Comparing NCL butlers to Royals Genies

[CasinoCruzGirl]

I have pretty much been loyal to NCL.  NCL being my cruiseline of choice. Have been in suites on NCL from garden villas a few times to haven penthouses and haven spa suites. Last week I was on a RCI cruise on the Allure and had the good fortune to be in a aqua theatre 2 bedroom suite which includes Royals version of a butler called a Genie.

 

there is absolutely no comparison between the two.  We first met our genie in the suite waiting lounge before boarding. She handed us a folder and said I took it upon myself to make reservations for you for all your dinners and shows. Knowing from email correspondence before the cruise our dining preference time was 7 pm. She made reservations to all of the specialty restaurants and said “I don’t want to see you in the buffet or MDR” lol she would change anything we wanted which we did end up doing a couple of times.  She showed up several times a day at every dinner found us at the casino at the pool just to check on us.  Took us on bridge tour on a kitchen tour. Decorated our suite for my friends birthday and to top it off gave US all a gift. When’s the last time anyone received a gift from your butler?  NCL needs to take notes on what a butler really does from RCI 

[erdoran]

We have a lot of value for the Haven product because of the private bar & restaurant (no upcharge), private pool/courtyard (no chairhogs/crowds), priority disembarkation for ports, etc, etc - basically not having to deal with crowds or stand in lines, and top-notch crew members who are willing to go the extra mile to keep my hubby happy - for example, there was nothing he wanted on Haven restaurant menu, he prefers simple foods like spaghetti & meatballs so Haven restaurant made sure he had what HE likes!

 

How does the RC equivalent product compare on these points?

[CasinoCruzGirl]

16 minutes ago, erdoran said:

We have a lot of value for the Haven product because of the private bar & restaurant (no upcharge), private pool/courtyard (no chairhogs/crowds), priority disembarkation for ports, etc, etc - basically not having to deal with crowds or stand in lines, and top-notch crew members who are willing to go the extra mile to keep my hubby happy - for example, there was nothing he wanted on Haven restaurant menu, he prefers simple foods like spaghetti & meatballs so Haven restaurant made sure he had what HE likes!

 

How does the RC equivalent product compare on these points?

Star class and sky class have access to private dining called Coastal Kitchen same aspect as Haven. It also has a suite sun deck same as NCL with a bar. Also has a suite lounge with free beer and wine, soda and water available from 11am until 11 pm and other alcoholic beverages and appetizers free of charge from 5pm until 8 pm. This comes in handy if you don’t have the beverage package. One night I was in the coastal kitchen and wanted something else it was made and brought to me. It happened at the steak house also it was prime rib night at the MDR they didn’t have it on the menu at chops so they brought it to me. Don’t get me wrong like I said above NCL is my cruiseline of choice just the experience I had being star class on RCI blew my haven experiences away including my two cruises in a 3 bedroom garden villa on the gem and the jade. Yes we also had priority embarkation and disembarking. As a matter of fact our genie brought us from the suite lounge to our cabin and walked us to customs at disembarking 

Edited June 3, 2019 by CasinoCruzGirl

[GA Dave]

I am not really surprised by the experience you found on RCCL.  All of these companies are realizing that there is a small percentage of people willing to spend a bunch of extra money to experience special care and attention.  When you look at the revenue generated by these people, it can equate to a very significant portion of the total profit line.  Every person on the ship generates money which can be "peanut buttered" across the total costs of running a ship (i.e., fuel, maintenance, indirect/office personnel, etc.).  But, when you look at the difference in fares between a balcony and a Haven suite, there is much more cash generated by each Haven cabin than all of the others.  Normally 4-5 times as much or more.  This is very similar to what the airlines found with their first class passengers vs coach.  There are flights that make good profits simply due to the extra revenue generated from the first class cabin.  Without it, many flights would maybe break even. 

[AlexandNessa]

Totally agree with you. Genie = Haven concierge + butler on steroids. 

 

There is absolutely no comparison. I mean, not having to leave your luggage out the night before, but having your Genie come to your room at the agreed upon time with a porter to escort you off? How about dumping your clothes on the couch at embarkation to have it pressed and then coming back on hangars so you just need to put it in the right closet? How about having your show seats reserved for you... With your drinks waiting? 

 

How about being charged 5$ for shrimp on Norwegian, where Royal waiters recognize you as Star Class and take pride in trying to gorge you with everything, even if you didn't order it. 

 

I created a chart to compare. 

 

We are Platinum Plus on Norwegian (all Haven or suites), but given the same price point, Star Class on Royal wins for me. 

Royal Port of Cape Liberty-2.docx

[graphicguy]

Great......!

 

Between Haven, Yacht Club and Star, these mainstream cruise lines are taking a bite out of the   More upscale cruise lines by offering that level of service.

 

While I do gamble on board, it’s not enough to have them “comp” me, or to reduce my fares.

 

As such, I’ve looked at booking Star Class but was always amazed at the price Royal charges for those cabins.  Their fares were SIGNIFICANTLY higher than those I’ve booked in both Haven and Yacht Club.

 

I do agree.  A good Concierge makes a big difference in the upscale experience.  I’ve always had great ones with NCL.

 

I’ve had Concierges make all my reservations prior to booking, but I quit doing that because I always change them.  Now, I just wait until I’m aboard to have them help me.  And, every one of them has checked on me whenever I’ve eaten in a specialty restaurant.  Sometimes it’s only to see if everything was to my liking, other times they actually fixed a minor shortcoming themselves if they saw something needed attention (like getting me a drink when they noticed my glass was empty).

 

Never had a Butler give me a gift, but have had a couple of concierges leave me some NCL swag in the cabin, which was nice.

 

I am a little jealous.  If I could upgrade a balcony cabin to a Haven cabin for $800 like you did with Royal, I wouldn’t sail a regular cabin again.  Good for you.

 

Allure is a big ship.  I sailed her the first year she hit the seas.

Edited June 3, 2019 by graphicguy

[AlexandNessa]

1 minute ago, graphicguy said:

Great......!

 

Between Haven, Yacht Club and Star, these mainstream cruise lines are takin a bite out of the   More upscale cruise lines by offering that level of service.

 

While I do gamble on board, it’s not enough to have them “comp” me, or to reduce my fares.

 

As such, I’ve looked at booking Star Class but was always amazed at the price Royal charges for those cabins.  Their fares were SIGNIFICANTLY higher than those I’ve booked in both Haven and Yacht Club.

 

I do agree.  A good Concierge makes a big difference in the upscale experience.  I’ve always had great ones with NCL.

 

I’ve had Concierges make all my reservations prior to booking, but I quit doing that because I always change them.  Now, I just wait until I’m aboard to have them help me.  And, every one of them has checked on me whenever I’ve eaten in a specialty restaurant.  Sometimes it’s only to see if everything was to my liking, other times they actually fixed a minor shortcoming themselves if they saw something needed attention (like getting me a drink when they noticed my glass was empty).

 

Never had a Butler give me a gift, but have had a couple of concierges leave me some NCL swag in the cabin, which was nice.

 

I am a little jealous.  If I could upgrade a balcony cabin to a Haven cabin for $800 like you did with Royal, I wouldn’t sail a regular cabin again.  Good for you.

 

Allure is a big ship.  I sailed her the first year she hit the seas.

 

 

Pricing depends. The whole reason we tried Star Class in the first place was because Escape Haven was 2400$ more for practically the same cruise. 

[CasinoCruzGirl]

14 minutes ago, AlexandNessa said:

Totally agree with you. Genie = Haven concierge + butler on steroids. 

 

There is absolutely no comparison. I mean, not having to leave your luggage out the night before, but having your Genie come to your room at the agreed upon time with a porter to escort you off? How about dumping your clothes on the couch at embarkation to have it pressed and then coming back on hangars so you just need to put it in the right closet? How about having your show seats reserved for you... With your drinks waiting? 

 

How about being charged 5$ for shrimp on Norwegian, where Royal waiters recognize you as Star Class and take pride in trying to gorge you with everything, even if you didn't order it. 

 

I created a chart to compare. 

 

We are Platinum Plus on Norwegian (all Haven or suites), but given the same price point, Star Class on Royal wins for me. 

Royal Port of Cape Liberty-2.docx 15.07 kB · 6 downloads

That spreadsheet is awesome it says everything I wanted to share. Thank you 

[CasinoCruzGirl]

6 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Great......!

 

Between Haven, Yacht Club and Star, these mainstream cruise lines are taking a bite out of the   More upscale cruise lines by offering that level of service.

 

While I do gamble on board, it’s not enough to have them “comp” me, or to reduce my fares.

 

As such, I’ve looked at booking Star Class but was always amazed at the price Royal charges for those cabins.  Their fares were SIGNIFICANTLY higher than those I’ve booked in both Haven and Yacht Club.

 

I do agree.  A good Concierge makes a big difference in the upscale experience.  I’ve always had great ones with NCL.

 

I’ve had Concierges make all my reservations prior to booking, but I quit doing that because I always change them.  Now, I just wait until I’m aboard to have them help me.  And, every one of them has checked on me whenever I’ve eaten in a specialty restaurant.  Sometimes it’s only to see if everything was to my liking, other times they actually fixed a minor shortcoming themselves if they saw something needed attention (like getting me a drink when they noticed my glass was empty).

 

Never had a Butler give me a gift, but have had a couple of concierges leave me some NCL swag in the cabin, which was nice.

 

I am a little jealous.  If I could upgrade a balcony cabin to a Haven cabin for $800 like you did with Royal, I wouldn’t sail a regular cabin again.  Good for you.

 

Allure is a big ship.  I sailed her the first year she hit the seas.

We actually won our royalup bid upgrade. We paid very little for our cruise. The perks alone we got were $800 pp if you added it all together. There were 4 of us so with the bid of $1000 it only cost us $250 each a no brained. We were lucky very lucky we got it

[GA Dave]

14 minutes ago, AlexandNessa said:

Totally agree with you. Genie = Haven concierge + butler on steroids. 

 

There is absolutely no comparison. I mean, not having to leave your luggage out the night before, but having your Genie come to your room at the agreed upon time with a porter to escort you off? How about dumping your clothes on the couch at embarkation to have it pressed and then coming back on hangars so you just need to put it in the right closet? How about having your show seats reserved for you... With your drinks waiting? 

 

How about being charged 5$ for shrimp on Norwegian, where Royal waiters recognize you as Star Class and take pride in trying to gorge you with everything, even if you didn't order it. 

 

I created a chart to compare. 

 

We are Platinum Plus on Norwegian (all Haven or suites), but given the same price point, Star Class on Royal wins for me. 

Royal Port of Cape Liberty-2.docx 15.07 kB · 2 downloads

Thanks for this!  I have been price comparing Haven vs Star Class, and I did not realize that Star comes with the drink package included.  They need to clarify this, as I kept adding this cost to the cruises for RCCL.

Quick question:  On the biggest RCCL ships, it appears that many of the higher-level suites are located directly above the buffet restaurant.  Does this create a noise issue in these cabins?

[AlexandNessa]

1 minute ago, GA Dave said:

Thanks for this!  I have been price comparing Haven vs Star Class, and I did not realize that Star comes with the drink package included.  They need to clarify this, as I kept adding this cost to the cruises for RCCL.

Quick question:  On the biggest RCCL ships, it appears that many of the higher-level suites are located directly above the buffet restaurant.  Does this create a noise issue in these cabins?

Can't answer your noise question as we had a Grand Loft on Deck 10 on Anthem. No noise issues at all. 

 

Also include that Star Class includes your daily service charge whereas you're looking at 17.99$ pp/pd in Haven. 

[perditax]

14 minutes ago, GA Dave said:

Thanks for this!  I have been price comparing Haven vs Star Class, and I did not realize that Star comes with the drink package included.  They need to clarify this, as I kept adding this cost to the cruises for RCCL.

Quick question:  On the biggest RCCL ships, it appears that many of the higher-level suites are located directly above the buffet restaurant.  Does this create a noise issue in these cabins?

 

I found this:

 

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-rooms/royal-suite-class

(Scroll a ways down.)

 

So also includes internet. 

 

That said, they don't make it obvious which suites belong to which suite stratum when you're booking, had to dig it up here:

 

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/what-rooms-are-included-in-the-royal-suite-class

Edited June 3, 2019 by perditax

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Star class vs Haven is huge in what it includes. Unlimited WiFi for everyone in cabin even if there are 8 of you unlimited specialty dining for everyone UBP for everyone gratuities for everyone. As everyone saw on that awesome spreadsheet there’s no comparison   NCL seems to just include “some” things for first 2 guests even when we were in the Garden Villa 

[AlexandNessa]

19 minutes ago, CasinoCruzGirl said:

Star class vs Haven is huge in what it includes. Unlimited WiFi for everyone in cabin even if there are 8 of you unlimited specialty dining for everyone UBP for everyone gratuities for everyone. As everyone saw on that awesome spreadsheet there’s no comparison   NCL seems to just include “some” things for first 2 guests even when we were in the Garden Villa 

To me this sums up the greed of NCL. Six adults in the Grand Villa ($$$$$), yet only the first 2 on the reservation get the perks. Ridiculous. 

[CasinoCruzGirl]

7 minutes ago, AlexandNessa said:

To me this sums up the greed of NCL. Six adults in the Grand Villa ($$$$$), yet only the first 2 on the reservation get the perks. Ridiculous. 

Yep

[Cruising89143]

1 hour ago, GA Dave said:

 

Quick question:  On the biggest RCCL ships, it appears that many of the higher-level suites are located directly above the buffet restaurant.  Does this create a noise issue in these cabins?

 

Not at all. I have cruised in three separate Crown Lofts in various areas, corner Sky Suite (now Star Loft) and the Royal Loft with zero noise issues. The only noise you may hear if your balcony faces aft is from the sports deck but it wasn’t an issue for us on any sailings.

[graphicguy]

1 hour ago, CasinoCruzGirl said:

We actually won our royalup bid upgrade. We paid very little for our cruise. The perks alone we got were $800 pp if you added it all together. There were 4 of us so with the bid of $1000 it only cost us $250 each a no brained. We were lucky very lucky we got it

Again....that’s awesome.

 

You made me look at booking.  Want to get away over JULY 4.  

 

Still no luck.....NCL Haven Spa Suite is $5,600 (still more than I want to spend).  RCCL Allure Star Suite is $8,700.

 

Will keep my eye on both to see how fares go over the next week or so.

[Two Wheels Only]

1 hour ago, AlexandNessa said:

To me this sums up the greed of NCL. Six adults in the Grand Villa ($$$$$), yet only the first 2 on the reservation get the perks. Ridiculous. 

 

NCL used to give everyone in the suite "something" (without the added service charges, too) but those things have been reduced/gone away over the last few years. 

[david_sobe]

I want a Genie

[CasinoCruzGirl]

17 minutes ago, david_sobe said:

I want a Genie

Lol I wish I could have taken her home

[AlexandNessa]

1 hour ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

NCL used to give everyone in the suite "something" (without the added service charges, too) but those things have been reduced/gone away over the last few years. 

Yup, NCL has deteriorated its Haven /suite product significantly since we started sailing with them in 2013. It's like death by a thousand cuts and fees. 

 

I was loyal to Haven, but after Star Class, no more.

 

I bought a single 20$ item on Royal. Saw many shows, did a host of onboard activities, ate and drank to my hearts content, had lots of wine, beer, Bloody Mary's delivered via room service. My total onboard portfolio was exactly 20$. Had a terrific all inclusive feeling. 

 

If Royal expanded their Star Class itineraries, we'd sail them exclusively. 

[AlexandNessa]

Updated to include DSC comparison. 

 

 

SC v Haven .docx

[david_sobe]

3 hours ago, CasinoCruzGirl said:

Lol I wish I could have taken her home

She even looks magical. Looks like she is ready to grant you 3 life changing wishes with that big purse.

[perditax]

I have to say my Haven experience on BA in April was a real “emperor has no clothes” situation. We were at the “wrong” end of the ship (aft balcony). Aside from getting on and off the ship earlier, there wasn’t a lot of difference. And I’ve been on enough NCL cruises in the last few years to spot the fact that the Haven restaurant is mostly serving the same food as elsewhere on the ship, just with different plating. It was very obvious at breakfast. 

 

That said, I truly believe BA is in a bad place (or was this spring), hence the failed health inspections in March, tons of bad spring break reviews, and my dirty and scuffed “Haven” cabin. 

Edited June 3, 2019 by perditax