YC butler

[moonvine]

How many cabins share one butler?

 

What is and isn't it reasonable to ask a butler to do for you?

[Mikesa1721]

How many cabins share one butler?

 

What is and isn't it reasonable to ask a butler to do for you?

 

Moon,,,Our butler took care of the 10 forward suites on deck 16, staterooms 16009 through 16010. Some may service more or less staterooms.

A far as what is reasonable to ask??? For us,,,we wouldn't ask him to do anything we couldn't do ourselves. We did ask him to keep our refrigerator filled with certain types of beer,,but that's about all we asked from our butler,,,other than our Yacht Club polo shirts!!:eek:

[moonvine]

Hi Mikesa,

 

I was going by this (from another thread)

 

Our CC friend, 'All Aboard?', threw a couple of parties in his YC suite on the Fantasia. He merely told his butler what time and how many to expect (13 of us) and the butler did the rest. Trolleys of finger food and free-flowing wine and champagne arrived. He would ask his butler to meet him at the main pool with with bathrobe after swimming, arrange private tours and lead him personally off the ship to the waiting car, take his dinner jacket away after dining, etc. etc. So it appears a major part of the value of YC is your butler! I know that Pete (above) is not the only one on these boards that swear by Yacht Club.

 

I can't really imagine just keeping your minibar stocked; isn't that something that they should be doing anyway?

[Skipper Tim]

Hi Mikesa,

 

I was going by this (from another thread)

 

 

 

I can't really imagine just keeping your minibar stocked; isn't that something that they should be doing anyway?

 

That was me you quoted and I asked the same questions. I was told an average of one butler per 7 YC cabins overall. Some used their butlers far less than our friend used his. If you arrange in advance, then your butler should be available for any butler service such as the above examples.

[moonvine]

SkipperTom,

 

Thank you. Do the butlers usually speak ok English?

[Skipper Tim]

SkipperTom,

 

Thank you. Do the butlers usually speak ok English?

 

In my experience, all front line MSC staff have spoken very good English. They may be from every country in the World but they speak to each other in English.

[Beamafar]

The butlers have assistants for attending to the cabins - they're more like cabin stewards.

 

Your butler will lead you to the dining room on your first night. He/she will escort you to the theatre, also, if you want. It's probably to ensure you find your way if you're not familiar with the ship's layout.

 

The butlers will pack and unpack - although I never used the service. They'll also polish your shoes. They're the ones who serve you in the Top Sail Lounge. Room service is provided by the butlers and they escort you off the ship when you're disembarking. The only time they'll escort you off at ports of call is if you're booked on MSC excursions.

[Skipper Tim]

The butlers have assistants for attending to the cabins - they're more like cabin stewards.

 

Your butler will lead you to the dining room on your first night. He/she will escort you to the theatre, also, if you want. It's probably to ensure you find your way if you're not familiar with the ship's layout.

 

The butlers will pack and unpack - although I never used the service. They'll also polish your shoes. They're the ones who serve you in the Top Sail Lounge. Room service is provided by the butlers and they escort you off the ship when you're disembarking. The only time they'll escort you off at ports of call is if you're booked on MSC excursions.

 

Our friend 'All Aboard ?' (where is he when you need him?) was escorted off the ship (willingly) by his butler at Funchal for a privately-booked, non-MSC tour. I suppose he just arranged it in advance. I do remember him saying watching his butler pack was "exhausting" :) so he certainly used that service. I imagine there is no prescribed list of butler duties because everyone's requirements are different and the whole point is that it is a personalised service.

 

I would love to try YC. Perhaps one of the new ships due over the next couple of years with enhanced Yacht Clubs will present the ideal opportunity.

[Mikesa1721]

Hi Mikesa,

 

I was going by this (from another thread)

 

 

 

I can't really imagine just keeping your minibar stocked; isn't that something that they should be doing anyway?

 

Yes Moon,,,it is. We are very simple people who don't require that level of service even though it may be available. We book the Yacht Club for it's exclusivity from the rest of the ship and that is the value for us. Everyone is different and may have different requirements while onboard. If you're sailing on Divina,,I can tell you that our butler along with other butlers would serve drinks at The One Bar during the day and then resume their butler duties later in the evening. I would have to assume their would be a butler who would cover for the other, while he/she was working up at The One Pool and Bar.

[Beamafar]

Our friend 'All Aboard ?' (where is he when you need him?) was escorted off the ship (willingly) by his butler at Funchal for a privately-booked, non-MSC tour. I suppose he just arranged it in advance.

 

Yes, you're right, Tim.

 

I do remember him saying watching his butler pack was "exhausting" :) so he certainly used that service. I imagine there is no prescribed list of butler duties because everyone's requirements are different and the whole point is that it is a personalised service.

 

Exactly. Also some butlers are better than others. I had the most wonderful butler on my recent trip. He made himself available and always seemed to be on hand to attend to anything I needed. He was fantastic at taking care of my laundry needs, especially, ensuring I got the best value from the package.

I don't even remember anything the butler on my first YC sailing did for me - I didn't even know who he was until disembarkation! He was on my last cruise, too and remembered me. I recognised him, alright, but just as the bloke who escorted us off the ship!

 

I would love to try YC. Perhaps one of the new ships due over the next couple of years with enhanced Yacht Clubs will present the ideal opportunity.

 

It seems very unfair that solos can't avail of the YC even if they're willing to pay a supplement. The only way around that would be to befriend someone who's booked in YC and pay the €80/$100 a day fee which would give you access from 8.30am - 11.30pm which would equate to what it would cost per day if you were booked for the cruise (in fact, it's a little less).

[oreosmile]

Yes Moon,,,it is. We are very simple people who don't require that level of service even though it may be available. We book the Yacht Club for it's exclusivity from the rest of the ship and that is the value for us.

 

That is also why we chose the YC for November. Looking for a smaller, quieter experience for our daughter, who has a lot of anxiety. She was concerned when she heard there were butlers ("we are not THAT kind of people"), until we explained that they would do as much or as little for us as we wanted. I hope they'll help us swap cabins between legs of the b2b (yc2 to yc3). And I am hoping that they can help keep our food challenged daughter stocked with some of her favourite treats, so that she has less anxiety around finding things she can eat. And that we can skip some lines, which are also stress inducing for her.

[Mikesa1721]

Knowing the butlers Oreo,,,they won't let you touch your luggage,,they'll move it all for you. :D

[mrstrod]

The butlers are very good at being available to you no matter how many cabins they are in charge of. Seriously, We never wait for anything.

 

Here's a list of things we have asked for or seen others ask for:

1- they deliver room service & pizza.

2- unpack & pack for you.

3- have a shirt quick ironed from packing wrinkles.

4- change out your pillow (you have a menu).

5- teach you to use the Wii in your room.

6- stock your minibar with your faves.

7- escort you to excursions.

8- escort you on and off the ship.

9- escort you to dinner or theater if first timer.

10- polish shoes.

11- carry your parcels when they see you doing it.

12- set up private cocktail party in your room (extra fee)

13- Ice bucket is always filled.

14- keep your room set up how you like it.

15- handle laundry service or dry cleaning for you (extra fee)

 

Overall, the butler is not there to be a nuisance underfoot but to enhance your experience. You will also notice that they seem to quickly pick up on your patterns and your room will always be cleaned while you're out and you wont even know they were there (other than the clean room). Unlike in the rest of the ship when the staff cleans the cabins in order, they will only clean your when they know you are occupied. Should you come back early, they will just leave you and return instead of making you wait. It's all these little things that make them so awesome.

[Skipper Tim]

Unlike in the rest of the ship when the staff cleans the cabins in order, they will only clean your when they know you are occupied. Should you come back early, they will just leave you and return instead of making you wait. It's all these little things that make them so awesome.

 

I was contributing to this thread earlier only because few others were. It has taken off so I can sit back, except to correct this.

 

Even in 'steerage' i.e. the rest of a Fantasia class MSC ships, the cabin attendants never enter when the cabin is occupied. The card in the slot inside changes the colour of an LED in the corridor so that the staff never bother you. They work around absences and occupations, professionally.

 

I have heard reports that when a cabin is occupied all day a note comes under the door to call a number if you want a service.

 

Not in order. Discreet and professional.

[moonvine]

Yes Moon,,,it is. We are very simple people who don't require that level of service even though it may be available. We book the Yacht Club for it's exclusivity from the rest of the ship and that is the value for us. Everyone is different and may have different requirements while onboard. If you're sailing on Divina,,I can tell you that our butler along with other butlers would serve drinks at The One Bar during the day and then resume their butler duties later in the evening. I would have to assume their would be a butler who would cover for the other, while he/she was working up at The One Pool and Bar.

 

I surely don't require it and have done without it many times. But if I am paying what I consider to be an enormous amount of money for something I am going to try to utilize it to it's fullest.:D

[Mikesa1721]

I surely don't require it and have done without it many times. But if I am paying what I consider to be an enormous amount of money for something I am going to try to utilize it to it's fullest.:D

 

Absolutely Moon, as well as the concierge!!! I would like to try the unpacking service, but my girlfriend doesn't like the idea of someone going through her things,,,which I can understand. I'm going to try the shoe polish service in January,,but instead of leaving my shoes in the hallway for the butler to collect,,I feel more comfortable handing them to him. :)

[AmoMondo]

I must admit, I'd like to try the YC for the peace and quiet and the use if the better dining room. The butler part just doesn't appeal at all. Like your girlfriend, Mike, the thought of someone unpacking for me. Not only do I not want a stranger touching my things, I wouldn't have a clue where they put everything and that would drive me nuts.

 

Had the sue of TA butler at the Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai. Lovely guy but I could not think of anything for him to do for me. He ended up delivering my room service breakfast and that was it. He did lay it out beautifully for me. He was quite put out that I didn't want him to run baths for me or unpCk or anything else.

[moonvine]

Michelle says they can put the minibar on a hand truck and follow her around. Lol

 

Is the room service menu the same as on the rest of the ship?

 

Can you get the same types of food in YC as in the rest of the ship, such as the gelato and specialty coffees? The stuff that is extra not the buffet, etc

 

Does the YC pool area have steps down into the water or ladders?

[Mikesa1721]

I must admit, I'd like to try the YC for the peace and quiet and the use if the better dining room. The butler part just doesn't appeal at all. Like your girlfriend, Mike, the thought of someone unpacking for me. Not only do I not want a stranger touching my things, I wouldn't have a clue where they put everything and that would drive me nuts.

 

Had the sue of TA butler at the Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai. Lovely guy but I could not think of anything for him to do for me. He ended up delivering my room service breakfast and that was it. He did lay it out beautifully for me. He was quite put out that I didn't want him to run baths for me or unpCk or anything else.

 

Yes Amo!!! That's exactly how she feels. She really has this thing about someone putting her things away for her,,,heck,,she doesn't really like me putting her clothes away.

We're fine with breakfast delivery,,escorting us on and off the ship,,and the occasional beverage carry from the Top Sail Lounge up to our room,,but other than that,,we barely use our butler.

[Janet&Carl]

Michelle says they can put the minibar on a hand truck and follow her around. Lol

 

Is the room service menu the same as on the rest of the ship?

 

Can you get the same types of food in YC as in the rest of the ship, such as the gelato and specialty coffees? The stuff that is extra not the buffet, etc

 

Does the YC pool area have steps down into the water or ladders?

 

We sailed YC in 2010 on the Splendida. Gelato was available on pool deck and specialty coffees are available anywhere as well as on Pool deck. Yes there are ladders into the pool.

 

I don't know if things have changed (some certainly have) back then you could have anything delivered to your room including dinner on your balcony. The Top Sail Lounge had a constant mini buffet of specialty food all day. In addition to the buffet and the restaurant there was a small menu available for each meal that you could choose from. There was also a menu and (smaller) buffet available on pool deck. The service was exceptional, always.

[moonvine]

Not good news about the pool. I can't handle a ladder. Maybe Michelle can.