Concierge??'s

[DISNEYDEVOTEE]

What can I expect in terms or amenities, room, and or services if I book a concierge room. We have never cruised, so it will all be new to us, but we (2 adults, 1-12 yr old + 1-7 yr old) want to have a MAGICAL experience. Is the price prohibitive??

Thanks all!!


bellmawr bob

 

[TootyJane]

Originally posted by DISNEYDEVOTEE
What can I expect in terms or amenities, room, and or services if I book a concierge room. We have never cruised, so it will all be new to us, but we (2 adults, 1-12 yr old + 1-7 yr old) want to have a MAGICAL experience. Is the price prohibitive??

Thanks all!!

We had the Cat. 2 for our 5/18 7-day Eastern. As far as amenities, you do get priority boarding, your concierge team will make any reservations you desire: Palo, spa, etc. We actually found out from our prior cruise that Concierge only receives a select number of reservations. They may not have the date and/or time you desire. We found it easier to book our own ressies. There is a "meet and greet" with your concierge team during the first afternoon. We did not attend because as I mentioned we made our own ressies. When Christina called us later in the afternoon she actually sounded disappointed that we didn't have them do it. You are invited to a "concierge only" Sailway party when you leave St. Thomas with complimentary drinks and appetizers. You receive complimentary sodas and water -- no need to purchase those refillable mugs. You receive a different treat each day: the famous cheese and crackers, chocolate chip cookies, strawberries dipped in chocolate and petit fours, fruit tray, etc. You are able to order room service from any of the four restaurants and are able to order full breakfast. Regular staterooms can only order Continental Breakfasts. We also got a couple of sheets of personalized stationery. Our 3 boys each received arcade cards ($10 each) two times during the cruise. Our oldest ds had access to many in Common Ground so he gave a couple to his cousin. There is a video player and you are given a list of videos that are available to watch if you choose. Concierge team will stop by daily to inquire whether you need or want anything. You get daily phone messages as well. We received a booked entitled "DISNEY MAGIC - The Launching of a Dream." Great book!! I can't think of anything else at the moment.

As for the cost, for our family of 5 it was cheaper to book the 2-bedroom (2 adult fares with 3 add-on fares) vs. getting connecting staterooms (4 adult fares with 1 add-on fare). Price will also depend on the time of year you are traveling. As for it being a MAGICal experience -- it definitely is!! The suites are absolutely breathtaking. Word of advice: Concierge rooms book quickly so you need to make your reservations as soon as you can. HTH

 

[Fawn]

Lisa

Do you know what times the concierge has blocked for their people?

When you give them your requests do they have a schedule right there...or do they get back to you later?

 

[TootyJane]

Originally posted by Fawn
Lisa

Do you know what times the concierge has blocked for their people?

When you give them your requests do they have a schedule right there...or do they get back to you later?

I don't know the answer to this. I do remember from our first cruise though that they took our requested dates and times and got back to us. The ressie for the time I wanted in the spa was not available through concierge. We found it easier to book our ressies ourselves so we got the dates/times we wanted. HTH

 

[Michelle]

Just a note on the free sodas and water, in the two times I have sailed in a Cat. 3 we did NOT get those replenished for free, there was a very small initial supply in the room and that was it. It may be something they only do for Cat. 1s and 2s.

I found the embarkation afternoon meet with the concierge staff to be very helpful, actually. Although I had pre-booked Palo they took care of my spa appointments and they would also have handled any shore excursion requests, Tea with Wendy tickets, Palo wine tasting reservations and you can even check your kids into the children's programming at that reception. I would highly recommend taking advantage of it and meeting the concierge staff. They will take good care of you.

 

[disneylover4ever]

We just returned from 6/1 Magic and had an excellent experience with concierge. This was our 2nd concierge trip with Disney and found on both trips to have never had a problem or conflict with any reservation. We attended the reception for making ressies and I think it took us about an hour (because there was so much to choose from) They were great help. We (DH and myself) both had 2 spa treatments each on sea days, no problem we just asked for the time and day and it was done. We originally made 2 nights ressies at Palo (but ended up dining there 3 nights) Made the brunch ressies, wine tasting, hair brading ANYTHING we wanted we were fortunate to get. Christina and Chad were wonderful. My only comment on the comment card was that the expierience would really be OVER THE TOP if we were to get a small separate section at Castaway Cay with umbrellas/chairs for exclusive use of concierge. Now that would have ended the vacation with a bang!!!!! I'm sure they know they don't have to do anything like that because the 1,2 & 3 cat. suites are booked up far in advance. We already have ours booked for April 2003. The sail away party from St. Thomas was very nice, we had margaritas (and other choices) coconut shrimp and other appitizers in a small roped off area on deck 10 just for concierge guests and it was really nice. There were many small gestures that made concierge fun, and the large suite and verandah were really much better for us than 2 connecting rooms that we have had in the past.

 

[Familyof6]

I must say, the service on the Wonder may be different than the Magic. Some of what TootyJane said was also true for us, but certainly not all.

We did NOT get acarde cards for any of my 4 kids!
We did NOT get any kind of parting gift from the concierge or the Wonder crew.
One afternoon there was NOTHING special left in our room. (out of 4 days)
The concierge could not help me with a few of my requests that I had heard were taken care of on other cruises. And sometimes they gave me the wrong information.
We DID get soda and water replenished on request...but we had to ask.
Our appointments were met as close to the time requested as possible but not exact. They took our requests and later in the day, let us know what we had gotten.
They were able to book Flounders for us, which I thought they wouldn't be able to do.
We did also have concierge cocktail party one evening before dinner. The Captain came and visited with each family. It was nice.
We did enjoy the suite very much! If for nothing else, book Cat 1, 2 or 3 for the ROOM!!
I will add that our room hostess was ok, but not what I expected. We did get towel animals every night. (2 on the last night) Our ice bucket was only half full most of the time and never got magically refilled during the day! She'd fill it once in the morning...that's it. (I didn't make any requests to her, so I guess I shouldn't complain too loudly) I just thought they'd put the most personable hostesses in the suites.

If you don't mind spending the money, I'd say go for it! It's not like you're going to do this every couple of months...right Barb and Tony?

Lisa

 

[atigeg]

LOL!!!
I'm sure hubby would love it if we sailed as much as we do AND booked a suite, but I don't think he'd like to take on an extra job! Of course, since I am a "quantity" person, I'd just funnel any extra $$ into sailing every other week anyway
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[grannymary]

Do you have a better chance of you luggage getting to your room before the other rooms. I'm also thinking of asking to have the small table and 1 of the chairs (in sitting area) taken out of the room,do you think they will do this..We are in a Cat. 3 with 3 adults and 2 girls, ages 8 and 1..They are suppose to be bringing a high chair,and crib from guest services. I have a little trouble walking, so thought,less funiture would be easy for me to get around.. I also heard of a special sail away party when leaving St. Thomas for concierge guests onle.. How long is it and what is at this party? Thanks to everyone for all the information

 

[Familyof6]

It never hurts to ask if they could take some furniture out of your suite. I think I've heard of others requesting this from their stateroom hosts.
We were on the Wonder so I can't comment on the sailaway party in St. Thomas. We had a concierge reception in Cadillac Lounge before dinner on our Freeport Day. Captain Tom made and appearance and spoke with all the guests individually.
Be sure to request a Diaper Genie from your stateroom host as soon as you get onboard. One bad diaper can really stink up a room! The Diaper Genie's work very well!
Our luggage arrived around 2pm I think...I'm not certain of the time, I was on vacation!! Other rooms were being delivered at the same time. I'm not sure if they do the concierge rooms first or not.
I hope that helps a little. Sorry I couldn't answer your questions better.

Lisa

 

[pjkds]

Grannymary,

You do have a lot of people in your cabin but you also have a relatively large floor space.

Maybe you should wait until you see how the stateroom looks with all its furniture. I mean, sometimes it is easier to walk around in a rocking/rolling cabin when there is furniture (or a wall) to hang onto for stability. I have more trouble walking across an empty space than I do when there are chairs to hang onto.

Just a thought.