NCL Suite Butler and Consierge

[cresx]

Hello all, my parents (90  and 77) still enjoy cruising. I convinced them to upgrade from their typical accessible Balcony to an accessible Penthouse Suite on a Jewel class ship. The thought was that the Butler and Concierge services could assist with making it more enjoyable for them. Last cruise they were going all over the ship with their walker and scooter making spa, dinner, portrait, and excursion reservations.  Looking for helpful hints in using the Butler and Concierge. Thank you in advance. 

[FLcruisergrl]

Yes, the concierge can take care of all of the scheduling and reservations for them. It will be a big help. The butler can bring them snacks, coffee, even meals in the room. The butler can also escort them to shows. They will also have a cordless phone they can carry with them around the ship so that they can call their butler. For example, if they are on deck and your mom gets a chill, the butler can bring her sweater.

[bonvoyagie]

On the jewel class ships, the concierge is usually found next to Modernaro in the morning during breakfast - I have found that this is the best time to meet with him and establish plans. Butlers are wonderful = just be sure to tip them accordingly.

[pcakes122]

The butler can also help them pack and unpack and get their cabin organized!  One of the most helpful perks!

 

I use packing cubes so my stuff is pretty organized already, but the butler can put everything (plus my empty luggage) away in about 10 minutes when it would take me probably 2 hours!

[complawyer]

yeah, but if the butler unpacks for you , how will you know where he has put things?

 

some tings i prefer to do by myself. 

[pcakes122]

4 minutes ago, complawyer said:

yeah, but if the butler unpacks for you , how will you know where he has put things?

 

some tings i prefer to do by myself. 

You really need to be there.  The butler will put your things where you ask him/her to put them.  If it's easy for you to do-it-yourself, then it makes sense for you to do that if you prefer. I'm disabled and the OP's parents are 90 and 77.  When you are slow or struggle getting around, it's one of the best perks offered.

[Turtles06]

8 hours ago, pcakes122 said:

The butler will put your things where you ask him/her to put them.

 

Thanks for recognizing that not all the butlers are male.  (In fact, the best butler we've had was a woman.)

[cresx]

I really appreciate all these tips. So happy my parents did the upgrade. I think all these tips will help them enjoy the cruise even more than they typically do. 

[complawyer]

turtles06. just think about your post for a minute. when i commented on how will you know where the butler put your things away, i was being facetious. however, if you're going to tell him  where to put things, and just stand there and watch, what's the point? if he/she had to unpack everyone of his assigned people, he'd neverget anything else done.

 

somethings, i would just as soon do myself (unpacking being one of them) 

[LGW59]

9 minutes ago, complawyer said:

turtles06. just think about your post for a minute. when i commented on how will you know where the butler put your things away, i was being facetious. however, if you're going to tell him  where to put things, and just stand there and watch, what's the point? if he/she had to unpack everyone of his assigned people, he'd neverget anything else done.

 

somethings, i would just as soon do myself (unpacking being one of them) 

The OP's parents are 90 and 77 yo, IMO, this is the perfect demographic for which the lines offer this service.  I've never used this service from a butler, but if I am still able to cruise at 90, probably will, great tip included of course.  OP, your parents will NEVER want to cruise without a butler again, good on you for suggesting they do this!

[Dmss4]

How much do you typically tip a butler? (From parents)

[MsTabbyKats]

The fact that your parents are 90 and 77....still going to the spa and still going on excursions etc...makes it sound like they don't really need help.

 

Do they want the butler/concierge?  It may make them feel "old and helpless"...which they obviiously aren't.

 

[goldmom]

22 minutes ago, complawyer said:

turtles06. just think about your post for a minute. when i commented on how will you know where the butler put your things away, i was being facetious. however, if you're going to tell him  where to put things, and just stand there and watch, what's the point? if he/she had to unpack everyone of his assigned people, he'd neverget anything else done.

 

somethings, i would just as soon do myself (unpacking being one of them) 

Please note that Turtles06 has mentioned that she/he is handicapped.  If someone has mobility issues, unpacking a suitcase can be a time consuming and exhausting process.  I doubt that most people take advantage of this service so I doubt that the butlers spend a great deal of time doing this.  But I think that for people like turtles06 and the OP's elderly parents that they would be exactly who this service is designed for.  And it is listed as a service available to passengers, so it's not as if they are asking for something not offered. 

[LGW59]

7 minutes ago, MsTabbyKats said:

The fact that your parents are 90 and 77....still going to the spa and still going on excursions etc...makes it sound like they don't really need help.

 

Do they want the butler/concierge?  It may make them feel "old and helpless"...which they obviiously aren't.

 

This is like saying dining in a restaurant, where one is served, should be old and helpless, very silly.

[Turtles06]

33 minutes ago, complawyer said:

turtles06. just think about your post for a minute. when i commented on how will you know where the butler put your things away, i was being facetious. however, if you're going to tell him  where to put things, and just stand there and watch, what's the point?

 

4 minutes ago, goldmom said:

Please note that Turtles06 has mentioned that she/he is handicapped.  If someone has mobility issues, unpacking a suitcase can be a time consuming and exhausting process.  I doubt that most people take advantage of this service so I doubt that the butlers spend a great deal of time doing this.  But I think that for people like turtles06 and the OP's elderly parents that they would be exactly who this service is designed for. 

 

Folks, you have me confused with someone else!  I'm not handicapped.  The only comment I've made in this thread was to thank someone for using "him/her" to refer to the butler.   🙂 

[MsTabbyKats]

2 minutes ago, LGW59 said:

This is like saying dining in a restaurant, where one is served, should be old and helpless, very silly.

Nope....OPs parents were able to get around without help.  

Telling them "they need help" could make them feel old because it takes their independence away.

 

But, perhaps they do need/want the help....that's different.

 

 

 

[FLcruisergrl]

Or perhaps at 90 and 77, they will enjoy being treated like the king and queen they are. The butler and concierge will likely go out of their way to help them and know how to do so without without making them feel feeble. My grandmother cruised at that age, and while the Haven didn’t exist back then, the ship’s staff always made her feel so special.

[LGW59]

4 minutes ago, MsTabbyKats said:

Nope....OPs parents were able to get around without help.  

Telling them "they need help" could make them feel old because it takes their independence away.

 

But, perhaps they do need/want the help....that's different.

 

 

 

silly you

[LGW59]

30 minutes ago, Dmss4 said:

How much do you typically tip a butler? (From parents)

For us, we use their services very frequently.  Breakfast in room everyday, snacks/beverages mid-afternoon, various on-ship reservations etc.  I guess it depends on the length of the cruise, we usually do 14+ days, so tip $200, which is $15/day.  Tipping is so individual for all of us, just go with your gut and comfort level, he/she will appreciate!

[MsTabbyKats]

3 minutes ago, LGW59 said:

silly you

"Silly me" is speaking as a 72 year old with an 87 year old husband.  If someone told me we were at the age where we needed extra help....I'd challenge them to an hour at the gym with me and DH.

 

Anyway...each person has their own needs.  Just kind of annoys me that people assume others need help based on age.

[LGW59]

20 minutes ago, MsTabbyKats said:

"Silly me" is speaking as a 72 year old with an 87 year old husband.  If someone told me we were at the age where we needed extra help....I'd challenge them to an hour at the gym with me and DH.

 

Anyway...each person has their own needs.  Just kind of annoys me that people assume others need help based on age.

I don't think anyone (me included) was making an assumption, you obviously took it that way though.  Were just discussing a service offered to all, regardless of age or needs.  

[pcakes122]

50 minutes ago, MsTabbyKats said:

"Silly me" is speaking as a 72 year old with an 87 year old husband.  If someone told me we were at the age where we needed extra help....I'd challenge them to an hour at the gym with me and DH.

 

Anyway...each person has their own needs.  Just kind of annoys me that people assume others need help based on age.

No one assumed anyone needed help based on their age.  I am the one who suggested they could take advantage of the packing/unpacking service and I did that because the OP mentioned they booked an ACCESSIBLE suite.  I would hope that able-bodied folks like yourself and your husband are not booking accessible cabins?

[pcakes122]

1 hour ago, complawyer said:

turtles06. just think about your post for a minute. when i commented on how will you know where the butler put your things away, i was being facetious. however, if you're going to tell him  where to put things, and just stand there and watch, what's the point? if he/she had to unpack everyone of his assigned people, he'd neverget anything else done.

 

somethings, i would just as soon do myself (unpacking being one of them) 

I think you meant to reply to me.  I am disabled and in a chair (or on a scooter.)  I AM capable of unpacking and packing by myself, however it takes a LONG time and it is very tiring.  Just trying to get my suitcases on the bed while sitting in my chair is a struggle.  Then I need to use mechanical grabbers/reachers to put my packing cubes onto shelves, into drawers, etc.  It generally takes me about 2 hours to get everything set if I do it myself. This past cruise in December, it literally took my butler about 12 minutes to put everything away where I needed it.  Embarkation day in general is a big deal for me because it's a lot of logistics to manage just to get on the ship.  So, not having to spend 2 hours getting my room set up is awesome. That's the point.  

 

As I said in my last post, if you don't need the service, don't use. it.

[cresx]

A lot of back and forth on here that was not about the original request. Any other great tips. My mom is now on here also following. Thank you in advance. 

[Aliely]

cresx, Just wondering if your parents originally booked the accessible Penthouse Suite when they booked the cruise on the Jewel Class or if they did it through the upgrade offer. If you have time and would be willing to let me know, I would appreciate it!