Concierge vs. non. Is it worth it?

[quickcat]

For us what I liked about it was being able to reserve any excursion, meet and greet, and gingerbread housing making times we wanted.
The staff is always so nice and helpful. It’s nice because it’s not crowded in the concierge areas either. Popcorn for the shows was nice, along with the canned pop. The sun deck and hot tub was always a ghost town (we were on the Dream) and the private meet and greet was nice and low key as well.
Our kids loved the snacks and it was nice to run in and grab a little bite from the lounge.
We definitely are not in the “we cannot go back to non concierge rooms” though. It is nice when the price is right, but feel the “regular” rooms are very nice and service around the ship is always great.
We always request a private table and always get that request granted.
Whatever you decided to do, have a great time!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We just got off the Fantasy today and stayed in a Cat V stateroom this past week. I originally booked a deluxe verandah and decided to upgrade and I'm so glad we did. It was so nice to get out of the crowds and sit on the concierge sundeck, grab some snacks in a quiet concierge lounge, have every request taken care of and be escorted to the front of the line to be one of the first families off the ship today. The concierge staff goes above and beyond for the concierge guests. We won't sail DCL non-concierge!

 

[mliberman]

We usually travel with my in-laws and they always book DCL cruises as concierge. For us, it doesn't really make a difference. There were some perks, for them it mainly seems to be the private lounge with food. For us, that's not necessary when there are decks of food above you. The biggest perk was the popcorn they got for the shows. With small kids that helped them as we often went to the show first and then dinner.

 

[wanderingdee]

My husband’s one request was a cabana on castaway cay. I did some research and realized there was virtually no chance of us getting one on our first Disney Cruise unless we were concierge. Another perk so far has been that the main seating for dining was full but they were able to switch me without an issue when I called the concierge number.

 

[waltsdouble]

To me, it is worth it. I don't cruise all the time, when we do I want it to be special, not just another bus ride. The shore side concierge will make sure you get everything you want, when you want it. This alone is one of the biggest perks of sailing concierge. Spa, dining, excursions and a Cabana taken care of. We even asked to be seated by a porthole in the dining room, done. The lounge is great, close to your cabin. I'm an early riser, a knock on the door and coffee before six. The one bedroom suite is to die for. It is not a cabin, its a bedroom, living room, dining room and two bathrooms, one done in marble with a tub that you can party in. But wait a minute, it's not worth it, don't book it, stay away from concierge, not worth it, not worth it......

 

[DietCokeMommy]

To me, it is worth it. I don't cruise all the time, when we do I want it to be special, not just another bus ride.

Calling a non-concierge Disney cruise a "bus ride" is a little harsh, don't you think?

 

[waltsdouble]

Maybe the "bus ride" comment was a little harsh, but. Checking in: no standing in a long line, like at a bus/DCL check-in counter. A separate, escorted, line to board the ship, anytime I want, no assigned times, unlike the line to board a bus/ DCL. An escort to the Concierge Lounge, upon arrival at the lounge lunch and a drink of my choosing. Our cabin is prepared first, those people getting off the ship in the Grand Caymens while you wait in line, Concierge people. Those people getting off the ship while you wait in line, Concierge people. Disney runs the ship like a transportation system for the masses, lines and hurry up and wait. You'll never see a Concierge guest waiting in a line at guest services. Room service is served in the dining room, try have room serve for more than two people in a DCL cabin, like trying to eat a meal on a bus. As nice as the cabins are on the DCL, they are pretty much the same. A one bedroom Concierge cabin, as mentioned before is well worth the cost, to me.

 

[anomamatt]

Obviously "worth it" is always going to be a personal choice. We have only sailed concierge. For my family, the additional space afforded by the 1 bedroom suites (or larger) make it worth it. That said, if we were considering a Cat V room, I don't think MY family would get value from the other amenities. Of course, everyone's value for different things will vary.

 

[TestingH2O]

Maybe the "bus ride" comment was a little harsh, but. Checking in: no standing in a long line, like at a bus/DCL check-in counter. A separate, escorted, line to board the ship, anytime I want, no assigned times, unlike the line to board a bus/ DCL. An escort to the Concierge Lounge, upon arrival at the lounge lunch and a drink of my choosing. Our cabin is prepared first, those people getting off the ship in the Grand Caymens while you wait in line, Concierge people. Those people getting off the ship while you wait in line, Concierge people. Disney runs the ship like a transportation system for the masses, lines and hurry up and wait. You'll never see a Concierge guest waiting in a line at guest services. Room service is served in the dining room, try have room serve for more than two people in a DCL cabin, like trying to eat a meal on a bus. As nice as the cabins are on the DCL, they are pretty much the same. A one bedroom Concierge cabin, as mentioned before is well worth the cost, to me.

All those line descriptions are exactly what I feared cruising non-concierge. However, they didn't pan out. We still never waited in any major lines. Maybe we were lucky, maybe we just didn't need to be first to do everything. Regardless, we didn't feel the cattle car herding sensation you describe and we feared.

Cat T however? Yes, that was beyond lovely and I do miss the lounge sometimes.

I'm glad we started in Concierge to ask questions and figure out the logistics. Now, we've got it under control and really enjoy exploring the ship more.

 

[AquaDame]

Maybe the "bus ride" comment was a little harsh, but. Checking in: no standing in a long line, like at a bus/DCL check-in counter. A separate, escorted, line to board the ship, anytime I want, no assigned times, unlike the line to board a bus/ DCL. An escort to the Concierge Lounge, upon arrival at the lounge lunch and a drink of my choosing. Our cabin is prepared first, those people getting off the ship in the Grand Caymens while you wait in line, Concierge people. Those people getting off the ship while you wait in line, Concierge people. Disney runs the ship like a transportation system for the masses, lines and hurry up and wait. You'll never see a Concierge guest waiting in a line at guest services. Room service is served in the dining room, try have room serve for more than two people in a DCL cabin, like trying to eat a meal on a bus. As nice as the cabins are on the DCL, they are pretty much the same. A one bedroom Concierge cabin, as mentioned before is well worth the cost, to me.

I'm not sure what happened but as I've said in other threads we sailed concierge in January and there was no escorting anywhere. We waited in the same line to get on and off the ship and had to find our way to the lounge ourselves. They did have some small bites and alcohol available once we got there.

 

[Billinaz]

I'm not sure what happened but as I've said in other threads we sailed concierge in January and there was no escorting anywhere. We waited in the same line to get on and off the ship and had to find our way to the lounge ourselves. They did have some small bites and alcohol available once we got there.

The concierge product level has evolved over the years. In recent years, you do get an escort to the lounge, you do get shown the concierge seating area in the terminal, You go through a separate door from the lounge to get on the ship and dont wait in the line, you do get brought down to the front of the line on debarkation, you do get priority on the tender (if used at that port)

 

[kid-at-heart]

We have cruised both concierge and non-concierge. Is it worth the extra money? Probably not but it was fun to be pampered, once. I am not sure we will pay the extra $$$ again but once was a nice experience. You can buy quite a few martinis in adult lounges for the cost of the concierge upgrade so that defeats the 5:00-10:00 pm complimentary concierge lounge drinks. You also can stop by Cove Cafe for awesome breakfast and evening snacks. Popcorn was "bagged" on our cruise and a bit stale so we ended up buying fresh at the theatre. Tons of good food all over the ship so the concierge spread was not a selling point. What was super nice and what makes me want to sail concierge again: the concierge and stateroom hosts. They bent over backwards to make us feel special.

 

[TestingH2O]

The concierge product level has evolved over the years. In recent years, you do get an escort to the lounge, you do get shown the concierge seating area in the terminal, You go through a separate door from the lounge to get on the ship and dont wait in the line, you do get brought down to the front of the line on debarkation, you do get priority on the tender (if used at that port)

But her experience was in January not five years ago. I've seen other reports about uneven service with concierge. Like most things DCL, experiences call really vary.

 

[Billinaz]

But her experience was in January not five years ago. I've seen other reports about uneven service with concierge. Like most things DCL, experiences call really vary.

All of the things I describe are in place now.

 

[TestingH2O]

All of the things I describe are in place now.

As they were supposed to be in January. January. 3 months ago. Everything you mention was also in place 2 years ago when I was last in a Cat T. DCL is not infallible and the poster above did not experience those services despite the fact that they are "in place now"

 

[Billinaz]

As they were supposed to be in January. January. 3 months ago. Everything you mention was also in place 2 years ago when I was last in a Cat T. DCL is not infallible and the poster above did not experience those services despite the fact that they are "in place now"

Then quite possibly the poster failed to take advantage of what was offered.

 

[cadien]

Then quite possibly the poster failed to take advantage of what was offered.

She also stated it wasn’t offered.

It happens

 

[Billinaz]

She also stated it wasn’t offered.

It happens

Maybe they neglected to ask. Its the standard concierge operating procedures and has been for years.

 

[Dug720]

Maybe they neglected to ask. Its the standard concierge operating procedures and has been for years.

If it is standard, she should not have to ask.

 

[TestingH2O]

If it is standard, she should not have to ask.

But that suggests DCL is at fault and is not perfect! Blasphemy. Blame the customer at all costs.