2007 Member Cruise call in - Who got picked?

[Jynohn]

We didn't get picked either. I'm actually kind of glad. With the holidays and my sister's wedding coming up next month, I wouldn't have been able to pay it all up front in cash, and I was really reluctant to use that many points. The only reason we considered going is because it fell during our 10 year anniversary.

I had just about decided not to go when I got the email telling me I was not selected. Made me happy because now I won't keep second guessing myself that I should have made the reservation. Instead, we can now take two trips this year and still have points left over.

Congratulations to those of you who were selected, and good luck to everyone planning to call on the 9th!

 

[all5ofus]

I got picked. I knew I would! WHY ? Because I'm no longer interested in the DVC cruise. Once they announced the cash prices, I said no way and booked a 7 night instead (for about the same amount of money - for the same week in October!). I knew it. They should have posted cash prices when they made the announcement.

I did the same thing. For about 10% more $$$ we will get a 75% longer cruise. See you on the 10/20/07 Magic!

 

[LIFERBABE]

I did the same thing. For about 10% more $$$ we will get a 75% longer cruise. See you on the 10/20/07 Magic!

I had to laugh because I thought about this 7 day cruise being the Festivus Cruise. Remember on Seinfeld? The Festivus for the rest of us!

Since DVC wont give us a 7 day cruise, we should have our own the same week So for those that dont get in and have already decided they really want to go, they should cruise on 10/20/07

 

[disneyokw]

My parents will be getting a call. Their e-mail said they are in Group A. We were all very surprised because we never win anything.

 

[OneMoreTry]

I did the same thing. For about 10% more $$$ we will get a 75% longer cruise. See you on the 10/20/07 Magic!

Are you saying the DVC member cruise is MORE EXPENSIVE than a similar Disney cruise? Why??

Looks like I have some research to do before the 2nd.

 

[WDWLVR]

I posted this over on the cruise forum and thought I would post it here as well. The question was raised why cruise DCL vs. another line like Royal Caribbean and also what makes a DVC Member cruise different than a regular DCL cruise. I hope it helps those you trying to decide if the 2007 Member Cruise is right for you:



Let me give you one persons opinion on both DCL cruises in general as well as the DVC cruise and hopefully it can help you and others make the right decision for you.

To me what makes DCL a better choice for us over say RCL is the Disney difference. Not just the characters but the overall Disney feel. We love the Disney shows, we love the classic look and feel of the ship, and we love the attention to detail that Disney is known for. We also love that while the ship is designed for families Disney knows that adults need their own time and space and do a great job of keeping adult only areas adult only. Both on the ship and on Disney's private island. Speaking of Castaway Cay I think that is another thing that separates Disney from all other cruise lines. The fact that you can dock right at this magnificient island and get on and off as you please.

Now as to what separates a DVC Member Cruise from a regular DCL cruise. To me the number one factors are the presentations and special guests. A quick run down on some of the things we've seen on our previous Member Cruises:

2003 cruise - Got to take a tour of the ship with one of the Imagineers who oversaw the building of it. His stories and insight were a hightlight for us. We got to view a presentation by one of the leaders of the Disney Collectors society and learn all about the process of making the pieces we collect. We had a concert by Andrea McArdle (the original Annie) and her family.

2005 cruise - We got to hear and see Don "Ducky" Williams at work. If you have never had the chance you don't know what you are missing. He truly is a Disney legend. We also got a chance to meet and view a presentation by WDW Ambassador Christopher White and learn all about the ambassador program. For a Disney fan like me this was wonderful. There was a talk given by Art Linkletter including his memories of opening day at Disneyland. On the last night we were treated to a concert by Susan Egan the voice of Meg in Hercules. The highlight of this show was when she sang live to a video clip from Hercules running in the background.

2206 cruise - Again we got a chance to meet one of the WDW Ambassadors and see a presentation that is normally only given to cast members. We were honored to hear a talk by Roy Disney Jr. What Disney fan wouldn't enjoy hearing about what it was like to grow up in the Disney family. On the last evening we were treated to a concert by Jodi Benson (the voice of the Little Mermaid) and Jennifer Hudson (from American Idol who got her start working on DCL).

All of these are things that aren't available on regular DCL cruises (maybe on things like the repo cruise or long 10 and 11 day cruises, but not your average 3, 4 or 7 day cruises).

If the cruise itself is what you are after. The regular shows, clubs, ports and beaches then maybe the DVC Member Cruise isn't for you. From just this aspect you get a better bang for your buck on a regular DCL cruise and as others have pointed out you can get a 7 day cruise for not much more than what this 4 day cruise costs.

However if you are interested in that special something like these special guests bring then maybe you will find it worth it.

A few other things that make a DVC cruise different. The tips are usually included which they aren't on a regular cruise. Plus the gifts. We've gotten some great gifts from DVC over the years. We don't cruise for the gifts, but hey gifts are always nice.

I hope this helps some of you in making your decision on whether or not to book the 2007 Member Cruise.

If you have any questions ask away and I'll be happy to answer.

 

[Juliet25]

I didn't get picked either. I would only want to go in a category 11 or 12, so I don't think I'll try my luck on the December call-in date.

 

[jprsrethi]

I think we might try for the 7 day on the 20th also. Looks like it would be a fun cruise.

 

[all5ofus]

I had to laugh because I thought about this 7 day cruise being the Festivus Cruise. Remember on Seinfeld? The Festivus for the rest of us!

Since DVC wont give us a 7 day cruise, we should have our own the same week So for those that dont get in and have already decided they really want to go, they should cruise on 10/20/07

LIFERBABE - You know I am going to have to steal that line.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Are you saying the DVC member cruise is MORE EXPENSIVE than a similar Disney cruise? Why??

Looks like I have some research to do before the 2nd.

The DVC cruise is a 4 day cruise. That price comparison was to a 7 day cruise.

Our comparison is

MC2005 Sept my family of 4 (2A 2C) Cat 9= $2635

Sept 2006 Double Dip 7 Day Fam of 4 Cat 9=$2671

Oct 2006 MC2006 Me and a Friend Cat 9=$2100

Booked Nov 2007 7 day Eastern onboard with $200 credit Family of 4= $3200

HTH

 

[OneMoreTry]

I did the same thing. For about 10% more $$$ we will get a 75% longer cruise. See you on the 10/20/07 Magic!

According to what I see on the DCL website, the 7 day cruise on 10/20 is much more than 10% higher than the DVC 4 day. I'm looking at Category 5 and 6 rooms. The available 4 day cruises are not much less. Are you looking somewhere else to get those prices?

 

[all5ofus]

According to what I see on the DCL website, the 7 day cruise on 10/20 is much more than 10% higher than the DVC 4 day. I'm looking at Category 5 and 6 rooms. The available 4 day cruises are not much less. Are you looking somewhere else to get those prices?

According to the cash price chart I've seen, a Category 3 suite for our family of 5 would be $7,320 for the Member Cruise. I booked the 10/20 7-day in a Cat 3 about a month ago for about $1,000 more than that. Your results will vary based on the number of people, the category your are looking at and when you book. I believe the pricing the Member pricing is based on a fixed chart, but the DCL online pricing changes based on availability and typically goes up as rooms fill up and you get closer to the sail date.

I think the 7-day is a better value, but I am still considering trying for the Member Cruise and transferring the other reservation to a 2008 date.

 

[Melrosgirl]

I did the same thing. For about 10% more $$$ we will get a 75% longer cruise. See you on the 10/20/07 Magic!

That's the one we'll be on! See you then, LOL.

 

[Melrosgirl]

According to what I see on the DCL website, the 7 day cruise on 10/20 is much more than 10% higher than the DVC 4 day. I'm looking at Category 5 and 6 rooms. The available 4 day cruises are not much less. Are you looking somewhere else to get those prices?

DVC cruise would cost us $3531 (give or take a few dollars) for 4 nights (2 adults, 1 child, 1 child under 2 years old - port charges). Cat. 6

I booked the Oct. 20 Magic- 7 nights, cat. 6, for $4200 approx. via DU. Just seemed like the better deal.

 

[LIFERBABE]

According to what I see on the DCL website, the 7 day cruise on 10/20 is much more than 10% higher than the DVC 4 day. I'm looking at Category 5 and 6 rooms. The available 4 day cruises are not much less. Are you looking somewhere else to get those prices?

You can get a quote from Dreams Unlimited or check the prices on www.allseastravel.com.

 

[Mr. Disney 652]

We got picked too...B Catergory. Does anyone know where the official DVC cruise prices are located at?

Thanks!

 

[cgcw]

We got picked too...B Catergory. Does anyone know where the official DVC cruise prices are located at?

Thanks!

Since it isn't posted - which to me is strange

I called MS to find out the cash prices for SSMC07

Here they are:
Catergory 12 = $1010
Catergory 11 = same
Catergory 10 = $1065
Catergory 9 = $1098
Catergory 8 = $1153
Catergory 7 = $1257
Catergory 6 = $1334
Catergory 5 = $1389
Catergory 4 = $1609
Catergory 3 = $2632

Additional
3/4th adult = $685.25
3/4 child (3-12) $630.25
3/4 child (2 and under) $177.95

Hope that helps

Here's the thread which it was originally posted on:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1269575&page=1&pp=15



HTH!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Actually, I've heard from so many people who went into the lottery, got picked, but have decided in the interim that they wouldn't go. Since DVC seemed to be wanting a certain # of first-timers, I can't help but wonder what they'll do about filling the spots of those lottery winners they call who pass on the chance to go. I'm just using random #s here, but say, they chose 250 first-timers, but only 175 of them, when DVC calls, book. Does anyone know whether DVC has a waiting list of first timers they then turn to for the other 75 (250-175) rooms, or whether they'll just add the 75 rooms on to availability on 12/9? I wasn't selected, and part of the reason for my question is the hope that I'm on their secret waiting list. Hope springs eternal!

 

[WDWLVR]

Actually, I've heard from so many people who went into the lottery, got picked, but have decided in the interim that they wouldn't go. Since DVC seemed to be wanting a certain # of first-timers, I can't help but wonder what they'll do about filling the spots of those lottery winners they call who pass on the chance to go. I'm just using random #s here, but say, they chose 250 first-timers, but only 175 of them, when DVC calls, book. Does anyone know whether DVC has a waiting list of first timers they then turn to for the other 75 (250-175) rooms, or whether they'll just add the 75 rooms on to availability on 12/9? I wasn't selected, and part of the reason for my question is the hope that I'm on their secret waiting list. Hope springs eternal!

Well if I was a first timer I'd be hoping the same as you. However since i'm not I'm hoping that means more rooms available on 12/9.

 

[BCVOwner2002]

Well if I was a first timer I'd be hoping the same as you. However since i'm not I'm hoping that means more rooms available on 12/9.

Mary - I like your thinking!!