Haven Tipping

[vicocala]

Changing the subject in my own thread but where is the reserved seating in the theater? I had previously reserved my dining and shows before I got the Haven. Would we be better off just going ourselves?

[fshagan]

Another question: How do I ignore posters. :rolleyes:

 

Click on User CP in the upper left, then find the "Ignore List":

 

http://screencast.com/t/NS8W6rIaYEpR

[vicocala]

Click on User CP in the upper left, then find the "Ignore List":

 

http://screencast.com/t/NS8W6rIaYEpR

 

Thanks! Nothing as simple as watching how it is done.

[sjbdtz]

Changing the subject in my own thread but where is the reserved seating in the theater? I had previously reserved my dining and shows before I got the Haven. Would we be better off just going ourselves?

 

It varies by ship. Your pre-bookings are merely for A seat. WHICH seat is a function of lining-up first-come-first-served...OR the dedicated Suite seating.

 

Some of the suite seating is indicated as Garden Villa only, but typically the concierge is nearby and will allow any suite guest as long as there's room (there always has been when we've gone).

 

 

One of the main benefits of the concierge is eliminating the need to spend your vacation in line. You might be asked to get there early, but in exchange you're escorted through back entrances to arrive before the doors open to everybody else.

 

 

The concierge is also helpful at turning "no" answers into "yes" answers when it comes to dining. Not 100% of the time, but we've found they have a good track record. Any of us can TRY to do our own dining arrangements, but we've found greater success in having the concierge as a middle-man.

 

 

 

Stephen

 

.

[vulcan1971]

Tip: You can go to the Guest Services desk and tell them you want to add a gratuity for your butler and concierge....they'll ask your room number, and the amounts for each...and write-up onboard charge slips which then get billed to your room (and eventually to your credit card). You get a receipt, and the butler/concierge gets a copy and the funds are transferred into their account electronically. I usually go down to guest services the 2nd-last evening.

 

Anyone can be taken care of through guest services, just get their first and last name.

 

Thank you both for your helpful suggestions and information.

 

I will be returning to the EPIC Haven in February 2016 and it will be interesting to see if my partner and I recognize any of the staff that previously served us in February 2014.

[lovetrauma]

On My Breakaway Cruise My Bultler Lannie was Awesome and I tipped her very well. My Concierege Adrian was Awful and was not tipped. Whenever I called him he was too busy and Never returned my call. I even spoke to Hotel Director and got nowhere. Hopefully on my upcoming Cruise My Butler & Concierege are both great.

[cats04]

Ask a simple question and get some snarky replies. I was interested in your question that is why I opened the thread. Thanks for the great feedback by those that gave information and not criticism of what has been tipped in the past.

Kindness is free, sprinkle that stuff everywhere.

 

I think you misunderstood my post. I was agreeing with ignoring the rude post....stating it wasn't necessary. Guess I kept it too brief. I can't stand when someone asks a simple questions and people have to be rude. If you don't like the question, move on. Don't make comments about whether or not someone can afford to stay in the Haven. Again, that's in general..not directed towards you or the original post :)

[AEckhardt]

On My Breakaway Cruise My Bultler Lannie was Awesome and I tipped her very well. My Concierege Adrian was Awful and was not tipped. Whenever I called him he was too busy and Never returned my call. I even spoke to Hotel Director and got nowhere. Hopefully on my upcoming Cruise My Butler & Concierege are both great.

 

 

I am surprised to hear that. Adrian was absolutely wonderful to us when we were on the Breakaway. He definitely improved our vacation and we compensated him very well for all he did. Perhaps he was under more demand during your sailing than he was on mine. I hope your next experience is a better one.

 

Happy cruising

[mrschipsfc]

On the Jewel May 16th sailing, we also tipped the Haven attendant, Jon. He was very attentive and very professional. He definitely deserved a bit extra.

[vince_g]

Changing the subject in my own thread but where is the reserved seating in the theater? I had previously reserved my dining and shows before I got the Haven. Would we be better off just going ourselves?

 

There is a small section which is roped off for suite guests only, but they do take down the ropes 5-10 minutes before the show, so it is really not what you could call dedicated seating. On Breakaway the roped off section was about 1/3 way up the left section.

[vicocala]

Thank you very much for your responses they have been most helpful. My DW and I appreciate your input and judging by the hits, a lot of others as well. Thanks again!

[maxwellito]

Why do you care who other people tipped

You should tip according to the service you received

It is up to you to tip whomever you want to tip

Just because someone else tipped the concierge or butler doesn't mean you have to

[vicocala]

Why do you care who other people tipped

You should tip according to the service you received

It is up to you to tip whomever you want to tip

Just because someone else tipped the concierge or butler doesn't mean you have to

 

I answered that in a previous post.

 

" I understand it is a personal thing and many would prefer to keep it private, but in fairness to both the server and the served honest opinions should be shared. That at least is my opinion, so thank you again to you and all who have shared their experiences."

Edited June 2, 2015 by vicocala

[UKLloyd]

Sorry, I am probably going to come across as stupid here. We upgraded our normal cabin choice of a balcony cabin to the haven courtyard penthouse a few days back now.

 

I am enjoying reading through the haven threads but this one has me asking myself questions, that i cannot answer. :) But i bet you can,

 

what is the difference between the room steward and the butler? What does he/she do? and the concierge, what is his roll?

 

If we have pre paid our DSC, Who does this cover?

[vicocala]

Sorry, I am probably going to come across as stupid here. We upgraded our normal cabin choice of a balcony cabin to the haven courtyard penthouse a few days back now.

 

I am enjoying reading through the haven threads but this one has me asking myself questions, that i cannot answer. :) But i bet you can,

 

what is the difference between the room steward and the butler? What does he/she do? and the concierge, what is his roll?

 

If we have pre paid our DSC, Who does this cover?

 

As I understand it your DSC includes your room steward and dining room attendants as well as many of the backroom services we don't ordinarily see. This is how I view their roles:

 

Steward: cleans your room

Butler : Makes your room more enjoyable

Concierge: Get's you out of your room by helping with reservations

 

That is way over simplified but it gives you a general idea.

Edited June 2, 2015 by vicocala

[amarvel]

[quote name='mrschipsfc']On the Jewel May 16th sailing, we also tipped the Haven attendant, Jon. He was very attentive and very professional. He definitely deserved a bit extra.[/QUOTE]
We love jon! He really made the experience top notch for us. Absolutely had to tip him. I'm really hoping he is on the jewel when we sail her again this winter.

The concierge can also help you with really small things as well. She came and held the elevator a couple times for us. Not something that I've heard people say to ask but my mom is not the best in elevators especially when they are crowded. So on port days she would come up to 14 and lock the elevator so we could go all the way down to the bottom without stopping at any other floors. Yes it was a simple task but it was a nice gesture from her to do that as well.

I honestly would budget more for tips than you think. Something will probably happen during your cruise that will make you want to give at least someone more tip then you thought. And it's nice to have that extra money on hand. for example we did not know if we would use the courtyard valet that much. Jon ended up being our main guy almost the entire week. We had breakfast out there every day and he was so wonderful to all our needs the entire time we used the haven so we were glad we brought extra money because we ended up giving him more than we thought :-)

[UKLloyd]

[quote name='vicocala']As I understand it your DSC includes your room steward and dining room attendants as well as many of the backroom services we don't ordinarily see. This is how I view their roles:

Steward: cleans your room
Butler : Makes your room more enjoyable
Concierge: Get's you out of your room by helping with reservations

That is way over simplified but it gives you a general idea.[/QUOTE]

Hey, thanks for answering.

So would you suggest booking ahead of time before we hit the ship, or are we ok to just wait until on board and go evening by evening?

Thanks again.

[vicocala]

Before I knew I was going to be in the Haven I booked three nights of specialty dinners on sea days as well as the lunch show "Wine Lovers" I also pre-booked my theater times. I just felt with 4,000+ passengers it was the wise thing to do.

Now I probably will have dinner at least one night in the Haven restaurant and possibly more. I may also add another specialty night since with the concierge as it would appear to be more likely to book a night on-board.

[DMH15]

[quote name='vulcan1971']Thank you both for your helpful suggestions and information.



I will be returning to the EPIC Haven in February 2016 and it will be interesting to see if my partner and I recognize any of the staff that previously served us in February 2014.[/QUOTE]

I have been even more amazed by tg ones who recognize US! It is AMAZING!

[vulcan1971]

[quote name='DMH15']I have been even more amazed by tg ones who recognize US! It is AMAZING![/QUOTE]


We had some lovely staff taking great care of us during our Caribbean 7 day itinerary and many were looking forward to being in Europe permanently. I hope they all renewed their contracts.


Sent from my iPhone 6 Plus on the T-Mobile 4G LTE Network using Tapatalk Pro

[MJSailors]

To the OP-
I appreciated your question as my DH and I have taken an upsell offer for a Penthouse Suite on the Breakaway cruise to Bermuda.
Since we last sailed on NCL about 20 years ago ( we have since been Princess customers), we are not familiar with the present NCL cruise experience and this is our first suite experience,so we are not familiar with tipping policies there.
We are pleased to read about the tipping suggestions.
My DH and I think that no matter what accommodation one has on a ship or resort, tipping for service is a kind recognition of the work that servers,stewards and other staff members offer us on our vacations.
Kindness-pass it on!

[vicocala]

[quote name='MJSailors']To the OP-
I appreciated your question as my DH and I have taken an upsell offer for a Penthouse Suite on the Breakaway cruise to Bermuda.
Since we last sailed on NCL about 20 years ago ( we have since been Princess customers), we are not familiar with the present NCL cruise experience and this is our first suite experience,so we are not familiar with tipping policies there.
We are pleased to read about the tipping suggestions.
My DH and I think that no matter what accommodation one has on a ship or resort, tipping for service is a kind recognition of the work that servers,stewards and other staff members offer us on our vacations.
Kindness-pass it on![/QUOTE]

Thank you for your kind reply and I am glad others have come to the thread to inform and enlighten. Enjoy your Suite!

[fshagan]

[quote name='charlotte&lloyd']
what is the difference between the room steward and the butler? What does he/she do? and the concierge, what is his roll?

If we have pre paid our DSC, Who does this cover?[/quote]

DSC covers everyone except the butler and concierge.

The butler is, well, the butler. On land, when the doorbell rings, the butler answers the door. On the ship when the doorbell rings, you go and open the door and it's the butler. I had trouble with that at first.

The butler will hand any room service orders, make sure the coffee maker is operating, bring you canapes or chocolate covered strawberries each afternoon, etc. The room steward will clean the suite.

The concierge will help you with any reservations you need at shows, dinner, etc.

It's customary to tip the butler and concierge since they are not included in the DSC.

[MJSailors]

[quote name='vicocala']Thank you for your kind reply and I am glad others have come to the thread to inform and enlighten. Enjoy your Suite![/QUOTE]

Thank you!
Enjoy your upcoming cruise!

[UKLloyd]

[quote name='fshagan']DSC covers everyone except the butler and concierge.

The butler is, well, the butler. On land, when the doorbell rings, the butler answers the door. On the ship when the doorbell rings, you go and open the door and it's the butler. I had trouble with that at first.

The butler will hand any room service orders, make sure the coffee maker is operating, bring you canapes or chocolate covered strawberries each afternoon, etc. The room steward will clean the suite.

The concierge will help you with any reservations you need at shows, dinner, etc.

It's customary to tip the butler and concierge since they are not included in the DSC.[/QUOTE]

Thank you very much for explaining it. Very much appreciated. I will budget accordingly.

Thanks again.