JE:
I am familiar with the incident Madelaine refers to. I went to several meetings of that particular club, but began to be disenchanted when there was always a "commercial" before the presentation.
It's true that that "club" was denied access to Villages facilities because it was considered "a sales operation."
All that said, I'm still inclined to think that a club which concentrates on cruisers' experiences, and offers folks the opportunity to suggest things to do or avoid in port, things to do or avoid on board, etc., might be fun.
Villagers are inveterate cruisers. I personally have done 22, and 23, 24 and 25 are booked, with 26 "cooking." I have been offered the opportunity to participate in many other cruises, all "sponsored" by a Villages group of one sort or another.
The more I think about it, the more I worry that too many Villagers are too experienced (and, probably, opinionated) about the cruising experience to make any club "friendly!"
Still and all, should someone come up with a non-selling club, I'd give it a fair shake!
SWR
P.S.: Retired from a travel agency in 2002, after nearly 20 years.