Just off the Dream 5/14-5/18, concierge - questions?

[GreyStr0ke]

1. We had cabana 24 and loved it! You will be the last cabana and it will be great!
2. We had Palo brunch and a Remy dinner scheduled (for different days) but we ended up canceling the Remy dinner because we were just too full of other food to really enjoy it. The host was able to get us Palo dinner on the last night and it was probably the best meal I have ever had (did the tasting with wine pairing). Corinne/Coco was our server for both brunch and dinner. She is great.
3. The champagne tasting was a lot of fun and very informative. Mixology is fun (rowdy), too!
4. We never went to the spa so I can't comment on Rainforest passes, but I would seriously think twice about length-of-cruise passes. So much other stuff to do than sit in the spa.
5. I didn't do the 5K on this cruise but I did it on the Wonder last year. Unless you're a runner now, I would think twice. It's extremely hot and not scenic at all. You run on the air strip and don't see anything but trees. The 5k for this cruise didn't start until probably 9:00 or so because when we were going to SB at 9:45, there were runners going back to the ship to change. I would skip it and maximize time in the cabana.
6. I didn't notice margaritas or mojitos being made in the lounge but they could have been.
7. We were adults only. Deck 11 adult areas was crowded during the day but about 4:00 it started clearing out as people got ready for dinner. The concierge private deck was never crowded when we were there.
8. I was surprised the lounge was so small but that was only an issue at boarding because everyone was in there for their briefing. Otherwise, it was not crowded at all.

We had Palo dinner the first night and Remy Brunch w/champagne pairing the next morning. We too had Corinne as our server at Palo. Both meals were incredible. However, for the price of brunch with the champagne pairing I had expected bigger glasses of champagne.

On Friday we did mixology at 4pm in Skyline. It was fun but some of the drinks were pretty bad and everyone seemed to agree. In fact, it did get rowdy in there because everyone wanted the first drink we made and starting chanting, "WE WANT THE FIRST DRINK!". Needless to say, I think they were happy to get rid of all us after that class.

Another thing about the Rainforest passes, when we first entered the concierge lounge they had a rep from Senses there and I told her that I only wanted the day pass. She insisted on me getting a length-of-cruise pass. Luckily, I declined but she still managed to add on this scrub to the single day pass making it over $30. All in all, I was glad I didn't get the length-of-cruise pass because I wasn't overly crazy about the Rainforest. I think we spent about 30 minutes in there and were ready to go. Not what I expected.

The gym was packed on Friday morning around 8am. I mean every cardio machine was taken. Luckily, I never saw it that bad again the rest of the cruise.

 

[GreyStr0ke]

Did your kids enjoy the concierge lounge? I know DH and I will enjoy it, but wondering if the kids will feel bored.

There's not a lot to do in the lounge except eat & drink so it's not really a place you would hang out for a long period of time.

I agree. They play these horrible mickey cartoons all day and have a coloring station set up but other than that there isn't a lot to do for children. And aside from the dessert offerings, I don't know if most children would even enjoy the food that is offered.

On the Nassau day, I was laying out on the concierge sun deck and was the only person out there. I woke up and it was completely full of people waiting to meet Goofy which was pretty cool.

 

[budamacdvcr]

Did your kids enjoy the concierge lounge? I know DH and I will enjoy it, but wondering if the kids will feel bored.

AS PP referenced the most you hang out their is during the happy hour and they will make the kids smoothies. Plus the kids can get snacks or bottled water and soda any time they want to go in the lounge.

 

[js]

I'm not the OP but I'll share my thoughts as well. This was my first time on DCL as well as in concierge. It was just my best friend and I who are two adults. When we first boarded the ship we headed to the lounge and met with Ashely. He went over our itinerary with us and we were able to purchase day passes for the Rainforest at Senses. Other than that we asked about a cabana but they were sold out which we knew but told them if one opened up we would like it. It never did which is fine cause I ended up not even leaving the boat on Castaway Cay day.

I saw people getting margaritas at the bar in concierge. Not sure about mojitos. I honestly wish I wouldn't have brought so many bottles on because we really made the most out of their happy hour receptions. All top shelf liquor too which was nice.

The thing that surprised me the most was the overall level of service from everyone in concierge. From boarding and getting escorted through the back door, to them remembering your name after the first time you've met them it was just over the top. It was also nice getting unlimited access to bottles of Evian water, Cans of Club Soda, and Tonic. One thing that I really enjoyed was the concierge sun deck. It was a nice change of pace from the other areas on deck 11 that were packed.

Only complaint would be the never ending loop of those newer creepy Mickey cartoons playing on the TV in the lounge.

Thank you. I'm guessing there was also seltzer and diet coke in cans? If so, this would be great! Margaritas even better LOL
I wish the sundeck looked out to the ocean. Poor designing if you ask me but glad it is there if/when we need it. Thank you so much for answering me!

They bent over backwards for us.

The bartender was making both on our last cruise.

Yahoo! Great! Thank you very much LOL

JS, how long is your cruise? Are you sure you want the length of cruise option? From our experience, those aren't worth it for a 4 night cruise, because the cost is the same as on a 7 day from what I can tell.

But if you do it, be sure to get your scrubs! They didn't tell us we were buying scrubs, too, and only got them at the end of our 2nd time there, and then we only used the place once more, and it was a bummer. (they charged the price with the scrubs, too!)

Just really look at the price, REALLY look at what else you want to do on the cruise, note how long the cruise is and if you will really really use it every day...

Buying a day pass or two might be a better option.

Never even though of using concierge to sign up for the 5k; it's so easy to do it yourself, I figured why bother? We were going by the Port Adventures desk several times a day anyway!

Thank you. Our cruise is four nights. You mean the salt scrubs? Thank for for letting me know this. I thought we would want the full length of cruise.
We plan on just hanging out relaxing during the day. We have a few cruises booked after this on various lines so just thought we would do something
different on this cruise. We were also on the Dream with my full family, my sister's family and my mom over NYE this year.

1. We had cabana 24 and loved it! You will be the last cabana and it will be great!
2. We had Palo brunch and a Remy dinner scheduled (for different days) but we ended up canceling the Remy dinner because we were just too full of other food to really enjoy it. The host was able to get us Palo dinner on the last night and it was probably the best meal I have ever had (did the tasting with wine pairing). Corinne/Coco was our server for both brunch and dinner. She is great.
3. The champagne tasting was a lot of fun and very informative. Mixology is fun (rowdy), too!
4. We never went to the spa so I can't comment on Rainforest passes, but I would seriously think twice about length-of-cruise passes. So much other stuff to do than sit in the spa.
5. I didn't do the 5K on this cruise but I did it on the Wonder last year. Unless you're a runner now, I would think twice. It's extremely hot and not scenic at all. You run on the air strip and don't see anything but trees. The 5k for this cruise didn't start until probably 9:00 or so because when we were going to SB at 9:45, there were runners going back to the ship to change. I would skip it and maximize time in the cabana.
6. I didn't notice margaritas or mojitos being made in the lounge but they could have been.
7. We were adults only. Deck 11 adult areas was crowded during the day but about 4:00 it started clearing out as people got ready for dinner. The concierge private deck was never crowded when we were there.
8. I was surprised the lounge was so small but that was only an issue at boarding because everyone was in there for their briefing. Otherwise, it was not crowded at all.

Thank you for your detailed response and welcome back. Sounds like you had a great time!
My mom may not want to walk all the way to cabana 25. I think I will arrange with Concierge or when we get off the SB tram to have a golf cart bring us to the cabana.
I certainly don't mind the walking but know my mother will. I had hoped to get the last cabana since we were just on the Dream with my full family/sister's family, my mom over NYE and wanted to cruise just my mom and I and used our DVC points but be away from the kids onboard if we could.
I'm not a runner but I run on a treadmill at the gym for an hour at a time during the week. I know running outside is a totally different experience so want to practice outside. I have never run a race so it would be a good start. But, you make a good point about maximizing the time for the cabana. I'll have to think about that one. I won't go back onboard. I'll just change at CC.

I wish the concierge sundeck faced the ocean. I much prefer to look at the ocean than a glass wall or pool. I'll probably set up camp right outside the concierge sundeck, just like I did over NYE this year LOL

Concierge was able to get me the Palo and Remy dinners for first two nights so I'll be asking them to do so once onboard for the final two nights. So happy to hear the champagne tasting was fun and informative. I may do the mixology too, but I would be doing that alone. I guess people go on their own.

Thank you again and welcome back!

 

[Eeyorebabies]

My kids actually loved the lounge! They loved the creepy Mickey cartoon loop too lol. They have a coloring pages and crayons in the lounge for the kids as well. My kids (7,7, and 4 at the time) really enjoyed the change of pace and down time they had in the lounge.

 

[bumbershoot]

They play these horrible mickey cartoons all day and have a coloring station set up but other than that there isn't a lot to do for children. And aside from the dessert offerings, I don't know if most children would even enjoy the food that is offered.

Kids like those creepy mickey cartoons, though.

My son likes the food, hanging out, watching creepy Mickey, and having the opportunity to eat when they have things that we can eat (vegetarian)... He was 8 for our first concierge cruise and 10 for our second.

We plan on just hanging out relaxing during the day. We have a few cruises booked after this on various lines so just thought we would do something
different on this cruise.

Just check out the full cost of the all-cruise option before buying. You don't want to end up feeling like you wasted money; at least I don't. As much as I love a steam room (though NOT with the scrubs, as they are oil based and covered my pores and made me SO MUCH HOTTER than I was without the scrub), and I'll hang out there much longer than one is supposed to, Rainforest still isn't a place I can hang out in longer than an hour or a little longer.

I have never run a race so it would be a good start. But, you make a good point about maximizing the time for the cabana. I'll have to think about that one. I won't go back onboard. I'll just change at CC.

Great idea with a cabana. DS and I ran the 5K the day we had a cabana and DH got off the ship a little later. He brought our stuff. So DS and I got off the ship with nothing, ran and went to the checkin area for the cabana, DH met us, and we went to the cabana. I think I changed to my swimsuit then rinsed off in the outside shower.

 

[Bill B.]

Can you tell us what movies were playing?

 

[GreyStr0ke]

Can you tell us what movies were playing?

McFarland USA
Monkey Kingdom
Big Hero 6
Avengers
Cinderella

 

[RHSTigerMom]

Thank you. I'm guessing there was also seltzer and diet coke in cans? If so, this would be great! Margaritas even better LOL
I wish the sundeck looked out to the ocean. Poor designing if you ask me but glad it is there if/when we need it. Thank you so much for answering me!




Yahoo! Great! Thank you very much LOL


Thank you. Our cruise is four nights. You mean the salt scrubs? Thank for for letting me know this. I thought we would want the full length of cruise.
We plan on just hanging out relaxing during the day. We have a few cruises booked after this on various lines so just thought we would do something
different on this cruise. We were also on the Dream with my full family, my sister's family and my mom over NYE this year.


Thank you for your detailed response and welcome back. Sounds like you had a great time!
My mom may not want to walk all the way to cabana 25. I think I will arrange with Concierge or when we get off the SB tram to have a golf cart bring us to the cabana.
I certainly don't mind the walking but know my mother will. I had hoped to get the last cabana since we were just on the Dream with my full family/sister's family, my mom over NYE and wanted to cruise just my mom and I and used our DVC points but be away from the kids onboard if we could.
I'm not a runner but I run on a treadmill at the gym for an hour at a time during the week. I know running outside is a totally different experience so want to practice outside. I have never run a race so it would be a good start. But, you make a good point about maximizing the time for the cabana. I'll have to think about that one. I won't go back onboard. I'll just change at CC.

I wish the concierge sundeck faced the ocean. I much prefer to look at the ocean than a glass wall or pool. I'll probably set up camp right outside the concierge sundeck, just like I did over NYE this year LOL

Concierge was able to get me the Palo and Remy dinners for first two nights so I'll be asking them to do so once onboard for the final two nights. So happy to hear the champagne tasting was fun and informative. I may do the mixology too, but I would be doing that alone. I guess people go on their own.

Thank you again and welcome back!

There will be a golf cart to take you to the cabana and if you need to go to the restroom or lunch, just press the button in the cabana and they will come pick you up. There is a shower outside and an area inside to change. It has a curtain to pull around for privacy.

You will make lots of friends at Mixology!

 

[diznymom]

Do they have coffee in the concierge lounge?
Do they have beer in the concierge lounge? Or just margaritas and mojitos?

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Do they have coffee in the concierge lounge?
Do they have beer in the concierge lounge? Or just margaritas and mojitos?

Yes they have a coffee making machine there.
And a limited bar at set times pre dinner. You can get beer.

 

[undertheradar]

Yes they have a coffee making machine there.
And a limited bar at set times pre dinner. You can get beer.

Beer selection is terrible. Mostly domestic low end beer.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Beer selection is terrible. Mostly domestic low end beer.

Yes.


but the coffee is good.

 

[HookedonMagic]

"There's not a lot to do in the lounge except eat & drink so it's not really a place you would hang out for a long period of time."

It's true that we didn't hang out for long periods, but when we used the lounge during happy hour, my 12 year old enjoyed himself.
...they have board games, hand out popcorn for kids to take to the shows and movies. Also give kids little trinkets, like pirate rings, small arcade cards, etc. They took time to ask my son questions about school, what he liked on the ship. Always greeted him very warmly.

 

[HookedonMagic]

Beer selection is terrible. Mostly domestic low end beer.

Ha! I stick with a Grey Goose Cosmo (packs a punch...best on the ship!) and hubby sticks with a glass of red. Son reports that the lounge Shirley temples are always the best he's ever had. ;-)

 

[undertheradar]

Ha! I stick with a Grey Goose Cosmo (packs a punch...best on the ship!) and hubby sticks with a glass of red. Son reports that the lounge Shirley temples are always the best he's ever had. ;-)

I just think that they should serve the beer brewed specific to the DCL ships in the concierge lounge. My wife loves the coffee martinis.

 

[wvdcl cruisers]

Here's a shore side concierge question...do they reach out to you by email or phone prior to embarkation? We're sailing this fall on our first concierge cruise that I'm trying to keep as a surprise for my wife (she knows we're cruising, just not concierge) and I wasn't sure if they do a courtesy call, etc., prior to sailing that may blow the surprise....

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Here's a shore side concierge question...do they reach out to you by email or phone prior to embarkation? We're sailing this fall on our first concierge cruise that I'm trying to keep as a surprise for my wife (she knows we're cruising, just not concierge) and I wasn't sure if they do a courtesy call, etc., prior to sailing that may blow the surprise....

Yes they do i had emails at 130 days and got one last week as well.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Beer selection is terrible. Mostly domestic low end beer.

The Lounge is not meant to take the place of a bar or a restaurant. It's a place where you can get away from the mob and relax a bit --and take the edge off any hunger or thirst.

 

[undertheradar]

The Lounge is not meant to take the place of a bar or a restaurant. It's a place where you can get away from the mob and relax a bit --and take the edge off any hunger or thirst.

Would not kill them to include a better beer selection, as concierge is not free. Since the idea of the happy hour is meant to make concierge guests happy, the inclusion of higher end beers would be a nice benefit.