5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from New Orleans. Jan 27 - Feb 1, 2021

[wildcatwmn]

We were planning (I have until Oct 30 to bank 2020 points) to book this cruise also using my 2019 banked points which expire at the end of February. I am OK taking the chance if the points roll another year if the cruise gets cancelled, but when I called DVC, they wouldn't commit to anything yet (just that this is what they have been doing). I have 160 points I need to use or lose...anyone have advice/thoughts?

 

[T & R]

I always wondered how that works. We get 125% FFC for our cancelled cruises but what happens to those who book with DVC points? We were close to purchasing DVC once while onboard but the deal sweeteners have really gone down. A few years ago there were all kinds of high dollar onboard bonuses and incentives to buy in but lately those deals have gone away.

 

[Henwen88]

I always wondered how that works. We get 125% FFC for our cancelled cruises but what happens to those who book with DVC points? We were close to purchasing DVC once while onboard but the deal sweeteners have really gone down. A few years ago there were all kinds of high dollar onboard bonuses and incentives to buy in but lately those deals have gone away.

I believe that you just get your points back (as reservation points) and nothing extra. Very unappealing.

 

[Quellman]

The use of points for a room is a terrible value. Renting and using the cash is a much better value. But I understand that you don't have many options with banked points. I don't know if they will waive the $95 transfer fee to use your points on the cruiseline, but it might be useful to ask, simply because it'll help free up potential availability at the resorts. I don't know how they plan on returning points for a cancelled cruise. I can't help in that arena. THe DVC boards might have some insight for you.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

Yes, DCL screws you over if you use DVC points.
We had a B2B Sept 4-7 and 7-12. When DCL canceled the Sept 4-7 was points and cash while the 7-12 was all points. I went 10-rounds with DCL. The Sept 4-7 cruise required a refund (family members did not want the FCC). That I understood, but, for the 5 night Sept 7-12 I questioned many times with the CM about the FCC. She just kept saying "are you canceling?". I kept saying I'm canceling the first of the B2B but want the FCC for the second cruise to roll over for a future cruise. I know they record everything so I just kept saying FCC for the second cruise. "Are you canceling the cruise?". Yes for the first cruise but FCCs for the second. "OK you are canceling the cruise" then she went into reading the script about canceling and the call just ended. I called DVC and they told me DCL canceled both cruises because even a B2B is considered one cruise. Here we go again, another 10 rounds. It took two calls, the supervisor also on the call, my assistance they listen to the recording that the second cruise I wanted the FCCs, lots of hold time, for DVC to come back with no FCCs, points put back into my account, and had to be used, as in having both feet on a ship by August 31, 2021 with NO banking of points, and NO extension to March 31, 2022 (We planned an October 2021 cruise to use the points).
Long story still getting longer . . . yeah, I know using points is a losing proposition but we also needed to use the points up. Have another cruise set for Jan 2021 to use up the points prior to August 2021 and have a feeling I'm still going to have trouble with the DVC points.
This is the second time DCL/DVC screwed us over. We were on the Fantasy 2012 cruise when we hit Hurricane Sandy. People paying cash got the 125% letter. DVC got nothing. Our vacation was cut short and ruined also! Like I said to Claire Bilby (DVC) "I feel like DVC members are just barnacles on the bottom of the ship that DCL has to drag around the Caribbean".

 

[wildcatwmn]

@Cruising Engineer , thanks for the insight and story. I really don't care about the FCC or 125%. I just don't want to lose the points and booking for a Jan 27 cruise when they expire on Feb 28 is risky, if they won't give me another year to use them. Maybe we'll just book a week at Vero and call it a day.

 

[wildcatwmn]

"I feel like DVC members are just barnacles on the bottom of the ship that DCL has to drag around the Caribbean".

Yes, and I was going to have to "buy" 15 points even though I have enough in my 2021 allotment, because it would be borrowing over half to cover the whole amount...but they are my points...ergh.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

@Cruising Engineer , thanks for the insight and story. I really don't care about the FCC or 125%. I just don't want to lose the points and booking for a Jan 27 cruise when they expire on Feb 28 is risky, if they won't give me another year to use them. Maybe we'll just book a week at Vero and call it a day.

Lucky you that you have a Plan B with Vero. We're in NM so a quick get-away is timely and expensive just to get there. DVC use to actually care about the members. Now they are eating the Golden Goose (no wonder my knee hurts).

 

[wildcatwmn]

Lucky you that you have a Plan B with Vero. We're in NM so a quick get-away is timely and expensive just to get there. DVC use to actually care about the members. Now they are eating the Golden Goose (no wonder my knee hurts).

Well, that's why I want to know now...so I can plan Vero. I am sure I could switch flights as nothing seems to be sold out now (although American seems to be cancelling direct flights), but rooms at Vero are hard to get in Feb and they are available now, except for President's week.

 

[iannovich]

I'd consider renting the points and using the cash to purchase the cruise. Then if it does get canceled, you'll get the 125% FCC (as long as it's still a thing) and you won't have to worry any more about losing the points. You'll only have to worry about whether or not the cruise is canceled.

 

[soniam]

I'd consider renting the points and using the cash to purchase the cruise. Then if it does get canceled, you'll get the 125% FCC (as long as it's still a thing) and you won't have to worry any more about losing the points. You'll only have to worry about whether or not the cruise is canceled.

Renting points out is kind of hard right now, unless you are willing to do it at a very low rate. There are apparently a ton of reservations sitting with the brokers waiting to be rented out from people who "cancelled".

 

[_auroraborealis_]

$95 transfer fee to use your points on the cruiseline, but it might be useful to ask, simply because it'll help free up potential availability at the resorts.

Actually, it doesn't. Disney get units equivalent to that points trade to rent as a cash booking to pay for the cruise. DCL doesn't actually get paid in points, but from the cash for the cash booking of the equivalent points.

 

[iannovich]

Renting points out is kind of hard right now, unless you are willing to do it at a very low rate. There are apparently a ton of reservations sitting with the brokers waiting to be rented out from people who "cancelled".

You are right. I've seen them renting as low as $10 per point in some cases.