Dream Concierge

[kindman]

We have a B2B in April on the Dream and I was wondering if anyone knew who the Concierge team may consist of for trip.

 

[phinz]

I do not recall the concierge lounge having a microwaave.

 

[cashe]

Thank you! I couldn't find any info either.

 

[poison ivy]

No toaster and no microwave in the concierge lounge from any of my photos. There was a sign at breakfast that oatmeal and toasted bagels were available "upon request".

 

[cashe]

that's nice to know. DH and DD love oatmeal.

 

[jlemieu1]

In concierge you can order an optional hot breakfast to be delivered to your cabin

 

[poison ivy]

In concierge you can order an optional hot breakfast to be delivered to your cabin

I really wish we had taken advantage of this. it would have been a great compliment to the continental breakfast items in the lounge. We just didn't think of it.
That's the problem with being first time concierge guests on a 4 nt. cruise. The amenities can be easily overlooked.

 

[grammie12]

In concierge you can order an optional hot breakfast to be delivered to your cabin

I believe from what I've read that only Cat T and Royal Suites can order a hot breakfast.

 

[cashe]

I believe from what I've read that only Cat T and Royal Suites can order a hot breakfast.

I plan on taking advantage of this in May!

 

[Jaesc0515]

What time does conceirge normally board the ship. I'm trying to decide if I need to book a hotel room or not. Coming from Tampa just 2 1/2 hrs away

 

[cashe]

I'm driving in from Tampa too. We are leaving tampa area around 730 am. Concierge is one of the first to board so I think around 11:15.

 

[cashe]

bump

 

[poison ivy]

What time does conceirge normally board the ship. I'm trying to decide if I need to book a hotel room or not. Coming from Tampa just 2 1/2 hrs away

On our trip, which was back in Sept 2013 and after they were enforcing the new Port Canaveral arrival times, we boarded as Concierge for a 4 nt Dream cruise at 11:15 am. Everyone was thru the initial checkpoint where they scan your badge before proceeding to the group photo area by 11:20am.

 

[cashe]

On our trip, which was back in Sept 2013 and after they were enforcing the new Port Canaveral arrival times, we boarded as Concierge for a 4 nt Dream cruise at 11:15 am. Everyone was thru the initial checkpoint where they scan your badge before proceeding to the group photo area by 11:20am.

I thought I read we couldn't even get in until 1030? What time do you think we should shoot for getting to the terminal then?

 

[poison ivy]

I thought I read we couldn't even get in until 1030? What time do you think we should shoot for getting to the terminal then?

I'd say get there earlier than 10:30 if you want to be among the first to enter the terminal.

Here are some of our Sept 2013 pics. We arrived at the port via private bus around 10:05 am.
It took about 10 mins for everyone (39 seats) to get off the bus and line up outside.

this pic was taken at 10:15 am. Our happy limo charter bus is in the background.



this is how far back we were in line at that time.



Pay attention to the overhead walkway which connects to the parking garage. Follow the gentleman in the lime green shirt to your right above as he's walking while this area is practically empty at 10:15am. Next set of photos, you'll see the exact position he is lined up (look to your far right) and how long the line quickly formed by the time these pictures were taken at 10:25am.





So there are three ways to enter the terminal. The first is behind the gates to the right for DCL transfers guests.

(photo taken jan 2013)



OK back to the Sept 2013 concierge trip here:

The other two entrances are outside in these photos - 1 single line on the overhead walkway shown above or two lines at the ground level here:



At 10:30 am we were just beginning to be let in.



by 10:33 we were approaching the outside checkpoint where you were asked to show your passport or other credentials.



there are security checkpoints both upstairs for those guests entering from the overhead level and downstairs - shared with DCL transfer guests and the rest of us waiting outside.





looking back at the line as we entered the terminal at 10:36 am.


obviously we didn't use these check in desks for concierge, but this is how busy the terminal was at about 10:42 am





that's my dad and DD arriving with us. Why am I not on a cruise right now???



there are 2 check in podiums for Platinum and Concierge guests. Sometimes you may have a to wait your turn.

(photo taken Jan 2013) - pic of concierge / platinum check in area taken when we arrived first in the terminal via DCL bus from MCO. (we were cruising non-concierge here)



Sept 2013 - our concierge adventure





this is the door you enter to the private concierge seating area once you check in.



A look back at the terminal at 11am. (we were all checked in by then)



Our private lounge area and entrance doors. (there are additional sofas where I'm standing to take this pic)





And we boarded at 11:15 am - before the family of the day.

 

[cashe]

Ok, I officially have the biggest crush on you right now LOL. You take pictures like i do! thank you so much!!!! Now, may I pick your brain one more time? Should we save the money and park at the Park n Cruise or should we just park at the terminal? I have a feeling I may be utilizing my handicapped sticker especially after my 70# boxer just tore my left ankle this morning which happened to be the only half good ankle i had left. ugh. Anyway, is it "worth it" to park at the terminal vs parking off premises? The money isn't an object, I like to save where I can, but the sheer convenience at this point with all of my disabilities might outweigh the cost.

 

[poison ivy]

thanks for the vote of confidence. I hated not knowing what to expect for our first cruise, and learned so much here that I'm happy to pay it forward.

I don't know when the park n cruise arrives or what it entails so I can't offer much advice there. I did recently read a trip report where the writer had a problem getting the guard at the booth when you first approach the port to let him pass to the right in order to park in the designated handicapped lot which apparently has it's own private area. (everyone is directed to go left and proceed to where we were dropped off). He had initially arrived just after 10am and wound up having to circle back around. Well at that point traffic had backed up like crazy by close to 10:20 am. I don't think this write-up was on the DIS so I can't link it.

But I would definitely research the HA route. especially if it involves a separate entrance.

 

[cashe]

thanks for the vote of confidence. I hated not knowing what to expect for our first cruise, and learned so much here that I'm happy to pay it forward.

I don't know when the park n cruise arrives or what it entails so I can't offer much advice there. I did recently read a trip report where the writer had a problem getting the guard at the booth when you first approach the port to let him pass to the right in order to park in the designated handicapped lot which apparently has it's own private area. (everyone is directed to go left and proceed to where we were dropped off). He had initially arrived just after 10am and wound up having to circle back around. Well at that point traffic had backed up like crazy by close to 10:20 am. I don't think this write-up was on the DIS so I can't link it.

But I would definitely research the HA route. especially if it involves a separate entrance.

Thank you!!! Do you think shoreside might be helpful if I contacted them in regards to HA route/procedures for the terminal parking?

edited to add: I found this on disney's site. on the port canaveral site it says i can prepay for parking, but here it says you pay upon exiting??? should i prepay? i wonder if it would be less hassle?

Preferred parking is also available for $25.00 per day. The preferred parking area is located inside the secured area, next to the vehicle dropoff area.

Guests enter via the car gate, drop off their luggage and then make a left turn in to the preferred parking area. There are total of 113 spaces, including 6 accessible spaces. Parking in the preferred area is on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to the size of the lot, there is no over-sized vehicle parking available in the preferred parking area.

 

[poison ivy]

Thank you!!! Do you think shoreside might be helpful if I contacted them in regards to HA route/procedures for the terminal parking?

Hard to say. Since this is a Port Canaveral issue even though it's the DCL you may not get very far thru them. A few arrival videos and aerial photos plus maybe information provided thru the Port website may help. Someone here has to have had experience with this, I'm sure. I'll see if I have any photos of the drive up. I know we did that once and I took pictures. My husband dropped a few of us off curbside, then drove back to Country Inn and Suites to park the car and take the shuttle over. We were let in before he got back though but we all met up in the terminal.

 

[LUVDisney1975]

We will be in cabin 12016 in 12 days. I'll take pictures for you.

Our prior Dream cruise was in cabin 12516 which is the same location but in the other hall. I absolutely ADORE concierge. My family loves the sky deck. There's no pool or hot tub but it's really quiet. On the busiest day, we saw 3 or 4 other families up there. We took full advantage of the bottled water in the lounge. The concierge treatment starts as soon as you get past security at the port. Very minimal wait. You won't want to go home.

My "I'm a doofus" story - When we arrived at the room, there was a fruit basket waiting that I hadn't ordered. I wouldn't let my family touch it because I didn't believe it was really for us. My husband asked the room steward who assured me it was just a gift from Disney.

Hello!!! I was checking back in to see how your cruise was. Did you enjoy cabin 12016? Can't wait to see your pictures and hear all about your concierge cruise!