2011 SR Member Cruise

[MouseUnlimited]

Hey Everyone!

Disney has just opened the opportunity to book Groups on 2011 cruises!

We thought it might be a fun idea to organize a 2011 Sunshine Rewards Member Cruise - and it appears that October was a popular month the last time one of these happened.

In October 2011, the 3 and 4-Night Bahamian Cruises are on the brand new ship - the Disney Dream. How cool is that?

As Sunshine Reward's exclusive Disney Travel Agency, we would offer increased cash-back and/or on-board credit to SR members who joined us on this fun adventure.

But first, we need to see how many people might be interested - and what month would work the best for the majority of people.

In order to book a Group Trip, we have to book a minimum of 8 rooms with at least 2 adults per room - and collect a $25 deposit from each party of 2. All room categories qualify.

We'll probably send out an e-mail to all SR members who have expressed interest in Disney Travel - but wanted to start here. Post a reply to this thread if you're at all interested, and if October 2011 would work for you!

:thanks:

[Hedy]

I'm interested. However, I most likely would not be able to be definite until I saw what the cost was if I rebooked it on my Disney Cruise in December 2010.

[29apr00]

I would be interested.....3 day in October would be best.

[MouseUnlimited]

I'm interested. However, I most likely would not be able to be definite until I saw what the cost was if I rebooked it on my Disney Cruise in December 2010.

Unfortunately, you probably won't be able to participate in our group. That doesn't mean you can't go on the same cruise, but you wouldn't be in our block or be eligible for any cash back or other incentives we may get. (For $5 we'll tell you which cruise we decide on, hehe - just kidding).

The rules specifically tell me that I can only book NEW, full-fare adult rooms (kids don't count toward the total number of guests required), and that previously booked cruises can't be added to a Group.

Yours would be both previously booked, AND a discounted fare (i.e. not a qualifying full fare).

The way this works is, I have to get at least 16 adults/8 rooms to commit before I even call and hold a group of rooms at $25/each. Then I have 90 days to get all the official legal names and room type selections submitted, or else we forfeit the "Group".

We need to be well past the booking process by December, or there won't be any blocks of rooms left. We have to get this done in the next 2 months, I'd say.

The one positive note is that you don't have to book your bounceback under Dreams Unlimited. You can actually book it under our name while on your Dec 2010 cruise, and then you'd get your cash-back for it. I can tell you how to do that privately once we get closer to your sailing this winter.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Disney is quite inflexible when it comes to Groups - but it's probably because they've been burnt way too many times by agents holding huge blocks and then either not selling them or transferring in cheap fares - so that Disney doesn't end up making any money on the group.

:o

[sunshinecindy]

So I guess my florida resident discount wouldn't apply either, correct?

[MouseUnlimited]

So I guess my florida resident discount wouldn't apply either, correct?

I'm going to collect all of the questions like this that people post here in this thread, and then call and ask the Disney Cruise Line Group reservationists and ask.

[bbangel]

I'm interested but will need some costing details. October works pretty well for me as a month to sail and I like the idea of a 3 day but could do 4 if that works better for people.

[MouseUnlimited]

I'm interested but will need some costing details. October works pretty well for me as a month to sail and I like the idea of a 3 day but could do 4 if that works better for people.

October historically has the best rates, and you're past most of the "hurricane" seasons.

This weekend I'll be pricing up some sample trips and listing rates and such on here, and will probably set up a dedicated page for this on our site.

[Jusacuz]

I would be interested in an SR cruise. October 2011 would be perfect and I'd actually need two rooms because I would take the whole family (6 of us). Due to airfare, I'd prefer a 4 night cruise. It makes it a bit more worth it, if that makes sense. :)

[mjjmbnmm]

I might be intrested, I would need price info. I would prefer 3 nights and the last week in Oct. Since the kids only have 3 days of school that week.

[ligrumpygirl]

I might be intrested, I would need price info. I would prefer 3 nights and the last week in Oct. Since the kids only have 3 days of school that week.


You just want to go because you love the spreads and dips on the table at dinner...make sure you watch out for gifts at your door! :rotfl:

[MouseUnlimited]

You just want to go because you love the spreads and dips on the table at dinner...make sure you watch out for gifts at your door! :rotfl:

This is almost too much information :rotfl:

Apparently, the Disney Cruise Line Group Department doesn't like to work on weekends, so I'll be calling them on Monday to get the low-down on all of this. They've implemented some new rules and better incentives this year, and I want to make sure I have it 100% correct before quoting anything.

I'm working on a dedicated page on the website for this Member Cruise, and will publish the link as soon as I have firm information. It will have a list of prices for certain dates, trip lengths and room categories so that everyone can "vote" for their preference.

Stay tuned....

[mjjmbnmm]

You just want to go because you love the spreads and dips on the table at dinner...make sure you watch out for gifts at your door!
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lol. You got me.:rotfl:

[3dog2kidmom]

You just want to go because you love the spreads and dips on the table at dinner...make sure you watch out for gifts at your door!
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lol. You got me.:rotfl:

Janet -- I thought she wanted to go because she's perfected her dance routine :p

[bbangel]

You just want to go because you love the spreads and dips on the table at dinner...make sure you watch out for gifts at your door!
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lol. You got me.:rotfl:

:rotfl: Ah the memories...

[mjjmbnmm]

I thought she wanted to go because she's perfected her dance routine
__________________
If I recall, I was not alone.:D

[MouseUnlimited]

I spoke with someone at DCL Groups yesterday, after being on hold for 30-minutes, which is typical, I guess.

Before we can even call and put a hold on a block of rooms, I have to collect a $25 non-refundable fee for each person planning on attending. For example, $100 for a 4-person room, $50 for a 2-person.

I have to make this hold with OUR Credit Card, so I need to collect payment from each member planning on sailing via check first.

The block can contain 8-10 rooms, of any occupancy, but we MUST order specific occupancies because rooms are eliminated from the ship's inventory based on the total occupancy of the ship.

It's complicated, but in short, if I hold all 2-person rooms, and then someone decides to take kids later, I may not be able to add 2 people to a room that can actually hold 4 people because the rest of the ship could be at total capacity.

Once I make the initial booking, I have 90 days to collect all of the legal names and Credit Card information. Then I call in and book the rooms and apply each member's full deposit with their CC (just like we do when we book normally). The initial $25/person will be credited to your room. The full deposit amount will be the same as if you were booking a normal cruise (i.e. $200/person for a 3/4-night).

We get our normal commission, plus a small bonus commission if we qualify for the group booking (at least 8 2-adult rooms). With this said, MU will be offering some sort of Cash Back for each booking. We will ALSO be offering an additional gift or incentive - based on popular vote. EDIT: we're currently working on ideas with the SR powers that be!

I'm working on coming up with a chart of prices for a variety of dates and lengths, which I'll post on the site and link to from here.

But again, we can't start the ball rolling on anything until we have 8-10 confirmed parties. If someone backs out later, we lose the Group incentives.

[bbangel]

Wow, they make you work for it don't they? I think you will have more interest once people see dates and prices.

[MouseUnlimited]

Wow, they make you work for it don't they? I think you will have more interest once people see dates and prices.

Oh yes, Disney does nothing to actually help its Travel Agents. This new "extra" commission is the first time they've actually offered an incentive to book groups, actually.

There's a lot of risk on my shoulders too. I have to enter into an agreement with DCL, and if someone books and then backs out later, I have to re-fill that room or lose the entire incentive package.

Kayla and I plan on going, so there's 1 of the 8-10 rooms. I think it will be a fun time, if we can just convince 7 other people the same :-)

[SunshineGirl]

Depending on the dates, chances are pretty good that SR will need at least 1 cabin. If it turns out that the kids are off and we decide to go as a family (we'll have just been on it in June), we'll need 2. If the kids are not off, Cindy and I will probably just stay together.

[MouseUnlimited]

I whipped up a quick chart to show base rates for each type of stateroom elligible for a Group Booking. Click here (http://www.mouseunlimited.com/uploads/pdf/sunshinerewards/2011OCT-DCL_Rates.pdf) to link directly to the PDF on our website.

It's a little small, so you'll want to zoom in using Acrobat Reader. I put it on 8.5x11 so that everyone could still print it.

Please note that the rates shown are for 2 adults in 1 room, with no insurance or transfers, since those options would vary by personal preference. I listed the add-on rates below, as well as all of the available October 2011 sailings.

I still will need to calculate the SR Cash-Back for each cruise type, and figure out what incentives we can offer for each, but figuring out which sailing to do is priority.

Also note that the Disney Dream has VERY FEW inside Staterooms. You can see where all of the categories are on this PDF (http://www.mouseunlimited.com/uploads/pdf/dcl/deckplans/DCL_DeckPlan_Dream.pdf) of the Disney Dream Deck Plans.

Hopefully this will help people decide if and when they can go. Let the negotiating begin! :)

[bbangel]

There is quite a big leap in price between the 3 and 4 night cruise!
As far as dates, I should be good for anytime the end of October so anytime after the 13th would likely work.

[MouseUnlimited]

There is quite a big leap in price between the 3 and 4 night cruise!
As far as dates, I should be good for anytime the end of October so anytime after the 13th would likely work.

Yeah, the difference is between $140 and $230/person depending on which stateroom you choose.

And honestly, it's right in line with the base $/night. If you divide each price by the number of nights, they're pretty close between the 3 and 4-night sailings, as far as $/night.

[PSL1013]

There is quite a big leap in price between the 3 and 4 night cruise!
As far as dates, I should be good for anytime the end of October so anytime after the 13th would likely work.

Disney prices are ridiculous, too high for me. I just got off an 8 night cruise for half the price! :eek:

[MouseUnlimited]

Disney prices are ridiculous, too high for me. I just got off an 8 night cruise for half the price! :eek:

Yup, when you compare a Disney cruise price to just about any other cruise line, Disney is often much higher.

Likewise, going to WDW is a lot more money than staying at a Holiday Inn and going to 6 Flags. You get the same thing - a bed and tickets to an amusement park...but at Disney, you get "Disney Magic" and everything that comes with it.

Apples and oranges, really. Really awesome apples, and plain 'ol everyday oranges :)

[PSL1013]

Yup, when you compare a Disney cruise price to just about any other cruise line, Disney is often much higher.

Likewise, going to WDW is a lot more money than staying at a Holiday Inn and going to 6 Flags. You get the same thing - a bed and tickets to an amusement park...but at Disney, you get "Disney Magic" and everything that comes with it.

Apples and oranges, really. Really awesome apples, and plain 'ol everyday oranges :)

I agree with you that Disney is in a class of it's own but my last cruise was in that category of "awesome apples" I got an upgrade to a suite and a personal butler! :cooldance:

[SunshineGirl]

Sometimes I have a hard time justifying to SG why we keep taking Disney cruises instead of anything else. It's easy next year because of the Dream. Everyone in our house is anxious to try it. But when were are 60 and on our 40th Disney Cruise, I'll probably have a harder time convincing him to take another one. :rotfl:

[PSL1013]

Sometimes I have a hard time justifying to SG why we keep taking Disney cruises instead of anything else. It's easy next year because of the Dream. Everyone in our house is anxious to try it. But when were are 60 and on our 40th Disney Cruise, I'll probably have a harder time convincing him to take another one. :rotfl:

I've only been on one Disney cruise and that was just a couple of months ago and that was with a TA discount otherwise I could not justify spending that much. There are plenty of gorgeous ships out there to experience and I want to try them all at least once in my life! :rotfl: If I had the opportunity to go an another Disney cruise, especially the Dream and their prices were to drop (not likely) I would jump at the chance, no matter what age I am or what anniversary I'll be celebrating (#40 coming in Sept.) I love Disney more than most people I know but I just can't justify the cost when there is so much more out there that is reasonably priced and every bit as much fun. To each, there own I guess.

[MouseUnlimited]

I agree with you that Disney is in a class of it's own but my last cruise was in that category of "awesome apples" I got an upgrade to a suite and a personal butler! :cooldance:

Very nice!

[3dog2kidmom]

Sounds like fun!


Disney prices are ridiculous,

True, but worth every penny!!!!!!! I just had a chance to look at your spreadsheet, Tom, and I actually think it's pretty reasonable.

Unfortunately we won't be joining as we are already cruising next year.

[MouseUnlimited]

Sounds like fun!



True, but worth every penny!!!!!!! I just had a chance to look at your spreadsheet, Tom, and I actually think it's pretty reasonable.

Unfortunately we won't be joining as we are already cruising next year.

3 and 4 Nighters aren't too bad. When you get to 5 and 7 they start getting expensive.

Something else people don't usually consider when taking a Disney cruise is that there is no gambling. All of the big cruise lines have casinos or at least slots, which helps offset the low rates. Disney keeps a family-friendly environment, but has to make up for those losses somehow.

No matter what type of cruise you take, you're paying for the same luxuries somehow :)

We'll miss you 3Dog2KidMom! By the way, if you already booked that 2011 cruise with Disney, and haven't paid in full, you can earn 1.5% SR Cash Back on that reservation. Or at least 1% of you book new with us! :sunshine:

[3dog2kidmom]

We'll miss you 3Dog2KidMom! By the way, if you already booked that 2011 cruise with Disney, and haven't paid in full, you can earn 1.5% SR Cash Back on that reservation. Or at least 1% of you book new with us! :sunshine:

I actually rebooked onboard. Between Disney and a good friend who's a TA with another agency, I'm getting shipboard credits in excess of what SR credits would be.

Believe me, when it makes sense I'll definately book with MU to get the Sunshine :sunshine:

[bbangel]

Ah Shelly too bad you won't be on board. We'll miss your flair for the pirate life!

[m4travels]

Just saw this posting and got real excited about it.....then realized that we'll be on the Wonder coming back from Vancouver the month prior and just can't swing another cruise the following.

We will definitely keep our eyes open for another SR cruise, though....

Remembering Mack the Knife..........................:angel: