Concierge + Specialty Cruises = Any Advantages?

[pangyal]

Thank you in advance for any help here. We are doing a Star Wars cruise in January, which will only be our third DCL cruise at that point, so we won’t be getting any status advantage for booking activities.

We currently have Concierge booked (I am also taking DS on a surprise Halloween cruise in October, and that will be Concierge, but our first cruise was a regular verandah room). I am hoping that the experts can weigh in on my current thought processes and shoot holes in them if necessary.

Our first cruise was Marvel Day at Sea on the Magic. We booked late, 76 days out. I stayed up until 2am at day 75 to get the meet and greets booked, along with Palo brunch. Remy was gone, even if we had wanted it. Most of the M&G were still available, but with some awkward timings. With it being our first DCL cruise, we didn’t even bother trying for a cabana or anything like that.

An extended verandah room in the forward section (4E) is still available for our cruise, and I am considering switching. One issue is that we will not have tried Concierge and all that it has to offer until after the final payment is due for January. This leads me to my actual question: For a special event cruise like SWDAS, how much does status matter with regards to getting the character meets and possibly other activities you want? I know that other guests we spoke to on the MDAS sailing were shut out of a number of the meet and greets, even though they tried once onboard, and they were also Silver. I’m nervous about paying for the cruise and then not getting to meet the characters we would like to, especially since it’s a bigger ship (Fantasy). I’ve been trying to search this forum and do other searches online to determine how many ticketed events there are, but I’m not having any success. I’m not even sure if Jedi Training is ticketed or luck of the draw.

I have a fairly good idea, I feel, of the advantages of Concierge such as the lounge, the pre-booking (this has already been awesome for the surprise October cruise), the happy hour, the palatable coffee, the sun deck, etc. I am more focused on how likely it is that we might get shut out of anything we want to do on this cruise if we don’t have a booking advantage, since the absolute main focus is the Star Wars Day. This will be a one and done themed cruise for us, so I want to make sure I’m giving it the best chance, if that makes sense?

Any help is much appreciated!

 

[dcassetta]

Thank you in advance for any help here. We are doing a Star Wars cruise in January, which will only be our third DCL cruise at that point, so we won’t be getting any status advantage for booking activities.

We currently have Concierge booked (I am also taking DS on a surprise Halloween cruise in October, and that will be Concierge, but our first cruise was a regular verandah room). I am hoping that the experts can weigh in on my current thought processes and shoot holes in them if necessary.

Our first cruise was Marvel Day at Sea on the Magic. We booked late, 76 days out. I stayed up until 2am at day 75 to get the meet and greets booked, along with Palo brunch. Remy was gone, even if we had wanted it. Most of the M&G were still available, but with some awkward timings. With it being our first DCL cruise, we didn’t even bother trying for a cabana or anything like that.

An extended verandah room in the forward section (4E) is still available for our cruise, and I am considering switching. One issue is that we will not have tried Concierge and all that it has to offer until after the final payment is due for January. This leads me to my actual question: For a special event cruise like SWDAS, how much does status matter with regards to getting the character meets and possibly other activities you want? I know that other guests we spoke to on the MDAS sailing were shut out of a number of the meet and greets, even though they tried once onboard, and they were also Silver. I’m nervous about paying for the cruise and then not getting to meet the characters we would like to, especially since it’s a bigger ship (Fantasy). I’ve been trying to search this forum and do other searches online to determine how many ticketed events there are, but I’m not having any success. I’m not even sure if Jedi Training is ticketed or luck of the draw.

I have a fairly good idea, I feel, of the advantages of Concierge such as the lounge, the pre-booking (this has already been awesome for the surprise October cruise), the happy hour, the palatable coffee, the sun deck, etc. I am more focused on how likely it is that we might get shut out of anything we want to do on this cruise if we don’t have a booking advantage, since the absolute main focus is the Star Wars Day. This will be a one and done themed cruise for us, so I want to make sure I’m giving it the best chance, if that makes sense?

Any help is much appreciated!

The advantage to booking concierge, is that they can do all the legwork for you. They will be able to schedule all of the Star Wars activities for you. And, they'll be able to do that before even platinum guests can make selections. You do need to sign up for Jedi training ahead of time, but if your child is registered, they will participate.

 

[pangyal]

The advantage to booking concierge, is that they can do all the legwork for you. They will be able to schedule all of the Star Wars activities for you. And, they'll be able to do that before even platinum guests can make selections. You do need to sign up for Jedi training ahead of time, but if your child is registered, they will participate.

Thank you kindly for your quick reply! So Jedi Training is something you have to pre-register for, when your booking window opens, online? As in, Concierge could guarantee us a spot for DS?

 

[TestingH2O]

Remy was gone, even if we had wanted it.

Well, Remy isn't on the Magic, so the reason you didn't see it is because it wasn't there.

For a special event cruise like SWDAS, how much does status matter with regards to getting the character meets and possibly other activities you want?

Last year, it wasn't a problem for people other than the awkward timings you experienced with Marvel. Somehow things like Palo etc have been much tighter this year. More stays cruisers? Fewer online registrations? Unsure but the general consensus is that online reservations have been tough this summer particularly for Palo brunch.

I am more focused on how likely it is that we might get shut out of anything we want to do on this cruise if we don’t have a booking advantage, since the absolute main focus is the Star Wars Day.

If you stay Concierge, you won't miss out. They will get everything for you before Platinum even. You'll also have access to a cabana if you like. If you do a regular room, you'll be ahead of new cruisers but Gold and Platinum will have already reserved. The odds are probably good that you'll get what you want (other than a cabana,) but you might very well have the odd timings again.

 

[pangyal]

Well, Remy isn't on the Magic, so the reason you didn't see it is because it wasn't there.



Last year, it wasn't a problem for people other than the awkward timings you experienced with Marvel. Somehow things like Palo etc have been much tighter this year. More stays cruisers? Fewer online registrations? Unsure but the general consensus is that online reservations have been tough this summer particularly for Palo brunch.



If you stay Concierge, you won't miss out. They will get everything for you before Platinum even. You'll also have access to a cabana if you like. If you do a regular room, you'll be ahead of new cruisers but Gold and Platinum will have already reserved. The odds are probably good that you'll get what you want (other than a cabana,) but you might very well have the odd timings again.

Thank you! And DUH on Remy!!! I meant Palo dinner. But it was gone nonetheless.

 

[roomsrviss]

We did the SWDAS in concierge on the Fantasy in April. I was in a social media group on another site and it seemed like most people were able to schedule M&G without difficulty. The Jedi training seemed to be a different story. We were able to get our preferred times with the help of concierge but many people in that group weren't able to get Jedi training at all before we sailed. People may have been able to on board--not sure. Other than that, I didn't feel there was any special SWDAS advantage for concierge. But, as you note, the regular perks apply and were really nice. I'm sure you'll have fun in whichever cabin you pick!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Thank you kindly for your quick reply! So Jedi Training is something you have to pre-register for, when your booking window opens, online? As in, Concierge could guarantee us a spot for DS?

Yes, you can pre-register for Jedi Training and, yes, concierge will secure a spot for you. We did Star Wars day at sea this past March and we were originally booked in a verandah room. I'm gold, so I did have a booking advantage and when our window opened, everything was available - character meets, Jedi Training, Palo, Remy (at certain times) - but no cabanas and they didn't have Remy at the time I wanted. I have no idea what the availability looked like once silver was able to book. I kept calling DCL to see if Remy opened up, but no luck. Only a few weeks before I cruised, I decided to upgrade us to concierge. Right after I did it, I e-mailed shoreside concierge and within hours, they had secured the Remy date and time I wanted - they said the restaurants hold reservations back specifically for concierge guests. When we boarded and realized DH didn't have the correct shoes for Remy, they even found some for him. I guess the point I'm making is, if you are booked concierge, they will bend over backwards to secure any reservations you want. The Fantasy concierge staff are seriously top-notch. And, if you are already booked in concierge and you e-mail your requests to them at midnight on the day your booking window opens, you should have no issues securing what you want. I love sailing concierge. They take so much of the work out of securing reservations, answering questions - no lines at guest services, shore excursions, etc. You simply go to the lounge, speak to a concierge CM and they will do their utmost to help you.

 

[pangyal]

We did the SWDAS in concierge on the Fantasy in April. I was in a social media group on another site and it seemed like most people were able to schedule M&G without difficulty. The Jedi training seemed to be a different story. We were able to get our preferred times with the help of concierge but many people in that group weren't able to get Jedi training at all before we sailed. People may have been able to on board--not sure. Other than that, I didn't feel there was any special SWDAS advantage for concierge. But, as you note, the regular perks apply and were really nice. I'm sure you'll have fun in whichever cabin you pick!

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with this. I’m sure it sounds ridiculously petty of me to be focused on whether my kid will be able to sign up for Jedi Training on this cruise, but it’s the most important thing to him and since we are not planning another DCL cruise for a while, I’d like everyone to get what they want out of it with no anxiety.

 

[pangyal]

Yes, you can pre-register for Jedi Training and, yes, concierge will secure a spot for you. We did Star Wars day at sea this past March and we were originally booked in a verandah room. I'm gold, so I did have a booking advantage and when our window opened, everything was available - character meets, Jedi Training, Palo, Remy (at certain times) - but no cabanas and they didn't have Remy at the time I wanted. I have no idea what the availability looked like once silver was able to book. I kept calling DCL to see if Remy opened up, but no luck. Only a few weeks before I cruised, I decided to upgrade us to concierge. Right after I did it, I e-mailed shoreside concierge and within hours, they had secured the Remy date and time I wanted - they said the restaurants hold reservations back specifically for concierge guests. When we boarded and realized DH didn't have the correct shoes for Remy, they even found some for him. I guess the point I'm making is, if you are booked concierge, they will bend over backwards to secure any reservations you want. The Fantasy concierge staff are seriously top-notch. And, if you are already booked in concierge and you e-mail your requests to them at midnight on the day your booking window opens, you should have no issues securing what you want. I love sailing concierge. They take so much of the work out of securing reservations, answering questions - no lines at guest services, shore excursions, etc. You simply go to the lounge, speak to a concierge CM and they will do their utmost to help you.

Yeah, I think we are already spoiled for Concierge before even trying it. I am a sucker for the club level at WDW already and apparently DCL puts them to shame. They have been super sweet and helpful for our Halloween cruise with regards to booking activities and the requisite cabana. It’s also a “big” birthday for the hubster on this January cruise and I’d like to be able to get Remy without stressing over it. I think that reading your experience with booking Remy and the PP’s experience with the Jedi Training cemented it for me. Thank you very much for sharing your experiences !

 

[roomsrviss]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with this. I’m sure it sounds ridiculously petty of me to be focused on whether my kid will be able to sign up for Jedi Training on this cruise, but it’s the most important thing to him and since we are not planning another DCL cruise for a while, I’d like everyone to get what they want out of it with no anxiety.

Not petty at all! I completely understand. SWDAS is such a special experience--and for us, one we most likely won't be able to repeat--that I also felt the need to do the best I could to get the kids signed up for things that were most important to them. Have a great time.

 

[ScooterScott44]

We have done SWDAS 2015 non-concierge and 2017 in concierge. Unless something changed this year I can’t recall booking the Star Wars character M&G before boarding in either case. Got a slip once onboard to rank the available characters. Maybe that has changed.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with this. I’m sure it sounds ridiculously petty of me to be focused on whether my kid will be able to sign up for Jedi Training on this cruise, but it’s the most important thing to him and since we are not planning another DCL cruise for a while, I’d like everyone to get what they want out of it with no anxiety.

I don't think it's petty at all. There are certain experiences on DCL that are just far easier to book if you are sailing concierge and, if you want to take the stress out of securing those reservations and can afford to do it, it's a no-brainer to me. We've had countless experiences where DCL concierge has pulled rabbits out of hats for us. They completely spoiled us and I don't think we would sail DCL without booking concierge at this point.

We have done SWDAS 2015 non-concierge and 2017 in concierge. Unless something changed this year I can’t recall booking the Star Wars character M&G before boarding in either case. Got a slip once onboard to rank the available characters. Maybe that has changed.

Yes, that definitely changed. We sailed in March 2018 and booked all of our character meets online prior to the cruise!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Thank you! And DUH on Remy!!! I meant Palo dinner. But it was gone nonetheless.

Just for future reference, when it comes to Palo or Remy seatings being sold out online ahead of time, when you board there will be a time/place dedicated to make Palo & Remy reservations. They do hold back a quantity of seatings, it’s been mentioned in the past that perhaps up to half are held back for onboard. In April we booked about a month out and Remy brunches was gone. When we got onboard we went to the designated spot & scored both a Remy brunch AND dinner seatings at Palo every night (4-night cruise). No problem.

I’m not sure how much availability of things like character meets and those things that are held back for booking onboard, if any at all. If it’s doable to go concierge and you have very specific must-dos that may be money well spent IMO. I love the forward 4e rooms, too. So hard to say on which is better or worth it.

 

[CA_WestCoast]

Like roomsrviss, we also did an April SWDAS as concierge. I had withdrawals afterwards, and wanted to go right back on the ship and do it all over again. The week flew by too quickly! I am of the opinion that the theme cruise and concierge are a great combination. We went concierge to ensure we got all the scheduled options we wanted with days/times we chose (mattered for DS as we're only Silver), plus to be spoiled a bit more. Ask shoreside concierge before your request date to see if they release any of the M&G times. If not, make some assumptions and give them your preferences and they'll make it happen. Plus, when you first get on the ship, whoever you meet with in the concierge lounge will help you get whatever you didn't get scheduled in advance.

Jedi Academy was only available on Star Wars Day the other choices you could schedule some on the other days which we really preferred.

Take a look at this link on what was posted on Disney Cruiseline Blog. It gives you an idea what to expect. https://disneycruiselineblog.com/2017/10/look-2018-star-wars-day-sea-pre-booking-options/

 

[pangyal]

Like roomsrviss, we also did an April SWDAS as concierge. I had withdrawals afterwards, and wanted to go right back on the ship and do it all over again. The week flew by too quickly! I am of the opinion that the theme cruise and concierge are a great combination. We went concierge to ensure we got all the scheduled options we wanted with days/times we chose (mattered for DS as we're only Silver), plus to be spoiled a bit more. Ask shoreside concierge before your request date to see if they release any of the M&G times. If not, make some assumptions and give them your preferences and they'll make it happen. Plus, when you first get on the ship, whoever you meet with in the concierge lounge will help you get whatever you didn't get scheduled in advance.

Jedi Academy was only available on Star Wars Day the other choices you could schedule some on the other days which we really preferred.

Take a look at this link on what was posted on Disney Cruiseline Blog. It gives you an idea what to expect. https://disneycruiselineblog.com/2017/10/look-2018-star-wars-day-sea-pre-booking-options/

This is perfect, thank you so much for the personal experience and for the link!

 

[volfan1978]

I'll be submitting my Concierge request email in 6 days...any special requests I should consider for a Very Merrytime Cruise?

 

[dcassetta]

I'll be submitting my Concierge request email in 6 days...any special requests I should consider for a Very Merrytime Cruise?

If your family is interested in making a gingerbread house, you would probably want to sign up for that.