Have you been butled?

[Jana]

Does anyone have butler experience to share with me? I'm one of Cruise Critic's writers. I'm doing an article on butler service... which ships have it, what level of accommodation you need in order to get it, what's good about it, whether or not it's worth it.

 

Has anyone had an extraordinary cruise because of a butler?

 

Please talk to me!

 

Jana

[Kitster]

Does anyone have butler experience to share with me? I'm one of Cruise Critic's writers. I'm doing an article on butler service... which ships have it, what level of accommodation you need in order to get it, what's good about it, whether or not it's worth it.

 

Has anyone had an extraordinary cruise because of a butler?

 

Please talk to me!

 

Jana

While Disney does have cabin stewards and offers concierge service for Cat 1-3 cabins, I don't believe that any of the various categories of cabins have their own private butler.

[Jana]

Hi Kitster,

 

Thanks for the reply. I know... but many Disney guests have also sailed Celebrity, Oceania, Cunard and other lines that DO offer butler service...

 

I have the post (with some great replies) on the HAL and Princess boards as well, and neither of those lines offer butler service.

 

Jana

[sclauss]

I've had Butler service on 3 NCL cruises.

 

Cruise #1 was John on the Dawn. He was terrific. Always phoned prior to showing up. Always had Half and Half, Evian and Diet Coke stocked.

 

Cruise #2 was Lani also on the Dawn. Just an amazing woman. She always showed up with a huge smile on her face and remembered every small request and didn't require reminders. Also called prior to showing up. We weren't huge drinkers, so Lani offered to bring us 3 bottles of a nice wine to have with dinner rather than 3 bottles of booze that came with the cabin.

 

Cruise #3 was Rey on the Spirit. I had been spoiled by both Lani and John, so this was a bit of a disappointment. Needed several reminders. Did not call before showing up. Didn't bring breakfast as scheduled one morning. Not nearly as accomodating or as enjoyable to speak with as John or Lani who were VERY friendly.

 

I'm trying Disney in January in a non-Penthouse and without a butler and will see how it goes. I'm hoping that since it is Disney, it will make up for not having the other special "perks".

 

Sharon

[Jana]

Sharon,

 

The butlers on NCL that you liked were mentioned on other boards as well. And the one you didn't like was also mentioned, in the same vein.

 

I had Maxi and Denny, fabulous (on the Spirit). Corina was also a favorite on the Dawn.

 

Disney's nice, quite elegant overall, but don't expect the same level of service as you'd get in a suite on NCL.

 

Thanks!

 

Jana

[sclauss]

Thanks Jana! I'm hoping without a casino, I'll actually be able to enjoy some of the other onboard activities! I loved the idea of having an adult only restaurant, pool and beach. Really looking forward to it. Then I'll probably head back to NCL for some pampering!

 

Sharon

[cindi0511]

By all means, try to get a Palo brunch. I haven't had any luck yet, but they say it is really good. Good luck and enjoy Disney!

[Jana]

I thought Palo was probably the best alternate restaurant I have ever been in. Part of it was the charge (just $10 two years ago), part the decor, and a lot of it the food.

 

I was there for both supper AND brunch. If you can only do one, choose the brunch. It's extraordinary!

 

If you do dinner, the portobello mushroom over polenta appetizer is to die for.

 

And, oh yes... not having a casino saved me a WHOLE bunch 'o money!!!

 

Are you doing Magic or Wonder?

 

Jana

[sclauss]

Thanks for the advise! I am doing the Wonder but only the 3 night :-( with a 5 day stay and Disney Polynesian. I wanted to get an idea of the Disney cruise vs NCL before committing to a longer trip. I plan to book Palo just as soon as the online reservation opens up for my sailing. There is no brunch on the 3 night but I will try the mushroom over polenta for sure. Thank you.

 

Maybe NCL should also consider some adult only options, especially on Great Stirrup Cay and a restaurant or 2. I had a TERRIBLE dinner at Teppanyaki where the parents of about 6 children ranging from 2 - 6 years old decided that they were on vacation from parenting. Since this was a pay restaurant and dinner was ruined, it would have been nice to either have adult only or adult dining hours. Interesting that I need to go to Disney to find an adult only option. I've only traveled NCL and am a Gold Latitudes which gives me lots of perks but the adult only options are important to me (single 40 something, no kids).

 

Jana - I've found the concierge to be the primary staffer to enhance the cruising experience. More so than the butler. Alex and Ruth are 2 of the most amazing people. I would book another cruise with NCL and make a decision as to which ship and itinerary based on where these 2 extraordinary people are currently assigned.

 

 

Sharon

[MizDaisy]

We had a butler on the Dream last December, but I couldn't even tell you his name. Other than on the first day, when he brought us the list to choose from for liquor, we never saw him. He didn't even show up on the last day to collect his tip. So we gave his tip to our concierge, Julie, as she had done an extraordinary job.

 

We've cruised Disney 5 times, always with concierge, and have had mixed results. Some have gone above and beyond, and others non-existant.

 

Cruising NCL's Sun this coming December in another Owner's Suite, and it will be interesting to see if the butler service is any different from the last.

[jdoyle]

We had a butler on the Celebrity's Mercury to Alaska. We were in a Sky Suite. He came by with High Tea and tea sandwiches, then again with appetizers before dinner. He was always available but never intrusive. He'd bring us a pitcher of orange juice so we could mix our own Screw Drivers to go along with the appetizers. Just the idea of having a personal butler made us feel special.

 

We did not have a butler on HAL's Oosterdam. We were in a S Suite and had full use of the Neptune Lounge. Room Service also brought us appetizers anytime we wanted them. We did not miss the butler service since all the other people attending to us filled the gap.

 

We're headed off to our Disney cruise in two weeks. I have a feeling that we are going to miss the butler and the preferential treatment!