2006 DVC Member Cruise - SSMC06 - October 22, 2006 Part 2

[bcvprincesses]

Tina welcome to our little group. My girls are going to be 7 and 9 for the cruise so they will have more friends now. They will be so happy. We went on the members cruise last year and had a great time. It was our first cruise ever so we had no idea what to expect and it was wonderful. We couldn't wait to sign up for this one. You will have a great time. I have to go pick up my dd from a birthday party but I'm sure someone will answer the rest of your questions, if not I'll be back later today.

Ann Marie

 

[cgcw]

Hey! you guys seem very knowledgable on member cruises! I got a call from MS on Fri saying that my wait list had come through for the 2006 member cruise and they had a cat 9 open on the ship. I have until Mon to decide on it! I am going to do it! But I have so many questions...Never cruised before at all!
1. I am a single mom going with 2 daughters ages 9 and 7 are they going to have fun? Am I going to be bored?
2. How do we get to Port Canaveral?
3. How many days before the cruise would you suggest we get down there?
4. Should we use points or pay cash?
5. Any other info would be appreciated...As we have never done this beofre at all!
Thanks!

Tina

Hi Tina!!

I have two boys who were 5 & 10 when we sailed last year. They had a blast. Just recently, I asked them if they could do only one more vacation this year which would it be -- Hilton Head (which they LOVE) or the cruise. Hands down, they chose the cruise. We could hardly get them out of the club and lab. Especially my older son.

There are many ways to get to the Port. Last year we rented a car and left it at the port while we cruised. Others took the Disney Transportation or rented a car and returned it at the port.

We will be heading down to WDW on Saturday and returning the following Saturday. Just a couple of days at WDW -- as I want to minimize the number of days the kids miss school.

Cash is more "economical" to use to pay for the cruise -- but it really your decision. If you have the points and don't mind using them. This year we paid cash, last year we did both cash & points.

I was the rookie last cruise and worried about a lot of things. Once I cruised, I found out how easy it is and will definately pack a lot lighter then I did last year.

As for being bored yourself, DVC didn't allow us time to be bored last cruise.

I hope you decide to join us ---

Cindy

 

[WDWLVR]

Hey! you guys seem very knowledgable on member cruises! I got a call from MS on Fri saying that my wait list had come through for the 2006 member cruise and they had a cat 9 open on the ship. I have until Mon to decide on it! I am going to do it! But I have so many questions...Never cruised before at all!
1. I am a single mom going with 2 daughters ages 9 and 7 are they going to have fun? Am I going to be bored?
2. How do we get to Port Canaveral?
3. How many days before the cruise would you suggest we get down there?
4. Should we use points or pay cash?
5. Any other info would be appreciated...As we have never done this beofre at all!
Thanks!

Tina

Tina welcome to the DIS and the DCL forums!

This will be our 3rd Member Cruise. My DH (MarkRG here on the forums) and I have set up a web site for the cruise.

To give you an idea of what it will be like check out out report from the last one here: 2005 Member Cruise

Then to see what we have planned this time check this out 2006 Member Cruise


This is a great group of people to be cruising with and i think you and your girls will have a blast!

2. How do we get to Port Canaveral? You can get Disney transfers from the resorts right to the port and back again or from the airport to the port if you come in the day of sailing.

3. How many days before the cruise would you suggest we get down there? I always advise people to get in at least the day before. That way you don't have to worry about delays the day of sailing. Also we plan to have a DIS meet sometime that Saturday to get to meet everyone (and another one once we are all on board the ship)

4. Should we use points or pay cash? Totally up to you. Many of us split and did part points and part cash. Any cash has to be paid up front at time of booking.

5. Any other info would be appreciated...As we have never done this beofre at all! check out the web site and hopefully it will answer many of your questions. Then we hope you will continue to post here and get to know us and we'll get to know you!

 

[MarkRG]

Hey! you guys seem very knowledgable on member cruises! I got a call from MS on Fri saying that my wait list had come through for the 2006 member cruise and they had a cat 9 open on the ship. I have until Mon to decide on it! I am going to do it! But I have so many questions...Never cruised before at all!

Welcome!

1. I am a single mom going with 2 daughters ages 9 and 7 are they going to have fun? Am I going to be bored?
Bored? Not at all. The kids clubs, which might have even been expanded just in time for our cruise, will occupy them totally. And DVC knows how to take care of the adults, no worries there, you will have fun!

2. How do we get to Port Canaveral?
In your case, I'd absolutely suggest the Disney transfers option. they even will take care of your luggage from the moment you land! You don't even have to go collect it at the airport. With two young ones you'll have enough in carryons already to deal with. And the buses are the 'tour bus' style with the 2x2 big cushy seats, a pleasant ride over. They have them for both getting to/from the port and wdw and combinatins in any way you need, well worth it.

3. How many days before the cruise would you suggest we get down there?
I'd suggest at least the night before, sooner, if you want to bring in some park time before. If you just want to insure not missing the ship, you can even stay right in the airport, there's a Hyatt. And you can still use the transfers mentioned above from there too.

4. Should we use points or pay cash?
Whatever works best for you financially is the best suggestion; think of things like are you going to also be using points for a stay before/after or at some other time of the year.

5. Any other info would be appreciated...As we have never done this before at all!
Read the Website; I am trying to pick up on info for first timers and bring it in there, also skimming the main DCL forum would be helpful. I'd also recommend a book; The Passporter for Disney Cruise line, a nice straightforward book full of info, most good booksellers have it or can get it.

 

[Diana Lyn]

Hey! you guys seem very knowledgable on member cruises! I got a call from MS on Fri saying that my wait list had come through for the 2006 member cruise and they had a cat 9 open on the ship. I have until Mon to decide on it! I am going to do it! But I have so many questions...Never cruised before at all!
1. I am a single mom going with 2 daughters ages 9 and 7 are they going to have fun? Am I going to be bored?
2. How do we get to Port Canaveral?
3. How many days before the cruise would you suggest we get down there?
4. Should we use points or pay cash?
5. Any other info would be appreciated...As we have never done this beofre at all!
Thanks!

Tina

Welcome Tina!
That is great news to be called from the wait list! I'll try to add some more to what the rest of my friends have said.

1. Will the girls have fun. Without a doubt. Are you going to be bored? Not a chance! This will be our 3rd Member Cruise and 4th Disney Cruise. We keep coming back for more. We now have two kids 2 1/2 and 18 months. My 2 1/2 year old asks me almost ever day if today is the day we go back on the Mickey boat. She had just turned 2 when we cruised last, and she had that much fun.

2. Many people rent cars and take them and park them at the port. Last year we took DCL transfers and I'd recommend them. We got picked up at POR at 11:30 and were on the ship a little after 1:00.

3. I would definitely recommend at least getting down the day before we sail, just in case of any air delays or weather issues. We flew down the day we sailed for SSMC03, our flight landed at 10, and we were on the ship by 12:30, but I was still nervous the whole time.

4. Points vs Cash. For our points poor family, we split it up. Points for one adult and my then 3 year old and Cash for one adult and the infant. I crunched the numbers a few different ways to see how we could get the most for our dollar and still have points to stay at BCV after the cruise.

Any other advice---definitely go for it!! We're a good group, and by the time October rolls around, you'll know a lot of us, so you'll have plenty of friends on board. Plus many of us have cruised before, so we'll help you along the way. That was the best part for me on the last cruise. The friendships made here. It really made the vacation that much more special. Now we all can't wait to see each other again!

Also, it does seem like we are really chatty, but the closer to cruise time, we do get down to business a little more. We are just trying to pass the time here, we've been waiting for SSMC06 since we were on SSMC05!

 

[Stitch#1]

1. I am a single mom going with 2 daughters ages 9 and 7 are they going to have fun? Am I going to be bored?
The girls will have a great time and Disney will have so many special surprises and things to do you will sleep like a baby every night!
My son was 10 when we cruised on the SSMC05 last year and it was our first cruise, he just loved it and made friends that he still keeps in touch with!
For christmas this past year he said all he wanted was to be on the next cruise!
2. How do we get to Port Canaveral?
You have a few options : Use Disney transport, rent a car and park it at port (for a fee), or rent a car and return it near port and take their shuttle.
3. How many days before the cruise would you suggest we get down there?
Like the other have said it would probably be best to get their at least the day before to help avoid and delays/problems.
4. Should we use points or pay cash?
Which ever works out better for you. Last year we used points but this year we paid cash.
5. Any other info would be appreciated...As we have never done this before at all!
Mark & Mary made some great suggestions. I too like the Passporter book and would recommend it to anyone.

 

[#1Mouse]

Welcome Tina! I don't have anything to add since it seems Ann Marie, Cindy, Mary, Mark, Diana & Stacy have covered everything. Your kids and yourself will have a blast and will be surprised that there isn't anytime to be bored. Lots of activities are planned by DCL & DVC both. This will be our 3rd Member Cruise and we're anticipating just as much fun on this one as the other two!

 

[alikat99]

to the group, Tina!!!

I think that everyone has sufficiently answered your questions. I sure hope that you get to sail with us!! We're a really fun group. Several of us have cruised together in the past, and it made last year's member cruise SO much fun!! And, now we've added a bunch of cruisers to our group this year, so we're sure to have even more fun together!!!

Like someone already said, we're pretty chatty, but don't hesitate to just jump right in!! If you have a question, go ahead and ask. There are plenty of veteran cruisers around here to answer pretty much anything.

 

[rsschneck]

We are back! We had a great time in Hilton head. DD was sick most of the week, but we still managed to do the things we wanted. This was our third trip to HHI and we love it more every time we go back. The campfires are so fun and my DD loved the Big Dipper Slide this time. We rented bikes and she has decided she wants to learn how to ride a bike on her own.

I just wanted to let all of those who PM'd me about the Magical Wishes Fireworks Cruise to know I will be PMing or emailing every one back (hopefully today). I need confirmation numbers of where you will be staying for after the cruise. I need to set up a Grand Gatherings number and try to get a cruise date. I will be trying for Friday October 27th.

I will catch up on the thread later. Just wanted to say "HI!"

 

[rsschneck]

Hey! you guys seem very knowledgable on member cruises! I got a call from MS on Fri saying that my wait list had come through for the 2006 member cruise and they had a cat 9 open on the ship. I have until Mon to decide on it! I am going to do it! But I have so many questions...Never cruised before at all!
1. I am a single mom going with 2 daughters ages 9 and 7 are they going to have fun? Am I going to be bored?
2. How do we get to Port Canaveral?
3. How many days before the cruise would you suggest we get down there?
4. Should we use points or pay cash?
5. Any other info would be appreciated...As we have never done this beofre at all!
Thanks!

Tina

WELCOME Tina and kids!

I have a DD who is 9. Glad to see more her age joining us! My DD loves to cruise and especially with DCL. She was on the Repo Cruise with us and in 14 days she was never bored! The 4 days will go by so quickly.

We paid points for the 2 adults and cash for DD.

We are renting a car and keeping it at Port Canaveral. We are staying before and after the cruise. I figured out that since Magical Express will still be free it would be cheaper to take ME back and forth to the airport and use a towncar for transfers back and forth from the Port. DH says we are keeping the car because he figures we will be using it while we are in Florida. Lots of options available for transfers. Just depends on what your travel plans are going to be.

Have fun planning and if you have more questions this is the place to ask them. Lots of good information available around here.

 

[rsschneck]

Forgot to update that we got a standard view @ BWV for the 20th and 21st. We are still waitlisted for BCV for those nights. Plus we are waitlisted for BCV for the 26th and 27th. We will see if our waitlists come through.

Anyone have any luck on their BCV waitlists yet? The CM could not tell me how far down the list we were for a studio @ BCV. I guess we will wait and see what happens.

 

[Garfield]

This is really cool and somewhat accurate:

Absolutely accurate - I am an Apple Tree

 

[Garfield]

What a cute picture, Cindy! I think that I'll need a copy of that one too!!!

I composed and photographed these darling, well-behaved children

 

[Garfield]

Just a couple more WDW pictures ---

These are from the day we met at AK.

And, wouldn't this last one look cute on their wedding invitations?

Yes, I took those pictures too

 

[Garfield]

Ok, now that is just adorable!!!!

Yes Amy, they do make a cute couple

 

[Garfield]

Only my DIS friends, right Cindy?!?!?!? They really do look cute! That picture must have been taken while Cindy, Cameron and I were on EE, and the guys were watching the kids.

Yes, that's right, Chris and I "hired" some guys to watch the kids while we took some refreshments

 

[curtdennis]

Also, it does seem like we are really chatty, but the closer to cruise time, we do get down to business a little more. We are just trying to pass the time here, we've been waiting for SSMC06 since we were on SSMC05!

Chatty? You guys???? Nahhh

and I didn't CHEAT I just overvoted

 

[Diana Lyn]

Chatty? You guys???? Nahhh

and I didn't CHEAT I just overvoted

Yeah, Yeah. Make all the excuses you want. I haven't been able to get rid of the stigma that I bite, so you're stuck with being a cheater!

 

[alikat99]

Forgot to update that we got a standard view @ BWV for the 20th and 21st. We are still waitlisted for BCV for those nights. Plus we are waitlisted for BCV for the 26th and 27th. We will see if our waitlists come through.

Anyone have any luck on their BCV waitlists yet? The CM could not tell me how far down the list we were for a studio @ BCV. I guess we will wait and see what happens.

My waitlist for a BCV studio for the Sat night before the cruise (10/21) came through in less than a week. So, have hope!!!

 

[WDWLVR]

I composed and photographed these darling, well-behaved children

I kept thinking - where's Gary? Then I realized you were the one taking the pictures. Nice job!