Free Cruise...?

[kiingor]

Anyone know what's the deal with the free cruise if you buy /add on BLT ? Is it a free cruise for 1 person or family.... ?

[erionm]

One stateroom for up to 4 passengers.

[kiingor]

One stateroom for up to 4 passengers.

wow.. cool.. i knew i should have waited to do the add on.:sad2:

[keishashadow]

didn't get an email:confused3 what's the min buy in for the cruise offer?

[kiingor]

didn't get an email:confused3 what's the min buy in for the cruise offer?

http://dvcnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=794&Itemid=1

Just found this on ^ site.


NEW MEMBER PURCHASE
160 - 199 points: 3-night Disney Cruise Line voyage
200 - 269 points: 4-night Disney Cruise line voyage
270+ points: 7-night Disney Cruise Line voyage

EXISTING MEMBER ADD-ON
100 - 119 points: 3-night Disney Cruise Line voyage
120 - 199 points: 4-night Disney Cruise line voyage
200+ points: 7-night Disney Cruise Line voyage

[kiingor]

If we added on prior to this deal, can we add additional points equal to the requirement and still get a free cruise ?:)

[WoodysRoundup]

Tough luck if you're a family of five though....at least it looks that way. Our guide is looking into it. I will be a bit upset if we couldn't still take the cruise incentive and pay for the upgrade of the 5th person (a child 4yrs. old). :sad2:

[dizneygirlz3]

Let us know what you come up with in regards to a 5th person for the free cruise. We are in the same boat as you but our DD is 6. You would have thought our guides would have informed us of this as well.

[kiingor]

Let us know what you come up with in regards to a 5th person for the free cruise. We are in the same boat as you but our DD is 6. You would have thought our guides would have informed us of this as well.

this is what the dvcnews site saids :

The Disney Cruise Line voyage reportedly is for an ocean view room and up to 4 guests are complimentary. Additional guests can be added for a small fee. Select sailing dates are being offered in 2009 and 2010.

[WoodysRoundup]

this is what the dvcnews site saids :

The Disney Cruise Line voyage reportedly is for an ocean view room and up to 4 guests are complimentary. Additional guests can be added for a small fee. Select sailing dates are being offered in 2009 and 2010.

True... But Our guide also said that it clearly states that it doesn't include any verandah rooms. You need at least a category 4 room to sail with 5 people and those are all verandah rooms. :confused3 I'm anxious to see how this turns out.
I'll let you all know!

[3amigos]

We just purchased BLT this weekend and that free cruise wasn't offered or mention, should i call our guide?

[WoodysRoundup]

We just purchased BLT this weekend and that free cruise wasn't offered or mention, should i call our guide?


I would think that if you mentioned it to your guide, he/she would be able to give you either incentive. Good luck! and congrats! :)

[Desnik]

Did they do away with the $5 off per point? What category room is given with the free cruise? Can you upgrade to a verandah room?(we are a family of 4, but DH is claustrophobic and needs that verandah!) We are looking to do a 100 point add on at BLT.

[WoodysRoundup]

Did they do away with the $5 off per point? What category room is given with the free cruise? Can you upgrade to a verandah room?(we are a family of 4, but DH is claustrophobic and needs that verandah!) We are looking to do a 100 point add on at BLT.

According to our guide, it's an ocean view (non-verandah) room. I'm waiting to hear back from the guide about upgrading. I'll post when I hear back.

[Desnik]

Thanks! Can't wait to hear what your guide says! I could call my guide but I'm afraid I would just add on over the phone!LOL I need to wait a few more months!;)

[OhioDVC]

Does anyone know the available dates?

[disney dumbo]

How many points would be the equivalent on this offer?

For some reason, it sounds like a really good offer.

Now, just wondering what the catch is. I know it probably is a win-win for Disney... because I'm sure cruise bookings are down. But wonder how limited availablity is... and what booking requirements are. It would be bad to get it and not be able to use it.:crowded:

[kiingor]

How many points would be the equivalent on this offer?

For some reason, it sounds like a really good offer.

Now, just wondering what the catch is. I know it probably is a win-win for Disney... because I'm sure cruise bookings are down. But wonder how limited availablity is... and what booking requirements are. It would be bad to get it and not be able to use it.:crowded:

i was thinkin the samething- not being ale to use it. It states that it's for 2009/2010 cruise. Not much time to use if 2009 doesn't count till sept. :confused3

[tink713]

Yay we just heard this news from our guide yesterday. We will be buying into BLT within the next few months!

[Paging Tom Morrow]

The first cruise available will be sometime in September 2009. For 2010, the available dates of the 4-night cruise were:

January 10
January 17
January 24
January 31
February 07
August 29
September 05
September 12
September 19
September 26
October 03
October 10
October 17
October 24
October 31
November 07
November 14
November 28

Basically, if you are looking to take school-aged children on this and aren't willing to pull them out of school, this incentive won't seem too good.

[WoodysRoundup]

The first cruise available will be sometime in September 2009. For 2010, the available dates of the 4-night cruise were:

January 10
January 17
January 24
January 31
February 07
August 29
September 05
September 12
September 19
September 26
October 03
October 10
October 17
October 24
October 31
November 07
November 14
November 28

Basically, if you are looking to take school-aged children on this and aren't willing to pull them out of school, this incentive won't seem too good.

Well, that's a pretty crummy "incentive" for us. :sad2: First off, we're a family of 5 and secondly, those dates are RIDICULOUS!! Thinking again about adding on right now. We don't "NEED" the pts...............

[anna08]

Have to add we just tried our first cruise and we were quite disappointed overall. It was a 3day and we had bad weather (too cold to be outside comfortably) and couldn't dock at Castaway Cay. Don't think we'd take it even if it were free. Those dates are January also, or during hurricane season...

[JW9DVC]

Aren't the 7 day cruises expensive for 4? What do they cost? Seems like a nice incentive. JW

[mikeandkarla]

How many points would be the equivalent on this offer?

For some reason, it sounds like a really good offer.

Now, just wondering what the catch is. I know it probably is a win-win for Disney... because I'm sure cruise bookings are down. But wonder how limited availablity is... and what booking requirements are. It would be bad to get it and not be able to use it.:crowded:
This is for Dec. 3, 10, or 17 2009
adults - 98 points
children 3-5 years odl - 41 points
children 6-12 years old - 43 points

So, for us, it would = 280 points. Much better than the matching developer points.
try this link for points chart:
http://advc.disney.go.com/media/dvc_v0302/languagespecific/eng/member/vacationplanning/pointscharts/2009/2009PointsChart_DisneyCollection_3NightBahamas.pdf

[WoodysRoundup]

This is for Dec. 3, 10, or 17 2009
adults - 98 points
children 3-5 years odl - 41 points
children 6-12 years old - 43 points

So, for us, it would = 280 points. Much better than the matching developer points.
try this link for points chart:
http://advc.disney.go.com/media/dvc_v0302/languagespecific/eng/member/vacationplanning/pointscharts/2009/2009PointsChart_DisneyCollection_3NightBahamas.pdf
True, but those Dec. '09 dates are the only desirable dates. The rest are Jan./Feb. '10 or hurricane season thereafter. Top that off with the fact you cannot book the cruise until your contract closes and there is limited stateroom availability. I'd hope everyone would get the dates they wanted but I think it's not very likely. And, weather in Jan/Feb and in hurrricane season is "iffy" for a cruise as well.

[kiingor]

True, but those Dec. '09 dates are the only desirable dates. The rest are Jan./Feb. '10 or hurricane season thereafter. Top that off with the fact you cannot book the cruise until your contract closes and there is limited stateroom availability. I'd hope everyone would get the dates they wanted but I think it's not very likely. And, weather in Jan/Feb and in hurrricane season is "iffy" for a cruise as well.

So in other word, it's not even a great of a deal to jump into. Maybe the next incentives would be price discount- like maybe $90 a pt. :cool1: I would definitely jump into that.

[WoodysRoundup]

So in other word, it's not even a great of a deal to jump into. Maybe the next incentives would be price discount- like maybe $90 a pt. :cool1: I would definitely jump into that.

Yes, in my opinion, it's not a great incentive. There are NO cruises offered in spring or summer. The incentive cruises are offered during risky weather seasons AND during the school year...not practical for taking kids out of school....esp. if you have another trip already planned. When our guide told me the dates I immediately knew that would not be an option for us! They're just trying to fill their ships at the least desirable booking periods. I guess it's a bargain if you're willing to risk the weather and/or take kids out of school. But as I said, for us, it's not a good incentive at all.

[wingkng]

I just spoke with my guide about it, since I had just purchased a 100 point add-on literally a day before the announcement. He said that I could still get the new incentive if I wanted. However, he did confirm that the days for the free cruise are in Jan, Feb, and during hurricane season in the fall. I would definitely not want to go on a cruise in those times, plus a three night cruise is just not long enough from my experience. So, I decided to stick with my original incentive of 100 developer points. The only decision now is how to use those points before October.

[Desnik]

Thanks for all the info. I guess it's not such a deal as I first thought. Is it true you get to choose between the cruise and developer points?

[kiingor]

Thank god for this thread... i was so close to adding on more points just to get a free cruise. Didn't know there were catches. Those Dates are definitely a No No.

[kdzgon]

Here are the cruise dates, as per my guide:

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u304/kdzgon/Cruisedates2.jpg

[ACDSNY]

Thanks for the dates kdzgon! I think I'll try to switch our DP for the cruise since we already have 3 cabins booked for 11/15/09 Wonder. That one less to pay for.

[keishashadow]

posted merely as a reference for those comparing the incentive vs cash rates

we're booked on 4 night 12/6 (mousefest:cool1: ) 3 adults cat #11 @ approx $1,350 less OBC

total price last i checked (12/28/08) for lowest cat OV was in area of $1700

i switched original secret porthole cat #10 i had booked for 3 day sailing same week (12/10) to this cat #11 for basically same amt:thumbsup2

note: we did book onboard (10% off base fare) & got the OBC incentive during last cruise 10/08

[kerickson]

Does anyone know when you book the dates? Do you tell your guide when you purchase then they reserve for you, or do you call MS?

Unfortunately we aren't adding on enough points to cover our 7 night Western coming up in Oct, so we'll have to take another cruise in 2010 for our 10 yr anniversary! Thanks Disney!

[ACDSNY]

Does anyone know when you book the dates? Do you tell your guide when you purchase then they reserve for you, or do you call MS?
From what our guide read to me this morning it sounds like we'll get a voucher and we can book after our closing date in March. This was her first day at the office since the new promotion came out so she to check on a few things before she called me back. I'll try to find out more next time she calls.

[PrincessDez]

Ok, I am confused. :sad2:
We just bought into BLT on Saturday 1/31. There was never any mention of the cruise to us. In fact we told our sales rep. we were going to bank this years points and use next year to do a cruise, so why didn't he mention it?? :rolleyes2
Does anyone know when the promo started? Maybe it hadn't started yet? Now I am feeling a bit disappointed.
Thanks for any info!

[Cmbar]

Ok, I am confused. :sad2:
We just bought into BLT on Saturday 1/31. There was never any mention of the cruise to us. In fact we told our sales rep. we were going to bank this years points and use next year to do a cruise, so why didn't he mention it?? :rolleyes2
Does anyone know when the promo started? Maybe it hadn't started yet? Now I am feeling a bit disappointed.
Thanks for any info!

Call your guide, you should be able to get this deal. It started on Feb 1st, but you have to know someone. You need a referral. Do you have a friend or relative that owns DVC? If so you can use them or if not there is a referral board on here for people offering to be your referral. Good luck! And congratulations on purchasing. What use year did you get? Oh and be sure to look at the dates for the cruises. Good luck!

[PrincessDez]

Call your guide, you should be able to get this deal. It started on Feb 1st, but you have to know someone. You need a referral. Do you have a friend or relative that owns DVC? If so you can use them or if not there is a referral board on here for people offering to be your referral. Good luck! And congratulations on purchasing. What use year did you get? Oh and be sure to look at the dates for the cruises. Good luck!

We did have a referral. I lady who used to work for me. She owns at 4 different locations, I think.
What does use year mean? I think he said we get our first set of point this year. Something about March 1st. I better go back through my paperwork?
Will we need to give up our developer points for the cruise?
I LOVE these boards! Everyone is sooooooo helpful!!!!!:grouphug:

[Cmbar]

We did have a referral. I lady who used to work for me. She owns at 4 different locations, I think.
What does use year mean? I think he said we get our first set of point this year. Something about March 1st. I better go back through my paperwork?
Will we need to give up our developer points for the cruise?
I LOVE these boards! Everyone is sooooooo helpful!!!!!:grouphug:


Yes you will have to pick one or the other? How many points did you buy? Are you getting a three day, four day or week cruise. Sounds like you have a March Use year!

[PrincessDadx2]

We are booked on the 1/16 Magic Eastern. The total cost is ~ $4,000 for a Cat 9 so that is ~ $14 a point plus you still get the $5 off. That is a pretty good incentive and worth more to me than the developer points.

[PrincessDez]

Yes you will have to pick one or the other? How many points did you buy? Are you getting a three day, four day or week cruise. Sounds like you have a March Use year!

Ohhhhh, ok, I think I understand what a use year means now. :crazy2: Duh, sometimes my head does not keeping up with my fingers (typing)......that or I am just losing my mind altogether! We have a Feb. 1st use year. I do remember them telling us that we get our points every year in Feb.
We bought 210 points. We only make it out there from California every other year (well, this trip was only 1 year :rolleyes: ). So we plan to use one year then bank the next. If I have it all figured out correctly we should have 420 points every other year, which should usually get us a 2 bedroom for 6 nights during the time of year we travel. Hopefully it is enough points. If not, we will need to buy more at some point. :thumbsup2

[amyup]

Has anyone found out what happens if you're a family of 5? Is an upgrade to category 4 possible?

[Inkmahm]

Has anyone found out what happens if you're a family of 5? Is an upgrade to category 4 possible?

I'm still trying to figure out how many people the original incentive covers. 1? 4?

[ACDSNY]

I'm still trying to figure out how many people the original incentive covers. 1? 4?
It covers 4 people and you can upgrade for the 5th person, but I don't know what the cost is.

[kerickson]

It covers 4 people and you can upgrade for the 5th person, but I don't know what the cost is.

ACDSNY. Have you heard back from your guide yet? Mine and I are playing phone tag... I'll ask for details as soon as I can get ahold of her.


Any specifics I should ask other than:
What are the specifics? x # of points = x day cruise for x people
Fee to add a person or upgrade room?
How do I switch to this new promotion?
What is the process to book the cruise and when can we book?
Can we book through 2010 dates? Are there any black out dates?

[CaptHomer]

We just purchased BLT this weekend and that free cruise wasn't offered or mention, should i call our guide?

If you purchased from Disney you have I believe 10 days to cancel. If they don't give you the cruise then cancel and buy again.

[kiingor]

I've added 50pts prior to this offer. Do you think if i add another 50, they can give me the 3 night cruise as well :confused3

[kerickson]

I've added 50pts prior to this offer. Do you think if i add another 50, they can give me the 3 night cruise as well :confused3

which resort? My understanding is that the min add on is now 100 pts for BLT, AKV and VGC... even if you could do a smaller add on, if you aren't within your contract cancellation period I don't think they'd give you the incentive.

[KLR-wlv]

My guide called me about this and the upgrade with a 5th person was vague. What she read me sounded like it was a $100 per person upgrade, as well as the cruise cost for the 5th person, whatever that was.

[kerickson]

My guide called me about this and the upgrade with a 5th person was vague. What she read me sounded like it was a $100 per person upgrade, as well as the cruise cost for the 5th person, whatever that was.

possibly tips and port fees?

[kerickson]

ACDSNY. Have you heard back from your guide yet? Mine and I are playing phone tag... I'll ask for details as soon as I can get ahold of her.


Any specifics I should ask other than:
What are the specifics? x # of points = x day cruise for x people
Fee to add a person or upgrade room?
How do I switch to this new promotion?
What is the process to book the cruise and when can we book?
Can we book through 2010 dates? Are there any black out dates?

Just spoke to my guide. She's not sure how to switch me from the DP to the Cruise incentive, she thinks they'll just send me out the cruise addendum since I haven't signed or sent back my papers yet. She's going to find out the logistics and let me know by tomorrow.

She said once we close, we'll be mailed a voucher. We can then call DCL and book the cruise. They will start taking reservations March 2nd. This is through DCL, not DVC MS.

I asked if there were blackout dates and she said yes, but rather than have her read me all the dates, I gave her the ones I was interested in (for the 3 day) and they were not blacked out (but subject to availability).

From what she understood, once the cruise is booked, we have to mail the voucher to DCL so it is received 45 days prior to departure. Recommendation is to send via registered/insured mail.

So, sounds like a bit of a process, but will be well worth it if we can take a 3 night Disney Cruise in 2010 rather than being restricted to make a trip to DL by Oct 3 (SSR wouldn't work for us this summer)...

I forgot to ask about adding another person since we don't have this need. Hopefully someone else can get this clarified.

She did say that it was funny that I knew about this new incentive pretty much before she did. She was out of town this weekend and picked up my vm when she got back into the office on Monday. She said she can always rely on certain members to keep her up to date! I responded that the VGC Founding Members are a special breed, we like to be in the know!

[toocherie]

She did say that it was funny that I knew about this new incentive pretty much before she did. She was out of town this weekend and picked up my vm when she got back into the office on Monday. She said she can always rely on certain members to keep her up to date! I responded that the VGC Founding Members are a special breed, we like to be in the know!

LOL--at one point yesterday I told my guide "you're hating the Disboards about now, aren't you?" He didn't respond.

:rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2:

[KLR-wlv]

possibly tips and port fees?

I believe it includes port fees - not certain about tips. I'm not sure whether the $100 pp was a flat amount upgrade from cat 8 or 9 to a cat 5-6 - or if she was giving me the upgrade amount for a 3,4, or 7....she wasn't real sure about it. Then on top of the $100 pp - it would be the cruise amount for that room category for the age - so whatever they charge for a 3 year old in a cat 4 for a 7 night...so I'm just not sure what all the fees would add up to. I am tempted - since this is about a $5000 incentive and we wanted to do a cruise in about a year. Not loving the dates but the december one could work. But if we have to spend over $1000 for the 5th person, I'd be less interested....

[ACDSNY]

LOL--at one point yesterday I told my guide "you're hating the Disboards about now, aren't you?" He didn't respond.

:rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2:

I haven't heard anything from my guide so I guess I'll call in the morning. I'm sure they're all hating DISboards by now.

[drewmisha]

Anyword word on what the upgrade price from cat 8,9 to a cat 4 would be for 2 adults/2children? If it costs ?$175 to upgrade to a 5th person in a stateroom, then by definition, you're getting upgraded from cat8/9 to cat4 for $175. I hope its not the market rate difference between cat4 and cat8/9 and that's what we're responsible to pay.

I believe it includes port fees - not certain about tips. I'm not sure whether the $100 pp was a flat amount upgrade from cat 8 or 9 to a cat 5-6 - or if she was giving me the upgrade amount for a 3,4, or 7....she wasn't real sure about it. Then on top of the $100 pp - it would be the cruise amount for that room category for the age - so whatever they charge for a 3 year old in a cat 4 for a 7 night...so I'm just not sure what all the fees would add up to. I am tempted - since this is about a $5000 incentive and we wanted to do a cruise in about a year. Not loving the dates but the december one could work. But if we have to spend over $1000 for the 5th person, I'd be less interested....

[Grumpygrandpa]

I haven't heard anything from my guide so I guess I'll call in the morning. I'm sure they're all hating DISboards by now.

My guide says if it wasn't for me she wouldn't know what was going on. I keep telling her that "a little mouse told me that...."

[amyup]

Anyword word on what the upgrade price from cat 8,9 to a cat 4 would be for 2 adults/2children? If it costs ?$175 to upgrade to a 5th person in a stateroom, then by definition, you're getting upgraded from cat8/9 to cat4 for $175. I hope its not the market rate difference between cat4 and cat8/9 and that's what we're responsible to pay.

From what my guide told me yesterday was it would be $175 per person plus paying for the 5th person. She wasn't too sure how much exactly it would cost its up to DCL. I'm debating about upgrading or just adding an additional stateroom. It seems like it will be over $1000 to add the additional person.

[dudelydude]

Wow, it seems as though this is the first time DVC has has an incentive like this cruise ***he said sarcastically*** Why aren't all of the guides getting together at some big meeting and discussing all of the details before the offer is rolled-out. If I did business like this at my company...forget it.

Anyway, what I really wanted say is that we were at WDW this past weekend and this cruise offer was presented to us. Looking through my squinting eyes at my guide, I said, "Well as long as the cruise can be booked anytime over the next two years, then this is a good incentive for us." HE SAID NOTHING!!!! So, had I purchased right there and then under the pretense of his non-verbal false information, I would be telling you right now how I got screwed.

Oh, and another thing...he specifically told me that to get the cruise incentive, we had to purchase the required allotment of BLT points by today (feb 6th). So much for that DVC "No pressure sales."

[drewmisha]

For two adults/two children most of cat4's cost >= $6k in the 7 nite eastern/western cruises. It would not be too bad to pay $175/person to upgrade from cat8/9 to cat4. So the net incentive would be at least $5300. If you happen to be booked already or plan to cruise on those selected dates, this incentive plus the $/pt off and if you can get the disney ap's can drive the cost/pt to the low
80's.

Wonder in the next few weeks whether they will throw in adventures by disney incentives....




From what my guide told me yesterday was it would be $175 per person plus paying for the 5th person. She wasn't too sure how much exactly it would cost its up to DCL. I'm debating about upgrading or just adding an additional stateroom. It seems like it will be over $1000 to add the additional person.

[DonnieDuck]

Looking to find out if our family can add a day onto the free cruise to make it a four day instead of three of course we are willing to pay the extra days fee..anyone?

[tjkraz]

Looking to find out if our family can add a day onto the free cruise to make it a four day instead of three of course we are willing to pay the extra days fee..anyone?

No, that is not an option.

[dr&momto2boys]

Just clarifying about the 5th person upgrade. For a seven night cruise, it is a charge of $175pp (less for 3 and 4 day cruises) plus the cost of the fifth person. In our case, our fifth person is an infant (so just taxes and port carges) and the total ended up being $931. Still a great deal for a seven night cruise in a Cat 4 room for five people! And the taxes and even tips are included for the four of us! We're very happy!

Incidentally, you are automatically assigned late seating for dinner, but can be put on a waitlist for early if you want. Too bad that they're doing that. I think it would hugely increase satisfaction to not make any distinction between those of us who book with a voucher versus a cash booking.

[Silly Little Pixie]

I was just happy the 3 night is not blacked out for Thanksgiving week 2010!!! Kids will be out of school that week, so no worries about pulling them out. What a great freebie for us. 3 nights on the Wonder, then we can spend 2 nights at AKV for Thanksgiving, and fly home Friday! Taxes and tips included, woohoo! More to spend on Konk Koolers!