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. By 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. Fine linens, feather duvet on stateroom beds, and a pillow menu. The onboard concierge will help book your dining reservations, make entertainment recommendations and greet you as you board and disembark in ports of call. With Europe-trained butlers, there is no request that is to challenging for them to handle. Related: 11 extra charges on cruise ships that will drive you nuts and what to do about them. While some butler services are more formal and reserved - as you might expect from a traditional English manor house, others try to be more fun and family friendly such as Royal Caribbean's Royal Genie. Available on: Norwegian Prima,Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Epic, and Norwegian Breakaway. 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. The butler will deliver your multiple course dinner to your cabin, and book your shore excursions, specialty dining and entertainment seating. LOL! ft.*. So don't have to much expectations. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. Enrollment required. Norwegian Cruise Line Who Gets It: Passengers staying in The Haven receive 24/7 butler service. Both may be able to offer similar types of help such as assisting with booking dinner reservations or reserving seats for a show, the level of service is not the same. So we'll be trying that out next summer! I think I'm right in saying that doesn't include a butler. Windstars 2023/24 Middle East program kicks off in November. Your butler will also remember your preferences and attend to your every need. 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). Powered by Invision Community, Also I was told my last cruise they give you those cordless. $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. 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. Now we are really looking forward to a new experience on our April trans Atlantic cruise. I think it is worth pointing out that you will be sharing the Butler with numerous other suites. (NCL's The Haven Sundeck area aboard the brand new Norwegian Prima). Guests staying in this type of Haven accommodation additionally receive complimentary access to the NCL Thermal Spa Suite onboard during regular spa hours. Actual amenities vary by ship and category. I think he'd be too busy around at yours, thank god! Once onboard, your Royal Genie will book your dining reservations, arrange for your high-end shopping experiences and arrange for you to have the best seats in the house at entertainment venues. 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. .One family cruise we were in Cagneys. What is the cheapest month to book a cruise? This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Silversea offers a pillow menu, and your in-suite butler will help you to select the right one for your sleeping comfort. After 50+ cruises, only our second with NCL, we are booked in a cabin with butler servicewhat services can we expect from the butler? 574 sq. The help and assistance of The Haven Courtyard attendant, to take care of all guests needs, such as delivering drinks, fresh fruit, cold towels, etc. The Maite'd was appalled and informed us.the butler will do that. 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ 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. the escort onto the ship has failed both times we sailed in suites. LauraS You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, By 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. Plus, youll be pampered with a deluxe array of complimentary amenities and personal service from a butler and concierge that help create a vacation experience youll never forget. Would I do it often, no but it was fun. ft.*, the Deluxe Owners Suite pampers up to six guests. cleaned and ready - that failing then escorted to the Haven restaurant or other specialty restaurant for lunch. TPG is here to define the roles of these crew members and how they both can make your voyage a whole lot more enjoyable. One of the most highly sought after experiences, Silversea has perfected the art of luxury at sea with its butler service. Started August 27, 2021, By Tomorrow could be a plate of hand-made chocolates or a canap assortment. Just like every other aspect of cruising, the butler service from one line to the next can be completely different. 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. The Haven has its own breakfast buffet area for guests, so that Haven passengers do not have to venture to the main buffet or other dining venues onboard for breakfast. 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. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Invitations to exclusive cocktail parties offered only to guests of The Haven. Available on: Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Bliss, and Norwegian Pearl. -- with access to a private retreat where you can enjoy complimentary food and nonalcoholic beverages throughout the day. Guests of The Haven additionally have the option to have meals served to them in their stateroom by a Haven butler. This high-end boutique luxury line is known for its upgraded amenities, and suite guests enjoy English butler service unparalleled on other cruise lines. I had no idea about the pizza. CC Help Jenn One of the primary reasons someone may choose to book a stateroom in The Haven is due to the access to the private venues available only to guests of The Haven. 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. Priority when reserving restaurants and entertainment onboard NCL vessels. 2023 Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. LIMITED-TIME ONLINE OFFER: GET 25,000 BONUS POINTS, 11-Reasons to Cruise to Alaska this Summer | NCL Travel Blog, 14-Day Authentic Alaska - Northbound Cruisetour | Norwegian Cruise Line, 14-Day Authentic Alaska - Southbound Cruisetour | Deck Plans | Norwegian Cruise Line, 20-Day Transpacific from Tokyo (Yokohama) & Alaska | Norwegian Cruise Line, 11 Reasons to Cruise to Alaska this Summer | NCL Travel Blog, Skip the lines and be personally escorted on and off the ship at the pier and at ports-of-call, 24-hour trained and certified suite butler. 24-hour trained and certified suite butler. Norwegians two ships in development, the Norwegian Breakaway and Getaway, will also feature the Haven when they launch in April 2013 and April 2014. There are certain times of the day such as breakfast and early evening when they can be very busy. You will interact with your butler inside your cabin or pass him in the hallway as you walk to and from your suite. You booked a spa mini-suite which is not a suite. What they can do though is virtually everything in between. 6,694 sq. That was also fabulous to be able to graze while all 4 of us got ready for the day. What is Norwegian Cruise Lines largest ship? The Haven has plenty of space for guests to lounge and relax. As first time suite passengers enjoy the services offered - on the next cruise. I'm glad you wrote this as nicely as you did, I'm currently on the dawn and ti be honest the suite life was not the dream I thought mostly for what you just said. An aft-facing suite would include a butler/concierge. A line-by-line guide, The 5 best cabin locations on any cruise ship. We rarely use the phone - we normally talk to them in person or leave a note. I would have found that to be unacceptable too. On the penultimate day we had 3 visits with "I hope you have enjoyed the service I have provided!!". ft. Owner's Suite with Large Balcony Sleeps up to 5. Voted "The Caribbean's Leading Cruise Line" 2013-2022 by World Travel Awards, This website uses cookies. It looks like on Bliss they are (mostly) slightly further aft (where the mini-suites are on Escape) but other than that and decor, what are the differences? Your butler can also help with in-room parties. We used the butler very little outside his duties, most of which could easily have been done by the room steward. $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Additionally, the typical cruise passenger that enjoys butler service is in a completely different financial category than the family of five packed into an inside cabin looking for every opportunity to save a buck. Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. Before you set sail, every cruiser is required to attend a muster drill led by the Norwegian Cruise Line ship crew. Started June 21, 2021, By Once they take a few folks aboard, that escort is no longer available for 10-20 minutes depending on the demands or issues that come up. Does NCL track this activity? 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. Additionally, access to The Haven Sundeck is restricted to guests 16 years and older, offering a private space for adult guests onboard. Here are a few threads that might help (some even with pics! He said "Let me bring dinner to you" and I was glad of the offer. Cocktail party with the cruise ships officers. Planning a cruise for the coming year? Plus, a butler does way more than simply being your personal concierge since they are truely part of your overal vacation experience. They can present in-room tea service. Available on Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Star. So how did you manage to shanghai the Concierge to escort you - maybe Platinum + + + ? The butler basically takes care of your personal needs food and beverages (in cabin coffee maker) - the cabin steward cleans and makes up the cabin. Many cruise ships don't have any concierges or butlers at all. Passengers of The Haven will be escorted off the ship for excursions as well as upon arrival to ports of call. This applies even at Tender ports. Your butler will also serve your meals on your private verandah, offer you a choice of luxury bath accessories and discuss your dining preferences with the ship's chef. Champagne, custom selection of liquor (in the Norwegian Star and Norwegian Dawn), fruit, bottled water and sodas. Available to suite guests, the butler will also handle shoe shining, dry cleaning and bring coffee. DECK 20. Your concierge is a bit like an agent to you on board ship. 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. The concierge desk enables guests and travel agents to book shore excursions and make reservations for dining, entertainment and the spa. This chic suite features large floor-to-ceiling sweeping windows, with large balcony equipped with lounge chairs. 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. CC Help Jenn Case in point: Norwegian Cruise Line offers butler service in The Haven suites. Celebrity Cruises is one of those lines that offer both concierge and butler service. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. NEWS: Since May 2015, the NCL charges US$7,95 for room service dining. 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. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. Whatever you decide, your first evening onboard is just the beginning! I write this because there was one occasion when the Butler was attending to our meal in our room. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos, https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=345, Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, Policy regarding COVID related Discussions. hoping our third time in april actually results in an escort! The service operates as a dedicated phone line, available . Norwegian Cruise Line launched a concierge desk exclusively for guests with reservations in the lines top accommodations, the Haven by Norwegian. Hey, you only live once! The room size is identical to a balcony, I am referencing the AFT FACING PENTHOUSE SUITES, with Butler/Concierge. As is the Butler services anywhere from 4 or more staterooms and would be at odds to, escort that volume. Overall a very nice experience. ft.*, your Family Suite sleeps up to six* guests. 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. The concierge can also help you plan special occasions and celebrations. DECK 16. While a concierge might be able to do some of these helpful tasks, they are not dedicated to you and are shared with other suite guests. Butler service is an integral part of your experience when staying in one of the MSC Cruises Yacht Club suites on ships like MSC Seashore. There is some crossover, of course, but that's the general delineation. Concierge service to help guests book their dining, entertainment and more with NCL. You. Guests of The Haven have special access to dining spaces apart from that of the complimentary and specialty dining onboard NCL ships. An aft-facing mini-suite would not include a butler/concierge. Any discussion of tipping on a cruise will bring out a wide variety of opinions. 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. Greets you at the cruise terminal on embarkation day for priority check-in and to assist as you board the ship. Even for these people - cabin stewards, bartenders, waiters, cruise excursion leaders, entertainment staff etc. 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. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. first time, my mom's card didnt have her picture loaded when she scanned at security. Have your butler arrange a culinary feast in your dining area. If youve cruised with Norwegian, you know the cruise line offers plenty of opportunities to vacation your way. (Yes, that was a little uncomfortable due to the glares of other pax, but we managed to get over it fairly quickly.) Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. The other thing that the Butlers will do is they will spend some time explaining to you the facilities and how the ship works. Your Royal Genie will arrange for a special celebration just for you. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Yacht Club suites also come with a personal butler available 24 hours a day. Firstly to request service to which he informed them he would be with them shortly as he was with another guest. I convinced them to upgrade from their typical accessible Balcony to an accessible Penthouse Suite on a Jewel class ship. They will also bring. Each butler serving that special VIP area of the ship received formal training at the International Institutes of Modern Butlers. Butlers will deliver fancy canapes, like foie gras terrine and crab legs, and upgraded turn-down amenities, such as a chocolate box. The "Royal Genie" is part butler, part concierge, and is only available to guests booked in a Star Suite on one of the line's 24 ships. Youll also discover that sometimes there will be a separate line for Suite or Haven guests to board the tenders when returning to the ship. I have had two on NCL (Spirit), they can be fantastic. Over the next few days I noticed that he was going in or out of that room almost everytime we stepped out of ours. I've always loved looking at those cabin rooms that face the back of the shipyou are watching the water tread behind you as you are sailing on your balcony!! The Haven Restaurant offers an unparalleled dining experience, accompanied by exceptional service. to observe the boarding process and see how smoothly it worked. If you're in the Iconic Suite, you can even ask the concierge to have a Peloton bike delivered to your cabin! 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. American Express has expanded The Centurion Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. Use them, and reward as appropriate. If people keep their expectations down a little things would be better for all. They also feature two bathrooms, two TVs, a living room with a pullman bed and a large private balcony. Concierge guests get priority reservations for cruise excursions, dining and onboard activities. ft.*, your Owners Suite sleeps up to five* guests, and offers separate living and dining rooms (combined on some ships). Cruise ship butlers execute all sorts of tasks each and every day. Lots of room for everyone. Disney Cruise Line offers four cabin categories with the creme-de-la-creme being Concierge. What is the cost? Let's take a deeper look with these two examples. The Haven offers a 24-hour suite butler who will unpack your suitcase, pour your champagne and make your dining reservations. *Square footage and stateroom configuration and capacities vary by ship. Serve afternoon canapes and/or afternoon tea in your cabin/suite. There are select categories of Suite which come with specific additional amenities, too! It will likely also be in accordance with the level of personalized service that you recieve. 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. 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. Trained by the Guild of English Butlers, the butlers on Regent Seven Seas cruises are second to none. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, By This website uses cookies. From here, the sky is quite litterally the limit. As previously mentioned, Jewel-class ships do not have a dedicated private restaurant. I think I used my night butler more with night room service etc. Last cruise. While some cruise lines offer a personal, in-cabin butler, Disney's concierge is more of a service that concierge-level guests can access when needed. //