How much to tip in a suite?

[signora]

This has all probably been answered before but I did a bit of searching and couldn't find what I was looking for. We are experienced cruisers but first-timers in a suite, upcoming on the Pearl 2/17/12--we are very low maintenance and don't anticipate using the butler or the concierge to a great extent. Soo...how much should we plan on tipping them? All your advice is welcome...

[jake54321]

There are numerous threads about this. I suggest you search again,you will find many,many opinions and suggestions on this topic. Tipping is a very personal issue, read all you can about this then make decision. Enjoy your cruise.

[Rounder]

go to the top of the page, on the right hand side, where it say's Search, then type in " suite tipping ncl" you will find all you need to know. hope this help's

enjoy your cruise

[signora]

Sorry it's boring but after I went into 4 or 5 posts and it's all about regular room tipping not the suites I figured someone had to have the short answer. Or even a link. We're not typical: we don't drink, no corkage required, we don't watch videos, we only occasionally go to the restaurants, we like to dine out of our cabin not in it--we like the idea of Cagney's, the large balcony, and the larger space. The lowest-mentioned figure I did see for the butler was $75 and $50 for the concierge but if we barely use them at all is this still appropriate?

[Gregor4500]

Sorry it's boring but after I went into 4 or 5 posts and it's all about regular room tipping not the suites I figured someone had to have the short answer. Or even a link. We're not typical: we don't drink, no corkage required, we don't watch videos, we only occasionally go to the restaurants, we like to dine out of our cabin not in it--we like the idea of Cagney's, the large balcony, and the larger space. The lowest-mentioned figure I did see for the butler was $75 and $50 for the concierge but if we barely use them at all is this still appropriate?

 

Yes

[boopsahoy]

You may use him more than you think!

[jake54321]

Sorry it's boring but after I went into 4 or 5 posts and it's all about regular room tipping not the suites I figured someone had to have the short answer. Or even a link. We're not typical: we don't drink, no corkage required, we don't watch videos, we only occasionally go to the restaurants, we like to dine out of our cabin not in it--we like the idea of Cagney's, the large balcony, and the larger space. The lowest-mentioned figure I did see for the butler was $75 and $50 for the concierge but if we barely use them at all is this still appropriate?[/quote]

Appropriate is what YOU think it is. I'm sure based on the service you get you will tip accordingly. I am not trying to read anything into your post,but

you say the "lowest-mentioned figure I see". If you want to tip lower go for it. As I said before tipping is very personal. I for one use the Butler and Concierge very,very often and tip MUCH more than stated above,but that's just ME.

[brian99]

Sorry it's boring but after I went into 4 or 5 posts and it's all about regular room tipping not the suites I figured someone had to have the short answer. Or even a link. We're not typical: we don't drink, no corkage required, we don't watch videos, we only occasionally go to the restaurants, we like to dine out of our cabin not in it--we like the idea of Cagney's, the large balcony, and the larger space. The lowest-mentioned figure I did see for the butler was $75 and $50 for the concierge but if we barely use them at all is this still appropriate?

 

The butler and concierge do things for you behind the scenes. Your butler will bring treats to your room several times and make sure your mini fridge is always full (or empty if you prefer). The concierge will make reservations at any specialty restaurant or MDR and handle priority embarkation and disembarking.

 

Even if you don't [think you] use them at all I would tip at least $50 each for a 7 day cruise since they don't get any of the DSC tips.

 

We used our butler for in room dining at least 10-12 times and always made reservations through our concierge so they were both tipped very well. We also gave a smaller tip to our room steward and always left an extra $5 when we ate at a specialty restaurant and got great service (which was every time) :)

[signora]

Thanks for all the helpful advice! We're stretching the limits of our pocketbooks as it is so we're trying to be careful. But we don't want to stint anyone. So this is helpful.

[jp2001]

As other posters said, tipping is personnal so this is only my personnal opinion, not more.

 

Personnally, I think 10$/day for both of you would be OK if you don't have any special requests for your butler.

 

For the concierge, I think 5$/day would be OK (again if you don't have any special requests and that you don't call him).

 

However, should you use their services more than you think, you should tip according to the level of service rendered.

[roger001]

Thanks for all the helpful advice! We're stretching the limits of our pocketbooks as it is so we're trying to be careful. But we don't want to stint anyone. So this is helpful.

 

 

Actually, I think you question is quite appropriate...and timely for me also. Some topics can be reintroduced frequently to get current input. Since, in theory, virtually all topics have been discussed on here at least several times before, why ever generate a question. Just go to search...right.

 

But.....back to this topic. We are finally trying a suite on our next cruise. But like you, we really do most things for ourselves, and I can't see much use for the butler and concierge. I guess escorted embarkation and debarkation would be nice. But that's all I can think of for the concierge. For the butler, maybe breakfast room service once or twice. We don't need snacks, extra treats and such during the day. So.....I'm thinking maybe $75 for the butler and $50 for the concierge. I like tipping and am a good tipper. We always leave a room attendant $40 tip, tip drink waiters, and leave sit down restaurant tips. However, for what we anticipate as needs from the additional suite service, my tip thoughts seem about right for me. Anyone else????

[Fishbait17]

Actually, I think you question is quite appropriate...and timely for me also. Some topics can be reintroduced frequently to get current input. Since, in theory, virtually all topics have been discussed on here at least several times before, why ever generate a question. Just go to search...right.

 

But.....back to this topic. We are finally trying a suite on our next cruise. But like you, we really do most things for ourselves, and I can't see much use for the butler and concierge. I guess escorted embarkation and debarkation would be nice. But that's all I can think of for the concierge. For the butler, maybe breakfast room service once or twice. We don't need snacks, extra treats and such during the day. So.....I'm thinking maybe $75 for the butler and $50 for the concierge. I like tipping and am a good tipper. We always leave a room attendant $40 tip, tip drink waiters, and leave sit down restaurant tips. However, for what we anticipate as needs from the additional suite service, my tip thoughts seem about right for me. Anyone else????

 

Just remember that things like the snacks, treats, etc are automatic and part of the butler's job, so they will arrive every day. He also maintains your coffee maker, restocks your glassware, keeps your cabin stocked with whatever items, like fruit, that you consume, brings you extra ice, etc. The concierge not only takes care of your priority embarkation and disembarkation and reservations, he/she also handles your invites to all suite events and runs the suite cocktail party, arranges priority tendering, basically most of the papers that end up being delivered to your suite, etc, all behind the scenes. In fact, most of both of their duties are never noticed, because they all just happen so smoothly behind the scenes.

 

I agree that tipping is always a very personal matter, and should be decided by one's self, based on use and comfort level. For basic services above, plus a couple of breakfasts delivered and a few reservations made, we tip $10 per person per day to the butler, and $10 per cabin per day for the concierge as a starting point. I find these amounts in line with the responsibilities and duties of both the butler and concierge, based on what I would pay for similar service on land. We have gone as low as $100 for a not-so-great butler, and as high as $750-800 for two weeks with an outstanding butler.

 

Robin

[jp2001]

For basic services above, plus a couple of breakfasts delivered and a few reservations made, we tip $10 per person per day to the butler, and $10 per cabin per day for the concierge as a starting point. I find these amounts in line with the responsibilities and duties of both the butler and concierge, based on what I would pay for similar service on land. We have gone as low as $100 for a not-so-great butler, and as high as $750-800 for two weeks with an outstanding butler.

 

Robin

 

Wow, 750-800$, there is no way I can give this type of a tip, it is more than I make per week (almost what I get each pay).

 

20$/day for the butler and 10$/day for the concierge is more in line with what I expected to pay for the behind-the-scene duties + a few special requests (breakfast or dinner a few times only) and maybe a restaurant reservation or two that I would make when I see the concierge in the lounge when going for breakfast.

[DebbieCruises]

We just came off the Dawn a week ago, and they had a happy hour every afternoon from 4:00 - 6:00 in the Spinnaker. We were told that this is now happening on all of the NCL ships. Our next trip, we will be in the Haven suites on the Pearl. (Yippeee!!:D) Anyway, would it be appropriate or even allowed to ask the butler to get us drinks from the happy hour bar and bring them to our cabin?

[Fishbait17]

Wow, 750-800$, there is no way I can give this type of a tip, it is more than I make per week (almost what I get each pay).

 

20$/day for the butler and 10$/day for the concierge is more in line with what I expected to pay for the behind-the-scene duties + a few special requests (breakfast or dinner a few times only) and maybe a restaurant reservation or two that I would make when I see the concierge in the lounge when going for breakfast.

 

Your expectations are directly in line with what we usually tip to start (including a few breakfasts) - we will add a dinner in the suite and maybe a couple requests and I think our typical tips for two for a week is $150-200 for the butler and usually about $100 for a good concierge, with another $20-40 for the steward. To be fair, the $750-800 was for TWO weeks, four people, and in the GV and included a couple of parties :D. But he was a truly spectacular butler :).

 

Robin

[davesgirl51]

Your expectations are directly in line with what we usually tip to start (including a few breakfasts) - we will add a dinner in the suite and maybe a couple requests and I think our typical tips for two for a week is $150-200 for the butler and usually about $100 for a good concierge, with another $20-40 for the steward. To be fair, the $750-800 was for TWO weeks, four people, and in the GV and included a couple of parties :D. But he was a truly spectacular butler :).

 

Robin

 

Robin - thanks for the caveat ;). Did you fare okay in Sandy ? :confused:

[davesgirl51]

Sorry it's boring but after I went into 4 or 5 posts and it's all about regular room tipping not the suites I figured someone had to have the short answer. Or even a link. We're not typical: we don't drink, no corkage required, we don't watch videos, we only occasionally go to the restaurants, we like to dine out of our cabin not in it--we like the idea of Cagney's, the large balcony, and the larger space. The lowest-mentioned figure I did see for the butler was $75 and $50 for the concierge but if we barely use them at all is this still appropriate?

 

You ask a very appropriate question. I too, spent hours trying to find an answer to the same question. The only replies you get have nothing to do with your question. Everyone beats around the bush - probably because they don't want others to know what they tip ( dare I add ... ? ).

 

Robin's answer was very straight forward and generous. I think it's appropriate to mention that the more expensive your cabin, the more you may be tipping depending on whether you entertain with friends or family members or do nothing and are only in a suite because you like the space.

[Fishbait17]

Robin - thanks for the caveat ;). Did you fare okay in Sandy ? :confused:

 

We did ok, ocean flooding stopped within 30-60 feet from our home in three directions, the rescue boat is still sitting on the corner by my house. Worst we got was 13 days with no electricity and some minor basement flooding, and a few thousand dollars for having to rearrange a family vacation. My friends, family, and most of the town this side of the railroad tracks didn't fare as well. Many are homeless, some for as many as 8-12 months, our town still feels like lock-down mode, they just lifted our 6pm-6am curfew on Friday (included driving!), streets still full of National Guard and police crews from all over, a lot of the town still smells of raw sewage and mold. Still lots of work to be done, will be pulling drywall and shoveling sand all week for neighbors and still serving many public meals too. Our town is wonderful, as is the whole area, and we are grateful for so many outside volunteers - people in general are just amazing - more than 400 people showed up at one church this morning to help with the heavy work on their day off. i am personally still shell-shocked, even working down by the beach it's still so hard to believe. We have a lot of work to do, but hey, we're Squan Strong! Thanks for asking!

 

Robin

[davesgirl51]

We did ok, ocean flooding stopped within 30-60 feet from our home in three directions, the rescue boat is still sitting on the corner by my house. Worst we got was 13 days with no electricity and some minor basement flooding, and a few thousand dollars for having to rearrange a family vacation. My friends, family, and most of the town this side of the railroad tracks didn't fare as well. Many are homeless, some for as many as 8-12 months, our town still feels like lock-down mode, they just lifted our 6pm-6am curfew on Friday (included driving!), streets still full of National Guard and police crews from all over, a lot of the town still smells of raw sewage and mold. Still lots of work to be done, will be pulling drywall and shoveling sand all week for neighbors and still serving many public meals too. Our town is wonderful, as is the whole area, and we are grateful for so many outside volunteers - people in general are just amazing - more than 400 people showed up at one church this morning to help with the heavy work on their day off. i am personally still shell-shocked, even working down by the beach it's still so hard to believe. We have a lot of work to do, but hey, we're Squan Strong! Thanks for asking!

 

Robin

 

Wow ! I guess you were lucky. We were on the Epic as it was going on and it was tough with satellite communications to comprehend the devastation. I hear they are calling it the worst natural disaster to hit our country - based on pictures I have seen since coming home, I believe it. And yet, if she had slowed down, I don't think we'd be "chatting" right now. Take care and good luck with the continuing recovery. ~ Cinci

[Admin]

This has all probably been answered before but I did a bit of searching and couldn't find what I was looking for. We are experienced cruisers but first-timers in a suite, upcoming on the Pearl 2/17/12--we are very low maintenance and don't anticipate using the butler or the concierge to a great extent. Soo...how much should we plan on tipping them? All your advice is welcome...

Hi there. We stayed in 15000 on the Pearl in September for a 5 day cruise. On top of the daily fee, we tipped the room steward an extra $50 for the 5 days. We gave the butler $100 and used him for in room dining 3 times and the rest was the stuff he usually did like afternoon treats, etc. We thought for a long time about tipping the concierge because we used him to cancel one dinner reservation and that was it. I thought $40 would have been good for our amount of usage but we didn't see him for the last day and a half of the cruise. We usually cruise in the Haven or a suite on another floor and tip all the players and would have tipped him but again, we didn't see him. If he's onboard in May when we're back on the Pearl, we'll take care of it then.

[coffeecat]

Our tipping has really varied on our cruises in terms of outliers (exceptionally great to limited interaction) but for the most part our tipping has been pretty consistent as follows:

 

$70-$120 for room steward - we always leave at least $10 a day for our cabin, typically between 80 and 100 and once or twice we tipped 120 (we loved him!).

 

$50-300 for concierge-we generally leave at least $10 a day for the concierge. Once we didn't ask a thing and tipped $50. Minimum for a couple of requests (dinner reservations or spa appointment) is $70 and there have been a couple concierges that have just gone above and beyond so we tipped at the high end. Most of the time we tip around $80-$120

 

$80-$300 for the butler- again, we leave at least $80 (total for our cabin) but in general we have been between $120-$160 and this usually includes a meal or two and perhaps some evening snacks for a small gathering in our cabin.

 

We always try (operative is try) to have a few bucks on us when we go to Cagney's but this is always so arbitrary based on whether or not we have any cash with us. In general, we try to leave a a buck or two or five for breakfast or lunch but probably 20 per cent of the time neither of us has any cash. I don't think tipping in Cagney's for lunch and breakfast is as common as it may seem on these boards but the waitstaff always seems to appreciate it! We nearly always tip when we go to the main dining room however-those waiters are super happy about that-and they work hard -it's deserved! Keep in mind, your tips for meals are included in your service charge so this is not required at all.

 

It seems like this is pretty much in line with the norm here but there is absolutely no "right" amount. The crew genuinely seems to appreciate the tips we have given. It may seem like a lot to some and not nearly enough to others but it is what we feel comfortable with.

 

Hope this helps! Have a great cruise.

Coffeecat

[roger001]

You ask a very appropriate question. I too, spent hours trying to find an answer to the same question. The only replies you get have nothing to do with your question. Everyone beats around the bush - probably because they don't want others to know what they tip ( dare I add ... ? ).

 

Robin's answer was very straight forward and generous. I think it's appropriate to mention that the more expensive your cabin, the more you may be tipping depending on whether you entertain with friends or family members or do nothing and are only in a suite because you like the space.

 

I think that may be the correct answer. All suites are not created equal (although most of the suite services are available to all suites). I checked pricing on suites for 2 persons on the Dawn for a Boston to Bermuda cruise. The cheapest suites are the SJ on the cruise I researched and they are $3208 for two persons. That is not much above a mini suite at $2668. The most expensive was the garden villa at $12,308 for two persons, with a variety of other priced suites in between. I'm really inclined to believe the budgets of the cruisers in the two different cabins, high and low end, are probably somewhat different. And the SJs are probably not going to be using as much of the butlers and concierges time as would the higher end suite. And that's logical. If I paid $12,000 for the suite, then I would be expecting much more attention from NCL. Nothing wrong with that. That's what you paid for. However, the high end suite is then probably going to be tipping a much higher amount. I'm inclined to think that the suite at the lower end is going to be operating on a tighter budget, and by necessity be tipping more in the lower ranges previously posted. That's just life in the world of some of our incomes. But then there is always the smug answer of "if you have to ask, then you can't afford it". But that's not true. NCL has created various suite level pricing in an effort to accommodate all of us to some extent. And we will each have to tip to the extent that we feel is justified, but within our budgets. One size does not fit all in this instance.

[signora]

Thanks again for all the input! Another naive question: how do you tip? Do you need to bring cash for the butler/concierge or can you add the tips to your account as we do for the cabin steward?

[jp2001]

I tip cash, I don't know if you could add to your onboard account.

[rvsullivan]

You can have guest services add the tips for all to your on board account. You tell them who it is for and how much and they make up a voucher you can give to the person and a copy also goes to the crew member in his/her inbox.

 

I disagree on the tip amount being based on the room your in. Except for the GV, or experience has been that all suites get the same wonderful service from the butlers and concierge! I think most of these type of posts usually come from folks looking to "cut corners" and stretch their dollars. (I said most!).

The amount of work expended by the Butler and Concierge is pretty evenly spread among the suites. These folks should receive (IMHO) a base amount. For us that's about $10 per day per person for the butler and $10 per day for the concierge. For folks that do in suite dining, have a bunch of kids, entertain in their suite or have special requests, it should go up from the base line.

You have to decide what you can spend and work it out. The butler and concierge will not know until you leave the ship whether you did the "right thing" by them. If you have service issues, you should address them on the spot and let them be fixed.