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Butler Service


djhsolara
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I've read on the Celebrity site about the Butlers in the suites. We will be in a Royal Suite on Millennium in October (first time on Celebrity). Exactly what can we expect from our Butler? Is this a glorified steward or more than that?

 

Thank you!!

 

:) :)

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I've read on the Celebrity site about the Butlers in the suites. We will be in a Royal Suite on Millennium in October (first time on Celebrity). Exactly what can we expect from our Butler? Is this a glorified steward or more than that?

 

Thank you!!

 

:) :)

A butler is much more than a glorified steward, they are there to take care of YOU, while the steward is there to take care of the cabin. This is actually one of the perks that keeps us coming back to Celebrity! I must warn you though, once you have cruised with a butler it can be difficult to adjust to not having one on your next cruise!!

 

Think of things (within reason) that would add to your cruising experience that you enjoy and simply ask your butler. Perhaps you would like a bridge tour or galley tour- just ask and they will do all they can to make it happen. Perhaps you would like a particular snack or drink every day delivered to the room, simply ask and it is done! For example, every night before dinner I would have our butler bring us 2 orders of escargot and fresh baked bread to our suite to enjoy with some wine while getting ready. Every morning he would set our table and bring us a full breakfast in our suite with anything we wanted (egg white omlette and diet coke was my fix). He also would ask each morning if we needed any of our clothes pressed that we planned on wearing each evening and would have them back in the closet by the afternoon. If you want or need to book spa or shore excursions, they can handle all this for you rather than you having to go to the desk and wait in line. Well, I think you get the point... In a word they are WONDERFUL:)

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Could not agree more with the previous poster. Your butler is there to make your cruise wonderful but needs to know what you want/need for that to happen. Sit down and work out what would make your cruise fantastic. Once on board, your butler will also help with those little problems that crop up. For example, finding the right screw driver when your suitcase needs fixing!

 

Sue

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You can ask your butler just about anything regarding the room or the ship that is not covered by the room attendent. Mostly, we asked him about ordering specialty items for breakfast, he would let us order such things as latte or eggs benedict at/after 7 AM, chilling the champagne, and he would offer general advise and suggestions on activities of the day, meals, and ask if we had any special needs.

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The butler service on Celebrity is truly makes our cruise. Just back from a btb on the Century and were fortunate to have "Dan the Man" as our butler. He was great never intrusive but always available.

He introduced himself and gave us his cell phone number within minutes of our arriving in our suite. He explained what kinds of things he could do for us and invited us to call him for anything else we could think of. He immediately took care of switching out the champagne for wine when I mentioned I didn't really care for champagne. On turn around day he automatically took care of it while we met with the other btb guests to be escorted through customs.

We also enjoyed appetizers and drinks many evenings since our dinner wasn't until 8:30. We took advantage of insuite dining a couple of nights and it was fantastic. He set it up on our balcony with tablecloth and flowers. The first evening we had dinner on our balcony, I had gone up to the aft bar for a glass of wine (beverage package can't be used with room service) when he delivered the first course. With the second course, he brought me a bottle of wine! He just winked and said no need to interrupt your dinner to go get wine.

We loved talking with him and found out that he had retired to his homeland to become a chef. When economic problems caused his employer to cut his salary 40% he came back to Celebrity. With his experience as a chef, we found his menu reccomendations valuable. Often, he brought a second entree that he thought was especially good and he was right!

There were lot's of little things that he did that made our trip special. He brought wonderful padded cushions and extra beach towels for our loungers, took clothing for pressing, delivered dinner by course and many wonderful breakfasts. He was always pleasant, seemed to be nearby to open the door to our cabin and just a great guy to talk to. He and Helen and her assistant Mario, our room stewards were by far the best team we have ever had the pleasure of sailing with.

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The butler service on Celebrity is truly makes our cruise. Just back from a btb on the Century and were fortunate to have "Dan the Man" as our butler. He was great never intrusive but always available.

 

He introduced himself and gave us his cell phone number within minutes of our arriving in our suite. He explained what kinds of things he could do for us and invited us to call him for anything else we could think of. He immediately took care of switching out the champagne for wine when I mentioned I didn't really care for champagne. On turn around day he automatically took care of it while we met with the other btb guests to be escorted through customs.

 

We also enjoyed appetizers and drinks many evenings since our dinner wasn't until 8:30. We took advantage of insuite dining a couple of nights and it was fantastic. He set it up on our balcony with tablecloth and flowers. The first evening we had dinner on our balcony, I had gone up to the aft bar for a glass of wine (beverage package can't be used with room service) when he delivered the first course. With the second course, he brought me a bottle of wine! He just winked and said no need to interrupt your dinner to go get wine.

 

We loved talking with him and found out that he had retired to his homeland to become a chef. When economic problems caused his employer to cut his salary 40% he came back to Celebrity. With his experience as a chef, we found his menu reccomendations valuable. Often, he brought a second entree that he thought was especially good and he was right!

 

There were lot's of little things that he did that made our trip special. He brought wonderful padded cushions and extra beach towels for our loungers, took clothing for pressing, delivered dinner by course and many wonderful breakfasts. He was always pleasant, seemed to be nearby to open the door to our cabin and just a great guy to talk to. He and Helen and her assistant Mario, our room stewards were by far the best team we have ever had the pleasure of sailing with.

This will be our second time cruising - our first time with Celebrity and our first in a Royal Suite. Your "butler" description sounds fabulolus!! Now I REALLY can't wait!!!

With all that outstanding service, what type of gratituties did you leave? We have ours "prepaid", but I can't help but feel we need to give a butler more.... Thanks for your help!

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We had a Butler for our only Celebrity cruise to date. Theo was wonderful! He was a fount of information about all the ports of call and he was always so truthful about the sandwiches that came with the tea service. He told us he always put the good ones aside for his favorite passengers and I guess we must have been some of them 'cause we always got the best sandwiches. And like someone else said, he knew the menu in the MDR and would always steer us in the right direction.

 

Theo was so sweet in the mornings coming in to set up our breakfast. He would stay and talk with us for 30 minutes or more if he could about the happenings of the day or what to see and do in port. He had a slight stuttering problem and he was so self conscious about it, but when he realized that we were patient and eager enough to hear what he had to say, he opened up and talked our ears off!

 

One other thing that the butler can do - get a tux for you if needed. My husband forgot his suit pants and didn't realize it until the morning of the first formal night! We called Theo and he said he'd take care of it and he did! In fact, he was upset that he couldn't get a jacket that was the perfect fit for my DH. The jacket he got was just a tad too big and no one noticed, but it bothered Theo.

 

We'll be cruising again in 2013 to Alaska - hopefully on the Millie. DH and I will be in a Sky Suite (at a minimum) and the kids will be in a CC next to us (or those are the plans anyway). I hope we get another butler as nice as Theo.

 

Oh and what someone said about making it really hard to cruise without a butler...BELIEVE IT! We cruised last April on RCI and while we were in an Owners Suite and it was very nice and our cabin steward was great, it just wasn't quite the same without a "Theo".:)

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Most definitely make a list of what you want and don't want from your butler. He's there to help. We had a small problem with our shower in the Royal Suite. Luckily he was right there and helped out. Once you ask, he'll be more than willing to help. We'll be sailing on the Silhouette in a Concierge Cabin, but our last 3 cruises, we were in a Celebrity Suite and a Royal on the last one.

 

If you also want to have a small get together in your suite, he can help too!

 

Enjoy your suite! (once you sail a suite, you'll be spoiled rotten!!!!!!!!!)

 

Anita

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The butler service on Celebrity is truly makes our cruise. Just back from a btb on the Century and were fortunate to have "Dan the Man" as our butler. He was great never intrusive but always available.

 

He introduced himself and gave us his cell phone number within minutes of our arriving in our suite. He explained what kinds of things he could do for us and invited us to call him for anything else we could think of. He immediately took care of switching out the champagne for wine when I mentioned I didn't really care for champagne. On turn around day he automatically took care of it while we met with the other btb guests to be escorted through customs.

 

We also enjoyed appetizers and drinks many evenings since our dinner wasn't until 8:30. We took advantage of insuite dining a couple of nights and it was fantastic. He set it up on our balcony with tablecloth and flowers. The first evening we had dinner on our balcony, I had gone up to the aft bar for a glass of wine (beverage package can't be used with room service) when he delivered the first course. With the second course, he brought me a bottle of wine! He just winked and said no need to interrupt your dinner to go get wine.

 

We loved talking with him and found out that he had retired to his homeland to become a chef. When economic problems caused his employer to cut his salary 40% he came back to Celebrity. With his experience as a chef, we found his menu reccomendations valuable. Often, he brought a second entree that he thought was especially good and he was right!

 

There were lot's of little things that he did that made our trip special. He brought wonderful padded cushions and extra beach towels for our loungers, took clothing for pressing, delivered dinner by course and many wonderful breakfasts. He was always pleasant, seemed to be nearby to open the door to our cabin and just a great guy to talk to. He and Helen and her assistant Mario, our room stewards were by far the best team we have ever had the pleasure of sailing with.

 

Hi our turn,

 

We are sailing on Century to Hawaii on 10/02/11. W are in a Sky Suites 1204 and 1206. We hope to get "Dan the Man" and his team based on your experience. What stateroom number where you in and when did you sail. Hope he is still under contract with Celebrity when we sail...maybe we can request his services once on board!!

 

Bob

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Bob - My family had those exact two SS's on Celebrity in 2008. They are terrific, and in a perfect location. You will love it.

 

Our butler was Jude, who was also terrific. But we saw him on Infinity the following year, so he won't be yours.

 

In addition to the other things mentioned, Jude would watch for us to return to the ship after port days, and come meet us at the gangway. My DH uses a wheelchair, and he wanted to make it as easy as possible on me. I though that was extremely kind.

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Bob - My family had those exact two SS's on Celebrity in 2008. They are terrific, and in a perfect location. You will love it.

 

Our butler was Jude, who was also terrific. But we saw him on Infinity the following year, so he won't be yours.

 

In addition to the other things mentioned, Jude would watch for us to return to the ship after port days, and come meet us at the gangway. My DH uses a wheelchair, and he wanted to make it as easy as possible on me. I though that was extremely kind.

 

Thanks Donna,

 

Was there any noise from above or below on these two staterooms?

 

Sounds like Jude did things above and beyond for you and your DH. Too bad we won't have him as our butler.

 

Bob

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We were on the Century in sky suite 1210 and had Challs, from Goa. He was brilliant! Wonderful! Asolutely always kind and helpful. We returned to the Century for another transatlantic five months later and stayed in 1237. This time we had Arles from Hondoras as our butler. He was just as good. In a week we go back for the Panama Canal and are in 1209. I do not know who our butler will be, but I am sure he will be wonderful. They are so well trained at being professional, kind, helpful, warm and caring.

 

I am going to Alaska with my extended family in August and we are in an inside cabin. I am terrified we will feel too cheated! It is hard to give up the suites and butler!!! :rolleyes:

 

Fern

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We have had a butler quite a few times and we got progressively better at using their services. My advice is to make sure you ask for whatever it is that you want. ASK! If you don't ask they are not likely to live up to your unknown expectations.

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We had our first suite experience on Summit and loved it. Our butler Bart was very kind and eager to assist. I really looked forward to afternoon tea service, served with cappuccinos from Cova Cafe. One evening when I wasn't

Feeling well, Bart brought me cheese and fruit plates to our suite...a very nice thoughtful gesture. Here he is serving tea:

 

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Hi our turn,

 

We are sailing on Century to Hawaii on 10/02/11. W are in a Sky Suites 1204 and 1206. We hope to get "Dan the Man" and his team based on your experience. What stateroom number where you in and when did you sail. Hope he is still under contract with Celebrity when we sail...maybe we can request his services once on board!!

 

Bob

 

Hi Bob,

 

We were in cabin# 1234 which was a great location - just one flight of stairs directly to the Islands Cafe and the aft bar which was our favorite hangout. Very quiet and balcony seemed private since there are no cabins above you.

 

Dan truly is a special man, such a gentleman and very good at his job. Hate to see the Century leave Miami. We loved the size and throughout the ship the best service we have ever had. I think it was our best cruise yet.

Edited by our turn
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And do not forget to have your complimentary cappuccinos and/or espressos....

 

Amen to that! :D Our butler on a recent Solstice sailing in a Sky Suite, Singh, brought these to our room at our request and it was this and his overall service I very much appreciated. Bringing breakfast and setting up the table on the verandah every morning as among the many highlights of the cruise.

 

We used though I'd like to think didn't abuse our butler and left him a nice personal gratuity at cruise end foe the polite, professional and efficient service he delivered. Thoroughly impressed with this feature and were I to be contemplating a CC vs. Sky Suite cabin this feature would definately be well worth factoring in to the price difference. :)

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Hi Bob,

 

We were in cabin# 1234 which was a great location - just one flight of stairs directly to the Islands Cafe and the aft bar which was our favorite hangout. Very quiet and balcony seemed private since there are no cabins above you.

 

Dan truly is a special man, such a gentleman and very good at his job. Hate to see the Century leave Miami. We loved the size and throughout the ship the best service we have ever had. I think it was our best cruise yet.[/b]

 

Nice to hear about Dan the Man again. Yes, I know the feeling about loosing a ship so close to home. We lost the Mariner of the Seas last year when she was deployed away from the West Coast. Fortunately, we sailed on her twice before she left.

 

Was wondering if you or anyone else on this thread have ever used the butler for assistance in unpacking and packing your suitcases, which, is advertised as a service the butler will perform if so desired?

 

Bob

Edited by kennelgang
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Thanks Donna,

 

Was there any noise from above or below on these two staterooms?

 

Sounds like Jude did things above and beyond for you and your DH. Too bad we won't have him as our butler.

 

Bob

 

No noise from below, a little daytime noise one day from packs of kids running around on the track above (not supposed to, and if it bothered us we could have reported). The pool music in the afternoons was audible but not overwhelming with the balcony door open, but not noticeable with it closed. It was the best of being close to the action, but not forced to be in the middle of it.

 

Have a wonderful time!

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Nice to hear about Dan the Man again. Yes, I know the feeling about loosing a ship so close to home. We lost the Mariner of the Seas last year when she was deployed away from the West Coast. Fortunately, we sailed on her twice before she left.

 

Was wondering if you or anyone else on this thread have ever used the butler for assistance in unpacking and packing your suitcases, which, is advertised as a service the butler will perform if so desired?

 

Bob

 

Not us! Especially the packing! I have a method to my madness when it comes to packing to go home. (one bag is used strictly for dirty laundry. :eek:)

 

And I'd rather do my own unpacking. We've traveled so many times that I have the unpacking down to a science, so it's pointless to have someone else unpack for us.

 

Anita

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Not us! Especially the packing! I have a method to my madness when it comes to packing to go home. (one bag is used strictly for dirty laundry. :eek:)

 

And I'd rather do my own unpacking. We've traveled so many times that I have the unpacking down to a science, so it's pointless to have someone else unpack for us.

 

Anita

 

Amen to that.... Besides that, after I wear an evening outfit, I pack it away in a suitcase.

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