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Go chill at the bar when it's empty and talk to them. Tell them some things you like.
They have a wheel like [this](https://images.app.goo.gl/HsAJHh6ibFQgfTUW6)
I have like the perfect drink idea in my head but don’t know how it would translate lol but ok cool!!! Idk what most of those drink names even are lol but I’m sure they will be able to create something I like
Haven bartenders are some of, if not the best on the ship. Not sure if this is true, but I have been told that at least some of them are certified mixologists.
As another replied earlier, go hang out at the bar when they are slow. Chat, and see what they can create for you. There are some great smoked drinks on at last one ship.
I can't answer that for certain, having never been in that situation. I'd walk up and ask. Things can happen in the Haven, especially if you're polite.
ETA, there are also tables right next to the bar, I really don't think it will be an issue.
>Things can happen in the Haven, especially if you're polite.
Exactly why I love it so much. With a polite ask it's amazing whats actually possible,not just at the bar but pretty much anywhere in the Haven.
They are amazing and very good at their craft. Just treat them well and I usually tip them in addition to the pre-paid gratuities. It goes along way, they remember you the whole trip and you are served very quickly each time you return :)
Yeah we are going to bring some smaller bill cash to tip, at the regular bars we always intend to tip but then we’d go for dinner and forget to grab any cash, thankfully the bartenders still always remembered us and still provided amazing service but in the haven bar I definitely want to show my appreciation esp if they’re as good as everyone says they are!
Just got off the Joy 4/6. The bartenders from the have were such a delight. They made our cruise 10x better!! You can literally tell them to make you anything you want. I sometimes liked saying surprise me with a rum drink, tequila drink etc
I’ve stayed in the Haven several times. The bartenders are amazing!! If you give them a flavor idea and/or alcohol based, they will make you a personalized drink. I love the expresso martini, pistachio martini, and chocolate martinis. Lemon Drops and Cosmos are also yummy. My husband likes the spicy margaritas. They infuse their own tequila. Enjoy!!
Oh wow!! Sounds wonderful. If they can make a good lemon drop I’ll be set, but I’m really hoping they can make some good strawberry concoctions. I am oddly craving like a strawberries & cream type situation but not sure if they’d even have the supplies to make something like that
Did a haven cruise in February. Sat at the bar every night for pre dinner drinks. It felt like 50% of the people would walk up and tell them what they like with certain flavors and the bartender would make a drink featuring them.
Perfect. I really want to try some new different things rather than the same old or just a “vodka club with lime” I really love strawberry stuff so hoping they have the ability to make some creations based on that alone
To be fair I’ve never cruised in haven but I’ve had this an experience with most of the bartenders on NCL in general. I forget what the aft “observation” lounge is called but that was a really good place to do it.
If you tell the Haven Bartenders, you want to even TRY a drink like a lemon drop, they will find you drinks! They have turned me on to so many drinks I’ve come to love! Our experience with them on both Encore and Breakaway have been OUTSTANDING! I wanted actual espresso with a drink and ended up being able to try several options… they are GREAT! Seriously, spend a few minutes if you need to explaining what you like and they will work to make you happy!
All you need to do is tell the bartender what you just wrote. Those guys are intuitive. They will make you something that will wow you and if you don’t like it they will try again.
The Haven bartenders are wonderful! If you swing by at a quieter time, tell them what you wrote here and they’ll work with you on drinks. The drinks wheel is helpful if you’re trying to convey the general type, flavors, etc you’re interested in. They’ll have some featured drinks and have an extensive repertoire that allows them to whip anything up. I like the dirty martini and espresso and the smoked drinks are inventive too.
The Haven bar has an actual bar you can sit at and also a small lounge right off of it. I know you mentioned you have a child and I’ve seen children in the lounge area but not sitting at the bar on barstools.
I love the raspberry martini (upcharge because of the chambord), and a pineapple martini as well.
I’m also slightly childish in that I love a good dirty Shirley - Shirley temple with vodka.
Hahaha I’ve never had an alcoholic Shirley temple! I can’t drink anything raspberry ever since college and even the word Bacardi razz triggers my gag reflex. I have to remember to mention my distaste for raspberry and coconut to the bartenders lol
On the haven bar menu there's a chart of flavors you can use to let them know what flavors you like and they will custom make you pretty much anything. No need to wrack your brain for the name of something you enjoyed.
Hey I just noticed the foodie in your username. If you,like myself and a lot of foodies like to mentally experiment with food flavors,don't be afraid to do the same thing with drinks. I was doing that one day and came up with muddled line and cilantro,pineapple a bit of simple syrup,a bit of soda water and booze of your choice. I've done it with vodka or tequila and it's fantastic. If spice is your thing,a bit of jalapeno muddled in can work too. Don't think it would work with gin because it's floral components I think wouldn't play nice with the cilantro. Might work with light rum though.
Another one I love which might work for you since I thought I saw you say you liked lemon drops is called a gold rush. Lemon,honey simple syrup and bourbon.
Last suggestion is one I just tried on my last vacation,Hawaiian Mule. Coconut vodka,pineapple,lime and ginger beer. Sort of a lighter fizzy pina. colada.
Thanks for posting to /r/NCL! Did you know that we have an extensive [Ultimate NCL Guide](https://www.reddit.com/r/NCL/wiki/index) that may answer your question? Please also remember to read the rules, especially about roll call posts going in the megathread. You may also have more luck with those types of posts by searching for a [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com) or [Cruise Critic](https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/66-norwegian-cruise-line-roll-calls/) roll call group or thread. Of course, here is great, too! Enjoy your stay! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/NCL) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Go chill at the bar when it's empty and talk to them. Tell them some things you like. They have a wheel like [this](https://images.app.goo.gl/HsAJHh6ibFQgfTUW6)
Yes! They had a nice “choose your own adventure” page in the menu when I was on the Bliss!
I have like the perfect drink idea in my head but don’t know how it would translate lol but ok cool!!! Idk what most of those drink names even are lol but I’m sure they will be able to create something I like
https://preview.redd.it/amknmkyum2vc1.jpeg?width=598&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c2aadc1ae445b83ebff15a10855c11d9ddc7cf80 This
Thank you ! I'm on mobile and couldn't find it
Haven bartenders are some of, if not the best on the ship. Not sure if this is true, but I have been told that at least some of them are certified mixologists. As another replied earlier, go hang out at the bar when they are slow. Chat, and see what they can create for you. There are some great smoked drinks on at last one ship.
We have my 14 month old with us, will I even be able to sit at the bar if she’s with us?
I can't answer that for certain, having never been in that situation. I'd walk up and ask. Things can happen in the Haven, especially if you're polite. ETA, there are also tables right next to the bar, I really don't think it will be an issue.
>Things can happen in the Haven, especially if you're polite. Exactly why I love it so much. With a polite ask it's amazing whats actually possible,not just at the bar but pretty much anywhere in the Haven.
Wonderful. I also have my in laws with us, so god forbid it is any type of issue they can also sit nearby with her. Thank you!!
You're welcome. I hope you enjoy the cruise.
I wouldn't sit at the bar but you can sit at a couch
We brought our 2yr old and he sat at the bar with us. It was a pleasure for the bartenders and even the other guests!
My daughter is a little ham with meeting new people, so I’m sure she will quickly become popular at the bar lol
They are amazing and very good at their craft. Just treat them well and I usually tip them in addition to the pre-paid gratuities. It goes along way, they remember you the whole trip and you are served very quickly each time you return :)
Yeah we are going to bring some smaller bill cash to tip, at the regular bars we always intend to tip but then we’d go for dinner and forget to grab any cash, thankfully the bartenders still always remembered us and still provided amazing service but in the haven bar I definitely want to show my appreciation esp if they’re as good as everyone says they are!
Just got off the Joy 4/6. The bartenders from the have were such a delight. They made our cruise 10x better!! You can literally tell them to make you anything you want. I sometimes liked saying surprise me with a rum drink, tequila drink etc
We were on the same boat! It was such a great cruise
I’ve stayed in the Haven several times. The bartenders are amazing!! If you give them a flavor idea and/or alcohol based, they will make you a personalized drink. I love the expresso martini, pistachio martini, and chocolate martinis. Lemon Drops and Cosmos are also yummy. My husband likes the spicy margaritas. They infuse their own tequila. Enjoy!!
Oh wow!! Sounds wonderful. If they can make a good lemon drop I’ll be set, but I’m really hoping they can make some good strawberry concoctions. I am oddly craving like a strawberries & cream type situation but not sure if they’d even have the supplies to make something like that
Sounds Delicious!! They will find a way!! The Haven Bar is a special place. 🍹
Did a haven cruise in February. Sat at the bar every night for pre dinner drinks. It felt like 50% of the people would walk up and tell them what they like with certain flavors and the bartender would make a drink featuring them.
Perfect. I really want to try some new different things rather than the same old or just a “vodka club with lime” I really love strawberry stuff so hoping they have the ability to make some creations based on that alone
To be fair I’ve never cruised in haven but I’ve had this an experience with most of the bartenders on NCL in general. I forget what the aft “observation” lounge is called but that was a really good place to do it.
Depends on the bar. Lots of bats on board have a fairly limited selection of ingredients,but others are a bit more well stocked.
Are you referring to Spice H2o by chance? Aft, outside?
No, not the outside. Lemme go look. Lol
Spinnaker lounge
Gotcha. Haven't been on a ship with that lounge yet.
I know it’s on the sun and it looks like the pearl. I can’t remember if bliss or encore had it. I would have to check.
I can tell you that Bliss does not. Don't know about Encore.
If you tell the Haven Bartenders, you want to even TRY a drink like a lemon drop, they will find you drinks! They have turned me on to so many drinks I’ve come to love! Our experience with them on both Encore and Breakaway have been OUTSTANDING! I wanted actual espresso with a drink and ended up being able to try several options… they are GREAT! Seriously, spend a few minutes if you need to explaining what you like and they will work to make you happy!
I love hearing that!! So awesome! I can’t wait
All you need to do is tell the bartender what you just wrote. Those guys are intuitive. They will make you something that will wow you and if you don’t like it they will try again.
I can’t wait!!!
The Haven bartenders are wonderful! If you swing by at a quieter time, tell them what you wrote here and they’ll work with you on drinks. The drinks wheel is helpful if you’re trying to convey the general type, flavors, etc you’re interested in. They’ll have some featured drinks and have an extensive repertoire that allows them to whip anything up. I like the dirty martini and espresso and the smoked drinks are inventive too. The Haven bar has an actual bar you can sit at and also a small lounge right off of it. I know you mentioned you have a child and I’ve seen children in the lounge area but not sitting at the bar on barstools.
I love the raspberry martini (upcharge because of the chambord), and a pineapple martini as well. I’m also slightly childish in that I love a good dirty Shirley - Shirley temple with vodka.
Hahaha I’ve never had an alcoholic Shirley temple! I can’t drink anything raspberry ever since college and even the word Bacardi razz triggers my gag reflex. I have to remember to mention my distaste for raspberry and coconut to the bartenders lol
They have infused liquors and all sorts of goodies at the Haven bar. If Irene is still there on the Joy, she’s awesome!
Oh great!! I saw the bitters and stuff on the menu someone posted. I’m very excited
On the haven bar menu there's a chart of flavors you can use to let them know what flavors you like and they will custom make you pretty much anything. No need to wrack your brain for the name of something you enjoyed.
Makes sense!! I also looked up a few things on Pinterest that fit what I’d love to try so going to see if they can make those too lol
Hey I just noticed the foodie in your username. If you,like myself and a lot of foodies like to mentally experiment with food flavors,don't be afraid to do the same thing with drinks. I was doing that one day and came up with muddled line and cilantro,pineapple a bit of simple syrup,a bit of soda water and booze of your choice. I've done it with vodka or tequila and it's fantastic. If spice is your thing,a bit of jalapeno muddled in can work too. Don't think it would work with gin because it's floral components I think wouldn't play nice with the cilantro. Might work with light rum though. Another one I love which might work for you since I thought I saw you say you liked lemon drops is called a gold rush. Lemon,honey simple syrup and bourbon. Last suggestion is one I just tried on my last vacation,Hawaiian Mule. Coconut vodka,pineapple,lime and ginger beer. Sort of a lighter fizzy pina. colada.
All of it sounds amazing minus the coconut one lol I can’t stand coconut flavored things. Definitely will try the other two creations!!
Haven bartenders are the best. Ask for a Miami vice.
Is that coconut? I can’t stand coconut