Cruise Points and Cash questions

[CarolA]

First I KNOW that a cruise is not the best use of points, but I may do it anyway.

Now that we have that settled.

I posted this question on the cruise board, but then realized that probably one of you had tried to do this before! I am looking at partially giving my family a cruise for XMAS. I would pay for two adults with points and my brother and I would split the cost of two adults and two kids.

Since I want my brother and his kids to have the bigger room I was thinking I would use points for his room and pay cash for the kids. Can you do that?

Also, if we do this it looks like buying the cruise from a travel agent is a LOT cheaper then Disney (at lease based on thier website quotes!) So can I somehow "link" the TA reservation to the DVC reservation so we can be seated together at meals.

Also, how far in advance do you have to book a DVC crusie? I am looking at either a 12/14 or 12/18 sail date. Do you think I could still get it on points.

Thanks!

 

[mickeyc]

You should call MS and discuss it with them. Based upon your seniaro you can use a mix of points and cash.

In Jan. 2003 we booked the cruise using our points, which turned out to be a mistake. The day after we booked the cruise on points the cruise was steeply discounted. I discussed the issue with MS and they advised there was nothing they could do. We enjoyed the cruise and had a good time. However, if I had the choice in this circumstance I would have paid cash.

If you know when you want to go I would book as early as possible to ensure the accomdations you want. As you get closer to the sailing date it becomes more difficult. We sailed on the Disney Wonder and it was first class. Enjoy!!

 

[Dean]

Since you're planning on using points for two adults and paying cash, you need some information. Decide what categories you want then find out from DVC what the cash price would be for points for one adult for each room plus the cash for the rest. Then find out for each room what the points and cash combinations would be with 2 adults on points.

Once you have that, get a cash only quote for EACH of the room types and number in the room from Sam's, AAA, DU or similar. That way you'll have all the info to decide. Generally if you want a lower cabin you will save much more on cash than on say a Cat. 4 cabin which are usually not discounted that much. So you may be better paying points for the higher cabin and cash for the lower one.

 

[CarolA]

Actually Dean that is my plan. I think that my Brother's family will need "nicer" cabin then my Mom and I so I will use points for that and get one of the "discount" deals for myself.

Based on a review of the Disney site, my current idea is two adults on points in a level 6 or 7 (can't quite figure out which of theses sleeps 4) with two kids on cash in the same room.

I would then book a "cheaper" cabin for myself and my mom. Who knows what will actually happen? My brother and his wife are NOT good at planning ahead. (They wanted me to get them a room for Spring Break with 3 days notice!)

 

[geffric]

unless you want a room under the night club.


and then have fun

 

[ohiominnie]

We are just off a 4 day Wonder cruise. We used points for the two adults and paid cash for the two kids in a category 6 room with a verandah. It slept 4 (with a pull down berth)

Best use of points? That's a personal decision. We booked onboard for a 7 day cruise next may (all cash) and when we got home we figured the difference. IF we could rent all of our points that we *would* have used on the 7 day cruise, we'd "make" about $1000, but...that would mean less points to use for our land portion of the trip. This time, because we used points, we were limited to a studio and didn't like it too much. The part we missed most was the washer and dryer. So from now on I think we'll book with cash and save our points for a 1 or 2 bedroom on property.

Of course, I'm not sure I could have outlayed that much cash on a first cruise, so it was nice to have points to use. Now I know that the cruise is worth every penny!

HTH

 

[CarolA]

Well since I am single using a studio is not too big a hardship. LOL!
The worst part will be that I am borrowing from my 04 allotment! (This seems to be a trend!)

I thougth about trying to rent my points etc.. but the truth is I don't want to deal with renting the points. I know that it goes great in 90% of the cases, but I just don't want to deal with it!

One of the reasons I have done my add ons was to be able to take my friends and family so if I use these points for the cruise it will be what I intended to do with them anyway!