Butlers Anywhere?

[Quendryth]

Are there any staterooms that offer butler service?

 

I don't see any mentioned anywhere & wonder if they have been discontinued. They used to come with the PH suite years ago on S class.

 

Thanks for any info!

 

Quendryth

[PathfinderEss]

Sorry Hal does not offer butler service. The closes thing you might find to it is if you rent a cabana (only on Nieuw Amsterdam, Eurodam, Noordam) or you have a suite with concierge service.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have stayed in PS cabins many times since 2001 and never had a Butler. Maybe before that time?

The PS and Neptune Suites do have Concierges who are willing to do just about anything for you. I even know when a man asked one to go shopping for him to get something for his wife. Concierge did so on her break. This is just a rare incident.

[CruiserBruce]

We have been in PS and Suites back to 1998, and never a Butler.

[Folk Singer]

Never seen a Butler but do have concerigre service.

[Krazy Kruizers]

When we first started sailing on HAL in 1996, we were in what was called an S Suite (now Neptune Suite) on the S class ships.

We didn't even have the Neptune Lounge thus no concierges either.

[Randyk47]

When we first started sailing on HAL in 1996, we were in what was called an S Suite (now Neptune Suite) on the S class ships.

We didn't even have the Neptune Lounge thus no concierges either.

 

Our first S Suite was 1995 and also no butler or Neptune Lounge. I don't remember what was across the hall from our cabin. Maybe interior cabins or crew space. First Neptune Lounge for us was 2004 but we'd taken quite a break from 1998 to 2004 so a lot changed in those six years.

[summer slope]

Does the Concierge get expresso coffee from the explorations cafe for suite cruisers? I've never cruised in a Suite and don't want to be overbearing or expect things that I shouldn't.

[kenevenpar]

Celebrity has butlers. No big deal IMHO. Concierges on HAL are wonderful and couldn't be more helpful.

[jaspersmycat]

Does the Concierge get expresso coffee from the explorations cafe for suite cruisers? I've never cruised in a Suite and don't want to be overbearing or expect things that I shouldn't.

 

There is a cappucino machine in the Neptune Lounge. She/He is there to help with reservations and problems. They are not butlers or waiters.

[sail7seas]

Are there any staterooms that offer butler service?

 

I don't see any mentioned anywhere & wonder if they have been discontinued. They used to come with the PH suite years ago on S class.

 

Thanks for any info!

 

Quendryth

 

I think you are mistaken.

We sailed "S" Class ships straight from Statendam's Inaugural Season and every ship thereafter as they joined HAL's fleet (but for Prinsendam) and have never had a butler on HAL ships. We love the combination of excellent cabin steward and great concierge.

 

When we had butlers on Celebrity, we actually tipped them to stay away. They were so annoying and always calling or knocking on the door and disturbing us. I told them I'd call if we needed anything from them. :D We never called.

 

HAL has not had butlers for their suites since Statendam joined the fleet. I can't speak for further back than Noordam III which was the first HAL ships we sailed (in a Suite) but no butler.

 

Edited January 20, 2015 by sail7seas

[sail7seas]

There is a cappucino machine in the Neptune Lounge. She/He is there to help with reservations and problems. They are not butlers or waiters.

 

Many a time I have watched a concierge help with the Coffee Machine in Neptune Lounge. They are very willing to help. Also, a great deal of the time there is a steward from Pinnacle present. (S)he keeps the display stocked and changes out the breakfast to lunch selections etc They are more than happy to assist guests with coffee/food.

 

Edited January 20, 2015 by sail7seas

[sail7seas]

Our first S Suite was 1995 and also no butler or Neptune Lounge. I don't remember what was across the hall from our cabin. Maybe interior cabins or crew space. First Neptune Lounge for us was 2004 but we'd taken quite a break from 1998 to 2004 so a lot changed in those six years.

 

The area that Neptune Lounge now occupies on the "S" and two of the "R" ships used to be inside cabins.

 

Rotterdam and Amsterdam were the first HAL ships to come from Fincantieri with Neptune Lounge in place. For some years, we sailed with some ships having a Neptune and some not and always missed it if we were on Zaandam, Volendam, or the "S" ships. THEN, at drydocks, one by one all those ships had those inside cabins converted to Neptune Lounges. ALSO, their Marco Polo spaces became Pinnacle. Odyssey on Amsterdam and Rotterdam were converted to Pinnacle Grill.

 

The conversions of Marco Polos and Odysseys to Pinnacle occurred after Zuiderdam joined the fleet.

 

Edited January 20, 2015 by sail7seas

[Topsham]

Our first S Suite was 1995 and also no butler or Neptune Lounge. I don't remember what was across the hall from our cabin. Maybe interior cabins or crew space. First Neptune Lounge for us was 2004 but we'd taken quite a break from 1998 to 2004 so a lot changed in those six years.

 

 

 

As originally (Statendam Class) there was no Neptune Lounge.... the space where is now Neptune were cabin nos 017, 019, 025, 027, 031, 035 and 037.

 

Note they were all odd number cabins.... so the doors were on the starboard side.

 

On one Statendam cruise three of us were in a suite. We had en extra with us so she was in one of these inside cabins. She had the privacy of her own cabin and gave her also a cabin key (card) to get into my suite. Then she could come as she wished... used the balcony etc. Worked quite well. Would be perfect for children to sail in the insides and the parents had the suite. Made sense..... back then!

 

Stephen

[Krazy Kruizers]

Celebrity has butlers. No big deal IMHO. Concierges on HAL are wonderful and couldn't be more helpful.

 

 

Years ago when we sailed on Princess we also had Butlers in the Suites.

[Topsham]

Butlers in Queen's Grill Class cabins on Queen Mary 2 (Scary Mary) Queen Victoria (Sicky Vicky) and Queen Elizabeth (Back Big Bus).

 

Butlers were fine... white gloved service.... just 'over the top'. Did not really did them. Mind... a bit of notch step up on Suites would be OK too!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Butlers in Queen's Grill Class cabins on Queen Mary 2 (Scary Mary) Queen Victoria (Sicky Vicky) and Queen Elizabeth (Back Big Bus).

 

Butlers were fine... white gloved service.... just 'over the top'. Did not really did them. Mind... a bit of notch step up on Suites would be OK too!

 

 

I forgot about the Butler we had on the QE2 -- Queen's Grill class.

Rarely saw him.

[sail7seas]

As originally (Statendam Class) there was no Neptune Lounge.... the space where is now Neptune were cabin nos 017, 019, 025, 027, 031, 035 and 037.

 

Note they were all odd number cabins.... so the doors were on the starboard side.

 

On one Statendam cruise three of us were in a suite. We had en extra with us so she was in one of these inside cabins. She had the privacy of her own cabin and gave her also a cabin key (card) to get into my suite. Then she could come as she wished... used the balcony etc. Worked quite well. Would be perfect for children to sail in the insides and the parents had the suite. Made sense..... back then!

 

Stephen

 

There are still a few inside cabins on Navigation Deck opposite the suites and it's great for the kids to have one of those cabins while Mom and Dad have a Neptune Suite. :)

 

[Randyk47]

As originally (Statendam Class) there was no Neptune Lounge.... the space where is now Neptune were cabin nos 017, 019, 025, 027, 031, 035 and 037.

 

Note they were all odd number cabins.... so the doors were on the starboard side.

 

On one Statendam cruise three of us were in a suite. We had en extra with us so she was in one of these inside cabins. She had the privacy of her own cabin and gave her also a cabin key (card) to get into my suite. Then she could come as she wished... used the balcony etc. Worked quite well. Would be perfect for children to sail in the insides and the parents had the suite. Made sense..... back then!

 

Stephen

 

I thought there were cabins but we always pick cabins on the port side and in 1995 on the Ryndam we were in what I think was numbered 1010 back then now SA010. That means we would have basically been staring at a blank wall. Of course I'm reminded of a suite I had on Celebrity with interior cabins across the hall and one of the occupants inviting himself into our cabin to see "how the wealthy cruised". :eek::D

[sail7seas]

I thought there were cabins but we always pick cabins on the port side and in 1995 on the Ryndam we were in what I think was numbered 1010 back then now SA010. That means we would have basically been staring at a blank wall. Of course I'm reminded of a suite I had on Celebrity with interior cabins across the hall and one of the occupants inviting himself into our cabin to see "how the wealthy cruised". :eek::D

 

The guests with "S" Cabins on port side looked at a wall where Neptune Lounge now is on the "S" and two of the "R" class ships before they were converted. The entry doors to those inside cabins were on starboard side.

 

If you didn't know about the doors on starboard side you wouldn't have known those were cabins.

 

[Topsham]

I thought there were cabins but we always pick cabins on the port side and in 1995 on the Ryndam we were in what I think was numbered 1010 back then now SA010. That means we would have basically been staring at a blank wall.

 

 

 

Yes, you are quite right as you remembered.... a blank bulkhead right opposite No. 010 (Wasn't back then so simple with the numbering!" Behind No. 014 and 016..... is the tank of the swimming pool under the magrodome.

 

Behind Nos 004 to 012.... was Air Conditioning Plant.

 

No. 002. Ah. Good location and right to the stairwell. Only problem... you must remember to close your door at night. I wake one morning about 5 am... light in my eyes..... I had not closed the door properly and when the ship gently rolled and open the door. Dead to the world! Oops!

[Randyk47]

Yes, you are quite right as you remembered.... a blank bulkhead right opposite No. 010 (Wasn't back then so simple with the numbering!" Behind No. 014 and 016..... is the tank of the swimming pool under the magrodome.

 

Behind Nos 004 to 012.... was Air Conditioning Plant.

 

No. 002. Ah. Good location and right to the stairwell. Only problem... you must remember to close your door at night. I wake one morning about 5 am... light in my eyes..... I had not closed the door properly and when the ship gently rolled and open the door. Dead to the world! Oops!

 

It just dawned on me that it was 20 years ago this month! Our first real cruise after a 4-day cruise the year before on the Carnival Fantasy just to see if we liked cruising.

[sammiedawg]

Oceania passengers love their butlers.

[PathfinderEss]

Both Celebrity and Crystal had butlers on them years back, don't know about now. Never knew what to do with them, just sat around and talk with the one on Crystal and the Celebrity one just brought us snacks in the afternoon. They both were very nice but useless.

[Topsham]

Crown Dynasty..... butler for the suites. Tall, Englishman.... looks right out of Downton Abbey. At cocktail party time we were escorted to the lounge to have dinner with Captain Thorn and a few others. The butler introduced us to the captain and then took us to a table. Ordered a round of drinks for us and then..... I swear.... the butler picked a gin & tonic.... took a sip and then sat down with US!!!! It was all I could stop laughing. This 'butler' was new in the job and his previous job on board.... casino dealer!!!!!

 

Anyone remember Captain Jens Thorn? VERA CRUZ.... BERMUDA STAR, CANADA STAR?

 

Stephen