Butler/Concierge Duties and Tipping

[jack300s]

We'll be in our first Suite in a few days. We plan to relax, enjoy ourselves and take thing as they come.

 

I've read a lot of threads about what to expect and normal duties of the Butler/Concierge.

 

I've also read that there are good, great and not so good butlers and concierges.

 

Also it seems the normal tip is $10 per day per person.

 

If you get a butler that doesn't do much for you and doesn't come around except to deliver snacks. Or we don't use them. What would be a normal tip for a week? Half of the norm, $50?

 

Same questions for the concierge...

 

Thanks, looking for advice.

[Magickpyggie]

On the last cruise the Butler was excellent and got a full tip, the Concierge got zero, we never saw him, on the cruise before that we had an outstanding Butler and Concierge and they both got double planned.

It's nice to take some thank you cards and envelopes with you, makes it more personal.

We always have dinner served on he balcony at least twice, that is worth a good tip.

Enjoy your experiences.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Fishbait17]

We subscribe to the "start at $10 pp per day basic tip for the butler" for the basics, and in all of our sailings, we have only had one less-than-perfect butler. He still delivered the daily snacks, and one in-suite breakfast, but he just wasn't around as much as we were used to (ya know, not checking in with us, failed to bring us menus until the third time we asked, just sort-of delivered breakfast without setting it up, was just generally not available, etc). We ended up tipping him only $100 for the week, as we feel he didn't go the extra mile, but did provide the basic services eventually. But we have had amazing butlers who have gotten twice our normal tip as well.

 

If we ever had a butler that really shirked his responsibilities, we would speak to the concierge early in the sailing. I know one couple who "fired" their butler, asking the concierge to assign a different one :eek: - not my style, but they ended up getting the service they wanted!

 

Robin

Edited September 8, 2013 by Fishbait17

[rhblake]

We subscribe to the "start at $10 pp per day basic tip for the butler"

 

People can leave whatever they feel comfortable with as tip. However tipping the Butler $10 pp per day is pretty steep unless you require lots of services from them. That amount is only $2 less than the entire service charge of $12 pp per day we pay for everyone else who services us.

[Fishbait17]

We subscribe to the "start at $10 pp per day basic tip for the butler"

 

People can leave whatever they feel comfortable with as tip. However tipping the Butler $10 pp per day is pretty steep unless you require lots of services from them. That amount is only $2 less than the entire service charge of $12 pp per day we pay for everyone else who services us.

 

I completely agree that people can leave whatever they feel comfortable with, and that's the amount I have felt comfortable with since the beginning. The way I see it, even the basic services make me feel pampered and special, and well worth $150 for two of us for the week - a small amount compared to the price of the cruise itself and all the time these folks seem to dedicate to us. I do also feel that the $12 service charge is pretty low, and pretty much leave extra for everyone that makes my trip special :D. But yes, tipping amounts are truly personal, and only you can decide what's proper for you!

 

Robin

[NLH Arizona]

We subscribe to the "start at $10 pp per day basic tip for the butler"

 

People can leave whatever they feel comfortable with as tip. However tipping the Butler $10 pp per day is pretty steep unless you require lots of services from them. That amount is only $2 less than the entire service charge of $12 pp per day we pay for everyone else who services us.

Feel free to leave what you feel is appropriate based on the servies you receive. Tipping is very a very personal issue and some tip more and some tip less, you can only do what you feel is right for you.

[jaja]

Tipping is very personal and as others have said... also varies on services rendered....I do, though, like it when people share their experiences and how they tip--as when I was new to the suite life...I had no idea what to do...:o Now I have a starting point..and adjust up and down ...

(for example...we once had a butler who left a lot to be desired..and felt totally comfortable not tipping the max we had planned on...and on next cruise..had a great butler..and upped his tip....it all depends.....;))

[Jan_In_Maine]

It's nice to take some thank you cards and envelopes with you, makes it more personal.

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

Thanks for the suggestion ... I hadn't thought of cards, but think it is a lovely idea.!:) Jan

[sunshine nana]

Our first butler did nothing more than bring coffee and yogurt for breakfast for the seven mornings. He did not bring menus or ice or ever empty the ice bucket from the embarkation bubbly even after we asked. We told him not to bring the snacks. We tipped him $2 per morning as we would have anyone who brought coffee to us. He seemed shocked! We generously tipped the steward extra as she went the extra mile. Neither concierge did anything for us, one was outright rude the one time we did ask. We were not escorted to our suite or given notice of the chocolate buffet. We were not told how to get priority tendering. Neither was given a cent. Our second butler was better, but still did not do anything other than bring some am coffee and bring clean wine glasses. We tipped him $40.We have another suite booked on NCL and after reading CC, I will be pro-active for getting what we have paid for in booking a suite. If we do, we will tip generously as have on our Celebrity cruises in suites.

[RJ2002]

We subscribe to the "start at $10 pp per day basic tip for the butler"

 

People can leave whatever they feel comfortable with as tip. However tipping the Butler $10 pp per day is pretty steep unless you require lots of services from them. That amount is only $2 less than the entire service charge of $12 pp per day we pay for everyone else who services us.

 

Just a reminder... the Butler does not share in the daily service charge. Their income, aside from what they are paid as salary, is dependent on the tips they receive from the suites they serve. The butler (or his/her designate) is available to you all the time.

Edited September 8, 2013 by RJ2002

[hpecorari]

About how many suites do you think the butler and concierge are in charge of each cruise?

 

Harriet

[garycarla]

Feel free to leave what you feel is appropriate based on the servies you receive. Tipping is very a very personal issue and some tip more and some tip less, you can only do what you feel is right for you.

 

Though the above may be true, the poster came asking for assistance. People ask because they do not know:

 

what is appropriate?

what feels right?

 

Keep in mind that some people think $5 a week is appropriate. Others think $100 a week is a starting point. Any most have no idea what they should be doing or have a starting point. I am sure there are many in a suite that tip nothing because they figure it is included in a) the daily service charge and b) the high price of the suite

Edited September 8, 2013 by garycarla

[time2cruise1]

About how many suites do you think the butler and concierge are in charge of each cruise?

 

Harriet

 

On the Dawn one butler had both Garden Villas and the 4 SFs aft on deck 8

 

One butler has the 10 SCs on deck 11

 

One butler each for the suites on decks 9 & 10

 

2 butlers to cover the new suites on deck 12.

[sverigecruiser]

We'll be in our first Suite in a few days. We plan to relax, enjoy ourselves and take thing as they come.

 

I've read a lot of threads about what to expect and normal duties of the Butler/Concierge.

 

I've also read that there are good, great and not so good butlers and concierges.

 

Also it seems the normal tip is $10 per day per person.

 

If you get a butler that doesn't do much for you and doesn't come around except to deliver snacks. Or we don't use them. What would be a normal tip for a week? Half of the norm, $50?

 

Same questions for the concierge...

 

Thanks, looking for advice.

 

If we shouldn't ask for anything, we shouldn't tip anything. We normally eat a first breakfast in the suite some days ( and later a second breakfast at Cagney's/Epic Club) and then we tip for that and also if we ask for something else. We normally give the butler $20 a few times during the cruise.

[jack300s]

Thank you everyone for taking the time to respond to my question.....

 

Hopefully I'll catch one of the great butlers. If I get a butler that doesn't do much for us, then $40 or $50 seems fair.

 

BTW, on past cruises we've always had great cabin stewards.

 

Our last steward in Hawaii was fantastic (aft balcony). Towel animals everyday, ice bucket filled, etc...We always left him $5 a day plus and nice tip on the last day.

 

It sounds like he treated us better than some butlers.

[GPPhilly]

We were just off the breakaway and had a great room steward and tipped him a lot extra. Our butler was around every day and he brought snacks that we liked and he checked every day that we were ok and didn't need anything. He served breakfast one day and he brought back a cake from the dinner that we did not eat but ate later. He also brought my passport from my room down to the port when I forgot it. He got a great tip. The concierge was ok but the assistant concierge was not very helpful when asked a question. And actually messed up one of our reservations. They got no tip.

[hpecorari]

On the Dawn one butler had both Garden Villas and the 4 SFs aft on deck 8

 

One butler has the 10 SCs on deck 11

 

One butler each for the suites on decks 9 & 10

 

2 butlers to cover the new suites on deck 12.

 

The reason I asked is because, if for example, one butler has 10 suites.....

if 2 people are in that suite for 1 week at $10.00 a day that would be $140.00 a week for that one stateroom with only 2 people in it. Times that by 10 sweets would be a tip of $1,400.00 he/she would make that week for 10 suites with only 2 people per suite.....and we know lots of times there are more than just 2 people so if there are 4 that would be $2,800.00 per week......plus whatever he actually makes from NCL. Times that by 4 weeks (some months have 5 weeks) and that would be what the Butler makes just in tips. Again, depending on how many people per suite and if everyone tipped $10.00 per person per day. We all know some tip less....but some also tip more. Just saying......

 

Harriet

[Fishbait17]

The reason I asked is because, if for example, one butler has 10 suites.....

if 2 people are in that suite for 1 week at $10.00 a day that would be $140.00 a week for that one stateroom with only 2 people in it. Times that by 10 sweets would be a tip of $1,400.00 he/she would make that week for 10 suites with only 2 people per suite.....and we know lots of times there are more than just 2 people so if there are 4 that would be $2,800.00 per week......plus whatever he actually makes from NCL. Times that by 4 weeks (some months have 5 weeks) and that would be what the Butler makes just in tips. Again, depending on how many people per suite and if everyone tipped $10.00 per person per day. We all know some tip less....but some also tip more. Just saying......

 

Harriet

 

But then you have to break it down.. The butlers do not work year-round, so you have to take what they make in total and then divide it by the entire year (pretty sure they don't get vacation pay). And I don't think they make much of a salary, if any (I have heard that they do not get a regular salary, only tips). And then you have people who say "all their living expenses are paid on the ship" - but they generally keep a home off the ship for their family and their off time, plus feed and support that family, all the while missing them. I also don't know what they need to pay in their home countries, such as taxes from income earned in another country, mandatory health care, etc. They work at least 14 hours per day, seven days per week, and at least one twenty-four hour shift (when they have night butler duty). And the butler position is one they have to work up to, so they have generally done much work at much lower pay before earning that position. And lastly, most butlers don't plan on doing it for a long time, only long enough to stash away enough money to start a business in their own country.

 

I don't have time to run the numbers right now, but even if they make $80-120K per year (a fairly middle-class salary where I live) I don't think there are many of us who would be willing to work such long hours, away from our loved ones, for very long. I know I wouldn't do it! :D. It may be a VERY comfortable salary for where they live, but they work very hard to earn it, so it has nothing to do with their own "expenses".

 

But the bottom line is that I give what I feel comfortable giving and what I think they deserve, and everyone has to make that decision for themselves. Heck, $150 would buy us maybe one nice dinner out, or a pair of jeans and a few tops or a pretty dress, or 1/2 a wedding gift - so it's not too much a sacrifice for me. :D

 

Robin

Edited September 8, 2013 by Fishbait17

[NLH Arizona]

 

Though the above may be true, the poster came asking for assistance. People ask because they do not know:

 

what is appropriate?

what feels right?

 

Keep in mind that some people think $5 a week is appropriate. Others think $100 a week is a starting point. Any most have no idea what they should be doing or have a starting point. I am sure there are many in a suite that tip nothing because they figure it is included in a) the daily service charge and b) the high price of the suite

Since you don't feel my post gave any assistance, what assistance did your post above give?

 

I feel if someone gives $5 a week or $5,000 a week, it is their decision and if they are alright with it, that is all that matters.

 

To the OP, I also have the starting point of $10 per day per person and will add or subtract depending on service.

Edited September 8, 2013 by NLH Arizona

[kcwingwalker]

I've found this thread informative and it has helped me with my plans. We are new to suites and wish to tip appropriately..............not cheap and not extravagantly.

 

Thanks to all for the info!

[hpecorari]

But then you have to break it down.. The butlers do not work year-round, so you have to take what they make in total and then divide it by the entire year (pretty sure they don't get vacation pay). And I don't think they make much of a salary, if any (I have heard that they do not get a regular salary, only tips). And then you have people who say "all their living expenses are paid on the ship" - but they generally keep a home off the ship for their family and their off time, plus feed and support that family, all the while missing them. I also don't know what they need to pay in their home countries, such as taxes from income earned in another country, mandatory health care, etc. They work at least 14 hours per day, seven days per week, and at least one twenty-four hour shift (when they have night butler duty). And the butler position is one they have to work up to, so they have generally done much work at much lower pay before earning that position. And lastly, most butlers don't plan on doing it for a long time, only long enough to stash away enough money to start a business in their own country.

 

I don't have time to run the numbers right now, but even if they make $80-120K per year (a fairly middle-class salary where I live) I don't think there are many of us who would be willing to work such long hours, away from our loved ones, for very long. I know I wouldn't do it! :D. It may be a VERY comfortable salary for where they live, but they work very hard to earn it, so it has nothing to do with their own "expenses".

 

But the bottom line is that I give what I feel comfortable giving and what I think they deserve, and everyone has to make that decision for themselves. Heck, $150 would buy us maybe one nice dinner out, or a pair of jeans and a few tops or a pretty dress, or 1/2 a wedding gift - so it's not too much a sacrifice for me. :D

 

Robin

 

Oh, I agree with you......I was just counting out loud. I'm not that far from you.....near Phila so your figures for dinner, wedding, etc. is the same for me.....but I'd also like to add that it's also a hand of black jack for me or a few pulls on the slot machine! LOL I also start with $10.00 a day and go up/down from there. Hmmm, thinking my b2b which equals 28 days is gonna add up for the two of us! LOL

 

Harriet

[Fishbait17]

Oh, I agree with you......I was just counting out loud. I'm not that far from you.....near Phila so your figures for dinner, wedding, etc. is the same for me.....but I'd also like to add that it's also a hand of black jack for me or a few pulls on the slot machine! LOL I also start with $10.00 a day and go up/down from there. Hmmm, thinking my b2b which equals 28 days is gonna add up for the two of us! LOL

 

Harriet

 

Yeah, I wasn't even gonna mention it as a percentage of my gambling budget lol... But boy, don't know if I could do a 28 day b2b, the casino budget would make hubby keel over lol... Kinda glad we don't have that kind of time off yet... :D

 

Robin

[jaja]

yeah, i wasn't even gonna mention it as a percentage of my gambling budget lol... But boy, don't know if i could do a 28 day b2b, the casino budget would make hubby keel over lol... Kinda glad we don't have that kind of time off yet... :d

 

robin

 

lol !!!!!:d

[RJ2002]

Our first butler did nothing more than bring coffee and yogurt for breakfast for the seven mornings. He did not bring menus or ice or ever empty the ice bucket from the embarkation bubbly even after we asked. We told him not to bring the snacks. We tipped him $2 per morning as we would have anyone who brought coffee to us. He seemed shocked! We generously tipped the steward extra as she went the extra mile. Neither concierge did anything for us, one was outright rude the one time we did ask. We were not escorted to our suite or given notice of the chocolate buffet. We were not told how to get priority tendering. Neither was given a cent. Our second butler was better, but still did not do anything other than bring some am coffee and bring clean wine glasses. We tipped him $40.We have another suite booked on NCL and after reading CC, I will be pro-active for getting what we have paid for in booking a suite. If we do, we will tip generously as have on our Celebrity cruises in suites.

 

If I am not mistaken, the room steward is responsible for the ice in the suite. Not a big issue, but just wanted to clarify for those new to suites.

Edited September 8, 2013 by RJ2002

[njhorseman]

Count me among those who are skeptical about $10 pp per day being a typical or average tip. (I'm not doubting that those who use this figure are being honest, I'm doubting whether the number is representative of what the average passenger tips.)

 

I can't imagine what the butler or concierge could do for me that would warrant that large a tip...particularly the concierge. (And I'm not being hypothetical...we do sometimes stay in suites and will be doing a suite b2b on two different ships in three weeks, so I'm speaking from actual experience.) I guess if you ordered a lot of room service (we don't) then the butler could merit that type of tip.

 

Because we're "low maintenance" we usually tip around $40 or $50 for the week (total for the two of us) to each. If we have a good room steward, he or she would get about the same, and we tip in Cagney's for breakfast and lunch and in specialty restaurants at dinner provided the service warrants (and it generally does). In the end we tip the wait staff and steward more than the butler and concierge because they generally do more for us than the butler and concierge.

 

Tipping is a personal thing and that's my personal opinion.

Edited September 8, 2013 by njhorseman