Members's cruise

[smjj]

Hi I'll be sailing on the MC too! Our first Disney cruise. Glad to find this thread. I saw there are still Remy reservations open. Wonder if there will be any Palo's available when we board the ship.

Welcome onboard, you will have a great time. Can't speak about reservations at Remy. My wife and I decided to not even try for Palo's and Remy and spend this extra money on souvenirs for the kids and grandkids. We have eaten at Palo's before while on the Magic and it was very nice. We also do not want to miss eating in the dining rooms with our new tables mates. We both find this one of our favorite parts of the cruise. Sitting at the table and conversing with all new friends. We have kept in touch with a couple of couples from pass cruises. We also like the two stops at Castaway Cay, it is great. Be sure to allow extra room for all the stuff they will give you and what you will be buying...smjj

 

[bobbiwoz]

Who felt a bit put off by the cruise meets thread. Being a bit of a wallflower to begin with, I was starting to wonder if I'd be on ship with a clique of people and be totally left out of the fun. Sounds like that is just a small number of people posting over there and there will be lots of other people like me who did not join in on that "fun".

....

If you do wear a Lime Green Mickey to identify yourself as someone who posts on the Disboards, you will get lots of "hellos" and meet people who are friendly! Boy, I sure wish we were going!

 

[RatherBeWithMickey]

Ahhhh, I feel vindicated and not alone. I gave up several weeks ago and for the same reasons you stated in this post....smjj

This will be our third member cruise. Tried to be a part of the thread last year, and finally just gave up. Didn't even try this year. While I enjoy meeting and chatting with people, I found it to be TMI about personal things. I know some people enjoy that, but I'm not one of them.

Interesting about the tee shirt orders - I never received an email at all. My order form came in the regular mail. Called to order, and the CM I got didn't seem to know what it was all about, but she was able to talk to someone else there and got an order placed for us (I hope!!). Guess we'll see if they show up or not! I DO think it was a good idea to have them ordered in advance. I just wish they would go back to offering polo shirts, too. We keep putting a request for them on our evaluation forms, so maybe they'll come back some day (probably the year we decide not to go)!

 

[smjj]

This will be our third member cruise. Tried to be a part of the thread last year, and finally just gave up. Didn't even try this year. While I enjoy meeting and chatting with people, I found it to be TMI about personal things. I know some people enjoy that, but I'm not one of them.

Interesting about the tee shirt orders - I never received an email at all. My order form came in the regular mail. Called to order, and the CM I got didn't seem to know what it was all about, but she was able to talk to someone else there and got an order placed for us (I hope!!). Guess we'll see if they show up or not! I DO think it was a good idea to have them ordered in advance. I just wish they would go back to offering polo shirts, too. We keep putting a request for them on our evaluation forms, so maybe they'll come back some day (probably the year we decide not to go)!

We never got a email either. We did get a letter in the mail and my wife ordered her a shirt. I usually stick to DVC hats or DVC polo shirts...smjj

 

[Fatalbie]

DW and I are cruising the Dream the 22-25th. This will be our first cruise. I spend a lot of time on the boards and never really paid attention to the MC stuff. Now that I'm reading this thread I'm a little bummed that I didn't pay closer attention. Oh well, only 40+ more years of membership to try an squeeze on in. Hope you all enjoy and feel free to post pictures of the graft!!

Jim

 

[smjj]

DW and I are cruising the Dream the 22-25th. This will be our first cruise. I spend a lot of time on the boards and never really paid attention to the MC stuff. Now that I'm reading this thread I'm a little bummed that I didn't pay closer attention. Oh well, only 40+ more years of membership to try an squeeze on in. Hope you all enjoy and feel free to post pictures of the graft!!

Jim

You know, even thou it cost a lot in points, we still think it is well worth it. We enjoyed all the things about the last MC we went on. From the special quest, and freebies to the two stops at Castaway Cay. One of the best parts is interacting with fellow DVC members who appreciate DVC and understand why we are DVC members in the first place...smjj

 

[erionm]

DW and I are cruising the Dream the 22-25th. This will be our first cruise. I spend a lot of time on the boards and never really paid attention to the MC stuff. Now that I'm reading this thread I'm a little bummed that I didn't pay closer attention. Oh well, only 40+ more years of membership to try an squeeze on in. Hope you all enjoy and feel free to post pictures of the graft!!

Jim

The 2012 Member Cruise should be announced during the MC this year. Based on the DCL schedules, I believe it will be Sept 16-20, 2012. DVC will announce a booking date and the cruise will sell out that day. Booking day for SSMC2011 was 10/2/2010 and the cruise was sold out by 5:30pm eastern. MS limits calls on booking day to the cruise and for arrivals for the upcoming week. Members will be trying all day to get connected (busy signals) and then wait for hours on hold before actually speaking with MS to try and book.

 

[RatherBeWithMickey]

You know, even thou it cost a lot in points, we still think it is well worth it. We enjoyed all the things about the last MC we went on. From the special quest, and freebies to the two stops at Castaway Cay. One of the best parts is interacting with fellow DVC members who appreciate DVC and understand why we are DVC members in the first place...smjj

Yeah, sometimes I get tired of defending my choice to be a DVC member. So many posters on this board try to tell people that it doesn't make financial sense, and you should run the numbers. Well, I did just that (having an MBA, I feel qualified to do so ). And for us, with the types of vacations we were already taking at WDW, it made a LOT of sense. We have never regretted it for a moment. It's VERY nice to be with other DVC members who "get it".

We also think the cruise is worth it, for the same reasons you listed. It does cost more, but we think the perks more than cover that. The only down side is the whole "phoning in" process for reservations. Not my favorite way to spend a Saturday!!

 

[iluvdisney]

I was very surprised that the waitlist actually came thru - looking forward to seeing you all! I've been lucky enough to have been on several of the Member Cruises and I hope it's an exciting time for everyone. Wasn't sure if it made sense to go or not after already having reservations at the end of September/beginning of October to celebrate the Magic Kingdom's 40th Birthday but dh said, "let's do it" so it won't be long now. It will be my 2nd time on the Dream - we took our "grands" in March but this trip will be for us. See ya soon - starting my countdown at the one month mark or when the docs show up, whichever comes first.

 

[smjj]

We also think the cruise is worth it, for the same reasons you listed. It does cost more, but we think the perks more than cover that. The only down side is the whole "phoning in" process for reservations. Not my favorite way to spend a Saturday!!

A short story about phoning in for this trip: My wife and I manning two phones started phoning in about 1 minute before the start time. I actually got through on the first ring and because I was so nervous and surprised I got disconnected on my first ring when I pushed the wrong button. We spent the next 3 hours trying to get back through on both phones. When we did our first two choices were sold out and ended up on in a category 5. We laugh now but at the time boy was I one upset DVC member...smjj

 

[CarolAnnC]

Who felt a bit put off by the cruise meets thread. Being a bit of a wallflower to begin with, I was starting to wonder if I'd be on ship with a clique of people and be totally left out of the fun. Sounds like that is just a small number of people posting over there and there will be lots of other people like me who did not join in on that "fun".

Our waitlist came through a while ago so we'll be sailing too, my mother and I. First time on the dream but our third Disney cruise. Here's a question: Does anyone know if any of the beds do split on the dream or still most do not? One of us will have to sleep on the couch which is disappointing if the bed does not split.

Looking forward to the cruise, which is approaching fast. Should be great fun. Still wishing I could get a cabana on CC but we'll find other great things to do. Tried to call and see if any cabins were available at this point to add some family members, but it is all sold out still.

Majority of the beds on the Dream do not "split" unfortunately for some (happily for others lol). But, I understand there are a few that do split, but only a very few. I would figure on not getting one to be safe. I have slept on the sleep sofa on the Magic and found it quite comfortable, actually.

As others stated, the next cruise should be announced on board, and yes it will sell out the first day most likely. Tips are also included in the cost, so that is a bit of a benefit moneywise, at least.

The Cruise Meet thread is going strong (many pages on multiple threads) and they are a nice bunch of folks. It is not a "meat and potatos" type of typical cruise meet thread, however. Nothing wrong, just different.

So, we offer alternatives here on the DIS, lol. I pop over there when I can, but cannot keep up with the chatty folks there, myself. Looking forward to meeting everyone on that thread, and here too, on board next month!

 

[dj~merlin]

, thanks for the welcome.

just wish they would post things ahead of time so we could
prepare more.

are the tee-shirts for all dvc when we get on the ship?

 

[CarolAnnC]

, thanks for the welcome.

just wish they would post things ahead of time so we could
prepare more.

are the tee-shirts for all dvc when we get on the ship?

The t-shirts were available for purchase before July 31. You may try calling Member Services to see if it would be possible to still order, if you are interested.

 

[erionm]

, thanks for the welcome.

just wish they would post things ahead of time so we could
prepare more.

are the tee-shirts for all dvc when we get on the ship?

I suspect part of the reason they don't announce details ahead of time it that it's subject to change do to schedule conflicts. It could also just be the managment which is changing. If you haven't seen the other posts, Jim Lewis is no longer President of DVC and no longer with Disney.

 

[PammyK]

I'm getting so excited and am so happy to "meet" many of my fellow DVC Member Cruisers on this thread. It'll be even better to meet you all in person in just about 36 more days.


By the way, did anybody happen to notice that Pirates IN the Caribbean night for the Member Cruise falls on the same date as International Talk Like a Pirate Day, September 19?

 

[DopeyDave]

A short story about phoning in for this trip: My wife and I manning two phones started phoning in about 1 minute before the start time. I actually got through on the first ring and because I was so nervous and surprised I got disconnected on my first ring when I pushed the wrong button. We spent the next 3 hours trying to get back through on both phones. When we did our first two choices were sold out and ended up on in a category 5. We laugh now but at the time boy was I one upset DVC member...smjj

Wanna talk about being an "upset DVC member?" I disconnected myself TWICE that morning. I finally gave up after about 4 hours of dialing, and went out to work in the yard. When I'd have to run in the house for this, that, or the other thing, I'd call again just to see if I could get through. One time it actually connected. Then after waiting on hold for over an hour, we were able to book the cruise (about 3 categories above what we were hoping for)!

 

[erionm]

Wanna talk about being an "upset DVC member?" I disconnected myself TWICE that morning. I finally gave up after about 4 hours of dialing, and went out to work in the yard. When I'd have to run in the house for this, that, or the other thing, I'd call again just to see if I could get through. One time it actually connected. Then after waiting on hold for over an hour, we were able to book the cruise (about 3 categories above what we were hoping for)!

I was following the booking day thread and there was a member that posted they finally were connected to MS and the cruise had sold out just a few minutes earlier.

I was lucky for this one and 2009. Got in the queue within a few minutes and booking completed by 11am.

 

[smjj]

I wonder if they will use this cruise to announce the long talked about addition to DVC at the GF? There is another very active thread about this possible addition on the DIS. This would be a great time and they tend to want to make a big production number out of announcements like this...smjj

 

[CarolAnnC]

I wonder if they will use this cruise to announce the long talked about addition to DVC at the GF? There is another very active thread about this possible addition on the DIS. This would be a great time and they tend to want to make a big production number out of announcements like this...smjj

I think this is a distinct possibility, especially since they may be seeking to focus on some positive public relations..

 

[smjj]

Just looking at the Disney Dream in port today. Such a calm and clear day. Hope for this kind of weather in just 32 days....smjj