DVC cruise points

[mommyceratops]

Ok newbie here we are talking about doing the cruise and can't understand if the points are per person or for two people? Anyone know this? I don't have my password to get on the site yet.

Thanks in advance

 

[rogerram]

they are per person. It is very expensive to use points for this. That is why people rent them and use the money to buy the cruise.

 

[MrsMork]

It is also very easy and convenient to use the points for DCL. That is why we use our points and just deal with the financially stupid decision of doing that. DCL is what inspired us to buy DVC. The points are per person. There is ususally a rebooking incentive after you sail which can save you some points on your next cruise.

 

[aclov]

DH & used our points last month for a 4 day cruise on the Wonder, it was 87 points per person for Cat. 11. When I got my documents, we had been upgraded to Cat. 8. I'm not saying this will happen, but we got lucky and I was so happy! It was very convenient for me to use the points and since we had to use them, we figure we do something different. When I got home I did some research on cost vs. points (in my specific situation) and I actually came out ahead as oppose to renting points and paying cash.

 

[bcsmom]

It is also very easy and convenient to use the points for DCL. That is why we use our points and just deal with the financially stupid decision of doing that. DCL is what inspired us to buy DVC. The points are per person. There is ususally a rebooking incentive after you sail which can save you some points on your next cruise.

Do you know what kind of incentive they usually give? I am thinking about taking a cruise at Christmas.

 

[mommyceratops]

Thanks! We signed on with the F&F and got the double points so that is we have 400 to use by Aug 2007...

I have 2 dreams to take a 2 week WDW vacation and the cruise?? Which would be best?

Thanks

 

[#1minnie]

we just got back from the Magic Cruise which sailed on 1/28. We used our points for DH and I and paid cash for DD age 5. We know we probably overpaid as well, but that's why we bought the points was to use them. There is no way that DH would've paid for the cruise after buying into the DVC.

I didn't save the incentive offered on the ship, but I want to say compared week for week you could save something like 24 points or so for rebooking. Honestly, we're not really "cruise people" so we're not interested in doing another cruise, not even Disney. It was a fabulous experience for my 5 year old so I'm happy we went this time and she loved it.

The Eastern cruises are less expensive with cash and points because they have one less port to pay fees at.

 

[CarolMN]

I don't think using points to cruise is necessarily "financially stupid". It depends on how you value your points.

Those who say it is better to rent your points and pay cash for the cruise generally value their points at $10 per point - because that is what they believe you can get for renting. That does not take into account the time and effort it takes to rent. Some may prefer to avoid that hassle - especially if they will be first time renters. Not all renting transactions go as smoothly as it may appear just from reading these boards.

If you value your points based on what you paid plus dues, many times cruising on points looks to be a pretty good value.

JMHO. YMMV.

Best wishes -

 

[bobbiwoz]

I don't think using points to cruise is necessarily "financially stupid". It depends on how you value your points.

Those who say it is better to rent your points and pay cash for the cruise generally value their points at $10 per point - because that is what they believe you can get for renting. That does not take into account the time and effort it takes to rent. Some may prefer to avoid that hassle - especially if they will be first time renters. Not all renting transactions go as smoothly as it may appear just from reading these boards.

If you value your points based on what you paid plus dues, many times cruising on points looks to be a pretty good value.

JMHO. YMMV.

Best wishes -

Thank you, so much for each time that you say this!!! I do agree with you, and you express it so well.

Bobbi

 

[WDWLVR]

Carol - I agree with Bobbi! Thank you and very well said!

 

[m4travel]

Do you know what kind of incentive they usually give? I am thinking about taking a cruise at Christmas.

The incentive offered when we sailed on the Wonder in January was 10% off the cost of the cruise plus a shipboard credit. The amount of the credit depends upon the length of the cruise; longer cruises earn a larger credit. I believe it was $50 for one of the short cruises and $100 per cabin for a week-long cruise.

The reduction to the price of the cruise was valid only in categories 4 - 11. Booking a category 1 - 3 suite earned only the shipboard credit.

We were booking a cruise in December 2007 and by then will have sailed on the DVC Member cruise in a cat. 3. Knowing that we like our space, and having already sailed in a cat. 3, we booked a cat. 3 for the December cruise, too. Too bad Disney won't discount the suites! We took our shipboard credit and moved the reservation to a travel agent that offered a 10% discount while keeping the credit.

 

[akghutton]

We are taking a 7 night cruise in October. As much as we wanted to cruise, we didn't want to use up over 2 years worth of points for our family, as the cruise was going to cost over 600 points for the 4 of us.

With some trepidation we read up on how to rent pointson this site. We posted that we had 314 points to rent and were asking $11.00 per point. In less than 12 hours, our points were rented at our asking cost. Now not only is the cost of our cruise covered, but also our trip insurance, rental car, hotel stay and spending money for gas, tips and food for the day before we cruise. In addition, it only cost us 1 year worth of points. It has definitely worked out better for us to rent and pay cash for the cruise.

That being said, your points are yours to use as you see fit; just look into both options, using points or renting and paying cash, and that way you can make an informed decision on what works best for you and your family.

Best of luck on your vacation plans and welcome to the DVC family!