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Butler Service on NCL Sky Owners Suite A few Question.


marcyjane
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Ask for whatever you want/need and if they can do it, they will and if not, they will let you know. You could ask for special snacks, dining in your suite, etc.

 

There is no recommended tip amount for the Butler and Concierge. Tipping is very personal and you should determine yours based on the services you ask for and how they are preformed and, most importantly, your budget. Whatever you decide to tip, the Butler and Concierge will be appreciative.

 

After saying that, I can tell you what I do. For the Butler, I start out with $10 per day per person and add or subtrack from that number dependent upon overall services. I do the same for the Concierge, but start with $5 per person per day.

 

You will get many, many different answers (some higher than mine and some lower) and in the end, you will have to decide what amount is best for you.

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We were in the Sky owner's suite for hubby's birthday last year. We had a great time! The butler brought us breakfast one morning and dinner one evening. Never been in for the unpack my stuff thing. You will likely be escorted on the ship by your butler or your concierge. We had the concierge get our return flight boarding passes (Southwest) at the 24 hr. prior point, along with a change in shore excursions when the weather was unfortunate. I believe it was the concierge who gathered our 3 bottles of liquor request, too. We usually tip $100-200 depending upon how much we ask of them (two people for 7 days--if we have the kids with us, or are on a longer itinerary, we would increase). I think it is the butler who keeps your coffee pods filled and your refrigerator replenished. (In the Sky owner's suite, they will stock the fridge with what you want and keep it coming. We usually get the mixers we want, slices limes, and cream for coffee.) They will happily tell you what they can do for you and what the concierge can do for you. We usually leave something for the room steward, too; even though they are part of the DSC, because the room is larger, and the steward is always attentive, I usually leave some for them (like $20-30). If we decided to not be our usual tidy selves, I would leave more (read: if the kids are with us).

Some trips you have great butlers (thinking of Roy--who we met on the Gem, but I believe he is usually on the Sky) and others you hardly see. The best ones are available, but not hovering. If you are needing their services, let them know; that's why they are there and I feel most are wanting to make your trip phenomenal!

Have a great time! I have done the Sky owner's suite twice, and would certainly do it again!

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Bowls of gummy bears and M&Ms. pb&j sanwiches.

 

Butler: $10-$15 per person in cabin per day

 

Concierge: $5-$10 per person in cabin per day

 

Extra for room steward for servicing your large room: $5-$10 per person in cabin per day

 

 

We had an aft facing suite on the sky. Very nice and relaxing.

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Stayed in aft PH Suite on Jade. We were escorted to our suite by the concierge;. Our butler came in and he ran through everything he could do for us and then told us what the cabin stewards responsibility was. We did two week cruise. Our butler provided two afternoon teas for my wife and family members The teas consisted of a selection of teas, scones, pastries, finger sandwiches. No cost at all. He provided lunch one afternoon. Restocked the Nexpresso machine everyday. Plus a few other things. My wife and I said we didn't really need a butler and what could he really do for us. After the two weeks we said; you know what. "that was a nice touch having the butler" .. We will definitely book a suite; maybe next time we will book the haven; if prices are reasonable; otherwise we will do aft PH again.

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AF-1 sounds like you all had a wonderful cruise. Thanks for sharing.

 

 

 

Yes the cruise was amazing and the small things made the ship worthwhile. We ate in LeBistro, and then Italian and then the steak house. All were good. Italian place had the slowest service of the three we were on a 14 night cruise

 

 

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Come on people. These tip recommendations are pretty low. If you can afford to cruise in a suite you can afford to tip those that give you that extra special service. A good butler should be bringing in at least $300 for a 7 day cruise. The concierge at least $200 and your room steward $100. These are the minimum IMO. Anything less is a bit insulting.

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Come on people. These tip recommendations are pretty low. If you can afford to cruise in a suite you can afford to tip those that give you that extra special service. A good butler should be bringing in at least $300 for a 7 day cruise. The concierge at least $200 and your room steward $100. These are the minimum IMO. Anything less is a bit insulting.

The Sky sails 3 day and 4 day cruises.

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Come on people. These tip recommendations are pretty low. If you can afford to cruise in a suite you can afford to tip those that give you that extra special service. A good butler should be bringing in at least $300 for a 7 day cruise. The concierge at least $200 and your room steward $100. These are the minimum IMO. Anything less is a bit insulting.

 

Just joking i’m Sure..this is NCL not Crystal or Seabourn....

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  • 1 month later...
Come on people. These tip recommendations are pretty low. If you can afford to cruise in a suite you can afford to tip those that give you that extra special service. A good butler should be bringing in at least $300 for a 7 day cruise. The concierge at least $200 and your room steward $100. These are the minimum IMO. Anything less is a bit insulting.

 

Really?

 

$300 x 14 cabins x 36 weeks (9 months) = $151,200 for the butler for 9 months, plus salary

$200 x 100 cabins x 36 weeks = $720,000 for the concierge for 9 months, plus salary

 

$1-3 per person/per day for butler for basic duties, more for special duties like drawing your bath or serving dinner

 

Concierge dependent on how much used

Room steward depend on how messy you are, suites are slightly larger so more than you would tip for a regular room

 

And before anyone balks at that $1-3 mark:

$1 x 2 people x 7 days x 14 cabins x 36 weeks = $7,056 for 9 months in addition to salary if every room is only 2 people

 

$3 x 2 people x 7 days x 14 cabins x 36 weeks = $21,168 for 9 months in addition to salary if every room is only 2 people

And that is for basic duties, not going above and beyond.

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Anyone have the concierge print out your fly home boarding passes for you or can they do that. Thanks

They absolutely CAN and WILL get your boarding passes if you request them to. We usually fly Southwest, and have the Concierge get our boarding number. You will need to provide them the confirmation # and name the reservation is in and the time that they should be logging in (at least for Southwest). Have never had any issues. (On a land based hotel, though, ended up with a "C" boarding pass----have never been beyond a "B" with the ship personnel.)

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Come on people. These tip recommendations are pretty low. If you can afford to cruise in a suite you can afford to tip those that give you that extra special service. A good butler should be bringing in at least $300 for a 7 day cruise. The concierge at least $200 and your room steward $100. These are the minimum IMO. Anything less is a bit insulting.

 

Having a daughter that works in the hospitality industry (RitzCarlton), DW and I are very sensitive to tipping standards and are generoustippers! Having had the best the Ritz can offer, and having cruisedpredominately on NCL and Celebrity in suites and NCL Haven class we know thereare cheap Charles out there. That said, I have never had a butler on a 7-daycruise merit a $300 or a concierge a $200 tip. Room Stewards perform the bulk of the work and, IMHO, should receive thebiggest bump!

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Having a daughter that works in the hospitality industry (RitzCarlton), DW and I are very sensitive to tipping standards and are generoustippers! Having had the best the Ritz can offer, and having cruisedpredominately on NCL and Celebrity in suites and NCL Haven class we know thereare cheap Charles out there. That said, I have never had a butler on a 7-daycruise merit a $300 or a concierge a $200 tip. Room Stewards perform the bulk of the work and, IMHO, should receive thebiggest bump!

 

So sorry to hear you haven't had a spectacular butler or concierge yet that merits those gratuity amounts. Keep trying. The great butlers and concierges do exist.

 

P.S. We also have a son in the hospitality industry (Burger King), and he reports the tipping there is atrocious.

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Having a daughter that works in the hospitality industry (RitzCarlton), DW and I are very sensitive to tipping standards and are generoustippers! Having had the best the Ritz can offer, and having cruisedpredominately on NCL and Celebrity in suites and NCL Haven class we know thereare cheap Charles out there. That said, I have never had a butler on a 7-daycruise merit a $300 or a concierge a $200 tip. Room Stewards perform the bulk of the work and, IMHO, should receive thebiggest bump!

 

 

 

We have had some excellent room stewards in our suites and have always given them a generous gratuity over the DSC, but the B & C have been the magic and in our experience their monetary thank yous reflected that.

 

I am not discouting your opinion just giving my own experience.

 

 

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I carry wads of $5's. If I see anyone maid, server, coffee maker, washy washy guy I tip them. No big deal

 

Just curious, how much do you go through in a week?

 

I figure I see about 5-600 crew members in a week, at $5 a pop that would be $2,500 plus in just random tips.

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Guest phd1003
Just curious, how much do you go through in a week?

 

I figure I see about 5-600 crew members in a week, at $5 a pop that would be $2,500 plus in just random tips.

 

I carry wads of $5's. If I see anyone maid, server, coffee maker, washy washy guy I tip them. No big deal

I'm thinking of getting a NCL Uniform and following him around...

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Within the first day I usually break a lounge chair. I call in my steward and concierge, offer them each a jagged piece of metal from said deck chair, and place a crisp hundy stick on the floor between them, and let them fight for my amusement. I typically repeat the exercise on Day 6 with the winner and my butler, upping the prize to $300...

 

Oh, also I ask for a couple of cups of the snack/nut mix they serve at the bars to be left in my room to enjoy before dinner.

 

 

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I'm thinking of getting a NCL Uniform and following him around...

 

I suspect that you will have to fight all the regular NCL staff. Pretty sure the guy can't move without at least 5 or 6 crew members standing around him. He must look like a boss on the prison grounds surrounded by convict guards.

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