DCL Concierge

Splurging for a shorter 4d cruise! I have searched The Internets far and wide but some burning questions remain that I really am hoping to figure out. All my other vacations this year are seeming a little pallid compared to my Disney Dream Cruise!:

1) What beverages are included in happy hour in the Concierge lounge at happy hour? Namely, what is the beer selection, vodka brand, and gin brand? This can affect what and how much we bring on board with us so thanks so much if you recall!

2) Can you really choose to dine with your family only in the rotation? Both DH and I have really intensive public contact jobs (health care provider, teacher) and we really want to be completely off duty just with each other. Does concierge really buy you the (not guaranteed) privilege of having a table to yourself?

3) I've seen some mention of preference on port debarkations-- do you really get to go to the front of the line to get off the boat on Castaway Cay? This was so profoundly unpleasant on our last cruise that we actually considered staying on the boat on CC day this time.

4) Is it true concierge passengers have first dibs on Cabana rental?

5) Would you suggest tipping more for your cabin attendant on Concierge level?

Thanks for thinking about or sharing your experiences with any of these concerns. Happy cruising! HappyPig ^(-o-)^

Splurging for a shorter 4d cruise! I have searched The Internets far and wide but some burning questions remain that I really am hoping to figure out. All my other vacations this year are seeming a little pallid compared to my Disney Dream Cruise!:

1) What beverages are included in happy hour in the Concierge lounge at happy hour? Namely, what is the beer selection, vodka brand, and gin brand? This can affect what and how much we bring on board with us so thanks so much if you recall!

2) Can you really choose to dine with your family only in the rotation? Both DH and I have really intensive public contact jobs (health care provider, teacher) and we really want to be completely off duty just with each other. Does concierge really buy you the (not guaranteed) privilege of having a table to yourself?

3) I've seen some mention of preference on port debarkations-- do you really get to go to the front of the line to get off the boat on Castaway Cay? This was so profoundly unpleasant on our last cruise that we actually considered staying on the boat on CC day this time.

4) Is it true concierge passengers have first dibs on Cabana rental?

5) Would you suggest tipping more for your cabin attendant on Concierge level?

Thanks for thinking about or sharing your experiences with any of these concerns. Happy cruising! HappyPig ^(-o-)^

Well, I'll answer the ones I can:

2) Yes, Concierge will be seated at their own table, unless you request to be seated with others. If it makes you more comfortable, you can always contact DCL and have the request for your own table added to your reservation.

3) AFAIK, the "front of line" perk is only on debarkation morning. You will be escorted to the front of the line as it gets off the ship, but, I believe, you just join the line in the terminal at that point (going through customs/immigration).

4) Yes, sort of. You place a request with the shoreside Concierge people at 125 days out from your cruise. At the stroke of midnight at 120 days out Concierge/Platinum bookings open. In the nano-second when the window opens Concierge makes all your bookings for you.

1. No idea on brands.

2.We have always had a "just us" table when we asked, whether concierge or not. Yes, by booking concierge you are guaranteed a table alone and your preferred rotation. Just let the shoreside concierge know what you want.

3. I'm not aware of "front of the line" at Castaway. I do know they have golf cart transportation for concierge guests if required. And at disembarkation, Shmoo is right. DCL services end at the terminal. You can get off the ship first if desired, but you will join the rest of the line for Customs.

4. Yes, IF you notify shoreside concierge in advance that you want one. If you try to book yourself on line, concierge and platinum cruisers are together and it depends on who clicks the computer buttons first.

5. Absolutely, I believe in tipping the stateroom host more in concierge. The staterooms are much larger than the standard cabin and some have more than one bathroom. The 2 bedrooms even have a mini kitchen. More space = more work for the host = higher tip. I start with double the standard $4 per guest per night of cruise in a concierge suite. And in all honesty, that is $16 additional per guest on a 4 night cruise....compared to the cost of the suite, that is small change.

1) I remember seeing Grey Goose & Smirnoff vodka, Bombay and Tanqueray gin and Bud, Bud Light, Michelob Ultra and Miller Lite. If they don't have what you want, you can always ask for it. They might be able to add it to their selection.

Thanks all! This is super helpful!

Not sure about front of the line at CC because we always take our time getting off. From our experience on our Magic EBTA last year, we were given "front of the line" access for the port stops of Madeira and Malaga. Our assigned concierge escorted us and our friends off the ship ahead of those standing in line and to our private guide in Madeira and to the shuttle bus in Malaga. This was the first time ever in all our years of sailing concierge that we had that happen, so it may have been a fluke.;)

Front of the line escorts in non-CC ports are common, but not universal. They seem to be happening more recently. Or at least the concierge asks if you want to get off as soon as possible. Priority tender tickets in tender ports are a long standing thing.

DCL isn't dumb--these are things that cost DCL nothing but make concierge guests feel that they have received an added value.

We have sailed concierge twice. We have never had priority disembarkation at the end of the cruise. We were on the first tender in Grand Cayman.

One of the concierge perks is that you CAN order limited room service breakfast in your suite on the last morning and do not need to vacate your rooms until 9.

Regular cabins must be out by 8 and no room service.

But no priority disembarkation that I'm aware of. While the concierge team will be there and continue to be friendly, their minds are already on the next cruise.

I've heard the coffee in the buffet is horrible. Is the concierge lounge coffee the same or better. This is our second Disney cruise, the first one was 13 years ago in the Wonder. The actual date of the sailing in Sept is our 25th anniversary and we are cruising kid free. Have never had a suite on any of our cruises and decided to go for one this time. Can't wait to try it out.

The concierge lounges on the Dream and Fantasy have the fancy automated espresso machines.

Thanks all! I am counting down already! One more question: is the concierge level deck adults only? Or just virtually so because there is no pool in that area? It's okay regardless, but we really enjoyed the more quiet places on our last cruise on the Fantasy and are hoping for that with a bit less effort.

Thanks all! I am counting down already! One more question: is the concierge level deck adults only? Or just virtually so because there is no pool in that area? It's okay regardless, but we really enjoyed the more quiet places on our last cruise on the Fantasy and are hoping for that with a bit less effort.

The concierge sundeck and lounge are open to all guests booked in a concierge suite, regardless of age. That means no, they are not "adult only."

We used the sundeck a few times on the Dream and were all by ourselves. It was blissful.

We've stayed concierge 5 or 6 times on the Dream/Fantasy. The alcohol selections vary by cruise. Never had the same selection twice. My husband drinks Coors Light, but had to settle for Miller Lite a couple times. Have seen Bud/Bud Lite fairly consistently. Corona on occasion.

It's only the two of us and had multiple conversations with concierge hosts about this: unless you ask otherwise, you WILL be seated at a private table. It's always just the two of us. I don't even ask anymore.

Yes, you'll have first dibs on a cabana. Pick which one you want and tell shoreside at 125 days out.

Never had priority walk off. Concierge walked us down once when I think we were in St. Thomas.

Whether or not you tip extra is up to you. We tend to sail the same time every year so know several of the cabin stewards. We always tip extra.

Thanks all! I am counting down already! One more question: is the concierge level deck adults only? Or just virtually so because there is no pool in that area? It's okay regardless, but we really enjoyed the more quiet places on our last cruise on the Fantasy and are hoping for that with a bit less effort.

The sundeck right outside the concierge sundeck is adult-only, plus you can see the water, which you cannot see from the concierge sundeck. We would generally find a spot to lay out on deck 13 just outside the door to the concierge sundeck. That way, we were in an adults-only area, but we could duck back into the concierge area quickly to shower off or reapply sunscreen or run down to the lounge to grab a drink.

The sundeck right outside the concierge sundeck is adult-only, plus you can see the water, which you cannot see from the concierge sundeck. We would generally find a spot to lay out on deck 13 just outside the door to the concierge sundeck. That way, we were in an adults-only area, but we could duck back into the concierge area quickly to shower off or reapply sunscreen or run down to the lounge to grab a drink.

That is what I recall about the sundeck on the Fantasy last August was adults only. They allowed kids up there when they did the character meet and greet and there was one other event that was open to all. No one was really ever up there as it was hot and only had the little spray jets in the center plus the view is not that good. There is a door with card access that you can get in from the general deck area on 13.

But no priority disembarkation that I'm aware of.

We had priority disembarkation on the Dream in February. We met a host in the concierge lounge at our selected time (last time slot was 8:00) and were escorted down.

We had priority disembarkation on the Dream in February. We met a host in the concierge lounge at our selected time (last time slot was 8:00) and were escorted down.

"escorted down" to where? It's my understanding that Concierge guests partaking of this perk were escorted to the front of the line exiting the ship, but once off the ship, you just join the "regular" line through baggage claim/customs/immigration.

"escorted down" to where? It's my understanding that Concierge guests partaking of this perk were escorted to the front of the line exiting the ship, but once off the ship, you just join the "regular" line through baggage claim/customs/immigration.

We did the priority disembark on our cruise on the Fantasy in March. We were escorted to the gangway, which saved us having to stand in line on the ship.

Beer selection is terrible. Best option was hotel beer=Heinekin(sp). Not a good beer variety at all.

Priority disembarkation was nice. We met in the concierge lounge. As a group bypassed the elevator line, and then were escorted down the gangway, avoiding the line. We were taken to the baggage claim area for concierge and then directed shorter wait lines for Customs.

When we were escorted off of the Dream from Concierge last November we went to the front of the line at the escalators. Then we were handed off to a DCL officer, who escorted us down to where we picked up a porter. The porter and officer took us to the front of the customs line. It appears that this was an anomaly.

I just got off the Dream yesterday and was staying concierge. We did the priority disembarkation which was amazing. We met in the lounge around 7 and then once the boat was cleared by authorities one of the hosts took as down in groups. They walked us to the gangway and passed us off to their manager who then took us to customs where no one was in line.

Absolutely' date=' I believe in tipping the stateroom host more in concierge. The staterooms are much larger than the standard cabin ... I start with double the standard $4 per guest per night of cruise in a concierge suite.[/quote']

 

Will the Concierge hosts be the ones cleaning my cabin? I thought they are in addition to the regular staff and thus a seprate gratuity.

Will the Concierge hosts be the ones cleaning my cabin? I thought they are in addition to the regular staff and thus a seprate gratuity.

The room steward (also called stateroom host) does the cleaning. The concierges are like personal guest services. You are correct that the concierges get a separate tip.