Suite concierge on non-Royal class ships

[Colorado Coasty]

I had read that there was going to be a concierge for suite guests on other than Royal class ships. Does anybody have information about this?

[Ken the cruiser]

6 minutes ago, Colorado Coasty said:

I had read that there was going to be a concierge for suite guests on other than Royal class ships. Does anybody have information about this?

Can you provide the link to where you read this? Also, what service would a concierge provide to suite guests? We’re going to be in suites on our upcoming cruises on the CB, Sapphire, and Grand and don’t want to miss out on anything. 

[Colorado Coasty]

5 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Can you provide the link to where you read this? Also, what service would a concierge provide to suite guests? We’re going to be in suites on our upcoming cruises on the CB, Sapphire, and Grand and don’t want to miss out on anything. 

I'm sorry that I don't remember where I read it. It was to happen before the end of the year, just a concierge without a lounge.

[Ken the cruiser]

5 minutes ago, Colorado Coasty said:

I'm sorry that I don't remember where I read it. It was to happen before the end of the year, just a concierge without a lounge.

No big deal. We probably wouldn’t use them anyway, unless we had a specific issue which we rarely do. 

[memoak]

This has been a rumor for several months.  When I was on the Discovery the concierge said they were considering using the old loyalty managers as concierge’s to help but there would not be a lounge area

[cr8tiv1]

On the Emerald in May.  Spoke to the Loyalty and Events Officer.  I have been spreading the rumors (lol).  L&E officer would become the Event's Manager Officer.  He/she would be in charge of all events onboard the ship:  Meet and Greet, weddings, etc.  The Loyalty end would be given over to O.N.E Future Cruise Planning department.  This was all to take place sometime during the summer 2023.

 

I boarded the Caribbean Princess for a July/August cruise.  Sylviya was the Event's Officer (aka concierge contact).  She and I had contact almost daily for this or that.  She does not have a public office space and you will need to contact her via the Customer Service Desk.  I really didn't have anything that I needed her to do for me.  We talked about my next cruise Meet and Greet (she said she will still be onboard...we'll see).  We talked about my refrigerator that never cooled.  We met in the hallway and at Sabatini's.  She tracked me down when I was in isolation for covid.  If there was anything that you specifically needed help with, she was your go to person.  

 

We did not have a separate lounge, but we had a very nice cocktail hour with the officers to mingle with.  

 

1 hour ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Can you provide the link to where you read this? Also, what service would a concierge provide to suite guests? We’re going to be in suites on our upcoming cruises on the CB, Sapphire, and Grand and don’t want to miss out on anything. 

 

27 minutes ago, memoak said:

This has been a rumor for several months.  When I was on the Discovery the concierge said they were considering using the old loyalty managers as concierge’s to help but there would not be a lounge area

 

[Treasure Hunter]

We just got off the Emerald and you had to go to the customer service desk like everyone else. There is a sign for suites and elites. There used to be a red roped line. The personnel does not favor suites and in fact is rude. Next time we will only take a Princess cruise that has a suite concierge and lounge.

[cr8tiv1]

I was also on the Emerald and had wonderful service from the suite/elite line.  Did you ask them if there was a concierge available?  I didn't need any concierge service.  That's why Princess has many ships.  I won't cruise on a Royal Class ship, even though they have a lounge.

[jwattle]

On 9/23/2023 at 6:43 PM, Treasure Hunter said:

We just got off the Emerald and you had to go to the customer service desk like everyone else. There is a sign for suites and elites. There used to be a red roped line. The personnel does not favor suites and in fact is rude. Next time we will only take a Princess cruise that has a suite concierge and lounge.

Then you will need a Royal Class ship 🙂

 

[Treasure Hunter]

Yes. We love the Regal. But this cruise left from NY and in every other way was great.

[milolii]

On 9/23/2023 at 4:49 PM, cr8tiv1 said:

 

I boarded the Caribbean Princess for a July/August cruise.  Sylviya was the Event's Officer (aka concierge contact).  She and I had contact almost daily for this or that.  She does not have a public office space and you will need to contact her via the Customer Service Desk.  I really didn't have anything that I needed her to do for me.  We talked about my next cruise Meet and Greet (she said she will still be onboard...we'll see).  We talked about my refrigerator that never cooled.  We met in the hallway and at Sabatini's.  She tracked me down when I was in isolation for covid.  If there was anything that you specifically needed help with, she was your go to person.  

 

 

 

 

Hi!  Thanks for this post; and @Colorado Coasty for the topic.  Do you  have any recent experiences?  We are on the Caribbean Princess later this month and have a few questions and probably a request or 2. 
 

TIA. 

[walkingsoon]

On Sapphire in March I got a phone call as I was unpacking from a woman who introduced herself as the concierge. She gave me her contact information and was available for a couple small questions throughout the cruise, seeming quite eager to help. I believe she was doing double duty along with other her routine work at guest services.

 

A lounge and dedicated on-site concierge sounds nice, but I'll happily trade them for a promenade deck. 

 

If you don't hear from one after embark, perhaps a call to guest services might help.

 

Walkingsoon

[milolii]

Thanks @walkingsoon.  I appreciate this as well.  We are booked on the Sapphire in January. 

[cr8tiv1]

2 hours ago, milolii said:

Hi!  Thanks for this post; and @Colorado Coasty for the topic.  Do you  have any recent experiences?  We are on the Caribbean Princess later this month and have a few questions and probably a request or 2. 
 

TIA. 

 

I left the Caribbean on 8/13/24.  Anshika was the concierge.  Her contract was extended for a couple more voyages, but doubt she will be there when you get on the ship in September.

 

Princess has done a really good job for her Grand Class ships without a Concierge's Lounge.  They are "growing into" their position.  Anshika has been the best so far, although the other two (Silviya and Mallorey) were also terrific.  They can be reached by either a crew chat or calling 6000 (and requesting a call back).

 

Let me use my last cruise as examples of what was done:

 

I was proactive and asked for the "concierge" to contact me.  My suite was near everything and Anshika called backed and asked if she could stop by while I was getting settled.  She was delightful.  And saw her often around the ship and at Sabatini's for breakfast.

 

I am almost positive she was involved in the following events:

 

Suite Meet and Greet with Officers at the Wheelhouse.  We had 2 for a 16 night voyage.  The officers did mingle and munchies were excellent.

 

The Platinum/Elite/Suite hour in Skywalkers was crazy busy the first day.  The decision was made to host a Suite (only) hour in the Wheelhouse with our own munches.  The pickings were cold only.  One couple asked about getting some hot ones delivered.  Of course, the last night (which I missed) had my panko crusted shrimp.  I did not hear the end of it from my fellow suite new friends.  It was a really pleasant atmosphere and I met some really nice folks in a much smaller venue.

 

Anshika was in the loop for suite passenger problems.  They could not get my air conditioner to work properly.  She constantly checked with me to see if they finally got it right.  Unfortunately, it did require maintinence to come in whenever I wanted to adjust the temperatures since the thermostate was non-functioning.  We did find a compromise so that it wasn't a sauna.  She had very long hours; being on call from 8 to 8.

 

Suite passengers met at Vines for priority embarkation.  When Anshika was there, she walked us down immediately and put us near the front of the line (to the dismay of others).  When someone else was there, we didn't have to wait, did make the "next" tender, but was put in line with everyone else.  Again, they were not too happy.  Sure beats getting a tender ticket and waiting 3 hours to get off.

 

I really didn't have a need for Anshika to do anything else for me.  The Lido Deck Manager, Sabatini's Assistant Manager, and Reserve Collection Assistant Manager.

took care of my dining needs.

 

Ooops...yes, I do remember now two "incidents' that Anshika had to intervene.

1.  I was so confused about when we were crossing over into the Arctic Circle.  She called the bridge for the exact time.  I still don't understand why then and not previous day, but I had to trust the bridge.

 

2.  I asked about "my" peanut butter cookies since none could be found anywhere for 2 previous cruises and the Food and Beverage Officer promised after Reykjavik.  By the time I returned to my cabin, there was a plate with a silver cover sitting on the desk.  Unfortunately, the cookies are not the same as the US supplier.

 

I have not cruised on a Royal Class ship with a Concierge's Lounge and have no plans to do so.  I much prefer the Grand Class ships and this was a very positive experience.  This is my third time on the CB in 1 year in a suite.  

 

Please feel free to ask if you have more questions.  

 

 

[milolii]

Thank you, @cr8tiv1

This is great information. 

 

 The information about tenders is very helpful. Some of my questions are not only useful for us, but will benefit others on the roll call, such as “will the tenders run all night while we are anchored at Alta?”  So good to know I can ask soon after boarding.  
 

Thanks for the number and the tip about Sabatini’s.