Disney Cruise with DVC

[Dean]

We just cruised Alaska on (mostly) points. The cash quote for the 2 cabins was just under $12K. I used 1066 points and paid $95 and $1295 for one of the cruisers. It was done in one phone call and we got the cruise and cabins we wanted.

I think there are two things to keep in mind:
1. The number of points needed--Renting out 300 points or so is different from having to rent out 1066 points. That would have required multiple rentals (and possibly multiple headaches).
2. The total cost--I am willing to pay a little more for the convenience (say if the points needed were 1000 but the cruise only cost $9K). But I wouldn't do it in every circumstance.

#2 is true in any circumstance, not just cruising. We have never used our points for easter or christmas week in wdw either because we don't feel we get the value we want from the points. Cruising is no different. Many people here used to pay cash for weekend nights for the same reason. I consider this all the same issue. But sometimes the points required for a cruise are right in line with the value of them.

We would not have done the Alaska cruise if we had to pay cash, and it was one of the best vacations we ever had. We felt (this time) the points were a good way to cruise.

No doubt one needs to look at the specifics of their circumstances to decide and that is what I have ALWAYS advocated. I don't know if it applies your case, but it does in many (and is a good place to make the point), where people ONLY look at the current price and don't consider any potential savings that may have passed (early booking discounts). No doubt that's water under the bridge for the exact cruise option but may not be for another cruise or even cabin on the same cruise. Thus, IMO, one should always at least consider whether there are discounts that have passed but may be present for a different choice. One may still decide to proceed but at least you've got the info. IMO it's not much more difficult to rent out a large amount of points than a smaller amount and it can actually be easier of course the potential return is proportionally more. I'll also point out here that there are considerable risks in using points to cruise, IMO, far more than renting until you get to about 75-90 days out.

 

[Pinkocto]

Hi, I'm going to throw in my two cents worth. I booked a cruise with points for March 2012. I originally wanted to get an inside stateroom because they use up far less points than any other, and they were still available to purchase with cash. However, when I called they only had 5E and lower available for DVC members. It seems that they only 'hold' a certain number of staterooms per category for DVC. Will definitely book with points again.

When booking the agent specifically told me I could use points for one of us and pay cash for the other if I didn't want to use up so many points, so that's an option for you. They go through everthing with you when you book, assign your stateroom number, ask which dinner seating you'd like, and which show time you would prefer. If you are flying and want to use Disney transportation to the port they will link your flight to your reservation then, or you can add it on later if you haven't booked your flight yet, exactly like booking Magical Express to WDW.

 

[jennypenny]

I'll also point out here that there are considerable risks in using points to cruise, IMO, far more than renting until you get to about 75-90 days out.

I agree that having to cancel a cruise booked on points is more problematic. If you cancel more than 75 days out, you can have your points back, but then have to know how to use them at nonDVC hotels. We purposely booked our cruise for the first week of summer so if we had to cancel we could try and use them over the summer in WDW. We also talked about insuring them but didn't because of our circumstance. (son has chronic condition which isn't always covered).

In this case we decided that we were willing to take the chance because we really wanted to do this cruise. OTOH, we would never risk points on a bahamas or carribean cruise--points req. too high and too easy for weather to ruin the trip (we've been on one of those cruises).

I just think there is no one answer to the question of using points for cruises, and some people answer as if it is never a good choice. I think we both agree that many people buy DVC without understanding how the system works, and that is frustrating to watch. I also watch people waste money every day and that frustrates me also. Maybe I shouldn't care--maybe it's none of my business--but I do feel badly when people make big $$ mistakes because of their ignorance.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Hi! Has anyone done a Disney Cruise with vacation points?
What happens when you don't have enough points can you pay cash for the rest?
Was it a good experience?

TIA

The OP was not asking for opinions on whether booking a cruise on DVC Points is a good value versus booking on cash. Therefore, we will not be going down the road of "points are bad versus points are good". We know everyone has their own opinion, but this has become a "Hot Topic" here on the DIS. Thanks all.

 

[deerh]

Hi! We did a cruise (4 day) in 2001, and did points for the 2 adults and 1 child, and paid $500 for the other child. It was a great experience, and DVC set it all up for us as indicated by another poster. So... $500 for a 4 day cruise was a good deal I thought!

It's your points-do what you want to with them.

deerh

 

[MinnieMart]

we sailed the dream on june 26th 5 day cruise. it was soooo relaxing. we booked this cruise not this past april the april the year before! we needed 2 rooms and the ship was just about booked. the DREAM is beautiful. we have cruised before , this was our 6th cruise! 4 of them on pts. we are paying for 2 colleges {even after they graduate!} and the payments are outragious , so with that said it is hard to save 6-8 thousand $ or more for a cruise. we did use up 3 yrs worth of points but it was truely a wonderful vacation. you have to do what works for your family. hey how about DVC just gives us clean towels every day!that rule really urkes me, we pay so much in maintainance fees. well let your memories begin and try booking a cruise with points , you won't regret it.

 

[DVCisME]

Thanks for all the replies!

Does a tone know when the dates will come out for 2013? Am I right in guessing that one should book ASAP?

Thanks again!

 

[keaster]

Thanks for all the replies!

Does a tone know when the dates will come out for 2013? Am I right in guessing that one should book ASAP?

Thanks again!

When we were on the Dream in July, the future cruise person told us they are expecting the 2013 itineraries to be released in October.

 

[Rochester Disney Fan]

Hi, I posted this back in March on a cruise question but I think it applies here as well. I am very much looking foward to our cruise.

A few weeks ago I booked a 4 night Bahama Cruise, Deluxe Family Ocean view Stateroom with Verandah for August 15,2012 on the Dream. I used 158 pts for myself and paid cash 2,352( including the 95$ fee)for my wife and 2 kids that will be 9 at time of sailing.Before I made this reservation I tried to book both with a travel agent and DCL and they both wanted 4,732 for all of us.
When I called member services out of curiosity to see what they could do I was kind of surprised and booked Immediately.This will be our first cruise.I figured 158 pts to save 2,380 was like getting $15/pt .Later I will add the land portion to the trip when the booking window opens .
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