JDPCruisers

Good information and thanks for your observations while on board.

Thanks for the real-time feedback. I believe from another thread that Sumit was a dedicated suite butler before the change? If you are game to provide any updates to what you are experiencing with the level of service, I for one and, not to speak for others, likely some that have future cruises booked in Sky suites would be most interested!

Do you feel like you are getting good service from your butler and the rest of the staff? Not sure how 2 butlers for ~80 Sky suites actually works and would be nice to hear from those currently on board in a Sky suite.

Unless I missed it, and I may have, the butler question is more directly related to Sky level suites so I can understand the lower percentage there. We book Sky suites and have had the same butler for the last four cruises so that was one of mine, but we'll see if it ends up being an issue.

Seems like these were some of the issues some experienced on the COVID re-opening. Though we sailed on Apex last April and I can't think anything we had that was amiss. BTW - sailed in a SS.

Interesting. I'll try to check with officers when we are on-board in Dec.

Yes, this is disappointing to hear your experience as we are on Constellation for the first time in December and having cruised X prior with no or little of negative experiences, I will provide my input in December. I'm not hopeful at this point that X will reverse some of their decisions that are lessening the brand. Time will tell.

Agree. My wife and I had a likely unrealistic idea that, maybe, this is a trial to see the feedback and that is why they have not sent out a notification to those of us already booked in SS and expecting/have paid for that amenity. I'm sure, wishful thinking!

We, too, are looking for alternatives and was very interested in Azamara, had a Med cruise booked with them earlier this year but had to cancel, and are considering the ones mentioned but have only cruised RC (Diamond +) and X (Elite +) but status isn't meaning much any longer, it's more about the amenities and experience for the cost. I'd book Silversea to give them a go, but the cost is shying us away.

Thanks for the update. We are the same with ours, have kept in contact with him. I'm sure SS guests are not happy, I anticipate that will be the same on our Dec cruise and I'm sure the Retreat Manager and Hotel Director will be getting an earful, though it is not of their doing.

My perspective, I am agreement in that's it's not that fact that we use them every day but, in our experience, they will not only ask what your preferences are but suggest if they can do certain things, i.e. appetizers and drinks as you get ready for the evening, cookies at turndown, supervising unpacking of the luggage (which my wife did want this done the first couple of times but then after a hectic travel schedule getting to the ship I told her to try it, did, and truly appreciated it ever sense), etc. We don't do room service as we really enjoy Lumanie and meeting with new friends, but a well-made pizza after a late night in our suite was always welcomed! And, most importantly we got to know, appreciate, and like our butler after having the same one for multiple voyages (with him replacing another assigned butler at his request to be with us), including a 21 day voyage this April and were scheduled with him again in Dec, so very disappointing to have that taken away from us now. Knowing him, he will stop by our suite to say hello even if he cannot provide his services. Like others, look forward to other current SS guests' thoughts on their experience.

Reaching again, to anyone who is on currently onboard in a suite, mind sharing who is the concierge is in Michael's Club? And, how long their contract extends? We are booked in December and am curious if it may be someone we cruised with before.

Are you in a Celebrity or above or Sky and only see your butler was a day? Asking as we will be on Connie in December in a Sky and have really enjoyed our butler.

After loyal RC and X customers (Diamond +/Elite+) we have begun evaluating Oceana, Viking, NCL Haven and MSC Yacht Club for future cruises or just going to land tours.

So, more cutbacks and X going the way of RC without the families....at least for now but who knows! Thanks for the real time update on the butler situation. 2 butlers for all Aqua and Sky's, not sure how that will work, and we haven't had any butlers in Michaels Club/Retreat on previous cruisers other than afternoon tea served by the suite butlers and now no ordering off other menus when it was available. Disappointing as we have the Connie for 12N in Dec 2023 and 11N on Eclipse in Sept 2024 in Sky Suite. Likely time to reevaluate.

Not to keep beating this one, but it will be interesting see from Sky Suite guests that are booked on a cruise when this actually goes into effect what the difference is, i.e., just a name change, previous butlers are now part of a team of folks where any of them service the suite, or, etc. We book both Celebrity and Sky suites (mostly Sky Suites of late) and enjoyed having the same Butler on the last three cruises in Sky, to include a 21 day Carib/TA/Med, and he was going to be with us in December but appears this may change...will be disappointing if that is the case and we are not needy guests we just enjoy his level of service and as a person. As always, look forward to continued impressions and experiences.

Anyone on currently mind sharing who the concierge is in Micheal's Club? And, how long their contract extends? Thanks!

Excuse the grammar mistakes, I’ll blame it on autocorrect!

Thanks to all for your thoughts, very helpful. As are tossing around between Azamara and Atlas for the smaller ships. But, we like what Atlas as to offer but not sure about the ~200 passengers as have never been in that small a ship. Sounds great thought and will likely book to check it out. Look forward to Sherry’s review!

We have been receiving mailings from Atlas as of late and was wondering what others think about them. We have cruised RC and X, strictly X up to this point, but curious about the smaller cruise lines and if their approach and amenities live up to their marketing of an intimate yacht experience. Any thoughts are appreciated, the good, the bad and the ugly!

On the Edge April 7 sailing, as well. Agree that all was great. So much so, we stayed on the for TA B2B! It can use some TLC with wear and tear on some furniture but nothing to complain about and I believe she's scheduled for dry dock in Oct, so that may be addressed then. Again, nothing we experienced that should deter anyone from sailing her.

Have been on Apex and Edge (just got off) by the elevators on deck 10, no noise at all.

Thanks. Yes, will do!

Good to hear about your experience on Solistice as we had yet to sail on her. In regard to the butler, we didn't have good luck on Apex last April, but it wasn't anyone's fault as it was a COVID issue (we had three different assigned butlers with one we never got to meet). Now, on Infinity in October we had a wonderful butler in Walter who was very polished, attentive and accommodating. For our upcoming cruises we hope to have Walter again (he was trying to get back on Reflection and fingers crossed he can as we're on her October this year)!