Small gripe with traveling with concierge friends (anyone else experienced this?)

[jeffers102]

We just got off the Fantasy after a wonderful 7 night cruise. We were traveling with two other families, one of which was concierge. Most of the time, this was a great benefit, as we got all the excursions we wanted, first boat tendering, and the first time in a cabana, all by tagging along with our friends and their concierge status (as long as at least one of them was doing the same activity).

However, one major drawback was during dinners where the two non-concierge families were definitely treated as second class citizens at our shared table. Our servers always checked in with them first, took their orders first, spent more time talking with them, and even had a more cheerful demeanor with them. On one night, we arrived right at 5:45 for dinner so we could do an on-ship event immediately afterwards, but our servers were no shows (after quickly saying hello upon arrival) and we had to wait 20 minutes before ordering drinks (or even getting water). Our servers came over ASAP once the concierge family sat down, took their drink orders and then ours. Similarly, we had to wait 30 minutes before they would take our food order, only doing so after the concierge family placed their food order.

Overall, this was a minor nuisance and our friends paid more than twice what we did and I feel that they should get better service as a result, but it still grinds my gears. Has anyone else experienced this? I will also add, that our servers were a noticeable downgrade from our cruise in March.

 

[OKW Lover]

However, one major drawback was during dinners where the two non-concierge families were definitely treated as second class citizens at our shared table. Our servers always checked in with them first, took their orders first, spent more time talking with them, and even had a more cheerful demeanor with them.

This is so different from our experience on the Dream 5/16 sailing when we (concierge guests) we treated just as indifferently as our other 8 tablemates. Funny how the individual servers can treat guests so differently.

 

[lklgoodman]

When you had to wait each time, were your friends not at the table? If they weren't maybe your servers were waiting for them so they could take everyone's order at once?? Even so, they shouldn't have made you all wait 20 and 30 mins. They should have came and asked if you all knew if they were going to be joining you soon or not. Shouldn't matter if your friends were conceiger or not, that was just plain rude of the servers.

 

[Akck]

Did you talk to the head server?

 

[TestingH2O]

On one night, we arrived right at 5:45 for dinner so we could do an on-ship event immediately afterwards, but our servers were no shows (after quickly saying hello upon arrival) and we had to wait 20 minutes before ordering drinks (or even getting water). Our servers came over ASAP once the concierge family sat down, took their drink orders and then ours. Similarly, we had to wait 30 minutes before they would take our food order, only doing so after the concierge family placed their food order.

Service teams try to have the whole table go together. This happens frequently in the MDR and is one reason why people complain about having table mates: if your table mates are late, you often have to wait to eat dinner until they arrive. I would argue that your friends in concierge were the rude ones by not arriving on time to dinner.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

Our first Disney cruise was concierge. It was a splurge for us, celebrating a couple major milestones. That said, other than the stateroom, concierge lounge and being able to get a cabana, we really didn't know or take full advantage of some of the perks I guess. I did notice that our first night of dining, which was in Animator's Palette, when the head waiter came over he said "we know you're concierge." And to be honest, I didn't understand the point of saying that And I believe it shouldn't make a difference.

 

[Donna M]

We traveled with a concierge couple and we were all treated exactly the same in the MDR, but we all arrived at the same time.

 

[SnowWhite2]

From our Magic servers at the end of April, 2/3 of the dining staff are on their first contract fleet wide. Our servers were also - they had experience on Costa and HAL but were new to the DCL protocol. It will take awhile for the dining servers to get up to "DCL" standards.

 

[jeffers102]

When you had to wait each time, were your friends not at the table? If they weren't maybe your servers were waiting for them so they could take everyone's order at once?? Even so, they shouldn't have made you all wait 20 and 30 mins. They should have came and asked if you all knew if they were going to be joining you soon or not. Shouldn't matter if your friends were conceiger or not, that was just plain rude of the servers.

They were not at the table. It was on the 6th night that we really had the biggest issue and some nights 1 family would miss dinner due to having different plans. So, as you said, they should have at least checked if that was the reason for waiting.

 

[jeffers102]

Did you talk to the head server?

I didn't. The severe waits were on the 6th night and honestly, we were having too much fun for it to really bother us any more than a minor annoyance.

 

[jeffers102]

Service teams try to have the whole table go together. This happens frequently in the MDR and is one reason why people complain about having table mates: if your table mates are late, you often have to wait to eat dinner until they arrive. I would argue that your friends in concierge were the rude ones by not arriving on time to dinner.

You bring up an interesting point. Our first cruise was in 2019 and we were seated with another family whom we had never met. Our service staff was impeccable at dinner the whole time. One night, the other family didn't show up (I only remember because our girls really liked their daughters and were disappointed they didn't show). However, our servers didn't miss a beat. Now I'm wondering if that other family gave them a heads up earlier in the cruise (or if the service staff knows if you have a Palo/Remy reservation).

As for this instance, our concierge friends said their host told them they could arrive any time between 5:45 and 6:15 each night. I wonder if it's frowned upon to arrive more a little after the posted start times? I can definitely understand about wanting to group food orders together, but I really would have liked to at least order a drink.

 

[DL1WDW2]

I wonder how many guests would realize the entire table is waiting if you decide not to dine for one evening. How would you notify the server not to wait . ?

 

[jeffers102]

From our Magic servers at the end of April, 2/3 of the dining staff are on their first contract fleet wide. Our servers were also - they had experience on Costa and HAL but were new to the DCL protocol. It will take awhile for the dining servers to get up to "DCL" standards.

On our March cruise, we saw tons of "Earning my ears" text on employee name tags. However, now that I think about it, I don't recall seeing any on this one. I'm curious if this ship just had more veteran employees or if they removed that "newbie" label from name tags.

 

[hrhdhd]

From our Magic servers at the end of April, 2/3 of the dining staff are on their first contract fleet wide. Our servers were also - they had experience on Costa and HAL but were new to the DCL protocol. It will take awhile for the dining servers to get up to "DCL" standards.

I've sailed on HAL and never had to wait 20 minutes to order a drink when I sat down to dinner.

 

[mullysisters]

I wonder how many guests would realize the entire table is waiting if you decide not to dine for one evening. How would you notify the server not to wait . ?

I hope I’m not the only one who feels this way. I would let a family member or friend know if I were going to be a little late for dinner but a waiter? Some people have said it’s rude? I feel as though we are supposed to answer to our wait staff. Not serving one party at a shared table because of a late second party ( who are not booked together) seems very poor service. This is because the wait staff want to serve everyone together, like a group. But we are not a group? I wonder if this is the reason many cruise ships now have free style dining options. I think the wait staff should serve separate parties at the table when they arrive, just as they would in any restaurant. But this is our first cruise so we have some cruise etiquette to learn, I guess.

 

[Chipmunkmaniac]

The reason I hate shared tables: I want to eat at my pace, not at the pace of other people that DCL decided to put me with. For me dinner is about getting fed, not an activity that should last 1.5-2h... I usually have character meets/Shows/activities I wanna hit and if MY schedule gets messed up cause other people at my table like to come late, eat 3 options of each course or just can't decide what to have I get annoyed... There was a time I walked out of dinner.. I was on second dinner and told the staff I wanted to be out by 9.15 for something I wanted to go do. By 8.45 they still didn't take our orders. Therefore I only took a main course but then they refused to bring it to me before the others at my table were ready for their main course. At 9.15 (and after 3 reminders of my side I wanted to be out by then, I stood up and walked out. At that point I was furious so on my way out I told the server thanks for having me sit here for over an hour and still leaving without any food. I got a message from the head server on my phone later that night and the next day they finally started to serve me at my pace... I understand some people like to take their time for dinner but I'm not one of them... I always request a private table since then and usually it is honored luckily

 

[cwis]

The reason I hate shared tables: I want to eat at my pace, not at the pace of other people that DCL decided to put me with. For me dinner is about getting fed, not an activity that should last 1.5-2h... I usually have character meets/Shows/activities I wanna hit and if MY schedule gets messed up cause other people at my table like to come late, eat 3 options of each course or just can't decide what to have I get annoyed... There was a time I walked out of dinner.. I was on second dinner and told the staff I wanted to be out by 9.15 for something I wanted to go do. By 8.45 they still didn't take our orders. Therefore I only took a main course but then they refused to bring it to me before the others at my table were ready for their main course. At 9.15 (and after 3 reminders of my side I wanted to be out by then, I stood up and walked out. At that point I was furious so on my way out I told the server thanks for having me sit here for over an hour and still leaving without any food. I got a message from the head server on my phone later that night and the next day they finally started to serve me at my pace... I understand some people like to take their time for dinner but I'm not one of them... I always request a private table since then and usually it is honored luckily

That's exactly why shared tables sucks.
We are slow eaters (well I mean we are “normal” eaters by French standards) and we would totally hate that either you should have to wait for us, or that we would have to rush to get at your speed. One thing though, wondering if maybe the “private tables” for everyone doesn't slow things down for all tables. Like DW and I were thinking our whole cruise “wow that pacing is quite good”. I'm pretty sure some complained about it (or our servers were extra smart and figured it out by themselves which I would say is a good point).

 

[OKW Lover]

On our March cruise, we saw tons of "Earning my ears" text on employee name tags. However, now that I think about it, I don't recall seeing any on this one. I'm curious if this ship just had more veteran employees or if they removed that "newbie" label from name tags.

On our May cruise on the Dream there were many Earning my ears tags to be seen. They haven't done away with them.

The reason there are so many new crew is due to the imminent startup of the new Disney Wish. They need competent, trained staff for this significant expansion of the DCL fleet.

 

[lanejudy]

Service teams try to have the whole table go together.

This! All you need to do is communicate, though. If you have plans that evening and want to eat quickly - when you arrive just let the serving team know you don’t want to wait for the others. They will adjust and serve you independently as if 2 tables.

If you share a table and don’t plan to dine in the MDR, you can let the serving team know the night prior. Or if a last minute decision, just stop by the podium and let someone know. I think now you may even be able to send a message through the app.

 

[cwis]

I think now you may even be able to send a message through the app.

Not sure but I believe the dining team is only available to chat on embarkation day. You can definitely chat GS though, and they'll probably transfer the message to your MDR.