To concierge or not to concierge

[cruiser21]

I can't afford it, but if I could I would. Despite what people say about worth I think most people book the best room they can comfortably afford at the time. I never believe the "well I could afford it but.....I say if you got the cash...why not?

 

[Shanti]

Other cruise lines have this, so you won’t sail on them because of this? I think for the upcharge more perks should be given. I don’t really see how it would take away from rest of the ship if they have those extras. They currently have things that normal cabins don’t have access to. I had a great time in a normal cabin and a great time in a conceirge cabin. The restaurant probably won’t happen since they like having the rotating MDRs and that could throw it off, but I could definitely see them adding a pool, they already have a hot tub on the sun deck. The most that’ll impact your cruise is the other pools will be slightly less crowded. So if they do add this on their new ships you’d really just not sail on them?

Right, I would not. I'm not paying what DCL charges to not have access to all of the ship's restaurants and pools.

 

[Shanti]

Despite what people say about worth I think most people book the best room they can comfortably afford at the time. I never believe the "well I could afford it but.....I say if you got the cash...why not?

Not everyone wants to waste money, not even some people who have plenty. And in terms of room quality, there isn't much difference between a family verandah stateroom and a standard concierge stateroom, but the latter often costs twice as much or more. In addition, DCL's concierge staterooms are all in the forward part of the ship, while sailing midship is typically considered to be a better location in terms of comfort.

 

[ScooterScott44]

Not everyone wants to waste money, not even some people who have plenty. And in terms of room quality, there isn't much difference between a family verandah stateroom and a standard concierge stateroom, but the latter often costs twice as much or more. In addition, DCL's concierge staterooms are all in the forward part of the ship, while sailing midship is typically considered to be a better location in terms of comfort.

There was a nice comparison of cost of staterooms by touring plans and it included the break between concierge and non. While the info is a little dated the ratios probably have stayed the same. I agree that the cost for physical space and setup are not really justified. There are many positives and negative an individual can make when determining if it is right for them.


On the Dream class ships I’ll say that the location is not really a detractor. While some folks may have more issues with ship movement, being at the front was not that different. Ship movement likely has more to do with weather and the seas than actual location on the ship. Yes it can be better in certain spots but you will feel movement even in the middle of the ship in rough seas.

There are so many factors that make concierge a different experience that only the OP can determine if it is right for them. And unfortunately I agree that simply making the step just for a cabana is not the most viable reason.

 

[tink1970]

There are many positives and negative an individual can make when determining if it is right for them.

There are so many factors that make concierge a different experience that only the OP can determine if it is right for them. And unfortunately I agree that simply making the step just for a cabana is not the most viable reason.

Agree with both. As I've said before and will say again, concierge is worth it to me (and more importantly DH, who pays the bills) because we are both huge introverts and while we enjoy sailing we also enjoy the slightly less frentic aspect of Deck 12. DH works very hard, physically and mentally in a service industry and by sailing concierge he can truly relax. Is the price markup worth it? Definitely! We don't pay for every cruise in CL but during busy times (which is when we tend to sail) it is worth every penny to see him comfortable. If we sail less often then that's the trade off--a relaxing vacation v. one perhaps not so much. Regarding new ships and private pool/restaurant...for the same reasons I'd love that.

While we have had a cabana for our honeymoon and didn't find the value then for our cruise over NYE in 2019 for my parents' Golden Anniversary, I'll likely be up emailing shoreside concierge for a family cabana to make life easier (for me and my mother) since my brother and father aren't beach people but niece, SIL, mother and I are. Family harmony? Worth it at any price, in my book!

 

[serenitynow]

The Concierge experience is difficult to define with a chart of the cost of physical space and set up. It’s like comparing automobiles, all are designed to transport passengers to their desired destination. Riding in an economy car is a very different experience than riding in a luxury automobile.

Is the extra cost of owning a luxury automobile worth it? Really hard to decide on its face. If you chart out the size difference in cubic feet of space in an economy car versus the luxury auto it would be hard to argue for the huge price difference in price of the two. The luxury auto is going to cost more to purchase, more to operate, more to insure per the cubic foot of space.
Is it a waste of money to operate a luxury car when basic transportation would cost one so much less money per cubic foot?

One could argue that just taking a cruise is a waste of money as there is no tangible return. It is certainly not an investment.

Many people enjoy concierge travel. Others can’t imagine spending extra money for the intangibles of the Concierge experience. Whose right? Is it worth it? There is no right answer to that question. It’s up to each cruiser to decide for themselves.

 

[FSU Girl]

Right, I would not. I'm not paying what DCL charges to not have access to all of the ship's restaurants and pools.

But you do sail on Disney and they do have things you don't have access to. There is a private lounge, private sundeck, private hot tub. Even though they offer a lot of things to some guests and not all, when I sailed in a normal cabin I never felt like I was missing out not being able to go into those places.

 

[cadien]

I definitely do NOT want the new Disney ships to have a whole separate restaurant and swimming pool for concierge. I wouldn't sail on them if the guest experience was that stratified. DCL is so expensive that a premium experience should be offered to all guests, not just a few guests.

NCL's version of concierge is very in your face with the stratification and it made us uncomfortable when we sailed that way, especially DH.

 

[DCLDVC1]

I definitely do NOT want the new Disney ships to have a whole separate restaurant and swimming pool for concierge. I wouldn't sail on them if the guest experience was that stratified. DCL is so expensive that a premium experience should be offered to all guests, not just a few guests.

I'm just the opposite. I hope DCL adds a Haven type area to the new ships.

 

[DCLDVC1]

There was a nice comparison of cost of staterooms by touring plans and it included the break between concierge and non. While the info is a little dated the ratios probably have stayed the same. I agree that the cost for physical space and setup are not really justified. There are many positives and negative an individual can make when determining if it is right for them.
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On the Dream class ships I’ll say that the location is not really a detractor. While some folks may have more issues with ship movement, being at the front was not that different. Ship movement likely has more to do with weather and the seas than actual location on the ship. Yes it can be better in certain spots but you will feel movement even in the middle of the ship in rough seas.

There are so many factors that make concierge a different experience that only the OP can determine if it is right for them. And unfortunately I agree that simply making the step just for a cabana is not the most viable reason.

Very interesting. Thanks for posting. We're booked in a 00V on the Fantasy next year and it's 59% higher than a 4A. A 00T is 45% higher than our 00V.

 

[cruiser21]

Not everyone wants to waste money, not even some people who have plenty. And in terms of room quality, there isn't much difference between a family verandah stateroom and a standard concierge stateroom, but the latter often costs twice as much or more. In addition, DCL's concierge staterooms are all in the forward part of the ship, while sailing midship is typically considered to be a better location in terms of comfort.

Some people would consider a vacation a waste of money. I now a lot of people that consider cruising on Disney a waste of money. It's up to each individual to decide for themselves what is a waste and what is not. I'm not going to tell someone concierge is a waste of money just because I can't afford it.
I do regret not trying it five or 6 years ago when the prices were lower. I think I could have afforded it then.

 

[FSU Girl]

NCL's version of concierge is very in your face with the stratification and it made us uncomfortable when we sailed that way, especially DH.

Why is it in your face? I haven't sailed them yet, but have Haven booked for my upcoming cruise. Looking at the deck plans it looks like the haven is all together at the top, so wouldn't you have to wander over there to know you get go in? It looks like the rest of the ship is available to everyone else.

 

[cadien]

Why is it in your face? I haven't sailed them yet, but have Haven booked for my upcoming cruise. Looking at the deck plans it looks like the haven is all together at the top, so wouldn't you have to wander over there to know you get go in? It looks like the rest of the ship is available to everyone else.

The newest ships have the Haven and most of its perks off in one area. The ship we were on did not. The Haven-only restaurant was right in the middle of a high traffic area and people who didn't know better were constantly being turned away while we were eating. In the theater, the velvet ropes and SUITE GUESTS ONLY signs are right where everyone walks in. Etc.

 

[MomOTwins]

I can't afford it, but if I could I would. Despite what people say about worth I think most people book the best room they can comfortably afford at the time. I never believe the "well I could afford it but.....I say if you got the cash...why not?

Interesting, see this is me exactly. I have often thought about concierge "well, I could afford it" but for me the value is not there. If they had a private pool, restaurant, and cabanas or a private beach area included in the price that might sway it for me. We sometimes go to all-inclusive resorts and I nearly always pay for club level there because they offer those kinds of amenities. But paying that much just to be fawned over by concierge hosts (who will also add to the cost by several hundred dollars more in tips), pay another $1,000 for a cabana plus drink package and tips, and have a "free" cocktail hour on the ship when DCL drinks are pretty cheap to begin with--none of that is worth it to me. I can make my own reservations for everything except a cabana, and if I need something I can walk over to the gift shop and buy it myself. I note that since we never arrive to port before 1:30, check in is always very quick and easy for us, though I understand it is much more hectic and unpleasant if you arrive earlier.

I actually had the same reaction to "club level" at Disney World resorts. We did it twice and then just decided it was silly for us. We didn't want to cut out park time by going back to the resort for afternoon drinks and hors d'oerves in the lounge, the rooms were exactly the same as the regular rooms, and while we did eat the breakfast, we could buy a nice buffet character breakfast each day for less than the cost of the club level upgrade.

 

[cruiser21]

Interesting, see this is me exactly. I have often thought about concierge "well, I could afford it" but for me the value is not there. If they had a private pool, restaurant, and cabanas or a private beach area included in the price that might sway it for me. We sometimes go to all-inclusive resorts and I nearly always pay for club level there because they offer those kinds of amenities. But paying that much just to be fawned over by concierge hosts (who will also add to the cost by several hundred dollars more in tips), pay another $1,000 for a cabana plus drink package and tips, and have a "free" cocktail hour on the ship when DCL drinks are pretty cheap to begin with not worth it to me. I can make my own reservations for everything except a cabana, and if I need something I can walk over to the gift shop and buy it myself. I note that since we never arrive to port before 1:30, check in is always very quick and easy for us, though I hear it is much more hectic if you arrive earlier.

I actually had the same reaction to "club level" at Disney World resorts. We did it twice and then just decided it was silly for us. We didn't want to cut out park time by going back to the resort for afternoon drinks and hors d'oerves in the lounge, the rooms were exactly the same as the regular rooms, and while we did eat the breakfast, we could buy a nice buffet character breakfast each day for less than the cost of the club level upgrade.

Some people swear by club level. For them it's not about what they are getting for their money, but they feel it improves their vacation. I guess it's more of a psychological benefit. I used to love staying club level at the resorts, but this was back when discounts were 40% off. Club level back then was in my comfort zone....budget wise. It was never "worth it" from a monetary stand point, but I do feel like it enhanced our trip.

If I win the lottery though I'll be spending all Summer in the Walt suite on the Magic...a girl can dream.

 

[AquaDame]

I can't afford it, but if I could I would. Despite what people say about worth I think most people book the best room they can comfortably afford at the time. I never believe the "well I could afford it but.....I say if you got the cash...why not?

Because opportunity cost. I'd enjoy sailing concierge again on our next cruise, but I have other things I want to spend the money on in 2020 - we're doing a ton of stuff vacation-wise in 2019 already. Just because you have the money doesn't mean you want to spend it all... I still prefer a "good deal".

 

[kiford]

I can't afford it, but if I could I would. Despite what people say about worth I think most people book the best room they can comfortably afford at the time. I never believe the "well I could afford it but.....I say if you got the cash...why not?

Why not?? If you read the posting below - that I think is a great explanation of what things or experience is important to the poster that can't be boiled down to a dollar figure - it's clear that they consider it to be worth the price. And I would say that it probably has value for you too regardless of whether you believe that you can afford it. But it includes items that I don't care about, don't want, don't value or just don't value enough to pay for. I may pay a lot of money for things that I value and can afford, I may forgo something that has value to me if I can't afford it, but it's inconceivable to me that I should throw money at something I don't want or value just because I can afford it.

We can quite comfortably afford a cat 4 family cabin but have never felt we needed the space. We ended up in one on the Magic on a 10-day Med cruise as a free upgrade and would personally have preferred our original 5B booking so it simply had no value to me even for free. I won't fly overseas in less than business class but wouldn't consider it even using points for domestic/North American travel because we just don't see the value. We have briefly considered club level at WDW but after looking at it more closely have decided against it because it's inconsistent with how we vacation there, yet we will book the equivalent on non-WDW trips at sometimes much higher cost - if we value the experience. Sometimes we do, sometimes we don't. Every decision is independent and based on the perceived value of the thing or experience, not strictly based on whether we can afford it or not.

While the amount of money I have acquired over decades has changed my ability to acquire the things I value and has even changed what I value, it has never removed the general concept of needing value for money. If I don't value it, I don't want to pay for it. It just doesn't make any sense to me otherwise.

We love concierge for the convenience it offers. You are escorted onto the ship, escorted off the ship, priority tenders in ports that require them and every question or request you have is addressed almost immediately (you never have to wait in line at shore excursions, guest services, etc.). If you want a dining reservation, they will find it for you, etc. If you want a private table, it's guaranteed. If you want a cabana, yes, you will get one. As PP pointed out, as long as you e-mail your request at midnight on the day your reservation window opens, you will get a cabana. We've never not gotten one. Yes, DCL concierge is pricey. Now that DS is older, we don't sail DCL as often as we used to as we can get a bigger bang for our buck on other lines. However, we still have our eye on a Marvel day at sea cruise and would love to do Europe with DCL again sometime. When we book, again, we'll definitely splurge and do concierge.

 

[anjuan]

If you really want to try a private island cabana sometime without the concierge price you may want to consider looking at another cruise line. I just did a 7 day cruise on Royal's Allure of the Seas and while it really showed me that Disney is the cruise line for me (with 3 upcoming cruises booked), one of my favorite things about the Royal cruise was that we were able to book a cabana on their private island, Labadee. I didn't book the cabana until sometime after we booked the sailing so I was surprised they were available. We absolutely loved our day using the cabana and with being a Disney cruiser I was glad to have the opportunity to try one out. However, as I said I'm a DCL cruiser at heart.

 

[cruiser21]

Because opportunity cost. I'd enjoy sailing concierge again on our next cruise, but I have other things I want to spend the money on in 2020 - we're doing a ton of stuff vacation-wise in 2019 already. Just because you have the money doesn't mean you want to spend it all... I still prefer a "good deal".

There are people that don't worry about opportunity cost. They just have the money. Those are the people that make up most of the concierge bookings.

 

[Tasmen]

We have always sailed concierge because that's just how we like to travel. I full acknowledge some may find little to no value in what we find awesome. And that's ok! It's up to the individual how they spend their $$$. For us concierge is great because:

1. Onboard first - we love this. Being the first to take pictures. The first families on board. The stress removed is worth it.
2. The lounge - Sure the snacks are not to some folks liking but we LIKE having a place to congregate with those we travel with (we are almost always with 2 other families also traveling concierge).
3. The staff - By far the best 'concierge' level staff out there in our experience (which involves also having gone Haven on NCL). Above and beyond. My daughter lost a tooth on board once and staff made the moment extra special with their kind of pixie dust. They've also bent over backward to help us when our Meet & Greets for a SWDAS got all farked up. We would not have been able to get that fixed if we were not concierge guests.
4. Cabana - The grand cabana (aka the Double-wide as we it) is a little piece of paradise. This is a HUGE perk to us.
5. Coffee - I like coffee. That lounge coffee machine is A+
6. Less line standing in general - My time is at a premium when on vacation and I will happily pay extra in advance to have more 'me-time' in the future.

Not all of those things matter to some people but they do us. Vacations are for fun and relaxing. People should pick the travel that best enables them to do that regardless of it is concierge or not.