Ultimate Drinks and Suites, some advice please

[Malcolm142]

We are going on our first Azamara cruise on Quest in November, Singapore to Dubai (17 nights)

We are in a Continent suite and will have the Indulgence Experience More package which includes the Ultimate drinks

 

1. Gratuities are included but does this include the butler as we have a suite or will

he be 'expecting' something?

 

2. In having the Ultimate drinks package can we order any drink from the three lists (standard, premium, ultimate)

while we are having dinner in Discoveries, Aqualina or Prime C without a charge.

Also in having this package can we get drinks delivered on room service. I know this is not allowed on the standard included package but is Ultimate treated differently?

 

3. There are no formal nights on Azamara but they recommend a jacket or suit for dinner for men, can I get away with some smart trousers/pants and a long sleeved shirt?

I don't want to drag a jacket or suit around for ten days while we are India before the cruise

Also what do people wear on the Azamazing evening, it will be in Colombo

 

4. Have people who have had suites had their butler unpack and pack the contents of your case, how good a job do they make of it?

 

5. Are drinks included at the 'Chef's Table' evening

[excitedofharpenden]

1. Personal choice but no need to top extra and they should not be expected 

2. Yes to all. 

3. Yes to what you'll bring.  Honestly, wear what you want to be comfortable in for White Night. It is nice to follow the theme, but not mandatory and they will still serve you. Lol 

4.Never done it. Advertised, but honestly I think it is a pain for them to do with their other duties. 

5. Yes. 

 

Phil 

[AllisonJames]

I’m really surprised that AZ “recommends” a suit or jacket for men — in four cruises I don’t recall ever seeing anyone in a suit and probably could count on one hand the the number of men wearing a sport coat.  It’s one of the reasons we like AZ.  However, a more common issue regarding dress code on recent cruises seems to be people dressing TOO casually at dinner — I.e. the man we saw wearing jean shorts and flip flops or the women in track suits.  Majority of guests always look nice in “casual chic” but there always seem to be a few with inappropriate dress and not sure it is enforced at all by AZ.

[Grandma Cruising]

As I understand it from posts on Cruise Critic, you can have drinks that are part of the ultimate package delivered to your cabin.

[excitedofharpenden]

28 minutes ago, Host Grandma Cruising said:

As I understand it from posts on Cruise Critic, you can have drinks that are part of the ultimate package delivered to your cabin.

Yes and it's on the website too.  Any package. Not just ultimate. 

 

Phil 

Edited August 3, 2019 by excitedofharpenden

[Grandma Cruising]

16 minutes ago, excitedofharpenden said:

Yes and it's on the website too.  Any package. Not just ultimate. 

 

Phil 

I thought it was but couldn’t find it.

[marinaro44]

2 hours ago, Malcolm142 said:

We are going on our first Azamara cruise on Quest in November, Singapore to Dubai (17 nights)

We are in a Continent suite and will have the Indulgence Experience More package which includes the Ultimate drinks

 

1. Gratuities are included but does this include the butler as we have a suite or will

he be 'expecting' something?

 

2. In having the Ultimate drinks package can we order any drink from the three lists (standard, premium, ultimate)

while we are having dinner in Discoveries, Aqualina or Prime C without a charge.

Also in having this package can we get drinks delivered on room service. I know this is not allowed on the standard included package but is Ultimate treated differently?

 

3. There are no formal nights on Azamara but they recommend a jacket or suit for dinner for men, can I get away with some smart trousers/pants and a long sleeved shirt?

I don't want to drag a jacket or suit around for ten days while we are India before the cruise

Also what do people wear on the Azamazing evening, it will be in Colombo

 

4. Have people who have had suites had their butler unpack and pack the contents of your case, how good a job do they make of it?

 

5. Are drinks included at the 'Chef's Table' evening

No reason to tip the butler unless you have something very special done for you.

 

No need for a jacket.  As I recall the "recommended" statement says something about the temperature might be cool in the dining room.  Long pants and a collared shirt (long or short sleeved) is fine.  Chinos or Docker-type slacks are fine.  I think even untorn jeans would work.

 

Nice wines are paired with each course at a Chef's Table.

[ellbon]

I always tip my butler and room attandant. I have had help with  packing if the clothes belong in a closet they can fold or pull from closet while i do the other.

[aussie travel bird]

6 hours ago, marinaro44 said:

No reason to tip the butler unless you have something very special done for you.

 

No need for a jacket.  As I recall the "recommended" statement says something about the temperature might be cool in the dining room.  Long pants and a collared shirt (long or short sleeved) is fine.  Chinos or Docker-type slacks are fine.  I think even untorn jeans would work.

 

Nice wines are paired with each course at a Chef's Table.

My husband travels with a 'sports jacket', we feel that when we are invited to dine with Senior Officers they are usually in their full uniform.  It's a 'respect' thing for us but by no means expected of others.  Personal preference, just as I would wear something more 'dressy'  Same applies if there there's a special celebration of some sort with our travel friends onboard or if we're going to a  specialty restaurant or doing Chef's table.  We've never felt overdressed. We don't often get the chance at home, but DH does wear suits to work so it's not a issue to take one.  He certainly has a lighter, linen - ish one for hotter cruises.

Edited August 4, 2019 by aussie travel bird

[BBMacLaird]

Hi Malcolm142,

If the AzAmazing Evening in Colombo is the same as it was a few years ago, it is casual wear as you’ll be seated outdoors for the performance. Shirt sleeves were worn by almost everyone given the warm temperatures.

 

[Darcysdad]

I’m also going on my first cruise with Azamara in December in a Club Continent Suite and have found the information on this forum very useful so thank you to all the regular posters. 

 

On Azamara website it states 

 

“If you have purchased a beverage package, you can order a drink through room service, during standard bar operating hours. However, our select complimentary spirits, beer, and wine are not available through room service”. 

 

This is in the FAQs which are accessed via the “booked”  link at the bottom on the page

 

As you are in a suite you have a butler who is described as such on Azamara’s website.

 

“Our butlers are remarkably adept at tending to the details that make you relaxed and happy. Think of your butler as your personal valet, party consultant and planner, wine expert, mixologist, afternoon purveyor of fabulous treats, reservations specialist, and all-purpose support system.”

 

As you butler is a mixologist you should be able to get cocktails delivered to your suite. 

 

My understanding and expectation is that you should have no problem getting a drink delivered to your room if you have the ultimate beverage package 

 

Chin chin 🍸

[excitedofharpenden]

Just to say that the website way oversells the butler concept. Some are better than others, but they are not experts in mixology and wines. They aren't a personal valet either. They have other cabins to attend to. They are great to have, but the description on the website is way over the top. Just wanted to manage your expectations. 

 

Phil 

[Darcysdad]

Thank you Phil. I’m beginning to realise Azamara are very good at over egging the pudding from the threads I’ve read on this forum. I wish I’d found it before I booked!  

 

Nonetheless, I will go on my cruise and enjoy every moment and if my expectations aren’t met I know I have choices in the future.

[Pam]

I had a Club World Suite (I think, it was on the back of the ship) and what was supposed to be close to the very best butler on board.  I asked him about having room service from the specialty restaurants, and he said rather dourly "well, if they aren't busy", so I didn't pursue that.  Then I asked about tea and he said rather dourly "we have mostly stopped that because there are so many places on the ship where you can go and get what you want.  I dropped that, but the next day he brought me tea for 4, for 3 days, all at one time.  I was hiding food in cabinets and refrigerators so I could get a chance to eat some of it.  I did have really good room service dinner.  I wouldn't have dared to ask him to pack for me.!

[uktog]

When we first cruised with Azamara in 2009 almost all the butlers would have matched that PR guff.  Now very very few would.  Having spoken with some of the newer recruits (typically promoted from being waiters) they have not been externally trained on promotion and so lack the skills needed.  Most lack that ability to respect and reflect what the customer wants and try and gain favour by doing as Pam describes- going over the top with gestures they think you should have rather than subtly and quietly mirroring what you want.  It’s not their fault, they are doing what they believe is a good idea, it’s their training and possibly the methods of selection that’s wrong. 

Like Phil, I’d manage expectations as most are not as the spin would want you to  believe and those who are cannot deliver to everyone given the number of rooms they attend to.

They all work hard, but often not at the right things 

Edited August 5, 2019 by uktog

[Grandma Cruising]

This discussion is making me quite happy that I’ve never been in a suite and therefore never had a butler! I’m quite wary of the idea anyway as I don’t really want anyone to do any more for me than is already done by the room stewards and room service waiters.

[tv24]

As always, Phil has provided good advice and guidance to the questions originally asked.  We too have had some experience with the suite butlers and I can speak to my experience.  They do a great job on basic stateroom maintenance, but did not provide a lot more than that.  Your butler may help you pack if you ask, but it will not be a priority in his busy schedule.  Don't expect Downton Abbey.

[excitedofharpenden]

44 minutes ago, Host Grandma Cruising said:

This discussion is making me quite happy that I’ve never been in a suite and therefore never had a butler! I’m quite wary of the idea anyway as I don’t really want anyone to do any more for me than is already done by the room stewards and room service waiters.

I always enjoy it if I’m in a suite and have a butler. They are a nice addition, even if like me you are low maintenance.  On the Pursuit transatlantic I had Padam and he was great.  I caught a nasty cold on that trip and he made sure I always had hot water, lemon and honey to hand.  Little things like that with a few sea days can make a big difference.  It was the first time in a while I’d stayed in a suite and it was a nice treat.

 

There are good ones and not so good ones and it comes down to training, but more importantly attitude.  Some I click with (Elro is one) and others I don’t. I’ve had a specialty meal served in a Club World Owner's Suite no problem. It was offered.  Yet Pam with her butler met with resistance.

 

End of the day, having a butler is nice, but don’t expect them to be as Tom puts it “Downton Abbey”.  

 

Phil

 

 

[Malcolm142]

Thank you all for the thoughts and replys, very helpful👍

 

The main thing is we can get drinks from our Ultimate on room service!

 

Will have to see how we get on with a butler, never had one before

[uktog]

4 minutes ago, Malcolm142 said:

Thank you all for the thoughts and replys, very helpful👍

 

The main thing is we can get drinks from our Ultimate on room service!

 

Will have to see how we get on with a butler, never had one before

Yes you can

[laurettann]

We have done a few Az trips. What we love is not having to pack a man's jacket and def. no tie. Nice dress shirt and sometimes a dressy cardigan is all that is needed to fit right in with most of the group.

Edited August 13, 2019 by laurettann

[Lookyboy]

Just now, laurettann said:

We have done a few Az trips. What we love is not having to pack a man's jacket and def. no tie. Nice dress shirt and sometimes a dressy cardigan is all that is needed to fit right in with most of the group.

We always pack a jacket (and tie) for more dressy evenings in specialty restaurants or when dining with senior officers. In addition, we find the air conditioning in the dining areas to be very cold on all three ships, so a jacket is needed for that reason also.

[BBMacLaird]

1 hour ago, Lookyboy said:

We always pack a jacket (and tie) for more dressy evenings in specialty restaurants or when dining with senior officers. In addition, we find the air conditioning in the dining areas to be very cold on all three ships, so a jacket is needed for that reason also.

I too find it chilly in the air-conditioned public spaces, especially while cruising in hot climes. I always pack a cardigan or a wrap for dining. DH takes a lightweight jacket, eg a cotton sports coat, and yes, usually one tie, just in case we need to dress up a bit.

[laurieb]

my DH has never packed a tie or a jacket and has never felt under dressed, in the specialties or for the chef's table, same with our traveling companions.  It's really all just a matter of what you feel comfortable with!  I like to dress up a bit, and never feel out of place (well maybe I would at Windows).

Not having to pack heavy, dressy clothing is one of the first things that drew us to Azamara so many years ago