DCL on Points

[KelNottAt]

My family (myself, DH, DS, DD) plan to take a 7-day Western cruise on DCL in 2005. I understand how/why this is usually not a wise use of points, but, for us, it will work out beautifully in 2005.

I have questions about booking:

If I must wait until the 11 month window, is that 11 mos before the sail date or 11 mos before "check out?"

We want a category 7 cabin. They seem to sell out fast. (None are available for cruises a year from now.) Does DVC get its own inventory of DCL cabins so we'll have a good chance of getting a cat7 if we call early? Or, does DVC compete for cabins like everyone else so we'll likely have to go with a cat 6 or cat 8?

Thanks for any info you have.
Kelley

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

is that 11 mos before the sail date or 11 mos before "check out?"

For cruises it is from the sail date.

Does DVC get its own inventory of DCL cabins so we'll have a good chance of getting a cat7 if we call early?

My understanding is that we compete with everyone else. I called a couple of years back and needed connecting rooms and was told I was lucky because there was only one set of them left.

Good luck and have fun.

HBC

 

[sitchu2]

Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe cat 7 rooms only accomadate a party of 3. Unless one of your children sleeps in a crib that is.

For points and planning purposes I would look into this now so you will be prepared when you call dvc.

 

[KelNottAt]

Oh, my goodness. I think you're right. I just checked the DCL website and it says cat 7 sleeps 3.

I was assuming all the larger cabins were "sleeps 3/some sleep 4" descriptions. But, not the 7's. Thanks for pointing that out.

So, now we'll have to debate cat 8 for low points vs. cat 6 for the balcony. Any suggestions?

Thanks.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

We love the verandah and for a 7 night cruise I would choose that over saving points. We have a 7 day western scheduled for February in a Cat 6. There is nothing like sitting out on the verandah early in the morning enjoying the view, sipping coffee and eating muffins from room service. It is worth the extra to me.

HBC

 

[sitchu2]

I love everything there is about the balcony, but because I booked on points I did not have enough pts available for my next 7 day in july which is high season. I also like to have leftover points to visit wdw adjacent to my cruise so I chose cat 9, which is the same as cat 8 but the point schedule is lower all around , even for the kid points. The deck 2 is similar to deck 6 and 7 they are all residential, and the aft section is very convienant to everything. If I had enough points for a verandah I would get that, I have never had a porthole, but I did sail on a 3 day in cat 11 and I know I cannot do that for 7 days, seeing the difference between day and night is important, and a porthole provides that as well as a split bath.

whatever you decide, good lluck.

 

[Dean]

There are category 7's available for next summer from what I can see but as noted, it doesn't look like they'll work for you. Why not rent your points then use the cash and get a cat 6 with money left over. You can then schedule at closer to 18 months out and get the pick of the best cabins.

 

[boling]

Does someone have a link or a list of how many points it costs for the various DCL cruises? I'm looking into becoming a DVC member and this is one of many factors to look at for us.

thanks!