Who does more things for you Butler or Concierge??

[coocooforshoes]

We sailed on the Jewel over Christmas. Before we left home I had a set amount in my mind from the CC boards of what we would tip. We were in a suite NOT in the Haven. I thought before we left that we would not use the Concierge very much and the Butler a lot. I was wrong! This was our 1st cruise.

The Concierge met us at the port in the suite lounge. I had requested a spa pass and she had an asst. escort me to a table set up in the lobby ( I didn't know this was set up there and could have done it myself).She then escorted us in a group to Cagney's. We found our cabin on our own. The next morning we ate breakfast in Cagney's and she made us reservations for each night of the cruise at a MDR. We did not eat specialty. It was great because we bypassed all the lines for Dinner. She escorted us off the ship at 2 ports, and helped with early debarkation in New Orleans. We were of the ship, found our luggage and were at hotel by 8:30am.

 

The Butler came to our suite at 5pm the 1st night. He brought snacks every day at 4pm. He brought 2 in suite breakfast. He brought a pitcher of iced tea once and my daughter a salad. The last sea day he brought green apples, crackers, and ginger ale for motion sickness. He brought 1 movie.

 

The Steward was there from the minute we found our cabin. He cleaned out the fridge, had my husbands bar set-up and fixed the mixers that were wrong. He brought pillows and a extra blanket, he cleaned up after us 2-3 times a day. He kept ice available and much more. His smiling face was a huge plus!

 

In closing: These are my opinions only!

When you pay the price for a suite the perks come with that price. That is why it is so expensive. The Butler, Concierge and Steward are doing their jobs. I feel their tips should reflect if they went above and beyond their duties. On our cruise I thought the steward went above and beyond and the others not so much. I tipped accordingly.

 

As far as the in suite breakfast, salad, snacks etc... I got the same service as I do at any upscale hotel when ordering room service. They knock, I answer and they put it on the table. The only difference is I didn't sign the check with a $5 service charge and a 18% gratuity attached. I already paid those when I booked a suite. If I figured up an 18-20% gratuity for every time the Butler delivered something I would say I tipped him nicely.

 

The Concierge was exactly the same. I hate standing in lines so her services were worth every penny. Did she go above and beyond-No. The steward seemed to do more than I ever dreamed. If he could get it, he did.

 

I tipped the Butler the most as he did more than the others, I tipped the Concierge and the Steward the same amount as the steward is in the tip pool.

[DMH15]

We sailed on the Jewel over Christmas. Before we left home I had a set amount in my mind from the CC boards of what we would tip. We were in a suite NOT in the Haven. I thought before we left that we would not use the Concierge very much and the Butler a lot. I was wrong! This was our 1st cruise.

The Concierge met us at the port in the suite lounge. I had requested a spa pass and she had an asst. escort me to a table set up in the lobby ( I didn't know this was set up there and could have done it myself).She then escorted us in a group to Cagney's. We found our cabin on our own. The next morning we ate breakfast in Cagney's and she made us reservations for each night of the cruise at a MDR. We did not eat specialty. It was great because we bypassed all the lines for Dinner. She escorted us off the ship at 2 ports, and helped with early debarkation in New Orleans. We were of the ship, found our luggage and were at hotel by 8:30am.

 

The Butler came to our suite at 5pm the 1st night. He brought snacks every day at 4pm. He brought 2 in suite breakfast. He brought a pitcher of iced tea once and my daughter a salad. The last sea day he brought green apples, crackers, and ginger ale for motion sickness. He brought 1 movie.

 

The Steward was there from the minute we found our cabin. He cleaned out the fridge, had my husbands bar set-up and fixed the mixers that were wrong. He brought pillows and a extra blanket, he cleaned up after us 2-3 times a day. He kept ice available and much more. His smiling face was a huge plus!

 

In closing: These are my opinions only!

When you pay the price for a suite the perks come with that price. That is why it is so expensive. The Butler, Concierge and Steward are doing their jobs. I feel their tips should reflect if they went above and beyond their duties. On our cruise I thought the steward went above and beyond and the others not so much. I tipped accordingly.

 

As far as the in suite breakfast, salad, snacks etc... I got the same service as I do at any upscale hotel when ordering room service. They knock, I answer and they put it on the table. The only difference is I didn't sign the check with a $5 service charge and a 18% gratuity attached. I already paid those when I booked a suite. If I figured up an 18-20% gratuity for every time the Butler delivered something I would say I tipped him nicely.

 

The Concierge was exactly the same. I hate standing in lines so her services were worth every penny. Did she go above and beyond-No. The steward seemed to do more than I ever dreamed. If he could get it, he did.

 

I tipped the Butler the most as he did more than the others, I tipped the Concierge and the Steward the same amount as the steward is in the tip pool.

My opinion differs a little from yours. And yes I have travelled extensively in suites and upscale concierge hotel suites. I do think the cruise ship model is a little different as far as tipping.

 

I believe your suite fare covers many different things and it covers access to the B & C. I take all of the things they do for me into account. By your description I would have tipped all 3 very well. On my last Sun cruise I was fortunate to hit the "trifecta". We had all 3, concierge, butler and stewardess who were outstanding. I love to tip when it reflects that.

 

 

 

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[jdvmd]

You should base it on what they do for you. If the butler does more, tip accordingly.

Someone asked the question before about the daily gratuity charge - the butler and concierge do not receive part of this, only your stateroom attendant.

[Sparkygirl]

When we were on the Dawn last time their was an asst concierge. The asst is actually the one who walked us to our room right when we boarded. During the rest of the trip we dealt with the concierge so whether there is an asst the whole trip, I'm not sure.

 

 

We just came off the Dawn today. There are actually 3 "concierge" individuals. "THE" concierge, his assistant and then the asst concierge assistant. Due to a special need we required the service of all 3 at times during embarkation and debarkation.

 

 

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Edited January 27, 2014 by Sparkygirl