Would you tip this concierge?

[ColinIllinois]

Pretty sure the O.P. knew what the answers would be. :D

[ECCruise]

We were on the Sun a month ago and our Concierge was Carlos. He was very attentive and always very helpful, we tipped him well. He greeted us at breakfast and made fast work of any restaurant reservations we needed to change. The theater was explained to us in detail and the roped off area was very evident. As expected he delivered our passport to our table one morning. We thought he did a good job. He did say more than once that if we needed something he could make it happen. Carlos must have moved on i guess.

 

To answer your question. No I would not tip if I had experienced problems you had to endure.

 

I guess everyone's experience varies wildly.

 

We just got off the Sun a week ago and also had Carlos on our 20 day requisitioning. He was available for us whenever needed, for whatever was needed. Passport retrieval on a day when they were still being held (we were renting a car), passport return, restaurant reservations, port information "meetings" prior to a number of the ports and much more.

 

Not sure about the "crossing the Equator" issue. If the OP is talking the "crossing the line" celebration, it was fully documented in the Freestyle Daily and attending by a shoulder to shoulder crowd on all open decks. If you meant the actual minute of crossing the Equator, that occurred hours later and was never announced but don't see the need.

 

Unsure why there would be such a marked difference in experiences if Carlos was, in fact, the Concierge (and the fact that it was a 20 day cruise that crossed the Equator makes me certain he was).

Edited May 5, 2016 by ECCruise

[Sissaaaaaa]

Nope.

[kcwingwalker]

OP did not have a good experience. No tip necessary and a shout out to guest services appropriate.

 

Our concierge on the Jewel has an excellent reputation and I was thrilled and looked forward to meeting her. However, I found we were not her "type". She left me with the feeling that she had more "important" people to help.

 

We asked for one dinner reservation and she just could not help and offered no alternative dates or times or even another restaurant. DS ordered a Carlo's cake for my birthday and it was to be delivered the day we sailed. No cake arrived and the next morning I told her of the situation. The cake was delivered to our suite that evening. The cake was not the flavor ordered and looked like it had had some rough handling.

 

The day before the cruise ended we met with our butler and steward (they were fabulous) and gave them their tips in envelopes with notes and also told them that they would both be receiving Hero Cards. We did leave an envelope with a small tip for our concierge in her office, she was not available.

 

The lack of $$$ must have annoyed her because the next morning when we were self disembarking she spotted us and actually scolded me for not joining her with the rest of the Haven passengers for disembarking!

 

I do think the modest (cheap) tip gave her the message. But it would have been better if I had also contacted guest services.

[Sonora5]

I guess everyone's experience varies wildly.

 

We just got off the Sun a week ago and also had Carlos on our 20 day requisitioning. He was available for us whenever needed, for whatever was needed. Passport retrieval on a day when they were still being held (we were renting a car), passport return, restaurant reservations, port information "meetings" prior to a number of the ports and much more.

 

Not sure about the "crossing the Equator" issue. If the OP is talking the "crossing the line" celebration, it was fully documented in the Freestyle Daily and attending by a shoulder to shoulder crowd on all open decks. If you meant the actual minute of crossing the Equator, that occurred hours later and was never announced but don't see the need.

 

Unsure why there would be such a marked difference in experiences if Carlos was, in fact, the Concierge (and the fact that it was a 20 day cruise that crossed the Equator makes me certain he was).

 

It was Carlos. Interesting how different folks had different experiences with him. We knew about the Celebration, which we were not able to attend. We were curious about when we would actually cross the equator and he told us we already had, when, in fact, we did not actually cross it until later that night. He also told us we would not see whales, we saw plenty of whales. It just goes on and on. He had no credibility with us by the end of the trip. Not at all what I am used to from the concierge.

 

I agree, we should have spoken to someone on Board. But we were dealing with the larger issues involving the smell, the construction on the ship, the blue water, the toilets, etc. I really didn't want to spend the whole cruise complaining. In fact, the concierge's poor performance didn't really bother me greatly except we had a little discussion over whether or not to tip. He was going to get a small tip, maybe $50, until the Los Angeles debacle. That was the last straw.

 

We had a great cruise because of the ports, the private excursions we took, the people on board (in a long cruise like this you really get to know some of your fellow cruisers, that was very nice!) and the staff who were mostly great. The construction part of the cruise was inexcusable on the part of NCL, and we will be following up with them on that. We feel that NCL actually jeopardized our safety with the things they were doing onboard. That is for a different thread however and it mentioned here only to discuss why we did not complain on board about the concierge.

[dexddd]

It was Carlos. Interesting how different folks had different experiences with him. We knew about the Celebration, which we were not able to attend. We were curious about when we would actually cross the equator and he told us we already had, when, in fact, we did not actually cross it until later that night. He also told us we would not see whales, we saw plenty of whales. It just goes on and on. He had no credibility with us by the end of the trip. Not at all what I am used to from the concierge.

 

I agree, we should have spoken to someone on Board. But we were dealing with the larger issues involving the smell, the construction on the ship, the blue water, the toilets, etc. I really didn't want to spend the whole cruise complaining. In fact, the concierge's poor performance didn't really bother me greatly except we had a little discussion over whether or not to tip. He was going to get a small tip, maybe $50, until the Los Angeles debacle. That was the last straw.

 

We had a great cruise because of the ports, the private excursions we took, the people on board (in a long cruise like this you really get to know some of your fellow cruisers, that was very nice!) and the staff who were mostly great. The construction part of the cruise was inexcusable on the part of NCL, and we will be following up with them on that. We feel that NCL actually jeopardized our safety with the things they were doing onboard. That is for a different thread however and it mentioned here only to discuss why we did not complain on board about the concierge.

 

People definitely can have different experiences. One of the "favorites" on here we had and I was scratching my head after we had her. It was similar to Kcwingwalker's comments above. We didn't ask much from her but one request early on was to make two dinner reservations later in the week - Cagneys and the Asian restaurant later in the week. She said they were full.

 

We went to Cagneys for lunch about an hour later and asked the hostess and she got us in those nights.

[SPB in da RVA]

Who really cares what others would do? I do not make my decisions on tipping (or anything else) based on what I think others would or would not do. If you don't want to tip don't do it, there is no need to get approval from others for your decision.

[sjbdtz]

This is from a recent 20 day cruise on the Sun.

 

1) When we first met, we asked for his extension number so we could call if e needed anything, like a dinner reservation. He told us to just call guest services.

 

2) We saw him at breakfast and asked him to make a reservation for that night in Cagney's for our anniversary. We got to Cagney's and he had forgotten to make the reservation. Needless to say there was no special little something for our anniversary.

 

3) We asked him when we would be crossing the equator and he gave us completely wrong information. Very disappointing-I was a little excited about crossing the equator.

 

4) He recommended a show to us. We asked him if the show used that fake smoke/fog, which is very bothersome to my husband who has a long condition. He said no. We went to the show and sure enough first thing smoke started billowing up. We fled.

 

5) He gave very vague instruction on where Suite seating was for shows. No one was there to assist and there was nothing roped off and no signage. We gave up on shows.

 

6) At this point we were just making our own dinner reservations.

 

7) For the clearing customs stop in LA he promised a wheelchair would be brought to our cabin when we were supposed to go off the ship. Did not happen. I managed to find a wheelchair on my own and handled getting my husband and his oxygen off and on with no help from anyone on the ship.

 

8) He did nothing for us all cruise. When we ate in the suite restaurant for breakfast or lunch, he could often be found there schmoozing with certain customers. He would give us a pleasant hello and breeze by our table.

 

For the record, we loved our butler and steward and tipped them both fairly substantial amounts. We have had excellent concierges on other sailings and have always shown our financial appreciation.

 

Would you tip this concierge?

 

Given that this cruise was only a couple of weeks after ours, I'm surmising that the concierge is Carlos. Which is really surprising because we've found him to be excellent, on more than 1 cruise.

 

Then again, OP notes that he might get distracted by people he already knows well.

 

I tipped him reasonably well on our 14 day cruise, BUT if we had the set of experiences OP has laid out, we would not have tipped him.

 

And that would have been a first.

 

 

Stephen

 

 

.

[kcwingwalker]

People definitely can have different experiences. One of the "favorites" on here we had and I was scratching my head after we had her. It was similar to Kcwingwalker's comments above. We didn't ask much from her but one request early on was to make two dinner reservations later in the week - Cagneys and the Asian restaurant later in the week. She said they were full.

 

We went to Cagneys for lunch about an hour later and asked the hostess and she got us in those nights.

 

Interesting! We ended up handling our own dinner reservations too and did just fine. By any chance did her name begin with a "V"?

[triptolemus]

Last week, I had to handle my own reservations too, as the concierge was completely unresponsive. But there was a good reason. His father back home died two days into the trip. That's the only concierge who gets a pass for no service. But get this... he shows back up on disembarkation day back in Los Angeles... escorts us off the ship.

 

Apparently, NCL had assisted in arranging transportation for him from Cabo San Lucas to Peru (if I remember right) and back. Talk about the poor overworked crew. This guy's father dies, and he's back to work on the ship (crispy uniform and all) 5 days later. Must be a horrible gig.

 

We talked to the butler about it as we had heard he left early on for a family emergency. Actually, she brought it up and explained that his father passed. Thats why she had to pull double-duty and handle the concierge's business as well as her own. She explained that NCL does a wonderful job in helping crew with family matters like this -- she was very complimentary of NCL in this regard.

Edited May 5, 2016 by triptolemus

[gcollins]

I always tip, no matter how bad the service.

 

In this case, I would hand him a dollar (or put it in an envelope). I don't stiff people because I don't want them to think I forgot to leave a tip. :-)

 

Lol - Nice idea! I like it....

[kdzkatz]

Not a penny.

 

Actually that is exactly what I would have tipped, one penny in an envelope or maybe better yet from your on board account. That is a blatant insult to leave a penny for a tip and it sounds like this concierge earned that exact amount for their inexcusable service (or lack thereof).

[Loonbeam]

Nope. I would have also communicated very clearly to him why.

[Samstress]

Having been in the service industry I know that the solo $1 tip (or the penny) would have sent the right message.

Whereas leaving nothing might be seen to indicate that the guest forgot or was 'cheap'.

My experience with regards to the service of the butler and/or concierge has been this.

When our Butler has been wonderful our Concierge has been less so. And when our Concierge has been great our Butler has not been as attentive.

It has made me wonder whether they divide up the suites:-)

Edited May 5, 2016 by Samstress

[Rala]

I always tip, no matter how bad the service.

 

In this case, I would hand him a dollar (or put it in an envelope). I don't stiff people because I don't want them to think I forgot to leave a tip. :-)

 

Is your tongue still in your cheek? ;)

[jjikids]

We weren't surprised the concierge was Carlos. We had heard good things about him before we cruised two years ago on the Gem. We even mentioned it to him. He completely ignored us when he stopped by everyone else's tables at Moderno. The only dinner reservation we asked him to make he said you could do it yourself. We thought maybe we didn't rate in his eyes since we were in an aft penthouse. We had Francisco this year and also heard many good things about him. On the fifth day we happened to run into him. We asked him why he never even bothered to call us or stop by to say hello. We didn't need his services but made him aware he fell down on his job. We didn't report either of them since they just didn't do anything for us. They picked who they would work for. The tip is your way to make sure they know your feelings of their work.

[lisakoivu]

They do pick who they work for.

 

Many people love John D'Souza. He did absolutely nothing for us when we were on Jewel (quite a few years ago)

[knitlady037]

I have had all 3 as concierge. Carlos and John are an almost a tie for service. Excellent every time! Francesco was by far the worst I have ever had. He is the only concierge that totally ignored us and many others I spoke to on the cruise. I even wrote to the HD before we disembarked. Not in an aft penthouse either. was in an SC 2 bedroom suite.

[bbryan5]

Not a penny

[brynmarie]

We sailed on the Sun March 12th and thought Carlos was wonderful; reservations were made and changed and he even stopped by our room frequently to see if he could be of service. I've only sailed in suites on Norwegian and can't even remember other names but I'll always remember Carlos! Everyone has different expectations but he met all of ours.

[dexddd]

Interesting! We ended up handling our own dinner reservations too and did just fine. By any chance did her name begin with a "V"?

 

Yes. We ran into her early on in the trip that day, asked for those two reservations, she said none were available (without even checking any notes or electronic media). I think that was the only request we made of her. I did talk to her one night prior to a show and she did escort us off the ship the last day.

[boopsahoy]

We weren't surprised the concierge was Carlos. We had heard good things about him before we cruised two years ago on the Gem. We even mentioned it to him. He completely ignored us when he stopped by everyone else's tables at Moderno. The only dinner reservation we asked him to make he said you could do it yourself. We thought maybe we didn't rate in his eyes since we were in an aft penthouse. We had Francisco this year and also heard many good things about him. On the fifth day we happened to run into him. We asked him why he never even bothered to call us or stop by to say hello. We didn't need his services but made him aware he fell down on his job. We didn't report either of them since they just didn't do anything for us. They picked who they would work for. The tip is your way to make sure they know your feelings of their work.

 

 

We cruise on the Gem in an Aft Penthouse every winter. The first 2 times we had Valentina (sp?) We asked for one thing-a change in reservations, and not only did she nor do it she didn't even tell us. Then disembarking with her was a nightmare both times.

 

Carlos has been wonderful. Not only does he do what we ask (we don't ask much besides reservations) but every day he would stop by our cabin and ask if everything was ok and what could he do for us. I am BEYOND shocked at what you have recounted. Manners are very important to him to so to hear that he told you to do it yourself-boggles my mind.

 

That being said I wouldn't have tipped either.

[emcelh]

We cruise on the Gem in an Aft Penthouse every winter. The first 2 times we had Valentina (sp?) We asked for one thing-a change in reservations, and not only did she nor do it she didn't even tell us. Then disembarking with her was a nightmare both times.

 

Carlos has been wonderful. Not only does he do what we ask (we don't ask much besides reservations) but every day he would stop by our cabin and ask if everything was ok and what could he do for us. I am BEYOND shocked at what you have recounted. Manners are very important to him to so to hear that he told you to do it yourself-boggles my mind.

 

That being said I wouldn't have tipped either.

 

we've sailed with Carlos twice and this was our experience as well. It's surprising to read that the OP had such a different experience.

[armwinder]

As I mentioned in a previous post Carlos was very attentive and helpful. He had a couple of meetings on board to explain his experiences in all the ports of call. He visited our cabin on a number of occasions and always greeted us when he saw us around the ship.

 

We did not ask about whales not really his area of expertise, no doubt if he had promised the OP that they would see whales and non turned up as ordered he would be in even more trouble.

 

I would be happy to sail with Carlos again any time.

[jjikids]

We cruise on the Gem in an Aft Penthouse every winter. The first 2 times we had Valentina (sp?) We asked for one thing-a change in reservations, and not only did she nor do it she didn't even tell us. Then disembarking with her was a nightmare both times.

 

Carlos has been wonderful. Not only does he do what we ask (we don't ask much besides reservations) but every day he would stop by our cabin and ask if everything was ok and what could he do for us. I am BEYOND shocked at what you have recounted. Manners are very important to him to so to hear that he told you to do it yourself-boggles my mind.

 

That being said I wouldn't have tipped either.

 

We were shocked to be ignored by Carlos since we heard he was wonderful. We did give him a small amount. Our butler on that cruise got a very big tip. He made up for Carlos. Our very first cruise our concierge called us each day to see if we needed her. Our first concierge on the Gem was Ryan. We had heard he wasn't very helpful. He was wonderful to us.Our next cruise will be the Breakaway so hopefully we will get someone new.