Dvc cruising: No way

[crisi]

Remember that this year, Disney had some pretty incredible deals for cash.....resorts, cruises, Adventures by Disney trips - all had some bargain basement savings available to them because people weren't travelling. And that condition still seems to exist with cruising being booked for next year for some sailings.

While cruising on points is seldom as good a value as cruising on cash, certain circumstances make it more attractive. When you are looking at full fare cruises, and comparing that to a contract where you've recouped the initial expense and are only figuring dues as your cost - it isn't a bad deal - particularly if you have the points to spare.

We don't cruise on points - we have a small number of points and use them at Disney. But for someone who has invested in 1,000 points, cruising may be an efficient use of getting rid of those points if they don't want another WDW trip. Their other option other than using them somewhere other than DVC resorts is to either use them for a "less value" exchange like cruises (or conceirge collection) or rent them. And not everyone wants that hassle.

 

[CarolAnnC]

It looks to me like that chart is saying that the Jul 30 sailing is 575 pts. PER adult for the Cat 4 which would be 1,150 points for 2 people. The OP is trying to compare apples to apples with the cruise they just did - so they're not interested in trying to book the lowest cat. available...they want the same type of accomodations.

Well that is just it - You are quoting the points cost of an 8 night cruise - it is not a fair comparison to look at an 8 night cruise versus a 7 night cruise that the OP took. Also, he did not state what category he was in (at least a description of size and amenities) nor what cruiseline. Perhaps he will share with us these details so we can fairly compare.

 

[tjkraz]

It looks to me like that chart is saying that the Jul 30 sailing is 575 pts. PER adult for the Cat 4 which would be 1,150 points for 2 people.

Yeah, but OP said 1100 points not 1150.

The OP is trying to compare apples to apples with the cruise they just did - so they're not interested in trying to book the lowest cat. available...they want the same type of accomodations.

But OP said that $1800 was paid for the room.

Still seems like something is being lost in translation here. I wonder if OP is not referring to a Disney cruise when citing numbers. I noticed that the original post makes no mention of DCL and states that he just returned from "a western mediterranean cruise." I didn't think DCL was running any Mediterranean cruises right now.

If I'm wrong here, someone PLEASE tell me how to book at 7-night DCL cruise for two in a Cat 4 stateroom for only $1800!!!!!

 

[Sammie]

I figure using "your" (operative word here is "your") points for cruises, exchanges, Disney Adventures, WDW hotels that are not DVC are entirely personal choices.

When some people travel they very happy at the Hampton Inn, some want the Ritz Carlton, does it really matter.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Yeah, but OP said 1100 points not 1150.



But OP said that $1800 was paid for the room.

Still seems like something is being lost in translation here. I wonder if OP is not referring to a Disney cruise when citing numbers. I noticed that the original post makes no mention of DCL and states that he just returned from "a western mediterranean cruise." I didn't think DCL was running any Mediterranean cruises right now.

If I'm wrong here, someone PLEASE tell me how to book at 7-night DCL cruise for two in a Cat 4 stateroom for only $1800!!!!!

And I will be in line right in back of you! LOL!!

The Magic is heading to Europe and the Baltic next year. There is actually only one 7 night cruise and that will be a repositioning cruise from Barcelona to Dover, UK on June 5. Quite unlikely that the OP is comparing anything close to this one..but would like to hear the details of what cruiseline, category and type of stateroom and itinerary he had for the $1800 price for two...

 

[toniosmom]

Just to add my two cents...

While I realize that using points to cruise on DCL amounts to an overpayment, there are people without a lot of disposable cash (after buying into and maintaining DVC contracts) in order to pay cash for a DCL cruise. Yes, if I used points to cruise, I would be paying so much more. Yada yada yada...read it on many threads.

Yes, you can always rent or transfer points. However, I have read some alarming postings about rentals gone bad. You really have to take a leap of faith and some of us are just not in a position to do that. One bad deal can be devastating.

Call me "insane", but for someone like me, it may be the only way to experience a DCL cruise.

Maybe if you look at it from another point of view, you wouldn't be so critical of those who choose to use their points this way.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

Well I was one of those insane people a few years ago who used points for a 4 night cruise, we decided late in the game to do a Feb break trip, had points, I think three traveled on points and cash for one of the kids. It was a whole lot cheaper doing that route then paying out of pocket for the cabin. I forget most of the details, but even if I had rented out the points, it was still better to use them for the cruise than pay cash. I am sure it had to do with the holiday time period. But was well worth it. But people also think I'm nuts for blowing points on a one bedroom unit for just myself and my son!! Or a two bedroo for 4 of us! It's all about how you like to roll! as the kiddos say!!

 

[Silver Queen]

I will say that when we purchased DVC in April '08 our guide did not push the cruise or trade out aspects at all. In fact, he mentioned considering those as a last resort as an alternative to losing points.

 

[pinnocchiosdad]

That is the chart I used to illustrate the 278 points per person for the cat 11.

I do not see any category for the 7 night cruise there that adds up to 1100 points for two adults - not even the highest category shown on this chart which is a category 4 stateroom designed for 5 adults...

In my OP I was refering to a cruise I took last week where I had a stateroom with a balcony. 278 points is for an inside stateroom. Inside staterooms do not even have windows. But even if it were only 278 each, at a rental value of a modest $10 ber point thats over $5000. add in airfare and DVC points would have you paying over $6000. We paid $3800 for 7 day mediteranean cruise with a veranda stateroom including airfare and transfers. My point of my post is that is seems to be EXPENSIVE to cruise with DVC and not a wise use of ones points. This is JMHO.

 

[pinnocchiosdad]

And I will be in line right in back of you! LOL!!

The Magic is heading to Europe and the Baltic next year. There is actually only one 7 night cruise and that will be a repositioning cruise from Barcelona to Dover, UK on June 5. Quite unlikely that the OP is comparing anything close to this one..but would like to hear the details of what cruiseline, category and type of stateroom and itinerary he had for the $1800 price for two...

We cruised NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE. We cruised in and out of Barcelona Spain. We stoped in Malta, Italy (Naples, Rome, Florence), France (Cannes and Monte Carlo), then back to spain. We had a BA category balcony stateroom on the aft of the ship. We paid $899 each including transfers. Airfare was additional. It was an amazing voyage.

 

[crisi]

We cruised NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE. We cruised in and out of Barcelona Spain. We stoped in Malta, Italy (Naples, Rome, Florence), France (Cannes and Monte Carlo), then back to spain. We had a BA category balcony stateroom on the aft of the ship. We paid $899 each including transfers. Airfare was additional. It was an amazing voyage.

That's a difference right there. DCL is - when paying cash - sometimes as much as twice as expensive as NCL. People don't tend to cruise Disney because its a bargain, even when paying cash.

 

[CarolAnnC]

In my OP I was refering to a cruise I took last week where I had a stateroom with a balcony. 278 points is for an inside stateroom. Inside staterooms do not even have windows. But even if it were only 278 each, at a rental value of a modest $10 ber point thats over $5000. add in airfare and DVC points would have you paying over $6000. We paid $3800 for 7 day mediteranean cruise with a veranda stateroom including airfare and transfers. My point of my post is that is seems to be EXPENSIVE to cruise with DVC and not a wise use of ones points. This is JMHO.

Our points have been paid off for many years. We do not value them at a price that a rental would bring in as we are not interested in renting out our points. Therefore, we value them at the cost of dues which would calculate upwards of 50% less than your calculation.

 

[CarolAnnC]

That's a difference right there. DCL is - when paying cash - sometimes as much as twice as expensive as NCL. People don't tend to cruise Disney because its a bargain, even when paying cash.

Yes, apples to apples is not NCL compared to DCL for sure.

 

[toniosmom]

We cruised NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE. We cruised in and out of Barcelona Spain. We stoped in Malta, Italy (Naples, Rome, Florence), France (Cannes and Monte Carlo), then back to spain. We had a BA category balcony stateroom on the aft of the ship. We paid $899 each including transfers. Airfare was additional. It was an amazing voyage.

Sounds like you got an awesome deal on a great cruise. Good for you.

However, you are comparing apples to oranges. I have NEVER seen a deal on DCL cruises like I see on various other cruiselines (Norwegian, Carnival, etc.) unless you rebook while on board. DCL is always significantly more cash expensive than all of those, when comparing full price to full price. Yeah, if I could get a deal like that on a DCL cruise, I may pay cash for it too.

I don't have a spare $4K to spend on a cruise -- I'd have to use my points. Sometimes not having to lay out any cash (regardless of whether or not it is a bargain or overpriced) is the primary factor. Count me in with the "insane" group. I will likely be cruising on points when the time comes and it won't kill me to skip a year at WDW to do it.

 

[Inkmahm]

I will say that when we purchased DVC in April '08 our guide did not push the cruise or trade out aspects at all. In fact, he mentioned considering those as a last resort as an alternative to losing points.

You got a good, honest guide.

 

[pinnocchiosdad]

Our points have been paid off for many years. We do not value them at a price that a rental would bring in as we are not interested in renting out our points. Therefore, we value them at the cost of dues which would calculate upwards of 50% less than your calculation.

It is your personal decission not to rent your points. However they are rentable and therefore they do have a monetary value.

 

[bwvBound]

We cruised NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE. We cruised in and out of Barcelona Spain. We stoped in Malta, Italy (Naples, Rome, Florence), France (Cannes and Monte Carlo), then back to spain. We had a BA category balcony stateroom on the aft of the ship. We paid $899 each including transfers. Airfare was additional. It was an amazing voyage.

We've done many NCL cruises covering Northern European Capitals, Mediterranean, Holy Lands, New England/Eastern Canada, two trans-Atlantic crossings (north and south), Panama Canal transit, Caribbean and Pacific Coastal itineraries. Indeed -- NCL puts together a very nice package and great service. BTW, I love Barcelona -- one of my favorite cities!

 

[Dean]

Yes, apples to apples is not NCL compared to DCL for sure.

I can't speak for NCL as I have not been with them, my past internet wanderings and cruise research does suggest they are not quite as highly rated as DCL. However, I have been on DCL and RCCL and find that for the newer RCCL ships, they are very comparable. Depending on the ship and amenitiy in question, RCCL is better in many ways than is DCL, IMO. There is still quite a price difference there as well even for comparable ships and ports. DCL charges more and often gets it, but it's not because they're truly better across the board. It's because they are better for some aspects but more because they're Disney plain and simple. Would I personally pay more for DCL than RCCL for the same exact itenerary and comparable ships, it depends on specifics (younger kids) but I would not pay a lot more. But some people will and that is their choices. It's a personal decision that's much like comparing DVC resorts. However to say DCL is more thus it's better or that it's better and thus more is totally incorrect, you have to get more specific to compare price and value.

 

[TLSnell1981]

My point of my post is that is seems to be EXPENSIVE to cruise with DVC and not a wise use of ones points. This is JMHO.

I agree. It is expensive to cruise with points and I won't do it. I can't leave money on the table. Can't do it...... but that's me.

Now, on the other hand.....DH would completely agree with CarolAnn. He looks at it as a "free" vacation. The points are already paid for and it's the easiest path to his cruise.

Thankfully, I book ALL of our travel. Otherwise, it would drive this OCD, control freak (me) completely off her rocker.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Some lucky DVC'rs have 2000 plus points, some even more than that, paid for. If they want to use those points to cruise, so be it. It wouldn't make sense with my 210 points but if you have a surplus of points then who's business is it anyway.

Many DVC'rs don't mind paying the $95 to transfer out, the fee really torks me so I don't. I don't have to justify how I use my points anymore than someone else has to justify how they use theirs or agree on how I use mine.

At the end of the day if you had the points and not the cash, and really wanted to go on a cruise, it makes sense to do so.