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xyzxyz
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Posted: Thu Jul 17th, 2008 10:04 pm | 1st Post |
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Is it bad form to ask the concierge to sneak us into the buffet ahead of the long queue?
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Catnip
Charter Member
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Posted: Fri Jul 18th, 2008 03:01 am | 2nd Post |
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xyzxyz wrote: Is it bad form to ask the concierge to sneak us into the buffet ahead of the long queue?
Only if you forget to tip him! 
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32 previous cruises..
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2Cruise4Ever
Cruiser
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Posted: Fri Jul 18th, 2008 08:40 am | 3rd Post |
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They won't let you "in" per se. But, the concierge will bring you to the front of the line. And, oh yes, tip him (her)!
____________________
RCCL Majesty ~ 2/2001
Pacific Princess ~ 10/2001
SS Norway ~ 5/2002
NCL Dawn ~ 6/2005
CCL Fascination ~ 9/2005
NCL Dawn ~ 6/2007
CCL Victory ~ 10/2007
NCL Dawn ~ 6/2008
Up Next: CCL Victory ~ 10/11
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superflyjeff
Cruiser
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Posted: Fri Jul 18th, 2008 08:44 am | 4th Post |
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| We were on the Dawn last month and were leaving the chocolate buffet due to the insane lines, however we did see the concierge Anca's assistant at the other side. She asked if we enjoyed and told her no way the line was too long and she escorted us directly to the front. On a side note, the chocolate buffet was the worst I've been to in 10 years of sailing on NCL. Everything tasted exactly the same and since moving out of the main dinning rooms, it's really lost some of the pizzazz in my opinion.
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09/12/2008 - NCL Sky
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2Cruise4Ever
Cruiser
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Posted: Fri Jul 18th, 2008 10:58 am | 5th Post |
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superflyjeff wrote: We were on the Dawn last month and were leaving the chocolate buffet due to the insane lines, however we did see the concierge Anca's assistant at the other side. She asked if we enjoyed and told her no way the line was too long and she escorted us directly to the front. On a side note, the chocolate buffet was the worst I've been to in 10 years of sailing on NCL. Everything tasted exactly the same and since moving out of the main dinning rooms, it's really lost some of the pizzazz in my opinion.
I have to agree with you Jeff. I thought it was tasty, but it did lose some of the charm. And, to have it so late at night. We had dinner with the officers that night and didn't get out of the dining room until after 9:00. So, we were absolutely stuffed from dinner. We really didn't want dessert. But, we went to the chocolate buffet anyway just to say we did it. I liked it much better in the Venetian. With the chocolate fountain, ice cream bar, and servers with glasses of champagne, rimmed with chocolate and a strawberry. Now, THAT, was a chocoholic buffet!!
____________________
RCCL Majesty ~ 2/2001
Pacific Princess ~ 10/2001
SS Norway ~ 5/2002
NCL Dawn ~ 6/2005
CCL Fascination ~ 9/2005
NCL Dawn ~ 6/2007
CCL Victory ~ 10/2007
NCL Dawn ~ 6/2008
Up Next: CCL Victory ~ 10/11
Pics: http://community.webshots.com/user/ric
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xyzxyz
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Posted: Fri Jul 18th, 2008 12:41 pm | 6th Post |
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| Re: tipping the concierge. I would be tipping at the end of the cruise; are you meaning that I ought to tip him/her at the time rather than at the end?
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jimswims
Frequent Cruiser
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Posted: Fri Jul 18th, 2008 04:23 pm | 7th Post |
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| We went to the chocolate buffet on the Spirit and on the Dawn. The one on the Spirit was in the afternoon and in Windows, the main dining room. It was nice. The one on the Dawn was in the evening in the buffet area. It was complete chaos and I agree that everything tasted the same. I actually do not care if I ever go to one again after my experience on the Dawn.
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Jim
8/7/09 NCL Spirit, Boston to Bermuda
Previous cruises NCL: 6; RCCL: 4; Carnival: 2; Cunard:1.
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Geneslamp
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Posted: Fri Jul 18th, 2008 04:30 pm | 8th Post |
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Seems to be the trend - to serve up the chocolate buffet in the buffet area. Same with the Jade - Although we didn't taste anything - it looked great - but again, loses the atmosphere of placement in the main dining room. We went for the pictues as we were stuffed from diner as well. The designs were wonderful, presentation, not so much.
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Jade 2/08
Spirit 2/07
Sun 2/06
Bluenose II 7/06
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2Cruise4Ever
Cruiser
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Posted: Sun Jul 20th, 2008 10:43 am | 9th Post |
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xyzxyz wrote: Re: tipping the concierge. I would be tipping at the end of the cruise; are you meaning that I ought to tip him/her at the time rather than at the end?
It's a matter of preference. Some people tip throughout the week. Others at the end. There's not set "rule" about when to tip, just be sure you do tip! We always tip at the end with a nice thank you note.
____________________
RCCL Majesty ~ 2/2001
Pacific Princess ~ 10/2001
SS Norway ~ 5/2002
NCL Dawn ~ 6/2005
CCL Fascination ~ 9/2005
NCL Dawn ~ 6/2007
CCL Victory ~ 10/2007
NCL Dawn ~ 6/2008
Up Next: CCL Victory ~ 10/11
Pics: http://community.webshots.com/user/ric
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xyzxyz
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Posted: Sun Jul 20th, 2008 05:38 pm | 10th Post |
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2Cruise4Ever wrote: xyzxyz wrote: Re: tipping the concierge. I would be tipping at the end of the cruise; are you meaning that I ought to tip him/her at the time rather than at the end?
It's a matter of preference. Some people tip throughout the week. Others at the end. There's not set "rule" about when to tip, just be sure you do tip! We always tip at the end with a nice thank you note.
We probably won't be using the concierge that much. Perhaps only for queue-jumping the choc buffet and booking for the Teppanyaki. We'll be using the butler possibly every evening for dinner instead. Plus not planning any excursions either.
How much ought I to tip for a 2 week cruise for 2 adults and 2 kids?
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2Cruise4Ever
Cruiser
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Posted: Mon Jul 21st, 2008 04:30 pm | 11th Post |
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xyzxyz wrote: xyzxyz wrote: We probably won't be using the concierge that much. Perhaps only for queue-jumping the choc buffet and booking for the Teppanyaki. We'll be using the butler possibly every evening for dinner instead. Plus not planning any excursions either.
How much ought I to tip for a 2 week cruise for 2 adults and 2 kids?
That's debatable, at best. Everyone does something different and has differing opinions on this one. And, it all depends on how much you use them. Just remember that they are not included in the tip pool that your daily automatic gratuities cover. So, you'll need to tip them separately.
Some people work off a formula, like $5-7 per person, per day, perhaps. Others just figure a round number that fits in their budgets. I wish I could give you better information, but I don't know what your budget allows. Us? It has varied from $150 to $500 for the week (butler), depending on how much we used his services. I'd say the more the better. These guys (and gals) work very, very hard; and for loooooong hours!
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RCCL Majesty ~ 2/2001
Pacific Princess ~ 10/2001
SS Norway ~ 5/2002
NCL Dawn ~ 6/2005
CCL Fascination ~ 9/2005
NCL Dawn ~ 6/2007
CCL Victory ~ 10/2007
NCL Dawn ~ 6/2008
Up Next: CCL Victory ~ 10/11
Pics: http://community.webshots.com/user/ric
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