ATT: DVCers that choose NOT to "Member Cruise"

[Dean]

DVC isn't a money making entity. DVD is but it is a different organization. And it's supposed to be a balance with the number of points geared to recoup the exact cost of the item, just like DC, CC, etc. But I'm sure there's a cost for DCL to rearrange others who have been scheduled on the cruise that are not DVC members.

 

[Muushka]

Originally posted by Dean
Snip.... But I'm sure there's a cost for DCL to rearrange others who have been scheduled on the cruise that are not DVC members.

Well, if this is the case, I have a suggestion for DVD. What THIS member would like to see is for them to reserve the ship for a time when the ability to book has not yet taken place (say 2007 at this point) rather than to have to rip off DVC members with higher rates to compensate people for having to change their sailing dates.

Also:

1. Choose a time to sail when it is not the peak of hurricane season.

2. A time when children are not just returning to school (I don't even have kids and I can understand why people are upset).

3. A time when it is not so hot and humid


Yes, once again, this DVC member will not be attending another event. Quite honestly, the thought of collecting all that stuff that they give out (the little gifts each day) does not thrill me. I am at the 'purge' state of life, not the collecting state. Perhaps they could have the member cruise have 2 prices. One for those that want to pay extra for the 'stuff' and one for those who would be perfectly happy paying less and going home without an extra suitcase.

And yes, I do know what 'magic' feels like. And being ripped off, to me, is not magic.

Does anyone actually believe that DVD chose this time to cruise because it is when members would want to? Yup, they sure do have our best interest at heart. I can just hear the big-wigs sitting at their meeting (probably right after Jeanne) and wringing their hands at what they could do next year to fill the ship for the week that is more than likely the most difficult one to fill. "I've got it!!! Lets fill it with DVC members and charge them more!!!"

 

[Andrea T]

In the past we have done 3 Disney cruises. We loved them all. Now DS is 12 and REFUSES to go on that "baby boat". We now take a Royal Caribbean cruise every year. Different strokes for different folks......

 

[DisneyMim]

Well, the timing is not good for us either. Hubby is a teacher and with two kids on a school schedule it's impossible. Heck if we could we would go to WDW at that time, seems like we'd have our pick of rooms!! As for cruises, well we discovered RCCL and our kids won't do anything else. Our kids think DCL is just to "little kiddish" for them.

I do hope though that everyone on the DVC member cruise has a wonderful time!!!

 

[torismom]

I feel the points/cash price is to high for that time period. (I have booked a cat 3 for May 2006 and the DVC cruise would cost apx 500.00 more based on cash) I do not have anywhere near enough points to use them to cruise on.

I would not sail during hurricane season at all regardless if this hurricane season had happened or not.

I would have a hard time being away from my kids that long. They will have been in school apx 1 month and I would not take them out then.

I attended Member Homecoming and some aspects were enjoyable and some had an awe factor but I felt it was to much money for what was received. I honestly felt a little let down and disapointed after the member homecoming. I guess I expected something more.

I wish those that are going a wonderful time and for those of us staying home a wonderful time for us!!

 

[disneycrazed139]

When I got the notice today, I immediately considered booking it. Then I reconsidered.

We probably won't go. There are simply just less expensive ways of going on a Disney Cruise for us. Using up points this way doesn't seem to be the most reasonable option for us.

I agree with Shan about the hurricane timing. Given what happened this year, I wouldn't want to chance it.

I hope all who are going, have a wonderful time. I would really love to, but with school starting, the pricing/points, and hurricane potential, I doubt we'll decide to go.

 

[jazzmanmgt]

I would love to join the group cruisung, but being a teacher it is impossible for me to get time off at the start of the school year. Especialyy following nearly 3 months of vacation.

 

[leanne2255]

Originally posted by Muushka
Does anyone actually believe that DVD chose this time to cruise because it is when members would want to? Yup, they sure do have our best interest at heart. I can just hear the big-wigs sitting at their meeting (probably right after Jeanne) and wringing their hands at what they could do next year to fill the ship for the week that is more than likely the most difficult one to fill. "I've got it!!! Lets fill it with DVC members and charge them more!!!"

I couldn't agree more!

 

[starwood]

We are already booked on the 8/13 California cruise.

I also hate it that they schedule these special events during the school year. It is definitely not a good idea for me to take DS out of school even for a few days. We try to instill in him the idea that there is no way he is going to miss school other than being sick (and pretty sick at that). The only exception we made was when I won a trip to WDW and the only time to go was over Martin Luther King weekend so he only missed 1 day of school.

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

Originally posted by Andrea T
In the past we have done 3 Disney cruises. We loved them all. Now DS is 12 and REFUSES to go on that "baby boat". We now take a Royal Caribbean cruise every year. Different strokes for different folks......

Andrea T,

Which RCCL ships have you cruised on, and are they out of FL? How did they compare to DCL especailly with kids? You can PM me with the info if you like...Thanks, Johnnie

 

[DrTomorrow]

Originally posted by Johnnie Fedora
[...] But, as the Member Homecoming attendance showed, many DVCers don't appreciate getting goudged, and hence that event didn't sell out. [...]

With all due respect, we have no idea if that is the reason MH didn't sell out; there were many posts right here on the DIS that claimed the reason for not attending was the lack of notice and/or existing vacation plans. Heck, even in this thread, there's a strong plurality (majority?) who would love to go but are upset that the dates conflict with school/family.

 

[pogopossum]

when the notice came it was a little exciting, because we are planning to go on rebook cruise during that time next year, but looking into it dashed hopes when i figured out it was labor day weekend and our discounts don't apply to holiday periods.

we obviously won't be scared off by hurricanes, since we braved frances to cruise this year, and truthfully for those that are concerned, i would much rather be out on a ship avoiding storm than on land when it hits. and we now have done both .

we also prefer to cruise on 7 day trip, so this trip also is less appealing due to that.

finally like so many others of you i find the price to be a little out of line, since it is only a 4 day and the heart of hurricane season as well.

 

[jmminarik]

Why is everyone automatically assuming it is DVC that's "price gouging". I'd tend to think it's more DCL saying 'Sure, we'll rent you the boat, but during our low time and at rates the non-rabid public wouldn't touch in this economy....your choice DVC management, take it or leave it".

Just because the two entities have the same parent doesn't mean they cut each other any slack.

-Joe

 

[goofy4wdw59]

It's true that we don't know if overcharging was the main reason the MH Event didn't sell out. It probably was due to several reasons--not enough notice, bad timing, AND the extra cost--most especially added to families.
JMO, but I think the main reason it didn't sell out was the price-tag--especially to families.
IMO, why some DVCers get upset with the extra family charge is that it flies in the face of what DVC/Disney is suppose to be about...families spending quality vacations together.
It's probably a good guess that MH event was more interested in couples (for purchasing SSR), and, IMO, they continue to practice targeting couple DVC members.
Now, the latest Member Cruise. Here was an opportunity for DVC to show good-faith to the DVC family member, demonstrate that they looked at the feedback from previous events. And, we end up with the same result (except more time to plan for this event)--higher costs/mostly to families as well as bad timing/first week of school. So, just speaking for myself, I have little faith in DVC's ability to negotiate things for it's members--especially FAMILY members.
We don't know how the process really takes place, but, if DVC has so little ability to negotiate member events for us..."Take it or Leave It"...that doesn't say much for ALL entities that makeup the family company DISNEY.
I know, it's a business. IMO, I have higher expectations of Disney, or I wouldn't be so disappointed.

 

[smjj]

Originally posted by Muushka
Does anyone actually believe that DVD chose this time to cruise because it is when members would want to? Yup, they sure do have our best interest at heart. I can just hear the big-wigs sitting at their meeting (probably right after Jeanne) and wringing their hands at what they could do next year to fill the ship for the week that is more than likely the most difficult one to fill. "I've got it!!! Lets fill it with DVC members and charge them more!!!"

I aggree, this cruise at this time of the year is a way for DCL to fill up the ship during a very slow and bad weather time and get a more than premium price for it..smjj

 

[starwood]

Originally posted by Andrea T
In the past we have done 3 Disney cruises. We loved them all. Now DS is 12 and REFUSES to go on that "baby boat". We now take a Royal Caribbean cruise every year. Different strokes for different folks......

DS will be 13 on our next cruise and he just can't wait to go.

 

[Diana Lyn]

I'm just curious--has anyone actually expressed their opinion about the overcharging directly to DVC? I really want to do this especially with them essentially doubling the cash price for kids under 3 ($99 vs $196). I just want to see if anyone else has done it and what kind of response they got.

As I said before, I'm the first on to jump on these type of things,we were on the Member Cruise and and MH but now with two kids under 3, we simply can't afford to pay double for kids who aren't going to get $196 out of the cruise!

 

[goofy4wdw59]

Diana Lyn,
I e-mailed a letter (members@disneyvacationclub.com)on October 8th and am waiting for a response.
I expressed my concern about the latest cruise not being family-friendly--in early September, first week of school, and a HIGHER price during a usually discounted hurricane season, etc.
I didn't specifically list the under 3--$99 vs $196, but I wish I did because it's a good point to be made.
I will post here when I get a response. Good luck to you!
Margaret

 

[OneMoreTry]

1. 5 kids
2. Cost
3. Time of year
4. Personally, not cruise type
5. Would rather have WDW event like the one in May but even that was too expensive
6. If I DID do a cruise I'd rather do a Meditteranean (how the heck do you spell that?) cruise or a Disney PIN trader cruise

 

[Bella2000]

Initially I thought "cool, member cruise" until I saw the dates and the points. I was really disturbed and then honestly insulted that what is typically value season (can you say hurricane) would have such high point value. I shook my head and thought what a rip off. Great idea, poor execution IMHO. No hesitation in passing. If I'm going to pay that much in points I don't want to worry that it's going to be canceled due to weather. Off topic - what would happen if we have the same type of hurricane season next year - how will they handle points if the cruise is canceled? Just curious.