Ncl haven gratuity

[sioutpost]

This is our 1st time staying in Haven. We will be in a courtyard penthouse with balcony. What do I need to know about gratuities? Who, What, When, How Much. I'm totally clueless. Please help!

[rjm11]

welcome, you're going to love it! There are only two people who you need to specifically worry about- the butler and the concierge. Neither of these two are included in your DSC general tip charge (that covers your room steward, servers in restaurants, etc). Many people suggest about $100 for the butler (for a week cruise) and about $50 for the concierge- but you'll see a wide range of amounts on here. Of course more of less depending on service, but that's about where we start.

 

The butler will take care of anyting within your room. He/she will bring you snack every afternoon (you don't order these- they just show up- if there's something particular you like just tell them otherwise they will bring whatever is set up for that day). They also deliver any room service orders (and you call them directly for room service)- you can get food delivered from any venue on the ship, not just that limited room service menu. If you get it from a specialty restaurant you still have to pay the upcharge. If you get it from main dining room, or free restaurant then of course no charge (but this would be included in your tip). As a suite passenger you get breakfast and lunch in a special restuarant every day- no charge- and this too can be delivered by your butler. He/she can bring DVDs, drinks, bottles of wine (cost) etc.... anything you like. But tip accordingly- most people tip in a lump sum ant the end.

 

Concierge- takes care of everything outside the room. Dinner reservations, spa reservations, shore exursions, etc. We even had one help us arrange a rental car at one of the ports. They are available to escort you (through uncrowded back halls) off the ship at crowded ports, and get you onto a tender without waiting. And get you off the ship at the end without having to wait in the line. Again, most tip as a lump sum at the end.

 

Many passengers (suite and otherwise) choose to leave an additional cash tip for the room steward- maybe more often in the suites since they are more spacious to clean, but optional.

 

All tips can be given in cash, or if you want to put them on your charge for the week, just go to Guest Services, and they will add whatever amount to your charge and give you a card to give the person saying a tip has been added to their account.

 

Hope this helps!

[luckyinpa]

my butler didnt do much beyond is normal duties. he got 50. our steward was very involved and friendly and always on top of things. compared to some steward experiences ive read on this forum, he was fantastic. so i gave him 100.

 

concierge did nothing for me so got zero.

 

last full day of cruise find who you want to tip so you can be sure they get it.

 

for haven restaurant i found it better to tip 5 per meal. last day i saw a woman trying to find her server and she wasnt working.

[qtpy1001]

Hi! We are staying in the haven family suite with our kids (3rd and 4th sail "free") with prepaid grats for myself and my husband. This means that we would still tip the butler and the concierge, but I am confused as to additional tipping because of having the kiddos with us. I appreciate any insight :)

[rjm11]

having the kids with you will only affect butler/concierge tip if it increases how much you use them- in my opinion at least. There are those who like to calculate their tips based on a "per person per day" kind of thing (sometimes you see on here $10 for butler and 5 for concierge) but I think with a family of 4 that's really high (again just my opinion).... if you use them a ton though it might be reasonable.

 

Remember though that the "prepaid gratuity" of the DSC (which as you state only applies to the first two passengers) means that you will also still owe the DSC for both the kids. This is different than the tips for the butler and concierge that are completely at your discretion.

[BirdTravels]

This is our 1st time staying in Haven. We will be in a courtyard penthouse with balcony. What do I need to know about gratuities? Who, What, When, How Much. I'm totally clueless. Please help!

 

We travel in suites often. We recommend $10-$20 per person per day for your butler; $5-$10 per person per day for the concierge; and we leave $5-$10 per person per day for our room steward (who gets something from the DSC, but also has to maintain our larger suite).

[DMH15]

having the kids with you will only affect butler/concierge tip if it increases how much you use them- in my opinion at least. There are those who like to calculate their tips based on a "per person per day" kind of thing (sometimes you see on here $10 for butler and 5 for concierge) but I think with a family of 4 that's really high (again just my opinion).... if you use them a ton though it might be reasonable.

 

 

 

Remember though that the "prepaid gratuity" of the DSC (which as you state only applies to the first two passengers) means that you will also still owe the DSC for both the kids. This is different than the tips for the butler and concierge that are completely at your discretion.

 

 

I agree with you regarding only if pax 3 and 4 do the same things as pax 1 & 2. In that case, maybe a little bit more for their extra work.

 

I have been known to say I do $10 pppd. But I have only cruised two in a cabin. However, this Feb we will have three. Myself, my sister and her 20 year old daughter. If we were going in three directions, with separate requests, food orders, etc. that stance might apply. If the three of us do pretty much the same thing all week, I think $25 per day is appropriate for our budget.

 

 

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