Chan50 Posted August 7, 2023 #1 Share Posted August 7, 2023 Hi We are due to travel on Pride of America and wanted to understand exactly what the butler does or can do for you? We want to make use of the service but also don’t want to “over do” it with what may seem to be ridiculous requests so just wanted to ask what usual or reasonable requests often are? Thank you all in advance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggTexasGal Posted August 7, 2023 #2 Share Posted August 7, 2023 2 hours ago, Chan50 said: Hi We are due to travel on Pride of America and wanted to understand exactly what the butler does or can do for you? We want to make use of the service but also don’t want to “over do” it with what may seem to be ridiculous requests so just wanted to ask what usual or reasonable requests often are? Thank you all in advance You might get the information you want (and more) by looking through this informative post: 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sthrngary Posted August 7, 2023 #3 Share Posted August 7, 2023 3 hours ago, Chan50 said: Hi We are due to travel on Pride of America and wanted to understand exactly what the butler does or can do for you? We want to make use of the service but also don’t want to “over do” it with what may seem to be ridiculous requests so just wanted to ask what usual or reasonable requests often are? Thank you all in advance @Chan50 Everyone who has a butler for the very first time feels the same way as you do. Below is some detailed information form my upcoming cruise. I do a very long and detailed "Journey Document" for my wife and in this case my friends that will be joining us. I hope the research helps you. How To Utilize Your Butler: · Menus: Ask for the restaurant menus for the day. The Main Dining room will change daily and the specialty restaurants stay the same. Let's say you have a reservation for a Specialty Restaurant that evening, but the menu for the Main Dining room has something you really want. This is your method to change if available future date is open for your original reservation. · Coffee: Bring your morning coffee and pastries if you like. Depending on my suite, I give the butler a time, and permission to bring the items in to the suite. This always works best if your great room is separated from your Bedroom. Always give your butler good instructions, a head up, and time to prepare. · Reservations: Assist in making or changing Specialty Restaurant reservations. Remember, “NO” guarantees especially on a sold-out cruise and that is why making those reservations pre-cruise as soon as you can, is important. · In-Suite Dining: Serve you in-suite dining from ANY restaurant. However, they may be a cost for Specialty Restaurants. The butler will do this course-by-course. Please give your butler a fair head up and only order from one restaurant to avoid confusion. · Pillow Menu: Gain the pillow you want from the Pillow menu and exchange it for the pillow on the bed. · Afternoon Canapes: Provide you with your afternoon canapes or snacks. They have some flexibility so talk with your butler. · Bubble Bath: Draw you a bubble bath at a specific time. · Escort: Escort you to the main theatre shows, restaurants and events upon request. NOTE: A Butler is NOT your date. They take you to the location and drop you off. · Laundry: Take care of your for fee laundry service. There is a three-day turnaround time for return. · Shoeshine: Have a scuff on your shoes, give them to your butler. · Pressing: You can request pressing of some items. Their may be a cost so ask your butler if so. · Port Reservations: In some cases, the Butler can gain reservations even for port restaurants. · Luggage: Unpack and pack your luggage. This is NOT something I have ever had done. Those that have had it done seem to enjoy it. I hope this helps you in some ways. I also give my butler an index card with requests that he can take with them. The key is I make sure they know to tell me if any request has a cost. I want to make that decision after I know the cost. Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare graphicguy Posted August 7, 2023 #4 Share Posted August 7, 2023 Just a slight variance to Gary’s post, generally speaking concierges make reservations and escort you on/off the ship in my experiences. Butlers serve meals and takes care of your needs IN your suite (refresh coffee maker items, bring meals ordered in advance, etc). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janice2348 Posted August 7, 2023 #5 Share Posted August 7, 2023 3 hours ago, graphicguy said: Just a slight variance to Gary’s post, generally speaking concierges make reservations and escort you on/off the ship in my experiences. Butlers serve meals and takes care of your needs IN your suite (refresh coffee maker items, bring meals ordered in advance, etc). Yes that’s my experience also. But Gary really has it down to a science. Great advice! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chan50 Posted August 7, 2023 Author #6 Share Posted August 7, 2023 Thank you everyone for that fantastic information. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omahabob Posted August 7, 2023 #7 Share Posted August 7, 2023 7 hours ago, ggTexasGal said: You might get the information you want (and more) by looking through this informative post: The POA doesn't technically have a Haven, but the principle is generally the same. If you want to observe the epitome of butler service, ask for that bubble bath Gary mentioned in a cabin that has no tub. Make sure to report back here on the results. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chan50 Posted August 8, 2023 Author #8 Share Posted August 8, 2023 Haha, might not try that one. it does bring about a question though, as we are on Pride of America, would the butler services be relatively the same to Haven suite guests that have a butler? Also, this is quite specific but I notice the teppanyaki restaurant is not bootable ahead of time, is this something you must book upon boarding? Thank you all again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare graphicguy Posted August 8, 2023 #9 Share Posted August 8, 2023 3 hours ago, Chan50 said: Haha, might not try that one. it does bring about a question though, as we are on Pride of America, would the butler services be relatively the same to Haven suite guests that have a butler? Also, this is quite specific but I notice the teppanyaki restaurant is not bootable ahead of time, is this something you must book upon boarding? Thank you all again Butler service should be the same as any NCL ship that has a Haven. Teppanyaki typically only allows reservations once on board. This is some thing your Concierge can do for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruiseny4life Posted August 8, 2023 #10 Share Posted August 8, 2023 1 hour ago, graphicguy said: Butler service should be the same as any NCL ship that has a Haven. Teppanyaki typically only allows reservations once on board. This is some thing your Concierge can do for you. Huh? I've always pre-booked Teppanyaki. We've gone there on all four of our cruises and always pre-booked. Cruising Pr1ma in November and pre-booked Hasuki just the other day. Is not pre-booking Teppanyaki a Pride of America thing? Or (and I think more likely) Teppanyaki's pre-booked reservations are full. Of course, in this case, it's best to talk with the concierge as soon as you board so you can get one of the remaining spots. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare graphicguy Posted August 8, 2023 #11 Share Posted August 8, 2023 1 hour ago, cruiseny4life said: Huh? I've always pre-booked Teppanyaki. We've gone there on all four of our cruises and always pre-booked. Cruising Pr1ma in November and pre-booked Hasuki just the other day. Is not pre-booking Teppanyaki a Pride of America thing? Or (and I think more likely) Teppanyaki's pre-booked reservations are full. Of course, in this case, it's best to talk with the concierge as soon as you board so you can get one of the remaining spots. I've never been able to book Teppenyaki until I boarded. That said, in all my NCL cruises, I've only dined there twice. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dexddd Posted August 8, 2023 #12 Share Posted August 8, 2023 The suite experience on POA is different than other ships. The concept is the same though. They will not bring breakfast or lunch from Cagney's like other ships to your room. If a suite with booze, it is/was wine instead. Shoe shine? Maybe advertised never offered but maybe due to me not taking work shoes along. Escorts on POA, did not experience over 10 days but really not needed. Laundry usually is not three days but use as worst case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janice2348 Posted August 9, 2023 #13 Share Posted August 9, 2023 On 8/8/2023 at 8:14 AM, cruiseny4life said: Huh? I've always pre-booked Teppanyaki. We've gone there on all four of our cruises and always pre-booked. Cruising Pr1ma in November and pre-booked Hasuki just the other day. Is not pre-booking Teppanyaki a Pride of America thing? Or (and I think more likely) Teppanyaki's pre-booked reservations are full. Of course, in this case, it's best to talk with the concierge as soon as you board so you can get one of the remaining spots. I was able to book Teppanyaki before I boarded the POA in 2016. Maybe that’s changed? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chan50 Posted August 11, 2023 Author #14 Share Posted August 11, 2023 Hi Thank you all got these amazing and informative responses. We have our fingers crossed that this will be a fantastic cruise! Have seen a number of recent reviews that PoA has been a real let down so a little worried but let’s see. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mooline Posted August 12, 2023 #15 Share Posted August 12, 2023 @Chan50; your butler may be Maria, if so she is absolutely wonderful and will personalize everything just for you. Be sure to chat with her and let he know what you enjoy. For example, our daughter and her family were in a family suite a few decks away, but visited us often. Maria ensured that we had special treats just for them - gummy bears, a special punch that she put together, M&Ms, etc... And she knew that we turned in very early at night, so adjusted her service accordingly. Your steward might be Eston, a very kind and wonderful man. Please tell him that his passengers from the June 17 sailing say hello, and promise that we are keeping on the good, straight road. 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chan50 Posted August 13, 2023 Author #16 Share Posted August 13, 2023 Thank you and we will be sure to pass on the message. Fingers crossed we get Maria! Was Cagney’s available for Breakfast and Lunch for suite guests when you were on board? Granted we will likely opt for in room breakfast most mornings but just curious. Thank you once again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mooline Posted August 13, 2023 #17 Share Posted August 13, 2023 Hi again, @Chan50, thank you for kindly passing along our message. 🥰 Yes, Cagney's was open to suite passengers for breakfast and lunch. Since the cruise is so port intensive and there was so much to see on the islands, we only had lunch in Cagney's on embarkation day, and breakfast I believe twice. In room breakfast is a great option, just hang your door tag before going to bed and Maria will bring it to you. In our case, breakfast came at the early part of the "window", i.e. 6:30 if we chose 6:30-7. Again, if you want to shoot for a specific time, just let Maria know that. What other questions do you have? Ask away, I’m reliving our cruise through you! 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chan50 Posted August 13, 2023 Author #18 Share Posted August 13, 2023 Thank you, haha, we have so many questions but will likely bore the other members! Thank you for all your information. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dexddd Posted August 13, 2023 #19 Share Posted August 13, 2023 Cagney's is open for breakfast and lunch for suite guests in the venue. You can't order it to room like the other ships. The wood fired pizza in the buffet is very good. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chan50 Posted August 15, 2023 Author #20 Share Posted August 15, 2023 Thank you, so it would be unreasonable to request food to be delivered by the butler from the restaurant during their open hours? Is Cagneys like the PoA equivalent for other ships haven restaurants? Thank you all in advance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mooline Posted August 15, 2023 #21 Share Posted August 15, 2023 (edited) You can certainly request room service any time. If there is something specially you crave and it’s not on the regular room service menu, by all means ask your butler. He or she should be able to help! My son in law hates Nespresso coffee and asked their butler if they could instead have a regular drip coffeemaker in their suite. Voila, one appeared with all of the supplies needed for coffee making. The butlers are kind of like fairy godmothers/fathers! Edited August 15, 2023 by mooline 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chan50 Posted August 16, 2023 Author #22 Share Posted August 16, 2023 @mooline, Thank You and last question I promise! is the mini bar included in the suite? Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mooline Posted August 16, 2023 #23 Share Posted August 16, 2023 Keep asking, no worries! A few months before the cruise, we received an email from NCL's concierge desk, inviting us to choose 3 bottles of wine and assorted sodas. There was also an option to choose from the "pillow library", and to indicate preference of still or sparkling water. There was a bottle of champagne in a bucket when we arrived, as well as the preordered wine on the counter. The fridge was stocked with the sodas and water, which Maria replenished every day, even though we rarely drank it. We also received a "treat" daily - chocolate covered strawberries, or canapés, or mini pastries, etc. This was a tray of 6 different small items. One day, we also received a bottle of Merlot from the Beverage Manager, and another bottle of wine with a cake for our 50th wedding anniversary. We only drink wine, not hard liquor, and there was more than we could consume in 7 days! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mooline Posted August 16, 2023 #24 Share Posted August 16, 2023 By the way, the player piano in the suite is lovely if someone plays piano. But, in self play mode, we could never adjust the volume to a low enough level to be nice background music. Hope that’s been fixed for you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chan50 Posted August 16, 2023 Author #25 Share Posted August 16, 2023 Thank you, we haven’t received an email yet so I might reach out to our agent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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