Butler & concierge tipping

[Love my butler]

Last cruise was a couple of weeks ago, just my husband and I in Two bedroom Haven Family Suite. This trip we felt the butler was good but not outstanding. We had NO meals in the room and it took him 3 days of being reminded that we did not like "sweet" treats and preferred savory...I.e sandwiches, etc. most of our afternoon snacks were gifts from CAS and they had given us a questionnaire to fill out in order list our preferences.....so again, not a lot for the butler to do.

 

We tipped $200 total for the butler, $200 extra for the cabin steward and $500 for Concierge. We value greatly the priority boarding, tendoring, etc and also relied on our Concierge for any and everything.....as we just have grown to know him and know that there is really nothing that he cannot handle or fix!

 

May be excessive to some....but I think that you are just trying to get facts so that you can figure out your own solution. I know that the first time that we booked GV's I was PETRIFIED that we would not tip appropriately!

 

Also we have come to forge relationships with some of these people that go out of eir way to make our vacations effortless......so we tend to tip them a bit more.

 

I was appalled when sitting in the casino as there was a man behind me that went to great lengths to tell everyone that he happened to strike up a conversation with, to make sure to have the DSC's REMOVED! And most people were thanking him.....as they kept saying that they were not aware that they could do that! And here this guy was also a CAS guest.....so was not even paying full fare on his cabin.....was playing LOW level penny slots.......honestly !

 

And yes.,,,,I did tell him that I felt his advise was very short sided and I totally disagreed......I also was at the Guest Services desk near the end of the cruise having our extra gratuities added to our onboard account when a man next to me was asking them to remove HIS gratuities as well! Was telling the agent that he and his wifehadbeen "ill" corq a couple of days and therefore did not USE the services of the crew all that much...just gave him a dirty look....

 

I am now beginning to wonder how many people actually have their DSC's removed? As this was the first trip that I have heard so many people talking about it....or how many people just give butler and concierge something like $25 or $50?

 

I imagine with your over-tipping it evens out with the people who adjust the Discretionary Service Charge downward. Knowledge is power.

[mugtech]

I imagine with your over-tipping it evens out with the people who adjust the Discretionary Service Charge downward. Knowledge is power.

 

Some love their butlers more than others.

[mjkacmom]

Perhaps that did sound harsh--and did not reflect what I really think. I believe butlers and concierge should be tipped if they are alive and breathing--as they are available for anything one wants--and will turn themselves inside out to accommodate you !! It is beyond their control if you choose not to use their services--the key is that they are AVAILABLE. In the case of the butler mentioning the DSC, I would still have given him/her 10 per person per day--which, to me, is the minimum regardless of services rendered. (Not to mention that I feel ill when I read someone has removed the DSC). I just would not have given the extra beyond the 10.00 pp per day. These people COUNT on tips--it is a big part of their very small salary. It hurts me when I read passengers left nothing because they did not "use" the butler or the concierge. They ARE doing many things for everyone, whether you ask or not. BUT, I would not tip extra if they "asked" for a tip. I am still shocked by that !! I am well aware this "breathing" philosophy will not be well received on these boards, so fire away if you must.

 

I agree with you. It's like lingering at a restaurant after you are done eating. I will always tip extra, because I'm taking up a table, and depriving the server from earning more money. I'm sure the staff would much rather work and earn money, rather than be told they are not needed, and therefore not tipped.

[havenfan]

I'm sure the staff would much rather work and earn money, rather than be told they are not needed, and therefore not tipped.

 

Many years ago when I got my first management position at an investment bank, I was assigned a secretary. I did my best to be organized and instructed my team to schedule their work efficiently so that she could go home at 5pm most days; I didn't want to keep her around until 9 or 10pm with us just because we forgot to ask things of her during the day. I thought I was doing her a favor. A month later the senior department secretary, a lovely old battle-axe, pulled me aside and told me, "Honey, I know you mean well, but Kathleen is really missing the overtime."

[jackson bernard]

I agree with you. It's like lingering at a restaurant after you are done eating. I will always tip extra, because I'm taking up a table, and depriving the server from earning more money. I'm sure the staff would much rather work and earn money, rather than be told they are not needed, and therefore not tipped.

 

Maybe when you are done eating you should get up and leave. The owners of the restaurant need to make money too you know.

 

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Forums mobile app

[hpecorari]

On my last cruise on the Pearl, I had two bottles of sparkling wine and asked my Butler if he would like it and he told me they were not allowed to accept it. He suggested that I find another passenger to give it to or he could, if I would like, give it back to NCL to reuse since it was not open.

 

Strange, I asked the HD on both cruises I started doing this on if the crew, servers, etc. could accept bottles of wine/champagne and was told yes both times. This was last February and most currently last month, both on the Star but with two different HD's. I also give my 'free' platinum bottle of wine to my server at specialty restaurants as I don't drink it and have been told later during the cruise how much they enjoyed it and how it saved them $$ going to the crew bar.

 

Harriet

[mjkacmom]

Maybe when you are done eating you should get up and leave. The owners of the restaurant need to make money too you know.

 

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Forums mobile app

 

You are rude. Where I live, there are literally hundreds of restaurants, and many people make a night out of going out to dinner, and talking afterwards. Most would frown on lingering if there were a wait for tables, but that is very rare. Owners want business, and they want full tables (with the competition, if a restaurant appears not to have many patrons, it soon goes out of business).

 

But, then again, if you don't have friends to dine with, you might not be aware of this practice...

[NLH Arizona]

Strange, I asked the HD on both cruises I started doing this on if the crew, servers, etc. could accept bottles of wine/champagne and was told yes both times. This was last February and most currently last month, both on the Star but with two different HD's. I also give my 'free' platinum bottle of wine to my server at specialty restaurants as I don't drink it and have been told later during the cruise how much they enjoyed it and how it saved them $$ going to the crew bar.

 

Harriet

Don't know what to say, Harriet. I was on the Pearl in May and was told they can not accept it.

[jackson bernard]

You are rude. Where I live, there are literally hundreds of restaurants, and many people make a night out of going out to dinner, and talking afterwards. Most would frown on lingering if there were a wait for tables, but that is very rare. Owners want business, and they want full tables (with the competition, if a restaurant appears not to have many patrons, it soon goes out of business).

 

But, then again, if you don't have friends to dine with, you might not be aware of this practice...

 

Just leave when you're done. What is so hard to understand?

[mjkacmom]

Just leave when you're done. What is so hard to understand?

 

Maybe we are in the middle of a conversation? Many times, it is the social aspect of dining and talking with others that makes dining out fun, not just the consumption of food. If. The table isn't needed by others, why cut the night short? Everyone I know has children, and it's nice to get sitters and get out.

[chloemonkey]

Maybe they should make him walk the plank for such appalling behaviour.

:)

My point was that he we being awarded discount on his cruise fair due to booking thru CAS (and I might add that he was also staying on to do a BTB! So did not even have to depart the ship whenWE did!)

 

Only meant to point out that he was not being very thoughtful of the services of those that were making sure that his trip was being made more comfortable/enjoyable by the crew that he was STIFFING!

 

Did not mean to comment on the level of play....that's a CAS decision and not of my concern.

[DMH15]

Maybe we are in the middle of a conversation? Many times, it is the social aspect of dining and talking with others that makes dining out fun, not just the consumption of food. If. The table isn't needed by others, why cut the night short? Everyone I know has children, and it's nice to get sitters and get out.

 

 

I totally get you. As long as there's not a line at the door it's not a problem believe me I have my education in this field.

 

Like you said it can actually be good for business when customers come in and see people enjoying themselves.

 

My Brother took my sister and me out for a spa day and birthday lunch. We ended up spending a lot of time there as we were really enjoying the conversation. The restaurant was only about 10% full by the time we finished our meal. Our waiter was very nice and told us to take our time and enjoy ourselves. We had appetizers drinks entrées and desserts. So the check was already large and my brother tipped over 30% due to us sitting there for a while. It was a win – win situation. Our waiter walked us to the door smiling. Like I said not a problem.

[chloemonkey]

Okay, wait a minute....are you yanking our chain or something? You don't really mean you were offended because he was playing penny slots, right? It's late so maybe I was slow on the humor if that was intended. I'm not too sure though.

 

I was offended due to the fact that he was 1) a guest of CAS and yet only playing "limited" lines on Pennie slots.....no problem at ALL with Penny Slots...but as he was not even playing Max Bet......he was also NOT risking a lot....but kept bragging to those around him about how to REMOVE the DSC from their accounts.....and yet he was not even paying full fair for his stateroom! As he was also quite willing to share how he was on a B2B cruise.....spent "limited" amounts in the casino....and yet managed to "outsmart them" by also having the DSC's removed....for this reason I was "offended" as I he was getting an extremelly reduced cruise fair......and the fact that he was not even willing to pay the MINIMUM for DSC's made me angry.

 

Not trying to "yank your chain" and maybe I did not manage to explain clearly in my previous post? but again......I spent 3-4 nights having him try to "preach" to those in the casino around him.....and also he was a rather "loud" talker/player....albeit he was only playing a SLOT machine....and I often wondered if those that he insisted on "helping" would have rather that he just left them alone.....so I could not HELP but overhear him on numerous evenings.

 

Now....if you have issues with MY level of gratuities....that is a diff story! But please do not confuse the two issues.....as this guy was purely taking advantage of the system.....and not being fair to the crew - both NCL AND CAS!

[jackson bernard]

Seem like you spend a lot of time minding other people's business. Just go enjoy yourself. ...jeez

 

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Forums mobile app

[Love my butler]

seem like you spend a lot of time minding other people's business. Just go enjoy yourself. ...jeez

 

like

[mearsfansinboise]

I have found this to be a fascinating thread.

 

 

 

Yes, me too.

I much like the tipping threads - and the food threads - for more perspective. This is only our 5th cruise, and our first time in a suite, so the more information and food for thought I can glean from you all, the better.

[Shawnino]

I was offended due to the fact that he was 1) a guest of CAS and yet only playing "limited" lines on Pennie slots.....no problem at ALL with Penny Slots...but as he was not even playing Max Bet......he was also NOT risking a lot...

 

Oh! The humanity!

[mydreamvacation]

I recently had my first cruise on Norweigian and stayed in a 2 bedroom suite in the Haven on the Gem. We were 4 adults and by the end of the week we had requested 1 Dvd, had a pizza delivered and had one dinner from Cagneys in suite. We chose to tip after each request and by the end of week we had tipped $100

 

On the last night, our butler came and delivered our priority tags and kindly mentioned that his services were not included in DSC. I wasn't offended as I assume there are times they get stiffed. We were already prepared to tip another $250 but I was surprised that he was basically saying that the $100 we already tipped wasn't enough.

 

I wouldn't have given him another penny after that! Very nervy in my opinion

A tip something you earn not expect. I've had Butler's that were absolutely wonderful one we gave $500 for a seven night cruise and we've had a butler that was atrocious never saw him once and all he did was knock on the door the last night when he was sure we were there so I gave him 20 bucks. A gratuity is thank you for going above and beyond and service and my opinion. If I don't see the Butler I don't use the Butler and I'm certainly not going to tip the Butler the butler service is part of my cruise rate. The Butler's attentive and makes me feel special then he or she will certainly be getting an envelope of cash from me but if they start off assuming that's going to happen or have the nerve to tell me how much they deserve they will be very disappointed when they open the envelope

[tarps14]

:)

My point was that he we being awarded discount on his cruise fair due to booking thru CAS (and I might add that he was also staying on to do a BTB! So did not even have to depart the ship whenWE did!)

 

Only meant to point out that he was not being very thoughtful of the services of those that were making sure that his trip was being made more comfortable/enjoyable by the crew that he was STIFFING!

 

Did not mean to comment on the level of play....that's a CAS decision and not of my concern.

 

Okay, I guess that then leads me to why would you even care? I totally get your point regarding the dsc and the having to hear it over and over. That would annoy me as well, but, you also have the freedom to move. If somebody around me is that annoying? You bet your a$$ I'll be another part of the casino very quickly.

 

The last thing I want to do on my vacation is worry about what some blow hard near me is playing, how much he's wagering and how he came to be on the ship. That would be a total waste of precious vacation time.

Edited October 28, 2014 by tarps14

[havenfan]

the butler service is part of my cruise rate.

 

This is certainly one of the most important items we are discussing on this thread. On what do you base this assertion?

[keep on cruisin]

This is certainly one of the most important items we are discussing on this thread. On what do you base this assertion?

 

It is listed as part of the service of choosing the suite cabins. Unfortunately when it comes to the tipping conversation I did not notice anything in the cabin description identifying it as tips expected. That only appears in the ncl.com/welcomethehaven link that is listed in the things to know section. I dont have the exact verbage handy. But it was along the lines of tip what you think it is worth.

 

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Forums mobile app

[havenfan]

It is listed as part of the service of choosing the suite cabins. Unfortunately when it comes to the tipping conversation I did not notice anything in the cabin description identifying it as tips expected. That only appears in the ncl.com/welcomethehaven link that is listed in the things to know section. I dont have the exact verbage handy. But it was along the lines of tip what you think it is worth.

 

I suspect you're groping for the phrase "commensurate with the services rendered." But how do you infer from that the extent to which butler and concierge services are included in the cruise rate?

[pieshops]

people fascinate me

[keep on cruisin]

I suspect you're groping for the phrase "commensurate with the services rendered." But how do you infer from that the extent to which butler and concierge services are included in the cruise rate?

 

http://ncl.com/welcomethehaven

 

page 7 under the list of "What's included in your cruise fair"

4th item listed. Concierge and 24 hour butler.

 

It also states under "what is not included " that service charges and gratuities are not included.

 

I do not know to what extent the services are included, which brings us back to the original question by the OP.

 

I am still unsure of what would be considered normal basic service, or going above and beyond. I am expecting that I will be tipping somewhere between $200 and $300 yes, Havenfan "commensurate with the services rendered"

[havenfan]

http://ncl.com/welcomethehaven

 

page 7 under the list of "What's included in your cruise fair"

4th item listed. Concierge and 24 hour butler.

 

It also states under "what is not included " that service charges and gratuities are not included.

 

I do not know to what extent the services are included, which brings us back to the original question by the OP.

 

I am still unsure of what would be considered normal basic service, or going above and beyond. I am expecting that I will be tipping somewhere between $200 and $300 yes, Havenfan "commensurate with the services rendered"

 

Thanks for the reference.

 

I grew up in the US but lived in Europe for many years. Going back to the waiter in a nice (land-based) restaurant analogy, in the US table service is nominally included in the price of the meal, but most Americans would agree that a 15% tip is not a gratuity for extraordinary service, but is really the price of ordinary service. In Europe, it's more common for the price of the meal to explicitly include the service, either in the prices on the menu or as an additional line item on the bill. Either way, the price you're asked to pay includes ordinary service. In these cases no additional gratuity is expected or normally paid unless the service has been extraordinary.

 

Europeans visiting the US occasionally stiff their waiters because they assume ordinary service is included on the bill. Americans visiting Europe occasionally overtip their waiters (effectively paying 30% for ordinary service) because they are unaware that ordinary service is included on the bill that they are presented. So it's better to know the norms, or at least read the bill.

 

As NCL have written that concierge and 24 hour butler services are included in the cruise fare, I can only interpret that as their writing "service compris" on the check. Ordinary service is included on the bill. And I'd have to interpret ordinary service as including priority embarkation/disembarkation, tender tickets, seating at shows and the behind-the-scenes work that the butler does for all their guests. Which doesn't mean I won't tip for these things, just that the tip should be a true gratuity rather than a service charge.

 

It's taken me five pages to come 180 degrees on this issue. Perhaps I'll make it a full 360 in another five pages:)