2007 DVC Member Cruise - SSMC07 - October 21, 2007

[bgsnmky]

Morning all,

It's nice to know I am not the only one that wasn't thrilled. I just think if they charge more for this cruise it should be special. Different menu's would be nice. Since most of us are repeat cruisers the same thing gets old.

Did any one get the wine glasses from Palo? I didn't think that was fair to give them to the ones that had dinner in Palos? We got two they are very nice but every one should have gotten them.

I can't wait to see everyones pictures!!!

we went to Palos at brunch and loved it, but no wine glasses.

 

[bgsnmky]

By the way, I am trying to find out if there is an Adventures by Disney Members only in 2008, to do something different.

So far DVC and Adventures say they don't have any information. I would love it if anyone finds out to post and I will do the same.

 

[JOANNEL]

The glasses were at dinner.

 

[WDWLVR]

Annette - sorry to hear that you and Amanda won't be trying for the 2008 cruise but I'm sure you and your family will have a great time at WDW!

One other thing I agree with Linda on after re-reading her post is the communication. I think the team tried this year by setting up a dedicated web page but they could have done more by keeping it more updated. It seems they left it as it is and it would have been nice if they had changed it to reflect that the cruise was over. Maybe put up the group picture and a recap of the cruise.

I'm hoping the communication will improve with the next one. I think they did better than in 2006 but there is still room for improvement.

 

[trishy]

I thought the entertainment was top-rate. I was excited about the Legends they did announce before the cruise, but when I found out about the others as well, it really was a wonderful surprise. The Broadway Beauties, especially Eden Espinosa, was the icing on the cake to me. I do agree about the signing though. I was disappointed to find out I wouldn't have a chance to meet her, but then fate works in mysterious ways and I ended up getting a picture and autographs from her and the other beauties.

The Legend presentations were amazing. Richard Sherman's performance was incredible. I absolutely loved the entertainment 100%. It made the cruise worth it, in my opinion. I do agree that Castaway Cay was put aside unfortunately because choices had to be made. We chose the Legends. The timing could have been better.

I loved the gifts. I have nothing to compare them to since this was our first member cruise, though. I agree with Kay and Linda that giving a gift on an exclusive member cruise that you can find in an outlet store is major disappointment. That sure takes the magic out of that gift. They are still cute pins though. I love my Palo glasses. Only 3 of us had dinner, but they were nice enough to throw in another glass to make it an even number - we offered to pay. The best gifts I have personally are the photos, autographs, and especially the memories... like sitting in the Buena Vista theater next to Dave Smith and watching Inside Disneyland, joking that Dave can tell us what mistakes there are in the film; sitting in Tritons for lunch while Mr. Sherman walks in and having him smile that great big smile and wink at us; running into Virginia Davis at the DVC desk and having her tell all of us that Alice came before Mickey - what a great lady she is, really class-act; watching Marty Sklar mingle with every single passenger who stopped him to get a picture, an autograph, or just to talk - this guy always seemed happy to take the time for us; seeing Alice Davis try to scoot the balloons to the kids with her cane outside Triton's; having Eden, Andrea, and Sarah say they would be happy to take a picture even though they had their "ugly faces on" - AS IF!; chatting with Tim O'Day and his beautiful family about - life; hearing how Mr. Midas, X. Atencio came to be in the Disney organization and hearing some remarkable stories.

I used the print of Steamboat Willie to get autographs from the Legends and I framed it. It's a nice way to display the autographs. I think the journal they put in the room was meant for signatures, but you can't display it really. The print was perfect.

I definitely, definitely, DEFINITELY agree with this comment from Linda: "If it is a "special" cruise, then give us lobster one night!" ABSOLUTELY!! I was disappointed that lobster wasn't part of the dinner menu.

I was disgusted with the thown-together last minute look and feel of the Legends Ball. I was there 20 minutes before it began and watched as Jim Lewis and his wife stood there, by themselves, in the atrium, looking around, like Linda said, "WTH is going on here!" I want to ask DVC, what the heck was that about? Why were there not DVC reps gowned and tuxed getting the party started? I thought the Legends would have a chance to mingle with the guests. You know, Legends Ball, with Legends at a Ball... but No! They announced them, dropped balloons, and then ushered them back into Triton's. Legends Ball over. Weird. I just didn't understand it.

I would have appreciated more information from DVC by way of the newsletter or their website. I don't understand the reason for the last minute disclosure, at the Sail Away Party, of the guests onboard. What about looking forward to something? Like what was said before, some of us Disney fans have collectibles that we would have liked signed by some of the Legends and could have brought them along had we known in advance.

Still, I loved the cruise and would do it again if it works out. I would much rather have a 7 day member cruise, though, because the time flies by. Maybe if we lived on the east, a 3 or 4 day would be no big deal, but we much prefer a 7+ day cruise to make it worth it. It worked out this year since it was in October, we threw in the WDW portion before the trip because of MNSSHP and the Food & Wine Festival - which are worth a trip alone.

I loved the Dis-touches on the cruise, though. It was great meeting you guys. The Fish Extenders were a fantastic idea and I hope to participate again on future cruises. That was a great idea. It was interesting to see how many of us Dis'rs showed up in the same places - like-minded, for sure.

All in all - a great cruise!!!

 

[Ethan's dad]

First time cruiser (both DCL and DVC cruise), so I don't have previous cruises to compare to.

All in all, it was fun, but I'm not sure it lived up to my expectations. I think we enjoyed the day at sea most, since we were best able to enjoy the ship. As someone else said, it seemed like we were running around too much (admittedly, this is probably our fault). The legends were nice, but as a non-Disney expert there was no one that I was overly excited to see/hear from. Having said that, my father and my wife did very much enjoy the legends events they went to (my wife called Richard Sherman a musical legend, not just a Disney legend). The two Disney shows were both very enjoyable.

The gifts were ok, but didn't seem to live up to the expectations we had. Since we had 4 of us in the cabin, we ended up with 4 of everything, including 20 pin frames (at least we can use the frames for other things since they are not stamped with anything, and our kids enjoyed having the extra pins to trade). Again as noted earlier, something a little higher quality, even if it was 1 per stateroom instead of 1 per person, would have been preferable. (Thanks to all the DISers that suggested packing an extra bag - that was invaluable!).

The food also was fine, but nothing that extraordinary, and our server was unfortunately not very good. We were always the last ones to get served and out of the restaurant, even when we were among the first to arrive!

All in all, we did enjoy the cruise, but I'm not sure we would do another one soon (DVC or otherwise). I think our kids enjoyed the parks more, and that was when the ship's kids clubs weren't overly crowded (we heard there were only around 450 kids on this cruise, compared to the 1200 kids on a normal cruise - that must be chaotic!).

 

[krdisneybound]

I don't think 1 p/stateroom would ever work out. There were many of us with two separate families in one stateroom, and that would pose a big problem.

For just a family, maybe it would be OK = but remember, EACH PERSON pays for the cruise - so it is only fair that each person gets the gifts.

Even w/the CC gifts, it is 1 p/stateroom. Linda and I have others from past cruises, but that isn't the point how many we have. We each are repeat cruisers and paid the same fare. It's never a problem for us, we work it out amongst ourselves.
I am sure for others, it presents a problem
All cruisers have to be considered, not just the families who don't want 4 or more sets p/family
[/B]

The food also was fine, but nothing that extraordinary, and our server was unfortunately not very good. We were always the last ones to get served and out of the restaurant, even when we were among the first to arrive!

The food was not so great this time - with our B2B, we had the same food as the days before. A change would have been great. I ate a LOT of ceasar salads. The waiters on the member cruise was horrid and I spoke with the head server and actually the officers onboard. I didn't even go to the dining room the last 2 nights. We defiitely got moved to another waiter on the B2B.

All in all, we did enjoy the cruise, but I'm not sure we would do another one soon (DVC or otherwise). I think our kids enjoyed the parks more, and that was when the ship's kids clubs weren't overly crowded (we heard there were only around 450 kids on this cruise, compared to the 1200 kids on a normal cruise - that must be chaotic!).

I believe there were 300 children on this cruise. On the B2B there were 1100 +. We didn't really see them around the ship that much either.

 

[cherylp3]

I have to say, I had the best food this trip. Since I have a dairy intolarance issues, most of my meals were specially made.

 

[Ethan's dad]

I don't think 1 p/stateroom would ever work out. There were many of us with two separate families in one stateroom, and that would pose a big problem.

For just a family, maybe it would be OK = but remember, EACH PERSON pays for the cruise - so it is only fair that each person gets the gifts.

Even w/the CC gifts, it is 1 p/stateroom. Linda and I have others from past cruises, but that isn't the point how many we have. We each are repeat cruisers and paid the same fare. It's never a problem for us, we work it out amongst ourselves.
I am sure for others, it presents a problem
All cruisers have to be considered, not just the families who don't want 4 or more sets p/family

I guess we can just agree to disagree on this. I think there are far more families than separate groups that share a cabin. As you say, all cruisers should be considered, and for families having 2-4 is not as convenient. And as you note, the CC gifts tend to be 1 per stateroom, and you generally work it out. Fish extender gifts generally were 1 per room, and it didn't seem like people complained! (and by the way, thanks to you Kay and the others that dropped some gifts off at our cabin despite our not participating in the FE exchange - our kids loved the magnets, M&Ms, and other items!).

But I certainly see your point about each person paying, so each person should get a gift. I just think most people would prefer 1 nicer gift to a number of smaller gifts.

 

[krdisneybound]

okee dokee - we disagree

yep, L & I did work things out - we always work things out, that is just how nice we are to each other

When Linda and I walked around and gave the gifts out, if more than one child was in the room, we tried to give to each. I'm sure we missed some that we did not know and if we did miss someone, it was not deliberate at all.

We gave to each stateroom 'cause I would think that everyone wanted to participate in the FE but either could not make one or find one. We just wanted everyone to be treated the same.

I wonder if Disney had to pay the Legends to perform for us???

Does anyone know??

Interesting question.

I guess we can just agree to disagree on this. I think there are far more families than separate groups that share a cabin. As you say, all cruisers should be considered, and for families having 2-4 is not as convenient. And as you note, the CC gifts tend to be 1 per stateroom, and you generally work it out. Fish extender gifts generally were 1 per room, and it didn't seem like people complained! (and by the way, thanks to you Kay and the others that dropped some gifts off at our cabin despite our not participating in the FE exchange - our kids loved the magnets, M&Ms, and other items!).

But I certainly see your point about each person paying, so each person should get a gift. I just think most people would prefer 1 nicer gift to a number of smaller gifts.

 

[krdisneybound]

JUST WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT I have started a thread for the

2008 SS Member Cruise thread

this is the site for it:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1620941


I am trying to get some of my friends from the 2005 cruise to try and book it also. We'll see what happens.

Also I think it would be nice to try and have some shirts made up for everyone.

In the long run, I think most of the ones that get booked would agree with shirts for the group.

 

[themallons]

Hi everyone..Thank you Mary..I am completing the claim forms from my trip insurance to get a refund for the last day of the cruise..I agree Guest Services are great..they put a DVD player in my room, gave me 5 pages of DVD's to chose from, offered magazines & books, offered laundry service & unlimited room service with propel, water, toast, rice, etc. Also, the ship MD did not charge for the meds nor the visit.
We feel the food was not as good as the Panama Canal cruise. Like others, we agree that the gifts could have been better, but are pleased none the less. The Disney Legends were all gracious & a joy to meet. The Disney Legends cruise was a great idea. Who more so would want to meet such legends as DVC & Castaway Club members? The Legends Ball could have been so much more than it was. The Fish extenders..I was so surprised at the great surprises we received..thank you for all you generosity!
We will not be doing the 2008 DVC member cruise unless, we win the Mega Ball lottery..we did enjoy WDW, MNSSH, Village People at Epcot's Wine & Food Festival.
As I empty luggage, find spaces for all our DVC Cruise momentos, I feel sad. Thanks to all of you, the Mallons had a great time & have many fond memories..we will stay tuned to this thread to keep in touch.
Looking forward to snow this coming week!

 

[krdisneybound]

Pauline - now that is Disney Magic, isn't it.

Hope you are feeling much better now.


Perhaps things will change and your family will be able to go. The prices are pretty good for next year.

Have a great Sunday

 

[krdisneybound]

Did you set your clocks back last night before going to bed????????

I think Indiana does not do it.

 

[danandnan]

Good Morning ALL

HI Kay we set the clocks back last night as the wind was blowing and rain coming down.
This morning Nanc and I are already planning for 9/15/2008 if we get through.If not we will still go down for a couple of weeks.We both wish we had bought more points before this.
Danandnan

 

[krdisneybound]

you will get thru - my prayer line is for you -----------

Good Morning ALL

HI Kay we set the clocks back last night as the wind was blowing and rain coming down.
This morning Nanc and I are already planning for 9/15/2008 if we get through.If not we will still go down for a couple of weeks.We both wish we had bought more points before this.
Danandnan

 

[krdisneybound]

not to get in trouble for posting the DVC no. I have edited this post.

didn't know it couldn't be posted.

 

[WDWLVR]

I've edited out the 800 number for DVC. The reason it stars out is that DVC has asked that it not be posted on a public board. Even though we are all DVC members not everyone reading this may be.

If you have any questions please feel free to ask admin at admin@wdwinfo

Sorry.

 

[krdisneybound]

Oh my, Mary -- didn't know that. Thanks for doing that for me. I'll remember from now on.

The number is actually posted on another site. Guess they'll be told also.

I've edited out the 800 number for DVC. The reason it stars out is that DVC has asked that it not be posted on a public board. Even though we are all DVC members not everyone reading this may be.

If you have any questions please feel free to ask admin at admin@wdwinfo

Sorry.

 

[cherylp3]

Also if it is a site other than the disboards, you can alert member services to the web page address. Just a reminder part of our dues go toward paying for that toll free number.