bellybutton530

Walking around the ship with a purse.

If you sign up for gratuities to be added to your onboard account, the butler will get at least $3.50 per day that you are on your cruise.

When I present my list to my butler and we discuss it, I always give him some money in advance, and indicate that there is more where that came from, depending upon how well he completes my list. And at the end of the cruise he always gets that extra amount, as he almost always exceeds my expectations.

Sometimes, during the cruise, I may hand certain folks who are doing an exceptional job some lucky bucks to spend in ports along the way. Normally, by the end of the second day, I know who is cutting the mustard, and who isn't.

Everyone has his or her own system. If this is your first time having a butler, determine how much or little you want him to do for you, and then decide if he is earning the minimum amount or if more is in order. I sent you my list; I always expect to pay more.

i don't know how to send you a email but i tried to send the only request that i know how to send.

 

also should i just tip every day for the butler, like cash daily, but i do want to have breakfast and all of the other things that everyone is describing and I don't know if it would be appropriate to tip every day or better at the end of the trip.

 

I even would give more, but I almost would like my butler to see it before hand so that it might make a difference as the trip goes on.

 

I used to be a bartender and the ones who tipped better got better service when they came back, but since i'm lucky to go on a cruise every 2-3 years it's unlikely i will see the same person again.

 

Also does anyone know who is a good butler on equinox, i'm in a RS in May.

Write down my email address, and the next time you are in your email, send me a note. You cannot hit that link; it doesn't work for me either.

Hey Cheryl,

 

Could you please post your "butler list" when it is finished? We will have our first butler on the Century, Hawaii 10/2/11, and we don't want to miss something we could have asked for.

 

Thanks,

Bob

I don't mind sharing, just not on a big old thread. Send me an email, and I'll send you a copy to have a laugh at.... I get really specific.

My cruise is 6.5 months away, and I am already making a list for my butler. I'm hoping that it is the same one we had last year for the same cabin, but only time will tell.

Once I have my list ready, I print it up on some nice paper and hand it to him when we meet for the first time. I also enclose some lucky bucks so that he knows that I am capable of rewarding fantastic service in advance. It works every time....:p

Have a fantastic cruise.

Not us! Especially the packing! I have a method to my madness when it comes to packing to go home. (one bag is used strictly for dirty laundry. :eek:)

 

And I'd rather do my own unpacking. We've traveled so many times that I have the unpacking down to a science, so it's pointless to have someone else unpack for us.

 

Anita

Amen to that.... Besides that, after I wear an evening outfit, I pack it away in a suitcase.

And do not forget to have your complimentary cappuccinos and/or espressos....

On my recent Constellation cruise we had a 5X8 trailer loaded with luggage for the 6 of us. There was also water and sodas we were taking with us. I jumped out of the SUV and waved a $100 bill. A very nice gentleman came over, and in less than 5 minutes all of my luggage was unloaded. He gave me his card, and indicated that he would look for us upon our return. Sure enough, he had most of our easily-identifiable luggage on carts, and was waiting to gather the odd pieces and whisk us through customs. Then he loaded the trailer for us. This time I gave him $150.

Needless to say, I will be on the lookout for him in December....

PS: All of our luggage and drinks were in the cabin when we boarded the ship. I think he was worth every penny. You may think it was a bit much until you saw the amount of luggage and extras.... None of us had to lift a finger! We just watched in awe.

7

And you know what they say: seven days makes one weak!!! I'll be weak by the time this week is up....

Not for me. I keep walking past their stores.

Carmelo:

Your thread is FANTASTIC.... I am sitting on the edge of my seat, waiting for more.

I did an in-depth South America in 1976. Back then, there were no digital cameras to record what I saw. And, sadly, the photos I did take have faded. I just loved the photos of Machu Picchu; it brought back many fond memories. With your permission, I would like to copy some of your photos to my photo album.

And those zodiacs. They bring back memories of landings on the Antarctic peninsula in 1999 and 2000. Fabulouso!!!!!

I now know why the Galapagos is on my Bucket List.

I've bookmarked this thread so I don't miss anything.

Off topic (in a way)...we're in #6144 in "suiteland" next Feb. You mentioned 'talking to the butler in the hall'. I wondered if there were any residual benefits being so close to the hoi paloi. Guess the butler doesn't assist the CC class cabin right in the middle of the suites. Will we have another steward from 'way down the hall'??? :confused:

The suites have a butler, a steward, AND the steward's assistant. You will have the steward and asst, but not the butler.

Off topic (in a way)...we're in #6144 in "suiteland" next Feb. You mentioned 'talking to the butler in the hall'. I wondered if there were any residual benefits being so close to the hoi paloi. Guess the butler doesn't assist the CC class cabin right in the middle of the suites. Will we have another steward from 'way down the hall'??? :confused:

The suites have a butler AND a steward, plus the steward's assistant. You will have the steward and asst, but not the butler.

I love wearing a finely tailored suit with a great shirt and tie. Even more I love wearing a tux,particularly on a cruise. Besides that i find it to be a babe magnet.

 

I am in a minority I know,but in today's world I'd rather be an independent thinker than to follow the crowd.

It also that it is a slippery slope from casual to sloppy. That is clearly evident on cruises.

Nothing is nicer that seeing a man in a suit, with manicured nails and hair, and recently-shaven.

MY my my.

I guess those Maitre d's look particularly dashing, compared to someone in old jeans, a tee shirt, and flip-flops.

Just my opinion; not THE opinion.

Take some binoculars.

When I did my most recent WE TA in 2005, I brought 3 2000-piece jigsaw puzzles with me. We were on Galaxy in the PH suite, so I had plenty of room to leave a puzzle out day after day.

I also brought a couple of novels.

Left everything but the binoculars when we disembarked in Galveston.

Cheryl

Please Please.....if you can afford a cruise you can afford water.

ha ha ha ha ha

That isn't the point.

Someone asked a legitimate question, and deserves a legitimate answer....

Yes, you can bring bottled water and sodas onboard with you. You can either put a luggage tag on the case and it will be delivered to your stateroom or I have unloaded a case in my carry on and brought it onboard. Yes bottled water is around $4. Have you thought about getting Aqua Class? It comes with free bottled water and tea and I've read they will bring you as much as you can drink. One cruiser said she saved $400 over the cost of buying by the bottle.

Do you happen to know if this applies to suites also?

My first cruise was on the Amerikanis, owned by Chandris Cruises, which went out of business and reborn as Celebrity Cruises.

We sailed in the Mediterranean in 1978. I loved that old ship so much that we returned in 1979 to take a Caribbean cruise, my second cruise.

I was hooked. I have sailed 55 times, and am booked on my 56th in November.

First-time ladies usually take a purse EVERYWHERE.

My stuff is usually stashed safely in the safe, and I have my cardkey with me.