Course by course in room dining?

[Paulchili]

From Oceania website:

Privée

A Private Party

Host a private party for up to 10 privileged guests in our most exclusive on board dining venue, Privée. Witness culinary magic presented on a custom-built table designed by the famed Dakota Jackson and illuminated by a golden Venini chandelier. The exquisite setting is adorned with Baroque millwork and Ferrari-red carpeting. The cuisine is equally superb, as each guest may select any number of courses from Polo Grill, Toscana or a combination of both. Within the sanctum of Privée, dining engages all of the senses, leaving you and your guests immensely fulfilled.

Cheers,

Don

 

Don - thank you.

That was my impression as well.

[LHT28]

Do you mean to say that in Privee one can also order from ANY restaurant (Jacques, Red Ginger) and not just from Polo or Toscana?

 

There was a post a while back the person stated that they could not mix & match the menus

FDR (I think) posted that was wrong & the wait staff misspoke

 

You can order for Polo & Toscana as Don posted from the website

[Paulchili]

Lyn - obviously your memory is much better than mine as I do not recall that discussion (or maybe I was away then).

[Travelcat2]

I disagree that anything that I recommended was confrontational in any way. Kindly resist the temptation to ascribe motivations to other people, it is a most unattractive trait.

 

 

 

The written word is always open to interpretation. Had I been your butler and your first response to me (after I mistakenly told you could only order from one restaurant) "I'd like to have that policy confirmed by the Hotel Manager, please have him contact me, or leave a message on my cabin voice-mail", it would be very upsetting. Suggesting that that first course of action should be going to the second person in command of the ship to verify a policy, IMO, is not the right route to take. While I will accept your chastisement, may I suggest that you consider how what you say could affect the crew and/or officers on board. Your posts are respected on this board and I agree with most of them. In this case, I truly believe that you are off base.

Edited March 10, 2015 by Travelcat2

[kekilia]

Is that I believe the butler is mistaken, that I have read the policy and discussed the issue on CC and could he please check that policy with management or would he prefer that I check with management. This allows the butler to save face and still gives him the opportunity to act before I do. If the policy is correct, it shouldn't take long to straighten out.

 

Also, if, as S&J state, there is a growing issue here with butlers, whatever the reason, misinterpreting policy or reinventing it, then going to the GM would make sense. Only management can address the policy as a whole and train its staff, thus making the cruise line better. In no way do I find that insulting to staff. Why else does management exist?

Edited March 10, 2015 by kekilia

[fairbourne]

I sincerely hope you don't have any issues but I fear you may be going ahead looking for things (read problems) where no such things exist!

 

Why would anyone care on board the ship that you've discussed this here on CC???

 

I'm with TC2 on this one and think that the advice given is totally over the top re interaction with your butler and the impression given that butlers are somehow or somewhat and consistently reinventing the wheel, against ships policies and SOPs, as it were!

 

The butlers all report to the Head Butler and for me, if there were any issues, he would be my first port of call.

 

Really, the butlers go out of their way to enhance your cruise and are highly trained, skilled and professional individuals.

[newlondon]

Wow Jacquie, We agree on something, actually we have agreed in the past. Retired Florida, We also are on the same page.

Stan and Jim, Not so much.

I have been on both sides of these confrontations, discussions, negotiations-whatever you wish to call them. As at one time the President of a company (65 employees) I did not want an aggrieved individual to come directly to me. As an officer in the Navy in charge of a division of 126 men I felt the same. There is a chain of command for a reason.

On the other side, when not receiving the proper service, unless it is a major issue why take up the time of the top of the chain. I agree with those who said "why not ask the butler to review the policy?" If he is surly that is a totally different issue but confusion can generally be solved without treating it like a mutiny.

[kekilia]

I sincerely hope you don't have any issues but I fear you may be going ahead looking for things (read problems) where no such things exist!

 

Why would anyone care on board the ship that you've discussed this here on CC???

 

I'm with TC2 on this one and think that the advice given is totally over the top re interaction with your butler and the impression given that butlers are somehow or somewhat and consistently reinventing the wheel, against ships policies and SOPs, as it were!

 

The butlers all report to the Head Butler and for me, if there were any issues, he would be my first port of call.

 

Really, the butlers go out of their way to enhance your cruise and are highly trained, skilled and professional individuals.

 

You so misunderstood me! I was responding to the hypothetical proposed by S&J, in fact, trying to find a more diplomatic way to deal with a hypothetical case. I didn't bring any of this up in the first place. As the OP, I was asking about how the course by course dining was performed. A simple question, no malicious intent.

Some people are very overreacting on this site. I guess that is why all the emoticons are used, to try to insert innocuousness between the lines. ;):rolleyes::D

[kekilia]

Wow Jacquie, We agree on something, actually we have agreed in the past. Retired Florida, We also are on the same page.

Stan and Jim, Not so much.

I have been on both sides of these confrontations, discussions, negotiations-whatever you wish to call them. As at one time the President of a company (65 employees) I did not want an aggrieved individual to come directly to me. As an officer in the Navy in charge of a division of 126 men I felt the same. There is a chain of command for a reason.

On the other side, when not receiving the proper service, unless it is a major issue why take up the time of the top of the chain. I agree with those who said "why not ask the butler to review the policy?" If he is surly that is a totally different issue but confusion can generally be solved without treating it like a mutiny.

 

A cruise ship is a floating hotel and I believe one should act accordingly with respect to the hotel functions. I have on more than one occasion had issues or problems with a hotel room, such as being assigned a room backing up to an elevator without being told such. My first action was to go to the front desk and deal with a supervisor and if that did not accomplish anything, then on to the GM. I have had many travels, encountered all sorts of issues. Most can be lived with, some not. In a small boutique hotel, you have to expect anything, but in a large, well respected, branded hotel, you should receive what you paid to receive. I tip well, I expect first class service. I don't believe I should change this policy simply because the hotel floats.;)

[StanandJim]

Actually, NewLondon, as a few of the true veterans of this board may remember, I am also very against going to the top of the food chain for every complaint.

 

The issue here is that the misinformation about In Suite Dining is now so widespread, that the higher echelon needs to know that there is a training issue...and which staff is in need of that training.

 

Secondarily. when I am on a Cruise, I'm off the ship for the majority of every port day, and during those few hours when I am back onboard, I want to relax and enjoy myself.

 

Discussing Room Service details with various supervisors on the way up the ladder TO the Hotel Manager, along with all of the notes and missed phone calls which that would entail, is not something that I have the time or the inclination to be involved with. I need it to be a "one and done" type of interaction.

 

Further, in the example which I put forward, the Butler would have misinformed me about the In Suite Dining Policy first, therefore I see no reason to wait for a secondary uncooperative or surly response before escalating the matter.

 

As any good Butler knows......If you make your bed, you need to be prepared to lie in it. ;)

[fairbourne]

You so misunderstood me! I was responding to the hypothetical proposed by S&J, in fact, trying to find a more diplomatic way to deal with a hypothetical case. I didn't bring any of this up in the first place. As the OP, I was asking about how the course by course dining was performed. A simple question, no malicious intent.

Some people are very overreacting on this site. I guess that is why all the emoticons are used, to try to insert innocuousness between the lines. es::D

 

 

I think I am more reacting to the advice given to you by them,rather than misunderstanding you, which is based on a hypothetical situation which as hypothetical situations go, simply may never happen! :rolleyes::). I just didn't want you to go on board with this hopeless and most unlikely hypothetical situation sitting in the back of your mind - you know the seed has been sown etc etc. not being bad, just saying!

 

You have been given examples from me and from others, DaisyUK being one, on how we have enjoyed our in suite dining - recently - and I think that is another point to make, our experiences are very recent. Ours, at the end of last year on Riviera. :)

 

Anyway, as happens on CC, a thread goes awry, but it's an Internet forum at the end of the day!

 

For what it's worth the butlers we have enjoyed on Oceania were trained by and worked for Taj Hotels prior to joining Oceania - now they really know their business!

 

Enjoy your cruise and your in suite dining - :D

[Travelcat2]

Actually, Further, in the example which I put forward, the Butler would have misinformed me about the In Suite Dining Policy first, therefore I see no reason to wait for a secondary uncooperative or surly response before escalating the matter.

 

 

Again we disagree. Reading what you wrote above, it sounds as if you feel that asking for the assistance from the Head Butler would result in "a secondary uncooperative or surely response before escalating the matter". I truly cannot understand why there is the assumption that you would receive this type of response when most of us never have.

 

IMO, you would receive a response from the Head Butler a lot faster than from the General Manager (especially on Oceania). While on Regent, the G.M.'s office is visible and accessible to passengers, our experience on the Riviera was that we needed to be "cleared" and escorted to the G.M.'s office before we could see him (and all we didn't even have a complaint).

 

Again, IMO, this makes Oceania seem like a very passenger unfriendly cruise line which it definitely is not.

[newlondon]

StanandJim, While I may be preparing for my first O cruise, I have many nights on Regent, Silversea, Tauck and Uniworld. My estimate is north of 125. I may not be a veteran of the O board but I as an experienced cruiser know what is right, especially on luxury and premium lines.

I respectfully disagree with your entitled attitude. Individuals make mistakes and while it is important to get what you pay for, unless you know the individual is intentionally disrespecting you I feel it is more appropriate to try and work with them than overreacting up the coc.

[StanandJim]

Newlondon,

 

I can understand why my response might appear high handed or entitled to the (if you will pardon me) uninitiated, but what you probably don't realize as a newcomer to Oceania is that this particular issue with the Butlers has been going around and around for several years now.

 

This is also one of those prickly areas where the employee benefits greatly from misinforming the Passenger, because the process for ordering Courses from multiple Restaurants is somewhat burdensome and time consuming. Therefore, the issue of "making a mistake" is not as clear-cut as it might be in other areas.

 

In short, if the Butler made a misstatement about pillows or how to open the cabin drapes, or even the availability of a table in Red Ginger, I would not immediately go over his head, but I do find it very suspicious when he just happens to misunderstand a rule in such a way that his job becomes much, much easier.

[newlondon]

I will admit that I have been spoiled by butlers on Regent and SS. It is dismaying to think that a O butler doesn't have the same professionalism as those other lines. Since we always cruise at butler level I hope we will not be disappointed after our CPT/CPT cruise.

TBH I am surprised this has been going on for years. FDR started O and imo has always tried to keep the service levels high.

[bitob]

StanandJim, While I may be preparing for my first O cruise, I have many nights on Regent, Silversea, Tauck and Uniworld. My estimate is north of 125. I may not be a veteran of the O board but I as an experienced cruiser know what is right, especially on luxury and premium lines.

I respectfully disagree with your entitled attitude. Individuals make mistakes and while it is important to get what you pay for, unless you know the individual is intentionally disrespecting you I feel it is more appropriate to try and work with them than overreacting up the coc.

 

 

Plus 1

We have found the butlers to be very proud of the work they do. I would never confront the butler simply because I thought he might be mistaken . I would find a polite workaround. The word finesse comes to mind

 

Otoh if I thought the butler was lying to me intentionally I would confront him and get him replaced

Edited March 11, 2015 by bitob

[fairbourne]

I will admit that I have been spoiled by butlers on Regent and SS. It is dismaying to think that a O butler doesn't have the same professionalism as those other lines. Since we always cruise at butler level I hope we will not be disappointed after our CPT/CPT cruise.

TBH I am surprised this has been going on for years. FDR started O and imo has always tried to keep the service levels high.

 

But is this really the case? None of this has been substantiated, it is one generalised "opinion" only and I can't help but think a sad piece of mischief making! :rolleyes: Sowing the seeds of doubt to others that they may not have a good butler experience is just wrong. A less than stellar experience is certainly not impossible, but the comments made imply that this is the norm rather than rare exception! There will always be someone working in a role who lets the side down! We all know that.

 

Along with other Oceania cruisers, we have received and enjoyed fabulous service from our butlers - On Regatta and Riviera - two of whom came from hotel backgrounds, in these cases Taj Hotels (who certainly know a thing or two about training butlers!). :D

 

We are looking forward to our first Regent cruise and I hope our butler will live up to the standards we have so far enjoyed on Oceania!:)

[ORV]

But is this really the case? None of this has been substantiated, it is one generalised "opinion" only and I can't help but think a sad piece of mischief making! :rolleyes: Sowing the seeds of doubt to others that they may not have a good butler experience is just wrong. A less than stellar experience is certainly not impossible, but the comments made imply that this is the norm rather than rare exception! There will always be someone working in a role who lets the side down! We all know that.

 

Along with other Oceania cruisers, we have received and enjoyed fabulous service from our butlers - On Regatta and Riviera - two of whom came from hotel backgrounds, in these cases Taj Hotels (who certainly know a thing or two about training butlers!). :D

 

We are looking forward to our first Regent cruise and I hope our butler will live up to the standards we have so far enjoyed on Oceania!:)

 

Reporting an actual experience is in no way sowing seeds of doubt. And if you are referring to me I resent the implication. You've been on how many Oceania cruises now? Maybe we should keep our opinions on others motivations to ourselves. And once again, if you are referring to my statements in no way did I even infer that this is the norm. Out of 4 trips in a room with a butler one has been fantastic, 2 did the required things but nothing really extra and one needing extra training. If you were not referring to me then I apologize.

Edited March 11, 2015 by ORV

[Jancruz]

I have contacted the person who sets policy and should hear back from him shortly to solve this question..

Jancruz1

[Travelcat2]

I have contacted the person who sets policy and should hear back from him shortly to solve this question..

Jancruz1

 

Thank you:)

[Caroldoll]

OMG, A butler is to give service, some think that IMO they are just down servants. Entitlement! Ick! Running to the Hotel Manager and General Manager is unnecessary, express yourself! These people work like dogs, in my opinion, and they don't deserve some of what has been dished out! IMO

[StanandJim]

I have contacted the person who sets policy and should hear back from him shortly to solve this question..

Jancruz1

 

Solve what question? The same policy has been in force since the inception of Oceania Cruises-

[DOJO466]

Solve what question? The same policy has been in force since the inception of Oceania Cruises-

 

Can we order from different specialy restaurants? I think Jan will answer us definitively as per Oceania. I do remember being able to order from the different venues but I also remember on later cruises being told we had to order from just one, and this was not from my butler. Cannot say who told me this, but it was NOT my butler. May I ask Jim when you last sailed on O? Things have changed since you have been "landlocked" ( your own word). Perhaps your info is stale. Deb

[Juhlin]

Dear Cruisers

I would like to know if the Butler oft he Penthouse Suite on Oceania Riviera is able to prepare a table on the balcony for dinner?

[fairbourne]

Reporting an actual experience is in no way sowing seeds of doubt. And if you are referring to me I resent the implication. You've been on how many Oceania cruises now? Maybe we should keep our opinions on others motivations to ourselves. And once again, if you are referring to my statements in no way did I even infer that this is the norm. Out of 4 trips in a room with a butler one has been fantastic, 2 did the required things but nothing really extra and one needing extra training. If you were not referring to me then I apologize.

 

 

Apologise away :) ;). Actually, no it was absolutely NOT you I was referring to! I was referring to the suggestion that things be escalated immediately to the Hotel Manager with some pomposity, and the same writer(s) who suggests that butlers consistently and regularly disregard company policy to the detriment of guests' enjoyment. Others have said the same.

 

The number of Oceania cruises we have been on is irrelevant - 5 and two more plus one Grand Voyage booked, not that I really feel I need to qualify this but I have, as you asked nicely. :p The relevant bit in all this was that our butler experience was recent and was as I said.

 

We did indeed have one "afternoon butler", a couple of years ago (who may be the trainees or new to O), who did not do a very good job with a room service order, but a quiet word in our regular butler's ear addressed that. There is no way I would have gone straight to the HM! My DH has just reminded me that our butler actually asked us how his service was, otherwise I may not have said anything. It was done in the correct way and I'm sure this "trainee" learnt from this and didn't have to face a huge drama of an investigation from senior management all the way down through the ranks.

 

But, we do have a fair few drama queens on CC - don't we? ;) LOL!

 

Edited to add: ORV. I've just gone back and re-read your post as I was curious why on earth you thought I was talking about you - you have written a true review of your personal experience and when. No arguments from me there.

Edited March 12, 2015 by fairbourne