Member Cruises

[Troop o' Goofs]

Hi Everyone! We just became members and see that there is a member cruise this summer. Now I know using points for a cruise does not make great use of the points, so we wouldn't likely use points for a cruise. My question is this, how often to they have member cruises? We'd love to do one but with the purchase of DVC this year won't work for us.

Thanks!

 

[bobbiwoz]

This year there are 2 Member cruises. One is in May, that's 7 nights to Alaska, (the first time going to Alaska) and a 4 night in August that is to Castaway Cay, the private island....there are 2 stops there, and also 1 day at sea.

They have had at least 1 Member cruise each year since we joined in 2003 as far as I can remember. This year I will be going on my 4th in August.

Bobbi

PS. Congratulations on becoming a member. I hope you enjoy DVC as much as we have.

 

[Troop o' Goofs]

Thanks! If you don't mind me asking, do you use your points for the cruise or pay, and is there any discount?

 

[disneynutz]

Member cruises actually cost more than a regular cruise, Disney throws in some small gifts and some extra entertainment. Some feel that the cruise is worth it, some don't.

They will keep having them as long as they make Disney money.

Bill

 

[bobbiwoz]

We used points one year, but cash the other times.

A Member Cruise is not discounted, in fact they cost more for the experience. Think going to a Party of the Senses, you pay dearly for those, I think. There are lots of detractors here regarding MCs because of the price.

Why do they cost more? Well, you do get gifts. I go because of the Disney entertainment. They often have stars and other performers from Disney's Broadway shows. Last year they had the man who stared in Tarzan, woman who was Mary Poppins, and a man who was a character in The Little Mermaid. Together with a piano player, they put on a memorable show. It was so beautiful! If there was nothing else, I thought it was worth it. But there was more, it was the 50th anniversary of the movie Mary Poppins and Alice Davis and Marty Sklar joined Stacia Martin and Tim O'Day to celebrate the event. They had a marvelous presentation. There was more.

There also is the commeraderie of being on the ship with other DVC members. It does come at a cost.

Bobbi

 

[Dean]

Hi Everyone! We just became members and see that there is a member cruise this summer. Now I know using points for a cruise does not make great use of the points, so we wouldn't likely use points for a cruise. My question is this, how often to they have member cruises? We'd love to do one but with the purchase of DVC this year won't work for us.

Thanks!

Did you buy retail, resale members who only have restricted points can't go on the member cruises.

Thanks! If you don't mind me asking, do you use your points for the cruise or pay, and is there any discount?

One has to pay one full adult on points to use points and the return is almost always between $6 & $7.50 per point. Plus there's an extra $95 fee and any cash portion must be paid for up front and is almost always more than any discounted cash price done otherwise. It's usually around 10% off of the full rack rates. So no discount for regular cruises using points, actually a premium, and even more for member cruises.

 

[bobbiwoz]

For the Members Cruise you do not have to pay the $95 fee if you do use points!

 

[smjj]

We have taken members cruises two times now and will not be again. Too expensive using points. The last one was a shadow of our first several years ago. The free gifts are much cheaper now and the hard sell onboard to buy, buy and buy more points is even greater. We did have a good time and enjoy talking to fellow DVC people but just not worth the money/points....smjj