Butler/concierge

We will be booking a haven suite and are first time cruisers. I have absolutely no idea what I would/ could/ should use the butler or concierge for and am in need of suggestions to educate me. I will search the tipping thread to become knowledgeable regarding that aspect as well. Thanks!

There is a ton of information on this site.

Try "googling" NCL Butlers and Concierges that should answer every question you have

There is a ton of information on this site.

Try "googling" NCL Butlers and Concierges that should answer every question you have

If you search here on BUTLER you will find lots of messages on what they do, and tipping.

Concierge does reservations

Butler does stuff in your room

What I learned:

Butler - takes care of your needs IN your suite (orders your room service and delivers/serves it, brings snacks in the afternoons, refills drinks etc)

Concierge - takes care of your needs OUT of your suite (reservations for shows or specialty restaurants etc)

What I learned:

 

Butler - takes care of your needs IN your suite (orders your room service and delivers/serves it, brings snacks in the afternoons, refills drinks etc)

 

Concierge - takes care of your needs OUT of your suite (reservations for shows or specialty restaurants etc)

This is certainly how it is supposed to work, but in my experience not all concierges (is that the plural of concierge?) and butlers are created equal. On our last cruise, our fantastic butler took care of EVERYTHING in and out of our cabin and we never heard from the concierge at all. So while I would go in with this assumption, I would recommend just going with the flow if it doesn't work out that way.

In the end, together the concierge and butler services are designed so that you never need to wait in line or figure out how to get something taken care of. Instead, you simply place a phone call & they figure out the rest. In our experience, the butler and/or concierge has been incredibly helpful in making reservations, providing "insider" information, securing room service & special snacks, and correcting my own big mistake with a shore excursion booking :eek:. In the end, it just adds to the care-free vacation-style we love so much.

Now if the next few months would just zoom on by, that would be super awesome :D

We will be booking a haven suite and are first time cruisers. I have absolutely no idea what I would/ could/ should use the butler or concierge for and am in need of suggestions to educate me. I will search the tipping thread to become knowledgeable regarding that aspect as well. Thanks!

re :First Time

You are really going to spoil yourself by starting out with not only a suite, but among the best at sea. You will never be able to do "regular" cruising again.

Thank you. I will do the search as well. I figured we were spoiling ourselves. It's our 25 th wedding anniversary and after all those years I deserve it!!!!

We just got off the Sky and a Suite at the same time. Our Butler was fantastic, he kept our room stocked with daily snacks and brought pizzas to my kids several times during our stay. I happened to mention that my wife likes Chocolate Covered strawberries and bam we had some. At one point my wife just wanted Carrot Cake from the Steakhouse and he happily brought it to us. Was always friendly with a smile and made everyone laugh.

Our Concierge got us tickets for excursions, made our dinner reservations and helped us get off the ship. We did not see him as much, but was available whenever we needed him.

All in all it was a great experience.

This is certainly how it is supposed to work, but in my experience not all concierges (is that the plural of concierge?) and butlers are created equal. On our last cruise, our fantastic butler took care of EVERYTHING in and out of our cabin and we never heard from the concierge at all. So while I would go in with this assumption, I would recommend just going with the flow if it doesn't work out that way.

 

In the end, together the concierge and butler services are designed so that you never need to wait in line or figure out how to get something taken care of. Instead, you simply place a phone call & they figure out the rest. In our experience, the butler and/or concierge has been incredibly helpful in making reservations, providing "insider" information, securing room service & special snacks, and correcting my own big mistake with a shore excursion booking :eek:. In the end, it just adds to the care-free vacation-style we love so much.

 

Now if the next few months would just zoom on by, that would be super awesome :D

Hi Puddles99. :) I have read every word that you and Colleen have written about your cruise in May. We just got a call last night to upgrade from a BD cabin to the SD cabin 9500. It's our anniversary. We live just outside of Blue Bell PA. I saw your post about the $12 a day for DCW but how much do you tip the butler and other staff in a suite? I have no idea. I found one post on CC that recommends 20 per couple per day for butler, for the week -room steward 40-50 and $100 for concierge. Then there is an entire thread Butler/Concierge tipping advice which seems to be $100 Butler, and $50 for concierge unless you really used their services. Your expertise and opinion is greatly appreciated. Which cabin did you have? Yes I am so excited!!

Lori

POA 8/31

you can also email me at my screen name at gmaildotcom.

THANKS You are such a blessing on these boards.

What I learned:

 

Butler - takes care of your needs IN your suite (orders your room service and delivers/serves it, brings snacks in the afternoons, refills drinks etc)

 

Concierge - takes care of your needs OUT of your suite (reservations for shows or specialty restaurants etc)

I love your simple explanation since I had no idea either. :)

Also, don't forget about the pre-concierge. You can request somethings prior to your arrival, like empty the fridge, extra hangers, pillow from pillow menu, extra towels, special treats you would like, make dinner reservations with them, etc. The number I was given was: 1-855-625-4283

Hi. When I made the leap to suites (no going back) I read EVERY NCL suite review I could find to read all the perks provided and what types of things cruisers used the B & C for. I printed the reviews and highlighted those items. Helped a lot.

What I learned:

 

Butler - takes care of your needs IN your suite (orders your room service and delivers/serves it, brings snacks in the afternoons, refills drinks etc)

 

Concierge - takes care of your needs OUT of your suite (reservations for shows or specialty restaurants etc)

Perfect explanation. Should be a sticky! :D

Hi Puddles99. :) I have read every word that you and Colleen have written about your cruise in May. We just got a call last night to upgrade from a BD cabin to the SD cabin 9500. It's our anniversary. We live just outside of Blue Bell PA. I saw your post about the $12 a day for DCW but how much do you tip the butler and other staff in a suite? I have no idea. I found one post on CC that recommends 20 per couple per day for butler, for the week -room steward 40-50 and $100 for concierge. Then there is an entire thread Butler/Concierge tipping advice which seems to be $100 Butler, and $50 for concierge unless you really used their services. Your expertise and opinion is greatly appreciated. Which cabin did you have? Yes I am so excited!!

 

Lori

POA 8/31

you can also email me at my screen name at gmaildotcom.

 

 

THANKS You are such a blessing on these boards.

Congrats on your upgrade - I have no doubt that you will have an amazing time! We were in 10000 and George was our fantastic Butler.

Tipping is a very personal thing and there are many threads (most turn into debates) about that very topic. Let me start by saying that I always leave the service charge in place - I fully believe that the staff earns it and there are many people behind the scenes working to make my vacation fantastic. As for the Butler / Concierge - I start with the estimates you've seen mentioned in other threads here - $10 / per person / per day for the Butler, for instance - and then adjust from there depending on my experience. On our POA cruise where we never spoke to the Concierge after embarkation, I did not tip the Concierge. I did however, tip George more than $10/pp/pd - basically I gave him the total tip I had budgeted for him + the concierge. I also tipped our fantastic steward an additional $50 for taking such good care of us (and supplying me with a wonderful menagerie of towel animals :D).

I hope that helps (and does not turn this thread into another debate!). If you have any more questions, feel free to drop me a note at queenjasmine99 @ gmail.com (without the spaces, of course). I'm looking forward to re-living our Hawaiian adventure through you - so be sure to share your experience upon your return!

I love your simple explanation since I had no idea either. :)

I am going on my first family cruise on Friday. It is our 10 year wedding anniversary as well. I got a family suite as we are traveling with three children. I also was not sure what the difference was. Figured I would relay what I have learned in a basic way. I will come back after my cruise and give you more info too. I am glad you like the basic explanation! I also learned yesterday that you get priority disembarking at your port of call, And early entry to the chocolate buffet (oh yeah!)

And early entry to the chocolate buffet (oh yeah!)

This seems to be concierge dependant, last year on Star Monica invited only top suites there (we were in SJ but tagged along with our friends who had SA), few weeks ago on Jade Karabi invited all suites and there truly were a lot of people there (I calculated that 47 suites should have had at least ~100 passengers total and most came there early) - so much that when they let the rest of passengers in there at least 10 mins early, we still hadn't even seen everything because of the masses of other suite passengers.

This seems to be concierge dependant, last year on Star Monica invited only top suites there (we were in SJ but tagged along with our friends who had SA), few weeks ago on Jade Karabi invited all suites and there truly were a lot of people there (I calculated that 47 suites should have had at least ~100 passengers total and most came there early) - so much that when they let the rest of passengers in there at least 10 mins early, we still hadn't even seen everything because of the masses of other suite passengers.

Just another reason I love the Sun. Only 20 suites and no Haven. We were a small but friendly group. Other than Lavazza and free booze Owners suites (there are only 2) did not appear to be in a separate class. I just love that ship!

Just another reason I love the Sun. Only 20 suites and no Haven. We were a small but friendly group. Other than Lavazza and free booze Owners suites (there are only 2) did not appear to be in a separate class. I just love that ship!

But the spa isn't the greatest....

Harriet

Also, don't forget about the pre-concierge. You can request somethings prior to your arrival, like empty the fridge, extra hangers, pillow from pillow menu, extra towels, special treats you would like, make dinner reservations with them, etc. The number I was given was: 1-855-625-4283

I called pre-concierge. They sent me an e-mail with the requests I can make in regard to pillows, tea and coffee, towels, etc. I e-mailed them back with my requests also letting them know I'd like the fridge emptied, special treats I'd like and those I'd prefer not to have. I also requested egg crates for the beds and to have them separated and to have some ice tea and chocolate croissants in the room for us. I received an e-mail back telling me that my requests for Pillows, coffee/tea and towels are all set and anything else will have to be requested once on the ship.

I guess I'll have to ask the butler or room steward to separate the bed, put egg crates on them, empty the fridge, etc. and I guess I won't have ice tea and croissants waiting for us in the room!

And another quick question.......I'd like to go directly and try to get on the Chefs table list for the two of us......but according to the letter it said we will be escorted onboard where our butler will be waiting to escort us to the suites lounge to meet our concierge Leah. Wondering how much time that will take or if we can make a pit stop at the front desk to put our names down for that chefs table first!

Harriet

I would suggest telling Leah when you board that you wish to be on the list.She will handle it for you.

This is such an informational thread as we too are first time haven suite cruisers. I have read that you can preorder pillows of your liking, coffees for the machine and special treats during the day. I have searched for that info and have not found further info. Can anyone help? THank you and happy cruising

:)

This is such an informational thread as we too are first time haven suite cruisers. I have read that you can preorder pillows of your liking, coffees for the machine and special treats during the day. I have searched for that info and have not found further info. Can anyone help? THank you and happy cruising

:)

Kaboochi, from what I have read you should have already been contracted. Give them a call, see post # 11 for phone number. Happy sailing and be sure to let us know how your cruise was :)

I see your tagline says, " NCCL Sun / Miami 10/9/13. 11 day curse "

I'll be on that ship with you! Have you checked out the Roll Call for that date?

Harriet

I called pre-concierge. They sent me an e-mail with the requests I can make in regard to pillows, tea and coffee, towels, etc. I e-mailed them back with my requests also letting them know I'd like the fridge emptied, special treats I'd like and those I'd prefer not to have. I also requested egg crates for the beds and to have them separated and to have some ice tea and chocolate croissants in the room for us. I received an e-mail back telling me that my requests for Pillows, coffee/tea and towels are all set and anything else will have to be requested once on the ship.

Check out the wording, and see if perhaps it says "all other items will have to be confirmed once onboard" or something to that effect. That's what my emails have said on previous sailings, yet every item or service I requested had already been addressed and completed before we boarded. Don't lose hope. ;)

And another quick question.......I'd like to go directly and try to get on the Chefs table list for the two of us........

 

Harriet

Call or email the pre-cruise service again, and advise them of your desire to be on the list. There is no guarantee, but the info WILL get to the Concierge before you board. We've done this in the past, and our names were on the list, but too many were on the list before us, so we still didn't make it. Despite our experience, it never hurts to have your desires known prior to boarding.

Happy sailing!

This is such an informational thread as we too are first time haven suite cruisers. I have read that you can preorder pillows of your liking, coffees for the machine and special treats during the day. I have searched for that info and have not found further info. Can anyone help? THank you and happy cruising

:)

This is the number I was given for the pre-concierge, who can help you with your requests: 1-855-625-4283