Disney Cruise Line questions

[DisneyAl]

I am somewhat confused about using DVC points for the cruise line. What are categories and are only certain ones available for DVC members? What are the best ones? Is using DVC points for a cruise a good idea or is it cheaper to buy direct?
Thanks

 

[skylynx]

Hi..I believe from looking at the last DCL points "price" list in the Dream book that all categories are available. That said, the points are pretty high, in my opinion, especially if you own under 200 points. You'd have to bank and borrow quite a bit for even two people to go on a four day cruise off season.

Most everyone on this list will confirm that you get the best value from your DVC points on DVC properties...for example, it would "cost" me much more in points for a standard room at a moderate resort like Caribbean Beach than in a studio at OKW or SSR for the same night's stay. I think there are some member's only cruises that are a better value (will rely on folks with more experience than me to confirm) and I think there is even a rebooking onboard point discount (at least that's what the DVC rep on our Wonder cruise a few weeks ago told us). I've heard some people use points for the first two people booked in a stateroom and then pay cash for the third and fourth passengers as the cash price drops for the additional passengers...I don't think the points do.

Again, someone who has done this can give better info--one of the (many) reasons we originally bought DVC was because our flaky guide told us as members we'd get a 25% discount on the cash price of cruises, which turned out to be completely untrue..there's no discount at all. So we just keep rebooking cruises while onboard for as far out dates as possible, and pay them off over time.

 

[Cruiser1969]

I am a new DVC member (just yesterday in fact ) and I would also love to hear more about DCL experiences as I am very interested in this option. Is the value really that bad since the points include food and entertainment onboard? Also, are the 2008 points lists available yet?

 

[owensamo]

Just like cash prices, you need to pay close attention to the points cost for the cruises. We managed to put together a 7-night Magic cruise in January for unver 300pts for 2 adults, and we paid cash for our 5yo DD. Interestingly enough, the cash price for our 5yo was cheaper through DVC than directly through DCL! All told, we got over $9/pt value for the cruise, which is good enough for us to go for it rather than renting and paying cash (or just paying cash).

That said, we're in a Cat 11 room - higher categories are priced accordingly higher, and may or may not be as good a $/pt value. But in all, if you look carefully, you can find good points bargains just like you can for cash cruises.

Amanda

 

[tidefan]

Just like cash prices, you need to pay close attention to the points cost for the cruises. We managed to put together a 7-night Magic cruise in January for unver 300pts for 2 adults, and we paid cash for our 5yo DD. Interestingly enough, the cash price for our 5yo was cheaper through DVC than directly through DCL! All told, we got over $9/pt value for the cruise, which is good enough for us to go for it rather than renting and paying cash (or just paying cash).

That said, we're in a Cat 11 room - higher categories are priced accordingly higher, and may or may not be as good a $/pt value. But in all, if you look carefully, you can find good points bargains just like you can for cash cruises.

Amanda

Amanda, we too used points for a Cat 11 January cruise on the Magic (1/19 Eastern). For all 3 of us (me, DW, and DD4) it was 327 points. I figured it at about $8.40 a point (Took the Travelocity price for the cabin divided by 327). Again, it was close enough for us not to want to deal with the hassle of renting points. Also, we just bought in and got 200 SSR points from UY 2006 in addition to our 2007 points, and since we were just at CSR for a week, we just banked the 2006 pts. and so we had 400 available to use. Lastly, this would be the last "value" season time that we could go since DD will start school in August '08, so we decided to do it.

I do think that Value season you can get an "OK" deal, but it goes down quickly from there. Also, I doubt that we would have done this unless we had the extra points available.

 

[owensamo]

tidefan - yes, that's the cruise we're booked on. My DH booked it so I don't know off-hand how much it was for just the 2 of us in a Cat 11. I'm sure if he sees this thread he'll pipe in. Fortunately, we can take our DD out of school for a week and the school won't complain. And even though we live in NC, I'm usually about ready for some warm weather come January!

I doubt we'd use points for higher seasons, though - you're right. The value per point goes down significantly as the season changes for DCL. Though we might consider doing one adult on points to try to conserve cash. We did purchase DVC with the idea that it was pre-paid vacationing. If we have the points, and DCL happens to be the vacation of choice for a year, I don't consider it a bad use of points.

Amanda

 

[bradisgoofy]

In '06 we booked a Cat 4 room for a three day cruise just before Easter. It was 466 points for two of us. That was some where around $11 per point. Personally I didn't care whether it was a good value or not. That's how I wanted to use my points and I will probably do it again in '09 or '10 for a four day cruise. If you worry about the value you won't ever use them for anything but DVC resorts.

 

[kellydizfan]

I just booked April 12th 2008 Eastern Carribean Cruise for 6 of us (4 on points) My husband, one teen and 2 children and paid cash for myself & DD in a catagory 9 stateroom and used 624 points. Using points is the only way to go unless I rented them out and didn't want to do that. This will be the first time our kids will have gone on a cruise and 2nd time for my DH & myself. The kids are really looking forward to going. Use your points as you want. You will get so many different opionions here that you need to make the decision on your own.

 

[CarolMN]

Sounds like you might like to look at the point charts for the Disney Cruise Line cruises.

2007 Point Charts for Cruises on DCL

The 2008 charts can be found in post #7 of this thread:

2008 DCL Points Chart?

 

[JudyTL]

I booked a 3 day cruise for 351 points for three people on 12.27.07. I really did not care. I have the points and I wante to go on a cruise. My view is I got the points so, I would not have to reach into my pocketbook for cash. I am going to plan for a 7 day or 10 cruise next. I think the cruise would have cost me about 3,800 I got a level 10 or 11.. obstructed view... However, I do not plan to be in the cabin much... It was a deal for me.

 

[Plutofan]

If you can book really early usually you get a much better value paying cash especially when you use a travel agent that gives you a cash rebate back after your cruise. We booked our July 2007 4 night cruise back in Dec 05 and the DVC point requirement came out to getting a value of $6.5 per point. It was definitly better for us to rent out the points and pay cash. If you ever had to cancel your cruise you will definitly be happy to have a cash reservation rather than a point reservation. I have heard about so many people that were upset being stuck with tainted points after canceling their cruise that was booked on points. Also you get much better travel insurance paying cash. I believe that you get $5 per point back with a point reservation.