What’s Inside The Haven onboard Norwegian Escape? I Went Inside to Find Out…
‘The Haven’ is an exclusive ‘ship within a ship’ area onboard the ships in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet, which means that very few people ever get to see what’s inside. This section of the ship is reserved for those cruising in the most premium suites onboard, but I was able to take a look inside during my cruise onboard Norwegian Escape.
On the final morning of my cruise, after the passengers cruising in this part of the ship had disembarked, I was invited inside to have a look around. I’m going to share with you what I found in there - I’ll show you the Haven Sundeck, the Swimming Pool and Solarium, the Lounge and more!
If you enjoy this post (I really hope that you will), then please don’t keep it to yourself - please share it with anyone else who you feel would find it useful. Please also support my content by coming over to check out some of my YouTube videos. You can find me by either searching for ‘Fraser at Sea’ on YouTube, or by clicking here. In the below video, I take you on a full tour of Norwegian Escape, so this one’s perfect if you’d like to see what the rest of the ship looks like!
Where is the Haven located?
You’ll find The Haven’s primary accommodations and facilities spread across decks 16, 17, 18 and 19 on Norwegian Escape. Most of the amenities that I’m going to show you during this article are on deck 17.
It’s important to note that not all Suites with The Haven privileges are found within this locked-off area. For example, there are aft-facing suites on Decks 9 - 15 and also forward-facing suites on decks 9 - 14 that come with access to this exclusive area included.
If you’re going to be cruising on a different ship, then the location may change slightly. It’s always best to check the deck plan for your specific ship directly on the Norwegian Cruise Line website in order to be sure!
Which stateroom categories are able to access The Haven?
If you’re cruising in any of the following Suite categories, your stateroom will come with access to The Haven included in your cruise fare:
The Haven Deluxe Owner's Suite with Large Balcony (decks 17 and 18)
The Haven Deluxe Owner's Suite with Balcony (decks 17 and 18)
The Haven 2-Bedroom Family Villa with Balcony (decks 17 and 18)
The Haven Courtyard Penthouse with Balcony (decks 17 and 18)
The Haven Deluxe Suite with Balcony (deck 16)
The Haven Aft-Facing Penthouse with Master Bedroom & Balcony (decks 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15)
The Haven Forward-Facing Penthouse with Balcony (decks 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14)
The Haven Penthouse Suite with Balcony (deck 16)
What are the benefits to cruising in ‘The Haven’?
As a guest travelling in a Haven Suite, you’ll unlock a whole host of benefits and extras that the rest of the ship won’t even know exist - the list really is extensive. Some key highlights include access to a specific Concierge service to help you book any dining, entertainment and shore excursions you’d like, a 24-hour trained and certified Butler service, personal escorts on and off the ship at the pier and also the ports of call, and also a phone that you’re able to use around the ship.
To view a full list of all of the extras that are included when you cruise in The Haven, click here to go across to the Norwegian Cruise Line website.
The Haven Lounge
The first amenity to show you today from my tour while onboard Norwegian Escape is the Haven Lounge. This space looks out onto the Haven Courtyard (don’t worry - we’ll go here next), and it’s the perfect place to relax with your favourite drink.
There’s a fully stocked bar in here, so I’m confident that the team will be able to ensure a stock of whatever you decide is going to be your tipple of choice during your cruise.
The Haven Lounge onboard Norwegian Escape, © Fraser at Sea
From reviews online, it appears to be the case that the Lounge is open 24-hours a day throughout the cruise, with the bar being manned from around 7am for the morning coffee service until 11pm. It’s worth remembering that there’s a huge cruise ship outside of this area, so this space may be fairly quiet in the evening, as the main attractions around the ship attract passengers elsewhere! In other words, don’t worry when I say this tends to close around 11pm - there are plenty of other options onboard this cruise ship!
For opening times of any of these venues during your cruise, you should always check your Freestyle Daily (your daily programme) once onboard the ship.
The Haven Restaurant
For any cruise, this is an important one. As a guest in The Haven, you don’t need to leave this private sanctuary to wait in line with the crowds elsewhere around the ship to eat - there’s a table waiting for you within the restaurant here.
This restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to enjoy this during your cruise. If you’d like to dine outside of the set opening times, then you’re also welcome to use any of the other venues around the ship.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to access the restaurant due to guests from the previous cruise still enjoying their breakfast during my tour, but I’ve sourced a copy of the menu for all meals below - this should help to give you an idea of what to expect from the dining experience in there!
Signage for The Haven Restaurant onboard Norwegian Escape, © Fraser at Sea
A Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner menu for The Haven Restaurant, © Fraser at Sea
The Haven Courtyard
Leaving the indoor spaces behind, let’s now move to look at the Haven Courtyard, a Solarium only available to The Haven guests.
This is a beautiful space, and the roof directly above makes the Solarium usable in both warm and cooler weather. Also, if it’s raining outside, it won’t be in here - relax!
On the lower level of the Courtyard, there’s a small swimming pool with a hot tub on either side, and there’s also some loungers too. In the morning, you may also find that this space is set up to allow for ‘outdoor’ breakfast dining - this not only alleviates stress on the indoor restaurant, but it also offers guests a very different experience.
Upstairs, there’s a wrap-around mezzanine with loungers around the side. Personally, I’d find the upper level a much nicer place to spend time as I reckon the lower level could get pretty busy during a day ‘at sea’. You’ll also find infused water up here, so you don’t need to go inside for basic refreshments.
Speaking of refreshments, for a few hours each day this area is patrolled by attendants, who will be able to complete any drinks orders that you have while you’re relaxing.
The Haven Sundeck
The Haven Sundeck onboard Norwegian Escape is accessed from the top level of the Courtyard. This adult-only space is reserved exclusively for guests over the age of 16, and it really is a private Oasis away from the buzz of the rest of the ship.
This sundeck is at the very front of the ship on deck 19, which allows it to offer you views that you’re simply not going to get easily on this ship. From here, you can look directly out over the front of the ship - it’s amazing!
If you’re worried about noise from nearby venues coming into this space, don’t be too concerned. The Haven Sundeck shares an area of the ship with the VIBE Beach Club, but that area comes with an additional charge to use, making it much quieter than the other main spaces around the ship during the day.
That’s a look around The Haven, the exclusive Suite-only area onboard Norwegian Escape. If you’ve enjoyed this post, then please come and join me in another - you’ll find links below to lots more of my Norwegian Cruise Line content.
Also, here’s my YouTube video showing you what it was like for me to embark Norwegian Escape in New York City for a cruise that I’d never forget - I hope you enjoy!
