UK Staycation - Concierge?

[kathi]

Could folks who have sailed on the Magic in concierge (or others who know) post information on the concierge experience with the new covid measures? We have to decide by Monday if we are going to cancel our concierge Western on the Fantasy in September. I know it might not be the same, but the Magic is the best we are going to get for information that might be relevant. We are particularly interested in:

Capacity - Are they sailing full concierge capacity or reduced?

Lounge and Sundeck - How crowded, do you have to reserve time, is the food/beverage options the same as pre-covid (I assume you are being served), is the open bar the same, can you interact with the hosts enough?

Perks - Are you still able to add extra adult dining, pick up beverage tastings once on board, priority debarkation at ports, welcome lunch, etc?

It's so hard to know what to do - hopefully members can provide what they know from the Magic and it will help inform our decision.

 

[BadPinkTink]

This YouTube Channel Travel With Mia is a concierge family on the first Liverpool Magic cruise 15 July

 

[mark nakamichi]

Could folks who have sailed on the Magic in concierge (or others who know) post information on the concierge experience with the new covid measures? We have to decide by Monday if we are going to cancel our concierge Western on the Fantasy in September. I know it might not be the same, but the Magic is the best we are going to get for information that might be relevant. We are particularly interested in:

Capacity - Are they sailing full concierge capacity or reduced?

Lounge and Sundeck - How crowded, do you have to reserve time, is the food/beverage options the same as pre-covid (I assume you are being served), is the open bar the same, can you interact with the hosts enough?

Perks - Are you still able to add extra adult dining, pick up beverage tastings once on board, priority debarkation at ports, welcome lunch, etc?

It's so hard to know what to do - hopefully members can provide what they know from the Magic and it will help inform our decision.

We submitted our concierge requests to shoreside concierge 120 days out from our sailing on the Disney Fantasy for a Sept. 11 sailing in the Western
Caribbean. They replied via email confirmation of our requests which included a
cabana at Serenity Bay, mixology classes and tastings, 75 minute massage at the spa, Palo Brunch, Palo Dinner, and shore excursions that we requested. I was told that the welcome lunch is available if you choose to go. They also asked if we had specific requests for beverages that we wanted in the stateroom refrigerator. We are not traveling with any children so we don't know about requests for kids clubs. No mention was made about concierge lounge capacity but I was told that food offerings would remain in the lounge but that you would be served. Not self serve at the start up to sailing.

 

[KashasMom]

We submitted our concierge requests to shoreside concierge 120 days out from our sailing on the Disney Fantasy for a Sept. 11 sailing in the Western
Caribbean. They replied via email confirmation of our requests which included a
cabana at Serenity Bay, mixology classes and tastings, 75 minute massage at the spa, Palo Brunch, Palo Dinner, and shore excursions that we requested. I was told that the welcome lunch is available if you choose to go. They also asked if we had specific requests for beverages that we wanted in the stateroom refrigerator. We are not traveling with any children so we don't know about requests for kids clubs. No mention was made about concierge lounge capacity but I was told that food offerings would remain in the lounge but that you would be served. Not self serve at the start up to sailing.

Since that was over 2 months ago, I think there may be some changes based on yesterday's announcement. I would think they don't even know if they can go into any ports, which would be so disappointing!

This is the most recent info I saw from a TA (Concierge specialist). The only one that has me concerned is about the lounge.

Let's now look at highlights of Embarkation Day for the Disney Dream.
• Concierge guests do not need a Port Arrival Time and can arrive as they choose
• All other guests must have a Port Arrival Time and cannot arrive early
• All guests 2+ must wear a face covering in the terminal
• No testing is required if you show proof of vaccination. Otherwise, guests are required to undergo a rapid PCR COVID-19 test administered by Inspire Diagnostics at the terminal prior to boarding at a cost of $65 per person. (We are waiting clarification on whether children under 12 will be tested.)
• **Note: Neck gaiters, open-chin triangle bandanas and face coverings containing valves, mesh material or holes of any kind are not acceptable face coverings. Costume masks are not considered appropriate and are prohibited from being worn.
• Staterooms will be ready at 4pm (I expect concierge staterooms/ suites may be ready earlier.)
• The Mandatory Emergency Drill is now mostly virtual! (I experienced this on Royal and it was great.) You will watch the important info on the app then visit your muster station to check in before the ship sets sail.
• The ship may leave as late as 7pm.
• The concierge welcome aboard lunch will still be offered.
• Space in the Concierge Lounge may be limited due to social distancing. They do not yet know the exact number of people that will be allowed. The Concierge team will monitor throughout the day. They expect the Concierge offerings to be the same.

 

[DCLDVC1]

Since that was over 2 months ago, I think there may be some changes based on yesterday's announcement. I would think they don't even know if they can go into any ports, which would be so disappointing!

This is the most recent info I saw from a TA (Concierge specialist). The only one that has me concerned is about the lounge.

Let's now look at highlights of Embarkation Day for the Disney Dream.
• Concierge guests do not need a Port Arrival Time and can arrive as they choose
• All other guests must have a Port Arrival Time and cannot arrive early
• All guests 2+ must wear a face covering in the terminal
• No testing is required if you show proof of vaccination. Otherwise, guests are required to undergo a rapid PCR COVID-19 test administered by Inspire Diagnostics at the terminal prior to boarding at a cost of $65 per person. (We are waiting clarification on whether children under 12 will be tested.)
• **Note: Neck gaiters, open-chin triangle bandanas and face coverings containing valves, mesh material or holes of any kind are not acceptable face coverings. Costume masks are not considered appropriate and are prohibited from being worn.
• Staterooms will be ready at 4pm (I expect concierge staterooms/ suites may be ready earlier.)
• The Mandatory Emergency Drill is now mostly virtual! (I experienced this on Royal and it was great.) You will watch the important info on the app then visit your muster station to check in before the ship sets sail.
• The ship may leave as late as 7pm.
• The concierge welcome aboard lunch will still be offered.
• Space in the Concierge Lounge may be limited due to social distancing. They do not yet know the exact number of people that will be allowed. The Concierge team will monitor throughout the day. They expect the Concierge offerings to be the same.

Limited space in the Concierge Lounge? No thank you. I'd be irate if I wanted to drop in during Happy Hour but was told it was full.

 

[KashasMom]

Limited space in the Concierge Lounge? No thank you.

ETA - our posts crossed...so this info is for you!

Exactly! It gets worse for those who enjoy Happy Hour...I watched a few minutes of one of those Mia blogs mentioned above. She said for HH they bring the drinks to your room. You can't sit and enjoy in the lounge. She also said that "they" like "that new style of doing it and they are probably going to continue it". I'm not sure how much of that I'd believe though. Seriously doubt she has any inside info about what's going to happen in the future. Unlikely Disney even knows!

 

[kathi]

ETA - our posts crossed...so this info is for you!

Exactly! It gets worse for those who enjoy Happy Hour...I watched a few minutes of one of those Mia blogs mentioned above. She said for HH they bring the drinks to your room. You can't sit and enjoy in the lounge. She also said that "they" like "that new style of doing it and they are probably going to continue it". I'm not sure how much of that I'd believe though. Seriously doubt she has any inside info about what's going to happen in the future. Unlikely Disney even knows!

OMGosh - that is a HUGE DEAL BREAKER - that is terrible. I started watching her vlog, but she is a kid and was not focusing on anything I cared about, so I stopped. I would seriously want a discount for loss of the lounge. This stinks.

 

[KashasMom]

OMGosh - that is a HUGE DEAL BREAKER - that is terrible. I started watching her vlog, but she is a kid and was not focusing on anything I cared about, so I stopped. I would seriously want a discount for loss of the lounge. This stinks.

I agree. I watched for a few minutes - until she started talking about the most popular video games in the teen lounges and how to make friends onboard.

 

[maznorm]

The lounge is still available to use. The trolley is just an added extra presumably to limit numbers without officially limiting numbers.