Will we do Disney Cruise again? Probably yes, especially now that they will have new western itinerary. I would definitely recommend the experience to other families.
Verandah again? You betcha. This added so much to our trip, so nice to get away from the crowds during the day, and early morning peaceful time.
Concierge level again? No, not unless the services are greatly enhanced. For 3 grand more, I expect better than 2 fruit baskets, a vcr no one knows how to use, chocolate covered strawberries, warm milk and cookies and and a construction paper mounted picture of the ship. I did not in any way feel that we received special services, other than the pre-reservations for Palo's we made over the phone, and we were not told about this, we learned about it on this board. Spa ressies would have been just as easy to make at the spa. Even if you take into account the extra space, say that is like another room, so 2 grand is for room, where are the extra services for the other 1 grand?
I can only compare it to hotel concierge, which we do a lot. Then the value is free breakast, mid-morning snacks (which could be lunch), afternoon tea, cocktails and appetizers and finally after dinner desserts and drinks. This is what Disney hotels do, and there is great value in that. Obviously food is included on the cruise, so some other value needs to be given.
First and foremost, a concierge lounge at the terminal would set the tone. Light refreshments, greeter. Then make sure rooms are ready by embarkation, escort families to their rooms. (There are only 22 suites!) Welcome aboard flowers or a small gift of somekind?
A concierge lounge on the ship, open afternoons for free drinks, sodas, appetizers, etc? A couple of bottles of wine and sodas or beer stocked in the mini-bar? A stocked mini-bar?
I fear there are different levels of concierge, which there should not be. You are either concierge or not. I believe this because 1) only some people receive the infamous concierge letter 2) was not informed of the concierge bridge tour, 3) who is getting those chocolate ships I heard so much about?
Anyway... back to our story... I believe what truly makes Disney special is the crew. What an amazing, hard-working, friendly bunch! They add the pixie dust that makes the Magic magic!
Favorite memory: all the mornings on the verandah
Favorite dining room: tie between Lumiere's and Parrot Cay.
Best meal: Palo brunch... leaps and bounds above anything else.
Favorite beach: Surprisingly, everyone but me agreed it was Dawn Beach at St. Martin (I still like Megan's Bay in St. Thomas best) Castaway Cay is great, and when you pull away and see it in its deserted splendour, you realize how great it is, but the crowds!!!!!
Favorite crew: Janet, our server, ROCKS! She really made the trip special.
Go, have fun, enjoy your family time....Questions, comments, concerns? (But no insults!) Let me know.
Verandah again? You betcha. This added so much to our trip, so nice to get away from the crowds during the day, and early morning peaceful time.
Concierge level again? No, not unless the services are greatly enhanced. For 3 grand more, I expect better than 2 fruit baskets, a vcr no one knows how to use, chocolate covered strawberries, warm milk and cookies and and a construction paper mounted picture of the ship. I did not in any way feel that we received special services, other than the pre-reservations for Palo's we made over the phone, and we were not told about this, we learned about it on this board. Spa ressies would have been just as easy to make at the spa. Even if you take into account the extra space, say that is like another room, so 2 grand is for room, where are the extra services for the other 1 grand?
I can only compare it to hotel concierge, which we do a lot. Then the value is free breakast, mid-morning snacks (which could be lunch), afternoon tea, cocktails and appetizers and finally after dinner desserts and drinks. This is what Disney hotels do, and there is great value in that. Obviously food is included on the cruise, so some other value needs to be given.
First and foremost, a concierge lounge at the terminal would set the tone. Light refreshments, greeter. Then make sure rooms are ready by embarkation, escort families to their rooms. (There are only 22 suites!) Welcome aboard flowers or a small gift of somekind?
A concierge lounge on the ship, open afternoons for free drinks, sodas, appetizers, etc? A couple of bottles of wine and sodas or beer stocked in the mini-bar? A stocked mini-bar?
I fear there are different levels of concierge, which there should not be. You are either concierge or not. I believe this because 1) only some people receive the infamous concierge letter 2) was not informed of the concierge bridge tour, 3) who is getting those chocolate ships I heard so much about?
Anyway... back to our story... I believe what truly makes Disney special is the crew. What an amazing, hard-working, friendly bunch! They add the pixie dust that makes the Magic magic!
Favorite memory: all the mornings on the verandah
Favorite dining room: tie between Lumiere's and Parrot Cay.
Best meal: Palo brunch... leaps and bounds above anything else.
Favorite beach: Surprisingly, everyone but me agreed it was Dawn Beach at St. Martin (I still like Megan's Bay in St. Thomas best) Castaway Cay is great, and when you pull away and see it in its deserted splendour, you realize how great it is, but the crowds!!!!!
Favorite crew: Janet, our server, ROCKS! She really made the trip special.
Go, have fun, enjoy your family time....Questions, comments, concerns? (But no insults!) Let me know.
