What are some things a Butler will do?

[b.cruising]

First time in a sky suite.....what do people ask their Butler to do?  Thank you

[jelayne]

They will make dining reservations, deliver your room service meals, pick-up and deliver your laundry, escort you to the reserved seats in the theater on EC nights, handle special requests, take care of little emergencies ( button falls off, etc)

[hrhdhd]

Make reservations, bring snacks/coffee/room service, handle outgoing laundry, escort off ship.

 

And I am sure that he or she will do other things--just ask.

[ScubesDad]

We have had out butler organize small gatherings in our suite, and they have without exception done an outstanding job.  the strangest request was about 4 years ago; i was recovering from a knee injury and was using a trekking pole to aid in my balance.  Upon returning from an excursion one afternoon I noticed the tip was damaged....I asked our butler if he thought it could be repaired on board...it was returned before we returned from dinner.....and the repair has lasted...better than when it was new.

 

I think they take pride in accomplishing the impossible.

Edited December 21, 2019 by ScubesDad

[39august]

We only asked for a cheese plate, with good crackers, to be delivered around 7 PM. He began leaving 2 glasses of red wine  to go with about the 4th night on a 12 night cruise.

[opa&oma]

In our experience, there is a difference in what to expect from a sky suite butler and a higher category suite butler.

[Jim_Iain]

We don't use our butler much but on a regular basis Order Breakfast which he delivers.   He also takes care of your laundry and dry cleaning needs.   Some of our better butlers tell us to just leave the laundry in a chair and he will fill out the tag and bag it for us.   When completed he delivers it to our room.  

 

Your butler will also refresh your ice bucket twice daily.   He also is often in Retreat to serve afternoon tea (butlers rotate this duty).  When we receive special invitation he is happy to confirm for you. 

[39august]

I would think ice bucket duty is a function of your cabin steward. We always ask for ice twice a day in any cabin and always have been accommodated. 

[garyl62]

He will seem to almost always be around, greet you by name, ask how your day has been, inquire of your plans so he can then offer to help with any of what you're planning to do, and just generally make you feel like the most important person he has to take care of on the ship!

 

Of course he'll also do everything everyone has said, but if it's your first time in a suite and you don't really know what to ask of him, just know he'll make you feel comfortable, welcome and important.

[taylortime05]

We are leaving the Edge tomorrow.  It was our first time in a suite on Celebrity.  We had a fabulous time.  I will write a trip report after the holidays.  
 

I have a question about our butler and appropriate tip.  We met him 1st day and he was very nice and told us not to hesitate to call him.  We requested breakfast room service one time and he delivered it. We didn’t see him or hear from him again until the last evening before leaving the next morning.  I talked to other people and their butler did extra things for them without asking like leaving fruit basket or delivering dessert to their room because they he knew they missed dessert at dinner.

 

i have a handful of people that really made my vacation special and I will write a thank you card and give an extra tip.  I’ll also personally recognize them in my survey when I get at home.

 

How much would you tip your butler in this scenario?

 

Thanks for your feedback.

[BDL]

3 hours ago, opa&oma said:

In our experience, there is a difference in what to expect from a sky suite butler and a higher category suite butler.

We're going to be in a Royal Suite on Equinox.  Any suggestions of what we could ask of the butler?

Thanks!

[garyl62]

16 minutes ago, taylortime05 said:

We are leaving the Edge tomorrow.  It was our first time in a suite on Celebrity.  We had a fabulous time.  I will write a trip report after the holidays.  
 

I have a question about our butler and appropriate tip.  We met him 1st day and he was very nice and told us not to hesitate to call him.  We requested breakfast room service one time and he delivered it. We didn’t see him or hear from him again until the last evening before leaving the next morning. .......

 

How much would you tip your butler in this scenario?

 

Thanks for your feedback.

I would not leave any additional tip. Obviously he did the minor things you asked for,  but he didn't go beyond in any way that causes me to think its appropriate for you to go beyond in any way either. 

 

I'm normally a good tipper so this would be a change from my normal behavior, but for what you describe it would be what I would do. 

[Jim_Iain]

4 minutes ago, BDL said:

We're going to be in a Royal Suite on Equinox.  Any suggestions of what we could ask of the butler?

Thanks!

In a RS your butler will make sure your in room refrigerator is stocked and keep it stocked. You could also ask to dine in your room for dinner or lunch if you choose and it will be served in courses like the dining rooms.  

 

If you know others or meet others you could invite them for cocktail party, he will setup everything be there to greet your guest and pour drinks.   The wonderful thing is when you leave, your room will be cleaned up as though you had never had a party.   Often our butlers have comped some wine, hour d'oeuvres and snacks.

 

Tea is now served in Retreat Lounge, but if you prefer just let you butler know and he will serve for you in our suite.  

[BDL]

2 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

In a RS your butler will make sure your in room refrigerator is stocked and keep it stocked. You could also ask to dine in your room for dinner or lunch if you choose and it will be served in courses like the dining rooms.  

 

If you know others or meet others you could invite them for cocktail party, he will setup everything be there to greet your guest and pour drinks.   The wonderful thing is when you leave, your room will be cleaned up as though you had never had a party.   Often our butlers have comped some wine, hour d'oeuvres and snacks.

 

Tea is now served in Retreat Lounge, but if you prefer just let you butler know and he will serve for you in our suite.  

Thanks for the info Jim.  If we have a cocktail party in our suite, do we pay for individual drinks for our guests or is it limited to the bottles of liquor we've selected for the suite?   

Thanks,
Barb

[Jim_Iain]

26 minutes ago, taylortime05 said:

We are leaving the Edge tomorrow.  It was our first time in a suite on Celebrity.  We had a fabulous time.  I will write a trip report after the holidays.  
 

I have a question about our butler and appropriate tip.  We met him 1st day and he was very nice and told us not to hesitate to call him.  We requested breakfast room service one time and he delivered it. We didn’t see him or hear from him again until the last evening before leaving the next morning.  I talked to other people and their butler did extra things for them without asking like leaving fruit basket or delivering dessert to their room because they he knew they missed dessert at dinner.

 

i have a handful of people that really made my vacation special and I will write a thank you card and give an extra tip.  I’ll also personally recognize them in my survey when I get at home.

 

How much would you tip your butler in this scenario?

 

 

Tipping is a personal choice and you should not feel uncomfortable tipping more than the standard tips unless you received service above an beyond the basic duties.   If I had a butler like you described, I would  feel no need to tip extra.   

 

We were recently on a B2B and had a butler who we have had before.   He was always bring us little treats, bottles of wine and going out of his way to make sure we had a wonderful cruise.  For exceptional service like this we would normally tip an extra $5 - $10 per day.  

[Jim_Iain]

8 minutes ago, BDL said:

Thanks for the info Jim.  If we have a cocktail party in our suite, do we pay for individual drinks for our guests or is it limited to the bottles of liquor we've selected for the suite?   

Thanks,
Barb

Hi Barb -

Really depends on your requirements and the butler.   We have butlers who comp us a couple bottles of wine and we combine it with Bubbly we have in the room and often guests also come with a bottle.   I have also ordered a couple bottles and anything our guests wanted and the butler would normally grab them.  

 

If you are wanting to order some wines it is a good idea to plan it with your butler at least a day in advance so he can arrange to get the wine from the ships stores. 

 

With the perks they now have in the RS you get 2 liters of liquor of your choice, mixers,  beer and waters so most of the butlers don't charge you extra unless you specifically want a special wine or booze.

 

Of course if we have a butler who comp us additional items he is going to get a REALLY nice tip.

Edited December 22, 2019 by Jim_Iain

[BDL]

4 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Hi Barb -

Really depends on your requirements and the butler.   We have butlers who comp us a couple bottles of wine and we combine it with Bubbly we have in the room and often guests also come with a bottle.   I have also ordered a couple bottles and anything our guests wanted and the butler would normally grab them.  

 

If you are wanting to order some wines it is a good idea to plan it with your butler at least a day in advance so he can arrange to get the wine from the ships stores. 

 

With the perks they now have in the RS you get 2 liters of liquor of your choice, mixers,  beer and waters so most of the butlers don't charge you extra unless you specifically want a special wine or booze.

 

Of course if we have a butler who comp us additional items he is going to get a REALLY nice tip.

Great info - thanks.   We can’t wait!

[jelayne]

43 minutes ago, BDL said:

We're going to be in a Royal Suite on Equinox.  Any suggestions of what we could ask of the butler?

Thanks!

See the above.  

[chemmo]

Remember being in a suite you also have the Retreat/Michael’s concierge looking after you. Any issues like a problem with OBC, an overcharge, an issue with an excursion, checking in for your flight home....they will sort it all for you.

 

Also the concierge will arrange behind the scenes tours of the galley, the theatre and the bridge. If you are interested in any of these let her know early in your cruise as they only usually happen on sea days and have limited numbers...

 

The butler is there to offer help and support, however, many guests (as indicated in other posts) don’t particularly want help preferring to make their own bookings etc.  If you don’t ask for anything the butler may simply think you wish to be left alone. Communication is the key. On boarding let your butler know if there are things you want setting up (a bigger choice of fruit for example). Then let him know what you may want daily (tea/coffee each afternoon at 4pm with a couple of small sandwiches). After that there is the telephone and if you want something simply ring...If your butler is off duty an alternative butler will come. Some butlers are definitely more proactive and may offer suggestions or simply leave a ‘treat’ the odd night in your suite but none of them are mind readers. Also if you do feel your butler is unresponsive you can ask to speak to the suite manager...

[abbydancer2003]

I've been in 3 suites so far.  First one with DH, we didn't quite know what he could do, so we didn't ask for anything.  Our butler came down to Luminae one morning to see if there was anything he could do.  He later gave us a bottle of wine.

 

Next time, my sister and I upgraded from a balcony.  When I told her the butler could bring morning coffee,  her comment was "you already have that"  (the previous year she would get up before I did due to living in different time zones, would go to the pool and come back with coffee for me).  We did once ask for 4 wine glasses and cheese and crackers instead of the usual afternoon treats, as we had friends coming who'd never seen a suite.  He brought the glasses, a bottle of champagne, a shrimp plate, chocolate covered strawberries and a cheese and meat plate.  

 

Last time, we had coffee most mornings, occasional lattes and snacks and a few other things.

[chemmo]

If you are hosting a party (in our understanding) the butler will provide cold snacks and juices but you pay for any wines, spirits etc and for hot food. Obviously in a RS or PH you have your bar to share...I would not generally expect the butler to provide wine or champagne...

 

When we organised a reunion sail away we boarded with two bottles of champagne (to add to the one already in the suite) which the butler put on ice for us. Whilst we were at muster he ‘organised’ the room and set out glasses and food. He provided cold platters (far too much) and served during the sailaway. As our friends left I started siding away the plates and glasses and was ‘ushered’ onto the balcony to finish my champagne...I wish he could be in my house on Christmas Day....

[isdoo]

What sweet/candy options exist, these days on Celebrity? 

 

Do they have anything like M&Ms or Gummy Bears? 

[Texed]

3 hours ago, isdoo said:

What sweet/candy options exist, these days on Celebrity? 

 

Do they have anything like M&Ms or Gummy Bears? 

 

At the ice cream station in the Ocean View Cafe, they are a variety of different sweets.  🙂

[chemmo]

4 hours ago, isdoo said:

What sweet/candy options exist, these days on Celebrity? 

 

Do they have anything like M&Ms or Gummy Bears? 

 

If you do like a few sweeties why not put a selection together to take? I would think that is better than just relying on the ice cream section...On one of our longer cruises we decided to take a box of my favourite chocolates with us, they ended up coming back off the ship unopened. Just  too many food options on a cruise to need sweets and chocolates in between....

[mafig]

• We have not been in a suite on Celebrity (which, hopefully, will change soon) but have been on other lines.

I'm used to the Conceirge making dining reservations, not the Butler.  Is this different on Celebrity?