just upgraded to suite, don't know what to expect

[jewlfaery]

The title pretty much says it...I have read lots of things on the boards about suites, but as I had never been in one and wasn't planning to for awhile....I have forgotten everything I read:eek: We just upgraded today and I have no idea what I just got except I remember every one saying the suite life was the best....please help:) what does a concierge do? and if you don't mind telling me what the perks are please:)

[bonvoyagie]

Alot depends on the suite catagory and the ship. In general the butler takes care of all the in suite issues and works with the room stewards to insure that you are spoiled rotten. The concierge handles all the outside suite items - your priority embarkation and debarkcation, tender tickets, any extra tour items you might need. On the Jewel class ships, his office is right next to Cagney's so expect him to drop by during breakfast or lunch to check in on you and take an interest in what you have planned for the day. When we were on the Pearl in June Anoop was our concierge and this is exactly what he did. We also ran into him on other parts of the ship and he always took the time to say hi and make sure that our cruise was fantastic. The butler staff reports to the concierge so he may ask you how your butler is treating you. Between the two of them, they can make magic happen - they also expect tips for their services as they are not part of the DSC pool. Other suite perks are based on suite catagory and ship.

[jewlfaery]

Alot depends on the suite catagory and the ship. In general the butler takes care of all the in suite issues and works with the room stewards to insure that you are spoiled rotten. The concierge handles all the outside suite items - your priority embarkation and debarkcation, tender tickets, any extra tour items you might need. On the Jewel class ships, his office is right next to Cagney's so expect him to drop by during breakfast or lunch to check in on you and take an interest in what you have planned for the day. When we were on the Pearl in June Anoop was our concierge and this is exactly what he did. We also ran into him on other parts of the ship and he always took the time to say hi and make sure that our cruise was fantastic. The butler staff reports to the concierge so he may ask you how your butler is treating you. Between the two of them, they can make magic happen - they also expect tips for their services as they are not part of the DSC pool. Other suite perks are based on suite catagory and ship.

 

 

Thank you :) What is (I know this is a loaded question I'm sorry....I tend to tip about 20% in restaurants if it helps) a customary tip for Butler?

[ihopfar]

This is said all the time, but probably worth repeating here...

 

A mini-suite does NOT get the suite perks discussed above. Only "full" suites do...

[jewlfaery]

This is said all the time, but probably worth repeating here...

 

A mini-suite does NOT get the suite perks discussed above. Only "full" suites do...

 

isn't a Penthouse suite a full suite?

[ihopfar]

isn't a Penthouse suite a full suite?

 

Yes, it is. No worries. :) If you said what kind of suite you were in, I missed it -- sorry.

 

But, more importantly, I was alerting anyone else reading this thread since there is often confusion because NCL likes to lump the mini-suites in with the suites even though they don't get the perks.

 

---Brad

[jewlfaery]

Yes, it is. No worries. :) If you said what kind of suite you were in, I missed it -- sorry.

 

But, more importantly, I was alerting anyone else reading this thread since there is often confusion because NCL likes to lump the mini-suites in with the suites even though they don't get the perks.

 

---Brad

Whew :) got scared for a minute...LOL I was in mini-suite before, and was going to be mad if I paid more on an upgrade for nothing extra.

Apparently I was so excited I left it out completely when I posted...you didn't miss it I forgot to put it on there:eek:

[time2cruise1]

Tips for the butler and concierge adjusted up or down depending on how much you use them. $10 per day pp butler $5.00 per day pp concierge.

[Snowrose]

Tips for the butler and concierge adjusted up or down depending on how much you use them. $10 per day pp butler $5.00 per day pp concierge.

 

We really wanted to upgrade to a penthouse or other suite for our cruise but in the end decided not to try for it, as any additional cost for the room plus the additional tips would have put too much of a strain on our budget. :(

[ohiotek]

First of all, what you can expect is to be spoiled.

 

Feel free to ask for specific things you would like to have in your room (ex. my husband needs milk to take pills, I mentioned it and the butler always had that stocked in the fridge, We like salty snacks so I requested that and there was always a fresh bowl waiting for us. Any little thing you want. NOT cost items of course(wine, beer,soda, etc.)

 

As for the tip for the butler, it depends on how much he does for you. We set an amount we felt comfortable with and added or subtracted based on his service. I know that everyone has a different idea of what is a comfortable amount so I wouldn't feel comfortable giving you a number. I hope this helps.

 

If you do a search for suite perks there is a list of perks for each level of Suite.

 

Enjoy, It will be hard to go back to a non-suite! We never have.

[Nalagh]

Thank you :) What is (I know this is a loaded question I'm sorry....I tend to tip about 20% in restaurants if it helps) a customary tip for Butler?

 

 

Here is a link about the pre-concierge service desk. Give them a call, and they will set things up for you in advance.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1689238

 

We tip the butler about $20-$30 a day, depending on how much we use him. Some tip more and some tip less. Do what makes you feel good.

 

Happy planning,

Cherie

[jewlfaery]

Here is a link about the pre-concierge service desk. Give them a call, and they will set things up for you in advance.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1689238

 

We tip the butler about $20-$30 a day, depending on how much we use him. Some tip more and some tip less. Do what makes you feel good.

 

Happy planning,

Cherie

 

 

Thank you so much!

[softsands]

The title pretty much says it...I have read lots of things on the boards about suites, but as I had never been in one and wasn't planning to for awhile....I have forgotten everything I read:eek: We just upgraded today and I have no idea what I just got except I remember every one saying the suite life was the best....please help:) what does a concierge do? and if you don't mind telling me what the perks are please:)

 

Save disk space, do a thread search.

[bob brown]

I am also upgrading to a suite (SJ Family on the Dawn), for the first time.

I really don't think I will need the services of a butler or a concierge. Just the normal good service we usually get from our cabin steward

What I am looking forward to the most is having breakfast and lunch in Cagney's restaurant, as well as the larger and plusher accommodation.

Priority boarding, theater seating, etc. is no big deal for me......

[bonvoyagie]

You will like getting to go directly to the front of the security line in a small group and then be escorted to the lounge where you will be checked in and then escorted aboard the ship. You will bypass the embarkation photo however. In Seattle at noon we went from dock to penthouse in about 15 min or less - then to Cagney's for lunch. Our luggage also arrived by early afternoon.

[rvsullivan]

I am also upgrading to a suite (SJ Family on the Dawn), for the first time.

I really don't think I will need the services of a butler or a concierge. Just the normal good service we usually get from our cabin steward

What I am looking forward to the most is having breakfast and lunch in Cagney's restaurant, as well as the larger and plusher accommodation.

Priority boarding, theater seating, etc. is no big deal for me......

 

You can't send them away! And you will still get services from the butler, so no matter they still deserve something, concierge will get you on and off the ship, on tenders etc.

[OnTheGoMom921]

You will love the suite life....click on the link in my signature for our gem suite life cruise, it does list many of the suite offerings.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

 

~Michele

[latebloomer56]

Hi,

From all I hear you will love a suite on NCL. They do it best at least as far as I can tell from CC members.

We are in the DOS on Gem in the spring, our first ever suite. First let me say thanks to everybody for all the information. Question though and this is a new thought I just had this AM. Does anybody know if we can add another person to our cabin. We are thinking of taking our 3 year old grandson. Just an idea we are toying with.

Thanks, Laura

[time2cruise1]

I am also upgrading to a suite (SJ Family on the Dawn), for the first time.

I really don't think I will need the services of a butler or a concierge. Just the normal good service we usually get from our cabin steward

What I am looking forward to the most is having breakfast and lunch in Cagney's restaurant, as well as the larger and plusher accommodation.

Priority boarding, theater seating, etc. is no big deal for me......

 

Bob take full advantage of the suite life. There is no part of it we have to have. Let the butler set a full table and enjoy breakfast in your suite late on a sea day or early morning on a port day. Let the concierge handle dinner reservations. They can do that even for the main dining rooms, never wait in a line.

 

Part of the cost of a penthouse is the added expense of the butler and concierge. It is like upgrading to a high performance car you will have added gasoline expense after you buy it.

 

I think as you grow comfortable with the staff that is there to make sure your cruise is remarkable you will appreciate the value.

[Relax@Sea]

Hi,

From all I hear you will love a suite on NCL. They do it best at least as far as I can tell from CC members.

We are in the DOS on Gem in the spring, our first ever suite. First let me say thanks to everybody for all the information. Question though and this is a new thought I just had this AM. Does anybody know if we can add another person to our cabin. We are thinking of taking our 3 year old grandson. Just an idea we are toying with.

Thanks, Laura

 

We had 4 in our DOS on the Pearl same class of ship so you should be able to.

[Veronica Beaverhausen]

Once you cruise in a Norwegian Suite there is NO turning back! Believe me..I know! If you feel like going really crazy then book a Haven Suite! I am a big fan of NCL..they have the best suite service and amenities! I will be in a Haven Suite in a little over 2 weeks and I can hardly contain myself..woo hoo!!

[EaglesWin]

Hi,

From all I hear you will love a suite on NCL. They do it best at least as far as I can tell from CC members.

We are in the DOS on Gem in the spring, our first ever suite. First let me say thanks to everybody for all the information. Question though and this is a new thought I just had this AM. Does anybody know if we can add another person to our cabin. We are thinking of taking our 3 year old grandson. Just an idea we are toying with.

Thanks, Laura

 

Only one way to find out. Call NCL or your TA.

[jewlfaery]

Thanks everyone for all the info and links...I am very excited about the espresso machine and the b/l 's at Cagney's:) we already booked all excursions and 3 surcharge rest. meals, wish I had know...LOL well live and learn. It all looks very lovely:)

[bob brown]

Bob take full advantage of the suite life. There is no part of it we have to have. Let the butler set a full table and enjoy breakfast in your suite late on a sea day or early morning on a port day. Let the concierge handle dinner reservations. They can do that even for the main dining rooms, never wait in a line.

 

Part of the cost of a penthouse is the added expense of the butler and concierge. It is like upgrading to a high performance car you will have added gasoline expense after you buy it.

 

I think as you grow comfortable with the staff that is there to make sure your cruise is remarkable you will appreciate the value.

I am a working class person. Being 'pampered' is not only not my lifesyle, it would in fact actually make me feel uncomfortable.

So sometimes I have to wonder what was I thnking when I upgraded, but I do want to experience some of what the 'suite life' offers....

[bonvoyagie]

I am a working class person. Being 'pampered' is not only not my lifesyle, it would in fact actually make me feel uncomfortable.

So sometimes I have to wonder what was I thnking when I upgraded, but I do want to experience some of what the 'suite life' offers....

 

 

Bob I hear you, we are also a working class couple who don't cruise often but on our very first cruise we were upgraded to a suite. We really did not know what to do either. But back then it was not like it is today - it was Freestyle 1.0 (it is now at least 2.0) there were not as many eating options beyond the MDRs and the buffet. We enjoyed breakfast in the suite almost every morning - both on sea days when we wanted to sleep in a bit and on port days when we wanted to be up early. The butler kept the fruit bowl filled - mainly with grapes and bananas (our favorites). We did not use the concerige at all on this trip.

 

Move forward two cruises and 10 years and Freestyle 2.x and our last cruise. This time there was not only my DW but my MIL (who has also been on her own for the past 7 yrs). She had never cruised before and we went with a suite because the price was about the same as if we did a balcony and a solo inside - we also wanted to spoil her :). We made our reservations for dinner on our own (now if we would have had problems then we would have pulled out the trump card). We went to the shows and pretty much did what we wanted to when we wanted to. My MIL was wondering about getting a boarding pass printed before leaving the ship - our concierge presented us with several options that he could do for her - including printing the pass for free - she opted for the bags program. He also insured that we were able to get off the ship on several occasions by using the crew ways and other special paths that avoided any lines. These two people are simply available for you to use - or not.