DMH15

We also have had great experience with pre-concierge.  We had 3 great bottles waiting in the room as well as the Nespresso capaules and half and half.  
 

i think this may help butlers load on day 1.  Although we did call our butler “Maxi the Magnificent”.  This was on Epic in DOS. 

Other times just regular and Haven suites. 

On 8/5/2023 at 3:26 PM, Davechipp74 said:

Does anyone know what it is? I have never seen a post or comment about it I can only imagine it's something way cheesy or way cool. My next NCL cruise is my first as Platinum, which I feel is the best upgrade as far as perks go on NCL, I hear tell that the dinner with officers at the Sapphire level is dinner with like the food and beverage manger, you know not like the Captain or ships Navigation Officer. I have achieved some status perks on other lines, but for the most part they are mediocre at best. 

The best perk I ever received was a shellback card from crossing the Equator aboard the USS Reagan (CVN-76 Nimitz class nuclear powered supercarrier.) believe me that was earned, not given away. 

Most memorable was dinner(s) with Brian Walters, Hotel Director on the Sun.  So fun and informative.  One class act is that man. 

2 hours ago, Laszlo said:

Have a great time, not sure I could endure a transatlantic

I loved my Transatlantic from Miami to Athens.  Started with 6 days at sea with mom. 
 

This was actually a pivotal cruise for us.  In a few ways.  We were with 4 others, friends and family, in outside cabins, no balcony.  

We met two gents in the haven who had us up for lunch (what?  A BUTLER???) and after that cruise we booked suites and did not turn back.  I was no longer my mother’s personal concierge and butler after that… LOL. 

Also, mom got sick 3/4 into the cruise. Just not a good experience after another sick pax passed it on to her.  Shame on Nick!

Anyways, we loved the TA.  We both love longer cruises, love the ship life, love the spa and love trivia.  
 

i was 50 and one of the youngest on board.  It was peaceful and quiet.  Only a handful of families / kids.  It was wonderful to be on board at a slow pace.  Now, if you are the opposite.  You will not like it.  
 

There is no way my (same) job would allow me to be gone for more than a week as our business and staff have greatly changed.  But I will seek out more TAs when I retire.  

Our strawberries never got old.  Both my mom and sister ate them within 5 minutes of discovering them. 

10 hours ago, CatBoiler said:

1. It depends on your category & ship. We're H5 on the Prima in October and the concierge already emailed and asked what complimentary liquors &/or non alcoholic drinks I would like stocked.

2. No. This has always irritated me. I'm paying over $1000/night and I can't even go to the thermal spa?

3. No

4. No but the menu is large enough you could have something different every night on a 7 night cruise

Agree with you.  I was in the Epic Deluxe Owners suite and paid for the Thermal spa and I regretted it.  It was loud and crowded.  I think I got a ceramic lounger once and never a day bed.  Always people in hot tubs drinking and laughing.  
 

I finally booked my 2nd and 3rd massages in the Haven treatment room.  
 

MSC included the thermal spa and it was never crowded, serene and well, spa-like.  
 

I realize sailings can be different but I was bummed I paid extra.  So did my sister and niece.  
 

I have cruised with my mom, diabetic and my niece, vegan - our butlers have been wonderfully accomodating.  
 

Some days we had a nice Haven Breakfast, a great Haven dinner or a and a specialty dinner and the snacks in between. 

14 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

Such a wonderful philosophy! 

 

And thank you for taking care of a pup that is certain to see you as their everything. Our creatures are certainly special. 

Thank you for the kind words. 
 

Thanks for an enjoyable read. 

1 hour ago, www3traveler said:

Sorry for the lost of your Mom

Yes, I have met and become friends with several Senior Officers.  One of them made the ddifficult decision to go from a full time position on one ship to a part time position on a different ship because of a family issue and needing to be home more.

Thank you.  My mom loved cruising.  Great memories for me… I remember you on this board.  I have not cruised since right before the pandemic and now my pup is 15.5 years old with health issues so I am still waiting.  
 

I have not been on CC for a while so I find it gratifying to read this thread and see names I recognize from all of my NCL cruises.  So, maybe they do not remember me but I do them.  And if I can say hello and tell them they positively impacted my cruise experience that is good enough for me.  

On 4/8/2023 at 4:41 PM, CILCIANRQTS said:

Officers encounter 100k to 250k people per year!!
They won’t remember you, so why try so hard to keep track of them??
All will gladly respond “I remember you!” after you remind them of the cruise you were on, but they don’t…

This is not always the case.  I cruised with a certain cruise director at lease 3 times and had previously met his wife when she was on staff.  She retired to stay home with their children.   
 

He asked us if we could cruiee again in a few months forward when his wife and kids were to sail because he knew we would enjoy spending time together.  
 

Perhaps staff would remember a small percentage of guests?   Maybe 5%?  
 

I could name a few more and give examples as well.  Sometimes it requires a point to trigger the memory.  
 

* the exceptional concierge who found my niece’s cell phone after we disembarked and arranged with a current pax from our home town to bring to us. 
 

* the hotel manager we had dinner with h twice who when telling us his life story we remarked “this needs to be amovie starring Denzel”. 
 

* the restaurant manager who arranged a covert mission torescue my momfrom another pax seated with us who was coughing all over us and moved us behind plants as to hide us and save embarrasment.  

Some people are truly memorable.  My mom waz one of those.  When my mom won on Wheelof Fortune (2 cars) people in our big city recogniized her all over town for 2 years. Lost mom 6 years ago.  Sigh.  

I have not been on Cruise Critic in a while and your post / review is my return and could not be more satisfying and delightful.  
 

I have not cruised since before the pandemic and now I would except my dog is over 15 with health issues. So, for the near future i am living vicariously through Cruise Critic.  
 

I agree 100%.  Once I went to NCL full suites and Haven I was hooked.  
 

You are a great writer.  I feel like I am there.  I am the Aunt to my Vegan niece who I have cruised with twice.  NCL were superstars with her.  
 

Have fun. 

I can speak to the vegetarian issue.   I took my niece on a high school grad cruise in a suite  on Jewel and I cruised with her again along with my sis in The DOS on Epic.  
 

We let the pre-concierge know in advance that Katie is a vegan and we also discussed with the concierge (for dining reservations) and the butler (for in-room snacks).

So… drumroll… on a scale of 1 to 10 they were 10++++++.
 

The Haven breakfast and lunch she had choices.  They got her almond milk, I think.  She had grapefruit, oatmeal, potatoes, etc.  always satisfied.  

She always had a few choices at lunch.  
 

the snacks were incredible.  I remember her receiving a crudite’ platter with, instead or ranch which has dairy, a delicious tomato vinagrette dipping sauce.  
 

But, dinners were a home run. We did quite a few specialty restaurants and we would stop by the evening before and talk to the maitre D and they would discuss options.  Everything she was served was thoughtful, beautiful and enjoyable.  
 

Some people might think this is being self-centered but rather we were told several times they appreciated the heads-up to prepare something she would enjoy.  
 

Because she was happy, it made a better cruise for all of us and we showed our gratitude.  Wink wink. 
 

My niece is vegan and NCL was fantastic.  Both her cruises were Haven.  But she did some buffet and we did lots of specialty restaurants.   Checked in with them 24 hours in advance each time. So, we were impressed. 

Did TA Miami to Athens.  I loved it.  Very peaceful.  Lots of trivia, spa and naps.  Six sea days at beginning. 
 

Well rested for ports.  
 

It was like 2 different cruises in one. 
 

We got lucky.  Great weather.  Smooth seas. 

I have done both Haven and YC. 
 

Several NCL Haven and suites, from non Haven ships, Sun with aft 2 room suite and huge balcony (same suite twice), which was my favorite until the Epic DOS which was incredible and my first forward facing.  I love NCL Haven.  
 

I chose MSC with the match and because I cruised solo the YC interior spoke to me.  I did not spend a lot of time in the suite but rather in the YC and the spa.  
 

While in a Haven suite I definately took advantage of the suite and balcony.  I expect I would do the same on MSC if I cruised with someone else and in that case, chose a larger suite with a balcony.  
 

I never felt the MSC inside diminshed my YC experience. I loved the pool area and al fresco dining.  But I also loved the EPiC Haven pool area with the POSH right there. 
 

I give NCL Haven restaurant the edge, by a good margin.  But the specialty restaurants tie.  
 

Where NCL has an edge, and this is a matter of preference… not everybody cares, are the Haven staff and ship officers who are friendly and accessible.  I cannot remember anyone from MSC, but NCL, lasting memories. 
 

Both great.  It is NCL HAVEN with an edge if money is not an issue.  However, the experience MSC YC offers is a very good choce if it is.  I feel blessed to have done them both. 

1 hour ago, UKstages said:

 

the first post was completely readable!

A lot of us read on our phones.  It was more difficult to read cursive.   Thank you OP for the adjustment.  
 

i am sorry OP it wasn’t better.  You expressed yourself well while still pointing out negatives.   Case in point, it did not become a rant, I hope your mext cruise ranks higher. 

I once got CANCELLED Twice for my cruise on NCL and knew about it both times on Cruise Critic before NCL told me.  First time they pulled out of Houston so our cruise was totally canceled the second time after we switched to the Jade it was chartered in full for a music concert…

You know, just about every cruise line does stuff like this.    

I cruise YC inside as a solo.  Twas fine.  But, don’t think I would as a couple.  I spent little time in there. 

All, with many NCL Havens and 1 MSC YC, which I loved btw... I think my next cruise will be on Virgin.  The “21 and over” really appeals to me.  Curious.  Balcony with hammock too. 
 

That being said I have not had a bad experience  with unruly kids but have read about them.  I love well-behaved kids and enjoy seeing them have a great time.  It is their vacation too. 

On 7/23/2019 at 9:51 PM, BirdTravels said:

Totally up to you. 

 

The Butler and Concierge are not included in the Daily Service Charge. 

 

When people ask, our response is the same

 

Butler $10-$15 per person in room per day 

 

Concierge $5-$10 per person in room per day

 

Steward extra $5-$10 per person per day

 

 

This is what we do as well. 

I have a Nespresso at home.  The Creatista which is a Breville collaboration.  It has a built in frother.  It is a wonderful machine with latte, espresso, Lungo settings, etc.  hardly $50.  More like 10 times that.  
 

when we travelled in the Owners Suite on Epic we Did our research and knew we had the wonderful Nespresso machine but no frother, so my sister brought her free standing frother with her.  The wonderful Maxie, our butler, kept us stocked on half-and-half. 
 

Keurig... well yuck.  Who wants to drink coffee that has been heated in plastic???   Not me.   There is nothing upscale about Keurig.  It is a mainstream run-of-the mill coffee maker.  Just a tick above Mr. Coffee.  It does not belong in a suite.  

I am sorry.  
 

I am working remote.  Staying in, watching TV I look up at the computer and work some more.  
 

I was talking to my brother on Friday for his birthday and he reminded me his calendar says I would be there for a visit.  Of couse, that trip was cancelled.  

But my disappointment pales to yours because you are working not only hard but in a profession that has to be so stressful.  
 

I hope you can give yourself some luxury moments at home.  Until your next vacation.  
 

Ahhhh.  Reminds me of several years ago.  Our first suite on NCL.  THE WONDERFUL aft PH on the Sun.  
 

Met our butler.  He was not very good.   Other suite pax agreed.  Two guys looked puzzled when we mentioned snacks.  They had not gotten any.  The concierge Karin G was incredible.  We all spoke to her about him.  Sad thing is Sun uses 2 butlers and the other, Armando was said to be excellent.  Eventually we learned that first hand.  Why?   Our butler got off in a port and did not return.  This was a 2 week South American Cruise too.  
 

Have cruised many NCL suites since.  Loved Owners suite on Epic.  The Magnificent Maxi could teach a master class on butlering.  We love our afternoon snacks.  It was my sis, my niece and me.  Sis likes savory. I like sweet and niece is vegan.  He tailored to our individual likes.   He was fantastic. 
 

As snacks are being discussed, I travelled with my mom several times in suites.  Every butler was great.  Mom was diabetic.  They brought her wonderful sugar free sweets.  And mine were traditionally sweet.  I tasted some of hers and they were great.  
 

Tried MSC Yacht club last year.   Different. But equally enjoyable.  

NCL is very strict in relation to all age specifications. 

I miss...

sailaway.  
 

My favorite part of the cruise is over right off the bat.  
 

it never gets old.