Norwegian Aqua Haven Suite – A Serious Privacy Issue Future Guests Should Know About
First-time cruiser here, so go a little easy on me!
We chose the Norwegian Aqua out of Miami because the departure port and dates worked perfectly for us, and we liked the idea of sailing on a relatively new ship. We also decided to splurge on a Haven suite because we wanted our first cruise to be something special.
We booked through a cruise travel agent, whom I won’t identify, although I will say they were pretty much useless once we made our final payment.
First, let me say that we’re having a fantastic time overall. In fact, we’re still onboard as I write this. I absolutely believe The Haven is worth the extra money for several reasons, but I’ll save that discussion for another post.
Unfortunately, we’ve encountered one issue that I consider both incredible and completely unacceptable: the lack of privacy in our cabin due to its location and the layout of the neighboring balcony.
We’re staying in Haven suite 12822. Despite doing considerable research and speaking with our travel agent before booking, we had absolutely no idea that this particular cabin sits in what I would describe as an inside corner of the ship.
Here’s the problem: The neighboring cabin, which I believe is 12822, is positioned at approximately a 90-degree angle to ours. Because of this unusual configuration, guests sitting on their balcony can look directly into our suite.
And I’m not talking about someone catching a glimpse through a window. From their balcony, our neighbors have a clear view of nearly the entire interior of our cabin, including our bed and the bathroom door.
We are paying a substantial premium for a luxury Haven suite, yet the people next door can sit on their balcony and look directly into our bedroom.
Also but not as big of a deal, the positioning of the neighboring cabin also obstructs part of the view from our own balcony.
I find it crazy that NCL sells this particular suite without clearly disclosing the unusual layout, the compromised privacy, and the partially obstructed balcony view. Had we known about these issues beforehand, we absolutely would have selected a different cabin.
Again, we’re thoroughly enjoying the Norwegian Aqua and The Haven experience overall and we are planning on sailing on this ship again. This isn’t intended to criticize the entire cruise. But I wanted to share our experience so that others considering this particular suite can make an informed decision.
My advice to anyone booking Haven suite 12822: Be very aware of the balcony configuration and the serious lack of privacy before committing to this cabin.
Has anyone else experienced a similar issue on the Aqua or another NCL ship?
Norwegian Aqua Haven Suite – A Serious Privacy…
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I would not like that.
Yes same thing on aqua it has that corner like that on both sides where other can see exactly like that
It’s called curtains. 😂
I walked around naked in that room thinking that would stop to invasion of privacy but then more people showed up outside after I did that.
Ignorance isn’t bliss. There is the deck map and YouTube and cruise critic for reviews. If you don’t do research, that’s on you. I don’t spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on items or trips I don’t know about.
You got a suite next to Mickey Mouse and your complaining? Lol
My daughter and her boyfriend sailed on Aqua recently and said everything about the layout of that ship was awful and didn’t make sense. This has to be one of the worst nonsense things on the ship! How uncomfortable staring like that. I’d be upset
Research, research, RESEARCH! This is EXACTLY why I would NEVER bid on an upgrade. Cruising costs too much money to leave your cabin choice up to anyone but yourself. Sorry this happened to you but this is also why I book everything myself. I just about break YouTube before I ever book any vacation!
I love Aqua, great ship. This is where the superstructure narrows toward the aft of the ship and this is an issue for all the cabins in that area. In fact, this is where bid upgrades often end-up, as bid upgrades are part of how they fill the less desirable cabins. As an experienced cruiser who researches, watches videos and studies deck plans, this would have never gotten by me, particularly because I am location conscience. It's a rookie mistake but I'm very surprised your travel agent did not either realize this or tell you.
That wouldn't be considered a obstructed view. I see what you are saying about how they could look in the room. But it's only from the one corner not like the whole balcony is facing your cabin. The ship plan shows it exactly this way. I can understand it isn't what you where expecting but, what did you think it was going to look like with a balcony extending out beyond yours? Make the best of your cruise and enjoy it. Don't let this ruin your trip. You are in haven and will have a fabulous time on ship. I don't think there is anything to compensate you for. You could always ask if they have any available rooms if you could move to another room if they have anything open.
I wish I had seen this post before we booked our Cabin last June. Although not in the Haven, this was exactly what we experienced. We booked a handicap room on deck 16. The room was gorgeous and big but the balcony was a triangle shape and I could see right into my neighbors Haven room and only a small piece of the ocean. No privacy at all for both rooms. It became a joke because Everytime I went out I’d say.. our neighbors are in their underwear again! I only sat on the balcony a few times. Very poor design. I just booked the Luna and the handicap rooms are the same so we booked a regular room. Other than that the ship is beautiful!
I always carefully examine the deck plan for my sailing. Not just location on ship but what is above, below and adjacent. Also, if trying to book several cabins next to or across from each other, take extra care. Booked my daughter in a solo that looked to be directly across from my balcony. The only problem was you couldn't get to her door without going down the hall and through a door and then back down the hall!
hanks for the warning. Sorry! Were you using an NCL crude consultant? We have worked with one for years and they are very knowledgeable about location and things like this. We also always watch YouTube videos on each specific suite number. Have you spoken with the concierge on board?
I had same issue on Haven 2 bed suite on Prima cabin 15900! My fault for neglecting to look at deck plans! Thankfully the other cabin rarely used their balcony! I think this may be an issue on all Prima class ships so make sure you check the deck plans
Thank you! I have 3 NCL cruises in December and January in the Haven, and you can bet I just looked up my room numbers and deck plans to be sure im not there. I appreciate the heads up! I'm not on any of them, but if I were, I'd definitely be calling my travel agent. And for whoever said it's obvious from the floor plan, not true. I'm a 40 cruises in at NCL, and still when I see a weird configuration on deck plans, never sure what I'm getting until I walk into that room. Please give the travel agent info to anyone who pm's you. She didn't a lousy job.
I would never book a cruise with an outside travel agency. Book straight through the cruiselune.
I would be furious! You pay a substantial premium for these suites and your privacy should not be that compromised. I would definitely write a formal complaint, not that it'll get you anywhere. Glad the rest is enjoyable.
I'm sorry that you are experiencing that. Sometimes you just dont know until you get on the ship. We stayed in the Haven on the Prima, our cabin was right above the public pool it was loud and noisey allday. So I get it. That was a lesson.
Your travel agent should have looked at this nuance snd find you about it. It all travel agents really know all cruise lines and ships.
It's too late now but if this happens again, go to the customer services desk and ask them to fix the problem. They would much rather accommodate you by any means needed to have a happy sailor in the end, depending on their occupancy, you might get an upgrade. I'm sailing in early December and that is what I would do.
First world problems
Close your drapes then.
I got to say the Facebook influencers that post in this group are getting more creative than ever. How much do you get paid to influence? I’m retired a second time and need some pocket change. For the folks who fell for this balcony photo as being real, you should Google for the actual view outside this cabin because it isn’t this view.
We recently cruised in the “other” room on the Aqua. It is an accessible stateroom, and there are a limited number of those. Our large balcony faced aft from about mid ship, overlooking the infinity pools, etc. We were very surprised at the”views” into the Haven suites—several decks and at least two adjacent suites on each deck offered direct views into their rooms. We were surprised, not at our aft orientation as we had researched, but at the lack of privacy for those Haven Guests! Poor design for sure! We enjoyed people watching at the infinity pools, but would have preferred a direct (to the side ) ocean view. Unfortunately when you need an accessible room, you have fewer choices!
I’m glad you do have curtains to close for night time and changing at least but yeah that’s pretty wild. Such a weird design. Honestly I’m sure the guest in the other room doesn’t love it either because they might also probably feel like their balcony privacy is impacted. Yours is worse for sure Make friends? Idk just make the best of it 😕 or see if you can be moved.
I fins it crazy that you are posting this here and not talking with NCL about this.
The same problem will occur on any of the Prima class ships as that is the way they are all constructed. We have sailed Haven for about 8 years now and have been on 15 of the 21 ships in the fleet. We always book an aft facing Haven so we were excited when they decided to move the entire Haven complex to the aft of the ship for this latest class of ships. Having sailed on both the Prima and the Viva, I can tell you that this class of ships is not my favorite. There are design flaws in the cabins and there are some real issues with cabin locations. And people are bound to complain. Your cabin is one of the terrible locations and people in the cabins both above you and below you have the same lack of privacy. Same with the other side of the ship as well. Then you’ve got the cabins underneath the Haven pool. If you’ve ever had a cabin below a pool deck, you know you will never book there again. So…. Chalk this one up to a learning lesson. From now on you will be careful never to book these rooms again.
What privacy issue ?!
ou used a travel agent? They suck; a decent agent would have caught that for you .
There is curtains I think I see it on the left
There are sites where you can post exactly your issues with this particular cabin number. I was actually very lucky to get a good cabin number on one of Norwegian‘s older ships, and I want to keep getting that cabin. If I ever changed cabins, I would check these various spots where you can get reviews of certain cabin numbers. So sorry to hear that happened to you. I hope that Norwegian can compensate you in some way for your poor experience in the Haven cabin you described here.
What didn't your travel agent do? Why were they useless?
That situation would make me crazy! What a weird configuration.
It’s a very poor design and this is one reason why it’s so important to look at the deck plans when choosing a cabin. It’s really surprising and disappointing that a designated Haven cabin would have this kind of issue.
I don’t blame you! There should be a privacy wall there so they can’t see in. You should post a different picture. People think it is an interior courtyard room and not realizing that’s the Miami port terminal in the background
When you go to book this cabin it warns you over and over. So if you don’t see it- I don’t know what to say! However yes The Haven is the ONLY way to cruise IMO!! We are finally getting on ours this weekend!! Eeekkkk so freakin stoked!! But yes this cabin booking tells you literally like 5 times before you book. If the agent did it for you then wow that’s really effed up!!!
I am so glad you posted this! I had submitted a bid to upgrade to the Haven and assumed all these premium accommodations would be in the very best locations. After seeing your post I cancelled my upgrade bid immediately!
Omg! I definitely would be pissed! Especially paying that amount of money! And ignore all the people on here that say “just close your curtains”, “you should have looked up videos”, “why spend so much?”…you said many times in your post you were enjoying the cruise and Haven amenities…you have EVERY RIGHT to be not happy about this! I’m willing to bet all those people who are not trying to see your side of it, would hate this too!!! Fuc$ them.
I've never sailed Haven and never will, simply because I cannot justify the cost. My sailing enjoyment comes from commiserating with other guests and the isolation of The Haven't does not appeal to me. With that being said, even I have read about this particular configuration. Expensive lesson learned for a first time sailor for sure, but always research your cabins view, floor, what's above and below you. Glad you're having fun despite this.
This is why you watch no less than 17 YouTube videos about any ship you're about to book on, including specific staterooms videos, and some even have videos of the specific room #. Paying this kind of money to just go in blind is wild to me
Did you talk to someone about this? Maybe they can compensate you for the inconvenience?
There aren’t curtains to make your room private for the bedroom or bathroom door? Did you look this up before you booked? Research goes a LONG way. If I could figure out how to BOLD I would in a phone format. 🙄
I can't imagine paying for the Haven and dealing with that! I initially booked a balcony room on Aqua for April 2027, that I was told was xtra large after viewing it online, that balcony, which was directly over the Indulge Food Court, had all the extra space in it's depth, the wake so far out. Having just stayed on the Gem with a Club Balcony Room that had a smaller balcony, but you could look down and see the wake, I decided to change and get regular balcony room with no obstructions. Much less $ too. It's not an Aft balcony, but that larger Aft balcony on Aqua, would not have been the same experience as the Aft balcony on the Gem. Being so far back was a spoiler for me.
I wasn't aware that NCL had any interior balcony cabins like RC. Did you have an ocean view at all? We're going on the Luna next year, and we usually bid on Haven cabins, but this would be a deal breaker.
Let’s take an opposite approach and not close the curtains and walk around in your birthday suit. They might just shut their own curtains.
Quick Google search clearly states:Angled Corner Balconies (e.g., The Haven Suite 12822): Certain staterooms on Deck 12 sit along an inward-facing or 90-degree corner of the ship's architecture. In these locations, neighbors on adjacent balconies have a direct line of sight straight onto your balcony and deep into your cabin interior (including the bedroom and bathroom area).
This is not an exterior balcony right? No sea view. I believe this is what used to be called a Main Street balcony- meaning this balcony is in the interior portion of the ship. These are notoriously great for people watching but you have to keep your curtains closed or you will be the one watched.
Everyone saying to close your curtains, isn't the point. Why should you HAVE to close your curtains? The design is terrible. I would be rather peeved as well.
Sounds like you need a new travel agent, as a good / knowledgeable travel agent would have told you about that.
Not all the Haven rooms are like this. And people keep in mind they are first time cruisers. It was a mistake and you all are treating him like he should have known better. A good TA or PCC would have known and told him. Hence he said they were worthless. Give him a break and stop telling him to close the curtains or slamming Haven rooms. I have been in the Haven 6 times and the rooms and service is very nice. This was a design flaw and yes he is just pointing it out.
Holy Cow 😮. Thank you for sharing these details. I can’t imagine how this would impact my balcony enjoyment, but I’m pretty sure the unusual visibility would be a big deal for me. I hope you make the best of your cruise, and again, Thank you for sharing this, it’s going to be important information to many Haven guests.