Every cabin on a Riverside cruise comes with a butler, and learning how to use your butler can take your trip from excellent to superb. I cruised on the Riverside Ravel and wanted to use mine without taking advantage of him, but there weren’t any good guides or tips I could find for this.
When I booked the Riverside Luxury Cruises trip, I knew that I had a butler assigned to my cabin, but I wasn’t sure how to best use a butler. I didn’t know exactly what they could or couldn’t do, and it felt a little uncomfortable for me, but in the end, it was fantastic.
In addition to my fantastic butler Vlad, who helped to guide me, I also chatted while on board with Ivan Sentic, the Head Butler on the Riverside Ravel, to get the inside scoop on how they operate.
Ivan was trained by The International Butler Academy and noted that while private household management is a little different than a ship, the goal is the same. He told me that guests need to have confidence in their butler and receive personalized service.
The big thing to remember is that everything you say must be kept between the butler and the guest, so you can trust them completely. That said, it’s always your call as to what you’re comfortable with and what you aren’t, and there were many people on our cruise who chose not to use their butlers much, if at all.
I’ve been on vacations before where other people had butlers, particularly with Beaches Resorts, but I’d never had one myself. It’s a different experience, and you really need to know your options to feel comfortable using them and to use them effectively.
My cruise aboard the Riverside Ravel was a press trip meant for me to experience the ship and the line. As always, all opinions expressed remain my own.
Reaching Out While On The Go
Communication is the biggest factor here and with any butler, so while this article focuses on Riverside Luxury Cruises, many of these tips are relevant to any resort or cruise where you have an assigned butler. Once you get in your suite, you will see a QR code for your butler.
When you scan it, this connects you to the butler’s WhatsApp number, and this is the best way to get in touch with him or her 24/7. This applies whether you are relaxing in your room or out exploring a port. You can text your butler while on land and ask him to do things for you before you return.
For example, they can turn up or down the heat or AC in your suite so it will be perfect when you return. If you are in port and get stuck, they can order you a taxi to return to the ship.
The butler has the phone with them all the time, and if they happen to be off duty, another butler is on call. They hold all the phones to ensure someone is always there to answer.
Pro tip: Before you head to Europe, be sure to download and verify your WhatsApp account. This is how many people and places communicate internationally, and it requires a text verification that you may not be able to access if you don’t have an international data plan.
A Refreshing Welcome Home
On my trip, it was very VERY hot for several days. I was able to message my butler on WhatsApp as we were heading back to the ship to let him know we were coming. When I arrived, he met me right at the entrance with a basil lemonade.
In general, you had a cooling drink waiting for you when you boarded, but the basil lemonade was absolutely my favorite drink on the ship (trust me, order it). It was not what the ship had waiting for everyone else on any of the days, which made it feel special.
You can request whatever specific touches like this that you prefer. For example, ask to have a steaming hot cup of cocoa or ice-cold lemonade waiting on your table or in your cabin when you return from a tour.
Let Them Anticipate Your Every Wish
Ivan explained that the ideal way to interact with them is just to communicate. He said he will let you know what he offers, but the team loves to go above and beyond. They communicate the guest needs to other workers on the ship to help ensure your entire trip is personalized and seamless.
If you tell your butler that you have a food allergy or love a specific type of flower, they make sure the dining team knows about your food restrictions. They may coordinate with housekeeping to purchase your favorite flowers for your cabin.
Ivan even mentioned that they check the trash cans to see if there are preferences or needs that guests might have but haven’t voiced. I found that fascinating, if a little daunting, but it makes sense to help anticipate needs given their confidentiality.
I saw this firsthand when I asked a question about a dessert I wanted to try. I had missed out on it because it was finished the night before, but I didn’t think much of it at the time.
The next day, Vlad had it waiting for me in my room to enjoy. He went above and beyond without me even asking him to fetch it, and he had enough for my friend to enjoy, too.
Oh, and on top of that? He figured out what my favorite tea was that I drank regularly throughout the day and had that waiting in pots to go with the dessert.
Dining And Room Comforts
Your butler can handle all sorts of food and beverage requests. Many of these are ones I would never have even though about, but they’re small things that make your Riverside cruise feel that much more special.
Feel free to ask them to switch out items in your mini bar depending on your tastes. They can also bring you breakfast or coffee in bed or room service any time of day.
If you have a craving late at night, go ahead and ask for a midnight cheeseburger. They can also make dinner reservations for you if you decide to have a meal on land.
You can even request to have a hot tea waiting in your suite before bed each night. And speaking of bedtime, if you don’t love your pillow, simply ask your butler about trying some different options – something I did and found the perfect pillow for my picky neck.
Going The Extra Mile For Guests
The moment where Vlad really saved the day involved laundry. There is a complimentary laundry room available for guests with washers, dryers, irons, and laundry soap. I had assumed that the laundry pods would be unscented since many things in Europe are less chemical-based.
I was wrong and discovered this after washing all my laundry from the previous two weeks in Europe. All my clothes had a very strong laundry scent, something I’m very sensitive to that makes me nauseous.
I asked my butler in passing if there was any unscented laundry detergent on the boat. He didn’t know but said he would check. (Understandable given that it was his first contract and he had been on the ship for only three weeks at that point.)
When I came back from my excursion that day, there was a full-size bottle of unscented laundry detergent waiting for me in the cabin. He or someone from the ship had very clearly gone into the town and purchased the bottle.
Interestingly, while I was finishing relaundering my clothes, there was another passenger in the laundry room who asked for my help in figuring out how to make the machines work. I mentioned the scented pods, and he was so grateful, as he has the same issue I do, so of course I shared the bottle and then left it behind for the next guests who needed it.
Had I not happened to mention this to the butler, they never would have known, and at least two of us on just that cruise would have suffered. It wasn’t a massive thing to them, but it meant the world to me.
Shopping And Pampering Requests
Butlers can help with other shopping needs in town, as well. If you are looking for a special antique store or something unique you want to buy, your butler can help you find the appropriate store.
Should you want to surprise your partner with some blossoms in the suite, your butler can organize a flower bouquet for you. I think that’s so sweet, especially if you’re celebrating a special occasion.
They can also help you coordinate relaxation. After your cycling or hiking excursion, ask him to organize a massage at the spa to help relieve tired muscles (yes, this is an add-on service).
Unpacking And Wardrobe Care
One service I didn’t use but that is very popular is unpacking. Ivan told me that butlers can unpack and repack your clothes at the beginning and end of the cruise upon request.
They can offer assistance from housekeeping, if that makes you more comfortable than a man touching your unmentionables. I chose not to have the butler pack or unpack my items, but many people utilize this service.
Side note, yes, that is – in fact – a walk-in closet in my cabin. On a cruise ship.
I asked how this actually happens, and it turns out that the butlers are trained on the rules of where people generally want things. He promised that people who utilize this service are generally pleased, and maybe I’ll be ready for this on my next experience.
You can also message them to find your favorite black dress in your closet and have it pressed for dinner by the time you get back. It makes getting ready for the evening incredibly easy.
A Noble Call With A Rich History
It helps to remember that these butlers are professionals. Ivan calls it “a noble call.” A butler on the Riverside Ravel has to be knowledgeable and acts as a housekeeping attendant, concierge, waiter, and sommelier all rolled into one.
They are there to create exceptional moments. Ivan feels that many people don’t use the butler enough because they don’t feel the connection immediately.
I don’t disagree, but Vlad was so open and welcoming and all around delightful, that I did connect with him. For me, it was more that I didn’t know what I could have my butler do.
The Rules On Tipping
One of the best parts about Riverside is how they handle gratuities. They are actually included in your package, so unlike many cruise lines, there is not a suggested gratuity or automatically added gratuity per day per person.
You do not need to feel obligated to tip every time they bring you a coffee or press a dress. There is also not an envelope sitting in your room at the end of the cruise.
If you are really thrilled with the service, you can certainly leave something extra. Simply go to the reception desk before you disembark to provide that gratuity.
Don’t Be Shy With Your Requests
The biggest takeaway from my time on the Riverside Ravel is that the butlers truly want to help. They are there to make your life easier and create memories, so don’t be afraid to ask for what you need. It might feel strange at first to text someone for a cheeseburger or a taxi, but you will get used to it quickly.
If you aren’t sure what they can do or if they can help you with something you need or want, ask them. They’ll let you know if it’s outside their scope or if they can help you out, and they’ll do it with grace.
Ivan and his team are standing by to create those exceptional moments for you, so go ahead and send that WhatsApp message. You might just find your new favorite basil lemonade waiting for you when you return.
