MEMBER CRUISE - Looking for any/all info TY!

[DisneyDreamingAubrey]

Hello,

We're looking into a member cruise for September 2010. I know space is VERY limitted, but does anyone have any info about what makes this cruise so special? I would love to see pictures. We're going as a group of 6 adults, and 3 children.l I heard you get all kinds of give-aways, but I don't know what they are. Thank you!

 

[CarolAnnC]

There has not been an announcement yet for a member cruise for next year. There should be one soon, if they are going to do it.. The first year we went the cruise was held in February. Since then I believe they have all been in the fall, though.

The members are given wonderful stateroom gifts each evening on the cruise. The gifts vary with each cruise, and are symbolic of the particular cruise theme. We had to ship ours home via UPS the first year. No room in our luggage, lol. I highly recommend trying a member cruise if you can!

 

[PrincessYessenia]

I wasn't aware gifts were given nightly...what kinds of things are they?

And what kinds of theme's do they have for each cruise? I'm aware that they change, but I'm just curious as to what past themes have been.

 

[WDWLVR]

My DH and I have been on all of the dedicated Member Cruises.

Here are some recaps for them which should give you an idea of what to expect:

Click here to go read the SS Member Cruise 2003 report


Click here to go read the SS Member Cruise 2005 report


Click here to go read the SS Member Cruise 2006 report


Click here to go read the SS Member Cruise 2007 report

Click here to go read the "live from" thread on SS Member Cruise 2008.

 

[erionm]

Based on the DCL 2010 schedule for the Wonder, I'm guessing that the 2010 Member Cruise will be the 12th to the 16th of September 2010. If they do like they did last year, the next member cruise will be announced on-board this year with booking taking place in early November (1st?). If you do plan on trying the member cruise, you will need to be on the phone as soon as MS opens on booking day. The phone lines will be slammed and it could take hours for you to get through. The 2009 Member Cruise booked up in one day.

 

[andrea9873]

does one have to use their DVC points to book the SS Members Cruise? or can you pay cash or a mix?
I'm guessing it's too late to join you all in a couple of weeks for this year's cruise? lol... we've been members since 2002 and it's about time we joined you all in the fun!

 

[WDWLVR]

does one have to use their DVC points to book the SS Members Cruise? or can you pay cash or a mix?
I'm guessing it's too late to join you all in a couple of weeks for this year's cruise? lol... we've been members since 2002 and it's about time we joined you all in the fun!

You don't have to use your DVC points but you do have to book through Member Services. We did a mix this year - one person on points and one in cash. Because it is a charter cruise you have to pay the cash all up front.

You could try and call and see if there is room on this years cruise. They usually end up having a few cancellations and have some rooms sail empty.

 

[GoofItUp]

You don't have to use your DVC points but you do have to book through Member Services. We did a mix this year - one person on points and one in cash. Because it is a charter cruise you have to pay the cash all up front.

You could try and call and see if there is room on this years cruise. They usually end up having a few cancellations and have some rooms sail empty.

This sounds like a lot of fun. How does the cruise compares price-wise to other sail dates around that time? Is it comparable or at a premium?

 

[bobbiwoz]

This sounds like a lot of fun. How does the cruise compares price-wise to other sail dates around that time? Is it comparable or at a premium?

It's a premium. We felt the one we were on, in 2005 was worth it, but we just haven't been able to schedule one again. We're heading out on a European cruise in a week. I've always wanted to go to Poland which is one of the stops on the cruise.

Bobbi

 

[Cmbar]

I am curious as to why members would want to do this? Is this only for Members? When someone said it sold out in a day was that to only DVC members? Not quite sure what the draw is to pay a premium to go with other DVCers..... no offense I am sure most people smart enough to buy DVC are great people, just not sure how it would be different than another cruise full of people I don't know

I guess I should check out those links to see what all the fuss is... now if the cruise were discounted.... well that would be a good thing!

 

[WDWLVR]

I am curious as to why members would want to do this? Is this only for Members? When someone said it sold out in a day was that to only DVC members? Not quite sure what the draw is to pay a premium to go with other DVCers..... no offense I am sure most people smart enough to buy DVC are great people, just not sure how it would be different than another cruise full of people I don't know

I guess I should check out those links to see what all the fuss is... now if the cruise were discounted.... well that would be a good thing!

Well the best way I can answer that is to copy what I wrote over on the DVC forum back in 2008 and it still holds true.

The Members Cruises are different than a regular 4 day cruise at the same time for the following reasons:

• Usually a different itinerary than the regular cruise.
  • 2003 was Castaway Cay, Nassau, Castaway Cay
  • 2005 was Key West, Sea, Castaway Cay
  • 2006 was Castaway Cay, Sea, Castaway Cay
  • 2007 was Castaway Cay, Sea, Castaway Cay
  • 2008 was Castaway Cay, Sea, Castaway Cay
• Special guests. Over the years we had talks and tours from different Disney Imagineers, Roy Disney, Art Linkletter, Disney Legends and some wonderful entertainment from some of Disney's Broadway stars.
• Special gifts. Limited edition pins, artwork, and other fun gifts
• Group picture on the beach
• DVC themed DCL shows and games like bingo and who wants to be a mouseketeer.

Now all of this doesn't offer a value to some people and that is great. It isn't for everyone. However the guests are what make it special for us and why we'll be calling to get on our 6th Member Cruise.

BTW - one other thing not listed above. The price for the Member Cruise includes your tips. They aren't included in regular cruises.

Only you can decide what is right for you.

 

[erionm]

I am curious as to why members would want to do this? Is this only for Members? When someone said it sold out in a day was that to only DVC members?

DVC chartered the entire ship for the cruise. And yes, all the staterooms booked up in one day. You don't have to be a member to sail, but a member had to make your reservation as reservations had to be made with MS.

 

[Cmbar]

Well the best way I can answer that is to copy what I wrote over on the DVC forum back in 2008 and it still holds true.

The Members Cruises are different than a regular 4 day cruise at the same time for the following reasons:

• Usually a different itinerary than the regular cruise.
  • 2003 was Castaway Cay, Nassau, Castaway Cay
  • 2005 was Key West, Sea, Castaway Cay
  • 2006 was Castaway Cay, Sea, Castaway Cay
  • 2007 was Castaway Cay, Sea, Castaway Cay
  • 2008 was Castaway Cay, Sea, Castaway Cay
• Special guests. Over the years we had talks and tours from different Disney Imagineers, Roy Disney, Art Linkletter, Disney Legends and some wonderful entertainment from some of Disney's Broadway stars.
• Special gifts. Limited edition pins, artwork, and other fun gifts
• Group picture on the beach
• DVC themed DCL shows and games like bingo and who wants to be a mouseketeer.

Now all of this doesn't offer a value to some people and that is great. It isn't for everyone. However the guests are what make it special for us and why we'll be calling to get on our 6th Member Cruise.

BTW - one other thing not listed above. The price for the Member Cruise includes your tips. They aren't included in regular cruises.

Only you can decide what is right for you.

DVC chartered the entire ship for the cruise. And yes, all the staterooms booked up in one day. You don't have to be a member to sail, but a member had to make your reservation as reservations had to be made with MS.

Well those reasons make perfect sense! Not sure about Castaway Cay, Sea and then back. Do they just go out in the ocean and sit and then turn around??? Sounds weird. Although I do love those Castaway Cay stays!! So how much is the premium? Can you use points and if so where would you get the cost of points for the cruise??

 

[erionm]

Well those reasons make perfect sense! Not sure about Castaway Cay, Sea and then back. Do they just go out in the ocean and sit and then turn around??? Sounds weird. Although I do love those Castaway Cay stays!! So how much is the premium? Can you use points and if so where would you get the cost of points for the cruise??

We are in a cat 6. Using todays prices for the 4 night cruise on 9/20, we paid about $350 more per person for the member cruise. As Mary pointed out, tips as well as all government fees are included in the price. This will be our first member cruise and we will have to decide if we feel it is worth the price or not. Yes, like any other cruise booked by MS you could use either cash or points. Here is the point and cash costs for the 2009 Member Cruise: http://advc.disney.go.com/media/dvc.../2009/2009DisneyVacationClub_MemberCruise.pdf

 

[Cmbar]

We are in a cat 6. Using todays prices for the 4 night cruise on 9/20, we paid about $350 more per person for the member cruise. As Mary pointed out, tips as well as all government fees are included in the price. This will be our first member cruise and we will have to decide if we feel it is worth the price or not. Yes, like any other cruise booked by MS you could use either cash or points. Here is the point and cash costs for the 2009 Member Cruise: http://advc.disney.go.com/media/dvc.../2009/2009DisneyVacationClub_MemberCruise.pdf

Thank you, that was very helpful! I will have to look out for next years cruise!

 

[DisneyDreamingAubrey]

That was some great info! Thanks for the help. I know we're going to start calling early in the morning the day it opens and try our best to get three rooms for our party of nine. When we cruised Disney in the past Castaway Cay was by far our favorite island, so it works well that you end up there twice.

Do you have any pictures of the gifts?

Tips are included? That's a HUGE savings when you plan on a party of nine!

 

[sweetinmaine]

Hello,

We're looking into a member cruise for September 2010. I know space is VERY limitted, but does anyone have any info about what makes this cruise so special? I would love to see pictures. We're going as a group of 6 adults, and 3 children.l I heard you get all kinds of give-aways, but I don't know what they are. Thank you!

Hey Disney Dreaming Aubrey.....my wife & I are thinking about going on a member cruise too! Maybe we will be bump into you and your family on the next member cruise also.We are from the little state of Vt.Have a great cruise and keep an eye out for us!

 

[CarolAnnC]

I am closing this thread as it is an old one from last summer and this year's cruise is sold out. Thanks all.