To concierge or not to concierge

It's funny how this discussion plays out. Many of us who haven't tried concierge probably never will be able to justify the price. Many who have say it's amazing and they'll never go back. I am in the camp of wanting to spend my money toward more vacation rather than an upgraded level of vacation .... but I am trying concierge level on another cruse line next year - too bad I won't actually be able to compare it to DCL concierge!
 
We evaluate this each time we cruise, since I've found the cost of concierge vs. non-concierge can vary wildly. Obviously, it's always more expensive, but you have to determine if that extra expense is worth it to you and your family. For us, paying more for the one-bedroom suite and the extra space/bathroom plus the concierge amenities you get is sometimes worth it. One time, my dad broke his sandal on a door in one of the public areas of the ship- it caught on the shoe and tore the strap off. He went to guest services and they expressed their regret but that was it. He told our concierge host and had new sandals, paid for by Disney. It gives you an added peace of mind, especially if things go wrong. I will say the cruises we do that aren't concierge, we still have a great time.
 
That sums it up for us. Affordability isn't the issue, it's the value. We might enjoy the happy hour but that's not worth at least double the price for us. I don't want the lounge since we prefer to hang out in the adult only areas and lounges that don't appeal to children. The sun deck (on the Dream class ships) has no water view which is the entire reason I sit out on deck. I'm not interested in a cabana. I don't need help to book anything. I'm Platinum so I can board whenever and I usually don't board until after open boarding anyway. I'm sure the service is very nice, but it's just not something I'd be willing to pay that much more for. If you absolutely must have a cabana, your best bet (but not guaranteed) is concierge.

This is us exactly. I probably COULD shell out for concierge. We talk about it every now and then. But then we look at what it gives us:
Private lounge? While I would not mind better access to diet coke because DW drinks it all the time, what exactly is it worth?
I don't care for the snacks. I eat too much as it is.
I can handle my own shore excursions. It's not like there is something on there that I can't do or haven't been able to get.
Private sun deck? No thank you. I want a small pool where I can relax, and I want to see the ocean while I read my book.
It would be NICE to try a Cabana.

So I am down to a cabana and closer access to diet coke. I don't know exactly what I would pay for these things, but I have yet to see the price meet whatever is in my mind.
 
We did concierge for the first time last month for the British Isles cruise on the Magic. Obviously, getting a cabana was not a reason for doing it. It was going to be our last cruise with our adult children and I decided I wanted to make it special. I do not drink, but the rest of the family does and they appreciated happy hour - taking drinks to the show and to dinner. I appreciated the canned drinks I could take to our room. I’m an early riser and often times the lounge was open before Cabanas. And the extra room in our stateroom was amazing. We didn’t feel like we were tripping over each other. And I can’t even say how wonderful the concierge hosts were. They helped us in many ways.
 


This is us exactly. I probably COULD shell out for concierge. We talk about it every now and then. But then we look at what it gives us:
Private lounge? While I would not mind better access to diet coke because DW drinks it all the time, what exactly is it worth?
I don't care for the snacks. I eat too much as it is.
I can handle my own shore excursions. It's not like there is something on there that I can't do or haven't been able to get.
Private sun deck? No thank you. I want a small pool where I can relax, and I want to see the ocean while I read my book.
It would be NICE to try a Cabana.

So I am down to a cabana and closer access to diet coke. I don't know exactly what I would pay for these things, but I have yet to see the price meet whatever is in my mind.

AND don’t forget that the cabana (if you get one) costs extra on top of the extra you’re paying for concierge.
 
I know this is a loaded question, but I'm really torn...do we pay the price for a concierge room? All we rally want it for is to secure a cabana at Castaway...other than that, is it worth the cost?

If you email your request to Shoreside Concierge right at midnight 125 days before sailing, you'll get a cabana. There are more staterooms than cabanas but since Shoreside processes the emails in the order received, you'll get one and very likely the exact one you request.

There are many posts that discuss concierge perks but it's tough to put into words why the upcharge to concierge is "worth it". It's just one of those things that must be experienced to truly understand why. The perks are awesome but it's so much more than a coffee maker, complimentary drinks from 5-10, the lounge, the sundeck and everything else that is frequently mentioned. It's definitely worth trying once if it's within your budget.
 
But I definitely would not book concierge only to get a cabana as that is also not a guarantee it will be available anyway.
I understand it is not guaranteed but if we booked prior to the 125 day booking window for activities................we have never not got one in concierge.
 


I understand it is not guaranteed but if we booked prior to the 125 day booking window for activities................we have never not got one in concierge.

Yes, I would imagine that you would have a better shot at it at 125 days out (and to avoid the watchlist) for a cabana. However, we honestly have no desire for one so that is not a reason for us to book concierge. Maybe if we were on our first cruise or even up to our 5th when booking windows are open and priority would be a draw. But we just don't want one...they seem like such a waste of money and time for our particular family. I think those that take full advantage of ALL amenities are awesome in regards to concierge...we just are not those people. :)
 
I know this is a loaded question, but I'm really torn...do we pay the price for a concierge room? All we rally want it for is to secure a cabana at Castaway...other than that, is it worth the cost?

Depends... do you know what the $ difference is between the room you'd normally get (or think you'd be happy in) versus your concierge room? is that a $ you are comfortable spending?

Personally, I would never spend thousands more for ONE perk.. they are always subject to change. Its entirely feasible they will sell out of cabanas even for concierge or the weather/tides won't allow you to dock at Castaway Cay that cruise (rare but frequent enough that I would consider it a possibility). There are lots of things to like about the concierge experience - that makes it worth the cost IMO and not just one thing that isn't guaranteed.
 
I must admit, I'm spoiled. 9th Disney cruise coming up in 2 weeks. 2nd time in the 12001 Walt Disney Suite.
Now, that's luxury.
Concierge is above all else.
I've chatted with several guests in the concierge lounge that are long time cruisers on other ships and were shocked, shocked I say, at the level of service on the Disney.
I've never cruised anything else so I can't give a compare or contrast.
I chose DCL because when we started my kids were 8,7,5,3 and I wanted them to be safe.
I'm sure all cruise lines are safe but DCL is built on the concept of kids having fun and being safe.
The Kids still love our DCL time together and they're now 17,16,14,12.
We all dress up for Pirate night. Like, Really good pirates!
Quick story, Last cruise we were in Palo dining and the Captain was dining a few tables over with his executive staff, all in dress whites.
I had chatted with him briefly on a few occasions in the hallways.
I walked over and asked him, Captain, What do you think Walt Disney would think of this Disney Cruise Line?
He turned to me and said, This is exactly how Walt and his family cruised.
I, (the captain) was Walt's captain on his yacht and the level of service is very similar to the level of service on his yacht.
I explained that it was our 8th cruise on the DCL and we had only cruised with DCL.
He said, Why would you cruise anywhere else?
He is right.
The concierge staff is the best in the business.
We forgot our photos on the dolphin excursion in the gift shop.
We didn't realize it until we got back to the boat and by chance told the concierge staff about that.
I though we would have to wrangle with the Dolphin people to ship us our photos back to the states and had 0 confidence that would happen.
Just before the final horn sounded a boat pulled up from the Dolphin Excursion and someone ran to the ship.
Our photos were delivered about 10 minutes later to our suite.
Unparalleled service.
My goodness, have I got a bridge to sell you..
 
or the weather/tides won't allow you to dock at Castaway Cay that cruise (rare but frequent enough that I would consider it a possibility).

That's a really good point too. We have had to skip Castaway before due to unsafe docking conditions. The captain gave it 3 tries and had to abandon as it was just too dangerous. I believe in this event you are refunded the amount of the cabana, but not (of course) for concierge. So if you did concierge for just that one benefit, you would have spent a lot of money and although possibly enjoyed the other benefits, would not have received the one you were wanted.
 
I will preface this by saying we have never sailed concierge on DCL or any cruise line, so I guess you can't miss what you haven't had :) And we've enjoyed all our DCL cruises immensely! However, I really don't understand the exorbitant cost for concierge on DCL..and being from Canada the cost is pretty much astronomical.

Looking at March 2019 for 2 adults, 1 child (15), a one week eastern Caribbean cruise on the Fantasy in a Cat 00V is $16,745 US (or $21,929 in CDN at today's exchange rate).

Compare to Royal Caribbean, same week/same itinerary on the Oasis in a Crown Loft suite is $9,807 CDN (RCL has pricing in CDN dollars).

It also seems to me that other cruise line concierge benefits seem to be better than what is offered on DCL. At least from what they feature on their websites. But those who have sailed concierge on DCL and other lines could weigh in on that!
 
I will preface this by saying we have never sailed concierge on DCL or any cruise line, so I guess you can't miss what you haven't had :) And we've enjoyed all our DCL cruises immensely! However, I really don't understand the exorbitant cost for concierge on DCL..and being from Canada the cost is pretty much astronomical.

Looking at March 2019 for 2 adults, 1 child (15), a one week eastern Caribbean cruise on the Fantasy in a Cat 00V is $16,745 US (or $21,929 in CDN at today's exchange rate).

Compare to Royal Caribbean, same week/same itinerary on the Oasis in a Crown Loft suite is $9,807 CDN (RCL has pricing in CDN dollars).

It also seems to me that other cruise line concierge benefits seem to be better than what is offered on DCL. At least from what they feature on their websites. But those who have sailed concierge on DCL and other lines could weigh in on that!
The prices are crazy high and I'm hoping on the newer ships they add a restaurant and pool like other cruiselines do, it'll justify the cost a little more. If you sail in off season the rooms are slightly cheaper, although not by much. I'm sailing on Norwegian in the Haven so I could do a comparison report afterwards between the two concierge services.
 
The prices are crazy high and I'm hoping on the newer ships they add a restaurant and pool like other cruiselines do, it'll justify the cost a little more.
I definitely do NOT want the new Disney ships to have a whole separate restaurant and swimming pool for concierge. I wouldn't sail on them if the guest experience was that stratified. DCL is so expensive that a premium experience should be offered to all guests, not just a few guests.
 
We love concierge for the convenience it offers. You are escorted onto the ship, escorted off the ship, priority tenders in ports that require them and every question or request you have is addressed almost immediately (you never have to wait in line at shore excursions, guest services, etc.). If you want a dining reservation, they will find it for you, etc. If you want a private table, it's guaranteed. If you want a cabana, yes, you will get one. As PP pointed out, as long as you e-mail your request at midnight on the day your reservation window opens, you will get a cabana. We've never not gotten one. Yes, DCL concierge is pricey. Now that DS is older, we don't sail DCL as often as we used to as we can get a bigger bang for our buck on other lines. However, we still have our eye on a Marvel day at sea cruise and would love to do Europe with DCL again sometime. When we book, again, we'll definitely splurge and do concierge.
 
Our first two cruises were Concierge. I didn't think we'd ever cruise in a non-concierge room. Then our third cruise was with friends and family and we booked regular staterooms. We actually spent more time exploring the ship and in some ways enjoyed it more!

I won't say we will never cruise concierge again. If we ever make a merrytime cruise, I think we might seriously consider it so that we can be sure we get gingerbread etc. All in all though, we really enjoyed it and I think it was particularly great for our first two cruises. These days though, we are very happy with regular rooms.
 
We love concierge for the convenience it offers. You are escorted onto the ship, escorted off the ship, priority tenders in ports that require them and every question or request you have is addressed almost immediately (you never have to wait in line at shore excursions, guest services, etc.). If you want a dining reservation, they will find it for you, etc. If you want a private table, it's guaranteed. If you want a cabana, yes, you will get one. As PP pointed out, as long as you e-mail your request at midnight on the day your reservation window opens, you will get a cabana. We've never not gotten one. Yes, DCL concierge is pricey. Now that DS is older, we don't sail DCL as often as we used to as we can get a bigger bang for our buck on other lines. However, we still have our eye on a Marvel day at sea cruise and would love to do Europe with DCL again sometime. When we book, again, we'll definitely splurge and do concierge.

this is why I booked concierge for my family’s first Disney cruise. For us, the price is worth the mentioned benefits.
 
I definitely do NOT want the new Disney ships to have a whole separate restaurant and swimming pool for concierge. I wouldn't sail on them if the guest experience was that stratified. DCL is so expensive that a premium experience should be offered to all guests, not just a few guests.
Other cruise lines have this, so you won’t sail on them because of this? I think for the upcharge more perks should be given. I don’t really see how it would take away from rest of the ship if they have those extras. They currently have things that normal cabins don’t have access to. I had a great time in a normal cabin and a great time in a conceirge cabin. The restaurant probably won’t happen since they like having the rotating MDRs and that could throw it off, but I could definitely see them adding a pool, they already have a hot tub on the sun deck. The most that’ll impact your cruise is the other pools will be slightly less crowded. So if they do add this on their new ships you’d really just not sail on them?
 

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