Eliminating Butlers - Spoke to Celebrity. Here is conversation.

[zitsky]

Just now, Shellyd22 said:

I’m glad everything has been wonderful. Previous posters comment said theirs was “nonexistent”. Why such a big difference in service? Are peoples expectations vastly different or are some people getting way different service in the same suite class? Maybe a little of both? I don’t know but consistency would be nice so people understand what they are purchasing. 

You can put lipstick on a pig.  It’s still a pig.

 

Calling a room attendant a butler doesn’t make them a butler.

[goofysmom99]

5 minutes ago, Shellyd22 said:

I’m glad everything has been wonderful. Previous posters comment said theirs was “nonexistent”. Why such a big difference in service? Are peoples expectations vastly different or are some people getting way different service in the same suite class? Maybe a little of both? I don’t know but consistency would be nice so people understand what they are purchasing. 

Just a thought, but they also know which pax are zeniths.  

[RichYak]

2 minutes ago, Shellyd22 said:

I’m glad everything has been wonderful. Previous posters comment said theirs was “nonexistent”. Why such a big difference in service? Are peoples expectations vastly different or are some people getting way different service in the same suite class? Maybe a little of both? I don’t know but consistency would be nice so people understand what they are purchasing. 

It feels like almost all of the positive butler related comments I've been reading here and on Facebook in the last week are coming from Ascent. 

[billc23]

8 hours ago, alexandria said:

Take a look at the Celebrity Beyond in a SS (~310-460 sq ft) for the 10 nt Caribbean departing Nov 15.  If you include prepaid gratuities the total is $15,081.10.

 

Now compare that with Regent Seven Seas Grandeur in a Deluxe Veranda Suite (341 sq ft) for the 10 nt Caribbean departing Nov 14.  Total price (not including airfare) is $11,598.00.  No butler but included excursions, drinks, gratuities, wifi and such.  For the $15k or so you'd pay for the SS on X, you can get a Penthouse Suite on that Regent sailing (561-626 sq ft).  That will add a butler to the amenities.

 

Compare also with the Seabourn Ovation in a Veranda Suite (~365 sq ft) for their 10 nt Caribbean departing Nov 30.  Total price is just $8,398.00.  Includes drinks, gratuities, wifi and such.  Seabourn doesn't include excursions or a butler but your personal suite host and your suite attendant (yes, two people) will essentially do everything that the butler on X would do.  You can even order caviar and champagne to be brought to you anywhere and anytime day or night.  For the $15k or so you'd pay for the SS on X, you can book a Penthouse Suite (534 sq ft) or a Penthouse Spa Suite (~700-730 sq ft).

 

And while Silversea doesn't have a 10 nt sailing to the Caribbean, you can book the Silver Shadow in a Classic Veranda Suite (345 sq ft) for their 14 nt Caribbean departing Dec 3.  Total price is $14,500 and that includes a butler, excursions, drinks, gratuities, wifi and such.

 

As I've noted before, for those who don't require all of the bells and whistles of the large "theme park" style ships and enjoy a more laid back cruise experience, there are great luxury cruise alternatives out there.  However, because the luxury lines don't run the same regular "bus routes" back and forth from south Florida to the Bahamas, Caribbean or Mexico, it does take a little more time, effort and flexibility (or a great TA) to find a sailing that is suitable and that represents a good value.

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the research. I guess now the question becomes: Does Celebrity offer entertainment on their ships that is worth a premium price???  For me it depends on who I am sailing with and how interested am I in the ports/cities being visited. Sometimes Royal provides the best experience for a multigenerational family. It is great to have choices!

 

[tomcruiser1234]

11 minutes ago, goofysmom99 said:

Just a thought, but they also know which pax are zeniths.  

We shall see

 

we have a SS on Apex this 27 th. And just got made Zenith. In fact this is our free cruise. We were able to upgrade from a CC cabin to this suite for just over $100 per night. 

 

It should be interesting. Regardless of no butler. Looking forward to an edge class for the first time. 

 

Ill report back experience 

[CHEZMARYLOU]

26 minutes ago, Shellyd22 said:

I’m glad everything has been wonderful. Previous posters comment said theirs was “nonexistent”. Why such a big difference in service? Are peoples expectations vastly different or are some people getting way different service in the same suite class? Maybe a little of both? I don’t know but consistency would be nice so people understand what they are purchasing. 

It appears to me that Ascent is getting all the previous cuts slowly restored and the other ships are being ignored.  I hope this changes soon, we are not all sailing on Ascent and my expectations are the same as they've been since we started sailing with Celebrity and in suites for 11 years.

[mac_tlc]

22 minutes ago, RichYak said:

It feels like almost all of the positive butler related comments I've been reading here and on Facebook in the last week are coming from Ascent. 

I’m on Ascent now in a SS, but it’s only Day 2 so too early to draw conclusions. I’ll go into a bit more detail on my “Live” thread later in the week and try to compare/contrast with our previous SS sailings and give our expectations and results.

 

mac_tlc

[Shiba_Lover]

5 hours ago, zitsky said:

I didn’t think there was a Retreat lounge for embarkation on port days.  I have seen Retreat signs and lines on port days on my recent Eclipse South America cruise.  But NOT embarking the ship.  Opposite of what you say happens.  But I wasn’t in Retreat that time so I may have missed the line.

 

I’m not in Bali until January.  I’ll ask on the roll call.

For disembarking, there are special lines / process for Retreat when tendering.  Maybe that's what you saw if you were on the ship?  Or I'm confused as to what you saw or are asking about?  

[Shiba_Lover]

36 minutes ago, billc23 said:

It depends. Many times there is a separate Retreat entrance on port days. Upper suites often have their butler show up to greet them from a ship sponsored excursion to be escorted onto the ship, bypassing the general boarding line.

 

Embarkation day depends on the port facilities. If no special room is available, then Retreat guests are often segregated in a roped off area. Also, there is often a difference in embarkation procedures for the upper suites - segregation of guests in the Retreat - that involves special luggage handling and a personal escort onto the ship.

I haven't seen the separate entrance since pre-covid, so maybe they eliminated  certain ports or are adding it back only recently?  

Edited January 22 by Shiba_Lover

[zitsky]

59 minutes ago, Shiba_Lover said:

For disembarking, there are special lines / process for Retreat when tendering.  Maybe that's what you saw if you were on the ship?  Or I'm confused as to what you saw or are asking about?  

I’m not asking anything.

 

I am saying on my Eclipse South America cruise, after an excursion, to get BACK on the ship, there were lines and signs for Retreat passengers.  That is a statement, not a question.

 

I clearly saw signs at least on one day, maybe others.  I can’t remember all the ports I saw this at as I was not in the Retreat.

Edited January 22 by zitsky

[DaKahuna]

10 hours ago, C-Dragons said:

Not everyone booking a Sky Suite needs or wants a Butler.

Some book for the location and a larger cabin.

YMMV.

 

 Very true but those of who do and booked when it was offered should at least be given formal notice that the service was being taken away and offered some sort of alternative, e.g. cancellation with full refund, OBC, etc.   

 

[Whinenowine]

23 hours ago, RichYak said:

A nice reminder of the days when Celebrity's Retreat was a competitively priced product. At least you don't need to worry about tipping your butler extra.

Good deals existed even into last year.  I booked a last minute cruise on the Edge in July and got a pretty decent deal on a couple of Sky Suites for roughly $380pp/pd (including gratuities and $600 in OBC). A lot more than it used to be, but a fraction of what the same cruise would cost today--I just looked again and the cheapest SS is $649pp/pd (including gratuities).  I still look on the X website a few times a month to see if there is a deal to be had, alas I've found none for quite some time.

[alexandria]

I've got three luxury cruises booked so far this year.  All booked in the past two months for travel in 2024.  Two are just under $200pp per day, one just under $300pp per day.  But you have to have flexibility in your travel schedule to regularly book at those rates.  As a retiree, I enjoy such flexibility!

[JDPCruisers]

2 minutes ago, alexandria said:

I've got three luxury cruises booked so far this year.  All booked in the past two months for travel in 2024.  Two are just under $200pp per day, one just under $300pp per day.  But you have to have flexibility in your travel schedule to regularly book at those rates.  As a retiree, I enjoy such flexibility!

What lines are you cruising on? 

[Dolebludger]

1 hour ago, alexandria said:

I've got three luxury cruises booked so far this year.  All booked in the past two months for travel in 2024.  Two are just under $200pp per day, one just under $300pp per day.  But you have to have flexibility in your travel schedule to regularly book at those rates.  As a retiree, I enjoy such flexibility!

What source or site to you use to learn about these deals?.

[gmbhardy]

2 hours ago, alexandria said:

I've got three luxury cruises booked so far this year.  All booked in the past two months for travel in 2024.  Two are just under $200pp per day, one just under $300pp per day.  But you have to have flexibility in your travel schedule to regularly book at those rates.  As a retiree, I enjoy such flexibility!

‘Luxury’ cruises for $200pp per day? That’s unbelievable, literally. Are they on the S.S. Minnow?

[Baynanno1]

2 hours ago, alexandria said:

I've got three luxury cruises booked so far this year.  All booked in the past two months for travel in 2024.  Two are just under $200pp per day, one just under $300pp per day.  But you have to have flexibility in your travel schedule to regularly book at those rates.  As a retiree, I enjoy such flexibility!

 

Which ships?

What itineraries?

What type of room?

[C-Dragons]

17 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 Very true but those of who do and booked when it was offered should at least be given formal notice that the service was being taken away and offered some sort of alternative, e.g. cancellation with full refund, OBC, etc.   

 

My previous comment was referring to our personal situation as we normally book Sky Suites but really have no use for a Butler.

Therefore we don’t need or want to be offered any form of compensation such as OBC, etc.. hence the YMMV. 😊

[zitsky]

5 hours ago, C-Dragons said:

My previous comment was referring to our personal situation as we normally book Sky Suites but really have no use for a Butler.

Therefore we don’t need or want to be offered any form of compensation such as OBC, etc.. hence the YMMV. 😊

You know YOU people are ruining it for the rest of us.  I WANT those pillow chocolates and foot massages and the good TWO ply toilet paper.  🙄

[sn2792]

11 hours ago, C-Dragons said:

My previous comment was referring to our personal situation as we normally book Sky Suites but really have no use for a Butler.

Therefore we don’t need or want to be offered any form of compensation such as OBC, etc.. hence the YMMV. 😊

We feel the same way. We don’t book suites for the butler. We like the retreat, Luminae and the larger room.

[C-Dragons]

15 hours ago, zitsky said:

You know YOU people are ruining it for the rest of us.  I WANT those pillow chocolates and foot massages and the good TWO ply toilet paper.  🙄

Sorry to burst your bubble, but YOUR toilet paper will be the same. 🙄

[Plantocruise24]

I never found the butlers on any of the cruise lines that we have sailed to have been a factor in my on board comfort but the steward on most of our suites were phenomenal in most cases. I tipped them well and they made things happen and truly enhanced our trip. Don't sweat this change and enjoy the trip.

[MMMCruiser]

On 1/22/2024 at 11:28 AM, RichYak said:

It feels like almost all of the positive butler related comments I've been reading here and on Facebook in the last week are coming from Ascent. 

Same here.  We must be reading the same posts over on FB.

[C4HCG]

On 1/22/2024 at 7:28 PM, RichYak said:

It feels like almost all of the positive butler related comments I've been reading here and on Facebook in the last week are coming from Ascent. 

Does it? Go for it and say all of the positive butler……..
 

lovely to see lots of very positive reviews from not suite travellers but people enjoying themselves on a Celebrity cruise. Who knew.

[Covepointcruiser]

On 1/23/2024 at 11:59 AM, alexandria said:

I've got three luxury cruises booked so far this year.  All booked in the past two months for travel in 2024.  Two are just under $200pp per day, one just under $300pp per day.  But you have to have flexibility in your travel schedule to regularly book at those rates.  As a retiree, I enjoy such flexibility!

If you chose to travel on repositioning cruises they will be much less expensive.   The Quest is one of the older and smaller ships for Seabourn.   Some passengers enjoy the smaller ships.