Tradewinds Cruise Club

[LAX MAN]

I am interested in selling my Tadewinds Cruise Club points but did not think that I could. It appears that some of you have pruchased re-sale. Does anyone know how this process works?

 

[am1]

Not sure if your post will be considered advertising.

I looked into trading through RCI. Seems a lot cheaper. The 1 and 4 rule is not a big deal as only going every 4 years would be fine.

That being said I have no idea if it can be sold and what perks go along with owning.

 

[flexible]

I am interested in selling my Tadewinds Cruise Club points but did not think that I could. It appears that some of you have pruchased re-sale. Does anyone know how this process works?

Is the TCC resale policy in your contract or purchase documents?
Has TCC explained their resale policy to you?

If you have time, I would appreciate understanding how Tradewinds membership works. We enjoyed our RCI exchange for Tradewinds Cruise Club in Belize 18-25 Dec 2010. It would be great to hear about the TCC cruises you went on: destinations, costs (AI etc). Were most of your fellow cruisers TCC members or RCI exchangers?

TCC seems UNIQUE. I realize the catamaran Captains and First Mates are highly commissioned to sell memberships. The only thing I can remember is:
no charge for scuba diving tanks
possibly lower AI rates

We'd like to go on a TCC cruise of the Red Sea (heard Egypt is a great scuba spot) BUT on the LARGEST yachts. Does someone need to be a member for that? Or member's guest? Because the First Mate said we wouldn't find the larger yachts in RCI.

Sandy VDH (recently changed my name back to my maiden name, formerly Sandy Lovell.) a travel agent mentioned she owns at TCC. You might search within TUG to find other TCC members here.

 

[LisaH]

I am also curious about Tradewinds Cruise Club. Could you let us know what's the yearly membership fee, and if you do take the cruise, what is the additional cost per person? I believe it depends on the season, destination, and possibly even the boat. If you could just give us an example of the cost for a typical Caribbean cruise in the spring (let's say BVI), it will be very helpful.

 

[Dave&Linda]

Based on our 10 years with Tradewinds, I believe the best way to go with Tradewinds is via a referral from a member, where you can get a cabin for two for about $2,400 (it's the same for all bases in the Caribbean) for two people which includes the all-inclusive. Otherwise, you can try renting one through RCI or of course trade for something. However, in addition to your exchange or rental fee you will still have to pay the all-inclusive for each person which is more than the referral. If anybody is interested in a referral let us know. Tradewinds members, which recently changed its name to Tradewinds Experience or something like that, have a Facebook page where there is a load of information on each of the bases, experiences, cheers and complaints, etc. You might want to check it out. Believe it is called the Tradewinds Cruise Club Cruisers.

 

[flexible]

Based on our 10 years with Tradewinds, I believe the best way to go with Tradewinds is via a referral from a member, where you can get a cabin for two for about $2,400 (it's the same for all bases in the Caribbean) for two people which includes the all-inclusive. Otherwise, you can try renting one through RCI or of course trade for something. However, in addition to your exchange or rental fee you will still have to pay the all-inclusive for each person which is more than the referral. If anybody is interested in a referral let us know. Tradewinds members, which recently changed its name to Tradewinds Experience or something like that, have a Facebook page where there is a load of information on each of the bases, experiences, cheers and complaints, etc. You might want to check it out. Believe it is called the Tradewinds Cruise Club Cruisers.

Thanks.
https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/62587612802/ was helpful before or TWCC cruise. Our TWCC First Mate said that fb group was actually started by a person who was NOT a member of TWCC but often cruised based on member referrals. I could be confusing that fb group with another one though.

Can members refer people for the LARGER yachts TWC discussed with us in 2010. If I recall the TWC Captain or First Mate we would have to be MEMBERS if we wanted to enjoy the larger yachts.

Have you been on them? Ken didn't walk around to the front of the catamaran as much as he might have because it was challenging for for younger people with good eye sight. But the photos of the larger yachts looked like it would be less of a concern.

 

[Sandy VDH]

Based on our 10 years with Tradewinds, I believe the best way to go with Tradewinds is via a referral from a member, where you can get a cabin for two for about $2,400 (it's the same for all bases in the Caribbean) for two people which includes the all-inclusive. Otherwise, you can try renting one through RCI or of course trade for something. However, in addition to your exchange or rental fee you will still have to pay the all-inclusive for each person which is more than the referral. If anybody is interested in a referral let us know. Tradewinds members, which recently changed its name to Tradewinds Experience or something like that, have a Facebook page where there is a load of information on each of the bases, experiences, cheers and complaints, etc. You might want to check it out. Believe it is called the Tradewinds Cruise Club Cruisers.

I think that referral price of $2400 is old, and it has gone up. But I can't find the price on the website at this exact moment. As the AI and MF have steadily climbed over the years. I have to go and double check but Annual Fees are now $570 per week owned in MF and the AI is $835 PP (for members, higher for NON-members). Some locations also have a VAT tax that must be collected. The european locations are in Euros not dollars.

Tradewinds Cruise Club DID NOT change their name. They introduced a new product, Tradewinds Experience. Brand NEW boats and new and seperate membership. With a slightly different points structure. Same bases.
http://www.trade-winds.com/members.php This shows logins for both clubs.

Either tradewinds membership are point based and expire in a specific year depending on when you purchased.

So you need to find out things like how many points do they have left, how many years are left on the TWCC membership before you buy anything, since it is actually more like a RTU membership.

Some levels of membership provide free diving, and other perks, so asking about level of memebership is also required.

Know what you purchase.

There is a resale, they are allowed. You have to figure out a price, and AFAK, notify TW and let them know the change in ownership. They might have to issue new documents. But it is not a deeded product.

 

[JudyS]

...I looked into trading through RCI. Seems a lot cheaper. The 1 and 4 rule is not a big deal as only going every 4 years would be fine.....

Are you sure it's 1-in-4? I thought there was a special rule for Tradewinds that limited RCI trades to one total per RCI account, ever.

 

[Larry]

Are you sure it's 1-in-4? I thought there was a special rule for Tradewinds that limited RCI trades to one total per RCI account, ever.

Yes it is 1 and 4. There are several TUG members that have exchanged into more than 1 Tradwinds cruise and I am looking into going on my second and waited patiently for the 4 years in order to go again. I also recently met two couples on my last vacation and they already went on their second Tradewinds cruise.

As far as I know there is no RCI resort that only allows one trade per lifetime.

 

[SOS8260456]

This is on my bucket list. Good to know about doing a possible member referal instead of a trade. I am bookmarking this thread.

 

[Sandy VDH]

It is 1 in 4, but it is fleet wide not location specific.

So you can only sail anywhere on TW 1 in every 4 years, but are then restricted from any base again for 4 year time.

No getting around it, as far as I know, unless you have more than 1 account, and then I think they even check names. So if you have more than 1 and you have changed your name.

 

[SOS8260456]

It is 1 in 4, but it is fleet wide not location specific.

So you can only sail anywhere on TW 1 in every 4 years, but are then restricted from any base again for 4 year time.

No getting around it, as far as I know, unless you have more than 1 account, and then I think they even check names. So if you have more than 1 and you have changed your name.

Sandy,
it was your posts and reviews years ago that got me intrigued with it. Can you get around the 1 in 4 by doing one trip in my name and then another in my husband's name. We actually have 3 RCI accts between Wyndham and Bluegreen and points.

Is there a limit if you go through an owner's referal?

We have no one to leave our children with so this trip is on the list for when we are empty nesters or for when I can trust the 2 older ones (who are 17 and 18) to watch the 12 year old and not do her bodily harm (probably not for another 5-6 years).

 

[SOS8260456]

One more question, how far in advance do you need to plan a trip like this?

After I posted, I started thinking that in timeshare years, we probably need to start planning it in about 2-3 years.

 

[flexible]

Sandy,
it was your posts and reviews years ago that got me intrigued with it. Can you get around the 1 in 4 by doing one trip in my name and then another in my husband's name. We actually have 3 RCI accts between Wyndham and Bluegreen and points.

Is there a limit if you go through an owner's referal?

We have no one to leave our children with so this trip is on the list for when we are empty nesters or for when I can trust the 2 older ones (who are 17 and 18) to watch the 12 year old and not do her bodily harm (probably not for another 5-6 years).

I recall being told either by our First Mate or Captain on our TWCC that because some people were using multiple accounts to get around the 1 in 4 year rule, they started keeping a database of exchangers. I was told this in December 2010. I have NO IDEA if it was accurate then or now. It was said while they were trying to sell us TWCC memberships.

 

[Saldel]

Rentals and Sales of Tradewinds Cruise Club

TW points expire in 12 years if not used. Members can rent cabins as a way of liquidating points before they expire. On Facebook our page Tradewinds Resales helps members rent cabins or sell TW contracts as advisor, escrow agent or broker. Buyers can obtain short term contracts or book cabins at more than 50% off the cost for points. We have many rental advertising listings for Tradewinds cabins as examples.

It may cost less to rent than trade through RCI or member referral. Trading through RCI has many drawbacks. The member/owner books the cabin and rents it as their guest. However, no RCI 1 in 4 applies, Rental is member's guest and pays member price of AIF, free SCUBA vs $75 for RCI, concierge transportation assistance and may list food and alcohol preferences and dislikes, can rent more than one cabin in the same yacht, may rent entire boats and modify itinerary. A referral can only be used once and has all the same restrictions as RCI.

With the advent of Tradewinds Experience, RCI are only offered "left over" cabins during low season on the old cruising class boats. Flagship and Luxury ships are reserved for owners, as well as all ships in high and most of mid season.

The least costly way to return on a Tradewinds Cruise, and get the better dates and higher class of yachts, with no limitations on number of cabins or returning is to rent.