2007 DVC Member Cruise - SSMC07 - October 21, 2007

[COACHSTING]

Last week, we received the e-mail which said we did not qualify for the opportunity lottery. Today, completely unexpectedly we received a call and were advised that we could book for the 2007 Member Cruise. Apparently, a number of people in the initial lottery were not able to book, so they started calling people who were initially not eligible. We were able to book a Category 5, Deck 7.

This will be our first cruise and we will be celebrating our 25th anniversary. We will be depending on a veteran group ( IN know there will be many of you) to lead the discussion on helping us find our way to a great vacation.

Right now, we are looking to stay at Vero for a couple of nights, do the cruise, then finish at WDW.

For starters, how is a Category 5 on Deck 7? We have been booked for Room 7092.

We look forward to any help we can get and in advance, we appreciate the help.

 

[trishy]

We're In! Very happy to be going on our first Member cruise. Been on DCL 6 times (Magic) and going again next week (first time on Wonder).

We're on Deck 7 - got two cabins for the family. Cat 5 is comfortable. I think you'll like it.

Doesn't look like very many kids are going to be there??? We have 3 - ages 11, 14, 18 at the time of the cruise.

Should be fun!

 

[madaboutpooh]

We also were not picked for the lottery but got the call today that we could book the cruise if we still wanted to. Of course we wanted to, my family and I are so excited to be going. We have been on two previous DCL cruises but this will be our first member cruise. Category 5 for us also. These staterooms are so comfortable for us too. It will be myself, DH & DD (age 10 but will be days from turning 11 at the time of the cruise). Since we are coming so far, from Arizona, decided to spend four days at The World before the cruise. Going to stay at the Boardwalk Villas.

 

[COACHSTING]

Hi again.... Just a few other questions..... Will deck 7 give a decent view or will it be obscured bhy lifeboats? Also, I have seen a graphic of the boat from a side view, showing each of the decks. I have seen the view from the top of each deck, but thought there was one out there wide a side view. Anyone?.....

 

[trishy]

Stateroom 7092 has a spectacular view. You'll be very pleased. There are no lifeboats obstructing your view from that deck. Not sure I understand the question about a side view, but here's a link to a picture of the Wonder shot from the side WONDER

I'm sorry if I misunderstood your question.

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

Going on SSMC07 - yeah for myself, DH, DS and DD. This will be our second cruise ever, second DCL cruise and first on the Wonder. I'm so excited Will be happer when I'm better informed - TIA for any info/tips.
I remember something about a specific dining rotation - what is the expected order: TAPT... ? Can I request in which venue we will start so that I choose which venue we see twice for dinner? I know we had a request for the 7 night cruise Jan 05. Do member cruises have themed nights as "regular" cruises. How representative of a member cruise are previous navigators? I know I'm getting way ahead here but the more information I have, the happier I am and the more flexible I will think I can be because "I am prepared." I also recall we could book one each of the options at Palo - for this cruise that would be one brunch and one dinner. Should I expect similar policies on member cruises about one only with additional only per wait-list? Are wait-lists unlikely due to there being only 4 nights vs. 7 on our first cruise? I know if I call DCL and get our castaway club number(s) we can book most things 90 days out. Does each member of my party need this or can I book all four of us on a Castaway Cay excursion with only my club number. How important is it that I request an actual club card rather than just having the number? (If we were offerred them after Jan 05, we didn't keep them as we swore we'd never cruise again unless it was a member cruise with two stops at Castaway Cay which we've never seen...) I just know that a boat full of fellow DVCers is going to be great!

 

[JOANNEL]

Well, I just booked. we also got the phone call yesterday. I am so excited. She did say gratuities were not included. So why does this cost so much?

We took a cheap room just to get on. We just did the Veranda in Sept. This will be our first 4 day. i can't imagine doing everything in 4 days. seven never seems like enough.

I can't wait to get to know every one!!

have a great day.

 

[seaulater]

If I can call DVC (who is acting as my TA) to request a table size what number should I call? The main MS number? A special DVC cruise number?

We're so jazzed about going. Already starting to plan our door signs.

Hi Ursula! I am going on the cruise too! I wouldn't worry too much right now about requesting a table size. You will find as the thread gets going that there will probably be two volunteers who are willing to "link" dining reservations. Then what you do is give that person your reservation number and then they link all together and you are all on the same rotation as the other disboard'ers who want to link together and dine on the same rotation. If you know some people you want to personally link with, but not link with the same group, then you call MS at DVC and give them the other person's reservation numbers and they will link you together.

Basically, DCL will not give you information and will refer you back to DVC since the booking is with them and not with DCL. DVC is the "travel agent" in this case and everything will come through them.

 

[seaulater]

Well, I just booked. we also got the phone call yesterday. I am so excited. She did say gratuities were not included. So why does this cost so much?

have a great day.

I think the DVC person told you wrong as gratuities have always been included in the past, that is why the cost is so much higher than a normal cruise because it includes port charges and gratuities and you are "paying" for all the special gifts you get!

 

[seaulater]

Going on SSMC07 - yeah for myself, DH, DS and DD. This will be our second cruise ever, second DCL cruise and first on the Wonder. I'm so excited Will be happer when I'm better informed - TIA for any info/tips.
I remember something about a specific dining rotation - what is the expected order: TAPT... ? Can I request in which venue we will start so that I choose which venue we see twice for dinner? I know we had a request for the 7 night cruise Jan 05. Do member cruises have themed nights as "regular" cruises. How representative of a member cruise are previous navigators? I know I'm getting way ahead here but the more information I have, the happier I am and the more flexible I will think I can be because "I am prepared." I also recall we could book one each of the options at Palo - for this cruise that would be one brunch and one dinner. Should I expect similar policies on member cruises about one only with additional only per wait-list? Are wait-lists unlikely due to there being only 4 nights vs. 7 on our first cruise? I know if I call DCL and get our castaway club number(s) we can book most things 90 days out. Does each member of my party need this or can I book all four of us on a Castaway Cay excursion with only my club number. How important is it that I request an actual club card rather than just having the number? (If we were offerred them after Jan 05, we didn't keep them as we swore we'd never cruise again unless it was a member cruise with two stops at Castaway Cay which we've never seen...) I just know that a boat full of fellow DVCers is going to be great!

Here is just a brief rundown from SSMC06:

Sunday-sailaway celbration; Hercules the MUSE-ical; world series broadcast; theme was the DVC 15th birthday celebration.

Monday-theme was "Disney Movies". Pirate night, Golden Mickey's; guest speaker Jason Surrell; presentation-Adventures by Disney; On the Nose gameshow with presentation by DVC (you received in your stateroom an assignment for which presentation to go to in the Walt Disney Theater, but you could really go to whichever one you wanted). Arrival into Castaway Cay about 10:30 a.m.

Tuesday-Sea Day; theme was Disney Animation. Disney Dreams in Walt Disney Theater; Guest Speaker: Jim Lewis and the DVC gang; presentation Adventures by Disney; Game show-Who Wants to Be A Mousketeer? DVC edition; Conversation with Roy E. Disney (2 times in the Walt Disney Theater); Jodi Benson autograph session (voice of Ariel in The Little Mermaid); Guest Speaker: Bonnie St. John (world famous athlete); Martini tasting seminiar; 2006 World series on the jumbotron; Pajama bingo; galley tour

Wednesday-theme was Disney Music. Arrived at Castaway Cay first thing. Off ship by 8:25 a.m. DVC member group photo at Boat Harbor Beach; guest speaker: Dominic Carola who is a Disney Animator (would have been Don "Ducky" Williams, but he was unable to join the cruise at the last minutes); guest speaker: Michael Collier (WDW Ambassador); presentation by Adventures by Disney; Special performances by Jodi Benson (voice of Ariel in the Little Mermaid) and Jennifer Hudson (American Idol Star and upcoming movie Dream Girls) in the Walt Disney Theater; Til We Meet Again in the atrium; 2006 world series

Thursday-eat breakfast, kicked off the ship

Okay, that's kind of a rundown from 2006. There is not any free time. There is stuff continually going on between DCL regular stuff and all the add on's for the DVC member cruise.

On the CC # and about booking excursions: You will use your DCL reservation number to book your stuff online at the 90 day mark, not your CC#. But, since it sounds like you are now just going to get your CC #'s, make sure that you call back DVC and have them attach your CC #'s once you get them so you are sure to receive your CC gift when you arrive in your stateroom. Also, if you are wanting to book excursions, but want to be in the DVC member group photo, the photo has been taken at 10 a.m. sharp in the past, so take that into consideration when making excursion reservations.

On the Palo's you can book those at 90 days out also, but I know that once the reservations opened 90 days out they went pretty fast. If you can't get one at 90 days, I would try again daily, or try again at the 75 day mark.

There is a specific dining rotation, but on the Wonder you repeat the second night twice, i.e. TAAP, PTTA, APPT. Also, right now they are still doing 5:30; 5:45 and 6 for the first seating and 8, 8:15 and 8:30 for the second seating. The rotation you pick has the assigned time, so if you want the latest first seating (i.e. 6 p.m.) the rotation is already picked for you. So you need to decide if time is most important or rotation. We like the latest main seating at 6 p.m. so we did Parrot Cay twice, but since dry dock they have taken out all the leaves and darkened the dining room and we didn't mind it at all. I know some people don't like PC as well as the other two dining rooms.

Hope that helps!

 

[PixiePop]

I was told gratuity was included.

 

[krdisneybound]

I think the DVC person told you wrong as gratuities have always been included in the past, that is why the cost is so much higher than a normal cruise because it includes port charges and gratuities and you are "paying" for all the special gifts you get!

my thoughts right on target with yours, Linda

we should have lots of fun - lots of planning to be done - lots of time to do it

 

[JOANNEL]

I hope you guys are right. That would make sense. She also said we didn't need passports but suggested we get them incase we have to fly back from the Bahama's.

Do all of you have passports?

 

[seaulater]

I hope you guys are right. That would make sense. She also said we didn't need passports but suggested we get them incase we have to fly back from the Bahama's.

Do all of you have passports?

Yes, we have passports. They are going to be required soon by the US Government, I suggest you just go ahead and get them now and not worry about it later. One more thing you could check off your list!

 

[krdisneybound]

geez - I think I better check my passport - my 10 years is just about up

thanks for reminding me.

 

[JanDave]

Welcome to all cruisers just joining the thread.

Seaulater - your description of the 2006 itinerary has tired me out!! I know DH and I will skip some stuff in order to take advantage of the sunshine.

Cruising is just me and DH. This will be our 8th DCL cruise. We are so looking forward to it. We just got off the Magic on 12/2.

Jan

 

[seaulater]

Welcome to all cruisers just joining the thread.

Seaulater - your description of the 2006 itinerary has tired me out!! I know DH and I will skip some stuff in order to take advantage of the sunshine.

Cruising is just me and DH. This will be our 8th DCL cruise. We are so looking forward to it. We just got off the Magic on 12/2.

Jan

You are exactly right! The sea day was so busy, there was no time for relaxing! I thoroughly enjoyed the 2 days at CC! Especially the adult beach!

Just an FYI-I am cruising with my friend, krdisneybound (Kay). This cruise will be my 11th (I think). I have two cruises currently scheduled right now prior to this one (one with my daughter Jamie-our mother/daughter mini-vacation for her 15th birthday in April and the other one on May 12 for 2 weeks taking the Magic to the Med!) My DH can't come on the member cruise. The timing is bad for him and our daughter is in school, so that's why Kay and I are cruising together!

I have some friends who are cruising on the member cruise for the 1st time, so we got their 2nd room that they were able to book, since techinically we wouldn't have really booked until this Saturday. So we are booked and ready to go.

And besides, I'm meeting another of my cruise buddies this weekend in New York City (Georgie and Joe) and we are going to Beauty and the Beast on Broadway! So, now I don't have to worry about calling DVC this weekend!

YIPPEE!

 

[madaboutpooh]

I was curious or rather my daughter was curious as to whether there will be kids on this cruise since most kids are in school this time of year. She is 10 and will be days from turning 11 when we cruise.

 

[krdisneybound]

we'll have to start the countdown days soon - that is, when I find enough toes and fingers for it. just kidding

You are exactly right! The sea day was so busy, there was no time for relaxing! I thoroughly enjoyed the 2 days at CC! Especially the adult beach!

Just an FYI-I am cruising with my friend, krdisneybound (Kay). This cruise will be my 11th (I think). I have two cruises currently scheduled right now prior to this one (one with my daughter Jamie-our mother/daughter mini-vacation for her 15th birthday in April and the other one on May 12 for 2 weeks taking the Magic to the Med!) My DH can't come on the member cruise. The timing is bad for him and our daughter is in school, so that's why Kay and I are cruising together!

I have some friends who are cruising on the member cruise for the 1st time, so we got their 2nd room that they were able to book, since techinically we wouldn't have really booked until this Saturday. So we are booked and ready to go.

And besides, I'm meeting another of my cruise buddies this weekend in New York City (Georgie and Joe) and we are going to Beauty and the Beast on Broadway! So, now I don't have to worry about calling DVC this weekend!

YIPPEE!

 

[PBader]

I was told that the gratuity was included also. MS said that it includes housekeeping and your waiters, but didn't drink servers etc...
We won't do all of the activities either---I enjoy my quiet time.
Paula