Concierge port lounges

[Jrnute]

Hi we are planning on a B2B out of Miami on the Magic and we have only done concierge out of Port Canaveral in the past. I am just looking for anyone's experiences of the concierge lounges at some of the other ports. I enjoyed the PC lounge as we got there early and having somewhere to sit out of the way was great. It could be larger as it does fill up quickly as the morning progresses but still better than being out in the main lobby.

 

[islandsnoopy]

Miami didn't have a concierge lounge just a separate seating area .The general waiting area in Miami is so much smaller than PC. Basically padded folding chairs in rows. Lots of folks sitting on the carpeted floor.

 

[KashasMom]

New York had two very small rooms connected. Sounds similar to how Miami was described. It was our first time as Concierge and it was pretty disappointing.

 

[Marc D]

We sailed one of the last cruise out of Miami before the shutdown. The Concierge area was only a roped-off area with folding chairs. The main purpose of the area is to quickly identify Concierge guests for early boarding. It does not offer any sort of upscale experience.

 

[jtntx34]

I am guessing Concierge in Galveston is basically the same as the other non-Port Canaveral lounges?

 

[John VN]

............................It does not offer any sort of upscale experience.

Have been in PC DCL's Concierge and can confirm that the "experience" was less magical than other lines.

 

[ScooterScott44]

Even the PC concierge lounge is pretty sparse compared to a few other home ports of other cruise lines. At any non-home port expect even less from DCL or other lines.

We didn’t even notice them at Copenhagen or Dover but we pretty much just boarded the ship. That is the bonus about sailing concierge that I would stress - minimize port time and use early boarding. Unless you are upgrading at the port you really should be able to arrive at the port pretty close to boarding. The concierge lines tend to be a little easier to navigate so you can almost make the port a walk-thru experience rather than a sit and wait. Board and enjoy concierge lunch or the lounge right away.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

We sailed one of the last cruise out of Miami before the shutdown. The Concierge area was only a roped-off area with folding chairs. The main purpose of the area is to quickly identify Concierge guests for early boarding. It does not offer any sort of upscale experience.

This was our experience of the Alaska concierge "lounge." It was more like a small holding pen we sat in until we boarded. Since concierge boards first, we weren't there for very long.

 

[T & R]

When we were in Miami, DCL was using some other cruise line's terminal, so that might be why the concierge lounge was non existent. Not sure if that's still the case, I thought I heard DCL was going to work out some kind of permanent terminal in MIA.

 

[John VN]

Even the PC concierge lounge is pretty sparse compared to a few other home ports of other cruise lines. At any non-home port expect even less from DCL or other lines.

We didn’t even notice them at Copenhagen or Dover but we pretty much just boarded the ship. That is the bonus about sailing concierge that I would stress - minimize port time and use early boarding. Unless you are upgrading at the port you really should be able to arrive at the port pretty close to boarding. The concierge lines tend to be a little easier to navigate so you can almost make the port a walk-thru experience rather than a sit and wait. Board and enjoy concierge lunch or the lounge right away.

We sailed one of the last cruise out of Miami before the shutdown. The Concierge area was only a roped-off area with folding chairs. The main purpose of the area is to quickly identify Concierge guests for early boarding. It does not offer any sort of upscale experience.

This was our experience of the Alaska concierge "lounge." It was more like a small holding pen we sat in until we boarded. Since concierge boards first, we weren't there for very long.

Our Port Canaveral DCL Concierge experience --- we walked to the special entrance and was checked-in and sat down. Boarded ship with first time being met by CM and brought to Concierge Lounge for discussion with CM plus food/drinks but 2nd time NOTHING. Pricing for 7 day 10/2021 Western $8,000

Our Port Canaveral Royal Sky Class experience --- we walked to separated check-in and then sat down in roped area. Boarded ship first. Pricing for 7 day 10/2021 Western $5,800 MORE and perks than DCL

Our Port Miami MSC Yacht Club experience (will have PC in future)--- we met at separate area outside and was escorted to separate check-in and sat down. Was met by employee for check-in with Champagne, bottled water and eats available. Escorted to ship then to elevator then to Yacht Club Lounge and YC Experience explained PLUS food and drinks available. Had 24 hour Butler Better perks than Royal with MSC's Ship on a Ship restaurant, lounge, bars, outside Grill, pool and hot tubs and outside lounge area. Pricing for 7 day Western 10/2021 $4,700

 

[KashasMom]

Our Port Canaveral DCL Concierge experience --- we walked to the special entrance and was checked-in and sat down. Boarded ship with first time being met by CM and brought to Concierge Lounge for discussion with CM plus food/drinks but 2nd time NOTHING. Pricing for 7 day 10/2021 Western $8,000

Our Port Canaveral Royal Sky Class experience --- we walked to separated check-in and then sat down in roped area. Boarded ship first. Pricing for 7 day 10/2021 Western $5,800 MORE and perks than DCL

Our Port Miami MSC Yacht Club experience (will have PC in future)--- we met at separate area outside and was escorted to separate check-in and sat down. Was met by employee for check-in with Champagne, bottled water and eats available. Escorted to ship then to elevator then to Yacht Club Lounge and YC Experience explained PLUS food and drinks available. Had 24 hour Butler Better perks than Royal with MSC's Ship on a Ship restaurant, lounge, bars, outside Grill, pool and hot tubs and outside lounge area. Pricing for 7 day Western 10/2021 $4,700

Some of the MSC ships look great but I just haven't felt comfortable to book with them yet. RC Oasis class are our favorites. I like things like seats reserved at shows and a private pool. The private pool would be top of my list. We liked the Concierge Lounge on the Magic but didn't go to CC so no cabana needed, didn't use them for excursions or dining reservations, etc. The biggest thing for us was the extra space in the room. We're paying quite a bit more than $8,000 for a 8/28/2021 Western - a lot more actually (for 3).

 

[undertheradar]

Except for a "roped off" seating area, DCL offers no presail perks at the ports. refreshments would be a nice addition.

 

[DCLDVC1]

Except for a "roped off" seating area, DCL offers no presail perks at the ports. refreshments would be a nice addition.

Something as simple as a bottle of water would be nice.

 

[John VN]

Some of the MSC ships look great but I just haven't felt comfortable to book with them yet. RC Oasis class are our favorites. I like things like seats reserved at shows and a private pool. The private pool would be top of my list. We liked the Concierge Lounge on the Magic but didn't go to CC so no cabana needed, didn't use them for excursions or dining reservations, etc. The biggest thing for us was the extra space in the room. We're paying quite a bit more than $8,000 for a 8/28/2021 Western - a lot more actually (for 3).

We've done 2 DCL Concierge 1 BR and really enjoyed the space BUT after last experience and the $$$$/cruise just can not justify the expenditure. Our initial MSC was on Seaside and the experience was OUTSTANDING albeit the cabin was OK but nothing outstanding. Met another cruiser who had just sailed a Haven category on Norwegian and she felt Yacht Club was superior. Have done Oasis Sea and Sky Class and again no comparison to YC. Would imagine STAR Class would be better than YC but again can not justify the extra $$$. We have a Seaside out of PC and a Meraviglia out of Miami right now and thinking about a Davina out of PC.

 

[allashore]

Except for a "roped off" seating area, DCL offers no presail perks at the ports. refreshments would be a nice addition.

would be nice to have a separate line for security, similar to airports where they take priority bookings and then can also take people from the regular line. Now it does not matter what time you get to port you are all in the same security line at PC

 

[auntlynne]

“Crowe confirmed that, aside from work that has been deferred with approval from both sides, Terminal 8 will be done by April 6, 2021. Deferred work on the concierge lounge and new baggage screening area is expected to be done by fall of 2021.“ - DCLfan, August 26, 2020.

Maybe they will create an actual Concierge Lounge, not just a little seating area. And they wouldn’t have to share check-in with us Platinums.

 

[nmoody1]

Its q shame cruise lines haven't gone down the route of airlines with the concierge lounges. Your experience really should start off on a high

 

[ScooterScott44]

“Crowe confirmed that, aside from work that has been deferred with approval from both sides, Terminal 8 will be done by April 6, 2021. Deferred work on the concierge lounge and new baggage screening area is expected to be done by fall of 2021.“ - DCLfan, August 26, 2020.

Maybe they will create an actual Concierge Lounge, not just a little seating area. And they wouldn’t have to share check-in with us Platinums.

We were nearby and drove by the port on Friday to get a pic of the Wonder, while there I have a few pics of the progress on the terminal construction. It doesn’t look like much at the moment.

Back to the topic, I would disagree about investing too much into a lounge in the port. Having done a Star Class on Royal, I say invest in a process to get concierge through the port/boarding process and not waiting. I would rather get on the ship and/or to my room As opposed to having a lounge, bottle of water and a pastry in the port.

Yes the concierge rooms are ready before other and that is great. An expedited security line, streamlined check-in or other items would go a long way. Disney fans love the queueing up but if they could break that habit with concierge it would really set the experience apart.

 

[daedelus]

We've sailed out of PC, Miami, Galveston, San Diego and San Juan PR. Only PC has a "lounge." Everywhere else it was a roped off section of folding chairs or seats. Honestly, the best perk is getting on the ship first!

In PR, we were back to back, so we got on even before Concierge. But that terminal is so awful that the less time there the better!