Jump to content

What do you request from your butler for in the Haven? And other stupid questions.


slugg
 Share

Recommended Posts

I recently upgraded to a Haven suite. Woohoo! But the first thing that comes to mind is "what do I even do with a butler?" I'm just not that fancy. I've never had a butler and I have no concept of them. I've seen Batman, and Alfred is a badass, but I doubt that training to become a superhero is the best way to utilize a butler on NCL. So.... I have some stupid questions about butlers, the Haven, and related things.

 

1. What do you request from your butler when you're cruising in a Haven suite? I'm trying to get a feel for ideas.

 

2. I've read in a couple random places that not only is the room service charge waived, but the menu is expanded. Is this true, and if so, what's the expanded menu?
 

3. Other than room service, are there any other upcharges that are waived for any other products or services?

 

4. We want to get into the comedy club. Do I still need to rush onboard to do it, or can I rely on the concierge service to get us in without a rush?

 

5. Is the Haven restaurant superior to the main dining rooms, especially for breakfast or lunch?

 

6. Is there anything else you think I should know?

 

 

By the way - my wife still thinks we're in an interior cabin on a lower deck. This is going to be a total surprise! 🙂

  • Like 9
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1. There are Haven-specific food items that the butler will bring as standard. If you want more or less of something, let the butler know. You can request just about any food item on the ship but for specialty items, you will pay as if you ordered from a specialty restaurant. Haven restaurant items are no charge.

 

2. Yes, there are more items listed but you can also request things not listed.

 

3. Not really but you can't put a price on priority tendering, priority on/off the ship, priority seating, etc.

 

4. You can probably count on the concierge...or do it yourself.

 

5. Absolutely.

 

6. Know that it can be addictive and that cruising without a ship-within-a-ship will be difficult in the future.

Just let either the butler or concierge know what you want. Unless it is something crazy, it shouldn't be a problem.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

IMHO the butler experience is way over blown. Maybe its because I don't like to eat in my cabin and like to go out and explore the ship to eat.  However you can use your butler to order meals or drinks to your cabin.  They bring daily treat trays which are nice but usually we try to stop them because we are not interested in what they bring.

Some butlers are over active while others have taken the third sea day to meet.  We usually don't use them for much.  But you can call them and they are at your service.  The butlers are not exclusively assigned to your cabin. Some butlers juggle 10 suites and more.  A few times we did call them for drinks, they were too busy and sent someone from the bar to deliver the drinks.  They run around like crazy.

Edited by david_sobe
  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, slugg said:

I recently upgraded to a Haven suite. Woohoo! But the first thing that comes to mind is "what do I even do with a butler?" I'm just not that fancy. I've never had a butler and I have no concept of them. I've seen Batman, and Alfred is a badass, but I doubt that training to become a superhero is the best way to utilize a butler on NCL. So.... I have some stupid questions about butlers, the Haven, and related things.

 

1. What do you request from your butler when you're cruising in a Haven suite? I'm trying to get a feel for ideas.

 

2. I've read in a couple random places that not only is the room service charge waived, but the menu is expanded. Is this true, and if so, what's the expanded menu?
 

3. Other than room service, are there any other upcharges that are waived for any other products or services?

 

4. We want to get into the comedy club. Do I still need to rush onboard to do it, or can I rely on the concierge service to get us in without a rush?

 

5. Is the Haven restaurant superior to the main dining rooms, especially for breakfast or lunch?

 

6. Is there anything else you think I should know?

 

 

By the way - my wife still thinks we're in an interior cabin on a lower deck. This is going to be a total surprise! 🙂

Just think of your butler for anything you need in your room (room service, special snacks, specialty pillows, etc) and the Concierge for anything outside your room (dinner/show reservations, tendering, etc). If you want to order breakfast in your cabin, you fill out a piece of paper (will be in your cabin) and check off what you want & leave it on your door the night before. If what you want is not listed--write it in. If it's on the ship, the butler will bring it. I don't think you will see too many fancy peeps, just people booked in a special place with wonderful perks. You will also have a phone you can carry around and call the butler if you decide you need something waiting for you when you get back to your cabin. I have never used that perk--it makes me uncomfortable, lol. But many do. Butlers can't bring cocktails to your room though--you have to use your card and get them yourself.

Edited by Greenpea2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

26 minutes ago, Greenpea2 said:

Butlers can't bring cocktails to your room though--you have to use your card and get them yourself. 

 

Butlers can deliver drinks but the beverage package won't cover it. Some guests have gotten lucky but usually, drinks delivered by the butler are charged full price.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

35 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

Butlers can deliver drinks but the beverage package won't cover it. Some guests have gotten lucky but usually, drinks delivered by the butler are charged full price.

You are right, sorry. I did mean with the beverage package but was not clear on that. Thanks for clarifying!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you dress for dinner (we do) it’s nice to have the butler serve you cocktails in your suite.  A vodka martini on the balcony with your DW/DH while dressed to the Nines is a particular pleasure before dinner.  Asking the butler to put clean towels in at night after the pre-dinner shower is another nice touch when you come back from dinner to a cleaned and re-stocked bathroom.  Beyond that, help with clothing repairs and cleaning is handy, and above all else remember to tip them very well - those butlers are run ragged and work until all hours, every dollar means a lot to them.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

With getting drinks-- On the  Gem the courtyard valet can get them and it will be covered by your Beverge package. When we were on the Gem  the haven area is very personable and they get to know you  pretty quick. So when we would return  to the ship  he would ask me if I wanted a beverage  and before I could get back out to the courtyard area-- he was at our cabin handing me my drink.  He was tipped very well for that week.

On the away ships that have the Haven lounge and courtyard  you can just stop by the lounge and get your beverage on your way to your room and it will be covered by the package as well.

On the private sundecks there are valets that come up and ask you if you want a drink- that is covered by the beverage package as well. 

 You will love the Haven and all the perks it has. If it is on the ship and a reasonable request they will deliver. Mand M's ,gummy bears, peanut butter sandwiches,fruit ,potato chips etc.,  The concierge usually has the menus from the specialty restaurants so you can preview them . The butler can bring you the menus from the MDR or taste or savor as well so you can preview. I can't remember if the concierge them as well.

You are on vacation and  it is nice to be pampered. Its the one week that I do not have to do the  wash, cook, food shop or clean.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, slugg said:

1. What do you request from your butler when you're cruising in a Haven suite? I'm trying to get a feel for ideas.

We have our butler keep bowls of M&Ms (plain or peanut), Gummy Bears, Bar Mix, Chips filled (most go into ziplocks). 

 

2. I've read in a couple random places that not only is the room service charge waived, but the menu is expanded. Is this true, and if so, what's the expanded menu?
You can order anything from the restaurants on the ship. For Breakfast, there is a card with check boxes (same as in every cabin). We just write what we want. Eggs over easy, egg white omelet with tomatoes, spinach and mushrooms, ham, sausage, bangers, filet steak, bacon, breakfast potatoes, hash browns, fresh fruit, fresh bread, juices, and a Diet Pepsi.

 

3. Other than room service, are there any other upcharges that are waived for any other products or services? 

None. 

 

4. We want to get into the comedy club. Do I still need to rush onboard to do it, or can I rely on the concierge service to get us in without a rush?

Concierge will get you tickets anywhere you want. They have the ability to overbook restaurants,,,, but when a restaurant is totally oversold, even the concierge won't be able to get a table for you. 

 

5. Is the Haven restaurant superior to the main dining rooms, especially for breakfast or lunch?

It is a complimentary restaurant. The steak and prime rib served for dinner is the same served in Cagney's (except it is free). For us, it is good for 1 or 2 dinners since the menus don't change. It is convenient for breakfast. We go for lunch on embarkation day, at most. 

 

6. Is there anything else you think I should know?

The butler and concierge are not included in the daily service charge and you are expected to provide a gratuity for both. 

 

By the way - my wife still thinks we're in an interior cabin on a lower deck. This is going to be a total surprise! 🙂

 

D2DC17D6-0672-4FC3-B31E-9DA654061171.jpeg

1D599E0F-67DF-4A5A-8106-B10CD9F11FE1.png

2BE87C37-5FB4-4B10-A629-498BA8E6128E.jpeg

79EFA861-43A7-42DE-82AF-A000C5C69A33.jpeg

3DCADD16-DFE0-4911-9541-887DE272CFAC.jpeg

7EF6264A-7ED9-4A33-873B-5CA126D42580.jpeg

Edited by BirdTravels
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, trimom30 said:

@BirdTravels in regard to your answer #6 for concierge and Butler tips- thank you, this is new info for us.  Are there guidelines for what we should budget for? We are doing a 7 day in May and a 16 day in November, both haven. 

Wow! You asked the wrong person.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, slugg said:

I recently upgraded to a Haven suite. Woohoo! But the first thing that comes to mind is "what do I even do with a butler?" I'm just not that fancy. I've never had a butler and I have no concept of them. I've seen Batman, and Alfred is a badass, but I doubt that training to become a superhero is the best way to utilize a butler on NCL. So.... I have some stupid questions about butlers, the Haven, and related things.

 

1. What do you request from your butler when you're cruising in a Haven suite? I'm trying to get a feel for ideas.

I have asked for chicken soup once when I had gotten a cold on the ship.  I normally don't want the little plates of snacks they bring.  We have requested cheese and crackers and fruit on longer cruises.  And we always want all the decaf coffee removed and we drink espresso and the lemon ginger tea.

 

2. I've read in a couple random places that not only is the room service charge waived, but the menu is expanded. Is this true, and if so, what's the expanded menu?

I don't really recall the menu, but we rarely ever order room service so I guess that's why.
 

3. Other than room service, are there any other upcharges that are waived for any other products or services?

Movies...you have choices of lots of movies with no charges

5 hours ago, slugg said:

 

4. We want to get into the comedy club. Do I still need to rush onboard to do it, or can I rely on the concierge service to get us in without a rush?

Yes we had ours call down to get us reservations for the comedy club.

5 hours ago, slugg said:

 

5. Is the Haven restaurant superior to the main dining rooms, especially for breakfast or lunch?

Love the breakfast.  Lunch is good, dinner is good.  We always have breakfast in the haven dining room.  You can also sit by the pool and order food. 

5 hours ago, slugg said:

 

6. Is there anything else you think I should know?

The pool is tiny.  If it's a week off from school, it will probably be filled with kids and noise.   You have nicer amenities, such as robes and slippers in your cabin.  
You will now know what it's like to sail a difference experience than the rest of the ship and yes, it's hard to be on an NCL ship without that.  Other ships, easy.  NCL...it's tough.  They do a nice job in the haven of making you want to go back. 

5 hours ago, slugg said:

 

 

By the way - my wife still thinks we're in an interior cabin on a lower deck. This is going to be a total surprise! 🙂

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Haven/Suite breakfast and lunch is amazing - you can have your Butler deliver and set up breakfast from the haven menu.  Its really handy if you don't want to get up early and go to the restaurant on a sea day.  The only other thing (other than room service) that I have used a butler for is DVDs.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Lots of great info here- thanks everyone!

I’ve read mixed reviews recently and have some follow up questions:

- will they serve you course by course for dinner? Or will it all come at once?

- do they do a white linen service?

- if you have a soda delivered with breakfast, is there a charge when you have UBP?

- will they still unpack for you (I really want to be out exploring the ship!)

- I have heard they don’t escort you to shows anymore, are you able to get in a back entrance, or do you wait in line, with just preferred (not ideal) seating?

- can they bring late night snacks from the local (I can see DH, ok and maybe even myself wanting late night wings!)?

- what are some of the afternoon canapés they offer?

(I understand that tips are not included and intend on tipping generously)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think you will love the Haven. Be prepared to leave any and all future interior cabins in the dust. After being in the Haven there’s no turning back... IMO. 

But here’s my two cents on the surprise thing...

Last year I upgraded our cabin to a Royal suite on Celebrity. (I would say equivalent to a NCL Owners suite.). Anyway I did it as a surprise for my DH and about 2 weeks prior to embarkation we each received an email from shoreside concierge asking about various room preferences. I was so annoyed that my big surprise was ruined. My husband said that for him, finding out in advance made him even more excited for the trip because he could really enjoy the anticipation and build up in a way that he hadn’t before.  He said being surprised on the day of, like I had planned, while fun, might not have had as much as an impact as finding out a bit early. I had not considered that perspective so I thought I’d share. 

I hope you both have a fabulous time!  

Ps..we didn’t use our butler but the concierge was amazing!

cm

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, AtlantaAlly said:

Lots of great info here- thanks everyone!

I’ve read mixed reviews recently and have some follow up questions:

- will they serve you course by course for dinner? Or will it all come at once?

- do they do a white linen service?

- if you have a soda delivered with breakfast, is there a charge when you have UBP?

- will they still unpack for you (I really want to be out exploring the ship!)

- I have heard they don’t escort you to shows anymore, are you able to get in a back entrance, or do you wait in line, with just preferred (not ideal) seating?

- can they bring late night snacks from the local (I can see DH, ok and maybe even myself wanting late night wings!)?

- what are some of the afternoon canapés they offer?

(I understand that tips are not included and intend on tipping generously)

Re serving course by course: the jury is out on that. I have heard yes and I have heard no. We tried that twice. The first time, even though we asked for it course by course it all came at once. The second time the butler brought it all but stood outside our slightly opened door with the cart and brought it in course by course. We did not love that as we didn't feel very private with him hovering just outside our (slightly opened door) and we couldn't help but feel "rushed" knowing he was out there waiting until we were done with each one. Yes to the white linen, though. I have given up on the course by course thing. Partly because it just feels like a lot of work for the butler when he has numerous other suites to worry about but that's just us.

 

Unpacking: again, jury is out. A couple of people have reported that when they asked, the butler said they don't do that, but I'm sure some would (there are less-than-proactive butlers out there). Worth a try though.

 

Reserved seating for shows: I have had concierges who tell us to meet them by the theatre 10 minutes before and they escort us to our seats. Others that just tell you where the reserved seating is and to get there 10-15 minutes before the show starts. I have never heard of suite passengers having to wait in a line though.

 

The afternoon canapés are not all that popular, with us either. There is usually one of the 4 or 5 that we each like. They also bring crackers and cheese (ask for extra crackers) or chocolate covered strawberries.

 

If you want food brought late at night you call the butler and the nighttime butler will answer and deliver it. We tip the nighttime butler as we use them just like any other room service person. I would imagine they would bring you food from the Local.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

You know, I thought that you would enjoy knowing that the kind of service you receive from any cat room is really up to the cabin person. 

 

Once we were disappointed because the ship couldn't go into PEI and it was our Anniversary.  It was an ugly rainy day and we decided to just stay in our room all day.

 ( A few months earlier we were on a Celebrity Summit  14 day cruise from Vancouver to San Diego...in a mini suite.  It was an OK cruise and our first Celebrity cruise)

 

Even though it was a formal night we told her we didn't even want our room made up because we wern't going anyplace. At about 7 pm there was a knock on our door and she had 2 carts full of covered dishes.  Lobster, filet minion , different side dishes...deserts etc..😍.she laid everything out on our coffee table...along with our Anniversary cake.  We were on Celebrity "Connie"...we were in an INSIDE CABIN....🤗

 We almost didn't go on the New England /Canada 11 day cruise on Celebrity because we were not too impressed with our Alaska one...Princess was a whole lot better to us.....long story short...we have taken the "Connie" all around the world at different times and we are Elite on Princess  AND Celebrity...  one little lady showing kindness to one couple made our cruise that we would never forget.....it was the person...not the cabin...that impressed us😘  We have taken around 70 cruises some  as long as 35 days.....but we'll never forget what that one woman did ....just because she wanted to

 

  • Like 5
  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, AtlantaAlly said:

Lots of great info here- thanks everyone!

I’ve read mixed reviews recently and have some follow up questions:

- will they serve you course by course for dinner? Or will it all come at once?
however you want. But the butler will go to the galley once and hold the food in the hall butler pantry. They will serve the next course the next time they are in the area. We prefer to get it all at once and eat at our pace. 


- do they do a white linen service?
always


- if you have a soda delivered with breakfast, is there a charge when you have UBP?
they are suppose to. Most butlers Don’t. 


- will they still unpack for you (I really want to be out exploring the ship!)
yes. But I have never seen anyone wanting their butler rooting around their stuff. No one ever does this. 


- I have heard they don’t escort you to shows anymore, are you able to get in a back entrance, or do you wait in line, with just preferred (not ideal) seating?
on big ships, they will escort you to the dinner shows. And there is reserved seating in the theater to the side. On small ships, reserved seating is for owners suites and above. 


- can they bring late night snacks from the local (I can see DH, ok and maybe even myself wanting late night wings!)?

the night butler is always available. Or you can go to The Local. 

- what are some of the afternoon canapés they offer?
see pic above. Sometimes a plate of cookies. Plate of cut fruit. Sandwiches. 

 


(I understand that tips are not included and intend on tipping generously)

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 hours ago, trimom30 said:

@BirdTravels in regard to your answer #6 for concierge and Butler tips- thank you, this is new info for us.  Are there guidelines for what we should budget for? We are doing a 7 day in May and a 16 day in November, both haven. 

There are no recommendations. When people ask,,,

 

Butler: $10-$15 per person in room per days of cruise. Example: $10 x 2 people x $7 days = $140

 

Concierge: $5-$10 pp per day

 

Extra room steward tip:  $5-$10 pp per day (for taking care of your large suite). 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

We loved having a butler on our last two cruises. 

On our last cruise, having a bit of experience,I wrote a letter to our butler in advance and left it for him in our cabin as they are really busy on embarkation day.  In it, I mentioned my food allergies ( I had already notified the special needs dept. but on our previous cruise, the butler was never notified). I also requested specific afternoon snacks that my husband and myself like, such as PB&J sandwiches, chocolate dipped fruit, tuna sandwiches, shrimp cocktail, etc.  

The butler was really grateful.  We received everything we requested. 

We found the Haven lacking on the Jade.  There was no Haven on the POA.  

We tipped the butler $150, and our concierge $100.  We tipped according to service used and received.  This is just a guideline.  Use your own discretion.  We also tipped our room steward. 

We had two white tablecloth dinners.  Courses were brought together, except for dessert.  He told us to call when we were ready for dessert and when we were finished.  We ordered from Cagneys and Le Bistro.  We used our dining package. 

We enjoyed having breakfast in our suite.  Breakfast and lunch in Moderno and Cagneys was wonderful. 

Our butler on POA was just ok. We never saw the concierge.  Our butler on the Jade was outstanding.  Our concierge, Omar, was great.  

We were utterly spoiled.  I’m hoping to upgrade for our upcoming Panama Canal sailing.  

 

Edited by janice2348
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...