what does "concierge" actually get you?

[mouseears1]

Must be a little different. Sorry. My son used the little seating area off the bedroom everyday to relax, play some games on his computer, etc. When I was outside on the deck looking in, I couldn't see him at all. It was like looking at a car that had tinted windows.

My fault. I didn't realize anyone could actually see into the bedroom in the Roy Suite as I was on the deck every single day of our cruise and could never see anything inside the bedroom.

My understanding of the electro-opaque windows is that it is controlled by a switch. So it can be clear if you want it to be and with a flip of the switch it becomes opaque. My gadget loving husband is going to love all the things in this suite

 

[cjnix29]

Another thing concierge 'gets you' is ... ADDICTED to cruising concierge.

SO TRUE!! Frank, we will not be able to back now!

 

[Handbag Lady]

Sounds nice, but I can see nothing here that would justify the extra money. Free liquor is hardly free at those prices.

I tend to agree with you. I don't see what the dealio is, actually.

In the hotels, I GET what Concierge does/gets for you and I love it.

However, maybe I am missing something so I'll keep reading in case there is a lightbulb moment.


ETA: I am using concierge here as what it is. I do not mean the Roy or Walt Suites, as that is different.

 

[chateau]

A place to which one can retreat (that is spacious and elegant) can be priceless for some. Like a chateau, for instance

 

[FJS961]

A place to which one can retreat (that is spacious and elegant) can be priceless for some. Like a chateau, for instance

precisely how I felt

 

[Wendy&Grumpy]

Yes, you would need to cancel and re-book. If the discount is released after the PIF date you would forfeit at least the deposit amount. You may still come out ahead but it is always something to consider, especially since many of these discounts come out at or after the PIF date.

Unless it is a Florida resident discount... there is no penalty for switching to that.

 

[FJS961]

Comparing the Roy on the Dream vs the Fantasy, there are some changes. First of all, all the many light switches throughout the suite are tastefully LABELLED ... that is huge. On the Dream there was a standard kitchenaid fridge and a "cheapo" wine fridge crammed in corner if I remember right. On the Fantasy, there is a bona fide Subzero fridge/freezer elegantly integrated in there, a Bosch mini dishwasher (as if..), and the wine fridge was moved just outside the kitchenette under the glassware shelving and is a 2 drawer U-line unit wood trimmed and integrated into wall, looks great. Also the 'nook' off the master bedroom is improved as it is now a chaise you can lay on (it is a teardrop shape vs a circle) and there is a wine bottle holder/chiller there too. The fancy espresso/coffee machine is programed now, it says Roy when you turn it on and it was more intuitive and easy to use - just add milk to the separate container if desired and it also walked you thru rinsing / cleaning. The outdoor hot tub was easier to operate as well for us. We turned the temp down to 90 so the kids could use it for extended periods if desired. With the crowded small pools you can't swim in anyway - having the private 'pool' on our deck was amazing. As far as wind on the deck, the first 24 hrs going out was rough as the outer bands of Isaac was passing south of us, apparent winds across the deck approached 60mph. After that however, it was great. We even had a party out there with our travel mates in the early evening of our last sea day and had no issue with wind at all. You can't beat having that private verandah in front of ship all your own to pull into port. The excellent coffee machine in the lounge has been tweaked too. It has a few more options for coffee drinks and you can also alter the strength from 1 to 3 'beans' on the display. I would not have known that if not for Julia pointing it out, she is the best concierge we ever had. A very close second was Kamisha on this sailing. They were proactive. They made sure we knew what we were 'entitled to' and it helped. They reminded us of the unlimited wifi, about complimentary shoe shine service, about ordering Palo. They facilitated everything for us. Our room host "P" was also top of the line. He gave the kids a towel animal seminar and they got printed up certificates.

 

[Kimmiebr80]

I've never sailed on DCL- we are booked in a 1bedroom suite on the magic in October, though. IMO, we got a fantastic deal that we couldn't pass up. We booked the room based on space and nothing else, really. Although, my DH and I have cruised on two other lines (RCCL, and princess). On RCCL, it was our honeymoon, and we had the absolute worst stateroom host! We didnt get the invite to the Honeymooner's reception, until after it had taken place, and never even got soap replenished until we actually had to ask for it because we had run out! We were first time cruisers and didn't know how things were supposed to go.

The following year we chose Princess and our faith in cruising was restored. Unfortunately, moving and starting our family stopped us from cruising for a while, but we are excited for our first DCL cruise since we are big Disney family. It helped living 2 hours from WDW for 28 years we have 6 yr old twin girls so I'm thinking they'll be in heaven the entire time. I'm really hoping we get the 'magical' experience a lot of DIS'ers talk about!

Okay, so anyway, to answer the original question, we haven't sailed yet, but so far things I've 'gotten' through booking concierge, are that after online check in, I wasn't given a time, I was just advised that we could arrive anytime after the port opens. Nice perk, especially since we booked less than 2 months from sail date and I'm sure people have been 'checked in' for a while already. And a few days ago, I got a phone call from the concierge line, welcoming me to DCL, and asking if there was anything at all they could assist me with, such as reservations, shore excursions or just to answer any questions I might have. It was very nice and it definitely felt like I was getting something 'extra'.

 

[MaleficentRN]

I tend to agree with you. I don't see what the dealio is, actually.

In the hotels, I GET what Concierge does/gets for you and I love it.

However, maybe I am missing something so I'll keep reading in case there is a lightbulb moment.


ETA: I am using concierge here as what it is. I do not mean the Roy or Walt Suites, as that is different.

How do you see the two as different?

 

[justmestace]

How do you see the two as different?

I started to list what the differences were in my mind, but realized that they are pretty similar. Concierge can make your show and dinner reservations, call a cab for you, give you directions, help with problems in your room (even if your pillow is simply too hard/soft).....so I think, except for the limitations there are at sea, they're about the same.

I *think* DCL has made it easier to contact concierge before your cruise....someone can answer this?.....that was a problem for me in the past. I would have liked to have had contact with them before the meeting onboard.

 

[justmestace]

I can honestly say that I have never booked a room or cruise or airline flight just to impress somebody. I cannot even imagine the benefit of trying to impress people we will likely never see again (i.e. on the Disney cruises).

Just a couple of notes. We didn't book concierge just to impress anyone. I think I mentioned that we booked the LARGER suites so that our kids could comfortably stay in the same room with us....that way, we knew where they were at night, plus the bathrooms, plus they could bring friends...etc.

We always cruised with a large group of "friends" or family. So while I was trying to impress people.....and again I'll say this.....at the time, I didn't KNOW I was trying so hard to impress them....it wasn't just "strangers" I'd never see again. It was "keeping up with the Joneses" who I knew very well.

And at the time, I didn't KNOW I was trying to impress them. Other than the very valid reason of wanting our kids in the same room with us, I too had all the "right reasons" for over-paying for something that to me, now seems totally useless. I too, told myself that I deserved it, I deserved to be pampered, have that special quiet space, etc.
But I've found that with a large aft balcony, at a lower price, I can still have that nice, quiet space. And with the extra money, I can pamper myself.

The OP asked a question, and I was answering it. I didn't attack anyone, and I don't expect for anyone to feel the need to defend their choices.

 

[disneyholic family]

Thanks for the link Beth!


BTW, do any of the royals on any of the ships have a piano? lol

the walt disney suite on the wonder used to have a grand piano, but it's my understanding that it has since been taken out.

When we stayed in it, there was a piano.

I'll go find the picture of DD sitting at it. Not sure why they took it out, but it was fun for her to have (she's a singer/songwriter so it came in handy for her - she performs with a guitar, but she writes on a piano).

i never booked concierge to impress anyone. I book concierge because i want a nicer room. And sometimes for the better service, but usually for the room.

 

[kcashner]

The piano has been gone for some years. We were told that the motion of the ship kept ruining the tuning on the piano--don't know if that's true or not. In any event, the pianos on the Magic and Wonder have been removed.

Also, the pianos in other locations on the ship have been changed to nasty electronic instruments. The beautiful instruments that the ship used to have.....long gone. Yes, I know that the ones they have now are easier to maintain, but they don't have the same sound quality.

 

[justmestace]

The piano has been gone for some years. We were told that the motion of the ship kept ruining the tuning on the piano--don't know if that's true or not. In any event, the pianos on the Magic and Wonder have been removed.

More likely they removed them because of noise complaints.

 

[zealandsmom]

The piano has been gone for some years. We were told that the motion of the ship kept ruining the tuning on the piano--don't know if that's true or not. In any event, the pianos on the Magic and Wonder have been removed.

Also, the pianos in other locations on the ship have been changed to nasty electronic instruments. The beautiful instruments that the ship used to have.....long gone. Yes, I know that the ones they have now are easier to maintain, but they don't have the same sound quality.

I'm pretty sure the piano was being played in may in the lobby of the magic as we waited for pictures......???? Was it electronic?

 

[disneyholic family]

The piano has been gone for some years. We were told that the motion of the ship kept ruining the tuning on the piano--don't know if that's true or not. In any event, the pianos on the Magic and Wonder have been removed.

Also, the pianos in other locations on the ship have been changed to nasty electronic instruments. The beautiful instruments that the ship used to have.....long gone. Yes, I know that the ones they have now are easier to maintain, but they don't have the same sound quality.

There are some really great sounding electronic pianos.
Check out Roland
They're excellent and you can get one that has the sound and feel of any of the great brands
We have a Baldwin piano so when DD bought a Roland she bought the one that sounds like and has the exact key touch of our piano
It's amazing how similar they are

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[disneyholic family]

Thanks for the link Beth!


BTW, do any of the royals on any of the ships have a piano? lol

here's a blog i just found on cruise ship concierge service - i see that NCL also has reserved seating in the theater.

http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/return-of-the-class-system-concierge-everything/

.

 

[DreamGirl90]

I'm not sure if we'd like reserved seating in the theater if DCL offered it. Some people prefer front row center. Others like middle of the theater. Still others may want the balcony. If Concierge reserved seating was a section of the theater, it would not please everyone in Concierge. I'm all for letting those in Concierge enter the theater 5 or 10 minutes before they open the doors to everyone else though.

 

[disneyholic family]

I'm not sure if we'd like reserved seating in the theater if DCL offered it. Some people prefer front row center. Others like middle of the theater. Still others may want the balcony. If Concierge reserved seating was a section of the theater, it would not please everyone in Concierge. I'm all for letting those in Concierge enter the theater 5 or 10 minutes before they open the doors to everyone else though.

and so you wouldn't have to sit there if you didn't like it, but i HATE waiting in a line or in a crowd and would very much like to have reserved seating.
any normal VIP service includes not having to wait in a pack of people and to be assured of not having to rush in like cattle.

and disney does know this, because that's what they do for VIPs at WDW - help them avoid that situation..

But DCL doesn't.
and given the amount of money i've paid for my cruise in october, it's not really asking for a whole hell of a lot.

although early entry would also work.
anything to avoid that stampede, which is scaring me to death just to think about how i'm going to negotiate it with my mobile challenged mom and sister, and nearly blind mother who won't be able to see anything if we throw in the towel and sit in the balcony.

 

[MaleficentRN]

I don't understand all this talk of showing off. How and to who are you "showing off"? Do you wear a tee shirt that says, I AM STAYING IN A CONCIERGE ROOM? Aren't the only people that would know you are staying in a concierge room the people that are staying there themselves?