Online Palo and Spa versus Concierge

[buzzdad100]

We will be on the canal sailing depart LA on August 20th. We have a concierge level cabin. I decided to check on-line for some Palo and spa reservations, only to find nothing for Palo, and no decent sea-day spa reservations available.

I tried calling Disney, and was given something of a run-around - "well sir, we hold some back and when you board, check with the concierge to see what is available". They refused to tell me what percent of the available reservations were made available on-line.

Since they started doing this, has anyone had any trouble finding attractive reservations through the concierge once on-board? Any experiences would be very helpful.

Thanks in advance.

 

[CACruisin']

We had a cat 3 on the 6/18 cruise. I had previously requested my dining rotation and booked Palo ressies through my TA and Spa ressies online. After boarding I went to Sessions for the concierge meet. I was able to change a Palo ressie time, add Spa treatments, Flounders ressies, bridge and galley tour tickets, tequila tasting tickets. Pretty much I was able to get whatever I wanted. Throughout the week, the concierge team was wonderful providing daily weater info, last minute tender boarding in Cabo, and finally last minute Spa and Flounder cancellations when DD got a fever.

I must say that Caroline and Karina were a wonderful concierge team. Be prepared when you go to the concierge meet with a list of items you would like and times. I would not be worried about getting what you want. Enjoy your repositioning cruise!!!

 

[buzzdad100]

We had a cat 3 on the 6/18 cruise. I had previously requested my dining rotation and booked Palo ressies through my TA and Spa ressies online. After boarding I went to Sessions for the concierge meet. I was able to change a Palo ressie time, add Spa treatments, Flounders ressies, bridge and galley tour tickets, tequila tasting tickets. Pretty much I was able to get whatever I wanted. Throughout the week, the concierge team was wonderful providing daily weater info, last minute tender boarding in Cabo, and finally last minute Spa and Flounder cancellations when DD got a fever.

I must say that Caroline and Karina were a wonderful concierge team. Be prepared when you go to the concierge meet with a list of items you would like and times. I would not be worried about getting what you want. Enjoy your repositioning cruise!!!

Thanks. This will be our 4th sailing, and we have had Caroline and Karina in the past. I agree that they are great. My only concern was that this is our first sailing since on-line reservations came into play, and given the length of the cruise, I was not sure how many opportunities were put online, and how many were held back. Thanks for the encouraging note.

 

[DisneyDadJax]

We're sailing in a cat 3 in September. I had similar questions regarding concierge services. I noticed that there were limited spa treatments and availabilities on line, and I also had some special dining requests. After unsuccessfull attempts to the 800 number on the website, a fellow poster sent me Debbie's number form DCL. She was MOST helpful in the dining requests and assured me of availability on board once I met with the concierge team. PM me if you'd like her number.

 

[SamR]

I have a similar concern about excursions. I was on the road the morning that my 105-day booking window opened up, and by that afternoon, there was zero availability for the Personal Watercraft Eco Tour on Castaway Cay. I'm assuming (hoping!) that they hold a bunch of those slots back for onboard booking just like they do with Palo and Spa reservations. I'll be at the Concierge Meet & Greet hoping that the Concierge Team can help me out!