DVC Member Cruise

[Muushka]

What is wrong with this picture?

I just looked up the point requirements for the 4 day DVC member cruise.
For 2 adults (which we are) in Cat 5, it is 181 points each. That is 362 for two.

We are booked on the 7 day Magic on 9/27, 2 adults, cat 5, $2632 including all fees, not including a $300 credit from the TA when we return.
I know they give out lots of great stuff and have lots of great speakers, but .

Forgot to add, we also do CC twice.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Right, you have to really want to go on a Members Cruise to go on one. People here will keep pointing out that the trinkets are only that, the administration uses it as a selling tool, you are captive audiences for sales pitches, and that there are so many better priced cruises, even Disney ones out there.

We went on one, and had a wonderful time. The next two years weren't good for us time wise, next year it's a possibility, but only if we go on a waitlist, we won't be home the call in day.

I think it's like some people who buy at _______ (fill in any DVC) and get bombarded with "yikes, small villas" "off property" "trash in the halls" instead of sincere "Welcome Home"!

I'm glad the call in date is pretty close, so I won't have to read about all of the reasons not to go on a MC for long!

Bobbi

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

We can never go due to the timing -- I've got two kids in school that really can't be taken out for vacations anymore as it's just not worth the stress of trying to make up all the work when they get back. So the issue is mute for me (which is probably a good thing as I've always been irked about the pricing for the member cruises!).

 

[cherylp3]

I guess it is a personal prefernce sort of thing. I enjoy the member cruises.

 

[Muushka]

I guess it is a personal prefernce sort of thing. I enjoy the member cruises.

Looks like you are on one now? How is it? Having fun??
Lots of goodies?

 

[kimberh]

I have a friend, that worked as a Cast member on the Magic for a time period. In the month of Sept, they were allowed to have a "cast member family and friends special", it is a slow time for the two ships, so they discount the prices. The prices to go were amazing. Disney could really do much better on the Member cruises, plus it is really close to peak Hurricane season.
We just returned from a RCCL 7 day on Mariner of the Seas... Sept 17th for $562.PP Promenade deck.

I have never been on a Members cruise, but I would like to know what they give you for coming.

 

[DVC Dude]

I don't understand why they target "families" yet schedule this member crusie during school season. I would go if it was during June-August or any school holiday. That would be a great way to reward members, not schedule a trip during school when they have a harder time selling out DCL.

 

[Muushka]

I don't think their goal is to reward members, sadly.
It is to fill ships at undesirable times. We are choosing to cruise at one of those times, but the price reflects the risk for our 7 day cruise.

 

[cherylp3]

I just came back this morning. Some really great disney stories, music and just fun. Yes we did get lots of goodies, good thing is that they were lighter this year. (Pins - a life magazine - a quilt a steamboat willie lithograph and a suitcase with a classic mickey, the old style tickets and a photo frame)

Also many ppl are speculating that DVC is trying to slowly move the cruises to the summer time frame. I don't get why they don't do Feb. again we had great weather.

Looks like you are on one now? How is it? Having fun??
Lots of goodies?

 

[kamgen]

Cheryl- glad you had a good time! Welcome home!

We have always wanted to do the MC and are considering it for next year. We are glad they don't do summer and if they did, we would not do it....too hot and since we like to link with a WDW trip, it is too crowded for us. We love cruising in the fall and are so glad they do it then. Feb does sound nice too! I was surprised to see the points were LESS than the 2007 cruise. Glad, but surprised. It is a hard thing to see that it costs so much since we could cruise in the fall for cheaper...but we want to do it at least once....

 

[JimMIA]

As one who lives in the "Cruise Capital of the World," I have to say I read all of these DCL threads with more than a little amusement.

I am constantly amazed by the prices DCL gets for their cruises. If any B-school student wants to learn a great lesson in differentiation and branding, DCL would be a great case study.

Where else can you get much less ship, the same or lesser itinerary, far fewer options, for 2X, 3X, 5X the price? And if you are using points, you're paying a significant premium on top of those inflated prices. And yet, they are sold out for months and people eagerly await the "call-in day" to make their reservations! That's great marketing.

 

[kimberh]

As one who lives in the "Cruise Capital of the World," I have to say I read all of these DCL threads with more than a little amusement.

I am constantly amazed by the prices DCL gets for their cruises. If any B-school student wants to learn a great lesson in differentiation and branding, DCL would be a great case study.

Where else can you get much less ship, the same or lesser itinerary, far fewer options, for 2X, 3X, 5X the price? And if you are using points, you're paying a significant premium on top of those inflated prices. And yet, they are sold out for months and people eagerly await the "call-in day" to make their reservations! That's great marketing.

You are so right! I bet you do see some deals! If I lived in Miami, I would cruise all the time. Where have you been? Missing your posts.

 

[WDWLVR]

The DVC Member Cruise isn't for everyone. If you are only going for the cruise portion it probably isn't worth the extra points. We don't. We go for the wonderful line-up of guests that DVC brings us. The gifts are nice but again it is the guest that do it for us.

DVC outdid themselves this year with the line-up. Two special nighttime performances and many many wonderful sessions with the Legends.

We've done 4 DVC Member Cruises and will be trying to get on 2008.

 

[tiffsix]

what is an average price for 2 adults on this type of cruise? Can you call & find out how much it would be prior to the reservation start date of Nov. 17th? I got the card in the mail today & it peaked my interest b/c we are planning on going to Disney 9/25-10/3 so it would be a nice addition. Thanks

 

[KristineN]

Can you elaborate on this for me? We are considering the cruise..

The DVC Member Cruise isn't for everyone. If you are only going for the cruise portion it probably isn't worth the extra points. We don't. We go for the wonderful line-up of guests that DVC brings us. The gifts are nice but again it is the guest that do it for us.

DVC outdid themselves this year with the line-up. Two special nighttime performances and many many wonderful sessions with the Legends.

We've done 4 DVC Member Cruises and will be trying to get on 2008.

 

[Muushka]

I just came back this morning. Some really great disney stories, music and just fun. Yes we did get lots of goodies, good thing is that they were lighter this year. (Pins - a life magazine - a quilt a steamboat willie lithograph and a suitcase with a classic mickey, the old style tickets and a photo frame)

Also many ppl are speculating that DVC is trying to slowly move the cruises to the summer time frame. I don't get why they don't do Feb. again we had great weather.

I'm glad you had great weather and lots of goodies!

The DVC Member Cruise isn't for everyone. If you are only going for the cruise portion it probably isn't worth the extra points. We don't. We go for the wonderful line-up of guests that DVC brings us. The gifts are nice but again it is the guest that do it for us.

DVC outdid themselves this year with the line-up. Two special nighttime performances and many many wonderful sessions with the Legends.

We've done 4 DVC Member Cruises and will be trying to get on 2008.

Honestly, the DVC member cruise would appeal to me, but I have such a hard time with the price they charge for it.
I'm glad this year's was a success. Welcome home!

 

[MarkRG]

Can you elaborate on this for me? We are considering the cruise..

We really cover the guest linup in this trip report thread, Was Live Now Great Memories from the DVC Member Cruise

But I will have to say at the risk of repeating ourselves, that every last year of the cruise they have really brought on special guests that I would never have expected to meet in my lifetime without some herculean effort.

I have met Roy Disney, Art Linkletter, Richard Sherman, and have seen many others perform on these cruises including Jodie Benson, Andrea McArtle, and a good number more I can't bring their names to mind easily, as I'm a bit tired after the rather long drive home. If you want to learn more about the individual cruises, there are multiple page trip reports on each and every one on our website linked in my signature, monorailgreen.info.

 

[KristineN]

Thanks for the link....I have a much better understanding of things now.

We really cover the guest linup in this trip report thread, Was Live Now Great Memories from the DVC Member Cruise

But I will have to say at the risk of repeating ourselves, that every last year of the cruise they have really brought on special guests that I would never have expected to meet in my lifetime without some herculean effort.

I have met Roy Disney, Art Linkletter, Richard Sherman, and have seen many others perform on these cruises including Jodie Benson, Andrea McArtle, and a good number more I can't bring their names to mind easily, as I'm a bit tired after the rather long drive home. If you want to learn more about the individual cruises, there are multiple page trip reports on each and every one on our website linked in my signature, monorailgreen.info.