DVC cruise pts for 2005

[ohiominnie]

Originally posted by deerh
This may be incorrect. I believe on the DVC website it said $95 exchange for concierge and Adventure collection. I did not see the DCL ships. It said all other remain the same including II exchanges.

deerh is correct. the fee to use points to cruise remains at $75.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by deerh
This may be incorrect. I believe on the DVC website it said $95 exchange for concierge and Adventure collection. I did not see the DCL ships. It said all other remain the same including II exchanges. I will double check, believe that you could save $20!
Hey, that is 3 drinks on the ship!!

I would like to know what you priced at @2632, ours with 2 A, 2 C
Prime summer is $6910!! NOW this is 11 mos out, with the early booking discount!! At least I think it is?! If wife and I went, it would be $4000+, so you must be cruising value season.
DeerH

You may be right about the $75 vs $95 fee, the way I read it was everything except II was going up. Still funny we'd be quibbling about $20 when were talking hundred's of dollars or more difference in a cruise.

The $2632 was through Sam's for March, 04 for a cat 11 with 3 adults. The AAA price, DU and Allseas was $110 higher, AAA would have included a $75 credit and free Soda mugs (assuming they renew the program). We were comparing to June and March was several hundred dollars cheaper but in the same DVC category which is regular and not value season. Both are times that may end up in the FL resident rates and if so, will reduce the price further. The same cruise in June 12th would currrently be less than $4000 for the 3 in cat 11 and would have been less when I booked this a few months ago. If I recall, I could have gotten by for just a fraction over $3000 for 3 for either June 04 sailing.

 

[ohiominnie]

Originally posted by Dean
You may be right about the $75 vs $95 fee, the way I read it was everything except II was going up.

Nope, I AM right. We just booked a 3 day for September for $75. And MIL just booked the same cruise, also $75. Both of these were within the last week or so.

 

[deerh]

By Dean:The $2632 was through Sam's for March, 04 for a cat 11 with 3 adults. The AAA price, DU and Allseas was $110 higher, AAA would have included a $75 credit and free Soda mugs (assuming they renew the program). We were comparing to June and March was several hundred dollars cheaper but in the same DVC category which is regular and not value season. Both are times that may end up in the FL resident rates and if so, will reduce the price further. The same cruise in June 12th would currrently be less than $4000 for the 3 in cat 11 and would have been less when I booked this a few months ago. If I recall, I could have gotten by for just a fraction over $3000 for 3 for either June 04 sailing.

Well, we are comparing apples to oranges. I am looking at cat 6, for 2A, 2 C, and I was only comparing on the DVC website cost. Have not checked into AAA, Costco, etc. But probably do our cruise on points anyway. Besides, I am not looking to cruise until 2005, just wanted to see what price is out there 1 year away from 2005. BIG difference between cat 6 and cat 11 price and point wise..
Why not go for the varanda?? It is nice! We liked it on the 4 day, I can only imagine it on the 7 day!

DeerH

 

[EAP'sDAD]

Does anyone know how it works to use cash and points on the same cruise. was looking at a catagory 4 for my family of 5. I was hoping to pay for me and DW with points and pay cash for the kids all will between 4 and 9 when we plan to go. will they allow this and do I have to do everything with DVC? Thanks for any help

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by deerh
Well, we are comparing apples to oranges. I am looking at cat 6, for 2A, 2 C, and I was only comparing on the DVC website cost. Have not checked into AAA, Costco, etc. But probably do our cruise on points anyway. Besides, I am not looking to cruise until 2005, just wanted to see what price is out there 1 year away from 2005. BIG difference between cat 6 and cat 11 price and point wise..
Why not go for the varanda?? It is nice! We liked it on the 4 day, I can only imagine it on the 7 day!

DeerH

I suspcted as much but had no way to compared until you responded. The same cabin now for June would be $5207.00 for 3, or likely a little less for Sam's. We don't spend much time in the cabin and we get motion sick so a verandah would likely be a detriment to us. Besides it would have been a choice of the cheaper cabin or not going even if I had wanted to. At 596 points, that's certainly a much better value than my cruise on points.

Points and cash together can be done. you pay the first adult on points then can do any combination of points and cash for the remainder as long as any whole person is paid for only one way (cash or points). DVC has a list and they tell you what the price is based on their contract price which is usually higher than the direct cash price with early booking discount. You lose out on any specials through direct cash options, you have signficant cancellation penalties and you lose the $75 fee even if you only change your reservaiton. They will not decrease the price even if DCL prices go down unless they also decrease the points for that cruise for everyone. They will not price match. These negative differences make it better to do cash even if the return is $10 pp unless you're approaching the 2 month cancellation deadline anyway. You can also book cash up to 18 months or so while only booking DVC on points at 11 months out. All the best rooms may be gone by the time DVC members can ever make a reservation.

 

[ohiominnie]

Originally posted by Dean
You can also book cash up to 18 months or so while only booking DVC on points at 11 months out. All the best rooms may be gone by the time DVC members can ever make a reservation.

Don't be frightened by this. We booked 11 months out for the cruise we just took in may (points for adults, cash for kids) and all we asked for was something relatively "mid-ship" and cat 6. We had the most WONDERful room right near the mid-ship elevators. So WONDERful that we now have 4 more cruises scheduled and we've asked for the same room everytime (and if it wasn't available, we wanted one of the rooms very very close to that room)

So even though you're only working with the 11 month window, you aren't going to be stuck in the worst room (unless you're looking at the most peak weeks)

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by ohiominnie
Don't be frightened by this. We booked 11 months out for the cruise we just took in may (points for adults, cash for kids) and all we asked for was something relatively "mid-ship" and cat 6. We had the most WONDERful room right near the mid-ship elevators. So WONDERful that we now have 4 more cruises scheduled and we've asked for the same room everytime (and if it wasn't available, we wanted one of the rooms very very close to that room)

So even though you're only working with the 11 month window, you aren't going to be stuck in the worst room (unless you're looking at the most peak weeks)

True, but unlikely to get a secret porhole room which are talked about so much here.

 

["Ginger"]

deerh your getting quotes for 2 adults and 2 kids but your 16 year old will no longer be a kid in Disney's eyes. You have to get quotes for 2 booking adults and the 3rd person being over the age of 13 is considers a 3rd adult $$$ your 4th person would come under 4th person under the age of 12.
Ever think about renting your points to pay for your cruise? Now I know we're not suppose to rent our points to make a profit but in your case it may be a one time thing, and who's going to know. Last time I looked the going rate was $10. a point. If paying cash for that cruise you can book it as soon as the rates have been posted to get the Early Savings and save big $$$$. Try Costco they have always given me the best rates and believe me I shop all around, another good TA for cruises is Allseasons. Plus, if you book with cash you'll save the $75 fee the DVC charges.

We always cruise in late Oct. the cost is down plus the ships are not full it's great no crowds. Much easier to get Spa, and Palo ressies the pools are not crowded bettter chances of win at Bingo, LOL, much more relaxing. Most of the times you can upgrade to at the port. If you booked a cat.9 you can upgrade to a 4 for around $375. Not sure if you can do this in July since the ships are always full and the rate are much much higher.

Good luck with what ever you do.

 

[deerh]

By Ginger:deerh your getting quotes for 2 adults and 2 kids but your 16 year old will no longer be a kid in Disney's eyes. You have to get quotes for 2 booking adults and the 3rd person being over the age of 13 is considers a 3rd adult $$$ your 4th person would come under 4th person under the age of 12.

Yes, My son is getting to be "a adult" in Disney's eyes. I know I have to go during peak season as I am a school teacher and don't do the "take kids out of school thing". So, I know it is big bucks for what I want. The option is viable, renting them out, but I am a long way from that, we are looking at 2005 cruise, and MS said that the points would be out late fall early winter 2003 for 2005. So, got a ways to go yet. We may go some other way, not cruise and go to Bahamas, etc for a week.. Don't Know yet, but thanks for advise..
Believe me, once I see the points, I will start shopping price that is for sure!
As Doc would say:
stay tuned!
deerh