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Course by course in room dining?

kekilia

By kekilia,
in Oceania Cruises

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Caroldoll Great Review Rare

Caroldoll

Posted
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Ones who feel that they are "special" or "entitled" might try to push the envelope and try to order from more than one restaurant. After all, my butler never "knows" what I prefer from one restaurant to another. Out of common decency, I feel that as muddy as the policy seems, it is much more considerate to order from one specialty, if you even want to do this whole in-room thing...and live with it! I have been around enough times to see butlers standing outside at Waves waiting for something special..or doing special things. I feel there are a lot of people who feel...I paid, so I should get what I paid for and more. Let's make these people jump for my money. Not my cup of tea. Even though my longstanding, wonderful head butler Pritham "offers" but since he is taking care of people in the OS on three levels, I never would or will push the envelope. That's just me and I have lived with "me" for years.

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TrulyBlonde

TrulyBlonde

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Posted
Ones who feel that they are "special" or "entitled" might try to push the envelope and try to order from more than one restaurant. After all, my butler never "knows" what I prefer from one restaurant to another. Out of common decency, I feel that as muddy as the policy seems, it is much more considerate to order from one specialty, if you even want to do this whole in-room thing...and live with it! I have been around enough times to see butlers standing outside at Waves waiting for something special..or doing special things. I feel there are a lot of people who feel...I paid, so I should get what I paid for and more. Let's make these people jump for my money. Not my cup of tea. Even though my longstanding, wonderful head butler Pritham "offers" but since he is taking care of people in the OS on three levels, I never would or will push the envelope. That's just me and I have lived with "me" for years.

 

This is why I like you Carol, without ever officially meeting you. 1st Class lady.

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fairbourne

fairbourne

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While we are talking about muddy - I think this whole thread has made a mountain out of a molehill! I would imagine the number of times this ever happens is not very often.

 

Carol doll, you are quite right, there will always be the few who push and push and demand beyond belief - I've seen it, been on the end of it myself, many! many times in my career.

 

However, what is one to do when one's butler offers a choice of something which he knows you enjoy and is happy to go to the trouble of getting it - it may have been gleaned from a passing conversation (remember what the Butlers "hear"!) which you have long forgotten. Ours came from a conversation of "how was your dinner at Toscana" and I raved about the prawns! Butlers are very clever at getting this information from you and you never being aware of it - their memories are wonderful too! It almost seems like an insult to them, to refuse! And this whole scenario happened over a week after our Toscana dinner! I was impressed he remembered!

 

Much as I love the milk shakes and ice-creams from Waves, I would never dream of asking the butler to fetch one for me - I need the walk for a start! ;):p:D And I remember getting a "telling off";) from our butler on regatta as I had walked all the way up to Horizons, all by myself, for a scone (or two) from the afternoon tea selection. I was caught red-handed on the way back down to our suite and He told me that was "his job, and I should have called him". Every afternoon after that there were scones waiting for me! LOL! And no, I didn't ask him to do that!

 

Mind you its not just butlers who are subjected to the "fetch, fetch, me first, me first" brigade, but then that's a whole other discussion!

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Pet Nit Noy

Pet Nit Noy

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Ones who feel that they are "special" or "entitled" might try to push the envelope and try to order from more than one restaurant.

 

We're in agreement, although I avoided using labels.

 

After all, my butler never "knows" what I prefer from one restaurant to another.

 

In the process of placing the order, I can see a conversation that includes phrases like "Oh, I love the [name of dish] from [name of restaurant]" The comment may not even have been made with the intention of receiving the dish if it comes from a different restaurant. However, the butler may decide that for the effort of a few more minutes and a few more steps, he'll get a bigger tip.

 

This enabling behavior then sets up an unfortunate cycle. A cruiser may post about his wonderful butler who did this and that extra. Readers then come on subsequent cruises hoping for -- expecting -- the same behavior from their butler.

 

Frankly, I think Oceania is setting itself up for problems as long as posters are describing in the room dining experience in terms of having a great butler or having an ordinary one. After all, the "ordinary" butler is following the company policy.

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fairbourne

fairbourne

Posted
Posted (edited)

One man's (or one woman's ) "ordinary" is another's "wonderful"!!! ;):D and vice versa! And I don't read anywhere that it's an "either" "or"!

 

Seriously, the OP asked a question and I bet she didn't imagine it would end up in a discussion like this!

 

We've all got our point of view and experiences but it doesn't seem likely to me that anyone on here has, or does "take the Mickey" out of butler service - none of us really knows what goes on in anyone's suite - thank goodness! And I'm sure we are all grown up enough to do what we believe is the right thing to do in the way we deal with anyone. NB I did not say that we should all do the right thing - as that is open to different interpretations also! Where does it all end? :eek:

 

Now where is my "personal" butler - I would like a cup of tea please! LOL! Note the use of the word "please" - that's an oft forgotten word too!

Edited by fairbourne
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Travelcat2

Travelcat2

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fairbourne: Since you mentioned a previous statement that I made, I would like to comment. Yes - our butler did go to Red Ginger for our appetizer even though we ordered the rest of our meal from a different restaurant. And, IMO, he was "special" because he gave us service that we had not received previously on any cruise line. Except for dining in our VS suite once, we asked very little of him as we are not high maintenance. He took it upon himself to escort us every night to the lounge and then to dinner. This was certainly not something he had to do (nor did we request or expect it).

 

Back to the topic, our cruise was in November so we were under the impression that we could order from any dining venue. It seemed like a lot of work for our butler so we asked him about it. It seemed logical that service would be easier if we ordered from one restaurant. However, we mentioned the one item from Red Ginger. He did not quote us policy or what is recommended -- he was gracious and exceeded our expectations.

 

It would be helpful if this "policy" or "recommendation" would be put in writing -- just so there would not be so much confusion.

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fairbourne

fairbourne

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Posted

TC2 - and that's exactly my point, none of us "asked for any special treatment", it was offered! But apparently this is not strictly "official policy" ..... ;):)

 

But blimey, a butler escort to dinner - how very Downton Abbey, CarolDoll! .... :D. We've had that too, but only to Privee with our guests and I certainly didn't want to mention that here for fear of another backlash! It was bad enough getting those Toscana prawns! LOL!

 

I reiterate I don't think any of us take the Mickey, and we all just wanted to share our good and wonderful experiences with the OP and hey ho, all this happened!

 

I will be much more abstemious in future!

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newlondon

newlondon

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Posted

Jacquie, Your post brings me to the $ question. I know O has a different policy regarding gratuities than Regent, but there is a set amount added to your fare. Since your butler was "special" did you tip him extra, and would you have done so on Regent? For me it is a no brainer, but I know you feel differently---but, he was "special".

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Travelcat2

Travelcat2

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Posted
Jacquie, Your post brings me to the $ question. I know O has a different policy regarding gratuities than Regent, but there is a set amount added to your fare. Since your butler was "special" did you tip him extra, and would you have done so on Regent? For me it is a no brainer, but I know you feel differently---but, he was "special".

 

Yes - we did tip our butler, stewardess and steward - even though tips were included. We would have done so even if the butler was just very good due to the set-up on gratuities on Oceania. In terms of Regent...... no comment!

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Travelcat2

Travelcat2

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Yes. I believe it is $7.00 per day per person.

We usually tip a bit extra for the great service.

 

Yes -- you are correct with your dollar amount. IMO, this does not come close to the amount they should receive for the service they give which is why we tip more.

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kekilia

kekilia

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Do you dine in restaurants on land where you don't have the option of ordering appetizers and desserts from a different restaurant? Whatever coping strategies you have in that situation will likely work dining on Oceania.

 

You are comparing apples to oranges. When I am on a land tour, i provide my own transportation, my room, etc. and order from a menu provided by the restaurant. However, I often ask for split orders, for special sauces, for proteins cooked slightly different than the menu. Restaurants of the higher level are trained to provide these services, without any statements of policy.

 

Finally, I am paying premium money for an OC and expect the premium service I paid for. I understand completely how others might feel about their butlers, but I expect these service industry personnel to do everything they can to make my experience equal to the cost for their services. I never take them for granted or abuse them. I am always appreciative, never rude, delighted to become acquainted with the diverse people who choose this employment, and probably pay more than most people with extra gratuities (my "standard" tip anywhere in the service industry is 20%!), including the housekeepers in a hotel.

 

So, just because I set a high level of expectation and feel entitled to the service, do not judge! As you can tell from my signature, I don't cruise often (preferring to travel independently usually), but when I do cruise, it is first class all the way. Oceania will either meet my standard or I will go elsewhere.

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Travelcat2

Travelcat2

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ORV - agree with you but also feel that what we do is our business and does not need to be discussed on a public board. I answered the question about our butler out of frustration (having been asked about this repeatedly on the Regent board).

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LHT28 Holiday Sharing Rare

LHT28

Posted
Posted
I was going to say something but changed my mind. I only have to worry about what I do.

 

My mother always told me if you cannot say anything nice to say nothing :D

 

Sometimes it is just not worth answering some posts :D

 

Lyn

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