Serve a welcome glass of Champagne upon arrival to your cabin. Can someone please tell me what it means when you have a Butler/Concierge service for the room you booked? 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. One key difference between butlers on big ship lines like Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Disney, Celebrity, and MSC and those found on smaller ships. Whenever I check into a cabin with butler service, the first thing I ask is: Does this ship have bitter lemon and can you fill my minifridge with it? Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Our butler brought a full breakfast to us every morning. Dine together as your butler serves a meal from our special Suite menu. (NCL's The Haven Sundeck area aboard the brand new Norwegian Prima). Luxury bath products in stateroom bathrooms. Credit ranges are a variation of FICO Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application. Firstly to request service to which he informed them he would be with them shortly as he was with another guest. An aft-facing suite would include a butler/concierge. He may pour a welcome glass of Champagne, determine your pillow preferences and ask what beverages you want to be stocked in your minibar. Just up the tip. You will also have the services of the ships. Depending on the ship, cruise port, and cruise line, this can range from making arrangements for a special celebration, meeting you at the pier and escorting your and your bags onto the ship so you can avoid getting sweaty while bording the ship, setting up your in-room dining experience, and providing concierge type services so that you will never have to worry about getting that reservation for dinner or a show. Available on: Norwegian Prima,Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Epic, and Norwegian Breakaway. DECK 20. The high annual fee is only worth it if youre taking full advantage of the cards benefits. Concierge service to help guests book their dining, entertainment and more with NCL. Once you're on the ship, your concierge is available to tweak reservations, make new ones and arrange for priority tendering in ports of call. What they can do though is virtually everything in between. Now we are really looking forward to a new experience on our April trans Atlantic cruise. Cruise ship travel is changing this year: 7 changes you can expect in 2023. Guide and tips to Norwegian Cruise Line's The Haven This suite type includes the ultimate spa stateroom experience with a king-sized bed, hot tub in-room, oversized waterfall shower with multiple body spray jets, unique spa decor, and is located near the Mandara Spa and Fitness Center for easy access. 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. The concierge desk enables guests and travel agents to book shore excursions and make reservations for dining, entertainment and the spa. For the ultimate luxurious experience aboard Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) vessels prospective passengers should consider booking accommodations in Norwegian exclusive, The Haven. Cruising The Haven & Suites: Perks and Details (Part 2) - NCL You'll feel like a VIP -- and you are one! All Rights Reserved. I write this because there was one occasion when the Butler was attending to our meal in our room. The star treatment starts before embarkation, where your genie will whisk your luggage away to be waiting in your suite when you arrive. Concierge services: A concierge is on hand during the day to help make onboard dining reservations, book shore excursions and spa appointments, and answer questions about ports. While west coast cruises have fewer options than what you might find in the Caribbean for instance, the good news is that in recent years we've gotten some of the newest and most luxurious ships at sea visiting our waters. Check out each port from your private balcony. In what way will a spa mini-suite on Bliss (M9) differ from a spa mini-suite on Escape (M9)? We offer cruise news, tips, and deals to help make your choice to cruise the west coast an easy one! The Garden Villa guests will also enjoy private car service at the conclusion of the cruise, to the airport or home if within a 25-mile radius of the port, and will enjoy a private escort off the ship, through Customs and directly to the awaiting private transport. Guests can contact The Haven concierge before arriving and let them know of any specific preferences and desires, this will ensure that guests assigned butler will know just how to care for their Haven passengers. ft. Owner's Suite with Large Balcony Sleeps up to 5. he got the biggest kick out of doing that for some reason, and coming back to the room to have the pizza there and waiting. ft.*. Phoenix Concierge Services. Champagne, custom selection of liquor (in the Norwegian Star and Norwegian Dawn), fruit, bottled water and sodas. Norwegian Cruise Line launched a concierge desk exclusively for guests with reservations in the lines top accommodations, the Haven by Norwegian. Available on: Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Bliss, and Norwegian Breakaway. They also. Over the next few days I noticed that he was going in or out of that room almost everytime we stepped out of ours. She's trailed an orca pod from a skiff in Alaskas Inside Passage, had an allergic reaction to a cheetah she met at a South African rehabilitation center and hiked the Borneo rainforest to glimpse orangutans in the wild and she's written about it all. We were on a very port intensive itinerary with our two kids. The Haven can be an interesting and luxurious option for guests looking for an elevated experience aboard NCL vessels. 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. This suite features chic decor alongside a master bedroom, second bedroom, private bathroom, living room area, and balcony. -- with access to a private retreat where you can enjoy complimentary food and nonalcoholic beverages throughout the day. To add to the above, your butler and concierge are shared with other guests. 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. There is another thread about tipping the Butler good luck with that one. Guests of The Haven have special access to dining spaces apart from that of the complimentary and specialty dining onboard NCL ships. Rather, guests sailing in the Haven have exclusive access to dining within a speciality restaurant when it is closed to other guests with a menu similar to Haven Restaurants on other vessels. Available to suite guests, the butler will also handle shoe shining, dry cleaning and bring coffee. Your daughter's Quinceaera is a special event in life. Norwegian Cruise Line's "ship within a ship", The Haven, offers a high-end luxury experience exclusive to guests booked in its suites. For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPGs new cruise newsletter. Butler service also means waking up with coffee and more While cruise buffets do beckon in the morning, it's not really that easy to get up and moving when you've had such a fun night. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. 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. This Spa Suite includes all of the features and amenities as the Deluxe Spa Suite with Balcony, however, this suite does not include a separate living room area, making its square footage slightly smaller. Minisuite is a balcony room with a slightly bigger bathroom. NCL advertises The Haven as an exclusive enclave "that has a number of white glove amenities along with 24-hour butler service and personal service of a concierge." In part, this is because many services that you recieve on a cruise ship should honestly be simply built into the price of the experience. Onboard, you'll find a concierge at The Retreat, the special VIP areas of the ship -- indoor lounge and sun deck -- where only Concierge-level and suite passengers are allowed. (Yes, that was a little uncomfortable due to the glares of other pax, but we managed to get over it fairly quickly.) At higher loyalty levels as well as various suite categories on most lines, guests will have access to a concierge who they can call to make reservations. Available precruise to assist with onboard reservations for restaurants, spa treatments, shore excursions and more. Perhaps you're poolside and decide you'd like to have lunch delivered to the suite, a quick call to your Butler makes that happen. one night my closest door kept opening as the ship rocked so i called the night butler and he fixed it. In the case of Disney, Concierge passengers also get access to some exclusive areas of the ship. Did you mention that you love grapes? Plates, glassware, setting up food, etc. As such, there is no specific guideline on how much you should tip your butler. Celebrity Cruises is one of those lines that offer both concierge and butler service. You did not book a suite. Royal Caribbeans CocoCay versus MSCs Ocean Cay, which is better? You. Your suite's portable phone is pre-programmed to dial directly to either of them, or to your Cabin Steward. They also supervise the room steward and makes sure things are done properly. Retired Asst. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu. The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. This high-end boutique luxury line is known for its upgraded amenities, and suite guests enjoy English butler service unparalleled on other cruise lines. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. There are certain times of the day such as breakfast and early evening when they can be very busy. For immediate help, please contact Heather directly: 630-779-9301 or : heather@flowvoyages.com. $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. 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. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). One note that confuses some people is that you may see notes such as that provided by MSC Cruises stating that crew do not need to be tipped. What is the cheapest month to book a cruise? Stay close to them with our convenient connecting staterooms. On the other hand, without a butler, once onboard you can call the concierge or visit the suite lounge and introduce yourself. Copyright Cruise Blog Media LLC 2023. You're assigned a concierge preboarding, and you can tell him or her your preferences for onboard reservations 125 days in advance. From unpacking your suitcase to pouring your champagne our butlers are at your service Our Suites At a glance 3-Bedroom Garden Villa Sleeps up to 7. Concierge Job Phoenix Arizona USA,Real Estate/Property When we traveled with the grandchildren, the butler always made sure their favorite snack was in the room. Whatever you decide, your first evening onboard is just the beginning! Butlers (and concierges) are generally not part of the pre-paid gratuities pool. Case in point: Norwegian Cruise Line offers butler service in The Haven suites. The Haven offers a 24-hour suite butler who will unpack your suitcase, pour your champagne and make your dining reservations. The butler will deliver your multiple course dinner to your cabin, and book your shore excursions, specialty dining and entertainment seating. Assists with priority access to tenders to shore. The Courtyard area has a mix of lounge chairs and seating for guests to enjoy. If you're new to cruising -- or even if you're just new to booking a higher cabin category -- you may not necessarily know the difference between the terms concierge and butler. If the ID card is bad it gets worse. We rarely use the phone - we normally talk to them in person or leave a note. What they do: Butler services include packing and unpacking, complimentary dry cleaning, shoeshine and related services, dinner reservations in the ships' specialty restaurants, spa and shore excursion reservations, salon and spa appointments, arranging cocktail parties, providing gourmet snacks (including caviar) at tea time. Priority when making specialty dining reservations and entertainment onboard. From unpacking your suitcase to pouring your champagne our butlers are at your service, Champagne, custom selection of liquor**, fruit, bottled water and sodas, Sparkling wine, bottled water and fruit on Embarkation Day, Nespresso Coffeemaker and Tea Forte tea bags, Invitations to an exclusive breakfast and lunch, Specialty dining delivered to your suite from any restaurant (cover charges apply), Treats delivered right to your door each night, Bliss Collection by Norwegian pillow-top mattress, Fine linens, feather duvet and pillow menu, Plush bathrobes, slippers and oversized bath towels. Thanks so much for the "informative" feedback. 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. This suite also includes a separate living room area, and balcony. A, This is a question than I hear many first time cruisers ask but luckily we've never had. I think I'm right in saying that doesn't include a butler. 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. Look for the connecting stateroom icon. Use them, and reward as appropriate. The Haven Courtyard and Sundeck features a pool, hot tub, and lounge chairs. While this is an absolutely fantastic service, a cruise butler is an active helper vs a passive one waiting for you to ask a question. It is not uncommon to tip $300, $500, or even more if you are actively using butler services and they are providing extrodinary service. NCL advertises The Haven as an exclusive enclave "that has a number of white glove amenities along with 24-hour butler service and personal service of a concierge.". It was kind of neat. Have had a couple of fantastic ones who were always around and if they saw us would rush to see if they could assist even when I was handling things myself,and a couple who weren't bothered but seemed to want my tip. If people keep their expectations down a little things would be better for all. Butler & Concierge Service Before you set sail, every cruiser is required to attend a muster drill led by the Norwegian Cruise Line ship crew. These penthouse staterooms include dining and living room areas, specious bedrooms, and balconies. Now, lets take a look at what its like to enjoy Butler and Concierge Service onboard Norwegian Cruise Line ships. Yours may or may not perform the following functions but this quick list will give you an idea of what to expect the first time Jeeves is at your service. NCL's Club Balcony Suite's new (bonus) amenities include pre-booking onboard dining and entertainment 125 days prior departure, room service (food-beverage delivery twice per cruise), free laundry service (1x bag) and pressing service (once per cruise), Welcome Aboard gift (1x bottle of sparkling wine). Or relish a quiet moment after the kids retreat to their room. The concierge desk enables guests and travel agents to book shore excursions and make reservations for dining, entertainment and the spa. Will you find yourself enjoying a Concierge escort to the reserved Suites Only seating in the theater, or will you be trying your luck in the casino? With two bedrooms, one with a king-size bed and walk in-closet and one with two lower convertible beds, there is plenty of space for the whole family. ft. The largest city in Arizona, Phoenix is also one of the largest cities in the U.S and is home to over 1.5 million people.As a major transportation hub, Phoenix is a financial, cultural and economic center for the Southwestern United States and is also known for its performing arts, museums and events. You will interact with your butler inside your cabin or pass him in the hallway as you walk to and from your suite. Case in point: Norwegian Cruise Line offers butler service in The Haven suites. I do remember being told to gather around in the waiting area so they can update people on things, but then never really telling us anything. For the ultimate luxurious experience aboard Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) vessels prospective passengers should consider booking accommodations in Norwegian exclusive, The Haven. Guests who are booked into Haven accommodations enjoy additional perks beyond those already mentioned! Butler service is something usually offered to passengers who've booked a top-level suite. We were escorted on by the Concierge and he took us to lunch. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. He/she isn't just "yours". Meaning if you never use them or call them they aren't being productive. The first thing right after checking-in (Registration) is a butler personal escort on board to your stateroom if. White tablecloth in-suite dining, to be enjoyed in guests staterooms. Concierge. A line-by-line guide. Would I do it often, no but it was fun. Just be reasonable in your requests and expectations. Pride of America cabins and suites | CruiseMapper *Terms & Conditions Package not available on sailings less than 5 days or charter sailings. No. However, a concierge won't be there in the morning to make sure you don't have any last min requests or to provide an umbrella for your excursion since there was an unexpected rainstorm overnight. it was awesome. While you can tip at virtually any point during your cruise experience, the common tradition is to tip at the end of your voyage the same way you would with any other crew member. Similarly, they can't make the ships stay in port longer or travel faster to the next destination. Available on Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Star. second time, the couple in front of us had a problem with THEIR cards (they had been on a B2B) so they, we and half the suite guests behind us all got left behind. As you're sitting at breakfast you remember that you wanted to ask for extra ice in your bucket, and you don't want to forget again touch the button labeled Cabin Steward and voila! This is always the case at Great Stirrup Cay, which features a Red Carpet area to the left of the main gathering area at the tender docks. Cruise butlers aren't magicians and they sadly can't cause seas to be less rough or clouds to go away. By We did tip him as he did his duties as he should but we tipped the room steward a lot more!! What You Need To Know About Cruise Butler Service On Different Cruise Lines Listed on 2023-03-02. The Haven venues are designed with a relaxing atmosphere, and provide guests a space to get away from all of the excitement onboard the other parts of Norwegian Cruise Line ships. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Full Time, Part Time position. Many other mass market cruises offer butler service for parts of the experience, for instance, we had a butler for our private beach villa at Half Moon Cay while sailing on Holland America Line. To find out more, please, Traveling with a group of people? Booking a suite is a pricey endeavor but it can be worth it with all the perks you'll receive: an included premium beverage package, prepaid gratuities, $300 per suite onboard credit to spend on the ship any way you like, free Wi-Fi and a personal butler. 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. Everything You Need to Know About the Haven on Norwegian Prima They're pretty spectacular! Is your point person for information on ship happenings day-to-day. There is some crossover, of course, but that's the general delineation. Windstars 2023/24 Middle East program kicks off in November. Invitations to exclusive cocktail parties offered only to guests of The Haven. Every day you'll enjoy a delivery of specially selected treats, but if there's something you prefer feel free to let your Butler know so they can bring what you enjoy! If you make friends on the cruise and want to invite them back to your cabin, your butler will arrange for a private cocktail party in your suite, complete with champagne and chef-prepared delicacies. Your butler can also help with in-room parties. The room size is identical to a balcony, I am referencing the AFT FACING PENTHOUSE SUITES, with Butler/Concierge. Mountains and beaches look so much better from a penthouse view. Silversea, a luxury boutique cruise line, trains its butlers in England before deploying them to ships that sail to every continent on the globe. Some people think that cabin stewards are butlers and that butlers take care of cleaning your cabin. Norwegians two ships in development, the Norwegian Breakaway and Getaway, will also feature the Haven when they launch in April 2013 and April 2014. With up to 574 sq. The butler takes care of your needs INSIDE of the room - things like snacks delivered daily, full meals delivered to your suite (by request), taking care of the espresso/coffee machine. 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Maybe you're in the casino on a hot slot machine and realize you forgot to make reservations for dinner or a show - one call to the Concierge and the matter is handled. Available on Pride of America, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Spirit, Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Star. Hello all, my parents (90 and 77) still enjoy cruising. While it may seem pretty incredible even with just these perks, stay tuned for my next article to read all about Norwegian's Haven-only areas. Along with the assistant butler or cabin steward, your cruise butler offers services ranging from prepareing your room, delivering room service, ensuring that your mini-bar is stocked correctly as well as coordinating other details such as dinner reservations, laundry service or even helping to book shore excursions. 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. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. You will really feel like a celebrity with the butler service on this mid-luxury cruise line. They also handle your priority disembark at the end of the trip. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Known for high-end luxury voyages to the most exotic and far-flung ports on the globe, Oceania cruises overlook no detail when it comes to high-class service. LauraS The other thing that the Butlers will do is they will spend some time explaining to you the facilities and how the ship works. American Express has expanded The Centurion Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. Here are some lines that have cruise butler services available: You really do enjoy the "star" treatment when you book an upgraded suite on Royal Caribbean. Related: 11 extra charges on cruise ships that will drive you nuts and what to do about them. The Courtyard pool area for example is accessible to all guests, while The Haven Sundeck is reserved for guests 16 years and older. Some of The Haven staterooms are not actually located inside The Haven complex, some are located in other areas of the ship, however all guests staying in a stateroom designated as part of The Haven will have access to all of the exclusive Haven venues and amenities. exclusive villa Royal Knokke Golf club by JAMES the BnB Butler When you thumb through cruise line brochures, you read a lot of jargon that might not be defined. It is usable anywhere on the ship and as I have found out on my recent New England Canada cruise can be, used on shore with a limited range. 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. Available on: Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Bliss, and Norwegian Pearl. But, either or both of these individuals do hold the keys to amping up your experience and making you feel like a VIP. //