So who's going on the DVC Cruise in 2/2003

[Regina]

Ashley's Dad, it sounds as if your wife was a very insightful, amazing woman.

If all goes according to plan, I am looking forward to meeting you and that special little girl of yours.

 

[MarkRG]

Dis Meet! Dis Meet!

We're going to go for it. (I voted) I think my DW Mary spelled it out better than I ever could. If anyone so upset about it thinks it's just going to be another cruise, you really don't know Disney, do you?

 

[kamgen]

I don't think anyone here is trying to flame anyone. I really wanted to go. We look at the experiences we have together as a family as the most important things. That is why we joined DVC and travel so much. Still, I feel like they think we are stupid or something. I have cruised 3 times on DCL with another one in October. I can have the cruise experience with my family the week before or after and SAVE money or points. That savings will go towards another experience. So, I look at this the way I always plan our vacations. Why spend a lot of money on one trip when you could divide it up on two.

I agree with Johnnie...this is a disappointing offer.


I hope everyone has fun. If I thought it was a good deal, I would bite. But it isn't....so I won't.


Kamy

 

[sumessefui]

I voted no, but that was because we have no plans to ever do the cruise. We became members solely to use the DVC resorts. We can get very good trips elsewhere through the military travel program and are really not cruise people.

 

[LisaR]

Just an FYI: My sister is not only a travel agent but she is a cruise specialist. She ONLY books cruises for groups. She has occassionally booked entire ships for something specific. Normally, however, she books huge blocks of rooms for the group participating in the "special" cruise. The cost for the "special" cruise is ALWAYS higher then what the rest of the people on the ship are paying. HOWEVER, there are reasons and those reasons are stated up front. Most of what she books is with singers/actors, that type of thing. So, the guests get a special concert while on board. They get an autograph signing session. THey get dinner (as a group) with the VIP people on board....usually every night. While there are other people on the ship who have paid less, they would not be admitted into any of these functions because they do not have the special wristband.

The thing that bugs me about the DVC cruise is that so far, the only thing to makes it different or special from any other cruise is 2 days at Castaway Cay. I am one that feels that having a boat parked instead of at sea is going to be CHEAPER. Plus, guests are going to spend MORE money on Disney's own island. If they gave a list of reasons why the price was more up front, then it would make more sense.

If MS arranged a DVC member only week at all DVC resorts (no cash paying customers allowed) but made the points higher then normal for that time frame, I wouldn't go to that either.....unless they could give me some really good incentives for using more points then the week before.

Again, to those of you going, I am sure you will have a great time. For us, I would rather not spend the extra points. Just another reason DVC is so unique and great.

Lisa

 

[madcoco]

Yes we are still going and paying cash.It so happens to work out perfect as it is the same time as our neice and nephew's wedding in CocoaBeach and we are already in FL at that time. We gave them points for 5 nights at the BCV for their honeymoon. I suggest that all people who have a problem to please write a letter to Disney voicing your disproval. After sitting back and reading some of the posts. I really don't think it is proper to call us suckers for going.People go around like nuts paying $$$$ for pins pay $$$$ for exclusive events. Wait in lines for hours for a pin. We mind our own business.

 

[WDWLVR]

Madcoco,

I couldn't agree more. This cruise isn't for everyone, no one thing is. I just don't get the people who have to try and make themselves feel more important by saying nasty things about those who are going. Unwise spending, suckers, stupid, etc.

Everyone spends their points their own way. I've seen people spend tons of points to spend a night in the Plaza in NY. Is that how I would use my points, no. If they had a great time with it more power to them. Same way I feel about this cruise.

Thankfully I'm glad that many people aren't going - gives us a better chance of getting in.

Just getting two days at Castaway Cay to enjoy with my DH makes it special enough in my book. Anything DVC wants to add to make it fun is just gravy at this point.

 

[anniet]

I just voted No, but that's because we have ressies at WLV for 1/21 through 1/31 already and that will be our first trip home. My heart leapt when I saw the dates of the cruise, but then I remembered I won't have the points to make it happen, and since I'm financing DVC I don't have the cash either. I was a little disappointed to hear that Disney is charging more (points and cashwise) but I figure they will probably be doing something special on board or on the island for DVC members. Would have loved to have gotten to know other DVC members on this cruise, but this time around it just wasn't meant for us. Hope everyone who goes has a great time.

 

[Regina]

Everyone spends their points their own way. I've seen people spend tons of points to spend a night in the Plaza in NY. Is that how I would use my points, no. If they had a great time with it more power to them. Same way I feel about this cruise.

Very well said, and this is from someone who spent "tons of points" for one magical night at the Plaza.

I didn't join DVC so that I can spend all of my vacations in a OKW studio from Sun - Thurs during the Adventure Season. You never know what lies ahead. For us, this is a great opportunity to squeeze in a bonus trip together. I'm looking forward to creating new memories with my family.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I said no because I bought DVC primarlily to use at Disney.

If I had the points and the time to spare I would look at my options and make a choice for a vacation. Under those conditions I might choose the cruise....I also might choose to go rafting on the Colorado.

I really don't understand these posts that are upset with DVC when they alter something that isn't what we bought. If they can book a full boat with this point set up...then they are a business and should go for it. The people who get on the boat will have a great trip and those who don't...will do something else. If DVC doesn't get enough occupancy for this trip...then oh well they take a bath or cancel the cruise. It could also mean they will simply drop the cruise option altogether next year because it isn't cost effective.

 

[zulaya]

I think what people are most upset/frustrated/whatever word you want to describe it as - is that this cruise is significantly more expensive. Is it special? Sure it is - it's exclusive to DVC members. But people wonder - what am I paying for? I think if DVC came out and said that there were going to be special events or something else included with this cruise, people might not be as negative about it. I think the lack of informatino on DVC's part is part of the problem. If they released more details, then people might (or might not) be able to say, " Oh, well for that I would do it." Just my observations so far.

 

[erikthewise]

I couldn't go on this cruise if I wanted to; job commitments prevent it. I think it would be fun, and I hope those who do go have a great time!

If I could go, the cost would almost certainly convince me not to. I'd be very happy with an ordinary 4-day cruise at a more reasonable price.

However I can't get excited about bashing DVC. I would love to have them play Social Director and put together nice group outings like this at bargain prices, but can we really *expect* that!? I don't think so.

Obviously they love to have us spend points on cruises, and one doesn't have to be a cynic to see their motivation for this cruise as providing us another opportunity to do so. But I don't see how it could benefit anyone for this to cruise to be a flop, or to rub it in their faces.

 

[BriarRosie]

Well, I received the invitation in the mail yesterday, and I was amused because I'm already booked on the Magic for the 7 day Western on 1/18-25.

If I hadn't been booked on that cruise, I would have considered going on the DVC cruise.

 

[Ashley'sDad]

To Everyone on the board - If me and the peanut don't get to meet you on the cruise, then I hope we get to see you at Disney!

You will recognize me by the ice cream stains on my shirt, and the Ariel doll in my hand. (It doesn't do much for my reputation, but peanut likes me to carry Ariel when she gets tired. What's a father to do!)

 

[DVC1996]

Originally posted by zulaya
But people wonder - what am I paying for? I think if DVC came out and said that there were going to be special events or something else included with this cruise, people might not be as negative about it. I think the lack of informatino on DVC's part is part of the problem. If they released more details, then people might (or might not) be able to say, " Oh, well for that I would do it." Just my observations so far.

The itinerary of activities for the DVC 10th Anniversary Cruise was not complete until we boarded the ship. I guess I have more trust in DVC than others do having been on the cruise in April. The cruise was such a huge success and it was clearly evident that members and DVC management wanted to do another cruise. Gosh....we wanted a 7 day Members Only Cruise but I guess a 4 day with 2 days at Castaway Cay is better than nothing. My most honest opinion is that it will be "SPECIAL" just because other DVCers are on board.

 

[DVC1996]

Originally posted by baileybrad
Not trying to be argumentative but I do not see the attraction of cruising with only DVC members on-board. We vacation for our family not for the "make-up" of the other guests/visitors. Not anything to get worked up about. .......

Being rather shy,I never expected that I would enjoy the April Members Only Cruise as much as I did. A very pleasant surprise! Don't knock it till you try it

 

[baileybrad]

DVC1996,
Not sure what your exact point is but we went on 5 cruises before we had little ones. The make-up of the passengers was all over the place. We had a great time with all of our dinnermates. We enjoyed some folks more than others....same, I'm sure for them. What made our cruises great was each other, the stops, the ship, etc. The fact that all of the people on a particular cruise belong to the same timeshare does not and should not make a cruise any more or less pleasant. Just because folks have the same taste in vacation real estate does not make them a better or worse shipmate. If someone wants to pay a higher cost to go on such a cruise.....have fun but it does nothing to necessarily make for a better cruise. In this particular case, it just makes it more expensive.

 

[DVC1996]

Originally posted by baileybrad
DVC1996,
Not sure what your exact point is ..........

My point is that I respectfully disagree with your point of view. Our experience from the DVC 10th Anniversary Cruise is that cruising with other DVCers can make a cruise "special" and a truly unique and unforgettable experience.

 

[sgtpet]

Amazing nearly 88% of DVC members are not going on this cruise. The 12% that plan to go will definitely be enough to sell this out right away. My understanding is the Wonder holds approximately 2,500 people. At 12% of 60,000 members will give you 7,200 people. With that you could fill almost 3 ships.

They could have doubled the points. I guess they know what they are doing. Throw out a few vauge words (special) and people want to go.

Good for DVC. I wish all of you a great trip and I hope you are spoiled rotten by them because I think DVC members deserve that.

 

[baileybrad]

DVC1996,
And how have you found other cruises that you have taken? Were they not also "special"??? And I bet what made them so was your family. There does not have to be one other single DVC group on a cruise ship to make it an "unforgetable experience". As DVCers we all can choose to spend more points to cruise with DVCers only if that is what floats our boats. That has been my stance in all of my posts on this subject .....go for it, but the majority of folks (many of them fellow DVCers) on these boards agree with me.