Butlers, Concierges & Genies @Sea: What to Expect and Who Does What?
- Esther
- Oct 25
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 26
Butler, Concierge & Genie Service on Cruise Ships | What to Expect?
If you cruise on a luxury ship or stay in an exclusive area within a larger vessel, you can expect a truly elevated level of service. Every cruise line has its own version of butlers, concierges, or genies. In this blog, I’ll explain what you can expect from each and who does what to make your cruise unforgettable.
Butler
A butler provides an extra level of personalized service in your suite. What they do exactly can vary between cruise lines, but here are some of the most common tasks that make your stay as comfortable as possible, along with a few special extras you might find on certain ships.
Services
Escorts you from the cruise terminal to your suite
Gives you a brief tour of the lounge or suite area upon arrival
Explains the amenities, pillow menu, and espresso machine
Unpacks and packs your suitcases (on request)
Escorts you off the ship when in port
Delivers afternoon snacks to your suite
Brings fresh fruit and flowers to your suite
Stocks and maintains your minibar
Handles your laundry and pressing requests
Arranges special touches or decorations for anniversaries, birthdays, and other celebrations
Where to do you get a butler?
On luxury cruise lines, all guests typically enjoy butler service as part of the experience.
At Explora Journeys, only guests staying in the Owner’s Residence Suite receive butler service.
On larger ships that feature a “ship-within-a-ship” concept, butlers are available exclusively in the luxury sections. Examples include The Haven on Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), Star Class Suites on Royal Caribbean, The Retreat on Celebrity Cruises, and the Yacht Club on MSC Cruises.
Concierge
Not every luxury cruise line offers a concierge, but you’ll often find them on larger ships, especially if you’re staying in a special suite area or exclusive section of the ship. The concierge’s role is quite different from that of a butler.
Services
Usually, about a week before your cruise, you’ll receive an email from the concierge while you’re still at home. They’ll ask about your preferences and special requests, as they have priority access to make bookings for venues and experiences around the ship.
Typical concierge services include:
Booking specialty restaurant reservations
Arranging shore excursion tickets
Scheduling spa appointments
Reserving seats for shows and escorting guests to the theater
Organizing private tours
Coordinating private parties or small events onboard
Assisting with flight connections and transportation arrangements
Planning celebrations such as birthdays or anniversaries
Where do you get a Concierge?
On smaller luxury ships, the butler takes care of all special requests, so there’s no separate concierge. On larger ships with a "ship-within-a-ship" concept, guests have access to a dedicated concierge within the exclusive area. The concierge usually has a desk in the private lounge, making it easy for guests to stop by for assistance. Examples include The Haven on Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), Star Class Suites on Royal Caribbean, The Retreat on Celebrity Cruises, and the Yacht Club on MSC Cruises.
Genie
Is a personal assistant for guests staying in the Star Class Suites on Royal Caribbean’s larger ships. The Genie service is highly flexible and anticipatory, designed to take your cruise experience to the next level and make it truly unforgettable.
They provide an exceptional level of personalized attention, going far beyond the traditional duties of a concierge or butler. A Genie can fulfill almost any request—big or small—adding those special touches that make every moment onboard effortless and extraordinary.
Services
Arranges unique or unusual requests, such as bridge tours, special candies, flowers, or surprise gifts
Coordinates special experiences both on and off the ship
Serves as a single point of contact for anything a suite guest desires
Assists with in-suite needs if no butler is assigned
Provides extremely personalized and proactive service, designed to fulfill almost any reasonable guest wish
Handles all guest requests, including special experiences, dining and shore arrangements, and personalized planning
Which suites have Genies?
Genies are only on the big ships: Oasis Class, Quantum Class en Icon Class in the following suites:
Ultimate Family Suite
Royal Loft Suite
Villa Suite – 4 Bedrooms
Owner’s Loft Suite
Grand Loft Suite
Owner’s Panoramic Suite – 1 Bedroom
Grand Panoramic Suite
Ultimate Panoramic Suite
Star Loft Suite
Spacious AquaTheater Suite with Large Balcony – 2 Bedrooms
AquaTheater Suite with Large Balcony – 2 Bedrooms
My experience
I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing several cruises in The Haven, where we had our own butler. They picked us up at the cruise terminal, gave us a tour of The Haven, and escorted us to our suite, providing a brief explanation of all its amenities. Our butler brought fresh fruit and water to the suite and delivered afternoon snacks every day, lovely sandwiches with tuna or chocolate-covered strawberries. We really enjoyed having a butler, although we never used them for unpacking or packing our bags, as we preferred to do that ourselves.
We also experienced concierge service in The Haven and on Royal Caribbean in the Star Class Suites. The concierge was extremely helpful, they booked our specialty restaurant reservations and excursions and even arranged a special section of the theater reserved for suite guests. It was very convenient, allowing us to show up at the last minute without any hassle.
I haven’t personally experienced the Genie service yet, but it sounds like an extraordinary level of personalized attention.
Want to read more? Check out: Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas Two Bedroom Grand Suite
Excited about luxury and premium cruises? I’d love to help you plan your dream cruise –feel free to contact me!
Stay Updated!
Follow me on Instagram & Facebook for premium and luxury cruises, tips, and updates.
Comments