Cruise Question?

[3-MER]

We tried to book a cruise on short notice using our points and cash. The date that we wanted was April 26, DD12th birthday. We called member services and they said that we could not do it, the stateroom was not available. The cruise web site shows that we could pay cash for it? We called our guide and asked why we could not use our DVC points to book the cruise. She was very helpful and seemed as confused as we were. She elevated it to her manager. We received a call back saying that the cruise line overbooks. If we booked this vacation with cash, the cruise is overbooked and we would be shuffled? DVC woould not "buy" the room and give it to us because they could loose out on the exchange. Does this make sense? I thought that being a memeber had some perks, but the only advantage seems to be that you get to stay at a DVC property. Can anyone offer any advice or suggestions??

Thanks!

 

[Dean]

We tried to book a cruise on short notice using our points and cash. The date that we wanted was April 26, DD12th birthday. We called member services and they said that we could not do it, the stateroom was not available. The cruise web site shows that we could pay cash for it? We called our guide and asked why we could not use our DVC points to book the cruise. She was very helpful and seemed as confused as we were. She elevated it to her manager. We received a call back saying that the cruise line overbooks. If we booked this vacation with cash, the cruise is overbooked and we would be shuffled? DVC woould not "buy" the room and give it to us because they could loose out on the exchange. Does this make sense? I thought that being a memeber had some perks, but the only advantage seems to be that you get to stay at a DVC property. Can anyone offer any advice or suggestions??

Thanks!

Last I heard DCL only allotted so many cabins for DCL so it's entirely possible to be available cash but not on points or a combo.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Basically, as Dean said, and as is the case at DVC Resorts, the inventories for points bookings thru MS and cash bookings thru DCL are separate.

Booking on such short notice for the cruise line will probably not work using DVC points. Try to allow at least 3 months next time around.