Sky Suite... Butler?

[Jbrattoncruise]

Going to be in my first “suite” on Saturday and not sure what to expect. Does the sky suite have access to a butler? What are the services the butler can provide... aside from bringing dinner (we won’t have dinner in our cabin) or snacks at a certain time?

[Airrace]

Going to be in my first “suite” on Saturday and not sure what to expect. Does the sky suite have access to a butler? What are the services the butler can provide... aside from bringing dinner (we won’t have dinner in our cabin) or snacks at a certain time?

 

 

 

Go to the celebrity website and look up the sky suite. It will show you al, the benefits of having a butler.

 

Some of them are:

 

Priority embarkment and the same for de barking.

You can even be first off at the port stops.

Snacks and drinks all you need to do is ask.

Any meal from the restaurants delivered to your room.

Luminae restaurant for suite guests only.

Michael’s bar for suite quests only

Priority reserved seating for the chic night shows.

Special line for suite quests at the home port to arrange getting you on the ship faster. You then can then hang out at Michael’s or leave some of you carry on while you wait for your suite to get ready and explore the ship.

There will be a door bell outside your suite that the butler will ring with your room.

 

Just ask I have heard of butlers doing all kind of things.

 

 

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[steve ch]

Going to be in my first “suite” on Saturday and not sure what to expect. Does the sky suite have access to a butler? What are the services the butler can provide... aside from bringing dinner (we won’t have dinner in our cabin) or snacks at a certain time?

Yes, you will have a butler, and the short answer is that he or she will work with the Michael's Club concierge to do anything they can to make your cruise more enjoyable. Just ask.

[jelayne]

Butler can make speciality restaurant reservations, escort you to reserved seats in the theater on evening chic nights, will take care of any laundry/dry cleaning, can bring you coffee and juice in the morning. If you are traveling in ports where the ship keeps your passport the butler will retrieve it and deliver it to you at the end of the cruise or for ports where you must personally present your passport. Problem with something broken or malfunctioning in your suite- tell the butler and they will have it fixed.

[Jbrattoncruise]

Is packing/unpacking a task they can complete? Anyone do this?

[CHEZMARYLOU]

The web site says they will assist with packing/unpacking but from reading these forums hardly anyone takes advantage of this. You do have to be there so not much point in this benefit.

[guy999]

i will tell you the best thing i ever got was in Vancouver, so there was a problem awhile ago getting through security, we were in a celebrity suite and they gave us a number to call at the port and if we had problems call it, we did and they came and got us and essentially moved us to the front of the line, which instead of a 6 hour wait was about an hour, not great, but wow way better, like we were on the cruise that actually was delayed leaving because of port issues, and we just waited in michael's, oh man that was the best.

[cmhdoogalsatsea]

Some of the nice "wrinkle smoothing" things that I enjoy having the butler for include

• tea kettle and my preferred types of tea forte teas
  
• stocking the fridge with my preferred waters
  
• coordinating with the steward to work around my somewhat quirky schedule
  
• bringing daily snacks that are what I'd like rather than what's on offer that day--for me that's a couple dozen shrimp
  
• Getting laundry in when I forget and am a couple hours late.
  

The teas and the waters have never been a problem--but are always included in my drinks package.

 

 

Beyond that, i tend to you the MC concierge for help with line skipping and other possible "perks".

I'm not a big show go-er but one night had decided to pop in before dinner ( it was an evening chic night). I'd totally forgotten about the reserved seat/escort bit but my butler appeared and eagerly showed me to a good spot. While it was totally unexpected, and a bit embarrassingly over the top, I have to admit it felt kinda fun too!

Have a great trip!

[macky2]

My favorite memory of cruising was sailing into Venice with a party in my cabin arranged by the butler. I just asked if he could set up some drinks and snacks and he did a fabulous job. All I had to do was have fun.

 

 

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[Champagne Cruiser]

Some butlers are better than others. We had to ask for things like delivering the newspaper vs people on these boards having reported their butler just did this without being asked. Yes, he delivered breakfast but so did the stateroom attendant in a Veranda cabin. We had 3 Evening Chic nights. The first one we had reserved seating that was told to us but we walked ourselves there. The 2nd one there was no announcement and no reserved seating. The 3rd one there was no announcement so we assumed there was no reserved seating but we later learned there was. We once had a butler who told us he was new and had no idea how to find anything on our ship, except hung around the last day for a tip! The only time we found a butler useful was moving our clothing from our suite to a Veranda cabin on a B2B. There were so many continuous cruisers that the stateroom attendants were not performing this service for the stateroom passengers.

I know lots of people love their butlers and maybe it’s because we have only sailed Sky Suites but I have not found them useful especially since they discontinued the afternoon tea delivery. Although I liked going to Michaels Club for afternoon tea on a trans Atlantic, I prefer it on our Veranda in the Caribbean. Who wants to get cleaned up that early, and the Veranda is much nicer than Michaeks Club in nice weather.

Edited June 8, 2018 by Champagne Cruiser
Typo

[Airrace]

I have also found them very helpful with information on the things to do near the ports.

I had one butler who actually would give us a detailed map of all the things to do and see. I like cigars so he knew were to get a local cigar and had it on the map.

 

 

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[bjahil47]

I don’t ask much of the Butler - pitcher of iced tea in afternoon, afternoon snacks delivered to the room and most times breakfast in the cabin. Like stated before, some are excellent and some not so good. Last cruise was not so good and when asked by the new suite manager how it was going we told her! Nothing improved.

[George C]

Butler gave us a bottle of champagne, in general really do not care for butler, love michaels and suite restaurant

[crazee4cruzin]

Did you get a laundry perk? If so what was it.

[LisaLeone]

I have heard that some have received treats like chocolate covered strawberries. We are in a suite, leaving the 27th on the Summit so hoping this is true. It would be lovely.

[Jim_Iain]

We only travel in CS Suites and above and have found that butler's are very useful most of the time. We really don't go out of our way and make many requests. One of our first butlers explained that the room attendant was there to take care of your room and the Butler is there to take care of YOU.

 

We eat breakfast in our suite daily and the butler delivers it usually exactly at the beginning of the time frame on the door hanger. He always calls on the way up from the kitchen to give you enough time to be prepared. On occasion I have just asked him to let himself in and leave in on the dining room table. No problem. I also enjoy a Dry Double Cappuccino every morning to get me going. My last butler on Infinity would stop by Al Bachio and get it for me as he felt it was better than the one he could make in the Butlers Pantry.

 

If you order anything from Bar Services or Room Services you butler will also deliver these to you.

 

As some have mentioned they have now done away with the nightly tea cart service and serve tea in Michael's Club. If you prefer to have it in your room just let you butler know and he will bring it to your room instead. I missed it at the beginning but soon realized I was just eating things because they were there even though I wasn't particularly hungry.

 

You butler also will pick up and deliver your laundry, shine your shoes and help setup and serve for private parties in your suite.

 

As many have stated, it is listed that the butler will help unpack and pack, but I have never had any desire for this assistance.

 

If you choose to leave the cruise a day early on an overnight on the final port, your butler will come by your room with a luggage cart and pickup your luggage and escort you off the ship and onto the shuttle bus.

 

I have also asked the butler to have a number of maintenance items taken care of. Many of these items can also be taken care of by the Michael's Club Concierge. They work as a team to make sure you are taken care of.

 

Other small things we use the butler for are to make reservations in specialty restaurants, confirm acceptance to special invitations like High Tea and dining at the officers table.

 

We have had some great butlers and some that were just good. We have never had a bad butler. We met a passenger on a recent cruise that had a bad butler and brought it to the attention of Michael's Club Concierge - he was given a different butler immediately for the remainder of the cruise.

 

Someone earlier asked about laundry. The butler will handle all your laundry needs but if in CS and below you get your free bags of laundry per your CC level and pay standard rates for shirts and laundry that is not just wash and fold.

[chemmo]

The best butlers are those who seem to know what you want before you ask....Sometimes only small things but they do make you feel pampered!

 

A few examples...

 

Returning to our suite one afternoon with some new friends, the butler appeared from nowhere and insisted on serving drinks and a few minutes later returned with nibbles.

 

Telling our butler we were really tired and going to watch a movie in the room. A few minutes later he returned with popcorn.

 

Arranging a curry lunch for us one sea day.

 

Our experience has been like Jim_Iain....we have had some good butlers (do what is asked for and expected) and a few great ones who pride themselves on trying to add something to make your holiday special!

 

To the OP, make sure you let your butler know what you want/expect. Many suite guests don’t want snacks or strawberries or the butler knocking to see if you want something....Clear communication is necessary.

[doublin9]

As others have said, "You'll never go back to a standard balcony"! Check with the concierge at Michael's Club about a bridge tour. We seemed to be automatically on the helipad sailaway list, but this was a special tour that was awesome. Also, in addition to all the other amenities mentioned, our butler offered to quickly setup our phones to the free internet. Enjoy!!

[Arubalisa]

Since we are on the subject of Sky Suites and butlers, our family of four have an upcoming cruise aboard the Equinox in two :rolleyes:;) "lowly" ;) Sky Suites. From reading through various posts in this group, I have gotten the impression, long gone are the days of early morning cappuccino deliveries. No big deal, dh is an early riser and would gladly fetch it himself from Bacio. My father is disabled and in a wheelchair. His purpose of the cruise is great cuisine and hanging out on his balcony reading. My father would feel it inconvenient for him to have a member of our family take him to Michael's for afternoon tea or up one deck to the Oceanview Buffet. In an ideal world, his only use of the butler would have been to deliver an afternoon "tea time" snack. Seeing how overworked the butlers are, would he or the cabin steward be offended if we ran up one deck to the Oceanview Cafe and brought a couple of plates down for dad to enjoy on his balcony? We will not request any other services from the butler. Rightfully so, it seems they have their hands full with the Penthouse, Royal and Celebrity suite passengers.

[Airrace]

Since we are on the subject of Sky Suites and butlers, our family of four have an upcoming cruise aboard the Equinox in two :rolleyes:;) "lowly" ;) Sky Suites. From reading through various posts in this group, I have gotten the impression, long gone are the days of early morning cappuccino deliveries. No big deal, dh is an early riser and would gladly fetch it himself from Bacio. My father is disabled and in a wheelchair. His purpose of the cruise is great cuisine and hanging out on his balcony reading. My father would feel it inconvenient for him to have a member of our family take him to Michael's for afternoon tea or up one deck to the Oceanview Buffet. In an ideal world, his only use of the butler would have been to deliver an afternoon "tea time" snack. Seeing how overworked the butlers are, would he or the cabin steward be offended if we ran up one deck to the Oceanview Cafe and brought a couple of plates down for dad to enjoy on his balcony? We will not request any other services from the butler. Rightfully so, it seems they have their hands full with the Penthouse, Royal and Celebrity suite passengers.

 

 

 

Ask Ask Ask

The will deliver afternoon tea and snacks and depending on the butler they will bring a morning cappuccino. Just give them enough time. After I first met the butler I spend some time with the butler getting to know him and his family. I then let him know are likes and dislikes and what days we plan to do what activities.

 

Communication is the key! And letting them have plenty of time as the first day is kinda busy for them.

 

Don’t forget you can ask to have any meal delivered to your room from any place open and serving food. Just let the butler know your likes and give them plenty of time.

 

 

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[BecT]

Since we are on the subject of Sky Suites and butlers, our family of four have an upcoming cruise aboard the Equinox in two :rolleyes:;) "lowly" ;) Sky Suites. From reading through various posts in this group, I have gotten the impression, long gone are the days of early morning cappuccino deliveries. No big deal, dh is an early riser and would gladly fetch it himself from Bacio. My father is disabled and in a wheelchair. His purpose of the cruise is great cuisine and hanging out on his balcony reading. My father would feel it inconvenient for him to have a member of our family take him to Michael's for afternoon tea or up one deck to the Oceanview Buffet. In an ideal world, his only use of the butler would have been to deliver an afternoon "tea time" snack. Seeing how overworked the butlers are, would he or the cabin steward be offended if we ran up one deck to the Oceanview Cafe and brought a couple of plates down for dad to enjoy on his balcony? We will not request any other services from the butler. Rightfully so, it seems they have their hands full with the Penthouse, Royal and Celebrity suite passengers.

 

Just got off a B2B yesterday on Equinox. First week was in a CS on deck 10 with Joe as our Butler and we then moved to a SS on deck 12 with Singh as our Butler. Both were fantastic! They couldn't do enough for us. In fact they were able to work miracles getting last minute specialty restaurant reservations for us at our desired time even when the Michael's Club Concierge was unsuccessful. Don't feel worried that you are overworking them. Our experience is they feel they are not meeting your needs if you aren't asking for anything. We don't typically ask for much, but we we're kept stocked up on chips, fruit, tortilla chips w/salsa, and nuts. So tell your dad to let your butler know about his wishes for tea and/or coffee along with room snackies and just enjoy the pampering .

 

FYI-- the food and service is wonderful in Luminae and your servers like Snickers and other chocolate bars. We brought a bunch of mini candy bars and they were thrilled to have them .

 

Enjoy your SS, you will be treated just as nicely as someone in the upper suites .

[Airrace]

Just got off a B2B yesterday on Equinox. First week was in a CS on deck 10 with Joe as our Butler and we then moved to a SS on deck 12 with Singh as our Butler. Both were fantastic! They couldn't do enough for us. In fact they were able to work miracles getting last minute specialty restaurant reservations for us at our desired time even when the Michael's Club Concierge was unsuccessful. Don't feel worried that you are overworking them. Our experience is they feel they are not meeting your needs if you aren't asking for anything. We don't typically ask for much, but we we're kept stocked up on chips, fruit, tortilla chips w/salsa, and nuts. So tell your dad to let your butler know about his wishes for tea and/or coffee along with room snackies and just enjoy the pampering .

 

 

 

FYI-- the food and service is wonderful in Luminae and your servers like Snickers and other chocolate bars. We brought a bunch of mini candy bars and they were thrilled to have them .

 

 

 

Enjoy your SS, you will be treated just as nicely as someone in the upper suites .

 

 

 

Well said

 

 

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[happicruzer]

Had a good chuckle over the candy bars - we were at WalMart yesterday. One of the crew from a Disney ship purchased about 20 large bags of various candy bars and some bags of chips. Do hope he was getting some for his friends who didn’t get a break - huge sugar rush coming.

 

I remember handing out chocolate bars with the cash tips for room service - the big smile was always followed by ‘ooh, candy’. We also placed the candy on the bed before we left for dinner. Candy was always gone. We had a help yourself in a dish but noticed none was touched so thought giving - and the receiving the ship candy - was a nice trade off.

[CruisersTimesThree]

Deleted

 

 

 

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Edited June 11, 2018 by CruisersTimesThree

[CruisersTimesThree]

 

Don’t forget you can ask to have any meal delivered to your room from any place open and serving food. Just let the butler know your likes and give them plenty of time.

 

 

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Airrace, if I remember correctly you just stayed in the PH and it is usually offered by the butler (depends on the butler too) to get you meals from pretty much anywhere you like, but this type of service is usually reserved for the higher end suites. Meals from specialty restaurants and Luminae are not offered for room service delivery

 

 

 

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