Category 3 & Concierge????

[MLAinVA]

We're considering a DCL trip next Spring and need to know what the concierge services attached to a category 3 suite (8548) really are. I know that the room size accounts for most of the cost difference, but what are the other benefits that account for the extra cost? Is the embarkation and disembarkation process easier or quicker? Is there a concierge lounge like at the Disney hotels?

We need to book the reservation today if we are going to do it, but so far the info I've found has been somewhat vague and I'd really like to know whether it is really worth it. We are two adults with no children traveling with us.

Anybody???? Thanks in advance.

 

[DisCrazzy]

We stayed in a cat 3 two years ago. They rooom was great. Your right, you are really paying for the extra space. You do get 6 cans of soda in your frig (any more, you have to pay). You get goodies left in your room everyday. Like fruit trays, cookies, cheese & crackers. They book any excurtions & Palo for you. (which you can now do for yourself right online) With our excurtion, we did not have to wait in line to get off the ship. We went right to the front of the line. Our kids did travel with us, and they got free arcade cards a few times. But thats about it. There is no concierge lounge or anything. They do have a get together with all of the concierge guests.

When we traveled without the kids, we just booked a cat 4. Saved the money and used it for other things. I hope this helps.

Jennifer

 

[mickey minder]

There is a special check-in line at the terminal and you can wait in an area in the front. Conciege guests board after those with special needs, so you don't have to wait in the long line. We also got a nice lithograph at the end of the cruise. They arranged our on board activities, like the bridge tour. You can order room service from the resturants (except Palo) and you can get breakfast in your room on the last day. You have a CD player and a VCR and can order tapes and music. You can request a dinner rotation in advance. Just call the wonderful Debbie and she will take care of everything. The perks were very nice. We booked another cat 3 for our trip in January. The room was wonderful.

 

[MLAinVA]

Thanks for your responses, mickey minder and DisCrazy.

I think we'll go ahead and splurge and enjoy the perks, such ad they are. Are the deck chairs on the veranda chaise lounges? We considered getting the land/sea package, but as AP holders, decided we'd be crazy to do so since that package comes with 7 day park hopper passes that we don't need, and they can't be priced out of the package. Pretty carzy IMHO. So instead of coming back to the GF after our cruise, we'll be checking into the Shades of Green.

Again, thanks for helping me out.

 

[Dreamer04]

Yes there are chaise lounges on the verandahs of the suites.

If you book your spa and Palo ressies ahead of time, like everyone else, there are times when the slots are blocked out. Here is when your concierge team can help. Onboard, there will be a concerge meet. You can make spa, Palo, kids club and shore excursion reservations.

The next day, you will be handed your schedule for the rest of your cruise.

You can also request DVD to watch in your room. And you can order room service from the resturaunt that you would have dined in that evening. For example, if it is Monday and you wold have been dining in Animators Palate, then you can order your dinner to your room, instead.

EAch evening your concierge team will call to check in and make sure all is well.

We loved the cat 3 suites. You will, too.

 

[RonnieJo66]

Hi!
We stayed in 8548 2 cruises ago. We weren't crazy about the layout of that particular room (as we have a "Dis" party in our room every year...didn't have a whole lot of open space for people) but it was nice. We have since become spoiled and have stayed in The Roy O Disney Suite and (this up-coming October) we will be in The Walt Disney Suite. Me likey them much better

You'll enjoy yourself I'm certain.....happy cruising

Hugs,

RonnieJo

 

[MLAinVA]

Thanks to all of you who answered. I made our ressie today. Now the wait begins. April 30 is a long time from now!

BTW, we booked through DU.

 

[outahere]

Just to let you know, we stayed in 8048 and we had a lot of noise from deck 9 (especially the night of the deck party). If possible, the cat 3 cabins further forward (8032, 8034, 8532 and 8534) are supposed to be quieter and I would suggest looking into changing cabins. If nothing is currently available, they do keep a list of people wanting to switch suites.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Are the deck chairs on the veranda chaise lounges?

We've stayed in 2 different layouts of the category 3's. One was the same as your assigned stateroom and there was not a chaise lounger on the verandah. When we stayed in one of the mid-ship design rooms, we not only had a lounge chair, but much more length on the verandah. It had 3 sliding doors onto it instead of the 2.

 

[Billinaz]

We have stayed in a Cat 3 room twice and have it reserved again.

We were told that we could not get breakfast served in our room for the last day.....

There is a special check-in line at the terminal and you can wait in an area in the front. Conciege guests board after those with special needs, so you don't have to wait in the long line. We also got a nice lithograph at the end of the cruise. They arranged our on board activities, like the bridge tour. You can order room service from the resturants (except Palo) and you can get breakfast in your room on the last day. You have a CD player and a VCR and can order tapes and music. You can request a dinner rotation in advance. Just call the wonderful Debbie and she will take care of everything. The perks were very nice. We booked another cat 3 for our trip in January. The room was wonderful.

 

[TammiMcMan]

We were told that we could not get breakfast served in our room for the last day.....

We had the option of having a hot breakfast delivered each day except for the last day. On disembarking day, we could only have the continental breakfast delivered to our suite.

 

[rcostello1]

8548 was a great place to stay for 2 weeks.......

Should have some pics somewhere...have to find them. PM me if you need any specific details.

 

[MLAinVA]

rcostello, 2 WEEKS! How great would that be? I hope you find those pictures.

BTW we live in Norhtern VA, too.

 

[Mickey&Co]

Hi! I just returned from a cruise were we had a cat 4 stateroom. I got a chance to see a cat 3 and loved all of the additional space. When I check on the DCL website I never see cat 3's. Are they only available if you fax a request in advance?

Please advise...I would love to get a cat 3 for our next cruise.

Thanks!
M&Co

 

[TammiMcMan]

When I check on the DCL website I never see cat 3's. Are they only available if you fax a request in advance?

Please advise...I would love to get a cat 3 for our next cruise.

If DCL has not released the dates you're looking for, then you can fax a request to inventory control. Otherwise, you need to call them directly or go through a travel agent. We got our cat 3 both times through Dreams Unlimited, a few months before we sailed.

Tammi

 

[sweetsue]

Hi! I just returned from a cruise were we had a cat 4 stateroom. I got a chance to see a cat 3 and loved all of the additional space. When I check on the DCL website I never see cat 3's. Are they only available if you fax a request in advance?

Please advise...I would love to get a cat 3 for our next cruise.

Thanks!
M&Co

The Cat 1, 2 and 3s are never listed on the website, even if available. You'll either need to call DCL or your TA.

 

[joshua121301]

I thought that you could order Room Service from any of the restaurants. And if so, what are the hours that you can order. In other words, can you order dinner from Room Service at 5:00PM and see the early show afterwards?

 

[Mickey&Co]

Thank you TammiMcMan & Sweetsue for your responses. I am looking for a date in 2007, so I will fax my request to inventory control. I can't wait!!!

M&Co

 

[rcostello1]

I thought that you could order Room Service from any of the restaurants. And if so, what are the hours that you can order. In other words, can you order dinner from Room Service at 5:00PM and see the early show afterwards?

You can order breakfast, lunch, or dinner from the regular dining rooms and have it brought to your room. We did this for breakfast and lunch but not for dinner. You do have to order during normal dining times (when the restaurant is open). For dinner I don't remember if you have to order from your restaurant rotation for that night or not.

They do have all the menus for all restaurants/nights in the cabin. Even for the 14-night cruise, we had all bazillion menus in the book. Made it great for planning what we would eat in the coming days for that cruise.