Add on incentives while on a DCL cruise?

[VAMickeyFan]

Hi all, are there any non published extra incentives to adding on while on a cruise? Wondering if we may as well wait for our July cruise at this point. Thanks!

 

[Cfabar1]

I have heard there are amazing deals... we have sailed, but never really found anything that special when we sailed....

The person who told me there were amazing deals also bought the cabins, so idk.... I'd need a really great deal to justify buying the cabins, or consider buying them a "deal"

 

[Sandisw]

I was just on the Dream and the sheet that I got for Riviera didn’t appear to have anything extra.

I didn’t realize they had the AP discount so that was new for me…but the rest seems the same.

 

[DanCali]

We met with a guide once on a cruise after a DVC person (seemed more senior) chatted with us and told us we wouldn't get a better offer anywhere else.

I don't remember the exact details, since we were not really looking to add at the time, but they did have an extra discount (maybe $500 or $1000) to buy some minimum point amount on that cruise. So maybe a few extra dollars off per point. Since we already have some direct points, it's not something that would tilt the scale for us. But if I was looking to buy direct, it was technically an offer we wouldn't get anywhere else.

 

[Genie+]

I want the deal where you buy direct and get The Cruise for free! Like back during BLT active sales.

 

[supercarrie]

I was on the Wish a month ago. The only extra incentive was a tote bag if you purchased on the ship.

Years ago, they used to do better incentives (and occasionally still do during the DVC Member cruises, if I recall) but not for regular sailings currently.

 

[tjkraz]

I want the deal where you buy direct and get The Cruise for free! Like back during BLT active sales.

DVC moved away from big dollar incentives like cruises and annual passes after they got burned by some purchasers who gave a minimum deposit, used the incentive and as many points as possible, then defaulted on the loan. A couple times they've tried AP promotions where you didn't get the bonus until after paying a certain amount toward the purchase. But those were less successful, likely due to the delayed gratification.

 

[tjkraz]

Hi all, are there any non published extra incentives to adding on while on a cruise? Wondering if we may as well wait for our July cruise at this point. Thanks!

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Sometimes the incentives only apply to certain resorts. Sometimes it's nothing more than a tote bag.

If you're in no hurry to buy and are taking the cruise before the current incentives expire, I guess there's no harm in waiting. Prices should be no worse if you buy on the cruise vs now from home. And there's a chance you'll get some bonus.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

We joined DVC on a cruise in Jan 2023 and there was an extra $1000 incentive that took us down to something like $173 for 200 AUL points (before MB, which we didn’t know about so didn’t attempt to use)…I don’t know if someone has archived price charts of the best promo available on land in Jan of 2023 to compare, but they certainly told us that it was a cruise special.

I have been on at least one cruise subsequent to that where they were talking about flash sales (I think for AKV?) but I didn’t pay close attention. I think there was a pretty decent discount available for the member cruise last year.

 

[DonkeyHoTay]

attention. I think there was a pretty decent discount available for the member cruise last year.

Interesting! I’m on the 2026 member cruise… maybe I should wait to buy more Poly until I’m on that cruise …

 

[Huskerpal]

I heard a former DVC guide say that years ago there were cruise only incentives that were better than what was then publicly available, but Disney lawyers put an end to the practice. Now cruise passenger's get the same offers as everyone else.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

Interesting! I’m on the 2026 member cruise… maybe I should wait to buy more Poly until I’m on that cruise …

I will try to report back after this year’s member cruise.

 

[Patmcpsu]

I wish direct DVC members were given a fast track for Castaway Club status. It would cost Disney nothing, make DVC-Direct more appealing, and incentivize DVC members to book a cruise. Members would appreciate the free perk too; it's a win-win-win.

If they gave DVC members a status-credit for 3 sailings, and take a cruise out of curiosity (and get to immediately use Silver Status), that would bring them to 4 cruises. At that point, they're only one cruise away from Gold Status and officially on the hamster wheel of chasing status.

 

[DanCali]

I wish direct DVC members were given a fast track for Castaway Club status. It would cost Disney nothing, make DVC-Direct more appealing, and incentivize DVC members to book a cruise. Members would appreciate the free perk too; it's a win-win-win.

If they gave DVC members a status-credit for 3 sailings, and take a cruise out of curiosity (and get to immediately use Silver Status), that would bring them to 4 cruises. At that point, they're only one cruise away from Gold Status and officially on the hamster wheel of chasing status.

See (post) your wish in this thread!

Thread 'What is the ONE thing you would change about DVC, DVC rules?'

Apr 30, 2025

What is the one thing you would change about DVC? JUST ONE.

For me, I dont want anything shiny or fancy. If I could change one thing it would be that banking/borrowing was not a final transaction.

I have been feeling this way for awhile but today it's really apparent for me. I need to make a reservation that requires borrowing 254 points. I am so nervous. What if I need to cancel for some reason. That is a lot of points to borrow and commit to using before 01/31/26.

• VGCgroupie
• Replies: 217
• Forum: DVC Member Services

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[DonkeyHoTay]

I wish direct DVC members were given a fast track for Castaway Club status. It would cost Disney nothing, make DVC-Direct more appealing, and incentivize DVC members to book a cruise. Members would appreciate the free perk too; it's a win-win-win.

If they gave DVC members a status-credit for 3 sailings, and take a cruise out of curiosity (and get to immediately use Silver Status), that would bring them to 4 cruises. At that point, they're only one cruise away from Gold Status and officially on the hamster wheel of chasing status.

Since everyone is already Silver with one sailing, I would tweak this wish to give direct DVC members Gold status (i.e. 5 cruises status) automatically. The discounts are analogous to the DVC discounts members already get elsewhere so would be familiar, and it's a great head start on the hamster wheel. Being DVC on the ship is nice (the little magnet on the cabin door, the free daily gifts, etc) but I fully agree there are easy, low cost perks that DVC can grant.

 

[longboard55]

We bought our latest on a cruise. No special deals. It was a comfortable atmosphere and he took a lot of time to explain all the price levels, they basically rotate sales people through the cruise ships so its kinda of a treat for them. He is normally based at WDW

 

[Cfabar1]

Since everyone is already Silver with one sailing, I would tweak this wish to give direct DVC members Gold status (i.e. 5 cruises status) automatically. The discounts are analogous to the DVC discounts members already get elsewhere so would be familiar, and it's a great head start on the hamster wheel. Being DVC on the ship is nice (the little magnet on the cabin door, the free daily gifts, etc) but I fully agree there are easy, low cost perks that DVC can grant.

Especially since the rest of the perks are basically useless on most sailings I agree... I'm also not sure how the Disney Visa discount compares to the DCL Gold discount...

I guess the challenge would be, how would DVC be able to monetize this to DCL... I'm sure many DVC members never do a DCL cruise for example, and many more do a couple...

DVC undoubtedly has the data, but I'd imagine many members buy DVC for villa accommodations (even though I imagine that is not the majority). Convincing people who like 2 bedroom villas to sail in a cruise cabin smaller than a studio villa is probably a tough sell! Conversely, studio people probably dont' mind it and appreciate the extra pampering DCL provides...

Is it automatic, or after the first cruise is booked, etc.

We have cruise #5 booked... We prefer the shorter cruises, particularly with the boring itineraries offered...

 

[Steelers0854]

Since everyone is already Silver with one sailing, I would tweak this wish to give direct DVC members Gold status (i.e. 5 cruises status) automatically. The discounts are analogous to the DVC discounts members already get elsewhere so would be familiar, and it's a great head start on the hamster wheel. Being DVC on the ship is nice (the little magnet on the cabin door, the free daily gifts, etc) but I fully agree there are easy, low cost perks that DVC can grant.

I would settle for just not losing your status. DCL cruises are our favorite but to me cost prohibitive to take often, with the new policy of having go every 5 years I would be happy if you just were able to maintain your status with no restriction. I know 5 years seems like a long time, and it is, but it would be nice to not have to worry about losing it.

 

[Cfabar1]

I would settle for just not losing your status. DCL cruises are our favorite but to me cost prohibitive to take often, with the new policy of having go every 5 years I would be happy if you just were able to maintain your status with no restriction. I know 5 years seems like a long time, and it is, but it would be nice to not have to worry about losing it.

I have yet to hear about anyone being taken off the rolls... I know they mentioned the 5 year rule, but I am unaware of it actually being enforced...

 

[supercarrie]

I have yet to hear about anyone being taken off the rolls... I know they mentioned the 5 year rule, but I am unaware of it actually being enforced...

Same. They gave me silver status without questioning it on my April cruise, and my one and only prior DCL cruise before was in 2001. I had to call in to get it applied to my account as I had since gotten married and changed my last name.