Never-Haven Cruiser sails in the Haven. Here are her thoughts.

[Smitheroo]

19 hours ago, Ozzieru1e said:

Sometimes it’s for the nutritional value.  I use to not like liver either but my Mother would cook liver smothered in onions/gravy and it would taste like a steak.  I think a good cook could make anything taste good.

Its the texture of it that gets me, not so much the taste, although that is bad too.  To me, eating feels like how I imagine eating shoe leather would feel like

[DCGuy64]

42 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Never had them....no desire to start!

I wonder if people on here would like Goetta.

[RocketMan275]

2 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Liver and onions were big in people's households where I grew up.  I think it's popular overall in the Midwest.  You could always tell what was cooking when you smelled it in your friends' household when they invited you to dinner with their family.  Always an invitation I regretted upon opening their door to join them.

Three points.

First, I have to ask, what did you do to your friends so that they would invite you over for a liver dinner?  I wouldn't call them friends.

Second, surely your friends had a liver recipe that didn't smell like liver. 

Third, once I smelled the liver, I would have invented some excuse to leave.

[DMH15]

1 hour ago, RocketMan275 said:

Three points.

First, I have to ask, what did you do to your friends so that they would invite you over for a liver dinner?  I wouldn't call them friends.

Second, surely your friends had a liver recipe that didn't smell like liver. 

Third, once I smelled the liver, I would have invented some excuse to leave.

Or shrieked out “did I forget to mention I have gone vegan???!!!”

[RocketMan275]

3 minutes ago, DMH15 said:

Or shrieked out “did I forget to mention I have gone vegan???!!!”

Of course, it could get worse, it could be plant based liver.

[kismetique]

On 8/23/2023 at 7:32 AM, Smitheroo said:

You tip extra ((which is easier to do when you only have one waiter, I tip the room steward extra)  but also after each meal?

Yes, after the first night in the main dining room with Daisy we tipped her excessively well as we each got up from the table we handed her folded bills. There were 4 families and each family tipped her individually.  I would imagine she made a haul that night, although we didn't tally the tip between us.  She was absolutely wonderful. She made recommendations and even brought extra dishes when we were indecisive... Didn't ask for them, but she knew we might want to try them. We had 2 children in the group and she catered to them, bringing them over the top desserts and fixing hamburgers just as they liked them. We didn't get her the next night, so we asked for her table the third night. And again, she was fabulous and I'm sure we all tipped her well. Each of the following nights, a table for 8 in her section was waiting empty for us and she never knew what time we were going to show up. I would estimate, between 4 families and 5 dinners she probably made $600 in tips. She was THAT good!  She was the ONLY server we tipped individually, outside of my room steward, butler and concierge. 

[kismetique]

On 8/23/2023 at 11:22 AM, Two Wheels Only said:

Before you kiss him, say something like "Excuse me, sir. You have very pretty eyes"

We have 6 flights... So plenty of opportunities to try out different scenarios! I can't wait!

[bomabound]

27 minutes ago, kismetique said:

We have 6 flights... So plenty of opportunities to try out different scenarios! I can't wait!

I think you should kiss him first and follow it with “there’s more where that came from if you’ll switch seats with me”.

[kismetique]

50 minutes ago, bomabound said:

“there’s more where that came from if you’ll switch seats with me”.

He would die of embarrassment!  So of course, I'm going to try this one too!

[Smitheroo]

8 hours ago, kismetique said:

Yes, after the first night in the main dining room with Daisy we tipped her excessively well as we each got up from the table we handed her folded bills. There were 4 families and each family tipped her individually.  I would imagine she made a haul that night, although we didn't tally the tip between us.  She was absolutely wonderful. She made recommendations and even brought extra dishes when we were indecisive... Didn't ask for them, but she knew we might want to try them. We had 2 children in the group and she catered to them, bringing them over the top desserts and fixing hamburgers just as they liked them. We didn't get her the next night, so we asked for her table the third night. And again, she was fabulous and I'm sure we all tipped her well. Each of the following nights, a table for 8 in her section was waiting empty for us and she never knew what time we were going to show up. I would estimate, between 4 families and 5 dinners she probably made $600 in tips. She was THAT good!  She was the ONLY server we tipped individually, outside of my room steward, butler and concierge. 

Interesting.  The next time I travel solo I will think about that. What do you think would be a decent tip in the MDR for 1 person without any major requests?  

[cruiseny4life]

1 hour ago, Smitheroo said:

Interesting.  The next time I travel solo I will think about that. What do you think would be a decent tip in the MDR for 1 person without any major requests?  

For me, nothing additional. I totally understand @kismetique and would likely provide a tip if I were in their situation. If it were just myself or my husband and me, I wouldn't tip anything above and beyond the daily service charge. But, others certainly provide a tip. It's all up to what you're comfortable with, how you feel, and what you want to do. I'm just giving you a little insight into the opposite approach.

 

Everyone will tell you their is no right approach, and they're right, but gathering data on what others do to assist you in informing your approach is smart. Others will disagree with that too, but I stick by collecting data from those that are willing to share.

[Sthrngary]

To tip, not to tip, how much to tip and when to tip is so personal.  It differs from country to country and person to person.  Gaining information on what others do and why is simply being considerate.  From a personal perspective standpoint, I believe that tipping over and above the monies take from your account is based on a guest past experiences.  

 

Tip, don't tip or how much they provide is more then a standard thing.  It is learned from events that happened in the past.  One such example is my wife at a crowded pool bar on the Celebrity Equinox.  She was trying to get a drink order in for 30 minutes until she got frustrated.  I heard this, caught a pool server coming by and tipped him heavy.  I said, "My wife would like a drink and she is very thirsty today."  That is all it took.  Another example is butlers that have been Hit/Miss.  I now write them a Butler Letter with their entire tip enclosed on day one.  Some how, my butlers have been all Hit's since I started that.  In both examples when shared, I get those that agree and disagree with my approach. 

 

My goal on everything that happens on a cruise is to fine a way to enhance my experience.  Knowing what folks thing about restaurants, knowing which excursion seems to be most liked, reading about specific staterooms that are favored OR tipping strategies all seem to drive to the goal of a better cruise. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

[graphicguy]

17 hours ago, DCGuy64 said:

I wonder if people on here would like Goetta.

Now you’re talking.

 

 

Edited August 25, 2023 by graphicguy

[graphicguy]

15 hours ago, DMH15 said:

Or shrieked out “did I forget to mention I have gone vegan???!!!”

I don’t think I even knew what Vegan was back then….not sure it even existed.  But, once I committed, even at a young age,  I followed through.  This is gross, but my best friend in grace school lived directly across the street from us.  Invited to dinner.  It was something that we both looked forward to.  Growing up in an Italian household, it was likely we were having some sort of pasta for dinner, so he would jump at any invitation.

 

But, his family was German.  Most of our shared dinners at his house were “OK”, but one night the y had liver and onions.  Smell hit me as soon as I walked in the door.  

 

Immediately after dinner was finished, instead of watching TV with them for a bit, I excused myself stating I had to get home.  I upchucked in our side yard before I even got into the house.

 

I have to leave this conversation.  I actually had a dream about liver and onions last night….OK…more like a nightmare, as it was the only thing in my fridge and I was really hungry.  I’m sure there’s a childhood trauma link in there somewhere.

[NewPennCruiser]

I apologize if this was discussed but will honestly say I have not read every comment in this thread.  A question for seasoned Haven cruisers....  Do you think there is a difference in service booking a Haven cabin that is not actually in the Haven space like the OP had on deck 10?  We recently cruised on the Joy in a standard balcony and put a bid in for a Haven upgrade but we only put a bid in for a couple of Haven categories that were actually located in the Haven.  I suspect they are more popular and our bid was not accepted.  We did cruise in a suite on NCL in 2013 and had a tremendous cruise but that pre dated Haven so we have not experienced NCL's current suite offerings.  By the way we had a great cruise in our non Haven room and enjoyed spaces like the Observation Lounge, the Waterfront, etc and didn't feel like we were missing anything.  Ignorance is bliss.  We didn't know what we were missing and after reading this thread I'm not sure if we would have enjoyed the cruise anymore than we already did if our bids had been accepted.

[DCGuy64]

16 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Now you’re talking.

 

 

When I was visiting Cincinnati/Covington back in April, my wife and I had brunch and I was so pleased to see Goetta on the menu. 🙂

[graphicguy]

1 hour ago, Sthrngary said:

 

 

My goal on everything that happens on a cruise is to fine a way to enhance my experience.  Knowing what folks thing about restaurants, knowing which excursion seems to be most liked, reading about specific staterooms that are favored OR tipping strategies all seem to drive to the goal of a better cruise. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

Dead on.  If someone goes over and above for me, additional tips are in order.  On a cruise ship….particularly on a cruise tip, there seems to be a direct correlation between a greased palm and service that excels.  

 

Rare instances where that hasn’t worked out for me (as in previously mentioned Butler).  But, overall there is a significant difference between service rendered before and after I pull out greenbacks.  Some, like the Concierges, seem to work hard for me before they even know what, if anything, will end up in the envelope at the end of the cruise.  But, the bartenders tend to be more prompt, the waitstaff tend to accommodate me even better, etc…when I offer a TIP at the outset.

[graphicguy]

8 minutes ago, NewPennCruiser said:

I apologize if this was discussed but will honestly say I have not read every comment in this thread.  A question for seasoned Haven cruisers....  Do you think there is a difference in service booking a Haven cabin that is not actually in the Haven space like the OP had on deck 10?  We recently cruised on the Joy in a standard balcony and put a bid in for a Haven upgrade but we only put a bid in for a couple of Haven categories that were actually located in the Haven.  I suspect they are more popular and our bid was not accepted.  We did cruise in a suite on NCL in 2013 and had a tremendous cruise but that pre dated Haven so we have not experienced NCL's current suite offerings.  By the way we had a great cruise in our non Haven room and enjoyed spaces like the Observation Lounge, the Waterfront, etc and didn't feel like we were missing anything.  Ignorance is bliss.  We didn't know what we were missing and after reading this thread I'm not sure if we would have enjoyed the cruise anymore than we already did if our bids had been accepted.

NO difference in Haven service whether you’re n the Haven proper, or have a Haven cabin outside of Haven proper.

[Smitheroo]

1 hour ago, cruiseny4life said:

For me, nothing additional. I totally understand @kismetique and would likely provide a tip if I were in their situation. If it were just myself or my husband and me, I wouldn't tip anything above and beyond the daily service charge. But, others certainly provide a tip. It's all up to what you're comfortable with, how you feel, and what you want to do. I'm just giving you a little insight into the opposite approach.

 

Everyone will tell you their is no right approach, and they're right, but gathering data on what others do to assist you in informing your approach is smart. Others will disagree with that too, but I stick by collecting data from those that are willing to share.

You're right, I think I would feel kind of weird  alone but its different with a group with many requests etc.  

[graphicguy]

15 minutes ago, Smitheroo said:

You're right, I think I would feel kind of weird  alone but its different with a group with many requests etc.  

I travel solo quite a bit.  Plus, on a cruise, where you can’t really just take a % of the bill and figure a tip from there, as there is no bill. I usually tip wait staff in the MDRs or Haven restaurant about $25 for the week.  Bartenders get $1 or $2/drink depending on its complexity (maybe even more if the Haven Bartender is making one of their famous “smoky” drinks).  $50/week/pp for the Concierges up to $100 for the week/PP if they are doing something really complex with my excursions, for example.

 

Room Steward?  Hardest working people who take care of me.  $100 tip….$50 the first day and $50 the last day.

 

Butlers I have very little need for and require little.  So, $25/week/pp for stocking my coffee.

 

The rest?  

 

Depends….if the service was particularly good in one of the Specialty Dining restaurants, I put down a $20 bill.  It’s hard to figure an additional tip give the meals’ values are way overinflated if you look at the “a la carte” pricing.  Plus, there’s already a tip included with them.

 

Poolside and general wait staff?  $1/drink….same with waitstaff in the Garden Buffet if they’re fetching me drinks.

[cruiseny4life]

32 minutes ago, NewPennCruiser said:

I apologize if this was discussed but will honestly say I have not read every comment in this thread.  A question for seasoned Haven cruisers....  Do you think there is a difference in service booking a Haven cabin that is not actually in the Haven space like the OP had on deck 10?  We recently cruised on the Joy in a standard balcony and put a bid in for a Haven upgrade but we only put a bid in for a couple of Haven categories that were actually located in the Haven.  I suspect they are more popular and our bid was not accepted.  We did cruise in a suite on NCL in 2013 and had a tremendous cruise but that pre dated Haven so we have not experienced NCL's current suite offerings.  By the way we had a great cruise in our non Haven room and enjoyed spaces like the Observation Lounge, the Waterfront, etc and didn't feel like we were missing anything.  Ignorance is bliss.  We didn't know what we were missing and after reading this thread I'm not sure if we would have enjoyed the cruise anymore than we already did if our bids had been accepted.

We have only cruised outside of the Haven space. Twice midship, a couple decks below the Haven and twice aft, far from the Haven. In neither instance did I feel my experience was downgraded compared to others that were in the Haven. Perhaps I don't know what I'm not missing, but when comparing experiences with others on the cruise it seems we see the butler/room steward as often as those who were within those h(e)avenly doors. 

 

The only thing we have not experienced, that others did, is being personally escorted through the bowels of the ship to specialty dining. This was told to us by a couple on Joy who had the same category stateroom we did, which means they were also not in the Haven. It sounded cool to get an escort along the various staff-facing hallways and then being taken to the host stand by their butler. We've never requested this service, nor knew it existed until told to us by this couple. Not sure it's a normal perk either. 

[Sand and Seas]

1 hour ago, cruiseny4life said:

We have only cruised outside of the Haven space. Twice midship, a couple decks below the Haven and twice aft, far from the Haven. In neither instance did I feel my experience was downgraded compared to others that were in the Haven. Perhaps I don't know what I'm not missing, but when comparing experiences with others on the cruise it seems we see the butler/room steward as often as those who were within those h(e)avenly doors. 

 

The only thing we have not experienced, that others did, is being personally escorted through the bowels of the ship to specialty dining. This was told to us by a couple on Joy who had the same category stateroom we did, which means they were also not in the Haven. It sounded cool to get an escort along the various staff-facing hallways and then being taken to the host stand by their butler. We've never requested this service, nor knew it existed until told to us by this couple. Not sure it's a normal perk either. 

Our first Haven cruise a few years back was in a Haven Spa cabin.  We didn't meet our butler until 3rd or 4th day?  Then didn't see him again until last day.  I'm assuming he some other cabins that were much more needy than us😉   Didn't really matter to us as we had a great time enjoying the Haven restaurant, bar, private sun deck and of course the spa.   

 

Subsequent Haven cruises, we have been in the haven courtyard area and had more of a relationship with our butlers.  Still, we haven't yet had a meal delivered to our room.   Our last haven, our butler insisted on escorting us to Los Lobos.  Was a little strange but he was such a nice guy and I guess he was just trying hard to make us feel special.   Didn't need the escort but it seemed to make him happy!  Still, we haven't asked much of our butlers. 

 

Our next Haven will be in a FFacing two room so we are determined to order a breakfast delivery or two where we don't have to be awake to answer the door😊

[Two Wheels Only]

2 hours ago, NewPennCruiser said:

 A question for seasoned Haven cruisers....  Do you think there is a difference in service booking a Haven cabin that is not actually in the Haven space like the OP had on deck 10?

 

No difference in what should be expected. Butlers rotate so a great butler might be working in the Haven complex one week then might be working for the aft-facing suites the next week. That butler should provide excellent service in both cases. 

 

How needy guests are is a factor that can't be predicted. If your butler has to also serve needy guests, you might see a decline in service. It happens but isn't something that I would worry about. 

 

Another factor that many people don't wish to discuss is that butlers who serve the higher suites (Deluxe Owner's Suites, for example) might go the extra mile because guests in those suites MIGHT tip higher than someone in a less expensive suite. On the flip side, some guests in the more expensive suites tip less because they spent more for the suite and the butler might work extra hard for nothing. 

 

Anyway, being clear with your expectations will generally lead to better service.

 

 

If you want more, ask for more.

If you want less, ask for less.  

[kismetique]

5 hours ago, Smitheroo said:

What do you think would be a decent tip in the MDR for 1 person without any major requests?  

If they went above and beyond and made my dining experience more than I expected, I would tip that evening.... And this is not going to be popular. I might tip $20, even as an individual if I wanted this waiter the rest of the cruise. You want to incentivise them to want YOU at their table and have a chat with the maitre d. I feel certain this is what Daisy did, and why that table was always waiting on us .. Even though she had NO guarantee what time or even if we would come that evening! We never made any prearrangements or reservations. I'm a huge tipper IF I feel I was adequately waited on and they went above and beyond.  When I ask about a dish, but decide on a different one, yet the waiter brings both dishes without me feeling bad for ordering 2... That's worth $20 to me especially when paired with other niceties ( drink waiting at table, honest recommendations, etc. ). Here's why she kept getting $50 a night from my husband and me. I like salads, but I like protein in them, so I would combine 2 appetizers and asked that they be served together, like the salad of the night topped with shrimp scampi. No problem, no questions, no hesitation! All this while carrying on separate and personalized conversations with everyone at the table! This is their livelihood and when they excel at their job, I want to reward that so they feel inclined to give others this same service. Her service was so good, we cancelled our second specialty restaurant meal and went to the MDR instead.

[kismetique]

4 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

  I now write them a Butler Letter with their entire tip enclosed on day one. 

I agree with the letter, but I only give half their tip up front. I give this in an envelope with  "Butler - Envelope #1" on it.  Likewise with the Concierge (2 envelopes with a letter). Hopefully, they understand, there's another envelope with  "Butler - Envelope #2" on it, IF I get good service. That way, if it's bad service, I'm not kicking myself the whole trip that I already gave them the $$. This next cruise is 19 days and I'm not about to tip it all up front! I'll order room service breakfast every day, and will order items that are not on the card menu... If I get them, he/she will get handsomely rewarded. If not, there might be money subtracted from the envelope!