We thought the butler system on Silversea quite ridiculous. Our butler spent most of the time hanging around the corridor waiting to be asked to fetch something. We thought it was pretentious and a wee bit creepy. Frankly, I blame Downton Abbey but I guess the butler thing might impress some Americans.
On both Seabourn and Silversea (the Legend to the Caribbean; the Cloud to West Africa)we got the distinct impression that most passengers didn't really care where they were going. The cruise directors and excursion people were utterly useless.