Royal Caribbean used the launch of Ovation to roll out its Royal Suite Class for the first time.
The concept gives guests staying in one of its 129 suites enhanced amenities and privileges, and is available in three different levels – Star, Sea and Sky, depending on the category of suite booked.
The line also launched Royal Genies, elite butlers who will be available 24/7 for guests booked in Star Class, which covers Ovation’s 11 top suites.
Trained by Gary Williams, Margaret Thatcher’s former butler and founder of the British Butler Institute, there are 22 Genies currently in the programme. They will also be on Oasis, Allure and Anthem from May 1 and Harmony of the Seas when it launches on May 20.
“We always had the quality of accommodation and amenities onboard to give a real wow experience onboard, so this is an evolution”
“What we didn’t have was the glue that put it all together, so that’s why we created Royal Suite Class. Then we needed something that would give it that added personality, which is where the Genie idea came from,” said Stuart Leven, managing director UK and Ireland, Royal Caribbean International.
The Genie programme is overseen by Ellis Von Cannon, who started his role in February, after years in guest services with Morgans Hotel Group.
“Our Genies come from all five continents and all backgrounds imaginable,” he said. “This is also a big team effort. The Genies have to be able to go to any colleagues onboard for what the guest needs.”
There will be three or four Genies per ship, with roles ranging from customising shore excursions to things like unpacking and expediting arrival and departure. The Genies were picked from around 200 applicants, who had to include a video blog about why they would make a good Genie.
Leven said: “We want people who don’t leave their personality at the back door when they get on the ship – we think they should be more fun like Mary Poppins rather than dour like Carson from Downton Abbey. We expect them to be bring an element of fun.”
He added he thought the service would be popular from the UK. “There’s no problem at all selling suites to customers in the UK, who appreciate the difference and the quality,” he said. “I also think that in the fullness of time, you will see this going wider across the fleet.”
