DVC Member Cruise 2011

[Ed]

We recently received the mailer about the 2011 DVC Member Cruise aboard the new ship "Disney Dream" - - 4 nights, with two stops at Castaway Cay - - September 18-22, 2011.

We're seriously considering going. Anyone else going ?

How about some input from members who have gone on previous DVC Member cruises?

:captain:

[MarkC]

I called to inquire, but I think for the off-season they are really charging a lot for a short cruise. I think it was around 135 points for the lowest level cabin, and over $850 if you wanted to pay cash. We had really considered it for the new ship but will use our points and cash for another cruise. Just my thoughts.

[Ian]

Ed, we're definitely going to consider it. I have to see what the costs would be, but we may try and use a combo of points/cash.

We'd really like to go. I understand they often have Disney Channel stars on board and DD would flip to meet some of them.

[Ed]

Ian, the points and cash chart is available on the member website. We're considering the category 6B stateroom with verandah.

This will be our sixth DCL cruise, and I really think you and the kids would really enjoy it. Considering the overall DCL experience that we've had on every cruise, we don't think the cruise is overpriced at all.

:captain:

[Ed]

Booked. :thumbsup:


:captain:

[Tinkermom]

Booked. :thumbsup:


:captain:

Yay Ed! :party::thumbsup: Wish we could go but we are going in July (also a "double dip"). There is no way we can pull kids out of school in September. Maybe someday we can go on a member cruise.

[dlpmikki]

Very jealous Ed! You will have an amazing time!

[Ian]

UGH!!!

For some reason I got my dates confused and thought the booking opened next weekend not this past weekend!! Of course, I figured this out Sunday and called yesterday ... nada.

They offered waitlist, but we didn't put our name on yet. Trying to decide what we want to do ... ANNOYED WITH MYSELF!!!

[ozmom]

Does anyone know, if you waitlist, do you pay in full at the time of booking the same as regular reservation?

[Ed]

UGH!!!

For some reason I got my dates confused and thought the booking opened next weekend not this past weekend!! Of course, I figured this out Sunday and called yesterday ... nada.

They offered waitlist, but we didn't put our name on yet. Trying to decide what we want to do ... ANNOYED WITH MYSELF!!!

Arrgghhh! Sorry you missed out. :(

I understand that the entire ship was sold out by about 5:20 pm Saturday. 1200+ rooms, roughly 4000 people. Wow!

We got VERY lucky. We started calling at 7:59, DW calling the 800 number, me calling the 407 number. She got nothing but busy signals. I got "All circuits are busy" on the first three tries, and immediate answer on the fourth try. We were totally booked by 8:15.

Not much info has been published, but with 2011 being DVC's 20th Anniversary, I suspect there will be lots of special guests and activities.

:captain:

[Ed]

Time to bump this up...

Did the online check-in this morning, and scored Palo on night 3 after a day at sea and before the second Castaway Cay stop. :yay:

Anybody else going ?

It is now Sunday 6/5/2011 at 9:51:43 PM
Event: DVC Member Cruise
Scheduled For 9/18/2011 05:00 PM
3 months 12 days 19 hours 8 minutes 17 seconds or
14 weekends or
105 days or
2,515 hours (1,677 waking hours) or
150,908 minutes or
9,054,496 seconds


:sail:

[janebanks]

I can't believe how fast this sells out!! Can someone please tell me what is so special about this particular cruise?? I'm curious if I should try to get on it next time around...

[Ed]

We haven't been on any of the previous member cruises, but from what I've read they usually have several Disney-related dignitaries or celebrities aboard - - the late Roy Disney, for example, was aboard a few years ago. There are seminars and presentations, many of them geared toward - - big surprise here - - getting you to purchase more points, and lots of giveaways.

Of course, the prospect of two stops at Castaway Cay is a big draw, too.

Although nothing has been formally announced, I suspect this year's cruise might be somewhat special, considering it's DVC's 20th Anniversary.

99 days and counting... :sail:

[janebanks]

I would have given my first-born to be on a boat with Roy Disney. *sigh*

May I safely assume that now that we're members I'll get literature in the mail about this for the one next year... in time to get in line on the phone? Or do I actively have to seek out the information next year?

[Ed]

You **should** get a mailer from DVC... but keep your eyes on the member website as well as right here at INTERCOT.

The dates for next year's cruise will likely be announced aboard, so I'll very likely let the cat out of the bag after we get back.

DVC sets aside one particular day (it was October 2nd last year) for you to call to make your ressie; as we learned this year, it's best if you have two people dialing, one dialing the 800 number and the other the 407 number, and start dialing at 7:59am, Eastern time.

[Roo Girl]

We'll be there!!! I'm anxiously awiating monday, june 20th when my window to book excursions opens up! I'm looking for the list of what is offered but can't seem to find anything- anyone know where I can find this? I'd rather know what I want to reserve starting Monday instead of watsting time perusing a list. Thanks!

[Ed]

It's all coming together; we got our bag tags yesterday!

:joy: :muscles: :clappy: :yay:

It is now Thursday 8/18/2011 at 7:27:50 AM
Event: DVC Member Cruise
Scheduled For 9/18/2011 05:00 PM
1 month 9 hours 32 minutes 10 seconds or
4 weekends or
31 days or
753 hours (502 waking hours) or
45,212 minutes or
2,712,729 seconds

[Ed]

It is now Saturday 9/17/2011 at 7:04:44 AM
Event: DVC Member Cruise
Scheduled For 9/18/2011 05:00 PM
1 day 9 hours 55 minutes 16 seconds or
0 weekends or
1 day or
33 hours (22 waking hours) or
2,035 minutes or
122,115 seconds

:clappy: :yay: :woohoo: :dance:

[dlpmikki]

Have fun! :D