Questions for a first timer in Haven? :)

[rocky55]

Hi. Thank you for all your input. I have been on a number or cruises, and I have already been on the Breakaway. I am going on the Getaway this summer (sooooo excited) and for the first time in a Haven suite.

 

Here are my questions, 1. What time is it best for me to arrive at the Miami port? 2. How much have people tipped the butler and conceirge. It is me and my daughter. 3. Is it hard to get a chair in the Haven courtyard? When we are on the ship, about half the time I will be with my daughter, the other half, she loves splash academy (shes 11), so I like to spend that time relaxing on a chair reading a book. I was wondering if I should also buy a Vibe pass, if the Haven gets crowded and noisy. (Of course when I am with my daughter we will spend time at the kids pool and slides, this is just when she is in the camps which she usually spends a good amount of time).

 

Thank you again for all your help.

 

 

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[TrumpyNor]

Hi. Thank you for all your input. I have been on a number or cruises, and I have already been on the Breakaway. I am going on the Getaway this summer (sooooo excited) and for the first time in a Haven suite.

 

Here are my questions, 1. What time is it best for me to arrive at the Miami port? 2. How much have people tipped the butler and conceirge. It is me and my daughter. 3. Is it hard to get a chair in the Haven courtyard? When we are on the ship, about half the time I will be with my daughter, the other half, she loves splash academy (shes 11), so I like to spend that time relaxing on a chair reading a book. I was wondering if I should also buy a Vibe pass, if the Haven gets crowded and noisy. (Of course when I am with my daughter we will spend time at the kids pool and slides, this is just when she is in the camps which she usually spends a good amount of time).

 

Thank you again for all your help.

 

I have been in a Haven suite twice - on the Epic and on the Gem, and I will try to answer your questions based on my own experience:

1. We usually try to get to the port around 10.45-11.00 AM, and if you have a suite you are usually on board about 30 minutes later.

2. We have tipped the butler and the concierge around $30-$50 - depending on how much we have used their service.

3. My experience is that the Haven courtyard and the Haven sundeck is quiet, not busy at all. My last Haven experience was in August 2013, on the Epic - and even though all Haven suites were sold out it was never crowded or noisy at the courtyard or the Haven sundeck.

[funat55]

I have been in a Haven suite twice - on the Epic and on the Gem, and I will try to answer your questions based on my own experience:

1. We usually try to get to the port around 10.45-11.00 AM, and if you have a suite you are usually on board about 30 minutes later.

2. We have tipped the butler and the concierge around $30-$50 - depending on how much we have used their service.

3. My experience is that the Haven courtyard and the Haven sundeck is quiet, not busy at all. My last Haven experience was in August 2013, on the Epic - and even though all Haven suites were sold out it was never crowded or noisy at the courtyard or the Haven sundeck.

 

Thank you for your response. I am in the same situation, first time in suite. My question is regarding the tip to the butler and concierge. Were the amounts you quoted based on each occupant Ie 2 x $50. or one tip coming from the cabin

[graphicguy]

We're Haven virgins, too. We booked when NCL was offering the UDP and UBC gratis as perks. That said, can we have things like drinks, or let's say fruit or sushi delivered to our H9? Will there be an extra charge?

 

Thanks!

[Fishbait17]

We're Haven virgins, too. We booked when NCL was offering the UDP and UBC gratis as perks. That said, can we have things like drinks, or let's say fruit or sushi delivered to our H9? Will there be an extra charge?

 

Thanks!

 

You can have pretty much anything on the ship delivered to your H9, and pay whatever charge there would be out on the ship's public decks. Not sure how drinks would work with UBP - whether the butler needs to have your (tagged) room key to get them (requiring two trips to your cabin?). Sushi is usually an issue though, one of the items that generally would not be delivered to a suite, because of health concerns - we have requested and been denied, but it was a long time ago. Teppanyaki was also denied, because of the "show" cooking. There will be a fruit basket in your suite, but we have a plate of cut up fruit delivered with breakfast each morning as well. Whether there's a charge or not, your butler will deliver it, so be prepared to tip him/her for each trip to and from your cabin (we add it all up and tip at the end). Enjoy!

 

Robin

Edited April 10, 2014 by Fishbait17

[TrumpyNor]

Thank you for your response. I am in the same situation, first time in suite. My question is regarding the tip to the butler and concierge. Were the amounts you quoted based on each occupant Ie 2 x $50. or one tip coming from the cabin

 

For us it was per cabin (two persons) - but we didn't use their services very much. Usually we tip the concierge more than the butler, just because we "use" him more. We also have concierge with our Latitude Platinum status, even when we stay in a regular cabin (not a suite). And on a few cruises we have been fortunate to get "VIP-status" from the captain while staying in a regular cabin as well, and some of the concierges on NCL are even better than the rest, and that is when we go as high as $50. But the amount to tip is yours to decide - if you make them "work hard for their money" then I would probably consider tipping even higher... ;)

Edited April 10, 2014 by TrumpyNOR

[graphicguy]

Fishbait.....thanks!

Edited April 10, 2014 by graphicguy

[Fishbait17]

Hi. Thank you for all your input. I have been on a number or cruises, and I have already been on the Breakaway. I am going on the Getaway this summer (sooooo excited) and for the first time in a Haven suite.

 

Here are my questions, 1. What time is it best for me to arrive at the Miami port? 2. How much have people tipped the butler and conceirge. It is me and my daughter. 3. Is it hard to get a chair in the Haven courtyard? When we are on the ship, about half the time I will be with my daughter, the other half, she loves splash academy (shes 11), so I like to spend that time relaxing on a chair reading a book. I was wondering if I should also buy a Vibe pass, if the Haven gets crowded and noisy. (Of course when I am with my daughter we will spend time at the kids pool and slides, this is just when she is in the camps which she usually spends a good amount of time).

 

Thank you again for all your help.

 

 

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Tipping is a personal matter and one that is discussed in great length on several past threads-here's a fairly recent one http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1993994&highlight=butler+tip . Numbers are all over the place. We generally tip the butler $10 per person per day for general duties plus a few room service breakfasts, and the concierge $10 per cabin per day for general duties including a few restaurant reservations, etc. We go up from there for better and more service (dinner in the suite, drinks or extra snacks delivered, concierge escorts or special requests, etc) and down for poor service (although that has only happened once). We have been lucky with butlers, and always (except that once) had impeccable service warranting every penny of our tips.

 

Robin

Edited April 10, 2014 by Fishbait17

[rvsullivan]

Tipping is a personal matter and one that is discussed in great length on several past threads-here's a fairly recent one http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1993994&highlight=butler+tip . Numbers are all over the place. We generally tip the butler $10 per person per day for general duties plus a few room service breakfasts, and the concierge $10 per cabin per day for general duties including a few restaurant reservations, etc. We go up from there for better and more service (dinner in the suite, drinks or extra snacks delivered, concierge escorts or special requests, etc) and down for poor service (although that has only happened once). We have been lucky with butlers, and always (except that once) had impeccable service warranting every penny of our tips.

 

Robin

 

This is right on the money as to what we tip as a minimum. $10 per person per day for the butler and $10 per day for the cabin for the concierge. This is the minimum for basic service. Special requests/services earn additional.

[rocky55]

Thank you all for your responses. I feel confident now what to tip. I am still wondering if anyone had trouble getting a chair in the Haven courtyard, especially on the Breakaway or Getaway. Thanks to all my CC friends for your help. Also is 10 to early to arrive at the port?

 

 

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[Disney1992]

I think 10 might be a little too early to arrive at Port of Miami. I think you'll run into the folks leaving the Getaway, while you're trying to get on. We did the Epic last November and arrived at Port @10:45. It was a little crazy with the early arrivers and the last folks getting off the Epic. I think 11:00 would be fine, especially since you are a Haven guest.

 

For budgeting purposes, I also plan on $10 per person, per day for the Butler, @$10-$15 per cabin per day for Concierge. We also give our Cabin Steward extra, as they have always outdone themselves. On our last cruise, we also tipped our Breakfast server in the Haven Restaurant. We ate breakfast in the Restaurant everyday and had the same server every time. We increase or decrease (which we've never had to do) as we see fit.

[TrumpyNor]

For budgeting purposes, I also plan on $10 per person, per day for the Butler, @$10-$15 per cabin per day for Concierge. We also give our Cabin Steward extra, as they have always outdone themselves. On our last cruise, we also tipped our Breakfast server in the Haven Restaurant. We ate breakfast in the Restaurant everyday and had the same server every time. We increase or decrease (which we've never had to do) as we see fit.

 

Yes, we also always give something extra to the room steward, plus usually one or two of the waiters from breakfast/lunch depending on their usually magnificent service.

[Sam The Cat]

I have been in a Haven suite twice - on the Epic and on the Gem, and I will try to answer your questions based on my own experience:

1. We usually try to get to the port around 10.45-11.00 AM, and if you have a suite you are usually on board about 30 minutes later.

2. We have tipped the butler and the concierge around $30-$50 - depending on how much we have used their service.

3. My experience is that the Haven courtyard and the Haven sundeck is quiet, not busy at all. My last Haven experience was in August 2013, on the Epic - and even though all Haven suites were sold out it was never crowded or noisy at the courtyard or the Haven sundeck.

 

 

I have never been in the Haven but will be in 11 months Just qonder how is the Gem Haven I will be in 14014 if that makes a diference

[TrumpyNor]

I have never been in the Haven but will be in 11 months Just qonder how is the Gem Haven I will be in 14014 if that makes a diference

 

We were in 14012 back in 2008 - and it was soooooo nice. The suites are really nice, especially the bedroom and bathroom are really something! We had a two-bedroom suite, but apart from the second bedroom I believe that your suite will look pretty much the same as the one we had. You really have something to look forward to - I am a tiny bit jealous.... :p

 

I will enclose some photos of the suite plus the Gem Haven courtyard and sundeck for you - they are in thumbnail size, but hopefully large enough for you to see details anyway....

[funat55]

I appreciate all of the responses so far, even though I was not the original poster. I like it when someone else does the math lol. But I am starting to get an idea for what is customary. Just didn't want to get on board and have no clue whatsoever. Really these boards do help fill in the gaps.

[ChelseaFCFan]

I also want to thank everyone for their answers on this thread. We have booked a Haven Suite on the Jewel for August and appreciate all the advice on the message board regarding tipping.

[CasinoCruzGirl]

So it's ok to tip at the end and not each time the butler brings you something?

[Fishbait17]

So it's ok to tip at the end and not each time the butler brings you something?

 

Absolutely! That's what we do every time. The only times we "tip as we go" - night butler deliveries or Haven butler service (which we rarely do), extra (not necessary, but we've always thought they deserve extra) for waiters/bartenders/etc (since we will likely not see them again). We tip the butler, concierge, and room steward on the last night, with thank you cards we bring from home.

 

Robin

Edited April 11, 2014 by Fishbait17

[rocky55]

Thank you for all your responses! I feel I have the tipping down. I am still curious regarding the Haven Courtyard. Did anyone (especially on the Breakaway or Getaway) find it hard to find a chair. I am just wondering if I should buy the Vibe beach pass and get to the port extra early, or is it not necessary.

Thank you again.

 

 

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[barnacle_boy]

I've done the Haven on both Breakaway and Getaway. I never had a problem finding a chair. With the multilevel courtyard and the private sun deck, there's more than enough space for Haven passengers to relax.

 

 

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[blueline7]

 

For budgeting purposes, I also plan on $10 per person, per day for the Butler, @$10-$15 per cabin per day for Concierge. We also give our Cabin Steward extra, as they have always outdone themselves. On our last cruise, we also tipped our Breakfast server in the Haven Restaurant. We ate breakfast in the Restaurant everyday and had the same server every time. We increase or decrease (which we've never had to do) as we see fit.

 

I too appreciate the information, as I will be going on my first cruise, and it will be on the Breakaway in the Haven.

 

But I was a little surprised about the tipping suggestions. I realize that it is entirely discretionary, personal, etc., etc., but if there is a loose convention or somewhat established practice, or rule of thumb - whatever you want to call it - and it amounts to $10 per person per day, that would work out to $280 (7 days) for our family of two adults, an 8 year-old, and a 3-year old, which is in addition to the $361.28 that we pre-paid for gratuities, for a total of $641.28, not even including the Concierge or ad hoc tips, for the 7-day cruise! For real -? :confused:

[rwslv]

We gave $100 to both the butler and concierge and an additional $50 to the cabin steward. They all seemed happy with the amount. Also, we have never had an issue getting a deck chair at anytime.

[garycarla]

Tipping in the suites is a wide open discussion.

 

You will get LOTS of answers, including the useless "Tip appropriately" or "commensurate with service".

 

If you search on BUTLER or BUTLER TIPPING you will find some great discussions.

[TrumpyNor]

I too appreciate the information, as I will be going on my first cruise, and it will be on the Breakaway in the Haven.

 

But I was a little surprised about the tipping suggestions. I realize that it is entirely discretionary, personal, etc., etc., but if there is a loose convention or somewhat established practice, or rule of thumb - whatever you want to call it - and it amounts to $10 per person per day, that would work out to $280 (7 days) for our family of two adults, an 8 year-old, and a 3-year old, which is in addition to the $361.28 that we pre-paid for gratuities, for a total of $641.28, not even including the Concierge or ad hoc tips, for the 7-day cruise! For real -? :confused:

 

Like I have stated above (one of the first posts), we (2 adults) usually tip the butler and the concierge in the range of $30-$50 for a 7 days cruise if we are in a suite - but then again we do NOT use their services very much. And my personal opinion is that even IF you wanted to go by what several in here has stated with $10 per day per person, then I would not count the kids. It ultimately comes down to what YOU feel is the proper tipping amount at the end of the cruise - no need to decide how much until you know how much you and your family will be using the concierge and butler service.

 

My advice is: Just enjoy your Haven experience and decide what to do on the last day. If YOU feel that the service you have received was worth $50 or $200 (or any other amount), then that is what you go by - it is entirely up to you and nobody else.... :)

Edited April 13, 2014 by TrumpyNOR

[blueline7]

My advice is: Just enjoy your Haven experience and decide what to do on the last day. If YOU feel that the service you have received was worth $50 or $200 (or any other amount), then that is what you go by - it is entirely up to you and nobody else.... :)

 

Many thanks. Will take that approach. I am a generous tipper, having worked as a waiter in my younger years, so I want to 'do the right thing', but also don't want to feel like I am an 'employer' on board... :D