Help me sell concierge service to my spouse

[xinfamousxi]

We were planning a room with varandah and it looks like concierge service with same room type is $1500 more and with upgraded room is $2500 more.

This is our first cruise my wife and I with two kids. Now we are no where near rich or well off but I would like to vacation a little more luxurious.I know if I try to present it to my wife shes going to shut it down since we are already spending so much money (land and sea trip).

I remember when this board helped me convince her to stay at Wilderness lodge vs POP and she loves wilderness lodge now and we never stay anywhere else!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We were planning a room with varandah and it looks like concierge service with same room type is $1500 more and with upgraded room is $2500 more.

This is our first cruise my wife and I with two kids. Now we are no where near rich or well off but I would like to vacation a little more luxurious.I know if I try to present it to my wife shes going to shut it down since we are already spending so much money (land and sea trip).

I remember when this board helped me convince her to stay at Wilderness lodge vs POP and she loves wilderness lodge now and we never stay anywhere else!

Are you comfortable that she might say "only concierge" for future cruises? For me, personally, it's not an option, but many others say it's the only way to go.

 

[waggles02673]

We only sail in Concierge now (as long as we are financially able to). We thought the service we got sailing in a non Concierge room was great, then we sailed in a Concierge room and the service was outstanding! Do you want a Cabana at CC? Concierge guests can put in requests at the 125 day mark before everyone else. We have never been told sorry we can't do that for you on any requests we have made. We haven't asked for anything outrageous just stuff you would have to wait in line for on the ship. They make everything very, very easy. You know we like it when we have 7 cruises booked between now and next may all in concierge with the next one being in a little over a week on the Wonder in the Walt Suite. As was mentioned by PrincessShmoo above for most once you sip the Concierge Kool-aid it is tough to go back.

 

[waggles02673]

We only sail in Concierge now (as long as we are financially able to). We thought the service we got sailing in a non Concierge room was great, then we sailed in a Concierge room and the service was outstanding! Do you want a Cabana at CC? Concierge guests can put in requests at the 125 day mark before everyone else. We have never been told sorry we can't do that for you on any requests we have made. We haven't asked for anything outrageous just stuff you would have to wait in line for on the ship. The Concierge staff can get you tickets for Meet and Greets for the kids plus they have a private meet and greet for Concierge guests. They make everything very, very easy. You know we like it when we have 7 cruises booked between now and next may all in concierge with the next one being in a little over a week on the Wonder in the Walt Suite. As was mentioned by PrincessShmoo above for most once you sip the Concierge Kool-aid it is tough to go back.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

I agree-very hard to go back. Our next cruise is just a 3 day, quick, pre-college tuition payment, on a shoe string, get away. Concierge, not available as we booked late. I will miss it, kids think I will be scratching at the door, but it will still be just as wonderful. We did it for our 30th anniversary and it was a treat. I was the same way with our Disney trips/hotels. Too much $$. Husband finally convinced me to stay at the Polynesian. No looking back. Then one year they upgraded us to club level. We were done for. Next trip, club level...

 

[Hundredacre]

We were planning a room with varandah and it looks like concierge service with same room type is $1500 more and with upgraded room is $2500 more.

This is our first cruise my wife and I with two kids. Now we are no where near rich or well off but I would like to vacation a little more luxurious.I know if I try to present it to my wife shes going to shut it down since we are already spending so much money (land and sea trip).

I remember when this board helped me convince her to stay at Wilderness lodge vs POP and she loves wilderness lodge now and we never stay anywhere else!

If I was your wife I would say no. Huge waste of money. We have stayed at the wilderness lodge, love it, and would do it again. We have never stayed at pop. But the comparison is not accurate. As just a basic dcl customer you are waited on pretty much hand and foot. There is food everywhere on the ship. Concierge is a complete waste in my opinion. Buy her $2500 worth of jewelry in port somewhere. That will wow her.

 

[shelbell77]

I'm with the other posters. I love Concierge. But if this is your first DCL cruise I'd wait on Concierge. Once we did it, its definitely our preference. We have done with out since, but missed it and our next cruise is back in Concierge. DCL is still very luxurious anyway - the service is second to none and you'll be very well taken care of.

 

[xinfamousxi]

She really wants to get a private cabana on the family beach. I heard you are more likely to get it if you are concierge level. True?

 

[shelbell77]

That is true - so if she really wants the cabana that's the way to sell it. but then its more than just the upcharge to stay in Concierge, its the cabana cost too. and its not unheard of for non-concerige to get a cabana. Its just that since they book first, they get first dibs.

 

[xinfamousxi]

How much of a difference is the check in process? Is the wait to get on the ship that much better?

 

[waggles02673]

She really wants to get a private cabana on the family beach. I heard you are more likely to get it if you are concierge level. True?

Yes as I mentioned earlier as a concierge quest you get to put in your requests for Cabanas etc at the 125 day mark. Platinum get to put in requests at the 120 day mark at midnight. So when booking opens at the 120 day mark all your requests are already in the system before the Platinum members get theirs in. Then it is gold members turn, then silver members turn then finally first time cruisers turn. If you are looking to sail during a busy time of year Cabanas will be gone by the time Platinum members are done putting in their requests. Our last cruise last month all the Cabanas were reserved by Concierge guests according to the Concierge hosts.

 

[waggles02673]

How much of a difference is the check in process? Is the wait to get on the ship that much better?

As a Concierge guest you have a separate check in area for Concierge and Platinum guests. Once checked in you are shown to the concierge guest waiting area and are the first group on the ship and escorted up to the Concierge lounge where they have snacks and an open bar and you meet with the Concierge hosts. You are usually on the ship by 11:30 and the Concierge rooms are available by noon compared to regular rooms which are available after 1pm. Also on the Dream you have a private sundeck with hot tub.

 

[xinfamousxi]

Thanks so much!

 

[DCLDVC1]

Just do it! You'll be glad you did. $1500 extra for a family of 4 isn't too bad. Being able to bypass the hoard of people waiting to disembark is worth a lot.

 

[phinz]

Being able to bypass the hoard of people waiting to disembark is worth a lot.

This. All this. We go Concierge when we want a cabana and when we have places to be on disembarkation day. We've had a great time both in Concierge and out of Concierge. The service is phenomenal, but for us, unless we want to virtually guarantee a cabana, it's not worth the $$$. The $1500+ difference will buy a lot of drinks and specialty coffee in the Cove. Then again, I'm not a very demanding guest and I don't require my hand held or special, super-duper secret treatment.

 

[mevelandry]

I'll be honest with you... I've never been concierge on a cruise and never scored a Cabana BUT...

I have been Club Level at the Yacht Club and at the Grand Floridian and to us, with the exception of not having a cabana, just going for a regular cruise with a verandah room and all the food and sodas included and the excellent service from the hosts pretty much feels like being Club Level. (Minus the concierge services that I never use and the free alcohol at 8:00 PM).

1500-2500$ is a lot of money!

With that money you could order an insane amount of beer or wine packages, book Palo dinner and Palo Brunch and Remy dinner and Remy brunch if you are interested in special dining with your wife (they are 18+ only but you could go while the kids are in the clubs). You can book the best excursions and pay for $ activities...and you'd still have money left for shopping and gifts.

Now the cabana... I've had one in a waterpark once and we spent less than an hour in it. Can't imagine paying 500$ for it. I'd invest in excursions instead.

 

[diznymom]

Try compromising and cutting corners elsewhere. Ex: Maybe share the cabana w/ another family?, maybe stay at a cheaper resort while at WDW?, maybe take sandwiches to work for lunch instead of eating out? That is, if her only concerns are the extra money. That can be worked out.

Also, let her know of all the perks involved w/ concierge.

 

[Munkamamacallie]

Can someone explain the big appeal of the cabanas to me? What all does it include? It seems like a lot of $$$! Thanks in advance!

 

[phinz]

Can someone explain the big appeal of the cabanas to me? What all does it include? It seems like a lot of $$$! Thanks in advance!

There are a ton of threads already regarding this question, but I'll give you my reasons:

Shade
Ceiling Fan
Shade
Privacy
Shade
Loungers
Shade

 

[DCLDVC1]

Can someone explain the big appeal of the cabanas to me? What all does it include? It seems like a lot of $$$! Thanks in advance!

It's kind of tough for me to explain. It's just one of those things you need to experience to understand the value.