As someone suggested, "Best Butler Stories"?

[clivey]

I was just able to move a future cruise up and upgrade to my first Suite for less money and an additional $650 OBC. I'm beyond excited and was reading other's suite experiences and was wondering about the butler and exactly what services they provide. Thank you for sharing your experiences with me!

[rockdoctor]

My wife was sick, we decided that I should go ashore on my planned excursion. The butler knew what was going on and checked in on her, unasked, several times while I was gone. Butlers can get timed reservations in Blu.

[Orator]

Heard that my Butler on Century really prepared wonderful parties. I mentioned his reputation to him when we first met and he said: "test me". We did and his reputation was well deserved. Large trays with shrimp, fruits, petite snacks and many bottles of sparkling wine. Made the cabin look beautiful with decorations. Don't expect this, but Butlers can get your food and beverages for a gathering in your cabin.

[themutis]

Heard that my Butler on Century really prepared wonderful parties. I mentioned his reputation to him when we first met and he said: "test me". We did and his reputation was well deserved. Large trays with shrimp, fruits, petite snacks and many bottles of sparkling wine. Made the cabin look beautiful with decorations. Don't expect this, but Butlers can get your food and beverages for a gathering in your cabin.

 

Not hijacking this thread... but we will be in a Celebrity Suite in March - does having you butler bring in food cost extra or is it included. Just curious.

[DrKoob]

A few years back on Century there were three of us couples traveling together (all in Sky Suites) from San Diego to Hawaii and back again. On our first night in Kona we were in port until late and our butlers served us dinner (exactly what was being served in the MDR that night) on one of our verandahs. It was awesome to sit outside and have dinner with our best friends and be served by these wonderful men who took such good care of us.

 

They made us promise not to tell anyone until the ship had been retired so that no one would think they could get the same thing so this is the first time I have mentioned it. But it was wonderful.

[chemmo]

On returning early to our cabin one evening we told our butler we were tired and going to watch a film....minutes later he rang the bell and presented us with a large bowl of popcorn!

 

On another occasion we had mentioned to our butler we enjoyed Indian food....next sea day he arranged a lunchtime banquet for us.

 

Favourite story, we were returning to the ship after a walk....We had taken under our wing an elderly couple we had come across who had become quite distressed when a ‘local guide’ would not accept that they did not want to pay him to go on a guided tour....We were chatting to them and they were cheering up now they were with us and feeling safe again...As we neared the ship they pointed out the PH deck to us (M class moored stern in). They said they had heard what an amazing room it was....On boarding we invited them back to our veranda for drinks. Their faces, after a scary morning, when we led them into the PH were a picture! The butler appeared like a Genie out of a lamp, sorted drinks, snacks....and treated our guests like royalty! They stayed with us until after sail away with our butler fussing around them, clearing savoury snacks and returning with chocolate strawberries, dramatically popping chilled champagne as the ship left port....We had quietly let our butler know that our ‘new friends’ had been distressed when we met up with them and (like us) he was determined to give them a special afternoon....We have invited other friends and cruise acquaintances back to our various suites since and our butlers have always appeared with snacks etc but I will never forget this one who really gave our guests an afternoon to remember....As they left our suite to dress for dinner our butler insisted on walking them back to their room complete with another plate of chocolate strawberries ‘to eat later’!

[chemmo]

Not hijacking this thread... but we will be in a Celebrity Suite in March - does having you butler bring in food cost extra or is it included. Just curious.

 

If they are bringing you anything available from room service or snacks like a shrimp platter or a cheese plate no extra cost...If you are arranging a party in your room they will set it up for you and bring trays of cold snacks and soft drinks for your guests, no charge.

 

If we do want to set up something special either for ourselves or for guests we try to give our butler 24 hours notice so that he can order snacks etc and arrange his workload...We always make sure our thanks are reflected in our end of cruise tip too....

[Project_gal]

Not hijacking this thread... but we will be in a Celebrity Suite in March - does having you butler bring in food cost extra or is it included. Just curious.

 

The "Rules" are that cold food and soft drinks are complimentary. Hot food and alcohol should be paid for. However, butlers often stretch the rules. For a large party, the ship's Events Coordinator may get involved. If that happens, the rules are more likely to be adhered to.

 

As for the OPs original question, you will find each butler has his own forte. This ensure that you will frequently be surprised with what they do for you. Situations also vary and it can be the smallest things that feel the best.

 

We got back from a pretty miserable shore visit in Siberia. Yes, as grim as it sounds: from the "welcome" Russian immigration to the black snow (from the thick diesel fumes in the air). It was bitterly cold and, after walking some while without seeing anything worthwhile (it turns out that we had turned the wrong way at the port exit), we simply decided we would turn back to the ship. As we did so, a bus drove through a deep puddle and covered me in dirty icy water. The return journey was much bleaker wet.

 

As we returned to our suite, we met our butler who took one look at me, told me to give him my clothes and boots. He whisked them away, brought hot chocolates and then returned everything in record time with no charge. We have had wonderful parties in our suite but, as I said, it is sometimes the smallest things that are the most thoughtful.

[chemmo]

 

Well we all keep saying here on CC that we want excursions that really give you a taste and flavour of the destination!

 

Totally agree with you, Sue, it is often the little unasked things a butler does for you that mean the most....

[rollie]

We are so excited to have booked our first suite.

 

Rollie

[Corgi Girl]

On returning early to our cabin one evening we told our butler we were tired and going to watch a film....minutes later he rang the bell and presented us with a large bowl of popcorn!

 

On another occasion we had mentioned to our butler we enjoyed Indian food....next sea day he arranged a lunchtime banquet for us.

 

Favourite story, we were returning to the ship after a walk....We had taken under our wing an elderly couple we had come across who had become quite distressed when a ‘local guide’ would not accept that they did not want to pay him to go on a guided tour....We were chatting to them and they were cheering up now they were with us and feeling safe again...As we neared the ship they pointed out the PH deck to us (M class moored stern in). They said they had heard what an amazing room it was....On boarding we invited them back to our veranda for drinks. Their faces, after a scary morning, when we led them into the PH were a picture! The butler appeared like a Genie out of a lamp, sorted drinks, snacks....and treated our guests like royalty! They stayed with us until after sail away with our butler fussing around them, clearing savoury snacks and returning with chocolate strawberries, dramatically popping chilled champagne as the ship left port....We had quietly let our butler know that our ‘new friends’ had been distressed when we met up with them and (like us) he was determined to give them a special afternoon....We have invited other friends and cruise acquaintances back to our various suites since and our butlers have always appeared with snacks etc but I will never forget this one who really gave our guests an afternoon to remember....As they left our suite to dress for dinner our butler insisted on walking them back to their room complete with another plate of chocolate strawberries ‘to eat later’!

 

What a wonderful treat you gave to that couple. That was as thoughtful as it was generous.:)

[RocketMan275]

Favourite story, we were returning to the ship after a walk....We had taken under our wing an elderly couple we had come across who had become quite distressed when a ‘local guide’ would not accept that they did not want to pay him to go on a guided tour....We were chatting to them and they were cheering up now they were with us and feeling safe again...As we neared the ship they pointed out the PH deck to us (M class moored stern in). They said they had heard what an amazing room it was....On boarding we invited them back to our veranda for drinks. Their faces, after a scary morning, when we led them into the PH were a picture! The butler appeared like a Genie out of a lamp, sorted drinks, snacks....and treated our guests like royalty! They stayed with us until after sail away with our butler fussing around them, clearing savoury snacks and returning with chocolate strawberries, dramatically popping chilled champagne as the ship left port....We had quietly let our butler know that our ‘new friends’ had been distressed when we met up with them and (like us) he was determined to give them a special afternoon....We have invited other friends and cruise acquaintances back to our various suites since and our butlers have always appeared with snacks etc but I will never forget this one who really gave our guests an afternoon to remember....As they left our suite to dress for dinner our butler insisted on walking them back to their room complete with another plate of chocolate strawberries ‘to eat later’!

 

What a wonderful story. Not only because of what the butler did but because of your actions as well.

[Orator]

Chemmo:

You probably received more pleasure from your kindness than can be imagined. One Past Rotary International President used as his theme: "Real Happiness is Helping Others". I've found that to be quite true!

[chemmo]

Chemmo:

You probably received more pleasure from your kindness than can be imagined. One Past Rotary International President used as his theme: "Real Happiness is Helping Others". I've found that to be quite true!

 

You are so right....The icing on the cake for us was a few nights after seeing the couple in one of the bars. They were chatting away with others when we walked through...they waved at us and we went over to them... We were introduced to their friends as ‘the English family who looked after us....’ I tend to think their story may have gained some embellishment each retell! I also wandered if one or two of their friends had thought they had made it up...

 

But to return to the butler...the star of this story....he sensed, I think, this elderly couple had never experienced the sweet, suite life. He really did pull out the stops....

[johhnnyt]

One of my favorite stories was on a TA, I had gotten upgraded from SS to CS at last minute, for only a few hundred $$ so I was thrilled.

Butler was terrific and eagerly awaited any requests, I really didn't have any other than the 3rd day he was kind enough to bring me breakfast . 4th and 5th day comes and each day (sometimes more than once) he'd ask me if I needed anything, and I really didn't, so I would thank him for asking and we'd part ways.

Celebrity meanwhile was nice enough to drop off bottles of Champagne and Wine (From Miami Office, HD, GRM, and F&B manager), so I had accumulated 4 bottles and I don't drink alcohol.

So we were going to do a CC cabin crawl and I volunteered my CS, and had an idea. so the day before I asked the butler if maybe he could get some extra glasses and would offer the people on the cabin crawl the wine and champagne as they shuffled through. He was really thrilled to help. It was funny as I remember on day 4 of the cruise he had said "Mr John, there must be something I can help you with", but really couldn't think of anything I needed help with.

So day of the cabin crawl, I get up around 9 and head up on deck since the cabin crawl was going to be coming through around 1, so figured I would get back around 12 to my room, and get cleaned up before I started. When I returned at noon what a transformation.

The wine and champagne was iced in their buckets, and glasses were set up in a pyramid shape on a table with linens . Trays of shrimp, cheeses, crudités, and snacks were set up among the fresh flowers that were also brought in.

He stayed the entire time and poured wine and champagne until every guest had been served. I couldn't of been happier and either could he. He knew he did an allstar performance and so did I. I usually give $100/week ($200/14 days) for butlers in addition to the normal gratuity, but gave him an extra $100,because he really put on a great service, and was very grateful to him.

[CruisingTheWaves]

Sailing in our first suite on Edge next March, really hoping we have a great butler like the ones mentioned here!

[Project_gal]

Well we all keep saying here on CC that we want excursions that really give you a taste and flavour of the destination!

 

Totally agree with you, Sue, it is often the little unasked things a butler does for you that mean the most....

 

Totally miserable it may have been but we would not have missed for the world (just once!).

[Project_gal]

But to return to the butler...the star of this story....he sensed, I think, this elderly couple had never experienced the sweet, suite life. He really did pull out the stops....

 

This, I believe, is the answer if anyone is wondering why your butler may want to make such an effort whenever you have guests visit your suite and may be sheepish about asking him/her. It is good marketing for Celebrity to show people who have never booked a suite what you may get if you do. And, of course, your butler is likely to get a better tips from you.

 

In our experience butlers have always pulled out all the stops in such situations. What one butler did with the meagre (i.e. packable) decorations we have brought for our suite for a party to celebrate our 40th Wedding Anniversary was incredible.