Can someone explain concierge value to me?

[bakerworld]

We cannot see the point of concierge.

We have just finished our 5th cruise. Our 1st cruise I found the dinners so overwhelming that we stopped going. Our 2nd cruise we were more prepared for the attention level and, funnily enough, most of the couples at our table were from our area of PA. The 3rd and 4th cruise we asked and received an individual table seating. Our 5th cruise they couldn't accommodate an individual table seating however they sat us at a table for 6 which only one other couple came to dinner and they were very nice. Most of our cruises have been 3D and 4D Bahamas with one NE/C cruise. Every excursion or on-board experience was easily booked. In 5 cruises we've needed the CS desk once (now I can't even remember the reason) and we used room service every morning from the start.

 

[MomOTwins]

DCSWO, thank you - we are relatively late planners, almost never plan any vacations more than 6 months in advance, and often more like 3 months in advance, so it seems like we'll have to change our habits if we want to maximize value and options on a Disney cruise.

We tried booking earlier and ended up having to switch to a different cruise about 6 months ahead due to work. I think the cost of the 7-night cruise we ultimately booked for five people went up maybe $300 total by the 6 month mark compared to what it was on opening, so about $60 more per person than if we had known what date to book on day one. So not a huge difference considering the overall cruise cost. The more frustrating part was that we lost our main dining when we had to switch cruises, but that is a whole other story...

 

[Trera]

I'll bring up one more possible "value" related point which is the value of concierge on the older ships vs the newer. I haven't looked enough to see if there is a concierge price difference for the same category room on the same length cruise on older ships vs newer but it would be interesting to see.

On Magic/Wonder, there are 32 concierge staterooms scattered around deck 8. These ships weren't built with a concierge lounge but lounges were added later on deck 10. Depending on where your room is in relation to the lounge, you may have a bit of a walk. Also, I think the space-per-customer in these lounges is not as great as on the newer ships. Prior to the addition of the concierge lounge on the Magic/Wonder, I would not have considered sailing concierge on them. To me, the lounge makes that big a difference.

On Dream/Fantasy, there are 41 concierge staterooms that are located all together on deck 11 (12 rooms) and deck 12 (29 rooms). These ships were built with a concierge lounge and sundeck (deck 13), and the lounge is in the middle of the concierge rooms on deck 12. In some cases, you can walk out your stateroom door, cross the passageway, and walk right into the lounge. It is very convenient, especially during the evening open bar. At worst, you are one deck below the lounge.

Personally, I would put a little more value on a concierge room on Dream/Fantasy due to the layout and sundeck vs Magic/Wonder. I've sailed both and experienced an identical level of service from shore-side concierge CMs and the shipboard hosts so that not a factor in my opinion. We were even lucky enough to have Andy as a host on Dream and again later on Magic - an excellent and hilarious host - Energy, Energy, Energy!!!

I think the Wonder has the best and largest lounge of any of the ships. It actually has windows to the outside so you can look over the adult pool vs being trapped in a box like on the Dream class ships.

Also, we never mind a little walk to the lounge on the Wonder or Magic. It keeps us from letting our DD run to the lounge by herself but that is a minor thing.

 

[Trera]

I think this is correct. We always plan over a year out, no matter where we are going, so DCL works well for us.

While we have researched concierge, we have never sprung for it. We could technically afford it without chopping off a limb or whatever, but it really doesn't seem worth it to us. And we've never had real problems getting what we want, even on our first cruise -- we got some imperfect timing for things like a princess meet and greet, and maybe a second choice excursion (maaaybe, I don't remember), but nothing that impacted our overall enjoyment. I absolutely would have loved a suite for the extra room, but the $25k price difference we were looking at (spring break, SWDAS, 7 night) was pretty hard to justify. We also would never find a cabana worth it for the price -- sure, if a cabana was free, I'd enjoy it for a couple hours, but we aren't the type to just sit by the beach for hours on end, and we really aren't going to pay for the privilege. But for other people, of course, this is really really worth it. So no one can tell you if the value proposition is worth it for your family. But I will say that while concierge may guarantee access to things, we had tickets to everything we needed tickets to, private table at the dinner seating we wanted, excursions we wanted, and amazing service in our room, without worrying about any of it, as first and second time cruisers. So it's not like sailing non-concierge will guarantee you can't get what you want.

We find the cabana on the family beach is so worth it to us and we love to stay on the beach the entire day. Just the fact that we are on a very quiet and less crowded section of beach makes it awesome. Our DD loves the access to the water slide that is close by and it also includes the following:

float usage
snorkeling gear
stocked refrigerator
private hammock
in cabana music selections
place to escape sun and rain if you want to.
safe for valuables
quiet place to eat lunch
use of sand toys
unlimited sun screen
snacks and fruit plate
golf cart service to the shuttle
towels stocked in the cabana
cold towels to use in the refrigerator
shower to rinse off the sand as needed
changing area in the cabana
private restrooms separate from the ones by cookies two
Concierge service for any of your needs with the push of a button.

 

[jtntx34]

I relate concierge to booking a business or first class airline ticket on an international flight. You go to the same place and get there at the same time - you are paying for the difference in the level of service.

This is exactly what I was thinking. Since the TSA became a factor in air travel, I find travel more stressful than I used to. So, once I’m through security, I do not want to be in that long single file line down the center aisle shoulder to shoulder until I finally find my spot where I have to squish myself into a tiny seat. It’s not relaxing.

I love first class and am willing to pay the difference in price for the comfort and ease of mind. (But I only have to buy one ticket.)

 

[Tasmen]

I love first class and am willing to pay the difference in price for the comfort and ease of mind. (But I only have to buy one ticket.)

Same. When flying solo, I almost always go first class. When flying as a family, it's Comfort+ (we tend to fly Delta) or First Class. Less anxiety = a good thing