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The Haven is Norwegian Cruise Line’s version of the ever-popular, luxury, VIP ship-within-a-ship concept: a place where cruisers can pay extra and enjoy more amenities and less-crowded spaces away from the hubbub of the greater ship.

Over recent years, more and more cruise lines have been introducing such spaces. However, as mentioned, sailing in a Haven stateroom or suite is going to cost you more — a lot more.

Is that extra cost worth it? I had the opportunity to check out The Haven on Norwegian Cruise Line’s brand-new Norwegian Aqua recently, and here’s what you need to know and consider before booking.

What is the Haven?

The Haven on Norwegian Cruise Line is a small area at the top of the ship that usually consists of a variety of staterooms and suites that have access to certain spaces that the general cruising population does not.

These spaces may differ according to ship, but can include a sun deck, small pool, restaurant, lounge, etc. Guests staying in The Haven also enjoy a wealth of amenities that other cruisers elsewhere on the ship do not enjoy. 

Special Haven Spaces

There are three main “extra” spaces that Haven guests have exclusive access to: The Haven Lounge, The Haven Restaurant and The Haven Courtyard and Sundeck. 

The Haven Lounge is a quieter, indoors spot that serves drinks. 

The Haven Restaurant offers exclusive menus that you won’t find elsewhere throughout the ship. It’s considered a complimentary restaurant, included in your cruise fare, in addition to the other complimentary dining options found elsewhere on the ship, such as the main dining room.

The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner (note that dinner service is not available on Jewel-class ships).

The Haven Courtyard and Sundeck offer both a private pool and hot tub, and only cruisers ages 16 and up can access part of the sundeck, making it a nice, adults-only area for quieter sunbathing.

Attendants man the sundeck throughout the afternoon on sea days, to bring you drinks, snacks and cold towels. Depending on the ship, there may also be an outdoor Haven bar.

Haven Staterooms

There are a range of Haven staterooms and suites to choose from, from the very extravagant to the more modest but still spacious accommodations. 

The three-bedroom Garden Villa is possibly the most posh of them all. In addition to the three bedrooms, villas also offers four bathrooms, multiple outdoor terraces, a private hot tub and up to 6,694 square feet.

A deluxe Haven’s Owners Suite will be slightly smaller, but still very luxurious, with one or two bedrooms, separate living and dining rooms and extra-large bathrooms and a private balcony. Owner’s Suites are similar, but overall just a tad smaller.

A 2-bedroom family villa provides spaces to come together and socialize, but also a master bedroom set apart from a separate bedroom for the kids. The kids have their own television and bathroom, and the adults do as well, with a king-sized bed, and large bathroom with a soaking tub and double vanity.

Read Also: What Are the Best Rooms on a Cruise Ship?

A forward-facing, aft-facing or courtyard penthouse will offer just enough space for two, but the experience is still high-end. These penthouses provide a private and large balcony, and extra touches such as walk-in closets, wet bar areas, a double sofa bed, sitting area or dining areas, depending on the specific stateroom. 

Deluxe suites focus on in-stateroom relaxation, with king-sized beds, oversized waterfall showers, and in-suite hot tubs.

The Haven spa suite is very similar to spa suites elsewhere across the ship, in that you get access to spa amenities included in your cruise fare, and you’ll have wellness-focused amenities in your suite, too, such as those found in the deluxe suites. 

Extra Perks for Guests of The Haven

The benefits of staying in The Haven begin before you even board the ship. When you arrive at port, you’ll be expedited through security and taken to a special area to wait to board.

These cruise terminal areas for Haven guests often offer some light snacks so you can wait in comfort. When it’s time to board, you’re personally escorted onto the ship. You’ll likewise receive a personal escort at every port you stop at during your cruise. 

Haven guests enjoy access to exclusive concierge services to help book dining, entertainment and shore excursions. You do receive priority reservations. 24-hour butler service is available every day. 

In-suite Haven amenities range from nightly treats delivered to your door to in-room fresh fruit bowls that are regularly replenished to free in-room movies and plush bathrobes and slippers. 

Depending on the room you stay in, you may get additional extras, such as a bottle of welcome Champagne and stocked bars.

Which Norwegian Cruise Line Ships Have The Haven?

There’s no need to stay on Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ships in order to enjoy a stay in The Haven. This space is featured on a good number of ships, included a few older ships that have been remodeled in recent years.

Norwegian Cruise Line ships with The Haven include:

Norwegian Breakaway

Norwegian Getaway

Norwegian Bliss

Norwegian Encore

Norwegian Escape

Norwegian Gem

Norwegian Jade

Norwegian Pearl

Norwegian Prima

Norwegian Epic 

Norwegian Dawn

Norwegian Star

Norwegian Jewel

Norwegian Viva

Norwegian Aqua

Norwegian Luna

Keep in mind, though, that while all of these ships have a Haven, not all Havens across all ships are the same.

For example, of the above staterooms described, not every single one is available on every single ship. Not every Haven features a restaurant, lounge and deck and pool, either. Some may have just a deck and lounge, for instance. 

The Haven is best on Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ships, those in the Prima Class. Prima-class ships include Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Aqua.

All of these ships have debuted within the last several years and, in fact, Norwegian Aqua debuted just earlier in 2025 and I, as mentioned, had the pleasure of checking out this space for myself when joining the ship for one of its first sailings.

So what makes The Haven ultimately better on the Prima Class? 

For one, The Haven’s location on the ship makes a big difference. On Prima-class ships, The Haven is situated at the back of the ship. This means that the sundeck receives less wind, and that it offers an infinity pool that overlooks the water, breathtaking views and two decks of space.

Read Also: The Different Norwegian Cruise Line Ship Classes

Additionally, Prima-class ships feature their own elevators for Haven guests, meaning that the Haven suites and staterooms feel a little more like their own, set-apart area than they might on other ships in the fleet.

These elevators come with their own key cards, so The Haven is 100%, totally and entirely set apart from all other cruisers. The other spaces are also larger on the ships, such as the restaurant. 

Of course, there’s also just the fact that The Haven on these ships is newer, with the Prima Class’s more upscale and modern feel. 

Is Booking The Haven on Norwegian Cruise Line Worth It or Not? What to Consider

To decide whether or not booking The Haven on Norwegian Cruise Line is worth it, you’ll want to consider a few key factors.

How Much Will It Cost You?

So how much can you expect to pay for all of this Haven goodness? In general, you can expect to pay at least twice what you’d pay, for a similar stateroom or suite category outside of The Haven.

In some cases, depending on the ship and the suite chosen, you could pay up to 10 times what it would cost to sail elsewhere in the ship. 

Let’s take a look at some examples:

For a 7-day, May 2025 Caribbean cruise on Norwegian Aqua, the per-person price before any discounts for an inside stateroom is $3,737. The per-person price before any discounts for a Haven stateroom on the same cruise is $16,177. 

For a 7-day, May 2025 Alaskan cruise on Norwegian Bliss, the per-person price before any discounts for an inside stateroom is $1,744. The per-person price before any discounts for a Haven stateroom on the same cruise is $8,424.

For a 7-day, November 2025 Caribbean cruise on Norwegian Gem, the per-person price before any discounts for an inside stateroom is $1,508. The per-person price before any discounts for a Haven stateroom on the same cruise is $7,848.

In short, you’re going to reliably pay multiple thousands of dollars per person to cruise in The Haven.

Worth Reading: How Much Does a Cruise Cost?

For some, this is perfectly fine and they’re willing to splash out on a splurge-worthy vacation. For others, they look to cruising for their vacations because of its cost-saving opportunities. Budget travelers will, as such, probably want to avoid The Haven. 

What Ship are You Sailing on?

As mentioned, The Haven can really differ from ship to ship. Do you really want to spend thousands of dollars per person for a cruise, just to get on your ship and find that the older Haven space doesn’t have as many bells and whistles as The Haven on a Prima-class ship?

As such, unless you really, really value the basic amenities that come with staying in The Haven, you might want to hold off on booking a Haven stateroom or suite until you can sail on one of the cruise line’s newer ships. 

How Much Time Do You Plan on Spending in The Haven? 

Of course, you also need to think about how much you’ll actually use The Haven’s VIP amenities and spaces. This requires thinking about your cruise habits overall. 

If you’re the type of cruiser who likes to, first and foremost, kick back and relax during your cruise, and if you spend a lot of time on the sun deck or by the pool, and little time in port or exploring ship features like the casino, waterparks or theaters, by all means, you may prefer The Haven. 

Likewise, if you don’t like all the noise and crowds that can come with larger, family-friendly ships like those in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet, then you may value the relative tranquility and privacy that The Haven provides. 

If, though, you’re the type of cruiser to spend very little time on the ship on port days, and if you can’t wait to explore all the various restaurants, bars and more that a mega ship like Norwegian Aqua offers, then you may be wasting your money on The Haven. If you’re never going to be there, what are you really paying for?

Is Booking The Haven on Norwegian Cruise Line Worth It or Not? The Verdict

So should you book The Haven for your next cruise? I can’t make that decision for you. I know that there’s a lot to love about The Haven, especially on newer ships like Norwegian Aqua, and I greatly enjoy all the little luxuries that staying in The Haven can offer. 

However, I also know that it’s not a good fit for everyone, including sometimes myself when I’m on a cruise where I’m really excited to experience the entirety of the ship and the various ports of call, rather than just one small part of a ship.

Only you can decide if The Haven is right for your next cruise. Considering the various factors presented above, though, you should be able to make a smart decision that will leave you satisfied with your future cruise.

The Haven on Norwegian Cruise Line: Worth It or Not?

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