Concierge Service

[DVC4US]

Has anyone on this board ever had the use of the concierge service? We have a staterroom that will include concierge service and I know they come with special amenities, and I was wondering if anyone had ever used these. One of my specific questions is how does this work for reservations at Palo and the spa? Also, does anyone know if there is a limit to the number of nights you can dine in Palo?

 

[Michelle]

Yes, I have stayed in a concierge suite twice.

There will be a meeting on embarkation afternoon for the concierge guests and the staff will take care of ALL your reservations then...spa, Palo, wine tasting, etc. You can even sign the kids up for the children's programming at that time. They probably will not let you book more than one dinner or brunch but you can certainly book one of each, plus High Tea if you're so inclined.

As for other amenities, these include:

Daily contact from the concierge staff and little gifts such as fruit platters, cookies, etc

CDs and videos that you can check out

Full room-service breakfast available (except the last day of the cruise)

Menus from all restaurants with room-service dining available from those restaurants on the days they are serving the particular menus

Concierge staff to take care of any tips you want to charge to your account

Intital set-up of soda in the stateroom, it costs after that (at least for the Cat. 3s)

The main benefit is the extra space you get in the stateroom.

 

[MommaluvsDis]

Should I reserve my Ds's Junkanoo night before the cruise or have concierge do it for me?

 

[Michelle]

Oh, THANK YOU for reminding me of that MommaluvsDIS! Definitely book your SHORE EXCURSIONS in advance if it is something you are sure you want; they do NOT reserve spaces on shore excursions for concierge guests. The concierge can book shore excursions for you once onboard but it would be subject to the same space availability as for other guests.

 

[MommaluvsDis]

So, spa and Palo's are the only things "blocked off" for Cats 1-3? These we should wait and book on board? But I will definitely book excursions as soon as is allowed. Also, is there any need to arrive at the port earlyearly since we'll be boarded first?

Thanks!

 

[terp]

When we stayed in a cat.3 I was able to reserve Palo's over the phone before the cruise. One less thing to do on the first day.

 

[ducklite]

I also booked Palo's and shore excurions over the phone before we left. They blocked off a bunch of times for spa treatments, and they seemed to be the "best times".

You'll also get a private sailaway party one afternoon from one of the ports of call.

Anne

 

[john1012]

Our first cruise ever was last July on the Wonder and we stayed in Cat 3. At check in, we arrived around 12:00 and the line at the counters wasn't long but the boarding line was huge. When we got to the desk and our papers were checked, the woman recognized the concierge level and immediately took us right up to the baggage screeners. she said that was as much as she could do. Fifiteen minutes later we were announced on board, pretty cool, and having our picture taken. All this by about 12:50. We had a card that said Concierge guests were to meet in the Cadillac Lounge at 1PM. We were the first ones there. Cookies and drinks for the kids and Palo ressies for us. The Concierge team was great. Each day there were little gifts left in our room. Cookies, Chocolate ship, etc. Since this was our first time, i don't think we took enough advantage of the benefits of the extra services, but we are looking forward to taking care of that on our next cruise. Waiting patiently.

 

[DVC4US]

Thanks everyone for all your help. I just talked to Eric at Guest Services and he did say that Palo's reservations and shore excursion ressies can be made in advance on the phone. Spa is done when you get on board. He also said there was a special are for Cat 1,2,3 guests to check in at the terminal. He also said that they do not assign the dinning rotation until the week before hand but I could put in a preference.

 

[dizneykids]

cat 1 guests receive complimentary soda throughout the cruise...you just have to call and ask. they don't automatically replenish each day.

our 3 ds (and our friends' (who were traveling with us, but were not concierge) kids received complimentary cards to quartermasters twice on our 7-day.

we requested (and received) a specific dining rotation and a table more centrally located. with 3 younger boys, we've always been placed against the walls and were tired of it. it was fun being in the middle of the activity.

they have a wonderful, "no request is too small or too big." all you need to do is ask.

 

[ducklite]

You can read my website which has a TON of stuff about concierge service and lots of photos (and it's not done yet!).

my site

Anne

 

[DoomBuggieDriver]

Originally posted by john1012
Since this was our first time, i don't think we took enough advantage of the benefits of the extra services, but we are looking forward to taking care of that on our next cruise. Waiting patiently.

John,
We are new to the concierge thing too, and I wondered what you might do next time to take better advantage of what's offered.
Thanks
Buggie

 

[dizneykids]

my philosophy is: "it can't hurt to ask." so, if you have ANY question or request, ask them....they'll tell you if they can't handle it. i've asked for a specific dining rotation as well as placement of our table in the dining room (we've always been placed on the outside of the room, and we prefer to be more centrally located). i even asked if they could find a specific pin (trading pin) and collector's card (engine room) for me and found them waiting in our room with a note.

ask for soda refills whenever you need them (this may be only cats 2 and 1, though, where they are free upon request).

ask for a video or two, or music cds, in your room to keep the kids occupied while you are getting ready for whatever. or ask for a game (they have board game available for loan).

a concierge will call you in advance to ask you if you want to schedule any excursions. book with them as they have blocks set aside for concierge guests. you can also book palo with them at that point. you cannot book the spa, but once you get on board, go to the concierge meeting and ask there. again, they have blocks (some say they are the best times) set aside for concierge guests. also in that meeting (upon boarding), if you have kids, you can sign them up while sitting in a comfortable chair and sipping a drink rather than standing in line (i don't think, however, that you can do the nursery sign-up there, only the oceaneer club and lab).

they do have a separate check-in at the port, but that line can get long, so check in anywhere along the line if so...they'll still treat you well. you will still get a gold colored KTTW card to signify you are concierge. they'll show you to the concierge lounge (at the front of the terminal near the doors to the patio) and board that lounge first. you do not need to stand in the line unless you really need to board through the mickey ears.

if you need your table or dining assignment changed...ask. if you need a stroller....ask. if you have any specific food requirements...tell them. the best way to take advantage is to work with the philosophy...."it can't hurt to ask."

have fun!

 

[SMDent]

My Mom, my sister, and her family are in a Cat 3 room, my brother and I with our famlies are in 2 different Cat 4 rooms. Can my sister or Mom book Palo reservations for my brother and I?

Never hurts to ask.

Sandy

 

[thedisneymom]

CAN A CATEGORY 3 HAVE A PRIVATE ADULT ONLY DINNER WITH FOOD FROM THE PALO MENU IN THEIR STATEROOM? IT'S BEEN MENTIONED THAT CONCIERGE GUESTS GET MAIN DINING ROOOM MENUS. IS PALO INCLUDED?Thanks for the help!

 

[dizneykids]

SMDent...assuming that y'all are all going together, yes. If not, I don't know if they can.

thedisneymom....I do believe so. I'm almost certain that the Palo menu was in our stateroom. As for the "adult only" piece of your request...I guess that would depend on whether your kids are willing to go to the kids' clubs for the evening!

 

[thedisneymom]

Thank you for the information! Much appreciated. Can't wait for the cat 3-concierge sounds terrific.

 

[tecdavidt]

We just got back from a Cat. 3. It was wonderful. I loved no waiting to board in a long line. DH and DD felt guilty, as if we were cutting in the line. I didn't. I wanted to be on board! The perks are great and do use the concierge, that is what they are there for. Kathy

 

[Buckaroo's Dad]

they do have a separate check-in at the port, but that line can get long, so check in anywhere along the line if so...they'll still treat you well.

Why take the chance?

 

[queenof4hearts]

Ducklite,

I just read your site on your cruise! Wow,when are you going to do more?? It was fantastic! Thanks

I also wanted to say that I like the idea of having flowers delivered to your suite. What made you do that?

What category was this suite? Thanks again!