Michaels Club Concierge

[excitedofharpenden]

Since this is our first cruise, and we'll be staying in a Royal Suite, would like to clarify some things. We like to tip well when appropriate service is provided, but I'm a little confused from the various posts on this and other sites. We have the paid gratuities promotion, but understand additional tips are given when good or above the norm service is provided. Are the amounts mentioned for the MC Concierge and others above the amount of gratuities added to our accounts and covered by the promotion?

 

Also, someone mentioned tipping the people at the tenders, which hasn't been mentioned in other posts on this subject. Is this the norm, and what is the general tip amount? Is this done each way on the tender?

Michael's Club concierge is not included within the paid gratuities. Tipping him/her separately is at your discretion. Likewise the bar tenders there. Absolutely no need to tip the people at the tenders. This is the first time I've read that. Personally I think the tipping gets out of hand if it goes that far, but once again it really is a personal decision. It's not expected.

 

Phil

[Teenybk]

Thank you for the info - as mentioned, will tip Michael's staff for quality of services provided. [emoji4]

[WestLakeGirl]

I think in the context the poster who said that the tenders were given tips was referring to the bar tenders, not the staff manning the tender boats

[Teenybk]

Thanks - no wonder I was confused.

[bitob]

I would only tip the concierge if he or she did something out of the ordinary for me. Example: tracking down missing bag from airline and getting it to the ship.

[need2bespoiled]

Since this is our first cruise, and we'll be staying in a Royal Suite, would like to clarify some things. We like to tip well when appropriate service is provided, but I'm a little confused from the various posts on this and other sites. We have the paid gratuities promotion, but understand additional tips are given when good or above the norm service is provided. Are the amounts mentioned for the MC Concierge and others above the amount of gratuities added to our accounts and covered by the promotion?

 

Also, someone mentioned tipping the people at the tenders, which hasn't been mentioned in other posts on this subject. Is this the norm, and what is the general tip amount? Is this done each way on the tender?

 

We have tipped the MC concierge sometimes, and in varying ways and amounts. They are an Officier, with salary and an annual contract, not a per sailing contract, so it is very different to us than line staff.

 

Sometimes we've tipped MC concierge cash for exceptional service, especially when we are onboard for a long time. Sometimes we've provided a gift that we thought was thoughtful, something we bought in port that was unique like pewter in Kuala Lumpur or we invited the MC Concierge to dinner with the Capatins Club host (on her birthday) with her husband who was also onboard. Luminae had just opened and staff weren't even supposed to be able to eat there but we made special arrangement, we left them with a nice bottle of wine. We just have a harder time giving cash to an Officier I guess but e still do it sometimes.

 

With a few exceptions we have always added additional gratuities to our Butler and room steward(s), occasionally to our dinning staff (in Lumimae each time has service has been great) and occasionally to the bar tenders in MC.

 

I agree on the previous sentiments of tender staff (as opposed to bar tenders) unless someone went way above and beyond, like help carry w wheel chair on and off multiple times on a cruise?

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[Cruise a holic]

I would only tip the concierge if he or she did something out of the ordinary for me. Example: tracking down missing bag from airline and getting it to the ship.

While we typically do tip the Michael's Club host or hostess, on the cruise we came home from yesterday from sailing on the reflection we did not tip her. We hardly spent any time in the venue and had premium ultimate drink package and spent our time at the martini bar. We traveled with non suite family and made all of our reservations prior to the cruise. We also for the first time didn't tip the butler Previously had great butlers, but this one was never around. Said he was sick a few days and we never had any cabin service. Of course staff gets sick as do passengers, but we had much better service and visability from the cabin attendants, who we did tip.

[excitedofharpenden]

delete

Edited March 27, 2016 by excitedofharpenden

[need2bespoiled]

While we typically do tip the Michael's Club host or hostess, on the cruise we came home from yesterday from sailing on the reflection we did not tip her. We hardly spent any time in the venue and had premium ultimate drink package and spent our time at the martini bar. We traveled with non suite family and made all of our reservations prior to the cruise. We also for the first time didn't tip the butler Previously had great butlers, but this one was never around. Said he was sick a few days and we never had any cabin service. Of course staff gets sick as do passengers, but we had much better service and visability from the cabin attendants, who we did tip.

 

It sounds reasonable to me, the butler will still get some gratuities through those paid to the ship.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[Jade13]

Lucy is just a wonderful person who loves to help others. She was selected to help open Michael's Clubs on all the ships.

 

 

I met Lucy on Millennium. She was great.

[gizmodog]

I am sorry to have questions that may have been answered before, this is my first time is a suite and I am confused as to what the concierge is used for in Michaels Club, can anyone give me some instances that they are required? Any other helpful hints would be appreciated.

Also, I leave in a week and have not been contacted by anyone regarding my suite stay.

[Muushka]

We absolutely tipped the tenders, but now i feel like a heel for not tipping Concierge Lucy on the Millie a week ago. She did as much as anyone for us, was available for anything. But, I guess that I assumed hers wouldn't necessarily be a tipped position in the vein of a personal butler, room attendant, or bar tender. I assumed that tipping her would be like tipping an officer - not really done.

 

I did speak of her as highly as possible without being weird on our questionnaire from Celebrity. I home that means something to her in the long run.

 

I know the feeling. We had non-alcohol premium pkg when they were first rolled out. It seemed pretty clear that tips were included so I didn't tip. Once off the ship, as I thought back on the wonderful service I received, I felt so bad. One of my favorites, a barista, Karen, popped up on our next cruise and I gave her a very nice tip-for the last cruise! The other, a wonderful bartender named Ahmed, I never did find that man again. But I still look for him! If anyone knows where he is, do tell! :)

[Project_gal]

I am afraid that we have never tipped for tender service. I doubt that it is expected as the focus is on loading/unloading [passenger as quickly as possible and safety is the primary consideration in many situations.

 

As for tipping you butler, stateroom attendants or other crew, what we do is to use the basic tips [pre-paid] as the baseline and then ask, is that sufficient or has the service merited twice, 3 times, etc the baseline gratuities.. If you are travelling with a companion and ask these companions, you are likely to quickly come to a conclusion.

[1982CruzStart]

I am sorry to have questions that may have been answered before, this is my first time is a suite and I am confused as to what the concierge is used for in Michaels Club, can anyone give me some instances that they are required? Any other helpful hints would be appreciated.

Also, I leave in a week and have not been contacted by anyone regarding my suite stay.

 

We had Lucy on our Millie cruise and she was fantastic as was the evening bartender Randy. We tipped both of them. The other staff in MC were equally attentive and friendly we just didn't see as much of them.

 

Just a few things done for us:

1. Lucy escorted our group off the ship in almost every port even though we were the only people in a suite. She got us off the ship at the head of the line to meet up with our private tours.

2. When it was announced that we would be late getting off the ship in Shanghai she contacted us and arranged for us to talk to our tour operator to re-arrange our tour pickup time, then when the time was changed again she once again help us contact our tour operator to make new arrangements.

3. After she made a dinner reservation for us in Olympic, we met up with some new found friends and she was able to get the reservation changed for the 4 of us.

4. She invited us to the invitation only tour of the Bridge. It was quite interesting.

5. She called us the first day to see if there was anything she could do for us and then checked in periodically thereafter.

 

We spent a lot of time in MC as we enjoy the quieter venue for a before and after dinner drink. As well as enjoying the special events that she arranged.

 

Randy was friendly and couldn't do enough for us in getting whatever we wanted to drink and once we asked for something once it was always there from then on. We had the classic package and felt no need to upgrade to the premium as we could get high end drinks in MC and all except 1 night were able to find wines for dinner covered by our package. One night my DH wanted a wine not covered and it was by far cheaper to just buy that glass that night than to have upgraded.

 

She, Randy and the Luminae Maitre'd went a long way in making what was an otherwise disappointing first cruise on Celebrity better.

[Ray in NH]

The MC Concierge can get quite busy and some contacts may have fallen through the cracks. Celebrity has changed their contact process. Now a land based Concierge based in Kansas City sends an email to those who may use Michael's Club and forwards specific requests to the MCC on the ship. I received an email last week for the Connie TA. Have not received the email for my earlier Silhouette cruise, but it will come in due time. I would call Celebrity if not contacted two weeks prior to cruise.

 

I believe that only guests in Celebrity Suite and above are contacted prior to the cruise. However, a request to the bar staff, or Concierge will usually get you what you desire.

 

On our last cruise we were at dinner in Luminae and we ordered a port wine with our dessert. The waiter came by and was pleased that we had the port with desert and asked if it was the 10 or 20 year old. I mentioned that we had whatever was opened. He and the sommelier got into a discussion and then she returned with two new glasses and a new bottle, of the 20 year old port, so that we could compare both. After dinner, in Michael's we told the bar server of the experience and she was surprised. She asked us how they had a bottle of the 20 year old? It was supposedly out of stock. I guess each venue has their private "stashes". However, the staff in Michael's will do their best to satisfy any reasonable request, and should be recognized for that.

 

N Ray H

[need2bespoiled]

One thing to remember is that in addition to the special requests that make your cruise special, the MC Concierge becomes your guest service / front desk contact. Do not need go to guests services and wait in line. You can call the MC concierge and leave a message (or if they answer, make your request) or head to MC when they are there. From new key cards, to account issues, OBC, something wrong in your stateroom, set up a meeting with future cruises, book a shore excursion or spa appointment just ask the MC Concierge or butler and they will work as a team to take care or resolve the issue.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[Gracie115]

I believe that only guests in Celebrity Suite and above are contacted prior to the cruise. N Ray H

 

Just to be clear the "contact" prior to cruise for CS and above is totally "hit and miss" ... we were never contacted prior to our Eclipse cruise last year in a CS and have yet to hear anything for our upcoming one on Reflection...despite emails and phone calls..... so this is NOT something anyone should depend upon....:confused:

[BecT]

One thing to remember is that in addition to the special requests that make your cruise special, the MC Concierge becomes your guest service / front desk contact. Do not need go to guests services and wait in line. You can call the MC concierge and leave a message (or if they answer, make your request) or head to MC when they are there. From new key cards, to account issues, OBC, something wrong in your stateroom, set up a meeting with future cruises, book a shore excursion or spa appointment just ask the MC Concierge or butler and they will work as a team to take care or resolve the issue.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

 

 

Hi Jenna,

 

I enjoyed reading your posts regarding your panama canal cruise last December, especially because we are doing that same trip this December and actually in the same suite you had. :-) I don't really mean to hijack this thread, but I have a couple of questions for you if you don't mind answering.

 

1) Did the concierge assist you with travel arrangements from Valparaiso to Santiago and/or does Celebrity provide a shuttle bus directly to the airport that doesn't involve an excursion?

 

2) We are also flying back to Maine with a connection in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Was a Visa required when you flew through there?

 

Thanks,

Becky

[susie123]

I have a question about the mechanics of tipping the server/bartender in Michael's Club "as you go" during the cruise. If we wanted to tip as we go, is there a chit that we sign so that we can charge the tip to our stateroom, or must the tip be in cash?

 

If there is something to sign, does the server give it to you with the drink or do you ask for it?

 

thanks for your help!

[cruisestitch]

There is not a chit to sign in Michael's Club. You could easily give the bartender cash with each drink order, or wait until the end of the cruise and give a larger amount to represent the complete cruise service he or she gave you throughout the voyage.

 

I do not know of a way to tip the bartender in Michael's Club using your on board account, but just ask him or her -- they will tell you. If, as I suspect, it isn't possible, you will need to give cash.

 

Also keep in mind that a mention, by name, on the end-of-cruise survey is very valuable to all the employees. They earn extra time off, extra bonuses, all kinds of recognition from that. It might even be as valuable as a cash tip!

Edited March 30, 2016 by cruisestitch

[Ray in NH]

I have a question about the mechanics of tipping the server/bartender in Michael's Club "as you go" during the cruise. If we wanted to tip as we go, is there a chit that we sign so that we can charge the tip to our stateroom, or must the tip be in cash?

 

If there is something to sign, does the server give it to you with the drink or do you ask for it?

 

thanks for your help!

 

We have never been given anything to sign in Michael's Club since it has been a Suites destination. We usually do that at the end of the cruise. if during the cruise, we stop by and the relief server is there then we will usually leave him/her something, at that time. Mentioning them, by name, with positive comments in your post cruise survey is also very much appreciated.

 

N Ray H

[Project_gal]

I have a question about the mechanics of tipping the server/bartender in Michael's Club "as you go" during the cruise. If we wanted to tip as we go, is there a chit that we sign so that we can charge the tip to our stateroom, or must the tip be in cash?

 

If there is something to sign, does the server give it to you with the drink or do you ask for it?

 

thanks for your help!

 

As cruisestitch says, there is not chit to sign. It is just one of the great thing about Michael's Club that the service can be unobtrusive, where appropriate, so as not to interrupt conversations and/or entertainment.

 

If you really want to give gratuities from your on board account, you can request a form from Guest Relations/Michael's Club Concierge. This is the form used to adjust gratuities up or down and can also be used to make additional gratuities to others not included in the basic gratuities. I have, for example, to used it when I went to breakfast [only] in Blu for a week at the start of the cruise and then no more [and Blu was not my assigned dining room].

[dodger1964]

As cruisestitch says, there is not chit to sign. It is just one of the great thing about Michael's Club that the service can be unobtrusive, where appropriate, so as not to interrupt conversations and/or entertainment.

 

If you really want to give gratuities from your on board account, you can request a form from Guest Relations/Michael's Club Concierge. This is the form used to adjust gratuities up or down and can also be used to make additional gratuities to others not included in the basic gratuities. I have, for example, to used it when I went to breakfast [only] in Blu for a week at the start of the cruise and then no more [and Blu was not my assigned dining room].

 

I didn't think you could "adjust" your gratuities "individually"...meaning, I didn't think you could say, "I want to do $50 to person 'A', and $25 to person 'B' from my onboard account"??

[Project_gal]

I didn't think you could "adjust" your gratuities "individually"...meaning, I didn't think you could say, "I want to do $50 to person 'A', and $25 to person 'B' from my onboard account"??

 

Yes, you can. I have done it and checked that what I wanted would be carried out.

Edited March 31, 2016 by Project_gal

[cruisestitch]

Thanks -- I learned something today!