S.S. member Cruises

[katieam1]

I am a new member and we just received our mailing offer on the 2011 S.S. member cruise. I am not finding any info on the member site about it at all just that 2010's is sold out. What is it, what does it usually cost? Do you have to use your points or can you pay for it as a cash reservation? I figure it is a members only thing but I am a little confused.

 

[nezy]

I just rec'd my flyer in the mail and looked at the website but did not see any specifics on points and would like that info also.


Re: the cruise itself, we went a few years ago and it was great. There were so many "extras" on the Member cruise including little gifts in the rooms and some very special guests at shows and speakers as well as additional events on board. Probably one of the best things about it was the fact that all people on boARD WERE dvc-ERS, which made it a ship filled with friends.

At the time we went, you needed to book at least one person with points and the rest could be points or cash. We did a combo of both.
It was definitely a bit more points but it was the best cruise and vacation we have ever had.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We're going to be in WDW on October 2nd, and we'll be at a behind the scene tour at 10AM. I suppose it would be prudent to cancel the tour to try to call in. Even if we began trying to book at 8AM, I remember it took me over an hour the last time we "made it" in 2005. We certainly don't want to lose the money and there's a 48 hour cancellation policy.

I planned for the Discovery Expedition 6 months ago, and have AKV CL specifically for it, but we both decided that next year we wanted to go on the Member Cruise. Shucks, but we did do that tour last year, we loved it so much we thought we "had" to do it again.

Bobbi

 

[bwvBound]

We're going to be in WDW on October 2nd, and we'll be at a behind the scene tour at 10AM. I suppose it would be prudent to cancel the tour to try to call in.

Aggghhh. Are you suggesting that the "1st day to book" the 2011 member cruise is Oct 2? We'll be flying all day, coming in for F&W. Rats.

 

[katieam1]

We're going to be in WDW on October 2nd, and we'll be at a behind the scene tour at 10AM. I suppose it would be prudent to cancel the tour to try to call in. Even if we began trying to book at 8AM, I remember it took me over an hour the last time we "made it" in 2005. We certainly don't want to lose the money and there's a 48 hour cancellation policy.

I planned for the Discovery Expedition 6 months ago, and have AKV CL specifically for it, but we both decided that next year we wanted to go on the Member Cruise. Shucks, but we did do that tour last year, we loved it so much we thought we "had" to do it again.

Bobbi

Wow, I better be right by the phones I guess. I really want to do the cruise next year too, we just bought in so I am learning the ropes of how things work.

 

[RAD]

Called MS to ask where the info was on the web site, response it's not there yet. Might be there later today, maybe tomorrow or the day after, she wasn't sure, just said to keep checking.

 

[RAD]

At the time we went, you needed to book at least one person with points and the rest could be points or cash. We did a combo of both.
It was definitely a bit more points but it was the best cruise and vacation we have ever had.

Nezy, we were also on the 2005 members cruise and we didn't have to use points at all, used cash for both of us. If they have that requirement for this year might throw a monkey wrench into any plans to go. With the recent issue with DVC and DCL booking rooms with points maybe they want all cash reservations?

 

[RAD]

Aggghhh. Are you suggesting that the "1st day to book" the 2011 member cruise is Oct 2? We'll be flying all day, coming in for F&W. Rats.

That's what the flyer says 10/2/2010 starting at 8AM EDT until 5:30PM EDT

 

[RAD]

Aggghhh. Are you suggesting that the "1st day to book" the 2011 member cruise is Oct 2? We'll be flying all day, coming in for F&W. Rats.

That's what the flyer says 10/2/2010 starting at 8AM EDT until 5:30PM EDT

 

[bwvBound]

That's what the flyer says 10/2/2010 starting at 8AM EDT until 5:30PM EDT

Thanks, I haven't received the flyer yet. I had phoned MS earlier this morning and was told they didn't have either cruise dates or booking dates yet. Sigh. I should have called in multiple times to get info from multiple MS reps.

After my call, prompted by this thread, I found the sailing dates posted in the recent Disfiles mag.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Aggghhh. Are you suggesting that the "1st day to book" the 2011 member cruise is Oct 2? We'll be flying all day, coming in for F&W. Rats.

Yes, doesn't it seem strange that they picked the first weekend of F&W to schedule booking for the MC? Gosh, these divisions of Disney do not have good communication with each other.

However, November 20th, the day that I really didn't want to be calling since it is our DS's wedding date. THAT's the date I truly thought it would be! So, I'll take what's given. May even keep the discovery tour. We'll try for an hour, go to the tour, try some more, I'm still deciding.

Bobbi

 

[chiclet]

We received the cruise flyer today also. I really want to go but will need to decide whether the kids can miss a few days of school. The Dream looks amazing.

 

[AnnaS]

Glad to see the flyers arriving. We have always wanted to go on one. I think I am going to try booking us this year.

 

[Cindyrellablue]

I haven't received anything yet on it, and this would be my first year trying to get in on the cruise. Does the cruise sell out so quickly?

 

[bobbiwoz]

The one that we went on in '05 sold out the first day of booking. They do keep a waitlist.

 

[Cindyrellablue]

The one that we went on in '05 sold out the first day of booking. They do keep a waitlist.

Wow! I guess I know where I'll be first thing in the morning on the 2nd then!

 

[horselover]

We're going to be in WDW on October 2nd, and we'll be at a behind the scene tour at 10AM. I suppose it would be prudent to cancel the tour to try to call in. Even if we began trying to book at 8AM, I remember it took me over an hour the last time we "made it" in 2005. We certainly don't want to lose the money and there's a 48 hour cancellation policy.

Wow a 48 hr. cancellation policy really? I guess I can understand the reasoning behind that but that kind of stinks. Sept. 2011 is a long way away & things do happen in between. If that's really the policy I may not be able to go after all.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Wow a 48 hr. cancellation policy really? I guess I can understand the reasoning behind that but that kind of stinks. Sept. 2011 is a long way away & things do happen in between. If that's really the policy I may not be able to go after all.

The cancellation policy that I'm referring to is for the Behind the Scene tour, not the cruise. I'm referring to the $100 or so that we would lose if we didn't show up for the tour because I was on the phone trying to get on the member cruise. I'm sorry for confusing you.

We always buy trip insurance for any cruises we take. We had to use it once, on a Princess cruise for our DS/DDiL and we got all of the money back when they couldn't go because her mother was hospitalized. There is a trip insurance that Disney will direct you to if you book the cruise with points.

Bobbi

 

[Brandis]

That would be annoying! We will also be on a plane to WDW on Oct. 2! I guess I need to find someone with enough english skills to call on my behalf.

I thought the prices and points for this years cruise were published around mid october last year and then the booking day was some day in mid november. Had hoped that it would be the same this year!

The timing for the 2011 member cruise would be perfect, as we will get off a transatlantic cruise in Boston on Sept. 17 and my uncle and aunt who are travelling with us would love to try a DCL cruise.

 

[erionm]

That would be annoying! We will also be on a plane to WDW on Oct. 2! I guess I need to find someone with enough english skills to call on my behalf.

They will need to be listed as an associate member (or an owner) on your membership or MS will not talk to them.