Will you cruise on a ship without a Concierge Lounge?

[brmoqueen]

"It kind of makes me upset that only the top notch people get the perks.....posted by Denred04....

 

.I'm just curious as to why that would upset you that people like us have spent over $40,000 cruising on Rcl and get the perk?????...Or that someone that pays higher $$ for the suite gets the perk???....

 

If you buy a Lincoln Navigator doesn't it have more "perks" on it than a Dodge Durango???...

 

GIVE ME A BREAK...UPSET????....I guess once ur a "top notch people" then maybe u'll understand it..........

 

that just rubbed me the wrong way...

[GMoney]

Very well said queen!

[LisaGoeke]

The concierge lounge is nice but it is not a necessity for us (we don't drink so that could be why we didn't use it much). Actually for me the best part about it was the ice skating tickets (which we had to get from the concierge since the show time we wanted was "sold out") and the priority debarkation on the last day was what we really enjoyed (mostly the priority debarkation since we were driving we wanted to get an early start).

[Driftwoodgal]

I don't think you have to be a someone that drinks to enjoy the Concierge Lounge. We saw a couple in there playing cards in the afternoon, it was such a quieter place.

 

I completely agree with Brmoqueen, what is the deal with someone liking the perks that they receive because the have remained loyal to the same company. I see no difference in RCCL giving this reward than when someone uses frequent flyer miles to upgrade their seat on an airline, or that they get a free ticket. You can sail in an inside cabin on ten sailings and become a Diamond member, so RCCL doesn't show favorites they reward you if you book a suite or if you stay loyal and cruise with them, it will just take you a little more time.

 

We met some cruisers that we would not have met if it wasn't for the lounge. It was nice getting to see them each evening and then on the ship at other times. I guess it is just like the Meet and Mingle that RCCL offers to people you can participate and enjoy meeting new cruisers, or decide to remain on your own.

 

Yes, jeans as well as shorts can be worn in the Concierge Lounge so book your suite or keep sailing with them.;)

 

The reason I started the thread was to see if others would prefer to have a concierge lounge on all of the ships. There are lots of reasons to want them besides the evening activities. As people have posted ice tickets, priority debarkation, tender tickets, better coffee, internet, and the lists goes on. I plan on using the extra perks when they are available and would love to see a lounge on every ship. It sure is nice not having to wait at the Guest Relations desk when you want something.

[TiggerTwo]

Brmoqueen,

 

Way to go. Perks are rewards. If everyone received a benefit it would just be part of the contract for the cruise. This is for those that have a great loyalty to RCI or chose to spend big bucks on the cruise. You don't have to have a suite. It is a choice and if you make that choice you get a perk. You don't have to cruise 10 times with RCI, but if you do you get a perk. Most of our cabins have been insides, but we still qualify for diamond. We still get the perk. RCI makes the decision for who gets the perk and since they are the ones giving it, we have to live with it. However, the Concierge Lounge is a pretty special perk, and I wish it was on all their ships. If you haven 't experienced the Concierge Lounge or used it, you just don't know what you have missed. You will enjoy it when you earn it.

[truffles2]

Well said, Driftwoodgal. I agree. We do sail ships that don't have the lounge but it is very nice when they DO.

[katiel53]

We have sailed ships with no Concierge Lounge. We are Diamond members and have sailed in suites as well as balcony cabins. Our cruise on the Brilliance will be our first with a lounge since we became Diamond. We are so looking forward to it, and Denred, sorry, it's a perk we have earned. Perhaps if you get enough sailing credits, you too will be able to enjoy this perk.

 

It's sad to me though that people feel they are "entitled" to things when they haven't met the requirements. JMO though.

 

To all of us who are able to enjoy the lounge, Happy Sailing.

[ricko1]

We have sailed ships with no Concierge Lounge. We are Diamond members and have sailed in suites as well as balcony cabins. Our cruise on the Brilliance will be our first with a lounge since we became Diamond. We are so looking forward to it, and Denred, sorry, it's a perk we have earned. Perhaps if you get enough sailing credits, you too will be able to enjoy this perk.

 

It's sad to me though that people feel they are "entitled" to things when they haven't met the requirements. JMO though.

 

To all of us who are able to enjoy the lounge, Happy Sailing.

 

Main lounge is on either deck 9 or 10. On deck 10 the main lounge we found really stuffy during our 2 Dec cruise. We found our way up to the lounge on deck 13 and it was a revelation.. You could laugh out loud , you received double the size drinks and there were never more than 10 of us there at any one time. The food was great and plentiful.. The main attraction was the young lady ANGELA, bartender and our hostess.. The best RCCI employee we have met in our 20 cruises. I understand how and why she won the employee of the month while we were there.. Stop bye and pass along our greetings to her please.. We also made new friends(3 couples), who we will be sailing with in 07 Rick and Denice :) :)

[Driftwoodgal]

katiel53,

 

Well, I think you have found the best cruise to become a Diamond member. We were sailing with Diamond members as well as Diamond Plus members and Angela was and still is missed by all. She was in the Hollywood Odyssy lounge in the evenings. As Ricko1 posted she is a wonderful employee that RCCL should really value.

 

The Brilliance is one of my favorite ships, I will sail on her again. If you use the internet you will find that the computers in the Concierge Lounge are faster there. I can't stand the coffee in the Windjammer, but found that it was better in the lounge as well. I hope you have a wonderful time on your cruise, if Angela is there you will be in for a treat.

[ricko1]

katiel53,

 

Well, I think you have found the best cruise to become a Diamond member. We were sailing with Diamond members as well as Diamond Plus members and Angela was and still is missed by all. She was in the Hollywood Odyssy lounge in the evenings. As Ricko1 posted she is a wonderful employee that RCCL should really value.

 

The Brilliance is one of my favorite ships, I will sail on her again. If you use the internet you will find that the computers in the Concierge Lounge are faster there. I can't stand the coffee in the Windjammer, but found that it was better in the lounge as well. I hope you have a wonderful time on your cruise, if Angela is there you will be in for a treat.

 

Is angela gone?, if so ,to where.. I hope she is just taking a vacation..:confused:

[Driftwoodgal]

No, I think Angela is still on the Brilliance, she is supposed to move to the Freedom and then the Serenade I think.

 

When I was mentioned that she was missed I meant that I am not on the Brilliance anymore. There are several post on our Meet and Mingle thread that everyone misses Angela.

 

One of our cruisers had horrible seasickness, Angela fixed her a drink with bitters that helped her sleep at night.

[amickeyfriend]

This has been an active thread. Thanks for starting it, Colleen. I hope that RCCL realizes that just as the rock climbing wall may be one of the highlights for the younger crowd, this lounge is a highlight for some of the rest of us. To each his own. I really feel that when a company makes you feel special, you return to them. I guess that is why I am a diamond plus here.

[brmoqueen]

Rick01---I thought the same thing of the conc lounge on 10....STUFFY....I went there several times to use computer---and once actually had to kneel on the floor cuz some "idiots" wouldn't give up the computer chair (they were just drinking and talking)...

 

I asked Katherine the actual "concierge" for help making dinner res in Portofinos--her extent of help--dial once, not get thru and tell me to just keep trying...THAT"S A CONCIERGE???....She actually came up to Odyssey to look around and find out why so many would go up there...MMMMM...Personality PLUS...Angela was AWESOME and Katherine had the personality of a dead snake.....She asked where she would put her desk if they moved the whole lounge up there...we told her to keep it the way it was...two rooms--one for stuffy people and one for unstuffy?!! people!!!

 

Driftwoodgal...tks for starting the thread...hopefully rcl is reading it..but who knows!!

 

If RCL is reading this....HELLO TO THREE GREAT EMPLOYEES...ANGELA, ABI, AND EDWINA.....all great people in the FUN Concierge lounge!!

[katiel53]

Rick and Colleen,

Thanks so much for the info about the lounge on Deck 13. I might not have learned about it and it sounds more like the kind of place I would like to frequent. There are 6 of us traveling together, so a place to meet and relax with a drink is right up my alley. I hope that Angela is still there when we board.

 

Thanks again.

[ricko1]

She asked where she would put her desk if they moved the whole lounge up there...we told her to keep it the way it was...two rooms--one for stuffy people and one for unstuffy?!!

We agree with that.

[Driftwoodgal]

Amickeyfriend,

 

Since this was my first expierence with the lounge can you compare the Brilliance lounge with the other ones that you have visited?

 

Do you sail on ships without a lounge? What does RCCL do for you on ships that do not have a lounge?

 

Diamond Plus, I am envious of all your cruises! Going to semi retire soon so I will try to catch up with you.:D

[cruisegirl1]

driftwoodgal -

 

RCCL offers nothing extra to Diamond members who sail on a ship without a Concierge lounge. The perk is very nice if you are able take a "concierge Lounge" ship.

Marci

[Kimq]

No, I think Angela is still on the Brilliance, she is supposed to move to the Freedom and then the Serenade I think.

 

We were on Brilliance for the Feb.13th sailing and Angela told us she would be going to open the bars and do some training on Freedom and then be back on Brilliance by our Aug 3rd sailing.

Thanks Colleen for this fun thread.

and by the way we have sailed without a C-lounge but don't like to.

[canucks4]

We're sailing Brilliance March 17 in our first GS specifically because we wanted to see what the Concierge Lounge was like (and with four people, I wanted a little more space than JS). After this cruise, we'll also be Diamond...yea!

 

Questions - is there windows in the lounge on the Brilliance? Will Angela still be in the lounge? Does the lounge "officially" extend to the Odessy bar, or only if there are too many people?

 

I too feel that we've earned this privilege for our loyalty (in addition to our money). Further, I have shared our enthusiasm and loyalty with many friends and family resulting in more business for RCI. It is a most enjoyable give and take.

[cruisingnewyorkers]

I am sailing on the Grandeur in May and I will know after that. The two cruises I have booked after that do have a concierge lounge. Freedom and Serenade.

 

I will miss the concierge lounge in the evening, I enjoyed talking with other people who also enjoy cruising.

[critterchick]

driftwoodgal -

 

RCCL offers nothing extra to Diamond members who sail on a ship without a Concierge lounge. The perk is very nice if you are able take a "concierge Lounge" ship.

Marci

 

That's not really true. You still get a big discount for booking a balcony or higher cabin, nice discounts onboard via the coupon book (of course, we drink, gamble, drink specialty coffees, eat Ben & Jerry's, use the Internet and go to the spa, so we're happy with what they offer), priority tendering & disembarkation and an overall feeling of being really special, at least we do.

 

As for Katherine on Brilliance, she was our Concierge in October and we thought she was absolutely top notch. Our cruise followed the fisherman's strike in Barcelona, so we were not able to board until midnight. We had planned on giving our steward our laundry, but he was already (deservedly) asleep by then, so we just put it in the bag for same day service at a 50% premium. We mentioned this to Katherine, and she immediately called the laundry, and then went down there with a chit for complimentary service. All we were after was not having the premium for same day service, but she insisted that it be complimentary. We saw her all over the ship on her off hours, and she never hesitated to say hello and ask if she could do anything for us. I thought she was fantastic, and I hope to see her again.

[jaycor]

My husband loves the coffee in the morning and the fruit in the concierge

lounge. He thinks that it is great!! Which it is but..

I on the other hand think that it is nice but I could call for dinner reservations or ice skating tickets, just as easy.

Yes we go for a drink before dinner and it is fun -just saying that it is something that does not make our cruise.-but it is a perk

without it we would still have a good time.

we would not pick our cruise around it.

[cruisin4kicks]

Just came back this morning from the Navigator of the Seas. It was our 1st Diamond cruise. We went to the Concierge lounge every evening before dinner. Francois was the host... very helpful getting skate show tickets and reservations for Chops among other things. He's going on vacation shortly an will be returning to the Freedom of the Seas.

 

The priority dis-embarkation was great also. We met in a private lounge and were escorted off the ship before 7:00am. We got our luggage and a taxi to the airport and arrived early enough to catch an 8:15am flight out of MIA.

 

I'm thinking that in the future, the only ships I'll want to book on are Voyager or Radiance class ships.

 

Tim

[FrankiRN]

Hi Tim. We are neighbors (Savannah, GA) and are first time diamond cruisers who will be leaving on the Nav on next Sat. Could you tell me some more about what type of drinks and snacks and such were offerred in the lounge? DH is very excited about finally having concierge priviledges :) .

[Don Pedro]

We were on tne Navigator for a back to back in November and Patricia Isaacs was the concierge. Francois may have been on vacation. Anyway, Patricia did a great job.

 

As for the snacks; They had both hot and cold snacks. Usually a cold vegetable tray with assorted dips. The hot items varried with different combinations of Buffalo Wings, BBQ'd shrimp and etc.

 

Drink wise you could have most anything you wanted. wine, champagne, beer, scotch & water, rum & coke, martini. Don't think they did the poofy-poofy drinks. But, it is very nice - definately not a rum punch and pretzels operation.

 

We were on the Brilliance last month and Katherine was the concierge. We loved her and thought she did an absolutely wonderful job.

 

You will be pleased to know that before becoming a concierge on a Royal Caribbean ship the applicant must serve two contracts in the pursers office. This gives them the knowledge necessary to handle passenger requests and resolve most problems.