Was live now great memories from the 9/21 DVC Member Cruise!

[MAGICX2]

We were in a model at SSR. It's hard to say what you might see up there in the tower, but there is a backstage area behind Main Street. I am thinking that you might have to look hard to see it, though. We won't know until we are there, I guess. They say that only 20% of the rooms will actually have a MK view.

I was told that only 20% of the rooms were NOT and MK view and that I should keep that in mind when trying to decide what amount of points to add on. That a NON MK View would be harder to get then the MK View.

 

[MAGICX2]

What do you all think? I have been wanting to go on the Member Cruise even before I was a member. My 10th anniversary is 9/11/09 and we really want to go on the Member Cruise 2009. But, I am concerned that the cruise may not live up to all the hype and I don't want to have a let down on my 10th anniv. It sounds like a TON of fun and the speakers sound very intriguing. But, should we just go on a different speciality sailing? I just want to make sure the member cruise is all everyone makes it out to be. What is it to you that makes it so special?

 

[tikimimi]

What do you all think? I have been wanting to go on the Member Cruise even before I was a member. My 10th anniversary is 9/11/09 and we really want to go on the Member Cruise 2009. But, I am concerned that the cruise may not live up to all the hype and I don't want to have a let down on my 10th anniv. It sounds like a TON of fun and the speakers sound very intriguing. But, should we just go on a different speciality sailing? I just want to make sure the member cruise is all everyone makes it out to be. What is it to you that makes it so special?

Everyone looks for something different to determine if they liked something. For an anniversary, what I would want to do may not suit you at all. That is a totally different question you should consider - what do you really want for your anniversary in terms of a cruise experience. I will say this - we had to accept early on that we would not be able to do everything; there was just too much. That being said, this was our first Member (and Disney, though we have cruised on other lines) cruise. It did not live up to the hype in terms of gifts given from what we had heard from people who had sailed Member cruises before. However, to us, it was still wonderful and the gifts were special and very nice. We think the planning crew did a good job lining up guests to suit people with different interests. The guests on board would have pleased cruisers in the following areas at least: Disney art afficionados, football fans, feminists or those who simply appreciate a woman's ability to break the glass ceiling, Disney imagineer fans, Broadway fans, and more. The ship was altered decoratively to welcome and show appreciation for the DVC members. All staff we encountered were professional, friendly, and knowledgeable in their area of service. To us, it was outstanding. Will it meet up to your expectations? Nobody can really answer that for you as you're the only one who understands your expectations. Our experience on this cruise was wonderful! Part of that was the DISers we had chatted with on here that we got to know on board. I believe you could have a wonderfully magical time on a Member cruise, but nobody can really tell you if it is what you want to do for your anniversary.

 

[mohrt2]

I was told that only 20% of the rooms were NOT and MK view and that I should keep that in mind when trying to decide what amount of points to add on. That a NON MK View would be harder to get then the MK View.

I am not sure who told you that, but the very fact that one side of the building faces away from MK would clearly indicate that at least 50% of the rooms would be non-MK views. Then add in the fact that the side that does face that way is curved.... I think that the majority of the rooms could not have an MK view.

 

[WDWLVR]

What do you all think? I have been wanting to go on the Member Cruise even before I was a member. My 10th anniversary is 9/11/09 and we really want to go on the Member Cruise 2009. But, I am concerned that the cruise may not live up to all the hype and I don't want to have a let down on my 10th anniv. It sounds like a TON of fun and the speakers sound very intriguing. But, should we just go on a different speciality sailing? I just want to make sure the member cruise is all everyone makes it out to be. What is it to you that makes it so special?

I agree with Mimi, only you can decide what would make an anniversary cruise special.

We've been on all 5 dedicated Member Cruises so obviously we enjoy them. We don't go for the gifts (though we've gotten some nice ones over the years). What we do go for are the guests. Still what is a great guest to one person might just be an ok guest for another. This year we really enjoyed the Imagineers they had on board, plus Ducky and the Broadway ladies. The sports inspirations didn't do as much for me though their presentation was good.

We love Disney history and that seems to be the one thing that has always been a part of the Member Cruises. From Art Linkletter who was at Disneyland on opening day, to Roy Disney (enough said), to Marty Skalar. All these and many more have been part of past Member Cruises.

As Mimi also said part of what makes the cruise fun for us is the great group of DISers we sail with. Getting to know each other before the cruise and having friends all around the ship. That really adds to the experience. It isn't for everyone. Some want nothing to do with a large group and that is fine as well.

Bottom line if you go in with super high expectations you might very well be disappointed. If you go into this or any other cruise with the expectation that it is going to be a special one for you and your spouse than you can find and make your own magic.

 

[KarenNY]

I was told that only 20% of the rooms were NOT and MK view and that I should keep that in mind when trying to decide what amount of points to add on. That a NON MK View would be harder to get then the MK View.

They did say in the presentation on the ship that only 20% would be MK views.

 

[jenseib]

I agree with Mimi, only you can decide what would make an anniversary cruise special.
We've been on all 5 dedicated Member Cruises so obviously we enjoy them. We don't go for the gifts (though we've gotten some nice ones over the years). What we do go for are the guests. Still what is a great guest to one person might just be an ok guest for another. This year we really enjoyed the Imagineers they had on board, plus Ducky and the Broadway ladies. The sports inspirations didn't do as much for me though their presentation was good.

We love Disney history and that seems to be the one thing that has always been a part of the Member Cruises. From Art Linkletter who was at Disneyland on opening day, to Roy Disney (enough said), to Marty Skalar. All these and many more have been part of past Member Cruises.

As Mimi also said part of what makes the cruise fun for us is the great group of DISers we sail with. Getting to know each other before the cruise and having friends all around the ship. That really adds to the experience. It isn't for everyone. Some want nothing to do with a large group and that is fine as well.

Bottom line if you go in with super high expectations you might very well be disappointed. If you go into this or any other cruise with the expectation that it is going to be a special one for you and your spouse than you can find and make your own magic.

I personally after reading this thread, would NOT want to go on a member cruise. I didn't care for any of the guests. I would rather go and just do what I want and not have the guests there. I guess I don't like all the organization that was involved either. But that is just me. Now if that was the only time I could cruise, I would go, but I personally will try to avoid those dates in the future.

 

[MAGICX2]

They did say in the presentation on the ship that only 20% would be MK views.

Maybe my guide just got ahead of himself and misspoke. Sorry.

 

[njprincess]

I personally after reading this thread, would NOT want to go on a member cruise. I didn't care for any of the guests. I would rather go and just do what I want and not have the guests there. I guess I don't like all the organization that was involved either. But that is just me. Now if that was the only time I could cruise, I would go, but I personally will try to avoid those dates in the future.

I agree with you. I don't think a Member Cruise is for you. Glad that we could help you make this decision.

b/t/w - the only you can book a Member Cruise is through DVC, on a specific date. It usually sells out in a very short period of time. So I don't think you need to worry about 'avoiding' the date - there's no way to 'accidentally' book a Member Cruise.

 

[MAGICX2]

What do you all think? I have been wanting to go on the Member Cruise even before I was a member. My 10th anniversary is 9/11/09 and we really want to go on the Member Cruise 2009. But, I am concerned that the cruise may not live up to all the hype and I don't want to have a let down on my 10th anniv. It sounds like a TON of fun and the speakers sound very intriguing. But, should we just go on a different speciality sailing? I just want to make sure the member cruise is all everyone makes it out to be. What is it to you that makes it so special?

Well, After much thought and checking on price and points comparison, DH and I have decided to go on the 7 Night Eastern Carr. cruise with a stop on Tortola! We will be sailing on 9/12/09. The points and cash cost for this sailing were very close to those for the Members Cruise and it is 7 Nights. Also, we decided we might like to go on a 7 Night Members Cruise if they have one in 2010 and take the kids. I am soooo excited!

 

[njprincess]

Well, After much thought and checking on price and points comparison, DH and I have decided to go on the 7 Night Eastern Carr. cruise with a stop on Tortola! We will be sailing on 9/12/09. The points and cash cost for this sailing were very close to those for the Members Cruise and it is 7 Nights. Also, we decided we might like to go on a 7 Night Members Cruise if they have one in 2010 and take the kids. I am soooo excited!

We went to Tortola on a Princess cruise in April and we LOVED it! The people were so friendly! We took an island tour in one of those open trolley/trucks and it was really fun! Unfortuantely, we didn't time to do any of the beaches but they look beautiful, especially Cane Garden Bay. b/t/w there is a cool little store in Roadtown called Sunny Carribee (http://www.sunnycaribbee.com/) that has incredible spices, seasonings, teas and also fragrances and lotions. They make an mint aloe cooler that is fabulous for sunburn!

ooo, that was a nice little flashback - back to work now! hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[bsusanmb]

Does anyone know if the dates for the member cruise have been announced for 2009? Any information at all?

We have to request our vacation for next year during the month of October. It's hard to plan that far in advance.

 

[njprincess]

Does anyone know if the dates for the member cruise have been announced for 2009? Any information at all?

We have to request our vacation for next year during the month of October. It's hard to plan that far in advance.

I believe it is 9/13-17/09, with dial in for reservations on 11/2. Here's the thread for that cruise:http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1962519 You should head on over there because they probably have better information.

 

[WDWLVR]

Kathy is correct. The 2009 DVC Member Cruise will start on 9/13. Call in day in 11/2 but we haven't seen any point/price charts yet. Hope they come out soon so everyone can make their decision to call in or not.

For those who previously posted that they won't be coming I'm happy you made the choice now. The Member Cruise doesn't appeal to everyone and I'd rather see someone make the choice not to go than to go and be disappointed.