2 questions please

[NL Cruisers]

Hi,

 

New to NCL...

 

1. The $10 pp/per day tip that is built in. Who does this cover?

 

2. We have an AE penthouse, it says "Butler service available". This may seem silly, but is this already included in our cost, or do we need to request it for additional cost if we want it?

 

Thanks in advance.:)

 

NL Cruisers

[BillyBuff]

Hi,

 

New to NCL...

 

1. The $10 pp/per day tip that is built in. Who does this cover?

 

2. We have an AE penthouse, it says "Butler service available". This may seem silly, but is this already included in our cost, or do we need to request it for additional cost if we want it?

 

Thanks in advance.:)

 

NL Cruisers

 

I just got back from my first cruise on Sunday.

 

I can answer #1 since our Cruise Director was explaining this during his Disembarkation Q&A...

 

The $10pp/per day tip covers all the wait staff, servers, etc.

[honeydog714]

The tip covers the wait staff and room stewards, the butler is included in the price of your suite as is the concierge, they are not included though in the tip pool so you should tip accordingly if you use their services

[NL Cruisers]

Thank you both for your replies!!

 

NL Cruisers:)

[MrLee]

Basically the $10 pp/pd covers everyone who takes care of you in your room and the dining room.The butler IS included in your room but(S)he, the concierge, bar staff, casino staff, Spa, Child care are not included in the basic tip.

[NL Cruisers]

Thank you for your answer....MrLee, we were on the same Triumph cruise in 2005! Eastern, right?

 

NL Cruisers:)

[MrLee]

Thank you for your answer....MrLee, we were on the same Triumph cruise in 2005! Eastern, right?

 

NL Cruisers:)

 

 

Actually, I did a back-to-back on that one. I'm afraid I don't recognize you from the log on name though. :o

[NL Cruisers]

For sure it would be hard to recognize people..it is interesting though, a couple of thousand people on a ship, and there were only 20 or so of us on a cruise critic thread before the cruise. When you break it down on a cruise by cruise basis, not many people per ship seem to participate in these forums. I enjoy the pre-cruise banter and planning...makes the long Canadian winters seem a little shorter!!

 

NL Cruisers:)

[MrLee]

I forgot. Actually I did the eastern twice that year on the Triumph. The one in the spring was my very first cruise and I enjoyed it so much I did the back-to-back in the fall. :D

Which one were you on?

[NL Cruisers]

We were on March 22nd-March 29th, Eastern leg. San Juan, St. Thomas, St.Maarten.

 

NL Cruisers:)

[MrLee]

We were on March 22nd-March 29th, Eastern leg. San Juan, St. Thomas, St.Maarten.

 

NL Cruisers:)

 

That was our first cruise. Back OT, your tips here cover the same people they covered on Carnival. :)

[cmdchiefthom]

NL Cruisers

 

If you plan to use your butler for in-suite meals etc., I'd suggest you slip him, or her at least a $50.00 when you meet to encourage above and beyond regular service. I do believe it does improve what is usually superior service.;)

[TPEINC1958]

NL Cruisers

 

If you plan to use your butler for in-suite meals etc., I'd suggest you slip him, or her at least a $50.00 when you meet to encourage above and beyond regular service. I do believe it does improve what is usually superior service.;)

 

We had the same butler ( Karan Aurora ) on our last 2 Jewel cruises. Got to be pretty good friends and we discussed quite a few topics, one being pre-tipping. He stated that some of his coworkers consider being handed a tip upfront is very offensive. They feel that are being bribed to do their job properly. Others don't care either way.

 

What I have done in the past is make a couple of requests on the first day via a note and some cash for the room steward. This lets the team (room stewards and butler work very close together) know that we do tip. But, I consider the Butler much too professional to pre-tip. JMHO

 

John

[NL Cruisers]

Thank you all for your input.....we had two Butlers working as a team at a Sandals in Jamaica last year...we tipped part way through and at the end...does this seem like a good idea?:)

[TPEINC1958]

Thank you all for your input.....we had two Butlers working as a team at a Sandals in Jamaica last year...we tipped part way through and at the end...does this seem like a good idea?:)

 

Handing money to those that serve you is always a good idea. When...is totally up to you, I was just passing on information that I received from ONE individual. I was not suggesting it was a bad idea. Thom says it works for him and that is wonderful. Beside, I don't want to offend Thom since we will be cruising together next April. :D

 

John

[NL Cruisers]

Thanks again for your help....all opinions are great to get to make the best decision possible. we find these boards so helpful.

 

We only booked our cruise yesterday..we are still very pumped. This board is great to get tips !!:)

 

Interesting some Butlers would consider an upfront tip as an issue. I must say, we did feel comfortable in tipping at sandals part way through, after the service was good and we had built up a little bit of rapport. The tip at the end felt appropriate also.

 

Anyway, come on hockey season!!!:D