2019 member cruise

[cedricandsophie]

did any one book either of the 2019 member cruises this morning? I booked the October 5 cruise from NYC. I called immediately at 9am central time when the lines opened and counted on my cell phone that I made almost 800 calls, getting a busy signal, until I was able to get through at about 10 15. Then it took over 45 min to finish because I was paying in cash and had to be transferred to another person. It’s an expensive cruise but we really loved the other member cruise we did a few years ago and that was only five days. This is a seven day. I was just wondering what other experiences were getting a reservation.

 

[bcwife76]

Yep, we booked the same cruise as you (come join our cruise meet thread!).

We are on the west coast so I set my alarm for 7:30am (10:30 eastern); dh and I kept dialing, getting a busy signal for about 8-10 minutes. Then I sat on hold for 55 minutes before they got to my call. Total time on the phone was 1hr and 40 minutes! Super excited as it's our first member cruise and first time on the Magic!

 

[Gary Pinkos]

did any one book either of the 2019 member cruises this morning? I booked the October 5 cruise from NYC. I called immediately at 9am central time when the lines opened and counted on my cell phone that I made almost 800 calls, getting a busy signal, until I was able to get through at about 10 15. Then it took over 45 min to finish because I was paying in cash and had to be transferred to another person. It’s an expensive cruise but we really loved the other member cruise we did a few years ago and that was only five days. This is a seven day. I was just wondering what other experiences were getting a reservation.

 

[swooshbear]

Booked the West Coast cruise this morning. Got connected right away when they opened but my call was dropped after giving all of my info except for the credit card info. CM called back about 20 minutes later, call dropped again after I gave her the first four digits of my card. CM called back again and everything was finalized. Total time on the phone and waiting was close to two hours but it could have been done in 15 minutes without the technical difficulties.

We wanted to book this itinerary for 2019 anyway, was bummed to hear it was "chartered", but guessed correctly it was a DVC Member Cruise.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

Booked the west coast MC yesterday, hit the phone system absolutely perfect and was in and out in 23 minutes with my first choice of 5A deck 7 starboard veranda. Should have bought a lottery ticket. Never had that kind of luck.

 

[Gary Pinkos]

Booked the Oct 5th New York, Boston to Bermuda 7 night cruise. Started calling about two minutes before 10 am and on third try just about 10 am on the nose I got through. It is just two of us, using all points. So after banking, borrowing and discussing it took almost an hour.

We live outside Philadelphia (home of the 2018 Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles). This will be our 5th Disney cruise, two on Wonder and two on the Dream. 1st member cruise.

Kids are all grown and we didn't tell them yet we are going on this member cruise. We don't have enough points and between our three girls, husband and boyfriends, I don't have enough money either.

Anyone else going from Philly area, or anyone else just going without kids?

DW and I are looking forward to this 7 night cruise, looking forward to meeting many of you!

Gary

 

[DVC Kathy]

DH and I are going on the 7 night. I spent almost 2 hours redialing before I got through, and another hour on hold.

Once I got through, things went well. Didn't get our first choice, but not a big deal.

We're from the Philly area. Live in South Jersey.

This will be our first member cruise. Looking forward to it.

Bermuda is beautiful, and Boston should be fun.

Kathy

 

[bobbiwoz]

We booked the West Coast Cruise. I got into the queue immediately, but waited there for quite some time. Still we were booked around 10:45.

We live in South Jersey too. However, we booked a Princess cruise and land tour of Alaska for just a few days after the MC docks in Vancouver. So, that West Coast Cruise was our choice!

 

[DL1957]

Book on Saturday AM as well. It took me 45 minutes to talk with a person. It took me 15 minutes to get in. Our first DVC member cruise and really looking forward to it. For those who have participated in the past is this cruise usually sold out? We live in Wlliamsburg VA.
We were able to get our first cabin choice.
Sue

 

[MeLaNie9]

We booked the Bermuda cruise as well. DH was in KY with DS11 at his baseball tournament and I was in OH with DS13 at his baseball tournament. DH had one phone going at 10am and I had 2. We both got through right away. I was shocked, in fact I had to make the CM wait a minute or two while we texted back and forth about who was going to go forward with the booking. DH did it, but it took about 45 min to complete. We were speculating on how we could have both gotten in right away (both on 1st call) - whether there was lack of interest/calling or just luck. We are NEVER lucky so who knows??? LOL Cruising Engineer - should've gotten a lottery ticket too!
I have never been to NYC before and we are going without the kids!! So excited. This is also our 1st member cruise.

 

[mocodis]

it was 1 hour of calling over and over, and connecting and then disconnecting. then is was another hour on hold. then 8 min actually on the call. but we got it. it will be our first time for the member cruise.

 

[MinnieMama411]

We seriously considered the Bermuda cruise. I was given the option of that or Italy.... I chose Italy. Hope to take our first member cruise in 2020!

 

[ludari]

I called member services last week and asked about it thinking I could pay with a combination of points and cash but she said it had to be all points and I didn't have enough. I really didn't feel like borrowing so I think I'll wait until 2020 when I can bank this years points.

 

[MinnieMama411]

I called member services last week and asked about it thinking I could pay with a combination of points and cash but she said it had to be all points and I didn't have enough. I really didn't feel like borrowing so I think I'll wait until 2020 when I can bank this years points.

That's odd. There is a cash amount on the member cruise chart. Am I missing something? Must you exhaust all your points in order to pay cash for member cruises?

 

[confettiandkale]

That's odd. There is a cash amount on the member cruise chart. Am I missing something? Must you exhaust all your points in order to pay cash for member cruises?

You must pay in either points OR cash for each person sailing. I booked cash for one person, and used points for the second person. I still have 100 points left, so I did not use all of my points.

 

[MinnieMama411]

You must pay in either points OR cash for each person sailing. I booked cash for one person, and used points for the second person. I still have 100 points left, so I did not use all of my points.

Thank you, It's as I thought. I misunderstood ludari's post. He must have meant paying for one passage with a combo of points and cash.

 

[ludari]

Thank you, It's as I thought. I misunderstood ludari's post. He must have meant paying for one passage with a combo of points and cash.

Yes, I meant for one person since I am a solo cruiser. Sorry for the misunderstanding on my part.

 

[aboveH20]

It's driving me Member of what?

I skimmed the preceding posts, but I don't think it was mentioned.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

It's driving me Member of what?

I skimmed the preceding posts, but I don't think it was mentioned.

Disney Vacation Club (DVC)

 

[aboveH20]

So not AARP Oh, well.