DVC Points for Cruises - good or bad?

[rstackjd]

As new DVC members and past DCL Cruisers - we've heard people say that using DVC points for DCL vacations is not a good value for the points - we'd be interested in hearing both sides of the argument. It seems to us that the inclusion of the food and entertainment would make it a good deal, but what do we know!!

Along the same line, we'd love to hear about experiences on the Member's Cruise.

Thanks

 

[CarolMN]

It all depends on the value you place upon your DVC points.

Those who say using points for a cruise is not a good deal, value their points at the amount they could potentially get for renting the points - somewhere between $10-$17 per point. If you are in that group, it is almost always a better deal to rent the points and pay cash for a cruise. There are also some benefits to paying cash (rather than points). For example, the DVC cancellation policy and the fees (for the initial reservation and some changes).

If you value your points at the amount you pay in dues (approx range of $4-$6, depending on resort), cruising for points can look like a bargain.

If you value your points at dues plus a prorated buy in amount ($6-$9 per point), the cash vs points value analysis will mostly depend on when you book. Generally with DCL, the earlier you book for cash, the less you pay.

Personally, I would not buy DVC to cruise on a regular basis. The best value of a DVC point is using it to stay at a DVC resort. That said, once you're in, it's nice to have the option to do other things occasionally. Your points, your decision.

 

[MommaluvsDis]

Very good, Carol!

rstackjd,

My DH and I cruise as well as stay in the parks on our points. The one drawback using points to cruise that we've found is if, for some reason we have to change the ressie or cancel, it can be a hassle. It is very nice, though, to call up, pay my $95 and I'm done.

We've heard success and failure stories from people concerning renting points out so we just choose not to do that.

It boils down to this. They're your points, use them however you want. That's the beauty of DVC.

 

[rstackjd]

Very good, Carol!

rstackjd,

My DH and I cruise as well as stay in the parks on our points. The one drawback using points to cruise that we've found is if, for some reason we have to change the ressie or cancel, it can be a hassle. It is very nice, though, to call up, pay my $95 and I'm done.

We've heard success and failure stories from people concerning renting points out so we just choose not to do that.

It boils down to this. They're your points, use them however you want. That's the beauty of DVC.

Thanks for both of you for your insight! I found WDWLVR's info on the Member's Cruise as well - sounds like a very cool trip.

Can't imagine renting out or points - we want to USE THEM!!!

Bob and Mary

 

[3-MER]

Can you offer any info on the members cruise. We are also considering using points for a cruise and this may be inviting.

thanks

 

[bobbiwoz]

Can you offer any info on the members cruise. We are also considering using points for a cruise and this may be inviting.

thanks

Mary gave this account on a different thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=22936471&postcount=2

We were on the '05 one, and it was wonderful!
Bobbi

 

[kelly929]

We have always used our points on cruises. DCL is more expensive than other cruiselines and if you want to pay money, I would suggest another cruiseline where you can get pretty cheap prices. We found the best bargain with our points was on the Mediterranean sailing of the Magic.

 

[BillPA]

I just booked a 3 night cat 7 cruise direct with DCV for cash. The total, with transportation from WDW to the Docks and back to the airport and the insurance package was $1738, of which $1452.96 was just for the cruise. If I used points it would be 300 for 2 people. So Disney "values" our point at $4.8432 a point.

You decide, but that is a very poor use of points in my opinion.

My points are worth much more than that to me.

 

[pouncingpluto]

I think you have to decide about your own situation. Is it the most economical value for your points? Probably not. But does convenience itself (not having to deal with renters and taking the accompanying risks) have its own value? To me, it certainly does.

In the future, I don't plan to use points for cruises very often, because when possible I will just bank them and use them for something else, paying for the cruise with cash. However, for our Feb. 2009 cruise, it made sense to use points. When we bought into DVC, we didn't have any intention of my quitting my job to go to law school! But now that I've done exactly that, #1 we don't have a lot of excess cash to use for a cruise, and #2 I am awfully stressed and pressed for time and don't want to deal with renting my points and potentially having a renter who is high maintenance.

So in this case, I am happy to have made one phone call and have everything all set for our next "spring" (winter) break trip!

 

[eva]

It all depends on the value you place upon your DVC points.

Those who say using points for a cruise is not a good deal, value their points at the amount they could potentially get for renting the points - somewhere between $10-$17 per point. If you are in that group, it is almost always a better deal to rent the points and pay cash for a cruise. There are also some benefits to paying cash (rather than points). For example, the DVC cancellation policy and the fees (for the initial reservation and some changes).

If you value your points at the amount you pay in dues (approx range of $4-$6, depending on resort), cruising for points can look like a bargain.

If you value your points at dues plus a prorated buy in amount ($6-$9 per point), the cash vs points value analysis will mostly depend on when you book. Generally with DCL, the earlier you book for cash, the less you pay.

Personally, I would not buy DVC to cruise on a regular basis. The best value of a DVC point is using it to stay at a DVC resort. That said, once you're in, it's nice to have the option to do other things occasionally. Your points, your decision.

Excellent answer! We have cruised on both points and cash. I know that renting points and then paying cash is almost always the most economical way to go. But you probably will never see me rent my points. I have seen the hassles that some go through with people not paying on time, canceling, needing to reschedule, etc. My time is worth money too and I don't need the hassle. Good advice too on not buying in mainly to cruise. Remember, the points change (usually go up) every year.

 

[La2kw]

We haven't done it yet, but we do plan on using points for one of us and cash for the other. This gives us a good discount on what we have to pay, since DCL is priced so much higher than other cruiselines. We will still have points to use at the resorts. We are getting tired of WDW, so we are happy to have other options to use our points on. I am not interested in renting them.

 

[dolphingirl47]

We are cruising on points in September. When we joined DVC in November we ended up with two years worth of points. As we live in the UK we really are only in the position to come to Florida once a year for two weeks. With the points we suddenly had we could have stayed in a studio at OKW for 4 weeks, but I do not have that much vacation time. We could have gone for something bigger, but we really only need a studio. I have wanted to go on a Disney Cruise for years and our points bought us a 4 night cruise plus 8 nights at OKW in a studio plus I had some points over to bank for next year. This works for us, but I am pretty sure that this will be a one off.

dolphingirl47

 

[wdw1972]

I just booked a 3 night cat 7 cruise direct with DCV for cash. The total, with transportation from WDW to the Docks and back to the airport and the insurance package was $1738, of which $1452.96 was just for the cruise. If I used points it would be 300 for 2 people. So Disney "values" our point at $4.8432 a point.

You decide, but that is a very poor use of points in my opinion.

My points are worth much more than that to me.

I agree the 300 points is ridiculous. But - paying $1452 for 2 people for a 3-night cruise is insanity also. DCL prices are ridiculous. They have a nice cruise, but it's nowhere near the best out there...and it's so overpriced.

I recently booked a 7 night on HAL, no balcony but unobstructed oceanview, by myself (having the cabin to myself)....even with the single passenger supplement of an additional 50% it was still under $1300. If I was a party of 2, it would have been around $1600....not much more than your 3-day.

 

[nikkistevej]

Thanks for both of you for your insight! I found WDWLVR's info on the Member's Cruise as well - sounds like a very cool trip.

Can't imagine renting out or points - we want to USE THEM!!!

Bob and Mary

I rented out some of my points, and just used the cash from that to pay for my cruise, as I didn't want to lose my OBC for rebooking onboard.

 

[tidefan]

I just booked a 3 night cat 7 cruise direct with DCV for cash. The total, with transportation from WDW to the Docks and back to the airport and the insurance package was $1738, of which $1452.96 was just for the cruise. If I used points it would be 300 for 2 people. So Disney "values" our point at $4.8432 a point.

You decide, but that is a very poor use of points in my opinion.

My points are worth much more than that to me.

No, it depends upon when you go. We did a 7-night Eastern this January for myself, DW, and DD(4). Our total came to 327 points. The same cruise if we would have paid cash was almost $3000. I did the math and got a "value" of somewhere around $9.15 per point.

Then, when you consider that over half of those points came "free" from Disney when we bought in back in 2007, I thought that it was a great use of points...

 

[PinkTink63]

I just booked a 3 night cat 7 cruise direct with DCV for cash. The total, with transportation from WDW to the Docks and back to the airport and the insurance package was $1738, of which $1452.96 was just for the cruise. If I used points it would be 300 for 2 people. So Disney "values" our point at $4.8432 a point.

You decide, but that is a very poor use of points in my opinion.

My points are worth much more than that to me.

Do we as DVC members get a discount on DCL?

 

[pyrxtc]

How many years can you use together for a cruise? I ahve a large family and therefore need either a bigger room or maybe they have adjoining rooms?? We would ahve either 3 or 4 kids under age 15.

 

[eva]

Do we as DVC members get a discount on DCL?

Unfortunately, no.

 

[eva]

How many years can you use together for a cruise? I ahve a large family and therefore need either a bigger room or maybe they have adjoining rooms?? We would ahve either 3 or 4 kids under age 15.

You can use three years points by banking and borrowing. You will probably find it is best to get 2 cat. 10 cabins that are connected. You will have to pay adult rates for 4 people. But you will also have two rooms and two bathrooms. Often people find that doing two cabins at cat. 10 are cheaper than 5 in a cat. 4. Unfortunately, if you have over 5 people you will either have to have two cabins or a cat. 1 or 2.

 

[ToodlesRN]

I noticed that if you book with the DCL you can choose your location of room, but if you use your points can you do the same or do MS choose your room?