Attention introverts, I have a question!

[MsOnceUponATime]

As an extrovert, I need your thoughts!

Would sailing concierge level on DCL persuade you to participate on a cruise that you otherwise would likely not want to attend due to the crowds/number of people on cruises?

My husband is an introvert and has enjoyed the "introvert" part of cruising DCL (in the room on the balcony, eating room service, watching TV or movies, etc.), but I haven't been able to convince him to go on another because of well... all of the people... My thought is that if we cruised concierge his exposure to the masses could be limited which would make the cruise more enjoyable for him. Thoughts?

 

[Dug720]

Honestly unless he plans to not leave the cabin at all, he is still going to be exposed to people.

 

[Geomom]

I consider myself an introvert...but more of the 'I don't want attention brought to me' type--so I don't mind being 'part' of a crowd...I don't want to be the one on stage talking to the crowd! I wouldn't like concierge...I think it would be too much attention centered on me by the concierge staff. (We're DVC members...we have a hard enough time getting used to the stateroom host coming in 2x/day...we're used to 1 day of trash/towel service, lol.)

Maybe look for a cruise that would have fewer families--during the school sessions or one of the longer cruises?

 

[Rob1872]

You can stay on your verandah and eat room service just as well in a normal cabin as a concierge cabin. You add a few concierge only areas, but considering that I've seen a lot of comments about room selection where people say, "who cares about an inside cabin since you are only going to sleep in it", I don't personally see a cruise where I don't leave the cabin as a perk. If you still want to do Disney, go to a Disney World resort and enjoy the resort ammenities during the day while everyone else is at the parks.

 

[FSU Girl]

Unless you get the Walt Disney suite on Fantasy/Dream (they have a huge balcony with their own hot tub) there will be very little to do without crowds that you wouldn't get with a normal cabin. I think it would still be unpleasant for him because there are still crowds in the lounge during peak times. The sun deck will have less people, but won't have a view of the ocean and no pool.

 

[pezgirlroy]

We were on the Fantasy in April. It was very crowded. We traveled with my parents. We were in Concierge. My mother does not do great with crowds. She spent a fair amount of time on her veranda but the Concierge Lounge was great for her because it was a place of respite for her if needed. We felt the same way and we do not have issues with crowds.

 

[mmmears]

No. Too much attention. And more people in a small lounge. Honestly, you could book a cruise during a less popular time and do better. Also consider the classic ships. The Dream felt much more crowded to me than the Magic and the Wonder, and the same with Castaway Cay if you're going there. Although, in all honesty, if a person wants solitude a Disney cruise is really not the best place to find it.

 

[allashore]

YES definitely! we cruised Concierge this past summer 1st time, but our 5th Disney Cruise.
I remember saying to our family that it seemed like a diff type of cruise, more laid back
I don't necessarily want to meet new people, and make small talk. Don't care to sit in the adult only pool area.
DH is the opposite, he will and can converse with anyone.
Spoke with the concierge host a little, didn't need anything from them since we booked everything ahead of time, our four kids do their own thing and do not need to be entertained.
the concierge deck where there is only a hot tub, was hardly used on our 11 night southern on the Fantasy. Always could get a big comfy lounge chair, without being soooooo close to people. Never needed to be concerned about where I could sit, or if my family was there b/f or after me would there be enough seats.
Sometimes we were the only ones on that deck area.
Nice being able to grab a drink, or keep fridge stocked. Get coffee, water, etc. If the alcohol is a draw the bartender was awesome. Asked for a specific vodka and by the next day it was there.
It's convenient for your DH to grab some food from lounge, also close to food by pool area, burgers, pizza, wraps, fruit, etc. on the Fantasy.
We did eat in the MDR, Cabanas one night, Palo, saw the shows, movies, did some trivia, cooking demonstrations, etc
Only had host order room service once, for my one child who was not old enough to eat a Palo. Then he was off with friends
For room service I believe you can order from any of the MDR menus. Not sure, since they asked my son what he would like and the time he would like it.
Just felt a lot less crowded, when you could come back to a lounge or deck that wasn't as populated.
Actually wish the indoor lounge area stayed open later
On one excursion where we rented a private van service thru DCL, the host took us off the boat to meet the driver.
Our four teenagers enjoyed it too, but also liked participating in their normal kids activities, or hanging by the pools watching movies
However, with all this I would still sail non-concierge if that meant cruising again.

Any more specific questions???

 

[cruiser21]

As an extrovert, I need your thoughts!

Would sailing concierge level on DCL persuade you to participate on a cruise that you otherwise would likely not want to attend due to the crowds/number of people on cruises?

My husband is an introvert and has enjoyed the "introvert" part of cruising DCL (in the room on the balcony, eating room service, watching TV or movies, etc.), but I haven't been able to convince him to go on another because of well... all of the people... My thought is that if we cruised concierge his exposure to the masses could be limited which would make the cruise more enjoyable for him. Thoughts?

There are extroverts that don't like "all the people". You can be an introvert and still not mind being around tons of people. Are you sure that's the reason he doesn't want to cruise? I don't really see that as introvert/extrovert issue.

 

[bethy]

I'm a very strong introvert but very social one also. The regular stateroom host and the dinner servers are about the max I can enjoy. I would not want the extra attention of concierge hosts. I love cruising though, when I can just blend in and plug in to what I want to. And then escape to my room. I would not cruise without a balcony for this reason.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Yes, I'm kind of an introvert (but love Disney) and my DH is definitely an introvert and NOT a Disney fan. We only sail concierge on DCL. You are guaranteed a private table in the MDR's and, if interested, the concierge staff can get you your choice of dining times at Palo and Remy. If requested precisely when your window opens, you are also pretty much guaranteed a cabana at CC. I feel most of the adult-only spaces on DCL aren't as crowded as the main pool and other family activity areas. My DH won't attend the shows in the evening and came to the main pool with us once on our last cruise, but he did enjoy sitting on the sun deck (we were on the Fantasy) and reading, sitting in the hot tub, etc. You will also bypass crowds on embarkation and disembarkation day as you get a private escort on and off the ship. DCL is definitely not his favorite cruise line, but he enjoys it if I can keep the chaos to a minimum.

 

[Jess_S]

I haven't sailed concierge on DCL, but have on other lines. MY DH, who is not a fan of crowds, specifically asked if I had booked us on concierge for our next cruise because he liked having the low crowds public areas to retreat to on other lines. (Sadly, I wasn't willing to pay the extra on DCL since it is already a premium price just to get on the ship). So I think concierge does help make cruising more relaxing for those who need significant amounts of time away from others.

 

[Sunshine2U]

I don't think your definition of Introvert is applies to a lot of us. It sounds like your husband simply does not like crowds, or talking to strangers? Look at MSC Yacht Club - especially on the newer ships. There is a dedicated lounge (really large), restaurant, pool deck and bar. The staff is trained well so they will not interfere. It's a sharp contrast to the crowded shows, parties and restaurants on DCL - which this introvert loves.

 

[Minnie & Daisy]

It sounds like you have figured out a good solution to your dilemma, especially since you may be the one who wants to sail DCL. Make sure that you are the one who deals with the concierge staff, so that he won't have to. I agree with others who suggest one of the classic ships, the Wonder or the Magic, which are smaller ships. And, if he chooses to just eat in the room, I believe that food can be ordered off of any of the dining room menus, not just the room service menu, which equates to more food choices. The concierge verandahs are also larger, allowing for the feeling of being all alone, instead of on a ship filled with guests.

 

[cadien]

I'm a very strong introvert but very social one also. The regular stateroom host and the dinner servers are about the max I can enjoy. I would not want the extra attention of concierge hosts. I love cruising though, when I can just blend in and plug in to what I want to. And then escape to my room. I would not cruise without a balcony for this reason.

This. We did Haven on NCL and the constant attention from our butler and the concierge made us uncomfortable. Random strangers walking by and ignoring us were much less of an issue, no matter how many of them there were.

My in-laws always sail Haven because my father-in-law really doesn't ever leave the cabin (health issues) and they need the extra flexibility that comes with concierge equivalent. Like getting room service from all the restaurants.

 

[aggiedog]

I'm like your husband, and the biggest draw, by far, of our MSC concierge (Yacht Club) cruise was the lounge. Having someplace quieter, less crowded, was a god-send. So yes, concierge may make him happy, assuming the DCL lounge is the same.

 

[ScooterScott44]

While I am not a true introvert, I am usually a little quieter and DW is really an introvert. We have done plenty of cruises and a few in concierge. Concierge really works for us and her especially.

Things in concierge are a little quieter overall. Yes, the lounge can get busy at times but for the most part it is not bad. The hosts usually will adapt to you so if you don’t want or need a lot of attention they will just say hi and ask if everything is ok. As mentioned you can usually get a private table in the MDR if you want and in room dining for the Cat T and R. There is enough to snack on at breakfast and thought the day in the lounge that you can even avoid the buffet during the day. The sun deck is usually pretty empty except for the occasional afternoon soirée.

Only you can determine if it is right for you but it is definitely a more relaxed, quieter atmosphere.

 

[cruiser21]

As an extrovert, I need your thoughts!

Would sailing concierge level on DCL persuade you to participate on a cruise that you otherwise would likely not want to attend due to the crowds/number of people on cruises?

My husband is an introvert and has enjoyed the "introvert" part of cruising DCL (in the room on the balcony, eating room service, watching TV or movies, etc.), but I haven't been able to convince him to go on another because of well... all of the people... My thought is that if we cruised concierge his exposure to the masses could be limited which would make the cruise more enjoyable for him. Thoughts?

What is the extrovert part of cruising? The only person you have to talk to on a cruise in a bartender or waiter to place an order. Other then that there is zero socializing with strangers required on a cruise. In concierge you might actually be required to interact with more people because it’s more intimate.
I don’t consider myself either an extrovert or introvert. I think most of us are a little of both depending on the situation.
You know your dh best if really wants solitude a cruise may not be the best option. Maybe an all inclusive resort would be better.

 

[undertheradar]

All depends upon which ship you intend to sail on. The classics have lounges, but not the hot tub on the sun deck. The dream class ships are bigger and have been much more active. My preference is a 7 night, or longer, on the classic ships. Concierge service has been very good and the relaxed atmosphere of the lounge is a plus for our family.

 

[smadath]

I'm an introvert. I agree with PP that the extra attention from concierge would make me uncomfortable. The thing that would upset me most about a cruise is the possibility of being seated with others in the MDRs. If I could be assured of being seated only with those I was cruising with, I could deal with everything else.