Cruise & Cruise Line

WATCH: A Closer Look at Royal Caribbean International's New Royal Genies

Jason Leppert
by Jason Leppert
Last updated: 6:00 AM ET, Wed October 12, 2016

Butler service now grants wishes aboard Royal Caribbean International thanks to the cruise line's Royal Genies aboard most of its Oasis- and Quantum-class ships, and they are not limited to only three it would seem.

In fact, guests booking a Royal Star Class suite aboard the Oasis, Allure, Harmony, Anthem or Ovation (for Singapore and Sydney departures) of the Seas can take advantage of the services of a Royal Genie as an experience crafter, party planner and personal shopper. He or she can grant guests VIP access to personalized shore excursions, private FlowRider lessons, priority escorted embarkation and disembarkation and much more.

The company has released a new video, hosted at my Popular Cruising YouTube channel and embedded below, delving deeper into what the guest experience is like.

"The Royal Genie is amazing because that Genie is really there to make this vacation completely effortless, fun, adventurous," said Mark Tamis, senior vice president, hotel operations for Royal Caribbean. "Whatever it is that you want to do, they just make it that much better. They anticipate every one of your needs. They actually learn about you."

[READMORE]RELATED VIDEO: WATCH: Behind-the-Scenes of Royal Caribbean International's Entertainment Studio[/READMORE]

Royal Genies are actually trained as butlers in partnership with the British Butler Institute, but Michael Bayley, president and CEO of the line explained, it then, "overlay[s] that kind of formality and training with the creativity and innovation of Royal Caribbean." He said an example might be allowing guests to enjoy a longer dinner while saving prime front row seats for them come showtime.

In contrast to typical butler service, Claudia King-McWilliams, director, guest services and housekeeping described, "This is going to feel like no other service these guests have ever had. They may have experience high-brow stuffy service someplace else; that's not the Royal Genie. The Royal Genie is going to be intuitive. The Royal Genie's going to know what you want before you know what you want."

[READMORE]RELATED VIDEO: WATCH: Royal Caribbean International Prepares Its Latest Newbuilds[/READMORE]

It's about getting to know guests personal tastes before they even board by Royal Genies contacting them prior to the sailing and ensuring everything is well stocked for them. But beyond that, Reyno Varkevisser, Royal Genie said, "The Genie for me is that service of excellence and then the unexpected."

Another Royal Genie, Alexandra Mareuca, added, "We are more than just a butler. We are a personal assistant; we are a concierge; we are just a little bit of everything."


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Jason Leppert

Jason Leppert

Jason Leppert - Senior Writer, Cruises and Cruise Travel - is a San Diego-based cruising expert with more than 100 sailings...

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