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sapphire4
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Any tips /comments for first time in a suite re butler and embarkation?

 

Butler Service

Hello sapphire4 or is it Annabelle ? How are you. ? Helen Henry here AKA Pat

We find the butler service very useful indeed and make plenty of use of this service.

 

Embarking at Southampton you will be directed to a specific waiting area where you will be offered complimentary tea, coffee biscuits etc.Once on board you will be directed to a specific restaurant where you will offered light lunch very nice indeed. Your butler will come and introduce himself to you and escort you to your suite. Well at least ours always has done in the past when sailing from Southampton. Having introduced himself to you he will ask if you have any specific requirements. Don’t say NO because he may never come back and ask again. ;)

 

If embarking in Barbados you will not meet your butler till you arrive in your cabin and then he will arrive and introduce himself just the same procedure as Southampton. If you require to tender at some ports he will arrange tender disembarkation passes for you or may even escort you down to the tender, again our butlers has always done so in the past but I have heard that some guest have never been offered this service. He will offer to unpack your clothing, must admit we have declined this service however, on one occasion when changing suites he did everything for us and all our clothes were in the exact same spot as they were in the cabin that we left. Excellent service.He will explain to you which speciality restaurant you can have breakfast in, depending upon which ship you are on. The butler will also waken you up and serve you orange juice,tea or coffee at a specific time If you wish before you take breakfast. You can then have breakfast served to you in your suite either in your dining area or on the balcony If you wish he will arrange to have lunch, afternoon tea, evening meal and anything else in between delivered to your suite at the time you specifically request and once again set up tables and serve you. He will also attend to your laundry needs if you place any items that require washed/ironed in the laundry bag. There is a charge for this service but normally they have your washing returned within 24 hrs. He will not undertake to iron any clothes. The butler service normally stops round about 9.30pm in the evening.He will arrange any speciality restaurants that you wish to visit, arrange tours that you may wish to take, really all you require to do is ask and if possible he will arrange, Especially if you are planning on hosting any little soiree’s celebration events in your suite he will attend to everything from arranging drink and canapés to be ordered just tell him what you require. He will also prepare complimentary name invitation cards and deliver to any of the guests that you may wish to invite to your soiree/party. Personally I think it is a good service and always make full use of it. Hope you enjoy your butler and please do make full use of his services. Note, I always state he or his that is because it is only male butlers on P&O but there are also female butlers on Cunard.Enclose photo of Arrun on the left and I think Deepek(sorry Deepek if its not you) on the right, two of the butlers on Britannia. Both excellent butlers. Will see them again in November. Enjoy your cruise and your butler service. :)

494.jpg.cc8e7e6b640414640cf4fe612af3f397.jpg

Edited by HELEN HENRY
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Hi Pat,

 

We had a suite on Britannia in May 2015 & were told at the embarkation lunch that the Butlers no longer come & meet you / escort you to your suite. We thought that it was because Britannia has so many suites that it would be too time consuming. Also, we had a full lunch in one of the restaurants as opposed to a few 'nibbles' which I understand may now be the case?

 

We're in a suite again next month & were simply planning on going to the suite when we embark / when available, however, now don't know what to do .... help please?!

 

I know you normally do fly cruises so wondered if you have sailed on Britannia from Southampton recently?

 

Joan

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Butler Service

Enclose photo of Arrun on the left and I think Deepek(sorry Deepek if its not you) on the right, two of the butlers on Britannia. Both excellent butlers. Will see them again in November. Enjoy your cruise and your butler service. :)

 

Hi Pat

Hope you're well, sorry to disappoint ( I know I am) Arun is going back on Azura in September so we won't have him on Britannia this year 😢

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Enclose photo of Arrun on the left and I think Deepek(sorry Deepek if its not you) on the right, two of the butlers on Britannia. Both excellent butlers.

 

The butler on the right looks like Roshan, the pic is a bit small but it doesn't look like Deepak.

 

Bal

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Hi Pat

Hope you're well, sorry to disappoint ( I know I am) Arun is going back on Azura in September so we won't have him on Britannia this year 😢

 

Hello Gymbod,good to hear from you,not long now till December.I had a feeling that Arun may have returned to Azura he did say in November that he was hoping that he could return. Never mind I am sure that everything will be fine with whichever butler you get. Anyway we are old hands and capable of arranging our own soiree's. Hope you are looking forward to your suite it will be just lovely. I am up on D Deck mid ship port side and Alison a couple of doors down from me. Take care Pat

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The butler on the right looks like Roshan, the pic is a bit small but it doesn't look like Deepak.

 

Bal

 

Yes Bal

you are quite correct it is Roshan is the butler on the right,I thought at the time that I was mistaken. When we were on the B2B we had Arun first part of the cruise then when we moved to the second leg of the B2B Aft suite it was Roshan for one week then perhaps it was Deepak along with Arun then again maybe it was another butler Might be wrong again :D Mind you there were only six butlers on the Britannia in October/November and they had an awful lot to do. Pat

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..... Also, we had a full lunch in one of the restaurants as opposed to a few 'nibbles' which I understand may now be the case?

 

We're in a suite again next month & were simply planning on going to the suite when we embark / when available, however, now don't know what to do .... help please?!

 

Hi

We normally go straight to the suite now and the with early embarkation, that's by 1.00. Do a little unpacking and then slip along to the buffet when it opens at 1.30. Always empty at that time, so grab a tray, select from what's available and take it back to the suite to enjoy with a glass or two of the welcome on board champagne. We don't go to the 'nibbles' they lay on for suites and higher tiers which also opens at 1.30. It's not that good and it can be a bit of a bun fight. The wine they serve is, shall we say - the least expensive stuff. That said some folk seem to get it down them in some quantity.

All in all it works well for us and is a good start to the cruise.

Horses for courses as they say.

Bal

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..... Also, we had a full lunch in one of the restaurants as opposed to a few 'nibbles' which I understand may now be the case?

 

We're in a suite again next month & were simply planning on going to the suite when we embark / when available, however, now don't know what to do .... help please?!

 

Hi

We normally go straight to the suite now and the with early embarkation, that's by 1.00. Do a little unpacking and then slip along to the buffet when it opens at 1.30. Always empty at that time, so grab a tray, select from what's available and take it back to the suite to enjoy with a glass or two of the welcome on board champagne. We don't go to the 'nibbles' they lay on for suites and higher tiers which also opens at 1.30. It's not that good and it can be a bit of a bun fight. The wine they serve is, shall we say - the least expensive stuff. That said some folk seem to get it down them in some quantity.

All in all it works well for us and is a good start to the cruise.

Horses for courses as they say.

Bal

 

 

Hello Bal,

 

Thanks for the info.

 

We were toying with the idea of doing exactly what you said re going straight to the suite & then heading up to the buffet, but wasn't sure if it would be ready / accessible.

 

Neither Hubby or I drink, so the 'freebies' aren't a big thing for us. We were only going to go if it was the best place to meet our Butler.

 

Last year I seem to recall us leaving the restaurant after lunch & waiting around for the tannoy announcement to say that cabins were ready. It never seemed to happen (or if it did we din't hear it!) so we eventually wandered to the suite around 2.30pm. It seemed like we'd be waiting forever!!

 

I think we will now go directly to the suite this time.

 

Joan

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Yes Bal

you are quite correct it is Roshan is the butler on the right,I thought at the time that I was mistaken. When we were on the B2B we had Arun first part of the cruise then when we moved to the second leg of the B2B Aft suite it was Roshan for one week then perhaps it was Deepak along with Arun then again maybe it was another butler Might be wrong again :D Mind you there were only six butlers on the Britannia in October/November and they had an awful lot to do. Pat

 

Hi

Unfortunately they have cut right back on the number of butlers, on Ventura and Azura there used to be six and now only three. What tends to happen now is at the start of the cruise the service for those of us who are regulars and know the drill, get good service, but after the first week the folk new to suites start to catch on and the service provided by the butlers becomes stretched to their outer limits. Recently on Arcadia and the same applied there, not sure of the actual number but it was six and now I think it's four.

I was recently asked by a 'new to suites' passenger, Oh dear! guests, if our butler had asked us to hang the room service tag out on the door!! ummm not good but perhaps a reflection of the 'stretch' element.

Bal

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Hi Pat,

 

We had a suite on Britannia in May 2015 & were told at the embarkation lunch that the Butlers no longer come & meet you / escort you to your suite. We thought that it was because Britannia has so many suites that it would be too time consuming. Also, we had a full lunch in one of the restaurants as opposed to a few 'nibbles' which I understand may now be the case?

 

We're in a suite again next month & were simply planning on going to the suite when we embark / when available, however, now don't know what to do .... help please?!

 

I know you normally do fly cruises so wondered if you have sailed on Britannia from Southampton recently?

 

Joan

 

Hi Joan, Yes we embarked Britannia in Southampton on our TA last October.Once in the terminal we were directed straight to the refreshment area for high tier and suite guests we here we received tea,coffee biscuits etc. then we were invited onboard to have a meal in a specific restaurant designated to suite and high tier guests. We did receive a beautiful full course meal self service which included wine.

 

As far as embarkation at Southampton is concerned you will be directed to specific area for refreshments before boarding because you are in a suite but once onboard you don't require to go and join the other guests for a meal if you do not wish to do so, you can just pop along to your suite by yourselves. Last October at the lunch we were informed by a broadcast stating that our suites were ready, so off we trotted along to our suite non escorted.

 

We have previously when embarking in Southampton on Azura once onboard just went straight along to our suite without going for lunch in the designated restaurant for suite guest or high tier guests. Eventually the butler just turns up and says hello. It's a pity that they have stopped the service of the butlers coming along to introducing themselves to you at the lunch,but I can fully understand due to the amount of suites on Britannia and so few butlers available they would be exhausted running up and down to the restaurant. So if I was you if you don't wish to take lunch just get onboard and trot along to your suite. I am quite sure that there will be plenty of other guests staying in suites depending upon the time they arrive will just head straight to their suite also. Mind you it depends upon the time you actually are due to embark Britannia I guess if you are there too early that your suite might not be ready,normally when we leave from Southampton we are the last to arrive because our coach doesn't arrive till about 4pm only when we have stayed overnight in Southampton before the cruise we have had the opportunity to participate at the lunch because it's normally all over by the time we arrive :D

Hope you have a wonderful cruise and enjoy your suite and get spoiled by your butler. Pat

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Hi,

 

1. Suite guests join Ligurian Tier guests in a separate area in the terminal building if you get there before 12:30pm. They are supposed to start letting Suite guests and Ligurian guests on board around that time, but this does not always happen (although the latest we've got on is 12:50pm).

2. Once on board you go straight to your Suite on your own. They no longer send you to a restaurant (or anywhere else) to wait for your Suite to be ready and, therefore, for your Butler to pick you up.

3. The 'meal' is not a meal, but a hot and cold buffet that you help yourself to. On Aurora this was held in the Curzon Lounge; on Britannia it was in Sindhu; on Oceana it was in the Restaurant. It is actually quite nice, but can get extremely busy depending on the size of the ship and, therefore, how many Suite/Ligurian/Baltic/Caribbean guests are on board. You do NOT have to attend this. It starts at 1:30pm and finishes at 3:30pm.

 

They are rolling this new procedure out across the fleet.

 

They have indeed reduced Butlers across the fleet, which is a great shame. They are over-worked now, but still manage to be efficient, charming, friendly and professional.

 

We have always used Butlers as much as possible from the day we get on board. We have them unpack, pack, book us in to the spa, book restaurants, post postcards, get beers/drinks for the fridge, have a milk carton in the fridge for cereal, deliver the Britain Today newspaper, deliver breakfast, lunch and dinner ..... we could go on. One went and bought a lighter from the on board shop when my husband needed one to light his cigar (back when you could smoke on balconies). They will, within reason, do anything you ask. In theory, they should anticipate your needs before you do.

 

We have always treated them with the utmost respect and are always friendly and polite - something we all expect.

 

I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned, but we always give them extra money at the end of the cruise as well. The amount depends on the length of cruise and how much we have asked them to do.

 

Thoroughly enjoy having one - you don't get them at home!:)

 

PS. As you are in a Suite you will get to have breakfast in a separate place to everyone else (if you wish). On Britannia it is the Epicurean; on Oceana it's a small separate part of the Restaurant; on Arcadia it's the Ocean Grill; on Aurora it's The Glass House and on Ventura & Azura it's Epicurean. Everything is cooked to order and is, therefore, wonderful. My husband says the French Toast is fantastic - make sure you ask for maple syrup with it! :)

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Thanks for the info that's great to know.

 

We will definitely head directly to the suite now.

 

I like the idea re the carton of milk; hadn't thought of that one.

 

Just goes to show you can pick up tips all the time :)

 

Re tips, yes we always tip extra as well.

 

Joan

Edited by Big Foot
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It is true you do not have to go for the buffet lunch. But you also get your free drinks champagne or red or white wine. Much more important. :) :) :)

 

Looking forward to Arcadia and breakfast in the Ocean Grill

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

Edited by daiB
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It is true you do not have to go for the buffet lunch. But you also get your free drinks champagne or red or white wine. Much more important. :) :) :)

 

Looking forward to Arcadia and breakfast in the Ocean Grill

 

Dai, don't get to excited about the free 'champagne' at the buffet lunch as it's actually Italian sparkling plonk, sorry to disillusion.

 

See you on Arcadia, the Ocean Grill is smashing for breakfast but not up to Epicurean standards for dinner. That said, it's half the price.

 

Bal

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Which is why of course I drink the Red Wine. :) However if a glass of fizz appears in front of you, it would be rude to refuse.

 

And of course by time you board I will have been on for 18 nights so I should know many of the waiters, I am sure they will see me right. :).

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

Edited by daiB
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Many thanks for the information. Really looking forward to our cruise in September. We usually spend a good half day looking around Winchester prior to our sailing from Southampton but I think well be there early this time.

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We returned from the fjords on July 23rd and suite B606' Canberra. Our embarkation was extremely quick and easy....at the top of the stairs we were directed to the priority check in and were on board within twenty minutes of arriving. There was no area in the terminal for dedicated refreshments, or if there was we weren't directed to it. On stepping on board a lovely crew member directed us to the restaurant for our nibbles, fizz and free newspapers. It was very quiet and we enjoyed the facility. Our butler did not come and introduce himself which did happen on Arcadia a couple of years ago. There was an announcement over the tannoy when the cabins were ready, so off we went. During the nibbles a crew member came round to take restaurant reservations so we booked for Sindhu, and didn't need our butler to do that for us. We only had one tender port and although Andrew left us a priority boarding card we were on a tour and had a specific time for boarding anyway so it wouldn't have helped. Being a short cruise and on our own we didn't make use of some of the things butlers can do and we prefer to do our own packing and unpacking. But he was friendly, smiley and helpful and on a longer cruise I am sure we would make more use of a butler. On disembarking, we had our breakfast in the Epicurean and just went down to join the (not too long) queue for the gangway. On the subject of the Epicurean, the menu is quite limited and we didn't eat there every morning, but as someone said the French toast is excellent! It is however very civilised and there was some nice background classical music playing. Enjoy your cruise Sapphire4!

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  • 2 weeks later...

This thread is exactly what I've been looking for. Im very excited to have booked our first cruise on Aurora having previously only sailed on Arcadia (and Adonia, Oceana's sister) prior to that.

Our last cruise with P&O was 2 years ago and we were greeted by Santosh in the MDR. So thank you to Cruise Puss who has answered my questions beautifully. Really looking forward to it. [emoji3]

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Thanks for the info that's great to know.

 

We will definitely head directly to the suite now.

 

I like the idea re the carton of milk; hadn't thought of that one.

 

Just goes to show you can pick up tips all the time :)

 

Re tips, yes we always tip extra as well.

 

Joan

 

 

Just for info if you don't have a suite next time; you can order a carton of milk from room service. I usually take fresh milk on board with me and if that runs out before I get to a port, I add a carton of skimmed to my breakfast order. It's UHT though [emoji16]

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This thread is exactly what I've been looking for. Im very excited to have booked our first cruise on Aurora having previously only sailed on Arcadia (and Adonia, Oceana's sister) prior to that.

Our last cruise with P&O was 2 years ago and we were greeted by Santosh in the MDR. So thank you to Cruise Puss who has answered my questions beautifully. Really looking forward to it. [emoji3]

 

 

Not a problem. :)

 

If there is anything else you need or want to know do ask.

 

Enjoy your Suite!

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What are the breakfasts like in the Epicurean for the suite passengers? I tend to like a light breakfast whereas the other half likes a full English? I seem to remember the times were quite early and wonder if we would be better having butler service in the suite if we prefer a lie in?

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What are the breakfasts like in the Epicurean for the suite passengers? I tend to like a light breakfast whereas the other half likes a full English? I seem to remember the times were quite early and wonder if we would be better having butler service in the suite if we prefer a lie in?

 

They are wonderful! They are lighter, but they will do a full cooked, and even include baked beans, if you let them know in advance you want them. The Kedgeree and French Toast are lovely. I used to have natural yoghurt with honey in, followed by Kedgeree and toast. My husband usually had the French Toast. All are cooked to order.

 

However, the times are quite early so you may wish to have breakfast delivered to your Suite as you can choose the time you want. You cannot, however, have the same menu in the Suite as in the Epicurean, ie. French Toast, Kedgeree, etc.

 

There is one small point - it may not be as hot as in the Epicurean, although this does depend on where your Suite is on the ship.

 

You can also go to breakfast in the Epicurean on disembarkation day.

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