few people the disappointment by giving your review though; you guys are always so honest that people know to trust your advice. Having said that though, the ship overall is gorgeous, and the food offerings looked amazing. Love from Vancouver Island Canada❤🍁
The service quality decline in The Haven is really sad to see. My husband and I have cruised in The Haven several times and we had spectacular experiences each time, but of course this was in the pre-pandemic times. Next time we cruise, we might choose something different like Viking or Virgin.
I am brand new to your channel. Love how honest & funny you both are!! Truly a treat! You both make a lovely couple & compliment each other perfectly!! A joy to watch.😊❤
First of all Happy Birthday Ben. Thank you both for bringing us along! It was a fun and informative video. I had been considering the haven for my first cruise but now that I have a better understanding I have chosen not to. Thank you for saving me the money and grief!
Just popping on to say how much I love your videos. You two seem so genuine, and its lovely to see how much you enjoyed a taste of luxury! A lot more relatable more than watching some TH-camrs that are used to the first class treatment etc!
Happy happy birthday Ben. Sorry it didn't live up to your justified expectations. Yes it's inaugural, but the poor service, lack of basic necessities like coffee and soda, and (sorry to say) kids allowed in the adult area, would make the Haven a definite NO EFFING WAY for me. You were absolutely right that it was a very poor value for the money. Thank you guys for taking us with you. See you next Sunday.
Gentlemen! As it happens, my partner and I were on the same cruise - had Maria as our butler, too - ( we had a slightly larger cabin at the end of the hall !). I agree with the issues you raised about the kids. I had thought that there wouldn't be as many kids in the Haven as the rest of the ship, but alas! I did notice the kids stuffing the hot tubs and wondered about the packing up of the mattresses, too. We had breakfast almost every day in the Haven dining room, but ate at a different specialty restaurant every night. (My partner sent back his order at the French restaurant, but they made good with a second choice. Yes, he did!) Our time at the Haven bar included two or three bartenders, at a time, at different times. On disembarkation day, we chatted with a butler and her assistant and were told that our sailing had 2200 passengers and the next sailing (leaving that afternoon) would have 3,000 passengers. Dumfounded, I asked whether they would have extra crew to ready the ship (cabins, supplies, etc.) and were told NO! As this was the ship's first sailing - and a bit of a shake down cruise - I am sure they will be getting feedback (like this) and your review - among others. Somehow, we were followed boarding by another TH-camr and so, have a millisecond, or two, of TH-cam fame. Too, we ended up in the Haven as my partner kept seeing better cabins (being priced down) on the Norwegian website that were similarly priced (I think he made two or three jumps to other cabins) until we got to the Haven. He, too, was looking for the best value for dollar. (We were at the end of the hall on starboard side of the Haven ). My partner completed an online Norwegian questionaire regarding how we wanted our cabin, supplied with libations and were very forthcoming. Even then there was an auction for the last Haven cabin - maybe that's the one David won! Anyway, we enjoyed our cruise, overall. (The gym was spectacular with an amazing forward view and tons of equipment). The entertainment in the theatre was middling (I think the entertainment producer even had to fill in one night) A group performing Fleetwood Macs RUMORS album (with added narration) in one of the pubs was incredible and we saw them two different nights. (FYI, I think we read in some of the in-cabin intro material that a percentage of our fare was used to pool a fund to tip workers, but that it didn't include butlers, so we tipped ours, deservedly, ) Anyway, I do go on. That Maria! What a charmer! All the Best to you both.
Happy Birthday, Ben! Honest video that you & David gave, good and bad things. Disappointed to learn that the fancy upgrade wasn't really worth the expense. Glad you had a reasonably good time anyway!
Firstly happy birthday Ben and well done on the very thoughtful and romantic upgrade David. It was a fascinating vlog! Such a beautiful suite and balcony, but so disappointing on so many levels. When you were speaking about the Haven pool area we 'heard' a child and both went 'oh no, kids are allowed!' Don't get me wrong we love our six kids but we woud be so peeved off if there were kids in the Haven!!! I think your advice to pay for Vibe would be a better idea than the room upgrade. Very excited to be boarding in 2 weeks. We've booked an inside cabin but put in a bid for a balcony. Cagneys booked and we'll be heading to Indulge! Great honest vlog guys. Brilliant!
I am literally in my room on Silver Sea's Silver Ray anchored of Hvar Croatia. We spent 12K for a room as big as yours (which is the standard room here) with everything included. The extra 3K is worth it we are not getting nickeled and dimed. We ordered two entrees for dinner... no charge. We ordered a little caviar... no charge. Very good champagne everywhere... no charge. Coffee bar all day... no charge. Excursions included at every port... no extra charge. The one thing I did pay for was $135 for premium WiFi for the week.
Happy Birthday, Ben!!! I was glued to every second of this video because we are on the ICON's inaugural sailing and very excited for that "new carpet smell!" David... You are my idol! I tried to pull off a surprise birthday gift for my GF with ICON but she found out so congrats on pulling off this wonderful gift! The look on Ben's face was priceless! But this was a great video and I am sorry that it turned out to be a little disappointing. We are very loyal to Royal and after watching this, we certainly won't be straying to Norwegian if we do ever decide to test the waters sort of speak. LOL I also hope that Royal doesn't head in the direction of Norwegian and start up-charging for each and every little thing. It really does take away from the overall experience of cruising. Again.. Thanks for this amazing video and can't wait to see where yous end up next!
@@pickypants9696 We haven't minded the menu changes for the most part. I would argue that the food is above average in most cases, but definitely not "Amazing." However, I will say that the specialty restaurants are usually underwhelming. Chops in particular has never wowed us as an example. We do seem to like Jamies when we can find one.
Thank you so so much for all your lovely and kind birthday messages. I appreciate it so much ❤
We all love you both - & your work!🎖🎖🎖😎😎😎♥️♥️♥️🌹🌹🌹
Happy, happy Birthday Ben! I'm smiling all the way through. Much love and happiness to you both!
TDG FULLSUPPORT ( Cruise With Ben and David ) BIG FAX
Happy Belated Birthday, Ben!! I hope it was everything you could imagine ❤❤❤
Happy Birthday Ben!! Much Aloha❤
If I pay $9k for a cruise I would expect to get my water replenished in my room for free. The fact that you guys had to buy a bunch ahead of time was my first red flag 😂. Loved the honesty of the review as usual. After seeing this and your past Virgin reviews, I think I’m still set on trying Virgin over any others. Seems like the best value for the money from what I’ve seen on your channel. And no kids!
If you want water then yes you pay for it. However there are plenty of stations to replenish water bottles etc. Free at sea does give you excellent value. But at the end of the day, it is what ever floats you boat so to speak. Virgin would be too party for me. Takes all sorts to make a world
@@michaelgunney1183 good point, the water stations definitely mitigate. I’m just saying you’re paying a small fortune for a room they should at least give you 2 free waters per day for being first class. If you need more than that then sure, gotta pay for it or use the refill stations. And my fiancé and I aren’t big on the party vibe either but I think you can just not participate in the few on-board parties they have and do something your own speed instead. And definitely don’t do weekend cruises I heard that’s what the partiers do lol
Can't you just drink water from the faucet? For free? Why would you ever buy water?
@@allmightygriff Please buy the water in other countries lol, most don't have same level of purification as USA, UK, Canada etc. They can drink it because they are use to it lol.
@@michaelgunney1183Having free refilling stations isnt an excuse to not offer good service
I really love how you guys are never overly-wowed (like a lot of influencers) yet also never overly-doomy (like a lot of TH-camrs). You're the Goldilocks of cruise reviews.
That's the difference in willingly paying for your cruise compared to the cruise line asking you to come on for free or asking the cruise line to let you come for free and we're denied.
Y'all have such a wonderful relationship! It brought tears to my eyes when David told Ben about the suite. ❤
❤️
Same here. My boyfriend and I got emotional and had tears in our eyes. What a beautiful couple. They make me happy.
@@Cruisewith MSC's new Luxury line & their current Yacht Club is mostly "all inclusive," yet NCL never stops charging you! NCL's Chairman said that the average guest would pay an additional 40% of their cruise fare based on on board expenses: I did not know, this included Haven guests too.
I agree.
Bet he got bummed to bits for that
I absolutely love your honesty. You point out the brilliance, the drudgery, and the mediocraty of your experiences. For those of us who don't cruise often, it provides a realistic expecation of what to look forward to with our bookings. Thank you. Keep up the GREAT work.
Thank you so much for your kind words and support! 😊
You guys are the best at what you do, my favorite by a large margin. Congrats at your sucess! Your graciousness is wonderfully appreciated!
LOL. These guys are old women .
@@aaronbrown6890 🙄 troll
@@Nameless-lk8ld Sorry about that.
LOL @ the adults-only pool having a giant pane of glass fencing around it, but the kid's pool is an infinity edge. Who designed this boat??! LMFAO
The honesty from you two is why I watch every week. But also your chemistry, the most perfect couple 🥰. Happy birthday Ben.
Thank you so much!
My wife and I did a 2 week Mediterranean cruise on Viking Cruise Line, absolutely wonderful. No children, No casino, and No night clubs we paid more than other cruise lines but we felt it was worth the Money. Viking did have the drink package and it’s $600 for 2 people, we didn’t get it because beer and wine are free with lunch and dinner at all dining options and I had plenty to drink. Saved some cash there, Viking we gave an A and would sail again. I love the review guys :) I have been watching your channel and enjoy the honesty!
We are doing Iconic Western Med for our 1st Viking cruise in March…8 day cruise and this is giving me some buyer remorse. We paid $8500 (with $1K of cancel anytime insurance) for the lowest level. Haven’t even paid for any excursions yet! (We lost all of our pre-paid excursions and tips when Covid shut it down with 3 days from our embarkation day). What are your tips for getting the most out of a Viking cruise?? (I don’t have much faith in Viking after seeing this! 😢)
Sounds boring no casino and no clubs
@@jamalbryan3887
Not boring at all, we actually looked for a cruise line without casino, clubs, belly flop contest we wanted to avoid those cruise lines. Viking was a great choice and after your daily excursions your plenty tired. There is entertainment on board just not Las Vegas style. I guess your age depends on what style vacation you want. I would recommend Viking
@@wearethelarosas6395
Hello, I am not sure if we picked the right time to go but we didn’t have any issues with ports of call. The weather was great on most ports…. A few cloudy slightly rainy days. I was a little shocked at your cost. We paid $6,500 per person in a deluxe veranda room. We did get the travel insurance because of the cost of the trip. We also added going to Paris, France for 5 days after the cruise so I wanted the coverage. We participated in all the excursions daily…we didn’t do much of the lectures they have as I enjoyed the wine selection and the atmosphere tried to embrace each country we visited. My wife and I were tired after a long day. I know for reservations to the Manfreddis and The Chefs Table there cancellations all the time. We ate there a few different nights. I hope you enjoy your trip :)
O
Hello Ben and David, I'm a frequent cruiser with NCL i have booked Inside, Oceanview, balcony and have been recieved very good service . I never given a thought of booking the Haven. I really am never in my cabin , i like being out and about doing things around the ship. I am sorry you guys were so disappointed with your experience. Thank you very much for your honest opinion,. You are the first to really be honeat about the Haven. I have watched other videos that gave there reviews and they made it out to be the ultimate experience. After your rwview i will never consider booking the haven. Guest should be given the ultimate experience .
We agree, thanks so much.
They always seem unhappy even when all others say it was excellent, that is a dislike of me. They are to critical. Been on NCL and it was more then fine
@@user-ez4jy6jj4gPeople are allowed to not like things.
I appreciate your honesty and you’re not sponsored. I would have been upset by the lack of drinks. The menu and the children.
Got off my first cruise this morning… I started watching you all last year to see what cruising was like so I knew what to expect. Y’all I’m hooked. I’m officially a cruiser.
It only takes one! I was hesitant when my wife said about cruising, but I did one and then I've been hooked ever since!
Wow I did not expect the review to go this way! Thank you for being so honest! We need more people to stay unbiased like you guys.
Brutal honesty is greatly appreciated!!! 👍 It only validates you PAID $$ for the trip! 😂
I'm doubly disappointed for you because you were so excited and surprised about the birthday upgrade. Made the whole thing a slap in the face.
What a wonderful surprise David had for your birthday, Ben! That's true love, and the absolute joy in David's face to present his surprise to Ben was amazing! Thank you for showing us your great Haven suite, delicious food, and that lovely ship. Thank you also for your honesty in reviewing what the Haven lacks as well. I love that I can always count on your telling it like it is. I can't wait to see more videos on this cruise. ♥
Thanks so much for your lovely words!
what blows me away with this cruise is the fact that you're in a $900 a night suit and even with a beverage package you're still paying for a pop to be delivered to your room!!!! thanks guys for this review, i'll stick with Princess (even though they just did some bad changes too)
This is the first time I saw one of your videos; I have to say, amazing reviewing of the downsides and you show no bias, well done. I used to be a consultant working on customer satisfaction and troubleshooting for the blue chip companies and major brands including cruise lines. If the large firms received video appraisals like this, the board of directors would be extremely keen to see your views but tbh, unless you directly target these seniors, the findings will sail by them (bad pun intended). Marketing departments will often view TH-cam but they don't always get 'heard' by the board of key decision makers.
But you have so much to offer them that no one else may be offering.
You could really differentiate your channel not only by appealing to the end users (the cruise guests) but also by inviting the cruise lines to sign up to 1-1 board-level feedback at a subscription rate per annum. They spend big $ on customer feedback programs and there is no reason why you couldn't get a slice of this because your feedback style is perfect for what they are looking for. I'm pretty sure they would get behind it.
Thank you for your honest reviews. I really wanted to go on the Viva but sounds like they are out pricing themselves.
I cannot thank you both enough for the fair an honest review on the Haven. I have been wanting to stay in the Haven but for the price I often wonder if its really worth it. Cruising several times a year and with prices raising, I really want to make smart choices with my cruise vacations. With the Haven charging a premium, I really was hoping it was not a nickel and dime type experience. I watch all of your videos an appreciate you both. Really great review guys, many of thanks and Happy Birthday Ben.
I agree about wanting to make smart choices due to price increases. We need to stretch our dollars and a vacation should really be something special.
Happy birthday, Ben 🎉 🎂 No one deserves a birthday treat like this more. Hope you enjoy.
Aww thanks so much!
Call me shallow and superficial but the best part of this video is Ben's bon voyage fruit bowl, busting out all over with happiness and joy, so beautifully, it takes first class to a whole new level. Nobody can or will ever cruise like Ben and David....nobody
The ship looked lovely. I am sorry you didnt enjoy some of the experiences. I appreciate your honesty as always!!!!!
Thanks for watching!
Sorry you didn’t have the best experience, I can totally understand your disappointment. I really appreciate the honest review. When I was researching cruise lines for our Northern Europe trip, I was leaning towards Viking but I decided to compare the suites for the major lines and found Viking to be cheaper and more appealing when considering what’s included and no kids was a big plus.
By far, your most compelling review. This was refreshingly different to your others because we got more than Ben entertaining us with his glittering personality. It was an actual review. The good, the bad, and the ugly parents who fail raise their own children, but are wealthy enough to dump them in the ice room and sauna and ruin the whole experience for everyone else. And the extra charges nonsense? It was, well, nonsense. I just got off my worst ever British Airways flight experience. The main problem? Yes. Not enough crew. And a corporate culture that alienates the customer.
It’s such a huge problem post Covid!
Excellent comment 👏
The worst flight experience we ever had was on British Airways in 1996 (we were going on our first cruise for 25th wedding anniversary). One of the stewardesses was most obnoxious. Kept going on that she was normally based in First Class. Ignored the pair of us the WHOLE time. Refused to fly with them ever since.
I believe all of their videos are "actual reviews." And I'm perfectly happy with Ben's wit. Thank you, gentleman!
We learned to avoid BA many years ago.@@suejames3208
I really do appreciate the fact that you're not afraid to call a company out on their shortcomings. Especially when it's a premium product that doesn't end up feeling premium. A lot of the things you brought up would not have been an issue in the least if you were booked in a regular cabin, but when you are booked in one of the "ship within a ship" suites and get nickled and dimed like this, I don't blame you for being unhappy. Thank you for your honesty.
I loved David’s sweet surprise. Also appreciate your honest review. If they are charging you full rate for The Haven but can’t staff it, they should not be charging you full rate. Also, I have 3 kids and 7 grands. I feel like areas like the Haven should be adults only. Kids will be kids but…parents need to supervise them!
Again, listening to your final minutes of grievances, I am remembering how wonderful it was to see the adults-only areas on Holland America and Royal Caribbean cruise-ships.....zero children.....zero crowds....always room in the swimming-pool....always room in the heated Jacuzzis.....easy access to the fitness-centre and to the spa....Royal's Solarium (on Rhapsody of the Seas, for example) even has its own restaurant, Park Cafe, which beautifully complements the opening hours of the buffet-deck....and provides an alternative whenever the buffet-deck is crowded.....and all of this was at no extra charge to all adult guests, even those in Inside Cabins.....So Suites are not so sweet, it seems?
Thank you for including us in the exciting surprise! What a great gift. It's a shame the cruise experience wasn't what you had hoped.
Happy Birthday Ben!
Thanks so much for watching! Even with the negatives we had such a lovely time.
Hi Guys, and Happy Birthday to Ben. I appreciate your review. I am a loyal NCL Haven cruiser. Mainly because I enjoy the adult only spaces and the fabulous butler service. My best advice is to ask for what you desire and it will be delivered. I have found that if you give the chefs a headsup they will prepare you whatever you want.
It is really unfortunate that parents are not raising their children with respect for those around them. In most Haven spaces the crew is being much more vigilant about monitoring children and their behavior- especially if it is brought to their attention.
Unfortunately you experienced a brand new ship which hasn’t been fully staffed with its crew and entertainment which is why most travel representatives recommend not taking the inaugural sailings and waiting until the bugs are worked out. I sailed Prima when it had just started it’s Florida sailings last December as a brand new ship and experienced some issues…when we sailed again in March most issues were resolved…except for the child parenting problems!
I am sailing Viva in January (hopefully the crew and entertainment will be fully staffed and running…and kids will be in school!) I’ll let you know how it goes.
Shouldn't sail if not fully staffed or if they are sailing, you can't charge those sort of prices and have the bars and hot tubs closed.. not acceptable. Kids in adult only areas aswel, grrrrrrr
Yes, but a menu with that a few choices is absolutely ridiculous. That’s not about staffing. That’s poor planning and poor customer service.
Two of the nicest people living their best lives, Happy Birthday Ben, ❤
Thanks so much!
I’m so glad you both do not sugar coat the experience!!!
I love that you tell the truth and explain your story!!!
I love your videos and I hope you both stay true and honest with your channel!!!!
Your best video yet, well done boys. Also, the joy on Ben's face when he discovered David's surprise was really, really sweet.
Thanks!
First of all, happy belated birthday, Ben! 🎉 Secondly, I couldn't help but share in your excitement when David surprised you with The Haven upgrade. That must have been an incredible moment! However, it's a bit disheartening to hear that your experience didn't entirely match the anticipation, especially considering the significant cost involved. Kudos to both of you for delivering such an honest review of your time in The Haven.
It's clear from your video that The Haven offers a stunning stateroom, but it does make one wonder whether the added expense truly justifies the experience. As a point of comparison, my husband and I are currently booked in a mini-suite stateroom on the Sky Princess for a 12-day voyage to the Canary Islands departing from Southampton. While it may not be as lavish as The Haven, we're certainly eager to see how our own experience unfolds.
Your TH-cam content consistently delivers top-notch entertainment and valuable insights. It's like having a high-quality television show, but even better because it's real and relatable. Keep up the fantastic work, gentlemen! Many of us truly appreciate the effort you put into sharing your cruise adventures with us. Cheers to more exciting journeys ahead! 🚢✨
As always super detailed review of the ship and didn’t hold back on what you thought of the cost vs what you received in return.
This started with me thinking maybe The Haven could be for us, but by the end there’s no way. You’ve saved us a bad experience!
Happy Birthday, Ben!! It was very thoughtful of David to book the Haven suite for your birthday. I'm sorry it didn't meet your expectations, but you always do a great job of giving us your honest opinion. It's too bad the staff is understaffed, and I would be upset like you if I had to pay for every little thing, especially considering what you paid. Thanks again for your candid review of the ship. Cheers to the both of you.
Thank you so much!
My husband and i went on an Alaskan cruise years ago and had to pay seperate for every thing
I sailed on the NCL Joy Haven in October 2022 (also via the upgrade system) and I have to say the experience was amazing. The menu didn't change every night, however it was large enough that I failed in my attempt to try everything on a 10 night cruise. Furthermore, the head waiter was more than happy to provide off menu items whenever asked. Not sure if B&D asked for this service, but I'm pretty sure vegetarians and people with other dietary requirements would be well catered for if they made their requirements known.
Overall service was absolutely amazing, food quality was superb and we did not experience staffing issues.
For me personally I wouldn't say it is good value for money at full price, however that's simply because I'd rather sail cheaper and more often. I completely understand folks who get value out of the experience.
I sailed on the prima recently and totally agree with you about these ships being better suited for warmer weather. The outdoor spaces are gorgeous but it’s impossible to make use of them in Norway and Iceland.
I agree. Just got off Prima on September 17th.
For as many ships as they have and build… I’d of thought they had a whole ship designed for cold weather cruising. Obviously not a ship as big as this one, but still. Do they?
I want you to know that we just canceled a $25,000 NCL Haven Aft Owners Suite Norway Iceland cruise based on this review. Thank you for your honestly. No way I’m giving them a dime of my money.
A 58 minute video, what a treat for all of us! Happy belated birthday Ben!
I am a teacher and can relate to no one answering the phone when u need them for the simplest thing - which scares the 💩out of me if there was a real emergency! Love your videos - u guys are the best!
Happy Birthday, Ben! 🎂🥳🎉 I'm sorry the cruise didn't turn out as expected but I'm happy that you and David got to enjoy some lovely places together!
Thanks! Exactly we are happy just to enjoy time together. Regardless of the problems we still enjoyed the experience!
Happy, happy Birthday Ben! I'm sorry the cruise didnt end up being totally fantastic. I so appreciate your candid evaluation. In spite of all, you had me smiling ear to ear watching your delight when you boarded. It's always so fun to watch the two of you. I know these cruise ships are hurting but they've got to figure stuff out or they're gonna lose loyal passengers. What you described is just stupid, silly, inexcusable stuff for the cabin you booked. Shortly after the pandemic/reopening, my daughter and I sailed on Symphony of the seas and did a bid-up and won a crown loft suite. We literally felt like royalty. And the service was impeccable (partly cuz they were running with fewer passengers). For the money you paid, and for the Haven option, they should have been falling over themselves to ensure you had a perfect experience! And the kids in adults only area! YIKES! Not cool.... Thx again for another amazing vlog! I hope the execs at Norwegian see this!
After our 99 cruises there is one thing we hear from people more than anything else ls..."NEVER do a maiden voyage" :)....Happy Birthday.
Welcome to NCL's 20% added for your convenience. We've done 3 NCL cruises and always feel they are nickel and diming us to death. The same menu daily drove us crazy the last time. The balcony's are not great unless you have a rear penthouse. Those are fantastic.
Out trip on the Pearl and the Gem were great. The Breakaway was awful. We had a forward facing penthouse. It had the smallest balcony ever--not just for the penthouse, but any cabin. The rear penthouse balcony was outstanding!
And, they do not have white crème de menthe. But they do have dedicated elevators when returning from a day trip. I don't remember paying for sodas or coffee. But I'm old and don't remember much.
Your video is spot on. Lots of splash -- no dash! but, 20% added for your convenience. For everything. What a rip!
You can just go to guest services and have it removed.
Thank you so much for your honest evaluation of the Haven. I've never been tempted to stay there on any Norwegian ship as I enjoy our simple, balcony rooms. Loved the review of the Mexican Restaurant, Los Lobos. It looks fantastic. Happy Birthday, David! Love to you Both! You're my favorite cruisers by far.
You know, my experience is that if there are children on board you can forget about the pool. I went on a cruise early last year. I was sitting on the deck looking out to see when a little toddler ran up and stared climbing through the railings - I was getting up to catch her as I thought she was going to go overboard. The mum just stood there smiling and taking photos. There was a woman sitting next to me who said the same toddler was found face down in the pool, the mum was not even near her. I really enjoyed your review, happy birthday
My parents surprised us with a haven penthouse on the Escape! Had no idea till we were escorted to the private check-in room and then they told us lol. Also had people booing us because we were being escorted onboard lol.
Congratulations. I hope you enjoyed every moment.
Why would people boo when because you were escorted on board? That’s really crass.
That was the most precious and genuine emotions during the Haven surprise news. Absolutely loved it and the both of you,
Happy birthday Ben🎉🎉🎉
Sundays are to watch Ben and David ❤
Thanks so much!
Thanks for your unbiased, honest review. This is what people need to know so they can spend their money wisely. Sorry you had a crappy experience and thanks for sharing. You two are too cute!
And here I was literally looking at The Haven…. That’s a BIG FAT NEIN DANKE now! - thanks for sharing your true opinion and experience! This is why I love your videos! Influencers just sell you the PR dream.. you keep it real!
Your best review yet. Fair and critical, as all reviewers should strive to be! Thanks guys!
Massive fail for no coffee on the Haven Lounge. Thank you for pointing that out. You guys are great with that. And, amazing how far behind Celebrity and Royal are when it comes to food.
Our pleasure!
Had a similar experience on an older Norwegian ship recently. Most of the trip the pool chairs were tied up even when it was sunny out, half the bars/restaurants were closed.
Happy birthday Ben, great video and wonderful to see the excitement of your boarding and the Haven suite. I was on an inaugural sailing of the Norwegian Bliss, and agree the new ship smell is wonderful. The race track on the Bliss was alot of fun .
And they have definitely upgraded their food from what it was years ago . Thanks for the always fabulous content
I really appreciate yalls honesty on your reviews. Thank you for being so candid and letting us know your real thoughts.
Happy birthday Ben I love you guys you two rock on giving the truths about the cruises
You guys are awesome. So enjoyable to watch your trips
Wow thanks for the review. Happy birthday! I also had the EXACT same experiences in the Haven recently on the Joy. The concierge was unresponsive, the bar service slow and helped “tipping” passengers. The sun deck has no loungers on sea days and the pool was loaded with kids. The Haven restaurant food was meh and the service slow and aloof. I agree with every point and will not be staying in the Haven again. While I loved my suite the rest was not worth the price paid for sure. So glad to hear it wasn’t just me. I don’t understand when everyone said “once you go Haven you never go back”. I think there are many other higher end options considering the price point the Haven has reached.
Really useful review. I cannot believe you have to pay for so many extras! Thanks for the warning about the kids too!
What a wonderful cruise for such a wonderful couple!!! Happy birthday Ben!! Nice job with the surprise David!!! That was so sweet!!Love to you both!🥰🥰
Thanks so much!!
Thank you for this honest review! It definitely didn’t end like I was hoping. That’s so disappointing that even after paying a premium for the Haven you are still charged for things. Extra charges for water in your cabin and charges for coffee everywhere except in your cabin???!!! That’s crazy!
And the fact that a portion of the elevated gratuities doesn’t go to the butler is absolutely ridiculous! You’re paying $5 more per person for the Haven so you would think that extra money would be allocated to the butler!
Sorry, NCL, I am no longer interested in booking a cruise within The Haven.
Happy birthday cruising, Ben and David. David, that was such a nice surprise for Ben. Enjoy, guys!!! 🫂
The genuine joy on his face was awesome to see. I hope you both enjoyed.
This was all so sweet. I love watching both of you. Happy birthday Ben. I’m so pleased the two of you get this experience. It couldn’t happen to two nicer people.
Happy Birthday, Lovely Ben! I love how positive and bubbly you both are on your videos, but you don't scrimp on your honesty when it comes to reviewing your cruise experience. I absolutely respect this, one of the many things from you, Ben and David. I have to catch with watching all your videos. I am so behind!
Happy Birthday Ben! What a lovely surprise from David. He was so excited to tell you. Love to watch both of you. Your videos are informative and totally fun!
We were on this cruise also, ours was for our anniversary though. Just seeing the first day brings back the flood of memories from our first Norwegian experience. We were on a tour with you both in Pisa/Florence and enjoyed talking with you for a bit, then came home to find you on TH-cam, what a great surprise. Loved your review of the ship and can't wait to try the Haven eventually.
Hope you had a great birthday!
Thank you for always being completely sincere and honest about the Haven, I had been looking into it. You guys are some of my favorite TH-camrs! Hope you had a swell birthday! ❤🎉
For 900.00 a night you can go on Silverseas & get alcohol in your room. Way more Premium experience. Plus even Celebrity the Luminae restaurant has a different menu all the time. Fresh orange juice included. A beautiful lounge with different bites of food throughout the day. A coffee machine that makes lattes, too.
I was tempted to go for the upgrade bid to the haven on my next two NCL cruises. I think you saved me some money. I have luckily booked the Vibe Beach club in December, and the Posh in March. Definitely worth the money. Thank you for your survey at the end.
Most excellent comparative review - it surely helps that you've taken cruises on other lines. All service industry positions have been hit hard by personnel shortages. There are just NO people to fill the vacancies. You would think SOMEONE would be making an issue out of this reality, but then, truths would become known, and apparently, we don't want that to happen. Good work, gentlemen. Honesty is so refreshing.
I disagree. There are plenty people who would fill the vacancies, it is simply that the industry refuses to pay a decent wage for the services a skilled employee would provide. This is about corporate greed.
First, that was lovely David!👏🏻 No matter what the outcome was, the intention was 100% heartfelt surprise. ♥️ This cruise vlog is actually what I have been waiting for. Our honeymoon was on a Norwegian ship in Apr. 1994 so I have been eyeing the Haven suites on the Viva or Prima since our actual ship was scrapped long ago. Planning a 30th anniversary cruise is why I started watching your channel. Sounds like I need to keep looking a bit more or at least skip Haven. 🤔
The wife, and I cruised in the Haven on Prima earlier his year. We felt quite a disconnect with all the areas being cordoned off. The ideas was that passengers wouldn’t feel intimidated with crowded areas. The Haven is quite good, however our stateroom was 4 decks above the main Haven areas, so we had to go use the private Haven Elevator. This is just me splitting hairs I know, but I like having our stateroom on the same level of the Haven Bar, and restaurant. In addition, if you want to use the Spa, we found that they kept it in front of the ship, and the Haven is all aft. Since the wife, and I like using the Thermaspa, we got well over our 10000 steps for each day with the lengthy trek from our Haven Stateroom all the way to the bow of ship where the SPA is located. Overall we give the Prima a 7 out of 10. The Haven is of course nice, but we found the layout of ship to be cumbersome going back and forth from it.
Great review as always boys! It almost perfectly matches our recent cruise on the NCL Prima. The ship,design is poor, especially when sailing in colder areas where everyone is crowded inside. But the extreme price we paid but then being extra-charged for everything really has turned us off to NCL, unfortunately.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE how honest you guys are!!! Bless you for it!!!
Omg, that is adorable! Happy birthday, Ben! I hope you two get a break from filming for us and enjoy yourselves!
I only did the Haven once, on a 14-day cruise. I got a regular stateroom and put in the minimum bid for the Haven and got it. It was a repositioning cruise. The ship was only about 60% full. From that perspective it was a good deal. I paid about $3000 less than you. There was no staff shortage so we were able to get anything we wanted. The food and service were outstanding. We're not vegetarians and liked the gelatin dessert so it wasn't an issue for us. A lot of grandparents bring kids with them in the Haven. We only had a couple on our cruise. They were well-behaved and did not bother us. I've never done it since but I'm glad I did it the one time.
Hi Guys…thanks for another great video. Really appreciate the honesty. My wife and I are about to go on our 5th cruise so we’re not newbies…neither of us, however, could keep track of what was included on your cruise vs what wasn’t. Can’t believe you had to pay for a Sprite or buy your own water. We travel on Viking exclusively and everything is included. Makes the experience so much more enjoyable. Will NEVER travel on one of these mega ships. Thanks again. Happy Birthday Ben.
NCL Doesn't NEED your money LMFAO 😂😂
Love this review, very honest and gives great insight into what to expect. Not just the good, but also the things that need to improve. I hope that Norwegian step up their game a bit.
Hi Ben and David. What a wonderful birthday surprise! To start, the ship looked beautiful. The Haven area looked very relaxing. It's a shame that the Haven is lacking in so many areas, especially for the money that it costs. I have sailed the Haven a few times and always had a good time. Totally agree the menu needs to change. Having the same exact menu every day is boring. They also need more choices for all passengers without having to go a day ahead to request a specific meal. Parent's need to be told that the Haven isn't a playground. I understand the parent's pay for them to be there as well. However, there needs to be supervision and a little consideration for other's who would like to use the pools, hot tub, etc. The cutbacks are out of control. I've recently gone to MSC and totally enjoyed the Yacht Club area. Night and day difference from NCL. Also a Major cost difference, MSC is considerably less expensive and better value for the money. As always thank you for all your hard work. ❤❤
Thank you. You just saved us a TON of money. We are booked on Norwegian for a cruise in 2024, but I am tempted to switch back to Viking. Recently cruised on Norwegian. It was good enough, but I would prefer something more upscale, but it does not sound like the haven is the answer.
We have always been intrigued by the idea of The Haven, but have never booked it. After seeing this, it has sort of confirmed our fears. We will def stick to a balcony cabin. You are absolutely
right that this new class of ship is a warm weather ship. We did Iceland and Norway on the Prima and didn't get to enjoy the outside spaces at all.
Incredibly informative and matter of fact! Love your guys descriptions of things both amazing and disappointing - it is very emotive and brings so much understanding across. Love both of your quirkiness in your descriptive way of sharing information - Its honest, humble and oh so flippen funny. Say it as it is but with no personal vendetta or malice at any specific party. Its rare in today's world of social media to find the perfect balance to reflect a reality.
DAVID. WHAT AN ADORABLE SURPRISE. Honestly seeing Ben surprised is just so cute. Ohh. Disappointed that the television doesn't have a swivel, but deeply appreciative that it was included in the review of the cabin. As a solo who doesn't really gel with a "family" vibe, a Haven review is exactly what I needed to get me to decide on my next sailing. Thank you for the review as always.
Great review. I hope someone from NCL sees this video and take notes to make future cruises a better experience.
Awww that is so sweet. Good job David!! Y’all are the cutest!❤🎉 Happy Birthday Ben!!
Happy belated birthday Ben! What a shame about the shortcomings of the Haven; and bless David he was so excited to be able to give you the surprise! You`ve probably saved a few people the disappointment by giving your review though; you guys are always so honest that people know to trust your advice. Having said that though, the ship overall is gorgeous, and the food offerings looked amazing. Love from Vancouver Island Canada❤🍁
The service quality decline in The Haven is really sad to see. My husband and I have cruised in The Haven several times and we had spectacular experiences each time, but of course this was in the pre-pandemic times. Next time we cruise, we might choose something different like Viking or Virgin.
I am brand new to your channel. Love how honest & funny you both are!! Truly a treat! You both make a lovely couple & compliment each other perfectly!! A joy to watch.😊❤
First of all Happy Birthday Ben. Thank you both for bringing us along! It was a fun and informative video. I had been considering the haven for my first cruise but now that I have a better understanding I have chosen not to. Thank you for saving me the money and grief!
Just popping on to say how much I love your videos. You two seem so genuine, and its lovely to see how much you enjoyed a taste of luxury! A lot more relatable more than watching some TH-camrs that are used to the first class treatment etc!
Happy happy birthday Ben. Sorry it didn't live up to your justified expectations. Yes it's inaugural, but the poor service, lack of basic necessities like coffee and soda, and (sorry to say) kids allowed in the adult area, would make the Haven a definite NO EFFING WAY for me. You were absolutely right that it was a very poor value for the money. Thank you guys for taking us with you. See you next Sunday.
Gentlemen! As it happens, my partner and I were on the same cruise - had Maria as our butler, too - ( we had a slightly larger cabin at the end of the hall !). I agree with the issues you raised about the kids. I had thought that there wouldn't be as many kids in the Haven as the rest of the ship, but alas! I did notice the kids stuffing the hot tubs and wondered about the packing up of the mattresses, too. We had breakfast almost every day in the Haven dining room, but ate at a different specialty restaurant every night. (My partner sent back his order at the French restaurant, but they made good with a second choice. Yes, he did!) Our time at the Haven bar included two or three bartenders, at a time, at different times. On disembarkation day, we chatted with a butler and her assistant and were told that our sailing had 2200 passengers and the next sailing (leaving that afternoon) would have 3,000 passengers. Dumfounded, I asked whether they would have extra crew to ready the ship (cabins, supplies, etc.) and were told NO! As this was the ship's first sailing - and a bit of a shake down cruise - I am sure they will be getting feedback (like this) and your review - among others. Somehow, we were followed boarding by another TH-camr and so, have a millisecond, or two, of TH-cam fame. Too, we ended up in the Haven as my partner kept seeing better cabins (being priced down) on the Norwegian website that were similarly priced (I think he made two or three jumps to other cabins) until we got to the Haven. He, too, was looking for the best value for dollar. (We were at the end of the hall on starboard side of the Haven ). My partner completed an online Norwegian questionaire regarding how we wanted our cabin, supplied with libations and were very forthcoming. Even then there was an auction for the last Haven cabin - maybe that's the one David won! Anyway, we enjoyed our cruise, overall. (The gym was spectacular with an amazing forward view and tons of equipment). The entertainment in the theatre was middling (I think the entertainment producer even had to fill in one night) A group performing Fleetwood Macs RUMORS album (with added narration) in one of the pubs was incredible and we saw them two different nights. (FYI, I think we read in some of the in-cabin intro material that a percentage of our fare was used to pool a fund to tip workers, but that it didn't include butlers, so we tipped ours, deservedly, ) Anyway, I do go on. That Maria! What a charmer! All the Best to you both.
Happy Birthday, Ben! Honest video that you & David gave, good and bad things. Disappointed to learn that the fancy upgrade wasn't really worth the expense. Glad you had a reasonably good time anyway!
Firstly happy birthday Ben and well done on the very thoughtful and romantic upgrade David. It was a fascinating vlog! Such a beautiful suite and balcony, but so disappointing on so many levels. When you were speaking about the Haven pool area we 'heard' a child and both went 'oh no, kids are allowed!' Don't get me wrong we love our six kids but we woud be so peeved off if there were kids in the Haven!!! I think your advice to pay for Vibe would be a better idea than the room upgrade. Very excited to be boarding in 2 weeks. We've booked an inside cabin but put in a bid for a balcony. Cagneys booked and we'll be heading to Indulge! Great honest vlog guys. Brilliant!
What a special cruise this is! Wish I was with you all!!!
Thank you for spilling the beans on The Haven. Honesty is a virtue of Ben and David.
Happy Birthday Ben!🎁🎁
I am literally in my room on Silver Sea's Silver Ray anchored of Hvar Croatia. We spent 12K for a room as big as yours (which is the standard room here) with everything included. The extra 3K is worth it we are not getting nickeled and dimed. We ordered two entrees for dinner... no charge. We ordered a little caviar... no charge. Very good champagne everywhere... no charge. Coffee bar all day... no charge. Excursions included at every port... no extra charge. The one thing I did pay for was $135 for premium WiFi for the week.
Happy Birthday, Ben!!! I was glued to every second of this video because we are on the ICON's inaugural sailing and very excited for that "new carpet smell!"
David... You are my idol! I tried to pull off a surprise birthday gift for my GF with ICON but she found out so congrats on pulling off this wonderful gift! The look on Ben's face was priceless!
But this was a great video and I am sorry that it turned out to be a little disappointing. We are very loyal to Royal and after watching this, we certainly won't be straying to Norwegian if we do ever decide to test the waters sort of speak. LOL
I also hope that Royal doesn't head in the direction of Norwegian and start up-charging for each and every little thing. It really does take away from the overall experience of cruising.
Again.. Thanks for this amazing video and can't wait to see where yous end up next!
The food on Royal however, even in the specialty restaurants, and particularly after the disasterous menu changes leaves A LOT to be desired!!
@@pickypants9696 We haven't minded the menu changes for the most part. I would argue that the food is above average in most cases, but definitely not "Amazing." However, I will say that the specialty restaurants are usually underwhelming. Chops in particular has never wowed us as an example. We do seem to like Jamies when we can find one.
Wow! Never saw that coming!
Thank you for your honesty and frankness. Appreciate very much ❤