kdzkatz

I am biting my tongue so I deleted this post. I was expressing my dissatisfaction with the cheapness a couple posters have expressed but I will rise above it and not get dragged into the mire. :)

I didn't ask anything of the butler or concierge and felt no need to tip them. They are part of what you paying 3 to 5 times extra for in a suite. If you use them you can tip them what you think it is worth to you, only you know, people on these boards get a little carried away with tipping IMHO, or so they say.

OP don't listen to the CHEAP post quoted above! You don't have to break the bank for tipping but if the concierge and butler are available and pleasant they should get something. I know there are many opinions on tipping and here is what we do:

Concierge $50 & Butler $100 starting point and then adjust accordingly. They have to do something we view as a negative for us to take away from those starting points. If we end up not using the butler but use the concierge a bunch we would reverse those amounts as a starting point. With having done the Alaska itinerary regularly we seldom ask the concierge for much. That is not their fault and as long as they are available and friendly they will get at least our starting dollar amount. We have used the butler more and more each time we are in a suite and I believe that trend will continue for us.

Our first time in a suite (2 bedroom in the Haven on the Pearl) we did not use the butler a single time as we didn't know how to but he did bring snacks and was available. He still received a nice tip. The concierge was amazing and went way above and beyond. He got a much larger tip than we would normally consider.

We are not well off financially and this is our only vacation each year. We think our tip starting points are enough to show our appreciation but also not so much we can't pay the bills when we get home.

In the end do what you feel is right for your situation. :)

Bruno is the current Concierge. He is excellent.

Thank you RedF! I'm happy you had great experience :D:D

If they just HAVE to use the word "suite" in the title then they should call it a "Not-a-Suite". :p:rolleyes:

You say you will be on the Jewel next Saturday. Is that as in May 21st? We will be there and also in a suite. Beware being in a suite, it makes it very hard to go back. A non suite is still great but the suite life is amazing!

If you are on the May 21st cruise you are encouraged to come visit the roll call and also attend the Meet & Greet. I don't want to hijack the thread but the details for the Meet & Greet are on the Roll Call.

This will be our 8th cruise to Alaska in the last 9 years all on NCL. It will be our 5th time in a suite and we have always tipped at the end.

Something I have read that we have used is trying our best to give the butler a heads up that will plan to have a couple/few meals delivered during the cruise, they don't need to be served in courses, he/she can just drop off all the food at once.

We also ask for a bowl of M&M's and a bowl of gummy bears. We normally eat healthy but for one week out of the year we eat what we want, when we want and how much we want with no guilt whatsoever.

Welcome to the suite life! :D:D

Not a penny.

Actually that is exactly what I would have tipped, one penny in an envelope or maybe better yet from your on board account. That is a blatant insult to leave a penny for a tip and it sounds like this concierge earned that exact amount for their inexcusable service (or lack thereof).

It will definitely maybe get better. There is no way of knowing. One reason there is no way of knowing is because who knows what you will consider better. It sounds like you don't like the new offers as much as the old ones but some people like the new ones better so the question you have is very subjective.

I thought I would bump this thread back up to see if the people that returned on the Jewel on May 1st can verify if the new menu in O'Sheehan's has been changed to the new one yet. Also if possible to find out if the lunch menu for suite passengers has been updated as shown in an earlier post in this thread? I really hope so as we cruise later this month.

The Haven rooms on the Jewel class ships offer the "cruise within a cruise" feel that you can only get in the Haven. You forget you are on a large cruise ship when you are up there. Then you go to the lower decks and it's almost like going from a small town to the big city.

IMO the regular suites are still amazing but you don't get the intimacy of the Haven.

25 days until our 8th Alaska cruise and in an Owners Suite this time! :D:D

I have worn and will continue to wear jeans, t-shirt and barefoot shoes to all dining venues including specialties when we cruise Alaska. I have never felt out of place and never had a complaint as many others dress similarly.

Curious who the current concierge is on the Jewel? We will be on her in a few weeks and are lucky enough to be living the suite life again! :D

How does the a la carte pricing work with SDP in terms of menu items you can select?

The SDP allows you one entree and unlimited apps, salad, soup and dessert

Are we able to use one of our selections in Ocean Blue? Yes but there is an upcharge of $15 I believe

 

Are there any restriction as to how many times we can select a single restaurant?No you can use all your SDP days at the same restaurant!

I believe the one entree only applies to Cagney's and Le Bistro. There is nothing is their FAQ's or T&C's indicating otherwise. Here is what they say:

ARE ANY MENU ITEMS EXCLUDED FROM SPECIALTY DINING PACKAGES?

No, all items listed on the menus are included in the package. Additional entrée charges also apply for dining at Cagney’s Steakhouse and Le Bistro.

We got off the Jewel today. OSheehans still had pot pie on the menu. We only ate there once and the prime rib special was great

I am very happy to hear you enjoyed the food and I hope you had a great cruise! Thank you so much for sharing! I really appreciate it. It will be great either way but we always like trying different stuff and look forward to the new menu to be able to do just that. :D:D

On you on 9 or 10? The OS on Jewel class and Dawn class are nice especially having the front and side balcony.

We are on deck 9. I think the ones on deck 10 are more sought after but they were gone and with the upsell I certainly am not going to complain. :D It is also nice that we were able to upsell my parents into the connecting forward penthouse. This will be their second cruise and first experience living the suite life. :D:D

Bumping this up so hopefully those that return today from their cruise on the Jewel may be able to help. :)

We have found there is enough diversity in attire that no one should feel out of place. Lol....there was even a guy a couple years ago that lost a Super Bowl bet and had to wear girls baby clothes with a sign that said "I lost the bet". He only had to wear it while on the ship and had a different outfit everyday. Anytime someone approached him (which was often) he had to curtsy. He was such a great sport about it is was fun for pretty much everyone (unless you had NO sense of humor). It became a mission to get a pic of him everyday. He had a bunch of us sign his embarkation photo.

It was the Super Bowl where the Seahawks beat the Broncos and with this cruise leaving out of Seattle there were many Seahawks fans aboard. Several of us were called out to the pool deck in our Seahawks attire and 12th man flag with him sitting in front of us. He told us it was his 23rd cruise and his most fun as everyone was a good sport towards him.

Sorry to get off subject for a bit there. :o

I am wondering if the Jewel will update their suite/vip breakfast and lunch menus as well as O'Sheehans during the Pacific Coastal or when they start the Alaska cruise season on May 7th. I really hope so as us and my parents both uphold to the Owners Suite and connected forward penthouse and the menu dexddd posted looks wonderful!

I will bump this thread again tomorrow if it falls too far down so hopefully people just getting off the Jewel may see it and respond. I really appreciate those that have given info on this thread after they had returned. :D

There are at least a couple evenings where you can dress up for photo opportunities.

We are going on our 8th cruise to Alaska on NCL and several cruises ago we began leaving our formal attire at home.

They used to call it "Dress up or not" on those evenings but have since changed the name to something else. I like the wide range of attire on those evenings. I am in blue jeans and t shirt while others are in suites and gowns. What I think is so interesting is I don't think anyone looks out of place. We are all just doing what we want to do. That is what I call a vacation. :D

It has seemed there may be a slightly higher percentage of people dressed up on those evenings but not by too much from my observations so I think it makes everyone feel comfortable and not out of place.

In my opinion I think the roll call is a great way to find out information on your specific cruise as well as introduce yourself to others that will be on our cruise. We have met many wonderful people thanks to the Meet & Greet that was set up in the roll call.

A roll call is a place where you all have the common bond of having your cruise at the same time on the same ship. I don't feel the need to have to get to know tons of people on a cruise but I think having conversations prior to the cruise you can find common ground with others and you will be amazed how you will run into a few people on the ship and in port time and time again. It gives me kind of a small town feel on the cruise where you walk along and wave and say hi to a few people that never would have happened if not for the roll call and successive meet & greet.

This was sent to me just today from our pre concierge regarding the Jewel. I think there are new suite dining menus being rolled out but as of last week this was the breakfast menu on the Jewel:

BEVERAGES

Assorted Teas, Freshly Brewed Coffee, Fruit Juices

FRESHLY SQUEEZED FRUIT JUICE AVAILABLE (12OZ $3.25 AND 14OZ $3.75)

HOT OFF THE GRIDDLE

Waffle with Fresh Berries

WHIPPED CREAM

Buttermilk Hot Cakes

WALNUT BUTTER, CARAMELIZED BANANAS

Tahitian Vanilla Challah French Toast

CINNAMON-SCENTED MACERATED BERRIES, MASCARPONE

MORNING SPECIALTIES

Crab Cakes Benedict*

TWO POACHED EGGS, CRAB CAKES, TOASTED ENGLISH MUFFIN, DILL HOLLANDAISE

Traditional Eggs Benedict*

TWO POACHED EGGS, CANADIAN BACON, TOASTED ENGLISH MUFFIN, HOLLANDAISE

Smoked Salmon Frittata – Open Faced Omelet*

ASPARAGUS, POTATOES, SHALLOTS, HERBED BOURSIN

Three Egg Omelet*

CHOICE OF HAM, ONIONS, BELL PEPPERS, CHORIZO, MUSHROOMS, CHEESE

Fruits de Mer in Brioche*

LOBSTER AND SCALLOPS IN TOASTED BRIOCHE WITH A POACHED EGG AND CHORON SAUCE

Steak and Eggs*

PETITE GRILLED FILLET OF BEEF, TWO EGGS ANY STYLE

Two Eggs any Style*

CHOICE OF BACON OR LINK SAUSAGE

BEVERAGES

Assorted Teas, Freshly Brewed Coffee, Fruit Juices

FRESHLY SQUEEZED FRUIT JUICE AVAILABLE (12OZ $3.25 AND 14OZ $3.75)

HOT OFF THE GRIDDLE

Waf e with Fresh Berries

WHIPPED CREAM

Buttermilk Hot Cakes

WALNUT BUTTER, CARAMELIZED BANANAS

Tahitian Vanilla Challah French Toast

CINNAMON-SCENTED MACERATED BERRIES, MASCARPONE

MORNING SPECIALTIES

Crab Cakes Benedict*

TWO POACHED EGGS, CRAB CAKES, TOASTED ENGLISH MUFFIN, DILL HOLLANDAISE

Traditional Eggs Benedict*

TWO POACHED EGGS, CANADIAN BACON, TOASTED ENGLISH MUFFIN, HOLLANDAISE

Smoked Salmon Frittata – Open Faced Omelet*

ASPARAGUS, POTATOES, SHALLOTS, HERBED BOURSIN

Three Egg Omelet*

CHOICE OF HAM, ONIONS, BELL PEPPERS, CHORIZO, MUSHROOMS, CHEESE

Fruits de Mer in Brioche*

LOBSTER AND SCALLOPS IN TOASTED BRIOCHE WITH A POACHED EGG AND CHORON SAUCE

Steak and Eggs*

PETITE GRILLED FILLET OF BEEF, TWO EGGS ANY STYLE

Two Eggs any Style*

CHOICE OF BACON OR LINK SAUSAGE

I took this from the PDF and it changed the format. Sorry it is kind of hard to read.

We got off the Jewel 3 days ago.

 

I am honestly not sure what the old vs new menus are but the lunch menu (for sure) was basically this.

 

Apps:

Spinach and Artichoke dip

Wings

 

Pot Pie

Fish and Chips

Ruben

Meatloaf

Thank you very much as that is enough info to know they have not switched to the newer O'Sheehan's menu yet. They will be doing away with the pot pie, mozzarella sticks and chicken tenders and offering a few different hot dogs, hamburgers, nachos, fajitas, bangers & mash. We are intrigued with many of the eventual new offerings and hope the menu switches prior to our cruise in a month.

Thanks again! :):)

I thought I would bump this thread back up to see if the people that returned on the Jewel on April 16th can verify if the new menu in O'Sheehan's has been changed to the new one yet. Also if possible to find out if the lunch menu for suite passengers has been updated as shown in an earlier post in this thread? I really hope so as we cruise in a month.

Thanks in advance for your help. :)

I am pretty excited about m and m's for a snack! Canapes I expected but M and m's ...woo hoo!

Plain and Peanut!! :D:D

'

 

There are multiple people on the Holland America board that would disagree with you on this one ;). Holland America is commonly considered a premium tier cruise line, but several that were exclusive to HAL have switched over to NCL due to the superb food and service, myself included.

 

And yes, you can include NCL in the premium tier. The Haven accommodations compete quite nicely even with Viking Ocean cruises, Oceania, and Regent.

 

And this is coming from someone who was just on Star, so I am well aware of the changes and trends. The cruiser that FDR is going after...the premium level cruiser... appreciates the changes by and large.

 

but enough of that.

There is a flaw in what you state. There are only a handful of rooms on the ships with the Haven experience. If the Haven experience was ship wide then I would agree they had become a premium cruise line. The problem is what is costs for a Haven room and with the number of rooms they have to sell, they would cruise very empty many times and would bleed money if all the rooms on NCL ships were provided this experience.