Just off fantasy concigere room 12014. Experiencing withdraw...

[All American]

I have a couple of questions if the OP or anyone else wouldn't mind answering.

We are in room 12508 (just the regular-sized family room), and I was wondering about proximity to the pool area.

1. Is it a quick,easy walk to the pool(s)? It seems like the rooms are just off the areas, so can you go back-and-forth pretty easy in a "be-back-in-a-minute-I-forgot-my-iPod" kind of thing. I've never cruised, so I have no idea of the size of the space. We are traveling with a (then) 3 and 8-year-old so it would be nice to not have to go too far or have to deal with an elevator constantly during pool time.

2. If it is close to the pools and stuff, how is the noise level in the rooms? Is there a lot of racket that carries over? I wear earplugs, so it's no big deal for me but I was just wondering.

3. Is the sundeck for adults only? I've read different things and see pictures where kids are on the deck with characters, so I'm a bit confused and never had a chance to ask until now.

Thanks for the positive report on concierge. I know everyone's experience is different, and I'm happy that your's was for the best.

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

I've heard that the toiletries in the concierge-level rooms are Elemis. Is that true or are they the expanded line of H2O (which is what I had on the Dream)?

Thanks!

On the 4/28 cruise it was the H20 products.

I cannot answer the question about the pools since I never went there. But I THINK the pool is right there, as right by the elevators the door going out onto the deck area had a pool from the looks of it.

 

[s3rndpt]

Quick question about character meet-and-greet: Can you elaborate on them? What characters, and how many private meet-and-greets were there?

We're currently booked in a 4A for August 2013, and I've been debating whether or not to upgrade to concierge--that extra money is hard to swallow, even knowing I've got a year to pay for it. I'm going back and forth on whether I want to go for it- as much as I love extra luxury, I'm still not sold on whether the Disney extras are worth the extra $. It will be both my daughter's birthdays (they'll turn 4 and 8) on the cruise, and I bet the concierge would make them really special....I am a giant waffler on this!

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

One of the reasons I love concierge on the Dream and the Fantasy is because of the private areas. I personally find the new ships too big and crowded, but that is MY opinion, and it doesn't bother others. I love the lounge and spent time in there just enjoying it and being away from the crowd. The private sundeck is nice too. Liked the extra service from the concierge hosts, the snacks and beverages that were available. It is a "your mileage may vary" as to whether one feels its worth it to their family.

As for the character meet, ours was with Minnie Mouse in April. She came up to the private sundeck and went to each group of people (in the chairs and/or tables) No waiting in lines. They served some treats and smoothies. It was one private Meet & Greet.

 

[All American]

One of the reasons I love concierge on the Dream and the Fantasy is because of the private areas. I personally find the new ships too big and crowded, but that is MY opinion, and it doesn't bother others. I love the lounge and spent time in there just enjoying it and being away from the crowd. The private sundeck is nice too.

Thanks for mentioning that. I think this will be the biggest perk to our decision to go concierge. My husband (and our daughter who is just like him) likes people, but sometimes, he just needs a break. In fact, when I plan vacations, I actually plan down time for him.

 

[All American]

Double Post, sorry! I don't know how to add to my other.

OP, my daughter will be about the same age as yours when we cruise next year. 1. Did you worry about her getting run over by the bigger kids in the kids clubs? (Taking my kids to the park is like pandemonium times 10 billion. Kids running over every one and everything. Dogs on the playground equipment. No parents in sight...I'm a bit jaded.) Our then-8-year-old will be with her, so I know she'll keep an eye on her. I was just wondering about your experience with that.

2. At that age, what were her favorite things about the kids clubs?

Thanks!!!

 

[princessemily21]

Just popping in to say that I'm another one completely spoiled rotten by concierge on the Fantasy. After seven cruises without it, we were upgraded, three days before our cruise, for the MAIDEN! It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and the absolute best time ever. We had Julia and Kemisha as well (and Todd... he may be on vacation now), and they were completely spectacular. Some of the best CMs we have ever met. We'll cruise the Magic and the Wonder again without concierge, because the amenities are not the same anyway, but I don't think we could ever cruise the Dream or the Fantasy again without it.

 

[s3rndpt]

Now you guys are really starting to make me think we should--I too hate large crowds, and while I can deal with them, I really like to have downtime without feeling like I'm surrounded by tons of people. My husband and girls are fine, but I don't do well if I can't hide occasionally.

I'm so torn here...if it was just an extra $1500 I'd do it in a heartbeat, but it's more than $3k more, which is right on my pain threshold. I have a feeling I'll regret it if I don't, though.

 

[mytripsandraces]

On the 4/28 cruise it was the H20 products.

I cannot answer the question about the pools since I never went there. But I THINK the pool is right there, as right by the elevators the door going out onto the deck area had a pool from the looks of it.

Thank you! I think it might have been one of the pre-maiden voyages that had the Elemis products.

I don't know about the pools, because I didn't use them, either, but on the Dream, it was just a quick walk to the Aquaduck from the concierge area. I love the concierge lounge and the concierge team really works hard to make everyone happy. We had pirate Goofy for our character meet-and-greet and it's one of my favorite character pictures ever! There's no line - you "set up camp" on the sundeck and the character walks around and goes to each group. We were served brownies and cookies, but it was a January cruise, so it was a little colder out and smoothies might have gone to waste.

 

[Tinker179]

We had a private Hawaiian Minnie mouse. It was great!! Kids loved it!! Extra $3000 is worth it for a week. I'd pay More to stay away from crowds. But I needed peace and quiet. My kids were 23 mths and 3 3/4 yrs old and we needed room and separation for naps. One bedroom was a must. (don't know how people do it in 200 sq ft). Kids clubs are great. Daughter loved them but she's that kind of kids. Did see some crying not to go in (and parents forcing them to do so). Son loved nursery. Concigere staff does everything. Weird for me not used to someone doing everything for me and my family. Add hr in nursery done. Take off done. Ect ect. Room service done. Don't want to eat in MDR that's fine they will have it delivered in your room (one bedroom and giant suites only). That to me is worth it. Pools are not far at all. But I didn't like it there anyways. Just angry chair hog parents with napless kids. Daughter got poked in eye after 2 mins in Mickey pool by ~7 yr old being rough. No parent in sight. We left. 120 day out booking Remy palo excursions are also worth every extra penny. Walking past long lines of people waiting to board is worth it (personally escorted like your the president it was awesome) Not having to wait for boarding pass worth it. You will be treated like royalty. We were family of 4 and didn't have table mates. Not sure if bc we were concigere but I assume. Worth it. I don't think I could sail below deck 12... As snobby as that sounds but that is the truth. Save your money and go for it!!!

 

[Tinker179]

Another favorite was wake up w Disney jr 9 or 10 am 2 of the mornings. Check navigator. They play and sing music from Disney jr. Jake, chuggington, little Einstein. Ect. In the end goofy came out and did hotdog dance with the kids. Epic. I will never forget that. Daughter still talks about that. Also one night I went to pick her up from club and aladdin was in there and had my daughter in the air on a "magic carpet" dressed as jasmine. Epic again. Check navigator for things happining in club and lab. For instance my daughter loves little einsteins so one day they had an event about that so we dropped her off for that and she loved it. Kept her behavior in check too ("be good and listen or u can't go to kids club tonight"). Yes she loved it that much.

 

[All American]

Awesome and thanks!!!

(Love the story about Aladdin and your daughter -- so cute!)

 

[Jenleephoto]

Now you guys are really starting to make me think we should--I too hate large crowds, and while I can deal with them, I really like to have downtime without feeling like I'm surrounded by tons of people. My husband and girls are fine, but I don't do well if I can't hide occasionally.

I'm so torn here...if it was just an extra $1500 I'd do it in a heartbeat, but it's more than $3k more, which is right on my pain threshold. I have a feeling I'll regret it if I don't, though.

whoa! concierge sounds REALLY cool and all but $3k more?? I am like you, crowds get to me sometimes..and I like to hide out now and then too. I was a tad worried when we went on our first Dream cruise in April of this year. But you know , whenever I got that feeling like I needed to escape I just went back to our room and I loved sitting out on our verandah, we had one of the extended verandahs so it was quite roomy and I loved just sitting out there.

 

[Nikki'sMommy]

Can't wait to read the TR..We haven't booked it yet but are planning on doing a SEpt. 2012 Eastern Carribean- going back and forth between conceierge or family stateroom (we have sailed in the latter twice before)... It's all about if it would be worth the extra $...

 

[jcjen519]

We're booked in a 1 bedroom fantasy in april 2013. I didn't know about the private character things. to me? that is worth the extra money alone when we have a 3 year old. can you tell me how that worked.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Concierge. I believe reading this on our documents, does get priority luggage arrival and ours was there promptly at 1:30 when we sailed on the Magic.

I am so glad that you had such a good time!! We are getting ready to book the Fantasy for 2014, did you like where your room was at? Trying to figure out whether we want Deck 11 or 12.

On our last Magic cruise, we had our luggage around 1:30-2 pm and we were not concierge....in fact, we were cat 9. This was Sept 2011 Western Magic. We had the first check-in time slot. Not sure if that affects it ?