DCL 2006 through MS?

[dairyou]

Hi!

We are considering the DCL for 11/06. I have a quote from Dreams Unlimited. There would be a $1000.00 deposit required from Disney. While I don't mind paying a deposit, I'm not happy about them holding my $1000.00 for 2 years!

I was wondering if I book through MS using some of my points if I still have to make a deposit? Has anyone had experience with this?

Thanks!

Deb

 

[RobDoc]

You won't be able to reserve a DCL cruise thru MS until 11 months ahead. There will be a non-refundable $75 transaction charge and the points will be committed as "reservation" points- which means that they could not be used at DVC resorts if returned to your account via cancellation. The DVC point chart for 2006 cruises won't likley become available until next spring- so you won't even know the actual points you'd need to use until that time. However, you can still make the reservation 11 months ahead even though the actual points required may be different.

I'd suggest making the reservation you already have quoted (rates will NEVER be lower than what you've already been offered and you'll have a better selection of staterooms at this time). If you find value in using your DVC points at 11 months, your deposit will be completely refunded if you opt to cancel that res and rebook thru DVC.

 

[CarolMN]

The soonest you can book a cruise through MS is 11 months prior to departure. If you want to be sure of a particular cabin, you really should book for cash. My understanding is that many people do book very early to get the cabin they want.

If you book through MS you have to pay for at least one person (adult point rate) per cabin in points. The cash price is the one MS negotiates with DCL (not done for 2006 yet). My understanding is that MS requires payment at the time of booking. You also have to pay a $75 booking fee.

Best wishes -

 

[Dean]

IF you could do it through MS, you'd have to pay any cash amount in TOTAL up front. Of course you could always wait to book later and hold your money but the price might go up. I'd book it cash and keep looking to see if the price goes down.

 

[dairyou]

Ah... okay. I thought I could go around the system. We're still not sure if we want to go or not since this will be the 3rd time for us. We were thinking of spending the money at the Grand Walelia in Maui...

Thanks Guys!

Deb

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by dairyou
Ah... okay. I thought I could go around the system. We're still not sure if we want to go or not since this will be the 3rd time for us. We were thinking of spending the money at the Grand Walelia in Maui...

Thanks Guys!

Deb

Unless you're certain, definitely don't book through MS. IMO, it's still not a good deal using points or a combo of points/cash. $250 pp is an industry standard deposit for 7 day cruises. Just be aware that many TA also charge a cancellation fee nowadays. I think the fee is $35 through AAA (might vary by state) and $50 through Sam's.

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by Dean
... Just be aware that many TA also charge a cancellation fee nowadays. ....

Since your quote is through Dreams, there won't be any cancellation fee. Your deposit would be made directly to Disney and the refund would also come directly from Disney - no cancellation fee from either Disney or Dreams.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I thought of using my points too, but you cannot use points to book a cruise until 11 mos. out.

The way the 2006 cruises are booking, that means we would pay premium points for a cruise that has been booking for 11 mos. already. What I mean is, if you have a preference of ship location or room number, there is very little chance of getting what you want at 11 months when cash ressies have a 1 year headstart.

I checked last week and all of the secret porthole rooms were booked for our cruise as well as some other preferred staterooms in the cat. I wanted.

Check the Cruise board. I believe they already have a 11/06 thread started. There is a huge thread for the Aug 19,2006 Special already and that is 96 weeks away! It was unbelievably priced for a 7 day with 2 stops at Castaway Cay so we went for it!

We will most likely rent our points for 2006 to pay for the cruise. I still have some research to do.