booking DCL with DVC points

[ellenmiele]

DH has at last agreed that it's time to cruise and we might use some or all our DVC points to do it. But I've been waiting a long time for this and I've done alot of homework so I know what staterooms I want. Does anyone know if there are only certain staterooms available to be booked with points or can any available room be requested? Is it true that if point are used in conjunction with cash that payment is required in full at time of booking - or is there a future date by which final payment must be made (like if you book on the DCL website)?
And in the DVC book it says "members cannot book and travelon the Disney collection vacations withing the last 4 months of their use year" - that's the rule of four? what does that mean exactly? For instance, if my use year is June and I'm thinking about a cruise in June do I have to book it by Feb 1st or Feb 28th or 4 mos before the trip (ie Feb 19th if i want to travel June 19th)?
And what are the cruise cancellation policies usually like - same as other resorts? The DVC book just says "subject to change without notice"? DH is a lawyer so stuff like that gets him a little freaky.

Thanks for the info!

 

[Zoom]

I think you can book any kind of stateroom as long as its available. Yes you have to pay in full at the time of booking if using points with cash. You have to book your cruise at least 4 mons out before your UY ends. We are also thinking of using our points to cruise in '09 but points went up quite a bit compared to '07-'08 point charts.

 

[AnimalPrincess]

From my experience you can not split cash and points for one person but can use points for you and cash for DH for example. We were 2 points short for a higher state room level and were not allowed to pay for the rest in cash. hth

 

[Dean]

You must pay one adult on points and then you can pay the rest on points or cash as long as you pay each person in total with one or the other. Any cash portion is based on the contract rate and usually somewhat higher than the early booking price. All is due at the time of booking. If you cancel the points are reservation points and expire at the end of the use year and cannot be banked or used for DVC reservation. Unless you have points to burn, it may not be the best way to make the reservation, you may do better on just cash. Look at each option and your situation and compare real numbers to decide what's best for you.