What is Concierge Service?

[dongordon]

Under the "Suites" categories, they say that "concierge available."

What is that?
Is it worthwhile?

Don

Sitmar: Fairsea, Fairwind, Fairsky (2)
Premier: Sea Breeze
RCI: Nordic Empress, Sovereign of the Seas (2)
Disney: Magic
Carnival: Imagination, Destiny, Victory
Celebrity: Millenium, Galaxy

[Flintstone]

Whereas "Concierge Service" is nice...I'm not sure I would pay a lot extra just to have it. When we boarded, there was a letter on our bed from the concierge introducing herself and her services (which I passed over and didn't read...therefore, I didn't know what was going on till firends in another cabin told me to read it). Basically, anything you want or need on the ship...instead of calling the Purser...you go thru Concierge. They will make ressies for you, tell you where to meet and escort you for priority disembarking at ports, send little "goodies" to your suite every night..we even had her arrange for a rental car for our next port. It was all very nice, but like I said, I don't think I would pay extra just to have it. If I can get a suite for a price comparable to my "beloved" balcony...then bring it on [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] Otherwise, I'd rather spend the extra $$$ on excursions. Just MHO.

9/2000 Carnival Tropicale
12/2001 NCL Norway
9/2002 NCL Norway
10/2003 Disney Wonder
2005...Alaska

[Big Al B.]

I think I would agree with Flintstone. We had a mini-suite on the Dawn and really didn't use the concierge. I called about priority tender passes at the private island and was informed they didn't use them. Other than that I didn't use her services. We did enjoy the mini-suite however [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Statendam-Alaska '97, Veendam-NE/Canada '98, RCCL-Bermuda, '99, Am. Queen, 2000, NCL Sky-Caribbean '03, NCL Dawn - Bahamas '03

NCL Sun Panama Canal
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=111111&cdt=2005;4;16;20;00;00&timezone=GMT-0400[/img]

[MidtheNight]

We upgrade on the Sun a couple of years ago to a suite and it was wonderful having the concierge. Making reservations, first off the ship in dock (we didn't do too many ship's excursions but did arrange for ones on our own), priority check in, early debarkation when we got home, suite guest party with the ship's officers in attendance, goodies in the room, help with excursion in port outside of NCL's were all part of the services we received from the concierge.

IMO, having a concierge and paying the extra $ is well worth it....but only if you are going to use the service and use it well, if not, a balcony would be just as good.

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=008080&cdt=2004;5;29;20;00;00&timezone=GMT-1000[/img]
Sailin' on the Wind 5/29/04

[marilynd]

I have been in a suite on every cruise that I have been on. These experiences have varied greatly.

On the Sun - Raymond the concierge was wonderful. He was able to get us into any restaurant on the ship on the same day we asked. We would go in the morning to outside the main restaurants and look at the menu board. We would decide if we wanted the main restaurant or a speciality restaurant. We called Ray and he got us a table. He also got us priority off the ship on the first tenders. He was great helping us with a personal emergency we had onboard.

On Carnival I booked the top suite Cat. 12. I was looking for the perks I had on NCL. There were none. No concierege, no special canapes each evening, only perks with the suite was priority boarding. Concierge, unheard of!!

On the Norway - I read on the boards how wonderful the Concierge was (I can't remember her name - I think I blocked it out) I was really disappointed. I called her about contacting the maintainance crew about some plumbing problems we were having. She told us to call the front desk. I asked about priority tendering into St. Thomas. She said that there was no priority tendering. After the cruises I found out otherwise. The nightly treats did arrive at our suite. Thank goodness.

On the NCL Dawn last June I booked an AB Penthouse suite and Amanda Brown was the Concierge. We also had the services of Arnie the Butler. Amanda left us a letter introducing herself on embarkation day. I thought that I would get off on a good footing with this concierge. I called her phone number and asked her to come meet us at her convience. In less that one hour she was at out suite with the butler and our room stewards with her. I was so impressed that I left an advanced tip (not large) for them all. I said that I am usually a needy person and I wanted to tip a thanks in advance and that I tip again at the end of the cruise. My service was wonderful. Amanda was able to get us into any speciality restaurant at any time we asked for. We booked some of the reservations on the first day, but others she made for us with short notice. While we were in Cagney's steakhouse she showed up at our table to ask if we were enjoying our meal and if everything was alright. Sometimes when I called I was unable to get ahold of her directly. I gave my request to her assistant. Her assistant got us some last minute shore excursion tickets. On disembarkation day our luggage got lost. Got off the ship and our bags weren't there. Amanda came off the ship and helped get our bags for us. Great Service !!!!!!!

On RCI Monarch of the Seas: I booked the Grand Suite which listed Concierge services. Imagine my surprise when I found out that ship did not have a concierge service. On RCI the concierge is in a special lounge and you go to
her/him. Monarch OTS was an older ship and this service was unavailable. We did get the nightly treats.

I am sailing again on the Dawn in about three weeks. I will be in the same suite I was in last June. I understand Amanda is no longer the Concierge but I am not worried about getting great service again.

Was it worth the extra price. I am spoiled so it was for me.

Marilyn

NCL Sun 4/02 - Carnival Elation 6/02 - NCL Norway 8/02
NCL Dawn 6/03 - RCI Monarch 1/04 - NCL Dawn 6/04

[Dolphins]

We supposedly had a concierge for our mini-suite on the Dawn but we never heard from her in any way and finished our 11 day cruise never knowing who she was.

[cruisingfromMN]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Dolphins:
We supposedly had a concierge for our mini-suite on the Dawn but we never heard from her in any way and finished our 11 day cruise never knowing who she was.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

We had the same experience on the Star in March of 2004. No letter, no introductions, no names, nothing. We did however, have great service from Jeorges, a maitre 'd that handled any of our restaurant requests, plus made some great selections for us throughout the entire cruise.

[eric-n-beth]

My DH and I have enjoyed concierge service on our NCL cruises. We sailed Princess in a Penthouse Suite expecting the same service we received on NCL but no such luck. We did not have any special services. Our concierge Ray, on the Sun has been the best we have had this far. I definitely think it is worth the money. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

Eric and Beth

Seaward (Norwegian Sea) - Southern Caribbean - 1995
Norway - Eastern Caribbean - 2001
Sea Princess - Mexican Riviera - 2002
Norwegian Sun - Western Caribbean - 2004

Hoping our next cruise is in:

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00FF00&prgb=FF0000&cdt=2005;05;21;06;00;00&timezone=EST-0300[/img]

[bohunk]

So y'all had the Penthouse Suite on the Sun? How was it? What did you use the butler/concierge for? We are in a penthouse suite on the Sun to Alaska leaving 5/23.

[natalunia]

We had concierge service on the Star and it was a godsend.

First of all, one of the excursions we had booked ahead of time required scuba certification, and I was unable to get mine prior to our sailing due to illness, so when we got onboard, the concierge was able to switch me from the scuba excursion to a snorkel one. I was a little sad that Randall was able to go scuba and all I did was snorkel, but oh well. We were lucky we were able to get mine switched as we were told all the snorkel ones were booked up.

Also, our sailing had engine problems and was unable to go to Fanning Island, so we had an extra port day in Lahaina. The concierge was able to get us a convertible rental car, when the rest of the ship were being told there were no more rental cars available the night before.

Also, the little treats each night were nice.

Natalie

Superstar Leo to Alaska 5/22/04
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=4169e1&cdt=2004;5;22;15;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img] [url="http://community.webshots.com/user/natalunia"]http://community.webshots.com/user/natalunia[/url]

[dongordon]

Thanks everyone for the information.

I suppose you need to establish a relationship at the beginning if you intend to use their services.

What is the customary tip ($10, $20) if they are able to assist in a number of activities as described while on board for a seven day cruise?

Are you assigned to a particular concierge? If not, how is the tipping handled?

Don

Sitmar: Fairsea, Fairwind, Fairsky (2)
Premier: Sea Breeze
RCI: Nordic Empress, Sovereign of the Seas (2)
Disney: Magic
Carnival: Imagination, Destiny, Victory
Celebrity: Millenium, Galaxy

[natalunia]

On the Star we did not have a suite, but they gave us CC members who showed up at the onboard meeting VIP service which included concierge service. I believe we left a $50 or $60 tip the last day. We just stuck the cash in an envelope and dropped it off with his name on it at the concierge desk.

Natalie

Superstar Leo to Alaska 5/22/04
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=4169e1&cdt=2004;5;22;15;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img] [url="http://community.webshots.com/user/natalunia"]http://community.webshots.com/user/natalunia[/url]

[eric-n-beth]

On our last cruise in March we tipped Ray $60 for the week. He made dinner resevations 3 nights, had DVD's brought to our suite, and made a hair appointment for myself (I forgot to do this when we boarded the ship and was told nothing was available.). [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] DH thought we should have tipped more.

Eric and Beth

Seaward (Norwegian Sea) - Southern Caribbean - 1995
Norway - Eastern Caribbean - 2001
Sea Princess - Mexican Riviera - 2002
Norwegian Sun - Western Caribbean - 2004

Hoping our next cruise is in:

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00FF00&prgb=FF0000&cdt=2005;05;21;06;00;00&timezone=EST-0300[/img]

[aimeegromo]

We had a AB suite last NOvember on the Sun with "Ray." Never met him - spoke with him on the phone several times. We made all our dinner reservations the second we boarded. I would go for a suite because of the BUTLER service - Wow - that was a treat. It was our honeymoon, so we did a lot of dinners in our room. They did it up right every night. Sometimes we just had them leave the food and some nights they would come in & set up the table & course the whole meal. We left a big fat tip for the Butlers but $20 for Ray. Have fun - I am haunting the Boards because I want to go crusing again! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]
Aimee