Members Cruise - anyone?

[bobbiwoz]

It's not under news, it's under Member Privileges.

Different home pages? In mine, it's right under the tack with Latest News. It's the second article.

 

[AnnaS]

Thank you. I got it.

I will call MS in the morning. I have a few questions and will then decide if I will try booking on the 2nd.

 

[zalansky]

Just checking in to see if there were any reports from this years cruise also. I am wondering if its worth the extra points to do this. Does anyone know what kind of gifts they give?

 

[RD'S CUZ]

We are giving thought to doing the members cruise. Has anyone else done it and if so what is it like? I noticed there is no stop at Nassau and the day is dedicated to the DVC members. What does Disney do to make this a special kind of cruise? We enjoy their cruises but what is the difference between them? :

 

[bobbiwoz]

Just checking in to see if there were any reports from this years cruise also. I am wondering if its worth the extra points to do this. Does anyone know what kind of gifts they give?

I haven't seen any reports from this year's cruise. I was on the '05 one. I don't remember all of the gifts, but there was a new pin each night, and there was some sort of theme to the gifts. I remember a collapsible box, I couldn't use this at all, but my DSis could. She uses them(they give one to each adult in the cabin, maybe the kids too, I don't know) as file boxes. We got DVC beach towels, a wind up alarm clock, an art book, and a book of Disney art with dates for each month. The main gift was a litho by Ducky Williams of the Wonder with Mickey and Minnie. These I did keep and one is in my Cape May home, and the other one is in our home. Of course, they had to be customed framed!

I wouldn't go just because of the gifts. The camaraderie of the guests, (we're all DVC and people like to tell their stories, of past trips, favorite things) and the guest speakers, we had Art Linkletter and Ducky Williams and others could make it worthwhile for you. It was Jim Lewis's first cruise , his family was there, and he did a presentation.

I think it's one of those things that you either "get" or not. DH and I came away with good memories and a feeling that we'd like to do it again. I think next year will be that next time.

Bobbi

PS. Then there was Ophelia, the hurricane that prevented us from docking in Cape Canaveral, so we docked in Port Everglades, and Disney transported us by buses to MCO or to WDW. Now that was some ending to the cruise!!!!

 

[RD'S CUZ]

Thanks for giving us some information. Still something to think about.

 

[bobbiwoz]

For the few categories I checked, Disney is giving from $7.09 to $7.50 value to the points. They charge us around $15 if we need a few more to complete a reservation. Just something else to think about.

Bobbi

 

[LIFERBABE]

I haven't seen any reports from this year's cruise. I was on the '05 one. I don't remember all of the gifts, but there was a new pin each night, and there was some sort of theme to the gifts. I remember a collapsible box, I couldn't use this at all, but my DSis could. She uses them(they give one to each adult in the cabin, maybe the kids too, I don't know) as file boxes. We got DVC beach towels, a wind up alarm clock, an art book, and a book of Disney art with dates for each month. The main gift was a litho by Ducky Williams of the Wonder with Mickey and Minnie. These I did keep and one is in my Cape May home, and the other one is in our home. Of course, they had to be customed framed!

I wouldn't go just because of the gifts. The camaraderie of the guests, (we're all DVC and people like to tell their stories, of past trips, favorite things) and the guest speakers, we had Art Linkletter and Ducky Williams and others could make it worthwhile for you. It was Jim Lewis's first cruise , his family was there, and he did a presentation.

I think it's one of those things that you either "get" or not. DH and I came away with good memories and a feeling that we'd like to do it again. I think next year will be that next time.

Bobbi

PS. Then there was Ophelia, the hurricane that prevented us from docking in Cape Canaveral, so we docked in Port Everglades, and Disney transported us by buses to MCO or to WDW. Now that was some ending to the cruise!!!!

Yes, the 2005 Member Cruise was 1 for the books! Awesome and I was pleasantly surprised when they transported everyone from Port Everglades for free!! We stayed at POP with Free Dining and they dropped us off.

The following year, I did not enjoy the MC so much. It seemed that the focus was more on sales than members, but Roy Disney sailed in 2006 along with Jennifer Hudson so the guests were great and the gifts were unique. In 2009 it was reported that the gifts were re-gifted from previous MC and the guests were not so great and many were disappointed.
May give it another shot in 2011 because we can use points for it and not much point inventory otherwise.

 

[Poohs Pal]

Can we bring a non DVC member as a guest? Also I am out of 2011 points and my use year is Febuary. when I call in October for the cruise can I borrow from my 2012 points for this cruise. Susan

 

[erionm]

Can we bring a non DVC member as a guest? Also I am out of 2011 points and my use year is Febuary. when I call in October for the cruise can I borrow from my 2012 points for this cruise. Susan

Yes, non-member guests are welcome. You could even book them their own stateroom if necessary. Members can book up to three staterooms.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Can we bring a non DVC member as a guest? Also I am out of 2011 points and my use year is Febuary. when I call in October for the cruise can I borrow from my 2012 points for this cruise. Susan

Yes in the past you can bring guests.

You would be borrowing your 2012 points into your 2011 UY which is from February 2011 through January 2012, so yes, you can do that.

Bobbi

 

[DenLo]

I think you have convinced me that we should go on a member cruise. We just were not planning one in 2011. It's a shame that we will miss the Wonder's inaugural year. Good luck to the rest of you in getting the cabins you want and hopefully a short wait on your phone call.

 

[Poohs Pal]

Yes in the past you can bring guests.

You would be borrowing your 2012 points into your 2011 UY which is from February 2011 through January 2012, so yes, you can do that.

Bobbi

Well then Dsis and I will be on our first ever member cruise. Woo Hoo

Thanks, Susan