How to request a different butler before your cruise.

[Fishbait17]

By this reasoning, the poor folks in an inside will be searching the trash cans for food. The level of service for any suites is supposed to be the same for all, same butlers/concierge etc. The don't assign "special" staffing for higher end suites and leave the dregs to the low class penthouses.

An earlier poster talked about how someone was a little late and someone in a lesser suite had taken their "special GV seats". Doesn't work that way on any of the cruises I've been on. Suite seating at the shows is for all the suites and they all get seated at the same time, if your late, you take what left, usually in the "regular" seating area. There is very little if any class distinction in the suites. The Haven is a separate category.

I thing this thing has been beaten to death. Op is not going to be happy and the sides have been taken in this battle. I think we've talked it out????:D

 

There has been a definite difference in the service for different level suites in all of my sailings. That's not to say that anyone gets or deserves "bad" service, it's just that some suite levels get "better" service than others - hard to put a finger on, but a definite difference.

 

And most of the sailings I have been on offer the theater seating perk for only Haven guests and upward, not for all suites. There are a few ships that treat all suites pretty much the same for this perk, but most do not.

 

Robin

[Alliea]

By this reasoning, the poor folks in an inside will be searching the trash cans for food. The level of service for any suites is supposed to be the same for all, same butlers/concierge etc. The don't assign "special" staffing for higher end suites and leave the dregs to the low class penthouses.

An earlier poster talked about how someone was a little late and someone in a lesser suite had taken their "special GV seats". Doesn't work that way on any of the cruises I've been on. Suite seating at the shows is for all the suites and they all get seated at the same time, if your late, you take what left, usually in the "regular" seating area. There is very little if any class distinction in the suites. The Haven is a separate category.

I thing this thing has been beaten to death. Op is not going to be happy and the sides have been taken in this battle. I think we've talked it out????:D

 

It does tend to work that way on NCL at least.

[Alliea]

There has been a definite difference in the service for different level suites in all of my sailings. That's not to say that anyone gets or deserves "bad" service, it's just that some suite levels get "better" service than others - hard to put a finger on, but a definite difference.

 

And most of the sailings I have been on offer the theater seating perk for only Haven guests and upward, not for all suites. There are a few ships that treat all suites pretty much the same for this perk, but most do not.

 

Robin

.....

[TPEINC1958]

By this reasoning, the poor folks in an inside will be searching the trash cans for food. The level of service for any suites is supposed to be the same for all, same butlers/concierge etc. The don't assign "special" staffing for higher end suites and leave the dregs to the low class penthouses.

An earlier poster talked about how someone was a little late and someone in a lesser suite had taken their "special GV seats". Doesn't work that way on any of the cruises I've been on. Suite seating at the shows is for all the suites and they all get seated at the same time, if your late, you take what left, usually in the "regular" seating area. There is very little if any class distinction in the suites. The Haven is a separate category.

I thing this thing has been beaten to death. Op is not going to be happy and the sides have been taken in this battle. I think we've talked it out????:D

 

Well stated!!

[time2cruise1]

Wow , I'm very surprised at some of these post's. The facts are ; Butlers are not equal and they do move up to the "highest class Suites " after proving themselves coming up the ladder . I have had this very conversation with several butlers and guess what, the GV's do tend to tip more than the PH's. Its not class warfare , but when you pay $10k a person for a Garden Villa , well you do the math.. Its no different than any other job. Do well , you move to the higher 'tipping" suites. This Das fellow sounds like an anomaly in the systyem.

Its also fairly apparent that there seems to be alot of opinions from people that dont sail in suites . Maybe Im wrong but I dont think so.

I will say this , Das will NOT be our Butler...;)

 

out

 

Another very recent victim of Das here. Butlers do move up. This is especially true on the ships with courtyards. Since the each of two butlers service the starboard and port CVs and GV respectively . No rookies in those positions.

 

Where it breaks down is with the OS since a single butler handles all the penthouses on deck 10 including the OS another deck 9. Most butlers will prioritize OS service however I hope that is the reason I never saw Das or received most of what I asked for. The last straw was when he took my espresso machine and said he would be right back with a replacement. Up at 6:00am the next day for immigration and no machine. Mentioned to Patrick at immigration and it was there when I got back. Das forgot

[Alliea]

By this reasoning, the poor folks in an inside will be searching the trash cans for food. The level of service for any suites is supposed to be the same for all, same butlers/concierge etc. The don't assign "special" staffing for higher end suites and leave the dregs to the low class penthouses.

An earlier poster talked about how someone was a little late and someone in a lesser suite had taken their "special GV seats". Doesn't work that way on any of the cruises I've been on. Suite seating at the shows is for all the suites and they all get seated at the same time, if your late, you take what left, usually in the "regular" seating area. There is very little if any class distinction in the suites. The Haven is a separate category.

I thing this thing has been beaten to death. Op is not going to be happy and the sides have been taken in this battle. I think we've talked it out????:D

The special seating in the theatre is for Courtyard rooms, and higher, you are wrong.

[TPEINC1958]

It does tend to work that way on NCL at least.

Can you site specific examples to back this stance up? My experiences seem to be quite different from yours.

[TPEINC1958]

The special seating in the theatre is for Courtyard rooms, and higher, you are wrong.

Not on all ships...so you are also incorrect.

[hunterjackson]

We are in a sf on the pearl for alaska nxt summer. Should we just go back to a mini?

 

The other thing is we are young (26) and are afraid of not being taken seriously. We cruise ncl every year, and wanted to try the suite life.

[time2cruise1]

We are in a sf on the pearl for alaska nxt summer. Should we just go back to a mini?

 

The other thing is we are young (26) and are afraid of not being taken seriously. We cruise ncl every year, and wanted to try the suite life.

 

Don't move. You will love it. Maybe you should move the suite life is very addictive and very hard on your bank account over time :D

[mpk218]

We are in a sf on the pearl for alaska nxt summer. Should we just go back to a mini?

 

The other thing is we are young (26) and are afraid of not being taken seriously. We cruise ncl every year, and wanted to try the suite life.

 

 

For Gods sake NO :eek:. Even with all the nonsense were talking about here you will love it. If you do your research and know everything that you are entitled to while in a suite you will have a great time. I cant tell you how many times I hear people come back after a cruise in a suite and say " I didn't know we could have done that ".. Also I have never seen a butler do his job any differently because of the age of a Pax.

But be careful , what Time2Cruise said above is no joke.:D

[Fishbait17]

We are in a sf on the pearl for alaska nxt summer. Should we just go back to a mini?

 

The other thing is we are young (26) and are afraid of not being taken seriously. We cruise ncl every year, and wanted to try the suite life.

 

Absolutely not! I think it's pretty rare to have bad service (at least in my own personal experience). Don't worry about being taken seriously - if you present a friendly and professional attitude, you will likely receive the same in return. You will have a great cruise and most likely be hooked on the suite life afterwards!

 

Robin

[smg53]

We are in a sf on the pearl for alaska nxt summer. Should we just go back to a mini?

 

The other thing is we are young (26) and are afraid of not being taken seriously. We cruise ncl every year, and wanted to try the suite life.

 

I also say don't go back! In 2009 we were 28 and 29 and stayed in an AE. Had a wonderful experience. Hooked us on the suite life. Last February we tried the one bedroom CY villa. Another wonderful experience. We had the same treatment both times and never felt slighted because of our age. In fact we are going again in May! Enjoy your trip!

[DMH15]

 

I am confused...what are you disagreeing with? You re-made all of my points for me. :confused:

I was disagreeing with your saying the relationship is a two way street... maybe I just misunderstood what you meant by that.

 

On the Sun, our concierge Karin indicated to at least three different suites that SHE would take care of any issues we had with the butler. She was fantastic.

 

One point I want to bring up from your post is your suggestion about changing cabins. From your post it sounds like once on the ship if you were getting "Butler X" you might want to seek a cabin change. Is that what you meant? Really? I booked my AFT SE on the Sun over six months ago for 2013. I really don't expect any of the other 19 suites to be available... and there are only 6 of the SEs and only 4 suites over the SE on the Sun, so I believe that option, at least on the Sun is out.

 

Re-assigning a butler on the Sun really is not much of a nightmare, in fact, during our 2 week SA cruise we did have Armando as a sub when our butler was out ill. He told me that sometimes there are stewards who have been selected for butler training on the ship and when our butler was ill he and those stewards picked up the slack. I had heard from another pax who sailed the Sun before me that Armando was wonderful... and I agree. He gave us superlative service. Really made us feel great.

 

There were a lot of problems with our butler but I will pick one to make a point. When we returned to our cabin one evening our snacks had toppled to the floor. There was salsa and other food items on the floor, curtain and wall. It was a mess. We called the butler to let him know we had picked up the plates but we thought it might stain and it was sort of stinky. He told us he would take care of it the next day. We said "really?". I told him I would call housekeeping and maybe they could send someone. That seemed to upset him. We did not care about any replacement, but we did not want to wait until the next day for the clean-up.

 

Our friends in a forward suite were amazed when we said something about the afternoon snacks. They had not received any snacks or offer of such and it was almost the halfway point of the cruise. A plate of cookies was heaven to them.

 

There really is a lot more to the butler story. But...

 

Like I said, Karin was wonderful. And our butler could have been better... but did it ruin our cruise? No way! I loved the Sun so much I can't wait to go back in 2013.

 

And without a Haven there is pretty much "across the board" suite perks for the 20 suites on the Sun. We received the reserved seating in the shows and we liked the seats in the balcony. I understand there are 2 butlers on the Sun who handle 10 suites each. One takes port and one takes starboard. They switch off every other cruise. It may seem wierd that they have to walk from forward to aft but that way they each get the same amount of the 4 level of Suites on the Sun. Somehow the substitution of one suite to another would not make that much difference... at least on the Sun.

[rvsullivan]

The special seating in the theatre is for Courtyard rooms, and higher, you are wrong.

 

That is so wrong. I've got two more coming up and every time all suites are given a time to be there and all are taken to the seating area as a group. You then all sit in the same general area, if you are late, too bad. You take whats left. Your experience could well be different, I don't know where or when you cruise. I do know what my experience is and has been. Never in any case has one class of suite been given preferential treatment over any other.

It's really difficult for me to understand how you can tell me or others what our experience has been. Should the concierge ever tell me that I have to sit somewhere else as they are saving seats for the "special people" we would be going to visit the HD.

[Fishbait17]

That is so wrong. I've got two more coming up and every time all suites are given a time to be there and all are taken to the seating area as a group. You then all sit in the same general area, if you are late, too bad. You take whats left. Your experience could well be different, I don't know where or when you cruise. I do know what my experience is and has been. Never in any case has one class of suite been given preferential treatment over any other.

It's really difficult for me to understand how you can tell me or others what our experience has been. Should the concierge ever tell me that I have to sit somewhere else as they are saving seats for the "special people" we would be going to visit the HD.

 

This may be true on the sailing and ships you have been on, but definitely not the way it has been handled on even one of my suite cruises. On all Jewel class ships, the seating is for Haven/Courtyard and above level suites. On the Sun, it was available for all suites, but on none of our sailings was there ever a "meet time" nor were we escorted to our seats all together. On every single cruise it was arrive when you want and take a seat (of course if there were seats, which has never been an issue on any sailing right up until showtime.).

 

Robin

[gotaluvlex]

Wow , I'm very surprised at some of these post's. The facts are ; Butlers are not equal and they do move up to the "highest class Suites " after proving themselves coming up the ladder . I have had this very conversation with several butlers and guess what, the GV's do tend to tip more than the PH's. Its not class warfare , but when you pay $10k a person for a Garden Villa , well you do the math.. Its no different than any other job. Do well , you move to the higher 'tipping" suites. This Das fellow sounds like an anomaly in the systyem.

Its also fairly apparent that there seems to be alot of opinions from people that dont sail in suites . Maybe Im wrong but I dont think so.

I will say this , Das will NOT be our Butler...;)

 

out

 

I appreciate this post. I am not saying that any other suite passenger should not get the same high quality service. Your needs should be met. That being said, that a GV is paying a premium and is supposed to be the "best suite on the seas", I want the best and I want every perk--that's what we pay for in the GVs (and I'm not talking upsale fairy...).

 

And on our particular ship the theater has a section that says RESERVED FOR GARDEN VILLA.... that means my GV passengers not other suite go-ers unless I waive it. That's what I paid for. Part of the GV cost is that you are the top room and get the best service. I agree that that should not cut against anyone else, but if there is a suite v. GV conflict of interest you would--if you paid the 10k per person for the GV--want to win out given that you put more into the put.

 

The same scenario goes for whales in the casino. Yes you get perks if you play enough, but if you play more than someone else you'll expect to get more. The idea that everyone who dumps for a suite is equal always confuses me. But I'm a vegas baby at heart and get that there are tiers and small whales and whale-whales... and when I'm the whale-whale on a ship I want the whale-whale treatment.

[Fishbait17]

I appreciate this post. I am not saying that any other suite passenger should not get the same high quality service. Your needs should be met. That being said, that a GV is paying a premium and is supposed to be the "best suite on the seas", I want the best and I want every perk--that's what we pay for in the GVs (and I'm not talking upsale fairy...).

 

And on our particular ship the theater has a section that says RESERVED FOR GARDEN VILLA.... that means my GV passengers not other suite go-ers unless I waive it. That's what I paid for. Part of the GV cost is that you are the top room and get the best service. I agree that that should not cut against anyone else, but if there is a suite v. GV conflict of interest you would--if you paid the 10k per person for the GV--want to win out given that you put more into the put.

 

The same scenario goes for whales in the casino. Yes you get perks if you play enough, but if you play more than someone else you'll expect to get more. The idea that everyone who dumps for a suite is equal always confuses me. But I'm a vegas baby at heart and get that there are tiers and small whales and whale-whales... and when I'm the whale-whale on a ship I want the whale-whale treatment.

 

Your post makes perfect sense to me. Other analogies could be made using hotels, restaurants, etc etc etc. There is a definite intrinsic difference in service the higher up you go in suite levels, as it should be. There is nothing wrong with enjoying the upgraded service at a "Westin" but then again, the service is nowhere near the level of a "Four Seasons", which in turn is nothing like the service at the "Burj Al Arab"...

 

I have also seen the area for GV seating on a few sailings, perhaps when there was a heavy use of the regular suite seating - I am not sure why it was

there sometimes and not others. Whatever the reason, it should be protected for use by it's intended passenger.

 

Robin

[BikerAl]

That is so wrong. I've got two more coming up and year.e Dawn, for GV and OS only lastvero years, and on they time all suites are given a time to be there and all are taken to the seating area as a group. You then all sit in the same general area, if you are late, too bad. You take whats left. Your experience could well be different, I don't know where or when you cruise. I do know what my experience is and has been. Never in any case has one class of suite been given preferential treatment over any other.

It's really difficult for me to understand how you can tell me or others what our experience has been. Should the concierge ever tell me that I have to sit somewhere else as they are saving seats for the "special people" we would be going to visit the HD.

 

On the Pearl and the Jewel, the special seating was for courtyard eligable only the last three years, and on the Dawn, GV's and OS's only.

[chloemonkey]

By this reasoning, the poor folks in an inside will be searching the trash cans for food. The level of service for any suites is supposed to be the same for all, same butlers/concierge etc. The don't assign "special" staffing for higher end suites and leave the dregs to the low class penthouses.

An earlier poster talked about how someone was a little late and someone in a lesser suite had taken their "special GV seats". Doesn't work that way on any of the cruises I've been on. Suite seating at the shows is for all the suites and they all get seated at the same time, if your late, you take what left, usually in the "regular" seating area. There is very little if any class distinction in the suites. The Haven is a separate category.

I thing this thing has been beaten to death. Op is not going to be happy and the sides have been taken in this battle. I think we've talked it out????:D

 

Not sure about your one quote regarding "suite seating at the shows is for all suites" as if I recall, there are even brass plates on the railings directly in front of the seats in the suite section that SPECIFY "Garden Villa" "Owner's Suites" etc.... at least there was on the Star...

 

Maybe it was dark in the showroom and you didn't notice? But the seats were definitely marked......not that if no one shows up by showtime that these seats should not be assigned to other suite passengers. Just don't want them to be given away to other suite passengers that the butler has taken a "fancy" to. Isn't part of the reason that we pay for the perks (which include the reserved seating in the theater) so that we don't have to arrive 1/2 to an hour ahead of time to reserve seats?

 

Again, come showtime, if no one that is entitled to the reserved seats has arrived, then go ahead and give them to other suite passengers. But NOT beforehand. And I do think that most Garden Villa passengers do tend to tip more than the regular suite passengers BUT that should really not be the issue. The seats are clearly marked for specific levels of suites and therefore those seats should be held for those passengers first....

 

I am not advocating for those in interior staterooms, oceanview, balcony, etc. to eat from the trash cans....that is just so off base that it is not even funny. But I AM advocating for the perks that are advertized to special catagories of suites, to be delivered. And that includes a butler AND concierge that are accountable and at least lets you know WHY they cannot accommodate your needs or requests. Too much to ask? I don't think so.

 

When you pay for the Garden Villa and then show up to find that the Garden Villa seats have been given away to other passengers, I do not think that it is unreasonable to be a bit peeved. Mind you we did not say a thing - but just found it a bit off-putting......I could see if we arrived after the show had begun - or even closer to the curtain going up. But this was not the case. The reality is that the concierge had made "friends" with other passengers in lower catagories and we were always a bit behind these passengers when it came to service. And before you "flame" me for not reporting to everyone in charge, that is not my personality or style. I was just hoping for a "different"concierge this trip.....but we will have a ball regardless! And who knows? If the same situations occurr, I may even "step up" and complain this time!

[Alliea]

That is so wrong. I've got two more coming up and every time all suites are given a time to be there and all are taken to the seating area as a group. You then all sit in the same general area, if you are late, too bad. You take whats left. Your experience could well be different, I don't know where or when you cruise. I do know what my experience is and has been. Never in any case has one class of suite been given preferential treatment over any other.

It's really difficult for me to understand how you can tell me or others what our experience has been. Should the concierge ever tell me that I have to sit somewhere else as they are saving seats for the "special people" we would be going to visit the HD.

I'm sorry I didn't realise it was so different on other ships. Only ones let in this area on Jewel, were Courtyard, and above. . It wasn't a very good area anway. We had better seats being by ourselves. It was just good just in case you ran way behind in time. I honestly think the best perk of suites, any level is eating at Cagneys for Breakfast/Lunch, and getting off ship first.

[Alliea]

That is so wrong. I've got two more coming up and every time all suites are given a time to be there and all are taken to the seating area as a group. You then all sit in the same general area, if you are late, too bad. You take whats left. Your experience could well be different, I don't know where or when you cruise. I do know what my experience is and has been. Never in any case has one class of suite been given preferential treatment over any other.

It's really difficult for me to understand how you can tell me or others what our experience has been. Should the concierge ever tell me that I have to sit somewhere else as they are saving seats for the "special people" we would be going to visit the HD.

I would also think the GV rooms would get the highest attention/best care than any room on the ship. I am surprised anyone would disagree with that.

[chloemonkey]

I disagree with Alliea....

 

If you have a butler as a perk, you should get the same butler attention regardless. It's included in your fee (and of course your discretionary tips).

 

The price differential reflects the ADDITIONAL perks with each category, such as increasingly bigger rooms (PH are smallest among suites, therefore cost less), access to the courtyard in some cases, free bottles of booze in some cases, and huge garden villas with private hot tubs in other cases. All separate price points.

 

But the service of the butler (or how attentive he/she is) should not reflect a "gradient" related to cost. You either have one, or you don't.

 

But in the case of the Owner's Suites and Garden Villas (at least on the Star and Dawn) there is the additional "perk" of having reserved seats that specifically are marked for those suites! Some posters are even resenting these perks....If NCL wants ALL of the reserved seating to be for ALL suite passengers, then they should remove the brass plaques that specifically state "Owner's Suites" and "Garden Villas"

 

So why is everybody "hating" on those who paid for and deserve the reserved seating?

[rjm11]

But in the case of the Owner's Suites and Garden Villas (at least on the Star and Dawn) there is the additional "perk" of having reserved seats that specifically are marked for those suites! Some posters are even resenting these perks....If NCL wants ALL of the reserved seating to be for ALL suite passengers, then they should remove the brass plaques that specifically state "Owner's Suites" and "Garden Villas"

 

So why is everybody "hating" on those who paid for and deserve the reserved seating?

 

I didn't say anything about the reserved seating in my post.... I think a tiered system for that makes perfect sense... whatever they decide to do is fine. The part I was taking issue with was the whole butler thing.... I don't think those in the penthouse suites deserve a butler who sucks any more than those in the courtyard villas (where I like to cruise) do.... if I paid for a butler, I should get a competent butler. I realize that some are beyond competent, and perhaps "EXCELLENT" and that those may work their way up to the GV's but even the ones assigned to the PH suites should be better than what was described here. I took offense at the implication by some that if they want "better" butler service, they should book a higher suite. All butler service should be good....

[Alliea]

I didn't say anything about the reserved seating in my post.... I think a tiered system for that makes perfect sense... whatever they decide to do is fine. The part I was taking issue with was the whole butler thing.... I don't think those in the penthouse suites deserve a butler who sucks any more than those in the courtyard villas (where I like to cruise) do.... if I paid for a butler, I should get a competent butler. I realize that some are beyond competent, and perhaps "EXCELLENT" and that those may work their way up to the GV's but even the ones assigned to the PH suites should be better than what was described here. I took offense at the implication by some that if they want "better" butler service, they should book a higher suite. All butler service should be good....

Penthouses should start out with those butlers that suck, and need training. At my cost for OS , I am so not paying for that!