DCL Member Cruise

[LIFERBABE]

I still have not decided.

Just got off the phone with MS. I was told there will be no $75 fee for the MC. Also if I book with points, if I cancel (more than 60 days) they are Reservation Points.

If I book with cash or combination of points/cash then if I cancel (60 days or more) then I get a full refund of the cash portion.
Does this sound about right?

I know no matter how you pay, if you cancel with less than 60 days then your refund is prorated.

Plus my cordless died so I have to pick up a replacement battery this evening and Im not sure it will be charged by 8am cst. I do have 2 cells.

The CM I spoke with said that it takes approx. 30 min. to book a cruise so the hold times are going to be longest, first thing in the morning.

I know we are the fanatical ones with specific requests that will call in the morning but for those others they may want to call later in the day.

Also have legal names and birthdates for each person and at least 3 stateroom cat as backups.

 

[floridafam]

Okay everyone. Fill me in.

I can't access the member website beyond the first page because I am using a Mac.

We're toying with the idea of booking the cruise.

Can you book with just cash?

Are there certain categories of room we should be looking at for a family of 5 (we'll have a 5 month old at the time)

Should we cruise with a 5 month old?

 

[LIFERBABE]

Hi FloridaFam,

I was told by MS that you can book the MC entirely in cash. You will have to pay in full at time of booking though. It seems to me the cancellation policy is better for cash ressies, because if you need to cancel prior to 60 days out you get a full refund. If booked with points your points are refunded as reservation points.

You can also use a combination of cash and points. I have never cruised, but I know the children need to be 3 and potty trained to take part in the kids clubs. You would also need birth certificates or passports for all children.

With a family of 5, you would most likely want a family suite which would be one of the following:

Category 4 - These state rooms are referred to as "Family Suites." However we would normally envision a family suite to have two separate rooms and this is not the case with cat-4's. They will sleep up to 5 people and contain one bathroom, the shower and toilet area conveniently separated. They are spacious and comfortable, possibly one of the best options for a family that plans to spend equal time in their room and around the ship. Stateroom Tour (Categories 3 - 7)

Category 5 and 6 - There is very little difference between these two stateroom classes. And for that matter, the only major difference between cat 5's and cat 4's is about 30 square feet at the end of the cabin towards the verandah. Category 5 and 6 state room will sleep up to 4 people, contain 1 bathroom (separated) and other standard amenities. You can look for yourself and decide if the extra 30 square feet is worth it and on a 7 day cruise it probably is with added time to spend as a family in the room.

Category 7
There is little noticeable difference between cat 7's and the cat 5 and 6's. The biggest one to point out is the verandah. While it is the same size, it is enclosed with a very large, open air porthole to look through.

There are deck plans and layouts on the Cruise board.

 

[CarolA]

Did anyone get a reservation on the Monday after with the last cruise????

I am going to try and call in the morning, but if I don't get thru early I am out for the day! (At the Girl Scout camp, no cell phone reception, plus I have a dozen kids to take care of!)

 

[WDWLVR]

Carol - if memory serves me right all the cat 5's & 6's sold out on Saturday, but yes there was some availability on Monday.

 

[CarolA]

Thanks Mary!

 

[CarolA]

And just to confuse the situation more....

Would you go solo??? I am going to book for two, but I am not sure person two can actually go. If I don't get a verandah then I can't substitute my Mom who normally goes (smoker) and most of my other female friends are married and I don't think thier hubbies are going to go for this as a Girls weekend!

 

[WDWLVR]

Carol - that's a tough call. I know someone who used to be on these boards booked a cabin for two last time without knowing who the 2nd person would be at the time of booking.

The downside is I think you might be charged the $75 fee when you go to add that second person. The fee is waived today for booking, but they charge it for any changes you make.

While not as convenient as your own veranda smoking is allowed on the outside decks. So depending on where your room is that could be deck 9 (but not by the Mickey pool), deck 10, or deck 4. Also during the day the small and not so secret deck on 7 aft is open.

Good luck in your decision.

 

[CarolA]

Mary,
Thanks. I know that I would have to pay to change the name, that is no big deal. However, I pretty much have my mom convinced that Disney only allows smoking on her verandah! LOL!

 

[WDWLVR]

Carol - if you are hoping to get a verandah then I'm hoping you get one!

Cindy - and anyone else new to DCL - I noticied on the cruise meets board that your first choice was a cat 5. The cat 5 & 6 are identical - just that the cat 5 is on deck 7 and the cat 6 is one decks 5&6. I would save some precious points and make the 6 your first choice.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

LESS THAN AN HOUR!!!!!

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

 

[BCVOwner2002]

Oh my goodness! I am so excited. Good luck to everyone. Annmarie

 

[Sneaky3]

I am getting ready. I hope I get on early just less stressful. Good luck everyone and lets stay posted here.

Michele

 

[WDWLVR]

Just about 20 minutes to go - we're ready

 

[burnsoc]

It's ridiculous how hard my heart is beating right now. I feel as if I'm calling in for CRT breakfast. Good luck to all, I have to go drink my fourth cup of coffee. OH! That's why I'm so jittery.
-Chris

 

[eva]

We were planning on going. I had everything ready to go for today. Then my daughter in college came in last night and said due to a scheduling confict for her spring semester she needs $2,500 for a mini-mester class that she has to take to graduate by May. Darn school schedule. We had set aside that money for the cruise. DH won't let me use the charge card unless he has the money set aside to pay it off that month and we don't have the points (due to a family trip next year) to pay by points. If they would let you pay upfront just 20% or 25%, like normal with DCL, then it would be no problem.

Oh Well, guess I will just have to wish everyone good luck on getting through today and getting the cabin you really want!

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Originally posted by eva
We were planning on going. I had everything ready to go for today. Then my daughter in college came in last night and said due to a scheduling confict for her spring semester she needs $2,500 for a mini-mester class that she has to take to graduate by May. Darn school schedule. We had set aside that money for the cruise. DH won't let me use the charge card unless he has the money set aside to pay it off that month and we don't have the points (due to a family trip next year) to pay by points. If they would let you pay upfront just 20% or 25%, like normal with DCL, then it would be no problem.

Oh Well, guess I will just have to wish everyone good luck on getting through today and getting the cabin you really want!

eva, may be a little late to ask, but can you borrow 2006 points? That is what we are doing. All of our 2005 points are gone. I never wanted to borrow, but for this we are!

 

[MarkRG]

Warm up those hands!

 

[LIFERBABE]

Still agonizing about what to do, but Im up! I'll let the phones decide. If we get what we want we will go, if not then we will book the 7 day. Win-Win!

 

[#1Mouse]

READY
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SET
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GO!!!!!!!!!