Favourite Crew Member

[ladysadie]

Who has been your favourite (I'm Canadian) crew member?:) My family has only been on the Jewel, but I would say that Ivan, the assistant Maitre'D in Tzars went over and above to meet our needs. He was always very humble when he was thanked and complimented. We hope he will still be on the Jewel, or possibly transferred to the Pearl, who will need some experienced staff.:)

[newmexicoNita]

There have been 3 that I remember clearly: 1-on the old Sea, when it was the Seaward: our waiter: he would say, " I am ?, I am here to serve you" darn we can't remember his name, but would if we heard it again: 2-Carlos, our Concierge on the Sea a few years ago and Diane or Dianea who works in the casino on the Jewel. We have had many, but they stand out for me. NMnita

[cruizinwithkids]

My all time favorite is Noel Chavez. He was our waiter on the Majesty in 1998. We saw him again on the Majesty in 1999. Again on the Majesty in 2001 when he was the maitre d'. After that we asked crew on other ships if they knew him. We heard various bits of info, but were THRILLED in 2005 to find him on the Dawn as restaurant manager. The best part was that he remembered us from the cruises on the Majesty. It was like sailing with an old friend.

[Host CMLA]

Ian from Jamaica...waiter on the Dream in the early 90s.

Jahaira from Honduras...assistant Maitre'd on the Dream in 2003

Ruben from Honduras...waiter on Dream

Antonio from the Philippines...bartender on the Sky in 2001

 

I guess I had some great cruises on the Dream. :D

[Dolphins]

Our favorite is singer/pianist Pamala Stanley who performed nightly to SRO crowds in Gatsby's on the Dawn. She often sang requests for an hour and a half without a break and her extensive repitoire was unbelievable. Hopefully, NCL will bring her back to the Dawn before the ship relocates to Miami. The Dawn is just not the same without Pamala.

[newmexicoNita]

There have been 3 that I remember clearly: 1-on the old Sea, when it was the Seaward: our waiter: he would say, " I am ?, I am here to serve you" darn we can't remember his name, but would if we heard it again: 2-Carlos, our Concierge on the Sea a few years ago and Diane or Dianea who works in the casino on the Jewel. We have had many, but they stand out for me. NMnita

I just remembered the waiters name:it was Santiago: He would say, as I mentioned above:

"MY name is Santiago, I am here to serve you" our then 11 year old granddaughter just fell in love with him and he with her.

[ute_fan]

My favorite waitress so far was Novisa, from our cruise on the Sea in Jan. 2004. Wonderful service, great conversation. Very close behind her would be our waitress from the Sea in May, 2005, whose name was Cheryl, I think.

 

On the very top of the list would be Santiago -- our absolutely marvelous cabin steward, also on the May 2005 sailing of the Sea. Greeted my family of 4 by name the first time we came out of the cabin. To this day, we have no idea how he knew our names. Kept the cabins spotless (not easy to do with a DD, age 19, whose room at home is normally covered with clothes), left towel animals to greet us several nights, and treated us just wonderfully.

 

If we're including cruise directors, definitely Colin Kerr from the Sun!

[Cosmopolitan]

Capt., Peterstam on the Dawn - 2X's

Klaus, HD on the Dawn 2-X's and on the Jewel 1-X

Corina, butler, on the Dawn - 2X's

Ryan,butler, on the Dawn - 1-X

Alex, the BEST concierge on the Dawn, Feb., '06

 

There were waiters and Maitre-D's whose names I do not recall.

Ivan was wonderful!

[jeffpaddlehawaii]

We had the profound pleasure of having Hopeton Sinclair as our head steward on our Jewel cruise in September of last year. His ultra warm and jovial friendliness made a terrific cruise even more enjoyable!!!

 

Hopeton is a totally delightful gentleman from Jamaica who has been with NCL for a zillion years. He is the ultimate "people-person" and steward extraordinaire.

 

We are SOOOOO VERY hoping that he will be transferred to The Pearl and service the 10th deck forward starboard cabins. We were fortunate to be able to secure OS #10004 for the 04/13/07 cruise and totally look forward to being able to have the pleasure of his company on this 9 day trip!!!

[Catbiri2]

All of mine are were part of the Cruies Directors Staff:

 

Ron from the Phillapeans (sp) - Every time he saw my sister and me he said hello. Last night of the cruise he dedicated a song to us, and wished that he would see us again.

 

Alfee, also from the Phillapeans (sp) - Always greeted sister and I by name, also always asked about my family all the time. Took time out to make sure he found us to wish us farewell when we left.

 

Mikela (sp) From Canada - After the very first night, when for the first 5 songs I was her only singer at Karaoke, she made sure that I was part of any guest participation show that I wanted to join in.

 

(and yes, all of their names ended up on both mine and my sister's comment cards)

[azalea222]

Jerry and his partner i dont remember his name and Stan from Aqua

 

we loved Marco and Joel too they made the games on the ship fun

 

from the Dawn Feb 06:D

[retiredAF]

We have only cruised on the Majesty so far and thought the staff was outstanding. Of particular note were Gusti and Davi Marie in the Polo club. We also loved Enrico Cifiello and his "Songs from the Heart" also in the Polo club most evenings. (I guess we spent a lot of time in the Polo Club:) )

[POOHISME2]

Alex, the BEST concierge on the Dawn, Feb., '06

I have to agree here..

[newmexicoNita]

My favorite waitress so far was Novisa, from our cruise on the Sea in Jan. 2004. Wonderful service, great conversation. Very close behind her would be our waitress from the Sea in May, 2005, whose name was Cheryl, I think.

 

On the very top of the list would be Santiago -- our absolutely marvelous cabin steward, also on the May 2005 sailing of the Sea. Greeted my family of 4 by name the first time we came out of the cabin. To this day, we have no idea how he knew our names. Kept the cabins spotless (not easy to do with a DD, age 19, whose room at home is normally covered with clothes), left towel animals to greet us several nights, and treated us just wonderfully.

 

If we're including cruise directors, definitely Colin Kerr from the Sun!

Ute, I wonder if it was the same Santiago who had been our waiter on the Sea back in the good ole days? maybe he went from being a wait person to room steward. It's sounds like him. NMNita

[ute_fan]

Nita --

 

I actually wondered that myself when I saw your post. I don't have any idea at all if that would be a logical "career" move or not. The Santiago that we had was, in 2005, in his mid 40's. He had 3 boys, aged in their 20's, and a wife at home in the Philippines. He was telling us that his contract would be up when the Sea left the fleet, and he was going home for a well earned rest, and then hoped to pick up another contract on an NCL ship.

 

One afternoon, when I went back to the cabin for something, he pulled me aside and rather apologetically asked what time we were going to dinner. He then explained that his supervisor was going to be conducting a cabin check, and that he and his assistant would be thoroughly cleaning our cabins -- including washing down the walls, before it was conducted. He just wanted to make sure that he didn't interfere with our dinner schedule, as they needed to have us gone for a couple of hours. Talk about a cabin passing the white glove test! I'd always heard that the "best" stewards were assigned to the higher decks, but I fail to see how anyone could be better than Santiago was, and we were on deck 2:D .

[richtersl]

Without a doubt: Made Santiawan from Indonesia who was on the NCL Sun in January 2002. He worked at East Meets West and was absolutely exceptional.

[newmexicoNita]

Nita --

 

I actually wondered that myself when I saw your post. I don't have any idea at all if that would be a logical "career" move or not. The Santiago that we had was, in 2005, in his mid 40's. He had 3 boys, aged in their 20's, and a wife at home in the Philippines. He was telling us that his contract would be up when the Sea left the fleet, and he was going home for a well earned rest, and then hoped to pick up another contract on an NCL ship.

 

One afternoon, when I went back to the cabin for something, he pulled me aside and rather apologetically asked what time we were going to dinner. He then explained that his supervisor was going to be conducting a cabin check, and that he and his assistant would be thoroughly cleaning our cabins -- including washing down the walls, before it was conducted. He just wanted to make sure that he didn't interfere with our dinner schedule, as they needed to have us gone for a couple of hours. Talk about a cabin passing the white glove test! I'd always heard that the "best" stewards were assigned to the higher decks, but I fail to see how anyone could be better than Santiago was, and we were on deck 2:D .

Age fits, but I don't think ours was from the Philippines. If I am not mistaken he was from So America. Maybe there is just something magical about guys with that name. NMNita

[cruisingfromMN]

We have several:

 

Eby - Senior Waiter, Star

Lusiana - Waiter in Aqua, Star

Valentina - Waiter in Aqua, Star

Jeorges - Restaurant Manager, Star

Robert - Le Bistro, Star

 

Claudio - The absolute best Concierge!

[SnorkelBear]

On our 3/16/06 cruise on the Dawn, Humberto was head and shoulders above all the other servers we encountered. He really dazzled with his abilities to make everything perfect. It was obvious he takes great pride in his work. I could go on and on. We also thought "Speedy" Gonzales and Lewis Tan were very good. It was our experience that service varied greatly on NCL compared to other cruise lines we have been on. I do have to say Humberto could work on any line he chooses. He was that much better than the rest.

[sclauss]

1 name

 

Alex!!!

[SailAways]

On the NCL Spirit last fall, we had Roberto Ferma and Jennifer Ochengco as steward/ess.

 

They were absolutely super, and never failed, from our very first meeting to address us with a friendly smile, and a personal greeting.

 

They spoiled us completely and kept our cabin in tip-top shape the entire cruise!

 

Jennifer prepared a different towel animal each evening to greet us, with the bed turned back and a mint upon the pillows.

 

Roberto took care of our extra requests pleasantly without any hesitation at all.

 

Great job Roberto and Jennifer!!

[alderaniandad]

The whole crew of the Dream last year on the 11 day Alaska run. Not fair to leave anyone out -- they were all wonderful, under trying circumstances.

To be remembered in particular:

Captain Mogic -- for being so gracious and accomodating and writing a wonderful letter to us. Going out of his way to make the trip a life long memory for my daughter. She was crying as she left the ship in Seattle. One of the special times in her life when she felt like a princess and was treated like one. A wonderful feeling for a dad to see his daughter glow.

Corina -- for saving a window seat for us each night we dined in her restaurant.

Bong (agent 008) in the Coffee Bar for being so entertaining and upbeat.

The photography staff -- for their special treatment.

Our cabin steward -- attentative and humerous. And bringing the other stewards on deck 4 by to say goodbye to us.

 

On the Spirit in Sept to Mexico (5 day)

Not enough time to het to know everyone but here are a couple:

Alex (hotel director) for spending time to talk with us and share her experiences. Very special.

Head chef (name escapes me --- sometimers) for providing us with a recipe for a salad dressing (which is fantastic).

 

My hope is that NCL will bring back the 10 and 11 day itineraries back to the West Coast

[Tomct]

Starting at the top, Klaus Lugmaier is our favorite Hotel Director, and no wonder most of our favorite crew members have worked for him onboard the Dawn or Jewel. Same for Concierge Ruth Haggar, and we also had a Carlos on the Majesty last summer who was outstanding. Ivan tops the list for waitstaff, having served us very well in LeBistro on the Dawn - he was on vacation when we were on the Jewel. Ivan provided "above and beyond" service, and we were disappointed to find we had just missed him. Each of our 13 cabin stewards have provided outstanding service, and have been extremely friendly. Mitzi Gardose was our favorite, from one of our Dawn cruises. Mitzi is currently on an extended leave providing health care to a family member at home. Virgilio was another favorite from the Dawn, but don't know where he is these days. He loved to talk basketball in short snippets when we could sneak it in! Our favorite entertainers are the Ironics, currently performing on the Jewel as far as I can tell.

[newmexicoNita]

There are so many really outstanding crew members on all ships and lines, but the one thing that stands out with us about NCL: they seem so much more sincere than on some other lines, like Celebrity. When someone says HI to you on NCL I think then mean it; on some lines they mean, put money in my pocket. The worst service we ever had: Carnival and Costa. Mid range was RCI, very much hit or miss. Celebrity does have outstanding service most of the time (not our last cruise as much) but I have always found them to be stuffy and phoney. I do with the cabin stewards on NCL would introduce themselves. Of our last 5 NCL cruises only twice have they come by. The cabin is always clean so I am not complaining, it would just be nice to hear a Hi, my name is XXX. NMNita

[joteacher]

Our favorites have to be....Jovelyn from the Philippines who was a new waitress on the Dream in February. She asked us our names on the very first day and made made a point to speak to us by name each time she saw any of us from our group of four. Our other favorites from the same cruise are Nelson and Alexander, the room stewards. They were always smiling:) These three really made our trip memorable!