marcyjane Posted February 17, 2018 #1 Share Posted February 17, 2018 What types of things did you ask your butler to do and what is just standard that they do on a daily basics. Also what is a recommend tip for them at the end of the cruise. Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NLH Arizona Posted February 17, 2018 #2 Share Posted February 17, 2018 Ask for whatever you want/need and if they can do it, they will and if not, they will let you know. You could ask for special snacks, dining in your suite, etc. There is no recommended tip amount for the Butler and Concierge. Tipping is very personal and you should determine yours based on the services you ask for and how they are preformed and, most importantly, your budget. Whatever you decide to tip, the Butler and Concierge will be appreciative. After saying that, I can tell you what I do. For the Butler, I start out with $10 per day per person and add or subtrack from that number dependent upon overall services. I do the same for the Concierge, but start with $5 per person per day. You will get many, many different answers (some higher than mine and some lower) and in the end, you will have to decide what amount is best for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hearthosesteeldrumsplayin Posted February 17, 2018 #3 Share Posted February 17, 2018 We were in the Sky owner's suite for hubby's birthday last year. We had a great time! The butler brought us breakfast one morning and dinner one evening. Never been in for the unpack my stuff thing. You will likely be escorted on the ship by your butler or your concierge. We had the concierge get our return flight boarding passes (Southwest) at the 24 hr. prior point, along with a change in shore excursions when the weather was unfortunate. I believe it was the concierge who gathered our 3 bottles of liquor request, too. We usually tip $100-200 depending upon how much we ask of them (two people for 7 days--if we have the kids with us, or are on a longer itinerary, we would increase). I think it is the butler who keeps your coffee pods filled and your refrigerator replenished. (In the Sky owner's suite, they will stock the fridge with what you want and keep it coming. We usually get the mixers we want, slices limes, and cream for coffee.) They will happily tell you what they can do for you and what the concierge can do for you. We usually leave something for the room steward, too; even though they are part of the DSC, because the room is larger, and the steward is always attentive, I usually leave some for them (like $20-30). If we decided to not be our usual tidy selves, I would leave more (read: if the kids are with us). Some trips you have great butlers (thinking of Roy--who we met on the Gem, but I believe he is usually on the Sky) and others you hardly see. The best ones are available, but not hovering. If you are needing their services, let them know; that's why they are there and I feel most are wanting to make your trip phenomenal! Have a great time! I have done the Sky owner's suite twice, and would certainly do it again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted February 17, 2018 #4 Share Posted February 17, 2018 Bowls of gummy bears and M&Ms. pb&j sanwiches. Butler: $10-$15 per person in cabin per day Concierge: $5-$10 per person in cabin per day Extra for room steward for servicing your large room: $5-$10 per person in cabin per day We had an aft facing suite on the sky. Very nice and relaxing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcyjane Posted February 18, 2018 Author #5 Share Posted February 18, 2018 Thank you all for your information and your experiences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AF-1 Posted February 18, 2018 #6 Share Posted February 18, 2018 Stayed in aft PH Suite on Jade. We were escorted to our suite by the concierge;. Our butler came in and he ran through everything he could do for us and then told us what the cabin stewards responsibility was. We did two week cruise. Our butler provided two afternoon teas for my wife and family members The teas consisted of a selection of teas, scones, pastries, finger sandwiches. No cost at all. He provided lunch one afternoon. Restocked the Nexpresso machine everyday. Plus a few other things. My wife and I said we didn't really need a butler and what could he really do for us. After the two weeks we said; you know what. "that was a nice touch having the butler" .. We will definitely book a suite; maybe next time we will book the haven; if prices are reasonable; otherwise we will do aft PH again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcyjane Posted February 19, 2018 Author #7 Share Posted February 19, 2018 AF-1 sounds like you all had a wonderful cruise. Thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AF-1 Posted February 20, 2018 #8 Share Posted February 20, 2018 AF-1 sounds like you all had a wonderful cruise. Thanks for sharing. Yes the cruise was amazing and the small things made the ship worthwhile. We ate in LeBistro, and then Italian and then the steak house. All were good. Italian place had the slowest service of the three we were on a 14 night cruise Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dcoy Posted February 20, 2018 #9 Share Posted February 20, 2018 During our Alaskan cruise last year we had our butler bring us hot coco packs so we could make hot coco with the hot water from the coffee maker. Was a real treat while sailing through the Glaciers. Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcyjane Posted February 22, 2018 Author #10 Share Posted February 22, 2018 Loving everyone's stories and suggestions and ideas. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Love my butler Posted February 23, 2018 #11 Share Posted February 23, 2018 Come on people. These tip recommendations are pretty low. If you can afford to cruise in a suite you can afford to tip those that give you that extra special service. A good butler should be bringing in at least $300 for a 7 day cruise. The concierge at least $200 and your room steward $100. These are the minimum IMO. Anything less is a bit insulting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted February 23, 2018 #12 Share Posted February 23, 2018 Come on people. These tip recommendations are pretty low. If you can afford to cruise in a suite you can afford to tip those that give you that extra special service. A good butler should be bringing in at least $300 for a 7 day cruise. The concierge at least $200 and your room steward $100. These are the minimum IMO. Anything less is a bit insulting. The Sky sails 3 day and 4 day cruises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orchestrapal Posted February 23, 2018 #13 Share Posted February 23, 2018 Come on people. These tip recommendations are pretty low. If you can afford to cruise in a suite you can afford to tip those that give you that extra special service. A good butler should be bringing in at least $300 for a 7 day cruise. The concierge at least $200 and your room steward $100. These are the minimum IMO. Anything less is a bit insulting. Just joking i’m Sure..this is NCL not Crystal or Seabourn.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcyjane Posted April 9, 2018 Author #14 Share Posted April 9, 2018 Anyone have the concierge print out your fly home boarding passes for you or can they do that. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkJedi Posted April 9, 2018 #15 Share Posted April 9, 2018 Come on people. These tip recommendations are pretty low. If you can afford to cruise in a suite you can afford to tip those that give you that extra special service. A good butler should be bringing in at least $300 for a 7 day cruise. The concierge at least $200 and your room steward $100. These are the minimum IMO. Anything less is a bit insulting. Really? $300 x 14 cabins x 36 weeks (9 months) = $151,200 for the butler for 9 months, plus salary $200 x 100 cabins x 36 weeks = $720,000 for the concierge for 9 months, plus salary $1-3 per person/per day for butler for basic duties, more for special duties like drawing your bath or serving dinner Concierge dependent on how much used Room steward depend on how messy you are, suites are slightly larger so more than you would tip for a regular room And before anyone balks at that $1-3 mark: $1 x 2 people x 7 days x 14 cabins x 36 weeks = $7,056 for 9 months in addition to salary if every room is only 2 people $3 x 2 people x 7 days x 14 cabins x 36 weeks = $21,168 for 9 months in addition to salary if every room is only 2 people And that is for basic duties, not going above and beyond. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hearthosesteeldrumsplayin Posted April 9, 2018 #16 Share Posted April 9, 2018 Anyone have the concierge print out your fly home boarding passes for you or can they do that. Thanks They absolutely CAN and WILL get your boarding passes if you request them to. We usually fly Southwest, and have the Concierge get our boarding number. You will need to provide them the confirmation # and name the reservation is in and the time that they should be logging in (at least for Southwest). Have never had any issues. (On a land based hotel, though, ended up with a "C" boarding pass----have never been beyond a "B" with the ship personnel.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcyjane Posted April 9, 2018 Author #17 Share Posted April 9, 2018 Thank you! We are flying Southwest as well and will have the information for he/she to be able to print them. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Traveling Fools Posted April 10, 2018 #18 Share Posted April 10, 2018 Come on people. These tip recommendations are pretty low. If you can afford to cruise in a suite you can afford to tip those that give you that extra special service. A good butler should be bringing in at least $300 for a 7 day cruise. The concierge at least $200 and your room steward $100. These are the minimum IMO. Anything less is a bit insulting. Having a daughter that works in the hospitality industry (RitzCarlton), DW and I are very sensitive to tipping standards and are generoustippers! Having had the best the Ritz can offer, and having cruisedpredominately on NCL and Celebrity in suites and NCL Haven class we know thereare cheap Charles out there. That said, I have never had a butler on a 7-daycruise merit a $300 or a concierge a $200 tip. Room Stewards perform the bulk of the work and, IMHO, should receive thebiggest bump! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Love my butler Posted April 10, 2018 #19 Share Posted April 10, 2018 Having a daughter that works in the hospitality industry (RitzCarlton), DW and I are very sensitive to tipping standards and are generoustippers! Having had the best the Ritz can offer, and having cruisedpredominately on NCL and Celebrity in suites and NCL Haven class we know thereare cheap Charles out there. That said, I have never had a butler on a 7-daycruise merit a $300 or a concierge a $200 tip. Room Stewards perform the bulk of the work and, IMHO, should receive thebiggest bump! So sorry to hear you haven't had a spectacular butler or concierge yet that merits those gratuity amounts. Keep trying. The great butlers and concierges do exist. P.S. We also have a son in the hospitality industry (Burger King), and he reports the tipping there is atrocious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMH15 Posted April 10, 2018 #20 Share Posted April 10, 2018 Having a daughter that works in the hospitality industry (RitzCarlton), DW and I are very sensitive to tipping standards and are generoustippers! Having had the best the Ritz can offer, and having cruisedpredominately on NCL and Celebrity in suites and NCL Haven class we know thereare cheap Charles out there. That said, I have never had a butler on a 7-daycruise merit a $300 or a concierge a $200 tip. Room Stewards perform the bulk of the work and, IMHO, should receive thebiggest bump! We have had some excellent room stewards in our suites and have always given them a generous gratuity over the DSC, but the B & C have been the magic and in our experience their monetary thank yous reflected that. I am not discouting your opinion just giving my own experience. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AF-1 Posted April 10, 2018 #21 Share Posted April 10, 2018 I carry wads of $5's. If I see anyone maid, server, coffee maker, washy washy guy I tip them. No big deal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkJedi Posted April 10, 2018 #22 Share Posted April 10, 2018 I carry wads of $5's. If I see anyone maid, server, coffee maker, washy washy guy I tip them. No big deal Just curious, how much do you go through in a week? I figure I see about 5-600 crew members in a week, at $5 a pop that would be $2,500 plus in just random tips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest phd1003 Posted April 10, 2018 #23 Share Posted April 10, 2018 Just curious, how much do you go through in a week? I figure I see about 5-600 crew members in a week, at $5 a pop that would be $2,500 plus in just random tips. I carry wads of $5's. If I see anyone maid, server, coffee maker, washy washy guy I tip them. No big deal I'm thinking of getting a NCL Uniform and following him around... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robmac330 Posted April 10, 2018 #24 Share Posted April 10, 2018 Within the first day I usually break a lounge chair. I call in my steward and concierge, offer them each a jagged piece of metal from said deck chair, and place a crisp hundy stick on the floor between them, and let them fight for my amusement. I typically repeat the exercise on Day 6 with the winner and my butler, upping the prize to $300... Oh, also I ask for a couple of cups of the snack/nut mix they serve at the bars to be left in my room to enjoy before dinner. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkJedi Posted April 10, 2018 #25 Share Posted April 10, 2018 I'm thinking of getting a NCL Uniform and following him around... I suspect that you will have to fight all the regular NCL staff. Pretty sure the guy can't move without at least 5 or 6 crew members standing around him. He must look like a boss on the prison grounds surrounded by convict guards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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