BLT incentive $10 off or free 3 day cruise

[Rpsemont]

Hi!

We went to one of the special member tours (at WDW) a couple weeks ago and put down a deposit on 100 points at BLT.
We were offered either $10 off per point, or a free 3 day cruise for 4 people.
I've read here, that most people think the $10 off per point is a better deal, but when I peruse cruise rates on the Dream, for some of the dates we're considering, the cost for 4 people is $2000 or more - especially if its 4 adults.
We'd like to take another cruise and I know Disney cruises aren't the least expensive, but it's a new ship and I'm thinking of going for the cruise. To me, it's getting a $2000 benefit instead of a $1000 benefit.

Am I missing something?

TIA

 

[jsesp]

We just bought in last week and when we ran the math, the cruise won out. To get the $$ off points it was around $950 (we bought in at 160 points at BLT). Since we were planning on taking a cruise anyway but haven't booked it yet, the value of the cruise won out since it looks to be about $1500 to $2000 depending on when you go.

We also aren't planning on carrying the loan out the full 10 years either (probably 4-5) so we won't make up the difference in interest payments.

It really is a personal choice of what you would rather do.

 

[kristie03]

When we added on a few weeks ago (we financed it, but like a lot of people don't plan on carrying the loan for the full 10 years), the thing that stopped us from taking the cruise option was that we wouldn't be able to book the cruise until we had made a certain number of payments. I think the guide said 13-15 payments.

We figured that we may as well take the discount and choose to take the cruise when we felt like booking, possibly partly with the points.

 

[Sandisw]

I think that if you are interested in cruising anyway, then it is the better deal. We did not take it last year because the times weren't really doable for us, plus we didn't want to have to spend extra money getting the cruise would cost us (ie: airfare to get to port) so we went with the straight point discount.

In your case, it sounds like you would enjoy the cruise and that makes it a great option.

Good luck!!

 

[mj2vacation]

When we added on a few weeks ago (we financed it, but like a lot of people don't plan on carrying the loan for the full 10 years), the thing that stopped us from taking the cruise option was that we wouldn't be able to book the cruise until we had made a certain number of payments. I think the guide said 13-15 payments.

We figured that we may as well take the discount and choose to take the cruise when we felt like booking, possibly partly with the points.

You can book the cruise, you just can not sail until the payments are made. We wound up putting a little more down and were able to book an earlier cruise than if we had just put 10%.

 

[Crystal_27]

To me, it's getting a $2000 benefit instead of a $1000 benefit.

Am I missing something?

TIA

You definitely aren't missing anything, but the cruise comes with some strings that might not be as attractive as the instant discount off of the points. Also, for what it's worth, when DVC offered the cruise incentive in 2009, the cruise dates were only for off-peak times (no holiday or summer cruises) so make sure that you know what the dates are for available cruises so you can have the full picture before making your decision. Good luck!

 

[penlanspice]

We had the same offer too, for us the $10 off per point won as we would only be 2 adults on a cruise and when I priced it out for next year we were $100 up with taking the $$ off per point.

 

[CandyMandy]

I got the mailer today about the "free" cruise in return for doing a 100 point add-on. Ran the math and given the sea view category I didn't see the cruise being justfied in return for a minimum $11K+ payment (our entire existing membership was purchased with cash, no financing, and anything we ever add will be done the same way).

Whatever, all I ended up concluding (given the almost $18K minimum investment for a new purchase of 160 points) was "thank Heaven we purchased over twelve years ago." Back then, the little less than $18K we put down purchased over twice as many points as what that money buys now!

 

[15k]

Its personal preference.....but we just bought 2 days ago and did the money off the points for two reasons. 1st the cruise times didnt interest me and instead of buying the base points I added on more points with the money I saved figuring I will have them for 50 yrs. Then with the 1st year points and the bonus points i already am booking a cruise on the dream.

I actually already called my agent to increase my points to 320 at BLT which they were offering at $14 off the $120. unless i can find something better

 

[Sully]

Money wise you are better off taking the discount. There are a lot of hidden cost associated with the cruise. Depending on where you live, getting to the cruise port. Are the associated tips included? How about shore excursions?

 

[n2mm]

When we added on last year the cruise won out as the best value. The incentive was an extra $6 off the BLT price or cruise. The $6 = $600 savings, the cruise was $1800 savings. We were planning a cruise to celebrate my retirement so I gave the free cruise to my daughter (family of 4) and booked 2 more cabins for ourselves and other daughter (while onboard in December so got the BB incentive discount on both cabins). We split the price of the 2 purchased cabins between the 3 families and each of us are paying $720 per cabin for a 3 day cruise. This seemed to be the fairest way and the best way to get the highest value for a free cruise. The free cruise made it affordable for everyone traveling with us. I paid cash for my add on so there was no finance charge issues to deal with.

 

[n2mm]

Money wise you are better off taking the discount. There are a lot of hidden cost associated with the cruise. Depending on where you live, getting to the cruise port. Are the associated tips included? How about shore excursions?

Just wanted to mention that the tips are included in the free cruise.

 

[Robo-Daddy 3000]

Just wanted to mention that the tips are included in the free cruise.

We did the free cruise in 2009 when we added on at VGC and the gratuities were included at that time... but I'm pretty sure that the in the fine print for the current incentive in 2010 that the gratuities are NOT included.

 

[cogero]

we took the cruise. we also paid more than the 10% deposit. We wanted to try a cruise added on to one of our DVC trips so for us it was a better deal. Also since we would not be able to cruise until 2011 the payment option was fine for us. We plan to have it paid off in the next 12 months.

We do not always vacation during peak times so it was a good idea.

We added on at the DTD in LI.

It is really the best deal for our family.

Now we need to add 100 more points to our AK contract LMAO. Need to keep them even.

 

[brendasol]

We've been looking at purchasing at SSR for quite awhile now, and the new cruise incentive sounds great! We would love to take our children on a Disney cruise. However, we have 4 children (family of 6), and they only offer the trip for 4 people...so do we have to book and pay for another room to be able to use it? That no longer makes it a free trip for us!

 

[Sandisw]

We've been looking at purchasing at SSR for quite awhile now, and the new cruise incentive sounds great! We would love to take our children on a Disney cruise. However, we have 4 children (family of 6), and they only offer the trip for 4 people...so do we have to book and pay for another room to be able to use it? That no longer makes it a free trip for us!

Yes, that is what you would have to do. In your case, the direct price discount would be the better option.

Good luck!

 

[brendasol]

Thanks for the advice. In that case we'll consider resale.