New to Haven class--already an annoyance with Email contacting land concierge--

[BirdTravels]

 

18 hours ago, DorothyB said:

what is "bar mix"?  I'm picturing pretzels, maybe nuts, ???

 

[BirdTravels]

1 hour ago, complawyer said:

seems to me, if youre shelling out $30,000 for the cabin, they ought to carry you home piggyback, if necessary, regardless of where home might be

Don’t know about the GV. The casino provides limo service to/from ship/hotel/home for its top tier players. It is limited to 25 miles. 

Edited June 7 by BirdTravels

[david_sobe]

The butler and pre-concierge are so over rated its a bit funny but that is just my opinion.  Every time I have used the pre-cruise concierge has led to issues.  Every time I have requested the fridge be emptied it never was.  Its because they will not do it until embarkation day and after you arrive.  I once cruised with relatives that spoke Spanish.  I requested dailies be delivered in English and Spanish.  When I boarded, EVERYTHING was delivered in Spanish.  Took me forever to get straightened out.  Lesson learned:  Don't jump the gun and board first. You can make dinner reservations online which can make using the ship concierge less.  But the butler is so over rated. Its room service. You can have a breakfast delivered to your balcony cabin and just call the delivery person your butler.  I have seen youtube video meltdowns by popular vloggers because Celebrity took away a butler for a lower suite class.  I have seen meltdowns here on CC because their NCL butler did not bring their children gummy bears and guess what?  They never asked.  CC is full of pages posting these glorious photos of bowls of gummy bears and people assume its a given.  I once asked a guy here on CC if your kids loved gummy bears so much why not bring a few bags on your cruise.  His response was it was more special to be brought by the butler.  Ok, whatever.

Am I the only one that has tried to shut down the daily treats by the butler.  Give me chocolate but all that other crap is fishy sandwiches and things we don't like nor do we want. I don't like to waste food but I felt sorry for the butler.  Its like an assembly line:  every suite gets this plate like it or not.  When NCL allowed drinks be ordered to the cabin, we ordered drinks in our fancy new Epic penthouse.  When we called the butler, I was told they were all busy so someone from the Atrium bar delivered the drinks.   Our last cruise I did use the butler to deliver fresh ice and hot tea so I could make pitchers of iced tea.  It was really nice.  But let's be real, they are so over rated and the ones that are disappointed are the ones that have expectations they are some sort of personal servant.  It's just someone that can fetch you room service. But it sounds fancy.  Most of the Haven experience is about making guests "feel" special rather than really treating them special.  There is a difference.  I am not knocking any of the Haven including butlers. In fact my next cruise is again in the Haven.  But the butler is the least aspect that I look forward to.

Edited June 7 by david_sobe

[RocketMan275]

17 hours ago, gizfish said:

Since no one said it, I will go ahead and do so.  There is absolutely no reason to bribe your butler the first day.  Handing them a bribe with a note listing requests seems as if you think the butler is not willing to do their job. While no one is ever going to say no to free money, the butler's are professionals and may be insulted by your bribe.  Just tip at the end of the cruise.  We have never bribed anyone and have always received stellar service.

We believe in tipping early, tipping often, and tipping well.  Not one member of the crew has objected in any manner.  We have received better service since we implemented this policy.  

[ChiefMateJRK]

34 minutes ago, david_sobe said:

The butler and pre-concierge are so over rated its a bit funny but that is just my opinion.  Every time I have used the pre-cruise concierge has led to issues.  Every time I have requested the fridge be emptied it never was.  Its because they will not do it until embarkation day and after you arrive.  I once cruised with relatives that spoke Spanish.  I requested dailies be delivered in English and Spanish.  When I boarded, EVERYTHING was delivered in Spanish.  Took me forever to get straightened out.  Lesson learned:  Don't jump the gun and board first. You can make dinner reservations online which can make using the ship concierge less.  But the butler is so over rated. Its room service. You can have a breakfast delivered to your balcony cabin and just call the delivery person your butler.  I have seen youtube video meltdowns by popular vloggers because Celebrity took away a butler for a lower suite class.  I have seen meltdowns here on CC because their NCL butler did not bring their children gummy bears and guess what?  They never asked.  CC is full of pages posting these glorious photos of bowls of gummy bears and people assume its a given.  I once asked a guy here on CC if your kids loved gummy bears so much why not bring a few bags on your cruise.  His response was it was more special to be brought by the butler.  Ok, whatever.

Am I the only one that has tried to shut down the daily treats by the butler.  Give me chocolate but all that other crap is fishy sandwiches and things we don't like nor do we want. I don't like to waste food but I felt sorry for the butler.  Its like an assembly line:  every suite gets this plate like it or not.  When NCL allowed drinks be ordered to the cabin, we ordered drinks in our fancy new Epic penthouse.  When we called the butler, I was told they were all busy so someone from the Atrium bar delivered the drinks.   Our last cruise I did use the butler to deliver fresh ice and hot tea so I could make pitchers of iced tea.  It was really nice.  But let's be real, they are so over rated and the ones that are disappointed are the ones that have expectations they are some sort of personal servant.  It's just someone that can fetch you room service. But it sounds fancy.  Most of the Haven experience is about making guests "feel" special rather than really treating them special.  There is a difference.  I am not knocking any of the Haven including butlers. In fact my next cruise is again in the Haven.  But the butler is the least aspect that I look forward to.

That's funny because it is all SO true!🤣

 

disclaimer: I've never set foot in the Haven, and my opinions are entirely based upon the multiple reports (many unhappy, like the current thread) by those who have.  What is so special about M&Ms and gummy bears?  Will the butler bring me something decent instead?  (e.g. Scotch and Guinness)

[Jetswdo]

Hi- since I am new to Haven class, I scoured through all the suggestions, tips, etc. so to know what to expect  All I know is that when I called up to inquire why I received that letter, the concierge rep said it was because I emailed them to please not bring those canapes that had fish and pork in them.  We don't eat pork anyway and fish would smell up the cabin and I can't stand fishy odors. I was just surprised that an assumption was made just because I didn't want those items brought to the cabin. Many of the responses regarding Haven, made the suggestion of handing the butler a letter upfront with $50-$60 as a good will ? gesture---- SthrnGary suggested to first contact pre cruise the concierge and then put in the butler letter a few requests.  That seemed perfectly reasonable to me. 

[sunshine55]

On 6/6/2024 at 5:14 PM, roddy good boy said:

I have mixed success with the land concierge. I always ask them to empty the fridge prior to embarkation. Only once in 5 Haven cruises was that done. But, as previously stated the butlers are amazing and have fulfilled our requests shortly after boarding. We also have few requests. I just learned from these boards that I could ask for continuous pitchers of water and/or juice. I never thought to do that previously. 

We always ask for a pitcher of ice water, OJ.

 Lemonade in fridge 

[coin ops]

This is the bar mix that used to be widely available at all bars.  On our recent Getaway TA, I didn't see any at the bars (including the Haven Bar), but asked our Butler if they had any. He said no problem and kept our bowl full in our cabin throughout the cruise. 😀

 

https://www.newurbanfarms.com/munchie-crunchie-mix/

Edited June 8 by coin ops

[zqvol]

2 hours ago, coin ops said:

This is the bar mix that used to be widely available at all bars.  On our recent Getaway TA, I didn't see any at the bars (including the Haven Bar), but asked our Butler if they had any. He said no problem and kept our bowl full in our cabin throughout the cruise. 😀

 

https://www.newurbanfarms.com/munchie-crunchie-mix/

Always available at the bars, but you have to ask.

[dexddd]

18 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

 

 

You continue to post these pics but even if asked, that is not normal.

[dexddd]

As David said above, service varies widely.  We've handed small lists numerous times to butler to get very little followed.  Seems they like to pump out mush on dry toast.

 

Actually our last was best with the Incredible Gary who actually paid attention and asked what we liked and he nailed it on the Prima.  Gary's assistant, who I sadly forgot name, was also very good.

[mking8288]

@dexddd With all that sweet stuff, given the typical NCL passenger / Haven demographics ... I question if any of it being good for someone with A1C level above 6.0 or perhaps borderline ... better brush teeth frequently and make sure a good dental cleaning is in the near future.  Can't see our family doctors and dentists approving these daily treats ... maybe should come up with healthier option as a choice.  Otherwise, I wonder if the marine life will be bothered with these being dumped into the ocean.  

 

Of course, that's just me so don't mind the commentary.  

 

Edited June 8 by mking8288

[ChiefMateJRK]

1 hour ago, zqvol said:

Always available at the bars, but you have to ask.

On the Spirit last month, I did ask once and took the jar to where I was sitting in the OL.  The nice young lady (Nikki?) who brought me my next drink(s) spotted the jar and then brought me nuts the rest of the cruise whenever I wanted them.  Just like a butler!! (but cheaper)😎

Edited June 8 by ChiefMateJRK

[dexddd]

20 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

@dexddd With all that sweet stuff, given the typical NCL passenger / Haven demographics ... I question if any of it being good for someone with A1C level above 6.0 or perhaps borderline ... better brush teeth frequently and make sure a good dental cleaning is in the near future.  Can't see our family doctors and dentists approving these daily treats ... maybe should come up with healthier option as a choice.  Otherwise, I wonder if the marine life will be bothered with these being dumped into the ocean.  

 

Of course, that's just me so don't mind the commentary.  

 

Luckily dw is RN and she deals with non-compliant patients all day long only to return home to surly dh.  Her dad was a dentist and she will point out anyone with a chipped tooth or misalignment.  However, on vacation for a splurge, if no peanut mms, she not happy means I get fallout.  I always pack one of those big bags just in case.  I keep her in the 'inner circle' to sustain that I've never been invited.

 

So amongst our over eating on normal day, we normally go this way.  DW chips and mms.  DS sandwiches and fruit. DD fruit maybe a cookie. Me, sandwiches and gummies.  Again, we've never had more than three on one day unless you include the bowl of fruit.

 

If I have it right, you have three more cruises this year so shouldn't you be arranging things rather than trolling the boards?

 

I did actually check Cunard and under things to pack, you pick US or Europe.  Since Cunard owned by Carny it must redirect to the Carny dress code.  Prices very good for those ten day trips but think this year we staycation.

 

 

 

Edited June 8 by dexddd

[david_sobe]

This thread reminds me of the old Ellen DeGeneres stand up bit where she was talking about how people act on airplanes.  She said something like "things you could not give away free on the street when they get in the air on a plane suddenly they must have those peanuts and get offended if they don't get them.  So true. If you stood on a corner giving away small bags of pretzels very few would take them.  If you were a flight attendant giving those small bags of pretzels away there is a huge demand and if someone is accidently missed there will be trouble.

These threads keep showing these bowls of gummy bears and M&Ms and people actually write letters to their butler for these things.  Is it not more simple to stop at a Walgreens and grab a few bags of these before boarding.  A bowl of old and stranger fingered snacks is what people want while on a ship?  It just reminds me of that old Ellen joke.

Its like when people rave about "snacks" at the Haven lounge before boarding.  "THERE WERE SNACKS!!!!!!  And Lord help you if there are no snacks.  THERE WERE NO SNACKS.  You are boarding a ship with endless food why does so many demand to see "snacks" while waiting to board.

 

Not making fun of anyone.  Its a good natured thread but I am a comedian in my own mind and could not resist this take.

 

How was your cruise on Encore?
OMG it was amazing.  Tell them about those gummy bears we got!

 

How was your cruise on Prima?
Horrible.  There were no snacks or water while boarding.  Our butler ignored us and we never even asked for anything.  He never brought us gummy bears that everyone else gets.

[Wayward Son]

1 hour ago, dexddd said:

You continue to post these pics but even if asked, that is not normal.

 

Seriously. Who does that? One who doesn't mind food being "thrown overboard", I guess.

 

[ChiefMateJRK]

I just checked prices for my next cruise.  The delta between steerage and Haven is $4200.  I can buy a pound of Peanut M&Ms on Amazon for six bucks.

 

Amazon M&Ms

 

That means that I can sail steerage and pack 700 pounds of Peanut M&Ms to share with my friends in steerage.  That should do it! 😎

 

Of course, I'll need 14 full size suitcases.  Guess I'll have to tip the porter.🤣

[slidemaster5]

11 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

I just checked prices for my next cruise.  The delta between steerage and Haven is $4200.  I can buy a pound of Peanut M&Ms on Amazon for six bucks.

 

Amazon M&Ms

 

That means that I can sail steerage and pack 700 pounds of Peanut M&Ms to share with my friends in steerage.  That should do it! 😎

 

Of course, I'll need 14 full size suitcases.  Guess I'll have to tip the porter.🤣

 

Back when we used to frequent Vegas and get lounge access I used to joke about the free $100 drinks we got. Now I can joke about the free M&Ms that are effectively $1 each.

 

 

[ggTexasGal]

On 6/7/2024 at 5:14 PM, david_sobe said:

Am I the only one that has tried to shut down the daily treats by the butler.

You are not alone in that area!  We have had very mixed results with that request. We have not found a solution for receiving only very few things and only on certain days.

It seems easier (yet, very wasteful) to let them bring whatever the other suites get on any given day.  SIGH!

[slidemaster5]

1 hour ago, ggTexasGal said:

You are not alone in that area!  We have had very mixed results with that request. We have not found a solution for receiving only very few things and only on certain days.

It seems easier (yet, very wasteful) to let them bring whatever the other suites get on any given day.  SIGH!

 

Yeah, that is why if I do Haven again, I am using the sthrngary letter approach. Once our butler knew what we ate he didn't automatically bring us the same thing as the other cabins. For example, we told him only cheese platters or dessert canapes and that is all we got the rest of the trip. It will look simple like the BirdTravel example: (1) what we want stocked daily and (2) here is what we want with regards to the canapes/other offerings.

 

 

 

[cruiseny4life]

2 minutes ago, slidemaster5 said:

 

Yeah, that is why if I do Haven again, I am using the sthrngary letter approach. Once our butler knew what we ate he didn't automatically bring us the same thing as the other cabins. For example, we told him only cheese platters or dessert canapes and that is all we got the rest of the trip. It will look simple like the BirdTravel example: (1) what we want stocked daily and (2) here is what we want with regards to the canapes/other offerings.

 

 

 

That's great! We've had that on one of our five cruises, letter or not. Letter only one time, actually - our first cruise when we didn't know anything but what we read online. We realized (for us) that it negatively impacted our cruise as it limited interaction on the first day with the butler.

 

On Pr1ma, in November, our butler did bring only what we requested. Mostly. He did still bring cookies one day and pound bread another. I think it truly varies based on the butler you have. And we consider all the butlers we had, good. Pr1ma's butler, Jefferson, was the best we've had.

[slidemaster5]

4 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

That's great! We've had that on one of our five cruises, letter or not. Letter only one time, actually - our first cruise when we didn't know anything but what we read online. We realized (for us) that it negatively impacted our cruise as it limited interaction on the first day with the butler.

 

On Pr1ma, in November, our butler did bring only what we requested. Mostly. He did still bring cookies one day and pound bread another. I think it truly varies based on the butler you have. And we consider all the butlers we had, good. Pr1ma's butler, Jefferson, was the best we've had.

 

I realized that by not "bothering" the butler with a letter I made it more difficult for him since he had to figure out what we wanted. After I talked to him about this and the fact that he had 10 suites on two decks that the more information he got the quicker and easier he can provide his service. Granted it is no guarantee using a letter, but I will do it going forward if I have butler service.

[cruiseny4life]

11 hours ago, slidemaster5 said:

 

I realized that by not "bothering" the butler with a letter I made it more difficult for him since he had to figure out what we wanted. After I talked to him about this and the fact that he had 10 suites on two decks that the more information he got the quicker and easier he can provide his service. Granted it is no guarantee using a letter, but I will do it going forward if I have butler service.

It's definitely good it works for you! I know it works for others, too. It's just not something we'll ever do. We much prefer having a conversation with the butler each day of the cruise. I don't want to tell the butler to just refer to the letter and, in my experience, the butlers seem a little awkward if you don't have anything to tell them each day. They seem to be much more grateful when we're able to give them an idea of our day. But, to each their own. I'd never tell someone not to provide a letter. If that works, wonderful!

 

Cruising is joyful. That's all I know!

[JGmf]

On 6/6/2024 at 1:11 PM, Jetswdo said:

The last thing I wrote was to please not bring those canapies with fish or pork to the cabin.  I never said I had allergies or anything like that. It  is just a preference

 

Sort of the heart of the OP's issue: people, either land or sea, confuse "preferences" and "allergies."  The former is just how you learn to best enjoy your life, the latter may have serious health implications.

 

I'm a pescatarian.  It's not uncommon where I'll be asked about allergies; and I truthfully say I don't have any. Then they roll out a lot of stuff I don't eat and get surprised when I don't touch it and leave it on the plate.

[slidemaster5]

1 hour ago, cruiseny4life said:

It's definitely good it works for you! I know it works for others, too. It's just not something we'll ever do. We much prefer having a conversation with the butler each day of the cruise. I don't want to tell the butler to just refer to the letter and, in my experience, the butlers seem a little awkward if you don't have anything to tell them each day. They seem to be much more grateful when we're able to give them an idea of our day. But, to each their own. I'd never tell someone not to provide a letter. If that works, wonderful!

 

Cruising is joyful. That's all I know!

 

Nothing against actually talking with them. I just think it may be better to talk and give them the letter / note so they can use it as a cheat sheet. My thinking is that if the butler has 12 cabins to go to on day 1 and everyone just tells him/her what they want it needs to be memorized. I'll probably offer them the note or ask them if they want it left in the pantry area. Mine is simple:

 

Please stock us with the following:

(1) M&M peanuts

(2) cashews and walnuts

(3) pitcher of ice water 

(4) lemonade

 

Please note as to canapes that we only will eat dessert items and cheese platter items.