Concierge First-Timer - Weirdly Specific Questions

[MomOTwins]

So we recently rebooked our May cruise to August, and then realized today that if we switched from a 4-night to a 3-night, we would be sailing on our family's birth-i-versary dates (DH's 40th birthday, my birthday, and our 11th wedding anniversary--three days in a row), and we could sail concierge for the same price as the family oceanview room we rebooked. We've sailed 3-nights before and don't think it is too short, and we could really use something special to lift our spirits at the moment, so we took the plunge! This is not something we'd normally do, so probably a one-off for us... but because our funds are all tied up in cruise credit anyway we figured we might as well. We even got a deck 12 bump out room (12010) which I couldn't believe was still available

I've tried to research what I can, I still have some unanswered questions, which I am hoping to turn over to you lovely folks:

1. I am hoping for a family cabana since this will probably be our only concierge cruise, so I know I have to send that email at the stroke of midnight, 125 days out. Is there anything else i can do to boost my chances? For example, would having it be my only request make it more likely, or is it just luck as to which emails get through to concierge first when everyone clicks send at midnight?

2. For activities where the day/time varies by cruise, how can I know what would work well with our schedule? For example, I wouldn't want to do a drink tasting right after a champagne brunch! Should I just wait and book the rest of the stuff at 120 days when I can see it myself online? Or can concierge supply times in advance?

3. I've read people in concierge often get private MDR tables, but is that because they request them, or is that the default? I enjoy having table mates--so would be a bit sad if we didn't get any.

4. Does the concierge sun deck have set hours? I often find my sleep hours are a bit irregular when traveling, and I'll either rise super early, or be up late unable to sleep, and it seems like it'd be a lovely place to sit for a bit if it is open. I know we have a verandah, but don't really want to climb over sleeping kids to get to it.

5. Can you request in the email to the concierge team a length-of-cruise rainforest pass? I'm just nervous about them selling out before I can get one on embarkation day, and would be nice if we could reserve one in advance.

6. For those of your that have requested tables or certain areas of the dining room, what did you request? We have had some lousy tables--e.g. one right up against the server station where there is noisy clanking all around and servers constantly rushing past; another one wedged in a corner where we had to squeeze around chairs to get out. But we don't know how to phrase the request for a "good" table.

7. I've read that during certain happy hour time periods, the concierge lounge has beer, wine and cocktails. But what do they mean by cocktails? It is just basic spirits plus a mixer (e.g. rum and coke), or can they do more complex cocktails like a manhattan or a chocolate martini?

8. What are your favorite things to eat at the concierge embarkation lunch?

***Squeaks*** I'm so excited!!!! This was a bucket list item for me so I am going to enjoy every second of our three day cruise.

 

[pangyal]

First of all, congratulations on setting yourself up to wanting to book only concierge from here on out- lol! And please enjoy “our” stateroom as we have always stayed in either 12508 or 12510. In my opinion, you cannot beat them. Had a chance to upgrade to a 1BD for a great price on a B2B in February and decided not to as it was not on the bumpout! I’m excited that I get to live vicariously through you for a bit while I answer these.

I believe that I can help with most of your questions:

1.) You can request as much as you wish, it really does only come down to how many guests want a cabana and when your email goes through.

2.) Shoreside has the schedules in advance, give them a call (or they will call you) BEFORE you have to send In your email, so you will know what is offered and when.

3.) Private tables are default.

4.) The sun deck hours match those of the concierge lounge.

5.) This I don’t know but ask Shoreside before you send in your email.

6.) We have only requested a specific table once and it was because it was a booth at EG and also in front of the screen at AP. My advice is to verbalize in your email which rotation you want and what is most important in a table, if anything. I can tell you that they will not put you smushed up against a server station when assigning a concierge table (unless you request a specific server).

7.) They can do drinks such as some martinis and probably a Manhattan. They might not be able to on the first day, but by the second they would probably source the ingredients needed for a chocolate martini for you.

8.) The lobster salad, every time! And unlimited Prosecco. LOL

Have a wonderful time planning this exciting trip!

 

[MomOTwins]

Wow. Thanks for such a thorough response right off the bat! So glad to see such a positive review on the bump out room. It looked lovely in photos but nice to hear it is a good room in person.

And oooooh, unlimited prosecco at embarkation lunch?!? I figured it would be one “free” glass like at palo. This girl is in trouble!

I wonder if I would be a weirdo to request table mates. We have always been matched with a family with a kid around my kids’ age and they enjoyed having a friend at the table while DH and I have met some wonderful people (don’t get me wrong—love my kids, but we will have family meals in the parks portion of our trip and it is a nice change of pace to have some adult conversation on the ship).

I like your idea of requesting a spot near the screens in AP. We have always been in the middle of the room so never had a chance to talk to Crush.

My one regret is that I just realized my door magnets won’t work. Oh well, you can’t have it all.

 

[bumbershoot]

3. I've read people in concierge often get private MDR tables, but is that because they request them, or is that the default? I enjoy having table mates--so would be a bit sad if we didn't get any.

default.
You can tell them you don’t want a private table. We had terrific tablemates when we did that. The only tablemates that my son wanted a picture with their son.

What are your favorite things to eat at the concierge embarkation lunch?

Both times for us everything was meat and gelatin-based desserts, so...nothing since we are cegetarian.

My one regret is that I just realized my door magnets won’t work.

You can get super-strong extra magnets, but why? The doors are lovely on their own.

 

[MomOTwins]

default.
You can tell them you don’t want a private table. We had terrific tablemates when we did that. The only tablemates that my son wanted a picture with their son.



Both times for us everything was meat and gelatin-based desserts, so...nothing since we are cegetarian.



You can get super-strong extra magnets, but why? The doors are lovely on their own.

That’s awful about your lunch! Usually Disney is so good about veggie/vegan options. Sorry that happened.

I am glad we can request table mates!

For the stateroom door I have a big Cinderella castle with tinkerbell and some other characters I keep adding to—so too much work to recreate from scratch with stronger magnets. My kids love our “castle door” and I like knowing they can always find the room if they get lost. But yeah, not a big deal in the big scheme of things.

 

[o&smom]

That’s awful about your lunch! Usually Disney is so good about veggie/vegan options. Sorry that happened.

I am glad we can request table mates!

For the stateroom door I have a big Cinderella castle with tinkerbell and some other characters I keep adding to—so too much work to recreate from scratch with stronger magnets. My kids love our “castle door” and I like knowing they can always find the room if they get lost. But yeah, not a big deal in the big scheme of things.

Will magnets stick on the inside of the door so you and your family can enjoy your castle? We will also be in a bump out on deck 12 for our very first time (and probably last) as concierge in April on the Fantasy. We got a great price due to our offer from sailing on the WBPC cruise. We are precelebrating our DS’s HS graduation. My husband just wanted to save more money on the room we already had. The rest of us voted to experience concierge for only $1000 more than Deluxe Family ocean view. Thanks for asking such specific questions. We will probably request tablemates as well. Enjoy you celebrations!

 

[DCLDVC1]

That’s awful about your lunch! Usually Disney is so good about veggie/vegan options. Sorry that happened.

I am glad we can request table mates!

For the stateroom door I have a big Cinderella castle with tinkerbell and some other characters I keep adding to—so too much work to recreate from scratch with stronger magnets. My kids love our “castle door” and I like knowing they can always find the room if they get lost. But yeah, not a big deal in the big scheme of things.

Add some neodymium magnets to the back of your castle and it will stick like glue.

 

[MomOTwins]

Will magnets stick on the inside of the door so you and your family can enjoy your castle? We will also be in a bump out on deck 12 for our very first time (and probably last) as concierge in April on the Fantasy. We got a great price due to our offer from sailing on the WBPC cruise. We are precelebrating our DS’s HS graduation. My husband just wanted to save more money on the room we already had. The rest of us voted to experience concierge for only $1000 more than Deluxe Family ocean view. Thanks for asking such specific questions. We will probably request tablemates as well. Enjoy you celebrations!

From the photos it looked like the inside of the door had the same wood coating as the outside but maybe the bathroom or connecting room door would work so good idea!

I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of rebookers are trying out concierge for the first time. Nice to have a silver lining to look forward to on this whole experience. We only got 100% FCC, but are rebooking for a cheaper time of year (hurricane season) which allowed us to upgrade. And if we do end up getting the 25% bonus when our former cruise is cancelled, that’ll cover a cabana and other extras. Hope you enjoy your cruise too!

 

[DCLDVC1]

Will magnets stick on the inside of the door so you and your family can enjoy your castle? We will also be in a bump out on deck 12 for our very first time (and probably last) as concierge in April on the Fantasy. We got a great price due to our offer from sailing on the WBPC cruise. We are precelebrating our DS’s HS graduation. My husband just wanted to save more money on the room we already had. The rest of us voted to experience concierge for only $1000 more than Deluxe Family ocean view. Thanks for asking such specific questions. We will probably request tablemates as well. Enjoy you celebrations!

Regular magnets will work on the interior. Only $1000 more for concierge is a steal.

 

[DCLDVC1]

5) A CM from Senses will be in the Concierge Lounge on embarkation day to assist you.

 

[pangyal]

Oh! There is also a kids’ club CM in the lounge on embarkation day during the welcome meeting time so you can register and get magic bands if necessary instead of going to Oceaneers.

Unlimited Champagne during that meeting and every night too...in case you prefer French bubbly over Italian .

 

[Doofenshmirtz513]

5. Can you request in the email to the concierge team a length-of-cruise rainforest pass? I'm just nervous about them selling out before I can get one on embarkation day, and would be nice if we could reserve one in advance.

As someone else said, there will be a person from Senses to handle the rainforest pass and any other spa activities you want to schedule. So long as you talk to that person in your embarkation meeting, I would say there is a 0% chance you don't get the length-of-cruise pass.

 

[MomOTwins]

5) A CM from Senses will be in the Concierge Lounge on embarkation day to assist you.

As someone else said, there will be a person from Senses to handle the rainforest pass and any other spa activities you want to schedule. So long as you talk to that person in your embarkation meeting, I would say there is a 0% chance you don't get the length-of-cruise pass.

Ooh, thanks! That sounds great!

Oh! There is also a kids’ club CM in the lounge on embarkation day during the welcome meeting time so you can register and get magic bands if necessary instead of going to Oceaneers.

Wow! I had no idea, but it really sounds like they bring everything to you in concierge. Gosh I am going to get spoiled.

With early boarding and all the help setting stuff up, I am starting to think we won't miss having a 4-night at all because it will be like we get an extra day anyway, as compared to our normal experience where the first day is spent rushing around from place to place on embarkation day to sign up for stuff, and before I know it, it's muster drill time and then dinner.

 

[DCLDVC1]

Oh! There is also a kids’ club CM in the lounge on embarkation day during the welcome meeting time so you can register and get magic bands if necessary instead of going to Oceaneers.

The CM at the Concierge/Platinum check-in desk can also register the kids and give them their Magic Bands.

 

[DCLDVC1]

Ooh, thanks! That sounds great!

Wow! I had no idea, but it really sounds like they bring everything to you in concierge. Gosh I am going to get spoiled.

With early boarding and all the help setting stuff up, I am starting to think we won't miss having a 4-night at all because it will be like we get an extra day anyway, as compared to our normal experience where the first day is spent rushing around from place to place on embarkation day to sign up for stuff, and before I know it, it's muster drill time and then dinner.

The Concierge Hosts will be able to take care of everything for you. You'll never want to go to Guest Services again!

 

[MomOTwins]

The Concierge Hosts will be able to take care of everything for you. You'll never want to go to Guest Services again!

 

[Disneyfamforsure]

We have also stayed in that room and it is awesome! The extra room on the veranda is a huge bonus and like others have said you will not have to worry about anything because the hosts will handle everything for you. You truly get to just enjoy your vacation with no lines or hassles. Totally ruins you for non-concierge so just be prepared. Have a great trip!

 

[FSU Girl]

Chocolate martinis are my drink of choice and although the lounge tried to make it for me, it wasn’t as good as a real one from a bar so I stopped ordering them. I did have a really good sea breeze. They wanted me to be happy with a drink and made me a few to try to see what I’d like.

A good table location is most likely given, we’ve never had a bad one in concierge. I also noticed when we went for lunch in a MDR the paper they’d hand the servers said VIP on it and we were given good tables then too. I’m assuming that was for concierge, but it was also our honeymoon so not sure if that factored in.

I hope the world goes back to normal by August so you’ll be able to sail, if it doesn’t and you have to reschedule I would recommend still going for the concierge experience it’s a great way to sail and perfect for a vacation after all the insanity in the world right now

 

[MomOTwins]

Chocolate martinis are my drink of choice and although the lounge tried to make it for me, it wasn’t as good as a real one from a bar so I stopped ordering them. I did have a really good sea breeze. They wanted me to be happy with a drink and made me a few to try to see what I’d like.

A good table location is most likely given, we’ve never had a bad one in concierge. I also noticed when we went for lunch in a MDR the paper they’d hand the servers said VIP on it and we were given good tables then too. I’m assuming that was for concierge, but it was also our honeymoon so not sure if that factored in.

I hope the world goes back to normal by August so you’ll be able to sail, if it doesn’t and you have to reschedule I would recommend still going for the concierge experience it’s a great way to sail and perfect for a vacation after all the insanity in the world right now

Nothing says "I'm on vacation" to me like a chocolate martini--the toblerontini (chocolate and honey) drink they have at the little bar/cafe overlooking the atrium on deck 4 of the Dream is heaven! Maybe I'll pick something a little simpler to order at the concierge lounge. I'm happy with a standard gin martini too. I'm just excited they can do actual mixed cocktails in the lounge.

I do really really really hope we can sail in August. But yeah, I think we've gotten ourselves so excited now that if it does get cancelled, we'll try find another concierge sailing to go on around the same price, even if that means we have to go at an odd time of year. If I am able to get a cabana and then they cancel the trip through I think my heart will break!

 

[bumbershoot]

5) A CM from Senses will be in the Concierge Lounge on embarkation day to assist you.

There is also a kids’ club CM in the lounge on embarkation day during the welcome meeting time so you can register and get magic bands if necessary instead of going to Oceaneers.

Interesting. We never saw such people in the lounge.

But it has been awhile since our concierge cruises (the prices rose so high so fast that we couldn’t do it again, but didn’t matter, I liked non-concierge *almost* more than concierge, so no worries), so maybe it’s a newer thing.