Booking cruise with points and cash question...

[princesses2]

For those with more experience, here's my questions. I want to book a cruise in November and need two cabins for my family. I have points for one cabin but the other cabin will be cash. DVC gave me a quote and I also got a quote from DU.

Scenario 1
Book with DVC paying 1 person with points, 1 person cash in each room.

Scenario 2
Book with DVC paying 2 people with points for first cabin. Then book with DU for the second cabin paying cash for 2 people. The reason being DU has cheaper cash rate than DVC. Also, I get $50 credit from DU and $50 on board credit if I use Disney Visa.

I'm leaning toward scenario 2 but wonder how I can go about booking two rooms next to each other. There will be a parent in each room but my kids are small so I need the room to be adjacent. So do I book with DVC first get room number then contact DU and book room next to it? I already know that there are 3 rooms on Deck 6 that are together. Of course, when I told my sister about all this, she tells me that she wants to go too!

Any advice/input/suggestions anyone?

 

[Alexander]

Rent your points and pay all cash.

Recently read that you only get a guaranteed cabin with you book through DVC and you have no say in getting it changed. DCL won't talk to you because you booked through DVC and DVC isn't real helpful.

I would highly recommend renting out your points and booking everything through DU. They have always had the best rates I can find and offer incentives. You'll probably come out ahead in the cash flow department anyways! It costs a lot of points to cruise.

I know renting can be a pain, but maybe you can find a DVC member to transfer your points to rather than dealing with booking a reservation for someone. That way once the points are transferred you are done!

 

[Dean]

Agree with Alexander. Option 3 of renting your points is likely the best option. Otherwise, option 2 would be the best of those you presented for a number of reasons. I think members can book a cabin generally but it that doesn't work out, just another reason to book cash and possibly rent out your points.

How did the prices compare between DVC's cash prices and the DU offer?

 

[princesses2]

DU was cheaper by about $214, I think. Plus, I'd get $50 on board credit from Disney Visa.

As far as renting, I agree that seems to be the way to cruise. But I don't have my points yet and I think it'll be too risky to wait until I get the points then try to rent/transfer to get the money to book Nov. cruise. I was told that ship is 85% full so I don't have much time especially since we want to book 3 rooms next to each other b/c my sister's family is coming along. Once we've booked cruise, I'll go ahead and borrow points to book Vero while there is still availability. Then, I can book my plane tickets, hopefully, before the prices go up again. After that I can finally get off the phone and off the computer and relax knowing everything is set.

I do hope to rent out my points in the future to go on Disney Magic. I can't wait to do the Western cruise.

 

[wdwstar]

dont forget if you use points for the cruise to add the $75 fee per cabin thru ms.

 

[Dean]

dont forget if you use points for the cruise to add the $75 fee per cabin thru ms.

Plus you have to pay the entire balance NOW and if you have to cancel there are significant disadvantages far more with points than cash other than DVC. And if there are any benefits, specials or price reductions, you will not be entitled to them.