DCL Cruise Question

[WolfpackFan]

Okay, I've been around here long enough to know using points for a DCL cruise is unwise, against all the rules of the road, a poor use of points, etc. But I'm thinking about doing it anyway because 1) we're kind of reaching the point where even I am getting a little Disney'd out and 2) I have no wish to go into the points rental business. So I'm willing to pay the premium for using points for a cruise.

Now here is my question(s) - when booking a DCL cruise on points does it follow the usual 11 month rule or can I go ahead and book a cruise for May 2011 now? Second question, if I can book a 2011 cruise now, can I borrow from 2012 UY to book the cruise?

 

[wdrl]

Okay, I've been around here long enough to know using points for a DCL cruise is unwise, against all the rules of the road, a poor use of points, etc. But I'm thinking about doing it anyway because 1) we're kind of reaching the point where even I am getting a little Disney'd out and 2) I have no wish to go into the points rental business. So I'm willing to pay the premium for using points for a cruise.

Now here is my question(s) - when booking a DCL cruise on points does it follow the usual 11 month rule or can I go ahead and book a cruise for May 2011 now? Second question, if I can book a 2011 cruise now, can I borrow from 2012 UY to book the cruise?

On the Members' website, it states "Currently, you may request a reservation for a Disney Cruise Line® vacation that has a sail date on or before November 17, 2011, some sailings may not be available for booking at the 24-month window." So the answer to your first question is definitely, maybe! For your second question, I believe that you can borrow from your 2012 UY to book a DCL voyage for 2011, but I couldn't find anything on the Members' website that addressed that issue. However, our 2012 UY points appear on my account, so I think they are available for DCL bookings.

Good luck!!

 

[Cheryl726]

Yes you may book a 2011 cruise now. They can use your 2011 points and borrow your 2012. I actually checked into this today myself, plus I've borrowed before. You could actually bank your 2010 points and use those if they don't expire by the time you sail. Hope this helps!

 

[Inkmahm]

I never want to be in the point rental business, either. That's why I transfer points to fellow members instead if I want to get cash to pay for my cruise.

 

[CarolAnnC]

I never want to be in the point rental business, either. That's why I transfer points to fellow members instead if I want to get cash to pay for my cruise.

It is nice this works for you, but it does not work for everyone. With my Baltic and Alaskan cruises totalling upwards of 1500 to 2000 points each cruise for two staterooms, and only one transfer allowed in or out per year, it would be very sketchy to try and rely on someone coming along and agreeing to that kind of transfer. Plus in the meantime, I would be putting up a large cash deposit (nonrefundable in the case of Alaska isn't it?) so guess, that it would not work for me.

But, glad to know that it does work for some folks...

 

[CarolAnnC]

Now here is my question(s) - when booking a DCL cruise on points does it follow the usual 11 month rule or can I go ahead and book a cruise for May 2011 now? Second question, if I can book a 2011 cruise now, can I borrow from 2012 UY to book the cruise?

We booked our June 2011 Alaskan cruise on points the first day it opened approximately a couple of months ago. You can book as long as the itinerary is out there - typically up to 24 months ahead.

You can use 2012 points as long as they are available for travel in the UY desired. For example, if you have a March UY, you can use March 2011 points which are good for travel through March 2012 and borrow the 2012 points as well. Good luck!

 

[WolfpackFan]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm going to call MS tomorrow and see about availability and book the cruise is cabins are available.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Don't forget you can book one person on points and one on cash. I found the cash rate to be very close to the same rate booking directly thru DCL.

 

[GrumpyBelle]

We booked one room for our August 2011 Alaska cruise on points. We used all of our 2011 points and borrowed a few of our 2012 points to do this and had no problems.

 

[WolfpackFan]

Another question and please forgive me if this information is readily available on the MS website. I can't ever seem to find anything on that website when I'm looking for it.

If I book a cruise on points (for both people) is this a final transaction? Can I cancel (and not loose my points)? DW and myself are ready to book but April 2011 is a long way off. We kind of hate to make such a decision this far off, but also don't won't to wait too long just in case we can't get the cabin category we want.

Thanks.

 

[kerickson]

Another question and please forgive me if this information is readily available on the MS website. I can't ever seem to find anything on that website when I'm looking for it.

If I book a cruise on points (for both people) is this a final transaction? Can I cancel (and not loose my points)? DW and myself are ready to book but April 2011 is a long way off. We kind of hate to make such a decision this far off, but also don't won't to wait too long just in case we can't get the cabin category we want.

Thanks.

Cancellation rules are posted on the MS website. I believe if you cancel 75 days in advance you get all the points back, but best if you check out the site for yourself (they'll go back into the UY and be reservation points, however, meaning you can't use them at DVC properties). We cruised on points this Oct and elected to also purchase travelguard insurance. It only gives you $5 per point if you cancel w/in 75 days, but that's better than nothing! I think I also would have gotten my $95 and my fuel surcharge back...

 

[WolfpackFan]

Cancellation rules are posted on the MS website.

I must be blind as a bat. I've just scoured through the MS website and can't find anything about it. I'll go try again though.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

If you book using points and cancel, they go into reservation status. You can't use those points for any DVC resort reservations. That's the advantage to booking with cash. You will get refunded if cancelled before 75 days before your departure.

 

[WolfpackFan]

Well we booked it. We got a cat. 11C guaranteed. Has anyone ever been upgraded to a higher category when booking with points? Sure would be nice . We've taken a number of cruises before but not a DCL cruise.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Well we booked it. We got a cat. 11C guaranteed. Has anyone ever been upgraded to a higher category when booking with points? Sure would be nice . We've taken a number of cruises before but not a DCL cruise.

You have a great shot at getting upgraded. You won't know until a month or later before sailing. I had a Cat 9 and it was great.

 

[WolfpackFan]

One final question and then I'll leave you all alone. I remember from the past there was a real good website and message board related to DCL cruises. I know there is a MB here on The DIS, but I remember this other one and it had a lot of good information. I want to say Castaway Cay was in it's title somehow. Does anyone know what I'm talking about or is my age finally starting to effect me (I'm kind of starting to feel myself getting older with some recent knee problems).

 

[BWV Dreamin]

One final question and then I'll leave you all alone. I remember from the past there was a real good website and message board related to DCL cruises. I know there is a MB here on The DIS, but I remember this other one and it had a lot of good information. I want to say Castaway Cay was in it's title somehow. Does anyone know what I'm talking about or is my age finally starting to effect me (I'm kind of starting to feel myself getting older with some recent knee problems).

I don't know that one sorry.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Well we booked it. We got a cat. 11C guaranteed. Has anyone ever been upgraded to a higher category when booking with points? Sure would be nice . We've taken a number of cruises before but not a DCL cruise.

Congrats!! Did you book the Dream?

I just recently used points for a cruise on the Dream, and in this economy, it is so nice to know we have an upcoming cruise that is paid in full!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

You can always request to be upgraded in your reservation requests also.

 

[rkwier]

Well we booked it. We got a cat. 11C guaranteed. Has anyone ever been upgraded to a higher category when booking with points? Sure would be nice . We've taken a number of cruises before but not a DCL cruise.

We just sailed on points Nov.11 - 15 on the Wonder. We were booked in a cat 8 and received a pixie dust upgrade to a cat 5. We were very surprised as it was something we never would have expected.