Disney Cruise with Points?

[Good Ol Gal]

We are planning on banking our 2005 points so that we may enjoy the cruise in 2006.

Can anyone explain to me how the points would work with 2 adults, and 4 kids??

I can see in our planner the points for the 1st 4 people, but how do we figure the next two? We will have to get two rooms, but will they charge us for two adults for each room??

We are hoping to combine a little WDW in this trip also and are really trying to figure it all out.. way far in advance

Thanks for any help!

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

To do two adults and four kids you will need two rooms. They do have some connecting so that shouldn't be an issue. The issue is that you will have to pay points for two of the children as adults. Since you will need two rooms, the first two people in the room, pay as adults. This is the case whether you are paying in points or cash.

I have four kids and have gone on a number of cruises. This is one of the reasons we have avoided paying in points. You could always pay for the first person in each room in points and the other four occupants in cash. That's what we did on one trip.

HBC

 

[Lou Rindner]

The cash is better than using the points. We decided to use points because we had enough. Anytime you can use cash on a trip like this it pays. You can pay for adults and or children via points and some via cash. The type of room was not important to us as we are not going with a port hole as friends who have gone on the trip told us that they spent so little time in the room it made sense to save the points and take less of a room. You will need two rooms. Enjoy the trip.

 

[kellydizfan]

a real dumb question is if you have enough points and are not planning on going again that year, why would you pay cash?
I am trying to figure out about going in 2006 for a 7 night cruise with 2 adults and 3 kids for my 40th bday. I think my kids 12, 9, 6 would love it and we could have some couple time and see something new for a change. Please respond as I would like to start planning now - isn't that terrible!
Thanks!

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by kellydizfan
a real dumb question is if you have enough points and are not planning on going again that year, why would you pay cash?

Maybe because the return of value for points is usually between $4.50 and $6.75 per point when you could rent for $10-12 per point. Plus if you schedule and have to make changes, there are penalties like a new $75 fee for ANY change. If you have to cancel, the points are reservation points and expire at the end of the use year. If the price goes down for cash, you don't get any refund. And if you combine points with cash, not only is the price for the cash portion almost always higher compared to the early booking discounted price, it's due in total WHEN you make the reservation. So even if it were break even compared to renting out your points and paying cash through DCL, IMO, it's much better to rent out your points and pay cash. IMO, the risk and aggravation for renting the points is far less than making points or cash plus points reservations through DVC. Of course their your points, you can throw them away any way you want.

 

[MrsM]

I am trying to figure out about going in 2006 for a 7 night cruise with 2 adults and 3 kids for my 40th bday.

With three kids, you can also book a family suite instead of having to go with two connecting rooms.

Also, as far as paying cash versus points, depending on what time of year you want to go, DCL offers some really attractive discounts if you pay cash. They are even offering some really good deals into 2006. They also offer special deals at times for using your Disney Visa, etc. that you wouldn't get by using points.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by MrsM
With three kids, you can also book a family suite ins

Two connecting cat 10 or 11 cabins will likely be significantly cheaper than one cat 4 cabin. Plus you get an extra bath, privacy and the like. But you should look at both options for your cruise and decide what's best for you.

 

[kellydizfan]

Originally posted by Dean
Two connecting cat 10 or 11 cabins will likely be significantly cheaper than one cat 4 cabin. Plus you get an extra bath, privacy and the like. But you should look at both options for your cruise and decide what's best for you.

I have looked at it both ways. That is why I asked the question. I can't afford to pay cash for the family suite - way too too much money!!!!!!!! and way to many points for the 5 of us plus airfare on top there is no way. The two inside staterooms I can swing the points - I may have to pay for the child portion as I will be short a few points. As far as the points they are there why not enjoy them and do something different for a change.
Thanks!

 

[Good Ol Gal]

Originally posted by Dean
Maybe because the return of value for points is usually between $4.50 and $6.75 per point when you could rent for $10-12 per point.

So you can rent your points to someone else and then use that money for the cruise?

We are new to DVC and are still trying to figure out how things work.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Originally posted by Good Ol Gal
So you can rent your points to someone else and then use that money for the cruise?

We are new to DVC and are still trying to figure out how things work.

Yes you can. Go take a look at the rent/trade Board and read the FAQ. We rented points out and are paying cash for our spring cruise.

But being new, you should get thoroughly used to the system before you rent points.

HBC

 

[WolfpackFan]

A question - can you borrow points for a cruise or do you have to have the points in your account.

Also, as far as renting points - don't you have to pay taxes if you rent them out? That's why I don't want to mess with it.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by WolfpackFan
A question - can you borrow points for a cruise or do you have to have the points in your account.

I suspect most people have to bank AND borrow to get enough points together for a cruise, so yes you can borrow. I'm not sure about DCL, but for adventurer options, the points must be in ONE contract to be used.

 

[Lou Rindner]

I did decide to use my points and not cash only because I have enough points to do the trip. The reason I hate to use the points is the simple fact that the points are worth more than the money. The rate of amount of points is much more than the cash value. You can use points on some on the cruise and use cash for others to save points. If you think about it. A child approx for the cruise is about $600.00 depending on your room and when you go. It possibly is more depending again on the room and when you leave. Thus is $600.00 worth the 65 or more points per child. The only reason we used the points is that we figured we spent so much for the points we own why add cash to save points. I personally like to save points for big trips. The wife is the boss and told me use the points. I listened to her.. SMILE LOL
I use the cash now for the trips on the islands which makes sense. The swimming with the Dolphins, the jeep ride and the other excursions they offer. Remember you have to book them I think 75-90 days out and they sell out fast so I am told.

 

[DisneyFam5]

Hi Kellydizfan!

I will be on the Magic for my 40th on Dec. 14th with my DH, and three sons - 12, 9 & 8! We will be staying in a Cat. 4, but I only paid for 1 adult in points. I rented points to some people at work ($15 per point and they get a $300 room for $150 and no tax!) Then I used the cash they paid me to pay for the cash part of our cruise. The points only converted to a savings of about $7.50 when used on the cruise, but they paid me $15. I doubled my money and they got a room for half price. We all made out very well.

We took this cruise 2 years ago and the boys loved the Lab. You should have no trouble getting that alone time!

Are you sure it is cheaper for the two rooms? The first two in each room will be charged as adults.

 

[DisneyFam5]

Hi Kellydizfan!

I will be on the Magic for my 40th on Dec. 14th with my DH, and three sons - 12, 9 & 8! We will be staying in a Cat. 4, but I only paid for 1 adult in points. I rented points to some people at work ($15 per point and they get a $300 room for $150 and no tax!) Then I used the cash they paid me to pay for the cash part of our cruise. The points only converted to a savings of about $7.50 when used on the cruise, but they paid me $15. I doubled my money and they got a room for half price. We all made out very well.

We took this cruise 2 years ago and the boys loved the Lab. You should have no trouble getting that alone time!

Are you sure it is cheaper for the two rooms? The first two in each room will be charged as adults.

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

Originally posted by Good Ol Gal
We are planning on banking our 2005 points so that we may enjoy the cruise in 2006.

Be careful in point planning based on any current DCL point charts. The points for cruising rise significantly every year. With each sucessive year more and more DVC families get gouged out of their ability to cruise through direct exchange.

If possible, cash through DCL (or other travel agent) is the way to go. We are cruising next year in the value season, 2 catagory 10's (the not-so-secret-porthole rooms). We booked 18 months out, rented points, and the 7 day cruise cost our family of five 418 "rented" pts. A far cry from the 652 points we'd pay for two catagory 10's we could book through DVC at the 11 month window.

You have lots of time to think about it. Good luck.

 

[traycie2201]

I guess you just have to go with whatever works for you, we just did our first cruise 7 day western, worth every point and then some we used 450 points and did a week at the boardwalk and a week on the western cat 11 for me , dh and ds 13 , i have also heard it's better to rent and pay cash but i was really uncomfortable with the idea, may try it in the future though based on reports on this board but not for such an important trip., have a great time whatever you decide to do.

 

[kellydizfan]

Originally posted by DisneyFam5
Hi Kellydizfan!

I will be on the Magic for my 40th on Dec. 14th with my DH, and three sons - 12, 9 & 8! We will be staying in a Cat. 4, but I only paid for 1 adult in points. I rented points to some people at work ($15 per point and they get a $300 room for $150 and no tax!) Then I used the cash they paid me to pay for the cash part of our cruise. The points only converted to a savings of about $7.50 when used on the cruise, but they paid me $15. I doubled my money and they got a room for half price. We all made out very well.

We took this cruise 2 years ago and the boys loved the Lab. You should have no trouble getting that alone time!

Are you sure it is cheaper for the two rooms? The first two in each room will be charged as adults.

Called Member Services to find out. I would have to pay 2 adults in each room and 1 child in one room. Points come out alot cheaper then the cat 4 room for 2 adults and three kids. I would be afraid to rent points unless it was someone I know. I really want to do this in 2 years for my 40th b-day. I think the kids would have a blast. For the 5 of us to go cash is anywhere from 6-10 grand depending on when. Paying cash for 2 rooms is cheaper. Who knows. Planning stages now but looking forward to getting my way. HeHeHe

 

[DisneyFam5]

I would just put the word out for friends and family that you have some extra points that you would be willing to share! My friend at work has been paying me for the last two years so he didn't have to pay all at once. It works out very well when it isn't a stranger. Just make sure they understand that if they have to cancel and the points go to waste, they still have to pay! You will double your money on any points you sell! Good luck!

 

[goofyforlife]

We used the balance of our 2004 points and some 2005 to take a 3 day cruise in September.

2 adults, 1dd, 11, 1dn, 1.5 for 176 points. (We could only afford cat 11 but it was nice.)

I guess if we would have had the time to rent it would have been cheaper but would have been one more thing to worry about.

However, the rebooking rates for repeat DVC's were so good that we are taking a four day wonder next month. Cat 9 this time.

I imagine if you took your first cruise with cash that your could still get rebooking discounts on the "points values" which for the 3/4 day cruises is like 13-14 points off per person for the first two adults.