Disney Cruise using points

[Basser]

My DW are thinking of taking a DC on points. Is there anything we should know before making reservations?
What kind of accommodations are available on points?

 

[TnRobin]

Hi Basser,

We are crusing on points this Sept. Depending on what is available on the cruise itself, you can use points to book anything from Cat 10 (inside stateroom - sleeps 3 or 4) to a Cat 4 (Veranda stateroom - sleeps 5)

You will pay the $75 transfer fee plus be responsible for your transportation to the port.

 

[ddave]

We did a catagory 5 this past April on the 4 day cruise. It was a great room with verandah, 6th floor, mid-ship.

You are gonna have a ball!

 

[fan of the mouse]

We booked a Cat 6 and got upgraded to a Cat 5 (midship, Deck 7, veranda) for Dec 8 on the Magic. Two adults and a child with the Fall Fantasy rates. 343 points and $75.00 booking fee. Can't wait. Originally, it was 411 points, but we had points credited back to our account when the special was announced earlier in the year.

 

[Minnie*Mouse]

Hi, fan of the mouse,

You say you were upgraded from cat. 6 to 5 using points for your reservation. You had to pay an additional $75. fee to change cabins, with the Fall Fantasy point reduction, right?

M*M

 

[fan of the mouse]

no I did not pay an additional $75...just the initial booking fee.

 

[treloarf]

Are you talking about this Dec. 8 - we're going 2 weeks before that and was hoping for an upgrade. I really wanted a veranda, but just didn't have quite enough points. So we're stuck with a secret porthole room, which is fine with me, but I am a little claustrophobic, so I hope I'm OK. How did you get the upgrade and found out about it?

 

[fan of the mouse]

I originally booked in January 2001 for the cruise in Dec. In Feb, the Fall Fantasy rates were announced. I called MS to see if we would get points credited back. And was told that we would (in a few weeks I received written confirmation). Also, at the time I called about the point credit, I realized that I would have preferred a room on the starboard side. Our original room was 6578 (Cat 6., port side, midship with a veranda). I asked MS about changing to starboard. She said yes I could do that and not incur an additional 75 charge. I said GREAT, then she offered to upgrade me to Cat 5, which is the identical room (with the exception that it is on the starboard side). So I didn't get a veranda out of the deal...just was moved up a floor. Which is great!

 

[J.P.]

Basser,
WE went on a crusie in April using our points, we paid a $75.00 fee. We stayed in a stateroom with a outside area. We stayed on the 8 th deck which was great . It was close to all the floors where most of the activities took place. You will really enjoy the cruise. We went for the first time this past april and our planning to go back in april of 2003 using our points. JP inkbounc

 

[Denine]

We have cruised twice on points. Category 11 both times (inside stateroom). We are booked on the Magic in October, also cat 11.
We have had wonderful times.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

What is the least expensive way to get transportation to the ship? I thought Disney put you on a bus. How much does that cost? If you can't use that option on points, what options are there?
Robin M.

 

[Towncrier]

You have several options and the best one depends entirely on how many people are in your party and how much you value convenience. You can purchase DCL transfers (price anyone???), rent a car and drop it off at the port, or use one of the various towncar services (we used Tiffany Towncars). To determine the best value, you should contact all of these entities and determine the lowest cost per person. Since we travelled as a group of five and we needed transportation from the airport to the port to WDW and back to the airport, we found that TTC worked best for us. I'm not comfortable renting automobiles, but I have heard that you can rent a car at the airport, drive to the port, and turn it in and that it can be quite economical to do so.

 

[Renee']

We've cruised twice so far and have our third scheduled for October - all on points. Beside the $75 fee there are no other costs involved. On our first cruise we received a bottle of champagne in our stateroom from DVC. The second cruise, October '00 we didn't get the champagne or any acknowledgement from DVC. I assumed they simply missed us but I think possibly they (DVC) has discontinued it. Has anyone cruised recently on points and received the champagne from DVC?

 

[CarolAnnC]

I cruised on points November 24, 2000, and received the bottle of champagne and the invitation to the DVC member social. Must have been an oversight on your cruise. Always stop by Guest Services on board and they can usually take care of something like that.

 

[doubletroublemom]

I called MS today to inquire about 2002 points. The adult points increased slightly, but the kids' stayed the same. I was happy to find out that as long as I book one adult with points, the rest of the party can be paid for with cash as long as DVC books it. I was given the cash rates and they were competitive with a TA I was using. I already have a room on hold with the TA, and I'm hoping I won't lose it with the switch, but I'll take that chance! We'll be on the 5/11/02 inaugural western carib 7 day!

 

[J.P.]

WE RECOMMEND RENTING A CAR, SO THAT YOU CAN GET THE CRUISE WHEN YOU WANT TO. I THINK THE BUSES STOP AT DIFFERENT RESORTS BEFORE THE HEAD TO THE CRUISE LINE. ALSO WHEN YOU DEPART THE SHIP AND PICK UP YOUR LUGGAGE- YOU JUST HAVE TO WALK TO THE PARKING LOT AND LEAVE. DON'T HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE BUS. jp

 

[Jamie]

Any chance you could let me know how many points you used. We are planning on buying into DVC in Aug or Sept. I had gotten an all cash quote for a 4 day cruise for the end of July 2002. Now I'm thinking of doing it on points or maybe points/cash. I looked at cat.10. It was 110 points for adults (2001) and 63 for kids. If we did the 13 year old on points is it still the kids total or the adult? Do you know the cash price for kids (cat 10). Sorry this is long. I'm just trying to decide what to do. Thanks!

 

[kpatches]

What is the Western Carib 7 day cruise????? Where does it go to???????

 

[tworgs]

Cruised past april on the Wonder. When we arrived at port went to Castaway check in (this was our 3rd cruise) when we arrived at our cabin we received a gym bag and, low and behold a $100 ship board credit!

 

[TnRobin]

Jamie. In order to use DVC points, at least one of the adult passages must be paid in points. After that you can choose, who you will pay cash for and who you will pay points for.