Butler/Concierge Advice

[Mysticks1]

I was extremely lucky last week and was able to upgrade our Mini Suite to a Deck 12 Family Suite on the Star for no additional money:D. We sail in just over 2 weeks so I am trying to research everything about the suites and the butler and concierge. I have done multiple searches and found a good deal of information including a list of suite amenities from NCL. I still have a few questions and hope some of you with experience with suites can help me.

 

1. I saw Canapes as one of the snacks - what other snacks did you receive or request?

2. What other than the normal duties on that list did your butler do for you, I don't know exactly what to ask for.

3. We are looking forward to the priority embarkation/debarkation from our Concierge, what other things can you ask them to do for you?

4. Any other things that we should know to ask for or take advantage of?

 

Thanks

 

[Fishbait17]

Ask away! What in particular do you want to know?

 

Robin

[Cruise_More_Often]

:D Robin, she did ask, but probably during editing, after you had already provided your post.. I would take a stab at answering, but I have seen you answer questions like these before, and your information is always excellent.

[Mysticks1]

Sorry,:o my computer locked up while I was typing my original post and it somehow caused it to post before I was finished. I welcome any advice as my searches have been bringing up a lot of information that is a couple of years old.

[valleyvillage]

I was extremely lucky last week and was able to upgrade our Mini Suite to a Deck 12 Family Suite on the Star for no additional money:D. We sail in just over 2 weeks so I am trying to research everything about the suites and the butler and concierge. I have done multiple searches and found a good deal of information including a list of suite amenities from NCL. I still have a few questions and hope some of you with experience with suites can help me.

 

1. I saw Canapes as one of the snacks - what other snacks did you receive or request? We have always had great luck with our butler by telling him what we like, and it appeared: chocolate, nuts, cheese and crackers, chocolate covered strawberries!

2. What other than the normal duties on that list did your butler do for you, I don't know exactly what to ask for. Our butler would bring treats and insure that we had what we needed inside the stateroom. We love the Deck 12 Suites! Extra pillows, foam topper, etc. They would also bring room service and DVDs from the list in the room.

3. We are looking forward to the priority embarkation/debarkation from our Concierge, what other things can you ask them to do for you? Anything outside the stateroom: reservations, tender priority, customs, etc.

4. Any other things that we should know to ask for or take advantage of? Play it by ear, talk to your Butler, and have a great cruise!

 

Thanks

 

My thoughts in red!

[Fishbait17]

I was extremely lucky last week and was able to upgrade our Mini Suite to a Deck 12 Family Suite on the Star for no additional money:D. We sail in just over 2 weeks so I am trying to research everything about the suites and the butler and concierge. I have done multiple searches and found a good deal of information including a list of suite amenities from NCL. I still have a few questions and hope some of you with experience with suites can help me.

 

1. I saw Canapes as one of the snacks - what other snacks did you receive or request? we just usually have the canapés or whatever they deliver. Sometimes, after a long port day (in Europe especially) our butler has anticipated that we would be hungry and has left sandwiches.

2. What other than the normal duties on that list did your butler do for you, I don't know exactly what to ask for. we get breakfast room service a few times a week, on port days. Not much out of the ordinary I guess.

3. We are looking forward to the priority embarkation/debarkation from our Concierge, what other things can you ask them to do for you? Dinner reservations, pretty much the basic stuff. Once the concierge helped us get an extra bottle of liquor in our OS when we ran out. Once the concierge helped us to find a tiny screwdriver to fix a remote controlled boat for the beach. A few times we have gotten escorts off the ship in ports when we needed to be off early.

4. Any other things that we should know to ask for or take advantage of? This is where it gets difficult. Every butler and concierge is different, and some are more willing to go the extra mile than others. Putting together a "list" of things to request just because you can will only set you up for disappointment. Some butlers offer to serve your meals course by course, others are too busy for this, etc. Some concierges will always ensure you have the best table at a restaurant, others simply make the reservation, and some will get the times wrong, etc. We have made a few requests over the years which could not be met (we needed a Wii power cable when ours was blown out in the Garden Villa. another time we never could get our first choice of movies over a two week period) and others that were met above and beyond (like the extra bottle of liquor). If you desire something, never be afraid to ask (and to tip well for going the extra mile), if its possible and they have time to do it, they usually will.

 

Thanks

 

 

Just to be clear, asking others what they have requested may bring a lot of responses. Some may request cake every night before they go to bed, others may have dinner in their suite every night, others might like a personal escort to the restaurants - and all of them may have gotten their specific wish. But very few will request everything on the list. Just follow your own desires as you see fit!

 

Robin

[Mysticks1]

Thanks for the answers, they are helpful. Nuts are one thing I wouldn't have thought to ask for and chocolate covered strawberries sound wonderful. :) We do eat a lot of fruit and I saw that they do replenish the fruit basket. I guess I need to tell them exactly which fruit we prefer.

I did contact the Concierge desk and make a request that the fridge be emptied and gave choices for the pillows and coffee preferences. From other threads I know that the instructions may or may not make it to the ship but am hopeful that they will but won't be disappointed if I have to repeat them once onboard

I also found out that David will be our Concierge and have read a few good comments about him. I found a review from a couple of weeks ago from someone in our cabin who listed Mansur as the Butler and Oscar as the room steward and had good things to say about them as well so maybe we will have them.

I don't mind asking for things but just want to get ideas as to what types of things we might ask for. We are used to doing everything ourselves. I have seen reviews of first time suite cruisers who came back and then found out they missed out on some perks and I just want to make sure we are able to take advantage of everything I can. I want to make sure our experience is good, it may help to talk DH into a suite again. ;)

[NLH Arizona]

Here is the pre-cruise concierge phone number, 1-855-625-4283.

 

I'm sailing in my first suite in November and have already made a list to speak with the pre-cruise concierge about.

 

Some of the things on my list are (thanks to the poster that posted her list, so I knew what to ask for:

 

Loungers on balcony instead of chairs

Refrigerator emptied

Pillow preference*

Tea instead of coffee for coffee maker

Chocolate chip or oatmeal cookies or nuts or chips and salsa as afternoon snack - no canapys

Dinner reservations

Pitcher of iced tea every day

 

*Pillow menu:

Climarelle - body temperature regulating

Feather - goose down

Hypo-Allergenic

Overfilled Firm - firm but not too hard

Reading Wedge

Ultra Foam - deluxe memory

 

Hope this helps!

Nancy

 

[Mysticks1]

Here is the pre-cruise concierge phone number, 1-855-625-4283.

 

I'm sailing in my first suite in November and have already made a list to speak with the pre-cruise concierge about.

 

Some of the things on my list are (thanks to the poster that posted her list, so I knew what to ask for:

 

Loungers on balcony instead of chairs

Refrigerator emptied

Pillow preference*

Tea instead of coffee for coffee maker

Chocolate chip or oatmeal cookies or nuts or chips and salsa as afternoon snack - no canapys

Dinner reservations

Pitcher of iced tea every day

 

*Pillow menu:

Climarelle - body temperature regulating

Feather - goose down

Hypo-Allergenic

Overfilled Firm - firm but not too hard

Reading Wedge

Ultra Foam - deluxe memory

 

Hope this helps!

Nancy

 

 

Thanks - Chips and Salsa is a favorite of mine. :)

[Cruise_More_Often]

"4. Any other things that we should know to ask for or take advantage of? This is where it gets difficult. Every butler and concierge is different, and some are more willing to go the extra mile than others. Putting together a "list" of things to request just because you can will only set you up for disappointment. Some butlers offer to serve your meals course by course, others are too busy for this, etc. Some concierges will always ensure you have the best table at a restaurant, others simply make the reservation, and some will get the times wrong, etc. We have made a few requests over the years which could not be met (we needed a Wii power cable when ours was blown out in the Garden Villa. another time we never could get our first choice of movies over a two week period) and others that were met above and beyond (like the extra bottle of liquor). If you desire something, never be afraid to ask (and to tip well for going the extra mile), if its possible and they have time to do it, they usually will."

 

Robin provided the above information, and it is great. Be kind, don't be too demanding, and you and your butler will probably have a great relationship. We have really liked all of ours.

 

I have never taken advantage of the pre-cruise concierge desk before, because I didn't feel we needed anything special. This time I am going to call to request an additional lounger on the balcony and plenty of tea. Nancy, thanks for those ideas!

[NLH Arizona]

"4. Any other things that we should know to ask for or take advantage of? This is where it gets difficult. Every butler and concierge is different, and some are more willing to go the extra mile than others. Putting together a "list" of things to request just because you can will only set you up for disappointment. Some butlers offer to serve your meals course by course, others are too busy for this, etc. Some concierges will always ensure you have the best table at a restaurant, others simply make the reservation, and some will get the times wrong, etc. We have made a few requests over the years which could not be met (we needed a Wii power cable when ours was blown out in the Garden Villa. another time we never could get our first choice of movies over a two week period) and others that were met above and beyond (like the extra bottle of liquor). If you desire something, never be afraid to ask (and to tip well for going the extra mile), if its possible and they have time to do it, they usually will."

 

Robin provided the above information, and it is great. Be kind, don't be too demanding, and you and your butler will probably have a great relationship. We have really liked all of ours.

 

I have never taken advantage of the pre-cruise concierge desk before, because I didn't feel we needed anything special. This time I am going to call to request an additional lounger on the balcony and plenty of tea. Nancy, thanks for those ideas!

You are welcome! With all due respect, I did steal some of these items from another poster who put her list on here...thanks to her (sorry I didn't write down her name).

[cabincop]

Don't forget you have to tip your butler and concierge they are not included in the dsc

[drbeamer]

I can tell you that David is an excellent concierge. He did a great job for me on my 50th birthday last year on the Sun...tell him that Brian says hello!

 

I met Monsur a few years ago on the Spirit....he is a great guy and will take great care of you....Enjoy!

[WaldosPepper]

Mansur was our Butler on the Star last October. He is very sweet.

 

The week we sailed, there was a family in one of the DOSs that ate every single meal in their suite, and made constant requests for snacks and who knows what else. Mansur was run ragged trying to keep up with their demands. He somehow managed to remain calm and friendly throughout the week.

 

I happened to overhear the wife yelling a list of demands at him while he was clearing breakfast away one day, and I wanted to barge into that suite an give that woman hell. I have no idea how he managed to maintain his disposition with her. :eek:

 

I think you will find him to be very accommodating, and will do his best to furnish you with whatever requests you may have.

 

Have an absolutely wonderful cruise. :)

[cruiseat50]

Just to be clear, asking others what they have requested may bring a lot of responses. Some may request cake every night before they go to bed, others may have dinner in their suite every night, others might like a personal escort to the restaurants - and all of them may have gotten their specific wish. But very few will request everything on the list. Just follow your own desires as you see fit!

 

Robin

 

Thanks for the answers, they are helpful. Nuts are one thing I wouldn't have thought to ask for and chocolate covered strawberries sound wonderful. :) We do eat a lot of fruit and I saw that they do replenish the fruit basket. I guess I need to tell them exactly which fruit we prefer.

 

I did contact the Concierge desk and make a request that the fridge be emptied and gave choices for the pillows and coffee preferences. From other threads I know that the instructions may or may not make it to the ship but am hopeful that they will but won't be disappointed if I have to repeat them once onboard

 

I also found out that David will be our Concierge and have read a few good comments about him. I found a review from a couple of weeks ago from someone in our cabin who listed Mansur as the Butler and Oscar as the room steward and had good things to say about them as well so maybe we will have them.

 

I don't mind asking for things but just want to get ideas as to what types of things we might ask for. We are used to doing everything ourselves. I have seen reviews of first time suite cruisers who came back and then found out they missed out on some perks and I just want to make sure we are able to take advantage of everything I can. I want to make sure our experience is good, it may help to talk DH into a suite again. ;)

 

If you make a very long list to get everything you can be prepared that all may not be possible as there are many other suites they need to take care of also. If you do make a long list and you do get everything you want be sure to thank them and tip them well!:D

[Mysticks1]

If you make a very long list to get everything you can be prepared that all may not be possible as there are many other suites they need to take care of also. If you do make a long list and you do get everything you want be sure to thank them and tip them well!:D

 

My list will be very short, my main thing is I just want to make sure I know what snacks are available so I can tell them what we would like. I am diabetic and can't eat a lot of sweets. I have already researched about the tips and will be prepared to tip according to our requests. I doubt we will dine in more than once (just to try it) as we like to be out and about on the ship. We aren't very needy, we may request a couple of movies and extra pillows and since our tours start early we will ask for the concierge to help with getting off the ship. I always appreciate the hard work that they do and do believe that they know when you do. :)

[Mysticks1]

Mansur was our Butler on the Star last October. He is very sweet.

 

The week we sailed, there was a family in one of the DOSs that ate every single meal in their suite, and made constant requests for snacks and who knows what else. Mansur was run ragged trying to keep up with their demands. He somehow managed to remain calm and friendly throughout the week.

 

I happened to overhear the wife yelling a list of demands at him while he was clearing breakfast away one day, and I wanted to barge into that suite an give that woman hell. I have no idea how he managed to maintain his disposition with her. :eek:

 

I think you will find him to be very accommodating, and will do his best to furnish you with whatever requests you may have.

 

Have an absolutely wonderful cruise. :)

 

Wow, I don't know how they can put up with that type of behavior. I guess some think they have their own personal slave rather than having someone to assist with some things. I hope that we do have Mansur since you were pleased with him. Thanks for all the tips. :)

[NLH Arizona]

My list will be very short, my main thing is I just want to make sure I know what snacks are available so I can tell them what we would like. I am diabetic and can't eat a lot of sweets. I have already researched about the tips and will be prepared to tip according to our requests. I doubt we will dine in more than once (just to try it) as we like to be out and about on the ship. We aren't very needy, we may request a couple of movies and extra pillows and since our tours start early we will ask for the concierge to help with getting off the ship. I always appreciate the hard work that they do and do believe that they know when you do. :)

Don't you find it interesting that a couple of people brought up tips (even thought that was not the question). I can see you have researched tips, as I had done, but people must think that we just fell off the turnip truck since we both will be "firsts" in a suite and don't know that the butler and concierge are not part of the DSC.

 

Enjoy your "first", I know I will.

[Mysticks1]

Don't you find it interesting that a couple of people brought up tips (even thought that was not the question). I can see you have researched tips, as I had done, but people must think that we just fell off the turnip truck since we both will be "firsts" in a suite and don't know that the butler and concierge are not part of the DSC.

 

Enjoy your "first", I know I will.

 

I hope you have a wonderful first "Sweet" life experience as well. :)

[drsb]

What I want to know is how did you get the upgrade at no extra cost! congrats! I asked what are the chances of an upgrade for us and was told the ship was almost sold out so it is unlikely.

[camz]

OP - Congratulations! This upgrade only adds to the excitement! We know as this happened to us on our September sailing on board the Star. However, the Upsell Fairy requested we had to pay additional funds. :rolleyes: Our Butler was Aries and he was very nice. We really didn't use him that much. However, he found out I liked cookies and he made sure I had a nice supply each day. :D The conceirge, Monica, we never used. The Suite Life is a great experience. Make sure you make all the special parties and events that you will be invited too. Enjoy! :cool:

[Mysticks1]

What I want to know is how did you get the upgrade at no extra cost! congrats! I asked what are the chances of an upgrade for us and was told the ship was almost sold out so it is unlikely.

 

I was lucky :) and I was checking a couple of times a day for the price drops starting three weeks out. You don't know how excited I was when I saw that price and asked my TA to check on it for me. He called back with a confirmation that I was switched to the Family Suite at the same rate that I had. There were several on my roll call that upgraded the same day when those prices dropped.

 

I didn't mention that I had a $50 OBC with the balcony and I now have $150 so I also got the extra $100 OBC as well so really got the Family Suite for less than what I paid for the Balcony. The Upgrade Fairy was smiling on me. :D I don't know if I will ever get another deal as Sweet as this one.

[NLH Arizona]

Wow you need to chill, you also might be interested in the fact that aot of people don't know you should tip and assume it is covered by the dsc. My first upgrade over 8 years ago I didn't know about it. I did tip the butler but sadly didn't know to tip concierge. Reax life is to short to be so judgemental. They asked about the suite life I saw people gave great info and added this for the to know. Even with an upgrade tips for butler and concierge can cost a lot extra

I think it is you that needs to chill! Just because you didn't know that the butler and concierge was not included, doesn't mean that others don't do their research.

[Mysticks1]

Wow you need to chill, you also might be interested in the fact that aot of people don't know you should tip and assume it is covered by the dsc. My first upgrade over 8 years ago I didn't know about it. I did tip the butler but sadly didn't know to tip concierge. Reax life is to short to be so judgemental. They asked about the suite life I saw people gave great info and added this for the to know. Even with an upgrade tips for butler and concierge can cost a lot extra

 

I think it is you that needs to chill! Just because you didn't know that the butler and concierge was not included, doesn't mean that others don't do their research.

 

Hey guys can we call a truce? :( I didn't ask about tips because I had already learned about it but I did ask for any other things that I might need to know so I wasn't offended by the posts.

Any other tips for my first time in the Suite Life?

[aknz]

Enjoy it!

 

Eat lots of Cagney's fries. (I've tried to make them but they just don't taste the same)

 

Calories don't count on holiday.

 

Cheese and crackers are a good snack to ask for. Some of the canapes are delicious, others not so much.

 

I love the plate of sandwhiches, I miss Arnie (The Star's best butler IMO)

 

Don't be afraid to ask if you want something, the staff really are fabulous and want you to have the best time.

 

See if you can go on the bridge tour, it's pretty good.