Concierge Level Boarding Times

[Disney_Princess83]

Hi everyone,

We are doing our first cruise next year on the Dream and already can't wait! We are staying concierge level and from what we can gather, we won't get a PAT time, we can show up anytime from 11am. Is there a "good time" to arrive where the crowd won't be too crazy? My sister gets really bothered by crowds so hoping to make the check in and boarding as smooth as possible.

We are going to do online check in and I know that concierge have a separate desk. We will be arriving from WDW but by Town Car so we can arrange them for anytime.

Thanks for any information you can provide

 

[jrbdad]

We did this in July of this past summer. Loved it!

Because everything is separate, you really don't need to be concerned about crowds. We were there at 11 am, had to wait maybe 5 minutes through the security line, then walked up to the concierge check-in, over to the concierge waiting area, then a few minutes later we were boarding and on to the reception in the lounge.

The whole boarding process convinced us to book concierge on the Fantasy for next summer.

Enjoy!

 

[magrudersmakes3]

We arrived at the port around 10:45 on the hopes of upgrading, never dreaming we would do concierge, but the price was right so we did it. We were walked to the concierge area which was not crowded at all. We decided to step out on the viewing deck to take some pictures and before we knew it we were boarding, which was around 11:15. It was completely different than the last time and there were no crowds at all.

 

[CoolHandsGirl]

We arrived around 11:45 when the rest of boarding was well underway. Being concierge, they let us through a door on the side and we went past hundreds of people lined up for boarding to get our pics taken and get on board. Right then we knew concierge was for us!
That being said, if your sister has real anxiety concerns in crowds, you might want to arrive earlier than we did so she can avoid walking past that crowd. Arriving when we did also meant the concierge lounge was full (only time it was full all week) as rooms were not quite ready yet.

 

[kcashner]

If you arrive before boarding begins, you'll wait in the concierge lounge (no crowds). Boarding normally starts about 11:45, but in May it began at 11:15 o our Fantasy cruise.

If you arrive after boarding begins, you'll walk in, check in, and board. No waiting at all.

No, concierge guests do not need a PAT. You are admitted when you arrive.

 

[Namsupak]

The earlier the better. It is generally a very short wait if at all in the port terminal. THen like the other have said you exit through a side door and then they rush you to the front of the picture line, then on the ship. But if you get there earlier then when you go up to the concierge lounge you have plenty of time to leave your bags in the lounge and go get lunch because likely your room will not be ready yet for you to leave your bags in. You can also meet with the concierge to go over your cruise itinerary, make changes, get those last reservations in, etc.

Also just to make a case for getting to the port late, that has worked well for us as well. We have come to the port around 1-2 after getting a late breakfast or early lunch prior and then walked on this ship without the early morning crowd, gone up to the lounge and worked on our itinerary with the concierge. Its nice as well since then usually the remy/palo people, spa people, and youth counselors can get you setup very quickly too.

 

[cblack]

Its nice as well since then usually the remy/palo people, spa people, and youth counselors can get you setup very quickly too.

Sorry, this is off topic, but this sentence made me curious...if you are in concierge, do you need to get the tracking device bracelets for kids in the terminal, or can the youth counselors do it in the concierge lounge?

 

[janpluto]

Sorry, this is off topic, but this sentence made me curious...if you are in concierge, do you need to get the tracking device bracelets for kids in the terminal, or can the youth counselors do it in the concierge lounge?

You can get the bracelets in the concierge lounge.

 

[geekboy]

Back in January (2012), we arrived at the port just after 10:20AM. We went through security, checked in, walked over to Concierge/Platinum waiting area, and then walked on to the ship within 10 minutes. I think we were on board shortly after 11AM. (My first pictures of the Concierge Lounge were at 11:21AM) A ship's officer then escorted us right up to the Concierge Lounge on 12.

 

[cblack]

You can get the bracelets in the concierge lounge.

That is great! Thank you!

 

[Disney_Princess83]

Thanks everyone for the wonderful information and advice! Great to know that we can bypass most of the crowds at the Port. My sister is alright being near crowds as long as she's not "in" the crowd, if that makes sense.

We were thinking about booking an early character breakfast (we might be staying at the Contemporary or Polynesian the night before so it would be in the same hotel) probably 7:30am - 8am. Our suitcases will be already to go so we will just be able to have breakfast, check out and get the car service for 10am. We're allowing an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes from WDW to Port so we should get there for 11:15am-11:30am.

 

[Laila Bryce]

We did something similar last week, we had a 730 breakfast and our limo picked us up around 915 we were in the conc. lounge by 1115 .

 

[Disney_Princess83]

We did something similar last week, we had a 730 breakfast and our limo picked us up around 915 we were in the conc. lounge by 1115 .

Great, this is what we were thinking. A character meal (since it will be in our hotel) might be a great way to start the day before we head off to Port.

 

[zstyles]

We just got back from Galveston, so not sure about other ports but they called out boarding group numbers, we were concierge and given group number 1...we walked on..took our photos on arrival and were on board and being ushered to the private welcome reception with food and drinks...

 

[jjones144]

We just got back from Galveston, so not sure about other ports but they called out boarding group numbers, we were concierge and given group number 1...we walked on..took our photos on arrival and were on board and being ushered to the private welcome reception with food and drinks...

Will you please tell me all about the Concierge perks on the Magic. We are thinking about upgrading, and are curious about what perks you get. Thanks so much.

 

[JoiseyMom]

Will you please tell me all about the Concierge perks on the Magic. We are thinking about upgrading, and are curious about what perks you get. Thanks so much.

You get 100 free minutes of internet. You can borrow i-pads, or a DS. You get daily treats from concierge in your suite. You get an initial supply of bottled water and soda in your suite. You have a concierge reception when you board with free drinks and snacks, and you will meet with your concierge there and get your itinerary, and they can make any reservations you still need made. There will be a cocktail party with a character at some point on the cruise. There is no separate concierge lounge on The Magic (or Wonder). You get boarding pass number 1.

 

[chemnerd09]

Thanks everyone for the wonderful information and advice! Great to know that we can bypass most of the crowds at the Port. My sister is alright being near crowds as long as she's not "in" the crowd, if that makes sense.

We were thinking about booking an early character breakfast (we might be staying at the Contemporary or Polynesian the night before so it would be in the same hotel) probably 7:30am - 8am. Our suitcases will be already to go so we will just be able to have breakfast, check out and get the car service for 10am. We're allowing an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes from WDW to Port so we should get there for 11:15am-11:30am.

I know exactly what you mean since I'm the same way with crowds. I can handle them if I'm on the outside of them. We plan on taking the WDW bus since we'll be staying at the Boardwalk. From what I've heard the WDW bus gets into port after 1:00pm which I'm hoping means everyone is pretty much on the boat by that time.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

I know exactly what you mean since I'm the same way with crowds. I can handle them if I'm on the outside of them. We plan on taking the WDW bus since we'll be staying at the Boardwalk. From what I've heard the WDW bus gets into port after 1:00pm which I'm hoping means everyone is pretty much on the boat by that time.

We want to get on a little early so that we have plenty of time to get really settled on board.

 

[jjones144]

You get 100 free minutes of internet. You can borrow i-pads, or a DS. You get daily treats from concierge in your suite. You get an initial supply of bottled water and soda in your suite. You have a concierge reception when you board with free drinks and snacks, and you will meet with your concierge there and get your itinerary, and they can make any reservations you still need made. There will be a cocktail party with a character at some point on the cruise. There is no separate concierge lounge on The Magic (or Wonder). You get boarding pass number 1.

Thank you!

 

[GrandCanyon]

Do Concierge guests still get the picture with Captain Mickey, and is the family announced as they enter the Atrium?