DVC Points for Cruise Line

[plymouthmom]

Looking into purchasing DVC points. Wondering if anyone has used their points for Disney Cruise Line. We are going to purchase 300 points. Don't know if that is enough to take my family ( husband and fourkids) on a cruise.

 

[covereddish]

You will find lots of mixed opinions on this one.

I do not think it is enough to go every year on a cruise, however, you could go maybe every other year, depending on your stateroom, time of year, etc.

Have you ordered the DVC book and DVD??

You should call member services and do that. Looking at the points chart will help!

Also, the current promotions end in November. So, that would be a great time to join, because you would get the developer points too! That would surely help towards a cruise!

Feel free to email me: covereddish@centurytel.net if you have more questions.

I would PM you, but you have to have 10 posts on this board to be able to reply.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Welcome to the Dis-Boards. I don't think 300 would be enough during any season but if you bank and borrow you could pull it off. One big reason is that there a no rooms on the ship that sleep six that you can use points for. So you would need two rooms which means that you would have to pay the high rate (pointgs or cash) for the first two people in the room two times over. You could use points for part of the reservation and cash for the rest if you decided to do it.

Cruises aren't the best use of points. You may want to use your points for a nice big 2BR villa that will hold the whole family. We are a family of six and we've done 2BR villas now for a number of years. It has saved us a ton of money over what we used to do (connecting rooms at either the BC or Poly).

Good luck planning.

HBC

 

[plymouthmom]

Thanks for the replies. We are most likely going to do a resale at BCV, 2BR . Spoke directly to Disney a few weeks back and aren't really interested in AKV or SS so thought best to do the resale thing. They never said anything about developer points.

We plan do travel every other year, figured we could bank enough to do a great vacation for all of us. Think we could probably pull a cruise off that way. So excited about our DVC future!

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

We plan do travel every other year, figured we could bank enough to do a great vacation for all of us. Think we could probably pull a cruise off that way.

You may be able to but it won't come cheap.

A three night cruise may work for you if you combine it with four nights at the BCV for a week's vacation. During the "regular season" for cruises, it would cost you about 538 points for a three night cruise for all six of you in two standard inside staterooms (as long as they'd allow three in a room). The room at the BCV for four nightswould take 128 points for a 2BR for Sunday through Thursday night during "choice season" (October and November) Summer about 8 more points. So you need to bank and borrow to some degree to get all of the points necessary but it could be done.

A three night cruise would work better because it is on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights when the point cost of staying at a DVC is almost double. By staying Sunday through Wednesday nights, you'd save a lot points.

Good luck.

HBC

 

[Deb & Bill]

Remember, too, with a family of six that you'll always be getting a two bedroom at the very smallest. 300 points will get you a week (7 days) during the two cheapest seasons. Except for OKW and then you could get any time but Christmas or Easter for your 300 points.

 

[plymouthmom]

Or is it because i have a big family that this is a tough one? Maybe the cruise thing is something we wait on, plenty of other destinations to think about. Does anyone know anything at all about Oahu? All I have seen is the little blurb in the Disney Dream book.

 

[iloveokw]

One reason the cruises are more than just a DVC room is that all your meals are included, plus all the entertainment/programs. We are going on a cruise right after X-Mas (7 night) with only 3 people in a catagory 6 room and it is over 900 points. Plus there was a $95 booking fee. You need to research this issue more. Just my twocents.

Look at the point calculator on this site for info on what the villas "cost" - you will need a 2 bedroom unit.

 

[plymouthmom]

I didn't even think about the whole "package" thing with cruises, which is funny as I have been on a lot of non Disney ships! Silly me!

We are going to do a 2BR, most likely at BCV

 

[gblast123]

There was a recent thread which had a lively discussion regarding this topic.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1605808

In looking at the numbers, it is a really bad financial move to use DVC points for DCL (or for anything other than DVC resorts).

You are far better off transferring or renting your points rather than using it for a Disney cruise.

There are other disadvantages, the main one being that if you cancel, you don't get the points back as DVC points, they get changed into reservation points. There are other restrictions as well as a $95 non-refundable "exchange fee" on top of the points.

The best thing to do is pay cash for the deposit, then, if possible, convert that reservation later into point usage, if you are able to do so.

Cash, you can cancel as late as 91 days prior to the cruise, and get a full refund.

Look carefully before you make that decision regarding using DVC points for DCL... it is a really.... well, ill-advised, is the kindest term for that action.

 

[drag n' fly]

There was a recent thread which had a lively discussion regarding this topic.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1605808

In looking at the numbers, it is a really bad financial move to use DVC points for DCL (or for anything other than DVC resorts).

You are far better off transferring or renting your points rather than using it for a Disney cruise.

There are other disadvantages, the main one being that if you cancel, you don't get the points back as DVC points, they get changed into reservation points. There are other restrictions as well as a $95 non-refundable "exchange fee" on top of the points.

The best thing to do is pay cash for the deposit, then, if possible, convert that reservation later into point usage, if you are able to do so.

Cash, you can cancel as late as 91 days prior to the cruise, and get a full refund.

Look carefully before you make that decision regarding using DVC points for DCL... it is a really.... well, ill-advised, is the kindest term for that action.

If Mickey is there it is 75 if Mickey is not there it is 95.

 

[Anal Annie]

Looking into purchasing DVC points. Wondering if anyone has used their points for Disney Cruise Line. We are going to purchase 300 points. Don't know if that is enough to take my family ( husband and fourkids) on a cruise.

We've booked a 4 n on the Wonder for next July which is a peak season using points. We're only a family of 3 and it's costing us 392 points for one of the "secret porthole" Cat. 10's (deluxe inside category). The point requirements vary widely depending on the length of the cruise, category stateroom, the season you're looking to go in and finally the ages of your kids. With banking & borrowing you could probably do a 3 or 4 n cruise with 300 points but you'd have to plan it very carefully. (You can also pay cash for some of your family members once you're out of points - for example you can use points for 3 ppl and pay cash for the other 3.)

Using points for DCL is entirely a personal decision. We bought our DVC membership to use it as a timeshare and to use it everywhere it's offered in order to help cut down on our out-of-pocket cash expenses. But so far we're spending more than ever on our vacations because we're taking more of them! We want to try out all of the DVC resorts...we want to cruise...and we want to "trade out" for other destinations. Some vacations will undoubtedly offer better value than others. But that's just the nature of taking a different kind of vacation every time we go somewhere. We try to go to Hawaii every 5 years, so with the addition of the new resort at Ko'Olina on Oahu in 2011 that will really be helpful to us! That will be perfect timing!

Good luck with your decision!

 

[plymouthmom]

You sound a lot like us! We would really like to try out lots of resorts and do some trades through II. Looking at doing big vacation every two years, kind of tough with all the kids and sports schedules to do more! Would love to hear about your other destinations!

 

[Anal Annie]

You sound a lot like us! We would really like to try out lots of resorts and do some trades through II. Looking at doing big vacation every two years, kind of tough with all the kids and sports schedules to do more! Would love to hear about your other destinations!

Just a fair warning - DVC is an addiction!! We only just bought our DVC membership last winter - almost a year ago. We bought at SSR 'cuz it was the best deal. Actually AKV had been announced but wasn't for sale yet and we knew it would be more per point - but we LOVE AKL and I would love to do a small add-on there one day. Being new members I can't tell you about all the ins & outs of ownership. A lot of people say buy where you want to stay - but since we want to stay somewhere else every time that didn't seem as important to us.

We purchased 250 points and are "out" of points already - unless we borrow ahead - but I don't want to start doing that already 'cuz I have plans for 2009 already!! Last August we spent a week in a studio at OKW and banked the rest of our points into next years. Then we used all of those to book the 4 n. cruise. At first, we were just going to go down & spend a few n at WDW pre-cruise on a cash ressie (if the units are available you can get a 20% discount on cash ressies at the DVC resorts BTW). THEN I hooked up on a cruise meet thread with some people who booked back-to-back 4 & 3 n. cruises on the Wonder....so we decided OK, we'll drop going to WDW & we booked the 3 n. cruise immed. following the 4 n. on a case ressie (in the same cabin). WELL, it didn't take long to figure out we'd probably regret not going to WDW too while we're that close! LOL...so then we booked 3 n on a cash ressie at AKV pre-cruise!! So-o, our out-of-pocket expenses are still just as much as always (except for having the 4 n. cruise covered with points)!

Once we decided that we would add the 3 n pre-cruise next July we decided that we should buy Annual Passes (since as DVC members we get a big discount on them) for our trip this past summer and then we could use them next year too. OK. Didn't take long to say "you know, we really should try to squeeze in another trip since we already have our park tickets"! You got it - now we're booked on a cash ressie at VWL for 4 n. in January!!! Can you see our pattern yet!? One thing leads to another - so be sure you buy enough points to start with!

I've really been trying to talk DH into buying a small add-on at AKV - enough for a studio every other year....then we could switch the cash ressie we have for next July to points!! But we haven't come to an agreement yet on that one!

A tidbit to consider when buying DVC...you might want to consider splitting the 300 points into 2 contracts. Maybe 200 & 100 or 225 & 75 or something. It does not cost extra to do it this way, but the reason I say this is because if and when you ever decide you want to sell or NEED to sell you have to sell the contracts whole, as purchased. So say one day you decide you only want / need 200 points - you could always sell the smaller contract and keep the one "master" contract. People are always looking to buy resells as add-ons and the small contracts are easier to move. Just something to think about before you purchase.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...A tidbit to consider when buying DVC...you might want to consider splitting the 300 points into 2 contracts. Maybe 200 & 100 or 225 & 75 or something. It does not cost extra to do it this way, but the reason I say this is because if and when you ever decide you want to sell or NEED to sell you have to sell the contracts whole, as purchased. ...

If you are a new member, you'll have to have one at 160 and the other/s any way you want them. But at least one will need to be 160.

You could do 160+140 or 160+100+40 or 160+50+50+40. Smaller contracts are easier to sell.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

You sound a lot like us! We would really like to try out lots of resorts and do some trades through II. Looking at doing big vacation every two years, kind of tough with all the kids and sports schedules to do more! Would love to hear about your other destinations!

We use our Boardwalk points for other destinations, I already have a Hawaii search on, and if that doesn't come through, I will book a cruise with the points. We have a small VB contract to always go there every summer!

 

[coachfromme]

I just bought 250 points and I am waiting on final closing, so I am new to this whole process. This thread really got me thinking about renting instead of using my points for DCL. Is there a thread where I can get a good contract for renting points that is simple and easy to understand.

Thanks for all of the great information.

 

[plymouthmom]

It is so nice to hear from people who know the ins and outs of DVC! We were planning on doing two contracts, one for 160 and one for 140 or whatever we can find that is close to that as long as it equals 300. We are looking at a resale for Beach Club right now. Will probably purchase after xmas. I thought about AKL but really like the location of Beach Club and can't beat that pool!

Thanks for answering all my questions!

See you on the boards!

Ann

 

[Anal Annie]

I just bought 250 points and I am waiting on final closing, so I am new to this whole process. This thread really got me thinking about renting instead of using my points for DCL. Is there a thread where I can get a good contract for renting points that is simple and easy to understand.

Thanks for all of the great information.

You can forum jump over to the Rent / Trade boards thru either the links at the top of this page or by using the dropdown at the bottom of this page. There are stickys at the top over there with FAQ & the posting rules etc.

 

[Dean]

Or is it because i have a big family that this is a tough one? Maybe the cruise thing is something we wait on, plenty of other destinations to think about. Does anyone know anything at all about Oahu? All I have seen is the little blurb in the Disney Dream book.

You'll be better off both financially and hassle wise if you buy the points you need for DVC and look for cash or other options for the non DVC resort stays. The fact that cruises come with meals, etc really has no bearing. The question is what you could get it for cash compared to how many points. Generally you get between $6-$6.75 per point return compared to cash with early booking discounts. With dues at over $5 per point for several resorts and over $6 per point for VB, that means you're really only getting less than $2 value for each point. Even if the numbers were a break even, there are other negatives to doing the cruise on points compared to directly with cash such as the cancellation policies. Points plus cash is generally as bad or even worse.

There are only two II resorts on Oahu and in the DVC exchange option and only the Marriott is a worthy trade IMO. Given that Marriott owners have first crack at any units that II gets, getting anything can be difficult and anything above a studio VERY difficult. But if ones plans 13-14 months out and is willing to wait until 2 months or so prior before confirming the exchange, there is a chance. Same can be said for all of HI to a large degree, esp for Maui. Kauai and the Big Island are somewhat easier comparatively. Once the DVC resort there comes on board, Oahu will be a better option but that likely won't be for several years.