ATT: DVCers that choose NOT to "Member Cruise"

[disgirl]

I am also in the same situation with school starting. I would love to go since this would be our first time on a cruise, but can not see our son (will be 8th grade) missing the first week of school.

It is a shame that the member's homecoming and member's cruise were both scheduled during school times. It makes it difficult for many families to attend. I realize they probably would never plan these events when school is out because that would interfere with their regular crowds.

 

[wintergreen]

I agree with the opinions about bad timing for these events. Not able to do either Member Homecoming or this cruise b/c of school.

 

[sitchu2]

I would really love to be on this cruise, I have been pondering what type of trip to plan for this summer with my points, but due to the first week of school, its impossible.

I really love the itinerary , I have been wanting to revisit key west. I hope they make some more 4 day cruises available that will go to key west and castaway cay.

 

[tjkraz]

No real interest here. We bought our points to use at DVC resorts--not on cruises.

DW and I have talked about taking a cruise someday...but not until our children are older.

 

[MAC3]

Originally posted by PatMcDuck
I hope everyone that goes, has a wonderful time. If you have the points and or money, go for it.

The DATES are just pretty much impossible for people from the northeast with kids.

Exactly and I believe that was the reason I couldn't go last time too.

 

[zulaya]

Not going because:

1) Timing sucks. First week of school and Labor Day. We don't travel over Labor Day
2) Cash and points costs are high. I know that there are freebies, but the freebies are in a sense paid for by the price in cash and points.

I think they did a better job of planning. At least this was announced 11 months in advance, although you can't book yet.

I personally did like the May timeframe, it just wasn't announced earlier enough. Having a member event over a holiday, when you may have other family plans in mind, just isn't probably the best idea when you have a family vacation club.

It's getting better, but more improvement is needed.

 

[goofy4wdw59]

The school start date appears to be a main concern. I wouldn't want our kids missing these school days either. I think the Member Cruise is targeting an adult group that isn't bringing along kids.
We would love to attend a DVC Member Event...hopefully, one planned in the future will be more family-friendly. And, not have too much extra $$ attached to it.
We figured out that for our family of 5-- two cat. 10 cabins is $799 more than another 4-Day Sept cruise. We don't feel the price difference is worth it. The price for 2 adults probably isn't that much extra $$ and, it's an individual choice if the price is worth it.
We rented out points to pay for our 7-day cruise and it's costing us 62 fewer points than we'd need for the 4-day member cruise. Just not a good deal. We'll probably use the money we saved for character meals, etc on our DVC vacations!

KarenP99--However, with all the talk of selling out, and fully booked....I decided that we would rather sail later in the month on a hopefully relatively empty ship (has been our experience with our past 2 Sept cruises). I do not huge like crowds, and would rather have a relaxing vacation on our terms rather than worrying that we are missing a member event.

Karen, I agree!

 

[dis-happy]

I haven't seen the prices, so can't comment on that. However, we just booked the Wonder for Christmas in 2005, where the prices pretty much double that week.

Personally, I would have jumped at the chance to go, mainly because of the DVC camaraderie I've found here on these boards. It sounds like SO MUCH FUN to experience that with everyone who loves DVC (and understands DVC) on a Disney trip. Face it, most people who own DVC tend to also be Disney fanatics. They "get it" and I bet it would be a blast.

Back to where we began--we aren't going because of the Christmas trip already scheduled 3 months later.

 

[threegoofys]

We are still debating whether to go or not. I would love to go, sound like a lot of fun but can anyone tell me why they up the points so much??? Never had a chance to goto any of the dvc gatherings because they ALWAYS are planned during the school year. We got all excited when we saw the email until we saw that it is not really labor day weekend but labor day week. My daughter will just be starting school the week before. Are the points so much more because of all the freebies they give out and that is their way to cover the costs? I am a little disappointed that Disney is family oriented but doesn't seem to be catering to the family with the times of their gatherings. Maybe those of us who have families should come up with our own gathering!!! Well, starting to sound like a whiner, not good. I just would like the opportunity to particapate in one of the gatherings for a change. They seem to be at the end of the school year when the kids are being tested or at the very beginning.

 

[Janis]

We're doing the May repositioning cruise and just cn't justify doing another.

JimC, hope to see you on that cruise!

 

[MomsGoneGoofy]

Timing is our reason also. Besides have 3 kids in school my DH is a teacher.

We're booked on the four day Wonder (8/14/05) and are concerned about the weather but are hoping for the best.

 

[patsal]

Timing, I'm a teacher in the Northeast and I can't take off the first week of school! My kids are in HS and MS and I can't let them take off the first week of school either.

 

[Diana Lyn]

I was on the last Member Cruise and at Member Homecoming, so I'm the first on to jump on these type of events.....with the last cruise, I didn't even think twice about the extra points they were charging us as members, but since then, I've had two kids, my oldest would be turning 2 on the cruise and my youngest would be 11 months at the time.....my HUGE problem is that I don't want to "waste" my points on the babies at 20 points a piece, so I was planning on paying cash for them.....$196 each. A regular cruise charges kids under 3 $99.

My husband wants me to call DVC and flat out ask them what my 11 month old is going to get her for her $196, twice as much as a regular 4 night cruise is she going to get twice as much food and drink because at that age, that's pretty much what they do......honestly, my feeling are hurt by this because now that I have a family I feel that DVC is taking advantage of me and my membership and is pretty much robbing me blind if I decide to take this cruise!!

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

1) Timing is great for me!
2) Hurricane Season, Smurricane Season!
3) Don't have enough points -- But I got the cash!

So why am I not going? Because I feel DVC members are getting a raw deal by being charged higher costs than any other cruise during that timeframe. Yes, I know there will be special activities for members, but at some point Disney should realize the loyalty of DVC members should be rewarded, not taken advantage of.

And hey, think of all those rooms @ DVC resorts that will be available during the cruise.

 

[Melrosgirl]

Not going b/c It's labor day week - not weekend - which means an entire week off of school basically for dd. Not good at the very beginning of the school year.

Price - the prices are too high. Maybe if we could book them through our own travel agents and get a much better rate, maybe I'd consider it. The "freebies" are no longer free. Those freebies would cost me at least $600-$800 for my category because cash prices are that much higher compared to booking through my TA (assuming we could actually book this same cruise).

DVC should allow us to book these special cruises through our own travel agents if we choose to use points.

 

[mom23boys]

Timing is definitely an issue. Our kids start school the Wed after Labor Day. I would love to due the Disney Cruise, my DH does not, so we are Spring Training in March and doing a trip in Oct 2005. Now I will be in the hole till 2007 oh well.

 

[CarolMN]

I'd like to go, but it would mean giving up our early December trip - just don't have enough vacation time to do both. Just can't bring myself to skip the early December trip!


Best wishes -

 

[kathleena]

I'm not going because of the lousy dates and the cost.

1) I really wish they would announce the dates earlier

2) What's up with a cruise at the start of a school year?

3) I can cruise for less at a better time.

Will miss the DVC perks, but oh well. At the member homecoming it was a lousy price break for AP holders and this time it a lousy time.

 

[smjj]

1.We already have a May DVC trip planned.
2. We think the pts. are too high for off season in the middle of
hurricane season for a 4 day cruise!!
3. We have already been on 2 DCL trips.
I hope all that go have a very good time and calm seas....smjj

 

[barbarabee]

for only four days! Two people in a not that great of a room takes as many points as two weeks in a studio at WDW...

No contest for me.