Butler Service

After 50+ cruises, only our second with NCL, we are booked in a cabin with butler service...what services can we expect from the butler?

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After 50+ cruises, only our second with NCL, we are booked in a cabin with butler service...what services can we expect from the butler?

 

 

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On our last cruise the butler arranged dinner in our room for us. We had decided last minute we wanted to do one of the specialty restaurants, the only times open were late. When we talked to the butler, she said, "I'll bring you a menu. Call me with your order and I will set up your room." It was kind of neat. Would I do it often, no but it was fun. When we traveled with the grandchildren, the butler always made sure their favorite snack was in the room. .One family cruise we were in Cagneys. the grandson had a meltdown and dad went to the room. We planned on bringing his food up to him as it arrived. The Maite'd was appalled and informed us....the butler will do that. I will call him. As each course came out the butler delivered it to the room.

So as you can see each cruise with a butler is different, There have been trips that we never used the butler.

Here are a few threads that might help (some even with pics!)

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2518748&highlight=butler+request

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2495216&highlight=butler+request

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2395495&highlight=butler+request

I admittedly didn't read through them all but it's a good starting point at least!

Here is a thread from somebody that is doing the Haven for the first time - not sure if you are in the Haven, but there are comments about the butler there.

Upgraded to Haven Question

There is another thread about tipping the Butler... good luck with that one.

Our butler brought a full breakfast to us every morning. What a great way to start the day!

We used the butler very little outside his duties, most of which could easily have been done by the room steward. We asked about 4 times for special treats as we were having visitors.

On the penultimate day we had 3 visits with "I hope you have enjoyed the service I have provided!!". We expected beggars on the streets of the big cities but not on the ship.

We did tip him as he did his duties as he should but we tipped the room steward a lot more!!

After 50+ cruises, only our second with NCL, we are booked in a cabin with butler service...what services can we expect from the butler?

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The first thing right after checking-in (Registration) is a butler personal escort on board to your stateroom if

cleaned and ready - that failing then escorted to the Haven restaurant or other specialty restaurant for lunch.

The butler basically takes care of your personal needs food and beverages (in cabin coffee maker) - the cabin

steward cleans and makes up the cabin.

You will also have the services of the ships Concierge to arrange ease in getting on and off the ship; dining

reservations; show reservations and seating and other technical management issues.

You can be spoiled rotten and enjoy the heck out of it -OR- have the butler take a step back and do things

perhaps at your own pace. As first time suite passengers enjoy the services offered - on the next cruise

realize that you can be selective about all those services but find out what level you like to be pampered at.

Read on for more member responses - - -

We were escorted on by the Concierge and he took us to lunch.

I thought our room steward did the cleaning and turning down/making up.

We were escorted on by the Concierge and he took us to lunch.

I thought our room steward did the cleaning and turning down/making up.

In all three cases that I have been in a suite the Butler did the escorting - the Concierge

was busy handling technical details with the registration process.

It would be an awkward situation for the Concierge to escort every suite passenger on board.

As is the Butler services anywhere from 4 or more staterooms and would be at odds to

escort that volume. In one case I waited in the Lounge for my Butler escort. A neat chance

to observe the boarding process and see how smoothly it worked.

So how did you manage to shanghai the Concierge to escort you - maybe Platinum + + + ?

The first time I let the butler spoil me since I was a suite rookie. The last two times I laid

it out what and when I wanted - perfect - no disappointments - it is a great three part system

and I hope that NCL doesn't do any tinkering with it.

the escort onto the ship has failed both times we sailed in suites. first time, my mom's card didnt have her picture loaded when she scanned at security. the concierge left us behind. second time, the couple in front of us had a problem with THEIR cards (they had been on a B2B) so they, we and half the suite guests behind us all got left behind. hoping our third time in april actually results in an escort! fortunately, we knew where to go and were very familiar with NCL, but had we been first timers, and had not researched, we most likely would have missed embark day lunch at cagneys.

Once they take a few folks aboard, that escort is no longer available for 10-20 minutes depending on the demands or issues that come up. If the ID card is bad... it gets worse.

Personally, we are happy to go on our own when they let you. Even if the ship is new, it is part of the adventure to find your way around, even when dragging our luggage.

I do remember being told to gather around in the waiting area so they can update people on things, but then never really telling us anything. LOL!

We sailed NCL for the first time in June in the Haven and our butler and room steward really "made the cruise" for us in terms of the shipboard experience. We were on a very port intensive itinerary with our two kids. One afternoon we arrived back from a long day to find a ham/cheese sandwich waiting for us - we devoured it and after that we went through BLTs, turkey, you-name-it. It was a great pick-me-up and once our butler figured out we weren't one for canapes or gummy bears (which took about one day), we lived well! We had breakfast in our suite most mornings - sometimes just continental and sometimes ordered from the Haven menu. That was also fabulous to be able to graze while all 4 of us got ready for the day.

At a couple of the ports where lines were long to get on, many of the butlers were out working the line, looking for their guests. They essentially formed a hand-off chain and pulled people out of line to escort them to a different boarding point. (Yes, that was a little uncomfortable due to the glares of other pax, but we managed to get over it fairly quickly.) That, along with the escorts OFF the ship at each port by the concierge team, were huge benefits that we hadn't really anticipated but probably freed up an hour or so each day.

We never did dinner in our room - well, except for teen boy who I think had room service dinner and then "real" dinner with us at least twice, but I won't count that! So we'll be trying that out next summer!

Our butler had just the right balance of being attentive but not overbearing, and it was the same with the room steward. Overall a very nice experience.

you also get free pay per view movies! one night we stayed in to watch one and ordered pizza. it was awesome. my fiance also loved to order pizza for late night, and would order it from anywhere on teh ship with the cordless phone that comes with your room. he got the biggest kick out of doing that for some reason, and coming back to the room to have the pizza there and waiting.

Here are a few threads that might help (some even with pics!)

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2518748&highlight=butler+request

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2495216&highlight=butler+request

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2395495&highlight=butler+request

 

I admittedly didn't read through them all but it's a good starting point at least!

So helpful, thank you!!

Thanks to all. Now we are really looking forward to a new experience on our April trans Atlantic cruise.

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you also get free pay per view movies! one night we stayed in to watch one and ordered pizza. it was awesome. my fiance also loved to order pizza for late night, and would order it from anywhere on teh ship with the cordless phone that comes with your room. he got the biggest kick out of doing that for some reason, and coming back to the room to have the pizza there and waiting.

I had no idea about the pizza. What is the cost?

I think it is worth pointing out that you will be sharing the Butler with numerous other suites. There are certain times of the day such as breakfast and early evening when they can be very busy. Put your requests in but be aware that sometimes the service from them will not be instantaneous as they may be helping/serving another guest.

I write this because there was one occasion when the Butler was attending to our meal in our room. The same cabin called 3 times. Firstly to request service to which he informed them he would be with them shortly as he was with another guest. Two minutes later they called again and got the same answer, and the third time they called a further minute later they seemed angry with him. He was visibly perturbed by this so I told him to just go and sort out their "emergency" and I would serve our food myself. He came back after 10 minutes or so, full of apologies to us but full of thanks for what I did.

Over the next few days I noticed that he was going in or out of that room almost everytime we stepped out of ours. Just be reasonable in your requests and expectations. It is a cruise ship not Downton Abbey.

I think it is worth pointing out that you will be sharing the Butler with numerous other suites. There are certain times of the day such as breakfast and early evening when they can be very busy. Put your requests in but be aware that sometimes the service from them will not be instantaneous as they may be helping/serving another guest.

 

I write this because there was one occasion when the Butler was attending to our meal in our room. The same cabin called 3 times. Firstly to request service to which he informed them he would be with them shortly as he was with another guest. Two minutes later they called again and got the same answer, and the third time they called a further minute later they seemed angry with him. He was visibly perturbed by this so I told him to just go and sort out their "emergency" and I would serve our food myself. He came back after 10 minutes or so, full of apologies to us but full of thanks for what I did.

 

Over the next few days I noticed that he was going in or out of that room almost everytime we stepped out of ours. Just be reasonable in your requests and expectations. It is a cruise ship not Downton Abbey.

I'm glad you wrote this as nicely as you did, I'm currently on the dawn and ti be honest the suite life was not the dream I thought mostly for what you just said. We have a young child so we wouldn't be asking for much, we simply asked for AJ for the kid it took 2 days for the juice but our neighbors got 3 meals a day in there room. We also had no interactions with him on day 1 we asked for juice day 2 when he finally got us and he was never seen again only heard when he was presenting dinner to the neighbors. I know the trolls will hang me but I opened up his envelope and gave it to my room attended because he did more Butler services then the 1 with the title.

Another thought concierge is a joke because the restaurants are the only thing they do and if you don't make a reservation before you leave you eat in your room. So don't have to much expectations.

I'm glad you wrote this as nicely as you did, I'm currently on the dawn and ti be honest the suite life was not the dream I thought mostly for what you just said. We have a young child so we wouldn't be asking for much, we simply asked for AJ for the kid it took 2 days for the juice but our neighbors got 3 meals a day in there room. We also had no interactions with him on day 1 we asked for juice day 2 when he finally got us and he was never seen again only heard when he was presenting dinner to the neighbors. I know the trolls will hang me but I opened up his envelope and gave it to my room attended because he did more Butler services then the 1 with the title.

Another thought concierge is a joke because the restaurants are the only thing they do and if you don't make a reservation before you leave you eat in your room. So don't have to much expectations.

Nobody should hang you up. What is being described on this thread is reality. Some people get great service, some just ok., some not very good. Can even be by the same person - butler, steward, concierge - and it can vary customer to customer.

I had no idea about the pizza. What is the cost?

free for suite guests!!!

Also I was told my last cruise they give you those cordless satellite phones for a reason. Your suppose to carry it when you leave your cabin in the ship. If you forget let say your jacket and your in the theater you call your butler. They keep a log of how often the day and night butlers are used. Meaning if you never use them or call them they aren't being productive. I think I used my night butler more with night room service etc. one night my closest door kept opening as the ship rocked so i called the night butler and he fixed it.

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Also I was told my last cruise they give you those cordless satellite phones for a reason. Your suppose to carry it when you leave your cabin in the ship. If you forget let say your jacket and your in the theater you call your butler. They keep a log of how often the day and night butlers are used. Meaning if you never use them or call them they aren't being productive. I think I used my night butler more with night room service etc. one night my closest door kept opening as the ship rocked so i called the night butler and he fixed it.

 

 

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I don't think it is a satellite phone.

We rarely use the phone - we normally talk to them in person or leave a note. Does NCL track this activity?

I don't think it is a satellite phone.

 

We rarely use the phone - we normally talk to them in person or leave a note. Does NCL track this activity?

The phone that is a perk of the suite is the same type of phone carried by the crew members butler concierge.

It is usable anywhere on the ship and as I have found out on my recent New England Canada cruise can be

used on shore with a limited range. Was at St. Johns Bay well over a mile from the ship and as a test used the

phone to call my cabin mates - it works ! Handy when away from your cabin to call cabin mates or order services.

I'm glad you wrote this as nicely as you did, I'm currently on the dawn and ti be honest the suite life was not the dream I thought mostly for what you just said. We have a young child so we wouldn't be asking for much, we simply asked for AJ for the kid it took 2 days for the juice but our neighbors got 3 meals a day in there room. We also had no interactions with him on day 1 we asked for juice day 2 when he finally got us and he was never seen again only heard when he was presenting dinner to the neighbors. I know the trolls will hang me but I opened up his envelope and gave it to my room attended because he did more Butler services then the 1 with the title.

Another thought concierge is a joke because the restaurants are the only thing they do and if you don't make a reservation before you leave you eat in your room. So don't have to much expectations.

I would have found that to be unacceptable too. I hope those neighbours tipped him well as he was so devoted. We have always call round to introduce themselves and get to know a little about us and our miniscule needs at the very least.The only reason we were being served our meal that particular night is that due to my stepping on a stingray and getting my ankle shredded (still hurts and aches 17 months later) I was unable to walk to the restaurant. Next morning I could hobble so was able to go to the restaurant albeit slowly. I didn't ask for any other meals in our room on that, or any other cruises. I only did it that time because he came to see me as he had heard from our steward and wanted to see if we needed anything. He said "Let me bring dinner to you" and I was glad of the offer. We enjoy eating in the restaurants more than we would the room.

I have found the concierge to be hit or miss. Have had a couple of fantastic ones who were always around and if they saw us would rush to see if they could assist even when I was handling things myself,and a couple who weren't bothered but seemed to want my tip.

There are some people who are incredibly demanding and entitled and it would not enter their heads that others might get a lesser service. If people keep their expectations down a little things would be better for all.

As for the trolls let them have at it.