Help me plan a Concierge level cruise for as little $$ as possible

[DCLDVC1]

I got it from reading reviews from people who sailed Concierge who kept referring to "our two hosts". I also don't want to spend any time standing in lines (if at all possible) and it seemed (to me, at least) being concierge level will either allow you to skip lines by booking early or you could just ask your host to do it for you. I forget the exact examples, but stuff about standing in line at guest service and stuff around excursions.

The Wonder and Magic have 2 hosts working in the lounge, the Dream and Fantasy have 3.

 

[hypnotoad]

I would hate for you to spend 20grand (we haven't even spent that total on our 9 cruises since 2013 so the number makes me gasp) on something you thought you were getting but weren't.

While I and my family have never cruised, my parents have been cruising regularly for probably 15 years now. This is their budget for their big milestone anniversary, which they have generously decided to share with us. I took on the planning so they can just truly relax and enjoy the fruits of their hard work - and concierge means (to me) that if anything goes wrong, Disney will work just a bit harder to make it right.

 

[KVH]

I dunno. I tend to agree with some of the others. Two cat4/5's would give you a good bumper against other costs. Don't forget excursions, bingo, adult beverages, Palo/Remy, etc. That can add up for 4 adults. Yes, bad things can happen. But, all things considered, I'd think those are exceptions rather than the rule. Paying a LOT of extra money against a POSSIBILITY something bad might happen just to save 10 minutes in line seems like overkill. Then again, I'm not risk averse. YMMV.

 

[Bear3412]

Sail NCL Haven IMO.

DCL suite prices have exceeded .....

Good luck with your choices.

Regardless, ..... may you have calm seas ....

 

[bumbershoot]

...and concierge means (to me) that if anything goes wrong, Disney will work just a bit harder to make it right.

I don't think that last sentence will happen.

Concierge gets you a lounge with extra food and some bottled water and an espresso machine. The rooms on dream at least are arguably prettier than normal rooms. You might meet Stitch privately (with the other concierge guests that show up). You ask them for help instead of guest services. You're more likely to get a cabana (which I disliked).

But that's it imo. The normal service on ships is great. We have liked our concierge service the same as or less than normal service. On Royal Caribbean we don't get concierge because their service is just as good or better and for half the cost for our cruises. The big fancy touted concierge guy on Dream was cloying and condescending. Being in the lounge was ok but kept us from seeing the rest of the ship.

To me spending that much for ONE cruise when your idea of the service is so far off from my experience of the service is just painful.

 

[bumbershoot]

I got it from reading reviews from people who sailed Concierge who kept referring to "our two hosts".

I also don't want to spend any time standing in lines (if at all possible) and it seemed (to me, at least) being concierge level will either allow you to skip lines by booking early or you could just ask your host to do it for you. I forget the exact examples, but stuff about standing in line at guest service and stuff around excursions.

Those hosts are shared among all the concierge cabins. There is no one dedicated to you alone.

We haven't needed anything that requires standing in line (other than setting up tips for concierge) so I don't know what you might need. But from our experience even with Andy and Ashley, they took so long with each group that if you needed something you were sitting in the lounge for longer than it would have taken to stand in line at GS.

 

[Bear3412]

I don't think that last sentence will happen.

Sounds like you had fun CL on the Dream.

Ever sailed the Fantasy CL?

But I somewhat agree the whole CL thing, on the Disboards, may be setting expectations too high.
You have to keep expectations in check.

BTW bumpershoot the Fantasy has one of those hosts aboard too IMO.

 

[kaseyC]

To be honest, depending on the itinerary and the time of year you're sailing, your 20K may not even get you a one bedroom suite. 20K is decent budget but not so much for DCL concierge unless you are looking at a 3 or 4 night cruise during non-peak season.

 

[twoprincesses12]

We recently sailed the Fantasy after doing a port upgrade to a 1 bedroom Concierge from ext balcony 4E connecting Cabins (which we booked onboard prior). We greatly enjoy the connecting 4E but we appreciated the amenities of Concierge and would do again budget permitting (although the port upgrade was significant $ it was still $6K less than the prevailing concierge 1 bedroom rate just prior to sailing.) Your family will certainly appreciate the Group 1 boarding, pre arrival Concierge & access to a Cabana (as previously said, book it and cancel later should you change your mind!) should you go that route. We also appreciated the concierge staff, the lounge, the sun deck, the cocktail hours and other get togethers that were scheduled. The room steward and staff were also excellent and very accommodating! There were times the Lounge was crowded or the Concierge staff was addressing other passenger issues, but overall the wait was comfortable with a quick snack or drink on hand.

You may have to consider your overall budget if sailing the Fantasy at peak times as a previous response said, as you would not be able to book 2 concierge rooms within your generous budget! That being said, our budget would also have us look at the NCL Haven ( we cruised the Getaway last summer and the entire family really enjoyed it) for a Concierge experience at a lower price point. Our girls do prefer DCL kids club to NCL, but preferred the Haven amenities and kids pool/activities on deck on Getaway.

Either way, enjoy the time together as a family in the way that fits your cruise style best.