what exactly does concierge do?

[plutoNme]

This is my first cruise ever. We thought we would go to Cat 3 since it included concierge services. (It is only myself, husband and will be 9 year old.) When we asked about the prices it was $4000 (yes 4 thousand), difference than the cat 6 we booked. My question is what do you exactly get with concierge services. For that amount of money, they better come and tuck me in and rub my feet each nite.

 

[captaincrash]

Well...

... I heard they'll brush your teeth for you and clip your nails too... as needed. And in general the presumption is its not needed no matter what the stink or appearance might be. LOL!

Seriously, I heard they help with what-ever. Like booking things and arranging excursions, and Palo resies. Aside from that... I'm sure the ocassional special request can be entertained.

BUt I imagine someone who has had their services can respond better than I.

TTFN!

 

[djs113]

The 4k diff you refer to from a 6 to a 3 is mostly due to the size of the cabin

the cabin is double the size of the 6

as far as services, they are great

please use the search function to fully understand all the benefits of concierge

 

[mjgruber]

The 4k diff you refer to from a 6 to a 3 is mostly due to the size of the cabin

the cabin is double the size of the 6

as far as services, they are great

please use the search function to fully understand all the benefits of concierge

There is a clear benefit....$4,000 more to Disney's Bottom Line.....The only difference is room size.

 

[Disneynut1955]

There is a clear benefit....$4,000 more to Disney's Bottom Line.....The only difference is room size.

No, the only difference is NOT room size. The concierge made all of our reservations, arranged a party for almost 100 people (food, drink and service was free), helped refund a horrible shore excursion, provided gifts and treats, dealt with my laundry and tuxedo issues, gave information about the ship and ports of calls, helped me find a special wine, arranged private tours and the list goes on and on. It truly depends on what you want them to do.

Comparing a Cat. 6 room to a Cat. 3 and stating the only difference is in either price or size is like comparing a Toyota to a Lexus and claiming the same thing. Yes, they sell a great deal of Toyota's but once you drive a Lexus I doubt you will ever go back.

 

[sjs488]

Interesting.....FYI the Toyota and Lexus have the exact same drivetrain. The only difference people who drive a lexus just paid too much for status.

 

[Doingitagain]

Interesting.....FYI the Toyota and Lexus have the exact same drivetrain. The only difference people who drive a lexus just paid too much for status.

I drive a Toyota and I love it. We have done four DCL cruises--twice concierge, twice family stateroom category 4. No comparison for me--the extra space and service is worth the extra money. I say that now that my children are older and we can afford it, definitely wouldn't have been able to when we were starting out. OK, so I am an accountant. First we get retirement and college off to a good start, then we do concierge.

 

[Disneynut1955]

Interesting.....FYI the Toyota and Lexus have the exact same drivetrain. The only difference people who drive a lexus just paid too much for status.

Typical of someone who can't afford a Lexus to point out the one similarity between the two brands. I didn't know it was fashionable to be broke. Don't hate those who have it...As the previous posting pointed out, some can afford a more expensive car and choose not to. In the same sense, some who drive more expensive cars do it for reasons other than "status".

 

[Suzanne]

I booked a cat 3 for my last cruise & I have a cat 2 for this one. Personally I only pay the extra for the space. I've heard conceirge can be great if you have special requests. (Like a party for 100 people ) I however had no such party, booked my excrusions online as well as my Palo res. and therefore received no extra value from conceirge at all.

 

[disneyholic family]

for us the only difference was room size (cat 3 on our first cruise, cat 1 on our second cruise), but it was certainly worth it.

We didn't have the concierge do anything for us, but we loved the rooms and would pay the premium again to be able to stay in one of them.

 

[captaincrash]

OK....

Now settle down folks... lets be nice to one another. I drive a Lexus and I for one APPRECIATE the advantages that they have engineered into it. The supension damping and sound proofing are enhanced - as is the drive train programming. I have driven both (for my original model year - current model years may differ with greater or lesser similarities) Lexus and comparable Toyota models. Without a doubt there are significant differences... even if some see little of significance in Lexus is is a matter of record that when Lexus came out it SHOCKED the luxury car market. And the Mercedes, BMWs and Cadillac dealers of the world lost huge market share to the new make which offerred a superior product for the money. I recall comparing the Lexus 400 series against the 8 cylender Mercedes and just shook my head in thinking Lexus has an extraordinary product here that is gonna cos Mercedes plenty! And no Toyota is likely to draw a glance from a Mercedes customer... for obvious reasons. Even if some see little difference between the two. They both have an engine and steering wheel right?

Now on the other hand.... it IS true that the Mercedes, Ferrari, Lexus, Toyota and KIA will get you from point "A" to point "B". And likely you will get there at about the same time if everyone obeys the law and speed limits. And the same can be said of DCL patrons in catagory 12 versus 3 or "better". I would wager that the catagory 12 folks arrived at the same ports as the catagory 1 or 3s. And of course, the catagory 1 and 3s had more room to kick their feet up in their cabins than the 12s. In fact, the catagory 1s probably had enough room to dance about comfortably in their skin (if they wanted to) while in a 12 any amount of dancing about in one's skin might have resulted in injury and wounds to one's elbows, rump and otherwise depending on each patrons actual size. IE, a large person in a catagory 1 might still dance about and become injured but a skinny and small framed couple could possibly dance about in their 12 without injury. Oh well... that's not as important as what a larger cabin offers - especially to those who recognize and value the differences in physical size. Remember, there are some who are mildly claustrophobic and for them a larger cabin is absolutely necessary if they are to enjoy a cruise of any duration.

OK.. so enuf of the sillyness. I thought I'd suggest that we should try to maintain a cordial attitude here - as this is a "family oriented" environment - and a family oriented cruise we are referring to. Not one of those clothing optional sailings to club hedonism or what-ever they call those things. Clothing optional is "assumed" to be true even on a DCL sailing - as we all usually bathe in the buff. Except for those few who don a swimsuit when they bathe.

At any rate, lets try to be NICE as we post comments to compare and contrast ideas on all things. It makes MY experience more pleasant as "I" lurk and wander about here. And I suspect there are others who share my POV in preferring a more freindly exchange of thoughts on the DIS.

Aside from that - I usually sail DCL in a catagory 9 or 6. The need for a 3 or better is not that great with our family at this time. Cheers to all who do go in a 3 or better!

TTFN!

I have had concierge access cabins on other lines as well as at numerous luxe hotels around the world.... but mostly in the US. And I have engaged their services from time to time - and often had no need of their services. However, we were guite happy with the property, room and other facilities.

 

[Joe&Peg]

Let's not forget the other perks of a suite. Like anything off the Palo's menu for room service, and the embarkation treatment.

 

[sjs488]

Thanks for assuming i'm broke but more important thanks for pointing out how much of a snob you must be. Now those os us who Really have money and choose not to point it out to people as somoene like yourself has done are happy in life.

I find those who look down on people and have to point out how much money they think they have are very insecure in life.

Good luck to you and your Lexus and the rest of us will enjoy what we have without having to flaunt it.

 

[BethA]

Are they still having a small gathering on deck one day for suite guests?
We went last cruise but found the appetizer slection poor and the concierge seemed glued to one family. It was a few free drinks I guess. Anyone have any experience with this?

The one thing they did have on RCL was a lounge for concierge where they had drinks, snacks, games, movies,etc and the concierge was there to offer any assistance you need.

 

[Skuba2]

I find it kind of funny myself--the whole Lexus/Toyota thing. Sorry. We are a Toyota family--always have been and always will be. Yes--can afford a Lexus but choose not to thank you. Like I told my friend, I can pay 5 times the ticket to fly to Florida during peak time but I choose not to thank you very much. Would rather spend the extra cash on a nice cabin on Disney.

As far as cabins, we enjoy the Cat 1 and the concierge team that goes with it. They will do everything within reason to make your stay as pleasant and up to your expectations as possible. Anything goes wrong with your cabin---they'll make sure it gets fixed. Anything goes wrong with your excursions---they will have your back. Need that something special for a special evening---all you have to do is ask. Even if they weren't there, the space is just amazing. Enjoyed a jacuzzi bubble bath while watching a movie---to a SAHM, that is heaven. Spent my fair amount of time reading and napping out on the balcony---didn't have to worry about finding a lounge chair.

So, are Cat 1 - 3 cabins worth the extra cost? That is a personal decision that everyone must make for themselves. Best case, you have the time of your life and love every minute of it. Worst case, you have the time of your life, love every minute of it and REBOOK! LOL!!!

DG

 

[disneyholic family]

Are they still having a small gathering on deck one day for suite guests?
We went last cruise but found the appetizer slection poor and the concierge seemed glued to one family. It was a few free drinks I guess. Anyone have any experience with this?

The one thing they did have on RCL was a lounge for concierge where they had drinks, snacks, games, movies,etc and the concierge was there to offer any assistance you need.

on both of our Wonder cruises, the gathering was in one of the adult lounges (i can't recall the name of it...the small one that's basically just a bar)...
the appetizers were ok and the speciality drinks were nice....it certainly isn't worth the cost of the difference in cabin prices, but it was a pleasant get together....the various crew made a point of speaking with everyone (there weren't that many guests there, clearly not all of the suites showed up for either of ours)...
both times we had a nice chat with the captain, the concierge staff and a few others....on the second cruise we had an especially interesting talk with a disney 'line specialist' who was on the cruise to observe and possibly improve 'lines' on board.....an engineer, he's worked for disney for years on their theme park lines......a most interesting conversation on the whole theory of lines...
all in all it was a pleasant way to spend an hour....i'm not sure why others decided to skip it, but we enjoyed it very much....

as for the RCCL concierge lounge on board.....many cruise lines have one and both DH and I were very surprised that DCL doesn't.....to me it's a major shortcoming of DCL concierge service....

 

[*love*2*shop]

06/01/06 3 Night Disney Wonder (Cat. 2), 09/07/06 10 Night Southern Caribbean (Cat. 2), 11/11/06 7 Night "Double Dip" (Cat. 3), 01/07/07 4 Night Disney Wonder (Walt Disney Suite), 05/26/07 11 Night Med (Roy Disney Suite), 07/28/07 11 Night Med (Cat. 3), 09/08/07 7 Night Western (Walt Disney & Roy Disney Suites), 09/15/07 7 Night Eastern (Walt Disney & Roy Disney Suites), 09/22/07 Walt Disney World / One week of fun! 09/29/07 7 Night Eastern (Walt Disney & Roy Disney Suites)

07/02/05 Mexican Riviera (Roy Disney Suite), 1/26/06 3 Night Disney Wonder (Cat. 3)

HOLY MOLY! that is ALOT of cruises...GOOD for you* so jealous here ~!~

 

[sweetsue]

We had a Cat 3 on the Eastern turned Western last September during hurricane season. It was worth it's weight in gold. We all boarded for our Eastern cruise, enjoyed the sail away party and then heard over the loudspeaker from the Captain that due to the Hurricane, we were no longer going on an Eastern cruise but were instead going on a Western cruise!

We received information about the port and all shore excursions before the general public. We were also able to book all shore excursions before anyone else got a chance. All in the quiet comfort of our living room. The regular cruise passengers began lining up at around 2:30 (on a Castaway Cay day) to book at 4:30. I walked by at 5 and the line was LONG.

When we finally got to Cozumel, the seas were high and many newly booked excursions were cancelled. I was able to change by DM and DSIL over to the Dolphin Encounter (completely booked of course), since they couldn't go to the ruins.

We also ordered and changed martini tastings, wine tastings, Palo ressies, spa ressies, etc. at the drop of a hat. WHATEVER we wanted, we just asked and got.

Room service delivered anything in FIVE minutes. I remember calling room service to get some tea and they said "It'll be 30 minutes - OOPS, you're in a suite - I mean 5".

They also extended all of these privileges to my DB, DSIL and DNephew who were NOT in a suite.

Now I don't always consider suites worth the money. We're in a Cat 6 for a quick 3-night Bahamas cruise next weekend.

Sweet Sue

 

[robertgp124]

So, are Cat 1 - 3 cabins worth the extra cost? That is a personal decision that everyone must make for themselves. Best case, you have the time of your life and love every minute of it. Worst case, you have the time of your life, love every minute of it and REBOOK! LOL!!!

This is exactly the attitude you've got to take. DW and I stay all kinds of different places when we travel. We'd love to try out the Poly or the Grand Floridian when we go to Disney World, but we've always looked and decided that we'd rather stay longer and stay at POR than to upgrade. On the flip side of thing, we had to choose between a longer cruise and a verandah recently. We chose a shorter cruise with the verandah, because that's where our priority was. Given our past experiences, we'll probably save all of our dollars and try for a suite in the future!

 

[Disneynut1955]

Thanks for assuming i'm broke but more important thanks for pointing out how much of a snob you must be. Now those os us who Really have money and choose not to point it out to people as somoene like yourself has done are happy in life.

I find those who look down on people and have to point out how much money they think they have are very insecure in life.

Good luck to you and your Lexus and the rest of us will enjoy what we have without having to flaunt it.

Sure...I find it funny that you always come into a thread discussing suites or other high priced options and then state they are a rip-off and not worth the money. If they are not for you, why continue to torture yourself?? This screams jelousy to me, not that you are a well-to-do person who can afford it, but elects not to purchase such.

I never stated I owned a Lexus, but merely stated that your analogy was like comparing a Toyota and a Lexus. If you really want a list of my automobiles, feel free to send me a private message.

We all have different opinions and not one of them is 100% correct for everyone. I am tired of the bashing of those who have money or those who choose a more expensive route in life. You instantly resort to an assumption that we must purchase "status". I make the same assumption and therefore assume you must be broke and jealous. The real difference is, I don't go into the budget minded threads (such as a Cat. 10, 11 or 12) and tell them what they are doing is "wrong" like what you do.

I certainly hope you really do have money. I hope everyone here makes a great living. Unlike others, I don't have any ill-will towards those who don't share or even choose to participate in my lifestyle choices. The same could not be said about yourself based upon your arguments.

I will continue to flaunt what I have in the face of those who challenge me and insist that their budget minded ways are better. Stop trying to convince me that your way is better and I will do the same.