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4/12/12 MVC Insider newsletter

SueDonJ

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Here's the web version of the latest Premier Plus edition.

They've come out with some details for the inaugural Owner Cruise that was first mentioned a few months ago. I'm sad - this is something we would have seriously considered but the dates just don't work. I know it might not be the most cost-effective use of DC Points but when Disney offered its first Members-Only cruise option, the folks who took it were very impressed and had a great time. (Not so much positive feedback for subsequent DVC Members-Only cruises.) No guarantee the same would happen here but we're weighing a cruise anyway so I was watching for this. :(

TUGger Fractional Traveler has already mentioned the new Collections offers in another thread - it's good to see that Marriott is constantly refreshing DC options.

Nothing else earth-shattering in this issue. :D
 

m61376

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They don't mention the cabin category, but 7500 points per couple for a NCL cruise- wow!
 

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good evening...
Looks nice...

Just curious... What is the room category??? What are the extra fees? What would this cruise cost on its own??? Looks like some freebies thrown in for the owners...

Dates are pretty off-season....

tempted to call just for giggles...
 

puckmanfl

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good afternoon..

Looked yp this cruise onNCL website...

Just booked a mini suite with balcony for $1200/person....$2400/couple throw in $400 for taxes/fees. $2800 for the whole enchilada. willing to bet the 7500 pts doesnt get you a mini suite...The basic balcony room was $1800/couple before taxes/feees..

Doesn't seem like a great use of 7500 pts!!!!
 

m61376

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Even the non-discounted price is 939 for a balcony and 1149 for a suite- 7500 points seems really steep

oops- sorry to be repetitive- that's what happens when you get caught up on the phone in between posting :)
 
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Quilter

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good afternoon..

Looked yp this cruise onNCL website...

Just booked a mini suite with balcony for $1200/person....$2400/couple throw in $400 for taxes/fees. $2800 for the whole enchilada. willing to bet the 7500 pts doesnt get you a mini suite...The basic balcony room was $1800/couple before taxes/feees..

Doesn't seem like a great use of 7500 pts!!!!

How does the price you found compare to this:

http://cs.cruisebase.com/CBE/Forms/CategoryAvailability.aspx?skin=1&sailingid=246906

I also opened the Insider email and looked at the details to the cruise. Blue Man group and Cirque made it appealing even though those are things you can find everyday in Chicago.

When I looked at the itinerary the first thing I noticed was Sunday's offering: "Today, you’ll be our guest for a presentation about the exciting new opportunities that are available to you as an Owner in our Marriott Vacation Club family." NO THANK YOU!

A cruise in November at a good price would be attractive but further looking at the itinerary they have planned there wasn't anything special. Especially not 7500 DC points special.
 

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The current availability is for Oceanview Category B6 and BF decks 8 and 11 (216 sq. ft.) including balcony!

Microscopic in my opinion. Don't even dare drop the soap in the shower, you will not be able to pick it up from inside.

Seems the insider e-mails went out in waves a few weeks ago and some folks had already signed up for the better cabins (MC category). These are the mini-suites puck wrote about.

The out of pocket charges are about $600 per cabin for taxes and port fees. This is in addition to the 7500 point requirement.

Sound like an expensive cruise 7500 ponits @ $10/point = $75K + $600.

Oh but gratuitties are included! as a free gift.
 

m61376

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Even if it was a different cruise line with a more exotic itinerary it would be steep- but for an NCL cruise with a pretty standard itinerary...The MF's alone on units worth those 7500 points are more than the cost of booking a mini suite directly.
 

SueDonJ

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If the dates worked with our schedule I still would seriously consider booking this cruise. Even the forced sales presentation wouldn't dissuade me - I can say "no" easily, and I'd be interested to hear what they might have to say anyway.

Like I said, DVC's inaugural Members-Only cruise was very highly rated by the DVC Members who went on it, despite knowing that it wasn't in any way, shape or form a cost-effective use of their DVC Points. They were given special excursions, high-quality entertainment and meals, daily gifts that weren't cheesy, special financing and incentive pricing for new purchases, etc ...

If Marriott is taking a cue from Disney's first cruise then I would expect anybody who takes it will come home happy. However, if Marriott's taking their cue from DVC's later cruises, then I'd be disappointed. But there's no way to know unless you're willing to take the risk. I would be. :)
 

m61376

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I think a big difference though between this and the DVC inaugural cruise is that it is not a Marriott cruise line, and it isn't even a Marriott only cruise.
 

puckmanfl

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good evening....

Let me do the math again...

Thru MVCD 7500 pts + 600 taxes/fees It would take converting BOTH of my GV weeks...$2500 in MF + $600 takes in fees.. $3100 to go thru MVCD

On my own $1800 for balcony cabin + $600 $2400 total...

if I lock off I can get 4 weeks vacation for my 2 GV weeks..If I use 7500 pts I can get 15- ski nites in a 2 bedroom at Summitt , 11 at Mountainside...

All this for a front row seat for blue man (open to everyone on the cruise) and a sales presentation for an OFF season cruise

yikes...

I love DC points , but this is low value
 

FractionalTraveler

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good evening....

Let me do the math again...

Thru MVCD 7500 pts + 600 taxes/fees It would take converting BOTH of my GV weeks...$2500 in MF + $600 takes in fees.. $3100 to go thru MVCD

On my own $1800 for balcony cabin + $600 $2400 total...

if I lock off I can get 4 weeks vacation for my 2 GV weeks..If I use 7500 pts I can get 15- ski nites in a 2 bedroom at Summitt , 11 at Mountainside...

All this for a front row seat for blue man (open to everyone on the cruise) and a sales presentation for an OFF season cruise

yikes...

I love DC points , but this is low value

++++1

This is not even a Marriott Only cruise but a group event. I wonder just how many rooms did the cruise company block for Marriott?

I guess the only way I can rationally justify this type of expense is to consider the event unique, special, and once in a lifetime.

I do think it will allow for many "meet and greet" opportunities with others of like mind.

Normally on vacation in a resort folks pretty much tend to keep to themselves, but this event is specifically intended to bring people together so those that do end up going may see it as a rare and special experience.
 

Quilter

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I do think it will allow for many "meet and greet" opportunities with others of like mind.

Normally on vacation in a resort folks pretty much tend to keep to themselves, but this event is specifically intended to bring people together so those that do end up going may see it as a rare and special experience.

FT, Have you ever been to Ocean Pointe's Cobia pool Jan-Mar? It is a constant conversation of where you've been, where you're going, to DC or not to DC. Same with the Monday evening wine and cheese. Ocean Pointe is the one resort where you can easily end up meeting many other vacationers.
 

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FT, Have you ever been to Ocean Pointe's Cobia pool Jan-Mar? It is a constant conversation of where you've been, where you're going, to DC or not to DC. Same with the Monday evening wine and cheese. Ocean Pointe is the one resort where you can easily end up meeting many other vacationers.

No, I have not been there but its nice to hear that folks at OP get together and discuss these items.

Puck, I believe has gone there and has made similar comments in the past.

I almost purchased OP pre-construction but ended up buying Grand Chateau instead. I will have to make it out there in the near future. Its only 2 hours from home.

Thanks for the feedback. Best Wishes.
 
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