Cabin 8516??

[MOMMYOF5]

Anyone stayed here before? Can you elaborate on the Concierge services? Is it rough? How convenient? This was a big splurge for us and I don't have alot of information about our accomodations. I didn't know that it would be difficult to get Palo or spa reservations--can the concierge help with that?
Also, nursery reservations-- are they hard to get? Last time they limited the number of times/hours you could use. I had twins that were 2.5 and it was challenging. This time, though, I have a 1 year old not walking (hopefully still crawling!) and I'm concerned about not getting a night out!!
ANy advice would be helpful!!

Leaving on the Wonder 9/19/04

Thanks,
Kay

 

[DVC4US]

Hi Kay,

We have not stayed in 8516, but we were in 8030 in April and we have stayed in a Cat 3 before. Here are some of the concierge services you will receive. If you do a search for concierge you might come up with some more information. You will have a seperate line for check-in(at the far end of the terminal), and concierge guests do not have to wait in the line to board. You will wait by the sofas at the far end of the terminal and you will board first along with the handicap. Once on board you can meet with your concierge team and set up all of your reservations(Palo, spa, kids clubs & and anything else needing a reservation). I can not help with the nursery because I do not have ones that young, but maybe someone else can help you with that one. I would be surprised if you cannot make a reservation for the nursery through the concierge team. The concierge team will stock your cool box and they will check on you every afternoon or evening. You will also receive a plate of goodies every evening. We have really appreciated the concierge teams and if there is anything you need while on board you can just ask them.

As a side note - being in a suite you can pick your dinning rotation and make Palo reservations ahead of time. If you have not received a letter from DCL with a number to call I would call the main guest services number and explain that you are in a suite on a upcoming voyage and you would like to speak to someone regarding your dinning rotation and Palo reservations. They might tell you to just wait till you get on board(and that is fine), but if you want a specific rotation just be persistent.

HTH and have a great cruise.

LeiLani

 

[Ginny]

Kay -

8516 -

You can relax...........completely! You will have an incredible time and 8516 is simply beautiful. We stayed in 8516 on the Magic for our 7-day Halloween Cruise in 2001 and had such an incredible cruise. The stateroom is awesome and you have a verandah that goes on forever!!

As you walk in the front door, there is a small table on your right. Then, also, on your right is the second bedroom. It can be configured into two twins or push the twins together. I believe there are also drop down bunks but we never used them so the ceiling is a bit lower. That room has a great full bath with large combo tub/shower and a walk-in closet. Also, a small built in dresser with about 4 or 5 little drawers.

As you continue down the entry hall, you have lots of closet space on your left and, then, a powder room which has enough counter space for an adult woman to get ready for dinner with hair and makeup supplies.

Then, you walk into the great room which has a living area, table for 6 and a little mini-bar area with counter space. You also have your TV and sound system. The entire back end of the suite is the master bedroom (another TV), dressing area, jacuzzi tub and dual sink area and then you reach the toilet and shower room.

Again, there is lots of storage space, room for small children to play on the floor or have quiet time with coloring books.

You are directly above the clubs so they are easily accessible. Our DD was 7 on that trip so I don't know about Flounder's Reef. We really liked the location.

CONCIERGE -

All guests are allowed to pre-book excursions up to 60 days before the cruise (it may be 90 days). And, as a concierge guest, you are able to pre-arrange your dining rotation, make Palo ressies (including special dinners or brunch), etc when you speak with Debbie at Guest Services. There is a private concierge guest phone number. She is simply delightful and I will PM the phone number.

Once you board, they will tell you when the Concierge meeting will be held. I would arrive about 15 minutes earlier than the designated time with all of your wishes. They will do their best to work with you in coordinating your Spa times. Make sure you confirm any other pre-arrangements made (Palo, excursions, etc)

Hope this helps a bit!

 

[eander5696]

Ive not been in this room, I just wanted to say that Ill be in 8512 for the 10-2 cruise, and from the posts here and the feedback Ive gotten, it is a simply gorgeous part of the ship, quiet, and spacious. We should have a great time!

 

[justmestace]

We were in 8516 on our only two Disney cruises so far. It really spoils you.
The first time we were in that room, it was a last minute upgrade, so I had no idea how to make arrangements with concierge. We had been booked in a Cat 3 suite, but I never got any letters or phone calls ahead of time.
The second time, we checked in at the separate line, and I made a point of asking them at check-in when and where was the meeting the first day with concierge. It was at 1:00 in the Cadillac Lounge (Sessions on the Magic).
We made spa and hair appointments, Palo reservations, kids' club reservations and we could have done shore excursions, but we had done these in advance. If I hadn't been able to get the shore excursions I had wanted ahead of time (for example, not getting to go on an excursion at the time I wanted) I would have been able to have concierge get me the time & excursion that I wanted, as they hold some back for this purpose.
When we had the room the first time, my DD slept on the bed in the 2nd bedroom as it was already made up as a queen. (I didn't know that they could make it into two twins....hadn't been on these boards yet!) And my DS slept in the "bunk" bed that came down from the ceiling in that room. They had plenty of space, and since there are 3 TV's in the stateroom, there were no arguments over what to watch on TV. There are some games in one of the closets in the living room also.
On the second cruise, I asked in advance (just through the regular DCL reservation line) to have the beds made as two twins. DS would have preferred the bunk bed again, but I found it easier to not have it down.
Sometimes concierge experiences can differ. We never had to ask for more sodas or water on the first cruise. It was "magically" replenished. And the team was checking on us at least once a day.
On the second cruise I never (and I do mean never) saw the concierege team, except when we went to the receptions they held. I couldn't have told you their names, nor would I have recognized them if I had seen them on the ship.
After we had drank the original sodas & water that were in the room the first day, I called concierge and asked for more, and I was told that I would have to pay for them! I said "No thanks" and went to Preludes (by the Walt Disney Theater) and bought our own. If you bought two, or three (or whatever it was) you got the next one free....and they were ice cold, so they stayed cold in the cooler (refriderator) in the room!
We really didn't mind not having the concierge check in on us.....the soda thing bugged us...but having that room more than made up for it.
It is an amazing room....and it definitely does spoil you!
You will have an awesome time. Just don't be afraid to call ahead and ask for what you want...you are paying plenty for it.

 

[TootyJane]

Originally posted by DVC4US
....As a side note - being in a suite you can pick your dinning rotation and make Palo reservations ahead of time. If you have not received a letter from DCL with a number to call I would call the main guest services number and explain that you are in a suite on a upcoming voyage and you would like to speak to someone regarding your dinning rotation and Palo reservations. They might tell you to just wait till you get on board(and that is fine), but if you want a specific rotation just be persistent.

We have cruised three times in Cat. 2 and never received any letter from DCL. I only learned after our second cruise that we could call and make Palo reservations before the actual cruise which I did. Don't go through guest services, call Debbie directly. She is so nice. FYI, you cannot pick your dining rotation -- you can only request one. HTH