Haven butler.. what do they do

[pcakes122]

On 10/2/2020 at 2:48 AM, BirdTravels said:

The butler doesn’t do it. 

No other dinner escorts (like Royal genies). 

I just want to clarify that this is not the case 100% of the time.  If you need an escort to dinner or any other meal, the butler will do so upon request. (I request this for most meals and my butlers have always happily obliged.)

[latebloomer56]

Best advise we got on our first (but not last) suite on NCL was all things within the cabin it's the Butler all things outside the cabin it's the Concierge.

Tipping is personal but remember they are not included in the service charge you pay. In the Haven you also have a Butler (not sure he/she is called this) at the pool who does take care of your requests for drinks and keeps the coffee, tea, snacks etc. filled in the pool area. We tip this person as well.

Enjoy the suite life on NCL it is special.

[Pugzila1022]

On 3/26/2016 at 1:59 PM, Stinkybaby said:

I tried to search for this, but couldn't find anything specific. What exactly does the butler in the Haven do? We are on the Getaway on a Haven Spa Suite in a few weeks, not sure what the butler typically does. I really have no idea because we've never had a butler before at all. If we want food delivered to the room, does that mean we don't have to pay for room service because the butler will just bring it? Or if we want to enjoy a cocktail while we are getting ready will he bring it? I think I saw somewhere that he will unpack your suitcase? I guess this is a first world problem lol :rolleyes:

 

Some things you might think of for the butler are actually handled by the Concierge staff.  They have a desk in the Haven Lounge area and are great at helping make show or restaurant reservations, spa appointments, and shore excursions.  They also take care of your priority embarkations and disembarkations.  

 

Make sure to meet your butler on day one, usually right before or right after the life boat drill.  He will bring you a treat that first day, usually hors d'oeuvres.  They rotate that kind of treet with sweets (chocolates, cookies, etc)  If you prefer one or the other, let the butler know.  I also like to request a ham and cheese sandwich every day at 3pm Ship Time.  Sometimes I will want a midnight stank and I let him know what I want and it's always there.  He will handle room service (from any restaurant on board.)  There isn't a service fee if it comes from the Haven or from another free restaurant.  If you order from a specialty restaurant it will be charge at the applicable charge for the meal.

 

You can request specialty pillows.  They will decorate your bath and bring specialty drinks and bath salts or bubbles.

 

If you quickly develop a good rapport the butler will begin to anticipate your needs and might bring an extra bowl with gummy bears, or special cookings.  You will learn to appreciate the really good ones.

 

Enjoy your cruise.  I can't wait to get back on a ship!

 

Bob

[Capitan Obvious]

FWIW, there is a post in this thread that contains the complete job description from NCL for the position of Butler

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2718951-butler-what-do-they-do/

 

Should be sufficient to answer any "What does the butler do" type of questions.

[Vyhanek]

I don't use the Butler at all.   Beside him dropping off the Haven standard treats daily, which we have never requested,  its just a normal part of the Haven cabin experience,  we have never asked for anything from the Butler.    

 

I give $20 but even then I think that's really generous for what they do for us.   

[armwinder]

They fill up the coffee machine with water and keep the supplies up to date. They deliver treats in the afternoon, usually when we are on the balcony or trying to take a nap.  The constant door bell can be a pain, do not disturb works well. 

[All-ready2cruise]

@armwinder glad you've brought this up b/c I've felt the same about the inappropriate timing of the Butler's visits.  And yes, DND works well, most of the time.  

 

I've booked a Haven stateroom for a special cruise in May, 2022 and hope the notes I intend to write to the Butler will actually be read.  

 

We'll see... I'm excited to have a Haven cabin as a solo cruiser to see what the outcome will be. 

 

Cheers and thanks again for sharing your experience regarding Butler service. 

Take care, cruise well. 

 

[BirdTravels]

Talking with your butler, room steward, and concierge about special requests is the best way to communicate your desires. Multiple little notes can and will be misinterpreted. 

[gizfish]

14 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Talking with your butler, room steward, and concierge about special requests is the best way to communicate your desires. Multiple little notes can and will be misinterpreted. 

In the past, I have made a list for myself of the things I wanted to request from the butler when he introduced himself the first day (M & M's, cream for coffee, etc.,) and they have always just asked for me to just give them my list so they would remember everything.  I have also found that if I need something from the room steward or butler and they are not around as I am leaving the room, a simple polite note with the request left where they will see it has been quite effective and well received.

[cmecruise1962]

On 10/16/2020 at 1:42 AM, Pugzila1022 said:

 

Make sure to meet your butler on day one, usually right before or right after the life boat drill.  He will bring you a treat that first day, usually hors d'oeuvres.  They rotate that kind of treet with sweets (chocolates, cookies, etc)  If you prefer one or the other, let the butler know.  I also like to request a ham and cheese sandwich every day at 3pm Ship Time.  Sometimes I will want a midnight stank and I let him know what I want and it's always there.  He will handle room service (from any restaurant on board.)  There isn't a service fee if it comes from the Haven or from another free restaurant.  If you order from a specialty restaurant it will be charge at the applicable charge for the meal.

 

Bob

I'm sorry, but this made me laugh out loud!  🙂

[Peachypooh]

 We don't use the butler all that much in fact we usually ask him not to bring the afternoon snacks.  However it is nice for him to replenish the coffee station. It can be somewhat confusing because in reality there are three people helping you. Look at it this way on a Panama Canal cruise the room steward made sure we had extra towels and changed out some light bulbs. He also called maintenance for an issue with one of our electrical outlets. The butler refilled the water in the coffee machine and left extra coffee and tea bags. The concierge escorted us down a special elevator to get off the ship faster. 

[complawyer]

having a 24 hour butler on call is one of the sweet things about the haven.  my wife and i are spoiled, and she wont even consider booking an ncl cruise if wedont get a butler.

 

we always seem to get men or women who are extremely helpful and pleasant.

 

when we 1st meet, i explain that on  a daily basis, i would like him to bring a pot of coffee,  hoy wayer for tea, milk or cream., and assorted sweet rolls and croissants. in the afternoon, i request cheese, crackers and meats for snacks. 

 

if im on board in the afternoon, or just returned from a shore excursion, i ask for a cold heineken.

 

if my grandson is traveling with us, he'll usually ask for a pizza, or a burger with fries.  butler never fails to live up to or expectations, on a 7-10 day cruise, i usually give him $100 at the end. dont use the concierge so much, unless im having trouble getting in the teppanyaki restaurant. we usually give him $50 at the end. he has the ability to get us off the ship within 10-15 minutes, while the other passengers wait it line.  ive said this before, that alone is worth the price of admission