Is Celebrity going to Eliminate Butlers on Sky and Celebrity Suites?

[Whinenowine]

8 minutes ago, Crazy planning mom said:

I don't ever sail in a suite but given Royal's great earning report, is this further cost cutting really necessary?

They need to repay all the pandemic era debt to repair their balance sheet.  Record earnings are great but they've a long way to go--hence the huge price increases and more nickel & dime-ing.  Personally I think they should either do an equity offering (yeah, good luck) or a large convertible bond (more likely).  Current RCL stock is only about 20% off its all time highs...so a good time to use their strong equity currency to pay down debt.  But what do I know.,,.

[padgman1]

4 minutes ago, Whinenowine said:

They need to repay all the pandemic era debt to repair their balance sheet.  Record earnings are great but they've a long way to go--hence the huge price increases and more nickel & dime-ing.  Personally I think they should either do an equity offering (yeah, good luck) or a large convertible bond (more likely).  Current RCL stock is only about 20% off its all time highs...so a good time to use their strong equity currency to pay down debt.  But what do I know.,,.

You know a lot.....about wine 😁.

[Whinenowine]

5 minutes ago, padgman1 said:

You know a lot.....about wine 😁.

Give me wine and I won't whine....(unless it's plonk).  🤪

[terrydtx]

20 minutes ago, wrk2cruise said:

I'm sure then the SS and CS gratuities will be lowered to that of CC and AQ 🤣

if you book a suite, not an upgrade by move up offer, your gratuities are included in the price of the suite. So you know this will not decrease.

[NutsAboutGolf]

1 hour ago, NorthStarStateCruiser said:

They brought back bingo 😂

Prob because they got sick of paying deal or no deal licensing fees…lol

[lv2cruisgrl]

1 hour ago, jelayne said:

If they eliminate the butlers the Retreat Concierge’s will having to handle dinner reservations, cancelling/ booking tours, birthday/anniversary cakes, cabin decorating, pillow requests, and other problems.  The cabin attendants are stretched thin now will they now refill the mini bar, shine shoes, fix a button.  
 

Im becoming more and more convinced that Lisa’s departure was due to an unwillingness to jump on the downgrading of Celebrity.  

I so agree with you. I think she knew what was coming and in no way wanted to be a part of it. 

[NMTraveller]

Yes.

 

Now the only other question is what cuts are coming next month.

[Guest 4-2-N-8]

After reviewing stateroom type inclusions on RCL Oasis class ships, I booked three Star Class suites for my family, due to two children. I would have considered other stateroom types, if not for the reduced inclusions.

 

It's a shame that on such large ships, so few staterooms are Star Class. RCL "Sea Class" (junior suites) get little, if anything, except "suite" in the name.

 

By the looks of it, appears corporate may be rationalizing inclusions across their brands for their equivalent stateroom types. Sky Suites are just "junior suites" by another name.

 

I think every line, large and small, is revising. Some customers are going to (figuratively) jump ship that their beloved [cruise line of your choice] is a shell of its former self, but the changes are attracting others and different demographics.

 

I will say that the "Celebrity Suites" seem like a forgotten stepchild. They would do well to improve offerings for these rooms. As it is now, it's a "Sky Suite" in all but name and a few extra square feet.

 

Peace to all

[Mark_K]

1 hour ago, jelayne said:

If they eliminate the butlers the Retreat Concierge’s will having to handle dinner reservations, cancelling/ booking tours, birthday/anniversary cakes, cabin decorating, pillow requests, and other problems.  The cabin attendants are stretched thin now will they now refill the mini bar, shine shoes, fix a button.  
 

Im becoming more and more convinced that Lisa’s departure was due to an unwillingness to jump on the downgrading of Celebrity.  

Not really. Unless you’re in a Royal Suite or higher, they could just direct you to the people you need to deal with, the same as the rest of the Hoi Polloi.

[Cap_D]

If they cut the Butlers, they need to up their game when it comes to points of contact and soft stuff like snacks, etc. for Retreat guests.  It was sometimes time intensive on the guest to use the Butler for some needs that could be replaced if we could just email or use the App to order higher quality food items (not saltines), make requests that are "magic" opportunities like a birthday cake, Retreat deck food (not a butler function now as best I can tell), etc.  Said differently, the Retreat experience needs some enhancement, and there are ways to do that without the Butler.  If the Retreat experience is going to be all inclusive and comfortable, it can't be that guests have to do contortions and request things that should just be happening and included. 

Edited July 28, 2023 by Cap_D

[prmssk]

2 hours ago, jelayne said:

If they eliminate the butlers the Retreat Concierge’s will having to handle dinner reservations, cancelling/ booking tours, birthday/anniversary cakes, cabin decorating, pillow requests, and other problems.  The cabin attendants are stretched thin now will they now refill the mini bar, shine shoes, fix a button.  

 

I expect dinner reservations and tours are officially the concierge's job and many butlers may even hand them off to the concierge's even now.  We personally have used the Concierges for these tasks.

 

And the mini-bar isn't officially included in Sky and Celebrity Suites.  That's just some butlers have been willing to fill and re-fill.  So without a butler, that will revert back to the official policy of not being included.

 

Things like pillow requests are technically the cabin steward's job now (even if Butlers sometimes help) as well as any problems in your cabin.

[gizmodog]

2 hours ago, phoenix_dream said:

Don't mean to be rude here, but I couldn't stop laughing at your idea that they could or would start dropping the prices of Sky or Celebrity suites.  The CEO has stated he wants to charge more and more and more (I'm paraphrasing).  No prices will drop unless (or until) people stop booking.  I'm hoping when they start getting their credit card bills in and start needing to pay back their student loans (in the US) that maybe some normalcy will return to pricing.  

I have been saying this forever since the start of paying for specialty restaurants, it started I think at 25 dollars, look where they are now and people love to pay, it will be the same with suites. I have a ss booked for January, I have only stayed in a suite a few times but it was very nice to have a butler for a latte in the morning and teas in the afternoon, special, I will be a little angry if they decide to do away with that perk and not lower prices of the suites who no longer get them.

[DaKahuna]

 

28 minutes ago, 4-2-N-8 said:

It's a shame that on such large ships, so few staterooms are Star Class. RCL "Sea Class" (junior suites) get little, if anything, except "suite" in the name.

 

 What about the “Sky Class” that is between Sea and Star?  No genie but full suite benefits. 
 

28 minutes ago, 4-2-N-8 said:

By the looks of it, appears corporate may be rationalizing inclusions across their brands for their equivalent stateroom types. Sky Suites are just "junior suites" by another name.

I see Sky Suites as the equivalent to Grand Suites on Royal Caribbean.  I base this on the Sky Suites have full access to the Suite Lounge and the Suite dining room, the latter on Oasis Class ships. 
 

Junior suites are just a larger room without the suite benefits. 
 

[2NHcruisers]

3 hours ago, phoenix_dream said:

...if they start cutting perks that's completely unacceptable. 

For a few cruises we had a lavazza espresso machines in our RS. It was nice, since they had changed from serving el baco morning capuccino in a glass mug to delivering watery, cold and in paper cups...

Then they said it no more lavazza in the RS, penthouse only.. I was not amused.. and am still annoyed with them..

[abbydancer2003]

5 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 

 What about the “Sky Class” that is between Sea and Star?  No genie but full suite benefits. 
 

I see Sky Suites as the equivalent to Grand Suites on Royal Caribbean.  I base this on the Sky Suites have full access to the Suite Lounge and the Suite dining room, the latter on Oasis Class ships. 
 

Junior suites are just a larger room without the suite benefits. 
 

We are on our first RC cruise in December.  I'm in a Crown Loft suite, which is in the middle tier.  I looked at a Junior suite, but I wanted the Lounge and dining room.  I also looked at the rooms in the Star class rooms, but the price difference was a lot.  We have diamond status, and 4 drinks a day is about what we'd drink, and the tips aren't that much.  I also sail Princess, and have never had a butler there either.

[Guest 4-2-N-8]

18 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 

 What about the “Sky Class” that is between Sea and Star?  No genie but full suite benefits. 
 

I see Sky Suites as the equivalent to Grand Suites on Royal Caribbean.  I base this on the Sky Suites have full access to the Suite Lounge and the Suite dining room, the latter on Oasis Class ships. 
 

Junior suites are just a larger room without the suite benefits. 
 

Understood on the Sky Class, so I didn't reference them.

 

Was only stating that RCCL might be aligning their Sky Suite and Junior Suite offerings, if the title of the thread holds true.

 

Just an observation among many.

[jbcallender]

It sounds perfectly legit to me and something the C-level people would jump all over.  It saves money and staff can be re-purposed to some other understaffed function.  But...I have a cruise next week and I paid for a certain level of service and certain amenities, so I am going to be a bit miffed if the implementation is immediate.  Story of our world, I'm afraid - pay more for less.

[Mark_K]

35 minutes ago, prmssk said:

 

I expect dinner reservations and tours are officially the concierge's job and many butlers may even hand them off to the concierge's even now.  We personally have used the Concierges for these tasks.

 

And the mini-bar isn't officially included in Sky and Celebrity Suites.  That's just some butlers have been willing to fill and re-fill.  So without a butler, that will revert back to the official policy of not being included.

 

Things like pillow requests are technically the cabin steward's job now (even if Butlers sometimes help) as well as any problems in your cabin.

Retreat Concierges will do it, but according to Celebrity, your butler is your personal reservationist.

 

Whether you want to reserve a table at Luminae, the private restaurant exclusively for Retreat guests, or wish to dine in your suite, your butler will act as your personal reservationist throughout your cruise.

 

When dining in your suite, butler service extends to setting the table, serving the meal course by course, then cleaning up afterward, while you enjoy a freshly made coffee or a glass of wine while gazing at the stars from your veranda.

 

Your Personal-Retreat-Host-as-personal-reservationist will also book dining times at the other onboard specialty restaurants, as well as make appointments for spa treatments, fitness classes, and onboard special events such as cooking classes or lectures. He or she can also work with the onboard shore excursions team to arrange for Private Journeys excursions or Discovery Tours, or any other in-port sightseeing you might desire.

 

[Cap_D]

For what the cruise line pays for labor, the savings here is not a lot.  Also, no Butler is better than the mia Butler, one that generates complaints, or one that acts as if saltines are like gold and causes head scratchers. 

 

A lack of in room coffee machines and bottleneck at the slow, not up to the volume, machine in the lounge or line at the Bacios is a miss; the Butler didn't make up for that considering the guest transaction cost involved (such as phone tag for a cup of coffee).  10k plus should get one a coffee machine.

Edited July 29, 2023 by Cap_D

[Turtles06]

4 hours ago, NorthStarStateCruiser said:

Although I agree with the idea of not changing benefits after booking, how do you propose they "grandfather" in folks who booked prior to allowing vaping in the casino?  Complimentary gas masks?

They implement significant new policies with newly-released itineraries. 

[dlh015]

Geesh...as I post and lurk amongst the various cruise line forums, the song remains the same...with an increasing volume and rapidity. 

 

Give nothing, take away things people like, and use newspeak to say how much better things are with the changes. 

 

They treat us like we're morons. This kind of behavior does nothing to promote loyalty. But it is obvious that loyalty only means something in our minds...certainly not theirs. Their actions speak much, MUCH, louder than their words.  To be clear though, X is not the only one promoting this crap...  

[NMTraveller]

5 hours ago, NorthStarStateCruiser said:

Although I agree with the idea of not changing benefits after booking, how do you propose they "grandfather" in folks who booked prior to allowing vaping in the casino?  Complimentary gas masks?

If you ask me they should put slot machines out on the Magic Carpet.  That way when the ship is moving it is windy as he$$ and there is no lingering smoke/vape 😁😁   In other words put the smoking/vaping section inside of a wind tunnel.  😁😁

Edited July 29, 2023 by NMTraveller

[Straughn]

4 hours ago, jelayne said:

If they eliminate the butlers the Retreat Concierge’s will having to handle dinner reservations, cancelling/ booking tours, birthday/anniversary cakes, cabin decorating, pillow requests, and other problems.  The cabin attendants are stretched thin now will they now refill the mini bar, shine shoes, fix a button.  
 

Im becoming more and more convinced that Lisa’s departure was due to an unwillingness to jump on the downgrading of Celebrity.  

I could not agree more. The new President, Beth “ somebody” was a former RCCL person. She comes with the mindset, focus,  and the expectation that there are many things that can be  eliminated to save money, and increase the share price. So far, everything I have read that has been instituted since she came “on board” are almost identical to what Royal does. LLP wanted Celebrity to be at the top of the mass market lines. (I think there is another category for this, but I can’t recall.) The new “mindset’s” priority  is to reduce costs. The game plan is to do what Royal has done. 
 

I am waiting for Sky Suites to be kicked out of The Retreat, no access to the suite Sundeck area, and dinner in Luminae based on availability, just the same as Royal’s Junior Suites. If the rumor that Butlers will only be in the high end suites turns out to be true, that is just another example. All the focus will be on increasing  the perks/exclusivity (and therefore, the price) for the high end suites. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[lyndarra]

I can't imagine ever needing a butler. If I need a button sewn on I always bring a housewife with me.😉

Edited July 29, 2023 by lyndarra
insert emoji

[jelayne]

1 hour ago, Mark_K said:

Retreat Concierges will do it, but according to Celebrity, your butler is your personal reservationist.

 

Whether you want to reserve a table at Luminae, the private restaurant exclusively for Retreat guests, or wish to dine in your suite, your butler will act as your personal reservationist throughout your cruise.

 

When dining in your suite, butler service extends to setting the table, serving the meal course by course, then cleaning up afterward, while you enjoy a freshly made coffee or a glass of wine while gazing at the stars from your veranda.

 

Your Personal-Retreat-Host-as-personal-reservationist will also book dining times at the other onboard specialty restaurants, as well as make appointments for spa treatments, fitness classes, and onboard special events such as cooking classes or lectures. He or she can also work with the onboard shore excursions team to arrange for Private Journeys excursions or Discovery Tours, or any other in-port sightseeing you might desire.

 

Thank you.  That was my point. These are the things they say are the Butlers responsibility.  
Yes we can do them ourself and have on many cruises.  But if they want the high $, and I consider $1,000 + per night high $, then providing a level of service similar to guests paying much less is IMO ludicrous.  Luminae’s  menu is not that great anymore, a private lounge not important as we prefer the martini and sunset bars, Sun Deck a plus but that is about  90 minutes on sea days for us.  We book suites for the space and a level of service the entire Retreat Staff.