We've used our points for two
DCL cruises and we've paid cash for one and we booked on board for another one using the cash discount. (What's it now, in 17 months we're going on another one
) There were also discounts offered for point usage for booking the next cruise, but I don't have any points left to use for cruises.
Once when we did use our points, it was only 128 points for the two of us for a 3 night cruise, inside cabin, and the cost from Disney was more than that, considering $10 a point. It was very easy, and we did buy the trip insurance. That's where the big risk lies regarding using points. I understand that you get about $5 per point, or at least that's what had been mentioned here when we went, in '04. Luckily all went well. It was to celebrate DH's 60th birthday. The other time we used our points was for a Members Cruise. We had just added on to our DVC and had used our extra cash for that, so we used the points for the cruise. We felt it was a very good use of our points.
We got back from our latest DCL cruise (cash) just over Memorial Day weekend. It was our DGC's first cruise, and I think their experience just added to our pleasure more than I could ever imagine. They loved the character interaction, and for us the highlight was the Dolphin Excursion in Nassau. DSis and her DBF did adult things, and DSis was especially pleased with the food quality of the DCL, we all were more than satisfied.
I know that I wouldn't want to be a landlord and rent out my points. If we ever get a surplus of points again
I wouldn't hesitate to book a DCL cruise with them.
Bobbi