Booking Cruises with DVC points ???'s

[Cmbar]

Hi all, I have questions about booking a cruise using points.

1. MS just told me that the cruise we want to go on next year on the dream has limited DVC availability, but to go online and book directly with DCL and then have the reservation transfered to MS and then I can use my points. Has anyone done this? Is this as easy as it sounds?

2. We mentioned that we would be on the Magic in a few months and she said to wait until we were on the Magic and book the Dream cruise with them, again getting whatever category we want that is available and then when we got home call within three days and book with MS for a Point Discount. Anyone ever done this? This sounds interesting.

3. If we book now with a cash reservation deposit to secure a room can we rebook on the October Cruise to be entitled to a discount (hopefully via points as mentioned above) ?

4. I assume no onboard credits will be available on a DVC points cruise.

5. On our upcoming Magic cruise for which we paid cash, Will we be recognized as DVC members and get some stateroom gifts? I have heard about possibly getting some Lanyards as gifts. I am just not sure how they know we are DVC members. Any other perks on the ship for being a member?

Thanks so much, this is our first cruise after becoming members!

 

[zalansky]

I've never booked a cruise on points, so I can't respond to those questions. (but are you SURE you want to use points for the cruise? I have read over and over its not a good use of points) However, I can tell you that yes, you will be recognized as a DVC member on Board. Our past 2 cruises since becoming owners, they have put "welcome home" DVC magnets on our door and we have received DVC lanyards as well as a gift in our stateroom. The first time it was a memory book. Our cruise this year, it was very pretty wooden box with the DVC logo on top. You will also get an invite to to members "party" where you can win prizes by answering fun questions and they will give you the info about adding on. I took my 7 year old and we had fun.

Have fun on your cruise, you will love it!

 

[Deb & Bill]

MS has to book your cruise. You can't just book any cruise, any level and ask for it to magically become a DVC points vacation. I think the CM you talked to was a bit confused.

 

[Cmbar]

Thank you for the information about the stateroom gifts! That sounds exciting!

Yes, I am sure I want to do points instead of renting and paying cash. We actually rented points to pay for the cruise coming up in October. In the case of the Dream Bahama cruise it is just DH and me so the cost of the cruise works out to only be about 160.00 difference if I were to rent my points for $10 a point. It is not worth the hassle plus I have to bank and borrow some left over points to book the cruise and I don't want to be dealing with that for renting! Thanks for the advice though.

 

[Cmbar]

MS has to book your cruise. You can't just book any cruise, any level and ask for it to magically become a DVC points vacation. I think the CM you talked to was a bit confused.

Well we didn't ask her IF we could do it, she suggested it to me. That is why I am asking on here. I have seen people say this many times so I was hoping to hear from those who have done this. She said it is the way to do it because she can take over the reservation and then work with DCL for the negotiated price on the DVC points. I didn't question her much further because I know I have seen people talk about this on the boards. I hope someone chimes in that has actually done this or had tried to and couldn't.

Thanks for your input!

 

[Inkmahm]

Hi all, I have questions about booking a cruise using points.

1. MS just told me that the cruise we want to go on next year on the dream has limited DVC availability, but to go online and book directly with DCL and then have the reservation transfered to MS and then I can use my points. Has anyone done this? Is this as easy as it sounds?
That makes no sense at all. Booking with DCL and trying to transfer the reservation to use points won't magically create additional DVC availability. Either there is availability to use DVC points or there isn't, period.
2. We mentioned that we would be on the Magic in a few months and she said to wait until we were on the Magic and book the Dream cruise with them, again getting whatever category we want that is available and then when we got home call within three days and book with MS for a Point Discount. Anyone ever done this? This sounds interesting. I would never cruise on points but my understanding is there is a minimal discount on the DVC points needed to cruise if you book within 3 days of having been onboard.

3. If we book now with a cash reservation deposit to secure a room can we rebook on the October Cruise to be entitled to a discount (hopefully via points as mentioned above) ? Yes, you can rebook FOR CASH to get the 10% cash discount and the OBC. I do this and then designate DU as my TA to get the matching OBC. This only works for cash reservations as far as I know. I got $400 OBC for our Dec Western cruise, for example.

4. I assume no onboard credits will be available on a DVC points cruise. True as far as I know. Another reason NOT to pay with points but to pay with cash instead.

5. On our upcoming Magic cruise for which we paid cash, Will we be recognized as DVC members and get some stateroom gifts? I have heard about possibly getting some Lanyards as gifts. I am just not sure how they know we are DVC members. Any other perks on the ship for being a member?
The mouse "knows" and if he doesn't, all you have to do is go to the DVC desk and tell them. You will get lanyards and a few other gifts, too.
Thanks so much, this is our first cruise after becoming members!

You don't have to rent points, you can also transfer them to a fellow DVC member. That's easier to do, IMHO, to get cash for the cruise.

 

[CarolMN]

Before you book a cash reservation, my advice is to email Member Services and ask for clarification.

Explain as clearly as you can, what you were told. Say it sounds too good to be true and would they confirm that you can indeed get a cash reservation transferred to a DVC points reservation. Ask if DVC point reservations for DCL are limited or if you can get one as long as there is still availability for cash through DCL.

My understanding is that the number of cabins available for points is limited so I'd want something in writing before I made any commitments to do the suggested transfer. I have read that some members were able to transfer a cash reservation to a points reservation, so I think the "sticking point" could be whether or not there is a limited number of cabins allocated to DVC.

Good luck - and if you email, we'd love to know the answer.

 

[Cmbar]

Before you book a cash reservation, my advice is to email Member Services and ask for clarification.

Explain as clearly as you can, what you were told. Say it sounds too good to be true and would they confirm that you can indeed get a cash reservation transferred to a DVC points reservation. Ask if DVC point reservations for DCL are limited or if you can get one as long as there is still availability for cash through DCL.

My understanding is that the number of cabins available for points is limited so I'd want something in writing before I made any commitments to do the suggested transfer. I have read that some members were able to transfer a cash reservation to a points reservation, so I think the "sticking point" could be whether or not there is a limited number of cabins allocated to DVC.

Good luck - and if you email, we'd love to know the answer.

Thank you Carol. That makes the most sense. If they reply I will post what they say. Good Idea

 

[Cmbar]

Thanks Inkman. I knew you would be on here telling me why I shouldn't use my points!! I already did the rent my points to book with cash routine for the upcoming cruise. I don't want to do that again as I want to use what is left of my points. I simply don't have enough points to deal with renting and or transferring. I have left over points in multiple use years that all work out to be perfect for a cheap point cruise. As it is I may have to borrow from my sister and therefore my Transfer option is out. I don't wish to deal with renting for this cruise but I will probably do it again in later years.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I have read of the booking with DCL and then transferring the reservation to points but that's all I can input on the subject. As suggested I'd call MS and talk to them again or maybe even DCL. They should know if that can be done also.

 

[KENNYBOT]

I am currently holding a cruiise reservation with dollars. Then I can convert later to points. That way I don't commit the points to the cruise line in case I decise not to do the cruise.

 

[Cmbar]

I am currently holding a cruiise reservation with dollars. Then I can convert later to points. That way I don't commit the points to the cruise line in case I decise not to do the cruise.

Thank you. That is the other thing the CM told me that we won't lose the 95 fee if we know exactly which cruise we want and have a reservation already secured for our cabin. She said once we convert and pay the fee, it will cost another $95 dollare fee to change a cruise date.

I wrote to DVC, so we will see if they write back and confirm what the MS rep said.

KennyBot have you done this before? Did you simply book online with DCL for a category and cabin you wanted. The MS rep said I would just put down the deposit and then that would be refunded to me when we transfer to points. Sound right? Thank you!

 

[Sparkie]

Hi all, I have questions about booking a cruise using points.

1. MS just told me that the cruise we want to go on next year on the dream has limited DVC availability, but to go online and book directly with DCL and then have the reservation transfered to MS and then I can use my points. Has anyone done this? Is this as easy as it sounds?

2. We mentioned that we would be on the Magic in a few months and she said to wait until we were on the Magic and book the Dream cruise with them, again getting whatever category we want that is available and then when we got home call within three days and book with MS for a Point Discount. Anyone ever done this? This sounds interesting.

3. If we book now with a cash reservation deposit to secure a room can we rebook on the October Cruise to be entitled to a discount (hopefully via points as mentioned above) ?

4. I assume no onboard credits will be available on a DVC points cruise.

5. On our upcoming Magic cruise for which we paid cash, Will we be recognized as DVC members and get some stateroom gifts? I have heard about possibly getting some Lanyards as gifts. I am just not sure how they know we are DVC members. Any other perks on the ship for being a member?

Thanks so much, this is our first cruise after becoming members!

We just did exactly what you are talking about.

We did a cruise in April on the Wonder. Had put a cash deposit on a cruise. Then attended the DVC presentation and became members. After I got home, called member services and asked about the onboard booking discounts. I couldnt book right away... had to wait for my paperwork to clear. After everything was official, I called member services back. Told them which cruise I was looking at - 4 night on the Dream in October. Since I already had a reservation on hold with DCL, member services put me on hold, had my DCL reservation transferred to DVC and I booked on points. I did lose my OBC, and had to also transfer my reseration from Dreams Unlimited to DCL and then to DVC so I lost the Dreams Unlimited OBC as well but I booked 9 people in 3 rooms on points (511) and paid cash for one of the babies ($215). There is also an onboard booking cash discount.

A lot of people will tell you that booking a cruise on points is an expensive use of points. And it is unless you are booking with the onboard discount. We booked Cat. 11b, for 65 points for the first 2 people and then ?45 points for 3rd and 4th age 13 and up, and 31 points for a toddler.

You dont have to book everybody on points. At least one person has to be on points but the others you can choose to book on points or pay cash. This is what a lot of people with do. Points for first 2 people and then cash for the 3rd and 4th.

I booked everybody on points because when we joined DVC, we received 2009 and 2010 points for joining- that was the current promotion for joining onboard plus either a cash discount on the purchase price or "free" disney cruise. We took the cash discount.

I have since added my son to my reservation. Or made a new DVC/Disney Dream reservation. I had to make a separate reservation for him or I would lose the onboard booking discount on the other rooms. It was 108 points for 1 person in category 11b.

So all total... I used 619 points out of my 640 available.

Hope this was helpful.
I think if you could place a cash deposit on your cruise now with DCL. Do your planned Disney cruise, call when you get off the ship. Take advantage of the onboard booking discount. Have member services transfer your existing DCL reservation to DVC and book on points. I dont know about the DVC availablity portion of the question but I do know that you can transfer a cash ressie from DCL to DVC. Your cash deposit will be refunded. Just be sure you book the exact cruise that you want. Because not only would you have to pay the $95 booking fee again but if you make any changes to your DVC onboard booking, you lose the onboard booking discount because any changes are considered cancellations and are subject to rebooking. I'm certainly not an expert. I did make several calls to member services and asked lots of questions. Some of the guides were more helpful than others and would take more time to answer my questions. The point here is to call and ask. You could also call you member guide.

 

[gkrykewy]

Thanks for the tip about the DVC swag. We have a cash cruise next june bracketed by DVC stays in WDW, and i'll certainly try to make sure we get any and all swag to which we are entitled

 

[Cmbar]

We just did exactly what you are talking about.

We did a cruise in April on the Wonder. Had put a cash deposit on a cruise. Then attended the DVC presentation and became members. After I got home, called member services and asked about the onboard booking discounts. I couldnt book right away... had to wait for my paperwork to clear. After everything was official, I called member services back. Told them which cruise I was looking at - 4 night on the Dream in October. Since I already had a reservation on hold with DCL, member services put me on hold, had my DCL reservation transferred to DVC and I booked on points. I did lose my OBC, and had to also transfer my reseration from Dreams Unlimited to DCL and then to DVC so I lost the Dreams Unlimited OBC as well but I booked 9 people in 3 rooms on points (511) and paid cash for one of the babies ($215). There is also an onboard booking cash discount.

A lot of people will tell you that booking a cruise on points is an expensive use of points. And it is unless you are booking with the onboard discount. We booked Cat. 11b, for 65 points for the first 2 people and then ?45 points for 3rd and 4th age 13 and up, and 31 points for a toddler.

You dont have to book everybody on points. At least one person has to be on points but the others you can choose to book on points or pay cash. This is what a lot of people with do. Points for first 2 people and then cash for the 3rd and 4th.

I booked everybody on points because when we joined DVC, we received 2009 and 2010 points for joining- that was the current promotion for joining onboard plus either a cash discount on the purchase price or "free" disney cruise. We took the cash discount.

I have since added my son to my reservation. Or made a new DVC/Disney Dream reservation. I had to make a separate reservation for him or I would lose the onboard booking discount on the other rooms. It was 108 points for 1 person in category 11b.

So all total... I used 619 points out of my 640 available.

Hope this was helpful.
I think if you could place a cash deposit on your cruise now with DCL. Do your planned Disney cruise, call when you get off the ship. Take advantage of the onboard booking discount. Have member services transfer your existing DCL reservation to DVC and book on points. I dont know about the DVC availablity portion of the question but I do know that you can transfer a cash ressie from DCL to DVC. Your cash deposit will be refunded. Just be sure you book the exact cruise that you want. Because not only would you have to pay the $95 booking fee again but if you make any changes to your DVC onboard booking, you lose the onboard booking discount because any changes are considered cancellations and are subject to rebooking. I'm certainly not an expert. I did make several calls to member services and asked lots of questions. Some of the guides were more helpful than others and would take more time to answer my questions. The point here is to call and ask. You could also call you member guide.

Thank you so much! This is very encouraging. I have written to MS so we will see what they write back! I'll let everyone know.

 

[CarolAnnC]

I think the problem may be the limited DVC availability the CM mentioned. You will actually be cancelling the cash reservation (keep penalty periods in mind) and then rebooking with DVC.

If the DVC allotment is sold out by the time you want to transfer, how did they propose to do this for you? You are reserving a "cash" stateroom which is a different inventory from the DVC bookings on points. Just holding a particular stateroom number is not the issue.

For example, if you book the Grand Floridian on a cash reservation through CRO and decide you want to change it to points, that would be subject to availability on DVC points also - different inventory.

I would be very cautious, unless you are willing to go ahead with the cash booking worst case in order to keep your trip.

 

[AnnaS]

I have reserved cabins in the past with cash and then switched to points.

I also just called last week about this again. Normally I have my cruise booked for next year but having family members that are not well, I am afraid too.

I was told to book with cash and before the amount was due in full by DCL to switch to points. (I need to find out how far in advance DCL wants to be paid in full). I don't intent to pay for everyone with points. I am might be booking three cabins for this trip so we shall see. DH and I will probably pay with cash for our cabin so if I need to cancel, we can get a refund and not worry about points going into reservations. We shall see when we get back from our Vero and WDW vacation coming up.

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

I booked a 4-night Cruise on the Dream for May 15-19 through Member Services (using points) just last week. I didn't even know there was another way to do it! She didn't mention limited availability or anything....guess I just got lucky. Can't wait to go our our first Disney cruise!!

 

[anna08]

I haven't done this yet, but spoke last week with a "cruise" specialist through Member services. Was considering a cruise on points and she said that I could book online and put reservation on hold then contact MS and they would take over the reservation. I liked the sound of choosing my own stateroom and dining etc... instead of having MS do it.

 

[mocha1193]

Does anyone know if you get the DVC gifts, etc. if you don't use your points?