Cruise points

[deerh]

This is a question for those that use their points on the DCL. Is anyone worried?! about the increase in points each year for the Disney Cruise? We just returned from our cruise, and the points for 4 day were not bad. I am speaking of the 7 day cruise points. From 2001-2002, the cat 6 points went up 8 points\year. At this rate, in 10 years, that would be 298+ points for 1 person on this cruise! In 20 years (if the DCL is part of DVC that is), it would be 378 points for 1 person in that cat. 6. I know there are cheaper cabins, but these are for the verandadhs, and it seems that DCL is a BIG selling point for DVC, and with these increases, it seems that DVC will soon price everyone out of the cruise. I know, you can bank points, but with the avg? points of say 250\DVC member, that is 500 points for 2 years, and that would only buy 1 person! I know that the cruise is not the BEST use of points, but it sure seems contrary with all the people using points on the cruise from the cruise board! AND, add the fact that we all know Disney will add more cruise ships in the near future, and I for one do not think DVC would remove DCL from our getaways.... IMHO....
Any thoughts on this?
deerh

 

[Laurajean1014]

Just came back from DCL in June. Had a blast and was worth every point.

We used our points for the Magic. It came to 520 points??? for 2 adults and 1 child. We were on Deck 6 ~

It's well worth it.

 

[Scott5150]

Every year, the price (in points) of the cruise will go up. That is just basic economics. The only place where you will continue to get full value for your points is a DVC resort. They are fixed so that the same amount of points is used each year.

Its sorta like your mortgage. It costs the same each month until you pay it off, but you could lease your house for more every year due to inflation. There is no inflation in the DVC resorts, your points will always be worth what they buy today. But the will buy less every year for things outside of the DVC resorts.

I am on my 3rd cruise on points, and I know that in a few years, it wont make sense to cruise on points anymore.

Scott

 

[CarolAnnC]

Just a note here that the cash price for Disney Cruises has also gone up! Particularly with the new Western Carribbean route that is starting in May 2002. The cost of fuel has risen dramatically also, and the the new ports of call require new cost to the cruise line as well.

I have cruised on points and I think the value is very good since the cruise includes all meals, entertainment, transportation and room! That is my opinion, but I am cruising on cash next month since the Fall Fantasy Special was such a good deal!

 

[Werner Weiss]

The reservation points needed for a cruise will not necessarily go up every year.

Keep in mind that when you pay for a cruise with points, Disney recovers the cost of the cruise by renting out accomodations at a DVC resort, using your points, to nightly guests. Presumably Disney also makes a profit on the transaction, recovering somwhat more from the nightly guests than simply the value of the cruise.

Although the dollar cost of a Disney cruise (if you pay with real money) is likely to increase over time, the real money that Disney gets from renting out the DVC resort accomodations should similarly increase over time, as nightly room rates increase.

If the number of points required for a cruise goes up, it means one of two things:

• Either the yield that Disney gets for Disney Cruise cabins in going up faster than the yield for DVC resort accomodations
• Or Disney is increasing the profit that it makes on the transaction

Given the current economy, I believe the former is the case this year. All indications are that Disney Cruise bookings are strong, but that demand for WDW resort accomodations and theme park tickets isn't what it was last year.

Disney is free to set Reservation Point requirements for Disney Cruise Line, Concierge Collection, and WDW resorts (not DVC resorts) at whatever point level they want. (In comparison, DVC points are fixed to a real estate interest). But Disney has to be realistic in setting Reservation Point requirements, or there won't be many takers.

There may even be a time when the point requirements for a Disney Cruise go down -- especially if Disney Cruise launches additional ships and has a lot more staterooms to fill.