Cruise on Points and Cash

[islandtimect]

Where can I find info on paying for a cruise using both cash and points? Is it a good idea to book the cruise this way if you only have 160 pts?

 

[Dean]

Where can I find info on paying for a cruise using both cash and points? Is it a good idea to book the cruise this way if you only have 160 pts?

It is not a good deal. You have to pay for one adult with points then any cash portion is due at the time of booking. The cash price is a discounted rack rate, usually a fair amount more than the early booking discounts. If you have to cancel, the points are not DVC points but are reservations points and must be used for non DVC and non II options by the end of the UY.

 

[CraftyMouse]

Although it isn't always the best deal, we have done it. You must pay for the first adult with points and then you can split the remaining passengers between points and cash as you wish. Each person must be paid for with all-points or all-cash though, so plan accordingly.

There is a $95 fee for booking the cruise through Member Services (must be done to use points) and all of the cash portion will be due at the time of booking. Also, as Dean said, if for any reason you have to cancel this reservation the points will not be usable at the DVC resorts. They will be considered reservations points and must be used outside of the DVC resorts (DCL, Disneyland, etc.).

Even though using points/cash for the cruise is not the most bang for your buck, booking in this method can sometimes mean the difference between cruising and not cruising. Each member has to decide which option is best for them. We tend to book our cruises for the cash price (as early as possible to get the Early Booking discount) instead of using points, but we've done it both ways.

 

[DIZBOUND]

How early can you book using cash?

 

[CraftyMouse]

How early can you book using cash?

It all depends on when they release the dates. For our last cruise I booked in February '06 for a December '08 sailing, so it was 22 months in advance. With DCL, the longer you wait to book the more you will pay. The best prices are given to those who book the earliest. The prices go up as the ship fills. DCL does not offer specials or discounts very often, and when they do it is usually to Florida residents and Disney CMs only. Occasionally they do discount some sailings, but it usually doesn't happen until a few months before the sailing and the discounts are always for the lowest category of cabin (Cat. 12 - Standard Inside Cabin).