SAILING CONCIERGE FANTASY

[ecupirates51]

Can Someone Explain the Embarkation process and what happens once u board the ship and what is offered for lunch for concierge

 

[andrencau]

You're PAT will be 10:30. There is a check-in desk and lounge area just for concierge cruisers. Once you are aboard the ship, you can do whatever you like. There will be an opportunity to meet with concierge staff to look-over special requests, dinner/spa reservations, excursions, etc.. They will have light snacks and drinks. Lunch is on your own at Cabanas or Enchanted Garden. We like to get on board, swim suits in our carry-on, and quickly meet our concierge staff (not many requests) and then run to ride AquaDuck while the ship is relatively empty. Some on here have reported that concierge rooms are ready prior to 1:30. We do not count on that happening so we are not disappointed if it is not.

 

[ecupirates51]

we plan on taking the first bus over to the port from the airport were staying at the Hyatt the Night before

 

[TestingH2O]

After dropping your checked luggage with the porters, you'll go through security. At the top of the stairs/escalator, you'll see general check in on your left. Concierge check in is at the very back on the right. There you'll get your KTTW cards and ant kids will get thier bands. The port personnel will also give you your initial Navigator and invitations. If boarding hasn't begun, there is a private waiting area or you can explore the port.

Once boarding headings, you'll be escorted onboard. You'll have the option to take your boarding photo. Then up the gangway and be announced.

An express elevator will take you to Deck 12 and the Concierge Lounge. You'll have a chance to get a drink (bar is open) and some food. After consulting with your hosts, you'll be free to get lunch, swim, explore the ship, etc.

We've always had rooms ready, but it is not a guarantee.

 

[kittymamma]

Others have explained the process but I will add that once you speak with the Concierge host , perhaps have a cocktail and some of the snacks , you will definitely want to get out of the Concierge Lounge. On that first day , it is very crowded. Have lunch at Cabanas or the sit down restaurant until your cabin is ready.

 

[disnygirl55]

The bartender will make you any drink you would like - and there is no limit on the number of drinks you can drink while you're in the lounge, and also he or she will also make anything special for the kids (i.e. Shirley Temples or such). They don't expect any tips, but we like to give the bartender a lump sum of $40 or so at the end of the cruise (and maybe more, depending on our rapport and how often we use them during the cruise) I love to sit there and drink champagne while we go over our itinerary with the concierge host. They will bring you the schedule for mixology and various tasting classes if you request them. I highly suggest making those reservations during the initial review of your itinerary, as the seats for those go quickly - that is, if they are of interest. They will be able to tell you when the concierge special receptions are during your cruise, which includes a character meet and greet. They can easily make changes to anything on your itinerary. If the adults in your party are interested in a galley tour of the kitchens, you can ask if one if scheduled during your cruise. In my experience, you have to ask - they are never advertised. Rooms were ready by noon or 12:30 during our last cruise in April, which is definitely a change from prior years, when they were ready at 1:30 along with the non-concierge staterooms. That is such a positive change!! In the past, I was happy to sit in the lounge drinking champagne and thinking happy thoughts and people watching while the rest of the family went to the Aqua Duck or to the buffet, but I'd rather go get settled in the stateroom and hang out on the verandah while the lounge is so crowded.

You may have a little bit of a wait to visit with your concierge host in the lounge if there are several families there right when the doors open onto the ship. We are always ready in the concierge waiting area by 11:15, with our carry on items put away and ready to grab when the doors open about that time (it was about 11:20 on our cruise in April). We have always been among the first couple of families to head to the elevators with our escort, so have rarely had to wait for our sit-down meeting. We've done the embarkation photo a few times, so we tend to skip it now. But you can also take your time, get your photo, stow your bags in the lounge and go explore / eat / swim, and come back later when it's less hectic, if you'd rather not rush things.

The food is small nibbles - but there is a variety. Fruit, finger sandwiches, smoked salmon, parfaits, meats and a variety of cheeses. If you have early dining, it might be sufficient to hold you over until then, but otherwise, there is no shortage to eat at the buffets or quick serve on deck 11. Happiness and relaxation really start to take over once you step on board and head to the lounge. Bliss!

 

[phinz]

In addition, sometimes somebody will escort you to the Concierge Lounge once your name is announced. We've been escorted every time. Some report that they haven't. It probably depends on availability of a CM to take you.

 

[jlemieu1]

In addition, sometimes somebody will escort you to the Concierge Lounge once your name is announced. We've been escorted every time. Some report that they haven't. It probably depends on availability of a CM to take you.

I can agree and extend on this. The first time I did concierge I took the bus from WDW and got to port @ 2:00 pm. There was no one to guide us up to the lounge. It was a trick finding it for a first timer. Every other time we arrived around port opening and got guide up in a group.

 

[phinz]

I can agree and extend on this. The first time I did concierge I took the bus from WDW and got to port @ 2:00 pm. There was no one to guide us up to the lounge. It was a trick finding it for a first timer. Every other time we arrived around port opening and got guide up in a group.

And we've never been in a group. Always individually. So apparently the guide thing is pretty random.

 

[disnygirl55]

We were also escorted - on and off the ship - along with about 2 or 3 other families once we entered the atrium. It is worth it to remember that the FORWARD elevators are your friends for concierge level on the Dream and Fantasy, as they will take you right outside the concierge lounge doors on deck 12. Mid-ship elevators only go to deck 11, if I recall correctly, which is fine, but you'd just have to walk forward anyway and take the stairs or elevators up one more level.

 

[ecupirates51]

So they will escort you when you get off at disembark

 

[ecupirates51]

How about reserved seating for shows or getting off at port

 

[phinz]

How about reserved seating for shows or getting off at port

You have priority tendering, but that's it. No reserved seating. And yes, they will escort you off the boat on disembarkation. We were actually ushered all the way to the front of the customs line once. The host who is doing the escorting actually has a key to the elevator that skips all other floors to take you straight down to Deck 3 for disembarkation.

 

[ecupirates51]

How Quick is Customs and what u mean by priority tendering

 

[TestingH2O]

Mid-ship elevators only go to deck 11, if I recall correctly, which is fine, but you'd just have to walk forward anyway and take the stairs or elevators up one more level.

All the elevators go up to 12. However, the aft elevators open to Palo/Remy/Meridian and you cannot cross the full length of Deck 12. The mid-ship elevators open in a little vestibule on Deck 12 right by the Funnel Puddle. That is also the stack that has Outlook on 13.

 

[TestingH2O]

How Quick is Customs and what u mean by priority tendering

Customs is pretty fast. Before leaving the ship, you get to go to the front of the line. Once in the terminal, we've always found things go quickly. There are plenty of porters to help with the bags and get you through the check points.

Some ports are not equipped to have a ship as large as the Fantasy actually dock. One example, if you are doing the Western, is Grand Cayman. For those ports, you take a smaller boat to shore. Concierge gets priority seating in those smaller boats.

 

[phinz]

 

[Bear3412]

I believe the Concierge during final debarkation escorts you down to deck 3 and cuts the line "aboard" the vessel.

I don't believe they take you all the way to CBP anymore. Unless of course you are the first off the vessel @ 7am.

The normal procedure is the first line above.
They lead you to the door of the vessel, that's it, during normal debarkation times.

Now that benefit can be very helpful. Visually much more. Often the line to get off at say 8:30 - 9:00 is, well, you can't see the end. Only because DCL pax actually line up in a single line 500 feet long.
Imagine that though. DCL pax line up in a queue naturally unlike other companies. lol
DCL has them trained from the parks IMO.

But since most are in a line it does go fast. But having the CH drop the rope, slip you in the front of the line, is helpful if you have appointments.

Regarding post above;

If you need to get to CL after the escort time frame is up, enter vessel, bank right, find elevators, enter, push 12, exit and walk fore, right of staircase to secure door, bang on door if no one there. Enter, request beverage, drop bags , etc.etc.
lol (Dream and Fantasy)

 

[PackYourPixieDust]

we plan on taking the first bus over to the port from the airport were staying at the Hyatt the Night before

Personally I wouldn't rush over. That would be at like 8:30- you can bosrd the ship until 11-11:30. And they have everyone waiting in the little concierge room at the port. There's really no point in hurrying to just wait. (My opinion of course.) I'd go over at like 9:30.

So they will escort you when you get off at disembark

They only escort you if you're in the lounge by like 7:45. We aren't that motivated to get off so we wait in line.

You have priority tendering, but that's it. No reserved seating. And yes, they will escort you off the boat on disembarkation. We were actually ushered all the way to the front of the customs line once. The host who is doing the escorting actually has a key to the elevator that skips all other floors to take you straight down to Deck 3 for disembarkation.

As of this year (early Feb and May) they weren't ushering people through customs.

We loooooove concierge. And we can usually do lunch there. Or the last time my husband just went and got my son some pizza while we ate lounge food for lunch. They also have snacks out in the lounge at 4- so you can get snacks the whole time!

We LOOOOVE concierge and are super spoiled by the experience.