My First Sailing on Norwegian Luna: Inside The Haven Experience
Despite always having a fascination with planes and trains, I’ve been relatively late to cruising. This trip marks my first sailing with Norwegian Cruise Line — and my first experience of The Haven on Norwegian Luna, the brand-new Prima Plus-class ship.
It’s also my longest cruise to date: a 7-night Caribbean itinerary from PortMiami, calling at Belize, Honduras and Mexico.
Why I Booked this Haven Trip on Norwegian Luna
As much as I love cruising generally, there is something incredibly special about being one of the first to experience a brand new ship. Having seen Luna being promoted for launch, I knew this was something I wanted to try - not only to try a new cruise line, but particularly in the Haven suites and staterooms to see how this would compare to the likes of Cunard’s Grills Suites, Celebrity’s The Retreat etc.
As I did with the inaugural cruise with Celebrity Xcel a few months ago, as well as writing up full cruise reviews, I will also start off here with some initial observations and thoughts. You can read my full review of Celebrity Xcel here.
When navigating any ship, it’s helpful to keep a few key terms in mind. Forward refers to the front of the ship, while aft is the rear. Port is the left-hand side when facing forward, and starboard is the right.
It’s this balance — access to a large, vibrant ship, combined with a genuinely private retreat — that defines The Haven experience.
Boarding Experience at Miami International Port
Although I had pre-booked a 9:30 - 10am boarding slot online, thinking that boarding would likely not commence until say noon, I decided to arrive a bit later.
With staying so nearby at the Intercontinental Miami by IHG, I thought it would just take me 10 minutes or so in an Uber to get there. First off, this hotel was perfectly positioned for the cruise port, and although wouldn’t normally have been my first choice for Miami, it worked out extremely well. Not least by having an ocean view room facing across the port - be aware the hotel is like a triangle (three sides), so do request an ocean view if you want to see your ship arrive.
From the picture window in my room, I could see traffic backing up a bit on the bridge/flyover to the port island, but I hadn’t predicted just how bad the traffic would be. Always leave plenty time, as I had done, getting an Uber for 10:30am, but all the traffic seemed to have to go the length of the island, only to then ultimately get funneled into one lane to double back the whole length of the island to then start again on where the cruise terminal buildings were located - Norwegian was Terminal B.
Once there though, it was easy to drop off luggage and all that was needed was a quick photo check on arrival into the terminal itself, then I was directed to an elevator to go up to the preferential Haven security and check in area. This was very quick, and I was then directed up another level to the VIP arrival lounge where there were drinks and snacks. Realising though that other passengers were already boarding, after a very quick tour, I went back down a level and requested to board. This was possible, and myself and another family were escorted onto the ship.
Arriving on deck 6, I was directed left past the Whiskey bar (which would be The Haven meeting point for an expedited guided disembarkation), Swirl Wine Bar and the Hasuki restaurant to get to the exclusive Haven elevator area.
The Haven Penthouse with Balcony & First Impressions of the Ship
My penthouse suite was on deck 15, mid to aft ship, only a short hop up to the main Haven area above - I would say it was an excellent choice, slightly recessed from the edge of the ship looking down onto deck 8 and the open boardwalk areas.
There was loads of storage - with double wardrobes in the entrance area (and I’ve never seen so many hangers before) with drawers and shelving, then throughout the suite there were numerous other places to store things, like deep bedside cabinets, drawers under the large TV unit, and even cupboards and huge drawers under the bed, and also to the side.
There was one step out door to the balcony, and another near floor to ceiling window for extra light.
There were different seating options, what could be a small dining table, and a separate vanity area.
The shower room was excellent with a trough style double sink, large walk-in rain shower (huge water pressure) and then a separate WC area. Toiletries were by L’Occitaine and lots of fluffy white towels and lots of storage space here too.
More to follow in future reviews, but this was a lovely suite and very highly recommended. It was a great position as you almost felt no movement of the ship at all - sometimes the only way to know I was moving was to look out the window,
How Norwegian Luna is Laid Out (Decks 4–20)
Getting around Norwegian Luna felt very intuitive, with the ship cleverly split between entertainment, outdoor living, accommodation and The Haven. And yes — unlike many ships, there is a Deck 13 here.
Here’s how everything is arranged across the decks:
Deck 6 – Dining, theatre & casino hub
One of the key lower public decks, this is where the energy really begins. You’ll find The Improv at Sea comedy club, The Commodore Room main dining restaurant and Hasuki teppanyaki. It’s also home to the Whiskey Bar and Swirl Wine Bar, alongside the casino, with the lower levels of both the Penrose Atrium and Luna Theatre & Club located here.
Deck 7 – Restaurants, bars & guest services
This is a central and frequently used deck throughout the sailing. Dining highlights include Cagney’s Steakhouse, Le Bistro, Nama Sushi and Hudson’s. There’s a great mix of atmosphere here too, with the Metropolitan Bar, Syd Norman’s Pour House and the Humidor Cigar Lounge. You’ll also find Guest Services, Shore Excursions, CruiseNext, Starbucks and the i-Connect Café, along with the mid-levels of the Penrose Atrium and theatre.
Deck 8 – Ocean Boulevard
This is the defining deck of Norwegian Luna and where the ship really comes into its own. Ocean Boulevard wraps around the ship, combining Infinity Beach, Oceanwalk glass bridges and a series of outdoor lounges. Dining here includes Indulge Food Hall, Los Lobos and Onda by Scarpetta, alongside The Local Bar & Grill. Inside, the space continues with Belvedere Bar, the upper level of the Penrose Atrium, shops, galleries and a photography studio.
Deck 9
A quieter, more transitional deck. Notably, The Haven lifts do not stop here, reinforcing the separation of spaces onboard.
Deck 10 and 11 – Accommodation
These decks are largely residential, with a mix of staterooms throughout and The Haven Suites located aft.
Deck 12 – Studios & services
Deck 12 introduces the Studio cabins and Studio Lounge, ideal for solo travellers, alongside the Medical Centre. The Haven Suites continue aft, with additional staterooms across the deck.
Deck 13 – Studios & staterooms
Yes, there is a Deck 13 on Norwegian Luna. This level continues with Studio cabins, standard staterooms and The Haven Suites positioned aft.
Deck 14 – Family & accommodation
This deck brings in family-focused spaces, including Splash Academy for younger guests and the Entourage Teen Lounge. The Haven Suites remain aft, alongside additional staterooms.
Deck 15 – Haven suites & family spaces
A continuation of accommodation with The Haven Suites aft, while Splash Academy also appears forward, making this a mix of family and premium suite space.
Deck 16 – The Haven & wellness
One of the most important decks on the ship. Aft is fully dedicated to The Haven, including The Haven Restaurant, Lounge and Sundeck with its own pool and hot tubs. Forward, the focus shifts to wellness, with the Mandara Spa & Salon, Barber Shop, Beauty Salon and the forward-facing Pulse Fitness Centre.
Deck 17 – Pool deck & elevated outdoor spaces
This is where the ship opens up again into a more resort-style atmosphere. You’ll find the main pool areas, infinity-style hot tubs, and open-air dining including Surfside Café & Grill. There’s also bar service throughout, making this one of the liveliest daytime spaces onboard.
Deck 18 – Activities & adrenaline
Deck 18 is focused on entertainment and activity. This is where you’ll find some of the ship’s signature attractions, including The Drop slide, sports areas, and spaces like The Stadium and Tee Time. It’s very much the “fun” deck, designed for energy and movement.
Deck 19 – The Haven & exclusive spaces
The Haven continues onto the upper decks, with additional private sundeck areas and some of the most premium suites onboard. This reinforces the “ship within a ship” concept, with increasingly private and elevated spaces as you move higher.
Deck 20 – Top deck experiences
Right at the top of the ship, Deck 20 is dedicated to open-air activities and unique experiences. This includes spaces like Glow Court and additional recreational areas, offering some of the best views anywhere onboard.
Dining on Norwegian Luna: The Haven vs Indulge Food Hall & Surfside Café
The Haven restaurant was good, and opened early on arrival day so I was having lunch before 12 noon. There was a good choice of food, and a decent selection of vegetarian options, albeit first off I was given the dinner menu which should have been lunch.
When I got the lunch menu, it was good to see that they were just sandwich options too - which came with either salad or french fries. I just opted for the chicken
Rather than going back for dinner, which would be my main complimentary restaurant, after visiting the spa thermal suite I decided just to have a quick snack in the Surfside Café on deck 6. Clearly this wasn’t as exclusive as the Haven dining, but food options were excellent as was the quality of food - self service.
Breakfast on day 2 I had at the Haven - there was a good selection of hot options and you ordered juices, teas, coffees etc. along with my avocado toast and a poached egg (and chilli flakes); but also a small buffet area too for self-selection.
Lunch day 2 I thought I would try out another new option - the Indulge Food Hall on deck 8. Having gained another hour (the clocks went back at 2am on day 2 to adjust for the time difference en route to Belize, I was there before 12 noon and the tablets to order food on each table weren’t active yet - it was like a food court with various options, and you just selected whatever you wanted from the various options, and it was great that vegetarian (and other dietary) requirements could be a selection. I had a delicious selection of lemon lentil soup, vegetable pakora, rice and pappadums with mango chutney.
Initial Impressions & Early Observations
I’ll be writing a lot more about this 7-day cruise, but some very initial observations on Day 1, good and bad:
Boarding was overall good, but I do still find just leaving your luggage on the curb slightly odd, without any sort of receipt/bag check like you would get at an airport. With technology now, and for everyone’s assurance, you’d have thought the cruise line would want to scan each tag and then you could perhaps see this being checked in on the app. All said, the luggage did arrive later ok.
I actually had no cash, having given the last of what I had to the hotel porters. Other than Cunard, I’ve been amazed at how brazen staff are asking for tips for receiving the luggage.
Although I’d read boarding might not start until noon, I was probably on board by about 11:15am and it felt like there had already been a lot of people earlier.
The Haven Bar and Restaurant weren’t as exclusive as I thought they might be - I was surprised by how many people were actually there.
The exclusive areas, including the cabins and suites in the corridors, were good having dedicated Haven sections.
Having felt the Norwegian app was good in the run up to the cruise, it felt a bit disappointing when on board - any pre-booked activities didn’t appear (like massage, on shore activities) nor the extras like my Thermal Suite 7-day pass. Despite the app, there was still a paper booklet printed for each day with all activities. For say the shows (and the Fleetwood Mac story had dropped off the app since on board) it wasn’t obvious when they were on. I guess you always had to look at the activities sheet.
Wi-Fi was a bit confusing too, knowing whether I had this free for one device or more. It was a bit quirky to begin with, but then I did upgrade again to a higher speed (and for two devices) at an additional $240 for the week.
The gym was great, as looked the dedicated spin studio, but it was quite awkward finding what classes were on - only on asking at the Spa, was I told there was a printed (small A4) poster on a top shelf in the gym, with the classes. Having the spin studio, and having bought the 7-day class pass, I was very surprised to find only two spin classes across the week.
For minimising waste on a ship, I was amazed that there was so much printed materials, and apparently having 6 litres of mineral water included in my package, I found 12 x 500ml plastic bottles in the suite. This must generate a tremendous amount of plastic waste, and I’d have thought a new ship could have found a better solution.
I thought I was meant to get fruit and sparkling wine on arrival - there were some pieces of fruit and a champagne bucket on a stand, but no sign of any wine.
In suite pay-per-view movies were also free - a good selection of current films, albeit I had watched three of them on the flight over (After the Hunt, Song Sung Blue, and The Housemaid).
Having bought a 7-day unlimited class pass ($99) it was a bit disappointing to find that despite the dedicated spin studio, there were actually only two classes across the week (on sea days). There was however a daily stretch and yoga class, with some pilates too.
Norwegian Luna & The Haven: Key Questions Answered
Is Norwegian Luna worth it?
From my experience, yes — particularly if you’re looking for a more modern, design-led ship. The standout feature is Ocean Boulevard, but the real difference comes when staying in The Haven, where the experience becomes far more elevated.
What is The Haven on Norwegian Luna?
The Haven is Norwegian Cruise Line’s private “ship within a ship” concept, offering exclusive suites, a private restaurant, lounge, sundeck and dedicated service — all separate from the main ship areas.
Is The Haven worth the extra cost?
If you value space, privacy, priority embarkation and a more refined atmosphere, then absolutely. It transforms the experience from a large-ship cruise into something much closer to a boutique resort at sea.
What is the best deck on Norwegian Luna?
Deck 8 is the heart of the ship, with Ocean Boulevard wrapping around the vessel. For those staying in The Haven, Deck 16 is the key deck, housing the restaurant, lounge, sundeck, spa and fitness centre.
Where do you board Norwegian Luna in Miami?
Boarding takes place at PortMiami, typically via a lower deck (Deck 6 on this sailing), before moving into the main atrium spaces.
What are the best dining options onboard?
The Haven Restaurant offers the most refined and relaxed dining experience. Outside of this, Indulge Food Hall on Deck 8 is a standout for variety, while the main dining rooms and speciality restaurants provide plenty of choice.
Is Norwegian Luna good for first-time cruisers?
Yes — particularly because it offers a wide mix of experiences. You can enjoy the energy of a larger ship, while The Haven provides a quieter, more controlled environment if you want it.
Why I’m Sharing This — And Why You Should Let Me Help You Book Norwegian Luna
Having now experienced Norwegian Luna — and in particular, staying within The Haven — this felt like a completely different way to cruise.
Like any new ship, especially on early sailings, there are always small refinements to be made. But what stood out immediately is just how elevated the experience becomes when you move into The Haven. From priority embarkation and a seamless arrival, to private spaces, curated dining, and a level of service that genuinely removes much of the friction that can come with cruising — it transforms the entire journey.
What Norwegian Cruise Line has created here isn’t just a suite category, but a true “ship within a ship”. A private, more refined environment that still gives you full access to everything the wider ship offers — from Ocean Boulevard to the restaurants, bars and entertainment.
And now that I’ve experienced Norwegian Luna first-hand — from boarding in PortMiami, to The Haven suites, dining, lounges, pool decks and overall service — I can help guide you through the options with real clarity and insight.
Whether you’re new to cruising, loyal to another line, or simply curious about how Norwegian compares, I can help you with:
Choosing the right ship and itinerary
Understanding The Haven and which suite category is right for you
When to book for the best value — and when it’s worth upgrading
What’s genuinely worth paying for on Norwegian Luna — and what isn’t
How to make embarkation smooth and stress-free
How Norwegian compares to other premium and luxury cruise lines
As a Fora Travel Advisor, I can offer the same rates you’ll find online, along with additional perks where available, priority with onboard teams, and — most importantly — insight that comes from actually being onboard.
If you’re considering Norwegian Luna, The Haven, or any cruise — whether Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska or beyond — I’d be delighted to help you tailor something that feels right for you, not just what the cruise line suggests.
📩 To start planning your next cruise:
dave.gillan@fora.travel
Or visit: theprivatetraveller.com
Let’s make your next sailing feel effortless, elevated, and genuinely memorable.
Step onboard Norwegian Luna for a first look at Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, including a detailed deck guide and an inside experience of The Haven. From Ocean Boulevard to private dining, discover how this “ship within a ship” concept transforms the cruise experience into something far more refined and effortless.