Concierge Questions From A 1st Cruiser!

[StaceyDarling!]

Hello everyone! My fiance Steven and I are going on our very 1st Disney (actually, any kind) of cruise this November, after a split stay at Walt Disney World for our honeymoon! We are doing a 3-night cruise to the Bahamas, as we have never cruised before, we decided to start off small. We are in a one-bedroom concierge on the Disney Dream.

Sorry, I seem to be quite unsure when it comes to cruises, although I am a Disney World encyclopedia, so not knowing every detail of how to plan our cruise, coupled with the fact it's our honeymoon and I'm feeling the pressure to make it relaxing, but memorable, has me stressing to say the least! LOL I'm going to try and bold my questions for easy skimming.

From my understanding, when you are concierge you are able to make your dining reservations and requests at 120 out like the platinum members.... is that correct? We REALLY want a cabana.... and I know those are comeptitive to get. We honestly don't care which beach we get. Although I've heard Family Beach is more private as to where people can put there chairs in front of your cabanas.... is that true? I mean, we will obviously get on with our lives if we don't get one but it's literally THE ONLY THING we care about making sure we get and do on this cruise.

Other questions would be.....

1. Is the cruise line going to email me to remind me/inform me of how and when I can make these reservations/requests? Is there an email I can use to ask them about concierge requests?

2. What type of excursions would you suggest? I'm really interested in Atlantis, but as I am unsure about a lot of the cruising aspects, I'm not sure if that excursion is available to us on our itinerary.

3. I think we want to do Palo Brunch.... anyone have other dining suggestions? We love brunch, and I've heard amazing things about this.

4. Also, I understand dinner is on the rotational dining schedule, but how does eating breakfast and lunch on board go? Those meals are also include in the cruise fare, correct? Do you need to make those reservations, or is it just walk up dining?

Sorry for all the questions, but I am trying to get my ducks in a row! Also, if you have any other hints, tips, tricks or suggestion I would be so appreciative! Thank you so much everyone for your input!!

 

[Floridatinaherb]

when you are concierge you are able to make your dining reservations and requests at 120 out like the platinum members.... is that correct? We REALLY want a cabana.... and I know those are comeptitive to get. We honestly don't care which beach we get. Although I've heard Family Beach is more private as to where people can put there chairs in front of your cabanas.... is that true? I mean, we will obviously get on with our lives if we don't get one but it's literally THE ONLY THING we care about making sure we get and do on this cruise.

For concierge you send your requested bookings to Onshore services at 125 days and when the booking window opens up. They book everything for you. The Cabanas on the Family Beach have their own private beach area where only cabana guests can swim. The Serenity Bay cabanas do not have a private beach, but the adult side is rarely crowded from my experiences. We have done Cabanas on both beaches, I prefer the family one, since I don't feel like we need to escape the crowds on the adult beach.

1. Is the cruise line going to email me to remind me/inform me of how and when I can make these reservations/requests? Is there an email I can use to ask them about concierge requests?

Yes there is an email address that you can use to contact Onshore concierge, but I can't remember what it is from my work location. I do know that they emailed me first and introduced themselves.

I'm really interested in Atlantis,

We went to Atlantis on our last cruise and it was really underwhelming and definitely was not worth the money that we paid in my opinion.

3. I think we want to do Palo Brunch

Palo brunch is not available on 3-day cruises...it is only available on sea days.

4. Also, I understand dinner is on the rotational dining schedule, but how does eating breakfast and lunch on board go? Those meals are also include in the cruise fare, correct? Do you need to make those reservations, or is it just walk up dining?

All of the meals except for Palo and Remy are included in the cruise fare. Breakfast we normally ate in the concierge lounge or Cabanas. Lunch there are many options, from sit down dining to quick service on the pool deck. It really depends on what you want to do. There are no reservations for those meals, you just walk up to the restaurant of your choosing.

You are going to love the Concierge staff on the Dream! That's my only regret for booking a 7-day next year on the Fantasy...we won't get to see our Concierge family on the Dream!

 

[TestingH2O]

You may contact Concierge yourself starting at 125 days before you embark. There are a variety of online calculators that will let you determine what that date is. Personally, I schedule an email to send to them in the following format:
Name: xxx Family
Reservation : 1234567890
Room #: 12345

Hello and thank you in advance for your help. We are excited to sail on xx/xx/xxxx. Below are a list of requests we would like to make.
1. We would like to reserve cabana #x on the ______ beach
2. We would like a Palo reservation on _____ at _____
3. Please request a private table and a dining rotation that puts us in ______ on ______ night.
4. We would like to do meet and greets with princesses and the frozen characters. Will you let us know the dates and times available?
5. Is it possible to book any tastings ahead of schedule? Please let me know any available schedule.
6. We will need distilled water/an extension cord/a pack n play/a diaper genie/anything special you would like added to your room.

Thank you again, we very much appreciate your time and help.

Other questions
1. You SHOULD get an email, but just in case, I would recommend setting a reminder in your phone.
2. To date, we have opted not to get off the ship in Nassau and instead enjoy less crowded amenities
3. As of today, I don't believe Palo brunch is being offered on the 3 day cruises. DCL tried this on Nassau day for a bit over the summer, but discontinued the service. I have not seen a notice about it being reinstated.
4. Breakfast and lunch are on your schedule. Last time, I was happy with the offerings in the lounge (muesli, fruit, meat, cheese, cereal, oatmeal, pastries) for both meals Cabana's is also open and you can have room service. Cat V can get continental fare and Cat T and above can order hot breakfast. One of the dining rooms will also be open for a sit down breakfast. At lunch, you can choose between the lounge, Cabana's, pool side quick service, room service, or a sit down in one of the dining rooms. Locations and times for all of these meals will be detailed in the Daily Navigators. The concierges can also answer any questions day to day.

We loved our concierge experience and are doing another concierge cruise in May. My biggest tip is to enjoy the experience, take advantage of the coffee machine and happy hours, and don't try to do it all. There is too much. Just live in the moment a bit.

 

[Disneychica]

Have never stayed Concierge, but just booked excursions and Palo at the 90 day mark for our late June 2016 3-night cruise and I was able to book at Palo brunch on the Nassau day. That was the only day it was available, but I was able to get a slot at 11:30am. Obviously that doesn't mean it will be available other times and I am mildly concerned it doesn't really exist since I haven't seen anyone else mention it, but I did get an email confirmation for the slot I booked for what it is worth.

 

[Floridatinaherb]

Have never stayed Concierge, but just booked excursions and Palo at the 90 day mark for our late June 2016 3-night cruise and I was able to book at Palo brunch on the Nassau day. That was the only day it was available, but I was able to get a slot at 11:30am. Obviously that doesn't mean it will be available other times and I am mildly concerned it doesn't really exist since I haven't seen anyone else mention it, but I did get an email confirmation for the slot I booked for what it is worth.

That's cool that they started the Palo brunch on Nassau day...it has never been available on 3 day cruises for us in the past.

 

[Trera]

We were just on a 3 day cruise this month that didnt stop in Nassau but rather had a sea day instead and we thoroughly enjoyed the brunch, so to say 3 day cruises dont serve brunch isn't necessarily true.

 

[StaceyDarling!]

For concierge you send your requested bookings to Onshore services at 125 days and when the booking window opens up. They book everything for you. The Cabanas on the Family Beach have their own private beach area where only cabana guests can swim. The Serenity Bay cabanas do not have a private beach, but the adult side is rarely crowded from my experiences. We have done Cabanas on both beaches, I prefer the family one, since I don't feel like we need to escape the crowds on the adult beach.


Yes there is an email address that you can use to contact Onshore concierge, but I can't remember what it is from my work location. I do know that they emailed me first and introduced themselves.


We went to Atlantis on our last cruise and it was really underwhelming and definitely was not worth the money that we paid in my opinion.


Palo brunch is not available on 3-day cruises...it is only available on sea days.


All of the meals except for Palo and Remy are included in the cruise fare. Breakfast we normally ate in the concierge lounge or Cabanas. Lunch there are many options, from sit down dining to quick service on the pool deck. It really depends on what you want to do. There are no reservations for those meals, you just walk up to the restaurant of your choosing.

You are going to love the Concierge staff on the Dream! That's my only regret for booking a 7-day next year on the Fantasy...we won't get to see our Concierge family on the Dream!

Thank you so much! This was extremely helpful! I will definitely have to try and find out the email address so I have it for my records to send an email to them prior to the window open for ressies! And about the Palo Brunch I'll have to ask, I've heard mixed responses on whether it's available on our itinerary! Thank you SO much!! I'm very excited to try out concierge, I've heard amazing things!

 

[StaceyDarling!]

You may contact Concierge yourself starting at 125 days before you embark. There are a variety of online calculators that will let you determine what that date is. Personally, I schedule an email to send to them in the following format:
Name: xxx Family
Reservation : 1234567890
Room #: 12345

Hello and thank you in advance for your help. We are excited to sail on xx/xx/xxxx. Below are a list of requests we would like to make.
1. We would like to reserve cabana #x on the ______ beach
2. We would like a Palo reservation on _____ at _____
3. Please request a private table and a dining rotation that puts us in ______ on ______ night.
4. We would like to do meet and greets with princesses and the frozen characters. Will you let us know the dates and times available?
5. Is it possible to book any tastings ahead of schedule? Please let me know any available schedule.
6. We will need distilled water/an extension cord/a pack n play/a diaper genie/anything special you would like added to your room.

Thank you again, we very much appreciate your time and help.

Other questions
1. You SHOULD get an email, but just in case, I would recommend setting a reminder in your phone.
2. To date, we have opted not to get off the ship in Nassau and instead enjoy less crowded amenities
3. As of today, I don't believe Palo brunch is being offered on the 3 day cruises. DCL tried this on Nassau day for a bit over the summer, but discontinued the service. I have not seen a notice about it being reinstated.
4. Breakfast and lunch are on your schedule. Last time, I was happy with the offerings in the lounge (muesli, fruit, meat, cheese, cereal, oatmeal, pastries) for both meals Cabana's is also open and you can have room service. Cat V can get continental fare and Cat T and above can order hot breakfast. One of the dining rooms will also be open for a sit down breakfast. At lunch, you can choose between the lounge, Cabana's, pool side quick service, room service, or a sit down in one of the dining rooms. Locations and times for all of these meals will be detailed in the Daily Navigators. The concierges can also answer any questions day to day.

We loved our concierge experience and are doing another concierge cruise in May. My biggest tip is to enjoy the experience, take advantage of the coffee machine and happy hours, and don't try to do it all. There is too much. Just live in the moment a bit.

Wow! So helpful! I really appreciate it, do you have a recommendation for a good cabana number to request on either beach? I think I'd prefer Family beach though! Also, do you happen to have the concierge email? Or is it not a standard email to be given out?

Thanks again! I'm feeling a little less lost and clueless!!

 

[StaceyDarling!]

Have never stayed Concierge, but just booked excursions and Palo at the 90 day mark for our late June 2016 3-night cruise and I was able to book at Palo brunch on the Nassau day. That was the only day it was available, but I was able to get a slot at 11:30am. Obviously that doesn't mean it will be available other times and I am mildly concerned it doesn't really exist since I haven't seen anyone else mention it, but I did get an email confirmation for the slot I booked for what it is worth.

That's cool that they started the Palo brunch on Nassau day...it has never been available on 3 day cruises for us in the past.

We were just on a 3 day cruise this month that didnt stop in Nassau but rather had a sea day instead and we thoroughly enjoyed the brunch, so to say 3 day cruises dont serve brunch isn't necessarily true.

I guess I will have to contact the cruise line or concierge directly and find out if it's available for our specific cruise... sounds like it may be a changing/new option or availability. Maybe it's optional cruise by cruise. I appreciate everyone's responses! Thank you all!

 

[phinz]

I've received phone calls from Shoreside ahead of booking date and I've received emails. It has been variable. Make sure to check your junk mail regularly, because sometimes the DCL Shoreside email filters out. It happened to me once.

I have a preference for Cabana 22, the closest to the bar and restrooms at SB, since the cabana host at SB isn't exactly the most reliable when trying to contact them. The service tends to be better on the FB because it's two of the three Concierge hosts (at least on the Dream Class ships) handling the cabana hosting duties. The SB host is some random CM and they don't really seem trained in how they are supposed to handle things. Many like 25 on SB because it's remote and hardly anybody ever goes that far down on the beach, making it feel more private.

We were just on a 3 day cruise this month that didnt stop in Nassau but rather had a sea day instead and we thoroughly enjoyed the brunch, so to say 3 day cruises dont serve brunch isn't necessarily true.

I think that's why the first post says,

<snip>it has never been available on 3 day cruises for us in the past.

 

[TestingH2O]

Thank you so much! This was extremely helpful! I will definitely have to try and find out the email address so I have it for my records to send an email to them prior to the window open for ressies! And about the Palo Brunch I'll have to ask, I've heard mixed responses on whether it's available on our itinerary! Thank you SO much!! I'm very excited to try out concierge, I've heard amazing things!

DCL.Concierge.Services@disney.com

We have a young child, so we opt for lower number cabanas on the family beach. This puts us closer to bathrooms and food. The higher number cabanas will be quieter. To be honest though, I don't think there is a bad choice.

 

[DizneyNutz]

Wow! So helpful! I really appreciate it, do you have a recommendation for a good cabana number to request on either beach? I think I'd prefer Family beach though! Also, do you happen to have the concierge email? Or is it not a standard email to be given out?

Thanks again! I'm feeling a little less lost and clueless!!

Also be advised that on the Adult beach there is over 18 dining only. So if that is of any desire you may want to factor that into consideration. This is Serenity bay and the cabanas are up in the tree line behind the chairs. Have a Great Trip.

 

[Trera]

Wow! So helpful! I really appreciate it, do you have a recommendation for a good cabana number to request on either beach? I think I'd prefer Family beach though! Also, do you happen to have the concierge email? Or is it not a standard email to be given out?

Thanks again! I'm feeling a little less lost and clueless!!

we have had 1, 2, 3, 8 and 16.

I think 8 was our favorite to date but anything from 2-10 I think you will be happy with. (1 is an accessible cabana and has a ramp instead of steps to the beach)

 

[Trera]

dcl.concierge.services@disneycruise.com is the email I have for them.

 

[StaceyDarling!]

I've received phone calls from Shoreside ahead of booking date and I've received emails. It has been variable. Make sure to check your junk mail regularly, because sometimes the DCL Shoreside email filters out. It happened to me once.

I have a preference for Cabana 22, the closest to the bar and restrooms at SB, since the cabana host at SB isn't exactly the most reliable when trying to contact them. The service tends to be better on the FB because it's two of the three Concierge hosts (at least on the Dream Class ships) handling the cabana hosting duties. The SB host is some random CM and they don't really seem trained in how they are supposed to handle things. Many like 25 on SB because it's remote and hardly anybody ever goes that far down on the beach, making it feel more private.

Perfect suggestions! Thank you very much! I've heard a lot of great things about the family beach, and even though it's our honeymoon, we don't mind being on the family side!

DCL.Concierge.Services@disney.com

We have a young child, so we opt for lower number cabanas on the family beach. This puts us closer to bathrooms and food. The higher number cabanas will be quieter. To be honest though, I don't think there is a bad choice.

Fantastic! That's super helpful! I'll honestly take a cabana anywhere on the island if I can get one, but I will definitely make sure to request a certain number, but specify we are open to any cabana! Thank you again!

we have had 1, 2, 3, 8 and 16.

I think 8 was our favorite to date but anything from 2-10 I think you will be happy with. (1 is an accessible cabana and has a ramp instead of steps to the beach)

Were those cabanas on the FB or SB?

dcl.concierge.services@disneycruise.com is the email I have for them.

Awesome!!! Thank you!

 

[phinz]

Were those cabanas on the FB or SB?

1-21 are on the FB. 22-25 are SB.

 

[belac]

Perfect suggestions! Thank you very much! I've heard a lot of great things about the family beach, and even though it's our honeymoon, we don't mind being on the family side!

We had almost the same type of Honeymoon, longer cruise, but Honestly I would stick with SB cabana - quieter more relaxing etc.. and you can schedule a cabana massage, etc.. . We liked it, others don't. You will get an email from shore side and most likely get the cabana you choose.

Were those cabanas on the FB or SB?

Family beach

 

[waggles02673]

Perfect suggestions! Thank you very much! I've heard a lot of great things about the family beach, and even though it's our honeymoon, we don't mind being on the family side!



Fantastic! That's super helpful! I'll honestly take a cabana anywhere on the island if I can get one, but I will definitely make sure to request a certain number, but specify we are open to any cabana! Thank you again!



Were those cabanas on the FB or SB?



Awesome!!! Thank you!

Stacey

Which cruise are you on in Nov? We are doing a B2B on the 3 night that leaves on the 11th and the 4 night that leaves on the 14th. Like you we have a 1 bedroom and this these will be our

Perfect suggestions! Thank you very much! I've heard a lot of great things about the family beach, and even though it's our honeymoon, we don't mind being on the family side!



Fantastic! That's super helpful! I'll honestly take a cabana anywhere on the island if I can get one, but I will definitely make sure to request a certain number, but specify we are open to any cabana! Thank you again!



Were those cabanas on the FB or SB?



Awesome!!! Thank you!

Sent you a PM

 

[StaceyDarling!]

1-21 are on the FB. 22-25 are SB.

Awesome! Thank you!

We had almost the same type of Honeymoon, longer cruise, but Honestly I would stick with SB cabana - quieter more relaxing etc.. and you can schedule a cabana massage, etc.. . We liked it, others don't. You will get an email from shore side and most likely get the cabana you choose.

I don't think we will be doing any spa treatments or massages, but that is definitely good to know! Thank you!

 

[Trera]

DCL.Concierge.Services@disney.com

We have a young child, so we opt for lower number cabanas on the family beach. This puts us closer to bathrooms and food. The higher number cabanas will be quieter. To be honest though, I don't think there is a bad choice.

There are new restrooms that are for cabana only guests down around cabana 12 now. No more walks to the other restrooms by cookies too. And they were really clean when we were there a few weeks ago. Good luck.