DCL Cruise - Booked on points but want to add 3rd person

[WolfpackFan]

We've booked the Disney Magic for a 7 night cruise for next April using points for DW and myself (please I know some folks don't think this is a good use of points, but we've done it). We were talking to DD30 today and she would like to go with us. Can I add her as a 3rd person and pay cash for her? We booked cat 11 gty. If yes, do I do this through DVC MS or do I call DCL directly? I assume when we do this we will need to pay cash immediately. Is there any time limit for adding her on? Thanks.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Can you call MS now, just to find out? I do think any change causes the booking fee to be charged again.

Bobbi

 

[CarolAnnC]

You can add a third so long as some criteria are met such as lifeboat capacity for your stateroom, dining room, etc.

You will be charged another $95 fee (as you are charged every time any change is made when you book via DVC Member Services). You will have to pay that as well as the cash portion for your DD at the time of the change. The price will be a pre-arranged contract price that DVC has negotiated with DCL.

April is far off, but best to do it as soon as you can so there are no issues, as long as DD is positive about going along..

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Anything you do with regards to bookings is handled by MS and they in turn contact DCL. When you are within 75 days of departure you can go online on DCL's website and book excursions, not sure if you can book Palo then or have to wait till you get on the ship. I say if DD wants to go have her pay the $95 and add her to your reservation soon. As a GTY it could determine where they book yor stateroom.

 

[Dean]

We've booked the Disney Magic for a 7 night cruise for next April using points for DW and myself (please I know some folks don't think this is a good use of points, but we've done it). We were talking to DD30 today and she would like to go with us. Can I add her as a 3rd person and pay cash for her? We booked cat 11 gty. If yes, do I do this through DVC MS or do I call DCL directly? I assume when we do this we will need to pay cash immediately. Is there any time limit for adding her on? Thanks.

As noted, that's another $95 fee. You'll also pay the contract rate for the 3rd person which is frequently higher than the rate through DCL directly and you'll have to pay the entire amount when you book the reservation. Enjoy your cruise, they are tons of fun.

 

[jdg345]

Is it cheaper to book cruises through MS than DCL direct when paying cash?

 

[Dean]

Is it cheaper to book cruises through MS than DCL direct when paying cash?

You can't book for cash only through MS but the cash portion is essentially always higher through MS than DCL if booking early enough to see an early booking discount. The only exceptions I can think of are member only cruises where there really is only one price.

 

[jdg345]

You can't book for cash only through MS but the cash portion is essentially always higher through MS than DCL if booking early enough to see an early booking discount. The only exceptions I can think of are member only cruises where there really is only one price.

Thanks!

 

[WolfpackFan]

Well I called MS and it will be a whole lot more expensive to add DD to our ressie than I thought. It will be $729 + the $95 booking fee. I wasn't expecting anything that high. I was thinking $300-400. We will probably do it because she is so excited about going on a Disney cruise, but still I am disappointed. MS guy also said we need to do it sooner than later, as even though there is room in the cabin, if the ship itself gets full they wouldn't allow her to be added. Not exactly the news I wanted to hear.

 

[Dean]

Well I called MS and it will be a whole lot more expensive to add DD to our ressie than I thought. It will be $729 + the $95 booking fee. I wasn't expecting anything that high. I was thinking $300-400. We will probably do it because she is so excited about going on a Disney cruise, but still I am disappointed. MS guy also said we need to do it sooner than later, as even though there is room in the cabin, if the ship itself gets full they wouldn't allow her to be added. Not exactly the news I wanted to hear.

What would be the extra person cost for your exact situation if you were on a cash cruise?

 

[WolfpackFan]

What would be the extra person cost for your exact situation if you were on a cash cruise?

That I don't know. I was hoping for $400-500. We're going to do it though, because DD really wants to go with us badly. She is a school teacher and has had a bad year this year. Next year she is switching grades and going to a year round school, so we will be sailing during one of her track out times.

 

[Dean]

That I don't know. I was hoping for $400-500. We're going to do it though, because DD really wants to go with us badly. She is a school teacher and has had a bad year this year. Next year she is switching grades and going to a year round school, so we will be sailing during one of her track out times.

I don't think the additional person cost are generally that far off with direct or DVC other than you lose out on specials like free kids. The issue of the boat being full even if your cabin isn't is a real one, you should proceed if you're set on this.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Is it cheaper to book cruises through MS than DCL direct when paying cash?

Well I called MS and it will be a whole lot more expensive to add DD to our ressie than I thought. It will be $729 + the $95 booking fee. I wasn't expecting anything that high. I was thinking $300-400. We will probably do it because she is so excited about going on a Disney cruise, but still I am disappointed. MS guy also said we need to do it sooner than later, as even though there is room in the cabin, if the ship itself gets full they wouldn't allow her to be added. Not exactly the news I wanted to hear.

For a 7 night cruise I don't think that is a bad price at all for another adult through Member Services. As I posted previously, if the dining rooms, lifeboats, etc. fill, you cannot add someone. Availability is not solely based upon vacant beds in a cabin.

Hope you have a wonderful cruise!

 

[Anal Annie]

For a 7 night cruise I don't think that is a bad price at all for another adult through Member Services. As I posted previously, if the dining rooms, lifeboats, etc. fill, you cannot add someone. Availability is not solely based upon vacant beds in a cabin.

Hope you have a wonderful cruise!

I agree that sounds like a fair price - we are paying $1,039 (with first tier pricing AFTER our rebooking discount) for our DS's portion on a 7 night Med cruise in 2011 (in a Cat 10)!! I would love to "only" pay an additional $729 for him!! I am sure if Wolfpack prices out the cruise entirely on cash they would see a diff. per person though. I once priced out a cruise using points for DH and I and cash for DS and compared it to all on cash and all on points. The cash price for DS's portion thru DVC was about $200 higher than thru DCL directly. Here's the skinny on that. The reason for the difference is because DCL has tiered pricing which increases as the ship sells out. If you book a cruise on cash EARLY, while it is still in the first pricing tier you will find the best cash price. As time passes and cabin categories sell the price goes up. They know ahead of time how much it will raise, they just don't know WHEN each category will reach that point. The DVC cash prices are based on the anticipated final price tier. They don't give you the BEST cash price up front they give you their FINAL price!! They are not about to loose out on 1 dime to a DVC member.