Why do you sail concierge?

[Mushu's Twin]

Wow, this is the most indepth answer I have read on concierge cruising - thank you!

Most of the cruises we choose, the price difference is a substantial jump from verandah to concierge so I'm not sure we will ever sail concierge but you never know

Thank you

 

[ElizabethG]

I just booked my first cruise and I chose concierge. The thing that really drew me to it is the 120 day booking priority (new cruisers are so much later). You are paying a lot no matter what. I don't want to be locked out excursions I really want to do. I also like getting on the ship earier and having the lounge as an area with less people in it. It was also very appealing to not have to go to guest services to get most things done; I felt like it would maximize my time on the ship.

 

[EGHopeful]

We like being certain that we will get every excursion, spa appointment, specialty dining reservation, and a cabana on CC without question. We also like having easy access to the concierge staff to make changes to reservations on board quickly and easily. The snacks and drinks in the lounge are convenient and a favorite of our kids. With 5 people, we also need either the space of the suite or two staterooms, so the suite is a good option for us. And given our inability to predict when we will show up at port, the special boarding area helps, too.

We also only vacation once a year due to career demands, so we tend to maximize that one trip.

All the comments are really helpful. And this one in particular. My career and being a single parent I'm only able to take vacations once a year. So I want it as enjoyable as possible. This will be our 3rd DCL trip. The other two were both verandas but this coming Merrytime cruise we are going concierge 1BR. I want the option to dine in our room one evening. I'm also REALLY praying we get a Cabana. I was hoping last yr for my 50th but that didn't work out. So let's hope it's this year!!

 

[Trera]

All the comments are really helpful. And this one in particular. My career and being a single parent I'm only able to take vacations once a year. So I want it as enjoyable as possible. This will be our 3rd DCL trip. The other two were both verandas but this coming Merrytime cruise we are going concierge 1BR. I want the option to dine in our room one evening. I'm also REALLY praying we get a Cabana. I was hoping last yr for my 50th but that didn't work out. So let's hope it's this year!!

Good luck on the cabana!

 

[kiford]

I can't afford it either, but I think it's probably for similar reasons that some people fly first class on airplanes, stay at the Four Seasons on land vacations, etc.

LAX

Concierge isn't for everyone, even people who could easily afford it, it's more just about personal opinion. The biggest perk is the concierge service.

I have read about the perks you get while sailing concierge; and I can not come up with a good reason to spend that kind of money for the benefits received.

But my wife and I will never sail without a veranda, no matter how short the cruise. And I have read plenty of posts in the past; of people claiming they can not come up with a good reason to spend that kind of money to reserve a stateroom with a veranda and reserve a porthole stateroom only.

And there are people that can't imagine paying for anything more than an inside stateroom and will never pay for a porthole stateroom. It's all a matter of what your willing to put up with (or do without)!

Even if you have the means to upgrade to the next level.

All very good points. It's what is of value to you. We can easily afford concierge but are unable to find value in it. We do not do Club level at WDW but have done the equivalent for trips to Toronto (we are about 1-2 hours outside there) when we stay for the weekend. At WDW we like to partake of the restaurants on the grounds so see little value; for trips to Toronto, we like the extra service.

I don't need the concierge booking support on DCL, don't see the happy hour drinks as a good value for the extra cost, don't want to spend my time on the concierge sundeck (on Fantasy or Dream) as I don't particularly like the location (can't see the water) and don't want to share it with lots of kids (would rather be in the adult only area), am totally not interested in booking a cabana and don't see the value in the other perks for the cost.

But I would never sail without a verandah, which isn't of value to many others. Won't fly more than 5 hours unless Business class. Won't stay in less than Deluxe at WDW but wouldn't fly Business class there. Won't book less than a 5-level BMW when we go to Germany but typically stay in low-cost guest houses (other than when we are with family) there because it allows us to see more of the typical lifestyle of locals and we typically eat in local biergartens. Each trip has its own requirements, values, and preferences. We don't always go high end or spend the money for upcharged items even on the same trip. Each decision is individual and based on our own personal preferences and tastes.

In the end, you need to look at what you get for concierge costs over and above non-concierge and decide if it's something that's important and of value to you for that cruise. You can find out what is provided on the DCL site and see what others see of value and then you need to compare that to what you're willing to pay for it.

 

[GingerPilot]

Correct. We only have stayed in the Royal once and I think we probably didn't use it to its potential as we never had breakfast delivered.

The breakfast delivery is nice, but it's the same food as the MDR is serving that morning. We usually prefer to go grab a coffee in the lounge or Cove (for boozey coffee) and snacks there. The Palo delivery, in the Royal, is fantastic and a serious perk. Not that the extra price tag warrants just Palo delivery, but it's definitely a great perk. So is the unlimited internet in the Royal. We only did that once, but we do sail concierge in the 1 bedrooms normally. The character meet and greets are great, so are the happy hours. Tim (bartender in the Magic lounge) is my favorite person on the ship!

 

[Iceman93]

The biggest perk to me is just the space in the stateroom. We've only sailed in Royals (about to take our third in October), and honestly if "concierge service" wasn't a thing and there were no additional perks, we'd still book the Royal. We enjoy spending time in our cabin on a cruise, and having enough space to really spread out and feel at home.

 

[Trera]

The biggest perk to me is just the space in the stateroom. We've only sailed in Royals (about to take our third in October), and honestly if "concierge service" wasn't a thing and there were no additional perks, we'd still book the Royal. We enjoy spending time in our cabin on a cruise, and having enough space to really spread out and feel at home.

The room is nice but since there are just three of us, it seems over the top. We aren't in the room much during the day so I don't feel as though we get as much out of it. The one bedroom on the dream class ship is really perfect for us.

 

[undertheradar]

It is about space, perks are secondary. We like having the multiple bathrooms and the large dining area that comes with the suites.

 

[cadien]

My in-laws always sail concierge/suites (depending on the line) because of health issues and very limited mobility. They need the extra space, the regular butlers and other room service when they can't leave the cabin, minimal crowds, and minimal waiting. In fact, it's really the only way they can vacation. But it works wonderfully.

We've sailed with them at that level but our next cruise (a Marvel Day at Sea) is just the three of us so we're trying an oceanview to see how much we'd actually miss. We're getting to a point where we can travel more than just once every other year so the idea of two cruises for the same price becomes relevant.

 

[BAIC03]

We are going to try Cat V on the Dream next year without the kids. We've tried Club level at the parks and we really like the service. And we got opening day pricing in the summer. Yay!

 

[lucas]

The concierge rate for 2 on our upcoming 11-nighter DCL cruise says: "Starting from $27,719.30." I can't see anything that would justify that price. I would rather cruise way more often than spending this kind of money for concierge.

 

[KBelle]

I am very fortunate in that my mom loves cruising, loves concierge, and loves to treat her family to cruising. So I've been on 5 concierge level cruises on her dime! We thoroughly enjoy all the perks of concierge and have had some pretty unique experiences thanks to the concierge hosts. The hosts are amazing, attentive and will do anything they can to help you have the best cruise possible. If there's anything you want or need, just mention it to them. If it can be done, it will.

However, we would never do concierge if it weren't for mom. I wouldn't pay for it as my husband and I are very self sufficient on cruises, we like to move all over the ship, and don't feel we need the added conveniences and solitude of concierge to fully enjoy a cruise. Don't get me wrong, it's really nice and everything is hassle free, but unless you really want to experience the perks, and make sure you make the most of the extra costs, it's not necessary. We always have a fantastic time even if we have to find our own lounge chairs!

 

[mandylovesdisney]

Glen on our Wonder cruise in February heard us talking about how they took the grape pizza off the Palo brunch menu and how we always enjoyed having that.......................when they brought our Palo dinner to our room the next night, we were surprised with a grape pizza freshly made as an appetizer for our in suite dining.

I think the Hosts do a great job and we are never disappointed.

Glenn is the BEST!!!! Our next two cruises on the Wonder are in concierge and he is one of the reasons why. I also love the new lounge.

 

[mandylovesdisney]

My concierge two cents....

The only ship I will or want to pay for concierge on is the Wonder. The new lounge make it 100% worth it to me. I love the upstairs sundeck (awesome views), the view from the lounge and the indoor space size. I have not sailed concierge on the Dream class ships, but really have no desire to do so as I have been told there is no view from the lounge as it has no windows, and the sundeck is right outside the adult area and surrounded by a wall so there isn't really a view. I say it all the time on here..... to each their own, but to me, those are important and reasons why I will pay for concierge. The concierge staff on the Wonder is also amazing. I like the use of Shoreside Concierge and the happy hour in the lounge every day as well. As for the other ships, I am perfectly happy sailing "regular class", but on the Wonder, if we can swing it, concierge all the way!

 

[ElizabethG]

We are going to try Cat V on the Dream next year without the kids. We've tried Club level at the parks and we really like the service. And we got opening day pricing in the summer. Yay!

We are booked in a Cat V next year. I am very excited for the concierge perks. The perks that are most important to me are not related to room size. That said, I would love a 1 bedroom, they are beautiful rooms. Everyone evaluates whether or not something is worth the price. Going from a Cat V to T was not worth the additional $12,000 to me. I just couldn't justify that for more space in the room (and in-room dining). But going from a family verandah to a Cat V for $4,000 extra was worth it to me. For many, I'm sure it wouldn't have been.

 

[Trera]

We never have a bad time in Concierge! Our year old DD loves hanging in the lounge and interacting with the hosts, watching videos, coloring, and snacking. She always enjoys the experience.

 

[lucas]

We are booked in a Cat V next year. I am very excited for the concierge perks. The perks that are most important to me are not related to room size. That said, I would love a 1 bedroom, they are beautiful rooms. Everyone evaluates whether or not something is worth the price. Going from a Cat V to T was not worth the additional $12,000 to me. I just couldn't justify that for more space in the room (and in-room dining). But going from a family verandah to a Cat V for $4,000 extra was worth it to me. For many, I'm sure it wouldn't have been.

An additional $12,000?!?! I mean, really, DCL is waaaaay over the top with these prices. I'm sorry, it cannot be worth it. I agree with you, maybe - maybe I could justify the $4,000 extra but that is even stretching it and would have to be for a very special occasion.

 

[Bear3412]

.... What perks do you get? Is it really worth the extra cost?

You get space. Peace. The perk is space.... with peace.

That is why pax book CL. For space. And privacy. Some like peace too.

Space. More peaceful private space.
That's all. That is it. Space.

Is that so difficult to understand?

 

[dclpluto]

Probably because they have $$$$$$$