Cruise Questions....

[lildeb724]

Hoping someone can help me understand how to book and use my points for a cruise.
I am interested in doing a 4 night cruise out of Port Canaveral in December of 2015. I want to book a category 4 room.
I know that the cruises have not been released for this time yet. But I am not sure what points I will be allowed to use. Here are the points I have available.
I have a March Use year
For 2014 I have 82 use year points and 28 banked from 2013
for 2015 I have my 175 points
For 2016 I have my 175 points.
When I book later this year when the cruise opens will I be able to use my 2013 points for the trip in 2015? Will I have to bank my 2014 points? Will I be able to borrow from 2016 when I am only booking in 2014? I think I am confused because I have never booked so far in advance. Also I think I will only have enough points to cover the two adults - Will I be able to pay for my kids?
Thanks in advance

 

[Dean]

Hoping someone can help me understand how to book and use my points for a cruise.
I am interested in doing a 4 night cruise out of Port Canaveral in December of 2015. I want to book a category 4 room.
I know that the cruises have not been released for this time yet. But I am not sure what points I will be allowed to use. Here are the points I have available.
I have a March Use year
For 2014 I have 82 use year points and 28 banked from 2013
for 2015 I have my 175 points
For 2016 I have my 175 points.
When I book later this year when the cruise opens will I be able to use my 2013 points for the trip in 2015? Will I have to bank my 2014 points? Will I be able to borrow from 2016 when I am only booking in 2014? I think I am confused because I have never booked so far in advance. Also I think I will only have enough points to cover the two adults - Will I be able to pay for my kids?
Thanks in advance

On the dream for 2014 (non holiday cruises) you'd be looking at around 230 points total for 2 people. Generally the cruise must be paid for within the UY of when the cruise falls. You could bank your 2014 points, use the 2015 and borrow any 2016 needed. Since this cruise may fall outside your reservation window for the 2015 UY (depending on UY and when you book), it's possible they let you use the banked points, 2014 and borrow the 2015 but they will not let you do both I do not believe. For 2 you're looking at a comparable cash price of around $1800-2000 depending on cabin and dates. Again 2014 for comparison. Earlier in Dec will be less, closer to the holidays once schools are out may be a little more. You should have enough to cover one child and possibly both depending on ages but you can pay cash for them though it is not the price you'll see listed when you look at cash.

Just remember that ANY changes cause an additional $95 fee and that once reserved, the points are essentially lost. One approach is to reserve with cash sooner then try to schedule with points later. That does run the risk you can't change over to points later though. You'll need to plan to use those banked points somewhere else in all likelihood.

 

[SnowWhite2]

One other point - if you pay for any of your kids with cash, the cash price is paid immediately. You cannot wait until 75 days prior to the cruise. Each person has to be paid in all points or all cash. You cannot combine points and cash for one person. Only one person needs to be booked on points.