Haven Room Service

[Calvin]

8 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

@CalvinThat is one hell of a great question.  I will tell you what, I will test that.  I am on the Joy in two weeks.  I never asked for a specific cut of steak at breakfast.  I am going to on day one.  I promise to report back to you on that one.  The Haven Restaurant has a very nice menu.  The issue is that the menu's never change.  I know they have a filet for dinner.  It should be easy for them to make it for breakfast. 

 

I got your back on this one.  Again, great question.

 

Cruise well. 

Thanks much!  Now I REALLY don't regret giving you a shout out on another thread, LOL!

 

I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to the Haven but I have no problem with the menu not changing. I figure as long as I like 5 entrees (since 2 will be in specialty restaurants), I'm good on a 7 day cruise.  Also, if I'm not mistaken, even if I fell short of 5, I don't think anyone would have to twist my arm to make me have surf & turf on 2 nights of a 7 night cruise.  I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that they have the surf and turf option because I do recall in 2018, there was no lobster on the ship.

[Sthrngary]

The topic is currently butlers.  Allow me to give some advice.  Watch out what you ask for with your butlers.  I mean this in the most positive way.  I used to ask for thing like, Cookies and Milk at night.  Huge mistake.  Every night a plate of like 12 cookies were waiting for us.  My wife begged me to get the Butler to stop bringing cookies.  I asked for nuts because we thought (Key word thought) we were going to stay on Keto.  We got a bowl, like a huge bowl of nuts.  I said I like smoked salmon.  You can guess what happened.  

 

So my new strategy is if we want something, ask.  But say ONLY FOR TONIGHT. lol.  Butlers are nice, really nice.  They are even nicer when you are kind to them.  When you show how much you appreciate them.  Not just in money or gratuity.  They genuinely want to please you.  Ask and you will receive. 

[BirdTravels]

2 hours ago, Calvin said:

You just said something interesting!  I think, on the Haven Menus you posted, they now offer Sirloin Steak and Eggs as a breakfast option. Are you saying that I could request filet mignon and eggs instead?  When we sailed on the Star many moons ago, we were allowed to eat breakfast in Cagneys, where they served filet (thinly sliced) and eggs for bf.  We'll be on the Bliss in 2 months and I'm looking forward to a full Haven experience, but I'm not mad at them whether they serve sirloin or filet!

Yeah, you are correct. They used to have a Filet on the Haven menu until the shutdown. Since restart, they have selected a "cheaper" 6 oz. NY Strip steak and eggs. We won't be in the Haven again until next year, so we'll let @Sthrngary test the steak selection. In the photos above, they were decent size filets (I don't know if they were the small cut of filet from Cagney's). The Haven waiters use to tell use "If you want prime rib, come eat it in the Haven Restaurant since it is the exact same as the one you pay for in Cagney's". 

Edited November 14, 2021 by BirdTravels

[Sthrngary]

6 minutes ago, Calvin said:

Thanks much!  Now I REALLY don't regret giving you a shout out on another thread, LOL!

 

I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to the Haven but I have no problem with the menu not changing. I figure as long as I like 5 entrees (since 2 will be in specialty restaurants), I'm good on a 7 day cruise.  Also, if I'm not mistaken, even if I fell short of 5, I don't think anyone would have to twist my arm to make me have surf & turf on 2 nights of a 7 night cruise.  I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that they have the surf and turf option because I do recall in 2018, there was no lobster on the ship.

Again, you are right.  They did not have lobster in 2019.  I was steak and shrimp.  I again on the menu.  I end up doing Prime Rib a couple of nights.  Something that is hard to find or find a good one in my local restaurants.  To your point, I could skip the Specialty Restaurants all together and only eat in the Haven Restaurant.  But not every one agrees. The one thing we can all count on, no one will go hungry. LOL

[Sthrngary]

2 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

so we'll let @Sthrngary test the steak selection

So much pressure.  Ok, I will do this for my Cruise Critic friends.  The things I do for the people I care about.  Here is the deal, don't tell my cardiologist.  He simply does not need to know about any of this. 

[Calvin]

On 11/12/2021 at 8:47 AM, SliderNc said:

 

Sadly, once you are upgrade to Haven, it's really hard to cruise any other way (IMO).  You are spoiled and provided things that the rest of the general population on the ship don't get. 

I have never met you, but I think I hate you. You may have just doubled our cruising costs from here on out...🤣

[Yinster]

Definitely lobster on the epic and a lovely lobster tail with the surf and turf in both haven and Cagney restaurant

 

Sorry the image is upside down

[ElizaSTN]

6 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

The topic is currently butlers.  Allow me to give some advice.  Watch out what you ask for with your butlers.  I mean this in the most positive way.  I used to ask for thing like, Cookies and Milk at night.  Huge mistake.  Every night a plate of like 12 cookies were waiting for us.  My wife begged me to get the Butler to stop bringing cookies.  I asked for nuts because we thought (Key word thought) we were going to stay on Keto.  We got a bowl, like a huge bowl of nuts.  I said I like smoked salmon.  You can guess what happened.  

 

So my new strategy is if we want something, ask.  But say ONLY FOR TONIGHT. lol.  Butlers are nice, really nice.  They are even nicer when you are kind to them.  When you show how much you appreciate them.  Not just in money or gratuity.  They genuinely want to please you.  Ask and you will receive. 

Sorry, but what if we want 12 cookies?  😂😂 l mean, after a night at the casino I can for sure put away a bunch of cookies (either in celebration or commiseration.)  And a BLT.  Well, the BLT first.  Can we ask for BLT’s *and* some milk and cookies?  A standing order for BLT’s and milk and cookies.  This is the way. 
 

[Yinster]

2 hours ago, ElizaSTN said:

Sorry, but what if we want 12 cookies?  😂😂 l mean, after a night at the casino I can for sure put away a bunch of cookies (either in celebration or commiseration.)  And a BLT.  Well, the BLT first.  Can we ask for BLT’s *and* some milk and cookies?  A standing order for BLT’s and milk and cookies.  This is the way. 
 

Once we asked for melon for me and cookies for OH as afternoon snacks.

 

That is exactly what we got every afternoon. A pile of cookies and almost a whole melon. 

[tjaker11]

We had a butler on the Star who was very nice and helpful. However, he asked my husband his favorite bedtime treat. Tim told him coconut ice cream, and he would like it around midnight. I never laughed so hard, we got back to the room and there on the table was a bowl with now melted coconut milk. 

I felt so bad every night he asked Tim if he wanted ice cream again. We just politely declined.

 

and before it's asked we did not adjust the tip, he was absolutely wonderful.

(we have 2 daughters in the service industry)

[tjaker11]

We had a butler on the Star who was very nice and helpful. However, he asked my husband his favorite bedtime treat. Tim told him coconut ice cream, and he would like it around midnight. I never laughed so hard, we got back to the room and there on the table was a bowl with now melted coconut milk. 

I felt so bad every night he asked Tim if he wanted ice cream again. We just politely declined.

 

and before it's asked we did not adjust the tip, he was absolutely wonderful.

(we have 2 daughters in the service industry)

[tjaker11]

We had a butler on the Star who was very nice and helpful. However, he asked my husband his favorite bedtime treat. Tim told him coconut ice cream, and he would like it around midnight. I never laughed so hard, we got back to the room and there on the table was a bowl with now melted coconut milk. 

I felt so bad every night he asked Tim if he wanted ice cream again. We just politely declined.

 

and before it's asked we did not adjust the tip, he was absolutely wonderful.

(we have 2 daughters in the service industry)

[sassyshar]

I know the amount of tipping to the butler and concierge is subjective, but have no idea what is the customary/reasonable amount for a week.   Trying to plan for amount of cash to have on hand.  Can someone offer at each a range?    Thanks

[don't-use-real-name]

7 minutes ago, sassyshar said:

I know the amount of tipping to the butler and concierge is subjective, but have no idea what is the customary/reasonable amount for a week.   Trying to plan for amount of cash to have on hand.  Can someone offer at each a range?    Thanks

You have a range of 3 people in the immediate tip program -

Your cabin steward

Your Butler 

and your Concierge

then on the other side - bar and wait staff

 

The cabin steward is salaried by NCL - my book goes with $5.00 per day per guest

does something special for you tip more - - - I budget $100 for 7 day cruise

The Butler is also salaried but not on the same scale - tips are most certainly appreciated

my book for the Butler is $10.00 per day per guest - - - I budget $150 for 7 day cruise -

of course if he does something special more

The Concierge is tricky - I budget starting at $100 (7daycruise) and depending on

how he works his magic getting my reservations - activities prime priority attention

adding to the pot.

 

Yes the dollar amount above don't add up - think rounding - tipping is not done

in round-to-its stone pieces beaver pelts or the alike !

 

As for the bar wait staff - some of the gratuities are built in with the service -

at the bar an exceptional pour or attention to service (a tip at the start of voyage

will work wonders for the rest of time for frequent visits to the same bar)

for the wait staff if everything goes well as expected (a team effort) tip even though

the (specialty) free meal is comp (tip on zero invoice - cash on table OK)

 

 Before a cruise I visit a stationery store and buy a dozen blank Thank You notes to

write comments and leave a tip at the end of near end of the cruise.

 

As a rule I don't stiff a person for bad service - "BUT" if it really is bad I visit Guest

Services and have a discussion with the Hotel Manager aka Cruise Director so the

next guest will not encounter this bad episode.

 

YMMV

 

Don't mimic my rule book - depending on the cruise certain aspects of a cruise may

require more originality aptness and thought on the level of tipping - - -

Be kind - don't break your budget (bank) going overboard 

Be considerate - what would you like to receive as a tip (shoe on the other foot)

Planning a B2B trip or the same cruise in the future - the crew does remember you ?

 

The wisdom of tipping - this will change with time use it as a guide only !

[Old & Retired]

On 11/13/2021 at 7:49 PM, Sthrngary said:

The topic is currently butlers.  Allow me to give some advice.  Watch out what you ask for with your butlers.  I mean this in the most positive way.  I used to ask for thing like, Cookies and Milk at night.  Huge mistake.  Every night a plate of like 12 cookies were waiting for us.  My wife begged me to get the Butler to stop bringing cookies.  I asked for nuts because we thought (Key word thought) we were going to stay on Keto.  We got a bowl, like a huge bowl of nuts.  I said I like smoked salmon.  You can guess what happened.  

 

So my new strategy is if we want something, ask.  But say ONLY FOR TONIGHT. lol.  Butlers are nice, really nice.  They are even nicer when you are kind to them.  When you show how much you appreciate them.  Not just in money or gratuity.  They genuinely want to please you.  Ask and you will receive. 

Butlers usually go overboard with requests because they are giving away NCL's stock, not theirs.  Second, the more you appreciate/think they really served you, the bigger the tip usually.  Also most butlers are very professional and know they are there to serve you.

[Juncti]

On 11/13/2021 at 9:49 PM, Sthrngary said:

The topic is currently butlers.  Allow me to give some advice.  Watch out what you ask for with your butlers.  I mean this in the most positive way.  I used to ask for thing like, Cookies and Milk at night.  Huge mistake.  Every night a plate of like 12 cookies were waiting for us.  My wife begged me to get the Butler to stop bringing cookies.  I asked for nuts because we thought (Key word thought) we were going to stay on Keto.  We got a bowl, like a huge bowl of nuts.  I said I like smoked salmon.  You can guess what happened.  

 

So my new strategy is if we want something, ask.  But say ONLY FOR TONIGHT. lol.  Butlers are nice, really nice.  They are even nicer when you are kind to them.  When you show how much you appreciate them.  Not just in money or gratuity.  They genuinely want to please you.  Ask and you will receive. 

This sounds like that scene in the movie Defending your life with the pies. The waiter asked the main character if he liked pie, he said yes. So then the waiter is like I'll bring you 9 pies lol He actually does bring them out.

 

 

[gizfish]

17 hours ago, don't-use-real-name said:

You have a range of 3 people in the immediate tip program -

Your cabin steward

Your Butler 

and your Concierge

then on the other side - bar and wait staff

 

The cabin steward is salaried by NCL - my book goes with $5.00 per day per guest

does something special for you tip more - - - I budget $100 for 7 day cruise

The Butler is also salaried but not on the same scale - tips are most certainly appreciated

my book for the Butler is $10.00 per day per guest - - - I budget $150 for 7 day cruise -

of course if he does something special more

The Concierge is tricky - I budget starting at $100 (7daycruise) and depending on

how he works his magic getting my reservations - activities prime priority attention

adding to the pot.

 

Yes the dollar amount above don't add up - think rounding - tipping is not done

in round-to-its stone pieces beaver pelts or the alike !

 

As for the bar wait staff - some of the gratuities are built in with the service -

at the bar an exceptional pour or attention to service (a tip at the start of voyage

will work wonders for the rest of time for frequent visits to the same bar)

for the wait staff if everything goes well as expected (a team effort) tip even though

the (specialty) free meal is comp (tip on zero invoice - cash on table OK)

 

 Before a cruise I visit a stationery store and buy a dozen blank Thank You notes to

write comments and leave a tip at the end of near end of the cruise.

 

As a rule I don't stiff a person for bad service - "BUT" if it really is bad I visit Guest

Services and have a discussion with the Hotel Manager aka Cruise Director so the

next guest will not encounter this bad episode.

 

YMMV

 

Don't mimic my rule book - depending on the cruise certain aspects of a cruise may

require more originality aptness and thought on the level of tipping - - -

Be kind - don't break your budget (bank) going overboard 

Be considerate - what would you like to receive as a tip (shoe on the other foot)

Planning a B2B trip or the same cruise in the future - the crew does remember you ?

 

The wisdom of tipping - this will change with time use it as a guide only !

Just to be clear, the room steward and the wait staff are getting a tip from you as they are in the "pool" of employees that NCL includes in your "service charge."  The bar tenders are also getting a tip from you as if you are on a drink plan, you have paid a gratuity and if you are paying per drink the tip is added to your tab.  The wait staff at the specialty restaurants are also getting a tip as you have paid the service fee with the dining plan and/or they are in the pool.

 

By all means, tip anyone who provides excellent service if you want to, even if they are already getting tipped.  But, the concierge and the butler are not included in the tip pool (camp counselors are also not included) and should be tipped.  

 

Many tip based on what they ask of those people and or what those people do for them service wise.  If you don't use the concierge to make any reservations or escort you to venues, your tip (if any) may be lower than for those that use the concierge services.  If you ask nothing of the butler other than his usual duties, again your tip may be lower.  

 

There are many, many threads on tipping, and since it is such a hot button topic and a personal one, your odds of getting the perfect answer are not that good ; )

 

[don't-use-real-name]

29 minutes ago, gizfish said:

Just to be clear, the room steward and the wait staff are getting a tip from you as they are in the "pool" of employees that NCL includes in your "service charge."  The bar tenders are also getting a tip from you as if you are on a drink plan, you have paid a gratuity and if you are paying per drink the tip is added to your tab.  The wait staff at the specialty restaurants are also getting a tip as you have paid the service fee with the dining plan and/or they are in the pool.

 

By all means, tip anyone who provides excellent service if you want to, even if they are already getting tipped.  But, the concierge and the butler are not included in the tip pool (camp counselors are also not included) and should be tipped.  

 

Many tip based on what they ask of those people and or what those people do for them service wise.  If you don't use the concierge to make any reservations or escort you to venues, your tip (if any) may be lower than for those that use the concierge services.  If you ask nothing of the butler other than his usual duties, again your tip may be lower.  

 

There are many, many threads on tipping, and since it is such a hot button topic and a personal one, your odds of getting the perfect answer are not that good ; )

 

YES this is such a hot button topic and in effect downright personal -

PERSONAL and unique between you and the recipient - one size situation does not fit all !

 

YES - factor in the DSC (Daily Service Charge) for those in the tip pool - - -

 

Frequent cruisers know the merits of tipping.

For those that have been in the service field industry tips have a more meaningful application.

For the first time cruiser or first time on a different cruise line - just a hint - not a must do.

Suggest reading more on the subject (here at CC) for advice and how others handle the situation. 

There is no tipping thread section - it appears in most all topics.