jacketwatch

I really have no idea about how expenses are incurred on this or any ship really. I know there’s plenty to think about including fuel, material upkeep and much more.

As we both know, gratuities are supposed to be pooled for the staff. I don’t know how much of that they get, but I would think they would get at least most of it.

I suppose I would ask who wants to be a butler on the ship if all you earn is five euros per day and rely on tips from the passengers?

again, I just don’t get it. Suppose it’s a 10 day cruise and the butler gets let’s say $200. Then I would wonder how many cabins is he servicing?

I mean, there has to be a reason why Butler’s stay. If things were that bad, I would think they would be leaving in droves.

davidrose2082

I am using the Assistant General Manager of the Viva's description-'it's cultural'!

It's equivalent to salaries in Mexico being a tiny fraction of what they are in the US. However, the difference here is that the Viva's staff were serving Europeans in Europe.

Melnq8

I've been following this with interest, so decided to Google:

The estimated total pay range for a Butler at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd is $38K–$56K per year, which includes base salary and additional pay. The average Butler base salary at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd is $38K per year.

Also found this, which is interesting:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topi...utler-tipping/

And this:

https://www.glassdoor.com/Monthly-Pa...1_IL.42,50.htm

No idea of the accuracy, just thought it was interesting.

Melnq8

Also found this on the NCL website:

How to honour good service?

We are confident that you will enjoy your Freestyle Cruising experience and that our entire crew will provide you with the standard of service for which we are known. A discretionary service charge will be automatically added per guest per day (for guests three years and older) to your shipboard account for all staterooms: US$ 20 per guest per day (for guests 3 years and older) for Studios, Inside, Oceanview and Balcony Staterooms as well as Club Balcony Suites. For Suites and The Haven Suites, the service charge will be US$ 25 per guest per day (for guests 3 years and older). This charge will be shared amongst those staff members, including the restaurant staff, stateroom stewards and other behind-the scenes staff who provide services that enhance your overall cruise experience.

These service charges can be paid in advance of your cruise. If you have any concerns about the service you receive during your cruise, please let our onboard Guest Services Desk staff know right away, so we can address any issues in a timely manner. In the unlikely event that we can't resolve your issue, you can have the service charge adjusted on board. Where your service charge has been pre-paid before departure, refunds are not available on board and you must apply for a refund, if applicable, after you return home by writing to our Guest Relations department.

Certain staff positions (e.g., concierge, butler, youth programme staff and beverage service) provide service on an individual basis to only some guests and do not benefit from the overall service charge. We encourage those guests to acknowledge good service from these staff members with appropriate gratuities.

Additionally, there is a 20% gratuity and spa service charge added for all spa and salon services, as well as a 20% gratuity and beverage service charge added for all beverage purchases and a 20% gratuity and speciality service charge added to all speciality restaurant dining and entertainment based dining (does not apply to Free at Sea dining and drinks packages).

davidrose2082

Thanks for this.

There was a comment which said that the butlers receive no 'basic' pay, other than tips/gratuities. I don't believe this.

It seems obvious to me that the figure of 5 euros per day that was mentioned to me by the Assistant General Manager is probably correct.

In Europe that is regarded as slave labour and is illegal.

davidrose2082

Thank you for finding this and it confirms what I have written.

However, please note that this seems to be aimed at the US market, where tipping is regarded differently whereas we cruised on the Viva when it was in Europe and this is not the culture in Europe.

There are certain laws in the UK and also in the EU that make asking for a mandatory tip illegal.

At no point when booking the cruise in October, 2023 or when I paid the outstanding balance in April, 2024 was an additional $1000USD service charge mentioned to me.

Melnq8

Yeah, that comment stuck out for me too. Seems unlikely.

jacketwatch

You have to remember that most of the crew on cruise ships are from so called 3rd world countries in which these salaries go a long way. People choose to do such work while being away from their families for extended periods because this is the best way they have to support them.

I have asked several Fillipino crew about taxes and was told there is no tax at sea and that their expenses on board are very low so they can pocket the lions share of what they earn. One of them said he does pay into what amounts to their version of social security.

Thanks for that link.

mlgb

Are butlers only in Haven Suites? I've never had one, nor a concierge either.

Cruise line service fees ARE advertised on US websites. I wonder if you dig more deeply into the UK website you will find them mentioned. I think I read somewhere that prices in Australia are higher because those service fees cannot be used. If one has issues with service they can ask that fees be removed or reduced while on board. Although there is also a game to be played to get the refund if you prepaid as many do instead of having them charged at the end of the voyage.

I knew nothing about butlers but for the regular people, daily service fees cover room stewards, servers and back of house at the included restaurants. If you go to specialty dining or have a bar drink you get charged another 20% so there is no further tip required for bartenders or servers. NCL has a room service fee for cabins where it is not already included (who knows where that goes?) I know people like to give extra cash to their steward or favorite waiter or each time there is room service.

I know people that like to remove them and then tip out individually. Then back of house people get nothing. Maybe if you stay in Haven you never eat in the buffet or Main Dining Rooms?

Cruises are now traveling full due to Post-COVID "revenge travel" so the companies are trying their best to make up for losses during the pandemic by raising prices constantly.

jacketwatch

The OP stated he did not book the Haven, but booked the top suite category just below the Haven.

mlgb

Thanks I haven't read all of their postings. I see they booked through Vacations To Go. That can only be done by speaking to an Agent.

I booked a few days ago for NCL in October. So I know some laws on disclosures recently changed in the US. At the bottom of my Confirmation is the following disclosure labeled "Tipping Guidelines".

Norwegian will automatically add $20.00 per day, per guest to your onboard account for any category up to and including Club Balcony Suites ($25.00 per day, per guest for The Haven and other Suites). A 20% tip is added to all beverage orders, spa and salon services and all specialty restaurant or entertainment-based dining. There is no charge for children under the age of 3.

Curious if the same disclosure would be on the Confirmation that the OP got from their VTG agent.

jacketwatch

Good points.
I wonder too.

What cruise did you boom may I ask?
We booked the Viva for a transatlantic next April out of San Juan,

mlgb

The Sun 15 days Vancouver to Alaska to Hawaii. Late season Alaska should be interesting, latest I was there previously was early September. NCL and their Ward Cove dock in Ketchikan will be new for me. We get Glacier Bay, and overnights on Kauai and Honolulu, and a full day in Maui. Hilo is relatively short but should be enough for Volcanoes NP. Planning on renting cars in each Hawaiian Port. Good thing about Hawaii is that if you miss the ship it's easy to get to the next island and can fly with Drivers License (not planning on doing that though).

I met my cruise buddy via Cruise Critic 8 years ago on this ship, so it will be nostalgic. Love the small size, covered jogging track and lack of things like go carts on the top deck. Just an old school cruise ship.

We booked guarantee inside cabins and got our room assignments already, he's under the pool deck and I'm sort of under the teen club. I hope they have curfew hours and not too many teens on this itinerary. We will have at least four specialty dining meals.

Wonder what our chances are for Northern Lights? He's sort of an astronomy buff too, I'll have to ask him.

jacketwatch

Very nice.

I looked at the ship and yes, it’s smaller, much smaller than the NCL Star we took for Iceland a couple of years ago. However the Sun was refurbished around three years ago, and I must say I’m very impressed by how many restaurants they have. There’s quite a few, especially for a smaller ship like this!

As you have four dining or specially restaurants, I think you got a great deal.

It’s nice that you can hook up with your cruise buddy again.

Ask for seeing northern lights there’s probably a chance though I imagine it’s a slim one. However, you never know. You might be able to see them.


Bon Voyage!

Larry.

mlgb

I've missed them twice already....

jacketwatch

Third time is the charm as the saying goes.

mlgb

🤞🏽

mlgb

Missed again!!! Always overcast in SE Alaska at night.

But we did have some amazing looks at the comet while traveling around Hawaii.
​​​​​
​​​​​

jacketwatch

Too bad! However I suppose if you keep at it one day you’ll see it.,

Good 🍀

Larry