58% OFF of a 7 Night DCL Cruise

[pontikes67]

Well, it's taken me a year but final payment is coming due soon and I've had to whittle and wiggle and finagle my way but I think I've done a good job of cutting DCL cost by 57.9%:

Total Cruise Cost (Includes: Air, Pre-Night Stay at Hyatt, Transfers to and from, Gratuities, 7 Night Cruise, Port Fees and Taxes, $1500 in planned expenses onboard/excursions) -

$9,054.80 (2A / 2C - in a Cat4E)

$460.00 (On Board Booking Credit)
$200.00 (OBC DCL)
$250.00 (OBC TA)
$2,288.62 (Disney Rewards)
$1,552.00 (Amex Rewards for Airfare)
$306.00 (Amex Rewards Gift Card for Hyatt)
$167.05 (Discounts on Target and Sam's Disney Gift Card Purchases)

All totaled NON-CASH Payment/Discounts = $5,223.67
Out of Pocket CASH - $3831.13

Actually, I have another $83.00 in Disney Rewards, but maybe we'll use that for the next cruise.

Now I realize I've had to spend a ton over the years to accumulate these points, but I'd be taking the cruise anyway, so at least I'm saving something.

The one question I had, was that I thought for every $1,000 you put into your DVA you got $20. I have never seen that, but since I'm paying with Gift Cards into my DVA wondering since it's not cash is there not a rebate? Anyone know? That would save me an additional $60.00.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

Awesome ! ! Good for you !! How long would you say that took? And what is the difference btwn OBC and the DCL and TA credits?

 

[pontikes67]

Awesome ! ! Good for you !! How long would you say that took? And what is the difference btwn OBC and the DCL and TA credits?

I just was itemizing the different sources. The OBB is just the 10% that you get for booking onboard, the other DCL is their OBC which I think is may be an alcohol obc, but I'm a little foggy on that one.

I booked this in 2015 as soon as March dates came out, i had not been actively banking my points, but had been planning to use them regardless. Once we booked I became more actively involved in pursuing those rewards.

 

[Mil leech]

The one question I had, was that I thought for every $1,000 you put into your DVA you got $20. I have never seen that, but since I'm paying with Gift Cards into my DVA wondering since it's not cash is there not a rebate? Anyone know? That would save me an additional $60.00.

This is how I do an additional 12% off cruises. I get the 10% off Target gift card deal at the holidays, buy Disney gift cards and funnel them into my DVA account (yes, account account) and get the additional 2% back in gift cards to spend on the ship. You have to have an account open for a certain number of days in order to get the rebates. I received my $80 right before my last cruise. DCL likes the DVA as there is only one number to input instead of all the individual gift cards!

 

[jskacoc]

If your account was open for 120 days before you spent the funds, gift cards count too, then you will get the $20/per $1000 bonus. You need to request it. After the 1st time I requested it the gift cards would send automatically for my next bonus.

 

[pontikes67]

If your account was open for 120 days before you spent the funds, gift cards count too, then you will get the $20/per $1000 bonus. You need to request it. After the 1st time I requested it the gift cards would send automatically for my next bonus.

so after i use my funds from my account to pay for my trip (I've had my account for 2 years, just never used) then I'll get a Gift Card?

 

[jskacoc]

Yes. Congrats on the savings btw!

 

[lorimay]

Awesome!!!!
Have a wonderful time!

 

[bumbershoot]

my DVA account (yes, account account)

 

[Growingupisoptional]

Well, it's taken me a year but final payment is coming due soon and I've had to whittle and wiggle and finagle my way but I think I've done a good job of cutting DCL cost by 57.9%:

Total Cruise Cost (Includes: Air, Pre-Night Stay at Hyatt, Transfers to and from, Gratuities, 7 Night Cruise, Port Fees and Taxes, $1500 in planned expenses onboard/excursions) -

$9,054.80 (2A / 2C - in a Cat4E)

$460.00 (On Board Booking Credit)
$200.00 (OBC DCL)
$250.00 (OBC TA)
$2,288.62 (Disney Rewards)
$1,552.00 (Amex Rewards for Airfare)
$306.00 (Amex Rewards Gift Card for Hyatt)
$167.05 (Discounts on Target and Sam's Disney Gift Card Purchases)

All totaled NON-CASH Payment/Discounts = $5,223.67
Out of Pocket CASH - $3831.13

Actually, I have another $83.00 in Disney Rewards, but maybe we'll use that for the next cruise.

Now I realize I've had to spend a ton over the years to accumulate these points, but I'd be taking the cruise anyway, so at least I'm saving something.

The one question I had, was that I thought for every $1,000 you put into your DVA you got $20. I have never seen that, but since I'm paying with Gift Cards into my DVA wondering since it's not cash is there not a rebate? Anyone know? That would save me an additional $60.00.

Awesome! Man do I love hearing about good deals and people being smart with their hard earned money! My son and I are going with my BF this December! I have been planning and saving and saving for this moment for like 3 years! Amazing! Got a pretty darn good GTY deal! Not a fancy category and definitely no great OBC just $100 but we used a travel bonus of his THAT covered most of flights and the 7 night very merrytime from Galveston was like $2500 for us 3 going all the way from Winnipeg Canada! Wahoo!