SS Member Cruise

[ccigliano]

I just received my DVC Member Cruise 2009 brochure in the mail and went to the DVCmember website for the details. The cruise sails Sept 13-17, 2009 and is at least $300 more for the three of us than the same cruise the week prior priced out on the Disney Cruise Line website - Category 6 balcony room. Shouldn't we pay less not more than what the none DVC member guests pay for a cruise? or at least the same price - what gives? And I would also add that the member cruise should be the 3 night cruise, Thurs - Sun so we could return to DisneyWorld on Sun and stay till Friday using the least amount of points. We could just cruise to Nassau and then to Castaway Key and stay a couple of nights. Now that would be what I call a member cruise.

 

[wdwstar]

DVC Members Cruises have always been more then normal disney cruises.
the dvc cruises include tax and tip, the rest probably goes towards all those wonderful gifts you receive several times a day. The double dip to castaway cay is awsome. And dont forget, i am sure they dont charge all those wonderful special secret guests you will meet, so the extra money they get will cover their staterooms. Going on a DVC Members Cruise is all about the experience not the cost of the cruise

 

[DeeCee735]

I agree. I understand that there are special events, and gifts, but I'd rather see a specially priced cruise, also Thur-Sun so that we could use lower points to stay in the DVC resorts.

I think as DVC members we are the "bunch" that spends the most there, and I don't like feeling like they're "taking advantage" of our for DVC. I for one won't be doing the member cruise, now or in the future.

I also don't like the time of year - too HOT!

 

[CarolA]

A few thoughts

1. DVC and DCL are seperate legal entities. DVC has to negoiate the "purchase" of the ship at arms length. In other words DCL could care less that you are DVC members and don't feel loved. DCL's job is to take advantage of the fact that members are willing to spend.

2. DVC doesn't really care if you spend your points on weekdays or weekends. DCL can probably sell three day cruises in hurricane season easier then 4 day so that's what they are willing to "sell" to DVC.

A cheaper cruise etc would probably require that the member dues subsidize it. I don't think that's a good idea for the apparent reasons.

I look at it every year, and even booked once, but... so far I haven't actually felt it was worth it. I used my points for the three day right after the cruise this year and had a blast!

So you have a choice, if you think the "special" touches are worth it, book.

 

[OneMoreTry]

I've never gone on a Disney Cruise, but am more seriously looking at the 2009 cruise. The 2 days at CC is what really appeals to me. I want an escape to quietness. And the Disney shows and meals sound good too, plus a couple nights alone with DW on the balcony. I have no interest really in Paradise Island and Nassau. last time I was there I got sick from a restaurant. If I wanted to visit the islands I'd want to do a "bareback" with a skipper and just some friends and do the out islands with a snorkel and fins.

This cruise seems just the right thing and an extra few hundred dollars is not that much because it's what I want. My point being that this cruise DOES work for what interests some members.

However, I'm concerned about where the economy is going to be in a year. Which makes me reluctant to book so far in advance. I also have a few questions which I will post on another thread.

 

[ccigliano]

While I certainly wouldn't want a cheaper price subsidized by dues, I certainly don't think I should pay more for the cruise. I am a DVC member that pre-purchased my vacations and provided Disney with capital up front to go out and build more timeshares. I can't see paying more to the tune of $300 for a 4 day cruise. I think I would have booked for the same price but certainly not more. And while it's great that they have special events for the DVC member cruise I don't feel I should pay more - those should be perks that Disney does for me as a member and should be done as just that a perk. Just my 2 cents.

 

[CarolAnnC]

In all fairness, there is a wide range of cruise prices whether looking at cash or points. The 2009 DVC Member Cruise category 6 stateroom with verandah is going for 173 points per person. You can book a 4 day regular DCL cruise in 2009 Regular season for 172 points per person for the same category. There are 4 point categories priced higher and two point categories priced lower.

If you factor in the value of the tips being included, along with no $95 booking fee which would be required to book non DVC Member cruises, that is a savings in itself. And yes, the entertainment and spectacular gifts given out to the members on board do have a monetary value as well.

Now all that being said, the DVC Member Cruise is not for everyone. If you are looking for something on more of a budget, there are certainly other sail dates out there to consider. Having sailed on two of the DVC Member Cruises, and countless other DCL cruises, I personally do see the value there for the Member Cruise, and I would not hesitate to book it and sail again.

 

[disneynutz]

There are two things that people tend to forget.
"It all started with a mouse" and "DVD is a very profitable business".

 

[LIFERBABE]

I've been on 2 member cruises, 1 7 night Double Dip and the 15 night Panama Repo.

For our money, we like the longer cruises. The cruises are priced like the MYW tix. THe first four days are the most expensive and after that the price increase is negligible especially during slow season.

I just want to add, that special touches are added no matter what cruise you go on and DVC has dedicated staff on the ships and they host member get togethers and other events. On our 14 day, DVC passed out caps, lanyards, and multiple pins. We had a member reception with free food and alcohol and there were plenty members on the ship.

I thought DCL offered more variety of activities than DVC did during the Member cruises.

I've enjoyed all our cruises with DCL and they made them all "special" and gave us more than we ever expected.

Another thing to consider regarding tips being included. Most Travel Agents offer a booking incentive or onboard credit. DCL itself will give that to you when you rebook onboard along with a discount. DVC is a charter so none of those incentives are offered. Not even Dis VIsa incentives, because you pay DVC in full for your cruise, not DCL.

Not trying to be negative, just offering another viewpoint.

 

[CarolAnnC]

. Most Travel Agents offer a booking incentive or onboard credit. DCL itself will give that to you when you rebook onboard along with a discount. DVC is a charter so none of those incentives are offered.

DVC also offers a rebooking discount onboard ship. At least they were still offering it last month..

 

[msabol01]

I ended paying cash when I rebooked but I was told DVC would give a discount if you wanted to book with points. You would just have to call MS within 3 days of your cruise. Unforuntately, the DCL guide on the ship didn't have the discounted point chart. Besides, I feel cash is the better way to book DCL, I'll just use my points for the WDW visit prior to and possibly after the cruise.

 

[LIFERBABE]

DVC also offers a rebooking discount onboard ship. At least they were still offering it last month..

Yes, I agree, for future DCL cruises a rebooking points discount is offered, but not for the member cruise which is all booked on the same day thru MS with the exception of those that received the member cruise as an incentive to add-on.

For the member cruise, you have to book and pay thru DVC in full at the time of booking. We did not receive any obc or discount for our member cruises whether we used points or cash.

You cannot roll your OBC and Discount over to a member cruise. I booked both Member cruises we sailed on cash. Cash gave us more flexibility should we need to cancel.

Thanks for helping me to clarify. There is a difference between booking a Member Cruise and booking other DCL cruise dates. I was only speaking of the Member cruise and why tips included is no different than a OBC or other incentive you would have received by booking with a TA or thru DCL for non charter cruise dates.

We used Costco for our Repo cruise and received a $600 Costco Gift Card. Can't do that with the Member Cruise.

 

[Donald is #1]

Does anyone know the penalty in points and/or cash for solo travelers?

I have done one DCL with my sister and nephew back about 4 years ago and I would be interested in doing another cruise. However, most likely it would be just me.