Is concierge worth the cost?

[dougt1957]

I am booked on the Azure Coasts from Rome to Barcelona on the Riviera next year and was considering upgrading from a B4 veranda to an A4 concierge. Is it worth the extra $500pp for a 10 day cruise? What is offered in the lounge? It includes a laptop but internet is additional and I've heard it is slow. Are the Bulgari toiletries that much nicer than the standard? Are priority perks needed on a ship that size?

[Mura]

The answer really depends on whom you ask. For me it IS worth it. But even more worth it (to us) is a PH. We appreciate the extra room much more than we do the extra services, but they have come in handy at times. (The difference between a B4 and an A4 is perhaps not so meaningful.)

 

For others, it isn't worth the extra cost. You really have to figure out if it's worth $500 to YOU. Would you rather save that money and spend it in the casino or on tours or in the bar? On shopping? On something else?

 

I know this is of no help to you at all! But it really is an individual choice. I'm sure you're going to get answers that say YES and other answers that say NO.

[GeorgesGal]

$500 is a lot to pay for a tote bag, and if you don't care for a full breakfast on your veranda, I'd stick with the B4 and use the addl money elsewhere. Room service will still deliver coffee and juice in the B4, and there is no difference in the size of the staterooms.

 

It just depends on whether or not you want a little more pampering.

 

Donna

[winegirl]

When we sailed concierge last summer, it gave us a fridge in the room which we liked, a bottle of champagne, and hot breakfast in the room, plus extra reservations in the specialty restaurants. I loved the hot breakfast in room. We were normally on all day excursions starting early in the morning, with limited lunch opportunities; the ability to have a decent breakfast in the a.m. was great. I could get myself ready (hair, makeup and wardrobe) along with enjoying breakfast without having to get up an extra hour early to make it to the breakfast buffet. Some may feel this isn't their thing, but my husband and I liked it and would use Concierge level again. If they offered hot breakfast to all rooms, there would be little reason to book Concierge in our opinion.

[eddmel]

There is no "scientific" answer. As Mura said it really is an individual choice.

 

There are number of factors involved in the individual decision. For us priority luggage handling is important in making our cost vs. benefits choice.

[LHT28]

just a few notes

The new Oceania class ships do not get the extra reservation for specialty restaurant for Concierge.

All cabins on ALL ships have the refrigerator now.

I think they have added some new perks starting spring 2012 for Concierge Cat that include

1 HR FREE internet

Free access to the Spa Area at the front

 

So depending on the cruise date if getting a tote bag, in room hot breakfast, access to the concierge lounge (Oceania class ships) is important to you then go for it

as already noted the cabins are the same size for A & B Cat

if you can score one of the larger B4 Balcony cabins all the better ;)

 

Lyn

[wingit]

I am booked on the Azure Coasts from Rome to Barcelona on the Riviera next year and was considering upgrading from a B4 veranda to an A4 concierge. Is it worth the extra $500pp for a 10 day cruise? What is offered in the lounge? It includes a laptop but internet is additional and I've heard it is slow. Are the Bulgari toiletries that much nicer than the standard? Are priority perks needed on a ship that size?

 

We found that, for us, there was not a lot of benefit for the cost. We were recently on the Marina in an A1 Concierge class. We found the concierge lounge itself to be of little or no use. The very few times I went in there there wasn't a concierge present nor a sign indicating when he would return. The lounge itself had magazines and beverages and occasionally light snacks. My husband took advantage of the room service breakfast menu a few times. The Bulgari toiletries are excellent in my opinion.

 

We had a lovely time on a lovely ship and I bet you will too. As others have said it really is determining what your priorities are regarding spending the extra money. Have fun!

[cruzmaven]

Since the OP specifically asked about the difference between a B4 and an A4 cabin, another issue which needs to be considered is location.

 

B4's are on deck 7. Most of the B4's in the back of the ship are over the Grand Dining Room and could have noise issues. I'm not sure what's under the B4's located forward deck 7, maybe crew quarters?

 

A4's are on deck nine with passenger cabins above and below.

[meow!]

... from a B4 veranda to an A4 concierge. Is it worth the extra $500pp for a 10 day cruise?

If you have money and like to spend, by all means. If not, it is not necessary. Many cruise lines use this type of "additions" as a means of generating additional revenue. In our opinion, generally speaking (and not just on this issue), Oceania is particularly good at marketing, and experts in doing so.

[LHT28]

B4's are on deck 7. Most of the B4's in the back of the ship are over the Grand Dining Room and could have noise issues.

We were in 7114 never heard a thing from below

 

Lyn

[bbwex]

Like a previous poster, we opted for a PH because we wanted the extra space. Do I need all the services that do along with that -- not really. In my own opinion, if I weren't going for a PH (or larger), I would stay in a B cabin. They are the same size, the service on Oceania is so good that you are really well taken care of. IMHO and that of our TA, concierge, by itself, isn't worth the extra cost if that is all you are interested in.

 

As for noise from the GDR, it is hard for me to imagine that it would be anything. We were above the forward lounge/stage and hardly heard anything at all at any time. The restaurant won't be noisy at all from above -- they don't drag chairs on the overhead (ceiling).

[lyndenfa]

I would prefer a B1 to A4 because the B1's are mid ship on Marina and Riviera. The penthouse is great for the extra space but as noted is not the same on all O ships (for example, the extra specialty restaruant reservations). Hope you choose the best for you.

Lynne

[JimandStan]

I am booked on the Azure Coasts from Rome to Barcelona on the Riviera next year and was considering upgrading from a B4 veranda to an A4 concierge. Is it worth the extra $500pp for a 10 day cruise? What is offered in the lounge? It includes a laptop but internet is additional and I've heard it is slow. Are the Bulgari toiletries that much nicer than the standard? Are priority perks needed on a ship that size?

 

The Concierge Lounge on the new ships is MUCH nicer that we ever anticipated.

 

Fully as nice as the Neptune Lounge on Holland America (which is strictly for Suite passengers).

 

For us, the big draw was in having a large, living room like space in which to meet up with friends, and being able to replenish our in cabin stock of soft drinks at any hour of the night or day, without having to get a third party involved.

 

The Canapés' (which we normally skip) were so nifty that flash (BYOB) cocktail parties kept springing up before dinner in the Concierge Lounge. All in all, a delightful experience, and a lovely way to meet people.

[LuAnn]

Since the OP specifically asked about the difference between a B4 and an A4 cabin, another issue which needs to be considered is location.

 

B4's are on deck 7. Most of the B4's in the back of the ship are over the Grand Dining Room and could have noise issues. I'm not sure what's under the B4's located forward deck 7, maybe crew quarters?

 

A4's are on deck nine with passenger cabins above and below.

 

a B4 in the aft section and FYI...no noise issues from the MDR. LuAnn

[spindrift]

JimandStan, your pictures made me want to be right back on board. We had a lovely gal on the maiden voyage (a senior moment--can't remember her name). We loved the lounge.

[cruzmaven]

a B4 in the aft section and FYI...no noise issues from the MDR. LuAnn

 

Good to know, LuAnn. Thank you.

[A Knitter]

Thanks for posting the photos. November is right around the corner and can't wait.

 

The Concierge Lounge on the new ships is MUCH nicer that we ever anticipated.

 

Fully as nice as the Neptune Lounge on Holland America (which is strictly for Suite passengers).

 

For us, the big draw was in having a large, living room like space in which to meet up with friends, and being able to replenish our in cabin stock of soft drinks at any hour of the night or day, without having to get a third party involved.

 

The Canapés' (which we normally skip) were so nifty that flash (BYOB) cocktail parties kept springing up before dinner in the Concierge Lounge. All in all, a delightful experience, and a lovely way to meet people.

[keithm]

The Concierge Lounge on the new ships is MUCH nicer that we ever anticipated.

 

Fully as nice as the Neptune Lounge on Holland America (which is strictly for Suite passengers).

 

For us, the big draw was in having a large, living room like space in which to meet up with friends, and being able to replenish our in cabin stock of soft drinks at any hour of the night or day, without having to get a third party involved.

 

The Canapés' (which we normally skip) were so nifty that flash (BYOB) cocktail parties kept springing up before dinner in the Concierge Lounge. All in all, a delightful experience, and a lovely way to meet people.

My partner & I enjoyed the Concierge Lounge on the QM2. It, too is for the Grill Suites, but was very comfortable. It seems quite a bit more elegant than the lounge you show here. That's a bit of a surprise as Oceania is frequently more expensive than many of the QM2 suites.

[JimandStan]

My partner & I enjoyed the Concierge Lounge on the QM2. It, too is for the Grill Suites, but was very comfortable. It seems quite a bit more elegant than the lounge you show here. That's a bit of a surprise as Oceania is frequently more expensive than many of the QM2 suites.

 

You're mixing apples and oranges there, Keith.

 

"Grill Class" represents the top of the line accommodations on the QM2, naturally their lounge would be more swank than the one that I've shown.

 

My photo's are of the Concierge Lounge on the Marina. This Lounge is the exclusive domain of passengers who are booked into cabins which are comparable to QM2's Britannia Club Balcony rooms.

[wripro]

I sailed in QG on QM2 and used the Grill lounge on Deck 9 frequently. The Executive lounge on the Marina is every bit as nice if not nicer.

[Dmgmd50]

I sailed in QG on QM2 and used the Grill lounge on Deck 9 frequently. The Executive lounge on the Marina is every bit as nice if not nicer.

 

But I think the pictures being referred to are the Concierge Lounge, not the Executive Lounge for the Penthouse Suites.

[JimandStan]

But I think the pictures being referred to are the Concierge Lounge, not the Executive Lounge for the Penthouse Suites.

 

Yes, we all agree, the fair comparison to the Grill Class Lounge on the QM2, is to the Executive Lounge on the Marina, not to the Concierge Lounge.

[wripro]

Other than the fact that the concierge Lounge was white instead of darker in tone I didn't see that many differences. Perhaps the attendants and concierge herself, who was excellent, were more dedicated.