Sky suite butler

[rjtncruiser]

We are sailing on Sat. to the eastern Caribbean on the Reflection. We recently upgraded to a sky suite. Honestly we are clueless as to what a butler on a cruise will do for us. Any words of advice or suggestions is appreciated. We are traveling with other family not in suites. We can still dine in the MDR with them correct? Thanks in advance.

[SheriffJoe]

Dinner ressies, serve a meal course by course in your suite, deliver specialty coffees to your suite among the many things they can and will do for you...and yes you can eat in the MDR with your friends, he can set that up for you too

[cdnhockeyfan]

I hope you get Edwin. He is the best. Goes above and beyond what is required. I was in Sky suite 1214, 10th deck - Sky

[cruiserone]

Agreed Edwin was the best butler, ever. A smile on his face - Always!

 

Have fun!!

[NanaChar]

How did you like the corner suite? One was available on our cruise but I was concerned about how far it was to everything and how the butler service would be since the other suites were not nearby. Obviously, you lucked out with Edwin.

 

 

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[cdnhockeyfan]

We chose that suite as it was a sky suite 1. Walk didn't bother us, just need to plan ahead. The balcony is awesome as it is large and you can see both the aft and side views.

[cdnhockeyfan]

There are many suites on this deck. So that is irrelevant on how the service is. They are spread out. Look at the deck plans to see where they are located.

[NanaChar]

I think the one that was opened was deck 8 where the two corners were the only suites.

 

 

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[cdnhockeyfan]

Less suites, seems it would be better service. The butlers for suites don't take care of the regular veranda rooms. You also have a stateroom attendant.

[xmarksx]

How did you like the corner suite? One was available on our cruise but I was concerned about how far it was to everything and how the butler service would be since the other suites were not nearby. Obviously, you lucked out with Edwin.

 

 

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We stayed in 1214 on the January 23 Reflection sailing and truly enjoyed it. Did not notice a soot problem and the balcony was really nice with the ability to see aft and along the side of the ship. We had some rougher seas one night and it was not that bad. Also, heard nothing from your neighbors.

[bEwAbG]

There are many suites on this deck. So that is irrelevant on how the service is. They are spread out. Look at the deck plans to see where they are located.

 

Decks 6 thru 10 have only 2 sky suites per deck...the corner aft ones. In my experience this past week, it did make a big difference in the level of service because there was one butler assigned to cover those rooms, and we barely saw him all week. I don't really rely on the butlers for much but this one was not very good. Example: I had a question and he told me to call guest relations instead of doing it himself, which was a first for us. There were all sorts of little things that didn't happen this trip that were squarely under his purview, and at least one major miss (he didn't bring the afternoon snacks at all one day). Our upstairs neighbors were having the same issues with him so it wasn't us being overly particular. The Michael's Club concierges were great and that made a big difference in how our overall experience was.

 

Those corner aft rooms are really great. Most have a huge balcony and the room layout feels bigger because of the window and furniture configuration. You do a lot of walking to get back there, so that might be a consideration if you have mobility issues. People above you can see down onto your balcony, but that wasn't a concern for me (I chatted with our neighbor several times). And you really can't beat that wraparound view.

[ClaudiaB]

Those corner aft S1 suites are our favorite. We don't mind the long walk, we love the balcony and the open, spaciousness of the room. We are independent and don't really fully use a butler, but he will bring you afternoon tea/coffee/espresso and treats. We usually ask for cheese, dried fruit, crackers, shrimp - things like that - instead of sweets. A veggie tray and hummus is available. I just tell him to alternate things every day, we don't want it all every day (because he'd bring it all if you didn't specify!). We don't take advantage of the butler making calls for reservations because we can do that ourself. Once we had some trouble with a bow tie and he came and helped my husband. Some of them really do like to make a fuss over you.

 

This was the best use of our butler: We met 6 people from our roll call pre-cruise and decided to host a small cocktail party. Everyone brought a bottle of wine or two we'd all purchased in Barcelona. While we were at lunch he set up the room beautifully. Tables and vanity were draped completely with layers of tablecloths, and there were trays of fruit, cheese, nuts, and complete bar glasses, and lots more flowers. Of course we tipped him well that evening. It was so nice. You can't have a lot more than 6-8 in there comfortably but we did just fine and it was a nice touch to have all the set-ups in the room.

 

I like to have raspberries and so there was always a small bowl of them in the cooler. Little things like that. Just tell him what you'd like or better yet, ask him what he can do. Many people don't use their butler at all. We've learned a few things like the party through our past cruises, and if nothing else, it's fun to get to know him when he has some down time and will chat awhile.

 

I will say that since you're traveling with others not in a suite you may not fully appreciate all the perks you're paying for since you'll want to eat with them most evenings presumably. Luminae is your assigned dining room for suites and I can tell you from personal experience that it is LEAPS and BOUNDS better than the main dining room. In all aspects - food, service, ambiance - everything. You can also eat in Blu which is the assigned dining room for those in Aqua Class cabins. We love Blu as well, but Luminae is a HUGE deal now and we absolutely loved it.

 

You'll also have access to Michael's Club which has a concierge who will do basically anything for you. Plus they'll serve you whatever you want to drink, from anywhere on the ship. For free. It's a beautiful lounge and open all day and usually not too busy. We met people pre-dinner every evening and that was fun too, getting to know them. Also the Michael's Club concierge will set up great private tours of the bridge, the engine room control room, galley -- etc. etc. etc. Dinner with the captain or a staff captain? Just ask! Your non-suite people don't have all this. It certainly won't make or break your cruise, but you ARE paying for the extras.

Any chance they'd upgrade if a suite becomes available? They can eat with you in Luminae but dinner is $50 pp.

[Maligator]

We didn't know what to do with our butler the first time. I think we only had him bring up dinner one night. The second time, she had fresh brewed iced tea every afternoon and would take care of scheduling things like specialty restaurants, spa stuff, etc. She picked up the occasional sundry for us from the shop (can't remember what it was, off hand) and all we had to do was sign when she delivered.

 

Other than that, they'll escort you to the roped-off section of the theater reserved for Suites on whatever they call formal nights now.

[RoofingPrincess]

Between our butler, Kim, and Ann in the Concierge Lounge, we were spoilt rotten!

Kim was so personable, and we loved her afternoon visits with the tea cart. She noticed our preferences very quickly, and one time when we weren't there even left a plate of our favorites, then stopped back later to see if we were back yet and offered us our favorite hot chocolate.

On the very first day, Ann summoned a spa rep down to Michael's when we mentioned going up there to make reservations, and on another day hopped on her phone to make another ressie for us. She booked a shore excursion for us, followed up with us afterward, and when we mentioned an issue got on the phone on our behalf.

[NanaChar]

Last year, we were on the Summit. Our butler was mediocre at best. We never saw the afternoon canapés. He rarely, if ever came by to see if we needed anything. At the formal nights, he was nowhere to be found at the theater.

This year, on Reflection, Bart, our butler was amazing. Everyday, when we came back in the afternoon, he would appear within minutes to see what we needed. We had fresh fruit everyday. When we asked to switch our champagne with red wine on embankment day, he apologized since he didn't have time to do it right then. Any need we had was dealt with immediately if not sooner.

 

 

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[port msp]

We are sailing on Sat. to the eastern Caribbean on the Reflection. We recently upgraded to a sky suite. Honestly we are clueless as to what a butler on a cruise will do for us.

 

--We had our first Celebrity suite experience last month. It was a very different experience than other Celebrity cruises we've taken. We had no idea what to ask for. Walter our butler was pretty good about letting us know about all the things he could do for us. The butlers seem to really like escorting "their people" to the roped off section of the theater on chic night. Up to this point, in 12 cruises, I'd been to exactly two shows. Walter made such a big deal about knowing which show we'd be attending, so he could escort us to seats, that we felt obligated to go. We went on both chic nights.

 

[quote name=ClaudiaB;49103200

 

 

 

I will say that since you're traveling with others not in a suite you may not fully appreciate all the perks you're paying for since you'll want to eat with them most evenings presumably. Luminae is your assigned dining room for suites and I can tell you from personal experience that it is LEAPS and BOUNDS better than the main dining room. In all aspects - food' date=' service, ambiance - everything. You can also eat in Blu which is the assigned dining room for those in Aqua Class cabins. We love Blu as well, but Luminae is a HUGE deal now and we absolutely loved it.

 

--We really liked Luminae and ate most of our meals there. Try the Luminae burger for lunch. Maybe the best burger I've ever had. We've had several Aqua Class cabins in the past and really liked Blu. I think Luminae is better for food and service. One could become quite spoiled cruising in suites.

 

You'll also have access to Michael's Club which has a concierge who will do basically anything for you. Plus they'll serve you whatever you want to drink, from anywhere on the ship. For free. It's a beautiful lounge and open all day and usually not too busy. We met people pre-dinner every evening and that was fun too, getting to know them. Also the Michael's Club concierge will set up great private tours of the bridge, the engine room control room, galley -- etc. etc. etc. Dinner with the captain or a staff captain? Just ask! Your non-suite people don't have all this. It certainly won't make or break your cruise, but you ARE paying for the extras.

dinner is $50 pp.[/quote]

 

--I didn't go to Michael's Club until the cruise was half over. I wish I'd gone in the first day! I liked going in the late afternoon, having something to drink, and reading. What a great spot. I wish I had known about the opportunity for private tours and a meal with a staff member! Thanks for the info. I'll take advantage of it next time.

[Tudorcruisers]

I would definitely recommend eating in luminae, it was a real highlight of our suite experience. Seems a shame to not use it although I understand maybe your travelling companions want you to eat with them. No comparison to MDR though.

 

Our butler was attentive and also gave us his number if there was anything at all we required. I read some people found butler not around much but we always knew how to contact ours if we needed him. We don't tend to use butler very much at all so I can't really pass on any tips.

[thebutlerdidit]

Last year, we were on the Summit. Our butler was mediocre at best. We never saw the afternoon canapés. He rarely, if ever came by to see if we needed anything. At the formal nights, he was nowhere to be found at the theater.

This year, on Reflection, Bart, our butler was amazing. Everyday, when we came back in the afternoon, he would appear within minutes to see what we needed. We had fresh fruit everyday. When we asked to switch our champagne with red wine on embankment day, he apologized since he didn't have time to do it right then. Any need we had was dealt with immediately if not sooner.

 

 

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I believe we had the same butler on the Summit. The only thing I do remember him doing is asking which show we'd be attending so he could escort us to a seat. That evening we walked up to the line of butlers standing just outside the theater and stood in front of him. It took an embarrassingly long time for him to snap out of it and realize that we were there in front of him for a reason.

 

We laugh about it all the time now, but we're still left to wonder what he did to earn a butler position.

[waterbug123]

Dinner ressies, serve a meal course by course in your suite, deliver specialty coffees to your suite among the many things they can and will do for you...and yes you can eat in the MDR with your friends, he can set that up for you too

 

He'll also take care of any laundry or pressing requests, assisting with spa appointments etc. Basically any special requests. We once sailed with a friend having a birthday and inquired about getting a rose in a bud vase for her. We just wanted to know if it was possible and who to call; our butler made it happen for us.

[IsanTom]

Agreed Edwin was the best butler, ever. A smile on his face - Always!

 

Have fun!!

 

I am sure Edwin is fine, but if you have the opportunity to get Jose', you will

have fantastic service! Bon Voyage!

[Cruise a holic]

We love the sky suites! have stayed in Aft and mid ship. We prefer the midship location. Aft balcony got a lot of soot some days, so I learned not to leave anything on the balcony. Also very sunny most of the day which also made it difficult to enjoy. The perks of Michaels club and luminae are wonderful Have had Edwin and other butlers who range from great to mediocre. Enjoy your cruise. You are in for a real treat.

[wesail7seas]

I believe we had the same butler on the Summit. The only thing I do remember him doing is asking which show we'd be attending so he could escort us to a seat. That evening we walked up to the line of butlers standing just outside the theater and stood in front of him. It took an embarrassingly long time for him to snap out of it and realize that we were there in front of him for a reason.

 

We laugh about it all the time now, but we're still left to wonder what he did to earn a butler position.

 

Oh Oh...We will be in a suite on the Summit in a few weeks.

Do you remember the butler's name?

[thebutlerdidit]

Oh Oh...We will be in a suite on the Summit in a few weeks.

Do you remember the butler's name?

I can tell you we were in Sky Suite 9123 (accessible). If my husband remembers, I'll come back and let you know.

[thebutlerdidit]

Oh Oh...We will be in a suite on the Summit in a few weeks.

Do you remember the butler's name?

 

Ok, I went back through some photos. Our butler was named Hilario.

[astrocat]

I hope you get Edwin. He is the best. Goes above and beyond what is required. I was in Sky suite 1214, 10th deck - Sky

 

I just decided to search EDWIN on the forum, as we have just returned from a superb cruise with him. Agree with all others, he is fantastic. We were in an Infinity RS. Oh if it were possible to reserve butlers as we do rooms ....