Tell us your butler stories!

[timetravellers]

The only time we have had a butler was on our Century cruise to Alaska last year. We had an aft Century suite.

We always have breakfast in our cabin. Gene, our butler turned up the first morning with the tray balanced on his hand and asked where we would like him to set the breakfast up. We said on the balcony please.

It was rather cold and he was rather surprised but he excused himself and said he had to go and get a table cloth. He then laid everything out beautifully on the balcony and off he went.

Next morning, the same thing happened again.

Third morning, he brought the tablecloth with him!!

[BamaD]

Last year, on the Equinox I had an AQ cabin. However, we surprised our daughter and MIL with a Celebrity Suite. They requested nothing of the butler and received even less. One day we asked for a small platter of fruit and 2 buckets of ice to delivered by 11am and for the room to be cleaned early.... Nothing!

 

Around 12 noon, "Peter" noticed the Cruise Critic, Cabin Crawl/Poker Run folks start to pour in(an unexpected turn out of 30 - 40)and suddenly servers that I had never seen before started appearing with trays of sandwiches, fruit, cheese and crackers, ice and sparkling water.

 

While Peter was not very motivated to serve an elderly woman and teenager, he picked up the pace when Cruise Critic showed up en masse. We got along fabulously after that!

 

I think maybe he was reluctant to respond to requests coming from a "non-suite" mom even though Katie and MIL were never going to request anything! It all worked out well, but this elderly woman and teenage girl had no clout until they were attached to Cruise Critic! True Story.

[BamaD]

Later in the cruise..... Katie got "sea sick" and Peter took better care of her than I could! Chipped ice, ginger ale, soup, fresh pillow cases, towel animals.

 

(For those of you on the cruise with us who remember how sweet Katie got ill - just be quiet and don't ruin my story!)

Edited March 29, 2013 by BamaD

[DiamondSuiteCruiser]

we have been a Penthouse twice. We have never asked the butler to pack or unpack. Just too personal. We used him mostly to serve breakfast in our room for us and our friends who would order with us the night before and join us in the morning. Sometimes some cheese and fruit before dinner. Nothing else really special. We are pretty self sufficient

 

The same with us, we also had dinner one night in our suite, because my DH got back from a fishing trip late, so we missed our dinner plans. That was very special as he served us one course at a time, even though we told him he could bring it all up at the same time, to save time for him, but he just refused and said it would get cold. We could have put it in the microwave if need be, but he would not allow that to happen. Jose was very professional and such a joy.

[Project_gal]

The same with us, we also had dinner one night in our suite, because my DH got back from a fishing trip late, so we missed our dinner plans. That was very special as he served us one course at a time, even though we told him he could bring it all up at the same time, to save time for him, but he just refused and said it would get cold. We could have put it in the microwave if need be, but he would not allow that to happen. Jose was very professional and such a joy.

 

Was that Jose Luis Fierro? He has been our butler twice and was the one who I mentioned previously decorated our suite.

 

You are so correct. He is such a joy.

 

Sue

[olemissreb]

We were in a Sky Suite on our '05 Connie cruise. Theo was our butler and he was wonderful! The second day on board, first formal night, DH realized he forgot his pants for his suit at home. We called Theo and he was able to get a tux for DH to wear for the cruise.

 

We also had Theo bring us breakfast every morning. The first morning, he set up breakfast and then excused himself. It was that afternoon, while dealing with getting the tux, that we realized that Theo had a speech impediment that made him self-conscious about talking with the passengers. We were so patient with him that the next morning when he set up breakfast for us, we asked him what to do in port that day. He told us so many things. Every morning after that, he would set up our breakfast and then stay and chat with us about what we were doing in port, things to see/do in port after our excursion. He was wonderful!

 

Every afternoon when he would bring by the canapes and tea, he would let us know which canapes were the best and if he was running low on those, he would "hide" some just for us!

 

We're in a Royal Suite for our Alaska cruise. I really hope we get someone like Theo. I can't wait!

[A Sixth?]

 

 

Man!!! :eek:

 

You look good to go for formal night but your butler is pretty short and on the young side isn't he? :p

[HopefulCruiser123]

Our butler, Elizar, on our recent cruise in a sky suite on the Silhouette was very good. When we first met him I had made a list of things (2 hair appointments on formal nights, specialty restaurant time change, request for a bridge tour, ice refreshed throughout the day) and all were taken care of. We tipped well at the end of the cruise.

[DiamondSuiteCruiser]

Was that Jose Luis Fierro? He has been our butler twice and was the one who I mentioned previously decorated our suite.

 

You are so correct. He is such a joy.

 

Sue

 

I believe so, We never had to ask him for anything, he just took such good care of us. He saw my Dh going to get us a few drinks one night, and just told him he would take care of it, told him to just sit back, relax and enjoy our vacation. He was wonderful. I believe he said he was transfering to the Reflection.

 

Gina

[shell15]

On the Summit a couple of years ago we were lucky enough to have a Royal Suite. Keith was our butler and was absolutely amazing. He was extremely attentive and so kind. We didn't need any unpacking and we didn't want a meal served in our cabin, so we were relatively simple guests. He still kept checking to see if there was anything he could do for us. He brought the little sandwich cart every day but I was never really interested. On the third day though we had returned from a long excursion and I was especially hungry. I told him I was vegetarian, did he have any other veggie options? A few minutes later there was a knock at the door and there was Keith, with a HUGE tray of at least a couple dozen mini-sandwiches, treats and such, as well as a big plate of chocolate chip cookies and various petit fours. Every day after that he'd bring a separate tray just for me with all kinds of vegetarian specialties.

 

We got to know him well that week, and he shared that after that cruise, he was finally headed home to see him family. He saw the picture of my son in our cabin and asked about him...he teared up when speaking of his children back home. There were lots of hugs the day of departure! I think of him often and I pray that maybe someday we will see him again on a future cruise. He was a very special guy.

[Miss SeaBee]

We are low maintenance, and rarely ask anything special of our butler, but I like having a kind, familiar face coming by a few times a day. It is just nice to have someone to ask when you have questions, and who will know your name, know what you like, know when you are in your cabin and when you are not. We end up feeling like they are our friends by the end of our cruise. Also, my mom, who is elderly, spends much of her time in the suite, while we are out on excursions, by the pool, etc. (Her choice, we don't just ditch mom! :)) It makes me feel good to know that the butler will be watching out for her, and if she needs anything at all, all she has to do is pick up the phone and call him.

[NewMexico]

We were invited to dinner in the suite of some Roll Call friends one evening.

Their Butler was doing a wonderful job running backwards and forwards from the Kitchen to serve us each course.

We had just finished our dessert when he turned up with this exciting looking silver tray.

 

[ATTACH]266103[/ATTACH]

 

 

 

Their laundry!! :)

 

Thanks! You've answered a question I had about inviting some cruising friends to dinner in our suite. I thought it would be a possibility, but now I know for sure! We were planning this for our TA next week.

[drarill]

We were fortunate enough to have a CS on the Equinox a couple of years ago. This was our first cruise with Celebrity, but were given Elite status because we are D+ in RCCL. We didn't ask the butler to pack or unpack, we are really low maintenance. As Elite we were given two sets of Elite coupons, each with a free wash and fold bag. I really love Celebrity's laundry coupons and the Butler noticed it. He gave me extra coupons for free laundry at the end of the cruise, which was really nice. Last year we downgraded ourselves to two C-1 cabins and really missed the space and the special service. This summer we booked a SS for two weeks in the Baltic and recently was able to upgrade myself (the upgrade fairy doesn't like me), to a Royal Suite. Looking forward to have breakfast on our balcony, as some of you have described. ;);)

[Kevnzworld]

I am currently staying in a sky suite for the first time on the Equinox. Joey is our butler. He's very friendly, brings us fruit and says hi in the hallway. Other than that, I can't figure out what he does.

Last night was the " equinox " show in the theater. He and the other butlers were outside and he escorted us into the theater where a center seat awaited us.

[H2OH!]

When have had a butler 3 times (fourth will be January 2014). 2 or the three have been outstanding. when traveling with my mom she rides a scooter so the extra room in a suite is nice.

 

Igor on Eclipse was phenomenal!! He has been our favorite butler to date!

 

We use the butler for:

* Breakfast on balcony each morning- my mom loves this

* mom loves her 4 pm tea and cookies

* dinner reservations at specialty restaurants

* Dinner in cabin now and then

 

We like and appreciate the extra attention...we know its there if we need it or want it :)

[bnalexander]

Sorry, double entry.

Edited September 9, 2013 by bnalexander

[bnalexander]

Godfrey was our first butler on the Celebrity line. We were a bit confused as to what to expect, but he made us feel right at home from the start. At my request he arranged and attended a sail away party for about 15 persons within a couple of hours after I asked him. It was a blast and that was all due to his prep. From that time forward, all we had to do was ask. Although he had many suites other than ours, we could not have asked for better care. You might say, he trained us first time butler passengers and our next butler will have a big job to do to even begin to fill his shoes! Godfrey, Celebrity Infinity, you are the BEST!

[joelmarj]

On the Summit a couple of years ago we were lucky enough to have a Royal Suite. Keith was our butler and was absolutely amazing. He was extremely attentive and so kind. We didn't need any unpacking and we didn't want a meal served in our cabin, so we were relatively simple guests. He still kept checking to see if there was anything he could do for us. He brought the little sandwich cart every day but I was never really interested. On the third day though we had returned from a long excursion and I was especially hungry. I told him I was vegetarian, did he have any other veggie options? A few minutes later there was a knock at the door and there was Keith, with a HUGE tray of at least a couple dozen mini-sandwiches, treats and such, as well as a big plate of chocolate chip cookies and various petit fours. Every day after that he'd bring a separate tray just for me with all kinds of vegetarian specialties.

 

We got to know him well that week, and he shared that after that cruise, he was finally headed home to see him family. He saw the picture of my son in our cabin and asked about him...he teared up when speaking of his children back home. There were lots of hugs the day of departure! I think of him often and I pray that maybe someday we will see him again on a future cruise. He was a very special guy.

 

We had Keith on the Summit last year as well. He was great. We usually do formal with Gown and Tux but this one cruise for some unknown reason my husband decided to just bring a suit. Wouldn't you know, we got invited to the captain table. Keith helped my husband secure a tux for that night as well as getting me a hair appointment.

 

He also knew I had a fondness for the Celebrity cookies so every day my afternoon snack included a plate full of cookies. :D

 

We didn't really ask him to do anything much but he was always so eager to offer help of any kind. We have have a suite about 4 times and the butlers were always so delightful. Really just good people, so good we hated asking for things!!

[dodger1964]

We were in the sky suite that connects to the penthouse suite (used as a second bedroom for the penthouse when needed) on our last cruise on the Summit in December..

 

 

Wasn't that awkward when they would try to climb in bed with you.

 

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[Orator]

I've told this one before. Our first Celebrity cruise was on the new Millennium in 2000. We were in a Sky Suite where we first enjoyed the services of a butler. We were sitting in the Sky Lounge after the first part of a back to back. We heard a voice say: " Mr Mrs B it's so nice to see you again". The owner of the voice was the Assistant Head Housekeeper who told us that he was our Butler on the 2000 Millennium cruise. I told him that we must have really taken good care of him or really shifted him for him to remember us. He assured us that we were good guests. By the way, this reunion happened in 2010. I find it difficult to remember people after 5 minutes. He remembered after 10 years.

[TLCOhio]

Appreciate these recent posts, plus the earlier series of comments on Butlers, etc. We are looking forward to our first “down under” visit, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Celebrity Solstice sailing, departing Sydney, going from Australia to Auckland/NZ doing 14 days on this ship we loved in the Med in June 2011. Plus, doing some pre-cruise options for Cairns/Port Douglas, the Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef, then Kangaroo Island near Adelaide before departing from Sidney’s scenic harbor.

 

We will have a Celebrity Suite (with Butler) on this cruise. There are seven other couples from Central Ohio traveling with us. Four of them are also in Celebrity Suites. As noted below, we traveled in 2010 on ship with Butlers provides and it worked well, including for doing a World Cup party in our room during the big championship game. Good food, fun and being able to watch the final game.

 

Looking forward to talking with our Butler for doing some informal in-suite dining, using the room service and/or MDR menu. Any tips from those who done this approach with Celebrity?

 

BUTLER SUCCESS STORY: We wanted to have a “pizza party” in our suite to watch the World Cup battle between Spain and Holland. How did it happen and work? Super great!!! And the game was good, too, going into overtime to get a winner. Our Butler was spectacular in arranging all of the details. Our Columbus friends-neighbors, Janet and Denny, were there, along with new friends Sharon and Issy from the Washington, DC, area. Six people worked well for a party in our suite. We started at 8 pm with egg rolls, shrimp, crab claws, chips, etc., as a warm-up, plus a tub of chilled Champagne, wine, beer, etc. Then around 9 pm, after the game started a half hour earlier, the five different pizza selections arrived along with hot dogs, cookies, etc. We could have had more food, but we were stuffed and very happy. Not only was the game good, but out our large balcony door and window, we could watch the spectacular mountains along the coast go by as we sailed south along the Norway coast.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Celebrity Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 141,567 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

 

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 117,978 views.

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

 

 

For the World Cup Championship game, Spain versus Holland on July 11, 2010, this was our “PIZZA PARTY” set-up in our room as we sailed along the Norway Coast south of the Lofoten Islands. This set-up worked well for size with six in that space. We ordered in advance off of the regular room service menu, set-up through our wonderful Butler. In place of eating in the main Dining Room, we had our food and drinks in the suite. Eight people would have been too tight for such a party in a regular suite.:

 

[Bently57]

well... Once I ran out of my "I can't believe it's not butter" so I made a mad dash to the grocery store as I had guests coming for dinner. I bought REAL butter by mistake and what a pleasant surprise! Growing up in the 70's my family had to pinch every penny and I had never had the real thing. Ever since, I have been hooked on authentic butter.

 

 

Oh wait. This thread is about butlers. Sorry.

[Karynanne]

We have had wonderful Butlers for some of our cruises. One that stood out was Mateus, onboard Mercury. We were onboard for a B2B out of Sydney, Australia and disembarked in Hawaii, 29 days laters.

 

He was wonderful. I always ordered fruit and yogurt for breakfast...but one morning he delivered a huge platter of piping hot french toast. I started to tell him no, but then he quickly held the plate up under my nose, so that I could get smell that wonderful aroma. It worked like a charm. And that was just one special thing he did. He always had our lattes delivered every afternoon, and wonderful little sandwiches as well.

 

It's special Butlers like him that create lasting memories.

 

In two weeks we'll be onboard Equinox, and hopefully we'll have another special Butler to put in our memory book.

[kennedyd]

We were on Reflection in March and had one of the new AQ class suites. Maybe it was because the crew was new, our cabin class was new, or we were expecting something different, but we failed to see the usefullness of our butler. He showed up every day with his cart for tea time, but beyond that I didn't see where he did much. He dlivered breakfast one morning, but when I asked him about polishing a pair of shoes for me for formal night, he seemed offended. I asked him about switching the complementary sparkling wine for something else and he said he would check - 4 days later he finally got it done (after I asked him about it daily). We didn't ask him for anything else during our 7 days on board.

[Orator]

We were on Reflection in March and had one of the new AQ class suites. Maybe it was because the crew was new, our cabin class was new, or we were expecting something different, but we failed to see the usefullness of our butler. He showed up every day with his cart for tea time, but beyond that I didn't see where he did much. He dlivered breakfast one morning, but when I asked him about polishing a pair of shoes for me for formal night, he seemed offended. I asked him about switching the complementary sparkling wine for something else and he said he would check - 4 days later he finally got it done (after I asked him about it daily). We didn't ask him for anything else during our 7 days on board.

 

Someone must finish last on Butler school. Seems that you had him..

Edited September 11, 2013 by Orator