Is Concierge worth the additional $$$?

[1Winston]

We love concierge on the new ships and will only sail that way. With young children avoiding the lines is well worth it. We loved the lounge and sundeck. We loved that we could go down the hall to the lounge and they would clean our daughters bottle daily in their dishwasher. The coffee in the morning was amazing on the balcony. The added room space and deck space was nice too. We always book the bump out rooms and they have very deep balconies.
It is very individual but we love it. The staff is so wonderful with our little ones.
Good luck with your choice.

 

[cruisecrasher]

If we had the extra laying around, we'd definitely do it again.

 

[Belleluvswdw]

For us, yes it is worth it on the Dream. We have 2 teens and a baby, so having the extra space in a single cabin is worth it. Not to mention the relaxing lounge where I plan to be spending time with the little one if things get too overstimulating for her (and me!). It's also nice to have an extra hand in coordinating things if needed. I haven't booked any on board dining or activities yet - waiting to see how the LO takes to traveling. I'm sure if we are comfortable with it, concierge will help book nursery time and Palo or Spa last minute.

 

[wdwwishes]

For those prone to motion sickness, how does goes for you higher up on the ship?

 

[tinkerone]

such a subjective question. for me, i like value for my money so no, it is not worth it.
before i get flamed for saying the value is not there hear me out. i just checked one of the weeks we have booked for next year. the cost of one week veranda, 5 ft difference from one to the other, is $3422 for non and $5326 for conc. almost $2000 difference and what do you get extra?? its my understanding that you can not order palo unless you are in one of the suites, this could be wrong but its what i have read. as far as the private sunning area, right beside it is satellite falls and it is never busy. i would prefer that area as it as the water feature. the lounge?? meehhh. i can buy a lot of drinks for $2000 and having a small buffet is no biggy either, i can order something from room service if i decided i don't want to wait in a line. i don't normally want a cabana. this year is different, i would kill for one as we are bringing the family and booking three cabins, but there still are only a few compared to the number of concierge cabins. the royal suite is $16,600. these prices are all for two adults. theres just no real reason for us to pay extra for this.
i can certainly afford concierge however keeping with value for my money i prefer to sail for two weeks for the price of one week in concierge. maybe if i could only do one cruise every couple years i might consider it….but i doubt it.

there is no wrong answer to this question. i'm glad people see the value for themselves. we are all different and enjoy different things. do what you feel is right because for you, it is.

 

[NancyIL]

i can certainly afford concierge however keeping with value for my money i prefer to sail for two weeks for the price of one week in concierge. maybe if i could only do one cruise every couple years i might consider it….but i doubt it.

 

[cris0809]

For those prone to motion sickness, how does goes for you higher up on the ship?

We felt motion A LOT up there. Not in a good, lulling way. My partner prefers midship and center/low after experimenting with different locations over 14 cruises.

 

[PnkRockPrincess]

I am of a like mind with most of the other posters. If it's on the Dream/Fantasy, it's totally worth it to us. In fact, we'll sail in the off season just to offset the cost. The lounge is the difference. It's such an amazing space. It's quiet and calm in a sea of frantic rushing. There's really good coffee and the food is more than ample for breakfast or tea.

On the Magic/Wonder, I wouldn't do it. No lounge, no concierge for us. I kindof can't believe they didn't add a lounge on the Magic during it's re-design.

 

[1Winston]

For those prone to motion sickness, how does goes for you higher up on the ship?

I am prone to motion sickness and was very worried about being so far forward and high up but even on the rough night I didn't feel ill I was mostly just worried about my 3year old falling out of the top bunk!
My mother was in a cabin down the hall and said she didn't feel ill but did not enjoy the motion on the rough night.

Hope this helps!
I think it depends on how rough the seas are, we've been lucky and had smooth sailing with the exception of one night over the last two cruises. We cruise in Dec and Jan though not during hurricane Sandy

 

[disneywonderfun]

such a subjective question. for me, i like value for my money so no, it is not worth it.
before i get flamed for saying the value is not there hear me out. i just checked one of the weeks we have booked for next year. the cost of one week veranda, 5 ft difference from one to the other, is $3422 for non and $5326 for conc. almost $2000 difference and what do you get extra?? its my understanding that you can not order palo unless you are in one of the suites, this could be wrong but its what i have read. as far as the private sunning area, right beside it is satellite falls and it is never busy. i would prefer that area as it as the water feature. the lounge?? meehhh. i can buy a lot of drinks for $2000 and having a small buffet is no biggy either, i can order something from room service if i decided i don't want to wait in a line. i don't normally want a cabana. this year is different, i would kill for one as we are bringing the family and booking three cabins, but there still are only a few compared to the number of concierge cabins. the royal suite is $16,600. these prices are all for two adults. theres just no real reason for us to pay extra for this.
i can certainly afford concierge however keeping with value for my money i prefer to sail for two weeks for the price of one week in concierge. maybe if i could only do one cruise every couple years i might consider it….but i doubt it.

there is no wrong answer to this question. i'm glad people see the value for themselves. we are all different and enjoy different things. do what you feel is right because for you, it is.

I know exactly what you mean with regard to "worth". On our next cruise, we ended up in a one bedroom suite even though both Royals were still available. The reason was our cabin for four cost $8K and a Royal would be $17K for a 4 night cruise. Could we spend an extra $9K? Sure. But . . . I could not get past the extra $2K per night for the Royal. Just seems like an insane up charge for me to have my large balcony and jacuzzi. When you start thinking you are paying over $4K per night for a Royal, you start thinking that a suite at the Ritz in Paris costs less. A full house in the better part of Kiawah is less. The large suite at the Hay Adams (where the Obamas stayed during the transition) costs less. Just seems I cannot get past other places to stay at that price point.

DWF

 

[bumbershoot]

such a subjective question. for me, i like value for my money so no, it is not worth it.
before i get flamed for saying the value is not there hear me out. i just checked one of the weeks we have booked for next year. the cost of one week veranda, 5 ft difference from one to the other, is $3422 for non and $5326 for conc. almost $2000 difference

And of course you know that it's not a 2K price difference for every sailing on every ship. Some are going to be more, some are less.


First DCL cruise (Dream) we upgraded from our verandah room that was one step below V, to a V, right at final payment time, for $300 more than we were paying. That was just last year.

Next DCL cruise we took (also Dream) we booked an inside cabin; by the time the cruise was right up on us, the insides were about the cost of the V we had before! So it's also dependent on WHEN you book your room.

We have an October DCL cruise booked (no surprise, the Dream), and I just checked the prices...you can't even get an Inside cabin now for what we'll be paying for another Category V room. Of course there's no V left.

And we have a big porthole room slated for January, again on the Dream), and the price we'll be paying for that is less than the price for the only Insides left to book.

So when the cruise is, when you book it, what you're booking, what's available, what you were thinking about booking before...it all goes into the very complex and individual value equation.

Hey Dis'ers, quick question. So I'm going to book my very first Disney Cruise and wanted to know as I make my selection is Concierge worth the additional cost? I know whenever we go to Disney World we always stay Club level and you get additional snacks, etc. at the resorts. What does Concierge onboard the ships provide that you feel this additional expense is well worth it? Thanks all for any feedback you can provide to assist in my decision making

~~Gina

That's a pretty big one for DH!

Of course, the big difference is that on a cruise you are already being provided with food, which isn't usually the way it goes in a room-only reservation. So let's compare a cruise to a WDW trip when you are getting Free Deluxe Dining, AND you've upgraded to concierge/club level. Is that club level important to you, when you are already getting lots of food?

Or is there something more, perhaps even intangible, that you're getting from the experience?

My husband loves staying concierge/club levels. He likes the lounge and the feeling of privacy from the madding crowds. He likes having CMs/hotel employees know him, greet him, help him. He just likes the whole thing. His dad worked for companies that threw money at his dad when his dad traveled, and his dad got to bring his family along often...they did fine dining, stayed in fabulous places, etc. It stuck in Dh's head, and he likes to replicate it when we can. (meanwhile, as a kid I thought nothing was better than a nice square Motel 6 swimming pool, and you couldn't get me out of it! I did not grow up like DH, and concierge/club generally makes me somewhat uncomfortable)

Figure out what you like, figure out what "your" ship offers with concierge, figure out if those things mean something to you, and find out the cost difference. Plug it all into your family's "value" equation, and out pops an answer.

But do it quickly, since prices do go up!

 

[tinkerone]

And of course you know that it's not a 2K price difference for every sailing on every ship. Some are going to be more, some are less.


First DCL cruise (Dream) we upgraded from our verandah room that was one step below V, to a V, right at final payment time, for $300 more than we were paying. That was just last year.

Next DCL cruise we took (also Dream) we booked an inside cabin; by the time the cruise was right up on us, the insides were about the cost of the V we had before! So it's also dependent on WHEN you book your room.

We have an October DCL cruise booked (no surprise, the Dream), and I just checked the prices...you can't even get an Inside cabin now for what we'll be paying for another Category V room. Of course there's no V left.

And we have a big porthole room slated for January, again on the Dream), and the price we'll be paying for that is less than the price for the only Insides left to book.

So when the cruise is, when you book it, what you're booking, what's available, what you were thinking about booking before...it all goes into the very complex and individual value equation.

which is why i said i just checked one of the weeks we have booked for next year. i should also clarify that it is on the fantasy and not the dream so just to add to your list of differences, that will make a big change in price differences.
non of that makes a bit of difference imo of the value for concierge. i still have something better to do with $300 then spend a $100 a night extra to sleep.
i'm glad you and others find it worth the cost because i'm sure somehow that keeps the cost of the cabin i do sail in lower. now thats value to me…….lol.

again, this is all jmo and i'm not out to change minds, i'm just out to say why i don't feel its worth extra money.

 

[trestar]

I know someone spending $27K for 2 on a 1BR Suite on the 11N Norway....I don't see the value in that on the Magic.....

 

[tinkerone]

I know someone spending $27K for 2 on a 1BR Suite on the 11N Norway....I don't see the value in that on the Magic.....

holy c**p! i could sail for three months on that…….
i'm sure they will have a great time though. good for them.

 

[AlexandNessa]

I know someone spending $27K for 2 on a 1BR Suite on the 11N Norway....I don't see the value in that on the Magic.....

And THAT was opening day pricing! I had my TA check on that for me as well during the gold/platinum booking window. She didn't even bother to hold it for us at that price. She knows my limits!

We all have limits. Mine is always based on opportunity cost (what could I do with the extra $$ instead). Sometimes the opportunity cost is minor, and we go for it. Sometimes it's too great, and we bail.

 

[ludari]

If I had the extra money or won the lottery I would do it but aside from that I would rather use the extra money on another cruise.

 

[bumbershoot]

which is why i said i just checked one of the weeks we have booked for next year. i should also clarify that it is on the fantasy and not the dream so just to add to your list of differences, that will make a big change in price differences.
non of that makes a bit of difference imo of the value for concierge. i still have something better to do with $300 then spend a $100 a night extra to sleep.
i'm glad you and others find it worth the cost because i'm sure somehow that keeps the cost of the cabin i do sail in lower. now thats value to me…….lol.

again, this is all jmo and i'm not out to change minds, i'm just out to say why i don't feel its worth extra money.

I should have put more of a space between the one part that was bouncing from your post ("And of course you know that it's not a 2K price difference for every sailing on every ship. Some are going to be more, some are less.") and the rest, which was more to the OP of price differences etc.

I'm not trying to convince you, either, or really the OP. I would just hate for someone to think "well it's always going to be a 2K difference" and not even look. Maybe it'll be a 5K difference. Maybe it'll be $300.

Lattes and cappucinos add up. A few beers at the happy hour add up. Free sunscreen on the private deck (that didn't add up, we used it once and it was a spray sunscreen which I don't use because I don't like getting asthma nor do I like possibly causing it by spraying aerosol). Gorgeous room. It came pretty close in tangibles and intangibles to being worth it for the difference on our first cruise. The second cruise was a little more than that difference vs what we would otherwise book, but it's also a 4 day cruise instead of a 3-day'er.


I know you're saying "for you" and I'm saying "for me". Well really I'm saying "for my husband" but ultimately it's about the same.


The important thing for the OP, though, is to read it all and figure out the answer "for her".

 

[jrabbit]

Its absolutely worth it!!

Helps keep my Cat 9 room rates "reasonable"

 

[tinkerone]

The important thing for the OP, though, is to read it all and figure out the answer "for her".

agreed!

 

[jlemieu1]

I know someone spending $27K for 2 on a 1BR Suite on the 11N Norway....I don't see the value in that on the Magic.....

Right now to book it, the price has jumped to $32150 per CruiseFish

For those prone to motion sickness, how does goes for you higher up on the ship?

I do get sick easily but it has not been bad for me because I can upgrade to a better pillow.