PH Suite (Jewel) Questions...

[DLepard]

Ok, I took the plunge after nearly 10 cruises and really am doing it right this time. We have a forward penthouse suite for the upcoming Thanksgiving cruise. I have never done anything higher than balcony.

 

So, we have a butter and concierge... What do I expect? Is their gratuity included in my prepaid? (Of course I believe in tipping more for over and above attentiveness.) What is standard tipping?

 

I know we don't have Haven access, but I did get us the thermal suites... We are spa JUNKIES... and we are bringing my 17 year old son along for the ride to Cabo.

 

Any insight? What to expect? I got the tags in the mail recently, and it said any special requests, call this number... What kind of requests? I want to make this one memorable cruse for my son. He has Aspergers and is graduating in June with a full on diploma... and heading to college... (I hope ;-) )

 

Thanks for any and all input, advice, suggestions. WE were on the Jewel in 2013 (Port balcony for an Alaska cruise), so we know the ship ok... just never up in the suites... :-P

[perkydebrajean]

Butler and Concierge are not included in the DSC. There is no set amount to tip them, what you feel comfortable with. Depends on how much you use them.

 

We requested ahead of time that we wanted our frudge emptied out and for a pitcher of iced tea and some cookies for sail away. We also requested certain pillows that we wanted.

 

My husband has a really big sweet tooth and our butler kept a plate of cookies in our suite all of the time, and iced tea in the fridge. If there are particular snacks your family likes then let your butler know.

 

If you want meals in your suite then let the butler know. On port days we would have breakfast delivered so that we could have breakfast in our pajamas instead if having to rush to get dressed and go to breakfast.

 

We had the dining plan but on our last night on noard we were not able to get into Cagneys. The butler had us call him an hour ir two before we wanted dinner to let him know what we wanted from Cagneys and he brought it to our suite. The dining plan covered the cost of it. If you don't have the dining plan you can still have it delivered but will be charged normal costs.

 

I hope your son has a wonderful cruise. And you also!

 

Sent from my SM-G930P using Forums mobile app

[dporter]

Hi -

The butler and concierge are NOT included in the service charge. The amount you tip is personal, I have heard a lot of people starting at about $5 or $10 per day and then adjusting from there.

 

Congratulations o your son's graduation!

[perkydebrajean]

Butler and Concierge are not included in the DSC. There is no set amount to tip them, what you feel comfortable with. Depends on how much you use them.

 

We requested ahead of time that we wanted our fridge emptied out and for a pitcher of iced tea and some cookies for sail away. We also requested certain pillows that we wanted.

 

My husband has a really big sweet tooth and our butler kept a plate of cookies in our suite all of the time, and iced tea in the fridge. If there are particular snacks your family likes then let your butler know.

 

If you want meals in your suite then let the butler know. On port days we would have breakfast delivered so that we could have breakfast in our pajamas instead of having to rush to get dressed and go to breakfast.

 

We had the dining plan but on our last night on board we were not able to get into Cagneys. The butler had us call him an hour or two before we wanted dinner to let him know what we wanted from Cagneys and he brought it to our suite. The dining plan covered the cost of it. If you don't have the dining plan you can still have it delivered but will be charged normal costs.

 

I hope your son has a wonderful cruise. And you also!

 

Sent from my SM-G930P using Forums mobile app

 

 

 

Sent from my SM-G930P using Forums mobile app

[perkydebrajean]

Sorry about the double post. Was trying to correct some misspellings and accidentally hit reply.

 

Not very good on my phone!

 

Sent from my SM-G930P using Forums mobile app

[BirdTravels]

Hi -

The butler and concierge are NOT included in the service charge. The amount you tip is personal, I have heard a lot of people starting at about $5 or $10 per day and then adjusting from there.

 

Congratulations o your son's graduation!

 

That's $10-$20 per person per day for butler. $5-$10 per person per day for the concierge. And being in a big room, something extra for your room steward ($5-$10 per person per day).

 

The forward facing penthouse is a great room. We have done it for Alaska and cruising the St Lawrence. We ask our butler to keep bowls of m&m and gummy bears full. Also a couple of days of PB&pjs sandwiches with the normal afternoon snacks.

[triptolemus]

That's $10-$20 per person per day for butler. $5-$10 per person per day for the concierge. And being in a big room, something extra for your room steward ($5-$10 per person per day).

 

So everyone is clear, that's what you do (or claim to do).

 

Your low numbers are at $420, and your high numbers are at $840. If you're rocking > $800 in tips for PH suite services...that seems high.

 

For me, it's about $160 for the butler, $60 for the stew, and $0 through $60 for the useless concierge.

[BirdTravels]

So everyone is clear, that's what you do (or claim to do).

 

Your low numbers are at $420, and your high numbers are at $840. If you're rocking > $800 in tips for PH suite services...that seems high.

 

For me, it's about $160 for the butler, $60 for the stew, and $0 through $60 for the useless concierge.

 

My low numbers are 10*2*7+5*2*7+5*2*7=$280

 

High number is double $560

 

Basic math

 

And we have tipped a lot more. One concierge last year set up two tours. An hour long tour of the bridge by the captain and a tour of the engine control room by the chief engineer. And checked our dinner reservations and stopped by our table nightly to see what things she could do for us.

Edited October 4, 2016 by BirdTravels

[maja651]

You're going to love the suite life! Watch out though, it is hard to go back.

 

Some of the things we ask our butler to do:

 

1. We love having breakfast in our suite, so we always use that perk, almost every day.

2. I also love chocolate covered strawberries, and ask for them daily, with no issues.

3. My friend prefers savory snacks so she asks for the antipasta plate. Never an issue.

4. We ask for the refrigerator to be emptied.

5. If we bring wine onboard, we ask the butler to deliver it to the restaurant so it is chilled and ready when we arrive.

6. We have had dinner in the suite as well.

 

We usually tip the butler between $150-$200 for a PH suite. We tip the concierge depending on what he has done for us. We have tipped $0 and we have tipped $700 (in the GV th4 concierge did a LOT for us).

[DMH15]

So everyone is clear, that's what you do (or claim to do).

 

 

 

Your low numbers are at $420, and your high numbers are at $840. If you're rocking > $800 in tips for PH suite services...that seems high.

 

 

 

For me, it's about $160 for the butler, $60 for the stew, and $0 through $60 for the useless concierge.

 

 

I have had three awesome and well-tipped concierges: Karin G, Monica F and the man, Hanno M. Hanno made my niece's 18th birthday and grad cruise memorable. In fact, Katie lost her phone. And you know teenagers and phones. It was later found in the casino and Hanno arranged for guests on the cruise after ours to meet Katie's dad in our hometown with her lost phone. Hardly useless for us.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[triptolemus]

My low numbers are 10*2*7+5*2*7+5*2*7=$280

 

High number is double $560

 

Basic math

 

Read the OP and multiply by 3 next time.

 

Basic math. :rolleyes:

[Florida 1]

It depends on you, completely. We had a general idea ahead of time of what we expected we were going to tip but changed on the last day. We rarely utilized the services of the butler or concierge (but both equally), so gave each $50. Our room steward was already covered by pre-paid gratuities but he was so happy & fun that we gave him an extra $50. We were in an aft PH suite, and it was wonderful!

[smillerholmes]

Just cruised the Jewel and since it was my first time in a suite (PH9000 forward) I utilized the most common suggestion I found here on CC. $5-$10 per day depending upon level of service. Final tally for Butler $150/Concierge $50/Room Steward Extra $50.

 

Our butler was Ruffino and he was excellent! He was able to "anticipate" things we may like/need and I found that absolutely amazing.