PTR: Disney Fantasy Concierge – December 2014!

[Campbem]

I’ve been planning, researching and mostly getting excited for our 1st DCL cruise only a short 8 months and change away . Hopefully my incessant planning will help others with their trip. Some information I’ve found has been spread out so I really want to pay it forward and consolidate as much as I can!

At the time of cruising we will me: Mike 38, we also have Diane (41) my DW. My son Jack (10) and daughter Kate (8). My kids and I are huge Disney fans but since I’m here on Disboards you probably already know that . But I have the mickey tattoo to prove it if needed!

Our best monster pose...

We live in southern California and are fortunate to enjoy many regular trips to Disneyland. We are annual passport holders a lot of the time but will let the passes lapse for periods when we don’t have anything planned. Sadly our passes are expiring this month but we just took a 5 day trip in Feb for my birthday so we got our last fill for the rest of the year. With the cruise booked we will probably not go back to DL until 2015.

Cruising history: Right before kids came along My wife and I went on a 3 day cruise many years ago on Carnival from Miami to the Bahamas, honestly the cruise was not that memorable – the best thing was the beach excursion to where they filmed the blue lagoon, absolutely beautiful. Next it was I think 2010 we went with the whole family including mother-in-law, aunt, sister-in-law and a friend on an NCL cruise in Hawaii. That was great. It was our 1st time in Hawaii and the kids loved the cruise and Hawaii itself was amazing. But the kids clubs were just ok, hours were very limited we found. Overall the cruise was very enjoyable though.

We have been wanting to do a Disney cruise for a long while now and everything fell into place after I started looking back in June or so. When I finally booked in July I was already excited but it was 17 months away!! I am soooo glad I booked that far ahead though. I looked again on occasion and saw how quickly the prices rose even just a few weeks later. As I am writing this PTR I realize 9 months have already gone by!

We are heading out on the Disney Fantasy December 6 from Port Canaveral on the Eastern Caribbean Itinerary C:

12/6 – Port Canaveral
12/7 – At sea
12/8 – At sea
12/9 – St. Maarten
12/10 – San Juan/Puerto Rico
12/11 – At sea
12/12 – Castaway Cay
12/13 – Port Canaveral

Booking
We booked a One Bedroom Concierge Suite, Category 00T. I feel like I got a heck of a good price for what I wanted, especially after continuing to look at prices for cruises in the same category months later. I haven’t seen that low of a price since we booked. I also did purchase travel insurance through Travel Guard which was $430.

I booked through Costco travel which gives me a $760 Costco cash card (oh yeah!) after we complete the cruise. I looked around and from what I read that seemed as good (or better) as other booking avenues.

Next up – Concierge considerations…

 

[Campbem]

I wanted to keep this in it’s own separate post as I’ll be updating the concierge benefits and services I find going forward…

Why Concierge?
First –I really wanted the space in the 1 Bedroom and you can’t get a 1BR non-concierge.
Second – After spending time on this and other forums, looking at what concierge offered and some of the activities I probably wouldn’t be able to do (such as get a cabana on CC) and possible issues with Palo or Remy reservations. I totally felt it was absolutely going to be worth the cost. It was going to take the stress out of many aspects of booking things, boarding and the overall cruise experience and less stress = more enjoyable trip to me! The less time I have to spend waiting in lines, worrying about being able to go on a particular excursion or do something is more time I can spend relaxing. Ahhhh…
Third - I never want to say never but I don't know if we will be doing a DCL cruise anytime soon or maybe ever. This might be the only time we go on it while our kids are young enough to enjoy the 'magic'. Who knows but I look at it like this time is so short. Before we know it the kids will be teens with attitudes and a trip like this just won't be the same. We don't take trips like this (ever) so I'm going to splurge and spoil us a little.

Concierge services.
The Disney site has a list of the concierge services but there were a lot of different benefits I read about online through disboards that weren’t necessarily listed on the Disney site. I’m going to try and keep an updated list of what I’ve found and centralize it. So here are a list of benefits to staying concierge:

Pre-Cruise:
Disney Cruise Line conveniently offers pre-arrival Concierge services for Guests. You can pre-reserve many of your onboard activities and services online, starting from 120 days prior to your sail date. In other words you get to be the first to book excursions, a cabana at Castaway Cay, dinner reservations at Palo & Remy, etc, etc. One of my ‘to do’ items is to find the contact information so I can email all my requests ahead of time.
-One important thing according to what I’ve found is nothing can be reserved if you are not PIF – paid in full at 120 days out! Since this is my first Disney cruise I wouldn’t have a prayer to get a cabana since I would have to wait until 75 days out (last group) to book anything. Supposedly onshore concierge will take care of this for you without you having to wait up until midnight to start booking at the 120 day mark.

Update: Apparently shoreside concierge was taking requests at 150 days out. But that has just changed (as of April 2014) to 125 days out. So concierge guests it looks like will not be able to put in requests for cabanas, dining, etc until 125 days out. But that's still before platinum so don't think that would impact your ability to have your requests met. More to come on this.

Priority Boarding. I plan on arriving at the port on the first DCL transport from MCO to take advantage of this. Getting to be the first onboard the ship and not wait through the regular check in lines feels like just one less thing to stress about or be waiting for. Being first is just a nice perk . Even if you don’t arrive at the port in time for first boarding you will not check in through the regular lines, you will be escorted to the front and then taken into a concierge waiting area to be boarded right away. Once onboard concierge guests are escorted to the concierge lounge for a reception with cocktails, snacks and the concierge hosts waiting to assist with signing up for kids clubs, questions, other bookings, etc. Also, the concierge cabins are the first ones ready for the day.

Onboard:
• Upgraded amenities: Bath and shower products, bedding, several pillow options, plush robe and slippers, media library of DVDs.
• Upgraded room décor, darker tones
• Concierge lounge access – Guests can relax in quiet comfort, sip a cocktail, access the Internet, watch news on a large-screen TV and enjoy complimentary food and beverages offered throughout the day.
• From the Lounge, Concierge Guests have their own private entrance to Deck 13, an exclusive Concierge-only sun deck.
• Complimentary sunblock on the sundeck
• 2 complimentary cocktail hours in the concierge lounge with top shelf liquors before each dinner service so 2 each evening! I will definitely be taking advantage of that .
• There is also reportedly a fantastic $10,000 coffee machine that makes great coffee. Since I am a full blown caffeine addict and will be missing my daily dose of starbucks I’m hoping that will get me through the mornings.
• If I’ve read correctly there are snacks in the concierge lounge that you’ll only find there.
• Canned sodas & bottled water (Evian) and other non-alcoholic drinks that you can help yourself to, take to your stateroom.
• Close to the spa, pool areas, meridian lounge, Remy & Palo.
• Never needing to wait for guest services (The concierge hosts take care of any guest service request)
• In-suite dining. The Cat T, 1-bedroom suite provides the additional benefit to order room service from any of the MDRs or main dining room restaurants in the evening as well as room service for full hot breakfast in the mornings. This is only for the Cat T or R because there is a dining table in the suite.
• Complimentary iPad rental and 100 minutes of WiFi
• Popcorn available on request
• Complimentary in room On Demand movie
• A private character meet and greet for concierge guests

I will continue to edit and add other concierge perks as I stumble across them (or feel free to PM or reply with additions) so they’re all on the 1st page.

Also - just to note the services and perks I'm finding are specifically for the Fantasy (and the Dream should be the same). The classic ships don't have all the amenities (such as the concierge lounge) so several of the aspects won't be the same.

 

[Campbem]

Flights
Booked through Virgin America for just under $1600 total for the 4 of us from LAX to MCO, not bad. I don’t think I’ve ever booked a flight 9 months ahead before! We are arriving the day ahead, Friday at MCO.

Pre-cruise accommodations and transportation:
We land at MCO late in the afternoon so opted to stay right in the airport at the Hyatt Orlando International Airport. We saved 10% by using AAA (you can also save 10% by booking through Costco travel). I appreciate getting off the plane after a longish day of travel and going straight to a hotel room and relaxing. Our total for the hotel was $202 before tax. It's a king bed with a sofa bed in the room.

We booked DCL transfers to take Disney transportation in the morning to the port. I contacted Costco travel to add them on after we already booked. No problem at all, transfers added. $70 per person round trip which has been added onto the total cost. I’ll pay when the final payment for the cruise is due.

I thought about some other services, possibly a limo or towncar sort of thing but a few things tipped my decision...

First, with a DCL transfer you can arrive anytime, regardless of your scheduled PAT (port arrival time). Private vehicles may be turned away if they arrive before the port opens at 11AM (or 10:45) - someone please correct me if I'm mistaken! Although it doesn't apply to platinum castaway club or concierge your scheduled PAT can be enforced (i.e. you are turned away) if you are not using DCL transfers.

Second, entertainment for the kids. They play movies or 'you're going on a cruise!' video. Since it'll be an hour drive, that will be a nice way to keep the kids (and me) entertained and get everyone excited for the cruise.

Last - Luggage transfer...

I called and verified with the Hyatt that they do transfer the luggage for you directly from your room if you’re using the DCL transfers. So when you check-in you tell them you are cruising with Disney and they give you a form. Before you leave your room to check out you put your DCL luggage tags on your bags and leave them in your room. You just take your carry ons when you leave and the next time you see your checked luggage it will be in your cruise stateroom! I love that. Anyone traveling with kids and a family can appreciate not having to negotiate big luggage bags around. Even for a short bit, it’s just one less thing! Although it seems a little 'scary' leaving your luggage in your room and hoping it shows up on the cruise ship. But I've read enough great reviews on this process to have confidence they have it down. I'll just figure out how I double check we are on the list for luggage transfers at the Hyatt.

Post cruise
As much as I don't want to think about it ending before it even starts I have to. Since we'll be kicked off the boat in the morning at the end of the cruise we have a long wait until our flight departs early Saturday evening. I have not booked yet, procrastinating, but I saw they offer day use rooms at the Hyatt MCO for $99. So we'll use our DCL transfers and head back to the airport/hotel. We'll be able to check in and have a room for the day. If the kids want to swim or just hang out at least we'll have a place to be for the day instead of just in the terminal.

 

[Campbem]

Tipping Bartenders in the concierge lounge
I saw today that bartenders in concierge lounge are not tipped out with the end of cruise tip. If you plan on using their services just remember you can tip them out in cash or to your account (I believe). Expect good service no matter what but probably doesn’t hurt to tip early on so the bartender remembers you if you plan on enjoying the cocktail hours. A tipped bartender is usually more likely to keep your drink full without you having to ask

Tipping Concierge hosts
What I’ve found is hardly concrete; in fact much of it is very contradictory! This is one area where DCL doesn’t provide any guidance for guests. Some posts have said that concierge hosts’ salaries are higher then others you would normally receive service from. But some say that’s not true or not true anymore so ??? In fact some threads have people saying that the concierge host positions are not salaried and rely totally on tips now. But I have a very hard time believing that last notion.

I’ve read the following varieties of tips from polls and other posts:
7 day Fantasy cruise – 2 adults, 2 kids left $500 for the hosts
3 day dream (unknown party size) – left $100
4 day (unknown ship) with 2 adults - $150

For more info here’s a link to a poll thread regarding concierge tipping:
Tipping Concierge Poll

Tipping is always a very personal decision. How much you use the hosts’ services will undoubtedly play a role. I haven’t made up my mind yet but it probably seems somewhere in the range of $100-$500 is in the right neighborhood.

I'm still

 

[williamspawpaw]

Hey there. We are going on this date also. What is your cabin number ? We are in 11000. We are a party of 4, myself-grandpaw, dd-Monica, sil-Scott and the main reason for the trip-- 3 year old grandson.

If you want to join the facebook group let me know and I'll gladly friend you. You can also find more info on the roll call section of this site.

 

[Campbem]

Hey there. We are going on this date also. What is your cabin number ? We are in 11000. We are a party of 4, myself-grandpaw, dd-Monica, sil-Scott and the main reason for the trip-- 3 year old grandson.

If you want to join the facebook group let me know and I'll gladly friend you. You can also find more info on the roll call section of this site.

Hi there! Thanks for the note. I'm already on the facebook group and found our cruise thread here I had to go back to see your post there, so sorry to hear about your DW... What a treat for your family to go do this, I'm sure you are all super excited.

We also joined the FishExtender gift exchange group, it sounds like a lot of fun to us!

This is our 1st Disney cruise but we've been on 1 family cruise a few years ago (NCL). We are in cabin 12520 and can hardly wait! I know we are all going to love it but getting to watch the kids enjoy this is a lot of the fun too!

 

[Campbem]

Like many others, the first time I saw people talking about fish extenders I was like WTH?

Once I read about it it sounded like great fun! So we are participating in a Fish Extender Gift Exchange. Being our first DCL cruise we’ve never done it before. And I only heard about it here in these forums and now making sense of it all.

So there is a fish outside your stateroom door that looks like one of the examples below. This is basically a decorative mailbox used for communications from DCL. They’ll use that for confirmations of dining reservations, tickets for excursions and other notes.

The fish extender hangs from the fish downward. All the examples I’ve seen have pockets, usually one per person in the stateroom and each pocket has a name on it. Some people make them, a lot buy them on ebay or etsy. The latter is what I ended up doing .

Your cruise will usually have someone that starts a facebook group or cruise thread here on Disboards for your cruise date. At least in my case a veteran volunteered to organize the fish extender gift exchange. People sign up by a certain date so you know how many people are in your FE group, along with their names and stateroom numbers. You make or buy gifts to give to everyone in your FE group while onboard. Everyone in the FE group will leave you a gift at some point as well.

As far as the gifts so there is some guidance on Disboards but no real rules. I’ve read people doing picture frames, magnets, something from their hometown, Disney or pirate themed or something cruise related. I have no idea at this moment what we’ll do for gifts.

I found this super FE post that had some great info if you want a lot of details:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3221387

I had to answer the question what was I going to do about my fish extender? I’m a dude and not crafty at all so making it was absolutely out of the question! Trying to be practical I starting looking around at sites and found some great sellers on Etsy (never used it before). I looked at a couple and ended up really liking the designs by gradysmommy:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/Gradysmommy

Never using Etsy before it was easy enough to sign up and place an order with my details. I don’t expect I’ll see it for 6 weeks maybe. But I wanted to order it far in advance. If I don’t like it or have any problems I want time to fix it or get an alternative. I’m not at all really worried, her designs looked great to me and the feedback from other buyers was very positive! I will be sure to post a photo when it arrives.

Gifts, what to do about the gifts? I have no idea whatsoever! I’ll have to give that some more thought…

 

[Campbem]

Just got out fish extender in the mail, woohoo! She did a wonderful job, I love it!

It took about 8 weeks to receive it but I ordered it far ahead and I let her know that I wasn't in a rush and my cruise date is still a ways out. Very happy with the quality and colors. I would highly recommend this one: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Gradysmommy

 

[Mikeyto_96]

Great posting, thank you for starting this thread. I'll be on the Fantasy the week before in 11006. This will be 2nd Disney Cruise but first on the Fantasy. I can't wait to see her.

 

[SnowWhite2]

I think being concierge doesn't exempt you from standing in line at security. That is usually the longest line we see when we check in. Plus the ability to easily walk onto the ship without dodging a hundred people standing in front of the Mickey ears. They act like the ship might leave without them.

 

[Campbem]

I think being concierge doesn't exempt you from standing in line at security. That is usually the longest line we see when we check in. Plus the ability to easily walk onto the ship without dodging a hundred people standing in front of the Mickey ears. They act like the ship might leave without them.

You're right there, everyone has to go through the same security. But from what I understand after you pass through security you have a concierge line to board on and if you're there when the port opens you can be the first to board before everyone else And if you do get there later on you bypass the line (after going through security).

I saw you post on another thread about cabana reservations changing!! I hope it doesn't change to affect me soon. I just past my 150 day mark and I'm paid in full... So I'm super close to my 125 day mark. I will post what happens when I put in my requests.

 

[Campbem]

So I drafted an eloquent email with some of my main requests I wanted to put in and decided to email it to shoreside concierge and see what happened. Previously they were taking requests 150 days ahead but the word on the board is you now had to wait until 125 days out.

So I sent the email in the evening and patiently waited. I was very pleasantly surprised to see a response at 9AM the next morning! Talk about prompt! The CM was extremely gracious. The email went over details on what shoreside concierge offered and could offer personalized service in the planning of my cruise 125 prior to sailing... Here is the note:

As a Concierge Guest, your services begin even before you board the ship. The Shoreside Concierge Services team can begin to accept requests for calendar reminders and offer you personalized service in planning the details of your cruise beginning 125 days (August 3, 2014) prior to your sailing. Pre-arranged services include:

•Port Adventures
•Adult dining reservations at Palo and Remy
•Spa services/treatments
•Nursery reservations
•Dining Room seating preference requests
•Special occasions and celebration planning
•Transportation
•Assistance with special requests

The Concierge booking window opens at 120 days (August 8, 2014) prior to sailing. On this day, the Shoreside Concierge team will assist in booking your requested activities provided your reservation is paid in full. Please note requested services are booked in the order in which they are received, and it is possible that some services may not be available.

I thought the CM did a great job of explaining and I liked that she was specific with the dates so I knew what to expect. Even though my requests didn't go in it was nice to have a first contact with someone about my cruise! So I put a reminder in my calendar to resend the draft on midnight, EST 125 from my sail date.

I responded thanking her and let her know I would be happy to resend my email on the noted date. I was again surprised to get another note thanking me, letting me know to contact them if I have any questions at all before that date. Just great customer service.

 

[Campbem]

So at 125 days I put in my requests to shoreside concierge (at midnight EST). I was informed that everything would be queued and put in at 120 days from my sailing date.

I was a little nervous but I got an email the morning 120 days out that all my reservations had been made and I even got the cabana I requested (#7)! So excited!! I was able to go online and see my reservations for dining and the cabana later that day. I still have to plan some excursions but the main ones I wanted to get in are done, whew!

Today it's 17 weeks away and can't wait!

 

[williamspawpaw]

Happy to hear that you were able to get your reservations as requested. I did the same thing and snagged Cabana # 1, Palo Brunch, Birthday cake and a few other items. We're getting closer and closer.

 

[Campbem]

Happy to hear that you were able to get your reservations as requested. I did the same thing and snagged Cabana # 1, Palo Brunch, Birthday cake and a few other items. We're getting closer and closer.

Woohoo! Great, that sounds fun! - We also booked a Palo brunch and dinner as well as a Remy brunch and dinner. Still looking at excursions! Shoreside concierge has been very helpful and prompt with questions so far.

 

[tmarie]

Hi! My family and I are cruising with you on the Dec 6th Fantasy. Your report has been so helpful and informative. I just wanted to thank you for all of your posts!!! Is it December yet??

 

[Campbem]

Hi! My family and I are cruising with you on the Dec 6th Fantasy. Your report has been so helpful and informative. I just wanted to thank you for all of your posts!!! Is it December yet??

Thanks! So glad some people are getting helpful information out of my blabbing

Looks like you are in our FE group! I know these days seem to be going by slower the closer we get. We cannot wait either, my whole family is counting down the days. The anticipation is driving me crazy, after looking forward to this for over a year now I honestly don't know what I'm going to do with myself after the cruise...

 

[tmarie]

Thanks! So glad some people are getting helpful information out of my blabbing

Looks like you are in our FE group! I know these days seem to be going by slower the closer we get. We cannot wait either, my whole family is counting down the days. The anticipation is driving me crazy, after looking forward to this for over a year now I honestly don't know what I'm going to do with myself after the cruise...

LOL! That makes me feel better.....I have already warned my husband that I might need therapy after the cruise. Maybe I can talk him into booking another one while we are on board so I will have another vacation to look forward too??

 

[Parkerpirates]

Thanks! So glad some people are getting helpful information out of my blabbing

Looks like you are in our FE group! I know these days seem to be going by slower the closer we get. We cannot wait either, my whole family is counting down the days. The anticipation is driving me crazy, after looking forward to this for over a year now I honestly don't know what I'm going to do with myself after the cruise...

Book another one.....

 

[Ndsmorrison]

Just got out fish extender in the mail, woohoo! She did a wonderful job, I love it!

It took about 8 weeks to receive it but I ordered it far ahead and I let her know that I wasn't in a rush and my cruise date is still a ways out. Very happy with the quality and colors. I would highly recommend this one: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Gradysmommy

I'm enjoying reading your PTR!! We went on Fantasy last November and we will be on the Magic this November (30th). We will be passing out in the ocean sometime (we get back on Dec 7th). Anyways, I was going to tell you ur FE is awesome!! We used gradysmommy too for ours last year and she did an excellent job!! She also did a pillowcase for the characters to sign and it was great too!!!