Suite questions and 4perks deal questions

[hpecorari]

Whoo hoo. The butler should be able to retire early splitting $2 per person per day from suite guests. Please note: sarcastic tone.

 

Note: the butler would have to split that with the consignor. Therefore, each would get $14.00 each. Unless you used one more than the other and could somehow request one get only $10.00 and the other get $18.00.....if there were two people in the room for 7 days. LOL

 

Harriet

[Cmdr Cody]

Think of it this way. 2 people in the suite. 7 days. $2.00 x 7 = $14.00 per person. $28.00 total extra for the Butler and the Concierge? So, they'd, what, split that each getting a $14.00 tip each if there are 2 people in the suite for 7 days? Does that really sound right to you?

 

 

 

My understanding is that the extra $2.00 pp is due to the fact that the suite is bigger, takes more time to clean it, remove dishes, etc. etc. etc.

 

 

 

Yet, NCL's website clearly states that they are not included in the service charge.

 

 

 

In regard to you mentioning the HD....I did ask on my last cruise which was on the Gem last week......and that's why I believe I'm correct - in addition to what NCL website says. I also asked the Butler and Concierge - both confirmed my understanding as well.

 

 

 

Harriet

 

 

Harriet, the suite being bigger is covered by paying two to five times as much for the suite. Two people in a Deluxe Owners Suite probably make much less a mess that four people in an inside cabin.

 

Two dollars per day is chicken feed I earn that in less than thirty seconds. So I don't mind paying.

[DMH15]

Note: the butler would have to split that with the consignor. Therefore, each would get $14.00 each. Unless you used one more than the other and could somehow request one get only $10.00 and the other get $18.00.....if there were two people in the room for 7 days. LOL

 

 

 

Harriet

 

 

I am agreeing with you that it is ridiculous.

[hpecorari]

Harriet, the suite being bigger is covered by paying two to five times as much for the suite. Two people in a Deluxe Owners Suite probably make much less a mess that four people in an inside cabin.

 

Two dollars per day is chicken feed I earn that in less than thirty seconds. So I don't mind paying.

 

I don't mind paying it either....and it has been quite some time since the DSC has been increased. They deserve every penny they get! Suites have more clean up without a doubt....since there are usually more meals served in a suite. I agree the suites pay more for a much bigger suite. However, that has nothing to do with the crew. It has to do with those booking it wanting a bigger room/suite and the perks it includes.

 

However, I still believe that the increase has nothing to do with their tips.

 

Harriet

Edited June 20, 2015 by hpecorari

[motleyfan]

Suites that get sodas and waters (and 3-6 bottles of liquor) are Owner's Suites, Deluxe Owner's Suites and Garden Villas.

 

that makes sense and is understandable they do pay a butt load more

[hpecorari]

I am agreeing with you that it is ridiculous.

 

I know....just felt it was worth saying it again - broken down per person.

 

Harriet

Edited June 20, 2015 by hpecorari

[Demonyte]

However, wouldn't it make complete sense now that with the increase of $2.00 to the DSC for suite guests, that that money could possibly go to the butler and concierge?

 

 

Some other lines also charge more from suite passengers based on cabin level only - just because they can.

[DMH15]

I know....just felt it was worth saying it again - broken down per person.

 

Harriet

 

 

 

Good. We are on the same page then. Just making sure.

[toyotaford]

Harriet, I don't doubt for one minute what you say is true as that has always been how we understood it to be. However, wouldn't it make complete sense now that with the increase of $2.00 to the DSC for suite guests, that that money could possibly go to the butler and concierge? As typical, we'll never know for sure until someone onboard actually asks someone 'in the know'. I would think guest services desk or, if someone has access to, the Hotel Director. Just a summation on my part. Certainly not fact.

 

I was on the Jewel for the 19 day Panama in April/May of this year. We were in a suite. Toward the end of the trip I went down to have the tip for the butler and concierge added to my room bill. At that time I ask about the extra 2.95 charged to suite guests and what it went for. The desk agent said it covered the servers in the private restaurants used by suite guests only. I don't really know if that's true or not since that staff waits in other areas as well. He said none of it went to the butler or concierge. Our concierge saw me at the desk and came by to make sure there was not an issue. When I told him I was verifying who was covered under the DSC he also said the butler and concierge do not get any of the DSC.

[fshagan]

Do we tip the butler separate from the auto gratuities? I'm assuming yes, but I need to ask since we've not sailed having a butler or suite before.

 

Let me rephrase this to avoid some of the bickering responses. If your question is: "Is it is customary for suite passengers to tip the butler separately" then the answer is: Yes, it is customary.

 

The amount to tip is what I struggle with. To be honest, the concierge on our one suite cruise rarely did anything for us, so I give a nominal tip ($50 for the week if I recall). If I used the concierge more perhaps I would have thought about giving more. The butler handles things like making sure your coffee machine is serviced, brings you afternoon canapes, handles in-suite meal set up and delivery and is otherwise available and attentive. We tipped him at a higher rate, I think it was $200 for the week. I may have thought about more if we had used him more too; we were on a port intensive cruise and didn't have any in-room meals or do anything "extra" that required his attendance.

[travelexplore3]

Perfect, yes I was trying to ask if it was customary. We've never done a suite on NCL. We've never had a butler. I really wasn't sure about how it all works. I appreciate your answer. It helps me to understand how this all works. I know tips can spark a large debate, and everyone should tip at what they can comfortably afford to tip, and never expect that anyone is just "covered" in the tip pool. Thank you again.

[tarps14]

Think of it this way. 2 people in the suite. 7 days. $2.00 x 7 = $14.00 per person. $28.00 total extra for the Butler and the Concierge? So, they'd, what, split that each getting a $14.00 tip each if there are 2 people in the suite for 7 days? Does that really sound right to you?

 

My understanding is that the extra $2.00 pp is due to the fact that the suite is bigger, takes more time to clean it, remove dishes, etc. etc. etc.

 

Yet, NCL's website clearly states that they are not included in the service charge.

 

In regard to you mentioning the HD....I did ask on my last cruise which was on the Gem last week......and that's why I believe I'm correct - in addition to what NCL website says. I also asked the Butler and Concierge - both confirmed my understanding as well.

 

Harriet

 

Well, there ya go. Question answered.

[GEORGET]

Hi there,

Hoping a few of you can offer me some answers to my questions. It has been 2 years since we've cruised, by the time we cruise next October 2016 it will have been 3 years. Lots I'm sure has changed. So I booked today for a 7 night in a penthouse aft. On NCL jewel. What all is included with a suite?

Do we tip the butler separate from the auto gratuities? I'm assuming yes, but I need to ask since we've not sailed having a butler or suite before.

What is a butler used for?

Does the room have free sodas and waters stocked daily or just once at the beginning?

We were given 4 perks for free.....we received the ultimate beverage package....never heard of this, read a little but not sure I get it, I'm aware there is an 18% gratuity charge, now is this per drink? Or 18% for the package per person upfront?

We also got the ultimate dining included....same question about the gratuity, is it pay per resteraunt or pay up front the entire 18%?

We got the 250 minute Internet use....can this be used in our room? My son is home schooled and he can use it on sea days to get that homework done. Lol

And we got the $75 per port excursion money... How does this work exactly? What if I don't spend it at the port? Can I use it onboard?

Thank you guys so much in advance. I'm trying to get this all figured out, so much new stuff, it's exciting! And our first time on NCL in a suite too!

 

Butler

will help you unpack if you want too, clean your shoes, if you want arrange with the concierge your dinning arrangements in the specialist restaurants UDP.... BUTLER will deliver food to your room and even set up the dinning table.

Suite perks free room service, reserved area in thearter,coffee machine, up market toiletres One bottle of water and we recieved a bottle of wine as well. tv with dvd.

Breakfast and Lunch in a resereved area or restaurant or served in your room by the butler.,VIP party with officers, priority boarding, tenders and disembarkation.

 

concierge

Will sort out problems, arrange dinning, airport/ airline bookings, shore excursions, disembarkation etc

 

UBP

for first 2 in cabin, all drinks up to $11 but not water or from the mini bar or via room service. just ask for the fridge to be emptied and brink drinks back from the bars.

UDP

SPECIALIST dinning, ask conceirge to arrange times as she can usually get you in if shown as full.

$75 dollar shore excursion allowance use it or lose it, cannot be used against your onboard spend. i think it is only for one trip not daily the whole cruise (uk site)

 

enjoy the extras you will want a suite every time after this.

 

have a gret cruise j

PS

The 18% there is confusion about this but on our last cruise the 18% was covered by the free package.

Bars showed the total price plus 18% but never appeared on the final bill, the dinning again showed the total but zeroed on final bill.

[Cmdr Cody]

Butler

 

will help you unpack if you want too, clean your shoes, if you want arrange with the concierge your dinning arrangements in the specialist restaurants UDP.... BUTLER will deliver food to your room and even set up the dinning table.

 

Suite perks free room service, reserved area in thearter,coffee machine, up market toiletres One bottle of water and we recieved a bottle of wine as well. tv with dvd.

 

Breakfast and Lunch in a resereved area or restaurant or served in your room by the butler.,VIP party with officers, priority boarding, tenders and disembarkation.

 

 

 

concierge

 

Will sort out problems, arrange dinning, airport/ airline bookings, shore excursions, disembarkation etc

 

 

 

UBP

 

for first 2 in cabin, all drinks up to $11 but not water or from the mini bar or via room service. just ask for the fridge to be emptied and brink drinks back from the bars.

 

UDP

 

SPECIALIST dinning, ask conceirge to arrange times as she can usually get you in if shown as full.

 

$75 dollar shore excursion allowance use it or lose it, cannot be used against your onboard spend. i think it is only for one trip not daily the whole cruise (uk site)

 

 

 

enjoy the extras you will want a suite every time after this.

 

 

 

have a gret cruise j

 

PS

 

The 18% there is confusion about this but on our last cruise the 18% was covered by the free package.

 

Bars showed the total price plus 18% but never appeared on the final bill, the dinning again showed the total but zeroed on final bill.

 

 

Our package the $75 was for EACH port call, it's a great deal if your going to a lot of ports, on a TA which is just a few ports, it's not real great.

 

Butler unpacking, never done it, but I know they will, I think if you demand this they deserve a larger tip.

 

Concierge, they make or break your cruise if there are any problems. On Breakaway, there were problems, but Anoop and his staff took care of them unlike how it would have been in a normal cabin, I wouldn't do a Mega ship (Epic and newer) outside the Haven, the ships are too crowded.

[hpecorari]

Concierge, they make or break your cruise if there are any problems. On Breakaway, there were problems, but Anoop and his staff took care of them unlike how it would have been in a normal cabin, I wouldn't do a Mega ship (Epic and newer) outside the Haven, the ships are too crowded.

 

I'm curious what kind of problems Anoop and his staff took care of that was different had you had a normal cabin? With a normal cabin couldn't you have taken care of it yourself through Guest Services or another venue?

 

Harriet

[motleyfan]

I am so excited for my first ( and probably only ) time in the Haven.

[hpecorari]

I am so excited for my first ( and probably only ) time in the Haven.

 

Believe me....we know! :D

 

Harriet