The NCL Upgrade program / offer

Read the fine print on the upgrades. They do not always grant full privileges normally allotted to those cabins if they were initially booked and any special perqs from your original deal might be lost on upgrade. What it will boil down to is whether you feel that you are getting a good value in your opinion based on the extra you have to pay after looking at everything. The Haven has a lot of nice perqs especially the dining options and if they are included then it might be worth it. But also keep in mind that sometimes a mid-ship balcony is better than a larger cabin at the front or back of the ship if you have issues with motion sickness and also with the proximity of elevators if you have mobility issues.

This is more general, but we wrote an article about it recently! https://cruiseline.com/advice/cruising-101/beyond-the-basics/secret-cabin-bidding-process-cruisers-don-t-know-about

The balcony cabin is the lowest type of cabin that will be upgraded to the Haven. The Haven is wonderful. The cabin is the same size as a similar cabin NOT in the Haven. You get breakfast and lunch at a speciality restaurant (worth it). You get priority boarding and disembarkation. You do not get the extra perks you would get (free at sea) if you booked the Haven outright. So if 5 "free at sea" perks (remember you are also paying gratuities on them so they are not "free") are important to you, you won't get them with the upgrade. However, if you got a good deal on the balcony cabin and you win a low bid for the Haven you will LOVE IT and it is well worth it! No fighting with the crowds at the pool, a hot tub in the pool area if not on your balcony, daily treats dropped off in your room, a roof top deck where I never had a problem getting one of those cabana chairs! You cannot choose your cabin with upgrades but all Haven are good cabins. Also, the Concierge can make things happen for you (let's say you get confused and end up in the Main Dining Room instead of the Speciality Restaurant on the second to the last day of your cruise and there are no more reservations for that speciality restaurant the final night, they will make it happen--this is a real scenario). You should add gratuities to butler/concierge to your budget. They are really worth it (on top of mandatory which we prepaid at balcony prices and gave the room steward a little extra also). You do get all of the Haven Perks, you keep whatever sign on bonus you get. (If you were in a spa cabin, you do not get that perk unless it is a Spa Haven Cabin--some of the big ships may have these). Enjoy your cruise!

Thanks for your input and advice.

Luckily I do not have problems with motion sickness. I worked on the cruise ships during my younger years, 13 ships in all over a span of 6 years. Now I am cruising on the "other" side so to speak.

I did some further investigation and, as per my original booking, we have the following included:

1. Premium beverage package

2. 50USD per cabin per port shore excursion credit

3. Unlimited internet package

4. 3 meal speciality dining package

5. 75USD per person on board credit (this was increased to 175USD per person due to a price drop

6. 120 min Ship to Shore phone calls

According to the fine print, I get to keep these. I also prepaid gratuities for the drink package and also the on board gratuities. I have also prepaid some shore excursions and also the extra for Cirque Dreams & Steam floor seating.

Basically my only expense extra at the moment is the 3 night stay in Copenhagen prior to departure plus whatever we do there. I booked and paid for flights 8 months ago and took out travel and cancellation insurance immediately I know Copenhagen is expensive, Tivolli is however on my list of places to visit as we are there the last weekend that it is open.

I guess I now have 2 choices, keep increasing my bid or just sit back and hope my original bid will be accepted. I do not mind paying the extra for what appears the HAVEN has to offer within certain limits.

Sorry about that Sarah. I am new to this site and still finding my way around. I read the article and thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

Sounds like you have it all in hand and are ready to enjoy.Hope the trip is great.