I never had a Butler, What I use he/she for?

[judyzoo]

We asked our butler on our last Celebrity cruise if he had ever unpacked or packed for passengers and he said that he had NEVER been asked to do so in his two years as a butler. I, probably like many others, would prefer to unpack my own things so I know where they are. Even when I do, I still can't find everything.

 

But what about packing? On the last night, when you could be out enjoying the entertainment for the last time, instead of in the cabin packing. Let the butler do that. What does it matter how it's done? All you need is to get everything into your luggage so you can take it home with you. I just dread that last night of packing, and would love to have a butler do it.

[dogsrule]

Having cruised on RCCL and Celebrity-Butler is the way to go as far as I'm concerned. Royal Caribbean should consider having them IMO.

[stormyc]

...2. I asked for a tape measure which he was able to borrow from maintenance...

 

Would you please tell me why you needed a tape measure? I'm sorry - it's driving me a little crazy wondering! :o

[mahdnc]

stormyc,

 

well the tape measure is something I usually pack so that I can get some measurements of the cabin. There are occasional postings on these boards asking questions about how big such and such is (like the cabin or the bed or the shower stall) and I figure that there is no substitute for just taking actual measurements. I forgot to pack it and figured that our butler could get his hands on one. Surprisingly he never asked why I needed it.

[cinderellen]

Sounds like i had butlers and didn't know it. 16 cruises i called them cabin attendents. Always had everything my little heart desired and didnt have to pay a nickel extra. sounds redundant Cabin attendent and Butler sharing the same job

 

I agree! Our stateroom attendant, Leticia, was wonderful. Everything we needed, evening appetizers, breakfast on the veranda, laundry service,etc. Who could ask for more?:)

[madforcruising]

This thread is really interesting and I really enjoy the reading but I´m still a little confused about the buttler :confused: .

 

If I understand your posts right about the duties of the buttler it seems to me that the only duty that is not available without a buttler is the packing/unpacking feature. And the packing/unpacking seems to be not very common to use (btw although I hate packing I wouldn´t want it to be done by a stranger)

All the other mentioned things I had on my cruises without buttler done by either room service, cabin attendant or concierge. I can understand that it could be an advantage dealing only with one person instead of different people.

 

Please give me some insight if I understood this right.

[stormyc]

stormyc,

 

well the tape measure is something I usually pack so that I can get some measurements of the cabin. There are occasional postings on these boards asking questions about how big such and such is (like the cabin or the bed or the shower stall) and I figure that there is no substitute for just taking actual measurements. I forgot to pack it and figured that our butler could get his hands on one. Surprisingly he never asked why I needed it.

 

Aaaah, well that makes sense - so nice of you to gather this information for people!

 

I suppose the butlers are wise not to ask too many questions!!;)

 

Thank you so much for the response!

[cechase]

Interesting thread - on our first three Celebrity cruises we have had a butler, and will on our next two cruises.

 

While the butler will pack or unpack your things, if asked, we have always preferred to do it on our own, so we know where everything is located. Usually our first request to our butler is to bring us more hangers, and they always arrive very fast and are wood hangers.

 

Our breakfast is literally catered by the butler with our dining table set exactly as in the dining room. We do on several ocassions on a cruise have diner in our suite, and we order directly off of the dining room menu, not the room service menu.

 

My shoes are shined, and my DW's dresses are pressed prior to formal nights. We get some delicious items in the afternoon, including our request for a cheese plate. He always seems to be available for our requests, including our request for another bottle of booze which we can't carry out of the ship's duty free store! They are there to help make your cruise to be as famously as Celebrity advertises.

 

On our last cruise on Century - when it came time for the cattle call for disembarkation, our butler advised us to just stay in our suite, and he would escort us out. In stead of staying in a public area waiting, we sat in the comfort of our suite, and around 9:15 a.m., our butler escorted us out, and we whizzed through - and when we got to our luggage, there they were sitting all by themselves. What a treat, and what thoughtfullness.

[4 cruisers]

Charlie, who was your butler on Century? We're in 1040 next Sat. :D and were wondering who our butler MIGHT be?! Had Ashwin last time, and think we could do better :o from what we have read about other cruisers experiences.

 

Thanks!!!!!

[cechase]

Hi 4 Cruisers - our butler was Lawrence, and many people on this board have commented on how great he is - and he is. We were in RS1028, so you are on the starboard side the same as we were. It is a good chance that you will get Lawrence. Tell him that Charlie and Nedra said hi, and said all kinds of nice things about him.

[4 cruisers]

Wow, that would be wonderful! I have read so many nice things about him!!! We only asked a few things of Ashwin (waffles in the room once...he said no, because there was a line for waffles, we'd have to go get in the line upstairs) and mushroom/ eggwhite omlette for my husband...no mushrooms (????) and he was never "on duty" when we did call!!! We're talking at say 7:00 pm!!! Don't they have someone to fill in for them? He was good about the appetizer delivery and the finger sandwiches, but special requests were not his thing...

 

Keep your fingers crossed for us and we'll be able to pass on your good words and wishes to Laurence! :D

 

Nanette

[Troy1_98]

We have traveled on X 5 times and have always had butler service with our suites. I have found that the standard service the butler performs are to serve you any and all meals or snacks you may desire in your suite. He also is the liason to assure any needs you have will be met.

 

We generally have breakfast in our suite each morning. The butler sets up the dining table the evening before with linen and silverware. He always call the room to advise he is on the way with the tray at the selected time. He also returns to pick up the plates and remove the dining tablecloth.

 

Afternoon tea -with a selection of finger sandwiches and sweets from a trolly is always a fun addition to ones suite service.

 

We have often had coctail parties in our room. The bulter is always available to bring drinks, wine and snacks.

 

Cappachino on request is another duty of the butler and is provided at no additional cost.

 

We have never over used the butler but it is always nice to have someone take care of all your little needs with a smile and positive attitude.

 

I recall once I called the butler because the jacuzzi tub would not drain. He was there in less than two minutes with the ships engineer to fix the problem.

 

I think I would miss having one.

 

Troy

[mahdnc]

troy,

 

your comment about not over-using a butler is a good one. You really don't want to go overboard because each butler tends to a large number of suites. There were only two butlers on our Horizon cruise--one for the suites on each side of the ship on Deck 10.

[Helen]

We enjoyed our butler, John, on the Horizon last September and didn't really know what to ask for at first, having never had one. We let him tell us what he was available for and then we just enjoyed. Any snack in the afternoon was available just for the asking and anything we wanted at breakfast at whatever time we said was fine. We had so much fun and I think he enjoyed us giggling all the time (it was a room full of sisters).

we are returning to the Horizon in June and hope he is still there! Definitely a treat. ;)