Reception in Suite - How Much Notice to Butler, Types of Food Suggestions

[Disney1992]

For those that have had parties or receptions in their Suites, how much notice to do you give your Butler?

 

I thought it would be nice to have some snacks, maybe drinks in our cabin for our CC Cabin Crawl on our upcoming Epic cruise. This is our first time in the Haven and I'm not sure how much notice to give to our Butler. Our cabin crawl isn't until our last sea day, but I'm thinking I should at least give the Butler a heads up when we board.

 

I was thinking of having snack foods; veggie and fruit tray, cheese tray, a dessert offering of some kind. Is that possible? Other suggestions? We can also have beverages too, correct? We don't drink alcohol, so I would go with the soda, bottled water route.

 

I figured I should also tip at the time of the party. Does $25 - $50 sound reasonable?

 

Thank You So Much!

[philip_eunice1]

Wow a full $50 be careful you don't want your butler retiring

 

 

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[hpecorari]

Wow a full $50 be careful you don't want your butler retiring

 

 

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I think they were talking about in addition to what they would normally tip. Meaning, that this tip would be JUST for setting up this party. That's how I took it at least!

 

Harriet

[philip_eunice1]

Hi Harriet

 

I do hope so maybe maybe you just see the glass as half full and I see it as half empty

That's what makes the world go round

 

 

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[cabincop]

wow that's a lot of food when I have had gatherings in my suite I usually get chips/dip, pretzel rolls, fruit and wine, ice, Pellegrino. I can't tell you how much to tip but I tip more. They set up the tables with linens glasses and move the chairs around. Then they have to clean all of it up. Why have a dessert tray if your just doing snacks? Last sea day also means they will be busy. I would give them at least a few days. Remember you are not the only one in a suite. I know people will argue with me but I treat my butler like a person who has other suites and not just mine. I

[Magickpyggie]

We always have dinner in our Suite on the first and last night, choosing from the MDR menu, always a pleasure, he brings the menu and we choose. Om

N the Gem we gave a $100 tip for exceptional service on a seven day cruise

 

 

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[cabincop]

I hope the regular tip is good

[philip_eunice1]

I hope the regular tip is good

I'm fairly cynical about that

 

 

 

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[cabincop]

lol now you just opened up some trouble

[philip_eunice1]

Just getting out the popcorn

 

 

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[marelind]

We had a Cabin Crawl on our last cruise. People didn't really hang around very long and few had snacks or drinks. With that said, we told our butler a day or two before. We didn't ask for anything, but he offered to set up drinks and snacks. We had the bar snack mix and potato chips, and soft drinks (we were in an Owner's Suite so the soft drinks were included in the cabin. I had not expected that they would be provided for our guests as well.) We did not have him stay and serve, but he did set up and then come later to clean up a bit. We did not tip at the time, nor did we significantly increase our tip for that one event. Then again I think we tip well for what we ask for in general.

[time2cruise1]

We always have dinner in our Suite on the first and last night, choosing from the MDR menu, always a pleasure, he brings the menu and we choose. Om

N the Gem we gave a $100 tip for exceptional service on a seven day cruise

 

 

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That was nice of you but not an exceptional tip :cool:

[Disney1992]

Based on most of the responses, I guess my question wasn't as clear as I thought it was.

 

The tip amount of $25 - $50 was just for the reception/party, not the entire cruise. Since tipping is a personal decision, I'll forget about the amount and ask, for an event in your cabin, do you normally tip at the time of the event?

 

I've never done a Cabin Crawl before, but it sounds like people don't stick around as long as I originally thought. So, lighter snacks it is.

 

Thanks for pointing out that the Butler would be busier on a sea day. As this is our first time in the Haven, it wouldn't have crossed my mind. I wasn't expecting the Butler to stick around and serve, but I will be sure to stress that when I make the arrangements.

 

Thanks!

[cabincop]

Disney thanks for the clarification. On cabin crawls people usually just pop in and off to another cabin or they may stay for a little bit. If the crawl is over people might want to go on their merry way. It's the last day of the cruise anyway so I say just tip the butler for the whole cruise after the crawl. The Haven is amazing, also in case you didn't know people also tip the concierge. Enjoy your cruise. Ummm if you don't use the concierge for show seats, embarkation reservations and such maybe not so much

[DMH15]

I was in charge of our last M&G and we talked about the cabin crawl at the M&G. We had a sign up sheet of anyone who wanted to participate and agreed to meet on a later sea day. I organized the route, starting forward and ending aft, in our PH. I had a bar setup with my blender and mixers. We had snacks like cookies, chips, dip and choc strawberries from the butler. I had a few tins of nuts I brought. About 50% of the people stayed 1/2 hour. Another 25% stayed 15 minutes longer. A few stayed even longer. I had packed my own plastic cups and plates anticipating this get together. I easily cleaned up afterwards.

 

We always tip in full at the end and verbalize our sincere thanks to all the awesome crew who help enhance our vacation.

 

 

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[MR NW GUY]

We always have dinner in our Suite on the first and last night, choosing from the MDR menu, always a pleasure, he brings the menu and we choose. Om

N the Gem we gave a $100 tip for exceptional service on a seven day cruise

 

 

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$100 per person per day?

[L3GWG]

Butler to stick around and serve? Are you for real !! Also the haven is exclusive and as you are having crawl do a crawl not expect NCL to provide staff for a function. Have the nibbles etc at the initial meet and great like everyone else and leave the haven for those that pay for it.

 

 

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[Disney1992]

Thank you for the responses. I just wanted to have some snacks available when it was my turn to show my cabin. I asked the question because I wasn't sure of the process, as this is our first time in the Haven. I'm sorry if I offended anyone, that was not my intent.

[samiam0403]

Thank you for the responses. I just wanted to have some snacks available when it was my turn to show my cabin. I asked the question because I wasn't sure of the process, as this is our first time in the Haven. I'm sorry if I offended anyone, that was not my intent.

 

I'm not sure what in your original question got folks riled up - as far as I know from doing research here, all of the things you mentioned are well within the duties of the butler in a suite. I thought it was a great question! I was wondering about doing the same thing during the cabin crawl for our next cruise and was looking forward to seeing a variety of answers. Have a great cruise!

[Disney1992]

Thank You! I'm looking forward to our cruise! Enjoy your cruise as well!

[RJ2002]

Agree with the other poster. Not sure why this thread took the direction it did.

 

As has been said, what you want to do is definitely in the "job description" of the butler, and I have found that they really do like to please you.

 

I would definitely give them 2 or 3 days notice at a minimum. This will allow them to work the event into their schedule, and even solicit assistance if needed. And order whatever food appeals to you. I suspect the butler may have some suggestions as well.

 

I think a tip in the range of what you mentioned before would be appropriate, but of course, wait and see how everything turns out before deciding for sure.

[Nalagh]

For those that have had parties or receptions in their Suites, how much notice to do you give your Butler?

 

I thought it would be nice to have some snacks, maybe drinks in our cabin for our CC Cabin Crawl on our upcoming Epic cruise. This is our first time in the Haven and I'm not sure how much notice to give to our Butler. Our cabin crawl isn't until our last sea day, but I'm thinking I should at least give the Butler a heads up when we board.

 

I was thinking of having snack foods; veggie and fruit tray, cheese tray, a dessert offering of some kind. Is that possible? Other suggestions? We can also have beverages too, correct? We don't drink alcohol, so I would go with the soda, bottled water route.

 

I figured I should also tip at the time of the party. Does $25 - $50 sound reasonable?

 

Thank You So Much!

 

 

I would tip a bit more due to the amount of work the butler needs to do. He will set up the tables, bring the glasses and stem-ware, set up the food, bring the ice, arrange the food and snacks, pour the drinks, and then clean and take all items away. I am sure I am missing duties in there, but those are the basics.

 

I have hosted many gatherings from wine and cheese to rum punch parties. I would not only discuss this with the Butler, but also the Concierge on the ship the first day.

[Nalagh]

[Nalagh]

[Nalagh]

Rum Punch Party