Best cruise comparison for families: NCL Haven vs Royal Caribbean Suites
- Esther
- Sep 14
- 3 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Torn between NCL The Haven and Royal Caribbean’s Suite Class, best cruise comparison for families?
I’ve sailed with both and I’m happy to share the key differences with you!
NCL The Haven:
We always book the NCL Haven Family Villa. This suite includes an extra bedroom and an additional shower/toilet, very convenient when traveling with the family. In The Haven, you’ll receive the More at Sea package, which includes free internet, a dining package, a drink package, and shore excursion credit.
The Haven is a private area on the ship (a "ship within a ship" concept), and most of the suites are located around this exclusive space.
The following amenities are included in The Haven:
Haven Restaurant
Haven Bar
Haven Sundeck with jacuzzis and a swimming pool
Personal escort on and off the ship at the pier and ports of call
Priority tender service
Reserved seating at shows
Concierge Service to help you book dining, entertainment, shore excursions and more
24-hour butler service
Fine bed linens & pillow-top mattress
Plush bathrobe, slippers & luxury bath products
Sparkling wine & fruit on embarkation day
Cocktail party with the ship's officers
Royal Caribbean Suite Class:
We stayed in the Two-Bedroom Grand Suite on Symphony of the Seas, and it was incredibly spacious, it holds up to 8 people. It was significantly larger than the Family Villas we experienced in NCL’s Haven.
On Royal Caribbean, the suites aren’t necessarily located next to the private lounge or restaurant, they’re spread throughout the ship. However, Suite Class includes several premium perks, such as: free internet, access to the exclusive Coastal Kitchen restaurant with a different menu every night, and complimentary drinks in the Suite Lounge and on the sundeck.
Guests in the Owner’s Suite, Royal Suite, or Star Class suites (such as the Sky Loft) are also assigned a Royal Genie, a personal butler.
The following amenities are included in Royal Caribbean’s Suite Class:
Personal escort on and off the ship at the pier and ports of call
Priority tender service
Concierge service to assist with dining, entertainment, shore excursions, and more
24-hour butler service only on certain suites (Royal Genie service in Star Class suites)
Fine bed linens & pillow-top mattress
Bathrobe and slippers
Luxury bath products
Access to the Suite Lounge / Concierge Club with hors d’oeuvres and evening cocktails
Priority reservations for dining, spa services, and shore excursions
Reserved seating at shows
VIP pool deck seating
Access to Coastal Kitchen, the private suite guest restaurant
Private suite sundeck
Welcome amenities including sparkling wine, bottled water, and fresh fruit
Assigned seating during shows
My experience:
Both have their pros and cons.
In The Haven, I missed the variety in dining, the private Haven restaurant offers just one menu for the entire cruise. That said, we really enjoyed the butler service; he brought delicious snacks to our suite every afternoon. Another plus is that The Haven includes the More at Sea package, which covers internet, drinks, specialty dining, and shore excursion credit.
In Suite Class, I found the drink limitations a bit inconvenient, you can only enjoy complimentary drinks in the Suite Lounge and on the private sundeck. We didn’t have a Genie (butler) in our suite. The suite itself was much larger than the Family Villa we usually book in The Haven, which made a big difference in comfort.
In the end, it really depends on your personal preferences and travel style.
Both offer a premium experience in their own way.
Read more blogs? Check out: Premium vs Luxury cruises
Excited about luxury and premium cruises? I’d love to help you plan your dream cruise –feel free to contact me!
Stay Updated!
Follow me on Instagram & Facebook for premium and luxury cruises, tips, and updates.
Comments