Back from first time on Dream - Edge, Concierge - happy to answer questions

[erosenst]

Just got home from our first DCL cruise (4 day on the Dream). I learned a ton from here before we went, and am hoping to pay it forward.

Although there was so much information here, there was less on Concierge and Edge (the tween club) than many other things. Our thoughts on those:

* Concierge
- We were in a 1 BR suite. We did concierge primarily for the space of this room - DD and DH don't do well (ahem!) in a 'regular' hotel room, and I didn't want 4 days of them arguing over space . Having said that - it was very very nice to have that extra space, and I loved the veranda and spent a lot of time there. The room was relatively spacious, especially for a ship. Having said that - there was somewhat less storage than I would have thought. There were three closets - but one had no hanging, one had a small pullout rod, and one had 'divided' hanging (room for some short and some long - but 1/3 of the long was taken up by robes). There were nice sized drawers under the bed, and a bit more storage in the bathroom, so it wasn't an issue - but still less than I would have thought. There was nowhere logical to keep suitcases- we used the space by the table for the that and it was fine.

- The boarding process was awesome - we had minimal lines for passport check and check-in. We had a brief wait with a number of other families. We ended up being literally the first family to board the ship. After a brief stop in the concierge lounge we found out that our room was ready; shortly after our luggage arrived. All of this was really good for our anxiety prone DD(12) .... and DH .

- DH especially really liked the concierge lounge and team -they helped him when he had internet issues (and didn't want me to help him...) and he liked spending time there when he woke earlyand DD and I were still sleeping.

*Edge
- DD can be reserved in new situations, but went in hoping to make friends and did. It made the trip for her. Having said that - the 3 of us went there the first afternoon. The counselors were by the door - but just asked if she had her key to world so they could sticker it. No welcome. No introductions. Nothing. I was actually surprised DD went back after that. Similar on Castaway Cay day - she stopped by where Edge was supposed to be 4 times. Two times there was no one there; two times there were counselors sitting in a lounge chair (no kids) who didn't move when she approached. Not awesome.

Happy to answer questions about this, or any other questions I can help with!!

 

[TestingH2O]

Your DH sounds like mine in terms of tech help. He usually waits until I'm in bed to finally ask me for help.

Who was the concierge team? Did they happen to mention any staffing changes coming up soon?

Based on previous reviews regarding lack of drawer space in particular, I have some collapsible bins for the closet floors. I never considered we might not have enough hanging space! I'm right in thinking there are drawers in the bedroom, right?

Thanks for the updates and I'm glad you had a good trip!

 

[erosenst]

Your DH sounds like mine in terms of tech help. He usually waits until I'm in bed to finally ask me for help.

Who was the concierge team? Did they happen to mention any staffing changes coming up soon?

Based on previous reviews regarding lack of drawer space in particular, I have some collapsible bins for the closet floors. I never considered we might not have enough hanging space! I'm right in thinking there are drawers in the bedroom, right?

Thanks for the updates and I'm glad you had a good trip!

I don't think we're alone on the DH thing!!

The concierge team was Tracey, Angeline and Ashley. Danny is the fourth and on vacation now. They each work 4 months on and 2 off so you'll have 3 of those 4.

Should have counted the hangers. Guessing 15 in total? It was few enough/cramped enough that I just hung a few things and didn't hang the rest. The only drawers were the four under bed ones, plus 4 shallow/narrow ones in the bathroom. There were two cabinets (one under each sink) in the bathroom as well. I could fit a packing cube on one shelf and my cosmetic bag on another. DH used a small shelf meant to hold toiletries for his clean underwear!

 

[jlemieu1]

There was nowhere logical to keep suitcases- we used the space by the table for the that and it was fine.

I'm so glad you enjoyed your 1br suite. We love that cabin. We always stored our suitcases under the master bed.

 

[micknme]

Loved your write-up on the one bedroom. Thanks so much.

My question is, we have a third member coming with us and while DH and I will have the bedroom, is there a decent bed for the 3rd person who is 21 and 6 feet tall?
I really don't want to book the adjoining cabin for our DS if I don't have to.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[TestingH2O]

So wait, are there drawers under the bed or luggage storage?

 

[erosenst]

We may have missed it...but I looked pretty carefully and only saw drawers under the bed. The way they worked, I'm pretty sure they precluded luggage storage.

DH and I had the bed; DD12 used the couch, but is small enough she didn't even want it pulled out. I'm *guessing* your son would fit when it's pulled out - it appeared to be a double and is billed as sleeping two. There's also a pulldown bed that I'm guessing has the same length but less width.

 

[micknme]

We may have missed it...but I looked pretty carefully and only saw drawers under the bed. The way they worked, I'm pretty sure they precluded luggage storage.

DH and I had the bed; DD12 used the couch, but is small enough she didn't even want it pulled out. I'm *guessing* your son would fit when it's pulled out - it appeared to be a double and is billed as sleeping two. There's also a pulldown bed that I'm guessing has the same length but less width.

Thanks so much. Good to know he has a choice for where he wants to sleep. Plus we won't have to book the adjoining room

 

[firsttimemom]

Could you tell me what your dining rotation was? I've been seeing 2 different rotation schedules for the 4night and wondered what the most recent configuration was. Thanks! And glad you had a great cruise!

 

[erosenst]

Could you tell me what your dining rotation was? I've been seeing 2 different rotation schedules for the 4night and wondered what the most recent configuration was. Thanks! And glad you had a great cruise!

We had RAEE (Royal Palace, Animators Palate, Enchanted Garden). Pirate night was the third night. Optional dress up was the second night.

 

[jlemieu1]

So wait, are there drawers under the bed or luggage storage?

Sorry. No drawers. The bed is on 4 legs and we always rolled at least 2 large roller suitcases. This best picture I could find.

 

[firsttimemom]

Sorry. No drawers. The bed is on 4 legs and we always rolled at least 2 large roller suitcases. This best picture I could find.

We were in 12512 in February and had drawers under the bed. We were able to nest 2 of the bags and put them in the bigger closet.

 

[erosenst]

Wow - they much have changed recently. Definitely drawers with no space - more like a platform bed.

And yes, could have put bags in the walk-in closet but we had a pop-up hamper for dirty clothes in there already. By the 'far side' of the table worked out well for mine; DD and DH put theirs by the 'wall bed/desk' and it...worked. (They didn't unpack at all so had them flat, not 'ends-up'.)

 

[OhioWDWDuo]

Welcome back and glad that you had a great trip! Thanks for offering to answer questions. Did you rent a cabana on CC? How far out did shoreside concierge contact you? We are cruising concierge for the first time and not quite sure what to expect as far as communication. Thank you!!!

 

[erosenst]

Yes, we did rent a cabana. Pretty sure shoreside contacted us 5 days before we could submit requests. We had an email ready to go and submitted it at midnight on the "right" day. I think cabana rental is the only hard thing to get as concierge.

 

[nandm92574]

So we just got back not too long ago on the Magic and had the same issues with the Edge counselors. Completely disengaged. My DD (12) really shy and was excited for ice breaker games and they cancelled most of them. She was really disappointed but continued to go back. Most times I came they were playing video games and the counselors were hanging out Really disappointed. Going on the Dream in August and hoping it will be different.

 

[jlemieu1]

We were in 12512 in February and had drawers under the bed. We were able to nest 2 of the bags and put them in the bigger closet.

Wow, I have never seen the drawers in my 3 times in Cat T. on the Dream and Fantasy(x2). I guess it is time to go on another cruise to check out the new drawers Thanks for the info

 

[erosenst]

We were in 12012. Wonder if different on port and starboard??

 

[DCLDVC1]

There was nowhere logical to keep suitcases- we used the space by the table for the that and it was fine.

That's my only complaint about the Category T suites on the Dream. I'd rather have it open for storage like on the Magic.

 

[GreyStr0ke]

So glad to hear that Ashley, Angeline, and Tracey were all the concierge hosts. Loved each of them last May and look forward to seeing them again. Thanks for the report!