The latest in cruise ship luxury: A butler with every cabin

mercedes · March 19, 2009

MIAMI -- You know you're in one of the top suites on a ship when it comes with a personal butler. Or, at least, that was the old rule. Now some of the world's ritziest lines are promising butlers to all.

Luxury line Silversea Cruises Wednesday announced plans to roll out personal butler service for passengers in every cabin on every ship -- something Azamara Cruises has touted since it launched two years ago.

"Each butler, assisted by a suite attendant, is empowered to troubleshoot problems and provide special service touches, if desired . . . for example unpacking and packing clothing, facilitating a dry cleaning request or preparing a scented Jacuzzi bath," says Christian Sauleau, Silversea's executive vice president for fleet operations.

Silversea already offered butler service for passengers in the top cabins on its ships, the Royal, Grand and Owner's Suites. In its announcement, made during the annual Cruise Shipping Miami convention, it said it'll roll out butler service to its smaller Silver and Medallion Suites on its five ships between May 7 and June 7. Butler service will then be extended to all accommodations by the end of the years starting with Silversea's Prince Albert II on Sept. 21 and the Silver Cloud on Oct. 9. The last ship to get the upgrade will be the Silver Shadow on Dec. 2.

The Silver Spirit, currently under construction, also will have butler service in all accommodations when it debuts in December.