Right, I would not. I'm not paying what DCL charges to not have access to all of the ship's restaurants and pools.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?
Not everyone wants to waste money, not even some people who have plenty. And in terms of room quality, there isn't much difference between a family verandah stateroom and a standard concierge stateroom, but the latter often costs twice as much or more. In addition, DCL's concierge staterooms are all in the forward part of the ship, while sailing midship is typically considered to be a better location in terms of comfort.Despite what people say about worth I think most people book the best room they can comfortably afford at the time. I never believe the "well I could afford it but.....I say if you got the cash...why not?
There was a nice comparison of cost of staterooms by touring plans and it included the break between concierge and non. While the info is a little dated the ratios probably have stayed the same. I agree that the cost for physical space and setup are not really justified. There are many positives and negative an individual can make when determining if it is right for them.Not everyone wants to waste money, not even some people who have plenty. And in terms of room quality, there isn't much difference between a family verandah stateroom and a standard concierge stateroom, but the latter often costs twice as much or more. In addition, DCL's concierge staterooms are all in the forward part of the ship, while sailing midship is typically considered to be a better location in terms of comfort.
There are many positives and negative an individual can make when determining if it is right for them.
There are so many factors that make concierge a different experience that only the OP can determine if it is right for them. And unfortunately I agree that simply making the step just for a cabana is not the most viable reason.
But you do sail on Disney and they do have things you don't have access to. There is a private lounge, private sundeck, private hot tub. Even though they offer a lot of things to some guests and not all, when I sailed in a normal cabin I never felt like I was missing out not being able to go into those places.Right, I would not. I'm not paying what DCL charges to not have access to all of the ship's restaurants and pools.
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.
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.
There was a nice comparison of cost of staterooms by touring plans and it included the break between concierge and non. While the info is a little dated the ratios probably have stayed the same. I agree that the cost for physical space and setup are not really justified. There are many positives and negative an individual can make when determining if it is right for them.
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On the Dream class ships I’ll say that the location is not really a detractor. While some folks may have more issues with ship movement, being at the front was not that different. Ship movement likely has more to do with weather and the seas than actual location on the ship. Yes it can be better in certain spots but you will feel movement even in the middle of the ship in rough seas.
There are so many factors that make concierge a different experience that only the OP can determine if it is right for them. And unfortunately I agree that simply making the step just for a cabana is not the most viable reason.
Some people would consider a vacation a waste of money. I now a lot of people that consider cruising on Disney a waste of money. It's up to each individual to decide for themselves what is a waste and what is not. I'm not going to tell someone concierge is a waste of money just because I can't afford it.Not everyone wants to waste money, not even some people who have plenty. And in terms of room quality, there isn't much difference between a family verandah stateroom and a standard concierge stateroom, but the latter often costs twice as much or more. In addition, DCL's concierge staterooms are all in the forward part of the ship, while sailing midship is typically considered to be a better location in terms of comfort.
Why is it in your face? I haven't sailed them yet, but have Haven booked for my upcoming cruise. Looking at the deck plans it looks like the haven is all together at the top, so wouldn't you have to wander over there to know you get go in? It looks like the rest of the ship is available to everyone else.NCL's version of concierge is very in your face with the stratification and it made us uncomfortable when we sailed that way, especially DH.
Why is it in your face? I haven't sailed them yet, but have Haven booked for my upcoming cruise. Looking at the deck plans it looks like the haven is all together at the top, so wouldn't you have to wander over there to know you get go in? It looks like the rest of the ship is available to everyone else.
I can't afford it, but if I could I would. Despite what people say about worth I think most people book the best room they can comfortably afford at the time. I never believe the "well I could afford it but.....I say if you got the cash...why not?
Some people swear by club level. For them it's not about what they are getting for their money, but they feel it improves their vacation. I guess it's more of a psychological benefit. I used to love staying club level at the resorts, but this was back when discounts were 40% off. Club level back then was in my comfort zone....budget wise. It was never "worth it" from a monetary stand point, but I do feel like it enhanced our trip.Interesting, see this is me exactly. I have often thought about concierge "well, I could afford it" but for me the value is not there. If they had a private pool, restaurant, and cabanas or a private beach area included in the price that might sway it for me. We sometimes go to all-inclusive resorts and I nearly always pay for club level there because they offer those kinds of amenities. But paying that much just to be fawned over by concierge hosts (who will also add to the cost by several hundred dollars more in tips), pay another $1,000 for a cabana plus drink package and tips, and have a "free" cocktail hour on the ship when DCL drinks are pretty cheap to begin with not worth it to me. I can make my own reservations for everything except a cabana, and if I need something I can walk over to the gift shop and buy it myself. I note that since we never arrive to port before 1:30, check in is always very quick and easy for us, though I hear it is much more hectic if you arrive earlier.
I actually had the same reaction to "club level" at Disney World resorts. We did it twice and then just decided it was silly for us. We didn't want to cut out park time by going back to the resort for afternoon drinks and hors d'oerves in the lounge, the rooms were exactly the same as the regular rooms, and while we did eat the breakfast, we could buy a nice buffet character breakfast each day for less than the cost of the club level upgrade.
I can't afford it, but if I could I would. Despite what people say about worth I think most people book the best room they can comfortably afford at the time. I never believe the "well I could afford it but.....I say if you got the cash...why not?
I can't afford it, but if I could I would. Despite what people say about worth I think most people book the best room they can comfortably afford at the time. I never believe the "well I could afford it but.....I say if you got the cash...why not?
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.
There are people that don't worry about opportunity cost. They just have the money. Those are the people that make up most of the concierge bookings.Because opportunity cost. I'd enjoy sailing concierge again on our next cruise, but I have other things I want to spend the money on in 2020 - we're doing a ton of stuff vacation-wise in 2019 already. Just because you have the money doesn't mean you want to spend it all... I still prefer a "good deal".