Is Concierge worth the additional $$$?

[DISNEY FANTASY]

No, I don't think it's just because Mr. Holz is onboard. I've mentioned it in a number of posts since our EBTA in May. They have stepped up their game in terms of Concierge service on the classics. On the Magic at least it is no longer,one size fits all. Our experience this year was so much better than last year. The service is much more personal, intuitive and just overall outstanding.

Like you, I don't post all that was done for my family on the boards because it does cause others to expect exactly the same. The little surprises and cool extras were unique to my family based on our conversations and interactions with our concierge. The experiences of others may differ based on the needs of their family.

Yes agree, the concierge service was above my expectations and I have cruised it many times recently so had a set expectation. I did notice a lot of things that were well above usual levels of service, ship side and I can only put that down to Mr Holz being on board. Everyone stepped up to a perfection level.

 

[kaseyC]

Yes agree, the concierge service was above my expectations and I have cruised it many times recently so had a set expectation. I did notice a lot of things that were well above usual levels of service, ship side and I can only put that down to Mr Holz being on board. Everyone stepped up to a perfection level.

I'm glad you noticed the difference as well. I know that so many sing the praises of concierge on the Dream class ships but often discount the service on the classics. To me, at least it seems they are trying harder to make the service better and more personal on the classics.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

I'm glad you noticed the difference as well. I know that so many sing the praises of concierge on the Dream class ships but often discount the service on the classics. To me, at least it seems they are trying harder to make the service better and more personal on the classics.

Yes I think they got the message loud and clear and stepped up the classic ships service until they get a Concierge lounge, Angelina, and Mr Holz agreed, but Brent didn't! Brent felt it wasn't possible.

 

[Dug720]

I agree with everyone who says it's highly dependent on your situation.

We cruised concierge last summer as part of a trip celebrating my parents' 45th anniversary. Dad booked the cabin because it was one that would pretty comfortably hold 4 adults, NOT because it was concierge. Yes, the drinks each night was nice. And yes the litho we got (we actually got three - one for my parents, one for my sister, and one for me because we had three addresses) was nice. But. We are not high maintenance people. We like doing our own things and doing things for ourselves - we had booked Palo on our own and had no desire to do any excursions. I think the concierge staff was a little at a loss what to do with us because we were so undemanding. When they saw us, they'd always be like "Are you SURE there's nothing we can do?" It almost got to the point where we'd actually avoid the lounge because we were starting to feel bad we weren't using them for anything - but there was nothing we needed. I finally let the guy (I forget his name) bring a few cans of coke and diet coke to our fridge one day when I'd gone into the lounge to get one just to not feel bad for not being higher maintenance.

I cruised solo in February in an 8B and a lot of people on here tried to convince me I'd never like it after being concierge, but I actually loved it MORE because I didn't have to worry about pleasing anyone by letting them do things I'm perfectly capable of doing on my own. My HAL cruise I wasn't suite level and did just fine. My cruise in February I'm 8B GTY and will be fine.

So it really all depends on you and your family. If you like being hovered over, you'll probably love it. If you like being independent and feel bad when people keep asking to do things for you, I'd avoid it.

But that's just my opinion.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

I agree with everyone who says it's highly dependent on your situation.

We cruised concierge last summer as part of a trip celebrating my parents' 45th anniversary. Dad booked the cabin because it was one that would pretty comfortably hold 4 adults, NOT because it was concierge. Yes, the drinks each night was nice. And yes the litho we got (we actually got three - one for my parents, one for my sister, and one for me because we had three addresses) was nice. But. We are not high maintenance people. We like doing our own things and doing things for ourselves - we had booked Palo on our own and had no desire to do any excursions. I think the concierge staff was a little at a loss what to do with us because we were so undemanding. When they saw us, they'd always be like "Are you SURE there's nothing we can do?" It almost got to the point where we'd actually avoid the lounge because we were starting to feel bad we weren't using them for anything - but there was nothing we needed. I finally let the guy (I forget his name) bring a few cans of coke and diet coke to our fridge one day when I'd gone into the lounge to get one just to not feel bad for not being higher maintenance.

I cruised solo in February in an 8B and a lot of people on here tried to convince me I'd never like it after being concierge, but I actually loved it MORE because I didn't have to worry about pleasing anyone by letting them do things I'm perfectly capable of doing on my own. My HAL cruise I wasn't suite level and did just fine. My cruise in February I'm 8B GTY and will be fine.

So it really all depends on you and your family. If you like being hovered over, you'll probably love it. If you like being independent and feel bad when people keep asking to do things for you, I'd avoid it.

But that's just my opinion.

Last cruise:-

Shore trips booked- None.
Spa booked- None.
Mixology booked - None.
Palo Two booked online, one extra Brunch booked.
In room breakfast / MDR - None.

I am independent and as you can see have little needs, but they still can do things for you!

Alaska in the Walt last year was almost exactly the same.

TBH I also do not like being hovered over and the good concierge picks up on it, does things behind the scenes with no fuss.

 

[Dug720]

Last cruise:-

Shore trips booked- None.
Spa booked- None.
Mixology booked - None.
Palo Two booked online, one extra Brunch booked.
In room breakfast / MDR - None.

I am independent and as you can see have little needs, but they still can do things for you!

But I don't WANT people doing "things for me". And i don't like being made to feel guilty for not needing or wanting things done for me.

Not all of us are concierge people. I'm not for sure. In fact, given a choice between not cruising at all or cruising but being required to cruise concierge? I'd choose not cruising. It's NOT relaxing to me to have other people's happiness so blatantly obviously dependent on me needing them.

 

[bbn1122]

But I don't WANT people doing "things for me". And i don't like being made to feel guilty for not needing or wanting things done for me.

Not all of us are concierge people. I'm not for sure. In fact, given a choice between not cruising at all or cruising but being required to cruise concierge? I'd choose not cruising. It's NOT relaxing to me to have other people's happiness so blatantly obviously dependent on me needing them.

Wow, the things that concierge can do for you really is not waiting on you hand and foot.

We are cruising concierge for the first time next week and for us it was the things they were able to book for us at 120 days which will make our cruise more pleasurable.

It is costing us only $450 more for 5 of us to cruise concierge. I can not wait for the special touches, the upgraded decor in the Family suite, the concierge lounge etc.

 

[Dug720]

Wow, the things that concierge can do for you really is not waiting on you hand and foot.

We are cruising concierge for the first time next week and for us it was the things they were able to book for us at 120 days which will make our cruise more pleasurable.

It is costing us only $450 more for 5 of us to cruise concierge. I can not wait for the special touches, the upgraded decor in the Family suite, the concierge lounge etc.

And as I said, some people are concierge people. I - and honestly my family as my dad has said when they cruise again they will NOT do concierge either - am not. And there's nothing wrong with that.

The original question was is it worth it, and I was sharing my experience so that if someone doesn't like being fussed over and doesn't have issues being with others on CC (i.e.: doesn't insist on a cabana, which is really the only thing I've seen you HAVE to get at 120 days), they don't have to feel like they're missing something by not going concierge. And as I should have anticipated, I was immediately met with a "But here..." post, so I was defending my position as I feel there ARE in fact people for whom it's not worth it.

One more time. Concierge is NOT necessarily for everyone. Some need it, some like it, and some really don't like it. And that is FINE!

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

But I don't WANT people doing "things for me". And i don't like being made to feel guilty for not needing or wanting things done for me.

Not all of us are concierge people. I'm not for sure. In fact, given a choice between not cruising at all or cruising but being required to cruise concierge? I'd choose not cruising. It's NOT relaxing to me to have other people's happiness so blatantly obviously dependent on me needing them.

No one makes you feel guilty, no one waits on you hand and foot, no one is forced to book concierge, you can use them as much or as little as you want, they adapt.

There are a number of massive assumptions here, I am not, and my happiness is not blatantly dependent on needing them.

I have sailed 11 plus cruises on DCL about 50% are concierge the others were not. Its more about room size and location than the service.

People have a choice!! Do what you want to do, but please do not make assumptions and put two and two together and get ten.

 

[Dug720]

No one makes you feel guilty, no one waits on you hand and foot, no one is forced to book concierge, you can use them as much or as little as you want, they adapt.

There are a number of massive assumptions here, I am not, and my happiness is not blatantly dependent on needing them.

I have sailed 11 plus cruises on DCL about 50% are concierge the others were not. Its more about room size and location than the service.

People have a choice!! Do what you want to do, but please do not make assumptions and put two and two together and get ten.

I wasn't saying YOUR happiness was dependent on people needing you. I was saying that when we sailed concierge, I felt a definite vibe from the concierge hosts that I was disappointing them by NOT needing or wanting anything. THEY gave me the impression that their happiness was dependent on ME needing THEM.

I'm glad your concierge hosts were less obtrusive. Mine were not, and it soured me on ever trying that level again. Fortunately I cruise solo most of the time, so room size isn't an issue.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

I wasn't saying YOUR happiness was dependent on people needing you. I was saying that when we sailed concierge, I felt a definite vibe from the concierge hosts that I was disappointing them by NOT needing or wanting anything. THEY gave me the impression that their happiness was dependent on ME needing THEM.

I'm glad your concierge hosts were less obtrusive. Mine were not, and it soured me on ever trying that level again. Fortunately I cruise solo most of the time, so room size isn't an issue.

I have never felt that way,

 

[brianall]

Totally worth it! We have only done concierge, including the Walt Suite a couple of times. The service is much better, you get free internet, larger room/veranda, the concierge lounge, private deck up top with sunscreen included, free cocktail reception every evening, and first dibs on cabanas. Once you go concierge, you will never want to sail without it again.

 

[bumbershoot]

I didn't have to worry about pleasing anyone by letting them do things I'm perfectly capable of doing on my own. ...

If you like being independent and feel bad when people keep asking to do things for you, I'd avoid it.

We don't like being hovered over, and we do things on our own, BUT we have no issues just telling people what we are like, and we're not going to end up feeling bad because they aren't doing anything for us. We are happy to say "we're good, but that family looks like they need help" and just move on.

So it's really the issue of if you will feel like they are making you feel bad. If you are going to feel like that, yes, concierge isn't a great choice. If you can brush it off easily and just go on being independent, then it can be a good choice.

We required nothing but knowledge (is this vegetarian, where are the waters kept, can I have an ice pack since DS bonked his head at the sun deck), really, and knew that they wished they could do more for us, but it didn't bug us.

 

[lulucornbread]

Totally worth it! We have only done concierge, including the Walt Suite a couple of times. The service is much better, you get free internet, larger room/veranda, the concierge lounge, private deck up top with sunscreen included, free cocktail reception every evening, and first dibs on cabanas. Once you go concierge, you will never want to sail without it again.

amen!

 

[cris0809]

Totally worth it! We have only done concierge, including the Walt Suite a couple of times. The service is much better...

Feel the need to point out that if you've only sailed concierge you have no idea how much "better" the service is than without it.

I'm completely 100% over the hype/cheerleading. We have sailed concierge and had the WORST service we've ever had on a ship, including non-Disney sailings. I had to name an individual on the concierge team on my comment card for poor service. It is not sunshine and rainbows all of the time.

 

[AlexandNessa]

.

 

[kaseyC]

There seem to be a fair amount of comments about being fussed over, not having to lift a finger, etc. We've never felt that, barring one situation in the dining room that had nothing to do with concierge. On one 4 night cruise, we never saw our concierge beyond our first meeting onboard.

Makes me wonder about the not lifting a finger comment or preferring to do things in your own. The concierge staff isn't full of mind readers. Whether you go to Palo and make a reservation yourself or you ask the concierge to arrange it for you, aren't you still getting a Palo reservation, you're just asking a different person to do it? Whether you wait in line at the shorex desk to reserve a shore excursion or ask the concierge to do it, isn't the end result the same? It's not like the concierge knows you want a reservation/excursion and makes a big fanfare over securing it, at least not in our experience. YMMV.

Makes no difference to me if folks sail concierge, not, sail only Disney, or branch out to other lines, or choose not to sail at all. It's great that we have choices, and we're free to spend our disposable income as we deem fit.

MTE! Excellent post!

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Feel the need to point out that if you've only sailed concierge you have no idea how much "better" the service is than without it.

I'm completely 100% over the hype/cheerleading. We have sailed concierge and had the WORST service we've ever had on a ship, including non-Disney sailings. I had to name an individual on the concierge team on my comment card for poor service. It is not sunshine and rainbows all of the time.

Firstly each to thier own, each person has different needs, different expectation, different expire ranches, I have been on 11 DCL cruise snd many more on other lines including concierge snd non concierge, I found RCL Concierge overall good against their poor entertainment and poor service.

I say it as it is and often get in trouble for it, saying it direct, in my posts no cheerleading no hype, the concierge service on the Magic was ex lenient and surprised me.

I would say you have to have communication and some kind of relationship with them, by talking they pick up on your needs or interests and then try to help.

I had conversations one day, not fishing for anything and they offered a solution which was excellent the next day.

Just because others say they had a wonderful expires nice it doesn't mean it's hype or cheerleading it's a report back from someone's expirance, like you report a bad expirance it's also valid.

The only issues are when people who haven't sailed concierge answer threads on concierge and haven't had that first hand knowledge but repeat hearsay.

 

[Heckofastitch]

I hope so . We booked our first cruise 4-11-15 & we booked concierge.

 

[cgolf]

For our two fantasy cruises we did concierge, and for the roughly $4400 it was definitely worth it. This last year we didn't re-book because it jumped to over $7000 for the same room and time of year was not worth it for us, especially now that DD is one year out from college and the sticker shock with that

cgolf