Concierge service--anyone NOT get what they wanted?

[ducklite]

I'm going to want some spa treatments and Palo's reservations while I"m on the Magic. Has anyone had the concierge staff make the reservations for you and NOT been able to get what you want, when you want it? How specific were you about times and dates? Would I be better off doing it myself, or is it true that the concierge has a block of times set aside for concierge guests to virtually guarantee that they get serviced.

Anne

 

[howardk613]

Please don't take this the wrong way, but the concierge service will help you get a reservation at Palos or the spa but it doesn't
put the rest of the ship on hold to accomodate the concierge guests every and exact needs. They generally put a block of time aside for the concierge guests but that does not mean that you will be guaranteed the exact time that you may want. We have been on 2 cruises, both in the category 1 suites and the concierge staff was very accomodating but my wife did have to give several choices for her spa appointments etc. By the way,
if you are spending all that extra money just for the concierge service, you are overpaying. The real reason to take a concierge suite is not for the service but for the accomodation itself. These suites are terrific and the concierge service is just a nice plus.

 

[ducklite]

Howard,

No, I'm not taking it the wrong way at all

We booked the Category 3 for the same reason you did. The extra space, and privacy for mom & dad. The concierge is just a nice perk that goes with it.

I guess my question is, should I get in line with everyone else to make my spa reservations, then if I don't get what I want, attempt to get better times through the concierge? Or is it a pretty good bet that the concierge will be able to make the appointments for the times and servics that I want, so I shouldn't waste my time standing in line.

Thanks for any imput!

Anne

 

[wdwgoose]

As a guest in a concierge suite you can make your Palo reservations prior to boarding. We did both dinner and brunch and really enjoyed both.
Last cruise I made spa ressies through the concierge and was not at all pleased with the times. I had given several options for when we could would like to go andthe times we got were no where near our requested times. Next time I will make those myself.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by wdwgoose
As a guest in a concierge suite you can make your Palo reservations prior to boarding. We did both dinner and brunch and really enjoyed both.
Last cruise I made spa ressies through the concierge and was not at all pleased with the times. I had given several options for when we could would like to go andthe times we got were no where near our requested times. Next time I will make those myself.

Thanks! This is exactly the type of feedback I was looking for. Anyone else?

Anne

 

[Ginny]

Anne -
On our Halloween Cruise, I pre-made all of my Palo (Dinner and Brunch) ressies and made our dinner rotation request by phone about 2 weeks before cruising. I also pre-booked a DIS meet brunch for about 20 people at Palo's that way. I had pre-booked all our excursion reservations as early as possible through the separate excursion line.

This was our third cruise (first 2 in CAT 3 and this last one in CAT 2). I have to admit that I wasn't that thrilled when I heard that they had changed the private consultations to a "group meeting" but actually it was lovely. The Concierge and Spa staff had representatives and they had light refreshments. If you need a specific spa time - you might want to arrange those yourself. We are pretty flexible about the spa so booking it there worked well for us.

Even if you pre-book everything, I strongly suggest that you stop by the Concierge meeting to double check your information when you board. Our brunch reservations for the DIS meet were scheduled on the wrong day - they worked it out but can you imagine my horror at potentially failing 20 people I was just meeting.

 

[BethA]

I had to change a spa reservation because it was the same time as the character breakfast and the concierge did get me another time, but I was given a few choices and had to be flexible. I also do not think the reservation help is a major perk here.

 

[skuba]

We were one of the last ones at the meeting due to getting on the boat late. We were in Cat 1 and still got nice times. As they said, the concierge have time slots that you can choose from. I do advice you to confirm all your spa appointments. My dh and I were very disappointed to show up for our scheduled Surial bath only to have it double booked and the couple already in. I was surprised since we were rather early for our appt and I'm still not sure if it was deliberate. I say this because there just happened to be one slot available on a later day. They had us no where on the schedule even though their representative wrote us on her schedule. It worked out though. We ended up doing the bath and then going right to a couples massage.

DG

 

[DVCinderella]

Originally posted by wdwgoose
As a guest in a concierge suite you can make your Palo reservations prior to boarding. We did both dinner and brunch and really enjoyed both.

As a concierge guest, how far in advance can we make Palo reservations? When you say "prior to boarding", do you mean during check-in at the port, or do you mean we can make them from home prior to the cruise? If so, how far in advance can we make them?

Also, I know there is a small fee to have dinner at Palo's, but is there a fee for brunch as well?

 

[ducklite]

Does anyone have the phone number one would call to pre-book the Palo's reservations and set dining rotation for concierge guests? Frankly, I'm worried about them not being able to get hold of me. I'm not home much, and my teenage son takes messages to the extent of "Someone called, I forgot the phone number." :::::::::::::::heavy sigh::::::::::::::::

Anne

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Originally posted by DVCinderella

I know there is a small fee to have dinner at Palo's, but is there a fee for brunch as well?

Brunch is $10 (includes a glass of champagne).
High Tea is complimentary.
Dinner is $5.