I need a butler...and 2 bedrooms

[alexkrn46]

the only other mainline cruise that has butler service is Msc, the butlers will help you cut through the red tape.

[cruisers04]

To OP....we have a special needs son and have stayed in a Grand Suite in which we were able to dine in the cabin ordering from the dining room menu. We were also given priority embarkation and debarkation which is wonderful with our special kids. However, the Grand Suites are just 1 big room so I don't think that would work for you.

 

Also I hope you won't take to heart unkind comments made here on Cruise Critic as well as on the cruise itself. We get the same attitude. These people are quick to judge when they should thank their stars it isn't them.

 

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[xxoocruiser]

No offense taken! We would prefer to eat more than pb&j and grilled cheese. That is usually all I have seen on room service menus. I admit to not having delved into RCIs room service menu.

 

We definitely need the 2 bedroom for space and storage.

On RCCL anything above a Grand Suite(GS) is able to order off the main dining room menu in addition to the room service menu. Junior Suites (JS) don't have this perk.

[ksuds]

We've gotten the 2 room suite 3 times on RCI. Our upcoming cruise next week is a 2 room suite (4 of us). You will like that room a lot and find it meets your needs. During dining room times, you can order whatever is on the dining room menu and have it in your cabin. You are not stuck with the normal room service menu. The concierge might be able to assist you with reservations that are needed. But suite guest also have special sections for shows that you could possible take advantage of.

[chadbeck]

I've only been in a couple of the suites that fit your requirements(oasis/allure) for short tours but they had the rooms upstairs and typically seemed very bright during the day with floor to ceiling windows.(loft versions)

 

The aqua theater(allure-but would think oasis is the same) ones I think would really fit what your after seeing as not only is room large but you would have a nice big balcony, basically a deck area its so large. You would be able to even watch a couple of shows from that area if the kids were sleeping/resting at the time.

 

As others have said its hard to say what the butler/genie will actually be but having the room service menu, which is limited to snacks/burgers/salads, you would also have the full mdr menu each day so whatever was served at night for everyone else you would also have. No butler required with that. You get the menus delivered each day so you can see what is offered. Food options really wouldn't be a problem. Even if you weren't going on one of the larger class of ships this is still done on all of the other ships as well.

 

If no butler the concierge is a phone call away and can still help with any reservations you would require.

 

It will probably take some phone calls and a lot of research on room layouts but I'm sure you'll be able to find a room that fits your needs and requirements with or without a butler. I think any two room suite, on any class of ship may work well for you.

 

Good luck!

 

 

 

Not to be catty, but you would REALLY LIKE two bedrooms and a butler.You need air,food and water. BIG difference..

 

Starting anything with "no offense" or in your case "not to be catty" is exactly what you were trying to be. This offers nothing to anyone or the conversation

Edited November 16, 2015 by chadbeck

[TigerLady]

To OP....we have a special needs son and have stayed in a Grand Suite in which we were able to dine in the cabin ordering from the dining room menu. We were also given priority embarkation and debarkation which is wonderful with our special kids. However, the Grand Suites are just 1 big room so I don't think that would work for you.

 

Also I hope you won't take to heart unkind comments made here on Cruise Critic as well as on the cruise itself. We get the same attitude. These people are quick to judge when they should thank their stars it isn't them.

 

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

My comment wasn't unkind, AND I DO have a special needs child, and know the feeling.. People are too quick to judge..

Edited November 16, 2015 by TigerLady

[spookwife]

We've gotten the 2 room suite 3 times on RCI. Our upcoming cruise next week is a 2 room suite (4 of us). You will like that room a lot and find it meets your needs. During dining room times, you can order whatever is on the dining room menu and have it in your cabin. You are not stuck with the normal room service menu. The concierge might be able to assist you with reservations that are needed. But suite guest also have special sections for shows that you could possible take advantage of.

 

the 2 room suite or the 2 BEDROOM suite? big difference. the 2 BR suite is actually 3 rooms. ( and I think maybe 2 bathrooms although I am not positive)

[ksuds]

the 2 room suite or the 2 BEDROOM suite? big difference. the 2 BR suite is actually 3 rooms. ( and I think maybe 2 bathrooms although I am not positive)

 

We have stayed in the 2 room suite which is 2 rooms, 2 bathrooms and a living room type area. One bedroom is usually inside which would provide the OP the dark area they are looking for. On our upcoming cruise they call it the Royal Family Suite.

Edited November 16, 2015 by ksuds

[Big_G]

Have you consider Celebrity?? Some S-1 suites connect to S-2 and both come with a butler. The only problem is that sky suites don't get access to the concierge lounge. Most Celebrity's butlers are wonderful, and IMHO the food is better than RCCL.

 

BTW, even though RCCL doesn't offer butler services, we never felt the need of one. The concierge will take good care of you and you can order from the MDR menu for every meal, including dinner.

 

Hope everything works out for you and your family. :)

 

 

I think Celebrity just announced concierge lounge (Michaels Club) access for Sky Suites starting next month.

 

 

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[drarill]

I think Celebrity just announced concierge lounge (Michaels Club) access for Sky Suites starting next month.

 

 

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Great news!! looks like I need to spend some more time on the Celebrity boards!! This could be great for the OP!!:)

[TheTruthCanHurt]

No offense taken! We would prefer to eat more than pb&j and grilled cheese. That is usually all I have seen on room service menus. I admit to not having delved into RCIs room service menu.

 

We definitely need the 2 bedroom for space and storage.

 

 

as others may have said. When you sail in a Grand suite and above ,

you will have access to the Main Dining Room menus, as a room service item. ( But only during the hours that the Main dining room is open)

so you would have a much wider variety of room service options ...this option is not available for Junior suite or lower, and may (depending on how true they stick to the new suite options) change when they roll out the new suite services next year.

[cynt]

Hugs going out to you OP. I hope you find whatever you and the kids need to have a GREAT vacation.

[DebJ14]

The Royal Family Suite with the 2 bedroom and 2 bathrooms would probably work.That second (inside bedroom) is larger than the 2nd bedroom on NCL. It can also be a nice quiet dark place to calm the children and a bed to jump on too. You also get access to the full dining room menu, when it is open for meals. So, you can always order breakfast and dinner off the MDR menu and lunch on sea days when it is open. When it is not open on other days you can order off the regular room service menu. The Concierge may also provide some assistance, depending on your needs.

[RFerrington]

A more detailed list of what the Royal Genie can/will do

 

 

 

Royal Genie Services

 

 

 

Trained and certified by the British Butler Institute

 

Personal Service 24/7

 

Pre-cruise contact to arrange dining and entertainment reservations, shore excursions and any special requests

 

Expedited check-in assistance

 

Escort aboard and have bags delivered directly to stateroom

 

Review of guest's calendar and pre-planned activities

 

Assist with packing and unpacking

 

Luxury Bathroom Amenities by L’Occitane®

 

Forget me not service - Provide any items you may have forgotten at home

 

Arrange priority dry cleaning services to have your attire pressed within minutes

 

Arrange VIP seating at shows and dinner reservations at the best table in the house

 

Assist with business services - printing, even making airline arrangments

 

A true adventure curator - offering port information and recommendations onboard and ashore

 

Assistance with souvenir recommendations, orders, gift wrapping and delivery

 

From wakeup calls to shoe shines to an umbrella for sunny days, your comfort is your Royal Genie's top priority

 

 

Read more at http://www.royalcaribbean.com/royalsuiteclass#genie#kiF6QWvUCpEJaXYB.99

[W2N]

Why don't you just bring your own butler? Or are you planing on giving them the week off?

[Debde]

Why don't you just bring your own butler? Or are you planing on giving them the week off?

 

For your first post-you sure did show your hand too fast............:rolleyes:

[W2N]

I think it's a valid question...

[aloha43]

I appreciate your thoughts. And yes, my son and daughter are non verbal asd. Crowds aren't a huge issue with us, as long as they have time and place to decompress (why we need 2 bedrooms. Need a dark quiet place to chill out for a few hours and a bed to jump on...and my son will not sleep when other people are in the room)

 

And I don't mean true English butlers...don't need a private servant. Happy to pay for the perk of someone who can get us things we need and cut red tape.

 

That is why we usually sail NcL

 

I'm sorry....not to offend, but JUMPING ON THE BED?

 

That can't be good for the bed or for the neighbors. I would be pretty mad if I had to hear and feel kids jumping on the beds. The walls are so thin, one could feel the motion of that.

 

I just can't imagine going somewhere in public and letting my kids do that on furniture that didn't belong to me......special needs or not.

[spookwife]

That second (inside bedroom) is larger than the 2nd bedroom on NCL. It can also be a nice quiet dark place to calm the children and a bed to jump on too

 

I am going to say this again.

 

NO ONE should be jumping on ANY beds. for ANY reason.

[aloha43]

I am going to say this again.

 

NO ONE should be jumping on ANY beds. for ANY reason.

 

Agreed.

[Plut0]

Dear OP,

There are several types of rooms that could work for you and with some investigation I hope you find one that works. The only one I have stayed in that would work is the Royal family suite with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.

 

We have been on several cruises where we have eaten every meal in the room. After a day or two, the room service people on the phone and the people delivering the food got to know us and we them. Once they realize how many times we ate in our room, they went above and beyond sending us extra treats and sending the same servers for us. In addition, on the busiest nights they put our order to the top of the list and delivered very quickly.

 

I went to the concierge and explained our situation and he went out of his way to help me on some little things. Even our room steward checked on us and helped with a few things.

 

I hope this helps.

Mary

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

I am going to say this again.

 

NO ONE should be jumping on ANY beds. for ANY reason.

 

Thank you!

[brillohead]

Another option is to get two connecting rooms, and bringing a caregiver from home, someone who is already familiar with your kids and their needs.

 

This would allow you to put the kids and caregiver in one room, and you and your spouse could have the other room, but still be connected via the connecting door.

 

You would be able to have privacy and adult time with your spouse and actually have some relaxation time on your vacation, as well as provide for your kids' wants and needs.

 

You'd have a built-in babysitter, so you and spouse could go to dinner together once in a while, or go see a show, or just walk on deck under the stars at night.

 

There would also be someone to sit in the room with the kids while you and spouse went to retrieve dinner from the Windjammer to eat in the room (keep a few room service trays and plate covers for toting meals back to the room).

 

The money saved on not paying for a suite could cover the fare and wages of the caretaker. You'd have your two bedrooms and space, plus a "butler" type person to help handle any little things you might need help with.

 

RCI's Special Needs Department can assist with things like embarkation/disembarkation, if your kids can't handle lines/crowds.

[D&D_Tx]

We typically sail with NCL in their 2 bedroom suites but looking for a change of scenery. I haven't sailed RCI in 20 years and I was 10 at the time so don't remember much.

 

 

For the two bedroom issue, could you get connecting cabins?

As for the need to have food in the room if it is not on the room service could you get permission from the Special Needs area at Royal to pick up food from the MDR and bring to your room?

 

Dorothy

[Bdchili]

I appreciate your thoughts. And yes, my son and daughter are non verbal asd. Crowds aren't a huge issue with us, as long as they have time and place to decompress (why we need 2 bedrooms. Need a dark quiet place to chill out for a few hours and a bed to jump on...and my son will not sleep when other people are in the room)

 

And I don't mean true English butlers...don't need a private servant. Happy to pay for the perk of someone who can get us things we need and cut red tape.

 

That is why we usually sail NcL

 

I believe you would find the A1 or even the A2 (both 2 bedroom Aqua Theater Suites) good for your needs. Since you mentioned needing a quite dark room a bonus is the secondary bedroom is interior and doesn't have windows so it can get REALLY dark any time of day. Just make sure to wake up before the sun goes down!

As far as the Genie program I believe it will be somewhere between a concierge and butler. They go to some length to describe the training these people will have as well as explaining they are avaliable 24 hrs. That being said they will probably have a few other responsisbilites as well. Guess we will find out when its rolled out in May 1. No doubt someone on this board will post ASAP.

Edited December 3, 2015 by Bdchili