Double dip or concierge?

[broadsheet]

This is my family’s first cruise ever and I cannot decide which one to pick! I suspect I am priced out of concierge for the double dip. (My main interest in concierge is the lounge, a shot at a cabana, and fewer lines at embarkation.) which one would you recommend for a first time family cruise? Kids are 5 and 9.

9/28 Dream, four night to Bahamas, concierge (+$2,500 more expensive)

Or 9/24 Fantasy, five night double dip in a Cat 5 verandah.

Thank you

 

[LizGirl]

I'd always choose more nights!

 

[StartedByAMouse]

For me, an extra night aboard, two days at Castaway Cay and a savings of $2,500 far outweighs the benefits you mention for concierge.

Especially if it's your family's first cruise. See what you like at an introductory level. If you feel like you're missing out on something, do concierge the next time out.

Have fun with whatever decision you make. Probably can't go wrong with either choice. You're on a Disney Cruise!

 

[FSU Girl]

I love sailing Concierge, I say go for that one. It will also help if this is your first cruise they do a lot of the heavy lifting with planning for you.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

I'd choose the longer cruise, but @FSU Girl is correct that concierge will help you along the way for planning. It's your "Time and $$$$$".

 

[cats mom]

I think I'd lean more toward the double dip and more nights for a first cruise. Of course part of that might be me projecting my fears: I have yet to cruise concierge on DCL because I'm afraid I'd fall firmly into the it's tough to go back once you've tried it camp. LOL

Good luck with your decision!

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Blessed enough to have done both- I would do the double dip. I love concierge, but for a first cruise, a longer cruise means less rushing around trying to do everything because it is your first cruise and you want to do everything!

 

[Cruising Engineer]

Of course part of that might be me projecting my fears: I have yet to cruise concierge on DCL because I'm afraid I'd fall firmly into the it's tough to go back once you've tried it camp. LOL

Oh yeah, like flying first class. The next trip you're in the back of the plane. Oh the shame, why can't I fly first class all the time?

 

[n2mm]

Longer cruise with 2 visits to castaway...no hesitation for me. Already booked on Monday!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

This is my family’s first cruise ever and I cannot decide which one to pick! I suspect I am priced out of concierge for the double dip. (My main interest in concierge is the lounge, a shot at a cabana, and fewer lines at embarkation.) which one would you recommend for a first time family cruise? Kids are 5 and 9.

9/28 Dream, four night to Bahamas, concierge (+$2,500 more expensive)

Or 9/24 Fantasy, five night double dip in a Cat 5 verandah.

Thank you

5 nights wins over 4.

 

[undertheradar]

I would compare both cruises, cabin type to cabin type. The September Fantasy cruise will be lower cost and includes 2 stops at Castaway Cay.

 

[Spiffy MacSpiff]

I just looked at a double dip vs. concierge for summer 2020. I was all for the extra night but was outvoted by DH and our DSs, who all want to do another concierge cruise. No complaints here either way! Just finished booking it. But if it was my first cruise I think I'd go for the double dip. It's hard not to feel like you want to see and do everything on your first cruise and the extra day would make that less of an issue.

 

[Dug720]

Longer + Double Dip = WINNER in my book.

Of course, I'm one of the weird ones who felt claustrophobic by the attention in Concierge. I'm not high maintenance enough for them. LOL. It was constant "Are you sure we can't do anything for you???" which...NOT RELAXING.

 

[scrapbookjulie]

I loved our double dip cruise...but it was because I was in concierge and had a cabana both days. LOL I know I'm in the minority, but I'd pick concierge with a cabana over the double dip.

 

[mevelandry]

This is my family’s first cruise ever and I cannot decide which one to pick! I suspect I am priced out of concierge for the double dip. (My main interest in concierge is the lounge, a shot at a cabana, and fewer lines at embarkation.) which one would you recommend for a first time family cruise? Kids are 5 and 9.

9/28 Dream, four night to Bahamas, concierge (+$2,500 more expensive)

Or 9/24 Fantasy, five night double dip in a Cat 5 verandah.

Thank you

I have not tried Concierge. I'm sure it's amazing...

BUT ...

For a first cruise, I'd start with a "regular" cruise... (In this case 9/24 Fantasy, five night double dip in a Cat 5 verandah).

Why?

Cabanas: While they are extremely hard to catch when you are silver, it's not 100% impossible. I've got one as a Silver CC member in 2017 (granted, it was for Serenity Bay, but still!). It was nice but for us, it doesn't make or break a cruise.

I've never found the embarkation lines to be bad enough to make a rapid line worth it.

Also...

With the money you'd save if you are not staying concierge, you could easily "upgrade" your "regular" experience and add some extra magic here and there.

 

[dcassetta]

This is my family’s first cruise ever and I cannot decide which one to pick! I suspect I am priced out of concierge for the double dip. (My main interest in concierge is the lounge, a shot at a cabana, and fewer lines at embarkation.) which one would you recommend for a first time family cruise? Kids are 5 and 9.

9/28 Dream, four night to Bahamas, concierge (+$2,500 more expensive)

Or 9/24 Fantasy, five night double dip in a Cat 5 verandah.

Thank you

In addition to the extra $2500 for a shorter cruise, the cabana will be $649 plus tax.

Longer and double-dip is a great option. Your family will have time to try out everything on CC, and more time to enjoy the ship.

 

[Dug720]

In addition to the extra $2500 for a shorter cruise, the cabana will be $649 plus tax.

Longer and double-dip is a great option. Your family will have time to try out everything on CC, and more time to enjoy the ship.

Excellent point! I've seen a few people who were all about concierge "because cabana!" until they realized that the cabana does not come included with the concierge experience. You have to pay for it.

 

[Trera]

I loved our double dip cruise...but it was because I was in concierge and had a cabana both days. LOL I know I'm in the minority, but I'd pick concierge with a cabana over the double dip.

Concierge for us too.

 

[NOLA_Tink]

Definitely do the double-dip! With the $2,500 you can save, use that money for extra perks and you'll get an extra night, plus 2 days at CC. There's no comparison!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I vote for concierge. If you can afford it, especially as a first-time cruiser, shoreside concierge will take all of the stress away from planning your cruise.