What services do a butler offer?

[chemmo]

7 minutes ago, Libra1975 said:

Pretty sure we don't get free laundry at Sky Suite level but ironing would be fantastic.

Fairly sure the free ironing comes with upper suites and Elite level Captains Club too…Perhaps, regular Sky Suite guests can confirm.

[chemmo]

4 hours ago, Pinboy said:

LOL--- You are smarter than me --- I never thought of that.

Where d'ya see that "option "( ?? ) listed ??

However, I don't want to be banned from cruising on Celebrity , and besides , I have a putting tournament to defend from 2013 !!!

From post #44 " If you don't like the sound of it, then don't ask for it and drive on, but it's most certainly something they are ready, willing, able, and glad to do ".

That's sound advice --- Lastly, the Butlers have several suites to service--Does anyone " really " believe 

they are ready, willing, able, and glad to  come to your suite and turn on a tap ?

From post #43 "How is asking for a bath to be drawn any different than asking for a snack you could get yourself from the buffet or a specialty coffee in the morning you could go get yourself from Cafe al Bacio?  

Of course it's different --- Getting a snack or a specialty coffee requires " preparing and delivering "---- drawing a bath requires the Butler come to your suite to " turn a tap ".

Whatever--- Ce n'est pas pour moi  ( It's not for me  ).

 

 

 

 

No, not for me either…To be honest I think most suite guests would not want their bath filling nor do they want butlers packing or unpacking either. I think the service would grind to a halt if everyone ‘demanded’ everything listed. Each to his/her own priorities I guess!
 

I must say, in our experience, butlers do seem to enjoy setting up special events like sail away parties. We make a point if we want something ‘above’ normal service like a cocktail party or a special in suite meal to give the butler at least 24 hours notice. I think they find last minute requests harder as they then end up juggling other tasks, with warning they can liaise with other staff. I guess it all comes down to reasonableness….

 

 

 

 

[luckyinpa]

On 6/6/2022 at 5:19 PM, DCPIV said:

 

That sort of thing is a blast.  We've never entertained, but we were invited to a party in the Reflection Suite, and the Retreat Host (who also happened to be ours) was all over it.  Empty trays were swapped out for full ones.  Drinks were refilled.  He was everywhere and nowhere at the same time.  Incredible service!

 

On the same Reflection cruise, a bunch of us decided to have a "hall party" in the little, secluded hallway that served the Reflection Suite and Signature Suites.  Our Retreat Host again was all over it.  Food and drink like nobody's business.  He even hung balloons in the hallway!

 

 

That's a good way to put things, too.  Simple things.  Those simple things can go a long way.  If you have a long day ahead of you, it's nice to come back to a tea service or something cool and refreshing.

 

when theres a big party in something like the reflection suite, are all the drink/snacks etc free or billed to the room?

[Jim_Iain]

I always ask mine to get my clothing laid out on my bed and help me get dressed. 

Come on haven't you watched Downton Abbey?

 

LOL-- nah..   Basically your Butler is to take care of your needs and all the surface areas of your cabin.   Drinks, Ice, Shoeshine, Laundry,  Breakfast, Coffee etc etc.

 

They are there for you while your room attendant takes care of the room. 

 

The responsibility meld between the Retreat and Butler and they will work together as a team to take care of reservations,  excursions or any problems you have anywhere on the ship. 

 

The also will often stop by your room with little treats or just to say hello and see if you need anything like having your jacket pressed before a chic evening. 

 

I once had a problem late at nights that our lights wouldn't turn off.   I just called the front desk and they sent up and electrician and he just pushed some button in the panel outside of our room and all fixed.   Next day the butler dropped by asking why I hadn't called him as well as the Retreat Host inquiring if all was ok.   I felt like they put it on a bulletin board but found they all including Retreat Manager,  get a report of anytime your request help from Customer Service.

 

They can also be incredible if you have a little or large party in your room.   They will setup everything including comping nibbles, glasses and often a gratis bottles of wine.   I'm sure it depends on level of suite and your relationship with your butler.

 

I once had a party for about 30 CC Role Call members we had gotten to know prior to the cruise.   He setup, answered the door and greeted guests allowing us to enjoy the party and after dinner the room looked like no one had ever been there.   He comped trays of Shrimp and Cheese and had glasses setup for 50

 

[Daleed77]

On 6/10/2022 at 11:40 AM, Whinenowine said:

 

Speaking of which--and I know this is a highly subjective decision--but is there any sort of additional tip range if you feel your host has gone above and beyond?  Clearly their basic tip is already included in the cruise fare, but roughly how much additional to tip for particularly excellent service, either per person/cabin?

I was wondering the same thing. Do I need to have extra cash around for the butler? Do people give extra cash at the beginning/end/when extra things are done? I know it’s completely subjective. 

[Jim_Iain]

6 minutes ago, Daleed77 said:

I was wondering the same thing. Do I need to have extra cash around for the butler? Do people give extra cash at the beginning/end/when extra things are done? I know it’s completely subjective. 

 

Purely subjective.    I would never tip until the end of the cruise nor would I ever tip a waiter in a restaurant in advance.    Personally I would feel like I were paying a bribe if tipping in advance. 

 

Normally if using the Butler for breakfast, lots of laundry, and other things and taken care of would tip between $5 - 10 per night.   Also had a butler recently that had the personality of a robot.  Would do everything as requested but nothing more.  Was never engaging and would hardly nod to you in the hallway.     I figured he earned the prepaid tips and didn't feel obligated to tip more.

 

I do have to say that when traveling on a B2B or longer and knowing you will have the same staff for multiple cruises I tip pretty good on the first leg.

 

 

Edited February 11, 2023 by Jim_Iain

[CruisersTimesThree]

5 hours ago, luckyinpa said:

 

when theres a big party in something like the reflection suite, are all the drink/snacks etc free or billed to the room?

I’ve hosted 3 sailaway parties and 2 evening get-together on Chic nights in the PH suite over the years. Shoreside concierge relayed info for the sailaways and with advance notice for our evening parties, our butlers were always great setting up with several trays of various appetizers, hot and cold, and several bottles of wine and champagne. Never were charged for any extra, but we were sure to tip the butlers very well at the end of all our cruises.

[CruiseCrew123]

It totally depends on your butler . Ours last week brought us tea in the morning but apart from that we hardly saw her . At the evening Chic nights she was ‘dealing with other guests’ which meant we were challenged as to wether we should be in the reserved seating . Our friends on the other hand had a wonderful butler who left them snacks every day and a hand written note   on their coffee cups, so sweet 

[southernbreezes]

1 hour ago, CruiseCrew123 said:

It totally depends on your butler .

Yes it does I have had mostly good but one really bad. The good... yes I am the person who has asked the butler to have a bubble bath ready for my wife on our wedding anniversary and my bottle of Champagne on ice. She and our room steward did a beautiful job decorating our room and both left a beautiful note. I think they both enjoyed it as much as I did. My wife loved the surprise. The one time I really splurged for a Penthouse I told our butler we would be late getting back to the ship and I wanted dinner served in our suite he did his best to talk me into going to the Ocean View buffet for dinner this was before specialty dining . Things went downhill from there we had dinner in our suite and you could tell he really resented me. My wife had no idea what was going on and did not notice a thing was wrong so all was good.

Edited February 11, 2023 by southernbreezes

[islabahia]

We take good care of those who take care of us!  
 

Breakfast en suite daily, afternoon snacks, dinner en suite, etc.  We make our own dining reservations prior to boarding.

 

Only poor butler we encountered was switched out day 2 after a conversation with Concierge (before Covid).  

[TeeRick]

We never really use the Butler very much to be honest.  We kind of struggle with why we need him/her and to find things for them to do.  We are pretty self-sufficient.  So for us, maybe the Butler concept has run it's course.  We can use the Retreat Concierge for most things.  I don't care about being escorted to the balcony seats once a cruise for the theatre.  The cabin steward can fill our ice bucket and refresh our mini-fridge.  If we want breakfast on the balcony we can order room service (still free for suites).  Maybe the butler pool onboard can be redirected to other areas of need.  I'm sure many of you will disagree but just my feelings.

[Georgia_Peaches]

On 6/9/2022 at 9:07 AM, Cruisegoer said:

Challenge him????  Why should he be subject to your challenges? If you have a reasonable request or need sure but CHALLENGE? No wonder the service industry, including cruise ships, is losing staff by the thousands.

I think some have misunderstood how the intended meaning/context of the word "challenge" intended by the OP...who is from England, where words and phrases often have a different connotation than we are used to.  

 

And I'm just now noticing that this post is from last June so...it's really not relevant 🤦‍♀️.  I need to get better at looking at the dates...

[C-Dragons]

29 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

We never really use the Butler very much to be honest.  We kind of struggle with why we need him/her and to find things for them to do.  We are pretty self-sufficient.  So for us, maybe the Butler concept has run it's course.  We can use the Retreat Concierge for most things.  I don't care about being escorted to the balcony seats once a cruise for the theatre.  The cabin steward can fill our ice bucket and refresh our mini-fridge.  If we want breakfast on the balcony we can order room service (still free for suites).  Maybe the butler pool onboard can be redirected to other areas of need.  I'm sure many of you will disagree but just my feelings.

We feel the same way and agree with you.

[DaKahuna]

34 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

We never really use the Butler very much to be honest.  We kind of struggle with why we need him/her and to find things for them to do.  We are pretty self-sufficient.  So for us, maybe the Butler concept has run it's course.  We can use the Retreat Concierge for most things.  I don't care about being escorted to the balcony seats once a cruise for the theatre.  The cabin steward can fill our ice bucket and refresh our mini-fridge.  If we want breakfast on the balcony we can order room service (still free for suites).  Maybe the butler pool onboard can be redirected to other areas of need.  I'm sure many of you will disagree but just my feelings.

 

You hit the nail on the head pretty much for us.  There are a couple of things we ask for every cruise and usually those are taken care of by our stateroom attendant (e.g. sheets on the sofa and chairs in the room, ice refill twice daily, mini-bar soda's and water, etc..).  We primarily use our butler for lunch in the room or on the balcony once or twice a cruise on port days, pressing before first formal night, shoe shine, etc.  

 

On our last cruise when we used the in room room service card to order breakfast, it was still delivered by our butler.  

 

I did have one butler who asked me why I went to Caffe Al Bacio to get our morning coffee with Bailey's when he would be happy to bring that to us each morning.  I thanked him and told him that we never knew when we would be awake and ready for it.  

 

When it comes to show or dinner reservations, we usually work that out with the Suite Concierge's and not bother the Butler with that.  

 

Our next cruise has 5 port days and 9 sea days so I am sure we'll have a few things for our Butler to do but we'll pretty much leave him alone to focus on any more needy guest. 

[SusieAV8R]

16 hours ago, CruiseCrew123 said:

It totally depends on your butler . Ours last week brought us tea in the morning but apart from that we hardly saw her . At the evening Chic nights she was ‘dealing with other guests’ which meant we were challenged as to wether we should be in the reserved seating . Our friends on the other hand had a wonderful butler who left them snacks every day and a hand written note   on their coffee cups, so sweet 

I agree that Butler service is really dependent on the butler.  We've had several who fit your description but 98% of the butlers we have had ranged from outstanding to extraordinary!

[Michele035]

On 6/6/2022 at 1:53 PM, Jim_Iain said:

Celebrity has change the name of the position from Butler to Personal Retreat Host.  Talking to a couple Suite's manager they said that many were "intimidated" by having a butler.

 

Their basic task is to take care of you while your Stateroom Attendant take care of your room.   They take care of you laundry, polish shoes, deliver any meal.  They can also make dinner reservations,  excursions etc.  They also take your drink orders, bring you coffee or Cappuccino and refresh you Ice 2x a day.    Most things you might need you could either ask you "Host" or one of the Retreat Concierges.     A couple years ago the reorganized the management so both the Host and the Concierges work for the Retreat Manager.   

 

Your host is very helpful if you are entertaining in the Suite and will setup your room with Glasses, Plates etc as well as nibbles.    When in upper suites we have had parties with as many as 50 guests and was handled with no problem.   He even answered the door and invited new arrivals in.   The beauty is after the party you just go to dinner and when you return your suite is cleaned and back in perfect condign.    

 

The now do afternoon tea in the Retreat, but if you prefer just ask for it to be delivered each afternoon.   They also often bring snacks in the evening pre-dinner.   Since we aren't big eaters we let him know at the beginning not to leave anything.  

 

They also are in the Theater on Chic nights to greet you and let you into the reserved space for Retreat Guests.  

 

Finally they also will escort you to the Front of the line for Tender Service as does the Retreat Concierges from the Retreat.

Excellent info to have we are in the retreat in a few weeks and this is great. thank you!

[CruiseCrew123]

Back to being called Butlers now 

[SusieAV8R]

6 hours ago, Michele035 said:

Excellent info to have we are in the retreat in a few weeks and this is great. thank you!

 

6 hours ago, CruiseCrew123 said:

Back to being called Butlers now 

0n our last 4 cruises (September 2022 and Dec.27/2022-Jan.9/2923, we were back to "Butlers" for suites.

[DingoMom]

On 2/11/2023 at 6:55 AM, southernbreezes said:

Yes it does I have had mostly good but one really bad. The good... yes I am the person who has asked the butler to have a bubble bath ready for my wife on our wedding anniversary and my bottle of Champagne on ice. She and our room steward did a beautiful job decorating our room and both left a beautiful note. I think they both enjoyed it as much as I did. My wife loved the surprise. The one time I really splurged for a Penthouse I told our butler we would be late getting back to the ship and I wanted dinner served in our suite he did his best to talk me into going to the Ocean View buffet for dinner this was before specialty dining . Things went downhill from there we had dinner in our suite and you could tell he really resented me. My wife had no idea what was going on and did not notice a thing was wrong so all was good.

With your attitude, and condescending behavior, this should come as no surprise. But I understand that to you, it was ‘them’ not you.

[Bo1953]

On 6/9/2022 at 8:54 PM, LGW59 said:

🛁 what’s wrong with asking the butler for a little cuddle$ and bubble$ 🙇‍♂️🙇‍♀️

lgw I have missed you around ...

 

Thanks for the smiles...

 

bon voyage

[KKB]

I wish I knew. 

That was the one less than impressive part of our Retreat experience on the Beyond in April.

Our butler didn't really do much.

He & steward did decorate room for our Anniversary--pleasant surprise.

But no idea anything else that he did.

[bigbenboys]

We normally book sky suites. We have the butler bring us breakfast each morning at 7am. Coffee, fruit and smaller croissants. 

Friends have had their butler do a set up for G&T. They dont call the butler and asks for drinks.

 

We have been to 3 parties in suites. They were all on Millie. One in a sky suite and the other 2 times were in the PH. The 1st PH party was pre Revolution and the 2nd was post Revolution. It was nice to see the changes. SS party was appetizers, wine, soda. The PH had the appetizers from Sushi on 5. I do know the last 2 parties they were not charged a fee.

 

Personally I will fill my own bath water. While I think it a waste of water. Some have their butler fill the jacuzzi on the RS deck.

Edited June 4, 2023 by bigbenboys
spelling

[TeachAloha]

On 6/6/2022 at 2:06 PM, calicakes said:

So, please don't laugh at me, but I'm kinda extra with my ice.  I have one of those old fashioned(VINTAGE) metal ice cube trays( with the lever that you "crack").  On our Oceania cruise, our butler brought it down to Culinary and had it frozen for me.  He brought it back each morning with my half and half for my iced coffee.  Would the butler in our Suite on X do that too?  We're cruising on Reflection in September. 

Wait,,,, What? I worked in high-end hospitality and thought I had gotten every request this is a new one!  How does this work? You travel internationally with an ice tray in your luggage & ask them to find room in the commercial freezers for your tray and to schlep all the way to the commercial kitchen for ice from your tray?

[Sailing12Away]

We've sailed in the Haven on NCL a bunch of times, so we're familiar with the types of snacks we can request from those butlers. But is there a cheat sheet already created of the types of afternoon treats people have received previously on Celebrity?

[CruiseCrew123]

We didn’t get any at all in February on Beyond - I think it depends on how good your butler is