Is DVC worth it if you cruise DCL annually

[cruisecrasher]

But only very rarely visit WDW or other vacation locations? I'm also going to post this on the DCL forums, but wanted to see what the general consensus thought.

Edit to add, I read the sticky on DCL cruises through DVC points, but I wanted to know from people who do or have...

 

[Dean]

But only very rarely visit WDW or other vacation locations? I'm also going to post this on the DCL forums, but wanted to see what the general consensus thought.

Edit to add, I read the sticky on DCL cruises through DVC points, but I wanted to know from people who do or have...

There is no scenario where it's reasonable to buy mostly to cruise. It's more than paying cash when looked at overall, it's not a guaranteed option and there are restrictions that you don't have using cash.

 

[jel0511]

Not if you're going to use DVC exclusively for it's use. The points to sail DCL increase every year as those are negotiated every between DVC and DCL so your point requirements would change pretty quickly. The best use of DVC is for DVC if you want to use it occasionally to sail DCL, then their your points go for it. You'll read here as you do your research that it's definitely not a good value of your points.

 

[cruisecrasher]

Not if you're going to use DVC exclusively for it's use. The points to sail DCL increase every year as those are negotiated every between DVC and DCL so your point requirements would change pretty quickly. The best use of DVC is for DVC if you want to use it occasionally to sail DCL, then their your points go for it. You'll read here as you do your research that it's definitely not a good value of your points.

That's what I'd seen on the sticky cruise DVC thread, but I have a friend who joined DVC on her cruise last fall and I couldn't figure out how they are viewing that as a good financial decision.
Of course I don't feel it would be polite to ask them directly.

 

[zavandor]

Maybe if you have points and don't want to use them for a year (bored of WDW? ), better use them for a cruise rather than let them expire*.
But you have to pay a fee (95$) and points became "reservation points", meaning that if you cancel you can use them only for cruises or other exchanges.

And the points charts are crazy high: I made a calculation a few months ago, my results were that using points to book a cruise would make you loose money if you consider maintenance fee and opportunity cost of the money paid upfront alone.
So if you buy to cruise every year, you are throwing away your money to have the privilege of paying more money every year.
If your friend purchased resale before restrictions took place numbers might be slightly different, but with the high cost of direct points at the moment I cannot see any financial sense.



* I had points that were going to expire, I rented them through a broker. It required me very little effort (no more than an hour in total from start to finish) and I got 11$ per point. I would rent points and pay for the cruise with cash in any case.

 

[ELMC]

I think that with any timeshare system, the real benefit to ownership is to use it for the core of the system. In this case that would mean staying in DVC resorts. Although it is nice to have the option to occasionally cruise using points, purchasing DVC for that sole purpose is adding additional restrictions, costs, steps in the booking process and complications.

Put another way, calling Disney Cruise Line or a travel agent to book a cruise is easier, more flexible, more cost effective and has no long term commitment. So why would you want to do it any other way?

 

[crisi]

That's what I'd seen on the sticky cruise DVC thread, but I have a friend who joined DVC on her cruise last fall and I couldn't figure out how they are viewing that as a good financial decision.
Of course I don't feel it would be polite to ask them directly.

Maybe they aren't viewing it as a good financial decision, but have money to burn. Maybe they aren't intending to use the points mainly to cruise. Maybe they didn't have all the information when they made the decision, or maybe they are financially illiterate.

But you are right, it probably isn't polite to ask them directly, they did it, smile and nod and if they try and talk you into just say "we looked into it, it isn't for us." Repeat as often as needed. You can roll your eyes all you want here.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Or if they use their points to stay at WDW for a few days before or afterwards (or both), and they have the money for the cruise, I could see the DVC purchase.

 

[cruisecrasher]

Maybe they aren't viewing it as a good financial decision, but have money to burn. Maybe they aren't intending to use the points mainly to cruise. Maybe they didn't have all the information when they made the decision, or maybe they are financially illiterate.

But you are right, it probably isn't polite to ask them directly, they did it, smile and nod and if they try and talk you into just say "we looked into it, it isn't for us." Repeat as often as needed. You can roll your eyes all you want here.

That's about what I did!

 

[Breyean]

That's what I'd seen on the sticky cruise DVC thread, but I have a friend who joined DVC on her cruise last fall and I couldn't figure out how they are viewing that as a good financial decision.
Of course I don't feel it would be polite to ask them directly.

Just because your friends bought DVC on a cruise doesn't necessarily mean they will be using points to cruise each (or any) year. As others have pointed out, using points for cruises is generally considered a poor use for them, except in certain circumstances.

Have you congratulated your friends on their purchase and asked about their home resort and when they are planning their first trip there? Might be a sneaky way of finding out what they intend to use the points for - DVC resort stays or cruises.

 

[Dean]

I think that with any timeshare system, the real benefit to ownership is to use it for the core of the system. In this case that would mean staying in DVC resorts. Although it is nice to have the option to occasionally cruise using points, purchasing DVC for that sole purpose is adding additional restrictions, costs, steps in the booking process and complications.

Put another way, calling Disney Cruise Line or a travel agent to book a cruise is easier, more flexible, more cost effective and has no long term commitment. So why would you want to do it any other way?

I deal with 3 different timeshares that have a large travel agency component. None are a good deal but one comes up with gems a lot more than the other 2 (DVC and 1 more). The question was about buying to cruise and that's a very easy and singular answer. Sometimes one has points to use or lose. However, there are 2 big difference between DVC and other timeshares in these areas. One is that DCL is a prominent and sought after option, the other that DVC points have a true and easy liquidity (easier and safer to rent them out done correctly than to reserve a cruise with them).

 

[RobertPerrin25]

Here is the data that helped me decide to never use points for DCL:
160 points reserved 1 bedroom at Kidani that had a rack rate of $4300
on a recent 4 night Bahamas cruise in June, family of 3 with 8 yo child would have been 348 points for a $3000 cash rate. So not only was I short by twice the points, the cash value of the package was markedly less. Sure you get food on DCL included while not on DVC, but the DDP only cost us $600ish so the value just isn't there.

 

[Dean]

Here is the data that helped me decide to never use points for DCL:
160 points reserved 1 bedroom at Kidani that had a rack rate of $4300
on a recent 4 night Bahamas cruise in June, family of 3 with 8 yo child would have been 348 points for a $3000 cash rate. So not only was I short by twice the points, the cash value of the package was markedly less. Sure you get food on DCL included while not on DVC, but the DDP only cost us $600ish so the value just isn't there.

Sometimes special situations arise. When the AK cruises were announced, the return was more like $10 a point and occasionally there are other similar situations though they are rare. Certainly not enough to justify buying for this purpose and that's why I think they are 2 entirely different situations (same for exchanging). I'd suggest anyone look at the cruise options and decide. One pitfall many fall into is looking short notice and missing the early booking discounts. It's like throwing away hundreds or even thousands of dollars in many situations.

 

[luv2sleep]

But only very rarely visit WDW or other vacation locations? I'm also going to post this on the DCL forums, but wanted to see what the general consensus thought.

Edit to add, I read the sticky on DCL cruises through DVC points, but I wanted to know from people who do or have...

I think you do have to use it (DVC) at least every other year to make it worth it. If you fly to FL for cruises you can use points at WDW before and after your cruise. I don't think using then for cruising is really that great coastwise but if you purchase direct and have enough points it's an option. I love DCL but I'm not sure I would take a cruise yearly because it depends on where the ship is going and how much it's all going to cost. I can definitely see myself using my points at the resorts though yearly or every 2 years though.

 

[cruisecrasher]

I think you do have to use it (DVC) at least every other year to make it worth it. If you fly to FL for cruises you can use points at WDW before and after your cruise. I don't think using then for cruising is really that great coastwise but if you purchase direct and have enough points it's an option. I love DCL but I'm not sure I would take a cruise yearly because it depends on where the ship is going and how much it's all going to cost. I can definitely see myself using my points at the resorts though yearly or every 2 years though.

That's the thing, we cruise but don't WDW so much.