Concierge service

[Beamer97]

I have never cruised but was told this was a must... To be on that level? Is it really worth the cost? What am I getting?

 

[kcashner]

It is certainly not a "must." From your tag line, you have stayed at POR. Saying that concierge on the ship is a "Must" is like saying that the Grand Flo is the "only" place to stay at DW.

Yes, there are many nice services, but the cost may be 3-5 times the cost of some other cabins! OK, not fair to compare an inside to concierge--maybe.

Some of what you'll get--
You can book all reservations (spa, nursery, Palo, Remy, excursions) at 120 days, and you WILL get all that you want.
Shoreside concierge service to facilitate your wants and needs
Choice of dining rotation and time
Extra toiletries in cabin
More space
lithograph
first chance at a cabana
daily food gift on classic ship, concierge lounge and sundeck (with complimentary beverages) on new ships.
shutters photos delivered to your cabin to review
no need to ever go to Guest Services--just call concierge
priority tendering
ordering food from MDR delivered to your room (limited time and restaurant choices)
starter supply of beverages in fridge
reception with character(s)
there is more, but you get the picture.

 

[outahere]

ordering food from MDR delivered to your room (limited time and restaurant choices)

True on the classic ships (Magic and Wonder - every Concierge room is a suite) but only available guests staying in a suite (cat T or R) on the new ships. Guests staying in a cat R (Royal suites) on any of the ships may order room service dinner from Palo. Guests staying in a cat V (Concierge Family Stateroom on the new ships) can only order from the regular room service menu. There is no table and chairs in those cabins, only a small table in front of the sofa, so no room for them to serve a full MDR meal.

 

[Kimmiebr80]

True on the classic ships (Magic and Wonder - every Concierge room is a suite) but only available guests staying in a suite (cat T or R) on the new ships. Guests staying in a cat R (Royal suites) on any of the ships may order room service dinner from Palo. Guests staying in a cat V (Concierge Family Stateroom on the new ships) can only order from the regular room service menu. There is no table and chairs in those cabins, only a small table in front of the sofa, so no room for them to serve a full MDR meal.

Really? So if we're staying in a 1 bedroom on the magic this month, we can order from the dining room for room service? Lunch or dinner? That's kind of exciting!

 

[jlemieu1]

I really depends on your buget. Since we don't go on many vacations we go concierge. Please note that concierge is different on the classic ships versus new ones. Tons of info on this site about both ones. Classics -- Cat. T is larger, fewer cabins per Concierge CM. New -- Has Cat. C cabin, has cabins off in different location with a private lounge and sun deck.

 

[sambycat]

NOT a must

 

[kcashner]

It is certainly not a "must." From your tag line, you have stayed at POR. Saying that concierge on the ship is a "Must" is like saying that the Grand Flo is the "only" place to stay at DW.

Yes, there are many nice services, but the cost may be 3-5 times the cost of some other cabins! OK, not fair to compare an inside to concierge--maybe.

Some of what you'll get--
You can book all reservations (spa, nursery, Palo, Remy, excursions) at 120 days, and you WILL get all that you want.
Shoreside concierge service to facilitate your wants and needs
Choice of dining rotation and time
Extra toiletries in cabin
More space
lithograph
first chance at a cabana
daily food gift on classic ship, concierge lounge and sundeck (with complimentary beverages) on new ships.
shutters photos delivered to your cabin to review
no need to ever go to Guest Services--just call concierge
priority tendering
ordering food from MDR delivered to your room (limited time and restaurant choices)
starter supply of beverages in fridge
reception with character(s)
there is more, but you get the picture.

The suites are beautiful...and roomy (on the new ships there is a concierge level that is not a suite). But....not a "must" imho. Of course, there are 2 of us, so the extra room may not mean as much as it would to a large family.

 

[janpluto]

o has their own check in line and waiting area at Port Canaveral
o Ability to be the first group to board the ship
o rooms ready earlier. Ours was ready at 12:45
o luggage in room earlier. Ours was in the room around 1:15.
o Bathrobes and slippers for the adults
o Arcade Cards for the kids
o Bowl of fruit in our room on first day
o Refrigerator filled with H2O, coke, diet coke and sprite. We could get more up in the Lounge.
o Happy hour before each dinner seating.
o snacks throughout the day
o access to a concierge lounge on deck 12
o access to a private concierge deck on deck 13
o 16x20 lithograph.
o Private meet and greet with a Disney character on the "At Sea" day. This takes place on the concierge deck. The hosts don't know who it will be until the character shows up. Ours was Goofy.
o They have breakfast up in the lounge on disembarkation day till 8:45. We did this instead of showing up at Animator's Palette at 6:45am which was our assigned time.
o once you board you are taken up to the concierge lounge. The hosts present you with your itinerary, review it and are able to help book/change shore excursions. Reps for Palo/Remy, kids club and the Spa are there to assist you with new reservations/changes. This is better than having to go to 3 different areas of the ships.
o access to the cabanas. Even though on-line showed the cabanas were sold out, we were offered a Cabana for both days at Castaway Cay.
o Free 100 minutes of wi-fi (you need to purchase the $40 package and it will be refunded)
o Complimentary iPad rentals


We sailed this past August on the Dream and Shutters did not bring our pictures to either our room or the Concierge lounge. Does this happen on the other ships?

 

[penel3]

We sailed this past August on the Dream and Shutters did not bring our pictures to either our room or the Concierge lounge. Does this happen on the other ships?

This has never happened for us either, not sure if this is a practice or not, or possibly only for Royal Suite guests.....

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[jennandcompany]

We just got back from a 7 night western on the Fantasy. We were in a 1bdr suite. (cat T #12526). We are a family of 5 and usually cruise in suite accommodations. This was our 10th cruise and first on DL. I have to say, Disney has really missed the boat on suite layout and perks. Our suite was over 600 square feet, but it was dumb square footage. They seclude the parents instead of secluding the kids. Our kids go to bed at 8pm and we like to have dinner and wine in our stateroom while the kids sleep. Impossible on the fantasy.

Also, the perks are marginal for the fare. We usually travel NCL and they provide a butler for all their high end suites. We are used to the butler service where they unpack and pack for you. They truly tend to your every need including delivering any meal from any restaurant (including specialty) to your room. They also serve tea and provide snack time for the children. We love that level of service.

At DCL, we got all the perks listed above. Is that really worth more than 2 times the standard fare?

I would book Disney again, but would shockingly not pay for concierge level. Simply not worth it since thelayout and perks are marginal at best.

 

[Gretel]

we have done concierge and non-concierge

it is NOT a must

 

[chateau]

May I ask what other things you utilized a butler for (other than packing/unpacking)? Do they do your ironing and laundry? THAT would be worth it to me! We had a butler at an all inclusive in Mexico, and didn't know what to utilize him for!!! The best we could come up with is a bucket of Coronas with interestingly displayed limes. Hubby ate all the caviar on the fancy lunch buffet, not knowing what it was... they didn't put it out the rest of our stay.

 

[Ptwolfman]

Do you also tip your stateroom host more and tip your concierge host as well?

 

[GrandCanyon]

I agree on the poor layout and the exorbitant cost -- those things won't change. Disney charges what it does because it can get it.

But everyone is missing the biggie that comes with Concierge ... (1) the ability to book a Cabana at Castaway Cay before everyone else [there's only 21 available]; (2) the ability to book Palo/Remy before everyone else; and other privileges include the ability to choose where you sit in the dining areas, who you sit with, as well as choose the rotation you desire. As mentioned before, the Lounge on the Dream and Private Sun Deck look like a lot of fun (and look very, very relaxing). We've not been on a Disney cruise yet, but aren't expecting to receive the Adult perks like we have on Norwegian, Princess, or RCCL ... but we have a little more room than standard cabins, AND we got a Cabana, AND we have the option to have any MDR food for room service, including hot breakfasts ... all of this in addition to everything else mentioned in this thread.

Dream: Concierge One-Bedroom Suite with Verandah (Category T) 536 square feet, sleeps 5. Queen-size bed, living area with double convertible sofa, Murphy bed "in some," walk-in closet, whirlpool bathtub, rain shower, private verandah, concierge service. 11th and 12th Decks. We lose over 75 square feet from the classic ships, but we gain a private lounge, and a private Sun Deck. I'm very okay with that.

Magic: Concierge One-Bedroom Suite with Verandah (Category T) 614 square feet, sleeps 5. Queen-size bed, living area with double convertible sofa, Murphy bed, walk-in closet, whirlpool bathtub, rain shower, private verandah, concierge service. 8th Deck.

 

[Bonniec]

But everyone is missing the biggie that comes with Concierge ... (1) the ability to book a Cabana at Castaway Cay before everyone else [there's only 21 available];

That is THE reason we went concierge. Despite paying a ton more for that priveledge, we are not crowd people. The cabanas are a must for us. Though now I am worried we still won't get one when the window opens. I've been reading they go within 5 minutes. What if your computer freezes or there is a glitch on the web site? I've heard they hold some for concierge too but not sure how that works. They don't happen to hold one for the royals do they?

 

[jrbdad]

We've done both - not a "must" but definitely a "nice to have."

 

[GrandCanyon]

I can't remember if I did it at 120 or 119 days out, but looking at my confirmation it was at 9:33PM on one of those days, and I remember that there were only 2 left, and right after I reserved mine the other one went away ... so there were definitely not any more left after two days. I've been agonizing over whether it is worth it or not for January, but even though several on disboards have said no, my thinking is that they sure went fast and so I'm keeping mine--3000+ less people on my little slice of the island. Expensive ... yes ... but not anywhere close to what the entire cruise in concierge is costing, so I'm keeping it. We'll continue to go to WDW every year, but this is probably the only cruise we will take with Disney. We were pretty wowed by Oasis of the Seas, and just going with Disney for the Disney Cruise experience. After this, we'll go back to cruises known for their food and sporting activities ... but when I have grandkids, I'm sure I'll be back ... but the kids have to get married first; lol.

 

[miyta]

May I ask what other things you utilized a butler for (other than packing/unpacking)? Do they do your ironing and laundry? THAT would be worth it to me! We had a butler at an all inclusive in Mexico, and didn't know what to utilize him for!!! The best we could come up with is a bucket of Coronas with interestingly displayed limes. Hubby ate all the caviar on the fancy lunch buffet, not knowing what it was... they didn't put it out the rest of our stay.

I want to know this as well...
does concierge include free laundry ? Our penthouse with HAL included free drycelaning & laundry-- took home clean clothes with us and saved a trip to the drycleaners

 

[MaleficentRN]

We sailed this past August on the Dream and Shutters did not bring our pictures to either our room or the Concierge lounge. Does this happen on the other ships?

Our photos were in the lounge. They are in binders next to the concierge desk.

 

[MaleficentRN]

I want to know this as well...
does concierge include free laundry ? Our penthouse with HAL included free drycelaning & laundry-- took home clean clothes with us and saved a trip to the drycleaners

I wish! But the cost is compareable to what I pay at my cleaners.