DCL and points and categories..veranda vs ocean view help please!

["Got Disney"]

So here's my dilemma...we always cruise with a verandah on deck six midship....family of 4.

We just got back from Alaska cruise in July and I was playing around at the DCL website and saw how great the prices are for the Mexican cruise....

We have been to Mexico many many times since we live in SanDiego...and with what is going on over there we would normally stay far far away.

Anyway...my DH and older son want to pass but my 15 yo and I want to go...we will not get off the ship in PV but will in Cabo and we are there for 2days....I love Cabo!

I have decided to use my DVC points since we have them and won't be doing Disney till next year....anyway....for midship verandah deck 6 it is 396 points for the 2of us and for the deck 2midship ocean view it is 294 points....100 points difference...which I could bank for the following year leaving us with 500 points plus 14 that we have extra....so 514 points.

My son does not care....so do I use the extra points and get the verandah or the other? It's only Mexico.....if it was Alaska it would be a no brainer...

So who here has stayed deck 2 midship and was it noisy, did you feel the ship more? I know the lower they say the less you feel it...

We have done the Disney cruise 7times but only first cruise was in that cat... 15 years ago...so can't remember...help please!

 

[DebbieB]

[QUOTE="Got Disney";42823837]So here's my dilemma...we always cruise with a verandah on deck six midship....family of 4.

We just got back from Alaska cruise in July and I was playing around at the DCL website and saw how great the prices are for the Mexican cruise....

We have been to Mexico many many times since we live in SanDiego...and with what is going on over there we would normally stay far far away.

Anyway...my DH and older son want to pass but my 15 yo and I want to go...we will not get off the ship in PV but will in Cabo and we are there for 2days....I love Cabo!

I have decided to use my DVC points since we have them and won't be doing Disney till next year....anyway....for midship verandah deck 6 it is 396 points for the 2of us and for the deck 2midship ocean view it is 294 points....100 points difference...which I could bank for the following year leaving us with 500 points plus 14 that we have extra....so 514 points.

My son does not care....so do I use the extra points and get the verandah or the other? It's only Mexico.....if it was Alaska it would be a no brainer...

So who here has stayed deck 2 midship and was it noisy, did you feel the ship more? I know the lower they say the less you feel it...

We have done the Disney cruise 7times but only first cruise was in that cat... 15 years ago...so can't remember...help please![/QUOTE]

When do you want to go? From what I've read, cruises for points are booked up until late next year. Before you think alot about it, you may want to call member services and check availability. There are only a limited number of rooms for points on each cruise.

 

["Got Disney"]

When do you want to go? From what I've read, cruises for points are booked up until late next year. Before you think alot about it, you may want to call member services and check availability. There are only a limited number of rooms for points on each cruise.

Already have...that's how I got the points needed for the cruise....for MArch 11.. That's when my son has his spring break...

Seems no one wants to go to Mexico...

I have reserved the cat 6 through DCL but contemplating the other cat...

 

[tjkraz]

Since your question is not really points-specific, you might want to ask on the cruise line board. You'll probably get better feedback on one cabin class vs. another.

As for the points booking, you may want to call back and clarify that they will actually allow you to book on points for the sailing you have in mind. Even if you spoke to a DVC rep, looking up points values is not the same as checking availability.

There have been numerous reports of members being told that no more points reservations are being accepted through at least the fall of 2012. It's possible that the points moratorium does not apply to the ship on which you would be traveling or that specific voyage, but thus far statements made suggest it is DCL-wide. The fact that you have an existing cash reservation has no bearing on the points booking.

 

[lilpooh108]

As of May 2011 (when I booked the Fantasy on points), all Wonder sailings in 2012 were still available. At the time, the "moratorium" only applied to the newer ships.

In case the OP wasn't aware, DCL just came out with a Kids Sail Free for 2012 to Mexico (including some March sailings). If DH goes with you, it might be worth it to pay in cash instead.

I usually think it's easier to book on points (if that's what you prefer) and I don't want to start a debate or anything, but if you can get your 15 yo in for free on the KSF deal then it's a good deal to rent out your points instead.

Back to your original question, I'd probably book the oceanview for Mexico rather than a verandah. I have read that deck space is limited in PV port since most everyone is staying on the ship, so YMMV.

 

["Got Disney"]

As of May 2011 (when I booked the Fantasy on points), all Wonder sailings in 2012 were still available. At the time, the "moratorium" only applied to the newer ships.

In case the OP wasn't aware, DCL just came out with a Kids Sail Free for 2012 to Mexico (including some March sailings). If DH goes with you, it might be worth it to pay in cash instead.

I usually think it's easier to book on points (if that's what you prefer) and I don't want to start a debate or anything, but if you can get your 15 yo in for free on the KSF deal then it's a good deal to rent out your points instead.

Back to your original question, I'd probably book the oceanview for Mexico rather than a verandah. I have read that deck space is limited in PV port since most everyone is staying on the ship, so YMMV.

I was hoping for the kids sail free but that ends on March 4... We have to cruise on March 11.... That's when my son is off for spring break. They cancelled the port to Mazatlan (sp) and I hear they are thinking about doing the same for PV....

I don't care about either of those ports...been there so many times...but love Cabo and we ave 2days there now. With everything going on in Mexico I'm wondering what they may end up doing in the winters instead.

I decided to get the Verandah...for the reason you mentioned...the ship may be crowded on deck why in PV...if I want a break I can hang on my verandah...plus I live sitting out there so much and love to sleep with the verandah door open when sleeping.

There are still lots of cabins available with points...all the cabin choices I wanted were available. We loved our last cabin Stewart July and will have him again...

Wish they had the 11b available...deck 6 midship inside cabin...only 112 points each..224 total points...that would have been a no brainer for me and could still have the same cabin Stewart...but all inside cabins are taken up...cash for that was only $1500 bucks...

 

[lilpooh108]

[QUOTE="Got Disney";42832296]I was hoping for the kids sail free but that ends on March 4... We have to cruise on March 11.... That's when my son is off for spring break. They cancelled the port to Mazatlan (sp) and I hear they are thinking about doing the same for PV....

I don't care about either of those ports...been there so many times...but love Cabo and we ave 2days there now. With everything going on in Mexico I'm wondering what they may end up doing in the winters instead.

I decided to get the Verandah...for the reason you mentioned...the ship may be crowded on deck why in PV...if I want a break I can hang on my verandah...plus I live sitting out there so much and love to sleep with the verandah door open when sleeping.

There are still lots of cabins available with points...all the cabin choices I wanted were available. We loved our last cabin Stewart July and will have him again...

Wish they had the 11b available...deck 6 midship inside cabin...only 112 points each..224 total points...that would have been a no brainer for me and could still have the same cabin Stewart...but all inside cabins are taken up...cash for that was only $1500 bucks...[/QUOTE]

Sounds like fun! To be honest...we went through the same decision as you but in the end we decided not to book a Mexico cruise. We were between doing a fall Mexico cruise (verandah) or F&W + 3 night Dream...we're doing the F&W trip in 3 weeks.

It was a hard decision since we love the Wonder, but thought we'd do something "new." Have fun on your cruise!

 

["Got Disney"]

Sounds like fun! To be honest...we went through the same decision as you but in the end we decided not to book a Mexico cruise. We were between doing a fall Mexico cruise (verandah) or F&W + 3 night Dream...we're doing the F&W trip in 3 weeks.

It was a hard decision since we love the Wonder, but thought we'd do something "new." Have fun on your cruise!

Thanks you to would have loved to do the dream but not up to flying...like that I can drive to and from the port....it's more of a stay on The wonder trip than do excursions...we did so many fantastic excursions when we went to Alaska that we are cool just hanging out.

It is more like a by myself cruise since DS will be so busy with his friends that this time it can be about me and not pleasing everyone else by planning and ironing and washing and all the things I do to be sure that their vacation is all that..

DH rocks with helping me on the cruise...but I feel like I need to take care of everyone...this time it will be real easy...my own little getaway