Disney Cruise using points

[Basser]

My DW are thinking of taking a DC on points. Is there anything we should know before making reservations?
What kind of accommodations are available on points?

[TnRobin]

Hi Basser,

We are crusing on points this Sept. Depending on what is available on the cruise itself, you can use points to book anything from Cat 10 (inside stateroom - sleeps 3 or 4) to a Cat 4 (Veranda stateroom - sleeps 5)

You will pay the $75 transfer fee plus be responsible for your transportation to the port.

[ddave]

We did a catagory 5 this past April on the 4 day cruise. It was a great room with verandah, 6th floor, mid-ship.

You are gonna have a ball!:smooth:

[fan of the mouse]

We booked a Cat 6 and got upgraded to a Cat 5 (midship, Deck 7, veranda) for Dec 8 on the Magic. Two adults and a child with the Fall Fantasy rates. 343 points and $75.00 booking fee. Can't wait. Originally, it was 411 points, but we had points credited back to our account when the special was announced earlier in the year.

[Minnie*Mouse]

Hi, fan of the mouse,

You say you were upgraded from cat. 6 to 5 using points for your reservation. You had to pay an additional $75. fee to change cabins, with the Fall Fantasy point reduction, right?

M*M

[fan of the mouse]

no I did not pay an additional $75...just the initial booking fee.

[treloarf]

Are you talking about this Dec. 8 - we're going 2 weeks before that and was hoping for an upgrade. I really wanted a veranda, but just didn't have quite enough points. So we're stuck with a secret porthole room, which is fine with me, but I am a little claustrophobic, so I hope I'm OK. How did you get the upgrade and found out about it?

[fan of the mouse]

I originally booked in January 2001 for the cruise in Dec. In Feb, the Fall Fantasy rates were announced. I called MS to see if we would get points credited back. And was told that we would (in a few weeks I received written confirmation). Also, at the time I called about the point credit, I realized that I would have preferred a room on the starboard side. Our original room was 6578 (Cat 6., port side, midship with a veranda). I asked MS about changing to starboard. She said yes I could do that and not incur an additional 75 charge. I said GREAT, then she offered to upgrade me to Cat 5, which is the identical room (with the exception that it is on the starboard side). So I didn't get a veranda out of the deal...just was moved up a floor. Which is great!

[J.P.]

Basser,
WE went on a crusie in April using our points, we paid a $75.00 fee. We stayed in a stateroom with a outside area. We stayed on the 8 th deck which was great . It was close to all the floors where most of the activities took place. You will really enjoy the cruise. We went for the first time this past april and our planning to go back in april of 2003 using our points. JP:p :bounce: :rolleyes: :D :pinkbounc

[Denine]

We have cruised twice on points. Category 11 both times (inside stateroom). We are booked on the Magic in October, also cat 11.
We have had wonderful times.

[Rock'n Robin]

What is the least expensive way to get transportation to the ship? I thought Disney put you on a bus. How much does that cost? If you can't use that option on points, what options are there?
Robin M.

[Towncrier]

You have several options and the best one depends entirely on how many people are in your party and how much you value convenience. You can purchase DCL transfers (price anyone???), rent a car and drop it off at the port, or use one of the various towncar services (we used Tiffany Towncars). To determine the best value, you should contact all of these entities and determine the lowest cost per person. Since we travelled as a group of five and we needed transportation from the airport to the port to WDW and back to the airport, we found that TTC worked best for us. I'm not comfortable renting automobiles, but I have heard that you can rent a car at the airport, drive to the port, and turn it in and that it can be quite economical to do so.

[Renee']

We've cruised twice so far and have our third scheduled for October - all on points. Beside the $75 fee there are no other costs involved. On our first cruise we received a bottle of champagne in our stateroom from DVC. The second cruise, October '00 we didn't get the champagne or any acknowledgement from DVC. I assumed they simply missed us but I think possibly they (DVC) has discontinued it. Has anyone cruised recently on points and received the champagne from DVC?

[CarolAnnC]

I cruised on points November 24, 2000, and received the bottle of champagne and the invitation to the DVC member social. Must have been an oversight on your cruise. Always stop by Guest Services on board and they can usually take care of something like that. :D

[doubletroublemom]

I called MS today to inquire about 2002 points. The adult points increased slightly, but the kids' stayed the same. I was happy to find out that as long as I book one adult with points, the rest of the party can be paid for with cash as long as DVC books it. I was given the cash rates and they were competitive with a TA I was using. I already have a room on hold with the TA, and I'm hoping I won't lose it with the switch, but I'll take that chance! We'll be on the 5/11/02 inaugural western carib 7 day!:cool:

[J.P.]

WE RECOMMEND RENTING A CAR, SO THAT YOU CAN GET THE CRUISE WHEN YOU WANT TO. I THINK THE BUSES STOP AT DIFFERENT RESORTS BEFORE THE HEAD TO THE CRUISE LINE. ALSO WHEN YOU DEPART THE SHIP AND PICK UP YOUR LUGGAGE- YOU JUST HAVE TO WALK TO THE PARKING LOT AND LEAVE. DON'T HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE BUS. jp:bounce:

[Jamie]

Any chance you could let me know how many points you used. We are planning on buying into DVC in Aug or Sept. I had gotten an all cash quote for a 4 day cruise for the end of July 2002. Now I'm thinking of doing it on points or maybe points/cash. I looked at cat.10. It was 110 points for adults (2001) and 63 for kids. If we did the 13 year old on points is it still the kids total or the adult? Do you know the cash price for kids (cat 10). Sorry this is long. I'm just trying to decide what to do. Thanks!

[kpatches]

What is the Western Carib 7 day cruise????? Where does it go to???????

[tworgs]

Cruised past april on the Wonder. When we arrived at port went to Castaway check in (this was our 3rd cruise) when we arrived at our cabin we received a gym bag and, low and behold a $100 ship board credit!

[TnRobin]

Jamie. In order to use DVC points, at least one of the adult passages must be paid in points. After that you can choose, who you will pay cash for and who you will pay points for.

[Jamie]

Thanks. Is there a location I can see the 2002 points chart for cruises yet? Also if you book a cash reservation can you convert that res (keep your same cabin) to points?

[TnRobin]

Right now, you will have to call MS to get the points, last I checked they were not on the website.

If you want to convert to points, you will have to cancel the first reservation and get a new reservation. They can not transfer your reservation from cash to points.

[Olaf]

For us, cruising on points, makes no financial sense whatsoever. We're FL residents and eligible for those great rates, but even if you're not, DCL is always running specials. For instance, we're sailing on the Magic in Sep on a three day, Cat 4, for $1400, for two adults, one child. On points, the same cruise would cost us 300 points. Granted, this is a special rate, Wonder is going into dry dock. But, if you've got a good TA (like we do), she can grab one of those great rates for you when they come out. Even if we were paying full fare for this cruise, it would come to $2600, still a 40 point savings in my mind.

I can see that for someone with a lot points, cruising on points, makes sense. Otherwise, I just don't see the value of it.

My 2 cents

[bethsg]

Don't over look, when cruising on points, the cost of the TIPS. There is the $75 fee for booking on points, and then you still have to pay your TIPS while on board. We are a family of 6 and of course we need more than one room, but I was choking when I totaled up the recommended TIP, a total of $450 for the 6 of us... 2 adults and 4 kids on the 7 day cruise.

[Denine]

The value for us cruising on points is we don't have to cough up the money all at once for the cruise. We pay our $75 and our tips. The rest of the money stays in the bank.

[minimahaki]

HI
We cruised last June on the Wonder 4 day cruise with points and just returned from the May 19th Magical 7 day cruise. Both cruises done on points. Both times we were in a category 5, starboard veranda room on deck 7. I too am claustrophobic and would never consider cruising without a veranda. In addition, there is nothing like having your breakfast every morning out on your veranda. I LOVE IT! This last cruise was 216 points per person. Our friends who were not DVC members paid $3,500 for the same cabin. We were in 7568, 7562,& 7564. I highly recommend a veranda room. There are navigator verandas located aft and forward on the same deck and were only 181 points per person. You do feel more motion in these areas. We are getting ready to book the Western Caribbean cruse next May and I will be evaluating the point difference for deck 5 & 6. I will be trying to save some points in order to spend a few days back at OKW.

As far as transportation goes last June the Disney bus was45.00 per person . The bus was from WDW or Airport to the ship and back to WDW or airport. I was going airport, ship, WDW, then back to the airport. I rented a car for a week and parked it at the port which may have been a few dollars more ( I would have been paying for 4 adults) but I had a car at WDW the remaining time I was there. If you rent a car from Avis, there is a Avis drop off at the Raddison hotel located at the port. They will shuttle you back and forth to the port. This past May, we rented a van & a car for one day and after the cruise we rented them for an additional three days.

We also received champagne on our first cruise from DVC but not in May. I did check with the guides that were on the ship and they confirmed they no longer send the champagne.
Lauretta
Minimahaki

[Olaf]

The post above illustrates my point beautifully. They spent 432 points cruising, their friends paid $3500 in cash. You'd be better off renting your points at $10 a point and then paying with cash. In this case, you would have been $895 ahead.

I can certainly see the convenience of using points, but that's all. Now, if you happen to have a lot of points, and aren't going to use them in a DVC resort, then I think an argument can be made for using points to cruise.

[Dean]

Actually at $8 pp, it's likely not worth the hastle of trying to rent out the points. In the past when I've looked at it, it's been closer to $5-6 pp value but then I'm in FL and there are many times in state specials.

[Olaf]

What are you trying to say Dean. I don't understand. I see most people renting their points for $10 pp, unless they're in a time jam. When you mention, "in-state" specials, are you referrring to paying in cash resident rates?

I guess what bothers me is that I feel as if Disney is ripping the DVCers off when it comes to cruises. I know, the best value for your points, is at the DVC resorts. But, I just think the points per person is way out of whack with the cash prices.

[Dean]

Olaf, we are in agreement mostly on this I think. First, the usual rental price is $10 pp but there are aggravations and risks with renting. The renter might not pay, might leave charges on the room you would need to cover and there's just the time, phone calls and emails back and forth. That's why I posted here and have said in the past that it is my feeling that a value of $8 pp is about the break even point when using DVC for alternatives like CC, DC, DCL, II, etc. There are FL cash discounts that are generally far less than the $3500 posted but it will vary a lot from time to time, we do live in FL.

Actually most of the options that DVC offers where they must turn around and rent your points to pay for the option (CC, DC, DCL, etc) are usually right around $5 pp compared to what you can get on cash. Sure there might be a special time when no specials are available but that will be the exception rather than the rule. Truth is that as much as I'd love to do the DCL, I can't justify even the discounted cost compared to say RCCL or Holland America since DCL is usually about double those others, even with the discount. If I see one more person compare to rack rates, I may shoot my computer.

I'm right with you in saying that DVC should be able to negotiate far better deals for us the members than they do. I told that to Matt Gibbs when he was VP there and with OKW and BW selling out, DVC should be able to do even better than they could have at that time. These are some of the reasons that there should be at least 2 members at large on the Board. I nominate Rich and Doc! but there are many out there that I could easily support that I know already.

[msdis]

Not sure if everyone knows this but I just found out today that you can get DCL transfers not only from the airport to the ship and back but also from the resort to the ship and then back to the resort. We are 3 day cruising in Sept. with 1 night on points at WLV, then the cruise, then 5 more nights at WLV. This made things very convenient since we only need transfers from/to the airport just as though we never left the resort.

[Island_Lauri]

If you pay the cash price for a cruise (as opposed to using points), do you pay sales tax? Are there additional taxes and fees associated with the cash price?

If so, the use of points may not seem so out of line.

Just wondering
:confused:

[Olaf]

Yes, you pay taxes and other fees. However, the prices you're seen quoted in previous posts all include those charges. If you go to DCL's website, you'll be quoted rack prices with all fees included, minus an early booking discount.

Dean you are absolutely right, even the "special cash rates" are still very high when compared with other cruises. I would never even consider cruising on Disney if I were forced to pay rack rates.

I think the $1400 dollar rate we got for a 3-day Cat 4, two adults one child is a pretty awesome rate, and it's not a FL resident rate. And I think that's comparable with the other lines.

[minimahaki]

To OLAF & DEAN
I read your posts and would like to say that when I purchased the DVC I purchased this for MY vacations. NOT to
rent my points. I have given points to family and friends but would not consider renting for profit. If I didn't have the DVC, I would not be able to vacation FIRST CLASS the way I DO. I am not as fortunate as you living in Florida and being eligible for those cruising specials. I paid for my tips and air fair and expenses. My points also covered a two bedroom and studio at OKW for three nights. The $3500 my friends spent totaled well over $5000 without the cost of a studio at OKW. My expenses for the vacation was about $1500 (and I upgraded my flight to first class).
Lauretta
Minimahaki
DVC Member since May 1993 & LOVE IT!

[Dean]

To OLAF & DEAN
I read your posts and would like to say that when I purchased the DVC I purchased this for MY vacations. NOT to
rent my points. I have given points to family and friends but would not consider renting for profit. If I didn't have the DVC, I would not be able to vacation FIRST CLASS the way I DO. I am not as fortunate as you living in Florida and being eligible for those cruising specials. I paid for my tips and air fair and expenses. My points also covered a two bedroom and studio at OKW for three nights. The $3500 my friends spent totaled well over $5000 without the cost of a studio at OKW. My expenses for the vacation was about $1500 (and I upgraded my flight to first class).
Lauretta
Minimahaki
DVC Member since May 1993 & LOVE IT! Lauretta, there are those that feel as you do and no one should be able to tell you otherwise. You're not the first to say "I bought my point for vacation and therefore I don't want to think about the cost any more". When I spend points, it's like spending money and I look at it that way. If I can pay cash for one thing and end up with more points in thg long run, that's what I'm more comfortable with. I'm sure you've gotten your money's worth with OKW with the free passes however there is an intrinsic value to each point and just because one has done well in the past doesn't mean they should ignor the true value of their investment. When I post these things, it's never a knock against someone who has made the decisions you have, simply to inform the rest. And if you want to pay full MSRP for a Car, you're welcome to to that also, same thing only less money.

[Olaf]

Minimahaki, I was prompted to post my feelings about cruising on points by the statement, "it's a great value." I'm sorry, but nothing is going to convince me that cruising on points is a great value (that is until they lower the points). It's quite the opposite. While cruising on points, you are essentially paying more the rack rates. I think this year's cruise point schedule is high, and now I hear they're raising them. HELLO

If cruising on points meets your needs, go for it. It's great that you're able to do those things for your friends and family. I used the renting points example to try to illustrate the value of the points. However, the purpose of these boards is to exchange information, and there are a lot of owners looking for that information.