First Cruise! Category Question

[mikeymouse1223]

Hi All!

I have been visiting this site for a long time, and finally decided to take the plunge & join.

I am planning DCL cruise for my 40th Birthday - Western Caribbean (Fantasy) - 01/05/13. It will be our first DCL cruise (1st cruise ever in fact). There will be 4 of us (Myself, DW, and 5 year old twins).

The prices I have been quoted online (DCL website)-incl taxes, no insurance:

$4770.08 4E (deck 6)
$4994.08 4A (deck 10)
$6058.08 00V (deck 12)

My question is (and I'm sure there will be plenty more!!)...is it worth the extra $224 to move up from deck 6 to deck 10, and is it worth $1064 extra to move up to deck 12 concierge? We definitely want the Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah...just not sure about the category.

Other than a marginally bigger room, and access to a private lounge, are there other reasons people go with concierge level?

This site is great! Thanks Everyone!!

 

[andersonfamily]

It is really what you are comfortable with spending. We sailed on the Dream (Fantasy and Dream are almost identical ships) last March and we are going again this March. We stayed in Concierge last year and will be in concierge again for sure! We have two small children also, and being able to arrive at the port and immediately board the boat was great with 2 kids under 6. You will also be personally escorted on the boat and up to the concierge lounge. You will also get to book any reservations at 120 days out before everyone else (besides platinum) they are at 120 days as well. The lounge is fantastic. Food, drinks, water, beer served almost all day. If they don’t have something, they will get it for you, all included in the higher price. I have also included a link to an article about the different decks and rooms that might help you.

http://cruiseadvice.org/disney-cruise-line/disney-dream/cabin-selection

 

[kcashner]

Concierge actually adds a lot. I personally don't think moving from one deck to another is worth $. Whether the concierge services are worth it or not is a personal decision.

What you can expect in concierge--more toiletry products (body wash, aloe after sun stuff). Fluffy robes and slippers. Private lounge and sun deck. Priority check in and boarding. Ability to make all reservations at 120 days before cruise with shoreside concierge to assist you. Almost guaranteed that you will get any reservations you wish as concierge always holds some till after first day of cruise. Much enhanced cabin...DVDs and popcorn for kids, etc. Special litho by Ducky Williams. Food and alcohol in concierge lounge. You can order from the main dining rooms delivered to your stateroom (in addition to the room service menu).

Only you and your spouse can determine whether those things are worth a bit over $1000.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Concierge actually adds a lot. I personally don't think moving from one deck to another is worth $. Whether the concierge services are worth it or not is a personal decision.

What you can expect in concierge--more toiletry products (body wash, aloe after sun stuff). Fluffy robes and slippers. Private lounge and sun deck. Priority check in and boarding. Ability to make all reservations at 120 days before cruise with shoreside concierge to assist you. Almost guaranteed that you will get any reservations you wish as concierge always holds some till after first day of cruise. Much enhanced cabin...DVDs and popcorn for kids, etc. Special litho by Ducky Williams. Food and alcohol in concierge lounge. You can order from the main dining rooms delivered to your stateroom (in addition to the room service menu).

Only you and your spouse can determine whether those things are worth a bit over $1000.

kcashner, thanks for the above. We have often wonder what exactly Concierge includes onboard. Quick question: I heard on our recent cruise that you can order from Palo's menu for room service if you are Concierge Level. Is that true? (DH says that alone would be worth the cost! )

Thanks,
Dreams

 

[kcashner]

kcashner, thanks for the above. We have often wonder what exactly Concierge includes onboard. Quick question: I heard on our recent cruise that you can order from Palo's menu for room service if you are Concierge Level. Is that true? (DH says that alone would be worth the cost! )

Thanks,
Dreams

Ordering from Palo used to be available only in cat 1 and 2 (not in cat 3) concierge rooms. However, all concierge guests were able to book at least one extra dinner in Palo...a sort of "under the table" perk. I honestly don't know which concierge categories can order room service from Palo on the Dream, but would guess that it would be the same on the Fantasy.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Ordering from Palo used to be available only in cat 1 and 2 (not in cat 3) concierge rooms. However, all concierge guests were able to book at least one extra dinner in Palo...a sort of "under the table" perk. I honestly don't know which concierge categories can order room service from Palo on the Dream, but would guess that it would be the same on the Fantasy.

Thanks!

OP: Hope you didn't mind a sub-question on your thread. Thanks!

By the way, I think $1000 is a lot of money, but... if you have $1000 to spare, it could be a nice way to spend it if the above listed things are something that will enhance your vacation.

I mean, heck, if you're at $6,000, what's another grand? (Just trying to add a bit of humor to the money of it all!)

Seriously, though, when it comes to travel extras, we ask ourselves, "Six months from now, will we miss the money?" Only you know the answer to that question in your situation.

HTH,
Dreams

 

[jel0511]

Personally, I'd go with the 4A, but move down to deck 9. Deck 10 gets a lot of noise from the pools being directly above. The 4E, I believe (I could be wrong) is actually smaller in the interior and the extra space is all in the balcony. They're actually the same size of the cat 5's interior, with just a larger balcony. If you're wanting more interior space, you need to go up to a 4D, which I wouldn't recommend since they're all practically on top of the lifeboats and your downward view is slightly obstructed. Also, I believe the 4E's are all on deck 5, not deck 6. I have stayed concierge, just not on the Dream and only the Royal suites onboard are allowed to order from Palo in their rooms. The other concierge rooms do get the ability to order from the restaurants at dinner time. We only used that perk once at breakfast. Concierge service is pretty awesome, but not mind blowing IMO or worth all the extra $$$ We actually booked a suite for the larger space than anything else. All of our next cruises, we're booked in 2 staterooms, for much less, due to the insane pricing DCL has on their suites for 2013.

 

[jetskigrl]

Hi All!

I have been visiting this site for a long time, and finally decided to take the plunge & join.

I am planning DCL cruise for my 40th Birthday - Western Caribbean (Fantasy) - 01/05/13. It will be our first DCL cruise (1st cruise ever in fact). There will be 4 of us (Myself, DW, and 5 year old twins).

The prices I have been quoted online (DCL website)-incl taxes, no insurance:

$4770.08 4E (deck 6)
$4994.08 4A (deck 10)
$6058.08 00V (deck 12)

My question is (and I'm sure there will be plenty more!!)...is it worth the extra $224 to move up from deck 6 to deck 10, and is it worth $1064 extra to move up to deck 12 concierge? We definitely want the Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah...just not sure about the category.

Other than a marginally bigger room, and access to a private lounge, are there other reasons people go with concierge level?

This site is great! Thanks Everyone!!

Well, compared to what I am paying for a 4B in June, I would be all over that 00V room For that price difference, I would probably jump to the 00V. But also ask yourself if you think you will be going on more cruises after this. If so, will it be hard to go down to a regular room after staying in concierge?

If so, go for the 4A (but like the PP said, grab a deck 9 room instead of a 10). If this is a once in a lifetime trip (or money is not an issue), go for the 00V

 

[budamacdvcr]

We did concierge last summer and booked again, b2b July 2012 concierge. I thought it was well worth the extra $ but this is an individual family budget decsion. After the great experience, I did take a look at rough numbers for the heck of it and maybe this will help.

Look at it as how much extra per night $1000 / 7 = $143 per night. I figured that between capachinos, adult beverages during the evening happy hours, smoothies for the kids during happy hours, champagne on embarkation day, can sodas and bottled water - great for poolside and to put into cabin fridge and not have to keep running to the beverage station, our family easily would have spent a $100 per night for these items if we had to purchase on board.

Then there are some of the non $ perks and benefits:
Booking excursions, palo, cabana at CC at 120 days which is the erliest group for booking these

1. Check-in - concierge can ceck-in at any time, at seperate check-in desk. Then (we felt kinda bad but was a great perk) they walk you right onto the ship past all the folks lined up on the ramp to board.
2. Concierge takes care of everything for you, you do not have to go to guest services for anything - staff was outstanding!
3. The photo service at Shutters - you get to avoid the crowds as your stateroom photo book is kept in the concierge lounge for your family to view and of course order from.

Hope this helps and again it is a family budget decision - happy sailing you will enjoy no matter what you decide.

 

[mikeymouse1223]

Thanks for the input everyone! Tons of info...Excellent advice on going with deck 9 over deck 10. The concierge sounds pretty good though...might have to splurge!!

 

[jlemieu1]

Here is another benefit. We booked our cruise one month out which basically meant ever thing was already booked full. They sucessful booked Palo brunch with no problem. So basically you should be able to make last minute changes in your activites.

Palo in room is only for Cat R

 

[Bear3412]

Only $1200 or so difference between deck 12 and 10 surprises me. Usually it's 2-3K difference. For that little $ variable I'd go for deck 11 or 12. PP's have layed it out very well. If booked concierge, no worries pre cruise, in terminal, on board, etc. Go for it.

 

[mikeymouse1223]

Thanks Bear. I didn't realize it was usually that much more for concierge. I'm convinced! (Now I just have to convince my DW!! )

 

[mikeymouse1223]

Yay! She's in!! That was much easier than I thought. Going with concierge. Thanks again everyone.

 

[BBQMommy]

 

[JJsmama]

The photo service at Shutters - you get to avoid the crowds as your stateroom photo book is kept in the concierge lounge for your family to view and of course order from.
[/LIST]Hope this helps and again it is a family budget decision - happy sailing you will enjoy no matter what you decide.

How does this work on the Wonder? There is not a Concierge lounge on the Wonder, is there? Do they also keep the photos somewhere. I remember DH hated going into the crowds in Shutters to see our photos.

 

[andersonfamily]

How does this work on the Wonder? There is not a Concierge lounge on the Wonder, is there? Do they also keep the photos somewhere. I remember DH hated going into the crowds in Shutters to see our photos.

No lounge on Magic or Wonder. Having the pictures/shutters in the Concierge lounge on the Dream is new. When we sailed last March the pictures were not in the lounge.

 

[Bear3412]

That's one of the reasons concierge is less $ on Magic Class ships.
No lounge. Must deal w/ Shutters. Must mingle w. steerage

 

[JJsmama]

That's one of the reasons concierge is less $ on Magic Class ships.
No lounge. Must deal w/ Shutters. Must mingle w. steerage

Haha! My oldest son loves Titanic history (the architecture of the ships, and the traditions of the time period of the separate social classes. He is always condemning his younger brothers to travel in 'steerage.' )

That being said, since there are so many more Concierge rooms aboard the new Dream/ Fantasy, it does seem less exclusive to me. With so few on the Wonder / Magic, I wonder if the service is better? Or is it just as fabulous on the new ships. Having a concierge lounge full of other people's kids feels less Wonder-ful to me than having the Concierge bring things to your stateroom. Just wondering....

 

[andersonfamily]

Haha! My oldest son loves Titanic history (the architecture of the ships, and the traditions of the time period of the separate social classes. He is always condemning his younger brothers to travel in 'steerage.' )

That being said, since there are so many more Concierge rooms aboard the new Dream/ Fantasy, it does seem less exclusive to me. With so few on the Wonder / Magic, I wonder if the service is better? Or is it just as fabulous on the new ships. Having a concierge lounge full of other people's kids feels less Wonder-ful to me than having the Concierge bring things to your stateroom. Just wondering....

I have never been on the Wonder or Magic but we were on the Dream last March and it was perfect. The Concierge service is wonderful. The lounge never seemed crowded or "less-wonderful". You kinda have your own area of the ship to just retreat to if the crowds were too much to take. All of our fellow concierge guests were just as stunned at the service as we were. We are not spoiled or demanding people so we never asked for anything special--that being said, we never had too. It was always there or available and they seemed to be able to read our minds.