Butler/Concierge Duties and Tipping

[sverigecruiser]

If people only tip because they get excellent service to calculate how much a butler might get in a year is WRONG! Who cares?

 

Sometimes people say that it's wrong not to tip because the butler need the tip since their salary is so low. Then the calculation is something completely different. If people tip because the butler need the tip, it is interesting how much they get every year. Do they need a tip if they already earn a lots of money?

 

I tip because I get excellent service so for me it's not interesting how much they earn but when people say that it's wrong not to tip because the butler need the tip, the calculation is interesting.

[Casino Comp Chick]

The only time I have ever been disappointed with a boarding was for the Breakaway, and I think that's simply because it was just a mass cattle-call for the suites, and very impersonal and confusing - there was no concierge staff even in the suites waiting area (and no snacks or drinks) and when someone finally arrived, they simply announced that we would board "in order" and then just sent us all onward (too many suites on that ship).

 

Robin

 

No food or coffee in the Breakaway room? I was looking forward to that. Did anyone ask a worker to provide? I am not shy about asking and i probably will. Must have coffee...

 

Re: Tips

To Insure Prompt Service. I am not cheap in that department (my cabdrivers can attest to that), the only time I did not tip was in South Beach Miami, they added an 18% tip on an order of salad and a beer. I was in an empty restaurant for 20 minutes before the waitress came over, I spent a total of 2 hours in there due to the fact I had the crappiest waitress ever, yapping away on her cell phone. I called the manager over and had him remove it from the bill, he gave me an attitude until I told him on what planet does it take 2 hours to serve uncooked food?

[Casino Comp Chick]

These threads are always interesting. They seem to follow a consistent format.

Someone always wants to know how many suites are involved so they can calculate how much the butlers and concierge make. That then becomes a conversation about that is too much so we shouldn't tip as much or at all. The concierges in NYC at major hotels make six figures plus, nobody stiffs them because they make to much. We feel they do an outstanding job for us on every cruise and we tip appropriately. They may make more money than we do, I don't know or care.

 

 

This is my reply to Sullivan--it went in the wrong spot !! Sorry.

If you know many of the butlers--as is our privilege over the years--and you talk to them--it is amazing how many people leave them NOTHING-- even the very best butlers. They would laugh at the figures suggested for their annual salaries.. I read a thread on here once from six people staying in a Garden Villa. They RAVED about the service they got--took ALL their meals en suite (one of them was in a wheelchair--NCL provided a crew member to attend him whenever he left the cabin). They concluded a GLOWING review about the fantastic crew who served them by saying that they not only left NO tip-- they ALSO REMOVED THE DAILY SERVICE CHARGE because the suite was so expensive. If that were not bad enough--they then said how much they were looking forward to their (already booked) upcoming Garden Villa cruise on another ship.

 

 

Do you have the link? I would love to read that thread

[Fishbait17]

No food or coffee in the Breakaway room? I was looking forward to that. Did anyone ask a worker to provide? I am not shy about asking and i probably will. Must have coffee...

 

Re: Tips

To Insure Prompt Service. I am not cheap in that department (my cabdrivers can attest to that), the only time I did not tip was in South Beach Miami, they added an 18% tip on an order of salad and a beer. I was in an empty restaurant for 20 minutes before the waitress came over, I spent a total of 2 hours in there due to the fact I had the crappiest waitress ever, yapping away on her cell phone. I called the manager over and had him remove it from the bill, he gave me an attitude until I told him on what planet does it take 2 hours to serve uncooked food?

 

It may have been because it was only the second sailing out of NYC. The tables were there and set up, but no food or drinks and everything was covered by tablecloths and there was nobody there to ask. Upon our arrival after checking in, there were maybe 30-40 people waiting in the room, and no staff (I was looking for someone to ask about a Vibe cabana). Two people came in about 15 minutes later, would not/could not answer questions, and started lining us up for embarkation - they said we were going on in small groups. Then, they told us to all follow them (no small groups) and we just boarded, albeit ahead of other passengers. Once in the Haven Lounge, after a brief introduction, we were able to wait in line to book our cabana. The whole thing felt much more like a cattle roundup than our previous suites boardings.

 

I am betting they have gotten the routine down by now, and the food in the lounge should be ready and waiting, and maybe they have personnel to answer questions.

 

Robin

Edited September 9, 2013 by Fishbait17

[fergusonvt]

If services are used my opinion is that it is entirely wrong to not leave something for a tip. In 2015 we will be in our second suite on NCL and on our first suite cruise in 2012 I budgeted $100 pp for the butler and concierge but ended up leaving nothing for the concierge and only $50 for the butler. The only service we used of the butler was the delivery of the daily snack which even though we asked for particular items we only got them once and in fact kept getting items we implicitly asked him not to bring because of allergies. The concierge was non-existent and we only saw her the day we embarked and disembarked and she really added no value that we could see to our cruise. Looking back we probably should have complained about the butler and will on our next cruise if we get the same lack luster service.

 

I am of the opinion that these tips should be made depending on 1) what the cruiser feels comfortable tipping and 2) what services are used.

[Va. Plumber]

I am sure the fact that a large number of passengers didn't leave tips entered into NCL's deliberations before they installed the $12.00 DSC.

 

I have heard people post cruise brag about how they stiffed waiters and room stewards.

 

Why do we assume that people who can afford suites would be any less boorish than the "common folk" in steerage?

 

I am sure butlers and concierges make well south of the figures arrived at

by simple numbers crunching. Consider also that they share some of that money with assistants.

[halos]

 

 

I know you said "usually" but wanted to clarify, at least, for myself.

 

Harriet

That's why I said 'usually'. I would never say everyone.;)

However, to even sit and figure out what another person earns seems crass to me 100% of the time.

[NLH Arizona]

IMHO, what one tips should not be decided based on what a person makes, what country they come from, how they live, how many children they have, etc., it should just be decided upon based on the services received and how they are performed and what one feels that those services are worth.

Edited September 9, 2013 by NLH Arizona

[jaja]

IMHO, what one tips should not be decided based on what a person makes, what country they come from, how they live, how many children they have, etc., it should just be decided upon based on the services received and how they are performed and what one feels that those services are worth.

 

I agree...;)

[jack300s]

WOW, I never expected my post to cover all these subjects....

Edited September 9, 2013 by jack300s

[kcwingwalker]

WOW, I never expected my post to cover all these subjects....

 

It is and has been a HOT topic on CC. Tipping, smoking, etc. are subjects that seem to bring out lots of opinions and few change their minds.

 

We will be staying in our first suite in April so for me this has been an informative thread and I've appreciated all of the input. Thanks for starting this thread.

Edited September 9, 2013 by kcwingwalker

[diskids2]

It is and has been a HOT topic on CC. Tipping, smoking, etc. are subjects that seem to bring out lots of opinions and few change their minds.

 

We will be staying in our first suite in April so for me this has been an informative thread and I've appreciated all of the input. Thanks for starting this thread.

 

Yes, yes for me too. Our first time in a suite or on a cruise for that matter, so I love reading all the different opinions and options.

[GPPhilly]

We boarded the Breakaway on 9/1 and were in a suite. We were greeted and had a separate check in area with food and drink. We had a butler meet us on board and take us up in the elevator reserved for Haven guests. We were greeted by the concierge and were served food and drinks until the suites were ready.

[jack300s]

In addition to the great info on this thread, I read numerous articles on tipping for cruise ships on line.

 

As to tipping a Butler the average from the different sites seems to be $4-$5 per person per day.

 

This is one of the sites that gives some good information..

 

http://dianegottsman.com/2013/04/travel-etiquette-tips-for-a-mannerly-cruise/

Edited September 9, 2013 by jack300s

[Love my butler]

Tip your butler between $50 and $200 for a seven day cruise and you will be well within the norm. Tip the concierge between $25 and $100 and you will also be well within the norm.

 

Many people seem to come the these boards to find out what a tip should be that won't insult the staff. The above numbers should help you.

 

If you get horrible or no service, $0 tip is also acceptable.

[B6ConMe]

WOWsers, :) I can see where we will likely have problems when we go on our cruise next November (2014) on the Jewel. We've only been on 2 cruises and have enjoyed them for the most part. Someone referred to "I hope NCL would realize that embarkation sets the tone for the cruise" which I guess for some is true. For us though, we set the tone for our cruise not NCL, not the concierge or the butler. We will have a great time regardless of what transpires with the hired help. I'm not even sure we should be paying for a suite because I doubt very much if we will need the services of either a butler or concierge, however, if we do, we will "tip" them as we see fit.

It'll be special either way, suite or no suite, a romantic aft PH or an aft balcony, there'll be nothing but the deep blue sea mesmerizing us into a tranquil feeling of relaxation.

[cherylroslyn]

I just returned from the Dawn and I tipped

$150.00 to the Butler

$75.00 to the Concierge

$60.00 to the Room Steward

 

I got movies three days from the Butler, he brought me a cupcake for my birthday and let my friends in to put up some decorations. I had room service mac and cheese delivered twice. I tried to hint that I like brie, but it didn't seem to work, then I was invited to my next door neighbor's suite and she had a heaping plate of brie that she had asked for for sailaway....oh well. Did not do any in suite dinning. I saw him a lot in the beginning and not much in the end....I had a feeling some of the other suites were running him ragged.

 

I did not have any reservations done by Concierge, I did get a card explaining priority diembarkation at the port, invite to VIP Party (missed it :(), invite to tour the bridge;; invite for early admission to the chcolate buffet and an invite to a priority disembarkation lecture/w explanation packet. Any time I saw her she stopped to chat and was very nice. Never used the priority seats, but she said I could if I wanted to. She also allowed me to bring my friends, who were in a higher suite than mine, to the bridge tour....still not sure why I was given one and they weren't but I was grateful.

Edited September 9, 2013 by cherylroslyn

[cherylroslyn]

WOWsers, :) I can see where we will likely have problems when we go on our cruise next November (2014) on the Jewel. We've only been on 2 cruises and have enjoyed them for the most part. Someone referred to "I hope NCL would realize that embarkation sets the tone for the cruise" which I guess for some is true. For us though, we set the tone for our cruise not NCL, not the concierge or the butler. We will have a great time regardless of what transpires with the hired help. I'm not even sure we should be paying for a suite because I doubt very much if we will need the services of either a butler or concierge, however, if we do, we will "tip" them as we see fit.

It'll be special either way, suite or no suite, a romantic aft PH or an aft balcony, there'll be nothing but the deep blue sea mesmerizing us into a tranquil feeling of relaxation.

Will you use priroty embarkation? Priority disembarkation at ports and priority disembarkatio at the home port? YES. Will you get invites in your room to events coordinated by the concierge....yes.

 

I didn't have any reservations made but still you tip for the efforts that go into manning all of these programs.......I didn't go to VIP Party but I recieved the invitation and that part is coordinated by the concierge...same with Chocolate...and priority seats, they are there and she is waiting to let you into them with her staff every night at the early and late show.......

[WhenIsOurNextCruise]

We have had some amazing concierge service. Once, in Europe, we were 3 couples in the GV and booked all private tours, our Concierge escorted us off the ship in every port and right to our awaiting driver. We have enjoyed last minute reservations, a smile and "no problem" when we needed to change dinner reservations, visits at almost every dinner (because he knew where we were) to say hello and ask if we needed anything the following day. One Thanksgiving we had 12 people for a dinner reservation and the concierge took us downstairs, below the dining room and through the kitchen to our table because there were a ton of people crowded around the door and it was difficult to get 12 people into the dining room. We have had tireless service and have enjoyed every minute. We usually tip the concierge more than the butler and we usually tip the butler well. We tip on service received. We get together at the end of the cruise and think about all the pleasant experiences we have had and tip accordingly. When we haven't had good service, we haven't tipped much at all. Just like real life! We have been on ships where we felt like Royalty and have some great memories! The right concierge can make the entire cruise magical.

[nonnudie]

 

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.

 

celebrity adds an extra daily charge for suite guests for the butler.. i believe its 3.50 pp per day extra.

[njhorseman]

 

celebrity adds an extra daily charge for suite guests for the butler.. i believe its 3.50 pp per day extra.

 

But we're on the NCL board discussing cruising on NCL and on NCL the butlers do not receive any compensation from the daily service charge.

[Fishbait17]

 

celebrity adds an extra daily charge for suite guests for the butler.. i believe its 3.50 pp per day extra.

 

What Celebrity suggests or offers has little relevance to possible gratuities for NCL butler service. Their services and responsibilites differ somewhat, their pay base might even be entirely different. Even suggested tipping guidelines on Cruise Critic are too general, as they suggest that butlers provide exactly the same service on all cruise lines, have the same refinement of experience, and receive the same base pay. It also suggests that all passengers request and receive the exact same services..

 

It's kind if like going to a fine restaurant, having a six-course dinner with superb service and tipping the same $5 you tipped at Applebee's because "they're both waiters and pretty much do the same thing". And no, I'm not saying Celebrity is Applebee's and NCL is a fine restaurant, just using extremes to demonstrate a point.

 

In the end, tipping "at your discretion" makes perfect sense. It should have nothing to do with your budget (if you can't afford to tip for the service, you have no business using that service), nor should it be condensed into one single set daily "fee", as no two experiences will be the same, or possibly even similar. Getting a rough idea from previous NCL suite passengers makes sense as a starting point, but, in the end, it all depends on what you ask for, what you receive (even without asking), and what the experience was worth to you...

 

Robin

[jmele999]

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.

 

Based on these numbers, it appears to me that the service that you may receive for a particular butler may also be directly related to how much you paid for the suite.

 

For example, the butler assigned to the GVs had a total of 6 suites (based on what was posted above). However, only 2 butlers were assigned to cover all of the suites on deck 12 (28 suites total). The new suites on deck 12 can hold up to 6 people - more people = more demands for butlers. We have stayed in the new suites on deck 12 (Star) twice and received ok service from the butlers.

 

In two weeks we are in a SF penthouse on deck 10. Will report about service upon my return.

[nonnudie]

 

But we're on the NCL board discussing cruising on NCL and on NCL the butlers do not receive any compensation from the daily service charge.

 

im quite aware of which board i am on.. there may be some ncl cruisers, like me, that cruise on celebrity and arent aware.. i wasnt aware it was such a big deal to the board police that i commented on another lines policy

[bguppies]

Based on these numbers, it appears to me that the service that you may receive for a particular butler may also be directly related to how much you paid for the suite.

 

For example, the butler assigned to the GVs had a total of 6 suites (based on what was posted above). However, only 2 butlers were assigned to cover all of the suites on deck 12 (28 suites total). The new suites on deck 12 can hold up to 6 people - more people = more demands for butlers. We have stayed in the new suites on deck 12 (Star) twice and received ok service from the butlers.

 

In two weeks we are in a SF penthouse on deck 10. Will report about service upon my return.

 

Shouldn't that be the way NCL does it?

 

Ensure that the folks who paid the highest premium prices, get the most individualized attention.