Cruising with Points vs Paying Cash?

[CorbsVWL]

I'm sure that this question has been asked many times before but I apologize because I can't seem to find any recent posts...

What is the thought on booking a cruise on points versus cash?
Is it significantly more cost beneficial to do it one way versus the other?

Is there any advantage/disadvantage (other than cost) to booking with points/cash?

We'd like to plan a cruise for 2006 and are trying to decide whether to dedicate next year's points to the cruise or maybe rent them and pay cash?

Any advise would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[CarolMN]

Many here believe cruising on points to be a less economical choice than paying cash. They say that you can rent your points, pay cash for the cruise with the proceeds, and have $$ left over.

Some other considerations:

*Those who book with points can only book 11 months in advance. Cash cruisers can book farther ahead than that - thus some of the more desirable cabins may be gone by the time you are able to book.

*Not all the cabin categories are available for points.

*Sometimes there are "special credits/perks" available to cash customers that are not available to points customers.

*Be aware of the cancellation/change policies. No matter when you cancel with points, you forfeit the "exchange fee" (believe it is currently $75, but it may be $95 - can't remember). Changes in departure dates or cabins (if you request the change) almost always result in another "exchange fee".

Note also that the cancelled points become "reservation"points. That means those points can NOT be used to stay at a DVC resort or for an exchange via II. They can only be used for one of the options in the Disney Collection (which includes the DCL), the Adventurers' Collection or the Conceirge Collection.


HTH. Best wishes -

 

[DISNEYMOMx5]

Two years ago we decided to book a cruise with points. We have 5 children, so the amount of points was substantial, even for a 3 day cruise. We ended up having to cancel, lost the $75 fee, & had quite a few points that needed to be used. Fortunately, we ended up having the time of our lives staying in connecting rooms at AKL & then totally splurging w/ 2 rooms at the YC Concierge! We would probably never stay this way again, not a real efficient use of points, but it sure was fun!!

Recently, we booked a cruise paying cash for December. For 3 nts, 2 CAT 10 connecting rooms, we got a rate of $2512 plus $50 shipboard credits for each room b/c we booked w/ Disney Visa. We thought this was wonderful b/c pointwise, we have been at approximately 415 pts (this is going by 2003 pts, sorry) which at $10 per point is quite a bit more. In addition, we are using points instead to extend our trip by 4 days at the BCV after our cruise. I have to say, I feel much more comfortable doing it this way. JMO, tho. Enjoy whatever you do!!

 

[OKW Gram]

My experience of points vs cash - I just returned from the 3 night Bahama cruise on the Wonder in early February. I booked the cruise 2 weeks prior to the departure date with icruise.com. The rate for two adults was $815.00 plus a service charge of $14.00. We booked the cheapest rate rooms on the ship (I believe it was a category 11). To our most pleasant surprise we were upgraded to a category 9 (huge window in an outside room). This didn't cost us any additional money. When we picked up our documents at the port that was the room assigned to us.

The past 4 times I have gone on the 3 night Bahama cruise I always did it using my points. The point rate for the same room we paid $815.00 for would have been 82 points each = 164 points (the current years point chart). At the current assumed value of approx $10.00 point that would relate to $1640.00 if my points were used. And I can tell you from experience you are NOT upgraded unless you pay a significant amount of dollars.

So obviously whenever I book future cruises I will book them online as I did. Another odd thing was that I called Disney Cruise Line for the same cruise and the price they quoted me was $900.00 and some dollars EACH. I can't figure that one out - why Disney wouldn't have the same deals that an online company can offer. I do believe the price Disney quoted was for a Veranda room, as they said they didn't have any category 11 rooms available.

I have since looked at the icruise website to check on prices for cruises later this year. I'm interested in taking my grandchildren on a cruise and I found some dates where the cost per child is only $133.00 each. I don't think you can get a rate that low from Disney.

So you may want to look at their site and see what the dollar amount would be for your family. At least it would be something to measure whether you are paying the standard amount, or more or less.

Good luck and enjoy the cruise - I love that 3 night Bahama cruise. The best part is that you're cruising and getting all your meals included for the 2 most expensive nights to stay in the DVC properties (Friday and Saturday).

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by OKW Gram
So obviously whenever I book future cruises I will book them online as I did. Another odd thing was that I called Disney Cruise Line for the same cruise and the price they quoted me was $900.00 and some dollars EACH. I can't figure that one out - why Disney wouldn't have the same deals that an online company can offer. I do believe the price Disney quoted was for a Veranda room, as they said they didn't have any category 11 rooms available.

Some cruise groups book cheap cabins early then let you have them when you call or online. It's much the same as a car dealer having a car on the lot from before a price increase. If they have a cabin they will be stuck with, they may let it go for less, sounds like the case here. DCL does the same thing in a different way by giving FL residents a large discount late to fill up cruises that would otherwise have open cabins.

 

[eva]

You are going to have a lot of varying opinions on this one. We have to reevaluate the cost everytime. We are going in May and used points for our cat. 6 cabin for DH and myself because it was about the same price whether we rented the points and paid cash or used points. But we paid cash for the cat. 11 that we reserved for DD and MIL. It was much cheaper to pay cash then points for that particular cabin in low season. A lot will depend on the time of year you go and which cabin you want.

 

[CorbsVWL]

Eva,

We are probably looking at going in January or February.
There will be a total of 4 of us traveling in my immediate family- (DD-age 6, DS-age 5).
We were considering a Cat 4 or 5 room because DW needs an outside room.

I wouldn't rule out additional family joining in but I think they'd have to get their own rooms due to size - right?

Any further thoughts based on our preliminary plans?

Thanks!

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by CorbsVWL
Eva,

We are probably looking at going in January or February.
There will be a total of 4 of us traveling in my immediate family- (DD-age 6, DS-age 5).
We were considering a Cat 4 or 5 room because DW needs an outside room.

I wouldn't rule out additional family joining in but I think they'd have to get their own rooms due to size - right?

Any further thoughts based on our preliminary plans?

Thanks!

January and early to mid February seem to be much cheaper times for DCL and many cruise lines.

 

[Steamboat Bill]

My family has been on the 4 day cruise, the 7 day Eastern, and the 7 day Western cruises on both ships.

My only suggestion is to take a 7 day cruise if you can afford it. Believe me that this will be a special trip. The 3-4 days are fine but it goes much too fast.

I hear Disney will soon offer a 10 day cruise and that would be even better.

The Disney Private island is the best...too bad Disney does not spend two days there.