What's the deal with the DVC cruises?

[CorEeyore]

Hello everyone!

So these "DVC member cruises".....whats the deal?
Do DVC members get a discount? Do they have to pay with their points? Do they do anything special for them?!


Thanks!

[sissy_ib]

Originally Posted by CorEeyore

Hello everyone!

So these "DVC member cruises".....whats the deal?
Do DVC members get a discount? Do they have to pay with their points? Do they do anything special for them?!


Thanks!

Definitely not a discount. They cost nearly twice as much! You can use points or cash.
They do have many special things for members and their families. Special gifts, guest speakers, two stops at CC on a 4 night. Not enough to get me on-board for the price they are charging though.

[CorEeyore]

Well that just seems silly to me. I'm a member and I see no reason why I would spend twice as much for it. What on earth are they paying for? I love Castaway Cay but geez...

Better be some pretty amazing guest speakers.

[sissy_ib]

Originally Posted by CorEeyore

Well that just seems silly to me. I'm a member and I see no reason why I would spend twice as much for it. What on earth are they paying for? I love Castaway Cay but geez...

Better be some pretty amazing guest speakers.

I think for most members, these are the only cruises they ever go on. The points charts are on the members website if you want to take a look. I saw the price is the same per person as my husband and I are paying total for the same thing two weeks later and I closed the window!!

[capshockeygrl]

I haven't been on one yet, but my father has, and from what I understand, there are usually Disney personalities on board ranging from animators to stars of the TV shows. Additionally, they give a number of special gifts to members on the cruise.

[cwdefouw]

We go on one about every 4-5 years. It is more expensive, however, all stateroom and main dining room gratuities are included in the cost, so when you consider that it is not quite so bad. The guest speakers are nice. They also sometimes do a special show in the main theater. The last time we went in 2008, they had four leading ladies from four of the Disney Broadway shows come on board and perform, that was pretty special. They also give more swag than you can possibly imagine. Every time you leave your room, when you come back there are more gifts laid out on your bed. We weren't expecting this the first time and had to buy a huge dufflebag in the store just to get it all home. If you are looking to buy more points for DVC, this is also a good time to do it as they usually roll out new and additional incentives on the member cruises. The atmosphere is more that of a chartered cruise, where you know all of the other guests have something in common, and many times you meet up with other DVC members, friends from the past.

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Originally Posted by sissy_ib

I think for most members, these are the only cruises they ever go on. The points charts are on the members website if you want to take a look. I saw the price is the same per person as my husband and I are paying total for the same thing two weeks later and I closed the window!!

Lol! I was actually booked on the 29th cruise before it was a member cruise. So now its been cancelled and there is no way me and DW are paying twice now what we were going to pay even though we are DVC members. DCL could not understand why we did not want to do it. Was so annoying had already booked flights etc from the UK!

[ILoveDisney&Cruising]

Originally Posted by cwdefouw

They also give more swag than you can possibly imagine.

I think this depends on the year. We went in Sept. 2011 and were completely UNDERwhelmed. Especially for the 20th Anniversary of DVC there was a lot of talk beforehand that the gifts would be over-the-top. Not so, IMHO. About the only thing I can remember was a cute litle suitcase (mini totebag size, but not really - and not really useful for anything afterwards - it's hard to describe ) and some wine glasses (we don't drink). There were other odds and ends but nothing to wow me.

Although ... I did see some of this year's stuff (DVC monopoly, if I recall, and other stuff) and I was wowed by it.

We won't ever be doing the member cruise again. It was nice to see the new ship (the Dream) but we had a lackluster experience. I will, however, do more 7-day, non-member cruises!

[Debbru]

Originally Posted by ILoveDisney&Cruising

I think this depends on the year. We went in Sept. 2011 and were completely UNDERwhelmed. Especially for the 20th Anniversary of DVC there was a lot of talk beforehand that the gifts would be over-the-top. Not so, IMHO. About the only thing I can remember was a cute litle suitcase (mini totebag size, but not really - and not really useful for anything afterwards - it's hard to describe ) and some wine glasses (we don't drink). There were other odds and ends but nothing to wow me.

Although ... I did see some of this year's stuff (DVC monopoly, if I recall, and other stuff) and I was wowed by it.

We won't ever be doing the member cruise again. It was nice to see the new ship (the Dream) but we had a lackluster experience. I will, however, do more 7-day, non-member cruises!

I agree with you 100%. Our first DVC member cruise (2006?) we had an amazing time. Roy Disney was a special guest & his talk/Q&A in the theater was a once in a lifetime experience - tales of his childhood, growing up with Uncle Walt, etc. Then our special nighttime show in the WDT was a concert by Jodi Benson & Jennifer Hudson. They each performed separately (both amazing) and then sang together. Wonderful show! The gifts were also great - quality stuff - beautiful scrapbook/photo album in a wood box, Ducky Williams sketch cards, and so much more that I can't remember right now.

In contrast, we also went on the Sept 2011 member cruise. This was supposed to be "really special" - 20th anniversay of DVC & the first member cruise on the Dream.
WOW - WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT!!! The sparce decorations were all left overs from the previous member cruises, the gifts seemed liked cheap after thoughts, and our "special nighttime show" on the last night was an interview with Kermit the Frog!

Now, in all fairness, the 2011 member cruise was right after the Jim Lewis mess, and from what I understand, this year's cruise was much better. It will still be awhile before we try one again.

[sissy_ib]

Originally Posted by cwdefouw

We go on one about every 4-5 years. It is more expensive, however, all stateroom and main dining room gratuities are included in the cost, so when you consider that it is not quite so bad. The guest speakers are nice. They also sometimes do a special show in the main theater. The last time we went in 2008, they had four leading ladies from four of the Disney Broadway shows come on board and perform, that was pretty special. They also give more swag than you can possibly imagine. Every time you leave your room, when you come back there are more gifts laid out on your bed. We weren't expecting this the first time and had to buy a huge dufflebag in the store just to get it all home. If you are looking to buy more points for DVC, this is also a good time to do it as they usually roll out new and additional incentives on the member cruises. The atmosphere is more that of a chartered cruise, where you know all of the other guests have something in common, and many times you meet up with other DVC members, friends from the past.

Gratuities for my husband and I would be $96 on a 4 night cruise, yet the cost is $1,400 more! All the gifts and guest speakers look neat but, for us, not worth it.

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

For us the gifts and speakers would have to be out of this world for that price and not knowing in advance I feel I wouldnt want to commit. Plus they want all money upfront. Rather buy my own bag and choose a broadway musical where I actually know the cast....

I dont know anything else where you are expected to pay without knowing the details! I have heard they are amazing but you have to prioritise your budget as a family. I like the normal cruise anyway I think its great. Did the 3 night on the dream in october had a great time.

[aymekae]

Originally Posted by sissy_ib

I think for most members, these are the only cruises they ever go on. The points charts are on the members website if you want to take a look. I saw the price is the same per person as my husband and I are paying total for the same thing two weeks later and I closed the window!!

I don't think these cruises cover "most members". On our first cruise last December, I swear every other person we met on board were members. At our table, in the hot tub, walking down the hall, sitting next to in Bingo, we were chatted up by member after member after member and nary a bad word was said about it. Not to mention the many many staterooms we passed with member magnets. Hence why we became members that cruise, too!

We've only been on one cruise, have one more planned, but I'm still working on my DH agreeing to go once in awhile, not to mention spending a lot more for a members-only cruise. We'll be passing those up for a long time, I think.

[sissy_ib]

Originally Posted by aymekae

I don't think these cruises cover "most members". On our first cruise last December, I swear every other person we met on board were members. At our table, in the hot tub, walking down the hall, sitting next to in Bingo, we were chatted up by member after member after member and nary a bad word was said about it. Not to mention the many many staterooms we passed with member magnets. Hence why we became members that cruise, too!

We've only been on one cruise, have one more planned, but I'm still working on my DH agreeing to go once in awhile, not to mention spending a lot more for a members-only cruise. We'll be passing those up for a long time, I think.

Yeah, I think I should have said most who go on the members cruises. I'm really interested to see how fast this one sells out. I wonder if there is still room on the January members cruise.

[erionm]

Originally Posted by sissy_ib

Yeah, I think I should have said most who go on the members cruises. I'm really interested to see how fast this one sells out. I wonder if there is still room on the January members cruise.

I believe the January 2013 Member Cruise still has some rooms open.

[bobbiwoz]

Originally Posted by erionm

I believe the January 2013 Member Cruise still has some rooms open.

On the Meets thread for this one, someone said the cruise roster was closed. They weren't allowed to book, this was about 2 weeks ago.

I've been on the one in 2005, and it was great! Because of work schedules I haven't been able to go on another one until the one in January. DH is still working, but I'm doing it with DSis and DCuz. It's more expensive, but the experience was worth it for me.

Among the gifts were prints of Mickey and Minnie on CC with the Wonder in the background. Every time I see the print, I smile.

Bobbi