08 Member Cruise -- Anyone trying for it?

[CRSNDSNY]

Anyone here thinking of trying to get on the cruise for next year? DH said to go for it so I'll be on the phones open day.

Anyone else???

[Muushka]

Nope. We are scheduled on the Magic the following Saturday (9/27/08 double dip)!:kickingco

[CRSNDSNY]

lucky lucky!!!
I actually looked at the prices for that one and they've gone up quite a bit since that cruise date was first released. Many staterooms are now only on guaranteed status.

[kdzgon]

Any suggestions as to a website I can go to for info and pricing for the Disney cruises? I don't want to just submit a quote request - I'd like to get an idea of approx prices, compare which weeks are less/more expensive and see the itineraries.

Thanks so much!

[Muushka]

Any suggestions as to a website I can go to for info and pricing for the Disney cruises? I don't want to just submit a quote request - I'd like to get an idea of approx prices, compare which weeks are less/more expensive and see the itineraries.

Thanks so much!

Well right now the point requirements are up on the DVC member website for the DVC member cruise. No cash prices out for that one yet.

As far as all Disney cruises, when I want a quick answer, I find that http://www.allseastravel.com/
is about the fastest and pretty competitive pricing.
Once I have narrowed it down there, I go to Sam's Club for even better pricing.

[Muushka]

lucky lucky!!!
I actually looked at the prices for that one and they've gone up quite a bit since that cruise date was first released. Many staterooms are now only on guaranteed status.

Boy, you're not kidding. It surprises me how much this has gone up. The darn thing is almost at the peak of hurricane season for pity sake! For fun, I have kept track at Sam's Club of the prices:
DCL Price
7-NIGHT CRUISE TO COSTA MAYA
September 27-October 4, 2008
(Ship: Disney Magic)
Stateroom: 2 Adults

Our Price at Sam’s cat 5 $2,632.16 8/1

Sam’s Cruise Price: Cat 5 $2,783.88 8/7, 8/29

Cat 6 Sam’s $2683.38, cat 5 $2783.88 8/27

Cat 6 Sam’s $2803.88, cat 5 $2783.88 9/12

Cat 6 Sam’s $2,885.88, Cat 5 $2,903.88 9/18/07

Cat 6 Sam's $3007.22 Cat 5, $3029.22 10/8/07

Cat 6 Sam’s $3007.22, Cat 5 $3029.22 10/12, 10/22/07

Cat 6 Sam’s $3197.22, Cat 5 $3217.22 10/25/07

We went from $2622 to $3217 in less than 3 months it went up $595. Oy. With this cruise Sams is giving an additional $300 off in credits when we return. A great buy.

We did a 4 day Wonder-during-Christmas cruise in '05. I was very surprised that that cruise did not increase in value at all. I stopped checking about 2 weeks prior to sailing. I would have thought that cruise would have been popular.

DCL cruise tip: don't wait to book!

[cobbler]

Yep I will be trying - pretty sure we will be. We had a BLAST on this years Member Cruise.

Of course it was a DVC cruise, a Disney cruise and our first cruise ever, so what was not to love!

I posted the cash requirements (per person) on the Dis site if anyone is interested. It is the Planning section and in the cruise trip reports post.

[Muushka]

I saw your post. I am glad they are bringing those rates down!

[gblast123]

I think that many will be surprised that at the 89th day before the cruise, the prices go down.

Anyone can book as long as it is refundable. On the 91st day, there are always cancellations....quite a lot for the higher priced ones as others become more competitive.

Good luck everyone...I just booked a 7 day out of San Juan for Dec.1 with a 300+Sq.ft. "Junior suite with balcony" $1249 per person, with a promotional pre- paid gratuity. Royal Carribean, Serenade of the Sea. This is a 5 star rating...same as Disney.

Personally, I believe that Disney is worth a premium but ....

No days at sea, docking in a new port every day (personally, I hate days at sea but some people like them...)

[CRSNDSNY]

Yep I will be trying - pretty sure we will be. We had a BLAST on this years Member Cruise.

Of course it was a DVC cruise, a Disney cruise and our first cruise ever, so what was not to love!

I posted the cash requirements (per person) on the Dis site if anyone is interested. It is the Planning section and in the cruise trip reports post.
WOW!
Stupid question, but the category prices you posted are for one person??!! WHOA! If so that is VERY expensive!!!

Also,
I'm assuming those prices include all taxes and port fees?

Does this mean transportation is still separate as is trip insurance?

[Muushka]

I agree, DCL is very expensive. We are finally doing a Celebrity cruise that we booked last year (it was canceled due to pod problems) in 5 weeks. It is concierge class (lots of goodies), stateroom is a little smaller than DCL (192 sq ft as opposed to DCL 216), balcony, $799 pp. (The cruise we are doing is actually free, a refund from canceled one and this one is free, I digress...).

But the one we are doing on DCL in September (7 day) is $1100 PP (after credits). So it is $600 more than our Celebrity, but the cabin is larger and Mickey is so cute!

Honestly, I wouldn't pay the extra $600 for DCL, but we love cruising from Pt Canaveral rather than Miami or FLL, so much more convenient. And we like the itinerary. But I would not pay a penny over what we are paying!

We love to analyze, don't we!:Pssst:

PS the prices I quoted for both cruises did not include tax or port fees

[CRSNDSNY]

Even in comparison to a standard 4 night cruise on Disney at that same time of year it is astromical! What I like to do is break it out to a cost per night. USUALLY, when we price these out for our family in a CAT9 it is somewhere between $425 - $475 per night. As it stands now, for the DVC cruise on cash it would break out to almost $625/night -- and that is for a CAT11!!!!!:jawdroppi

I think we will not be calling for the Member Cruise this year. I cannot justify the expense even though I know it would be a phenomenal cruise. I think we can do something else for less money and possibly longer.

I hope they do the double dips for 2009 because that is something we will book right away to avoid the cost increase. DH is always tempted by the DDs!!!

Muushka -- sounds like you like cruising just as much as our family does! I'm still trying to convince my husband to try a different cruise line. He still doesn't want anything but Disney right now, but I"m ready for the variety and lesser costs. But overall, we LOVE Disney Cruise Line which is why we keep going back for more!

[Muushka]

Muushka -- sounds like you like cruising just as much as our family does! I'm still trying to convince my husband to try a different cruise line. He still doesn't want anything but Disney right now, but I"m ready for the variety and lesser costs. But overall, we LOVE Disney Cruise Line which is why we keep going back for more!

Buy him a book called Frommers Cruises and Ports of Call! Get one that is a year or 2 old (the majority of ships will be in it and they are very inexpensive). I can almost guarantee that he will pick it up and read it. And then he will want to experience it!:doublejum

It took very little to get my husband to try another cruise line. Between his love of the different ship designs and his desire to save money, it was a no-brainer for us. But we don't have kiddos, so the draw for children's programs DCL offers is not important to us.

We do enjoy cruising very much, but depending how these go, we may or may not continue to cruise. I have some sort of problem with dizziness after we get off the ship. After a very rough cruise I was dizzy for a good 6 weeks after we got home. And the next time it I was dizzy for about 2-3 weeks (that cruise was not as rough). The 5 day one last Dec. was great, ocean was smooth as glass and I barely rocked when I got off. This time I will wear the patch and fingers crossed that it will help. Sorry to give my medical history!:boohoohoo

[CRSNDSNY]

I recently got a free subscription to a cruise magazine. I am hoping that helps persuade him. The Frommer's guide is a good idea, too.

I hope you don't have to stop cruising!!! Hope you have very smooth sailing next time and aren't dizzy at all upon embarkation. That must be frustrating to deal with!

[Muushka]

Thank you! And I hope your husband gets interested in another cruise line!:sailing:

[acourtwdw]

Yep, we are trying for the DVC 08 cruise. Did 05,06 & 07 and loved them all.

[cobbler]

Those prices I listed are for one person. They include everything except your alcohol, souvinears, excursions and things of that nature.

It includes all your tips, taxes and such. They are cheaper than last years cruise.

These prices won't go down either since it is a specially chartered cruise. They are what they are.

[gblast123]

Those prices I listed are for one person. They include everything except your alcohol, souvinears, excursions and things of that nature.

It includes all your tips, taxes and such. They are cheaper than last years cruise.

These prices won't go down either since it is a specially chartered cruise. They are what they are.

I guess the people who go on the DVC members cruise will also extend their OKW memberships for an additional $15 and use DVC points for the cruise.:idontgeti

As I have stated on numerous occasions - Disney is a "FOR PROFIT" organization.

[cobbler]

I am booked!! Catergory 8 on deck 6, exact same room as last year :)

Its 11am and cat 7 is sold out and cat 3 has limited avail.

Who else is booked?

[glypnirsgirl]

I have never been on a cruise. I want to go - DH is not keen. BUT, if I knew what double dipping is, maybe I could convince him. Would someone please explain?

Elaine

[cobbler]

Double dipping is 2 stops at Castaway Cay, at least that is what I think it is. But in regards to the price (which is what CRSNDSNY was saying) a Member Cruise is the same cost - period.

As of now, category 3, 6, 7, 8 and 12 has limited availibility

They are booking today and it looks like it could be sold out today too.

[RweTHEREyet]

Anyone here thinking of trying to get on the cruise for next year? DH said to go for it so I'll be on the phones open day.

Anyone else???

I thought I saw your name on the roster for the Sep 1 special 5-night sailing. Are you doing both?

[RweTHEREyet]

I am booked!! Catergory 8 on deck 6, exact same room as last year :)

Its 11am and cat 7 is sold out and cat 3 has limited avail.

Who else is booked?


:kickingco Congratulations on snagging your cabin.

[CRSNDSNY]

I thought I saw your name on the roster for the Sep 1 special 5-night sailing. Are you doing both?
We're still up in the air about that one. We leave for a 4 nighter in a few weeks and have APs. So we are either going to do another 4nighter next fall or use our APs and just do WDW again. Still tryign to figure things out.

I had temporarily thought about the member cruise but it is way too expensive in comparison to our other choices.

[cobbler]

Actually the member cruise this year is only a couple hundred dollars more than a 4 night cruise sailing any time in September. Considering the special activities and tips and all the gifts, its probably pretty comparable. Actually for the exact same stateroom anytime in September, I am only paying $390.08 more if I want to add their travel insurance and ground transportation.

If I decline both (which I normally would), then it is only 899.08 more, but I would by travel insurance for about $100 through someone else so lets say $800 more.

But again tips aren't included either, so based on the tips we paid for this past years cruise we could deduct an additional $175. So that brings it down to $625 more. I guess that isn't to bad considering the gifts and the special guest, 2 stops at CC and such.

So if anyone is on the fence, that is the rough breakdown.

[Muushka]

That really is not bad for the DVC member cruise. If I was not at a stage in life when I look around my house and say "Where the heck did I get all this STUFF"? I would consider it. It really would be fun, but I don't want any more stuff!! Well, if there was no additional charge, I would jump on it!