Disney Cruise Concierge: To Splurge or Not to Splurge?
When it comes to planning a magical family vacation, Disney Cruise Line often stands out as a top choice for families seeking enchantment on the high seas. But within this world of Disney wonder, there exists an exclusive tier of luxury known as the Concierge Level. The burning question for many Disney enthusiasts is:
Are the perks of the Concierge Level truly worth it?
On our last cruise, we decided to inquire about upgrading from our verandah room to a concierge-level room. To our delightful surprise, about an hour after we set sail, we received notification that our request had been granted, and we were able to secure the concierge room at a significantly lower cost than the original price.
Here is our take on the concierge experience. Let’s dive right in by addressing each perk.
Table of Contents
Pre-Arrival Services
Concierge guests can book onboard activities and services before other guests – 120 before the sail date. You can also send your preference to the Concierge Team 130 days before the sailing and they will book them for you as soon as the 120-day booking window opens. If you want to score one of those hard-to-get private cabanas on Castaway Cay, sailing Concierge is your best bet.
Since we did not upgrade to Concierge until we already sailed, we could not take advantage of the early booking, however, as a Gold Castaway Club member, I had no problem booking all of the reservations, including Palo brunch, that I wanted.
While the Concierge pre-arrival service is undoubtedly convenient, this is not a must for me.
Priority Embarkation & Disembarkation
We did not get to experience the priority embarkation.
Priority disembarkation was a breeze. We enjoyed a quick breakfast at the lounge, and a friendly lounge cast member escorted us to the exit. However, our sailing wasn’t at full capacity, and we found no lines by the time we arrived. So, in our case, the Concierge-level disembarkation experience didn’t differ much from a non-Concierge cruise.
Larger Rooms & Upgrades Amenities
Concierge rooms are larger than standard rooms. For comparison, our original verandah stateroom was 245 sq ft while the concierge room was 306 sq ft.
Concierge rooms also come with upgraded amenities such as premium bedding and bath towels, plush robes and slippers, Elemis bath products, and more.
Having a larger room was great, and I definitely enjoyed my plush bedding.
My kiddo, on other hand, was not a fan of sleeping arrangements.
At first, she was excited to have a double sleeper sofa. However, she did not find it very comfortable. Plus, when it was set up it was taking up half the room and we had to climb over it to get to the balcony.
The upper berth pull-down bed didn’t win her over either. Ultimately, she declared the single sleeper sofa in a standard cabin as her preferred option.
So, when it comes to this Concierge perk, it’s a mixed bag: I loved it, but my kiddo, not so much.
See the room tour below:
Priority Seating at Shows
We did not get advantage of this benefit: as I have shared (complained) in my previous post about cruising with tweens/teens, I found myself without company, and I did not want to attend the shows on my own. Instead, I opted for relaxing with movies on the deck and sipping a glass of wine (or two) in the lounge, which suited my solo cruise experience perfectly.
Private Sun Deck
We did not take advantage of this perk either.
I am not the one to lay out in the sun – I just burn to crisp.
And, since I did not watch the night time entertainment, I had no problems finding a spot on a “non private” deck which I preferred anyway – I love watching Funnel Vision movies!
Free Fresh Popcorn
The Concierge guests can get unlimited complimentary fresh popcorn. We did take the full advantage of this benefit, but I wouldn’t say it justifies the cost of the upgrade.
Free 100MB Internet Package
Of course free internet is great, but 100 Mb doesn’t get you much. You can probably use it to check your email a few times, but that’s pretty much it.
Exclusive Concierge Lounge
One of the perks we particularly enjoyed was access to an exclusive lounge. If you, like me, The Lounge Queen, have a penchant for lounges, this alone might justify the upgrade. These cozy retreats offer complimentary beverages, snacks, and personalized assistance from concierge staff. Whether it’s a quiet moment with a hot cup of coffee or a glass of wine before dinner, these lounges are an oasis of tranquility amidst the Disney cruise excitement.
Read our review of Concierge Lounge on Disney Dream here.
The Royal Treatment
Perhaps the most compelling aspect of the Concierge Level is the way you’re treated.
From the moment you step on board, you’re welcomed with a level of warmth and service that makes you feel like royalty. Concierge staff go above and beyond to ensure your every need is met, whether it’s arranging special celebrations, assisting with reservations, or simply providing a friendly chat. Of course, I would expect nothing else from Disney.
Final Thoughts
So, back to the question: to splurge or not to splurge?
Honestly, it is a tough one for me. On paper, some of the benefits of the Concierge Level might not seem like game-changers. However, when you start to piece them together, something magical happens. It’s like putting together a puzzle, where each piece contributes to an overall picture of exceptional service and convenience.
The Concierge Level elevates your Disney cruise to a level of luxury and convenience that’s hard to put a price tag on. It’s about the feeling of being pampered and cared for, making your vacation truly unforgettable. So, if you’re a family looking to add an extra layer of magic to your Disney cruise, the Concierge Level might just be the happily ever after you’ve been dreaming of.
