The Butler Did It
Scenic’s special services go above and beyond.
IT WAS AN UNEXPECTED WELCOME. We knew that a river cruise with Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours offered all guests the services of a butler, but we didn’t expect to meet him before we even boarded the ship.
As our taxi pulled up in the rain to the dock alongside the Garonne River in Bordeaux, France, a very friendly man in a formal grey suit rushed to bring us umbrellas and took us under the large canopy with “Scenic” stenciled on top. With a huge smile, he told us his name was Bora, he was from Serbia, and he’d be our butler for the next eight days as we cruised along rivers in southwest France, which are famous for their vineyards and world-class wineries.
Bora then took our luggage and escorted us along the wharf to Scenic Diamond, one of 20 Australian- owned Scenic river ships that ply the inland waterways of Europe. Built in 2009 and refurbished in 2017 to enhance public spaces and actually decrease the number of passengers, the 440-foot ship holds just 155 guests in 78 luxurious staterooms.
River cruising in Europe is now highly competitive but Scenic prides itself on having fewer guests (other similar sized ships have about 180 passengers) and an all-inclusive policy. As Bora told us, “Once you step on board, everything is included.”
He took us to our spacious 250-squarefoot suite complete with a very comfortable queen-sized bed; a small “sun lounge” balcony with two chairs (most river ships have only a French balcony); a mini-fridge with soda, water, wine, and spirits; and snacks replenished daily. Free laundry is included and there’s free WiFi throughout the ship. The 32-inch high-resolution TV has many channels and movies available, and every guest has a Tailormade GPS unit for guided tours. All tours and gratuities are included with Scenic and even electric-assisted bicycles are available at no cost.
Bora became a welcome part of our life for the next week and he told us more about Scenic and its commitment to guest service. Each of the Scenic Space- Ships has four butlers on board who must pass a rigorous 10-day training exercise under the guidance of Frank Dobritzsch, the head of Hospitality Training and Development. Dobritzsch has a master’s degree from the Butler and Hospitality Academy in Belgium and stresses key techniques in his training: style and etiquette, personalized service, attention to detail, communication between onboard teams, and acting as an ambassador for good manners and good behavior.
Scenic’s butlers are all graduates of the International Butler Academy in The Netherlands and are trained to the line’s specifications by its head butler, Peter Wyss. A professional sommelier and butler, Wyss brings more than 15 years of 5-star service to Scenic and works with all butlers on an intense training module to exceed the Scenic standard of excellence.
Scenic butlers are on call from 6 a.m. to midnight each day and offer services such as packing and unpacking of suitcases, nightly turndown service, valet and concierge service, complimentary shoeshine and ironing, and prompt attention to any other personal requests.
Bora was never intrusive, but was often seen around the ship offering cold towels to guests returning from excursions, helping guests at the buffet lunch, or even serving fresh oysters and outstanding French wine at afternoon receptions and debriefings.
During our cruise we made friends with a couple who were staying in one of the two 510-square-foot Royal Owners Suites. They invited us for a pre- dinner private cocktail party where their butler arranged and served the four of us fine, chilled Moet champagne and tasty appetizers of shrimp, crab, and foie gras. Just part of the complimentary butler service.
Many guests told us they loved the fact that Scenic service was upscale but not stuffy and certainly not formal. Because Scenic is an Australian company there were lots of guests on board from Down Under. Mixing them with Americans, Canadians, New Zealanders, and Brits just added to the fun and informality.
In August, Scenic is launching its first ocean cruise ship, Scenic Eclipse, for a voyage from Venice to Athens. Holding just 228 guests, it’s been dubbed by the line as “The World’s First Discovery Yacht” and will include two helicopters, an onboard submarine, and, of course, butler service for all guests.