I just don't get it...

[Kelly07]

Why do people post that they want to know the name of the cruise director and that it is important that the cruise director knows their names and makes them feel welcomed aboard? Same with the concierge? Am I missing something here????? I am on vacation and a smile and hello works for me... please explain....thanks!

[got2bcruisin']

I wondered the same thing. But after meeting the concierge on the Pearl I would be interested to know if Carlos was working on my next cruise. Yes the service he provided really was that good.

[BamaLady#13]

I'm with you. This is just a vacation for me and I am just another customer for them. I'm not expecting to exchange Christmas cards. Some people make much more of this than it is....:confused:

[WinterSky]

Why do people post that they want to know the name of the cruise director and that it is important that the cruise director knows their names and makes them feel welcomed aboard? Same with the concierge? Am I missing something here????? I am on vacation and a smile and hello works for me... please explain....thanks!

 

I think that you are speaking about two different things.

 

Concierge services are specific to higher priced cabin categories. However, a concierge is responsible for a number of clients on any given cruise. It requires some skill to, be available to, and meet the needs of, several clients. An experienced and capable concierge may develop a reputation for providing attentive, high quality service that meets or exceeds client requests and thereby garner a loyal following.

 

The cruise director, on the other hand, is a bit different. For instance, my husband and I cruise and never interact with the cruise director. For others, close interaction with the cruise director is an important part of their vacation experience.

 

The cruise director is responsible for overall ship board entertainment and generally to see that cruisers enjoy their vacation. If you are actively participating in numerous ship board activities, classes, demonstrations etc., you are more likely to be interested in knowing who the cruise director is. You are also more likely meet this individual as you move among various venues. Naturally, each cruise director has their own unique style and thereby may develop a loyal following among cruisers who find their style appealing.

 

Hope this helps!

[clmom]

Why do people post that they want to know the name of the cruise director and that it is important that the cruise director knows their names and makes them feel welcomed aboard? Same with the concierge? Am I missing something here????? I am on vacation and a smile and hello works for me... please explain....thanks!

If the cruise director is lazy or not very sociable it is reflected in his/her staff on board and the daily activities that they are in charge of arranging. We have had wonderful CDs on our NCL cruises, 1 lukewarm one on our last Princess and the I could really tell the difference. Before that, I also did not understand what the big fuss was about.

I suppose that if you had some issues while cruising, you would also want a good concierge who is liked and respected by the staff he oversees. Attitude trickles down.

Hope this helps!

[cb at sea]

A lot of cruisers take great pride in getting to know everyone on the ship. They are quite familiar with the CD, the Captain, the Maitr'd, etc....

 

For me, I use the ship as I would a hotel....I don't care who runs it, I don't care who steers it, I simply don't care! As long as I don't have to do anything but relax and have fun, I'm good!

 

No...you're not the only one who doesn't give a fig who the CD is!

[fsuhockette]

A lot of cruisers take great pride in getting to know everyone on the ship. They are quite familiar with the CD, the Captain, the Maitr'd, etc....

 

For me, I use the ship as I would a hotel....I don't care who runs it, I don't care who steers it, I simply don't care! As long as I don't have to do anything but relax and have fun, I'm good!

 

No...you're not the only one who doesn't give a fig who the CD is!

 

Ditto. If I happen to interact with one fine but I'm not about to seek someone out.

[AllBoys2002]

I'm with you. This is just a vacation for me and I am just another customer for them. I'm not expecting to exchange Christmas cards. Some people make much more of this than it is....:confused:

 

We actually do with a few staff members....

[Fishbait17]

I think a lot of this stems from people who have cruised NCL quite a bit and have gotten to know some staff members rather well. For example, I have sailed the Jade twice and will be sailing her again next month, and I have made friends with several of the staff members on board, so I would be delighted to see them again! Also, some of my friends from other ships have since transferred to the Jade, so would love to see them as well. I never feel obligated to make friends with the crew, but often we just hit it off..

 

Robin

[reefgirl]

I sailed on the Pearl in 2009, which was my first NCL cruise. I really looked forward to meeting the concierge because I heard remarkably glowing praise on this board about him. I wasn't that crazy about him, but I had a great cruise. So, I'm with the OP on this one

[98Charlie]

I think a lot of this stems from people who have cruised NCL quite a bit and have gotten to know some staff members rather well. For example, I have sailed the Jade twice and will be sailing her again next month, and I have made friends with several of the staff members on board, so I would be delighted to see them again! Also, some of my friends from other ships have since transferred to the Jade, so would love to see them as well. I never feel obligated to make friends with the crew, but often we just hit it off..

 

Robin

Yup, this November will be trip #5 on the Spirit in 5 years. Many of the staff have stayed with the ship over the years.

 

No, we don't exchange Christmas greetings. It's nice to see familiar faces.

 

We've cruised only insides on the Spirit and still have ended up meeting the Concierge and CD on each cruise.

 

Charlie

[cherbear4000]

I may be wrong here, but I doubt many of the cruise staff become 'friends' with the guests. Some of the guests may feel that way, but I doubt it is mutual. In the service industry, where you rely on tips, of course the staff is nice to the guests. Of course they act like your friends. They want the extra tips and the great comments on the review cards. I have many friends that have worked as servers in a restaurant, and had many regulars. They treated the customers like friends not because they cared, but for the tips. I am sure there are exceptions, but in general, I doubt most of the cruise staff truly want to become friends with the guests. They are just doing their jobs.

[robhwood]

Wait staff and cabin steward are about as high up in the service food chain that interest me.

 

Seem to get better service when you are on a first name basis with those folks.

[broadwaychris]

Wait staff and cabin steward are about as high up in the service food chain that interest me.

 

Seem to get better service when you are on a first name basis with those folks.

 

Amen. Most people who've worked service industry jobs know that it's all about the tip, there and then. The swell guy you see, eighty percent of the time, isn't that into you and ain't really swell at all. I mean, if you like making friends, dynamite, but getting to know the schmucky CD just doesn't make mediocre shows any better or lessen any of the nickel & diming they have you on board for.

[trish1c]

There were a few that I loved who moved around. It would be nice to see them again. Alas I think some are gone forever & it makes me wonder why NCL let them go b/c they were so fantastic.

Others annoyed me to no end.

If I'm between 2 ships / itineraries, knowing somebody I enjoyed vs. was anoyed by vs. unknown may tip the scales of my decision.

[garycarla]

Concierge is one thing, but CD - well the CD is trying to make 2,000 people happy for one week. And then he/she does it again. And again.

 

What really kills me is people that ask who it is right now, but they are not cruising for another month or so. The CD or any other staff person could always be on shore leave during the time they cruise anyways.

[Fishbait17]

I may be wrong here, but I doubt many of the cruise staff become 'friends' with the guests. Some of the guests may feel that way, but I doubt it is mutual. In the service industry, where you rely on tips, of course the staff is nice to the guests. Of course they act like your friends. They want the extra tips and the great comments on the review cards. I have many friends that have worked as servers in a restaurant, and had many regulars. They treated the customers like friends not because they cared, but for the tips. I am sure there are exceptions, but in general, I doubt most of the cruise staff truly want to become friends with the guests. They are just doing their jobs.

 

Yeah, some are just "friendly", but a few do become friends. There are some staff members I correspond with on a regular basis, one that I have been discussing a business venture with, and one I have spent time off the ship with. But of course, I have no need to ask whether they are on my cruise, because I know where they are. There are also some butlers (and casino staff) who gave me such great service that I would love to bring them a small gift if I knew they were going to be on my sailing. As for concierges, sometimes I want to know exactly who I might be dealing with beforehand - good or bad - and whether I know them well enough to send an email ahead with any special requests (I haven't done this yet, but it might be worthwhile in the future). Never really cared who the CD was....yet....

 

It's the same with everything in life - on occasion you meet people who just simply become friends. In all my travels over all these years (77 countries!) I have become friends with tour guides, people I met over dinner, people I have cruised with, people I have played tennis with, people who just happened into my life in all kinds of circumstances. I correspond with them and sometimes visit them or they visit me.

 

Robin

[BIG_Steve]

Why do people post that they want to know the name of the cruise director and that it is important that the cruise director knows their names and makes them feel welcomed aboard? Same with the concierge? Am I missing something here????? I am on vacation and a smile and hello works for me... please explain....thanks!

 

What's the difference? It's important to some. Case closed.

[NeilD]

A lot of cruisers take great pride in getting to know everyone on the ship. They are quite familiar with the CD, the Captain, the Maitr'd, etc....

 

For me, I use the ship as I would a hotel....I don't care who runs it, I don't care who steers it, I simply don't care! As long as I don't have to do anything but relax and have fun, I'm good!

 

No...you're not the only one who doesn't give a fig who the CD is!

 

Feel the same....nothing wrong with knowing everyone....For me, as long as my bartenders know me I am fine....Funny how I remember all THEIR names.....

[terrymtex01]

OP.. as you can see by the postings, there are many reasons people want to know who the staff is. For us we loved a Concierge so much (our dear Simone) that honestly we looked forward to sailing with her again like we were going to visit an old friend. So if she was still with NCL, I would love to know where she is currently and if she was going to be on the same ship that we had booked simply because it would be wonderful to see her again. Another reason we would like to know who the Concierge is would be for some that we did not care for as much, and we would know going into the cruise how we would relate to that person, etc. Plain and simple. Don't take that wrong either. We have never had a Concierge ruin a cruise for us. While we have had the range in a Concierge from great to almost non-existant, I wouldn't let a bad one ruin our cruise. Our cruise is just that... our cruise.. it is up to us to make it or break it.. 8-). Plus, we have had a Concierge that folks here on CC rave about that we just didn't care for. No harm, no foul. Different strokes for different folks.

 

As far as the cruise director, the only time it would make a difference to us would be if Simon was going to be onboard. We thought he was too funny and a joy to see around the ship. When we would be walking through the ship and see him coming it was so nice to see him greet everyone he passed. He was just a funny uplifting kind of guy who makes everyone feel good who is around him.

 

I agree 100% with those that said the ones who made the biggest difference were the Cabin Stewards, etc. They are the ones, IMHO, who can make the biggest impact directly on your cruise experience. We have been very fortunate to have the same Cabin Stewards a couple of times, but no matter what, we have always found NCL's Cabin Stewards top notch.

[Kelly07]

OP.. as you can see by the postings, there are many reasons people want to know who the staff is. For us we loved a Concierge so much (our dear Simone) that honestly we looked forward to sailing with her again like we were going to visit an old friend. So if she was still with NCL, I would love to know where she is currently and if she was going to be on the same ship that we had booked simply because it would be wonderful to see her again. Another reason we would like to know who the Concierge is would be for some that we did not care for as much, and we would know going into the cruise how we would relate to that person, etc. Plain and simple. Don't take that wrong either. We have never had a Concierge ruin a cruise for us. While we have had the range in a Concierge from great to almost non-existant, I wouldn't let a bad one ruin our cruise. Our cruise is just that... our cruise.. it is up to us to make it or break it.. 8-). Plus, we have had a Concierge that folks here on CC rave about that we just didn't care for. No harm, no foul. Different strokes for different folks.

 

As far as the cruise director, the only time it would make a difference to us would be if Simon was going to be onboard. We thought he was too funny and a joy to see around the ship. When we would be walking through the ship and see him coming it was so nice to see him greet everyone he passed. He was just a funny uplifting kind of guy who makes everyone feel good who is around him.

 

I agree 100% with those that said the ones who made the biggest difference were the Cabin Stewards, etc. They are the ones, IMHO, who can make the biggest impact directly on your cruise experience. We have been very fortunate to have the same Cabin Stewards a couple of times, but no matter what, we have always found NCL's Cabin Stewards top notch.

 

 

Thanks for posting and I do see your points. I have never used a concierge but can see where your points would make a difference. What have you had your concierge do? and their help comes with a price, correct? Thanks for everyones postings!!!

[crusinpsychRN]

If you've ever sailed with Butch as CD you'd know why people ask. He was incredible and knew everyones name I saw him near the whole week. He had so much energy and seemed so genuinely kind and caring he made the trip that much better. He was on Carnival's Glory at the time.

[nbsjcruiser]

If the cruise director is lazy or not very sociable it is reflected in his/her staff on board and the daily activities that they are in charge of arranging.

 

This is very true. Don't get me wrong, I couldn't possibly care less who the CD is by name. All I am interested in is his or her ability. For instance, on our first EOS cruise a gentleman by the name of Gordon (can't remember his last name) was the CD. He was always around and there seemed there almost was always an activity or something going on. I was very impressed with him and his staff. Two years later we went on the NOS expecting similar type of activities. Well, it was far below "Gordon's" standards. All I seemed to hear was "Its Bingo Time". 3 times a day. They were terrible.

 

I do find on the Carnival and Princess ships that the CD staff tend to use those big damn TVs as a sort of replacement for activities. Nighttime activities on deck are one of the things I enjoy. Not that I really participate a whole bunch but just to soak up the atmosphere and maybe have a drink or two. On Carnival and Princess, they fire up the movies. I think I can get that anywhere to be honest.

[terrymtex01]

Thanks for posting and I do see your points. I have never used a concierge but can see where your points would make a difference. What have you had your concierge do? and their help comes with a price, correct? Thanks for everyones postings!!!

 

If you are a suite guest, the Concierge will greet you in the suite check in at the terminal and will "avail" himself to you. Basically the way to think of it is this way. The Butler will take care of any of your needs in the suite and the Concierge will take care of any of your needs outside the suite. Sometimes the Butler and Concierge work together if there is an overlap of duties.

 

Really all we have ever used the Concierge for is to make our restaurant reservations and I believe we used the Concierge services once for something related to an excursion, but I honestly do not remember in what capasity. The Concierge will also make sure you get priority tender into ports as well as make sure you have the right color luggage tags you need to disembark final morning. Usually the Concierge will greet you at breakfast every morning if you have breakfast in Cagneys.

 

Basically any thing you need help with onboard the ship the Butler and/or Concierge will help in any way they can. You should always start with one of them for any help you need and if it is something they can't help with, they will get you in touch with the correct person.

 

I see you are going onboard the Star. You will love her. She is a very pretty ship and has an amazing crew. The Concierge we adored was the Concierge for the Star. If her husband is still the Head Chef there, Chef Andreas (sp) you should try to meet him. He is a delight.

[Kelly07]

Thank you for all the replies. I really appreciate it. Yes, we are getting ready to go on the Star next month and want to make sure I have everything covered. Last week-long cruise was on Princess a few years back and then a short weekend one on NCL recently. It's going to be nice to compare the two.

Thanks again!