Don't know what to do!!!! Member Cruise!!!!!

[dotterson]

Just got a post card from DVC. There's another Member Cruise on Feb. 2-6!!!! Two days at Castaway...

Here's the dilemna: already booked 5 days at HH during Spring Break in April. Will probably go to FL to see my mother on MLK weekend (Sarasota). Feb. 2-6 is NOT a holiday for my daughter. In fact, we will be taking a few extra days this Nov. for Thanksgiving (at BVC) -- special 40th B-day for hubbie. Maybe take a few more for the MLK weekend, so... I bet my hubbie will nix the cruise! (The last one sounded like SO much fun!)

1. For those that went in April, how was the Member Cruise and what did they do differently? (We've already been on the 3 and 4-day. 3 was too little, 4 maybe too, but we're scared to do a 7 day -- dog has to be boarded, etc. Plus it's gotten expensive!)

2. Are there significant discounts (less points) for the Member Cruise?

3. Should we abandon the other trips? (Mother will be difficult!)

Thanks for your input!!!!

 

[kamgen]

What are the details of the cruise?? We haven't gotten anything!
Kamy

 

[Dumbo]

Very interesting! I have a February use year. Which means I will reload with another years worth of points on Feb. 1, 2003. And will be able to borrow from my 2004 use year. This is very tempting.


Dumbo

 

[dotterson]

It's a 4 day cruise. I can't remember which boat. 2 days at Castaway (I guess no Bahamas -- no loss in my book!) A special Sat. 8/24 from 9 to 5(?) to make reservations with DVC.

I wonder if it's on the web...

Gosh, I'm tempted, but I really wanted to know what they did SPECIAL for us! (Besides the 2 days in Castaway...)

So... anyone know???


d

 

[Lisabell]

.....or points that is 2 DAYS AT CASTAWAY CAY is plenty special!!!!! Wow!!!

That might be worth the price of admission alone. Sigh....

Do you HAVE to use points or can you just be a member and pay cash (or pay cash for some of your party)?

Lisabell

 

[dotterson]

But when I was last chatting with DVC, they said you could use points with just ONE passenger. (I didn't believe that one.) I asked because we'd have to save a million years to get 3 of us on a 7-day cruise on points...

Yes, I agree. Castaway IS a great benefit! (I hope not the only one tho!)

d

 

[luckytso]

dotterson,

can you tell me if the card shows the point requirement at all (in particular, for a category 4 family suite).

Thanks

 

[Beth]

It's not yet on the website - I sure would like to make it to this one!!

 

[poohstx]

I just went through all of the January and February Disney Wonder cruises on Expedia and guess what? There is no listing of a Feb 2-6th cruise to book! It looks like the Member Cruise could be a lot of fun. Hopefully MS will post some information soon.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Can you use cash for members only cruises? We've used all of our 2003 and a few 2004 points already by booking our July cruise. Perhaps a few personal days with just the hubby....but it would have to be cash.
Robin M.

 

[dotterson]

very strange, huh? no mention of the pt. value and none of the date. nothing on the web... talk about a tease!

d

 

[luckytso]

The Wall Street Journal today talked about deflationary worries, saying all the prices are coming down, including cruises. I would not be surprised that this is also affecting Disney's. I wonder if they are still trying to determine the point value given the current environment and see how they can maximize it.

I would love to find out if this will be a better cruise or they would treat DVCers not as nicely when comparing to regular cruises that they offer, since we are kind of locked. Any thoughts?

 

[HookdonWDW]

I called MS this afternoon, and the gentleman I spoke with said that the point requirements for the different categories are still being ironed out. They hope to have something on the website at the beginning of next week.

He confirmed that DVC is taking over the ENTIRE ship!!!

 

[luckytso]

I just remembered that I received an e-mail yesterday from member services (because I had e-mailed them earlier regarding some problems signing up on the member's website). The person who sent the e-mail said that I should be getting something really exciting next week. I was wondering what it would have been. Now it seems that it must have been this cruise announcement.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

You know, if this is 'points only" it would be kind of unfair. The emphasis in DVC is making your vacation plans well ahead of time--and we have booked 11 months out for the 3rd time just last week! So our 2003 points are spoken for--if we use any more 2004 we won't be going in 2004--and I'm sure others are in the same "boat" (no pun intended).
It's during the school year anyhow so my odds are pretty slim.
Robin M.

 

[padisneyfan]

Just checked cruise locator, and for 2/2 sailing there are no rooms available. Just last week I booked 4 day Wonder for 2/9 so we could do Daytona 500 at the end of that week. However, if the 2/2 sailing is a better deal, DH may just have to do without the Daytona race.

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

Wow, just when I thought we had our vacations planned into 2004. Really want to hear the details on this one. Hope you can do points/cash, or all cash. And, or course I hope it's a good deal. I like the two days at castaway instead of a cheesy port stop.

 

[KarenNY]

2 days at Castaway Cay is sure tempting.

 

[WDWLVR]

This is certainly make me rethink our 2003 plans! The last DVC cruise looked like it was a lot of fun and I was sorry we missed out. Now to hear that there will be 2 days as Castaway Cay!

Can't wait to see the full details because I think we can swing it on points!

 

[Regina]

I contacted DCL, and the CM I spoke to had a request for this date the day prior. She couldn't figure out why she couldn't book it. One mystery solved.

Two days at Castaway Cay. Two days on a white sandy beach, swimming in crystal clear water, sipping on a Konk Kooler while lazily swinging in a hammock. And then there's the open air massage........Oh yeah, this one looks very, very tempting.

Is everyone busy recalculating their points???