DCL 04 points - 11 month window

[penguins_fan]

We want to plan a cruise using points for Jan 04 which could first be booked in Feb 03 with the 11 month window. I asked MS when the 04 points would be listed, they said March or April. Has anyone tried to book within the 11 month window but before points were listed? In prior years, when were the next calendar year points for DCL posted? I know DCL is different than DVC but it sure is featured prominently in the sales material. I see no reason why points can't be determined for any cruise in the 11 month window, especially since the DCL cash prices for cruises through April 04 have been available for months.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by penguins_fan
...(snip).... I see no reason why points can't be determined for any cruise in the 11 month window, especially since the DCL cash prices for cruises through April 04 have been available for months.

The points probably can be determined right now, but my theory is that you may not like the result. The number of points to cruise is negotiated between DCL and DVC. IMHO, it depends a lot on what DVC thinks it can get in cash by renting DVC accomodations.

There have been some pretty steep discounts (compared to past years) ofered for on site accomodations, including the DVC resorts. This started about the time of 9/11/01 and is continuing through at least the end of 2002. I think that is one major reason why the cost of the Disney Collection options took such a steep increase for 2002. Becasue of the discounts, DVC has had to rent more DVC rooms to recover the cost of Members' cruises.

I do not think the discounts will last forever. In fact, I wonder if the pace isn't already slowing down. Even though there are some AP rates out for January and the first part of February, there haven't been any codes for the general public released yet. I find that a bit unusual as many times this year, the codes were out in advance of the AP rates.

It's to the DVC Members advantage to have few cash discounts available for DVC rooms. If our rooms rent out mostly at rack rate, the point cost of our non-DVC options should go down. It might be better for us (DVC Members) to wait to see if on site discounts will continue or at least slow down. IF we negotiate right now, you may have to pay more points than if we negotiate later.

All the above is JMHO. YMMV. I hope you find out the points in time to use the 11 month window. Good luck!

 

[Towncrier]

Are you folks planning on "downsizing" to a Cat4 cabin? I know that you were in a higher category when we cruised with you this past January. I assume that the largest cabin that you will be able to get using points will be a Cat4 (although I suppose the rules could change between now and Jan 2004).

 

[penguins_fan]

Towncrier - Hello from Pittsburgh - looks like the Steelers beat the Ohio guys today! Good to connect with you here - I also sent an email.

On your message, we joined DVC this summer. The Roy Disney suite was likely a one-time special treat and we highly enjoyed & recommend it. On a cash basis, it wasn't all that much more than we would have paid to rent two cabins for our family of 7. With points, we'll need to book two adjoining cabins. I'm convinced that any cabin is worth it. DW and I cruised without the kids in May on a four day in cat 12, got a great cash rate, and had a great time. Have seen lots of posts that indicate not to expect too much in using points for DCL - seems like there's a disconnect between how they market DVC with the cruise highly visible, and the experience many people seem to have had in actually being able to use their points but we're optimistic.

 

[Towncrier]

We did our first 7-day cruise on points, but I don't think that we will do that again. DCL and DVC negotiate rates a year in advance and discounts are few and far between. Most people find that they are better off renting their DVC points and paying cash for their cruises. That's why we were able to cruise at the same time as your family this past January. The cash cost for a Category 10 cabin on that cruise for our family of four was less than $3000. I am fairly certain that it would have been more than 300 points to do that cruise (assuming that 1 DVC point is worth about $10).

Welcome Home!!!

BTW - We leave for our 3-day followup cruise (just Sue and myself) on Thursday.

 

[ncligs]

Towncrier is right about using pts for cruising , we booked a 4 day cruise for Feb 2004 using cash(through DU).Points would have cost my wife and I 286 pts (catagory 7 with verandah).By paying cash it was $1400 for the 2 of us.And we also got the $50 cash rebate and $50 on-board credit.

 

[MickeyMagic]

Just a quick "hi" to Towncrier and penguins_fan, some fellow 1-19-02 cruisers! We joined DVC while on that cruise. We just took our $99 cruise 10-17-02 and had a great time! While onboard, we booked a 7-day for March 2004. I am thinking about renting points to pay for that cruise.

Welcome home, penguins_fan!!

 

[penguins_fan]

Carol MN - thanks for your reply - I hope the discounts are reduced although even the cruise cash quotes seem lower than I remember.

MickeyMagic & Towncrier - That 1/19 cruise was really a blast! Hardly a day goes by around here without someone happily remembering something from that trip. Glad to hear you enjoyed the $99 special MM. Its neat to see the differences on the ships. Enjoy yours this week Towncrier!! While it was great with the kids, its like a different vacation as a couple.

Thanks for your thoughts on renting points, maybe I'll look into that. I've seen the rent/trade board but we're new to all of this so I'l have to do some research. It sounds like most people have had good expereiences in renting out their points. That seems like a great cash rate posted by ncligs. Seems like another strategy is to use points for the adults and pay cash for kids - I assume the point value for the kids vs. cash rates makes this better.

 

[ReneeMoss]

I've priced a bit and find the cash price for the Disney Magic Eastern 7-day to be very costly - By using the On-Board Booking points discount, I think we will come out ahead without having to lay out any money - We are thinking of a Cat.9 w/our 12 yr. old grandson - Total 299 pts for August. - & so much Less hassle to use the points than to try to rent them for cash.....

 

[penguins_fan]

Just saw the post about point discounts for booking onboard, hadn't heard of that before. We're going 12/5 for the $99 special. January '04 not in the 11 month window but for the point discount, maybe we should reconsider our timing.

 

[DVC Minnie]

Hi everyone,

We were also on the 1/19 cruise and just returned from our 3-day (10/24-27). The 3-day was much too short but a welcome break to tide us over until our next cruise.

While on board, we booked a 7-day western cruise for Spring 2003 value season in a cat. 7 using points. The cash price vs. point cost was about $9/point so we decided to save the cash. DVC point savings for two adults booking on board was 26 points. No castaway club on board credit when using DVC points for booking future cruises.

DCL gave us 3 days from the time we disembarked to contact Member Services to finish the paperwork for the cruise we booked on board using points. If we did not contact Member Services within the 3 days, the reservation automatically cancels.

Hope this bit of information helps.

DVC Minnie

 

[EROS]

We've used points for several cruises. Of course, everyone values them differently. I tend NOT to look at their potential rental value. I instead see them as worth between $5-$6/point out of pocket expenses for both the purchase and maintenance fees. We tend to use points for Adults on DCL and pay cash for children.

 

[penguins_fan]

DVC Minnie - Welcome back - nice to book the western for spring - something to look forward to over the winter. We're planning our first trip home to BCV in June and may accelerate our original plan to cruise again in Jan 04 to take advantage of the onboard booking discount like you did. Were you able to pick your cabin when booking? Do you know how they determine the 11 month window onboard, ie, do you have to have a cruise start date within the 11 month period from when you book on board or can you pick a cruise that starts anytime during the 11th month? Our upcoming 3 day cruise starts Dec.5 but we're thinking of late November '03 for the one we book onboard.

Eros - I've seen others mention that they pay cash for the kids and use points for the adults. Have you been able to compare the cash rate for the kids to the cash rate if you booked directly with DCL?

 

[DVC Minnie]

penguins_fans - We were able to pick our stateroom. Colleen, DCL cruise sales manager, has the ability to check stateroom availability, check rates and book reservations while on board. We also booked a second western cruise for December 2003 for cash to take advantage of the castaway club on board credit. DCL will allow us to change the date and not lose the on board credit. If we change date, rate could change. We had to place a $250/pp deposit for the cash cruise. No cash deposit was needed for the DVC points cruise.

Don't know for certain how the 11 month window works when booking on board. Booking a DCL cruise directly with DVC, Member Services uses the start date of the cruise as the beginning of the 11 month window. I would call Member Services and ask what is their policy for on board bookings.

Colleen was available on our 2nd and 3rd days of our cruise. I would recommend that you see her as early as possible (look for her schedule in the daily navigator). She gets swamped on the 3rd day.