Booking a Cruise with points and cash?

[soluc]

HI there, if I join DVC tomorrow, can I use points towards booking a cruise the same day?
If there are 4 of us cruising and we only buy 150points to start, can we apply points towards cruise? Instead of putting out $$ for DVC AND 800.00 deposit for cruise is there a way to do it where we use our points for deposit? Or do we have to book one person with points and the other 3 people cash?
Please help me understand this.
We really want to save the $750.00 by joining DVC before 4/30, but with cabins going fast on the Dec cruise, we also want to book that now. How can I check availability on Dec 1st Wonder cruise for DVC owners? And last question, can I book using points through regular travel agent or do I have to use ms?
Thank-you so much in advance for your help...

 

[Firefighter Mickey]

You can't mix and match points and cash on a per person level. For each person, it has to be either all points or all cash.

DVC points used for DCL must be done via Member Services (and I think there's a $75 exchange fee).

 

[ripleysmom]

Also I'm not sure that 150 points will be enough to cover the first person in the cabin and you cannot borrow from the following year's points until closing. I believe DVC policy is that at least one adult has to be paid with points.

 

[TnRobin]

Another point to consider. If you decide to book using a combination of points and cash, all cash is required upfront. You will not be able to give a downpayment.

 

[soluc]

so I can't pay just a deposit now and the rest on Oct 1st if I pay mixing points and cash.
Thanks for all the info!

 

[CarolMN]

Hi, soluc - I'm having trouble getting a PM through, so thought I'd post here instead. Here are the point requirements you requested:

For the 4 day Wonder Cruise, departing 12/1 (Value season):

Cat 5 (Deluxe stateroom with verandah)

126 points/pp for the first two in the cabin
14 points for children 2 and under (in same cabin)
43 points for children 3 - 12 (in same cabin)
50 points for all others (13 and over, in same cabin)

Cat 6 (Deluxe stateroom with verandah)

120 points/pp for the first two in the cabin
14 points for children 2 and under (in same cabin)
43 points for children 3 - 12 (in same cabin)
50 points for all others (13 and over, in same cabin)

If you are willing to pay cash for the second adult and the children, you can go on the cruise this December (assuming there is still availability when you make the ressie) even though you are only buying 150 points. You just have to pay points for at least one person per cabin to use your points for the cruise. You can pay cash for the others (but it is the cash price that MS negotiated with DCL, not necessarily the one(s) advertised by DCL).

My understanding is that you can make a reservation to stay at the BCV as soon as you sign the papers and Disney has your deposit. So I would assume that you could also make a ressie for the Cruise at the same time. (The usual window for making a cruise ressie is 11 months ahead of departure and you are past that). However, there might be a problem due to BCV being new and the fact that closing isn't until June. That's a good question to ask your guide.

Good luck with your decision making process.