Booking 2013 Europe Cruises on Points

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Has anyone tried to do this? Any reports on if we can get cabins?


If I can't get a cabin on points probably will go with another line but...

I won't know until next weekend if we can make this work with the schedule so it's not worth calling MS and bothering them.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I would really advise against using points for this particular cruise. We went on the 7 night Med Cruise last August on the Magic. Here are a few reasons I am against using points for this cruise:

The points are unbelievably high as compared to last year.

Should the prices of the cabins drop, you would be eligible for the lower fares. This happened several times last year as they had a hard time filling the ship on several cruise dates.

There were many political events that almost either cancelled our cruise or would have prevented flying into Barcelona. It all eventually was resolved however if not at least our insurance would have covered most expenses.

Really think this through for this particular sailing.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Thanks, but...

I am going to use points if I do this cruise. (I realized when I posted that I would be told it was a bad idea. )


I didn't find the points that high for the cabin category I wanted. Will call next week and see and post back on what happens.

If I can't use points will probably book with another cruise line that will be (A) cheaper and (B) possibly have better ports.

(And I just did a search and now I am curious, what "political" issue was stopping flights into Spain? I can't find one and having flown internationally every year for the past five or more, I just can't see a "political" issue. TSA maybe, Volcanos maybe?)

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Last year there were 5 scheduled baggage strikes at Barcelona Airport. There were also a couple of taxi strikes that did happen between March and August of last year. The airport strikes were averted, some within days of cruises. This was very big news on the cruise line thread. While in Rome, there were protesters up and down the main roads. In fact, there were ports rerouted due to the uncertainty of protests and transportation strikes. I guess you don't travel much to the Western Med.

If you want to use your points that's your choice. But you did post the question. Sorry it wasn't what you wanted to hear.

Thanks, but...

I am going to use points if I do this cruise. (I realized when I posted that I would be told it was a bad idea. )


I didn't find the points that high for the cabin category I wanted. Will call next week and see and post back on what happens.

If I can't use points will probably book with another cruise line that will be (A) cheaper and (B) possibly have better ports.

(And I just did a search and now I am curious, what "political" issue was stopping flights into Spain? I can't find one and having flown internationally every year for the past five or more, I just can't see a "political" issue. TSA maybe, Volcanos maybe?)

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

thanks

I don't think of strikes as that big a deal. Was in Rome during some of the protests and it was a non issue. You just adapted. Did take us longer to get from the airport, but due to "strike threats" I had prebooked a car service

I actually do travel quite extensively in that area and others. I have learned that flexibility are key. I tend to think of war as an issue. A strike in Italy or Greece is part of the experience



(and I am sorry I seem to have upset you by not taking your advice, but....)

 

[MrsG]

We booked the Med Greece cruise for July 13, both DH & I using points. We have done the Med before, plus the Baltic, Alaska and the E&W Caribbeans, all through DCL. We have always had a fabulous time. Although some feel it is not the best use of points, we love the fact that we have our cash to use for excursions and expenses. Good luck getting the cabin you want.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Not on points, but we're going on the 1st Med cruise next year! Which one are you thinking about? We're doing the EBTA, and staying on the ship for the June 1st sailing!

Bobbi

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

The 6/1 would be my first choice. Negotiating on the 2013 will be done this weekend

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Well, in spite of the advice on here , I booked today using points.

Got exactly what I wanted

Now to wait for the airline window to try to get my frequent flyer tickets. (That will be harder then the cruise!)

 

[CarolAnnC]

Well, in spite of the advice on here , I booked today using points.

Got exactly what I wanted

Now to wait for the airline window to try to get my frequent flyer tickets. (That will be harder then the cruise!)

Congratulations! I did price out the points for a Greece itinerary, but actually ended up booking a Panama Canal cruise instead. Be sure to visit the Cruise Meets board where you will find a discussion thread with posters who will be on your cruise, too! They are a great fun way to share the "wait" with other posters, and you will have lots of new friends on board during your cruise!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Well, in spite of the advice on here , I booked today using points.

Got exactly what I wanted

Now to wait for the airline window to try to get my frequent flyer tickets. (That will be harder then the cruise!)

Great! So, are you on the 6/1/13 cruise? That's the one we're on!!!
We're waiting for the FF booking window to open up too!

We're on the Eastbound Transatlantic Cruise and staying in the same cabin for this cruise.