Tell us your butler stories!

[CruiserRev]

Entitled people offer such lousy perspective, even when it is honest, and even when it is true. About to experience my first suite. Likely to be my last suite, just from an economically realistic point of view. It is our 10th anniversary, and the suite is a surprise for my wife, though my 7 year old daughter is in on the secret. If our butler is awesome, she is going to hear about it when we get home, and if this thread is alive, so will you. If our butler is less than awesome, she will hear about all the things that were awesome, because that will be what we grasp onto. Might we have a "right" to complain? Perhaps. But we wont; it's just silly to express such profound disappointment when you are so profoundly fortunate.

[MizDemeanor]

Just to clarify: You have stayed in a Celebrity Suite three times with a butler and none of your butlers ever returned you calls? You are certainly implying that none of your butlers have ever answered your calls or returned your numerous messages? Not calling you a liar, but that is certainly a very negative experience and is certainly hard to imagine. Boy have you had some bad luck.

 

No. Not saying I have been in a CS three times. I am saying I have been in a variety of CS and RS over my last three cruises, and yes my "Luck" as you characterize it, has been less than anticipated.

 

I am paying for a Suite, not Casino Chips. Luck has nothing to do with my Cabin Selection when I am Booked For, Paid For a Particular Cabin with Explcit Amenities.

 

Others have simply said Butlers are so-so. I agree, but am more emphatic and detailed than that in suggesting from my personal experience that they fall short of expectations.

Edited September 21, 2013 by MizDemeanor

[Cruising89143]

I after thinking last night about our butler experience on X and NCL it was a night and day difference in experience. On the two NCL cruises the butlers were useless. Very seldom saw them. Not sure why we even had one assigned.:confused:

Edited September 21, 2013 by cruisingator2

[MizDemeanor]

I after thinking last night about our butler experience on X and NCL it was a night and day difference in experience. On the two NCL cruises the butlers were useless. Very seldom saw them. Not sure why we even had one assigned.:confused:

 

That's an interesting perception about 'seeing' Butlers. I often find that people indicate their Butlers were never seen and have a negative impression because of this. This is reported on NCL too. I prefer not to 'see' Butlers, the benefit of them is to be assessible. I like the idea of the phone contact but since its intorduction it may be a reason why Butlers are seen less.

[Cruising89143]

That's an interesting perception about 'seeing' Butlers. I often find that people indicate their Butlers were never seen and have a negative impression because of this. This is reported on NCL too. I prefer not to 'see' Butlers, the benefit of them is to be assessible. I like the idea of the phone contact but since its intorduction it may be a reason why Butlers are seen less.

 

Very hard for them to do anything when they're never around. Never had that issue on Celebrity.

[Chunky2219]

We've done the suite with butler thing quite a few times on three different lines, including X.

 

Of course they vary. But the overwhelming impression is that they will try to figure out the measure of you, and will then do as much or as little as they think you want or need. We've had good ones and outstanding ones, but never a bad one.

 

Sometimes, admittedly, some will lean towards the "as little as possible" option. Possibly because they have a lot of ground to cover, may have some demanding guests down the corridor and they don't need to volunteer to go above and beyond. Others start by trying to do a bit much for some people, but eventually get the message that you are pretty self-sufficient and they back off a little. On some lines the term butler is probably a misnomer - it's really a cabin steward in a fancy uniform.

 

Never expect great things on embarkation day or the last day before disembarking, because they will be running all over the place saying hello and trying to get a feel for people or tying up loose ends at the end of a cruise. This is the case even if you are in the best suite on the ship. It isn't really fair for you to be too demanding on the first day and I guess they will be grateful for that little bit of consideration - that's how it's always seemed to us and we've had some nice little helpful surprises later in the cruise.

 

If your butler isn't meeting your needs, tell him/her what you want and they will almost always respond. If that doesn't work, then you should be getting what you are paying for and need to have a word with the hotel manager.

 

I should point out that I come from a land where tipping isn't the norm and so our experience can't have been on the expectation of a greased palm. However, I've usually found that a tip for the butler at the end is very well received, so well that sometimes there seemed to be genuine surprise - from which I draw the conclusion that our positive experiences have not been the result of a butler counting on a reward. Maybe we've just been successful in ensuring they know how needy we are and when to leave us alone.

 

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Edited September 21, 2013 by Chunky2219
typo

[MizDemeanor]

I have taken the laid back approach, I get it, its hectic all the way around and I'm usually exhausted too, but the one and only time I asked for the unpacking I was told no. No, its after 9pm.

 

The next day the Butler asked why I unpacked myself and I bit my tongue.

[BonnieVA]

I have taken the laid back approach, I get it, its hectic all the way around and I'm usually exhausted too, but the one and only time I asked for the unpacking I was told no. No, its after 9pm.

 

You wanted the butler to unpack for you after 9PM? Do you realize that 9PM is when their day is supposed to end? The last day/first day of sailings is exhausting for them. Unlike days DURING a sailing, when they might get a couple hours break mid-day, these days they usually have no break. They are up early, neatening & fixing up cabins, take a quick shower & then dive right into greeting & helping the next round of guests. They have very little time for a break & are working hard until 9PM when they NEED to rest! They have most likely worked over 12 hours straight, with just time for a shower & quick lunch, by the time 9PM rolls around.

[CathyCruises]

I have taken the laid back approach, I get it, its hectic all the way around and I'm usually exhausted too, but the one and only time I asked for the unpacking I was told no. No, its after 9pm.

 

The next day the Butler asked why I unpacked myself and I bit my tongue.

 

Besides the unpacking issue, can you give some other examples of what they did to disappoint you? We are pretty independent travelers and don't ask for much, so I am wondering what kinds of things people ask for--maybe we've been missing out!

[MizDemeanor]

You wanted the butler to unpack for you after 9PM? Do you realize that 9PM is when their day is supposed to end? The last day/first day of sailings is exhausting for them. Unlike days DURING a sailing, when they might get a couple hours break mid-day, these days they usually have no break. They are up early, neatening & fixing up cabins, take a quick shower & then dive right into greeting & helping the next round of guests. They have very little time for a break & are working hard until 9PM when they NEED to rest! They have most likely worked over 12 hours straight, with just time for a shower & quick lunch, by the time 9PM rolls around.

 

Your do realize that I have been up since dawn, making all sorts of last minute arrangements, have had to be stopped and started and queued. Have been discumbobulated waiting to even put hand luggage down somehere safe. Have had to treck up and down stairs to muster, have worried to no end that all my luggage will be on board, and wait and hope for it. I have to go to dinner and pray that when I get back all my things are there.

 

And then, because its 9pm when I get back to my cabin after dinner and my luggage is there and my Butler is there asking me what can he do for me and I ask him to unpack and he says no, it's me that's wrong?

 

There is no cabin service on disembarcation day so I stongly disagree that its a hard day for him at the start. Its probably one of their easier days.

 

And I've got clothes that need to be hung.:cool:

[MizDemeanor]

Besides the unpacking issue, can you give some other examples of what they did to disappoint you? We are pretty independent travelers and don't ask for much, so I am wondering what kinds of things people ask for--maybe we've been missing out!

 

Simply asked for beverages to be iced for when we returned to our cabin after excursions. Did not happen. Not once but twice. We tried to call him. Left message to contact us. Did not.

 

After second time and no response DH took ice bucket up to cafe and filled it with ice himself. And did so every day thereafter.

[CruiserRev]

Perhaps those who find travel so traumatic.....shouldn't.

[Project_gal]

I after thinking last night about our butler experience on X and NCL it was a night and day difference in experience. On the two NCL cruises the butlers were useless. Very seldom saw them. Not sure why we even had one assigned.:confused:

 

Although we have had excellent butlers everytime on Celebrity and Azamara, we both agree that the best butler we have ever had was the one we had on our only NC: cruise. And on NCL, we also had the services of an extremely proactive and absolutely brilliant condeirge. Despite that, we are extremely unlikely to ever cruise with NCL again! By the way, by far the worst butlers we have encountered were at the Singapore Raffles.

 

We have always been conscious of how busy butlers are on embarkation and disembarkation days but have been amazed with what they voluteer to do on those days. On two occasions we have taken fresh flowers on board for our suite and our butler has arranged them for us. We had not even requested a vase. We had plastic ones packed in our cases and were waiting for them to be delivered. On most cruises, our butlers have insisted on delivering our normal breakfast items even on disembarkation day. However, I do stress that we have never requested these services and never would on these extremely busy days.

 

Sue

[dodger1964]

Perhaps those who find travel so traumatic.....shouldn't.

 

I don't think they meant traumatic...just that both the passenger and the butler have been up all day doing something. Travelling is a hastle and I agree that after a long day (we are flying overnight to board our next cruise in Barcelona on the day we arrive...we will be exhausted I'm sure) it wouldn't be unreasonable to respond to the butlers offer of assistance that, yes, he could unpack for you (as that is one of the listed benefits of a butler).

 

I didn't know that a butler got off work at 9. I don't think that is common knowledge.

 

Only have heard one side of the story, but I would have hoped that if the butler did offer assistance, only to turn down the request due to time constraints, he would have offered at that time to do the unpacking at a specified time the next morning.

[cle-guy]

 

I didn't know that a butler got off work at 9. I don't think that is common knowledge.

 

I didn't either, and asked mine, realizing it would be impossible for 24 hour service! He said basically 6 am to 9 pm, unless an emergency of course. I then just gave him a daily schedule for me and all was perfect.

[Karynanne]

Simply asked for beverages to be iced for when we returned to our cabin after excursions. Did not happen. Not once but twice. We tried to call him. Left message to contact us. Did not.

 

After second time and no response DH took ice bucket up to cafe and filled it with ice himself. And did so every day thereafter.

 

I may be way off base here...but have you ever given it a thought that YOU may be the common denominator regarding your negative experiences with Butlers?

 

We've had Butlers on previous cruises, and will again next week on Equinox, and in advance I know full well, that EVERYTHING won't be perfect. But then again...I don't expect perfection.

 

It's unfortunate that your cruising experiences on Celebrity has left you with a negative slant towards Suite dwelling.

[Iamthesea]

MizDemeanor - I believe that you were in the cabin next door to me last week. :rolleyes:

 

I do wish that we as cruisers could have the option to have or not to have a Butler. We didn't need him, and only used him for a few things because we were already paying him. We enjoy having a large stateroom, and would like to have the option to book that stateroom without having to pay a Butler (and gratuities) attached. Perhaps celebrity should think of that option, especially if they are short handed. Let those that want and need the services of a Butler have them for an extra charge, and those of us that don't, can have the larger room without the extra's. :)

Edited September 21, 2013 by Iamthesea

[BonnieVA]

Your do realize that I have been up since dawn, making all sorts of last minute arrangements, have had to be stopped and started and queued. Have been discumbobulated waiting to even put hand luggage down somehere safe. Have had to treck up and down stairs to muster, have worried to no end that all my luggage will be on board, and wait and hope for it. I have to go to dinner and pray that when I get back all my things are there.

 

And then, because its 9pm when I get back to my cabin after dinner and my luggage is there and my Butler is there asking me what can he do for me and I ask him to unpack and he says no, it's me that's wrong?

 

There is no cabin service on disembarcation day so I stongly disagree that its a hard day for him at the start. Its probably one of their easier days.

 

And I've got clothes that need to be hung.:cool:

 

Alright, I'm calling you out here as a troll, making all this up to try & get everyone else's knickers in a knot, lol! That first paragraph that I quoted from you was entirely enjoyable to read ... gave me a good laugh! You seem to enjoy the bantering on this thread & I've come to think that you're just messing w us. If not, then:

 

Yes, travelling is tiring, but do you really expect me to feel sorry for your first-world problems ... that you're so tired at 9PM that you can't unpack your own stuff? (Or wait until the morning when the butler's available to do it?) If you are on the up & up, then I have to think you're one of "those" passengers & that the crew is basically fed up with all your demands &, possibly, attitude.

 

There IS cabin service the day you get off the ship! The cabin attendant isn't the only one in those cabins cleaning up after you! The butlers are also in there. Maybe we shouldn't think of it as cleaning, but as preparing for the next passengers on the next sailing. I know for a fact, because I am very close friends w a butler on X, that this day is their busiest & most exhausting.

[BonnieVA]

Perhaps those who find travel so traumatic.....shouldn't.

 

I wish there was a "Like" icon on Cruise Critic!

[MizDemeanor]

I may be way off base here...but have you ever given it a thought that YOU may be the common denominator regarding your negative experiences with Butlers?

 

We've had Butlers on previous cruises, and will again next week on Equinox, and in advance I know full well, that EVERYTHING won't be perfect. But then again...I don't expect perfection.

 

It's unfortunate that your cruising experiences on Celebrity has left you with a negative slant towards Suite dwelling.

 

I am certainly the common demoninator. I am the guest, the passenger. The paying customer each and very time.

 

To date the best Butler we have experienced on Celebrity has been in a Sky Suite. It was only a seven day cruise, and our needs were nothing more than breakfast in our cabin, which was there each and every day, exactly as ordered and right on time. Delivered and set up cheerfully, with professionalism and care. By some magic, we found during this particular cruise that my husbands shoes had been nicely polished without even asking.

 

I think there are great things about Celebrity, but my own experiences indicate that the Butler services are inconsistent at a minimum. In fact, I have had better experinces with Cabin Stewards alone in Non-Suite cabins than I have had with Butlers in the higher end suites. And that almost makes no sense when you look at it that way.

 

To the idea that Butlers are overworked...think about the cabin steward who does the double duty in standard cabins. The Cabin Steward gets no extra set of hands at all from a Butler. That guy never seems to say no to anyone. He brings breakfast. He brings ice. He brings cabin service during the day. All the paper that Celebrty likes to deliver for art auctions in the mail slot for their sales The dailies. The final bills. The service calls for something wrong in the cabin, the sheets, the towels, bath and excursion. The AQ amenities. The CC afternoon plates. This regular guy runs all day long and late into the night. He takes care of nearly every need a guest could have while inside their cabin. And its visible.

 

The Butler? He has to bring food, some afternoon tea, and be on stand-by for guests special requests. And when I read on this topic, what I read indicates the majority of suite guests do not make special requests of their Butler at all.

[MizDemeanor]

Alright, I'm calling you out here as a troll, making all this up to try & get everyone else's knickers in a knot, lol! That first paragraph that I quoted from you was entirely enjoyable to read ... gave me a good laugh! You seem to enjoy the bantering on this thread & I've come to think that you're just messing w us. If not, then:

 

Yes, travelling is tiring, but do you really expect me to feel sorry for your first-world problems ... that you're so tired at 9PM that you can't unpack your own stuff? (Or wait until the morning when the butler's available to do it?) If you are on the up & up, then I have to think you're one of "those" passengers & that the crew is basically fed up with all your demands &, possibly, attitude.

 

There IS cabin service the day you get off the ship! The cabin attendant isn't the only one in those cabins cleaning up after you! The butlers are also in there. Maybe we shouldn't think of it as cleaning, but as preparing for the next passengers on the next sailing. I know for a fact, because I am very close friends w a butler on X, that this day is their busiest & most exhausting.

 

Oh my. I don't expect you to feel sorry for me at 9pm. Fact is I did unpack becasue if i didn't I would not have been able to rest well knowing my clothes were still in the luggage longer than they needed to be. I happen to pack extremely well but I like order around me too. Not luggage. So even if the Butler did unpack me and even if happened at that particular moment, I still had my own things to do as well before I could relax, on guess what, my vacation!

 

I don't know personally about "those passengers". It sounds like you do. But what I do know about are "those posters" everywhere who seem to like to want to call people they disagree with liars and trolls.

[MizDemeanor]

MizDemeanor - I believe that you were in the cabin next door to me last week. :rolleyes:

 

I do wish that we as cruisers could have the option to have or not to have a Butler. We didn't need him, and only used him for a few things because we were already paying him. We enjoy having a large stateroom, and would like to have the option to book that stateroom without having to pay a Butler (and gratuities) attached. Perhaps celebrity should think of that option, especially if they are short handed. Let those that want and need the services of a Butler have them for an extra charge, and those of us that don't, can have the larger room without the extra's. :)

 

Its a good idea!!! But wait, you might get hammered by others for being so entitled by have the $$$ to pay for a suite and wanting to gyp a poor overworked Butler out of his hard earned fortune that he can only get from the passegers to feed his extended family in some far away land that he came from just to serve you hand and foot. :D

[Ma Bell]

The cabin steward has an assistant and there are always two people servicing your cabin. The butler has completely different duties and they are constant throughout the day.

[MizDemeanor]

The cabin steward has an assistant and there are always two people servicing your cabin. The butler has completely different duties and they are constant throughout the day.

 

Staffing same set up in a Suite. So Three for a Suite and Two for a Standard Cabin. What do you find to be the Butler's duties throughout the day?

Edited September 21, 2013 by MizDemeanor

[MizDemeanor]

Here is what the website says they do:

 

Celebrity offers European-style butler service to guests in all suites. Enjoy assistance with packing and unpacking. Savor a full breakfast, lunch and dinner in-suite, if you choose. Take afternoon tea and nibble evening hors d'oeuvres. Sip complimentary espresso & cappuccino from your veranda. Put the finishing touch on your look with our shoeshine service. Relax with your favorite board game - delivered on request. Service designed to take pampering to new heights by covering all the details.