ATT: DVCers that choose NOT to "Member Cruise"

[emememem]

Timing is not good for us. We're going on the California cruise in August, then moving shortly after when we get back...2kids to start new schools...just too busy for us!

 

[kaseyC]

1. The timing of course, 1st week of school.
2. The cash rate; we have a cruise booked for our family of 5 on the Sept. 18, 2005 4-night Wonder. The DVC member cruise price would be about $2000 more for the Cat. 3 Suite we are already booked in. - That's almost another cruise or a small add on.
3. I also got one of the larger Midship Cat. 3 Suites and I really do not want to give it up, they are very hard to get.

I am also sure we will meet other DVC members on the Sept. 18th Cruise as well.

 

[Habsfan]

We chose not to because it worked out better for us monetarily to rent out the number of points it would have cost us for the cruise and pay cash straight up for a cruise. We find it to be a waste of points to trade out for a cruise.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

I would LOVE to but the amount of points it costs is crazy IMHO.

 

[Disneylovers]

Another vote for can't do it because of school starting. I wish they would have scheduled this during the summer. Guess the powers that be at Disney don't think there are that many families in DVC that have school aged kids. Maybe they should read these boards!

 

[JimC]

Originally posted by Janis
We're doing the May repositioning cruise and just cn't justify doing another.

JimC, hope to see you on that cruise!

Hey fellow Delaware Valley resident! We are really looking forward to that cruise. I have been told that the Panama Canal transit is a very special experience. Hope to see you as well

Also, I can certainly relate to those who said the points/cash costs of the cruise are high. DCL is an expensive cruise line, even for a regular cash customer with any discounts or specials Dreams Unlimited might provide (but it is worth it for a treat).

But the DVC cruise is an even more expensive -- we are paying a premium, on top of a premium to go on the "DVC Member's Cruise" -- or am I missing something?

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

Several years ago when DCL wanted to fill up their undersold fall cruises, DCL used to offer fall "sale-away specials" for DVCers. The points for a 7-day were 25-40% off the value season point chart.

Now to me, that's a "DVC member cruise"

 

[debloco]

I agree with Johnnie, I'd be a lot more willing to sail if they offered a discount on the points!

And now for the "thread killer" In advance I'd like to ask (Please no flaming or bashing by those who are already planning on booking the DVC Member cruise)

To all who posted wondering why DCL doesn't do these member cruises during more "family friendly" times (summer, holidays, etc) I think there are several reasons:

1. DCL has no trouble filling its ships during the summer or other traditional holiday periods, even when charging a premium for these cruises. They have absolutely no incentive to offer a member cruise at those times.

2. I believe that the DVC member cruise was fully booked within that one day
-without it being a school break time
-even with charging more points or cash

I read on another thread that a couple had two phones going non-stop on auto redial from 9 am to around 1:15 pm, when they finally got through to make their reservation!

3. So if they have DVC members banging down the doors in droves who are happy to pay more money or points to get on the member cruise, voila! Member cruises Labor Day week, during hurricane season when DCL would have trouble filling the ship due to both factors anyway.

JMO

CLC Tiger Pom Mom

 

[jmatias]

Would love to join a members cruise but we won't:

1. Kids in school
2. already going on June 2005 West Coast Cruise & DL
3. Really, really hoping to fit in a Christmas stay at WDW in 2005
4. thinking about a Spring break 2006 DCL cruise

 

[Divamomto3]

I have to say that for a family of 5, it's too many points for sure. But DEFINITELY the reason I can't go is because of the dates. My kids go back to school the last week in August and I could never and would never have them miss a few days so early on.

 

[msdis]

I got excited for a minute but then decided it was too expensive points wise or cash wise or both and we could do so much more with either/both. We have cruised twice in Sept. It is horribly hot and humid and I am one of those people who has icicle hands and feet in July so if I was hot, it was hot. Also, we will be on the road to home on the 23rd from WDW from 8am till 6pm. Not the best situation to book this. I'm sure I will still debate it till it is sold out.

But, I am excited and envious for those who will go.Have fun everyone.

 

[CarolynK]

We love to cruise, we just don't cruise DCL (did it once, that was enough). To us, DCL is overpriced. We would never cruise in hurricane season, on any cruise line.

 

[Dean]

IMO, it's a rip off. But as long as others are willing to be ripped off, good for DCL. To me it's a bad deal with points normally, this just makes it worse. But too each his/her own.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

I can't say that I can blame DVC for planning the cruise for this specific time. Let's face it -- although we all love DVC , I think most of us realize that DVC isn't a benevolent charity without consideration for profit. It's hurricane season -- cruise numbers will be down. It's the traditional first week of school -- cruise numbers will be down even more. It's a guaranteed low market otherwise, but DVC sees a market willing to spend points or cash on the cruise -- making it a virtual sellout (a 3% DVC member response will make it so). The cruise will take significant numbers of DVC points out of the system and give DVC inventory they can put into CRO -- an inventory that isn't limited to that specific week. More money for DVC = more money for Disney. It's a system that works -- the DVC members who take the cruise are happy, DCL will be happy to have a full ship in an otherwise dodgy cruising time, DVC will be happy to have inventory, CRO will be happy to sell that inventory. Happiness all 'round!!!
I would love to be able to go. We're heading "home" for the 1st time in January and I would be interested in attending an event with other DVC members, but DD will be starting Kindergarten that Tuesday; we're saving our points for stays at DVC and the cash price for the cruise is higher than one might otherwise pay for the cruise through a TA. Not sour grapes, just the way it is for us.

 

[geffric]

Me too..

can't because the kids are in school and sports are just starting , we can't miss real life..

I do feel sad that DVC is holding member events when those of us with school age children can't go,, but I can understand why they do it, as they want to fill thing$ up during $low periods..

It would be nice to have the member days event like they had in the summer a few years ago again..

 

[msdis]

Originally posted by Johnnie Fedora
Several years ago when DCL wanted to fill up their undersold fall cruises, DCL used to offer fall "sale-away specials" for DVCers. The points for a 7-day were 25-40% off the value season point chart.

Now to me, that's a "DVC member cruise"

And that was when the point requirements were a lot less to begin with. We did that cruise in Sept. '99. I want to say it was 145 points/pp for our cat 6 room 7 nights on the magic. Now that was "WORTH" it. Hurricane season or not.

 

[DeeCee735]

Not going, wanted to at first.....but upon checking $ amount to book the cruise outside of it being Member Only, it's no bargain on cash. As far as points - to use 140 points for the stateroom I'd pick just because it's affordable in points value and not really the stateroom I'd want - that's the equivalent of $1400 for one person! (at the going rate of $10 per point to rent out). Not only that, it's hurricane season, kids are in first week of school and it's way too hot - I don't like the fact that Disney picks such an "off season" time to make a members only event. Last Member Only cruise (according to what I've read - I did not attend) was filled up with DVC members, so it's not like there's a shortage of those interested, therefore, I feel Disney should make it during a more appealing cruise time (i.e., April), and make it either at a more appealing price than that of the price for any other Disney cruise, or more appealing in points value. Just MHO I hope all who attend have a really really really GREAT time.

 

[goofy4wdw59]

You're right RoyalCanadian, DVC isn't a charity, but when the profit motivation is so obvious (IMHO), it doesn't demonstrate much "special" treatment for members. Others see it differently and feel some kind of specialness about this deal.
We will have opportunities to meet fellow DVCers/DISers during upcoming vacations.
Right now, I'm not feeling the happiness. ...but, I'll get over it.
Today, I read my DVC member e-mail promoting this cruise and was motivated to send an e-mail expressing my disappointment. I mentioned the higher price/point cost (compared to another Sept cruise), and that it's not family-friendly when offered during the first week of school for many children, etc.
With the quick sell-out of this cruise, it won't mean much, but, I'll feel better.
Yes, I will continue to love my DVC, but be disappointed by any cash cow treatment. Moo.

 

[tjkraz]

Yeah, I'm pretty disappointed by this, too. Someone pointed out that the cash cost for a child under 3 is twice the rate of a normal cruise--$198 vs. $99 if memory serves.

Huh???

Convince me that DVC / DCL is gonna provide another $99 in value added to those families who bring along a child that age.

Back when we were debating the Member Homecoming, many of the advocates pointed to the previous cruise as proof that DVC would find a way via merchandise giveaways to justify the cost. If memory serves, those folks walked away with an etched glass decanter set, lanyards, pins and a couple other nick-nacks. Even as an outside observer, I couldn't have been more disappointed for those who attended.

Back to the cruise...I think there's little question that hurricane season bookings will decline a bit next year due to the bad weather this year. Based upon what I'm reading here, it's not uncommon for September cruises to sail without a full ship. DVC / DCL could have kept their standard rates as a "thank you" to DVC members, or just imposed a nominal fee increase. At least they are reaping the benefit of a full boat and a lot of happy cruisers.

Instead they went for the jugular--a full boat AND monster prices.

I guess I can pretty much cross myself off the list for this and any future member events. As long as DVC continues to get this sort of support from membership, the costs are only going to increase. Too bad we can't have a DVC-sponsored gathering without gouging members.

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

The problem for many (if not the silent majority of) members is that these DVC member events continue to cater to the same cluster of DVC fans. IMO, these events cater to DVCers who feel everything Disney/DVC does is the "bestest ever", and they will pay any price to feel "special". And, it is certainly their choice to do so. But, as the Member Homecoming attendance showed, many DVCers don't appreciate getting goudged, and hence that event didn't sell out. As Royal Canadian said, DVC only needs a small percentage of member participation to sell out the cruise, and they will do it. The sell out will give DVC a nice little blurb in the Vacation Magic, and give casual members and prospective purchasers the illusion that all DVCers clammer to attend these special events. When in reality, it's a small segment of members.

tjkraz I'm also disappointed with the way these events price gouge and passively discourage families to participate. For double the price of a regular cruise, your DVC infant certainly isn't going to get tucked in every night by Snow White. There were a few parents brave enough to post their disappointment with the MH event. Their kids paid near the adult price and didn't even get any kiddie trinkets/surprises. Maybe the overall strategy is The fewer familes...the more adults, and maybe that equals more "SSR add-ons"? Who knows?