On DCL on Member Cruise booking date-any ideas?

[stitch'sgirl]

I was so excited to see a Member Cruise that is not during the school year. We definitely want to do this again. BUT we are sailing on the Magic on Friday and will be on Grand Cayman on 11/3. Any creative ideas on how I can manage making a reservation? Someone suggested asking Guest Services on the ship to use the courtesy phone, but I don't want to risk them saying no and missing out.

Anyone else in this boat? Any ideas will help!!

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

If you have your cell phone, you should be able to call. I know with Verizon, it's cheaper to call on shore than on the ship.

You can go on Verizon.com and see the rates. I'm thinking it's around $2 a min. but it's been awhile since I looked it up.

Also, you need to add the international calling feature to your cell phone line. The feature is free. You only pay for the time.

 

[tidefan]

I was so excited to see a Member Cruise that is not during the school year. We definitely want to do this again. BUT we are sailing on the Magic on Friday and will be on Grand Cayman on 11/3. Any creative ideas on how I can manage making a reservation? Someone suggested asking Guest Services on the ship to use the courtesy phone, but I don't want to risk them saying no and missing out.

Anyone else in this boat? Any ideas will help!!

Unfortunately, that is during the school year for most of us Southerners...

 

[JustTinking]

I heard they did not sell out the last few years, I remember getting an email over the summer with discounted rates. So not sure it's necessary to book immediately unless it's a very special cabin that you want. Do folks think that the August timeframe will generate more interest because kids are still on vacation? (Reason for me to not go, but that's another thread )

 

[erionm]

I heard they did not sell out the last few years, I remember getting an email over the summer with discounted rates.

The last member cruise to sell out was in 2011. DVC did not discount the 2012 or 2013 member cruises. Any emails you received for cruise discounts were being offered to DVC members by DCL.

 

[papertraveller]

So moving the cruise to the edge of summer might have been a strategic move to see if DVC can increase the number of passengers (load it up with northerners whose school year starts after Labor Day) without taking a prime-season schedule from DCL?

Member Services told me this week that they were done with the booking rush last year by around noon.

 

[MouseMomx2]

I think this Member cruise is going to be much more likely to sell out. It's summer sail date means that guests with kids will be able to go.

As for calling from Grand Cayman...I would only do it if you can afford the international rates for a call of at least 20 minutes and probably much longer. Calling on the day a booking opens is an exercise in patience.

Is it possible to have someone at home book for you? A family member or a friend, maybe? I know it's hard to have someone else be in charge of a booking, but if you have someone you trust with the job I think it would be your best option.

I would also go to the re-booking and DVC desks on your first evening to see if they have anything set up to book the member cruise on the day it opens.

Good luck...and have a great trip!

 

[DVCCINDY]

We are not interested this year due to the time of year it is! Lost us as customers ,feels odd not playing the phone game this morning. Maybe next year in September again?

 

[JustTinking]

Wow, was I wrong!! Categories 5-11 were sold out quickly yesterday. Only categories left are the expensive ones! Perhaps the August date sealed the deal for a lot of folks. I'd be more interested for them to move it out of the hurricane window. Congratulations to all who wanted and were able to book!

 

[hmillerbarilla]

I'm in the Chicago suburbs and the dates are the second week of school for us--like 4 or 5 days in so I don't feel right about pulling my kids.

I don't know who starts after labor day... Wisconsin maybe?

I'd love to do a members cruise with my kids, but these dates were a little early for me.

 

[keaster]

I'm in the Chicago suburbs and the dates are the second week of school for us--like 4 or 5 days in so I don't feel right about pulling my kids.

I don't know who starts after labor day... Wisconsin maybe?

I'd love to do a members cruise with my kids, but these dates were a little early for me.

Here in Canada, if a school is not on a year round schedule, we all start after Labour Day. I would've loved to book it, but finances this year dictacted otherwise . I'm hoping they announce similar dates for future member cruises so we could go without pulling our daughter out of school.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I wonder what the OP did?

 

[Disney 24/7]

I was really excited that this years member cruise is in August and would allow me to take my daughter before school starts in New Jersey. It took me over two hours to get through but I was able to book us on our first member cruise.