Butler and 'Do Not Disturb' silly question...

[Arizona Packer Backer]

Hi all,

 

I've been reading the CC forums as well as the reviews, (thanks for all the info!!) and I have a perhaps silly butler question, but I'll ask anyway. I'm a bit new to NCL...

 

DH and I have a suite for an upcoming cruise, and we plan on having a couple of dinners in our room, so we will be asking a few things of our butler. However, what about when you DON'T want to see him/her? I've read a few reviews that say the butler just walked right into their suite a few times, while the guest was there - will they do this even if you have the 'Do Not Disturb' sign on your door? Do they even have these signs on NCL?

 

That would freak me out, to be honest. Please don't laugh - I'm serious!! I'm looking forward to having a butler, but I also love to nap on vacation, and I don't want to worry about anyone wandering into my stateroom while I'm asleep.

 

I also ask this because I've been in a couple of hotels that ignored the 'Do Not Disturb' sign, and it was really irritating to continually wake up to Little Miss Mini Bar Stocker at 7 AM.

 

I do understand that, obviously, our cabin steward and butler will be going into our room to clean, leave treats, and whatnot - I'm totally fine with that. I'd just love to know that they won't do that if we hang out the Do Not Disturb sign.

 

Thanks!

[Guindalf]

In our experience, generally, the DND notice (usually a spinner by the door) is always respected. It has several settings - Welcome, DND, Turn down room and make up room (IIRC).

 

Of course YMMV, but I don't think you have anything to worry about.

[Abear2]

If you have a Do Not Disturb sign up, he will not enter! He may call though, unless you take your phone off the hook! ;):D

[khaide612]

Simple - when you meet your butler, tell him/her that you do not want them to enter when the Do Not Disturb is on.

[Arizona Packer Backer]

Ok, thank you all very much! Good to know about the phone, too. ;) I just might take it off the hook...

[travelmatron]

If you tell your butler you like to take afternoon naps he/she probably won't even call. They really do try to work themselves into your schedule rather than trying to get you to learn their routine.

[ColinIllinois]

Use the sign and lock your door. Simple.

[tarps14]

Sounds simple enough, however, it doesn't always work. The DH and I were walked in on by the beverage service guy back in Oct on the Jewel. We did have the DND posted, however, the deadbolt lock was not set (lesson learned). The timing couldn't have been worse as we were dressing for the day and I had just removed my nightgown while the DH was in his skivvies. I managed to dive into the bed and get the covers pulled up just in the nick of time as this guy is strolling across the cabin (we were in an Owner's suite and he was delivering the included liquor). The DH, still in his underwear mind you, promptly escorted the dude back to the door and physically pointed out the DND that was posted. Of course, he was full of all kinds of apologies (as was our butler, the concierge and the hotel director. And, no, we didn't complain to everyone we saw, the butler passed the incident along to the concierge and he went to the hotel director).

 

So, while the butlers do notice and respect the DND, not all staff will. Setting the deadbolt lock is the surest way of preventing this from happening.

[luvtheships]

Use the deadbolt

 

really that's the logical thing to do for privacy and safety

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Edited February 5, 2015 by luvtheships

[Arizona Packer Backer]

Sounds simple enough, however, it doesn't always work. The DH and I were walked in on by the beverage service guy back in Oct on the Jewel. We did have the DND posted, however, the deadbolt lock was not set (lesson learned). The timing couldn't have been worse as we were dressing for the day and I had just removed my nightgown while the DH was in his skivvies. I managed to dive into the bed and get the covers pulled up just in the nick of time as this guy is strolling across the cabin (we were in an Owner's suite and he was delivering the included liquor). The DH, still in his underwear mind you, promptly escorted the dude back to the door and physically pointed out the DND that was posted. Of course, he was full of all kinds of apologies (as was our butler, the concierge and the hotel director. And, no, we didn't complain to everyone we saw, the butler passed the incident along to the concierge and he went to the hotel director).

 

Yeah, that's the kind of thing I was wondering about. And while it may sound silly, I didn't remember if our previous NCL cabin had a deadbolt or not. Good to know that they do, and we'll be sure to use it. Thanks much!

[GeezerCouple]

Use the deadbolt

 

really that's the logical thing to do for privacy and safety

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Yes, exactly.

Just like in any other hotel room.

 

However, we told our Butler that he *could* come in any time, and he could ignore the Do Not Disturb sign - that we would use the deadbolt if we really didn't want anyone at all to enter.

 

We also told him that if there was a Do Not Disturb sign up, and the deadbolt was "open", that there was a good chance that one or both of us would be napping, so to "please be quiet unless you see/hear us up and around".

 

He was marvelous, and really quiet.

We'd frequently emerge from the bedroom and find requested goodies on the table, even if we had been awake and just reading alternating with looking out the window (or sitting on the balcony reading or even napping there).

 

How he could be so quiet, with trays of plates and flatware and glasses, and setting/clearing the table...?? But he was.

 

Again, if you REALLY do not want to be disturbed, use the deadbolt.

It's such an easy thing to do, and then it doesn't even matter if you had the correct setting on the sign.

 

In one of the suites that is really just one large room, then obviously it would be difficult for someone to enter and not disturb someone napping.

In that case, just use the deadbolt more frequently.

 

GeezerCouple

[Briji04]

Since we ordered breakfast to be delivered to our room each morning,I was concerned about changing the sign to DND. I was thinking he wouldn't deliver it. However, our butler just called us each time he was on the way with food. We didn't even get out of bed. He came in, set the table and left. We had the curtains closed around the bed. It was nice not to jump out of bed to open the door They will adapt to your likes and dislikes.

[Arizona Packer Backer]

You all are awesome with the tips and info - thanks so much! We're really looking forward to this cruise! :D

[amarvel]

Our Butler would ring the doorbell every time he wanted in. Even when we knew he was coming. Id assume that a DND sign would signal not to enter. Good info though that if you really dont want someone to enter to use the deadbolt.

 

We also found we also really learned the Butlers schedule and could plan accordingly as well. I don't remember him coming around as much in the morning when we were getting ready unless we ordered breakfast.

[don't-use-real-name]

You all are awesome with the tips and info - thanks so much! We're really looking forward to this cruise! :D

 

Don't forget one of the perks of being in a suite is breakfast at Cagney's -

cruise casual (shorts ok) - no bath robes please !

 

Fussy about what and how you like your breakfast spell it out to the butler.

That breakfast in room service card you only will need to use it once.

The butler will do the rest with an instant replay each morning.

Discuss it with the butler the day/night before - it helps to go to the buffet

to get an idea of what is available - Like your eggs as an omelet tell him

what you want inside and the type/sort of seasoning you like - bacon -

sausage - pastries - side order of potatoes - and just because it is not on

the buffet menu does not mean that it is not available. ASK !

 

Since you are in a suite you have one of them coffee machines - like some

other kind of coffee order it. I have found that from time to time the buffet

coffee is better than the machine coffee in the stateroom. Have the butler

bring a pot of it with cream* and sugar if that is your taste.

*Real cream not that freeze dried in the miniature thimble packs !

 

Have fun the first time in a suite is a real suite experience.

 

Afternoon snacks and COOKIES make your request known. Mentioned elsewhere

in the forum about NCL rationing the COOKIES out and they are scarce have

the butler scout them out for you.

 

When you first check into your suite there is usually a bowl of mixed fruit in

the stateroom - have the butler fill it with the fruits of your choice and remove

those that are not.

 

Need space for YOUR stuff in the mini-fridge have the butler remove the NCL

highway robbery contents and stow it somewhere else.

The ship made ice melts very fast - let the butler know about any need for lots

and lots of ice for your drinks and to keep the ice bucket filled !

 

But WAIT - THERE IS MORE !

It is not complicated you will know the suite drill in no time - have further

questions/inquiries ask the butler or concierge - live it up !

[david_sobe]

I have never experienced a butler or room service just walking into a room. They always knock or ring the bell first. If you put the "do not disturb" sign on the door, no one will bother you.

[Arizona Packer Backer]

Don't forget one of the perks of being in a suite is breakfast at Cagney's -

cruise casual (shorts ok) - no bath robes please !

 

Fussy about what and how you like your breakfast spell it out to the butler.

That breakfast in room service card you only will need to use it once.

The butler will do the rest with an instant replay each morning.

Discuss it with the butler the day/night before - it helps to go to the buffet

to get an idea of what is available - Like your eggs as an omelet tell him

what you want inside and the type/sort of seasoning you like - bacon -

sausage - pastries - side order of potatoes - and just because it is not on

the buffet menu does not mean that it is not available. ASK !

 

Since you are in a suite you have one of them coffee machines - like some

other kind of coffee order it. I have found that from time to time the buffet

coffee is better than the machine coffee in the stateroom. Have the butler

bring a pot of it with cream* and sugar if that is your taste.

*Real cream not that freeze dried in the miniature thimble packs !

 

Have fun the first time in a suite is a real suite experience.

 

Afternoon snacks and COOKIES make your request known. Mentioned elsewhere

in the forum about NCL rationing the COOKIES out and they are scarce have

the butler scout them out for you.

 

When you first check into your suite there is usually a bowl of mixed fruit in

the stateroom - have the butler fill it with the fruits of your choice and remove

those that are not.

 

Need space for YOUR stuff in the mini-fridge have the butler remove the NCL

highway robbery contents and stow it somewhere else.

The ship made ice melts very fast - let the butler know about any need for lots

and lots of ice for your drinks and to keep the ice bucket filled !

 

But WAIT - THERE IS MORE !

It is not complicated you will know the suite drill in no time - have further

questions/inquiries ask the butler or concierge - live it up !

 

More excellent tips, thanks again! Oh, and don't worry, I won't show up for breakfast at Cagney's in my bathrobe. ;)