Ask Concierge to book or do it myself?

[Marthasor]

We will be in a concierge stateroom on one of the Europe sailings this summer and our 120 day-prior booking date is coming up in a few weeks. I know I can send concierge my requests at 125 days out, but I'm wondering if I should just do our Palo, spa and excursion reservations myself? I've asked shoreside concierge some questions already regarding dining and spa times and shore excursions and they haven't been very helpful (hoping this isn't a sign of things to come on the ship). If I do book myself, can I do it at 12:01 am at 120 days? Or do the bookings open at a different time? I would appreciate any feedback on booking reservations through concierge vs. booking yourself. Thanks!

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Ask shoreside concierge to do it.

(1) to avoid hassle.
(2) you get a head start on Platinum cruisers also booking at 120 days, yours will be in.
(3) avoid forgetting or computer issues on the website or your end.

Online opens at 00.00 that minute is important.

If you have some concerns check at 00.00 and they should all be showing there online.

Be specific to the shoreside concierge, you have paid a lot for this service they should do it.

Unlike thinks like Cabanas I can't see anything selling out at 120 days only say best times for Palo.

 

[PhillyCruiser]

Definitely let the Concierge do it. It's a fantastic 'perk' of sailing Concierge! (Plus, less stuff for YOU to do!) I sent an email to Shoreside Concierge at 125 days out requesting everything we wanted (Cabana on CC, Palo dinner/Brunch, etc). They were very helpful & I didn't have to fight to stay awake until 00.00! Got an email confirming my requests and another email at 120 days stating that my requests were confirmed. Checked our reservation on the DCL website to make sure: Yep! Confirmed! If you find one Concierge unhelpful, ask for another to help. "Happy Cruising"!

 

[bumbershoot]

I just do it myself. Why outsource? Of course I'm on pacific time so I book at 9pm not midnight. (I don't see a location for you op, so if you aren't on eastern time know that it's midnight eastern)

If I'd left my cabana booking in October up to concierge I wouldn't have gotten it. They didn't get my email until the morning after my 120 day mark. Got it when I forwarded it with a note saying "nevermind that I had done it on my own". I was up, I saw nothing being reserved for me, I saw a cabana and a palo spot so I got them. Have since learned that there's an autoresponse when you send your 125 day email, so if you don't get that, they haven't gotten your email.

 

[phinz]

You're paying for Concierge. Let them do it. And don't send an email to them at the 121 day mark. Do it at 125 days at midnight. In addition, call them. They will call you as well. Why bother doing it yourself if you're paying all that money for them to do it?

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

You're paying for Concierge. Let them do it. And don't send an email to them at the 121 day mark. Do it at 125 days at midnight. In addition, call them. They will call you as well. Why bother doing it yourself if you're paying all that money for them to do it?

Agree, clicks the " like" button.

 

[Dug720]

You're paying for Concierge. Let them do it. And don't send an email to them at the 121 day mark. Do it at 125 days at midnight. In addition, call them. They will call you as well. Why bother doing it yourself if you're paying all that money for them to do it?

From Bumbershoot's description, they DID email at the 125 day mark. For whatever glitch it didn't get there. Glitches happen even with email.

 

[Marthasor]

Thanks everyone! I'm glad to hear, for the most part, sending requests to concierge was successful. Here's my plan: 1) send requests at 12:00 am at my 125 day mark, 2) call at 8:30 am on my 125 day mark to make sure they got the e-mail (I'll check for that e-mail auto response too!), 3) go online at midnight at my 120 mark to see what's there! Maybe that's overkill, but I won't be able to sleep on the 120 mark anyway - I'll be too excited!

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Thanks everyone! I'm glad to hear, for the most part, sending requests to concierge was successful. Here's my plan: 1) send requests at 12:00 am at my 125 day mark, 2) call at 8:30 am on my 125 day mark to make sure they got the e-mail (I'll check for that e-mail auto response too!), 3) go online at midnight at my 120 mark to see what's there! Maybe that's overkill, but I won't be able to sleep on the 120 mark anyway - I'll be too excited!

Belt and braces, all covered.

 

[bumbershoot]

From Bumbershoot's description, they DID email at the 125 day mark. For whatever glitch it didn't get there. Glitches happen even with email.

I think it was 124 because I forgot at 125, but they only saw my email once I forwarded it. They didn't get the original.

I did nothing wrong. Their system glitched. (Disney's systems glitching? I'm shocked and stunned! ha ha ha ha) I'm glad I was up and could get things on my own. So were they. They really wanted to help me with anything else, but since I'd done it on my own I had nothing for them to do.

I don't book concierge for what they can do for me. I think it's silly to write an email saying "do these things" when in the same amount of time I can do them on my own.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

I think it was 124 because I forgot at 125, but they only saw my email once I forwarded it. They didn't get the original.

I did nothing wrong. Their system glitched. (Disney's systems glitching? I'm shocked and stunned! ha ha ha ha) I'm glad I was up and could get things on my own. So were they. They really wanted to help me with anything else, but since I'd done it on my own I had nothing for them to do.

I don't book concierge for what they can do for me. I think it's silly to write an email saying "do these things" when in the same amount of time I can do them on my own.

Whilst understand that, (1) you have paid for that service, (2) Platinum cruisers can book at 00.00 at 120 days whilst you could have had your selections chosen and booked before they can if you email.

 

[RHSTigerMom]

Thanks everyone! I'm glad to hear, for the most part, sending requests to concierge was successful. Here's my plan: 1) send requests at 12:00 am at my 125 day mark, 2) call at 8:30 am on my 125 day mark to make sure they got the e-mail (I'll check for that e-mail auto response too!), 3) go online at midnight at my 120 mark to see what's there! Maybe that's overkill, but I won't be able to sleep on the 120 mark anyway - I'll be too excited!

That's really overkill.
I got a phone call from shoreside at 130 days
Sent them an email at 125 days around 9:00 a.m.
Received an auto-reply w/in the hour
Received a follow-up email from them later the same day with add'l questions
Answered questions & received another auto-reply, then a 'real-person' reply thanking me.
Around 10:00 a.m. on the 120 day mark, I received an email saying all my requests were filled.

Easy-peasy.

 

[Tami0220]

I do all my contact with Concierge by telephone. I have heard many people say there was a problem/glitch with their email. I fell more comfortable speaking "voice to voice". Guess I'm old school. But yes, I let them do everything and I am on Pacific time too. So it is only 9 pm here. It was just easier for them to do it. Less for me to worry about.

 

[phinz]

From Bumbershoot's description, they DID email at the 125 day mark. For whatever glitch it didn't get there. Glitches happen even with email.

Did I say they don't? I just said don't wait until the last minute. It had nothing to do with Bumbershoot, or anybody else's, past issues. Get your requests in first (most email programs will let you schedule emails to send) so you get what you want.

 

[phinz]

I got a phone call from shoreside at 130 day.

When was this? You used to be able to make requests at 150 days out for the 120 day mark, but now it's 125. If you were before the change in policy then they were actually late calling you.

 

[wajones2]

They did a trial of 150 days but went back to 125 days. I think it went back in late spring or early summer 2014.

 

[PhillyCruiser]

You're paying for Concierge. Let them do it.... Why bother doing it yourself if you're paying all that money for them to do it?

Amen!

Sent them an email at 125 days around 9:00 a.m.
Received an auto-reply w/in the hour
Received a follow-up email from them later the same day with add'l questions
Answered questions & received another auto-reply, then a 'real-person' reply thanking me.
Around 10:00 a.m. on the 120 day mark, I received an email saying all my requests were filled.

Easy-peasy.

Exactly my experience! To quote my DS: "Easy-peasy, lemon-squeezy"!

 

[ITGirl50]

Definitely let the Concierge do it. It's a fantastic 'perk' of sailing Concierge! (Plus, less stuff for YOU to do!) I sent an email to Shoreside Concierge at 125 days out requesting everything we wanted (Cabana on CC, Palo dinner/Brunch, etc). They were very helpful & I didn't have to fight to stay awake until 00.00! Got an email confirming my requests and another email at 120 days stating that my requests were confirmed. Checked our reservation on the DCL website to make sure: Yep! Confirmed! If you find one Concierge unhelpful, ask for another to help. "Happy Cruising"!

We are sailing concierge for the first time in June. 120 days out is February 13. I haven’t gotten an email from concierge on how to pre-book. When should I get it so I can email my requests early?

 

[Marthasor]

We are sailing concierge for the first time in June. 120 days out is February 13. I haven’t gotten an email from concierge on how to pre-book. When should I get it so I can email my requests early?

I was told they would e-mail at 130 days out and you can make your requests, via e-mail, as early as 12:01 am on your 125 day mark.

If you want to call or e-mail to confirm, here is the info: 1-407-566-8119, 1-866-784-1654 or dcl.concierge.services@disneycruise.com

 

[PhillyCruiser]

We are sailing concierge for the first time in June. 120 days out is February 13. I haven’t gotten an email from concierge on how to pre-book. When should I get it so I can email my requests early?

I didn't get an email but did get a phone call from Shoreside Concierge prior to 125, but I can't remember if it was at 130 days out or not. I sent an email at 00:00 at 125 days out (and sent it again at 12:02 a.m. for good measure...). I got a reply by 7:00 a.m. confirming our seating time, our dining rotation & acknowledging receipt of our requests. At 120 days, all requests were confirmed on the DCL website.