NCL Tipping Butler/Concierge?

[Beaver1975]

I'm sorry you felt you had a bad butler, it happens sometimes, but he did, after all, serve you a full room service breakfast three times with no tip at all?

 

Robin

 

I have found that the butlers, as well as most other crew members, take their cues from the personality and attitudes of the people they are dealing with.

 

Happy you, happy crew. ;)

[NLH Arizona]

I have found that the butlers, as well as most other crew members, take their cues from the personality and attitudes of the people they are dealing with.

 

Happy you, happy crew. ;)

 

Was just on the Pearl and have to totally agree.

[conandrob240]

BS. Our butler did none of the things you mentioned. The first time we even met the butler was when I called for room service breakfast day 3. I was met with an annoyed sounding voice at the end of the phone. When he brought my food over an hour later ( which I didn't say a word about), he scolded me for not putting my breakfast order on the door night before. He never introduced himself. I opened the door, he said "good morning" and then launched into a tirade on how he "was busy and I should have put the card on the door". When I explained I didn't know I could use that for what I wanted ( items not listed on form), he told me in an annoyed tone to just write it in. The next day, we wrote it in, he didn't bring 2 items and then told my husband he didn't write it in right. Never put a tablecloth down, never put out ketchup, salt, pepper, etc on any of the occasions. Later in week, husband asked for a different snack and was again met with annoyance. An the potato chips were never brought that day or any other. Room attendant did ice, glasses, etc for us-not the butler. One day we had a fill-in butler deliver breakfast-he set up the table nicely, delivered correct items on time and chatted pleasantly about our day. He got a small tip at the time of the service. Rudeness, inattentiveness= zero tip.

[conandrob240]

I'll add that if you ever do a sandals AI vacation with a butler, you will laugh at what passes for a butler on a cruiseship. Not even in the same orbit. And they typical tip for a sandals butler is around $15 per day so these quotes of $150 for a cruise butler are really laughable. No way.

[Beaver1975]

Was just on the Pearl and have to totally agree.

 

...at least you get it! :rolleyes:

[conandrob240]

In most cases, it is true that you get what you give. In other cases, people are just rude for no good reason at all. Certainly, you have experienced that in your life? Be it due to prejudice, discrimination, person having a bad day, or just a person who isn't very pleasant. It happens. It happened to us. I have a theory on which reason it was but since I can never be sure, I'll refrain from hypothesizing why we were treated the way we were. We enjoyed every other interaction on our cruise including a wonderful room steward and an extremely positive experience with the bartenders in the Haven. Concierge was great also.

[DMH15]

BS. Our butler did none of the things you mentioned. The first time we even met the butler was when I called for room service breakfast day 3. I was met with an annoyed sounding voice at the end of the phone. When he brought my food over an hour later ( which I didn't say a word about), he scolded me for not putting my breakfast order on the door night before. He never introduced himself. I opened the door, he said "good morning" and then launched into a tirade on how he "was busy and I should have put the card on the door". When I explained I didn't know I could use that for what I wanted ( items not listed on form), he told me in an annoyed tone to just write it in. The next day, we wrote it in, he didn't bring 2 items and then told my husband he didn't write it in right. Never put a tablecloth down, never put out ketchup, salt, pepper, etc on any of the occasions. Later in week, husband asked for a different snack and was again met with annoyance. An the potato chips were never brought that day or any other. Room attendant did ice, glasses, etc for us-not the butler. One day we had a fill-in butler deliver breakfast-he set up the table nicely, delivered correct items on time and chatted pleasantly about our day. He got a small tip at the time of the service. Rudeness, inattentiveness= zero tip.

 

I would have smiled and said this: "one of the reasons I book suites is for the great flexibility in deciding when to dine in. I did not anticipate last night what my desires would be this morning. I am sorry if my desires upset you. I will discuss it with X." And I use the Concierge and or Hotel Director's name. Then I would do so.

 

 

 

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[DMH15]

I have found that the butlers, as well as most other crew members, take their cues from the personality and attitudes of the people they are dealing with.

 

 

 

Happy you, happy crew. ;)

 

 

Not always. I have only had one negative experience with a butler. As did two other suite pax on that cruise. It happens.

 

Oh, our butler got off at one of our ports and kept going.

 

 

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[conandrob240]

The issues were discussed with the hotel director and the ship's restaurant manager. And the corp office upon return.

[johnsak123]

I think people should tip according to what they feel the service is worth

It shouldn't matte what others tip for you to decide

Of course I understand it might be a good base for you to decide but i think it depends on the service received

I for one did not tip the concierge on one of my sailings because not only did he do nothing for me(even after I asked twice for dinner reservations) he was nasty to my friends who asked him for two separate requests that were not done

I won't mention his name because CC readers love him

I did not.

[DMH15]

I think people should tip according to what they feel the service is worth

 

It shouldn't matte what others tip for you to decide

 

Of course I understand it might be a good base for you to decide but i think it depends on the service received

 

I for one did not tip the concierge on one of my sailings because not only did he do nothing for me(even after I asked twice for dinner reservations) he was nasty to my friends who asked him for two separate requests that were not done

 

I won't mention his name because CC readers love him

 

I did not.

 

Isn't that bizarre. Sometimes you just shake your head.

 

I remember in college all of my teachers seemed to like me except one. It was so obvious to me this teacher just did not. I always wondered if I reminded her of an old friend who stole her boyfriend or a bully she had known in high school. Or something else?

 

If I was a concierge who was working for tips If I didn't like someone I would at least try and fake it.

[Fishbait17]

BS. Our butler did none of the things you mentioned. The first time we even met the butler was when I called for room service breakfast day 3. I was met with an annoyed sounding voice at the end of the phone. When he brought my food over an hour later ( which I didn't say a word about), he scolded me for not putting my breakfast order on the door night before. He never introduced himself. I opened the door, he said "good morning" and then launched into a tirade on how he "was busy and I should have put the card on the door". When I explained I didn't know I could use that for what I wanted ( items not listed on form), he told me in an annoyed tone to just write it in. The next day, we wrote it in, he didn't bring 2 items and then told my husband he didn't write it in right. Never put a tablecloth down, never put out ketchup, salt, pepper, etc on any of the occasions. Later in week, husband asked for a different snack and was again met with annoyance. An the potato chips were never brought that day or any other. Room attendant did ice, glasses, etc for us-not the butler. One day we had a fill-in butler deliver breakfast-he set up the table nicely, delivered correct items on time and chatted pleasantly about our day. He got a small tip at the time of the service. Rudeness, inattentiveness= zero tip.

 

I definitely agree he sounds like a bad butler - his attitude sounds terrible and his service certainly subpar. What I am saying is that this kind of service is rare in my experience. I have had one less than great butler (a little rude and definitely inattentive), but I understood why when I saw another cabin running him ragged daily. That certainly is no excuse for his behavior, more of an explanation. That said, he did provide us with some service, albeit not perfect, and he did receive a tip for services rendered, but less than half what I would normally tip. It's a shame that you had less than stellar service from one butler and hope that you have better service on your next suite sailing.

 

As for tip amounts, I feel my standard starting point of $10 per person per day is well worth the comfort and pleasure most NCL butlers bring to our vacations. I have had butlers on many other vacations (cruises and not), but none have made my vacation as enjoyable as some of my NCL butlers. Everyone must decide for themselves what the service is worth to them, and I'm quite happy with my decision.

 

Robin

Edited December 2, 2014 by Fishbait17

[Fishbait17]

I'll add that if you ever do a sandals AI vacation with a butler, you will laugh at what passes for a butler on a cruiseship. Not even in the same orbit. And they typical tip for a sandals butler is around $15 per day so these quotes of $150 for a cruise butler are really laughable. No way.

 

I have stayed at Sandals with butler service, although it was several years ago (2009). At the time, we had two butlers, and I believe we tipped approx $30-40 per day between the two (~$20-25 per day for the day butler and ~$10-15 per day for the evening butler) - the amounts were recommended to us by friends/previous guests. I also remember having different butlers during the week as they changed shifts.. Either way it was roughly $250 tips for the week, which is higher than I have given many butlers on NCL, who work alone until late evening.. I rarely use the night butler on NCL.

 

Robin

Edited December 2, 2014 by Fishbait17

[conandrob240]

Yes, $15 per butler per day is standard at sandals. And they do probably 10x the amount of stuff that an NCL " butler" does. There is no way you'll convince me that even a stellar NCL butler is worth $150 per week. Their job scope is just way too small. They deliver food and stock your room. Period.

 

At sandals, they plan & book all tours, spa, diving, dining. They escort you to dinner to get you the best table ( usually pre-decorated & set to your liking). They grab you the best chairs/spot on the beach or at the pool, bring a small cooler stocked with water, juice, soda. Bring you drinks, snacks & lunch beach or poolside. They bring room service and set it up with white gloved service. They coordinate with housekeeping to make sure preferences are met. They draw bubble baths or do elaborate turn-downs with flower petals, music, candles, the works. They have decorated our rooms and hand-wrote cards for birthdays and anniversaries. They have gone above & beyond like driving to town to buy an item we left home or bringing back something special because we mentioned in passing we liked x or y. They have even used their day off to be a personal tour guide for us. Night and day comparison.

Edited December 2, 2014 by conandrob240

[Travel Junkie Judy]

This is such an interesting topic and it is interesting to see the varied opinions.

I disagree with one point that was made - if you don’t use the butler, don’t tip.

This is their livelihood.

If you are in a suite, you need to tip something - even if it is a small amount -

unless they are truely rude - but you wouldn’t know that if you never used them.

 

We’ve been in suites on NCL many times - from the “lowly” suites all the way to the Garden Villa.

I guess we have been lucky because we have always had excellent butlers and concierges.

 

Yes, some have better personalities than others, but they all were happy to meet our needs and go beyond.

 

We’ve had butlers that sneak in in the morning and deliver coffee and juice so that we have it when we wake up.

Interesting that we’ve never heard one of them.

I am gluten free and when the butler realizes this, our snacks in the afternoon include gluten free items.

One butler found out I like chocolate covered strawberries and there were daily deliveries of them.

One butler decorated our cabin for my birthday.

I could go on and on.

 

Our concierge has always been there for reservations, taking us off the ship and anything we ask.

 

We tip accordingly.

On one B2B, when we tried to tip the concierge for the second cruise, he refused and said we had compensated him well already.

 

I like the $10/day starting point for butler and concierge.

I add a tip for the room steward when appropriate, but they must go above and beyond since they are already in the pool.

For shorter cruises (7 day) , I usually add extra.

 

Judy

[Mainergirl]

Relative cruise newbie, here, so patience please!

On the one prior cruise I've been on (DCL), we were suite level and at the 100 day mark prior to cruising, the concierge called US looking to help us with reservations, excursions, etc. A lovely service, followed up by a great team on the ship who knew us by name when passing us on board on day 1, etc. My husband took care of tipping and did extras for butler/concierge.

For our upcoming NCL cruise, we are again suite level (but not Haven). In reading the "insider's guide to tipping" from CC, they indicate that suite level guests are charged $15.50 pp/day instead of the baseline $13.50 pp/day for non-suite guests, so my question is, doesn't some of that $2/day charge go to the butlers and suite concierges? Also, it was only in passing when I was on the phone with an NCL staff member that I even learned there were concierge services available to suite level cruisers prior to boarding. I never received anything via email/mail or by phone to offer services, and we've already made all of our excursion plans and dining reservations ourselves.

For experienced NCL cruisers, does this lack of pre-cruise service seem odd? And with the up-charge in DSC for suite guests, do you factor that in at all with regard to supplemental tipping? Just feeling like I haven't really gotten any help or info from NCL for the extra charge I'll be paying...

[MAMATAMA]

I tip according to service. If I receive amazing service I tip amazingly well…My room steward always gets a bonus tip from us….They work the hardest on the ship…..Always there and always smiling….:)

[NLH Arizona]

In reading the "insider's guide to tipping" from CC, they indicate that suite level guests are charged $15.50 pp/day instead of the baseline $13.50 pp/day for non-suite guests, so my question is, doesn't some of that $2/day charge go to the butlers and suite concierges? According to NCL's website: Also, certain staff positions (e.g., concierge, butler, youth program staff and beverage service) provide service on an individual basis to only some guests and do not benefit from the overall service charge.

 

 

For experienced NCL cruisers, does this lack of pre-cruise service seem odd? I've gotten letters/emails on some cruises and not on others. I usually call the pre-concierge 100 days out to make dining reservations, etc.

And with the up-charge in DSC for suite guests, do you factor that in at all with regard to supplemental tipping? Not really, if I get above and beyone service, I will tip more, but if the service is not above and beyond, I don't tip more.

See above.

[Travel Junkie Judy]

Relative cruise newbie, here, so patience please!

On the one prior cruise I've been on (DCL), we were suite level and at the 100 day mark prior to cruising, the concierge called US looking to help us with reservations, excursions, etc. A lovely service, followed up by a great team on the ship who knew us by name when passing us on board on day 1, etc. My husband took care of tipping and did extras for butler/concierge.

For our upcoming NCL cruise, we are again suite level (but not Haven). In reading the "insider's guide to tipping" from CC, they indicate that suite level guests are charged $15.50 pp/day instead of the baseline $13.50 pp/day for non-suite guests, so my question is, doesn't some of that $2/day charge go to the butlers and suite concierges? Also, it was only in passing when I was on the phone with an NCL staff member that I even learned there were concierge services available to suite level cruisers prior to boarding. I never received anything via email/mail or by phone to offer services, and we've already made all of our excursion plans and dining reservations ourselves.

For experienced NCL cruisers, does this lack of pre-cruise service seem odd? And with the up-charge in DSC for suite guests, do you factor that in at all with regard to supplemental tipping? Just feeling like I haven't really gotten any help or info from NCL for the extra charge I'll be paying...

 

While I have not cruised on DCL, I don't think that they have butlers.

 

We have cruised NCL many times in suites. We have not cruised on the mega ships, so my experiences are on the smaller ships, with the Jewel class being the largest. We have been in all types of suites from the smaller suites to the Haven to the Garden Villa.

 

In the Haven and Garden Villa, the Butler is responsible for fewer suites and is even more accessible.

 

The concierge and the butler have different jobs on NCL. While the things they do may overlap at times (reservations for example). If the butler does reservations, he will contact the concierge for this.

 

There is only one concierge and at times an assistant.

The concierge serves all suite guests and is available to all Platinum Latitudes members. He or she (and assistants ) are available to help with reservations, especially dining. They escort suite guests on and off of the ship. They can help with various other things, but they do not provide any type of cabin service. Think of a hotel concierge.

 

The number of butlers depends on the size of the ship. Each butler will serve only a few cabins. The butler will provide services such as delivering meals to your cabin, making sure you have the amenities you desire, reservations and providing snacks each afternoon to your cabin. He or she will work together with your room steward, making sure that your needs and wants are met.

 

The butler is available 24/7, as there is one butler assigned to "night duty" on each cruise.

 

When someone says that they do not use the services of the butler, this means that they have never eaten the goodies that appear each afternoon in their cabin. I find that hard to believe.

 

The Concierge and the Butlers work closely together, especially when it comes to dining reservations for suite guests.

 

As mentioned before, these people do not serve all of the ship, so they receive nothing from the gratuities pool. The pool money goes to the food servers, room stewards, cooks and any crew members that serve everyone.

 

If your suite perks are not mentioned to you when you book, that is probably because the Reservation Agent did not do their job.

You need to call NCL and ask to speak to someone concerning Suite Amenities. You can pick the type of pillows you want, the number of towels, and several other niceties.

If you do not do this before sailing, your butler will take care of it for you.

 

Be aware that you will have a special dining room for breakfast and lunch - usually Cagney's.

On our last cruise, we met a couple that were not aware of this awesome perk.

Someone really dropped the ball there.

 

When you arrive at the terminal, be sure to let them know that you are in a suite. You have a special VIIP waiting area with drinks and snacks.

You receive your ship card there and you will be escorted to the ship and to lunch by the concierge and/or butlers before general boarding.

 

It's OK to make your own reservations. If you see a need to change those reservations, see the concierge. Do not call the restaurant.

 

The extra $2.00 per day in gratuities....hmmm.....not sure about this. I'm pretty sure that it does not go to the Concierge or Butlers. The suites are larger and the room stewards have fewer cabins, so it may go to them.

 

As to gratuities for the Concierge and your Butler. That depends on how much you use their services and how happy you are with them.

 

While most are excellent, there are a very few that may not meet your needs.

Tip accordingly.

We tend to use the butler more - coffee brought to our cabin each morning for example.

Talk to other suite guests about how they tip. Do include this cost into your budget. This is how these crew members support themselves and their families.

 

Enjoy the Suite Life on NCL. You will get hooked if you take advantage of all that is offered.

I've never seen anything like it on any other line - but we have not cruised on the $$$$$ lines.

On RCCL, you get a bigger cabin and a cocktail party each day. Not worth the money to me.

 

Judy

Edited July 3, 2016 by Travel Junkie Judy

[FM]

Wow Travel Junkie Judy ... your previous post answered a LOT of questions I had about the Butlers and Concierge aboard NCL. We just booked a Haven Spa Suite Balcony aboard the Breakaway ...

 

I found the comment earlier about your experience of butlers "quietly delivering" juice and coffee in the morning before you awake a bit surprising ... that is definitely butler service! I would have to say however that that is ONE perk that I would NOT recommend at all for DW and I ... unless one of us was awake and expecting that visit ...

 

Anyways, it'll be our 1st Suite of any of the cruise lines we've been on before so definitely looking forward to cruising the Haven experience :) ...

Edited July 3, 2016 by FM

[Travel Junkie Judy]

Wow Travel Junkie Judy ... your previous post answered a LOT of questions I had about the Butlers and Concierge aboard NCL. We just booked a Haven Spa Suite Balcony aboard the Breakaway ...

 

I found the comment earlier about your experience of butlers "quietly delivering" juice and coffee in the morning before you awake a bit surprising ... that is definitely butler service! I would have to say however that that is ONE perk that I would NOT recommend at all for DW and I ... unless one of us was awake and expecting that visit ...

 

Anyways, it'll be our 1st Suite of any of the cruise lines we've been on before so definitely looking forward to cruising the Haven experience :) ...

 

You will love, love, love it.

We have not been on the Breakaway and it is larger than we usually like, but I'd like to give her a try.

Do call NCL and make noise - let them know (nicely) that you want the services which you deserve.

I love selecting pillows. If you don't like the ones you choose, you can switch them out.

Get to know your Butler.

They are amazing. We've never had one that wasn't super.

Let them know what kind of snacks you would like in the afternoon.

One of ours found out that I like chocolate covered strawberries and he added them every day. :p

I eat gluten free and I find that they provide gluten free snacks for me.

Potato chips are not usually provided, but if you ask.... :)....

You also will have special seating for the shows - be sure to ask about this.

 

Judy

Edited July 3, 2016 by Travel Junkie Judy

[FM]

You will love, love, love it.

We have not been on the Breakaway and it is larger than we usually like, but I'd like to give her a try.

Do call NCL and make noise - let them know (nicely) that you want the services which you deserve.

I love selecting pillows. If you don't like the ones you choose, you can switch them out.

Get to know your Butler.

They are amazing. We've never had one that wasn't super.

Let them know what kind of snacks you would like in the afternoon.

One of ours found out that I like chocolate covered strawberries and he added them every day. :p

I eat gluten free and I find that they provide gluten free snacks for me.

Potato chips are not usually provided, but if you ask.... :)....

You also will have special seating for the shows - be sure to ask about this.

 

Judy

 

Hi TJJ ... one can never have too many pillows :) ... hmmm I wonder if we can get Gummy Bears or better yet Jelly Belly Jellybeans :) ...

 

One question ... I read somewhere that Haven guests are able to watch on-demand movies for free on your stateroom TV and/or there is a DVD (Blu-Ray?) player in your stateroom - True?

[Two Wheels Only]

... hmmm I wonder if we can get Gummy Bears or better yet Jelly Belly Jellybeans :) ...

Gummy Bear overload, trust me.

 

One question ... I read somewhere that Haven guests are able to watch on-demand movies for free on your stateroom TV and/or there is a DVD (Blu-Ray?) player in your stateroom - True?

 

On-demand is free. DVD player is there but I don't know if it was Blu-ray. I never used it since I didn't bring any discs,

[Travel Junkie Judy]

Hi TJJ ... one can never have too many pillows :) ... hmmm I wonder if we can get Gummy Bears or better yet Jelly Belly Jellybeans :) ...

 

One question ... I read somewhere that Haven guests are able to watch on-demand movies for free on your stateroom TV and/or there is a DVD (Blu-Ray?) player in your stateroom - True?

 

We were being pampered so much that we never had time for the TV, so I don't know. :D

 

Email me and I will give you more suite information.

judydonie at yahoo .com

 

Judy

[marelind]

Hi TJJ One question ... I read somewhere that Haven guests are able to watch on-demand movies for free on your stateroom TV and/or there is a DVD (Blu-Ray?) player in your stateroom - True?

 

It has been a year since we cruised but the DVD players have always been regular DVD, not Blu-Ray.

 

We, too, have been in suites regularly and have had great butlers and not so impressive butlers, same with concierges. We remember their names and hope to see them again.

 

As far as delivering coffee early you have to have the Welcome sign on or they cannot come in or knock.