Deny Room cleaning/houssekeeping on cruise

[John VN]

Sometimes, it's nice to have some alone time and skip the daily room cleaning. On my last cruise, I decided to deny housekeeping for a few days to enjoy some privacy and relaxation without interruptions.

I pre-tip and take my chances. On the first day, I give them a note card that says “No turn down service, thank you!” with my name and cabin number and a $50 bill. They show their supervisor the handwritten note, which is confirmed by a phone call. They keep the $50, as they should. And although I have never felt how the previous poster felt, this has worked for me.

DW and I ended our latest 4 night cruise last week. Following boarding we went to our cabin to drop off backpacks then had lunch and returned to the cabin to chill. Our Butler arrived and introduced herself and her Assistant Butler at which time I mentioned that we WILL NOT REQUIRE the morning cleaning or the FINAL NIGHT's TURNDOWN. I also mentioned that we will be EARLY WALK OFF and our Butler said to make sure we were ready to leave our cabin at 6:45AM because she will be at our door to take us to the exit.

I tipped them both $50 at that time and our Butler another $20 when we left our cabin to be escorted to the ship's exit past 1000+ other cruisers already on line and stretched all around Deck 5 also waiting to leave. We were 1st in line to be scanned after the ship was cleared for disembarkation.

p.s. - Our Concierge Level cruising is beyond that of DCL's WISH ability to provide requires sacrificing the Disney but costs close to a Magic Verandah.

 

[auntlynne]

I totally agree with PP. State room attendants messing with my stuff, folding my clothes, organizing my stuff to beg for tips is another thing that’s slowly turning me off DCL. It’s the “going beyond expectations” here they’re just begging for extra tips. I only need someone to come in - Give me fresh towels if needed, toilet paper, clean if needed, take garbage out and make my bed.

I don’t need someone rolling up my charger cables.

In DCL i have the feeling they are constantly in the hallway waiting to get into our room. Late morning, and during dinner times the hallways are full of service carts for hours with staff doing rooms. And after a while, I just get sick of the fake. “hi how was your day“

I didn’t realize this until we did virgin voyages, and one thing we noticed right away is that you never really saw attendants in the hallway ( hardly any carts). I was speaking with other Cruise passengers and we were like we don’t know how they do it but the state of attendance are like fairies who are invisible, but do their job and do it well. no one ever had the stress can I go back to my room now because they’re cleaning it. It was just somehow done, done well and you never saw anyone.

When we finally met our guy he told us they work in teams of two or three to get in and out fast. I had another conversation and it seemed they are generally happy and actually told us that this is the best line to work for. They get paid more than other lines including Disney and the one thing they love is that since the cruise line is 18 and over it’s so much easier to clean rooms, They seem less stressed / happier than DCL people.


It makes sense if you think about it, I’ve walked by so many state rooms on Disney ships of families where it looks like a bomb went off, leaving their crap everywhere, or disorganized, and probably expect the state room guy to tidy up. if I’m putting myself in their position, I wouldn’t look forward to rolling up phone cables every day and organizing toys people leave on the floor and then clean on top.

Your post reminds me of the idea of cleaning before the cleaner comes.

I so agree that I don’t need my cables rolled up. They even have little Velcro strips to make them stay wound. It’s like living with a Type A or OCD roommate.

I’d be happy with beds made, dirty towels (I put them in the bathtub once I am ready for a refresh) replaced, a quick vacuum if there’s visible sand on the carpet - or any deep cleaning they want to accomplish during the week.

On NCL and MSC, I think of the stewards as stealth. It helps that the newer ships have a light system to signal what you need : please clean, please don’t disturb or I’m in my cabin. My memory of NCL was a whole row of rooms with open doors, with stewards cleaning - and saying hi to me (no expectation of tip, just friendly).

(And there is no survey talk, as you had different dining servers during your cruise.)

 

[Dug720]

And there is no survey talk, as you had different dining servers during your cruise.)

Oh I had different servers on RCCL and on Celebrity Edge and I still got it. EVERY night since they were different every night.

At least on the Summit where I had the same servers in Blu (the Aqua Class restaurant) I didn't have to hear it once I politely said I understood and if there was an issue I'd let them know so they could correct it.

 

[auntlynne]

Oh I had different servers on RCCL and on Celebrity Edge and I still got it. EVERY night since they were different every night.

At least on the Summit where I had the same servers in Blu (the Aqua Class restaurant) I didn't have to hear it once I politely said I understood and if there was an issue I'd let them know so they could correct it.

I wonder if I just forget bad stuff. Although I do remember it when it happens on a Disney cruise. And notice it when it doesn’t happen on DCL.

I do take a beta blocker for blood pressure - it’s also used for PTSD. Maybe it kicks in when I hear excellent or survey.

that this may have become an industry standard.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

DW and I ended our latest 4 night cruise last week. Following boarding we went to our cabin to drop off backpacks then had lunch and returned to the cabin to chill. Our Butler arrived and introduced herself and her Assistant Butler at which time I mentioned that we WILL NOT REQUIRE the morning cleaning or the FINAL NIGHT's TURNDOWN. I also mentioned that we will be EARLY WALK OFF and our Butler said to make sure we were ready to leave our cabin at 6:45AM because she will be at our door to take us to the exit.

I tipped them both $50 at that time and our Butler another $20 when we left our cabin to be escorted to the ship's exit past 1000+ other cruisers already on line and stretched all around Deck 5 also waiting to leave. We were 1st in line to be scanned after the ship was cleared for disembarkation.

p.s. - Our Concierge Level cruising is beyond that of DCL's WISH ability to provide requires sacrificing the Disney but costs close to a Magic Verandah.

For what they charge for concierge, that is the least they could do!

 

[Halfbrit]

We've never denied room service, but we have asked them to change the timings to suit our plans for certain days, and it's never been a problem for them.

Many people on this forum talk about great DCL service and for us the best service has always come from the people looking after our rooms and we've always given them the biggest tips. Even our autistic child who doesn't like people touching their things has been happy with the care and attention taken by the room attendants.

 

[sponica]

We've never denied room service, but we have asked them to change the timings to suit our plans for certain days, and it's never been a problem for them.

Many people on this forum talk about great DCL service and for us the best service has always come from the people looking after our rooms and we've always given them the biggest tips. Even our autistic child who doesn't like people touching their things has been happy with the care and attention taken by the room attendants.

I don't even notice that things get touched

 

[Halfbrit]

I don't even notice that things get touched

They fold pyjamas (if left unfolded - the kids tend to do) and generally neaten things up. Last time they even put little cable ties on our phone charging cables to tidy them up.

 

[FreeTime]

I pre-tip and take my chances. On the first day, I give them a note card that says “No turn down service, thank you!” with my name and cabin number and a $50 bill. They show their supervisor the handwritten note, which is confirmed by a phone call. They keep the $50, as they should. And although I have never felt how the previous poster felt, this has worked for me.

For how many nights and how many people? That could significantly cut into their pay. Unless you are saying you pre-tip with on account prepaid gratuities AND $50.