Cruising on Cash plus Points

[kahluacream]

I'm hoping to hear from anyone who knows how this works. For a family of 4, could you use points for the first passenger and then cash for the rest? Is the cash rate discounted for DVC members like the DVC resorts sometimes are? Or is it the "rack rate" at the time of booking? Are there any advantages/disadvantages to booking a cruise through MS as opposed to using a travel agent or going directly through Disney?

Sorry so many questions. I'd appreciate any advice or input from the DVC experts!

 

[Esteri]

Don't know how much of an expert I am. We've only done this once. Used points for myself and DH, and paid cash for the kids. We had to pay in full at the time the reservation was made. I believe it was the rack rate. There were a few sepcial goodies and a party for DVC members while we were on board. It was nice to get the recognition.

We're booked for a second cruise and I went through a TA for it. (It was sold out the day it opened for booking, so there was no chance to get a room through DVC.) We'll rent out points to help finance the cruise this time. I'm getting better service from the TA than from MS - probably because she knows how to "work" DCL a bit better than MS. I doubt we'll be invited to any of the DVC events since they won't know that we're there.

It's probably 6 of one, half dozen of the other.

Sorry not to be more helpful.

 

[CarolMN]

I'm hoping to hear from anyone who knows how this works. For a family of 4, could you use points for the first passenger and then cash for the rest?

Yes. Only one person per cabin has to pay with points to book through MS. You must pay either cash or points for the same person - you can't pay partial points and make up the rest with cash for the same person. The first two people in the cabin pay the adult price whether it is points or cash.

Is the cash rate discounted for DVC members like the DVC resorts sometimes are? Or is it the "rack rate" at the time of booking?

The cash price is the one DVC negotiated with the DCL. Depending on when you book the cruise, the DVC cash rate could be more or less than what the DCL or a Travel Agent is currently advertising.

Are there any advantages/disadvantages to booking a cruise through MS as opposed to using a travel agent or going directly through Disney?

To me, the biggest disadvantages are the cancellation policy and the change fees. If you cancel the cruise, the points are returned to your account in reservation status. Points in reservation status can't be used to book a stay at a DVC resort and expire at the end of the use year - no banking allowed.

When you book through MS, you pay a fee of $75. Most changes after that require you to pay another $75 fee.

Sorry so many questions. I'd appreciate any advice or input from the DVC experts!

I'm not an expert on cruising, so I'm hoping some others will post - I'm sure there are more disadvantages of booking through MS and there MUST be at least one advantage, LOL.

 

[Dean]

I'd agree with Carol but add that the first person on points must be at the adult rate and second that the cancellation policy and risk to the points is the largest negative. I'd emphasize one thing slightly differently and that is that the negotiated price is almost always significantly more than the early booking discount on all but the most expensive of cabins that are generally not discounted much or any otherwise. You should compare both to see exactly where you stand on a direct comparison in terms of cancellation risk and actually price plus points.

 

[soarin'family]

we like to use as many points as possible for our cruises. it hurts the wallet a whole lot less...we are already paying a couple hundred a month for our points...why not use them? Just my opinion.

amy

 

[kahluacream]

I'd agree with Carol but add that the first person on points must be at the adult rate and second that the cancellation policy and risk to the points is the largest negative.

Carol and/or Dean-- Do you know if buying trip insurance can help with this possible risk? In other words, if the trip is cancelled due to a child unexpectedly becoming very sick the day before a cruise, would our money be refunded and points restored due to the insurance coverage?

we like to use as many points as possible for our cruises. it hurts the wallet a whole lot less...we are already paying a couple hundred a month for our points...why not use them? Just my opinion.

amy

You think like I do!!! That's why I'd like to use some points for the cruise.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Trip insurance through DCL will provide you with $5 per point reimbursement for covered catastrophies. They do not reinstate your points.

I have booked the cruises many times using DVC points and love the fact that I can reserve in a close time frame and not pay more as I would with cash. Cash reservations will be subject to the booking tiers which provide you the best savings a year or more in advance. We just can't book that far ahead, so the DVC points give us the most flexibility.

 

[Dean]

we like to use as many points as possible for our cruises. it hurts the wallet a whole lot less...we are already paying a couple hundred a month for our points...why not use them? Just my opinion.

amy

In the long run it'd actually hurt the wallet even less if you simply had less points or rented out the extra point and paid cash for the cruises using the early booking discount. The added benefit would be extra protection and additional flexibility over using points for non DVC stays. But your points you can do with them what you feel comfortable.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

Trip insurance through DCL will provide you with $5 per point reimbursement for covered catastrophies. They do not reinstate your points.

I have booked the cruises many times using DVC points and love the fact that I can reserve in a close time frame and not pay more as I would with cash. Cash reservations will be subject to the booking tiers which provide you the best savings a year or more in advance. We just can't book that far ahead, so the DVC points give us the most flexibility.

seeing you say youve booked many times with dvc, can you give any advice (maybe how many points i would be looking at for the dec 27th2008 cruise, for three ppl (would like the navgators balcony. if its much cheaper id take just ocian view

I havent bought dvc yet i am in september but trying to get all my ducks in order lol. how much diffrince is cash from points (money wise)

 

[CarolAnnC]

You can book the DCL with points 11 months prior to your trip so it would be too early for December 2008.

For cash prices, check online at disneycruise.com and you can plug in your information for pricing. Or, contact Dreams Unlimited Travel, the sponsor of these boards who can also provide you with a quote.

Like I said I never book far in advance, so not sure what the difference would be. Early booking tiers will definitely give you the best cash prices. I almost always book my cruises close to sail dates. But, purchasing DVC is definitely primarily for WDW trips, and not the best value for only cruises. I am lucky enough to have enough points to not only enjoy several WDW trips each year, but also a once or twice yearly cruise.

I will say I have never regretting my decision to purchase, and only wish I had done so earlier than I did (in 1997).

 

[CarolMN]

seeing you say youve booked many times with dvc, can you give any advice (maybe how many points i would be looking at for the dec 27th2008 cruise, for three ppl (would like the navgators balcony. if its much cheaper id take just ocian view

I havent bought dvc yet i am in september but trying to get all my ducks in order lol. how much diffrince is cash from points (money wise)

Sounds like you might like to look at the 2008 point charts for DCL cruises. You'll find them in this thread:

2008 DCL Point Charts

Scroll down to post #7 for the links to the various charts.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

wow thanks.. im gona have to figuer out how to get more points.. or pay some cash for the new years one next year.. umm ok dec 1st is gona be my y2date. so next december can I borrow from the dec next (2009) thats three years. bank dec2007-2008) 2008dec 27th go on cruise) and bowwor 2009 points??

and then in 2009 could some one borrow from 2010?)

 

[CarolMN]

wow thanks.. im gona have to figuer out how to get more points.. or pay some cash for the new years one next year.. umm ok dec 1st is gona be my y2date. so next december can I borrow from the dec next (2009) thats three years. bank dec2007-2008) 2008dec 27th go on cruise) and bowwor 2009 points??

and then in 2009 could some one borrow from 2010?)

Yes. You can bank your 2007 points into 2008. You can borrow 2009 points into 2008. Then you would have 3 years' worth of points to take a cruise sometime during your 2008 use year (which runs from 12/1/2008 - 11/30/2009). I interpreted your post to mean you have a December use year.

If you wanted to take a vacation in your 2009 use year (12/1/2009 through 11/30/2010), you could borrow points from your 2010 use year (12-1-2010 through 11/30/2011)

At some point, you are either going to have to skip a year (gasp!) or add on.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

yes yes thank you verry much.
I will probley add on diering my summer payment (from my dads death) or taxs time) in 2009

 

[JadeDarkstar]

umm dose any one know if you pay for one person with points if you can pay for the secound adult with cash (but not just cahs, part points part cash? (or can we buy the secound guest ticket on one the sell sites.?

 

[CarolAnnC]

Yes, you can book your stateroom with one adult on DVC points, and the remaining passenger(s) on cash. The first two passengers in a stateroom are charged adult fares regardless of their age.

The cash price will be a prearranged price that DVC has contracted with Disney Cruise Line. It is not the lowest possible price, but not the highest either. The prices do change each year. I have done this in the past and found it to work out nicely.

When booking this with Member Services you would need to pay the cash fares in full at that time, and also (currently) a $75 exchange fee to use the points.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

i was told i can pay deposit and make payments. as long as its paid in full by cruise date.

And thanks for the info. (see im gona go on the cruise and then go to animal villa's after the cruise) dose any one know when disney takes down all christmas decrations (i was hopeing its like mid jan or feb

 

[CarolMN]

Just to clarify - you cannot mix points and cash for the same person. Each individual must be either all points or all cash.

Christmas decorations are usually all gone by the end of the first or second weekend in January. For 2009, based on past patterns, I'd expect them to be gone shortly after Sunday January 4.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

ok well thats good then i would have at least one or two days with them still up, maybe ill be lucky and the 4 days i visit there be up lol

and ok dose being a dvc get us a prety nice discount on cruise (cash) jsu7t trying get all ducks in order lol

 

[TenThousandVolts]

JadeDarkstar- unfortunately DVC members get no discount on DCL cruises- maybe someday- but not now, and no indication that it is coming. Also- as others have said, look carefully at the cost of your points and the number of points you will be using plus the transaction fee ($95 or $75 I think) vs. a good deal on a cash DCL booking.
A good site to look at cash prices is allseastravel.com