Sthrngary

@Daniel A See, you left that out of your information to me. Lol

@Daniel A No, the butlers are no part of the pre-paid gratuities program. I also don't use them for pack and unpacking. What I do if find out all the other things that will make my cruise enhanced with them. The key to a butler is to let them know your likes, wants, needs and a little about you. That is why I use a Butler Letter. They are trained to take that and run with it. Butlers have made my cruise by treating me like a rockstar for 7-days a year. If you feel they are a waste and you will not use them, then reduce the amount. The amount is subjective. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@McGarrett5oh Happy to comment. Let say it is a 7-Day Cruise, on one of NCL's larger ships with a full Haven setup. We also have to consider, more guest in the suite mine add to these amounts. I am making an assumption of two guests in the Haven Suite. Butler: $21.00 per day for the Cabin. Room Stewart: $10.00 per day for the Cabin. Bar Tender: $5.00 per day for the cabin Haven Desk: $12.00 per day for the cabin Waiters: Based on service provided. Those are my thoughts. Not everyone's but my thoughts. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@mconthehighseas Well thank you for the kind words. I try REALLY hard to always be helpful, detailed and take the high road. Not the easiest thing I have ever done. Cruise well and enjoy enjoy every moment.

My goal is aways to book my own airfare when I cruise. Also, to always fly at least the day before the cruise leaves the port. I shared this in this stream in GREAT detail so I will not rehash it here. This post is giving hints on keeping the airfare exactly what you intended while time passes before your cruise. I hope it helps whom ever reads it. Follow Up on my Airline Events: I really hesitate to comment on Airline preparation. There are some members that are truly experts. My situation is simply outlining what happen to my reservations and itinerary to possibly help others on some level. Doing My Own Flights: I have chosen to do my own air reservations for a party of four. Two will use points, the other two will purchase "Fully Refundable Coach". I choose fully refundable coach so if we cancelled the cruise, we would not take a loss on the air, which is a mistake I made in the past. I made the reservations as soon as the airline (Delta) offered them for sale. I did this to gain the best value, itinerary and seating. That was 330 days prior to departure/return. I was actually online at 12:01 AM. I am completely nuts with my preparation. Book Early for Best Value: During these 330 days, several of the flights have changed for one reason or another's. My goal was to have everyone in my party on the same flights so we could all travel together. Coordination if you have a Group: When some flights changed for one couple, they did not always change for both. I would call Delta and get the two reservations in-sync again. This has happened twice so far. For those that say, tie the two reservations together, they are. Equipment Change Good/Bad: On the long-haul from JFK to Athens, they changed the equipment. I am very precise where I want to sit on a long haul. I want the window, in Delta One closest to the window. Delta changed it with the new equipment. I changes it back to the seats I wanted. The GREAT news was I went from Delta One Business Class to Delta One Business Class Suites. A marked improvement. The message here is to check your flights and seats often. Most Recent Airline Change: This morning, our origination flight leaving at 05:30 AM in the morning showed "No Seating" assignments. I now know what that COULD mean. The flight is cancelled or there is a change in equipment. In this case, the flight is cancelled which will put me and our group on the 06:30 AM flight. This is the first flight out of our airport in the morning so it is rarely and issue to get to Atlanta on time. We should still have over an hour and 20 minutes layover. When triple connecting, I give as much fudge room with layovers as reasonable. You just never know what will happen. Conclusion: If you do your own airfare, changes happen. Review your flights and seat often to see if it still works for you. The quicker you get your new seats the better. Just my two cents. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Follow Up on my Airline Events: I really hesitate to comment on Airline preparation. There are some members that are truly experts. My situation is simply outlining what happen to my reservations and itinerary to possibly help others on some level. Doing My Own Flights: I have chosen to do my own air reservations for a party of four. Two will use points, the other two will purchase "Fully Refundable Coach". I made the reservations as soon as the airline (Delta) offered them for sale. I did this to gain the best value. That was 330 days prior to departure/return. Book Early for Best Value: During these 330 days, several of the flights have changed for one reason or another's. My goal was to have everyone in my party on the same flights so we could all travel together. Coordination if you have a Group: When some flights changed for one couple, they did not always change for both. I would call Delta and get the two reservations in-sync again. This has happened twice so far. For those that say, tie the two reservations together, they are. Equipment Change Good/Bad: On the long-haul from JFK to Athens, they changed the equipment. I am very precise where I want to sit on a long haul. I want the window, in Delta One closest to the window. Delta changed it with the new equipment. I changes it back to the seats I wanted. The GREAT news was I went from Delta One Business Class to Delta One Business Class Suites. A marked improvement. The message here is to check your flights and seats often. Most Recent Airline Change: This morning, our origination flight leaving at 05:30 AM in the morning showed "No Seating" assignments. I now know what that COULD mean. The flight is cancelled or there is a change in equipment. In this case, the flight is cancelled which will put me and our group on the 06:30 AM flight. This is the first flight out of our airport in the morning so it is rarely and issue to get to Atlanta on time. We should still have over an hour and 20 minutes layover. When triple connecting, I give as much fudge room with layovers as reasonable. You just never know what will happen. Conclusion: If you do your own airfare, changes happen. Review your flights and seat often to see if it still works for you. The quicker you get your new seats the better. Just my two cents. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Is this being done for the client. Indirectly but it will cost all more money. Does the brand focus on profit and increasing it. That is what make the world go around. If we don't like it, we choose another brand. For those that consider this brand in the future, they will do is on a price/value formula. Is it right or wrong, depends on who is making comments. The brand will survive with or with out some of us. On the reference to the car dealerships. That is a business I know very well, it has changed for the better in the last 15 years. I just had to say that. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

I have seen this happen on other brands in the past. Specifically change. The post here represent the exact same posts from the past. The question is why? Change is difficult for MOST of us. MOST of us like knowing the rules to the game and accepting them. Human nature really. I have been on this board now since I booked my first Oceania Cruise mid-2022. I read, learn, post and appreciate most of the quality of members. The tone that Oceania had to change some of their policies have been discussed, rehashed and debated. The general consensus was, clean up your act Oceania, you are confusing some folks especially the new folks. For me, it took a bit to get the program but after some thought, I got it. That was with the help of some loyal long time guests so thank you. Now my personal opinion which I don't expect for anyone to agree with or take as important. Oceania is now attempting to establish themselves with things that would me more like the "All-Inclusive" luxury brands. Reading the notes above, it is more like All Inclusive Lite. If you look at the drink program, nothing much really changes per the notes. The only real change is you get it and there for pay for the wine and beer program. If you don't drink, you still have it. that will make a certain group upset. On the excursions, many folks don't like the cost of the brands excursions so they do it on their own. Now they have to use some of what they believe is over price excursions with the credit provided. Those that so often claim "The only way to go is Cruise-Only" lose that opportunity and feel upset about that. The reaction is we won't use Oceania again or we will think twice. From Oceania standpoint, their future if they want truly grow are the converts from Main Stream Brands that want to lift their experience. This was a business decision to create a much better competitor to brands like Viking. Change is hard only for those that remember the way it used to be. The future growth often looks at those that have no frame of reference. Just my two cents. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@johng75370 I will take "Pink Socks". The Crystal Ship had 200 guests out of 900. The guests onboard were mostly Crystal's most loyal. Some thought they owned the brand and wanted everyone to know that. If the ship was filled, these guest would have simply not been so obvious. The food was over the top great from the pool grill to the Asian Restaurants. My butler, Egnin was a new level of GREAT. I choose the wrong time to cruise. It was just to soon. My mistake. Cruise well and thank you from Pink Socks.

@knscruiser322 Remember, you most likely paid for the gratuities pre-cruise for the room steward. The next tip you give them if any at all is the last day. There will be envelopes put in your suite. The bartender I usually give $20.00 for the crew on the first day and do another $20.00 a few days in. They can only give you what they have. However, there is a special line when entering the go-cart area for Haven Guest to fill in the race if cars are available. More crowed at night, less crowded in the day. All of your questions have to do with the number of people on your ship. No way to give a definitive answer. I found the go-carts hit or miss. I did it once and that was enough for me. Same with Lasor tag. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@knscruiser322 CruiseCritic.com does not allow messaging even though it has what looks like a method. When you want me to respond, please do @Sthrngary which will give you a menu to click my screen name. That is a question directly to me. On to your question. This has been debated for a very long time. I no longer give advice for what a person should do. All I offer is what I did and why. That way, the negative comments I used to get I rarely gain anymore. Remember, "You do YOU!". Butler: I am the crazy insane person that crafted the famous "Butler Letter". The reason was I had several butlers in a row that were Hit/Miss. The moment I did the Butler Letter, my butlers were all hits. Long story and it needs to be a very well written letter sharing your likes/dislikes and requests if allowable. In that correspondence that I give to my butler the very first day is their tip. With two people in a Haven Suite I tipped $150.00. With four in the Haven Owners Suite I tipped $250.00. Just want I did and does not reflect right or wrong. Bartenders: I usually give them a $20.00 bill a couple of times during the week. Room Steward: I usually give them an extra $100.00. I feel this hard working folks were out of work for the Covid-19 situation. I might over tip a bit as a way to give them a slight improvement to make up for lost time. Everyone has a variation on how and what they tip. This is just me. Hope that helps. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@Branbay I can not be 100%. Usually, the Sundeck one would use the wireless phone in the suite to have the Butler bring you a burger or such. In the courtyard by the pool, servers depend but if I am not mistaken, same situation as the Haven Sundeck. Other will comment with additional information. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@cruisebeachgirl703 I would like to approach your question differently. Early morning, go to the Haven Horizon Observation Lounge. Lite breakfast foods, fresh pastries, the best specialty coffee machine I have ever used, fruit and cereals. Around lunch time it has lite lunch. Just before dinner some snacks. The Haven Restaurant has a very nice breakfast semi-buffet area for smoke salmon, pastries, cereals and much more. Most folks order from the menu and still get some items off this area. One of my favorite things. Not the exact time you are looking for however gives you and idea. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

The best place is YouTube video's. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

My pleasure. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Exactly. I was on the Joy three times. When in the H2 Deluxe Owners Suite, it was part of the amenities. When in a Penthouse the Butler said no. I always have the Premium Plus Drink Package. My reason for commenting like I do is because, way back when, someone said online that they got something and it was refused to me. I made me sour. So I just want folks to know it really does depend on your Butler. Thank you for saying it that way. Much appreciated. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

LOL, so I am considered "Bougie" ? I take that as a complement. I support what you said. We usually find a couple on their honeymoon and give them the bottle. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@Daniel A You are not going to like this answer, nobody does. "NO". No canned sodas, no beer or wine, no spirits can be provided by your Butler without you paying for them even if you have a Beverage Package. I want to be clear, some folks have had soda's brought with meals. I have ALWAYS been told NO, but some butlers have broken that rule. Just not an expectation. If you want to ask any more question about this, feel free. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@JoieNsk Short answer is that is correct. Instruction for you. On day one when you meet your butler, tell them you want he menu's from the Haven in your suite and you want all your room service from the Haven Restaurant if it is open at the time. This means, if not on the Menu, you have to use normal room service which is awful. NONE. You can order alchol to the room even with a butler, regardless of drink program without it being fully charged to your account. My advice is, tell the butler to take out all your "FOR PURCHASE" items so you don't get charged. The Sparkling wine you get on day one which is horrible is complementary. Hope that helps. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

I have done the same thing, I recommend, just go to the spa. The note is not consistent enough. Please remember my over all strategy. Realistic expectations. All I really care about is having the spa treatment on the day and time I want it. It is not done, until I can confirm it done. If I think it will be done for me and it is not, I am not a happy camper. My two cents only. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@JoieNsk I have emailed and called. The call always gets a much better result than the email. Just my experience. Yes, Specialty Dining. In the Haven you can do this 130 days in advance. I always look forward to that date and have exactly want dates/times I want. Part of the fun for me. Remember for 3 people, book 4. for 5 people book 6. Book the moment you get on the ship. Go direct to the spa, do not pass go. That way you get on early, you get the spa treatments you want before anyone else. Very rare to have the ability to do so pre-cruise. The spa is a different company than NCL. Your questions are not stupid. This is a huge thread, most of them have been answered over and over again which means that are popular questions. The core of your questions seems to be what other brands do and don't do. Or else you are new to cruising which I am not sure you are. Seems you have a pretty good handle on what will make your cruise excellent. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Done like in a hotel. Each piece has a cost. That is NCL policy. Now when you go on other ships, especially the ones that have much longer itineraries, they have some free laundry and also washer/dryers on each floor. What I am trying to say is, NCL to my knowledge regardless of stateroom has no laundry privileges. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

I am SO glad you asked this question. I had no idea either. This will be my first "O" sailing. What I find interesting is most folks like us, who rarely or never went on this level of cruise brand, will always have questions like this. We are used to only having access to sauna or steam rooms if we have a very expensive spa treatment. Rarely if ever have access to a place like the AquaMar Spa Terrace. We always worry about what if we have a drink package, we are in our suite and just want a glass of wine brought to our stateroom. On Mainstream cruise brands, that is a charge. So again, I appreciated your question for another reason. My wife said their was no way with out a spa treatment would we have access to the Sauna and Steam rooms. Now I can tell her, "I told you so". Small victory. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@ashkay16 Yes, I recommend you do it as soon as possible. One more thing not to worry about. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

@amygutman Wow that was GREAT. Thank you for the shout out. Much appreciated. I will lay odds who you talked with was Maria. I also have had the best conversations with her and her wonderful staff. Cruise well and enjoy every moment.