DCL not friendly to veteran cruisers?

[SeaNana]

DH and I decided we couldn't wait a few more months between cruises, so I tried to book one for six weeks from now. We didn't care about destinations, just the time had to fit in. The prices were ridiculous, double what we pay for a higher category. Someone told me the last minute deals are only available to VC members. Is this true? We booked a week at a luxury WDW resort instead, complete with meals and tickets. Note: we have Disney stock so I'm all for profits, but how about some loyalty rewards?

 

[TDC Nala]

What's a VC member?

There are all kinds of last minute deals and they are not always limited to certain groups. Depends on the cruise and how badly they need to sell it at the last minute. But no, you won't find anything consistent or anything like a loyalty program. Disney in general does not do loyalty programs. I've personally not considered that to be "unfriendly," it's just how they do business.

 

[Cisco0214]

What is a vc member ? I would imagine Disney Vacation Club wouldn't you?

 

[dizney-cruiser]

veteran cruisers

 

[DreamGirl90]

I assume VC is "veteran cruisers." No, DCL doesn't aim their marketing at veteran DCL cruisers, I think they prefer first-timers. But many specials like IGT, OGT, VGT rates are available to everyone. The key is to hit the right timing when they are offering it.

 

[tvguy]

I assume VC is "veteran cruisers." No, DCL doesn't aim their marketing at veteran DCL cruisers, I think they prefer first-timers. But many specials like IGT, OGT, VGT rates are available to everyone. The key is to hit the right timing when they are offering it.

Actually Disney aims their marketing at return Disney cruisers. And generally speaking, discount and Disney cruise are not used in the same sentence.

 

[firsttimemom]

Try getting Palo reservations or a CC cabana or decent spa times on a sea day if you're not a veteran cruiser. By the time the booking window opens up for first time cruises, these things are usually no longer available.

 

[Tinked]

I think the discounts are saved for Florida residents and Military cruisers (rightly so). May was the first time I've seen discounts for DVC members (June sailings on the Fantasy), also July (September sailings on Magic out of NYC). I hope they keep this up. I'm sailing on Sunday to Canada, a repeat of my June Canada cruise because they made me an offer I couldn't refuse. Did you try Vacations to Go? They list last minute Disney cruises.

 

[lmhall2000]

Try getting Palo reservations or a CC cabana or decent spa times on a sea day if you're not a veteran cruiser. By the time the booking window opens up for first time cruises, these things are usually no longer available.

They reserve about half ressie spots for things like this for all cruisers...many just do not know how to use a computer to book or know you can call in...so they only prebook a certain amount, if you go up to the ressie desk the minute you get on the ship, likely you'll find a spot.

No, not discriminatory against non-VC, it's all about supply demand...if you could have gone the last week of September you could have had a room on the Fantasy for two for $1400 on a 7 night, only $2200 for a four people in a room! You just have to be able to travel when they need you to fill a slot on the boat, regardless if you're a veteran cruiser or not.

 

[outahere]

They reserve about half ressie spots for things like this for all cruisers...many just do not know how to use a computer to book or know you can call in...so they only prebook a certain amount, if you go up to the ressie desk the minute you get on the ship, likely you'll find a spot.

They do hold approx. 50% of the Palo reservations to be booked on board, but not the cabanas at CC. Those are almost always booked well in advance of the sailing date. You can go to Guest Services and asked to be put on a waitlist for a cabana, and Palo does a waitlist as well.

 

[dlhvac]

To get the discounts you must book before you get off the cruise you are on even if you dont plan on taking the cruise you book. then you change the reservation for what you decide the closer you get to a disney cruise the more the price the last three disney cruises we took were full so disney does not have to bargain.

 

[jmclester]

To get the discounts you must book before you get off the cruise you are on even if you dont plan on taking the cruise you book. then you change the reservation for what you decide the closer you get to a disney cruise the more the price the last three disney cruises we took were full so disney does not have to bargain.

Question: if you make a ressie w/discount while you're onboard you still have to put a deposit on the cruise to lock it? 10% or what?

 

[bumbershoot]

I don't think the OP means "veteran cruisers" for "VC". If so, then it makes no sense.

The title is that they aren't friendly to veteran cruisers.

But the problem OP says is "Someone told me the last minute deals are only available to VC members."

If they were holding those deals for veteran cruisers, why would the OP be having a problem?

She ends with a comment about having some rewards for loyalty, which says that the OP is a veteran cruiser.


OP, what does VC mean to you?

 

[jmclester]

I don't think the OP means "veteran cruisers" for "VC". If so, then it makes no sense.

The title is that they aren't friendly to veteran cruisers.

But the problem OP says is "Someone told me the last minute deals are only available to VC members."

If they were holding those deals for veteran cruisers, why would the OP be having a problem?

She ends with a comment about having some rewards for loyalty, which says that the OP is a veteran cruiser.


OP, what does VC mean to you?

My money is on VC = Vacation Club as in DVC At least that's the way i took it.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Try getting Palo reservations or a CC cabana or decent spa times on a sea day if you're not a veteran cruiser. By the time the booking window opens up for first time cruises, these things are usually no longer available.

That is generally true, however, on our first cruise (when I didn't know about either DISboard or CC booking windows), while there were no Palo ressies available when our window opened, I just kept checking and about 2 weeks before our cruise, I was able to book Palo for dinner.

 

[kcashner]

To book on board with the 10% discount, you must place a deposit on the reservation--10% deposit rather than the usual 20%.

DCL has loads of experience with how to best fill ships including which promotions are likely to fill the ship at the best price in each season or month. THey use this info to determine what group to target with a special...and sometimes they try new specials. They also know how far out these deals need to be presented in order to get the desired response.

There are all kinds of specials open to anyone--IGT/VGT/OGT, kids sail free, etc. Obviously, booking on board is only available to those who are on board. Then there are specials open to only certain groups--Fl resident, CM rates, military rates...sometimes even GA resident and Canadian resident specials are offered.

DCL makes more money on board from first timers and those with relatively fewer cruises than they do from families with high numbers of previous cruises. First timers who can afford it are more likely to buy a shore excursion (they don't know about booking on your own or just doing something like a beach without booking it), a t-shirt (no huge collection yet), photos, spa experiences, etc. People with high numbers of cruises have all the pins and t-shirts they need, know about companies that offer private excursions at lower prices than DCL, take their own photos (or have CM do it), and have had experience with Palo, spa, etc--they will do it based on previous experiences, not feeling like they "must."

So who do they target? All of us! They'll offer whatever specials their computers tell them will result in a full ship at the best price!

 

[DreamGirl90]

Actually Disney aims their marketing at return Disney cruisers. >>

We can agree to disagree.

While they offer certain onboard BENEFITS to returning cruisers, the bulk of their "marketing" MATERIALS - television ads, brochures, posters, fliers and more - appear TO ME to be directed at first-timer DCL cruisers. To me, their land-based marketing comes across as saying "Look what we have! Mickey! Aquaduck! Rotation dining!" etc., etc. That's what I was referring to.

As Platinum, yes you get plenty of benefits. The $350 OBC they USED to give was great, but now ANYONE re-booking onboard gets the lower $200 for 7 nights. That's a cut to high-number veterans. Once they have you aboard, you are no longer a first-timer. On land, I still think the marketing is directed at getting new cruisers.

 

[tajz90]

The $350 OBC they USED to give was great, but now ANYONE re-booking onboard gets the lower $200 for 7 nights. .

That irritates me desperately. Almost to Plat and they take away that nice benefit ESP since I put the time into cruising with them including two 11+ night cruises.

 

[dlhvac]

That irritates me desperately. Almost to Plat and they take away that nice benefit ESP since I put the time into cruising with them including two 11+ night. cruises.

It is based on what category of stateroom you purchased the higher the cost the greater the the credit

 

[tajz90]

It is based on what category of stateroom you purchased the higher the cost the greater the the credit

Under the assumption it is one flat rate for number of days now regardless of cabin cat.