The Ultimate Luxury Family Cruise Experience in the Haven of Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)

Maybe you're someone who has never considered a large cruise because it seems too crowded and hectic. Meanwhile, your children, ranging from young kids to teenagers, might be eager to enjoy fun experiences and meet peers on a big cruise ship, essentially the ideal vacation. Today, I'll share the experience my family and I had on the Haven of Norwegian Cruise Line, a ship within a ship that promises to delight everyone with luxury treatment and priority in every aspect.

Discovering the Haven of NCL

We had the privilege of taking three family vacations on The Haven by NCL, aboard the Norwegian Epic (twice) and the Norwegian Escape. The Haven is essentially a dedicated area for suite guests, featuring a private restaurant, a dedicated bar, a private pool and jacuzzi, a concierge, a butler for each suite, and more. It’s like a small ship within a large ship, akin to a first-class experience. When you wish to explore the common areas, you can enjoy excellent entertainment and the amenities and options of a large ship, including fun family activities.

The Private Pool Area of the Haven on the Norwegian Escape with Retractable Roof

A Ship Within a Ship: Finding Your Personal Space

In the Haven area, you won't struggle to find your ideal sunbathing spot. The deck chairs offer comfort and a sense of space and privacy from other guests. You can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the exclusive restaurant for Haven guests, where the service is impeccable. Your butler will ensure all your suite needs are met, including delightful and tasty afternoon snacks. The bar lounge in the Haven is very popular among guests, with a premium drink package included. You'll enjoy fabulous cocktails, a wide selection of wines, beers, and spirits, as well as non-alcoholic options, including sodas and juices for the children.

Enjoying a Drink in Our Family Villa Balcony on board the Norwegian Escape

Privacy and Comfort

On every occasion, we reserved the fabulous family villas. The accommodation perfectly suited our needs. We had a master bedroom with a stunning bath and one of the most incredible showers we've experienced on a cruise ship, complete with a full ocean view—it was delightful. The children had their own bedroom and a small bathroom with a shower. The common area featured a spacious and well-decorated living room, along with a balcony. We truly enjoyed the accommodation, which was ideal for a family of four like ours, offering plenty of comfort and privacy. Naturally, the Haven also offers other types of suites to meet various needs.

Engaging Activities for Kids and Teens

During our experience on the Haven by NCL, our children were aged between 12 and 16. We appreciate comfort, and the private space and excellent service were ideal for my husband and me. Our children thoroughly enjoyed all the onboard activities, including swimming pools, slides, and the thrilling rope course on the Norwegian Escape. In the evenings, we cherished family time with the fantastic entertainment available on board. The shows on NCL are of high quality, with plenty of live music and numerous activities, including a specialty restaurant featuring an acrobatic show. When it comes to specialty dining, NCL is unparalleled. Onboard, you can find a steakhouse, a churrascaria, Asian-style, French, Italian, and Mexican restaurants, among others. We also enjoyed spending time at the lively pub O'Sheehan's, which offered fun activities such as bowling, billiards, and more. At the pub, you can enjoy 24-hour complimentary food and, of course, great drinks and beers.

Family Fun at the O'Sheehan's on board the Norwegian Epic

Making Memories Together

What we appreciate about a family cruise is that there are activities for everyone. We also always feel very secure, even when our children are exploring the ship with new friends they meet on board. The security level on modern cruise ships is very high, and NCL is certainly one of the leading companies for memorable family vacations.

The Thrilling Rope Course on the Norwegian Escape

Family-Friendly Dining Options

As previously noted, the dining choices were incredibly diverse, ensuring everyone is pleased when traveling with NCL. The Haven exclusive restaurant was truly spectacular for every meal, but we also greatly enjoyed the Churrascaria Moderno, a specialty restaurant. Additionally, for a casual lunch, we visited the main buffet area, where the options were truly unlimited and of high quality. The culinary experience was excellent.

Organized Family Excursions

With the Haven, you will enjoy priority boarding and priority when arriving at a port for excursions. The selection of excursions is excellent in the Caribbean, such as swimming with stingrays or snorkeling in coral reefs with beautiful tropical fish and turtles. In the Mediterranean, we enjoy city tours, and sometimes we make our own arrangements, which is also part of the fun...

Taking a Private Board Tour in Corfu, Greece

Final Thoughts

I highly recommend the Haven by NCL if you're looking to craft a memorable vacation with a perfect blend of luxury and entertainment on board. I'm confident that both you and your children will enjoy it. The service at the Haven rivals that of a luxury cruise line. You and your children will also have the opportunity to meet interesting people and make friends. Ultimately, you'll create incredible memories that will last a lifetime.