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

[dbond]

I dug deep enough and maybe I've found something, I have never heard of Air Tran Airways, they appear to be new to the Dallas market, with an Atlanta hub. Anybody familiar with them, positive or negative comments? They actually have a 5:50 AM flight that connects in Atlanta that would get us to MCO at 11:01, $272.

 

[pennyb]

I spoke with member services today and was told that the point schedule would be out tonight or tomorrow, so check dvc website.
She also told me you could pay cash or use points and this cruise was for dvc members only. But you can book the cruise for your friends and family members and let them pay cash. As long as a dvc member makes the reservations, they can go too. I am looking forward to seeing the points required and the cash price, as well. I asked ms if the points would be less than the 2003 point schedule and she told me she had no idea. Hopefully, it will cost less points than the regular schedule. Two days at Castaway Cay will be wonderful. Very relaxing.

 

[skorpie]

Dear dbond! We used to fly Air tran when they flew our to Newburgh NY. They were a direct flight for us to MCO and the price was right! You just had to be on the phone at midnight to get the good fares. Hey if they offer a good, safe flight, go for it!

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

Here's the points for the last member cruise (which was in the regular season, I'm hoping that since this one is in the value season, that the points will be even cheaper. Also, maybe it will be less expensive to operate if there are less port charges and fuel. Any thoughts??

4 Deluxe Family Stateroom with Verandah 133 $1,029
5 Deluxe Stateroom with Verandah 120 $929
6 Deluxe Stateroom with Verandah 116 $889
7 Deluxe Stateroom with Navigator's Verandah 102 $789
8 Deluxe Ocean View Stateroom 96 $739
9 Deluxe Ocean View Stateroom 90 $689
10 Deluxe Inside Stateroom 77 $589
11 Standard Inside Stateroom 71 $549

Additional Adult(13+) 49 $379
Child (ages 3-12) 43 $329
Child (age 2 and under) 14 $104

 

[dbond]

I'm encouraged by those prices, I was looking at costs of 4-day Wonder cruises the week prior and the week after and the current DCL website prices were considerably higher than what you posted. Less because of value season would be even better. Was the last member cruise a DVC member charter like this one, or did they just sell the member prices for a portion of the ship? I remember I was bummed because I didn't find out about it until it was sold out.

 

[scootersmom]

dbond, we flew on Air Tran from Akron/Canton to MCO two years ago and had no problems. Changed planes in Atlanta, but I think they also offer some non-stops from here, not sure about that.

I see you'll be at CBR for New Years? We'll be at OKW... can't wait!

 

[dbond]

hey scootersmom, we'll actually be at OKW as well on NYE. Our first time at WDW for NYE. And then if we can pull off this cruise a month later, what a great way to start the New Year!

 

[Beth]

Do any of you who have actually spoken to MS about this know which ship this is going to be on? Just curious - we sailed on the 11th sailing of the Magic back in 1998 - I'd love to try the other ship...

What do you think we could expect weather-wise for that time of year?

 

[dbond]

The DCL cruise site shows that they are taking reservations for the 2/1 sailing of the Magic, and not for the 2/2 sailing of the Wonder, so I would think that pretty much confirms that the SS Member cruise is the Wonder. Yea! It would be our first time on the Wonder.

Beth, we also sailed on the Magic soon after it began in 1998, how do remember which # sailing it was? I wish I knew what sailing # we were, but our sailing date was October 5.

 

[dotterson]

Can't do this one this time. The days are during school and we're already taking time off for Thanksgiving and MLK and possibly if my daughter wins the swim champs in later Feb.

Hope this is a wonderfull success and a DVC cruise is an annual thing! (We should have done the one last year during Spring Break! I could kill my hubbie for saying no!)

Hope all you folks have a great time!

d

 

[Beth]

dotterson,

Believe it or not - I still have the Itinerary printout I received from WD Travel Co here at my desk.... We departed on 9/04, returning on 9/07 - a 3-night cruise. It was 132 points/person - Category 5. It took me a WHILE to get back to normal with my points after using all of those!!

I'm a Banker - so I tend to retain numbers really well - don't know why... I can still tell you which stateroom we were in, too - 7562. I just remember that it was the 11th sailing, because I was so pleased to get on it so early! I made my reservations with MS on January 2nd of that year, I believe (or the first Monday after the New Year.)

I really hope we can do this one - I'm envisioning a HUGE DIS DVC Board meet!!!

 

[dotterson]

Been on 2 cruises - 3 day and 4 day. Used up so many points for the 3 day had to borrow a year out!

I wish we could do this -- esp. if the points/money are less. But, we really can't have my daughter miss so much school! yuck!

This sounds so much better than the others with 2 days at Castaway. (They must be listening tho -- because everyone I talked to wanted more Castaway and less commercial Bahanas.) Maybe next year! Each year gets more difficult as school gets more important!

oh well... I'll try to forget about this!

 

[CarolAnnC]

The Magic sails only on 7 day itineraries. The Wonder sails both the 3 and 4 day itineraries. So the Wonder it is!!

 

[Renee']

Unfortunately the points aren't less, they are more than the value season. I called MS this morning and got some preliminary info. I didn't get the point breakdown for all categories but did get for a cat 10 to compare. Cat 10 will be 96 per adult and 49 per child. This is up from the value season rate. This is due to the "special itinerary". They are however going to add the cat. 3 and cat. 12 for this cruise only.

Also, on Aug. 24th when booking. MS will be able to make all cash reservations in addition to points. Whether you book with all points or all cash there will be a $75 transfer fee for all transactions - using points or not.

The member site is currently being updated with all the info.

 

[kamgen]

I cannot believe they would make the points so much higher. Where is the "deal" we should get as members? Just my opinion, but is another day at CC worth "that many" points? I want to see the cash cost on this.

I was looking forward to booking it, but I don't know now.

Kamy

 

[sgtpet]

That is a shame that it is more points. I can't wait to here their justification for it.

 

[disneydawn]

Also...I was told there will be no onboard credit like on the last cruise!! BUMMER!

 

[alikat99]

Wow, I was also looking forward to booking, but now I'm rethinking it. We were originally going to take a 7-night Western cruise in 10/2003, but when this came out, we thought it would be a great alternative. But, if it's going to cost more points than a normal cruise, then I'm tempted to just go back to my original plan on the 7-night.

 

[sgtpet]

That is the nail in the coffin. We won't be going on this cruise.

I am getting sick of Disney's thought process. Oh wait we have those DVC suckers, raise the rates on them even though we charge them too many points to transfer out of the DVC resorts.

No wonder the company is crumbling.

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

Point cost

I wonder what the cash rate will be

Looks like we may be sticking with our original January BCV plans