Suite Questions

[bonedoc7]

I'm sorry about your less than stellar butler. We've only had one Butler who we didn't think was great, but they definitely vary some. We've had two very memorable Butlers on X.

 

Any chance you'd like to name said Butler? We're on Summit in a couple of months and just curious.

 

Happy Sailing,

Jenna

 

Btw, thank you Jenna for all your knowledge and experience. I really did appreciate a voice of reason. Love that you end your comments with happy sailing, because after all that is the ultimate goal!

Melinda

 

 

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[need2bespoiled]

Btw, thank you Jenna for all your knowledge and experience. I really did appreciate a voice of reason. Love that you end your comments with happy sailing, because after all that is the ultimate goal!

Melinda

 

 

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Thanks Melinda, and yes, I agree, THAT, IS, the ultimate goal!

 

I hope you have a wonderful, luxourious and pampered trip. I don't doubt that you will. Just need to put some kind of monitor on the DD's BF ;) for your own piece of mind, LOL.

 

Happy sailing!

Jenna

[bonedoc7]

Thanks Melinda, and yes, I agree, THAT, IS, the ultimate goal!

 

I hope you have a wonderful, luxourious and pampered trip. I don't doubt that you will. Just need to put some kind of monitor on the DD's BF ;) for your own piece of mind, LOL.

 

Happy sailing!

Jenna

 

So funny, because I actually think we should monitor the DD versus the BF! Having said that, our DS (all 6 foot 3, 230 pounds, younger but bigger ) will be sharing the same room. I am not sure anything would be happening with him in the room! If that doesn't help, our 15 year old nephew and 11 year old niece will also be sharing the space. Gotta love the cheap babysitters!

 

 

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[Kinofdc]

I'm sorry about your less than stellar butler. We've only had one Butler who we didn't think was great, but they definitely vary some. We've had two very memorable Butlers on X.

 

Any chance you'd like to name said Butler? We're on Summit in a couple of months and just curious.

 

Happy Sailing,

Jenna

 

 

hi Jenna,

 

The butler in question actually came highly recommended. One of my friends and her group had great experiences with this butler back in March. In fact, upon mentioning my friend's experiences to this butler on the 3rd day of the cruise, his service became much better. In hindsight, I probably should have related her praises of him when I first met him on the first day.

 

As to naming the butler - on the penultimate evening during Captain's Table, I almost blurted it out to the Hotel Director Raffaele and the GR manager Christian but decided against it.

[Kinofdc]

We've only had one Butler who we didn't think was great, but they definitely vary some. We've had two very memorable Butlers on X.

Happy Sailing,

Jenna

 

Out of 5 butlers across several Celebrity cruises, we had an excellent one the 1st time. 3 were ok but nothing outstanding, and my most recent one was sub par (although it did get better after the 3rd day).

 

On the other hand, NCL's butlers were always outstanding, 6 out of 6 times. The NCL stateroom attendants we had, however, were at best mediocre.

 

Butlers on Silversea were at least adequate.

 

Perhaps it's all luck of the draw. Who knows? :)

[cle-guy]

I've had 6 butlers - 3 I loved (1, Chip, remembered me from a transatlantic on Eclipse when he saw me 10 months later on Connie and greeted me warmly by name, even though he wasn't my butler on Connie), 2 that were OK, and 1 I couldn't even tell you his name.

 

The one I can't recall his name served me in the Penthouse on Reflection for 7 days.

 

1 of the "ok" ones it HAD to be among his first cruses, he was very scripted in his delivery and insistent on escorting me around to introduce me to the ship and its amenities even though I told him it was my 5th sailing in a suite and I was OK without.

[jcpc]

I've had 6 butlers - 3 I loved (1, Chip, remembered me from a transatlantic on Eclipse when he saw me 10 months later on Connie and greeted me warmly by name, even though he wasn't my butler on Connie), 2 that were OK, and 1 I couldn't even tell you his name.

.

 

Cle-guy,

Chip is OUTSTANDING. We were in PH on Constellation for 9 nights in April and were fortunate to have Chip as our butler. I have experienced about a dozen butlers on Celebrity and they all paled in comparison to Chip. I hope I have the pleasure of sailing with him again!

Jcpc

[Project_gal]

On the other hand, NCL's butlers were always outstanding, 6 out of 6 times. The NCL stateroom attendants we had, however, were at best mediocre.

 

We have never had a bad butler on Celebrity nor Azamara. However, we have only been on NCL once and the butler was superb, as was the concierge. If only the rest of our experience on NCL had come up to the same standard ...

 

Our experience on NCL is the main reason why we are so excited about the Michael's Club concierge being introduced by Celebrity. We understand how the combination of a good butler and good concierge can make for a wonderful experience. It would just be wonderful if the shore-side Celebrity experience could match the on board experience!

 

The only bad butlers we have come across we at Raffles in Singapore and they were unbelievably poor. None of the descriptions I have ever read of Celebrity butlers were anywhere near as poor as those at Raffles.

[uktog]

With the new suite experience I think Celebrity do need to look at some additional butler training.

 

Azamara put their butlers through additional training a couple of years ago and the before and after experience was marked. I also see a step change difference between Azamara and Celebrity butlers in the things that matter to us (and these last words are important)

 

We had two butlers recently on reflection as we had to change rooms b2b. One was very good, the other (who even screwed up our b2b change) was dire, it was his way or no way (he even had the cheek when one afternoon we flagged up we would be ordering breakfast that night that he thought it would be easier if we went to the buffet if we wanted breakfast for 7.30 we were in the RS).

 

For me, a good butler is one who quickly gets the hang of what we are like (v low maintenance, maybe have one or two round for drinks or afternoon tea once a cruise) and provides service on that basis.

 

I also believe they should link to the housekeeping team and rather than have this "I don't do that" attitude some have, they should take any comment or request and deal with it - as a guest it's too confusing to remember the demarcation lines re ice, timing for the room to be serviced etc.

 

For me also a good butler understands if I say "please do not leave afternoon tea if I am out/ bring savouries because we are eating out today" that is what I want. Some seem to think filling the table with food that just get wasted is going to further endear them to me.

 

And thank goodness we have the post cruise feedback forms now, the end of cruise speech, the hanging onto the form so they can give the speech and the follow ups all last days with the words excellent peppered throughout were absolute turn offs.

 

We never had any of these trivial issues re demarcation, food and forms on Azamara, we had it more than once on X and I think the training if they are to be "super suite experience butlers" has to be looked at (and I know this may not be popular but for some that includes brushing up language skills)

[Cruise a holic]

I've had 6 butlers - 3 I loved (1, Chip, remembered me from a transatlantic on Eclipse when he saw me 10 months later on Connie and greeted me warmly by name, even though he wasn't my butler on Connie), 2 that were OK, and 1 I couldn't even tell you his name.

 

The one I can't recall his name served me in the Penthouse on Reflection for 7 days.

 

1 of the "ok" ones it HAD to be among his first cruses, he was very scripted in his delivery and insistent on escorting me around to introduce me to the ship and its amenities even though I told him it was my 5th sailing in a suite and I was OK without.

 

 

Our favorite butler was Dominick on the Silhouette. We had some ok Butlers on the Summit. Sailing on the Summit again, August 2014, in a suite and hope we get a great butler.

 

Dominick was excellent- always available with a smile and really tried hard to please without being over the top.

[Gracie115]

Edwin our butler on Summit was wonderful. He was so far above any butler we've had since that there is just no comparison. He has since been promoted to Head of Housekeeping on one of the Azamara ships so I guess that alone speaks to how good he was. Afraid we were spoiled forever by him. :)

[uktog]

Edwin our butler on Summit was wonderful. He was so far above any butler we've had since that there is just no comparison. He has since been promoted to Head of Housekeeping on one of the Azamara ships so I guess that alone speaks to how good he was. Afraid we were spoiled forever by him. :)

Indeed and he is setting the standards expected on Azamara from Butlers and stateroom attendants and as he has come up through the ranks, he is so well placed to know what is and what is not achievable.

He is still the same lovely guy he was when we first met him 14 years ago

[Cruising89143]

Our butlers on X have ranged from good to very good with our recent experience on the EQ being the best. Bart was our butler. We could not gave asked for better service.

[jenniebnyc]

Gordon (from Goa) is our favorite butler to date. He was polite, informative and did his job well. I hope to see him again on the Relection this January! He was fantastic.

 

***Celebrity Take Note. He is one of the good ones... and should be recognized***

[canusa1]

Gordon (from Goa) is our favorite butler to date. He was polite, informative and did his job well. I hope to see him again on the Relection this January! He was fantastic.

 

***Celebrity Take Note. He is one of the good ones... and should be recognized***

 

 

We had Gordon as our butler on the Reflection as well and you are right he was fantastic. We also had Dominic when he worked on the Summit last year and he was fantastic as well. We were very fortunate both times. But after saying that we have never had a room attendent that was not good. I think it all depends on how well you treat them and how much respect that you give them. I am sure that they encounter people that are not respectful and are demanding or just down right rude. I am sure they could tell some good stories of the passengers that they have encountered on some of their sailings.

 

 

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[drarill]

We had Gordon as our butler on the Reflection as well and you are right he was fantastic. We also had Dominic when he worked on the Summit last year and he was fantastic as well. We were very fortunate both times. But after saying that we have never had a room attendent that was not good. I think it all depends on how well you treat them and how much respect that you give them. I am sure that they encounter people that are not respectful and are demanding or just down right rude. I am sure they could tell some good stories of the passengers that they have encountered on some of their sailings.

 

 

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Hope we get Gordon on our Reflection cruise in a couple of weeks. :)

[Gracie115]

Indeed and he is setting the standards expected on Azamara from Butlers and stateroom attendants and as he has come up through the ranks, he is so well placed to know what is and what is not achievable.

He is still the same lovely guy he was when we first met him 14 years ago

 

We met Edwin in late 2001, so happy for him that his talents and determination have been rewarded. As I said he pretty much spoiled us for all other butlers as when we are lucky enough to be in a suite we always wind up comparing and even though others have a done a good job none have come close!!:)

Edited June 26, 2014 by Gracie115

[uktog]

We met Edwin in late 2001, so happy for him that his talents and determination have been rewarded. As I said he pretty much spoiled us for all other butlers as when we are lucky enough to be in a suite we always wind up comparing and even though others have a done a good job none have come close!!:)

 

It's funny you say that. - two have for us- but they are on Azamara being supervised by Edwin and others like him.

It sounds like we were out of luck on Reflection as Gordon was not there.

I think we treat our butlers very well and with a lot of respect but sadly once in a while you hit a real bad one - looking back our Celebrity list we have had 2 bad, 4 mediocre but tolerated and the rest good or above. In the goods there were many who would move to great with a little more training and it's the training that Azamara used they need - I think it's called Anticipative Service - as another poster said, being intuitive to what we want but not going over the top to try and ingratiate themselves to you (that's squirm territory for me)

Edited June 27, 2014 by uktog

[Project_gal]

It's funny you say that. - two have for us- but they are on Azamara being supervised by Edwin and others like him.

It sounds like we were out of luck on Reflection as Gordon was not there.

I think we treat our butlers very well and with a lot of respect but sadly once in a while you hit a real bad one - looking back our Celebrity list we have had 2 bad, 4 mediocre but tolerated and the rest good or above. In the goods there were many who would move to great with a little more training and it's the training that Azamara used they need - I think it's called Anticipative Service - as another poster said, being intuitive to what we want but not going over the top to try and ingratiate themselves to you (that's squirm territory for me)

 

I love the phrase "Anticipative Service" as it sums up a great deal what I try to explain to people when they ask what a good butler does. I believe to need to add to that "Innovative Service" because a great butler will also provide solutions better than those you can conceive yourself.

 

However, I wish I could be as confident as you about training. Raffles uses the same training organisation as Azamara and, as I said in a previous post, all the butlers at Raffles were dreadful. Training may add a final gloss to a butler but, to a great extent, they are born and not made. If they do not have a natural empathy, it is impossible for them ever to anticipate what is required. If they are not naturally creative, it is impossible for them to learn how to be innovative.

[Gracie115]

It's funny you say that. - two have for us- but they are on Azamara being supervised by Edwin and others like him.

It sounds like we were out of luck on Reflection as Gordon was not there.

I think we treat our butlers very well and with a lot of respect but sadly once in a while you hit a real bad one - looking back our Celebrity list we have had 2 bad, 4 mediocre but tolerated and the rest good or above. In the goods there were many who would move to great with a little more training and it's the training that Azamara used they need - I think it's called Anticipative Service - as another poster said, being intuitive to what we want but not going over the top to try and ingratiate themselves to you (that's squirm territory for me)

 

And that's what Edwin was so good at, "anticipative service." Don't get me wrong we've had good butlers too, Peter on Equinox a few years back, who also knew Edwin quite well and Carlton on Millie also. The one time we were in a CS we had a young man, Kenneth, who while a nice guy appeared to have no training at all. I don't remember names of others that fell in the middle of the road category. Oh well just considered ourselves lucky to be in a suite at all....we frequently opt for AQ these days so we can cruise more although we do have a suite booked for our first TA next April!:)

Edited June 27, 2014 by Gracie115

[uktog]

I love the phrase "Anticipative Service" as it sums up a great deal what I try to explain to people when they ask what a good butler does. I believe to need to add to that "Innovative Service" because a great butler will also provide solutions better than those you can conceive yourself.

 

However, I wish I could be as confident as you about training. Raffles uses the same training organisation as Azamara and, as I said in a previous post, all the butlers at Raffles were dreadful. Training may add a final gloss to a butler but, to a great extent, they are born and not made. If they do not have a natural empathy, it is impossible for them ever to anticipate what is required. If they are not naturally creative, it is impossible for them to learn how to be innovative.

 

I think it is training plus the culture of the organisation that will be the key. I think on Azamara because they have freed all the staff from many of the constraints of rules when looking after the customers and also have less layers of management, the staff can be innovative. It is also about their skills to look, listen and observe that will help them anticipate better and yes, they may well have to be innovative and think out of the box. Our experience of Raffles was arrogance - they believe they are it and you are lucky to be putting your feet on their carpet - that's why the Ritz Carlton gets our repeat business and we save money as well!

 

Like Gracie we stopped staying in Suites on Celebrity some time ago, the experiences just did not match our expectations and we opted to cruise more often and buy onboard (speciality packages etc) however, we will return to a suite next year with access to Michaels to measure the value of both Michaels and the Suite dining for future consideration. We will also benchmark against our Azamara experiences.

Edited June 27, 2014 by uktog

[C-Dragons]

I love the phrase "Anticipative Service" as it sums up a great deal what I try to explain to people when they ask what a good butler does. I believe to need to add to that "Innovative Service" because a great butler will also provide solutions better than those you can conceive yourself.

 

However, I wish I could be as confident as you about training. Raffles uses the same training organisation as Azamara and, as I said in a previous post, all the butlers at Raffles were dreadful. Training may add a final gloss to a butler but, to a great extent, they are born and not made. If they do not have a natural empathy, it is impossible for them ever to anticipate what is required. If they are not naturally creative, it is impossible for them to learn how to be innovative.

Yes, yes, and yes!

What a perfect explanation, well done! :)

[Cruise a holic]

As far as holding parties in your suite the "rules" [as explained by the events office on Infinity and confirmed since by various butlers] are that cold snacks/canapies/etc are free but hot/warm items should be paid for. Drinks such as fruit juice are free but alcohol/soda/etc should be paid for. This is what has always been the case for us but others have reported having to pay for the items that should be paid for. As far as can see, most of these reports of receiving the paid for items free have been more rather than less recently. If you do not wish to pay for items, only order those that are free.

 

Hello Sue,

You held a wonderful party in your Penthouse suite. We had the pleasure of attending- we loved the decorations as well as the snacks. You are a great hostess!

 

Thank you- Hope to sail with you again soon!

[Balloon Man]

We generally travel in a suite and I find butlers unnecessary and intrusive. No butlers is one advantage that Princess has over Celebrity.

 

I suppose if you like throwing parties in your cabin then having a butler adds a certain je ne sais quoi. And they do polish your shoes! But really ... do you cope without a butler at home?

 

And you can't tell them "Please don't bother" because they work to a formula and it is unfair to put them in a difficult position.

 

Most of the butlers we have had seemed to be ok, but that might be because we didn't ask them to do much.

[need2bespoiled]

We generally travel in a suite and I find butlers unnecessary and intrusive. No butlers is one advantage that Princess has over Celebrity.

 

I suppose if you like throwing parties in your cabin then having a butler adds a certain je ne sais quoi. And they do polish your shoes! But really ... do you cope without a butler at home?

 

And you can't tell them "Please don't bother" because they work to a formula and it is unfair to put them in a difficult position.

 

Most of the butlers we have had seemed to be ok, but that might be because we didn't ask them to do much.

 

To each their own, but I think a majority of suite cruises apprecaiet the service provided by a butler.

 

No, I don't have one at home, but work hard, and take care of others. When I'm on vacation, I want someone to take care of me. I don't feel as though we demand a lot, but it's nice for someone else to set the table for breakfast, bring the afternoon snacks, or make my dinner reservations. I'm on vacation from ALL of that WORK.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

Edited June 27, 2014 by need2bespoiled