Member Cruise Questions

[disney junky]

When are they?
Why should I go?
Can a DVC member pay cash or must they be done with points?

 

[SuperRob]

When are they is a tricky question. They used to be in October, but they did two last year, one in the summer. They're almost always a Bahamian cruise with a double-dip at Castaway Cay.

Yes, a DVC member can pay cash or use points.

 

[erionm]

The upcoming 2014 MC will set sail on 8/24/2014 and is sold out. The 2014 MC was announced in Oct 2013 and bookings began on 11/3/2014.

There is no official word on when the next MC will be, but there are rumors of 8/24/2015. Also rumors of an Alaska MC on 5/25/2015.

You must have purchase direct from DVC or if all of you points are resale, that resale purchase must have been prior to 3/21/2011 in order to book the MC. DVC does allow you to use either points and/or cash, but you can't mix points and cash for one passenger.

 

[disneynutz]

When are they?
Why should I go?
Can a DVC member pay cash or must they be done with points?

DVC charges a premium for member cruises. You would think that they would offer a discount since DCL and DVD/DVC are both in the same business unit and run by the same guy but they don't. They do offer small gifts, extra entertainment and maybe a double stop at Disney's island, some say the extra's are worth the money, some don't.

Disney does a good job of marketing events to groups, DVC members, marathon runners, Star Wars lovers, Food & Wine lovers and Flower & Garden lovers and others.

Bill

 

[Mazz519]

DVC charges a premium for member cruises. You would think that they would offer a discount since DCL and DVD/DVC are both in the same business unit and run by the same guy but they don't. They do offer small gifts, extra entertainment and maybe a double stop at Disney's island, some say the extra's are worth the money, some don't.

Disney does a good job of marketing events to groups, DVC members, marathon runners, Star Wars lovers, Food & Wine lovers and Flower & Garden lovers and others.



Bill

Cruising on The DVC Member cruise this August...Price is actually cheaper than the 4nt cruise before and the 4nt cruise after.

4nt Cruise before is 6292.80
4nt Cruise after is 5953.00

Dvc Member cruise is 5369.00 all rates are Cat 4A for 5 people 2A 3C.... There was a lot of talk when they came out with the rates that they were actually pretty good

 

[bobbiwoz]

Cruising on The DVC Member cruise this August...Price is actually cheaper than the 4nt cruise before and the 4nt cruise after.

4nt Cruise before is 6292.80
4nt Cruise after is 5953.00

Dvc Member cruise is 5369.00 all rates are Cat 4A for 5 people 2A 3C.... There was a lot of talk when they came out with the rates that they were actually pretty good

MC prices include tips, too!

Cannot speak for everyone, but the entertainment talent on the MC's make the cruises especially great! In January 2013, 4 stars of Disney's Broadway Shows were featured. Together they put on a very memorable, fantastic show!

Bobbi

 

[erionm]

When are they?
Why should I go?
Can a DVC member pay cash or must they be done with points?

The 2015 Member Cruises have been announced. The rumored cruises that I posted in Post #3 have been confirmed as Member Cruises. Booking for both Member Cruises will begin at 8 AM Eastern on 6/22/2014.

5/25/2015: 7-Night Alaskan Cruise (Round trip from Vancouver, Canada)
8/24/2015: 4-Night Bahamian Cruise (2 Stops at Castaway Cay)

Details can be found on DVCMember.com under 'Membership Magic' (drop down) > 'Member Experiences' > 'Exclusive Member Cruises'.

 

[DisneyBelle99]

I am happy to see that Alaska cruise! Hope we can make it !!!

 

[HookdonWDW]

Starting to make plans for the Alaskan Cruise...

 

[bobbiwoz]

We will be on EBTA during the Alaskan MC. . We are sticking with what we have, but I do think the Alaskan MC will be especially good.

 

[keaster]

The Member Cruise is more. I just looked up the 4-night sailing on August 17th before the member one. We usually sail 5A category.

The MC for 2A 1C in a 5A would be $4263 (includes tips)

Cost for 2A 1C in a 5A on August 17th would be $3420.28 + $144 tips = $3564.28

So a difference of $698.72.

I've never been on a member cruise so I don't know if the extra goodies/entertainment make up for the price difference. I do like the idea of 2 days at Castaway Cay though!

 

[Bellecruiser]

We have been to Alaska with Disney and it is awesome. I would do it again, but we will be on the EBTA also. Since I have always wanted to go on a MC, I think we will do the August Bahamas cruise. I love CC and to be able to go twice would be so much fun!!!

 

[lah3hh]

I am thrilled they are offering 2 MC in 2015!!! I am wondering if the weather in Alaska will still be very chilly during the sailing dates...has anyone done one of the early Alaska sailings in the past and what was the weather like? We took a DCL Alaska cruise in July 2011 and there were several days it was down right cold! The weather in the ports was not very good until we reached the last port of Juneau where it was in the low 70's. I was thinking Alaska in July would have been warmer but boy was I wrong!!

We have been on several MC's doing the 'normal' Bahamas/Castaway Cay sailings and I love them!!

 

[jennileigh]

I am thrilled they are offering 2 MC in 2015!!! I am wondering if the weather in Alaska will still be very chilly during the sailing dates...has anyone done one of the early Alaska sailings in the past and what was the weather like? We took a DCL Alaska cruise in July 2011 and there were several days it was down right cold! The weather in the ports was not very good until we reached the last port of Juneau where it was in the low 70's. I was thinking Alaska in July would have been warmer but boy was I wrong!!

We have been on several MC's doing the 'normal' Bahamas/Castaway Cay sailings and I love them!!

Lah3HH - I did an Alaskan Cruise (Not a Disney one) at the of May in 2009 and we had beautiful weather. Not a rain drop in sight.. No need for heavy winter wear.. I actually came back with a tan


I did have my own questions I hope I can tag onto this one. Does anyone know if you are allowed to Use points for one person and pay for the 2nd person? Also does the cruise have to be paid in full when you book? I really want to do a Member Cruise - when I saw Alaska I was all set to sign myself up (I totally need a picture with Minnie and her fur coat )but its month end at my job and I will never get that week off. So I'm looking at the August trip and want to get all my ducks in a row before June 22nd gets here...

Thanks!!!!

 

[mmbl]

I am thrilled they are offering 2 MC in 2015!!! I am wondering if the weather in Alaska will still be very chilly during the sailing dates...has anyone done one of the early Alaska sailings in the past and what was the weather like? We took a DCL Alaska cruise in July 2011 and there were several days it was down right cold! The weather in the ports was not very good until we reached the last port of Juneau where it was in the low 70's. I was thinking Alaska in July would have been warmer but boy was I wrong!! We have been on several MC's doing the 'normal' Bahamas/Castaway Cay sailings and I love them!!

We did 18 days, land and sea, in July 2003. We had record highs in the 80's in Anchorage and a record snowfall, just a few days later, at Denali. We had no rain or fog. The Captain apologized for the clear weather as we went through Misty Fjords! Fortunately, we were prepared for it all!

 

[keaster]

Lah3HH - I did an Alaskan Cruise (Not a Disney one) at the of May in 2009 and we had beautiful weather. Not a rain drop in sight.. No need for heavy winter wear.. I actually came back with a tan


I did have my own questions I hope I can tag onto this one. Does anyone know if you are allowed to Use points for one person and pay for the 2nd person? Also does the cruise have to be paid in full when you book? I really want to do a Member Cruise - when I saw Alaska I was all set to sign myself up (I totally need a picture with Minnie and her fur coat )but its month end at my job and I will never get that week off. So I'm looking at the August trip and want to get all my ducks in a row before June 22nd gets here...

Thanks!!!!

Yes you can use points for one and pay cash for the other. I do believe it all has to be paid up front when you book, it's not like booking a regular DCL cruise where you can put a deposit down and pay the rest later.

 

[lah3hh]

That is my understanding as well...MC are slightly different in booking in a couple of ways, you can use points and cash to pay for the cruise anyway that works for you. You can even choose to pay cash for everyone in your party on a MC that is fine. All forms of payment are confirmed and collected at the time of booking in full.

Thank you to those who have already responded to me about the weather!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I am thrilled they are offering 2 MC in 2015!!! I am wondering if the weather in Alaska will still be very chilly during the sailing dates...has anyone done one of the early Alaska sailings in the past and what was the weather like? We took a DCL Alaska cruise in July 2011 and there were several days it was down right cold! The weather in the ports was not very good until we reached the last port of Juneau where it was in the low 70's. I was thinking Alaska in July would have been warmer but boy was I wrong!!

We have been on several MC's doing the 'normal' Bahamas/Castaway Cay sailings and I love them!!

Our RCCL cruise to Alaska (sometime after 4th of July) in 1995 had hot weather. It was the year of over 700 heat related deaths in Chicago, and our temperature in Skagway was 90+.

So, I am sure May's weather is variable too. I would take a chance with it.

I do wish they would do a longer Caribbean MC, someday.

 

[NJMermaid]

I will be on the telephone at 8am on June 22 trying to book the members cruise to Alaska, I successfully booked the members cruise in 2011, or 2012 on the dream, took many hours to do it, but I persevered, and got a deluxe family stateroom with veranda. Great room, and I had enough points for it, and that was the only category left at that time in the afternoon. So, I will camp out with two or maybe three telephones, and hope to get a reservation for this cruise.

 

[erionm]

I will be on the telephone at 8am on June 22 trying to book the members cruise to Alaska, I successfully booked the members cruise in 2011, or 2012 on the dream, took many hours to do it, but I persevered, and got a deluxe family stateroom with veranda. Great room, and I had enough points for it, and that was the only category left at that time in the afternoon. So, I will camp out with two or maybe three telephones, and hope to get a reservation for this cruise.

Good luck. I'm surprised they are booking both 2015 Member Cruises on the same day, the phone lines are going to be extra crazy this year.