The Suite Life

This is our first time having a suite on NCL Star. We are so excited. I have checked out a few threads, but I just want to get some dos and don'ts about suites. I hear that people are asking the butler for things, but for the life of me I can't imagine what to ask for. Let me know what you do and then I can get some ideas of the "wonders" that await us.

you must be soooo exited. Remember, the Star does not have an official Haven, and the suites are quite varied. Can you share your cabin number, or at least the cabin type and deck number?

We sailed our first NCL on the Star in the aft Suite 8670 (SF) and we very happy with the room. Our friend was up on deck 12 in one of the newer (SE) suites, and it was so much nicer. We are coffee lovers so the Lavazza machine was utilized many times a day. Butler in the far aft was not as attentive as the butlers who work in the forward section.

At first we decided that NCL was not for us, but now have booked Haven suite on the Jade. We shall see.

First this applies for suites and above, not mini suites.

it starts with a dedicated booking in area and at some ports a suite guest waiting area with snacks etc, then you are escorted to your room.

The Butler is there to even help you unpack, never used, he will even clean your shoes, never used.

his main function is to make your stay one to remember. He will arrange for all your meals in the cabin , if you want and serve them.

he will bring you breakfast to order, arrange snacks to be waiting for you if you want and arrange a party in your room, if you want.

, he will liase with the Concierge to book meals, excursions etc.

you will also have free 24 hour room service, reserved seats at the theartre, breakfast and lunch at a specialst area, if you want.

Priority tender tickets, priority disembarkation, special Vip party.

Concierge , will sort any problems , like Specialist dinning, even flight ticket problems.

But remember they are not covered by the DSC .

Have a great trip and enjoy

j

We always make friends with our Butlers, and they all remember us, like meeting old friends. We had that suite on the Star on a Baltic cruise and the Butler served our dinner on the balcony as we left Stockholm to sail through the Archipelago, magical.

You can check out our photos of that cruise at http://www.flickr.com/photos/magickpyggie/sets and clicking on the Star.

I like English tea and the Butler filled my thermos flask with boiling water every night, and made sure fresh milk was available, sad I know, but I get up early and need my comforts. He will bring you snacks, but tell him what you like and don't like.

Enjoy, we have never looked back after our first suite adventure.

scanditaly, we are in 12518 an SJ suite. We've always had inside cabins on NCL before so yes, we are very excited. We just have no idea of what kind of thing we can even ask for in our suite. We are really interested to know what other people use the butlers for.

[quote name=Magickpyggie; He will bring you snacks' date=' but tell him what you like and don't like.

Enjoy, we have never looked back after our first suite adventure.[/quote]

What kind of snacks to they bring so we know what to tell him. Is there a list or do you just know from the last time you were in a suite?

We had a SJ Suite on the Star for Panama Canal Cruise.

We have stayed in several suites on NCL and that was the best we ever had. Great butler , great room with fabulous bathroom and great location relative to rest of ship and Cagney's. We are POA in JAN and our Penthouse suite with large balcony does not look as nice. With the SJ suite there is no balcony but much more room.

The best thing we did was ask the butler for menus early each afternoon. When he brought our late afternoon snack, we would give him our dinner order and he would serve us in our suite , usually around 7:30. So relaxing and intimate. Also ask for movie DVD catalog and get movies to watch in your room.

This is our first time having a suite on NCL Star. We are so excited. I have checked out a few threads, but I just want to get some dos and don'ts about suites. I hear that people are asking the butler for things, but for the life of me I can't imagine what to ask for. Let me know what you do and then I can get some ideas of the "wonders" that await us.

You my dear are in for a treat. On our first cruise ever with NCL our cabin was 9500 a penthouse suite. And how sweet it was.

Here is my review of the suite life. I was gobsmacked.

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=71851

The best thing we did was ask the butler for menus early each afternoon.

You can ask for all menus at the beginning of the cruise (we always do) - makes the dinner planning a LOT easier. :)

First this applies for suites and above, not mini suites.

it starts with a dedicated booking in area and at some ports a suite guest waiting area with snacks etc, then you are escorted to your room.

The Butler is there to even help you unpack, never used, he will even clean your shoes, never used.

his main function is to make your stay one to remember. He will arrange for all your meals in the cabin , if you want and serve them.

he will bring you breakfast to order, arrange snacks to be waiting for you if you want and arrange a party in your room, if you want.

 

, he will liase with the Concierge to book meals, excursions etc.

you will also have free 24 hour room service, reserved seats at the theartre, breakfast and lunch at a specialst area, if you want.

Priority tender tickets, priority disembarkation, special Vip party.

Concierge , will sort any problems , like Specialist dinning, even flight ticket problems.

But remember they are not covered by the DSC .

Have a great trip and enjoy

j

Does each suite have a dedicated butler? I assume you share a butler if so with how many other suites? Our suite isn't in the Haven it is a FF suite on another deck.

Txs

Does each suite have a dedicated butler? I assume you share a butler if so with how many other suites? Our suite isn't in the Haven it is a FF suite on another deck.

No, most butlers have 6-10 suites that they take care of.

No, most butlers have 6-10 suites that they take care of.

That seems difficult if the suites are located on different floors. Wonder how good service can really be? Guess everyone cannot order and be served breakfast for example at 7:30 AM. sounds like a difficult assignment for the staff.

That seems difficult if the suites are located on different floors. Wonder how good service can really be? Guess everyone cannot order and be served breakfast for example at 7:30 AM. sounds like a difficult assignment for the staff.

I've read here about butlers that have had some aft suites and some fwd suites to serve at the same time, on Dawn class and Jewel class ships that is almost 300 meters (close to 1000ft) distance in between - not an easy feat on a busy schedule.

Overall IMO the quality of service depends mostly on the personality of the butler, we have had both good and bad butlers. Also if there are unreasonable people demanding things from the butler, that can affect the service others in their suite group will get.

That seems difficult if the suites are located on different floors. Wonder how good service can really be? Guess everyone cannot order and be served breakfast for example at 7:30 AM. sounds like a difficult assignment for the staff.

Our experience with suites on NCL has been mediocre at best. From the couple butlers that I"ve asked for example, on the Star our butler was covering some rooms 12 forward and 10 aft. On the BA our butler was covering 16 forward and suites on aft - don't recall which floors. There are numerous butlers but what your experience will be can vary. On the BA the butler said they had a pantry in the forward Haven area so many things they had to cart to the aft.

What kind of snacks to they bring so we know what to tell him. Is there a list or do you just know from the last time you were in a suite?

Enjoy your suite-you're going to love it! As far as snacks go just let your butler know what you like as well as what you don't like or are allergic to. DH and I like cheese and fruit in the afternoon where as my mom loves potato chips so that's what we ask for. Feel like something sweet? Ask for cookies or chocolate cake. In our experience, if it's available your butler will be happy to get it for you.

Our experience with suites on NCL has been mediocre at best. From the couple butlers that I"ve asked for example, on the Star our butler was covering some rooms 12 forward and 10 aft. On the BA our butler was covering 16 forward and suites on aft - don't recall which floors. There are numerous butlers but what your experience will be can vary. On the BA the butler said they had a pantry in the forward Haven area so many things they had to cart to the aft.

We are very reasonable and don't ask for much. As you say based on our experience on other cruise lines the tip we give will reflect the service we receive.

Txs for the information.

We've never had a bad experience with butler service and we have cruised exclusively in suites for 13 years. We have sailed in the Haven but our preferred location is Deck 10 AFT SF suites and never felt that our butler service was negatively impacted by our location.

I do aft suites too. And except for one cruise, butler service has been excellent.

I like ti go to suite venue for breakfast so I do not use the butler in the morning at all.

We were in a suite on the Star this April. There are photos of snacks in this review: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2225585

Also the DVD menu, which is something else the butler can bring.

Even if you're not eating in, getting the menus is helpful for choosing your dining room each evening.

I do aft suites too. And except for one cruise, butler service has been excellent.

 

I like ti go to suite venue for breakfast so I do not use the butler in the morning at all.

I do the aft suites as well and always try for deck 10 if available.

I'll go to suite venue for breakfast a few times during the cruise and for lunch on embarkation day. I use my butlers very little, but just knowing that if I want something, all I have to do is call is priceless.

I just got the letter from the concierge's office. Does anyone know if they have hot chocolate? We don't drink coffee, but my DH loves to have hot chocolate at night. Also, can you specify which sodas are in the fridge?

The pillow menu looks fun, does anyone have any suggestions on those?

I'm sorry, lots of questions, but we are just so excited.

I just got the letter from the concierge's office. Does anyone know if they have hot chocolate? We don't drink coffee, but my DH loves to have hot chocolate at night. Also, can you specify which sodas are in the fridge?

The office onshore is pre-cruise concierge desk, it's just a customer service desk designated to suite passengers. Concierge's offices exist only on ships and you will have contact with the concierge on your cruise only in the terminal or onboard. :)

At least in buffet they have hot chocolate available as bags, your butler will definitely be able to stock you with those - you'll be able to get hot water from the coffee machine.

The question about the fridge depends on your suite category - in lower level suites the contents of the fridge are not complimentary (regular mini bar prices apply) and you can ask the room steward to stock it according to your preferences.

In the highest level suites (Owner's Suite, Deluxe Owner's Suite and Garden Villa) sodas and waters are complimentary and the butler will make sure you are stocked with sodas you like.

This is our first time having a suite on NCL Star. We are so excited. I have checked out a few threads, but I just want to get some dos and don'ts about suites. I hear that people are asking the butler for things, but for the life of me I can't imagine what to ask for. Let me know what you do and then I can get some ideas of the "wonders" that await us.

On our first cruise to Alaska we cruised on the Star. We were in a forward cabin 9500. We had a very large deck. Your Butler will bring you virtually anything you ask for that they can provide from the ship. For instance every day around four or five they will bring you some really nice little snacks and depending on your preference so bring you what you like. When my kid was I want to say nine they brought him peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with the crust cut off. It was pretty funny.

Your Butler will bring you for instance – extra pillows and blankets if you need them etc...

I just got the letter from the concierge's office. Does anyone know if they have hot chocolate? We don't drink coffee, but my DH loves to have hot chocolate at night. Also, can you specify which sodas are in the fridge?

The pillow menu looks fun, does anyone have any suggestions on those?

I'm sorry, lots of questions, but we are just so excited.

Yes to hot chocolate. Soda in fridge and anything in fridge not included in packages. We ask our butler to empty fridge and we put soda and bottled water we get from bars which is included in packages