Concierge Experience 12/20-27

[Ginny]

We recently returned from our 4th cruise with DCL. Our last cruise was approximately 2 years ago (Halloween 02). We could not have been happier with the service, attention or thoughtfulness of our Concierge Team. From Debbie (landlocked at DCL in Florida) to Sonja and Nathalie aboard the Magic, we found everything to be superb.

New enhancements from our last cruise were a Priority Check-In-Line for Concierge (next to Castaway Club Member Check In), a separate waiting area and priority boarding. Also, tender access through the Concierge (no tickets required) and in-stateroom continental dining on the morning of disembarkation, if desired (we desired and enjoyed the ease). Lastly, we had a special request on Christmas Night (we ordered Champagne for our neighbors at the last minute) and Nathalie never batted an eye. She took care of everything.

We pre-booked a DIS meet for Monday morning through Debbie in October: a Palo's brunch for 17 people and all the arrangements were perfect. Again, our original number was 14 in October but we upped it and it was no problem. Sonja double checked to make sure everything was in order. She didn't have to go to such trouble but did so and then called back to confirm so the little worrier (me) could relax a bit!!

The daily treats were nice and separate little notes and games for our children were great.

Many of these special touches may have been in place for a long time but we have not cruised in 2 years and we thought, from our experience, that Sonja and Nathalie had really taken Concierge to a different level. I just wanted to share in case anyone had questions.

 

[DMOMof3]

Thanks for the post, we will be cruising Cat 3 in a few weeks, can't wait!

 

[Dreamer04]

DMOMof3

We're in a cat 3 also-on the same cruise! I'm looking forward to the extra space and privacy.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by Ginny
Lastly, we had a special request on Christmas Night (we ordered Champagne for our neighbors at the last minute) and Nathalie never batted an eye. She took care of everything.

Ooooh! Remind me to book next door to you next time!

So glad you had a nice time! Welcome home!

Do you have another booked yet?

 

[tinkfan]

Thanks for posting your report. We will be in a Cat.3 next Christmas on the 10 day cruise. I can't wait! Did concierge contact you prior to boarding? There has been some discussion on wether they do this or not. Also did you have a Christmas tree in your cabin? I am wondering if there is enough room for a small one. It will be so fun planning this cruise all year!!

 

[cotomom]

Thanks so much for posting your report! We go NEXT Saturday and I'm just doing some finishing touches to my "plan"

Just a couple of questions for you. Feel free to PM me if you'd rather...

When was the concierge cocktail party?

If you did the Tea w/ Wendy, when was it?

How about hair braiding ressies? Besides on Castaway Cay, were there options onboard and if so, do you remember when?

Did you have any trouble getting spa ressies for the times you wanted? I did so last time, as they had already "opened" up booking upstairs and concierge didn't have the exact time frame already blocked off. Now I'm worried that maybe I should go straight to spa instead of concierge meeting.

All for now.... TIA!

 

[Ginny]

Sorry to delay in responding and apologize for the long read but want to make sure everyone's lovely replies and questions are addressed so here goes:

Melody - You are on!! I will notify you when we reserve the stateroom. And, yes, we rebooked but into a fantasy date that resembles the highest seasonal rates until the rest of 2005 dates are posted. The "rebooking deal" on board was simply too good to pass up! When we cruise again, it will cost us about $1400.00 less than this past cruise that we booked in 8/01!! We book them about 2 years apart (so we can pay off one and save for the next one!)

Tinkfan and cotomom (I hope you don't mind if I combine your questions) - I was not contacted by Concierge prior to sailing but love having the pre-board service available and think DCL is wise to keep it going. I have never received a letter (as many have) but have always called ahead. I contacted them myself 45 days prior to boarding and pre-booked the DIS meet at Palo's. I also called back closer to the sail date and requested my dining rotation (APLA on the Western this time, PLAP on the Eastern on our last cruise). You can also pre-book your other PALO ressies but we opted to pass on PALO except for the Brunch this time. Debbie is very, very good and so nice.

They have wisely modified the Concierge meeting in Sessions to begin when boarding begins. So, we utilized priority boarding and went straight to Sessions. There were already about 3 families ahead of us. I had my usual "obsessive-compulsive" schedule designed in an Excel spreadsheet and so pulled that out to make ressies. DH got all the Spa times as requested and they were on "At Sea" days! Sonja also secured our tickets for Tea w/Wendy and offered us High Tea tickets but we declined. For me, Tea w/ Wendy was a bit of a disappointment this time. The actual show portion lasted all of maybe 10 minutes and then it was standing in line for pictures. Perhaps this was a fluke but last time there was much more interaction with Wendy and time to enjoy your "tea and biscuit."

"Santa" was also able to magically arrange Hair Braiding ressies for DD with the Concierge staff at Sesssions which was one of her Christmas presents from him. You can have it done on board but we were pleased that "Santa" didn't schedule her appt until after Christmas at Castaway Cay so that her formal pics weren't in braids. The actual braiding of a half head took all of 30 minutes and she loves them. They have stayed in for a week by following directions (which means Erin holds the braids while Mom puts conditioner on the hair that isn't braided). You could have them done on board but I didn't ask for that info - I'm sorry, cotomom!!

The Concierge Reception was held on Sunday about 11AM (Key West arrival at 1230) on Deck 10 and was very nice although it was a very blustery day. We passed on the Castaway Cay party this time.

We had pre-booked excursions through the excursion line just like most DIS members do right at the 60 day mark but we double checked everything and all was in order. One of our friends had a difficult experience and found upon arrival that none of his excursions on his request fax were made so, although we called and got our written confirmation, we wanted to make sure all was in order.

Also new was that we could place Erin (DD) into the Oceaneers Club which made that so much easier. One caveat, they don't load the Concierge info into the computer (because they are two decks below at Sessions for the meeting) so don't waste your time going to Oceaneers Club to get the nametags until you drop your children off the first time that evening.

Tinkfan:
DECORATIONS - Just as an FYI - All the DIS members sailing with us did lots of decorations. The Suction Cups with the little hooks and long extension cords are a must for any decorative lights around the windows or your verandah. We forgot them so we had to forgo our lights. There is just no other way to string them without chancing harm to the stateroom or verandah. We ordered a pre-lit Teleflora Tabletop tree and a separate fresh cut centerpiece from Shirley at the Perfect Gift and she did an exquisite job. The fresh centerpiece lasted the entire 7 days. We placed them on the little entry way cabinet under the mirror as you enter the CAT 3. I know Grumpy's Mom and jgalecpa used duct tape to secure their trees to their tables and then were able to remove it without leaving a mark but we lucked out and the seas were calm enough so it was never an issue (because once again, this space cadet forgot it). We packed inexpensive green and red decorative garland from the party store and laid it across pictures to make the room more festive. I also did a magnet for the front door (which really made it easier to find our room) and decorated the handrails on either side of our stateroom and hung a decorative foil Christmas trees from "the fish" note holder. The decorations packed easily and we left them all there because we needed the space. Hope this helps!!

GINGERBREAD HOUSES - One of the special Christmas Activities that was scheduled was the Gingerbread House design. As soon as they announced you could sign up for this, I ran to Guest Services and signed up our family. This was truly one of the highlights of our cruise and we took our Gngerbread House back to the Stateroom and it was my favorite decoration. DH, DD and I had a wonderful time building our house and decorating it. It will always be one of my favorite memories of the cruise. The had pre-made gingerbread house kits and then two pastry chefs came out and "taught" you how to put your house together and made suggestions for decorating it. Tinkfan, if you are interested, I hope you are able to get on the ressie list - it really made it seem more like Christmas!

I hope the info above helps and that everyone has as wonderful a cruise as we did!! Take care -

Ginny

 

[cotomom]

Thank you Ginny for taking the time and effort to reply to us all!

 

[tinkfan]

Ginny,
Thanks for all the great information! I willl have to be on the look out for the suction cups with hooks for the lights!! I also plan on contacting Shirley for some things as well. Hope they offer the gingerbread houses next year too.

 

[ThomS]

Ginny,
What number are you using to call them in advance? I am still waiting to see if I get the letter, but am getting a little close and want to ensure certain reservations happen.

Thom