Member Cruise

[sigillaria]

I've mentioned this before, but does anyone else get a little irritated that Disney is charging so much for a cruise that basically goes nowhere? With the itinery offered, and the spa under reburbishment...I would think less points would be required. For the members that went last time, do you really receive enough perks onboard (gifts, special entertainment, etc.) to justify the cost? I really want to go, but just can't lose the thought that Disney is taking advantage of our loyalty. Help me see the light!

I've never been on the MC, but I can tell you that DVC fans do not go on a cruise like this because they want to visit a Carribbean Island.
It's all about Disney and the fellowship of the DVC.
I've been going to WDW since 1973 and am still a DIS fan.
I never knew about the cruises in 03 & 05--but will try my best to get on this one.
Am going alone so my cost will be nearly double in points--but feel it is worth it, and from the excitement on these boards--so do others.

 

[WDWLVR]

I've mentioned this before, but does anyone else get a little irritated that Disney is charging so much for a cruise that basically goes nowhere? With the itinery offered, and the spa under reburbishment...I would think less points would be required. For the members that went last time, do you really receive enough perks onboard (gifts, special entertainment, etc.) to justify the cost? I really want to go, but just can't lose the thought that Disney is taking advantage of our loyalty. Help me see the light!

As a veteran of the past two Member Cruises we definately think it is worth it. Not everyone does.

I respectfully disagree that the cruise is going nowhere - it is going to CC twice which to us is heaven on earth. In fact when we were asked by some DVC execs on board what itinery we would like this is the one we said!

Only you can determine if it is worth it for you and your family.

 

[kathrynmtague]

I just compared this 4-night price list to another website. Are you sure these prices posted are per person? I saw discounted per person cat 11 rates around $568-599. Why would this DVC cruise be priced so much higher? Are they encouraging us to use our points instead?

I've always wanted to go on DCL, and would seriously consider going (especially with the two visits to CC - that sounds AWESOME) but not at double the price of the regular cruise. Am I missing something?

 

[WDWLVR]

The DCL site is showing the following for a Cat 11 for the 4 night cruise before and after this sailing. This is based on two adults sailing.


10/15/06 - $800.63 per person

10/29/06 - $730.63 per person

Whether or not the price difference is worth it is up to you. We have always found the Member Cruisers to have a special feel to them. First off you are sailing with many DVC neighbors. They bring on special guests and give special gifts. To someone who just wants to experience a DCL cruise it might not be worth it. To us it is.

 

[Bmwdsny]

Is it me or does the points seems excessive?? I took a look at last year DVC cruise points and it had jump quite a bit!! For Dh and I to stay at a cat 8 with my 2 kids will be 492 points....for 4 night cruise. I have cruise on the Disney Magic for a week with less points than that....

While i would love to cruise with other DVC'ers, but i don't know if it is worth all those points.

 

[BCVOwner2002]

Is it me or does the points seems excessive?? I took a look at last year DVC cruise points and it had jump quite a bit!! For Dh and I to stay at a cat 8 with my 2 kids will be 492 points....for 4 night cruise. I have cruise on the Disney Magic for a week with less points than that....

While i would love to cruise with other DVC'ers, but i don't know if it is worth all those points.

2005 member cruise was a different season than the 2006. That's the reason for the anticipated higher points. As far as whether or not the member cruise is worth all of those points is a decision only you can make. I know that we will be calling MS on December 3 because to us . . . the member cruise is worth every point! Annmarie

 

[Duckieluckey]

Is it me or does the points seems excessive?? I took a look at last year DVC cruise points and it had jump quite a bit!! For Dh and I to stay at a cat 8 with my 2 kids will be 492 points....for 4 night cruise. I have cruise on the Disney Magic for a week with less points than that....

While i would love to cruise with other DVC'ers, but i don't know if it is worth all those points.

Too much for me too. We are taking out son daughter-in-law which was going to cost over 700 points so we sold points and will pay cash. You will have no problem selling points.

 

[Pluto 2]

Just talked with MS tonight.

Points due out soon, but I got the following info

Cat 3 355 points or $2056 cash
Cat 4 231 $1580
Cat 5 200 $1370

Extra adult in room 87 or $698

That's all the info I have

why is it higher than a regular 4 day cruise?
cat 4 for oct next year is 220
cat 5 is 191
you save on the extra adult which is 91
you will think it will be a little cheaper with no port just 2 days at disneys island

 

[Bmwdsny]

why is it higher than a regular 4 day cruise?
cat 4 for oct next year is 220
cat 5 is 191
you save on the extra adult which is 91
you will think it will be a little cheaper with no port just 2 days at disneys island

As my Dh said...you probablry paying for the "freebies" you get from DVC on board!!!

 

[Diana Lyn]

I've never been on the MC, but I can tell you that DVC fans do not go on a cruise like this because they want to visit a Carribbean Island.
It's all about Disney and the fellowship of the DVC.
I've been going to WDW since 1973 and am still a DIS fan.
I never knew about the cruises in 03 & 05--but will try my best to get on this one.
Am going alone so my cost will be nearly double in points--but feel it is worth it, and from the excitement on these boards--so do others.

You are going to fit in GREAT with our group!

 

[kimwim8]

Just to double check - we don't HAVE TO use points, right? We could pay cash for the cruise (as long as we are DVC members)?

TIA!

 

[Laurabearz]

Just to double check - we don't HAVE TO use points, right? We could pay cash for the cruise (as long as we are DVC members)?

TIA!

Correct!!

 

[Diana Lyn]

Just to double check - we don't HAVE TO use points, right? We could pay cash for the cruise (as long as we are DVC members)?

TIA!

Yes. You can pay all points, all cash or a some people on points, some on cash.

 

[Donna]

I've mentioned this before, but does anyone else get a little irritated that Disney is charging so much for a cruise that basically goes nowhere? With the itinery offered, and the spa under reburbishment...I would think less points would be required. For the members that went last time, do you really receive enough perks onboard (gifts, special entertainment, etc.) to justify the cost? I really want to go, but just can't lose the thought that Disney is taking advantage of our loyalty. Help me see the light!

My thoughts exactly! don't get me wrong, i LOVE CC but would also love at least one port. I don't really use the spa but i can see why others would be upset it's not available, but yet are being charged more money. We went on the first member cruise and really had a good time. i hate to say it but i feel also that disney is taking advantage of our loyalty. they are pretty much saying, jack it up, they'll pay anything! it may be a different season but it is STILL hurricane season down there. that being said, lol, i will probaly be calling on dec. 3 to get our 2 reservations. I want to at least have it reserved so i can think about it. I am thinking, 15th anniversary of DVC, this one just might be pretty special and the best one yet. It will also be our DVC 10th anniversary, almost to the day, of being members of DVC, plus, my husband is retiring in 2006. yeh, that sounds like two good reasons to justify the increase...i feel like i've fallen into the DVC quicksand, lol.

 

[RAD]

My thoughts exactly! don't get me wrong, i LOVE CC but would also love at least one port. I don't really use the spa but i can see why others would be upset it's not available, but yet are being charged more money. We went on the first member cruise and really had a good time. i hate to say it but i feel also that disney is taking advantage of our loyalty. they are pretty much saying, jack it up, they'll pay anything! it may be a different season but it is STILL hurricane season down there.

That's exactly what my wife said when I told her the itenary (CC double dip and no spa), they'll be able to fill the boat since DVC owners are more 'fanatical' then many other folks about Disney. DCL will still get our $'s but we'll be doing it on a regular cruise next year, too bad since we were looking forward to the members cruise again for this year.

 

[CarolA]

That's exactly what my wife said when I told her the itenary (CC double dip and no spa), they'll be able to fill the boat since DVC owners are more 'fanatical' then many other folks about Disney. DCL will still get our $'s but we'll be doing it on a regular cruise next year, too bad since we were looking forward to the members cruise again for this year.

I am with you....

 

[hmansure]

I don't think they are necessarily taking advantage of us. They're doing their jobs - which is to make money. Bottom line.

Without question DVC members are a captive market. People are already planning their calling strategies, etc. Ifthis cruise sells out in record time then we'll see what happens next time, etc.

I was thinking back to the special DVC 10th Anniversary cruise. That one was not a full take-over of the entire ship, but a huge portion of those who sailed that week were DVC members. The trip was in April - no hurricanes and I can't think of any other compelling reason from a sales perspective why April was chosen. I believe the points were actually discounted - I'd have to look back at my documentation. I actually booked the cruise several weeks after the process began without a problem. We even got a generous shipboard credit as an incentive! There was a lot of excitement that clearly called for more events of that type and Disney clearly is capitalizing on that excitement.

Without a doubt the member cruise sounds appealing to me, but as previous posts note - it's a decision that each family needs to make to see if it fits for them. I've been waiting to see the prices & points because we are cruising in 2006 no matter what. In assumption that what has been posted here is accurate we are going to pass. We booked the Western Magic for December '06 today.

Good luck to all those who call on December 3!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I think someone mentioned it before, but I think on the MC we were even asked what sort of itinerary would please members the most. It seems that we didn't want Nassau and I heard people say they could have skipped Key West and just stay on the ship. I think going to CC twice would be a great way to spend a cruise, and a day at sea to mingle with other DVC'ers makes it perfect, I think it's a great itinerary. Can't go, however. I even have begun planning a WDW mini-vacation/birthday trip for DAunt's 80 birthday, for the weekend/Monday of the cruise. That's just in case I begin thinking that I could actually skip my classes that week. I teach a Tuesday/Thursday schedule, and couldn't miss both days.

Bobbi

 

[bongo59]

the cash thing may not happen this yr............they offered it last yr but i spoke to MS today and they said they have not made a final decision on that issue for the DVC 2006 cruise................so you need to call next week to see if cash will cover you or will you have to use your points................

 

[Laurabearz]

the cash thing may not happen this yr............they offered it last yr but i spoke to MS today and they said they have not made a final decision on that issue for the DVC 2006 cruise................so you need to call next week to see if cash will cover you or will you have to use your points................

Oh really??? I think they will take both cash and points or all cash or all points... just like the last two cruises....

But then again what do I know... lol