Are Disney Cruises a Good Use of Points?

[kevmag]

Just started looking at taking a short Disney Cruise (Bahamas). I have a lot of homework to do, but i was wondering (in general) if DVC vets think the Cruises are a good use of points. Just looking for general impressions..thanks!

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

I have heard people say you come out better to sell / rent your point and pay for your own cruise. But, it is just easier to me to use points to book it. I called to day to see if I could book the 4 night sailing mid June....member services said cruises for DVC for 4 night sailing are booked thru Sept...waaaaah!!!

 

[Inkmahm]

The simple answer is "no."

Take a look at this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2639980

 

[papamouse1]

uh oh... here we go again...

This will probably turn into the usual parade of point usage "experts", so let me start by saying I am not one of them.
Your question was is it a "good" use of points. It really depends on how you determine the "value" of your points to you.

There is simply no doubt that you would get more actual $$ cash value by renting your points and then use the cash to book a cruise. I have yet to do that, but I may try it one of these days.
We are like DisneyTravelers2008, we just don't like messing with having to rent our points and all that so we just have booked with points. The cruise I just booked on points (took 278 points) would have cost me in cash just under $2400. Had I rented those same points out, I could get $9/point (which is probably all I could get in this market today... I have SSR points), I could have gotten $2500 in cash, so no doubt I could make $$.

But here's the other point that is often forgotten, the question for me is not did I make $$ off my points, but more importantly, did I get back in value what I actually paid for my points this year. We personally never worry about calculating in the actual original purchase of points into our yearly value. We view that purchase as an investment in our vacations and will give our points to our kids when they are ready as part of their inheritance. BUT I know that bugs people so I'll go ahead and figure in the original cost of our contract dvide by 50 (length of contract).

Totalling my yearly dues with my length of contract yearly cost, my points ran me $6.50 / point this year. So in actual expenses out of my pocket for my cruise I actually spent $1810... so in the end I saved about $600. Not nearly as much as renting, but I did not LOSE money either.

so in a nutshell...
Is the best money value you can get out of your DVC when doing a cruise found by renting your points and paying cash? YES

Can you use your points to just book a cruise and get the money you actually spend for your points out of that cruise? YES

So make your own choice and be happy with it. You can get your value either way

Oops! I picked wrong cat when checking prices , so now they are fixed above..

 

[smnslc]

We did use our points to book a cruise for the new Dream. Going this June and sooooo excited. Yes if we would have rented our points maybe we could have made profit, but you need time to do that. We booked our cruise really early as soon as the window opened. We had to book then because we are going with a group and wanted to make sure we got the room we wanted. So we had no time to try and rent.

 

[bookwormde]

DVC reservations are by far the best but if all the other options Cruises are second

 

[AnnaS]

We have also used a combination of points and cash for our four DCL cruises (two cabins each time). It worked for us since we do not want the hassle of renting out our points.

We had the points and limited vacation time. I would use a few again the next time we cruise. The "kids" are older and unless we start staying in a 1 BDR for the two of us or start going more often - we have plenty of points for now (the reason we are not going more often now that we can, is for medical reasons (family).

Would I do it, on a regular basis/frequent? Probably not - but I am fine with it every few years.

 

[kevmag]

uh oh... here we go again...

This will probably turn into the usual parade of point usage "experts", so let me start by saying I am not one of them.

Thanks to all for the replies, you answered my question!

LOL at Papamouse's answer...sorry, I did not mean to start an onslaught!

I'm with you guys, for the most part i don't want the hassle of renting points. I was just looking for the 'tree top view' on this, which you guys gave me, have a warm day (unlike here in NYC....)

 

[Sandisw]

I agree that it is really an individual decision in terms of how you define a good "value" for points.

If you want a strict dollar for dollar, using a $10 per point rental amount, then you probaby can save money by renting and paying cash.

However, we define the value of our points as what we can get for vacation. If I decide that going on a cruise that year is what I want for vacation instead of going to WDW, then it will be a good value.

We bought the points for our yearly vacation so that is how I will decide. Now, I have to say, when we were considering it for 2012, and my DD found out that the vacation would be shorter if we cruise, she isn't so eager. But, if in the end, it is decided that that is what we want to do, I won't have any issue using points to cover the cruise.

And, since going to WDW also costs me extra in terms of tickets and food, I do factor that possible savings into my comparison since food is covered on a cruise (and we are not big alchohol consumers so that wouldn't be a big expense for us).

 

[dzorn]

If you do not mind renting out your points than you can get a better deal paying cash for the cruise.

I also like that the cancellation policy on a cash cruise vs. a point cruise much better.

Denise in MI