Travel journalist Kaye Holland was invited onboard NCL’s Norwegian Luna for a very special inaugural cruise from Miami.
In this episode, Kaye takes us around the ship (including into the Haven) and tells us all about her experience.
Norwegian Luna is the second of NCL’s Prima Plus class of ship – with more on the order books – and for Kaye it was the entertainment that stood out the most. She absolutely loved the Elton John production show, which was commissioned for Norwegian Luna.
Besides the entertainment, having a Haven Suite meant that Kaye was able to make use of the exclusive Haven facilities onboard, which include a private restaurant, bar and even sun deck with a pool.
This ship-within-a-ship concept really gets people talking. Some people love it. Others are envious of those that are permitted to pass the locked doors into the luxury zone.
For Kaye it’s a definite step up in the overall experience – and lovely to have a quiet spot for breakfast, and a peaceful private sun deck away from the throngs of families pattering, splashing, squealing and such-like elsewhere on the ship.
That said, it’s a huge cost difference. Huge. Massive.
Might you be better off just booking a luxury ship instead of paying for an upgrading tier on a mega ship.
For Kaye, it’s a yes.
But she points out that the elevated experience in The Haven is ideal for multi-generational family trips where the grandparents might want somewhere luxurious to relax while the kids are making the most of the waterslides.
The Haven isn’t the only ship-within-a-ship on Norwegian Luna.
There is a private neighbourhood of single-occupant cabins called the Studios, which are ideal for solo travellers.
Beyond the ship itself, Kaye’s cruise was a short escape from Miami to the Bahamas, where NCL (like several other cruise lines) has a private island, owned by the line.
NCL’s private destination is called Great Stirrup Cay and has a lagoon, cabanas, food and drink all on the island waiting for you. Funnily enough, the crew members serving you ashore are the same crew who look after you onboard through the voyage.
Kaye’s thoughts on cruise lines’ private island destinations are that they offer a manicured version of paradise. But there’s a more authentic paradise right there, just one island away, and she’d rather spend a day exploring there.
What are your thoughts on private island destinations on cruise itineraries?
