Each butler serving that special VIP area of the ship received formal training at the International Institutes of Modern Butlers. Cocktail party with the cruise ships officers. If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. Cruise butler services vary from one cruise line to the next but generally speaking, your cruise butler is your single point of contact to make whatever you want happen. If you have the opportunity, try out a cabin category that offers the assistance of either or both types of crew members and then you can decide for yourself if access to them is worth the extra money. Serve a welcome glass of Champagne upon arrival to your cabin. Help you plan and execute a cocktail party you host in your suite. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. When we talked to the butler, she said, "I'll bring you a menu. We asked about 4 times for special treats as we were having visitors. This will greatly affect the level of tips that you are expected to reward their service with. The Haven Lounge is equipped with The Haven Bar for guests to enjoy a cocktail, or for guests to simply relax in a space designed with both comfort and luxury in mind. Over the next few days I noticed that he was going in or out of that room almost everytime we stepped out of ours. Luxury line Silversea offers butler service in every single suite on its ships -- regardless of category. In addition to more spacious cabins and suites, Concierge passengers get upgraded amenities like down duvets, a pillow menu, robes and slippers and free Wi-Fi. is director of content operations at TPG. This expansive villa features contemporary design with a spacious living room area, many large windows to take in the ocean views, outdoor terrace with hot tub, private dining area, and three full bath rooms with an additional half-bath. You want to create something your, As we enter fall and the weather starts turning cooler, you may be thinking about finding, What is a repositioning cruise? Butlers (and concierges) are generally not part of the pre-paid gratuities pool. realize that you can be selective about all those services but find out what level you like to be pampered at. Call me with your order and I will set up your room." It was a great pick-me-up and once our butler figured out we weren't one for canapes or gummy bears (which took about one day), we lived well! Just like every other aspect of cruising, the butler service from one line to the next can be completely different. Cruise butlers aren't magicians and they sadly can't cause seas to be less rough or clouds to go away. Available on: Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Bliss, and Norwegian Jade. This suite features chic decor alongside a master bedroom, second bedroom, private bathroom, living room area, and balcony. Voted "The Caribbean's Leading Cruise Line" 2013-2022 by World Travel Awards, This website uses cookies. Available on: Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Bliss, and Norwegian Breakaway. ft.*. Norwegian Cruise Line Who Gets It: Passengers staying in The Haven receive 24/7 butler service. We used the butler very little outside his duties, most of which could easily have been done by the room steward. CC Help Jenn 1,382 sq. We planned on bringing his food up to him as it arrived. Job specializations: Real Estate/Property. Your Butler will do lots of things over and above what your room steward will do, For instance, he/she can help you unpack, serve a full breakfast or evening meal in your room, and many other things. Related: Inside Regents new $11,000-a-night super suite. 11 extra charges on cruise ships that will drive you nuts and what to do about them, 21 tips and tricks to make your cruise go more smoothly, Inside Regents new $11,000-a-night super suite, The 9 best cruise ship steakhouses and steak-serving restaurants, Cruise ship restaurant nirvana: The 7 best meals at sea, 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up, The best Caribbean cruises for every type of traveler, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Complimentary private transfer from pier to airport. DECK 19. Aft balconies and mini suites don't have butlers or concierge, just great balconies! Guests booked in a Garden Villa receive six bottles of liquor along with unlimited mixers, garnishes, sodas and bottled still and sparkling waters. Let's take a look at cruise ship butlers and look at how the offerings on various cruise lines differs from one to another. To find out more, please. Our butler had just the right balance of being attentive but not overbearing, and it was the same with the room steward. For drinks, we tip $1/$2 per drink. 07070 USA Telephone: (201) 902-2000, Windstar Knows the Way to the Middle East: How to Sell the Red Sea & Persian Gulf. This website uses cookies. As youre sailing out of port, sipping on a glass of bubbly and snacking on todays treat you start thinking about what lies ahead for the evening. Handy when away from your cabin to call cabin mates or order services. I had no idea about the pizza. Your butler will set up your suite to your specifications, serve meals personally in your room or on the balcony and sometimes accompany you to the theater to show your reserved seating on Evening Chic nights. Powered by Invision Community. In many ways, this is the case with cruise lines establishing a protocol for "prepaid gratuities" where only the stingiest guest would consider ways to remove the tips even though it is really the crew members wages that are for some reason labled as gratuities. Serve afternoon canapes and/or afternoon tea in your cabin/suite. NEWS: Since May 2015, the NCL charges US$7,95 for room service dining. The help and assistance 24-hours a day, of a trained and certified butler. These staterooms range in size and in-room amenities and vary from ship to ship and class to class. Celebrity Cruises is one of those lines that offer both concierge and butler service. TPG values it at $1,600. We also had no interactions with him on day 1 we asked for juice day 2 when he finally got us and he was never seen again only heard when he was presenting dinner to the neighbors. Royal Caribbeans CocoCay versus MSCs Ocean Cay, which is better? The Maite'd was appalled and informed us.the butler will do that. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. Oceania Cruises sends its butlers to the Guild of Professional English Butlers. Luxurious Accommodations on board Norwegian Bliss Private Sun Deck exclusive to Haven Butler Available Around the Clock Throughout Your Stay Private Haven Courtyard LEARN MORE Norwegian Cruise Line ncl concierge service ncl concierge service By rwallner, August 16, 2019 in Norwegian Cruise Line Followers rwallner 3 July 3, 2019 Michigan #1 Posted August 16, 2019. hoping our third time in april actually results in an escort! So we'll be trying that out next summer! They will arrange speciality dining at your request, get you priority tendering when required. The quality of a butler can vary but cruise lines put great emphasis on training so passengers are usually wowed by the service they receive. Guests staying in this type of Haven accommodation additionally receive complimentary access to the NCL Thermal Spa Suite onboard during regular spa hours. They are generally salaried employees and depending on the line may have a salary of between $2,500-$4,000 per month with tips adding to that number considerably. ft.*, the Deluxe Owners Suite pampers up to six guests. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost. Oceania further cements itself as a cruise line for foodies, bestowing the honor of Vista godmother on the celebrity chef and Norway entices visitors with new places to stay and things to do, Travel agency consortium Ensemble makes several hires, Delta and KLM sue Dutch government over Schiphol flight cuts, Virgin Atlantic joins SkyTeam airline alliance, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings will reduce marketing spend, The Carnival Miracle will redeploy to Galveston in October 2024, Cunard's new Queen Anne to sail a world cruise in 2025, Examining sub-IC issues from a host agency's point of view, Nayarit has a lot to offer luxury travelers, Nevada's congressional delegation reacts to Biden's 'Junk Fee' proposal, Giada De Laurentiis and Oceania Cruises, a delicious combination, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, Trends in Travel Advisor Loyalty in the Airline Industry, 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay opens on Kauai's North Shore, Viking says January was a record-breaking month, River cruise lines sail into Egypt with new ships and itineraries, Bad behavior prompts Carnival Cruise Line to beef up onboard security, Where weed is legal, hotels roll out new marijuana amenities, The party is pumping at Virgin Voyages' beach club. Case in point: Norwegian Cruise Line offers butler service in The Haven suites. At a couple of the ports where lines were long to get on, many of the butlers were out working the line, looking for their guests. Makes onboard reservations for everything from meals to child care to shore excursions. They also feature two bathrooms, two TVs, a living room with a pullman bed and a large private balcony. Watch the horizon glide by from expansive private balconies. Being a guest of The Haven with Norwegian Cruise Line means personalized service. Butler and Concierge are not included in the Daily Service Charge. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. By the time the muster drill is over, your Butler has paid a visit and youll return to the suite to find your first delivery of daily treats. That person will then execute your requests so you don't have to run around booking dining times, spa treatments or shore excursions. We had breakfast in our suite most mornings - sometimes just continental and sometimes ordered from the Haven menu. Fine linens, feather duvet on stateroom beds, and a pillow menu. Yacht Club suites also come with a personal butler available 24 hours a day. Best card for premium perks while traveling, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, The best places to see cherry blossoms around the US this spring, Looking back: How my points and miles strategy has changed over the years, The best increased card offers to sign up for this March. Guests who are booked into Haven accommodations enjoy additional perks beyond those already mentioned! Double balcony is offered on Norwegian Dawn. Now, lets take a look at what its like to enjoy Butler and Concierge Service onboard Norwegian Cruise Line ships. Enrollment required. You will interact with your butler inside your cabin or pass him in the hallway as you walk to and from your suite. Put your requests in but be aware that sometimes the service from them will not be instantaneous as they may be helping/serving another guest. You may arrive to find a fresh bowl of grapes in your cabin after a long day ashore. No. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. The service operates as a dedicated phone line, available . *Terms & Conditions Package not available on sailings less than 5 days or charter sailings. Available on: Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Bliss, and Norwegian Pearl. For immediate help, please contact Heather directly: 630-779-9301 or : heather@flowvoyages.com. Part Time Real Estate, Leasing Consultant. The Haven is available on the Norwegian Gem, Pearl, Jade, Jewel and Epic. By continuing to browse the site you agree to our use of cookies. The Haven is usually located at the front of the Norwegian Cruise Line ships, and guests will often times be able to experience the same view that the ships captain possesses from many of The Haven spaces. Perhaps today it's some sandwiches, or a plate of cheese and crackers and fruits. I know the trolls will hang me but I opened up his envelope and gave it to my room attended because he did more Butler services then the 1 with the title. Ship and Suite Orientation. One key difference between butlers on big ship lines like Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Disney, Celebrity, and MSC and those found on smaller ships. All Rights Reserved. Bored now, I hope my "opinions" have been useful to most reasonable people, maybe first time cruisers, who wish to book their own excursions and speciality dining, so they know they're done how they'd wish they were done. Norwegian Cruise Line. Related: 11 extra charges on cruise ships that will drive you nuts and what to do about them. The Forward-Facing Penthouse staterooms feature the same design and amenities of the Aft-Facing Penthouse rooms, but are located in a different area of the ship. -- with access to a private retreat where you can enjoy complimentary food and nonalcoholic beverages throughout the day. The high annual fee is only worth it if youre taking full advantage of the cards benefits. For example, a concierge may greet you upon arrival to the pier check-in area on embarkation day, make dining reservations on your behalf or arrange for tender tickets when it's time to go ashore. Some people get great service, some just ok., some not very good. ft. Owner's Suite with Large Balcony Sleeps up to 5. Whenever you need the high-touch to make your cruise extra special, the Royal Genie is there to cater to you. - you should always consider paying more if they did something special for you that made your cruise more enjoyable. Copyright 2023 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Last cruise. You can make all kinds of special requests and he'll do what he can to fulfill your shipboard dreams. window.__mirage2 = {petok:"8uv1CywxSYWIQ3ynoSXhsQ6EhyXzybFPn13vQkoDtOE-31536000-0"}; Norwegian Encore cruise ship deck plan has 2043 staterooms for up to 4903 passengers served by 1731 crew. Spanning and impressive 6,694 square feet. Cunard Line has long since held the reputation for being the premier in British luxury, so it is no wonder that their butlers are so highly regarded by guests and critics alike. Enjoy the amazing views together on your large, private balcony. one night we stayed in to watch one and ordered pizza. The Haven can be an interesting and luxurious option for guests looking for an elevated experience aboard NCL vessels. Guests will need to use their keycards in order to enter The Haven complex. You. This includes classicly-styled professional english butlers on Silverseas to a more fun and modern Royal Genie on a Royal Caribbean cruise. DECK 16. He will then carry your bags onto the cruise ship, bypass other people in line, and have access to a private elevator so you don't have any waiting. Guests in the Grill-level suites enjoy high-end service, and are assigned personal butlers who do everything from serving champagne on your verandah to helping you put on your cuff links for a formal dinner. After the party, they will clean your suite while you enjoy the ship. There are some people who are incredibly demanding and entitled and it would not enter their heads that others might get a lesser service. This service is generally at specific times, so be sure to inquire with your Concierge if your sailing has any tender ports. Your butler will also remember your preferences and attend to your every need. Norwegians two ships in development, the Norwegian Breakaway and Getaway, will also feature the Haven when they launch in April 2013 and April 2014. *Terms & Conditions Package not available on sailings less than 5 days or charter sailings. They also explain how you access certain parts of the ship so, for . They also supervise the room steward and makes sure things are done properly. The onboard concierge will help book your dining reservations, make entertainment recommendations and greet you as you board and disembark in ports of call. The Sundeck has a hot tub, plenty of lounge day beds, and a private bar for guests of The Haven. Let's take a look at cruise butlers and if selecting a suite with butler service for your next cruise might be the perfect choice. Available on: Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Bliss, and Norwegian Epic. The Haven offers unparalleled accommodations aboard Norwegian Cruise Line vessels, and offers guests private access to exclusive spaces such as The Haven Lounge and The Haven Restaurant (Or, if on a Jewel-class ship, a dedicated speciality restaurant that is used for exclusive breakfast and lunch offerings). Another thought concierge is a joke because the restaurants are the only thing they do and if you don't make a reservation before you leave you eat in your room. With up to 875 sq. Additionally, access to The Haven Sundeck is restricted to guests 16 years and older, offering a private space for adult guests onboard. Available precruise to assist with onboard reservations for restaurants, spa treatments, shore excursions and more. Pre-Cruise Haven Concierge Desk Requests: When you book the Haven luxury experience, approximately 60-days prior to your sail date, you get a U.S. mail letter from NCL. Butlers will deliver fancy canapes, like foie gras terrine and crab legs, and upgraded turn-down amenities, such as a chocolate box.