Royal Genies

[Caroldoll]

We have at least 25 cruises on Royal Caribbean but discontinued cruising with them when the stopped having Butlers. I am wondering if these Royal Genies are like Butlers? I would also like to know exactly which ships have them and any other comments.

[Ken at the beach]

When did Royal have butlers?

 

Genies are available for Star class suites on Oasis and Quantum class ships except when they sail from China.

Edited November 17, 2016 by Ourusualbeach

[cruisenfever]

We have at least 25 cruises on Royal Caribbean but discontinued cruising with them when the stopped having Butlers. I am wondering if these Royal Genies are like Butlers? I would also like to know exactly which ships have them and any other comments.

RCI had butlers???

 

To answer your question you would have to book a Star Class Cabin on Anthem, Oasis, Allure, Harmony. Cabins are Royal Loft, Owners Loft, Presidential Family, Grand Loft, Sky Loft, 2 bedroom Aqua Suite.

 

Suite Benefits include:

 

• Daily gratuities covered
  
• Ultimate beverage package
  
• Specialty restaurants
  
• Mini-bar
  
• Unlimited Voom high speed-internet
  
• Spa Thermal Room Access
  
• Complimentary in-suite movies
  
• Fitness classes
  
• Specialty bottled water
  
• Upgraded Bathroom Amenities by Hermes, Ferragamo and L'OCCITANE
  
• Linens, towels and bath robes by Frette
  
• Duxlana mattress
  
• Luxury pillowtop mattress
  
• Nespresso coffee machine
  
• In-suite handcrafted cocktail service
  
• Personalized welcome gift
  
• Specialty in-suite dining
  
• Welcome amenity
  
• Suite Restaurant
  
• Suite Lounge
  

The Star Class also has Royal Genie Services, which include

 

• 24/7 personal assistant
  
• Individualized guest preferences
  
• Dining & beverage requests
  
• In-suite dining requests
  
• Shoe shine service
  
• Laundry service
  

Concierge services

 

• Personal guest introduction
  
• Priority restaurant reservations
  
• VIP Theater seating and reservations
  
• Access to signature activities
  
• Access to Suite Sun Deck
  
• Handle special requests
  
• Pre-cruise communication
  
• Escort guests on and off ship
  

Edited November 17, 2016 by cruisenfever

[Caroldoll]

After they purchased Celebrity they discontinued the butlers on Royal Caribbean. I believe it was about 11 years ago, perhaps more.

 

Now with this Royal Genie Service, it looks like they are bringing them back in a way.

 

These ships all look like their really mega ships and I wonder if they go to multiple ports. The site is very confusing. I will probably have to call my TA who probably won't want to book on Royal Caribbean.

 

I appreciate the comprehensive answer. Thank you so very much.

[stevekc]

We recently cruised the Oasis of the Seas (Sept. 25- October 1 ) and were in a star class

suite with a genie.

The experience was very enjoyable and almost completely seamless.

 

The genie contacted me a few weeks in advance and made reservations for lunch & dinner at all their specialty restaurants and also pre-reserved the cabana that we wanted in Labadee. We then met with him before boarding at 11AM and he escorted us on-board directly to our suite and showed us all the details and amenities of the sky loft.

 

My wife sat down with him and promptly changed almost all of the dining reservations which he did immediately without a problem.

She then chose all our exact seats at the shows we wanted to see throughout the week.

He asked her if the items in the mini-bar were acceptable to us and did we need anything else (which was all included).

He then gave us small phones to call him directly anytime for things that we might want or need throughout the week.

 

He showed up that 1st. evening to check on our dining experience while at the table at Izumi and let us know he'd be meeting us at the theater before the show at our reserved seats. And that was pretty much the set-up throughout the week.

 

During the week we called him several times and changed our dining times and selections which he did right upon the spot. He also added friends of ours to dining reservations and also got us all into the comedy club later in the week.

He arranged for my laundry to be done overnight with our room attendant and secured reservations for my wife and a friend to attend the guacamole making at Sabor (and her friend wasn't in star class).

 

We also had an early flight out of Ft. Lauderdale and he met us at our cabin with and we had priority disembarkation (with all our luggage ) right to the customs agent with no wait.

 

My point in summation is that he did what when asked and seemed like all the butler we'd ever need as the cruise was one of the best we've had!

 

Hopefully if you choose to go with a star class cabin you'll have an experience that is as enjoyable

 

Steve

[Frick_&_Frack]

Hi!

 

There are several threads on the Royal Genie experience. I just randomly pulled one here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2413185&highlight=genie

 

I'm booked for those for the upcoming cruises (switching from NCL with the butler set-up).

 

I do know that Genie's are *not* butlers. The are assistants/facilitators. Personally, I'm very excited to try this level of service out. From the various reviews of it, I believe it will be a very good fit for me (and for how I like to cruise).

 

I think some depends on what services you require of a butler on a daily basis and how those are handled with a Genie rather than a butler.

 

For example, I do like to have breakfast in the suite daily. On RCCL, this is via room service (however, it appears that it is prompt, etc.). So, for me, personally, it doesn't matter who delivers it. I'm not sure if these are the things that matter to you.

 

Happy Cruising!

[cruisenfever]

After they purchased Celebrity they discontinued the butlers on Royal Caribbean. I believe it was about 11 years ago, perhaps more.

 

It was longer than 11 years as we've been cruising with RCI since May of 1997 and have never experienced a Butler.

 

Edit: RCI purchased Celebrity in June 1997.

Edited November 17, 2016 by cruisenfever

[Caroldoll]

We don't eat in our suite, so a butler per se is not required. Your description of facilitators is more than adequate. As a matter of fact, the description is really much better than we have experienced on many of the cruise lines.

 

I am sorry I don't have an exact date, but it may have been eleven years ago since we were on Royal Caribbean. It was when they created that Concierge Suite or whatever they called it and discontinued butlers that we discontinued RC. Now with the advent of the Genies, it seems interesting again.

 

I think I understand that it is only on their very large ships that this service is offered and I am planning to call to make sure. They don't do long cruises or a lot of ports and that would be a problem. We do love to cruise and short cruises don't work for us.

 

Nevertheless, it seems to be a very attractive service and I really thank you for all your help.

[John&LaLa]

Celebrity butler service changed after Royal bought them. Maybe that's what the OP is thinking of. We sailed Galaxy in 2005 with a Butler and he was very unhappy and apologized for not being able to do things he could before

 

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[chemmo]

We don't eat in our suite, so a butler per se is not required. Your description of facilitators is more than adequate. As a matter of fact, the description is really much better than we have experienced on many of the cruise lines.

 

I am sorry I don't have an exact date, but it may have been eleven years ago since we were on Royal Caribbean. It was when they created that Concierge Suite or whatever they called it and discontinued butlers that we discontinued RC. Now with the advent of the Genies, it seems interesting again.

 

I think I understand that it is only on their very large ships that this service is offered and I am planning to call to make sure. They don't do long cruises or a lot of ports and that would be a problem. We do love to cruise and short cruises don't work for us.

 

Nevertheless, it seems to be a very attractive service and I really thank you for all your help.

 

If you can't find a cruise you like on RC look at Celebrity...between their butlers and the concierge their support for top suites is also excellent. Much as we find the entertainment on RC better than Celebrity for longer cruises, relaxation, fewer children on board and dining we think Celebrity has the edge. It really does depend on what you want out of a cruise. Price wise we find them similar, although when Celebrity includes drinks packages as promotions although they can initially look more expensive on balance there really isn't much in it. If you do look at Celebrity the Solstice Class ships are much newer than the Millenium Class.

 

Another advantage re Celebrity is that butler and concierge service does extend to more suite categories not just the very top suites....Have a browse at both lines and compare

Edited November 18, 2016 by chemmo

[MattInFLL]

As others have said, the most important thing to realize is that a Genie is not a traditional butler. He is a super charged personal assistant that coordinates with the other staff to provide you what you need. There is also quite a bit of personal interaction, but certainly no unpacking or cleaning up. You can read my review through the link in my signature, from the Allure.

 

Personally, I would choose Allure, Oasis and Harmony over Anthem for Star Class. I really enjoyed Anthem as a ship, but the Oasis class ships are more "integrated" when it comes to providing the suite amenities - Deck 17 is like it's own little world with your lounge, restaurant, etc. The Suite Sun deck and bar is close by. Anthem (or the other Quantum class ships) do not have that kind of layout.

 

Another personal choice - I would take a Genie on Royal over a butler on Celebrity any day. The amenities of the Oasis class are wonderful and not found anywhere else - and you get to do it in style :)

[Caroldoll]

We did change to Celebrity after the butler incident and at that time they were newly purchased from Royal Cruise Lines. There was one particular butler Ricky who was wonderful. However after years things did change. The last ships we were on were M class. We have not tried Solstice. We don't need someone to serve us in the suite or clean up. These Genies sound interesting. Now to find a longer cruise. Perhaps they will expand this service to the smaller ships soon and that would be a good thing. I did always like RC.

[Cel_cruise]

You might look at one of the transatlantics to meet our criteria for ports and duration. For the larger ships they might even give you enough time to check out any of the features you want (but still not every feature offered!)

 

 

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[NuovaVita]

RCI had butlers???

 

To answer your question you would have to book a Star Class Cabin on Anthem, Oasis, Allure, Harmony. Cabins are Royal Loft, Owners Loft, Presidential Family, Grand Loft, Sky Loft, 2 bedroom Aqua Suite.

 

Suite Benefits include:

 

• Daily gratuities covered
  
• Ultimate beverage package
  
• Specialty restaurants
  
• Mini-bar
  
• Unlimited Voom high speed-internet
  
• Spa Thermal Room Access
  
• Complimentary in-suite movies
  
• Fitness classes
  
• Specialty bottled water
  
• Upgraded Bathroom Amenities by Hermes, Ferragamo and L'OCCITANE
  
• Linens, towels and bath robes by Frette
  
• Duxlana mattress
  
• Luxury pillowtop mattress
  
• Nespresso coffee machine
  
• In-suite handcrafted cocktail service
  
• Personalized welcome gift
  
• Specialty in-suite dining
  
• Welcome amenity
  
• Suite Restaurant
  
• Suite Lounge
  

The Star Class also has Royal Genie Services, which include

 

• 24/7 personal assistant
  
• Individualized guest preferences
  
• Dining & beverage requests
  
• In-suite dining requests
  
• Shoe shine service
  
• Laundry service
  

Concierge services

 

• Personal guest introduction
  
• Priority restaurant reservations
  
• VIP Theater seating and reservations
  
• Access to signature activities
  
• Access to Suite Sun Deck
  
• Handle special requests
  
• Pre-cruise communication
  
• Escort guests on and off ship
  

Royal Caribbean's high-end passengers have British butler service – by what the line is calling a Royal Genie – and other perks with the line's new three-tier Royal Suite Class.

 

Those in top category Star Class accommodations will have a Royal Genie, certified by the British Butler Institute, at their service 24 hours a day. The butler will do things such as make restaurant reservations, shine your shoes and handcraft cocktails en-suite, the line said.

 

It's the first time Royal Caribbean has had butlers.

[MattInFLL]

Unfortunately the Genies are really not butlers. Certainly not in the traditional sense.

 

They do not pick up after you and they do not serve you food or drink. They are not available 24/7. The Genies coordinate with your two room stewards and every other department to ensure you have the best cruise possible.

 

Rather than a butler, think of them as very personal assistants.

 

You can read my Royal Genie review from the link in my signature block.

[vacationlover_mn]

So... is the genie laundry service free?

 

 

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[I Am The Average American]

Can you pay extra for a genie if you are in a regular room?

[Ken at the beach]

Can you pay extra for a genie if you are in a regular room?

 

No.