DCL Europe 2014 booking with points: QUESTIONS!

[snackyx]

DCL has released the 2014 schedule for the Disney Magic, which has several European itineraries. The point charts for these cruises have not yet been released. Here are the questions I have for those DVC experts on using points with DCL:

1. How long before the point charts for these summer 2014 cruises are released?
2. Once they are released, can these cruises be booked immediately, or is there a specified date when booking with points begins?
3. Are the number of cabins on any given cruise limited as to how many can be booked with points? If so, how quickly must these cabins being booked if using points once reservations are open? (I know it is impossible to gauge demand on any specific cruise, but I am asking if the time frame is GENERALLY hours or days or weeks or months that we have to book once the booking begins with points).

Any other "booking with points" tips would be greatly appreciated. I have been a DVC member since 1991, but have only booked one DCL cruise using points (Mediterranean 2010) and really am not sure as to the current protocols.

Thanks in advance for any info!

 

[cwdefouw]

Typically, you can call DVC when booking opens, in this case, 2/13 for Platinum and Gold, 2/14 for Silver and general public. MS should have a point chart available to reference even though they are not yet posted to the public site. I believe in the past they have occasionally had to estimate points and clean it up once the charts are finalized. This information is not from personal experience, but from what other members have posted on Disboards. I know for a fact that when the Dream and Fantasy opened bookings, point charts where not available but Platinum CC members were posting what they paid in points on the first day of booking. All you can do is call DVC and find out for sure.

In answer to your third question, yes, there are a limited number of cabins on a particular cruise that can be booked with points. In terms of how long you can wait, it all depends on the cruise, Certain, high demand, cruises will require you to book immediately to be sure of getting your preferred cabin with points. Other cruises you could possibly wait awhile. My recommendation though is not to wait, if you do, you are risking disappointment. We have booked 6 of 8 cruises with points, and we always try to book ASAP, within booking windows.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Yes, the number of cabins is limited.

There is a business agreement between the two entities. DVC has to "sell" your villa for cash to pay DCL (they don't want points as payment) So as a general rule there is a limit on how many cabins DVC will actually "risk" buying and of course if DCL can get more $$$ from cash paying customers then DVC is willing to pay.

That said I booked the 7 night Med Cruise for June 2013 and I know I was not one of those folks who booked the first day. I waited several months. That doesn't mean you will be able to book late, but....

I assume that soon the "this is a bad use of your points" chant will start, but I do it and don't care. (No, folks I didn't buy to run a business and rent them LOL!)

 

[Dean]

DCL has released the 2014 schedule for the Disney Magic, which has several European itineraries. The point charts for these cruises have not yet been released. Here are the questions I have for those DVC experts on using points with DCL:

1. How long before the point charts for these summer 2014 cruises are released?
2. Once they are released, can these cruises be booked immediately, or is there a specified date when booking with points begins?
3. Are the number of cabins on any given cruise limited as to how many can be booked with points? If so, how quickly must these cabins being booked if using points once reservations are open? (I know it is impossible to gauge demand on any specific cruise, but I am asking if the time frame is GENERALLY hours or days or weeks or months that we have to book once the booking begins with points).

Any other "booking with points" tips would be greatly appreciated. I have been a DVC member since 1991, but have only booked one DCL cruise using points (Mediterranean 2010) and really am not sure as to the current protocols.

Thanks in advance for any info!

You might look into booking on cash and then trying to coordinate a cancelation and rebooking when the points tables are available keeping the same cabin. It's not a guaranteed option but it might help you get the cabin you want. I'd suggest you spend time on the DCL board gathering info on this option if you're interested.

 

[lodge]

I tried my TA with this and they were LOST. I think I'll call tomorrow.

 

[com_op_2000]

I tried my TA with this and they were LOST. I think I'll call tomorrow.

A TA can not help with using points on a DCL. You will have to go though MS only. Yes, MS has the points charts for you to discuss any of the cruises that are available to book, even if they are not available onthe web-site.

 

[Dean]

I tried my TA with this and they were LOST. I think I'll call tomorrow.

They should have the info for cash but they can't help with points. Also, unlike booking directly with DCL, it's more difficult to impossible to coordinate canceling a cash reservation and transferring it to points. Of course with the restrictions the last couple of years it's more difficult and risky to do so.

 

[snackyx]

MS did have the DCL point charts and the cost to book with cash. Just for the record, it boiled down to this:

Cost, in points, to book three adults for the Venice to Barcelona cruise, was 1190 DVC points for a balcony cabin (6A). Cash cost was about $8300. If I took all 1190 points and rented them out @ $11/per, it would yield $13,090. If I then pay for the cruise in cash, I still net about $4800. So, yes, it pays to rent your points and then book the cruise with the cash. In fact, I could just rent out about 750 points (not the 1190 I would pay DVC) and pay for the entire cruise. If you want to save even more, check out the itineraries on Celebrity, Princess, Royal Caribbean (which offer far more choices and dates) and the same three adults can be purchased on a similar itinerary for about $1500-2500 less than DCL. I certainly understand that DCL offers a cruise that is different than the other major cruise lines, but with no kids on the trip, the "Disney" preminum that you pay for the "Disney" experience does not weigh as heavily in the decision.

 

[Dean]

MS did have the DCL point charts and the cost to book with cash. Just for the record, it boiled down to this:

Cost, in points, to book three adults for the Venice to Barcelona cruise, was 1190 DVC points for a balcony cabin (6A). Cash cost was about $8300. If I took all 1190 points and rented them out @ $11/per, it would yield $13,090. If I then pay for the cruise in cash, I still net about $4800. So, yes, it pays to rent your points and then book the cruise with the cash. In fact, I could just rent out about 750 points (not the 1190 I would pay DVC) and pay for the entire cruise. If you want to save even more, check out the itineraries on Celebrity, Princess, Royal Caribbean (which offer far more choices and dates) and the same three adults can be purchased on a similar itinerary for about $1500-2500 less than DCL. I certainly understand that DCL offers a cruise that is different than the other major cruise lines, but with no kids on the trip, the "Disney" preminum that you pay for the "Disney" experience does not weigh as heavily in the decision.

That's c/w the usual $6-7 a point return, I think most of the recent things I've looked at have been right around $7 a point give or take. IMO it's a fallacy that DCL is a better cruise than some of the rest, esp RCCL and Princess and maybe celebrity. It may be preferred for some groups but it's a lateral choice comparatively with some advantages and some disadvantages and mostly similarities.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

MS did have the DCL point charts and the cost to book with cash. Just for the record, it boiled down to this:

Cost, in points, to book three adults for the Venice to Barcelona cruise, was 1190 DVC points for a balcony cabin (6A). Cash cost was about $8300. If I took all 1190 points and rented them out @ $11/per, it would yield $13,090. If I then pay for the cruise in cash, I still net about $4800. So, yes, it pays to rent your points and then book the cruise with the cash. In fact, I could just rent out about 750 points (not the 1190 I would pay DVC) and pay for the entire cruise. If you want to save even more, check out the itineraries on Celebrity, Princess, Royal Caribbean (which offer far more choices and dates) and the same three adults can be purchased on a similar itinerary for about $1500-2500 less than DCL. I certainly understand that DCL offers a cruise that is different than the other major cruise lines, but with no kids on the trip, the "Disney" preminum that you pay for the "Disney" experience does not weigh as heavily in the decision.

Having done both DCL and the "other lines" I am hard pressed to find the "Disney" premium that you pay for.. .. (Actually my last Disney Cruise was on the Dream and IMHO there was NO "premium" and several negatives)

The only reason I am doing DCL this time is that my mother would have a stroke if I paid for a cruise for her and I don't rent points. I don't have time to run a point rental business nor did I buy them to rent (Yes, I know David's is a great source etc...but IMHO he's a "commercial renter" and I put my "money where my mouth is" Complaining about commercial and then using them is just something I view as "wrong" )


So since my mom thinks that DCL is "Free" she will get on the boat. This is actually the 'Relaxing' part of the trip as we will have done a week touring in Southern France prior to this so....the ports weren't as big a deal, plus since we have been to a lot of the ports we can just revisit what we like. I learned on our last trip to Italy that I can no longer expect my mom to go full speed touring for two weeks so this is a nice compromise!

 

[snackyx]

Orange:

I, too, did not buy into DVC (several times) to rent points. This is the first time, since being a member since 1991, that I have rented my points. I, too, do not want to see DVC turn into a gigantic commercial venture for those in the rental business.

BUT...the math was simply too overwhelming to ignore. I gave 800 points to David's to rent @$11/per, and they were all rented in four days--no hassles. I get 50% of the funds now, the balance on the first day of the reservations.
Since I am looking to cruise in summer 2014, I have plenty of time before any balances are due...and when I pay the cruise off (most likely on Celebrity or Princess or RC) I will have well over $5000 left over.

I do admire your position that you do not want to stoke the "renter" market on principal, and you are willing to put your money when your mouth is. However, that market will always be out there, and in the end they are MY points. If I don't profit from them, who really wins if I hand over those profits to Disney?

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

My problem is not with individuals renting points, it is with the broker services. As for me, I travel constantly on business and just don't have the time or the patience to deal with customers so it is not a good decision to rent. It is not the "easy" proposition posters on here pretend. I have several friends who have vented to me about the problems they have has renting their points.