Why do you sail concierge?

[DCSWO]

Do you know (or have a way to get an estimate) for the Cat Vs on wonder? Looking over past cruises on Wonder they've only had Cat T+, which Doubles the price of our cruise.

I have an autistic little, as well as health issues for my so, and think the quiet would be a great help.

The Cat Vs on Wonder will not be available until after Oct 1st this year.

http://disneycruiselineblog.com/201...erooms-converting-concierge-level-category-v/

You should be able to do a mock booking for a cruise anytime after that to see their prices.

 

[35000ft above!]

Wow there's so much info on this thread!

I am sailing concierge on the wonder in September and this is our first cruise! We chose concierge as it's a big number birthday for me just after the cruise and the other half's early new year and we wanted to do something memorable and also just to see whether we like cruising!

I am really looking forward to the cruise and all the parts of the concierge service on the cruise but have been a bit disappointed with the shoreside element of it - due to booking errors with activities onboard etc. Am not going to let this jade anything and enjoy it while on board!!!!! Agree with fellow cruisers that it is abit on the expensive side but for me, this makes me work a little bit harder in the run up to it so i can just relax and not worry about things much while on holiday!

Also the other half snores like Pumba farts so having extra space to sleep in is always welcomed!!!!!!!!!!!!

Looking forward to meeting peeps on the cruise!!!!!!

 

[DCSWO]

I spent 25 years sailing around the world on Navy ships and I never thought I would get underway on a ship for "fun". Once my family finally broke me down to take a cruise (which of course I loved), I wanted to make sure I had 2 things I hardly ever got in the Navy - pampering (never) and privacy (occasionally). So I made the "mistake" of booking concierge on Dream. I use the word "mistake" because I set the bar a little too high for myself and my family right from the start! We repeated that cruise again and enjoyed it even more after I got a little smarter from reading posts here. Even though you could fund another cruise (or cruises) for the price difference in some cases, our family schedules don't allow us to cruise often, so when we do, I generally don't mind spending the extra money - within reason and means.

That being said, when I booked our Northern European trip for next summer, I looked at a number of different room combinations - all in one CAT 4 - split between two decks in a CAT 4 and a CAT 9 for the kids (DD13 and DS20) - all in a CAT V, etc. I ended choosing a soon-to-be-added CAT V and the addition of the concierge lounge on Magic was the thing that tipped the scales. No lounge, and we would have picked the single CAT 4 and saved the $4k.

Everyone has different budges, priorities and preferences and it is interesting reading them!

 

[Cirlonde]

We are planning our first ever cruise for May 2018 and we opted to book concierge for a couple of reasons. The #1 reason was the room. If I could have gotten the 1-bedroom w/verandah on the Dream and not booked concierge, I'd probably have done that. I'm honestly a little nervous about the level of service because I'm a natural introvert, so I'm a bit intimidated at the thought of super helpful/friendly cast members doing everything for me! But I really wanted the spaciousness of the room and the verandah...so here we go! Unlike many cruisers, I expect to spend at least a moderate amount of time just chilling on the balcony!

Our secondary reason was because we wanted the ease of booking a cabana on Castaway. I'm also excited about our room being ready earlier, but I wouldn't have paid extra just for that. Also, we are only doing a 3-night cruise, so the additional cost to upgrade was much less than it would have been on a longer cruise.

 

[waltsdouble]

Why, everything I requested was granted. When you're putting out a ton of dough for a cruise you want everything to go right. Today was our 120 day mark, no worries, the on shore concierge team came through with flying colors. No waiting in lines, no worries about getting a cabana, spa times as requested, Frozen meet and greet, wine tasting, like I said everything requested, granted. It is expensive, without a doubt, but peace of mind and knowing that everything you want in a vacation is going to happen, priceless.

 

[etwizzle]

I had wondered the same thing about concierge. Seems like its completely about peoples personal travel style. For my family, we tend to "rough it" a bit more (as rough as it can be on a DCL), so I don't think that it would be a good fit for us. But who knows, maybe we will try it sometime to see for sure!

 

[AquaDame]

I agree with you there. If I'm going to Europe I would rather have an inside room on the ship and fly business class over there. The ship amenities are the same between rooms, but you can't beat business class on a 10 hour flight.

Business class is indeed amazing but the price difference is just too high oddly enough. We're paying an extra 2K to upgrade the two of us to a cat V which wouldn't be enough $ to upgrade even one of us to business. Every time I have checked to Europe or Japan it has been more in the 3-4K per person range for the upgrade out of cattle class.

 

[cruiser21]

Business class is indeed amazing but the price difference is just too high oddly enough. We're paying an extra 2K to upgrade the two of us to a cat V which wouldn't be enough $ to upgrade even one of us to business. Every time I have checked to Europe or Japan it has been more in the 3-4K per person range for the upgrade out of cattle class.

I've only flown business class once. I guess it was more if a hypothetical...if I had the money what would I rather do. The more I travel the more frugal I become. I used to plan every trip like it was a once in a lifetime event. Now I'd rather travel more so I budget better. The European cruise Id like to do on DCL next year the price difference between an inside room and Concierge is 20k. That's pretty significant.

 

[tgarre06]

Can you get alcoholic beverages all day when cruising concierge or is it just during the dinner cocktail hours?

 

[phinz]

Can you get alcoholic beverages all day when cruising concierge or is it just during the dinner cocktail hours?

Only during the cocktail hours of 5-10.

 

[twoprincesses12]

Can you get alcoholic beverages all day when cruising concierge or is it just during the dinner cocktail hours?

Only during the 2 dinner seating cocktail hours. However, there were 2 additional SunDeck Concierge events on the Fantasy were an open bar was served as well during our 7 day Fantasy Cruise. Oh, and the 1st day at the Enbarkment Meeting in the Concierge Lounge there were drinks and appetizers/dessert as well.

 

[tgarre06]

Do you get priority seating at the shows?

 

[Bettyscruise]

Do you get priority seating at the shows?

No. You're on your own.

 

[tgarre06]

No. You're on your own.

Bummer.

 

[JoieNsk]

We did suites couple times on other cruise lines, and if everything works out will try "concierge" with Disney in January - the price was just too good so I decided to try.

But for our family all those "butler style" things are rather bothersome then needed. We feel embarrassed then people dance around us and try to avoid it.

But I like the spacious rooms where everybody has comfortable place to sleep, enough bathroom space and privacy. Also we like to avoid crowds and lines if we can.

I like if the drinks are included - better in the room, but I can walk to the lounge if I don't have to pay. I mean coffees, beers and wine - I am not sure though it comes with Disney suite.

 

[cadien]

I'm surprised there's no priority seating. That's a standard benefit for concierge/suite classes on other lines.

 

[tgarre06]

I'm surprised there's no priority seating. That's a standard benefit for concierge/suite classes on other lines.

I agree. It is quite the premium to pay to cruise concierge, so I am surprised you wouldn't have special seating at the shows. For that price I'd expect to not have to show up early to get a good seat. Just me though, since the shows are important to me.

 

[kaseyC]

I'm surprised there's no priority seating. That's a standard benefit for concierge/suite classes on other lines.

It's a benefit I really enjoy on other lines. Really surprised DCL hasn't added this concerning the premium paid. It would be pretty easy to implement... rope off a section in the theatre during each show. Concierge employee checks cards before allowing folks to sit in the area. Most lines usually release the seats to anyone a few minutes before the show starts.

 

[Soontobegoodsell]

We are sailing concierge because we're traveling with a 90-year-old and also because my mother has been battling cancer. This way, we don't have to wait too long in the terminal, there is always access to food a stones throw away from the room down the hall (even with room service) and we can book a cabana so she can enjoy the sun and sand without the walk (we can use a golf cart if we request to bring us back and forth) and also then we can leisurely take our time instead of hustling for a hammock and chairs.

 

[Tasmen]

We sailed concierge last time and are going to sail concierge again on our February cruise. We picked concierge because we are 'throw money to not stand in line' people to put it simply. I don't want to worry about lines or the irritation that can go with standing in said lines while on vacation if I can avoid it. This holds for getting the tickets we want, getting the cabana we want, and priority disembarking such as in Grand Cayman.

That said, we thoroughly enjoyed our first concierge cruise for more reasons than lack of lines. It was such a relaxing trip (which I grant, it could have been outside of concierge ). The concierge staff really came through for us too when our Star Wars meet & greet tickets ended up not being ideal. We were able to shift those around and I am not sure that would have been possible at Guest Relations.

Also, it is a silly thing, but we really like the popcorn we can get at the lounge to take to the shows/movies. That is some damn good popcorn.