We are in but half the ship was sold!

[SimplyMagical]

We got in at 9:00 and got our stateroom, but sadly we were told that half of the ship was booked last weekeend. Good luck to all who are trying.

 

[dumbo71]

Glad you got in.

Have you taken the "DVC sales and promotion cruise" before?

Half of the ship to first timers is a little more than I anticipated. I was thinking around 25%.

Thanks for the update.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Glad you got in.

Have you taken the "DVC sales and promotion cruise" before?

Half of the ship to first timers is a little more than I anticipated. I was thinking around 25%.

Thanks for the update.

I also am surprised at that high a number. Did you get the category you wanted?

 

[SimplyMagical]

Yes - we took the 2006 "sales and promotion cruise" and ended up adding on another 150 points. We were able to get the category we wanted this time - but we don't think that half of the boat should have been sold last week. We had to wait on the phone for hours last year - you have to work for what you want. We were told that DVC actually called the people who won the lottery to book their trip - they even tracked down one member at Old Key West....

 

[mcorbo]

Yes - we took the 2006 "sales and promotion cruise" and ended up adding on another 150 points. We were able to get the category we wanted this time - but we don't think that half of the boat should have been sold last week. We had to wait on the phone for hours last year - you have to work for what you want. We were told that DVC actually called the people who won the lottery to book their trip - they even tracked down one member at Old Key West....

Not only did they call the people who won the lottery, after being told I did not win the lottery, I got a call a few days later telling me they still had room and would I still like to book. Unfortunately, had to turn it down this year.

 

[dumbo71]

Not only did they call the people who won the lottery, after being told I did not win the lottery, I got a call a few days later telling me they still had room and would I still like to book. Unfortunately, had to turn it down this year.

Sounds like a good old fashioned arm twisting. They must be desperate to sell out SSR and think the cruise with 1/2 first timers can do just that.

Well, the OP obviously liked the last Meber cruise so that says something about it. Maybe it wasn't as bad as my friends told me.

Have a great cruise OP and post a review when you return. Who knows maybe Dumbo will show up on one of these cruises? You can all buy me a drink before you beat me over the head.

 

[cobbler]

Yep I was also told my member services that they did take all the catergories and split them in half for the first weekend call.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . Half of the ship to first timers is a little more than I anticipated. I was thinking around 25% . . .

1) Repeaters get lower each year.
2) Most people realize the poor deal the cruise-on-points truly is.
3) They can rent points, pay for the cruise, and have spending money left over.
4) It is the first-timers that don't get this.

 

[dumbo71]

1) Repeaters get lower each year.
2) Most people realize the poor deal the cruise-on-points truly is.
3) They can rent points, pay for the cruise, and have spending money left over.
4) It is the first-timers that don't get this.

Scupper,

I totally agree. I just wanted to believe that DVC wouldn't do that to the loyal returning cruisers. Guess I had a little too much faith in DVC.

Those first timers are also fresh meat for the sales pitch and rah rah DVC presentations.

Call me crazy but I don't know why people would want to be pigeon holed into a set date and forced to cruise with fellow DVC'ers???? I'd rather cruise with a variety of people on the dates I choose to the destinations I choose. I'd also like to miss the sales pitch. Guess I'm in the minority on that.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We thoroughly enjoyed the MC that we went on, but our schedules didn't work for next year's. Now if the DVC specials are for the then current Animal Kingdom Villas, I think it could be a banner year for sales. First time cruisers or not.

Bobbi

 

[cgcw]

Scupper,

I totally agree. I just wanted to believe that DVC wouldn't do that to the loyal returning cruisers. Guess I had a little too much faith in DVC.

Those first timers are also fresh meat for the sales pitch and rah rah DVC presentations.

Call me crazy but I don't know why people would want to be pigeon holed into a set date and forced to cruise with fellow DVC'ers???? I'd rather cruise with a variety of people on the dates I choose to the destinations I choose. I'd also like to miss the sales pitch. Guess I'm in the minority on that.

I don't know about that.

I would bet if you were able surveyed those who sailed last year or the year before, you might find that there are actually more people who decided against next years member cruise because of the reasons you listed here. My family, for one, decided we were not even going to try for next years cruise before we were even off SSMC06. Surprisingly, it had nothing to do with the cost. It was all because of the feel of this years cruise.

We will definately sail DCL again, it just won't be on another DVC Sales Event.

To those booked, I sincerely hope you have a grand time. Maybe DVC will have really listened to where they suffered their short comings.

 

[WDWLVR]

Call me crazy but I don't know why people would want to be pigeon holed into a set date and forced to cruise with fellow DVC'ers???? I'd rather cruise with a variety of people on the dates I choose to the destinations I choose. I'd also like to miss the sales pitch. Guess I'm in the minority on that.

I think many would agree with you. We, however, enjoy the Member Cruises because of what is special.

On the first one (2003) we got to take a tour of the ship by a Disney Imagineer who helped design and pick things for the interior spaces. We also had a concert by Andrea McArdle.

On the second (2005) we got to hear a talk by Art Linkletter, a presentation by the current WDW Ambassador and a concert by Susan Egan.

On the third (2006) we got to hear a talk by Roy Disney, a presentation by the current WDW Ambassardo and a concert by Jodi Benson and Jennifer Hudson.

If you just want a cruise and time at CC then the Member Cruise most likely isn't worth the money. However if you really enjoy these special touches then the Member Cruise may be worth it to you like it is to us.

We're thrilled that we are on the 2007 cruise as well.

 

[dumbo71]

I think many would agree with you. We, however, enjoy the Member Cruises because of what is special.

On the first one (2003) we got to take a tour of the ship by a Disney Imagineer who helped design and pick things for the interior spaces. We also had a concert by Andrea McArdle.

On the second (2005) we got to hear a talk by Art Linkletter, a presentation by the current WDW Ambassador and a concert by Susan Egan.

On the third (2006) we got to hear a talk by Roy Disney, a presentation by the current WDW Ambassardo and a concert by Jodi Benson and Jennifer Hudson.

If you just want a cruise and time at CC then the Member Cruise most likely isn't worth the money. However if you really enjoy these special touches then the Member Cruise may be worth it to you like it is to us.

We're thrilled that we are on the 2007 cruise as well.

I hope you have a great time.

To those who are booked dont let me rain on your parade. I hope you all have the best cruise.

 

[TravelingJen24]

For us, deciding not to go was all cost. For a cat. 3 with us and our two kids they wanted 6500. We just paid a little over 4000 this last Nov. Fifteen hundred is too much in my opinion. I could almost pay for a 7 night for that type of money. Have fun though to all that chose to go.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I was surprised to hear that the cruise did not sell out on Saturday and they still had cabins available to book as of yesterday.

We will not be going next year either, I was able to book the Nov 24, 2007 7 day onboard with a discount and $200 credit on this year's Member Cruise and although I will miss the exclusive gifts and special entertainment, we all agreed we would rather be onboard 3 days longer.

 

[wdwstar]

I have to agree with LIFERBABE, I too was surprise that the DVC Members cruise for 2007 didnt sell out yet. I was tempted to call in saturday, but then i remembered all those pins that dvc handed out and the extra money to me wasnt worth getting pins when i am not a collector. It was only worth the extra money when you have great friends that join you on the cruise and the great entertainment and not the entertainment of pushy add ons...

 

[dumbo71]

I was surprised to hear that the cruise did not sell out on Saturday and they still had cabins available to book as of yesterday.

We will not be going next year either, I was able to book the Nov 24, 2007 7 day onboard with a discount and $200 credit on this year's Member Cruise and although I will miss the exclusive gifts and special entertainment, we all agreed we would rather be onboard 3 days longer.

Have you heard the feedback on the Member cruise?

Maybe they should have kept the ship for first timers only. Maybe then it would have sold out.

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

Isn't it nice that purchasing a stateroom on the Members Cruise is entirely voluntary?
... and that DVC contains enough variety to suit all the members?
.... and that staterooms didn't sell too quickly so that anyone who wanted to go and called on Deb 9 got a stateroom?

I always tell my kids that just because something was difficult for them, they shouldn't wish difficulties on others and that they should be happy for those who receive something good!

For those of us attending, I hope a wonderful trip
For those of us deciding we value other DVC choices I wish wonderful vacations

In the spirit of the upcoming holidays, let's just wish everyone well and accept that everyone's choices are their own.

 

[3DisneyKids]

Scupper,

Call me crazy but I don't know why people would want to be pigeon holed into a set date and forced to cruise with fellow DVC'ers???? .

Ok, I'll bite....you're CRAZY!!! Just kidding.

Although I am not going on the members' cruise, I would LOVE to go with other DVC'ers and would not consider it a negative in anyway at all! I think it would be great to sail with others who are as "into" Disney as we are. And as a whole, those who make the commitement to DVC are more likely to be Disneyphiles.

I wouldn't consider cruising on points, though I might consider renting some points and using that cash to pay for the cruise. However, we can't justify the added expense for the DVC cruise as compared to other 4-night DCL trips. We will take a "regular" 4 night cruise.

To those going...have a GREAT time and get those trip counters up!

 

[dumbo71]

Ok, I'll bite....you're CRAZY!!! Just kidding.

Although I am not going on the members' cruise, I would LOVE to go with other DVC'ers and would not consider it a negative in anyway at all! I think it would be great to sail with others who are as "into" Disney as we are. And as a whole, those who make the commitement to DVC are more likely to be Disneyphiles.

I wouldn't consider cruising on points, though I might consider renting some points and using that cash to pay for the cruise. However, we can't justify the added expense for the DVC cruise as compared to other 4-night DCL trips. We will take a "regular" 4 night cruise.

To those going...have a GREAT time and get those trip counters up!

Fair enough. I hope everyone has a great cruise and a Merry Christmas.