Can I? question about a cruise

[sara mom]

I have not been able to find the answer to this in my DVC books. We are thinking of another cruise for our family of 4 and don't have enough points in this use year to pay for one of the adults (I know that I cold borrow points), but can I use points to pay for one of the kids' fares? (1 of the 4 people going)


It may just work out better to rent our points and use that money towards OOP cost for the trip...I'm just trying to figure out my options.

Thanks!!

 

[erionm]

If you use ponts for one passenger, it will be to same number of points regardless of age.

 

[sara mom]

The points sheet reads that passengers 1 and 2 for the particular sailing that we are looking at (Fantasy, Western itinerary, depart 11/10/12) are between 195 and 199. Points for additional passengers ages 6-12 are 123.

The info on the side tells me about the $95 exchange fee and may not be available on all sailings, etc, but no mention on who has to use points.

 

[erionm]

If you use points for one passenger, it will be the first passenger.

 

[MouseMomx2]

You must use points for at least one adult per stateroom. After that you can pay for each additional passenger with points or cash as you see fit. Each person's fare must be paid completely with cash or points, but it is up to you how to pay for each person after the first.

 

[k3chantal]

It takes less points for children than it does for adults. We went on the Wonder to the Mexican Riviera last October. I think I just recently through away how the points worked out or I would post them for you to see. We were a party of 5. Two adults and children ranging in age from 11, 8, and 2. The two year old took very little points.

I am glad you posted this though because I could easily see using a combination of points and cash in the future. We had the best vacation ever!

 

[Dean]

It takes less points for children than it does for adults. We went on the Wonder to the Mexican Riviera last October. I think I just recently through away how the points worked out or I would post them for you to see. We were a party of 5. Two adults and children ranging in age from 11, 8, and 2. The two year old took very little points.

I am glad you posted this though because I could easily see using a combination of points and cash in the future. We had the best vacation ever!

Points costs generally reflect the contract price. Compared to early booking discount prices, think generally around $6.50 per points. The kids are less points because they're cheaper. It's generally not that they're a better return on points.

 

[k3chantal]

Points costs generally reflect the contract price. Compared to early booking discount prices, think generally around $6.50 per points. The kids are less points because they're cheaper. It's generally not that they're a better return on points.

We didn't think we were getting a better return on our points other than we were happy that children do not use as many points. If they did use as many points as the first two adults, the amount of points would be prohibited for the average DVC member I believe.
I was just explaining to the OP, what happens when you use your points for DCL not trying to open the discussion on the value of using your points for DCL; that discussion is a 'buzz kill'.

 

[Dean]

We didn't think we were getting a better return on our points other than we were happy that children do not use as many points. If they did use as many points as the first two adults, the amount of points would be prohibited for the average DVC member I believe.
I was just explaining to the OP, what happens when you use your points for DCL not trying to open the discussion on the value of using your points for DCL; that discussion is a 'buzz kill'.

Your post implied otherwise, just wanted to make sure that those that read realized that fact.

 

[k3chantal]

Your post implied otherwise, just wanted to make sure that those that read realized that fact.

I re-read my original post. I literally meant that you do use less actual points on children, just like I wrote. You are the one that is deriving additional meaning from my post.

Perhaps the problem is that I enjoyed my vacation and there is value, for me, in loving what I am doing. Therefore, I will most likely use my points for a cruise again. The fact that it is not the best monetary use is inconsequential to me if the enjoyment factor was over any other vacation I have ever had. It was worth every point.

That would be the difference between a figurative or literal read of my post. I am posting literally, for the most part, just to clarify. And yes, I did add in my original post and this one, an emotional 'add on' that I would do it again, because I would, which might have confuse you on my intent and my understanding on how I am using my points..

 

[zavandor]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but if you pay for a passenger with points, when you pay for others with cash, you pay rack rates, so you would not be able to get any discount that usually comes up for cruises. Depending on the size of the discount, you might end paying almost the same amount in cash if you pay everyone with cash or one with points and others with cash.

 

[dzorn]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but if you pay for a passenger with points, when you pay for others with cash, you pay rack rates, so you would not be able to get any discount that usually comes up for cruises. Depending on the size of the discount, you might end paying almost the same amount in cash if you pay everyone with cash or one with points and others with cash.

It is not necessarily rack rate but a pre determinded contract price with DVC.

Denise in MI

 

[sue]

You must use points for at least one adult per stateroom. After that you can pay for each additional passenger with points or cash as you see fit. Each person's fare must be paid completely with cash or points, but it is up to you how to pay for each person after the first.

I just booked our party of 4 people on the Fantasy and there was no indication that one adult had to use points in the stateroom. We paid cash for the first two adults in our stateroom and used points for the two kids in our stateroom. DVC/ Disney Cruiseline said you can used points for anyone you wish, it is only required that if you DO use points you have to pay using all points or all cash for each individual. In other words you can't use points and cash for one someone. It has to be all cash or all points.

 

[Dean]

I just booked our party of 4 people on the Fantasy and there was no indication that one adult had to use points in the stateroom. We paid cash for the first two adults in our stateroom and used points for the two kids in our stateroom. DVC/ Disney Cruiseline said you can used points for anyone you wish, it is only required that if you DO use points you have to pay using all points or all cash for each individual. In other words you can't use points and cash for one someone. It has to be all cash or all points.

Either the policy has changed or you got lucky.

 

[Dean]

I re-read my original post. I literally meant that you do use less actual points on children, just like I wrote. You are the one that is deriving additional meaning from my post.

Perhaps the problem is that I enjoyed my vacation and there is value, for me, in loving what I am doing. Therefore, I will most likely use my points for a cruise again. The fact that it is not the best monetary use is inconsequential to me if the enjoyment factor was over any other vacation I have ever had. It was worth every point.

That would be the difference between a figurative or literal read of my post. I am posting literally, for the most part, just to clarify. And yes, I did add in my original post and this one, an emotional 'add on' that I would do it again, because I would, which might have confuse you on my intent and my understanding on how I am using my points..

I'm sorry if you took offense but I believe your post could be interpreted by others to mean that one could get a better value using points for kids, clearly you didn't intend that since you've clarified your intent. I wanted to be sure that others that read this thread didn't take it that way.

 

[disneyfool_1202]

We did a Dream cruise last year (5 night) and used points for DH and I and paid cash for the kids. It worked out to cost less when we looked at the dollar amount per point that WE paid vs. what the cash dollar amount was for the kids.
I think the value depends on what you pay per point vs. the cash of the trip which would depend on cruise, length of stay, dates, etc...

 

[ltktmk]

I was under the impression that using DVC pts for Disney Cruises was not a good exchange value.

 

[k3chantal]

I was under the impression that using DVC pts for Disney Cruises was not a good exchange value.

There are a lot of people on these boards who have made spread sheets and figured out all of the monetary reasons why it isn't a good exchange value but for those of us who do choose to use our points this way, the 'good exchange value' is calculated on many different factors.

For my family the reasons were:
1. We could leave out of the Port of LA and not have to fly there. There was no way with a two year old we were getting on an airplane to fly to DW / six months earlier we had flown with her to Hawaii and well, everyone was glad when the flight was over; in addition, every time we go to DW, airline costs have to be part of the 'good exchange value'. Right now, to get my family of five to DW it runs around $2500.00.

2. Simply put we did not have the 'cash' to pay for the cruise at the time of booking and we needed to use some points or lose them.

3. My husband wanted to try something we had never done before so it was our first experience on a cruise.

3. We did not realize that we could rent our points and use that cash to pay for it. Still not sure I would do that because of the additional steps and my time has to be factored into the equation. Working with a DVC CM to book my cruise was painless and she helped me figure out the best room configuration for our family using the points.

Would I do it again? Yes, regardless of the fact that the 'monetary exchange value' is not as good as just going to a DW DVC resort. (I would like to see the numbers run with airline tickets factored in though.) Why would I do this again? We had a blast. My boys when asked which they would choose DW or a Disney cruise, say the cruise every time. It's not that they don't love DW or DL but they loved the freedom the ship allows the kids, the food and the activities.

 

[Dean]

I was under the impression that using DVC pts for Disney Cruises was not a good exchange value.

You generally get between $6-$7.50 per point compared to early booking discounts generally often it's less than $6.75. IMO, that is not a good return of value, others will have to make up their own mind for what they'll accept. When you can EASILY get $10 a point or more, it's a no brainer to me, esp given the number of points and risks of reserving with points. The risks of using points for a cruise far outweighs those of renting if done well in advance, IMO. One should look at the specifics so you have the facts as it pertains to a given situation, there may be exceptions.

 

[rillsung]

We used points for 1ad, 2ch and paid cash for the other ad. We also had points to use or lose. The risks for renting outweighed using them for the cruise, especially since DH read in the contract that renting is prohibited.