I don’t know about you, but whenever I think of going on a Disney Cruise Line adventure, I get excited until I realize how much it costs. It’s hard to think of spending Disney World money and not going to Disney World. So imagine my surprise when I found out Disney Cruise Line concierge level exists and it’s significantly more expensive. This got me wondering, is it really worth it, or is it just one of those things that make you feel good about spending more money? I decided to investigate.
Before we decide if it’s worth it, we need to figure out just what the heck it is! According to Cruise.com, “On the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, options include a Concierge 1-Bedroom Suite with Verandah, Concierge Royal Suite with Verandah, and Concierge Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah. The Disney Magic and Wonder also have a Concierge 2-Bedroom Suite with Verandah available in addition to these other room types.” Additionally, Disney Wish has an even more extensive Concierge selection. These include Concierge Royal Suite with Verandah, Concierge Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah, Concierge Family Oceanview Stateroom, Concierge 1-Bedroom Suite with Verandah, Concierge 1-Bedroom Suite with Extended Verandah, a Concierge 2-Story Royal Suite with Verandah, and the ultimate splurge – the Concierge Wish Tower Suite.
These rooms are exceptionally well appointed. No expense has been spared to give Concierge level guests room to spread out (a rarity on cruise ships) and comfort.
That’s all well and good, but what does Concierge level actually get? Concierge guests truly get treated like royalty while aboard Disney ships. These guests are able to make reservations for dining and other experiences before anyone else (120 days in advance). This can mean the difference between scoring that Cabana on Castaway Cay or reservation Remy or not.
Also exclusive to Concierge guests are services like priority tender, priority onboard reservations, and an exclusive sun deck.
So is it worth it? The answer to that is highly subjective. Prices vary depending on season, route, occupancy, and ship, so a quick rundown of number crunching for value isn’t possible but logically, the bigger the room, the more you’ll pay. Unlike hotels, cruise ships charge per person (additional guests usually are discounted, though not always), so value for money also depends on your family size. For my family of 3 (soon to be 4!) I think Concierge is absolutely worth the extra money. We aren’t big cruisers, to begin with, so the extra space alone is a bonus. Add to it the benefit of priority access (anyone who’s vacationed with small children knows patience is not a virtue they possess), and it’s a win in our column. In fact, all of this research has made me want to book a cruise and hit the high seas! BRB, calling my travel agent real quick! See you at Castaway Cay!