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Can any one let me know the ropes on hosting a party in your suite? Planning a surprise anniversary party for friends. We're in a royal suite, what can we expect of the butler?

 

Don't know what can be supplied for free - OR do we pay for everything, fruit platter, cheese and crackers.......I know we would pay extra for a cake. customary tip amount for putting this together? I would appreciate your opinion and any helpful info. Thanks!

 

Jens Gran

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Just speak to your butler and he will set out a nice spread. We've had up to 20 in our suite. Shrimp cocktails, cheese tray, fruit, canapés, drinks, etc. they'll even do a cake if you ask. Small fee for cake, but I don't remember paying extra for other items. Just tip your butler well at end of cruise! He will be most appreciative. Usually they stop by and ask if you need anything refilled.

 

Which ship are you on? Enjoy your cruise!

 

Sheri

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We have also hosted parties in our suite. We have had as many as 40 for pre-dinner wine and appetizers. We purchased the wine and had bought some chips and dips on shore. The butler has always comp'ed the Cheese Platters and Shrimp. He was also nice enough to deliver the invitations to each of the guest.

 

As with other things each butler has their own personality. The best one we ever setup the ice buckets wine and glasses, greeted the guests at the door, served the wine and was happy to shoot pictures for guests. The wonderful part was after returning from dinner the place was immaculately cleaned and the suite was set up for breakfast.

 

The next morning he told us that he really enjoys being able to entertain.

 

We of course always show our appreciation by properly leaving him an extra gratuity at the end of the cruise.

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I was in a PH suite on Constellation in November, and hosted the sailaway from FLL for the folks on my CC roll call. We had over 100 people show up!!! Everyone who was invited received invitations in their cabins prior to the party. They had to present those invitations to gain admission.... Many of the invited guests brought a snack; our butler provided dishes and napkins as needed, along with fruit and cheese platters. I think that at some point we had 7 ice buckets going, as there was champagne and a varied assortment of wines. For this extravaganza, we set out a TIP JAR to help compensate the butler for his time and trouble; he was truly touched when we presented the contents to him.... It was an awesome party!!!!

 

Every night after that we had 2-3 couples over to share a bottle of champagne before dinner. My butler was AMAZING. He set up a fruit plate, along with cheese and crackers, each evening. He iced down every bottle we presented him with.

 

My suggestion is to have a list of items ready to present to your butler when you first meet him, along with the days you wish to entertain. Then watch as the magic unfolds.

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Can any one let me know the ropes on hosting a party in your suite? Planning a surprise anniversary party for friends. We're in a royal suite, what can we expect of the butler?

 

Don't know what can be supplied for free - OR do we pay for everything, fruit platter, cheese and crackers.......I know we would pay extra for a cake. customary tip amount for putting this together? I would appreciate your opinion and any helpful info. Thanks!

 

Jens Gran

 

Jens Gran

 

Just speak to your butler as early as possible. He will do the organising for you. The basic rule is that cold food and juice are provided free of charge. You pay for hot food, alcohol and sodas. Sometimes your butler is able to provide a little extra free of charge but those are the rules. You probably will not have to pay for a cake but I am not sure about the rules for that.

 

Like the cake, the rest depends on your butler. A good one will shoo you away and get everything ready for you. For our 40th anniversary, we took decorations on board [bunting, flags, table cloth, etc]. I mentioned them to our butler because I did not want to damage the walls putting them up. We cam back after dinner on the night before our party and our butler has put them all up - and done a much more artistic job than I could have managed.

 

The butler will also organise invitations, if required.

 

You may find that the Chief Housekeeper or Events Coordinator get involved, depending on the particular ship./sailing. It is just a sign that the ship believes your event to be important and wants it to go well.

 

As others have said, remember to compensate your butler. He may suggest that he could request another butler or barman to help. f he does, these guys will be doing the work during their free time and should be compensated accordingly.

 

Have a great party!

Edited by Project_gal
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I would ask the Michael's Club concierge for advice as well. We had a 4 couples that did a wine tasting in one couple's suite (we each brought a favorite wine from home) and the MCC comped hot and cold hors d'oeuvres and a couple of bottles of wine (she worked with the butler). She also had invitations printed for each of us with our names on them and the wine party's name (we had an interesting name for our wine tasting party) :) - a great keepsake.

 

She also came up to the party for a few minutes and introduced herself. It was one of the reasons we booked a CS for the next cruise. We weren't surprised when a nice bottle of wine appeared from the MCC when we had some friends in for a little party when we were in a CS on the next cruise. Not an expectation for us, but one of those nice little touches that makes the MCC so wonderful.

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Ok everyone - having been on m class and s class ships in different Royal Suites, I want to know which butlers! Our MCC host Milli was fantastic! She was so helpful and maneuvered things for us we would not have been able to on our own.

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Ok everyone - having been on m class and s class ships in different Royal Suites, I want to know which butlers! Our MCC host Milli was fantastic! She was so helpful and maneuvered things for us we would not have been able to on our own.

 

I'd also like to know the names of the butlers. We've had mostly good ones, which really helps. I would not have thought about asking the MCC for help, so thanks for that tip.

 

We are sailing on the Infinity in three weeks and plan on having a couple of parties in our suite.

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Isabelo - Equinox - 2012

 

Salvio - Sillouhette - 2013

 

Bart - Equinox - 2014

 

Also - Connie 2009 & 2010 Nelson and Jonathan.

 

I can't remember who on Galaxy.

 

We've had Nelson twice. He is our favorite. He's excellent. Alfred is also good.

 

Shirley

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We hosted a Sail-Away in an Sky Suite (S2) from our first port on Equinox for about 10 people. Asked our butler and he said he would take care of it (which he did - wonderfully). He chilled the champagne we carried on board while we were out during the day, provided a nice shrimp platter, cheese tray, and other savory's. Wonderful event.

 

Just discuss with your butler on Day 1 when he or she is providing introductions / guidance of services.

 

Have a wonderful cruise.

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Just as a courtesy to the butler, don't make it the day you board the ship, lots to do that day.

 

Thank you thank you thank you for making that point.

 

Been in one of the other suites that suffered because of the demands of the PH guest hosting a large party for sail away night one.

 

I really felt for the poor butler as he could not look after anyone else that day other than a very brief hello. We knew it was not the normal so we're ok but I heard other guests were critical and held this against the poor guy all cruise.

 

Whenever you hold your party, be reasonable, keep the numbers sensible and ask your butler if he is staying, how other guests will be cared for that night. Your butler is often very busy formal night as well. If you ask him how he will manage time / That way, he will know he can slip away shoukd the need arise

Another good idea is ask him what night would suit him best

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I disagree......I hardly thing you need to inquire as to how he will manage his time....or what nigh will suit him ....he is there for you...and it is his job to manage his time. if a desired party is too large then he should say so and, either offer ways it can be done...or let the people know that the limits are.

 

 

 

 

Thank you thank you thank you for making that point.

 

Been in one of the other suites that suffered because of the demands of the PH guest hosting a large party for sail away night one.

 

I really felt for the poor butler as he could not look after anyone else that day other than a very brief hello. We knew it was not the normal so we're ok but I heard other guests were critical and held this against the poor guy all cruise.

 

Whenever you hold your party, be reasonable, keep the numbers sensible and ask your butler if he is staying, how other guests will be cared for that night. Your butler is often very busy formal night as well. If you ask him how he will manage time / That way, he will know he can slip away shoukd the need arise

Another good idea is ask him what night would suit him best

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I disagree......I hardly thing you need to inquire as to how he will manage his time....or what nigh will suit him ....he is there for you...and it is his job to manage his time. if a desired party is too large then he should say so and, either offer ways it can be done...or let the people know that the limits are.

 

I agree with you, LabGuy.

 

Our sailaway (yes, the party was ON departure day) involved over 100 people; the entire Cruise Critic roll call.... My butler, Nikola, was overjoyed that he had something to help organize, as it seemed that none of his other suites had any parties planned.

 

And while he didn't stay, he did pop in regularly to ensure that everything was organized and going well. When we returned from dinner (well, it was actually a trip to the Martini Bar.... don't judge!!!) the place was immaculate.

 

And the TIP JAR we left on the table (over $100 in it; I counted it... don't judge this either...) was empty.

 

I hosted smaller groups each subsequent night; and Nik was always ready to set them up and break them down.

 

Nik was awesome. Loved having him around. And yes, I did leave an "Attention to Detail" card, recognizing his hard work. I also left a very generous additional gratuity.

 

 

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Thank you thank you thank you for making that point.

 

Been in one of the other suites that suffered because of the demands of the PH guest hosting a large party for sail away night one.

 

I really felt for the poor butler as he could not look after anyone else that day other than a very brief hello. We knew it was not the normal so we're ok but I heard other guests were critical and held this against the poor guy all cruise.

 

Whenever you hold your party, be reasonable, keep the numbers sensible and ask your butler if he is staying, how other guests will be cared for that night. Your butler is often very busy formal night as well. If you ask him how he will manage time / That way, he will know he can slip away shoukd the need arise

Another good idea is ask him what night would suit him best

 

I do so agree with you and wish I had thought to make the point myself. Suite guest MUST understand that not only are you not the only guests being looked after by your butler BUT he is entitled to his time off as well. Most will not say no if you ask them to do something when they are not scheduled to work and it is so unfair to be so inconsiderate.

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I do so agree with you and wish I had thought to make the point myself. Suite guest MUST understand that not only are you not the only guests being looked after by your butler BUT he is entitled to his time off as well. Most will not say no if you ask them to do something when they are not scheduled to work and it is so unfair to be so inconsiderate.

 

If you think it is inconsiderate, that is certainly YOUR opinion.

 

It certainly is NOT mine.

 

And it probably was NOT Nikola's either....

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On the whole, I found this thread helpful. Thanks to those that were able to provide content that provided insight to the OP and others reading this thread.

 

I have appreciated what a butler can and has done for me in the past. Since everyone should be aware that a butler does service numerous suites/guests, there probably is a point to which a butler will be challenged and/or stretched thin when being asked to provide over the top service to some and skimming past other guests that don't fully utilize the butler.

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I disagree......I hardly thing you need to inquire as to how he will manage his time....or what nigh will suit him ....he is there for you...and it is his job to manage his time. if a desired party is too large then he should say so and, either offer ways it can be done...or let the people know that the limits are.

 

I also agree with you, LabGuy.

 

Butlers receive specialized training, and as professionals, I will not impart upon him what I presume his job should be or when and how often he will perform it. I leave it to them and their professionalism to know when they need to reach out for assistance from other staff (they can call in other butlers, room service delivery people etc.)

 

I simply let them know what I want.need, and allow them to tell me yes I can, no I can't to No I can't then but I can later.

 

Part of the Penthouse and Royal Suite experience is hosting gatherings, large or small. I hosted a sail away for 75 2013 in the PH, and about 80 last year in a RS. I organized both parties with the pre-cruise concierge.

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Most will not say no if you ask them to do something when they are not scheduled to work and it is so unfair to be so inconsiderate.

 

My butlers have told me their normal hours are 6am to 9pm. They do seem to take breaks mid day and assign their duties to another for that period I have also noticed.

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Butlers receive specialized training,

 

If that was the case, your comments would be valid but the reality is Celebrity butlers no longer have additional specialist training. Our last three butlers all confirmed this to us, and to be honest, it showed. They did not know how to say no to others or balance time demands. (One explained why he was coming at nearly 5 with afternoon tea as he could not get away from another guest.... A properly trained butler can extract himself from situations and would not use this as an excuse for lateness. ). All were nice guys, stateroom attendants who had been promoted but given no specialist training shoreside as used to happen

 

It was because of their inexperience and reluctance to say no that I posted earlier how others could help them when expecting extra services. As a suggestion you can take it our leave it.

 

However, I do stand by my view that large parties on embarkation day should not be agreed to given the current staffing levels on Celebrity, where butlers are looking after far more suites than before.

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