There is probably not a place on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship extra mysterious than the Royal Genie.
What provides to the intrigue is that you could be not even notice you see them across the ship. A Genie doesn’t put on a nametag in order that they simply mix in to their environment. They’re one of many few crew members that has entry to your entire ship. Their impression on a Star Class passenger although is nothing wanting magical.
I not too long ago had the honour of interviewing a present Royal Genie. He most well-liked to maintain his identify nameless as to not draw consideration to himself personally and to maintain the concentrate on the Genies as an entire.
Nevertheless, he wished to share some issues chances are you’ll not know. How does one turn out to be a Genie? What coaching do they undergo? What would they like first time Star Class cruisers to know?
Let’s discover out.
Who’s chosen to be a Royal Genie?
To have the ability to apply for the place, one will need to have two years of hospitality service expertise and possess a level within the trade. Genies are sometimes former Suite or Diamond Concierges.
Being employed from outdoors the corporate is uncommon however does occur. They might be anticipated to have comparable {qualifications} which you’d usually discover as a concierge of a 5 star lodge.
Genies undergo an intensive interview course of with a number of Human Useful resource and Visitor Service managers. They’re required to make a brief 2 minute video, simulating selecting up a visitor from the terminal and escorting them onto the ship, for instance.
They need to exhibit how they might deal with quite a lot of visitor conditions. The ultimate interview is with the Genie Fleet Coordinator. Your complete course of can take two or extra months to finish.
Learn extra: What’s the distinction between suite concierge and a Royal Genie?
Coaching to turn out to be a Royal Genie
Being chosen as a Royal Genie is just the start.
Pre-pandemic, new Genies have been flown to London to take lessons on the British Butler Institute. There, they realized correct service strategies from a former butler to the Queen.
They visited wineries, realized about types of cheeses and proper caviar presentation. Do you know it’s important to use plastic spoons to serve caviar as a metallic one will change the flavour? I didn’t, however perhaps that’s simply me.
A Genie’s schedule
What time a Genie begins their day will seemingly rely upon if the ship is in port or at sea.
Port days are typically earlier as most company request to get off of the ship first, particularly in the event that they’re calling on one of many non-public islands. The Genie will escort them to the seashore or pool with the loungers of their alternative earlier than most people has disembarked.
A typical finish to their day could be round 11 p.m. At that time, a lot of the actions have ended and the specialty eating places are closed.
On the finish of their 5 month contract, it’s common for the ships administration to ask in the event that they’d wish to return to the identical ship.
Moreover, when Genies obtain value determinations from company and crew members, they’re able to get extra alternatives; like transferring to a brand new ship, for example.
What can a Genie do?
The Genie’s aim is present their company with a novel, unforgettable and magical expertise. Communication is essential. They fastidiously hearken to their company wants and tailor their journey with experiences they might not have even prompt.
Frequent visitor requests are events of their suite. The whole lot from birthdays, anniversaries and retirements to vow renewals and celebrations of life for members of the family which have handed on.
Your expertise might differ relying on should you’re on an Oasis or Quantum class ship.
Oasis class tends to be extra “present oriented” the place the Genie will be sure to have one of the best seat in the home.
Quantum class is extra “exercise oriented” the place your Genie will escort you to the iFly, North Star, bumper automobiles and acrobat faculty.
The one limits on a Genie’s energy are issues that go in opposition to firm insurance policies and native authorities legal guidelines. For instance, company wouldn’t be allowed in any backstage areas and bridge excursions are at present suspended resulting from Covid restrictions. Moreover, your Genie can not bypass the road at customs for you on debarkation morning.
Learn extra: My recommendation for somebody utilizing a Royal Genie on a Royal Caribbean cruise
Requesting a Genie
All Genies are superb and greater than able to dealing with company requests however are you able to request a selected Genie?
The reply is, perhaps.
It is dependent upon the ship if the Genies are capable of commerce company. It’s typically not an issue, particularly if you have already got a previous relationship with a Genie.
Regardless, it’s not uncommon for the Genies to assist one another out. There are a minimum of three Genies per ship to maintain anyplace between eight and eleven suites.
How a lot to tip a Genie?
As a Star Class visitor, day by day gratuities are included within the cruise fare nevertheless, Genies should not included in that. When requested if he might present some sort of financial guideline for genie gratuities, he as a substitute referred to tipping as an “appreciation of service.” He jogged my memory that even past cash, gratitude and kindness are at all times appreciated.
In case you test message boards on-line you can see many discussions relating to tipping the Genie and the quantities fluctuate tremendously. Nevertheless, $100 per cabin/per day appears to be a reasonably constant opinion amongst Star Class cruisers.
I might say that the quantity you give ought to be primarily based on how they made your trip particular, how many individuals they’re arranging experiences for and your general connection to them personally.
Will Star Class develop?
I used to be shocked to study that a number of the requests he receives from company is to have the Star Class program applied on different Royal Caribbean ships.
He recommends that company fill out their remark playing cards to let Royal know their needs.
Remaining ideas
When requested what a primary time Star Class cruiser ought to know, the response was, belief your Genie to perform your desires. Put your self in trip mode. Chill out and know that they are going to maintain planning and organizing every thing for you.
To him, being a Genie is like being on stage. In case your efficiency is seamless, it’s best to by no means see what’s happening behind the scenes. Whereas the Genie will get a number of the credit score, he reiterated it’s a group effort with many various departments to be sure to have probably the most distinctive trip expertise doable.
