2/2/2012: Solo No More & Concierge on the Dream

[LuvEeyore]

Let me know how the sofa sleeps. I had thought about that for me unless my best friend figues out a way to go with us in Dec 2012. My mother says the sofa is Melissa's ifshe decides to go but according to the policies of her company she can not request vacation in December!

 

[taswira]

Let me know how the sofa sleeps. I had thought about that for me unless my best friend figues out a way to go with us in Dec 2012. My mother says the sofa is Melissa's ifshe decides to go but according to the policies of her company she can not request vacation in December!

LOL - ThePhantomsGirl will need to answer that one for you after she "experiences" it! I won't have to find out for myself until our April cruise.

I read some time ago in one trip report where someone said the sofa beds in the Cat. V are not the same as those in the suites, but in photos they appear the same to me except for the upholstery.

(UPDATE: We switched to a Cat. T)

 

[taswira]

LuvEeyore - Also, I THINK all the sofa beds in Concierge are different from non-Concierge and they are double "pull-out" style, where the others are the single fold-down ones. I have only slept on those a few times on the classic ships. To me they were very thin and sometimes lumpy (from abuse from kids? Haha), but my main gripe was the length. I am 5'7" and unless I kept my head up against the arm, my feet were against the other arm. But that's just me. I know there are taller people who say they have managed fine, but I really think DCL intended the sofa beds for children. Many adults have endured them though. I still think it's a better option than sharing a bed with anyone except my DH. I am just highly irritated over the new ships not having split beds though. I'm not going to get over that one, and especially with the outrageous price of Concierge!

 

[LuvEeyore]

Taswira,
I had thought about maybe upgrading our two rooms to one for the four of us and go concierge but the cost was more for less room and a smaller balcony and no handicapped accessiblily for Mom...so we will take andinside room and a 6e balcony room.

 

[taswira]

LuvEeyore - I think two people are more than enough for ANY of DCL's rooms - ROTFL. Getting two staterooms is a WISE choice!

 

[gomagic]

Taswira
If you make your way to the concierge lounge after boarding, the concierge will store your carry on luggage in the lounge while you go to lunch and in our case even delivered it to our cabin when it was ready. They aim to have the cabins in concierge ready by 12.30pm.

There are also welcome drinks and nibbles in the lounge from boarding time through to early afternoon.

I had heard something about them storing carry-ons. If I do carry-on only with the wheeled DCL bag, I think I'd appreciate that. Thanks, soapbox!

Concierge kept our carry ons for us(it was before the time the rooms were ready) and they were in our room waiting when we returned from lunch. They have done similiar for us on the Magic too where they kept the carry ons out of sight while we went to lunch and then we would just return for them when finished. Makes it really nice not to have to take them with you. Some of the sizes and amounts of carry on people had in Enchanted Garden was like holy cow! The tables are close enough without all the extra obstacles.

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

I know I'll appreciate not lugging it around!

 

[taswira]

Concierge kept our carry ons for us(it was before the time the rooms were ready) and they were in our room waiting when we returned from lunch. They have done similiar for us on the Magic too where they kept the carry ons out of sight while we went to lunch and then we would just return for them when finished. Makes it really nice not to have to take them with you. Some of the sizes and amounts of carry on people had in Enchanted Garden was like holy cow! The tables are close enough without all the extra obstacles.

LOL - I've seen people lugging HUGE amounts to the embarkation lunch! And most of them were people who also CHECKED bags!

I know Holly will check her bag, so I may or may not. For 3 nights I only need my wheeled DCL carry-on, but I wouldn't want to check that one. I just hate to bring a larger bag when I don't need it. I am a light packer, even though I always "dress for dinner." If I were still going solo, I would definitely stick to carry-on only. Right now I am indecisive.

If carry-ons are left in the Concierge Lounge, are they immediately moved? I just wondered if people are still mulling around in and out of the lounge, with the bags there. Also, if I did do carry-on only and leave it in the lounge, should I go ahead and put the usual luggage tag on it that has the room number, or do they tag it somehow? Do very many guests in Concierge leave their carry-ons? In any case, if I take that bag it is definitely NOT going to lunch with me! I am not one to do that sort of thing.

 

[taswira]

I know I'll appreciate not lugging it around!

I figured you'd be CHECKING your bag. No?

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

I will but will probably have a small carry-on MAYBE. I need to learn to pack light!

 

[taswira]

I will but will probably have a small carry-on MAYBE. I need to learn to pack light!

You certainly do!

 

[taswira]

Holly - In our Dream Cat. V, I'm think you'll need to keep all your stuff on YOUR side of the curtain (sofa, desk, drawers area) and I'll get the rest of the room! That's one way to learn to pack light (Been there, done that!).

(Update: Doesn't matter. Upgraded to a Cat. T.)

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

I think it'll be easier on the this 3 day - and I'm going to do my best to pack really light. I just don't know if I can pack JUST in a carry-on size or not. I do want to bring a bottle of wine and that would have to go in a carry-on, hence why I said maybe a small carry-on. Although of course we can get wine in the Concierge lounge at happy hour.

I guess I've always heard that if you check a bag in - you should have a carry-on just in case nothing arrives in time. But then again, dinner is cruise casual. I do like to dress up a bit though....

Either way, I'll try and keep things to a minimum and light.

 

[taswira]

True, but that's more of an issue for those with early dining. We always have Late Dining. If luggage isn't there in time for that, it probably didn't get on the ship - lol.

Also, in MY case, I nearly always wear nice black slacks and a nice top for boarding (and if it's cool enough even a blazer or pantsuit), so although it isn't a dress, it's still more than decent for the main dining rooms. The 3-night is far more casual than the 7-night . . for those who generally dress up like us.

Yes - This is coming from someone who spent about a week in Las Vegas at a reunion with dressy banquets and such, taking nothing more than a small purse and a carry-on that fit UNDER the seat on the plane, and never wearing the same thing twice! Go figure!

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

Methinks I need to take lessons from you....

 

[gomagic]

LOL - I've seen people lugging HUGE amounts to the embarkation lunch! And most of them were people who also CHECKED bags!

I know Holly will check her bag, so I may or may not. For 3 nights I only need my wheeled DCL carry-on, but I wouldn't want to check that one. I just hate to bring a larger bag when I don't need it. I am a light packer, even though I always "dress for dinner." If I were still going solo, I would definitely stick to carry-on only. Right now I am indecisive.

If carry-ons are left in the Concierge Lounge, are they immediately moved? I just wondered if people are still mulling around in and out of the lounge, with the bags there. Also, if I did do carry-on only and leave it in the lounge, should I go ahead and put the usual luggage tag on it that has the room number, or do they tag it somehow? Do very many guests in Concierge leave their carry-ons? In any case, if I take that bag it is definitely NOT going to lunch with me! I am not one to do that sort of thing.

With ours, I think it was moved right away even though the cabin was not ready. As we were leaving the concierge lounge for lunch, Jonathon, whom we had as concierge on the Magic but is now in a different role, told us to leave the bags there and he would make sure they went to our cabin right away. He told Julia, Thomas and Eddy which cabin the bags went to. We didn't have a DCL luggage tag on it. There isn't a whole lot of room in the lounge so I would imagine they move them out as quick as possible.

 

[taswira]

Thanks for the info!

 

[taswira]

I know Holly just posted this on our cruise meet thread - -

We have reserved a cabana for this sailing - family cabana #5 - supposedly reasonably close to the restrooms and Cookies Too.

Not sure if we will keep it or not, as Holly plans to get one on our 4/28/12 Fantasy. We'll decide later.

(UPDATE: We upgraded to a Cat. T & decided to spend time enjoying it and the verandah and the ship instead of spending the day in a cabana, so we canceled the cabana and #5 is released.)

 

[taswira]

Nothing ever stays the same.

Holly and I will now be in a Cat. T suite on this Dream cruise (as well as on the Fantasy in April). She is still bringing her Shellie Mae bear, and I have decided to bring my Duffy as well. He won't arrive with a wardrobe, only the clothes on his back - his sailor suit.

We are looking forward to this. We even plan to have a full breakfast in the suite at least one morning. After all, there is a dining table and four chairs - Two for us, two for the bears.

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

As long as the bears don't try to eat my Eggs Benedict, all will be well!

I'm so excited! Life is good.