Preplanning with cruise concierge...

[AmyM]

I have read posts a long time ago about receiving information from the concierge prior to cruising to make some plans. Does anyone know if this still happens? If so approximately when should I be receiving the information and what can we book ahead of time? Thanks to all of you really smart people

 

[TootyJane]

Well, I've heard the same thing but never have gotten any information prior to cruising and we've had Cat. 2 with concierge for both our cruises (May 1999 and May 2002). I'd like to know the answer to this question also.

 

[AmyM]

Interesting TootyJane...Just curious did you book direct with DCL or through a travel agent. We are booked through Dreams Unlimited.

 

[vgaskin]

I have never done concierge but from what I remember hearing on these boards is that you get the preplanning call when doing concierge at WDW, I don't think so with the cruise but like I said, I am not sure.

 

[TootyJane]

Originally posted by AmyM
Interesting TootyJane...Just curious did you book direct with DCL or through a travel agent. We are booked through Dreams Unlimited.

Booked with DCL directly.

 

[justmestace]

We had a category 2 both times we cruised also. The first time I never heard anything from concierge for the cruise, but I did get a letter for requests from the Polynesian's concierge.
This time, (9-14-18 2003) we had a whole group going, so we had a group co-ordinator and I asked her when I might expect to hear from DCL's concierge, and she told me that I wouldn't (and I didn't) she said that we had to go to the concierge meeting on the ship on the first day to make all of our priority bookings. The meeting was at 12:30 in the Cadillac Lounge, and they did the club for my son, and got us all of the spa treatments and Palo ressies that we wanted. We had already pre-booked our shore excursions, but they would have done that, too....or made any changes, or done just about anything else that we had requested.
Hope this helps!

 

[ducklite]

We got a letter about six weeks before ew sailed. It was maled TO MY TRAVEL AGENT. She kindly forwarded it on to me. I think a lot of TA's don't bother to pass things like this on to the client.

We were able to prebook Palio and shore excursions. We weren't able to prebook spa appointments, but the concierge staff had large blocks of spa appointments held for concierge passengers, and when we went to the meeting at Sessions after e boarded we were able to get exactly what we wanted for spa appointments, on the days and times we wanted them.

Anne

 

[mickey squared]

We also received a letter about 4 weeks before sailing that our TA had forwarded to us. We pre-booked Palio at the time and day we wanted. When we boarded we met with our concierge team in Sessions and did the hairbraiding appts(very popular) and signed the kids up for the clubs.We didn't do the spa, but it seemed like you could get what you wanted.

 

[Ginny]

AmyM - Thank you for starting this thread as it seems this process is always evolving!

In the early days (98/00), some folks did get a pre-planning call from the Concierge Team, especially if you were doing the land/sea and then the team called you ship to shore at your Disney Resort to find out your preferences. Once you embarked and had lunch and proceeded to your stateroom, your Concierge met with you personally in your stateroom to determine your activities and make ressies for you. That format was on our first two cruises.

They changed the process around May-June of of 01 (I think) to the format with the pre-cruise letters (which some got and some did not)...........and the Group Concierge meeting. I did call in September of 01 for our Halloween Cruise and was able to pre-book Palo's and arrange our dining rotation with the Concierge. We had not received the letter but another DIS'er had gotten her letter in June with the number and shared it on the boards.

We have not cruised since October 01 so will be very disappointed if they have altered the process so you don't receive the letter with info on how to pre-book Palo's and pre-arrange your Dining Rotation. I look forward to hearing others recent experiences to see if there are differences.

 

[shelly3girls]

I am planning a cruise for my family to travel along with my mother and brother-in-law's family. There will be a total of 6 adults. Due to the very recent passing of my father, my mother will be staying by herself so I want to make sure she can do everything with us. My husband and I will be the only ones staying in concierge. If I make a pre-boarding reservation for Palo, will I be able to make it for all 6 adults in the party even though the other adults will not have a conceirge level stateroom?

 

[Dreamer04]

shelly3girls, We're booked in a cat 3 on the Feb 14 Magic-my mom is in a cat 4.
DCL told us that since our reservations are linked, all members have access to concierge services. Including pre-booking Palo and ordering from the resturaunt menus for in-room dining.

 

[shelly3girls]

Dreamer04 thanks for the response!
This will really make my planning much easier.

 

[justmestace]

Concierge was very different this cruise as compared to the last one. In May 2002, we didn't receive a letter from DCL's concierge (but we did from the Poly). Once onboard, two concierge members met with us in our suite for quite some time, going over everything from what we'd like to do, dining, excursions, etc....even showed us how the thermostats in the room worked. They checked in with us at least once a day, if not more, besides the times they "snuck" in with goodies. They had stocked the fridge with sodas and water, and kept it stocked throughout the cruise.
On our Sept '03 cruise, no letter, we went to the meeting onboard. We did get a lot of goodies in the room, except that after we had finished all the sodas, I asked for more, and was told I'd have to pay for more. We never saw the team at all, except at the reception they had on Nassau night. They were not nearly as friendly as the team we had last year.
Of a group of 8 staterooms, we were the only ones with concierge service, although the bride & groom (married on CC during the cruise) were supposed to have concierge service, but never saw them at all....when I called and asked I was told they only got concierge for priority bookings....nothing else. That's not what we had in all of the pre-wedding paperwork.
Anyway, out of all of us, they did let our whole group pre-board, and they did let us pre-arrange Palo, but I think only because of the wedding. No one else was allowed restaurant menu in-room dining, or any other service.
Dreamer04, I'm guessing that since it's only one extra person (your mom), that's why they will let her order the room service, etc. As a rule, they won't.

 

[PizzieDuster]

We received a letter after we booked. It stated we could call a specific number once we hit the 90 day prior sailing date. With our final paperwork we were giving a letter that stated to meet at 2:30 or so in Cadillac Lounge. Upon checking in, we were given the same type of letter.

We met in the lounge about 2:30pm while DH & DD were swimming in the Mickey pool. They took care of everyhing for us!

 

[justmestace]

Why do you suppose they are so inconsistant about contacting people??
If DCL (or a TA) could give us a phone number for concierge, we could call them if we didn't receive something ahead of time.
For as much as you pay for a suite, concierge is supposed to be one of the best (if not only) perks. They should try to do their best to contact everyone in the same manner. After all, there are not that many suites.

 

[Dreamer04]

Originally posted by justmestace
Dreamer04, I'm guessing that since it's only one extra person (your mom), that's why they will let her order the room service, etc. As a rule, they won't.

You're right, Justmestace. DCL said the two staterooms would be linked. We asked because my sister might be joining and bunking in with mom.