2006 DVC Member Cruise - SSMC06 - October 22, 2006

[cgcw]

Hey all, I know, it is a tough waiting game... I am curious, are any of you planning any all night Crops? RRBB loves scrap booking, and might leave me one night with the baby. It would actually be better a few days before the cruise, that way you can mail all of your materials back home...

If the SSMC06 is anything like the "05", there won't be time for any scrapbooking. I know, personally, I'm not planning on signing up for anything in advance if someone offers something special. On the "05" cruise, Linda (seaulater) did a wonderful scrapbooking class......but it conflicted with something else offered (Art Linkletter, I think) . I remember that morning, we went to listen to Jim Lewis, then to the cooking demonstration by Chef Gordon, then to the scrapbooking class.

So much to do, so little time.

 

[WDWLVR]

I totally agree with Cindy. That's why for the last cruise we didn't even plan on Palo (but ended up going anyway)

I know one of the DIS'ers also worked very hard on setting up a room tour, but again it conflicted with something else and then she got sick so it was cancelled.

Planning special DIS events seem to work on the 7 day or longer cruises when there are more sea days and less planned by DCL itself. However DVC does cush a great job of planning special events that it is best not to plan too much.

The only thing we are planning for SSMC06 is the DIS meet on board. It is a great way for everyone to get to meet and also pass out the buttons etc. Then it seems like every event we went to after that we met up with other DIS'ers. I think we pretty much had a whole row of DIS'ers at the Jim Lewis talk and I know there were a lot of us at the Ducky Williams talk as well.

 

[alikat99]

I totally agree with Cindy. That's why for the last cruise we didn't even plan on Palo (but ended up going anyway)

I know one of the DIS'ers also worked very hard on setting up a room tour, but again it conflicted with something else and then she got sick so it was cancelled.

Planning special DIS events seem to work on the 7 day or longer cruises when there are more sea days and less planned by DCL itself. However DVC does cush a great job of planning special events that it is best not to plan too much.

The only thing we are planning for SSMC06 is the DIS meet on board. It is a great way for everyone to get to meet and also pass out the buttons etc. Then it seems like every event we went to after that we met up with other DIS'ers. I think we pretty much had a whole row of DIS'ers at the Jim Lewis talk and I know there were a lot of us at the Ducky Williams talk as well.

I with you guys too! I'm not planning too much this time. We will still plan on Palo at least once, but it's tough to convince Chris NOT to go to Palo, since he loves it so much. But, I'm not going to plan on any other things like the scrapbook class, etc. It was fun, but there was just too much going on. And, I didn't even get to see Art or Jim. But, I did see Ducky all 3 times.

 

[MarkRG]

Welcome Karen!

I ditto the others. Don't build in much in the way of any gradiose personal plans, unless you're willing to miss something DVC will have arranged for us. In a backwards way, having the spa unavailable might even simplify this. And definitely not having a 'port' per se will also help with this. But again, I don't recomend planning too much in the way of excursions on both of the Castaway Cay days. DVC will have onshore events there, to be sure. Both of the last 2 have had very full schedules.

I have trip reports from both of the last two up, just click the life ring below for info.

 

[MaryJ]

To be honest, I never even set foot inside the spa on the SSMC05. While it was something I was going to try to squeeze in on this trip, realistically, I'm not sure where I would do it. There were so many interesting programs on board that the spa never even got a second thought. However, if I can get one of those cabana massages on CC, I most definitely will do that! I've always thought that looked like heaven on earth ever since I saw the show about the Disney Cruise on the Travel Channel years ago.

Mark....I love the new website for SSMC06! Really like how you're doing the photo gallery this time with the birthday and anniversary info. I can't wait till we're official and I can send you our photo. (Maybe we can get a good one when we go to visit DD at Spring Break to see her in her new job at WDW!)

 

[Maria395712]

does the ship only go to CC 2 times and then just 2 sea days
maria

 

[alikat99]

My guess on the itinerary will be:

Day 1 (Sunday): Embarkation Day
Day 2 (Monday): Castaway Cay
Day 3 (Tuesday): Day at Sea
Day 4 (Wednesday): Castaway Cay
Day 5 (Thursday): Debarkation Day

 

[sigillaria]

You have to remember that this year we were cruising in Sept, which is value season. Next year, Oct is regular season.

Late October is safe from Hurricanes (usually), and after the 05 Cruise I imagine that would explain the shift from Sept. to Oct.

 

[bonzie1]

Hello all
Well, after another day of cleaning up Wilma debris yesterday... we were rewarded with the DVC invite. Unfortunately Joe (DH) read the teeny tiny wording on the back that includes the info that the Vista Spa will not be available... he shouted "What the %&*#!" (in a not very Disney like manner...) and is NOT happy that the spa will not be available. To the point where he doesn't really even want to go now.
HELP!!!!
What can I do to convince him that he really won't miss the spa that much?? We LOVE the spa and the rainforest room and I can't imagine taking a Disney Cruise without it! But it's really only 3 days of actually missing the spa... sailaway day and debarkation day don't count because you really don't get a full day of usage. Right??
Since he is not a true DIS person like I am... the activities etc with the DIS won't be enough to convince him..... I need ammunition!

Hi Leslie!

I know how Joe loves the Spa, and it will be a gamble on the weather to be spending 2 days at CC, after the Panama Canal cruise, almost any cruise less than 2 weeks seems too short The last Member Cruise also had a lot of on board activities during our day at sea. Hopefully this will be the case too.

What may entice him is this... you are really treated like royality on the Member cruise. Everywhere you turn there is something special for you... literally EVERYWHERE. The latest Member Cruise, in comparison to the previous member cruise, was almost over kill, (in a great way, of course! ) . We were blown away.

The pins, the themes, were wonderful.

Of course, there's the chance of being Table 12 mates again too!

SO GLAD TO HEAR YOU'RE COMING OUT OF THE WILMA RUBBLE!!! HI TO JOE!!!

 

[sigillaria]

For those who reached member services in the first 2 hours--did you get your 1st choice of categories?

Which categories sell out first?

What time of day do you have to be at the ship for check-in?

What is there to do on Castaway Cay if you don't do a "sport" thing?
(I have a bad knee).

Is it easier to have a Passport instead of just a birth certificate?

 

[alikat99]

For those who reached member services in the first 2 hours--did you get your 1st choice of categories?

Ok, I was one that got in within the first minute or so, and I did get my first choice.

Which categories sell out first?

I can't remember exactly, but I do believe that Cat 7 & Cat 12 sold out first, since those are the most limited categories.

What time of day do you have to be at the ship for check-in?

You can get to the port as early as 10:30am, and I believe that you can arrive as late as 3:30 or 4pm. The ship starts boarding usually around noon.

What is there to do on Castaway Cay if you don't do a "sport" thing?
(I have a bad knee).

I don't do that sport thing either. I like the beach, so I hung out with my kids on the beach. You can also hang out in the bars. I also think that there are some other things to do also.

Is it easier to have a Passport instead of just a birth certificate?

We personally have all of our passports, so it is an easy process. However, I don't believe that passports are REQUIRED until the end of 2006.

 

[BCVOwner2002]

We got our "invite" in the mail yesterday.

We've been agonizing over this decision, mostly because we're already booked on a Double Dip on September 16th, 2006. When we got the invite, I started bouncing around (a real treat for the neighbors, since I was outside raking leaves...). My DH calmly asks, "Which one do you want to go on?". I answer, "Boowwthhh...". And he answers, "Okay!". Okay??? OKAY ??? In other words... Member Cruise, here we come!!!

We can't afford the cash right now, so we'll be doing points. We need to cut a day off of a couple of our planned trips to free up enough points, but I think that it'll be worth it.

I'd like to join the "Member Cruise Play Group", if I may...

Karen

Aren't you lucky to be going on two double scoop cruises! Welcome to the member cruise play group! Best of luck on December 3. There will be many of us trying to get through! Annmarie

 

[gamomof2]

If we're booking a 2006 cruise in 2005 can we still borrow 2007 points?

They say you can borrow points from the "next" year but is that the next year from the date of travel or the next year from when the reservation is made.

Make sense?

 

[ohanafamily]

Hi all,

Welcome Karen!!!!

OK, Your guide should have told you about how this works, but when you book the cruise they will take the points out of your account immediately, but they will take them out for the use year that the cruise is in for you...
I.E. I am a December use year, so since the cruise is in the 2005 use year for me, I can use 2005 or borrow 2006 points. If you are a February use year, the cruise is in the 2006 use year, so you can use 2006 or borrow 2007 points. When the points will roll into your account doesn't matter, it matters when you will be using them. I know this is kind of screwy. but it makes sense if you think about it.

Also, there was someonr who we were talking about Ship to shore to make the ressies... Here is the non=800 :407-********
See you all!!!

 

[gamomof2]

thank you so much Ohanafamily and Allicat. We are hoping to come but just need to find kiddie arrangements for those days. I think we'll go for a Cat 7 room. Anyone know any reason not to? Looking forward to sailing with hubby for the first time. We've each been on two seperate cruises but never cruised together.

 

[BCVOwner2002]

We didn't take out cruise insurance for the 2005 MC but am thinking we should for this one. Does anyone know what the anticipated costs will be for cruise insurance? Thanks in advance. Annmarie

 

[ohanafamily]

Cruise insurance throug the DVC company only gives you $5 a point. and is a littlr more expensive. I do not know the rate, but they have a lot of restrictions too. I think there are better deals out there...

 

[sigillaria]

Thank you Alikat99 for answering all my questions

 

[alikat99]

Thank you Alikat99 for answering all my questions

You are SO welcome!! If you have any more for us, throw them out there!!! We're here to help!!!

 

[ohanafamily]

Hi all,alikat99, got your PM, Took care of it (thanks) tried to PM you back and noticed that your PM box is full.......

You were right, I guess I thought since it wasn't a free number it was OK...