best way to use points for cruise?

[homey12]

Considering a cruise next year, but I dont want to use all my points. Is there any advice on the best way to book a cruise and pay cash for the remainder?

 

[erionm]

Considering a cruise next year, but I dont want to use all my points. Is there any advice on the best way to book a cruise and pay cash for the remainder?

Best overall option would be to rent out your points and pay cash for the cruise.

If you want to use points for the cruise, you must call DVC and you will have to use points for at least one passenger. And if you do use points, any cash portion must be paid for in full at the time of booking.

 

[EilonwyWanderer]

The best advice is above, but also just don't use points for cruises. If you do the math it's crazy.

 

[Marionnette]

Keep in mind that if you use points to book a cruise they become "reservation points". If you have to cancel the cruise, the points remain "reservation points" and cannot be used to book a DVC room.

Your best option is as mentioned above. Rent out the points and use the proceeds to pay for a cruise.

 

[hhisc16]

Considering a cruise next year, but I dont want to use all my points. Is there any advice on the best way to book a cruise and pay cash for the remainder?

Most people would recommend contacting one of these companies to rent out your points and use the funds to pay for your cruise:
https://dvcrentalstore.com/
https://www.dvcstore.com/

 

[kilik64]

I might be wrong but I think the best option is to rent your points and then pay cash.

 

[pkrieger2287]

I'm biased... But the Cruise Swap program with DVC Rental Store provides the best value. By booking the cruise through them you do not need to worry about the tax implications of point rentals. You can learn more here: https://dvcrentalstore.com/members/cruise/

 

[homey12]

Keep in mind that if you use points to book a cruise they become "reservation points". If you have to cancel the cruise, the points remain "reservation points" and cannot be used to book a DVC room.

Your best option is as mentioned above. Rent out the points and use the proceeds to pay for a cruise.

Did not realize this. Thank you.

 

[Geomom]

It really is a horrible exchange rate using pts for a cruise. Plus I believe you need to pay a $95 fee to use points? As others said, best to rent the pts and use the cash for the cruise.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The Reservation Points issue has been a huge thing for more than one person this last year, and with the Wish cruise for DVC members and the changed date, it has been an issue there.

If you book cash (renting your points), and have to change your sailing... it is easy. If you have to change a points booking, it is not. It sucks.

 

[Sandisw]

I'm biased... But the Cruise Swap program with DVC Rental Store provides the best value. By booking the cruise through them you do not need to worry about the tax implications of point rentals. You can learn more here: https://dvcrentalstore.com/members/cruise/

I didn’t know this was an option! I like it!

 

[Donna M]

We like using our points for a 3 or 4 day cruise, I wouldn ́d use them for a whole week though.

 

[Travel60]

We have used points to cruise many times without problem (very early cheap points so the math isn't terrible). BUT, a bucket list cruise and Covid taught us the potential problems.

Lots of points. Cruise cancelled. We were given Reservation Points with a use deadline of March 2022. Initally, no scheduled cruises interested us.... So we waited. Finally WBPC came along so we used up all Reservation Points plus a few thousand dollars. Math was not transparent on the exchange. Loved the trip but through social media with others on cruise, I learned the cash folks got refunded several hundred dollars in port fees. I called DVC (our "travel agent" since trip was booked with points), they pointed finger at DCL. Called DCL and they pointed back at DVC. No refund of cash or points yet.

Just booked Rome to Greece and back this summer and paid cash for first time.

 

[gharter]

Personally, I would rent the points and pay cash for the cruise.
As has been pointed out many times, cruises tend to be a terrible use of points.