disney members only cruise 2009?

[fflmaster]

when will the reservations start for the members only cruise for 2009?

my family and i have never been on the cruise and next year we would like to try that.

i was also told sometimes dvc members that have never been on a cruise before can book before the general dvc membership.

is this correct? and when would that date be? or how do you sign up for that?

 

[TiffanyW1]

subscribing

 

[hockeyprincess]

 

[fatfish]

What's the difference between the members' cruise and any other cruise on the DCL? Can only DVC members go? Is the pricing the same? What about the itinerary? I know I can find deals on the regular cruises. Will I have to pay more to take the members' cruise? Can anyone fill me in?

thanks!

 

[fflmaster]

subscribing??

subscribe to what? the disney cruise line? dvc member login?

i am not sure, but my wife will be very upset if i missed the registration this year like i did last.

anyone have any info when this usually comes out?

 

[CarolA]

What's the difference between the members' cruise and any other cruise on the DCL? Can only DVC members go? Is the pricing the same? What about the itinerary? I know I can find deals on the regular cruises. Will I have to pay more to take the members' cruise? Can anyone fill me in?

thanks!

The DVC cruise is limited to members and thier guests. I think each member can book up to two cabins.

You aren't going to find a deal. All booking is done via DVC and this cruise costs MORE then the normal Sept cruises. They do have lots of "presents" and special guests.

I don't think the itineary has been announced nor have the booking dates.

 

[Laxmom]

I looked into this recently. It is a chartered cruise by DVC thru DCL basically, and for DVC members only. You won't be able to find deals, no obc's or anything like that. It does cost more and I heard had to be paid for at booking - someone correct me if that is incorrect, please! They are usually 4 days or so and take place in Sept. Booking starts in mid November, from what I was told. The cruisers do recieve some incredible gifts and the special guests are usually noteworthy; Art Linkletter and Ducky Williams just to name a couple from the past.

It's a must do someday for us too.

 

[Golden Rose]

We love to cruise, although we've never done a Disney cruise. I've never been certain if the price premium was quite worth it for us, since DH definitely isn't as much of a Disney fan as I am. Now that our son is 3, we've thought we should try a Disney cruise with him... just as soon as he gets over his fear of the characters.

We are seriously thinking about the member cruise next year, but I do have a few questions.

When y'all say it costs more points than a normal cruise, do you mean a 4 day costs about the same number of points as a 7 day, or is even more expensive than that?

Does at least one person in a group need to be staying on points?

Can it only be booked through member services?

Will I need to try to book the day it becomes available to have a shot at it?

 

[Laxmom]

I'm not sure you can use points for the members cruise. It isn't listed in the planner. Anybody know for sure?

Golden Rose, to make the DCL cruise "affordable" you need to book early! They book the ship much the way the airlines do; the rates go up as the ship fills up. Your best rates are going to be way in advance. For example, we did the 5 day earlier in Sept. When we booked 1 year ago, we paid $735 pp. I saw that rate jump to over $1000 before it sold out. All totalled, booking early saved us $1500. People who booked before we did paid less. A year ago, we took the 4 day, booked at 3 months out. We paid $100 more pp for the 4 day on short notice than we did the 5 day booked far in advance. When the new 2010 itineraries come out next month, find one and book it for the best price.

 

[WDWLVR]

The member cruise is not booked like any other DCL cruise. There is a designated booking day. For 09 it is November 2nd.

For the 2007 member cruise they did have a special lottery for first time cruisers but they did not have that for 2008 and it doesn't appear they will have it for 2009.

There is a special points chart which will be on the DVC site before booking starts. You can also book using cash but since it is a charter all cash ressies must be paid in full on booking day. You can also do a combo of 1/2 points and 1/2 cash. That is what we did for this years cruise.

The DVC cruise will cost more than a regular cruise in that same time frame. A couple of things to note. For the initial booking DVC waives the booking fee (but you have to pay it if you change your reservation in any way). Your tips are included which they aren't on a regular cruise. Yes there are some daily gifts but quite frankly if that is all you are going for then I don't see the value. What has always been the biggest treat for us is the guests they bring on board. They are awesome and not something you regularly see on other DCL cruises (with the exception of some of the real long cruises like the repos).

This is our 5th member cruise that we are currently on and we are looking at booking #6 come November 2nd. It isn't for everyone but it is for us.

 

[Laxmom]

Thanks, Mary and have a great cruise!!! Sure wish I could see the Magic all pretty after dry doc!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Since the cruises have been in September that past few years, unless they change the month, I won't ever attend. No cruising in Sept. for me. Any chance they will change the month?

 

[Laxmom]

Oh, where is your sense of adventure!?? This coming from the cruiser who had 30 ft seas a few weeks ago!! I might do it if it was the member's cruise but otherwise, I don't think we will be racing to cruise in September again.

 

[CarolA]

Since the cruises have been in September that past few years, unless they change the month, I won't ever attend. No cruising in Sept. for me. Any chance they will change the month?

I think you have just hit the nail on the head for the reason they HAVE this cruise in Sept. It's back to school and hurricane season. Kind of a double whammy for DCL. So "sell" a boat to DVC for cruise!

 

[LIFERBABE]

I went on the 2005 and 2006 DVC cruises.

The 2005 was AWESOME!!

The 2006 not so much!

In 2006 we also went on the Double Dip 7 Day cruise and decided that we prefer the longer itinerary and activities DCL offered as opposed to depending on DVC to provide the bulk of the entertainment that we may or may not enjoy.

This year, our Aug 2008 15 day repo cost 50% more than it would cost for us to go on the Sep 2008 4 Day DVC cruise. We had Ducky Williams on the ship the entire time, ESPN sportscasters, AJ and Aly, and special shows at night. We received a Litho and some stateroom gifts. DVC had a reception and gave out free alcoholic beverages. We also hit 7 ports.

We missed out on the great onboard add-on incentives, but we are not adding on. If I planned on adding on, I would go on the DVC cruise to do it because they have always offered great incentives onboard.

I just found our 2006 cruise was too focused on sales and not enough activities. Because it's a charter, DVC is supposed to fill the navigator with activities not DCL. They did have their nightly shows and bingo and nightclubs, but the rest was left to DVC who left big gaps of time unfilled.

That and the 2nd stop at Castaway Cay was delayed by 2 hours so that everyone would attend the saleshow in the theater. By that time, I was tired of sales and marketing.

Im not telling anyone not to go, just giving a dissenting opinion because I feel it's needed. DCL offers great cruises, filled with activities and special guests and gifts. You dont have to go on a DVC cruise to get that.

Also because it's a shorter cruise, and in 2005 we were not Castaway Club members, we could not get into Palo for Dinner or Brunch. We checked daily.

We also received incentives on our Repo Cruise. We received $50 obc from Disney Visa and $575 Costo Cash card for booking with Costco Travel. That pretty much covered our tips

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I think you have just hit the nail on the head for the reason they HAVE this cruise in Sept. It's back to school and hurricane season. Kind of a double whammy for DCL. So "sell" a boat to DVC for cruise!

 

[TChrist05]

Unfortunately, my DW and I love the resorts and usually spend all our points there. When we take a cruise, it is cash. What kind of money and I looking at booking the DVC member cruise in 09 with cash only. I do understand that it is more pricey than normal, but I kind of want to know what I am probably looking at before I discuss it with my wife and she gets into cruise mode......Like....lets go on another cruise.....lets go on another cruise.....get the picture?

Thanks.

Tom

 

[krdisneybound]

WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! --------------- thanks for starting this thread.

I have used points and cash for the DVC cruises in the past. It's just up to the individual/family whch they think is best for them.

Whatever you do, good luck and have a great time planning. Do your own thing and don't let anyone plan for you. That's most important..........

Don't worry about not getting in on the first day it opens up. It doesn't fill up anymore, as people just do not think it is that important to go on the member cruise.

As for the gifts they give, you can buy them from someone for a fraction of what it costs to cruise just for the gifts.

 

[Crissup]

Don't worry about not getting in on the first day it opens up. It doesn't fill up anymore, as people just do not think it is that important to go on the member cruise.

This last member cruise did end up selling out. I've done two of these now and have had a great time on both.

 

[njco]

What are the gift's that they give members on the cruise. Also what is the double dip 7 day cruise?