What's the deal with the DVC cruises?

[erionm]

Can someone point me to where you are seeing the cruise fares for the DVC cruise? Isit just doing a booking on the DCL site?

I am curious as this was a heavily discounted period this year with the 4 Day being just over $1000 for three, 2 adult and 1 3yr old, in a CAT 4D.

The Member Cruise is a charter by DVC, so DVC sets the rates and controls the bookings. The cruise is not bookable on the DCL website. DVC Members can book by calling DVC on 12/9/2012. Below is a link to the pdf version of the Cash/Point Chart on the Member Website.

http://advc.disney.go.com/media/dvc..._DisneyCollection_2013MemberCruise_111312.pdf

 

[JeanfromBNA]

When do you find out what the featured entertainment and speakers will be on board?

Also, Can we invite non DVC friends to join us?

 

[ILoveDisney&Cruising]

Also, Can we invite non DVC friends to join us?

Yes, each member can book a total of 3 rooms, if I recall correctly. We took a non-DVC friend with us.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Where are you seeing this? Looking at a the September 29th members cruise vs the Oct 6, 2013 4 night, the members cruise is $2002 for two adults in an 11C and the Oct 6 is $1437 for two adults.
I have a dummy cruise booked in a 5D on Oct 13, 2013. My total (with 10% off) is $1,565. On the members cruise it would be $2,856!!
Gratuities are only $48 a person on a four night.

ETA: are you maybe looking at the January 3 night prices? They are on the same chart.

I was actually booked on the 29th cruise before it was chartered by DVC so I know the rate we were paying. To go in the same cabin for the same cruise is 1500 dollars more for us. Even though we happen to be dvc members no way are we paying that! Like you say the tips and gifts dont add that much! Plus its all money upfront. Who do they have speaking? It must be somebody good!

 

[luv2sleep]

I was actually booked on the 29th cruise before it was chartered by DVC so I know the rate we were paying. To go in the same cabin for the same cruise is 1500 dollars more for us. Even though we happen to be dvc members no way are we paying that! Like you say the tips and gifts dont add that much! Plus its all money upfront. Who do they have speaking? It must be somebody good!

Anyone know why they charge so much more for these?

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Anyone know why they charge so much more for these?

High demand I think. Plus they go to castaway cay twice, have guest speakers and gifts even so....

 

[erionm]

When do you find out what the featured entertainment and speakers will be on board?

DVC no longer pre-announces featured entertainers.

Yes, each member can book a total of 3 rooms, if I recall correctly. We took a non-DVC friend with us.

This year there is a limit of 2 staterooms.

 

[Barbydoll8]

This is going to be my first member cruise in Jan. My second DCL cruise though. DH and I know it's more but it's about the experience more than gifts. Specialty cruises can be more expensive in general and I always concidered these as specialty cruises.
Yes our gratituity is included and yes we get gifts but again, we are looking for the experience over all.
I understand members not wanting to pay more for the cruise but I guess the real thing here is anything is worth it if you think it is.

Will this be my last members cruise? I don't know yet but I'm open to it.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

This is going to be my first member cruise in Jan. My second DCL cruise though. DH and I know it's more but it's about the experience more than gifts. Specialty cruises can be more expensive in general and I always concidered these as specialty cruises.
Yes our gratituity is included and yes we get gifts but again, we are looking for the experience over all.
I understand members not wanting to pay more for the cruise but I guess the real thing here is anything is worth it if you think it is.

Will this be my last members cruise? I don't know yet but I'm open to it.

Good for you. I really hope you enjoy it. Perhaps you can report back and let us know your thoughts after Jan?

 

[ScottakaMickey]

The Member Cruise is a charter by DVC, so DVC sets the rates and controls the bookings. The cruise is not bookable on the DCL website. DVC Members can book by calling DVC on 12/9/2012. Below is a link to the pdf version of the Cash/Point Chart on the Member Website.

http://advc.disney.go.com/media/dvc..._DisneyCollection_2013MemberCruise_111312.pdf

THanks for the link. Yea, those prices are highway robbery. It would be $4,000 for my family for the category we like to book, 4D. We cruised on two different 4 day cruises, Sept and Nov, this year and with each of them we paid $1100 for the same 4D category using the FL resident discount and upgraded to Cat V at the pier both times and our total cost for both cruise, 8 Days in a Cat V was less then this one cruise. Sorry, love my DVC, but not that much.

Also, DVC member were given excellent discount rates on Fantasy Cruises this past July and again in Aug/Sept, would rather see discounted rates offered, but as others said, it's popular which drives the price.

 

[EPCOTatNight]

our "special nighttime show" on the last night was an interview with Kermit the Frog.

 

[Agent P]

Enjoy the cruise only because there are less children on board, therefore it seems that the little ones I bring are able to see more of the characters without such a long line.
.
On the other hand, they are pricing me out of going at this years rates. $4000 for 4 days plus still having to pay for flight and on board splurges, don't know if the budget can stretch.

 

[Anal Annie]

We are DVC members and have done 4 DCL cruises and I simply cannot imagine the member cruise being worth an additional cost over what DCL already charges. Tips or no tips included....not worth it IMHO. Plus they're during the school year so our DS cannot go. Will never happen for us as long as I can book one for less at another time.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

We are DVC members and have done 4 DCL cruises and I simply cannot imagine the member cruise being worth an additional cost over what DCL already charges. Tips or no tips included....not worth it IMHO. Plus they're during the school year so our DS cannot go. Will never happen for us as long as I can book one for less at another time.

Same view here. Just cannot get it to financial stack up for us. We always have the same thoughts about christmas at Disney. Oh yes lets do it...then we see the flight prices, the crowd volumes, the point allocation, the dip in the weather and cannot bring ourselves to do it! So we settle for November see all the lights, get the weather the cheaper flights, less points etc. I am sure Christmas DVC cruise is magical. But wow does it eat into your budget!