Butler and sail away party

[kskelley40]

We are sailing in January out of Los Angeles for the 14 day panama canal cruise. We are in a Penthouse suite. We have been in suites numerous times and I know what to expect from the butler once we sail.

 

 

My question is: I would like to have a couple of trays delivered to the cabin for sail away. Simple stuff like cheese and crackers and sandwiches. Is this possible?

 

 

I know I can order the cheese tray from the website and it will be there when we board, have done that before, but would also like the little sandwiches they bring you sometimes through out the cruise.

 

 

Has anyone ever arraigned a sail away party ahead of time with your butler? If so, what do I do to get what I want?

[david_sobe]

I see no problem with this. Once you board you have plenty of time to arrange this with the butler. I see him/her being ready to deliver with no problem.

I have not done this but I have seen reviews here on CC with photos of shrimp cocktails and other stuff delivered for sail away.

[Love my butler]

I would put the request in the pre-concierge email. Be very specific about what you want then verify the request once you get on board with your butler. They reason I say this is the butlers are usually VERY busy the first afternoon/evening and if they can get a heads up it will make their life, and yours maybe, much easier.

[kskelley40]

I would put the request in the pre-concierge email. Be very specific about what you want then verify the request once you get on board with your butler. They reason I say this is the butlers are usually VERY busy the first afternoon/evening and if they can get a heads up it will make their life, and yours maybe, much easier.

 

I figured that would be the way to go....however, on our last cruise when I filled out the pre-concierge email requests none of our requests made it to our cabin. These were the basic requests....pillow selection, coffee selection etc....

 

Not a big deal if it doesn't happen but I will try. Thanks for the info.

[david_sobe]

I figured that would be the way to go....however, on our last cruise when I filled out the pre-concierge email requests none of our requests made it to our cabin. These were the basic requests....pillow selection, coffee selection etc....

 

Not a big deal if it doesn't happen but I will try. Thanks for the info.

 

 

I also have had mixed results with the pre-concierge. Most requests like pillows or cheese trays can easily be made once you board. Yes butlers are busy the first day but they are busy doing the things you are asking for. Its not a big deal and they will get it done.

[kskelley40]

I also have had mixed results with the pre-concierge. Most requests like pillows or cheese trays can easily be made once you board. Yes butlers are busy the first day but they are busy doing the things you are asking for. Its not a big deal and they will get it done.

 

Thanks. I also wondered if my requests didn't get fulfilled because I got upgraded 4 days before our last cruise from a penthouse suite to a 2-BR family suite. Maybe the request got sent to the passengers in our first suite???

 

Oh well....no big deal either way. As long as I am on a cruise....I am happy!

[LdyMags]

This is my 1st time in a haven - when does the pre-concierge email come?

 

 

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[kskelley40]

This is my 1st time in a haven - when does the pre-concierge email come?

 

 

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On our last cruise we got ours about 45 days out. Definitely after the last payment deadline.

It came in the mail along with our luggage tags and also received a copy by email.

[erdoran]

For the type of thing OP is asking about for the sailaway party, is there additional charge from NCL or is it "free" (other than a bigger butler tip, of course)! Thanks

[DarkJedi]

It is going to depend on your butler, none of our pre-cponcierge requests were fulfilled, and our butler on the Jewel thought anything more than bringing a pitcher of water and a tray of snacks was more than his job. He even told the suite next to our's that they needed to give him 24 hours notice for room service to be brought.

[david_sobe]

For the type of thing OP is asking about for the sailaway party, is there additional charge from NCL or is it "free" (other than a bigger butler tip, of course)! Thanks

 

For cheese and crackers? I don't see a charge. They deliver little treats the first day so adding a cheese and cracker plate would not be a bid deal IMHO

[david_sobe]

It is going to depend on your butler, none of our pre-cponcierge requests were fulfilled, and our butler on the Jewel thought anything more than bringing a pitcher of water and a tray of snacks was more than his job. He even told the suite next to our's that they needed to give him 24 hours notice for room service to be brought.

 

I've heard these stories before. Very strange. You should be able to call for room service anytime you want. I have had issues but its usually because they are so busy. Another butler shows up or even once they delivered drinks all the way from the Atrium bar. ***? I was in the Haven (Epic) and the butler had someone from the Atrium bar bring the drinks.

Best thing is to meet the butler the first day and if you plan on using him/her a lot, explain this to them and what your expectations are. There have been lots of crazy butler stories here over the years. NCL says they are top trained but by some of the stories it makes you wonder. I remember the guy who stated the butler asked him how much he won in the casino and asked for a bigger tip. So there are crazy stories for sure. I am always amazed at some of the stories since butlers work for tips. I think in some cases many don't tip them so they sink to the level they will only do the basic functions.

[erdoran]

Another butler tipping thread said they are guaranteed a minimum of about $60k/yr if they don’t make that much in tips so no, they don’t work just for tips

[Vyhanek]

I have little faith in the pre-conceirge lately. For everything.

 

I ordered chocolate covered strawberries to be delivered two different afternoons. It specifically asks date of requested delivery. Both orders were sitting in our cabin when we arrived on embarkation day.

 

Also making dinner/show reservations thru the pre-conceirge, you might as well just do it yourself thru the website. The pre-concerige doesn't have the regular pull that the on board concerge has like to get you in a resteraunt that shows "full" on the website. The onboard concerigr can/will get you in very near your requested time. The pre-conceirge can do no more than you can online.

[DMH15]

Our pre-concierge Arturo was excellent. Everything we requested for our DOS on Epic was waiting for us. And then the magnificent Maxi, our butler took over.

 

 

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