2017 DVC Member Cruise

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Lisa we are on the 8/27 cruise also. Someone asked on facebook and the reply was that they would allow an associate on your account to book for you. No other exceptions - unless that changed.

Or someone who can impersonate you. I am my mother routinely. I have all her info and just pretend I am her. So far no one anywhere has voice printed us LOL!

 

[bobbiwoz]

It just occurred to me that with this cruise the Member Cruises will complete the Grand Slam! A Member Cruise will have been on every ship! A worthy goal for people who like DCL!

Bobbi

 

[Bellecruiser]

Bruce and I are considering going on this cruise too. We LOVED last years MC in the Bahamas. Plus, we have never been on the Fantasy, and would love to go.

 

[cinderella97]

I think we may try and book this cruise. I was looking at the 8/12/17 Cruise, same ports. The DVC cruise would only be about $100 or $200 more than the 8/12 cruise. We have done 3 other Disney cruises, I think this is a fair price for being a DVC Member Cruise and the exclusiveness of it. for a 10A 3 adults- DVC would be $5982, on 8/12 it would be $5894, for a 9D DVC - $6072, the 8/12 cruise is $5922, 8D DVC $6236, 8/12 - $6074. Hopefully we will be able to sail. It's right before DD starts college.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I think we may try and book this cruise. I was looking at the 8/12/17 Cruise, same ports. The DVC cruise would only be about $100 or $200 more than the 8/12 cruise. We have done 3 other Disney cruises, I think this is a fair price for being a DVC Member Cruise and the exclusiveness of it. for a 10A 3 adults- DVC would be $5982, on 8/12 it would be $5894, for a 9D DVC - $6072, the 8/12 cruise is $5922, 8D DVC $6236, 8/12 - $6074. Hopefully we will be able to sail. It's right before DD starts college.

I hope everyone who wants to go gets on the ship!

 

[SeaPic]

I have wanted to go on a DVC cruise since I found out there was one! DH said tentatively yes but I need to figure a few things out. Does the following statement (under the Know Before You Book heading) mean you must use some points? At least enough to cover one passenger? Or can you pay all cash? Thanks!

• Due to the unique nature of this special event, Disney Vacation Club has waived the policy of requiring at least one passenger to sail using Vacation Points. If Members would like to pay by using both cash and Vacation Points, individual passengers must be paid for by using all cash or all Vacation Points.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I have wanted to go on a DVC cruise since I found out there was one! DH said tentatively yes but I need to figure a few things out. Does the following statement (under the Know Before You Book heading) mean you must use some points? At least enough to cover one passenger? Or can you pay all cash? Thanks!

• Due to the unique nature of this special event, Disney Vacation Club has waived the policy of requiring at least one passenger to sail using Vacation Points. If Members would like to pay by using both cash and Vacation Points, individual passengers must be paid for by using all cash or all Vacation Points.

It means you may pay cash for all your passengers and don't have to use any points.

Otherwise, if you want to use points you must have enough points to cover at least one passenger - ie, you can't pay for one person with a combination of points and cash - it's one or the other.

 

[islandsnoopy]

For those who've been on previous member cruises, it says to have "First, second and third stateroom category choices" when booking. When will you actually know which stateroom you're in for the cruise? Thanks!

 

[bobbiwoz]

For those who've been on previous member cruises, it says to have "First, second and third stateroom category choices" when booking. When will you actually know which stateroom you're in for the cruise? Thanks!

Right when you pay, you know what room. When you get through, you can mention what you like, possible rooms, you are then put on hold while the CM communicates with someone that I suppose is with DCL.
I will have a copy of the Fantasy deck plan in front of me. I know what room we have had in the past on the Fantasy. That room will be my base for my requests.
A lot depends on when you get through.

 

[islandsnoopy]

Right when you pay, you know what room. When you get through, you can mention what you like, possible rooms, you are then put on hold while the CM communicates with someone that I suppose is with DCL.
I will have a copy of the Fantasy deck plan in front of me. I know what room we have had in the past on the Fantasy. That room will be my base for my requests.
A lot depends on when you get through.

Thanks for the info!

 

[codina818]

The more shocking thing, now that I think some more about it, is that the one week cruise paying cash is more than half of what we paid for our 175 DVC points at SSR that can be used for more than a week vacation in a roomy one bedroom at DVC resorts for 50 years.

Yup,.. cruises are a big ticket item. It seems that DCL has almost doubled their rates for cash from a few years ago.

 

[Wendybird55]

OK..I understand people's concern with costs, paying up front, true value, etc. However...here's my deal...this past year has been VERY tough on my family...just so many difficult situations happening one after the other...our "big" 2 week Disney trip last August was dampened by the fact my dad was very ill in hospital (long story)...and this summer because of too many complications we are unable to take our usual "big" Disney vacation. Needless to say we are in real need of a great vacation and the upcoming year will still be stressful. We have unused saved $ from this years non-Disney summer and can continue to save for an over-the-top vacation. Here's where DVC cruise comes in...We've been on 1 Disney cruise a few years ago and enjoyed it. DH loves cruises (so do I). We like the itinerary of this cruise as it's 8 days with 3 at sea for relaxation. DS starts school after Labor Day so the timing works. We want to book a 1 bedroom suite (concierge - all cash no DVC points). There will be 4 of us..me, DH, DS and my sister. Just the thought of a week of total relaxation and being spoiled by concierge service is wonderful. Plus with the suite the 4 of us can be together and still have space and some privacy ( 2 bathrooms). I know I can book a concierge suite on another cruise ship for much less...but it's Disney...and the added DVC perks would be nice. I know it's extravagant...but after the year we've had and what's ahead of us for the upcoming year...I feel we deserve it. So...if you had the $$ to spend and wanted a totally amazing, relaxing experience at sea would you do the DVC cruise or is there another cruise you would consider that would be just as good or better for probably less money? Thanks

 

[bobbiwoz]

Wow, Wendybird55, I sincerely hope this upcoming year is not as stressful as you foresee it to be.

My personal "best cruise ever" was taking the Disney Wonder through the Panama Canal. (I have been on 50 cruises total on at least 5 different cruise lines.)

What I like about this itinerary is St. Thomas, we usually go snorkeling on St. John's with an excursion, and we've never been to Tortola, CC is beautiful, and the 3 days at sea are just wonderful for enjoying the ship, and partaking in activities. I do not think DVC Member cruises are particularly relaxing because I do want to do most every activity offered. However, I've only been on DVC 3 and 4 day Member Cruises, this has more time.

If you really enjoy hearing about Disney projects and how they come to be, then yes, this cruise would be how I would splurge with my family. Last year I especially enjoyed learning about Inside Out, and we saw a short featuring Riley, her dad and a potential boyfriend. The short had not been released yet, and had been only shown before at the D23 meeting in CA.



Bobbi

 

[disneynutz]

Disney is in the business of making money, that being said if what they are selling works for you than go for it. Yes they could do a better job of letting us know what extras will be on the cruise and they waved the point requirement to fill the ship but that is what they do.

Bill

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Just the thought of a week of total relaxation and being spoiled by concierge service is wonderful. Plus with the suite the 4 of us can be together and still have space and some privacy ( 2 bathrooms).

I'm a cruise novice and have never done a Disney cruise but my first thought when I read about a week of total relaxtion made me think I'd look at something other than the member cruise. It seems like the added benefits of doing that are many of the special speakers and presentations and from what I've read from reports you keep very busy. If that is not the biggest interest, but instead relaxing, then it's not inherently the cruise I'd be looking at. If the Disney line is what you want then I'd book a non-member cruise. But I'd also expand my search to other lines too.

 

[maburke]

It depends on what you find relaxing. We were on the 7-day Alaska member cruise and loved it. Relaxing for me is never having to plan where we go for dinner, knowing there's always something that my kids will love to do, and enjoying all the activities. I say go for it!!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Hi, visited with a cousin who is also a DVC member today. We decided to try to get cabins near each other. I called MS and learned that if we had a 3 way call, we could at least be booking one after the other. That's what we'll be trying to do. We went over the deck plans for the Fantasy and figured out what we would like.

It's nearing booking time...

 

[tidefan]

We were on the Alaska 7-nt Member Cruise as well. Absolutely loved it! We'd love to do this one, but unfortunately, it's about 2 weeks after school starts back...

 

[rwcmath]

Sorry to read this. The Alaska cruise was during vacation?

 

[maburke]

Sorry to read this. The Alaska cruise was during vacation?

For us it was. Here in Georgia (and probably in Alabama?), the kids usually get out before Memorial Day, and we start back up in early August. In some counties this year, it was August 1.

When I saw Ken Potrock at the member event at Typhoon Lagoon, I begged him to do a Member Cruise when schools are out. But I don't hold out much hope. I'm sure they want to keep them during the off-peak cruise times. Even the Alaska one was probably off-peak, since a lot of the country doesn't get out that early, and it was the first Alaskan cruise of the season.

But it was so awesome! I want to go on this 7-day one in 2017 so bad!!!