Anyone do a cruise with membership?

[mommyceratops]

I am wondering about doing a cruise next year. We are thinking of using our points for one of us then paying cash for the rest.

Anyone know how much or about how much it is per person and or a child to pay cash? Do you get a discount price?

Thanks so much in advance!!

 

[OnMedic]

We looked into this too... very poor value when using points, and better to pay cash with an TA like Small World Vacations (www.wdwvacations.com)

The season played a HUGE factor in price. Holiday season, 3 day cruise in a Cat. 5 for 2 adults, 1 Child and 1 Infant was almost $4800. (or 559 points)

One week later in Regular Season a Catagory 6 was $2186. (or 401 Points)

I also found DVC cash rates were very high in comparison to SWV.

I hope this helps.

 

[minniemoms]

I am wanting to know more about this also?

 

[OnMedic]

Minniemom

Let me know what questions you have, I will be happy to hekp having just booked and done all the price and point comparision.

Cheers

 

[Plutofan]

We booked a cash 4 night cruise for July 8 2007. When we compared it to points we were getting a value of $7.5 per point so we paid cash. The earlier you book the better cash rate you will get. Your best way to go is with a travel agent that offers a cash rebate when you return from your trip.

 

[mommyceratops]

We looked into this too... very poor value when using points, and better to pay cash with an TA like Small World Vacations (www.wdwvacations.com)

The season played a HUGE factor in price. Holiday season, 3 day cruise in a Cat. 5 for 2 adults, 1 Child and 1 Infant was almost $4800. (or 559 points)

One week later in Regular Season a Catagory 6 was $2186. (or 401 Points)

I also found DVC cash rates were very high in comparison to SWV.

I hope this helps.

Thanks! I don't think my DH will go for paying cash when we just bought the points. Do you know if I can use points for one person and pay cash for DH and 2 kids?

TIA

 

[Plutofan]

I heard that you can but you are not getting a good cash rate from Disney. What a lot of people do, including myself, is rent out the points and pay cash for the cruise. You should be able to get at least $10-$11 per point if you do not mind spending the time renting your points on the rent/trade board.

 

[OnMedic]

Pluto is 100% right... A family of 4 Cruised for about $400-500 more I found. We are renting out 288 points to pay for the cruide and will have around $800 spending left over, when in fact 288 points wouldn;t even cover the cruise if doing it on points.

I suggest contacting Stehpanie at Small World Vacations:
stephwdwtravel@aol.com
1-866-2-Mickey

As a previous posted indicated, they mail you a Rebate while you are cruising, and I found they had the best service, albeit it took a couple of days to get a quote. They knew what they were talking about and LOVE whatthey do! Not only is Steph a Disney pro, she coincidentally owns at both BCV and BWV.

If you need help renting your points, feel free to drop me an email. I would be glad to assist.

Cheers,

Steve

 

[FreeTime]

I recently booked a cruise on points to save the hassle or renting. Unfortunately I have had to deal with a huge hassle! My ressie wasn't booked as I thought, I attempted to book again and was told I already had a cabin booked, I got the confirmation and on one page it says we have a category 9 and the next a 10! We booked a 9! And then they are telling me that we won't necessarily be able to dine with the other cabin that I booked! That being said, next time I will probably rent out points.

 

[mommyceratops]

I recently booked a cruise on points to save the hassle or renting. Unfortunately I have had to deal with a huge hassle! My ressie wasn't booked as I thought, I attempted to book again and was told I already had a cabin booked, I got the confirmation and on one page it says we have a category 9 and the next a 10! We booked a 9! And then they are telling me that we won't necessarily be able to dine with the other cabin that I booked! That being said, next time I will probably rent out points.

Claiming dumbness here. What does it mean " we won't necessarily be able to dine with the other cabin that I booked! " I didn't know you cabin has anything to do with when you eat?

TIA

 

[OnMedic]

There are two dining times each night. The early sitting usually fills-up first. I know when we tried the first week (and more expensive week), we were waitlisted for the early diding time and were put into the 8:30pm sitting.

The the following (and cheaper week) which we ended up booking, we were able to get the early (6 or 6:30, I can't recall0) dinner.

Also, you are assigned a dining rotation (which restaurant for each night) when you arrive. I am assuming if you are seperate reservation numbers that you cannot be gaurenteed the same rotation. Someone can correct me if I am wrong.

Cheers,

 

[TreesyB]

I booked through points but haven't travelled yet. Won't be until Jan.2007. But what happened to me was interesting. I booked even tho the Jan. 4th was listed as regular season. I had just enough points with my banked and 2006 use year points for a nice land/sea vacation. Then, I got a call 2 days later telling me that the points were listed incorrectly, and should be considered Value Season. So I go 44 points returned to my account. Can we say

But my main reason was that I have the points available, and didn't want to go through the hassle of renting points out. Not to mention having to deal with currency exchange.