Suite butler ...conflicting info.

[andreloop]

Booked a suite for a Silohuette cruise and thought, as Celebrity advertises, that the butler can "Arrange for dining reservations in specialty restaurants", but after reading many threads on reservations, I'm starting to think that I'll have to make them myself, way in advance, in order to get assured bookings of venues and times we wish to have.

Is this an issue some of you have had to deal with? I was kind of hoping to let things happen without overplanning...just letting the butler do the work. Do they have the clout for assuring reservations or will I have to do it?

Looking forward to sailing.

[ghstudio]

Booked a suite for a Silohuette cruise and thought, as Celebrity advertises, that the butler can "Arrange for dining reservations in specialty restaurants", but after reading many threads on reservations, I'm starting to think that I'll have to make them myself, way in advance, in order to get assured bookings of venues and times we wish to have.

Is this an issue some of you have had to deal with? I was kind of hoping to let things happen without overplanning...just letting the butler do the work. Do they have the clout for assuring reservations or will I have to do it?

Looking forward to sailing.

 

While the butlers can be very helpful, they can't bounce people who already have reservations. If you require a specific day/time, then I'd suggest you book it yourself in advance. If you are a little flexible, let your butler do it.

[uktog]

If you want to be absolutely sure of a particular restaurant on a given day at a given time, you would probably want to book in advance. If you can give flexibility on which restaurant you go on a day, some possible flexibility between dates and also times you can leave it to the Butler

 

Although the butler has some "status" when seeking to get reservations, if the restaurant is full, they can do nothing. They do not hold back spaces for the suites.

 

Some butlers make a bit about how they have done you a favour etc etc to get you in, this can be true, but I know we were able to clearly identify in conversations with the relevant restaurant manager that this was what can be described as "tip enhancing behaviour" by two Celebrity butlers over the years.

 

And finally, bear in mind you may not see your butler immediately you board, at least twice we have not seen ours until after sail away. By that time, many others may have made restaurant bookings

 

Only you can tell how time sensitive your particular needs are

[phoenix_dream]

Agreed. If you want specific times and dates, do it yourself. On our last cruise, we booked the five package specialty dining. On that, you are not allowed to pre-book anything except the first restaurant. When we boarded, we had alot of difficulty finding good dates and times - alot. We were NOT happy. I highly recommend you handle it if dates and times are important to you - especially if the ship is full or close to it.

[cle-guy]

Book yourself so you have reservations somewhere for some day and time.

 

Then if you want to later modify, let the butler know and see what they can do.

 

On my last I booked 3 separate reservations, then on arrival worked with butler to modify as needed as things popped up (invite to Captains table for example).

 

I figure it's probably simpler to move a reservation them find an empty slot.

 

Also, not sure how critical selecting exact date/time is. I purchased the 5 meal upgrade plan, and there is no way to select specify date and times for all 5 meals on the website, so I assume having them prebooked means on arrival I need to sort out specifics with butler.

 

The only choice I had was to select monday at 8:30, didn't allow multiple selections....and I don't imagine they expect me to eat all 5 meals at the same time LOL!

[rockfsh]

If you are celebrating something special, let the butler know and they will arrange for a small cake.

 

Like this one.

 

[Muushka]

Prior to boarding Silhouette we tried for a certain evening in Qsine. It was not available so we didn't book anything.

 

When we boarded we asked our butler about that particular evening and POOF! He got it for us.

 

So I would say it wouldn't be a bad idea to try to book prior to your cruise.

But know that your butler may also be able to help.

 

I still miss that man.

[AlaskaGolden]

Prior to boarding Silhouette we tried for a certain evening in Qsine. It was not available so we didn't book anything.

 

When we boarded we asked our butler about that particular evening and POOF! He got it for us.

 

So I would say it wouldn't be a bad idea to try to book prior to your cruise.

But know that your butler may also be able to help.

 

I still miss that man.

 

This makes sense. I've read that all the specialty restaurants hold a certain number of spots for reservations for on-board booking. Thankfully, your butler was able to "grab" one of these for you.

[fla jack]

Remember--If you book online your credit card will

be charge immediately.

Jack

[Beachdude]

I can't imagine a butler not getting the time you desire if there is an opening. It doesn't surprise me that he could get a time that was previously filled because he can keep checking on cancellations. We do it ourselves all the time, but you have to keep checking. It's worth a little tip for someone else to do the checking while we are vacationing.

 

Burt

[misspuss]

I understood that the "2 complamentery special resturant meals" for suite passengers had to be booked onboard. Is this not the case? I would love to make reservations before boarding, if I could, but it looks as if I have to have the butler do it. Please tell me if I have that wrong.

[rockfsh]

I understood that the "2 complamentery special resturant meals" for suite passengers had to be booked onboard. Is this not the case? I would love to make reservations before boarding, if I could, but it looks as if I have to have the butler do it. Please tell me if I have that wrong.

 

If you book in advance, you have to pay for them and get reimbursed tru OBC

[andreloop]

:)Thanks for your reply, and all those prior.

Looks like the options are many, but to play it safe, I'll book sooner rather than later.

It's my understanding that if you book a spec. rest. now, you'll have to put it on credit card now, but will receive an on board credit for the (so called) comp dinners.

Too bad though...I would have loved to say "The butler did it"!! LOL

[PSU]

If you are in a suite and get complimentary dinners in a speciality restaurant, you call enhancements before you cruise and they will take care of it without using your credit card.

 

You can get the times and the restaurants that you want. I am cruising at the end of May and made my reservations by calling months ago.

[cafediem2]

If you are in a suite and get complimentary dinners in a speciality restaurant, you call enhancements before you cruise and they will take care of it without using your credit card.

 

You can get the times and the restaurants that you want. I am cruising at the end of May and made my reservations by calling months ago.

 

But they don't insist you call in advance, so that would explain why a butler is able to get a table for you, as they must have to keep some spaces for suite passengers.

[Miss SeaBee]

I wonder if that was

 

Poof: I snared one of the tables held for on-board bookings

 

Poof: They will fit you in and make folks with a reservation wait

 

Poof: They called someone with a reservation and asked if they would be willing to change their time.

 

Sometimes "poof" means that you have inconvenienced someone else....just something to think about....

 

Idk about making people with existing reservations wait. Maybe I've been lucky, but whenever I've had reservations in a specialty restaurant, we've always been escorted immediately to our table, no waiting. Also, I agree with previous posters to not take chances. I book weeks/ months ahead, as soon as they allow it on the website. I don 't like to take my chances by waiting.

[Muushka]

I wonder if that was

 

Poof: I snared one of the tables held for on-board bookings

 

Poof: They will fit you in and make folks with a reservation wait

 

Poof: They called someone with a reservation and asked if they would be willing to change their time.

 

Sometimes "poof" means that you have inconvenienced someone else....just something to think about....

 

Oh please. Give me a break.:rolleyes: