Just Back Fanstasy Western Concierge Cruise!

[sillecruisers]

Those of you that sail in concierge I hope you have a wonderful cruise just don't look at those that do not as lesser cruisers.

Please remember that MOST don't do this. We sailed for the first time a few weeks ago, concierge, and loved the perks. I would do it again. However, we also made friends with an awesome group from our cruise meet thread, NONE of which were concierge, and I didn't give one hoot where their room was! It made no difference whatsoever and the only negative I can say about concierge (because of posts I've seen here) is that I actually worried that my new friends might think we thought less of them because we were in concierge. There were quite a few heated debates on the main board before we sailed regarding concierge entitlement, and it made me really uncomfortable. Concierge is simply how we chose to travel, not who we are. I am just like everyone else. I don't think it's fair to assume that all concierge travelers will "look at those that do not as lesser cruisers." And I am not saying that you think that, but it's a common assumption, so I am just speaking up for those who don't judge folks by their room number.

 

[MUN]

Q: How can you tell if someone is sailing concierge?
A: They tell you.

 

[jetskigrl]

Please remember that MOST don't do this. We sailed for the first time a few weeks ago, concierge, and loved the perks. I would do it again. However, we also made friends with an awesome group from our cruise meet thread, NONE of which were concierge, and I didn't give one hoot where their room was! It made no difference whatsoever and the only negative I can say about concierge (because of posts I've seen here) is that I actually worried that my new friends might think we thought less of them because we were in concierge. There were quite a few heated debates on the main board before we sailed regarding concierge entitlement, and it made me really uncomfortable. Concierge is simply how we chose to travel, not who we are. I am just like everyone else. I don't think it's fair to assume that all concierge travelers will "look at those that do not as lesser cruisers." And I am not saying that you think that, but it's a common assumption, so I am just speaking up for those who don't judge folks by their room number.

I even get that type of response sometimes for saying that I like to cruise in a verandah room. I certainly don't think less of people in other room types, it is just that I have a job that gets stressful and when I go on vacation, that verandah gives me an area to really relax without other people around. I crave that alone time (with just my family). I love the sound and smell of the ocean and would be perfectly happy just sitting on my verandah reading and sipping a cocktail for the entire cruise. But I know that isn't what other people want to do on the cruise. For so many people, the room is just a place to shower and sleep. For me, it is the destination. Sure, I come out for meals, shows, etc. But if I had to spend the entire cruise in the room, I would probably be OK with that too (as long as it had a verandah so that I could step outside)

DH and I are sailing concierge for the first time in just over a week. It is our 20th anniversary trip so we decided to splurge. It isn't because we think we are better than anyone else. It is just that for our 20th anniversary celebration, we wanted to be pampered a bit and enjoy those perks that we hear about but have never had a chance to experience ourselves. And since we are going with a group of friends, it will provide us with a gathering place before dinner, etc. Plus for this cruise, the price was pretty reasonable.

 

[diznymom]

Questions: How was the last morning? Was there coffee available in the lounge? How early?
How was disembarkation w/ concierge different from non-concierge?

 

[Tasmen]

For us? Concierge is worth it. We have done concierge numerous times at WDW and look forward to our first experience on the Fantasy. We like the convenience booking concierge provides us. I will happily pay money if something saves me time and I feel not one bit of shame about that. That said, I realize this is not for everyone. I do wish people would be less Judgy Mc Judgerson about how others vacation and just concentrate on their own. That's the one that matters!

 

[TestingH2O]

Questions: How was the last morning? Was there coffee available in the lounge? How early?
How was disembarkation w/ concierge different from non-concierge?

In August there was coffee, but they were certainly helping people get off the ship in a timely manner, if you know what I mean. When the machine ran out of milk, they didn't refill it, do it was espresso shots for all. Haha.

The concierges called the elevators, walked us off the ship, and we skipped all the lines before customs. Luggage was right there, the porters were waiting to help, and we cruised right through. I got the feeling that the longest part of the process would have been getting off the ship itself.

 

[sillecruisers]

Q: How can you tell if someone is sailing concierge?
A: They tell you.

Or, they have to give their room number when involved in a FE group. That is the ONLY reason I would find it necessary to divulge that information, short of someone asking.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Think of concierge sort of like owning a Cadillac instead of a VW. Both stop at red lights, both need gas, both have the same speed limits, etc.

But the guy who wanted a Cadillac, could afford a Cadillac and who enjoys a Cadillac certainly is entitled to the Cadillac.

So if folks want concierge, can afford concierge and enjoy concierge--more power to them!

PS I drive a Hyundai

 

[cgolf]

Think of concierge sort of like owning a Cadillac instead of a VW. Both stop at red lights, both need gas, both have the same speed limits, etc.

But the guy who wanted a Cadillac, could afford a Cadillac and who enjoys a Cadillac certainly is entitled to the Cadillac.

So if folks want concierge, can afford concierge and enjoy concierge--more power to them!

PS I drive a Hyundai

We happen to have Hyundais and a a Toyota and I gues you could say that allowed us to splurge twice on concierge trips

As for the tipping, does DCL give any clue as to what the hosts should be tipped yet? That was our frustration and others on the trips. We were asked by multiple guests as to what we thought they should be tipped, is was a hot topic the last full day onboard.

When you sail concierge you get a gold keycard, so if you wear the lanyards, people might know that way, or just think you have a goofy looking card.

 

[Uncleromulus]

As far as I am aware DCL is still completely silent about what amount to tip concierge. They won't even say if it is a truly tipped position or not.

For US--most of the real service we got was from Shoreside concierge, in advance of the cruise. Other than being extremely nice, the the shipboard staff didn't need to do a whole lot for us.

 

[diznymom]

I was able to snag a concierge room this next trip. 1) It is a time when most schools are still in session (lower price). 2) I booked early enough that the price was "opening day" or just a little higher price (lower price). and 3) It will be just DH and me....no kids (lower price). Plus, I booked a year and a half out so there is more time for budget and paying it off.

Does this make me a snob? No. Do I feel lucky? Yes.

BTW, DH does not know about this yet. I'm debating about telling him on our anniversary (right at the 120 day mark) or waiting to tell him on the plane. All opinions are welcome.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I was able to snag a concierge room this next trip. 1) It is a time when most schools are still in session (lower price). 2) I booked early enough that the price was "opening day" or just a little higher price (lower price). and 3) It will be just DH and me....no kids (lower price). Plus, I booked a year and a half out so there is more time for budget and paying it off.

Does this make me a snob? No. Do I feel lucky? Yes.

BTW, DH does not know about this yet. I'm debating about telling him on our anniversary (right at the 120 day mark) or waiting to tell him on the plane. All opinions are welcome.

If it were me, and I could keep the secret that long, I'd probably tell him on the plane, if those were my only choices. But, if I were waiting that long, I'd try to see how long it took him to figure it out (maybe all the way to the ship). Now, if there were things that needed to be decided beforehand, I'd probably tell him then.

 

[diznymom]

If it were me, and I could keep the secret that long, I'd probably tell him on the plane, if those were my only choices. But, if I were waiting that long, I'd try to see how long it took him to figure it out (maybe all the way to the ship). Now, if there were things that needed to be decided beforehand, I'd probably tell him then.

I've kind of gotten his input on some things by quoting what other people are doing. He has made some comments like "that would be nice", or "no way". He thinks the concierge level is ridiculously expensive (sometimes it is). And just in case he starts thinking we might be doing something like that, I will quote the price for the Royal Suites and let him know that we could nearly pay off our mortgage for that price. He knows that I am ultra conservative with the money and he "lets" me take care of it all.

Now, the problem w/ waiting until we are on the ship, or even in the terminal........he knows that I am very directionally challenged and wants to lead the way. I can't tell you how many times we have gone to Side A instead of Side B for DME at MCO b/c "he knew the way" and would not listen to me. We would not end up in the Concierge line or area.

This is going to be fun.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

I was able to snag a concierge room this next trip. 1) It is a time when most schools are still in session (lower price). 2) I booked early enough that the price was "opening day" or just a little higher price (lower price). and 3) It will be just DH and me....no kids (lower price). Plus, I booked a year and a half out so there is more time for budget and paying it off.

Does this make me a snob? No. Do I feel lucky? Yes.

BTW, DH does not know about this yet. I'm debating about telling him on our anniversary (right at the 120 day mark) or waiting to tell him on the plane. All opinions are welcome.

I'd wait to surprise him at the port! I just did this for our cruise last weekend on the Wonder. We originally booked a standard inside and about 9 months ago I upgraded to a Deluxe Family Veranda but didn't tell my wife, my kids knew and we all stayed silent and just let her go into the cabin first. She turned around after we entered the room and said, "get out, we're in someone else's room!" It was pretty funny and she was excited about it.

ETA: Enjoy your cruise and congrats on scoring a good price on Concierge!

 

[cdoc29]

Or you could wait till your in the terminal hand him the paperwork and ask him which line. That would allow you to see the look of surprise on his face when you guys check in and then basically get to walk right onto the ship.

 

[sillecruisers]

Or you could wait till your in the terminal hand him the paperwork and ask him which line. That would allow you to see the look of surprise on his face when you guys check in and then basically get to walk right onto the ship.

We were concierge on our last cruise, and since it was our first cruise, we went into the regular check in line (for the record, I knew there was a concierge check in but hubby argued that the regular line was the right place to be- he was wrong). Anyway, my point is, the line moved quickly and what happened was, they looked at our paperwork, saw our room # and said, "Oh, you're concierge, go over to that line". That might be a good way to surprise him- let the cast member say it when you get to the front of the regular line. Imagine his surprise when he hears that!

 

[sillecruisers]

As far as I am aware DCL is still completely silent about what amount to tip concierge. They won't even say if it is a truly tipped position or not.

When we cruised last month, I went to guest services on the last full day and asked to get tip cards for concierge. She asked how much, and I said, I have absolutely NO IDEA- how much should we tip concierge? She hemmed and hawed and I pressed- "no, really, what would you tip them? What do other people do? What do you think I should tip them?" and she finally gave me a number- $50. I asked if that was for all 3 hosts, she said yes. I thought that sounded way too low so we more than doubled it, but I thought it was very interesting since I've never heard a number given out at all. For the record, we were a party of 5 on a 4 night cruise.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

For the record,

For the record, tipping should be based on what you think the extra services are worth to you. There's no "correct" answer.

 

[Tami0220]

I booked almost 2 years ago for our 25th anniversary. I dont plan a large party for our anniversary and there are several family members I would prefer not to celebrate with

Hubby does not know we are going and wont know til about 3 days before we go. We are planning a trip to WDW and staying at Ft Wilderness. I will tell him when we are there. But I dont plan to tell him what room we are in until they lead us to our room. We have sailed concierge once before and he loved it. I was able to get what I thought was an acceptable rate on the Roy Suite. Can only afford it for the 3 day, but it is a bucket list item for me and I figure what I would have spent on an anniversary party this was about the same. We sail in about a month, the secret has been killing me. I usually spill secrets within a week.

 

[timrousbeastie]

Please remember that MOST don't do this. We sailed for the first time a few weeks ago, concierge, and loved the perks. I would do it again. However, we also made friends with an awesome group from our cruise meet thread, NONE of which were concierge, and I didn't give one hoot where their room was! It made no difference whatsoever and the only negative I can say about concierge (because of posts I've seen here) is that I actually worried that my new friends might think we thought less of them because we were in concierge. There were quite a few heated debates on the main board before we sailed regarding concierge entitlement, and it made me really uncomfortable. Concierge is simply how we chose to travel, not who we are. I am just like everyone else. I don't think it's fair to assume that all concierge travelers will "look at those that do not as lesser cruisers." And I am not saying that you think that, but it's a common assumption, so I am just speaking up for those who don't judge folks by their room number.

Great post!

Last month, I was boarding a flight that was completely packed. I was in row 2 of First Class and all the bins were full. In the first row, right in front of me, was a couple in their 30s with an empty aisle seat next to them. I quickly gauged the situation and opened the closed bin above them. Sure enough: it only contained a small handbag and a coat. When I briefly put down one of my bags on the empty seat to free my hand, so that I could gently move their items to the side and make room for at least two larger trolleys, the gentleman started shouting at me that they had paid to have an empty seat next to them. He was oblivious to the fact that I was blocking the aisle right at the front of the plane, with at least 50 passengers still waiting to board, while I politely was trying to move their coat without wrinkling it.

Although I usually fly business, stay concierge at hotels, and am about to try concierge on the Fantasy for the first time, there are few traits that I dislike more than an inflated sense of entitlement.

PS: I drive a 13 year-old Toyota Corolla.