Concierge vs. an extra cruise

[squirk]

I am sailing next February on one of the Star Wars cruises with two connecting Cat 5 cabins. I asked my TA about upgrading to Concierge just to see how much it increased the price, and was amazed to see that the price difference could buy a whole 'nother 7-day cruise on RCCL.

We don't do Port Adventures - either the port is uninteresting (e.g., Nassau) or we prefer to do things ourselves (St. Thomas/St. John). We don't see ourselves ever wanting to get Palo or Remy delivered to our room, or room service on disembarkation day. We don't like that closed-off Concierge sundeck (the "rich people terrarium", as Kevin once put it), and we have little kids who will want to be down by the pool anyway.

The early embarkation and the Concierge lounge sound great, as does the possibility of getting a cabana. But not $7,000 worth of great.

Seems like, for my family, Concierge just doesn't have enough value to justify the price. Am I missing anything?

 

[perditax]

Don't need the Internet to confirm your choice, sounds like you laid it all out.

 

[OKW Lover]

I am sailing next February on one of the Star Wars cruises with two connecting Cat 5 cabins. I asked my TA about upgrading to Concierge just to see how much it increased the price, and was amazed to see that the price difference could buy a whole 'nother 7-day cruise on RCCL.

I didn't realize RCCL also did Star Wars cruises.

 

[kiford]

I have to agree. While there are a few nice things in Concierge, we simply wouldn't take advantage of about 90% of what there is. For a lot more money, it's simply not worth it for us. Some people love it and swear by it but it's not for us; sounds to me like you've concluded that for yourself as well.

 

[squirk]

Don't need the Internet to confirm your choice, sounds like you laid it all out.

I was hoping there was some other killer benefit I was forgetting that would justify the cost.

 

[perditax]

I was hoping there was some other killer benefit I was forgetting that would justify the cost.

Sorry. These threads are usually thinly veiled "people are dumb for paying for concierge" threads. (See: 'rich people terrariums' -- sounds like you already had some disdain.)

 

[jdb in AZ]

I was hoping there was some other killer benefit I was forgetting that would justify the cost.

Just being on a Disney cruise is enough of a "killer benefit" for us.

 

[squirk]

I didn't realize RCCL also did Star Wars cruises.

No, sorry. I mean that we could go on the DCL Star Wars cruise, and the money we would save by not upgrading to concierge, we could cover a RCCL cruise as well.

 

[squirk]

Sorry. These threads are usually thinly veiled "people are dumb for paying for concierge" threads. (See: 'rich people terrariums' -- sounds like you already had some disdain.)

No, I think you were reading too much into it.

I was going through a laundry list of the Concierge benefits that I knew of, pointing out how many weren't of value to *my* family, and seeing if what was left made the cost worth it. I was hoping someone would point out a benefit I was forgetting ("But you didn't mention 'X'" or "Did you consider 'Y'?")

I really don't care one way or another if someone else pays for Concierge. If you have the money and you feel like you are getting good value, more power to you. It's your money, so who am I to tell you how to spend it?

And again, I lifted the "rich people terrarium" joke from Kevin.

 

[turtle27]

We did concierge when we got a wonderful rate on it, it was only about $200 more per person (4 adults) on a 5 night cruise, vs. 2 Cat 5's. When we booked it, I told the group it was probably our first and last time, so we had better enjoy it. We booked a 2 bedroom on the Wonder. We loved the room and the experience, just not at the prices DCL wants to charge now.

For us, we are with you, the perks are not worth the cost for us. Are there some intangibles, yes, of course, they don't add up to 7k for a cruise, but that is my opinion. I have said it before and will again, I can see where people will utilize much more of the concierge services and have many more needs for the rooms. We drink, but not enough for the free alcohol to make up for. We did get the water delivered, still, not enough. Now, Rodrigo is priceless, but as I keep saying, everyone needs a Rodrigo in their lives, lol. We did not take advantage of the in room Palo, thought about it, but we enjoy leaving the room to eat. The breakfast in room was nice, we did take advantage of that a couple of times. The priority disembarkation, while nice, if you carry off your own luggage, not that much more difficult. Again, we were 4 adults, I could see where some of these services would be better. I could see if you had a family of 7 where it may also be getting much closer to the cost of the 2 rooms needed. I think it all depends on you, your budget, and what you will need/utilize.

It was well worth it for what we paid, we don't regret it and are happy to have experienced it.

 

[TestingH2O]

And, on the flip side, we are working on details to travel at a time that is less convenient so we can have a 1 bedroom. My first cruise has taught me that no one else can tell you what makes a great vacation for you. Concierge is worth it to us, right now, based on all of our family dynamics. I may feel differently in 5 years when things inevitably change.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

If you've never done concierge it's worth trying sometime. Maybe on a shorter itinerary? Or as a port upgrade? If I could go on a whole 'nother vacation that would be my obvious choice. I'd rather do more for the money. That's me, though. Some people find it worthwhile to go for less length but with all the bells-n-whistles.

I've sailed concierge on the Dream several times. I've only looked out at the concierge sun deck twice. I wouldn't sit out there. It's way too hot and there's no shade. They need a water feature or something. Hello Disney! Go check out NCL's Haven and hook up the terrarium!

 

[squirk]

Well, that SW cruise is Feb. 6-13 - very much the off-season, I think. All concierge-level rooms are still available on DCL.com, so perhaps I can shoot for an upgrade at the port if the price is right. I have no idea if those port upgrades are (relatively) screaming deals, or if they are only nominal in terms of savings, though.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Well, that SW cruise is Feb. 6-13 - very much the off-season, I think. All concierge-level rooms are still available on DCL.com, so perhaps I can shoot for an upgrade at the port if the price is right. I have no idea if those port upgrades are (relatively) screaming deals, or if they are only nominal in terms of savings, though.

From the times I did port upgrades, the savings was significant over rack rate for the same room. There's a thread that tracks port upgrades if you'd like to see some examples.

 

[squirk]

Thanks much. I did take a look. Seems like the savings over the rack rate are indeed substantial. I guess there is not much for me to do now besides cross my fingers and hope that the Concierge rooms don't book up before we sail.

 

[tinkerone]

I have often asked myself if concierge would be worth it for us and have never yet said yes. I look at the cost of one week going that way and then book two weeks at a few hundred more in non concierge. I know it fits well into some peoples life and there are a few who love to tell all about it and would cruise no other way but it does nothing for me. i'll take my extra week in a 8A or 5A and be very happy I didn't choose concierge.
now that's jmo and not meant to take away from anyone who does enjoy it. to each our own.....

 

[bumbershoot]

Well, that SW cruise is Feb. 6-13 - very much the off-season, I think. All concierge-level rooms are still available on DCL.com, so perhaps I can shoot for an upgrade at the port if the price is right. I have no idea if those port upgrades are (relatively) screaming deals, or if they are only nominal in terms of savings, though.

Well now that you've told us all the above they won't be unbooked for long.

If you've researched concierge you know that there's little in terms of things you get*. And more along the lines of "making it easier for you to spend more money" like a cabana or remy etc.



*spring water, cappuccino (I'm a latte person, personally), a lithograph at the end (ours still sit in the cardboard as we don't put Disney art in our home)...

 

[squirk]

Anyone who is that interested in Concierge was probably already one step ahead of me.

 

[LemonNeko]

For $7000 I'd want Mickey to read me a story and tuck me into bed every night.

 

[jrabbit]

our last cruise (12 night N Baltic) had a concierge room available for over 6 times what we paid for our cruise - so only one 7-night cruise on a "cheep" cruise line does not see that expensive