Anyone want to give me a ballpark figure?(confusing)

[Rock'n Robin]

We are considering doing the Eastern in 2006 for our 20th ann. We need either a cat. 4, two cat. 10s, or a cat. 6 with a cat. 11 across the hall (and that is iffy, since the kids will be 14,11 and 8--I don't know if you can trust a 14 year old on a 7 day--but don't think I want to give up ALL view of the sea after two cruises with verandahs). We have to go in summer because I teach and can't have school time off unless I don't want to be paid.
I just checked the points based on 2005 regular season and WOW! I wouldn't have enough points for a cat. 4 or the cat. 6/11 combo even if we swore off WDW for the next 3 years, we'd have to pay cash for 2 people! With the 2 cat. 10s we'd have to pay cash for DS or, again, not go to WDW next year. And that is with 2005 points--they went up 152 points from 2004, if they would go up that much again it just wouldn't happen.
They talk about renting points on the Dvc board, but I've never even had one response when I've tried to rent points, and I'd need to borrow all of my 2007 points, which would mean I wouldn't have that money in 2006 anyhow. If I could do it I'd have $8400.
Can anyone give me a general idea, if you book EARLY, what the cost is of an Eastern Cruise in either a cat. 4 or 2 connecting cat. 10s has been for you? (If I book early I can get the connecting SPH rooms--with DVC I'd have to wait until 11 months out and they'd be gone). Perhaps if I just give myself this 24 months to save up and hope to rent out SOME points I'll be OK, I just need a figure to base things on.
BTW if you are uncomfortable giving me figures in this forum you can PM me.
Robin M.

 

[DrCavin]

Using 2004 pricing since 2005 is West coast pricing. Two cat 10's would run you ~$3500 for one room & ~$4500 for second room. A cat 4 for went for ~$8500 - $9000.

You can look at the exact pricing at http://www.allseastravel.com

You will have to figure the price will go up for 2006.

Families of 5 or more get whacked pretty hard because the second room they still charge for 2 adults even if only one adult will be in the room.

Start saving, it is an awesome experience.!!

 

[jcemom]

Just a thought from someone with NO experience whatsoever--so, I may be totally off base...BUT...
if you crunch the numbers, would it possibly be worth it to you to lose a week's pay, go in the fall/winter, and make up the lost pay with the price difference in the cruise? (There is a HUGE price difference between Sept and July, for example.) That would only apply if losing pay was the only reason you wanted to go in summer, of course. If it were me, I would check rates both ways, using the 2005 rates for comparison.

 

[Serena6010]

I punched in December 2005 since December can be an expensive month too. Since you are looking for the Summer of 2006....I think December 2005 will give you a better estimate than the summer of 2004.

This is from DCL website
2 catagory 10=$6116
Catagory 4=$7396.75
1 cat. 6 + 1 cat 11=$5757

If you book directly with Costco you will probably get 10% off those prices.

This estimate is assuming prices don't increase dramatically in 2006.

 

[jcemom]

Originally posted by Serena6010
I punched in December 2005 since December can be an expensive month too. Since you are looking for the Summer of 2006....I think December 2005 will give you a better estimate than the summer of 2004.

This is from DCL website
2 catagory 10=$6116
Catagory 4=$7396.75
1 cat. 6 + 1 cat 11=$5757

If you book directly with Costco you will probably get 10% off those prices.

Oops, I forgot there aren't any 7 nights next summer! Not sure when you're going in December, but I was checking rates recently and found them to vary greatly. I didn't think the December prices were too bad up to Christmas, then they skyrocketed. Maybe summer would be comparable with Spring Break rates as well?

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Well it certainly looks doable by the Dec. 2005 rates! Perhaps I will look into missing a week--the kids would be in 8th, 5th and 2nd grade in the spring of 2006--wouldn't do it in the fall of 2006 because DD#1 would be in HS. I would have to balance it out with the money I'd lose. I am able to take up to 5 days unpaid since I've been in the system so long.
Let's see, I only have to save....between $240 and $310 a month...plus the $$ on the ship and the airfare....sigh! But at least if I can rent some of next year's points I can get some cash up front.
Can I book with costco if there is no costco near me? 10% is a lot of money!
Why the heck didn't I go with my gut and rebook on board???
Robin M.

 

[jcemom]

We're doing the week immediately following Thanksgiving next year. Our schools are closed the Monday after Thanksgiving meaning that the boys will only miss 4 days of school, and the rates were pretty good for that week also. (We are planning to fly down on Friday--also a school holiday--just to give us some extra time to relax so that we aren't too rushed.)

 

[Serena6010]

You can use costco travel as long as you pay to be a member $40(I would wait until the 2006 dates come out). Just go to costco.com an click travel.

Also, you don't have to have a costco near you to sign up....you can join online.