POLL: DVC Member Cruise---Now that you know, will you go?

[WDWLVR]

Points chart is up now on the DVC website. Look under 2006 points chart.

 

[Laurabearz]

We are going and we hope to get a Cat 3.....

Wish us luck!!

All Categories:
3rd and 4th passnger are 87 ponts, $698 (ages 13+)
85 points, $645 for 3rd and fourth ages 3 -12
18 Points, $117.63 3rd and 4th ages 0-2

cat 11 - 129 Points, $1008
cat 10 - 137 Points, $1060
cat 09 - 145 Points, $1092
cat 08 - 160 Points, $1144
cat 07 - 179 Points, $1244
cat 06 - 192 Points, $1317
cat 05 - 200 Points, $1370
cat 04 - 231 Points, $1580
cat 03 - 355 Points, $2566

 

[keishashadow]

The deal-breaker for us is not points/cost; but moreso the days (Sun thru Thurs)...why couldn't it emcompass the "expensive" weekend days?

 

[CarolA]

Actually the days are now entering into my consideration. I love the F&W fest, but always try to go on weekdays to avoid the crowds... the timing on this means I would have to go on a weekend.... decisions, decisions....

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

I have a 7 day western cruise booked for Aug. but I think I'm going to call Dec 3 to book this trip also.

 

[debloco]

After not being able to cruise for SSMC05 and reading about how wonderful it was, we are definitely going to try and get a cabin on December 3rd!

Only downside (if it can be called that ) is that I will be in WDW that weekend and have to leave the task of trying to get through and booking to my DH. Not sure he will be as doggedly determined as I would be.

Hopefully, he'll book us in a Cat 3 as a surprise

 

[Deb & Bill]

October just isn't a good month for me to cruise. I chose No..., but it's not because of the price. I just worry about hurricanes now.

 

[JimC]

We just did the Panama Cruise and our next cruise is 12/06. We also plan our holidays a year or more in advance.

A cat 6 on the member cruise is $1317 per person. I can book the cruise after that for $1041 per person for the same stateroom. Why pay the difference?

 

[Donna]

We just did the Panama Cruise and our next cruise is 12/06. We also plan our holidays a year or more in advance.

A cat 6 on the member cruise is $1317 per person. I can book the cruise after that for $1041 per person for the same stateroom. Why pay the difference?

Well, let's see, the difference is $276. If history repeats itself, you can deduct $75 fee being waived, deduct the tips, which could vary by person, and that leaves the rest for paying for the speakers and the great exclusive DVC items you receive. As for that, if you REALLY wanted to recoup it all or at least know its value, you could easily get $300+ for that on ebay. Heck, you could actually come out AHEAD by going!
That doesn't even take into account that you're cruising with all DVC members who share your love for Disney. You get to meet alot of great people that you already have something in common with!

 

[ohanafamily]

We just did the Panama Cruise and our next cruise is 12/06. We also plan our holidays a year or more in advance.

A cat 6 on the member cruise is $1317 per person. I can book the cruise after that for $1041 per person for the same stateroom. Why pay the difference?

Also, the extra day atCC costs DCL more than the docking fees is the Bahamas.

But seriously I think it was worth it... FWIW

 

[RAD]

Also, the extra day atCC costs DCL more than the docking fees is the Bahamas.

How do you figure that? Since Disney ownes CC do they have to pay anyone docking fees? Also, that's an extra day that DCL can make money for folks buying drinks/activites/etc on CC that they get to pocket.

 

[JimC]

Well, let's see, the difference is $276. If history repeats itself, you can deduct $75 fee being waived, deduct the tips, which could vary by person, and that leaves the rest for paying for the speakers and the great exclusive DVC items you receive. As for that, if you REALLY wanted to recoup it all or at least know its value, you could easily get $300+ for that on ebay. Heck, you could actually come out AHEAD by going!
That doesn't even take into account that you're cruising with all DVC members who share your love for Disney. You get to meet alot of great people that you already have something in common with!

The $75 fee only applies to points and I was discussing cash. Are you telling me that you do not tip on the member's cruise? That is very unusual. But cruise tips only run about $45 to $60 per person for that length cruise. Cruise lines generally have gifts for their guests and speakers are part of the package. Why would the DVC gifts and speakers cost more than what the cruise line already builds into the price?

DCL already is a preimium priced cruise compared to what else is out there. My guess is that they charge more for the DVC member cruise because we are a captive audience who spends a significant amount of time and money with Disney. Bottom line they do it because they can fill the ship at those prices and based on comments of others -- they fill it fairly quickly!

I was willing to pay a premium for the two week Panama Canal cruise because I doubt it will be a regular DCL trip and it was a very special celebration. I just don't feel an additional premium for a regular cruise is worth it.

On the intangibles of sharing time with other DVC members -- yes that is a plus, but I get to do that at the resorts as well and don't have to pay extra to do it.

 

[JimC]

Also, the extra day atCC costs DCL more than the docking fees is the Bahamas.

But seriously I think it was worth it... FWIW

Good point. I need to give that some thought.

 

[kaseyC]

I voted no in the poll because for my family it does not make sense financially. We were originally booked on the 10/22/06 Wonder before it became a DVC Member Charter. We moved our cruise back a week to 10/15/2006. For the same Category 3 Suite we have booked for our family of 5 - the Member Cruise would be $7067 that is over $2500 more than we are now paying. IMO, that is outrageous. No special guest speakers or DVC trinkets is worth that.
As a matter of fact, that amount will cover airfare as well as pre and post cruise hotels for our cruise in October.

 

[sigillaria]

The $75 fee only applies to points and I was discussing cash. Are you telling me that you do not tip on the member's cruise? That is very unusual. But cruise tips only run about $45 to $60 per person for that length cruise. Cruise lines generally have gifts for their guests and speakers are part of the package. Why would the DVC gifts and speakers cost more than what the cruise line already builds into the price?

Tips are included in price.

 

[ohanafamily]

I had it explained to me for our '03 MB; The have expenses on the island (like electricity, water, that are a much higher cost than the dockingt fees. I don't recall all of the details... Sorry...

 

[WDWLVR]

The $75 fee only applies to points and I was discussing cash. Are you telling me that you do not tip on the member's cruise? That is very unusual. But cruise tips only run about $45 to $60 per person for that length cruise. Cruise lines generally have gifts for their guests and speakers are part of the package. Why would the DVC gifts and speakers cost more than what the cruise line already builds into the price? .

On the O5 Member Cruise the tips were included. We got a letter in our stateroom stating that all tipped positions had been given the recommended amount. If we wanted to tip more (which we did we could).

As for the gifts and speakers.

Gifts - on a regular cruise you get the returning cruiser gift which currently is a beach bag and pins. On the Member Cruise if you are a returning cruier you got the beach bag and pins PLUS a large gift basket for each member of the cabin (including the kids) which included a large tote bag, alarm clock, sketch book, magazine box, Mickey Mouse ears with Member embroidered on the back, a Mickey hand to wave at sailaway, and a guide to what is happening. Then each night we got special limited edition pins in different boxes. The last night we got a group photo, beach towels, and a Ducky Williams litho.

As for the speakers. On a regular cruise the backstage tours etc are handled by the cruise staff. Then you have your normal entertainment. On the 05 Member cruise we had Chef Gordan from Hilton Head, the 2005 WDW Ambassador, Art Linkletter, and Susan Egan. We also had the chance to hear about the state of DVC direct from Jim Lewis.

 

[Donna]

The $75 fee only applies to points and I was discussing cash. Are you telling me that you do not tip on the member's cruise? That is very unusual. But cruise tips only run about $45 to $60 per person for that length cruise. Cruise lines generally have gifts for their guests and speakers are part of the package. Why would the DVC gifts and speakers cost more than what the cruise line already builds into the price?

DCL already is a preimium priced cruise compared to what else is out there. My guess is that they charge more for the DVC member cruise because we are a captive audience who spends a significant amount of time and money with Disney. Bottom line they do it because they can fill the ship at those prices and based on comments of others -- they fill it fairly quickly!

I was willing to pay a premium for the two week Panama Canal cruise because I doubt it will be a regular DCL trip and it was a very special celebration. I just don't feel an additional premium for a regular cruise is worth it.
On the intangibles of sharing time with other DVC members -- yes that is a plus, but I get to do that at the resorts as well and don't have to pay extra to do it.

As stated to you in other posts, yes, the tips are already included but you are welcome to add on if you so choose and usually people do. I really think without experiencing the member cruise, it would be a little harder to understand why it's EXTRA special. If you're going to compare apples to oranges when it comes to regular vs. member cruises, you will never get it. Sure, they're both round but taste alot different! How many regular cruises go to CC twice? I think you said it all in your comment above...you do not feel an additional premium for a regular cruise is worth it. You see it as a "regular" cruise, where some of us here, do not. There is no wrong or right. I stated in an earlier post that I feel my loyalty is taken advantage of somewhat and i know i've sunk into the DVC quicksand, lol.

 

[JimC]

On the O5 Member Cruise the tips were included. We got a letter in our stateroom stating that all tipped positions had been given the recommended amount. If we wanted to tip more (which we did we could).

As for the gifts and speakers.

Gifts - on a regular cruise you get the returning cruiser gift which currently is a beach bag and pins. On the Member Cruise if you are a returning cruier you got the beach bag and pins PLUS a large gift basket for each member of the cabin (including the kids) which included a large tote bag, alarm clock, sketch book, magazine box, Mickey Mouse ears with Member embroidered on the back, a Mickey hand to wave at sailaway, and a guide to what is happening. Then each night we got special limited edition pins in different boxes. The last night we got a group photo, beach towels, and a Ducky Williams litho.

As for the speakers. On a regular cruise the backstage tours etc are handled by the cruise staff. Then you have your normal entertainment. On the 05 Member cruise we had Chef Gordan from Hilton Head, the 2005 WDW Ambassador, Art Linkletter, and Susan Egan. We also had the chance to hear about the state of DVC direct from Jim Lewis.

That is nice to include the tips. Although it defeats the purpose of tipping when it is done that way -- I suspect not a problem on DCL, but possibly would be on other cruise lines. Our experience has been that the DCL CMs easily earn and deserve extra recognition -- tips and otherwise -- just as the CMs in other divisions of Disney.

The gifts and speakers you mention are similar (even overlapping) to what we had for two weeks on the PC cruise. DCL did a great job (with only a few issues but great recovery as Disney is famous for) with that cruise. It is nice to have the variety and quality of gifts and speakers.

This is good discussion as it gets to details that many members or potential members would not have the benefit of as they learn about the program.

Thanks folks for the input

 

[WDWLVR]

Jim, but wouldn't you agree that the PC cruise was a premium cruise and not a regular one. Same for us with the Member Cruise.