Unwind in your own stylish space, featuring a living and dining area and the option of extra bedding to sleep up to four* guests. my fiance also loved to order pizza for late night, and would order it from anywhere on teh ship with the cordless phone that comes with your room. Relax with an incredible floor-to-ceiling view, and let the butler and concierge take care of the finer details. If you book a Penthouse deck suite on a Crystal cruise, you can enjoy the services of a personal, in-suite butler. cleaned and ready - that failing then escorted to the Haven restaurant or other specialty restaurant for lunch. While some cruise lines offer a personal, in-cabin butler, Disney's concierge is more of a service that concierge-level guests can access when needed. I write this because there was one occasion when the Butler was attending to our meal in our room. It was a great pick-me-up and once our butler figured out we weren't one for canapes or gummy bears (which took about one day), we lived well! They're pretty spectacular! Evening turndown service in staterooms. The magic starts before you even board the cruise. He said "Let me bring dinner to you" and I was glad of the offer. After the party, they will clean your suite while you enjoy the ship. Watch the horizon glide by from expansive private balconies. Part Time Real Estate, Leasing Consultant. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. With up to 574 sq. An aft-facing suite would include a butler/concierge. Name of lounge: The Haven Lounge. This means that Haven guests will be able to skip any lines that may occur onboard when disembarking at destinations while sailing on the cruise and maximize their time in ports. ft.*, the Deluxe Owners Suite pampers up to six guests. Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. For the ultimate luxurious experience aboard Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) vessels prospective passengers should consider booking accommodations in Norwegian exclusive, The Haven. This includes classicly-styled professional english butlers on Silverseas to a more fun and modern Royal Genie on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Many other mass market cruises offer butler service for parts of the experience, for instance, we had a butler for our private beach villa at Half Moon Cay while sailing on Holland America Line. Guests can contact The Haven concierge before arriving and let them know of any specific preferences and desires, this will ensure that guests assigned butler will know just how to care for their Haven passengers. For immediate help, please contact Heather directly: 630-779-9301 or : heather@flowvoyages.com. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. We also had no interactions with him on day 1 we asked for juice day 2 when he finally got us and he was never seen again only heard when he was presenting dinner to the neighbors. Each butler serving that special VIP area of the ship received formal training at the International Institutes of Modern Butlers. It looks like on Bliss they are (mostly) slightly further aft (where the mini-suites are on Escape) but other than that and decor, what are the differences? For immediate help, please contact Heather directly: 630-779-9301 or : Why You Should Consider A Holiday Cruise This Year. There is another thread about tipping the Butler good luck with that one. Norwegian Cruise Line Who Gets It: Passengers staying in The Haven receive 24/7 butler service. This website uses cookies. I will call him. Do you need a concierge or a butler to have a fantastic cruise? Another important role that many people like having a butler for is handling all the details for a private party in their suite. For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPGs new cruise newsletter. Here are some lines that have cruise butler services available: You really do enjoy the "star" treatment when you book an upgraded suite on Royal Caribbean. We used the butler very little outside his duties, most of which could easily have been done by the room steward. Discover the worldin comforton Viking ocean cruises to Scandinavia, Mediterranean, Asia, Australia, the Americas or around https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/NCL-introduces-concierge-service-for-top-guests. Any discussion of tipping on a cruise will bring out a wide variety of opinions. Norwegian Cruise Line's "ship within a ship", The Haven, offers a high-end luxury experience exclusive to guests booked in its suites. As such, there is no specific guideline on how much you should tip your butler. The butler basically takes care of your personal needs food and beverages (in cabin coffee maker) - the cabin, You will also have the services of the ships Concierge to arrange ease in getting on and off the ship; dining. This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip. you also get free pay per view movies! Butler service is something usually offered to passengers who've booked a top-level suite. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. Each butler serving that special VIP area of the ship received formal training at the International Institutes of Modern Butlers. Pride of America cabins and suites | CruiseMapper For drinks, we tip $1/$2 per drink. Others have both, but they are only available to passengers in certain cabin categories (usually concierge- or suite-level accommodations for which you pay an upgraded cruise fare). That, along with the escorts OFF the ship at each port by the concierge team, were huge benefits that we hadn't really anticipated but probably freed up an hour or so each day. Butlers (and concierges) are generally not part of the pre-paid gratuities pool. The concierge is over the butler, so if you have any issues with the butler, let the concierge know, and most likely will resolve the issue. Related: Is Disney Cruise Line concierge level worth it? ft.*. the grandson had a meltdown and dad went to the room. So we'll be trying that out next summer! Passengers of The Haven will be escorted off the ship for excursions as well as upon arrival to ports of call. We sailed NCL for the first time in June in the Haven and our butler and room steward really "made the cruise" for us in terms of the shipboard experience. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. (NCL's The Haven Sundeck area aboard the brand new Norwegian Prima). For cruise news and updates, follow Donna Tunney on Twitter @dttravelweekly. I have had 2 NCL cruises in suites. Norwegians two ships in development, the Norwegian Breakaway and Getaway, will also feature the Haven when they launch in April 2013 and April 2014. Just up the tip. I had no idea about the pizza. $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline. Basically they make sure you are happy in your suite and will do everything within their power to get what you need/want from anywhere on the ship brought into your suite. Fine linens, feather duvet on stateroom beds, and a pillow menu. One key difference between butlers on big ship lines like Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Disney, Celebrity, and MSC and those found on smaller ships. All Rights Reserved. LauraS However, when it comes to cruise butlers, and to a less extent concierges we're talking about a premium level of service that is actively designed to make your cruise experience special. In the case of Disney, Concierge passengers also get access to some exclusive areas of the ship. *Terms & Conditions Package not available on sailings less than 5 days or charter sailings. Your suppose to carry it when you leave your cabin in the ship. DECK 18. one night we stayed in to watch one and ordered pizza. Best card for premium perks while traveling, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, The best places to see cherry blossoms around the US this spring, Looking back: How my points and miles strategy has changed over the years, The best increased card offers to sign up for this March. It is usable anywhere on the ship and as I have found out on my recent New England Canada cruise can be, used on shore with a limited range. All Rights Reserved. Credit ranges are a variation of FICO Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. This is an extra service charge implemented fleetwide (including on the Norwegian Pride of America ship). As previously mentioned, Jewel-class ships do not have a dedicated private restaurant. Makes reservations for evening shows and other entertainment options. Some people think that cabin stewards are butlers and that butlers take care of cleaning your cabin. 07070 USA Telephone: (201) 902-2000, Windstar Knows the Way to the Middle East: How to Sell the Red Sea & Persian Gulf. If you're new to cruising -- or even if you're just new to booking a higher cabin category -- you may not necessarily know the difference between the terms concierge and butler. We had breakfast in our suite most mornings - sometimes just continental and sometimes ordered from the Haven menu. Spanning and impressive 6,694 square feet. The first time I let the butler spoil me since I was a suite rookie. He'll offer you a choice of high-end soaps, shampoos and conditioners when you arrive in your cabin for the first time. If you have the opportunity, try out a cabin category that offers the assistance of either or both types of crew members and then you can decide for yourself if access to them is worth the extra money. This butler serves all of The Haven guests, and is more like a suite-wide concierge than a personal in-suite butler. Perhaps today it's some sandwiches, or a plate of cheese and crackers and fruits. We were escorted on by the Concierge and he took us to lunch. At higher loyalty levels as well as various suite categories on most lines, guests will have access to a concierge who they can call to make reservations. Additionally, the typical cruise passenger that enjoys butler service is in a completely different financial category than the family of five packed into an inside cabin looking for every opportunity to save a buck. One afternoon we arrived back from a long day to find a ham/cheese sandwich waiting for us - we devoured it and after that we went through BLTs, turkey, you-name-it. Fire Chief, September 20, 2017 in Norwegian Cruise Line. Known for high-end luxury voyages to the most exotic and far-flung ports on the globe, Oceania cruises overlook no detail when it comes to high-class service. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. He/she isn't just "yours". Listed on 2023-03-02. To find out more, please. Some lines, like Silversea, have a butler for every suite. This suite includes a large bedroom, luxury bathroom, and separate living and dining room areas. Serve room service meals in your cabin or on your balcony. Butlers - Cruises - Cruise Critic Similarly, a butler may go into your room and set up a vase of flowers or a display of cookies, he (or she) isn't there to clean. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Bliss Collection by Norwegian pillow-top mattress on stateroom beds. Was at St. Johns Bay well over a mile from the ship and as a test used the. The butler takes care of your needs INSIDE of the room - things like snacks delivered daily, full meals delivered to your suite (by request), taking care of the espresso/coffee machine. She's trailed an orca pod from a skiff in Alaskas Inside Passage, had an allergic reaction to a cheetah she met at a South African rehabilitation center and hiked the Borneo rainforest to glimpse orangutans in the wild and she's written about it all. The Garden Villa guests will also enjoy private car service at the conclusion of the cruise, to the airport or home if within a 25-mile radius of the port, and will enjoy a private escort off the ship, through Customs and directly to the awaiting private transport. -- with access to a private retreat where you can enjoy complimentary food and nonalcoholic beverages throughout the day. While some butler services are more formal and reserved - as you might expect from a traditional English manor house, others try to be more fun and family friendly such as Royal Caribbean's Royal Genie. DECK 20. 11 extra charges on cruise ships that will drive you nuts and what to do about them, 21 tips and tricks to make your cruise go more smoothly, Inside Regents new $11,000-a-night super suite, The 9 best cruise ship steakhouses and steak-serving restaurants, Cruise ship restaurant nirvana: The 7 best meals at sea, 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up, The best Caribbean cruises for every type of traveler, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. If anyone has given us outstanding service, we will tip extra at the end of the week. Here are a few threads that might help (some even with pics! Available on: Norwegian Prima,Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Bliss, and Norwegian Peal. From unpacking your suitcase to pouring your champagne our butlers are at your service Our Suites At a glance 3-Bedroom Garden Villa Sleeps up to 7. Available on: Norwegian Prima,Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Epic, and Norwegian Breakaway. We did tip him as he did his duties as he should but we tipped the room steward a lot more!! However, suite guests even in the very premium Pinacle Suites on that line do not offer butler service the same way as the brands listed above do. One note that confuses some people is that you may see notes such as that provided by MSC Cruises stating that crew do not need to be tipped. Silversea was the one of the first cruise lines to introduce butlers, and the service is available to guests on all of the line's nine ships. //ncl concierge service - Norwegian Cruise Line - Cruise Critic Community The butler basically takes care of your personal needs food and beverages (in cabin coffee maker) - the cabin steward cleans and makes up the cabin. Butler Service - Norwegian Cruise Line - Cruise Critic Community DECK 16. MSC Cruises Yacht Club Butler service is an integral part of your experience when staying in one of the MSC Cruises Yacht Club suites on ships like MSC Seashore. On the penultimate day we had 3 visits with "I hope you have enjoyed the service I have provided!!". Sleeps up to five guests. These Guild of Professional English Butlers are among the best anywhere at sea. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, By Celebrating a birthday, anniversary or honeymoon? The concierge usually has a desk in the ship's reception area or, if specifically for passengers in a certain cabin category, the concierge may have a desk in the library or a special VIP area of the ship. Champagne, custom selection of liquor (in the Norwegian Star and Norwegian Dawn), fruit, bottled water and sodas. They also handle your priority disembark at the end of the trip. From delivering any special requests, to keeping your cabin stocked with amenities and daily treats, to providing in-suite dining, your butler is there to ensure you are well-cared for during the cruise. They also supervise the room steward and makes sure things are done properly. While this is an absolutely fantastic service, a cruise butler is an active helper vs a passive one waiting for you to ask a question. There are some people who are incredibly demanding and entitled and it would not enter their heads that others might get a lesser service. Now, lets take a look at what its like to enjoy Butler and Concierge Service onboard Norwegian Cruise Line ships. However, a concierge won't be there in the morning to make sure you don't have any last min requests or to provide an umbrella for your excursion since there was an unexpected rainstorm overnight. Windstars 2023/24 Middle East program kicks off in November. They essentially formed a hand-off chain and pulled people out of line to escort them to a different boarding point. Also I was told my last cruise they give you those cordless satellite phones for a reason. Plates, glassware, setting up food, etc. ACCOMMODATIONS - Cruises - Norwegian Cruise Line Best Cruise Deals | NCL The concierge desk enables guests and travel agents to book shore excursions and make reservations for dining, entertainment and the spa. Use them, and reward as appropriate. The concierge desk enables guests and travel agents to book shore excursions and make reservations for dining, entertainment and the spa. Last cruise. Related: 21 tips and tricks to make your cruise go more smoothly. Norwegian Encore cruise ship deck plan has 2043 staterooms for up to 4903 passengers served by 1731 crew. Contrary to rather bizarre misconceptions, the butler does not stand there in a uniform and white gloves waiting on your beck and call they come when you call them, and stop by once or twice a day to check in. Cruising The Haven & Suites: Perks and Details (Part 2) - NCL A line-by-line guide, The 5 best cabin locations on any cruise ship. If unfamiliar the Daily Service Charges are: $20.00 USD per person,. Upstairs is an outdoor sundeck with padded loungers and clamshell seating. What is being described on this thread is reality. This is a question that we are often asked by guests. Your suite's portable phone is pre-programmed to dial directly to either of them, or to your Cabin Steward. //]]>. Plus Ups are excluded. Then watch the moonlight dance on the waves from your private terrace. Bored now, I hope my "opinions" have been useful to most reasonable people, maybe first time cruisers, who wish to book their own excursions and speciality dining, so they know they're done how they'd wish they were done. Started August 27, 2021, By The Haven can be an interesting and luxurious option for guests looking for an elevated experience aboard NCL vessels. [CDATA[ Thanks to all. Your butler will also serve your meals on your private verandah, offer you a choice of luxury bath accessories and discuss your dining preferences with the ship's chef. The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. Powered by Invision Community, Also I was told my last cruise they give you those cordless. I may also ask for chocolate delivered to my cabin each evening. NCL introduces concierge service for top guests - Travel Weekly Much of The Haven has beautiful ocean views throughout for passengers to enjoy. In addition, Norwegian Cruise Line Haven's butlers offer in-suite dining service and evening turndown service for your enjoyment. Available to suite guests, the butler will also handle shoe shining, dry cleaning and bring coffee. Perhaps you're poolside and decide you'd like to have lunch delivered to the suite, a quick call to your Butler makes that happen. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. In part, this is because many services that you recieve on a cruise ship should honestly be simply built into the price of the experience. With up to 875 sq. They are generally salaried employees and depending on the line may have a salary of between $2,500-$4,000 per month with tips adding to that number considerably. They also receive priority boarding on embarkation day and express debarkation. Onboard, you'll find a concierge at The Retreat, the special VIP areas of the ship -- indoor lounge and sun deck -- where only Concierge-level and suite passengers are allowed. If the ID card is bad it gets worse. On the Jewel, Jade, Pearl or Gem the private Haven Courtyard features a private pool, hot tub, dining tables, padded loungers surrounding the pool, and a retractable roof. Get up to $300 back per calendar year on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. Your concierge is a bit like an agent to you on board ship. Check here before booking an award fare. I have had two on NCL (Spirit), they can be fantastic. The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. I think I used my night butler more with night room service etc. ft.*, your Owners Suite sleeps up to five* guests, and offers separate living and dining rooms (combined on some ships). the concierge left us behind. What a great way to start the day! Yacht Club suites also come with a personal butler available 24 hours a day. Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. What You Need To Know About Cruise Butler Service On Different Cruise Lines A line-by-line guide. I know the trolls will hang me but I opened up his envelope and gave it to my room attended because he did more Butler services then the 1 with the title. the concierge will ensure you get priority check-in and departure as well as priority tendering to port. By the time you have freshened up, he might have already made reservations for you and just need your confirmation for any details. You did not book a suite. Firstly to request service to which he informed them he would be with them shortly as he was with another guest. Designed to be a romantic hideaway for guests, this suite includes a round queen-sized bed and floor-to-ceiling windows to capture the passing ocean views. The largest city in Arizona, Phoenix is also one of the largest cities in the U.S and is home to over 1.5 million people.As a major transportation hub, Phoenix is a financial, cultural and economic center for the Southwestern United States and is also known for its performing arts, museums and events. While some folks expect a level of service that is like what they have at home with a butler, personal chef, driver and other staff, for others this is an opportunity to splurge. At a couple of the ports where lines were long to get on, many of the butlers were out working the line, looking for their guests. Additionally, access to The Haven Sundeck is restricted to guests 16 years and older, offering a private space for adult guests onboard. Perhaps youll find yourself at one of the lounges enjoying some live music, or maybe you just feel like slipping into your pajamas and enjoying a quiet dinner en suite, delivered by your Butler? - you should always consider paying more if they did something special for you that made your cruise more enjoyable.