Cruise- points and cash?

[TinkGirl]

I may be booking a cruise for next summer. I know it is not the best use of DVC points, but with kids in college anything can help! Are we able to pay for one or two people with points and the rest cash? If yes, does anyone know if the points portion would cover guest 1 and 2 (anything after is cheaper)? For those with experience on the Dream, would 5 people in a deluxe oceanview with verandah drive us nuts? I am guessing we won't be spending tons of time in the room. We are used to our 2 bedroom villas on vacation now! I will also post on the cruise forum.

 

[com_op_2000]

I may be booking a cruise for next summer. I know it is not the best use of DVC points, but with kids in college anything can help! Are we able to pay for one or two people with points and the rest cash? If yes, does anyone know if the points portion would cover guest 1 and 2 (anything after is cheaper)? For those with experience on the Dream, would 5 people in a deluxe oceanview with verandah drive us nuts? I am guessing we won't be spending tons of time in the room. We are used to our 2 bedroom villas on vacation now! I will also post on the cruise forum.

Points MUST be paid for the first person in a cabin, if you are going to use them.
2 people in a state room - one on points and one on cash or two people on points
3 people in a state room - one on points and two on cash, two on points and one on cash, or three on points
4 people in a state room - one on points and three on cash, two on points and two on cash, three on points and one on cash, or four on points

 

[erionm]

Any cash portion (plus the $95 transaction fee) would be due in full when the reservation is made.

 

[rillsung]

Something else to consider is that if you use points for part of the room, the others in the room would pay the DVC stateroom negotiated rate, which is often higher than what you would see if you go to the DCL website. We did DH, and 2 kids on points and me in cash for a cruise we just did.

 

[Dean]

Something else to consider is that if you use points for part of the room, the others in the room would pay the DVC stateroom negotiated rate, which is often higher than what you would see if you go to the DCL website. We did DH, and 2 kids on points and me in cash for a cruise we just did.

For a family of 4 and compared to early booking discounts, one can often do all cash for close to the price of one on points and 3 on cash. One should look at the specifics of their individual cruise but make sure you compared to early booking prices, not shorter term prices or at least understand the difference.

 

[TinkGirl]

So would prices found online at DCL site for July 2013 be considered the early booking prices?

 

[TinkGirl]

Here is what we may do: Pay cash for me, my husband, and daughter in a category 7A stateroom. Book an inside room on points for both my boys. Would we get the regular cash rate for the 7A if nobody is on points in that particular room? It seems a little complicated to have to book one room with MS and one with DCL. Anybody done this?

 

[erionm]

So would prices found online at DCL site for July 2013 be considered the early booking prices?

They would be the current prevailing rates which may have increased since they were first became bookable.

Here is what we may do: Pay cash for me, my husband, and daughter in a category 7A stateroom. Book an inside room on points for both my boys. Would we get the regular cash rate for the 7A if nobody is on points in that particular room? It seems a little complicated to have to book one room with MS and one with DCL. Anybody done this?

Any staterooms not booked with points would have to booked directly with DCL (or a TA) and would be at the current rates. The reservation for each stateroom must have a person that is 18 years of age or older.

 

[TinkGirl]

Ok. I want to make sure the rooms are close. I am hoping availability doesn't change in the time it takes to book the first reservation with ms and the second with dcl. Maybe availability is not such a huge issue minute by minute like it gets with the DVC resorts. My boys will be 20 and 18 so they should be good on their own.

 

[TinkGirl]

Can the two reservations be linked since we are only immediate family?

 

[erionm]

Can the two reservations be linked since we are only immediate family?

Yes, the cruise reservations can be linked. You would want them linked so that you get the same table for dinner.

You can link reservations even if not family. On our Dream cruise last month, we linked our two rooms to my co-workers three rooms so we could all dine together. We had a total of 11 seated at two 6-tops that were pushed together.

 

[Dean]

Can the two reservations be linked since we are only immediate family?

You should ask on the cruise board but in the past I believe people were able to book with cash and transfer to points. I think some have done a 3 way call with DVC and DCL as well.

So would prices found online at DCL site for July 2013 be considered the early booking prices?

I'm not sure if they've gone up or not but my guess is they have. Of course this time is not regular but Peak when there tends to be less discounts.

 

[TinkGirl]

All worked out great. I ended up contacting a ta since they offered shipboard credit. (Dreams Unlimited) my rep put a room on hold and let us know exactly which staterooms would be close. I called ms nd booked one. Easy.