Member Cruise 2009

[MAGICX2]

**Link to Current Member Cruise Live Posts PG3**As we just become Members in Jan.08, I have no idea how the special events such as the Members Only Cruise work. DH and I would like to go on the Members cruise in 2009 for our 10th anniversary. When will they make the announcement about it and when can we start booking? Do you have to use points to go, or can we pay oop?

 

[CarolA]

They usually announce at the end of the current cruise so Sept 08.

They also give the booking date then

You can pay OOP, Personally I have never done the member cruise... it's too rich for my blood. LOL!

Now, this is the first year it appears not to have sold out so who knows what they will do in 09?

 

[MAGICX2]

You can pay OOP, Personally I have never done the member cruise... it's too rich for my blood. LOL!

Just curious, what do you mean by that? Does it cost a lot more than the regular cruise or is it just full of rich, snotty totties?

 

[CarolA]

It costs a lot more. They are selling cruises on either side of this one for a lot less in either dollars or points. This one commands a "premium" for gifts?

 

[bobbiwoz]

Just curious, what do you mean by that? Does it cost a lot more than the regular cruise or is it just full of rich, snotty totties?

The Members cruises cost more that a regular DCL 4 night cruise. Tips are included. There are special guests, and you do get some very nice souvenirs. We were on the '05 members cruise and it was wonderful. I know that Art Linkletter was one of the guests. I don't remember others, Ducky Williams I think...a Disney artist who had great persistence in getting finally hired by Disney. It was inspiring to me to hear his story. One of the gifts we got were prints of his drawing of Mickey and Minnie in front of a DCL ship. It's a cute DVC souvenir. DH and I each got one, and we framed them and have one here in Ohio and the other in Cape May. DH says that perhaps we can give one to our family after they also go on a DCL cruise, well, I love my Family, but the prints are mine, for now at least

The timing of the more recent Member Cruises haven't fit our schedule. I would go on another one in a minute if the time was right!

Bobbi

 

[MAGICX2]

I didn't realize that there were special guests and special gifts! If its free, its for me! I think that would be something really neat to experience, especially for our anniv. What kind of cost are we talking about? We would be just 2 adults. Leaving the kiddos at home for this one.

 

[evaready51]

We went on the Oct 2007 Member Cruise. It was spectacular. Interesting Disney Imagineer's (Marty Sklar), Richard Sherman who wrote many songs for Disney, including songs from Mary Poppins and a Small World LOL!! A few more interesting imagineers and song writers that I don't recall their names but they saved the best for last. They had Andrea McCardle (Annie fame), and two more performers from Wicked (she plays the green witch) and also the person who plays Belle on Broadway, sing a medley of songs on the last night. They were billed as Disney Diva's and they were show stoppers.

The gifts on the cruise were great and it was fun going to CC 2x's (we are not big port of call folks).

We would love to go in 2008 but cannot travel in Sept. We loved it.

 

[MAGICX2]

Anyone want to give a ballpark figure for two adults?
What were some prices for this year?

 

[WDWLVR]

Here is the breakdown for 2008 between a regular cruise the week before or after and the Member Cruise. These are 4 night cruises.


Cat. Regular Member Cruise

11 82 116
10 104 124
9 111 131
8 126 144
7 135 162
6 143 173
5 151 181
4 180 208


These points are for each adult based on double occupancy. Remember that on a cruise almost all your meals and your entertainment is included.

The regular 4 day cruise does Nassau, Castaway Cay and a day at sea. The Member cruise does Castaway Cay, a day at sea, and another day at Castaway Cay.

Tips are inluded in the price for he Member Cruise and not for the regular cruise. Yes there are gifts as well. To me the main reason to go (and my DH and I have been on the 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007 and we are booked on the 2008 one) is for the guests. We've had ship tours by Imagineers, we've seen Ducky Williams, Roy Disney, Art Linkletter, Richard Sherman and so many more. We've seen performances by Andrea McArdle, Jennifer Hudson, Jodi Benson, Susan Egan. I could go on and on.

Go to our web page then click on the DVC link and you can see our web pages for the past member cruises.

They aren't for everyone and yes they do cost more, but for someone who loves Disney as much as we do we think they are worth it!

 

[MAGICX2]

Thanks WDWLVR. Do you have to use points or could we pay oop for the cruise? Does anyone have any experience with what the oop price would be?

 

[cherylp3]

btw this years cruise did end up selling out. Someone tried to get on and couldn't.

They usually make the announcement on the next cruise on the current cruise
You can find the 2008 cash prices at http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1624119

Reminder price varies as to what season the cruise is in.

 

[WDWLVR]

Here are the cash prices for this year:

Cash Price Per Person (Based on double occupancy)

Cat 3 $2,264
Cat 4 $1,384
Cat 5 $1,195
Cat 6 $1,147
Cat 7 $1,081
Cat 8 $992
Cat 9 $944
Cat 10 $916
Cat 11 $869
Cat 12 $869

Additional people

Over 12 $589 (I think I heard correctly)
6-12 $542
3-5 $528
under 3 $227

We did one person on points and the other cash. For any Cash booking you need to pay in full the day you book since it is a charter.

 

[MAGICX2]

Thanks!

 

[MAGICX2]

They usually announce at the end of the current cruise so Sept 08.
They also give the booking date then

They usually make the announcement on the next cruise on the current cruise
Reminder price varies as to what season the cruise is in.

When members return from the current years cruise do they usually post right away about the dates for next years member cruise?
Have they always been in the fall?

 

[cherylp3]

No there was one in 2003 that was in Feb. The last 3 have been in Fall.

 

[MAGICX2]

No there was one in 2003 that was in Feb. The last 3 have been in Fall.

I can't imagine that they would have it in Sept/Oct and then turn around and have it in Feb. or March. Maybe sometime between April and June, but no sooner, you think?

 

[cherylp3]

I think it depends on when they can get the ship.

 

[MAGICX2]

When does this year's member cruise depart? Has anyone heard any rumors for next years member cruise?

 

[bonnielynn]

**See PG2 for most recent post**As we just become Members in Jan.08, I have no idea how the special events such as the Members Only Cruise work. DH and I would like to go on the Members cruise in 2009 for our 10th anniversary. When will they make the announcement about it and when can we start booking? Do you have to use points to go, or can we pay oop?

When is it?

 

[WDWLVR]

When does this year's member cruise depart? Has anyone heard any rumors for next years member cruise?

This years cruise sails in 10 days on 9/21. DH and I will be doing a live report from the cruise over on the cruise trip reports board and I'll post a link to that thread over here on the DVC forum.