On what side of the ship are the concierge lifeboats?

[sevenofeleven]

Just getting your attention! Is booking the concierge level more of an advantage for a family or just one couple cruising? Do families find this level a bargain considering all the amenities? It doesn't seem practical to choose this level if we are enjoying a leisurely trip with no hurries or worries (we have no reason the go in front of lines), and there is enough food on board for everyone to enjoy....

 

[RHSTigerMom]

The value of concierge is very subjective. The Wonder & Magic do not have concierge lounges (yet) and as I understand it, the rooms are spread out around the ship. The Dream and Fantasy rooms are on decks 11 & 12 and the lounge is on 12. It really depends if you will utilize the services offered, such as booking a cabana, adult dining, spa treatments, meet & greet tickets, tastings, etc, as well as the lounge. The lounge is wonderful for adults & kids. They offer small bites for breakfast, lunch, and during the evening receptions. There are unlimited soft drinks and bottled water available and during the evening receptions, an open bar. There is also a private sundeck with towels, misters, and sunscreen as well as a private character greeting.

If I could afford it, I would only cruise concierge on the Dream or Fantasy, both adults only and with my children (19 & 12) as we feel the amenities are worth the additional cost for us.

 

[kollerbear]

Hahahhahahhahah I have nothing to add aside from the fact that your thread title was hilarious. The correct answer is whichever side of the ship is furthest from sinking and furthest from we the unwashed masses.

 

[Rogillio]

"Will the lifeboats be boarded by class?"

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

With all the many amenities available to *US* the great unwashed*, I just don't see the value in concierge. However we have never been the type to want to be waited on hand and foot, its just not our style.

But, to each their own!

Yes Rogillio, loaded by class, until peoples feet and ankles start getting wet, there maybe more of a rush then

AKK

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Just getting your attention! Is booking the concierge level more of an advantage for a family or just one couple cruising? Do families find this level a bargain considering all the amenities? It doesn't seem practical to choose this level if we are enjoying a leisurely trip with no hurries or worries (we have no reason the go in front of lines), and there is enough food on board for everyone to enjoy....

IMHO it's best for s family with the larger rooms and to spread the cost and benefits.

 

[bumbershoot]

Of course if you are a small family, cat V is perfectly fine. And the cost can be (as in, I only book when it's like this) really decent and far far less than the one bedroom, which means the value is higher.

On land we book club/concierge for food and drink and a place to relax other than the room. We do make sure it will be a value for us before we book it on any trip. We've booked concierge twice on Dream for more of the intangibles or it. Decent price, gives DH a feeling of luxury he doesn't get on work trips, fruit closer than cabanas, waters (he and I can't drink ship water)....

 

[shelbell77]

I think between sunscreen and drinks in the lounge (including lattes from the coffee machine) we more than got our value out of Concierge. The lounge is also a fantastic meeting spot for our larger group (all staying in Concierge) before meals or joint activities. Never having to go to Guest Services for anything was the cherry on top. But that's us. Each person has to decide for themselves.

 

[Dave2425]

Of course if you are a small family, cat V is perfectly fine. And the cost can be (as in, I only book when it's like this) really decent and far far less than the one bedroom, which means the value is higher.

I agree. We like to book a Cat V and use the lounge as an extension of our room. A Cat V for our family of 5 has been between $40-70/pp/day more than a family verandah room. We think that's pretty good value.

 

[TestingH2O]

Based on our family, we found concierge to be worth it for the lounge as a gathering place and the added services. It was also great to have coffees and drinks and not see a big bill at the end. We traveled in 3 cat V rooms. We are working on a single Cat T for our next trip (2 fewer people traveling), but I still think we will spend time in the lounge and utilize services like getting a Cabana and the happy hours. We know this time that we really don't need to bring alcohol on board which will make things easier. We are discussing trying late dining on the next trip too so that DD can see the shows. With a Cat T, we can get MDR food in the room, so if she needs to go to bed right after the show, whoever takes her to bed can still get their meal.

I think I need to finish each post by saying that I can only answer what works for my family at this time. I feel confident that, in a few years, I will have different answers to what is necessary in a vacation.

 

[mmouse37]

"Will the lifeboats be boarded by class?"

ROSE: Oh, Mother, shut up! Don’t you understand? The water is freezing and there aren’t enough boats...not enough by half. Half the people on this ship are going to die!

In case anyone thinks I am snarky....those are lines from Titanic!!!

MJ

 

[timrousbeastie]

Just getting your attention! Is booking the concierge level more of an advantage for a family or just one couple cruising? Do families find this level a bargain considering all the amenities? It doesn't seem practical to choose this level if we are enjoying a leisurely trip with no hurries or worries (we have no reason the go in front of lines), and there is enough food on board for everyone to enjoy....

I chose concierge for our upcoming Fantasy cruise entirely because of family dynamics. My Dad is 85 and has difficulty walking, yet I want him and two other grandparents to have a nice setting to interact with the grandchildren. That's why I picked a cat T and a nearby cat V for our party of 9: the T for socializing, the V for resting quietly, and the lounge for when someone needs some quiet time to themselves. Because of my Dad's age and the fact that he'll be flying in from Europe, I want the best service possible for him everywhere(!) along the trip while cost is secondary. If I only travel with healthy, younger people, I personally wouldn't pay the additional cost. But I see it as entirely individual: if I only could take one or two weeks of family vacation per year, I would definitely go for the very best service possible within my budget.

For all of us who spend a lot of time planning, what really matters to us is obviously to do the very best we can for our families. In the end, that is an expression of love that in itself is so much more important than which stateroom, we end up staying in.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

Concierge is our little luxury we save up for every year. We find it more comfortable with the extra room.

 

[kiford]

IMHO it's best for s family with the larger rooms and to spread the cost and benefits.

However, on the Dream and Fantasty the concierge family staterooms with verandah and the non-concierge family staterooms with verandah are only about 7 sq ft different in size. So there's little space advantage to concierge if you're simply wanting a family stateroom. The concierge staterooms sleep 5 and the family staterooms sleep 3-5 depending on which one you get so while the concierge definitely sleeps 5, it's also possible to get a family stateroom that sleeps 5.

 

[savage1117]

I feel concierge is worth it as a single mom to one DD. we don't need a lot of space so we get the family stateroom on the fantasy.

 

[dcassetta]

"Will the lifeboats be boarded by class?"

ROSE: Oh, Mother, shut up! Don’t you understand? The water is freezing and there aren’t enough boats...not enough by half. Half the people on this ship are going to die!

In case anyone thinks I am snarky....those are lines from Titanic!!!

MJ

Sailing inside cabin on one of my cruises this fall, I guess i'll have to swim for it if the boat goes down!

 

[SandyinMonterey]

Our family of three will be going on our first Disney cruise in 2016. We are celebrating some milestones, birthday and anniversary, and decided to splurge and book concierge. I'm still in a little sticker shock at the cost and already know the next Disney vacation probably won't be until 2018. From what we've read, it just seems heavenly and probably a once in a life time for us.

 

[Dave2425]

Concierge guests get lifeyachts.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Our muster station for our concierge room cat V was in one of the theaters. I must admit it felt a bit more overwhelming to me than being out on deck in terms of feeling crowded. I wasn't worried about any of it though, but I laughed to myself thinking all this money for concierge and I don't even have a life raft to myself, with bar service? Because if I have to abandon ship, I am going to need bar service. ROFL!

 

[cwdefouw]

I am glad I am not the only one that saw the thread and thought of the Titanic.