Butler?

First timer here. What all does the butler do that is included in price? And what is extra ?thanks

I can't think of anything a butler would do that has an "extra" charge. Yes, if you want a special bottle of wine from the premium list delivered by the butler or a massage or excursion s/he books, there will be charges. But the butler's services themselves are (as best I can recall) fully included in the fare. I always tip the butler and housekeeper at the end of the cruise. (I might add, to ride my hobby horse, that I also always contribute to the crew welfare fund.)

I can't think of anything a butler would do that has an "extra" charge. Yes, if you want a special bottle of wine from the premium list delivered by the butler or a massage or excursion s/he books, there will be charges. But the butler's services themselves are (as best I can recall) fully included in the fare. I always tip the butler and housekeeper at the end of the cruise. (I might add, to ride my hobby horse, that I also always contribute to the crew welfare fund.)

I agree about the Crew Welfare Fund ! We cruised with Duct Tape early in our Silverseas cruising days and she told use about that and ever since then we have always made a donation, plus we always tip our butler and maid. There is nothing that you have to pay the butler to do. He will shine your shoes, help with packing/unpacking, book restaurants, bring you tea/coffee early morning or afternoon, organise your laundry ....organise a party in your suite .... the list goes on ! Relax, Just enjoy your cruise !!

What all does the butler do that is included in price?

And what is extra?

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First timer here. What all does the butler do that is included in price? And what is extra ?thanks

Agree on no added charges for what the Butler does. We are starting today our fifth Silversea cruise. Depart at 6 pm from Lisbon going up, UP the Atlantic Coast to Rouen/France. Will do a live/blog!! Don't be shy! Feel free to drop by and ask any and all questions about current Silversea activities, the Butler, the Silver Spirit, etc. It will be our first time on this ship after our other cruises being on the Silver Cloud.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

AFRICA?!!?: Lots of interesting and dramatic pictures can be seen from this live/blog at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

Now at 32,204 views for this visual sharing including Cape Town, along South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta area. We sailed for ten days on the Silver Cloud for this adventure last year.

After a less than a great experience with a butler on another cruise line....he was useless and spent more time telling us what he wouldn't do....we went on our first Silversea cruise with very low expectations. It's not like we're demanding passengers and, in fact, rarely ask for more than a change in pillows, picking the brand of lotions/conditioner/shampoo, and setting up our typical morning coffee and juice room service. Our Silversea butlers have been amazing. I understand there are a few that feel or think that the butlers are a nuisance or ostentatious and maybe hover too much that has not been our experience. Personally I think the butlers generally respond to the demands and expectations of the passenger and adjust accordingly. We've never had even a hint that they were looking for or expecting anything more than a "thank you" for whatever they do for us. Another vote here for the Crew Welfare Fund.

Another vote to contribute to the crew fund.

I love having a Butler and it's the one thing I find lacking with Seabourn, their Suite Stewards are not even comparable.

Ditto the crew fund, great place to leave a contribution if you want to be fair to everybody.

another vote to contribute to the crew fund.

+1.

Another vote to contribute to the crew fund.

Plus we've been able to write glowing by name comments for our six butlers in our end of cruise surveys.

thanks- wasn't sure if laundry was included or not?

thanks- wasn't sure if laundry was included or not?

Yes, no, and maybe. Laundry services are available for a fee and can be arranged through your butler. The services are complimentary for certain suite categories, the upper ones, and for passengers with advanced Venetian Society status. There are free self-service launderettes available.

Hello Randy.

Are all needed supplies also free in the self service launderettes?

Thanks.

Yes laundry soap is provided. Nice iron and ironing board.

No dryer softener sheets though.

Best place to do laundry is deck 11 on the Spirit.

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Hello Randy.

Are all needed supplies also free in the self service launderettes?

Thanks.

Yes. Truth is we've never used the launderette. Mrs K isn't into doing a lot of laundry on her vacation so we just turn whatever laundry we need done over to the butler. We were a little tempted on our last cruise but there was a family of six in two cabins on our deck and the mother spent hours washing clothes. She had the machines so tied up that we just gave up the idea.

Thanks Spins and Randy.

I'm sure we will primarily turn our laundry needs over to the Butler as well. However, my DW was particularly interested in the needed supplies (dryer sheets) in case she might want to use the self service.

Randy, we will be on a 12 day cruise. How much should we expect to spend on laundry services?

Thanks.

Ernie

I put dryer sheets in my luggage to freshen the bag. Then I can use them in the drawers to freshen clothes onboard, or in the dryer. However I haven't used the laundry machines aboard in a long time as we qualify for free laundry.

In April, for example, a blouse cost 6 $, pjs cost 7$, polo shirt 4.50$, shorts 5$, trousers 7$, underwear 2.50$.

Pressing is additional fee, so is dry cleaning. I am just looking at a laundry receipt from this past April.

If you want to know any other items please ask.

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Thanks Spins and Randy.

I'm sure we will primarily turn our laundry needs over to the Butler as well. However, my DW was particularly interested in the needed supplies (dryer sheets) in case she might want to use the self service.

Randy, we will be on a 12 day cruise. How much should we expect to spend on laundry services?

Thanks.

I'm going to say around $200 but a lot of that has to do with what you have cleaned and how often. Have to be honest and say it's not inexpensive and really comes down to the tradeoff of packing a lot of clothing and the length of the cruise. Luckily between being in a qualifying free laundry cabin once and getting fairly substantial OBCs from Silversea and our TA on our other cruises it really hasn't been onerous. The other aspect has been that we've had only 4 or 5 sea days in 72 cruising days on Silversea so not a lot of time to do what little we could have done in the launderette.

OBC can be used for laundry? Good to know.

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OBC can be used for laundry? Good to know.

 

 

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Yes. We have used OBCs for tours, laundry, spa services, specialty restaurants, special wines, cigars, and in the shops. About the only thing I can think of that might not be covered is drawing cash in the casino but have never tried or asked about that.

Yes. We have used OBCs for tours, laundry, spa services, specialty restaurants, special wines, cigars, and in the shops. About the only thing I can think of that might not be covered is drawing cash in the casino but have never tried or asked about that.

OBCs cannot be used for tips or for contributions to the crew welfare fund (as they can on another luxury line). That seems fair enough to me. In fact, while that other line says that it's all inclusive (including gratuities), it facilitates tipping by providing forms that will draw the tips from the OBCs or guest folio.

OBCs cannot be used for tips or for contributions to the crew welfare fund (as they can on another luxury line). That seems fair enough to me. In fact, while that other line says that it's all inclusive (including gratuities), it facilitates tipping by providing forms that will draw the tips from the OBCs or guest folio.

Good point. It actually never crossed my mind to even try to use an OBC as a tip/crew welfare fund source. I don't think of either as an expense in the normal sense.