DVC points for cruising...

[arielrocks]

So...... How many of you have use your points for cruises?

We are thinking about it for next year. How far in advance can u book them?

If you can share your experiences that would be great!

 

[mgroshans]

We used some of our points for a 3 night cruise in November of 2012 (2 adults and 2 kids (13 and 11)). I know a lot of people will say that it's not the best use for your points, but for us, it made sense.

 

[n2mm]

My friend called yesterday as she was hoping to use points for April 2012 and was told that they are not accepting any more reservations until October 2012 (or after?). I thought I had read that here, but she called to double check. She called one day and was told no problem with using her points, and when she called yesterday to do it, she was told no. So OP, you may want to double check if your dates are earlier than Oct. 2012. My friend had to go back to the drawing board after being told no to a DVC points cruise for April 2012.

 

[isavem98]

we used ours to sail a western one week. A 1 hour delay in minneapolis caused us to miss our sailing....then we got on a 4 day.

so it works, many here say that it is not the best use of points, and it may not be...we liked it though.

 

[dzorn]

We have use our points once and would not do it again. I would rent out my points and use cash for the cruise. I just would like more flexability with cancellation and re-booking if needed. When you are booking something that far ahead of time you never know what may happen.

I did enjoy our cruise.

Denise in MI

 

[missy2217]

Another option instead of going on points is "using" points by renting them out and pay for the cruise that way. I just rented my point to two friends and paid off my cruise with that money.

The cruise would have been over 300 points for our family instead I sold 240 points to pay for it.

 

[momof2disprincesses]

Another option instead of going on points is "using" points by renting them out and pay for the cruise that way. I just rented my point to two friends and paid off my cruise with that money.

The cruise would have been over 300 points for our family instead I sold 240 points to pay for it.

WOW! That is almost exactly what we did. Our cruise would have been over 300 points, but instead we rented out 244 points and are using that cash to pay for our cruise. Our rental of points was with friends also and went VERY smoothly (knock on wood). I was very grateful it worked out so well and was as easy as it was.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Those of you who rent to friends. What would you do if your friends, couldn't go, death in family, loss of job, something significant. Would your friendship survive a "no return" policy in that case?

 

[Candace]

We used points last year for the 7 day western. It was so much easier with no hassle, even if I could have rented my points out. I am all about the easy way, LOL! And I am interested, like the previous poster, in what you do with the points if someone has to cancel the trip they rented from you?

 

[disneychic]

We've used cruised using DVC points before. In fact, we have 2 cabins booked for February 2012. My advice would be call as soon as you can. Availability is limited, and the further out you call to make your reservation the better chances you will have for your preferred dates. We booked our February 2012 cruise in March of 2011 and did not have an issue booking the cabin category that we wanted for the date we wanted.

 

[momof2disprincesses]

As for renting to friends, this is the first time I've ever rented points out. In our situation, the friends are literally going in 1 month and already paid me the entire cost up front. So I have no worries. Plus I know this person well and we would just work something out if something unforeseen happened.

We had to borrow points from our 2011 use year to rent to them (our cruise is during our 2011 use year) so I made it clear to the friend that we were borrowing and what the cancellation policy is, etc.

 

[BeesKnees]

We did it once and thoroughly regretted how many on-property stays we gave up for a 3 day cruise. Instead of a big beautiful room you get a hotel room sized cabin and the food was meh.

 

[com_op_2000]

DW and I have used our points for multiple DCLs. We are planning on doing it again. We consider it a good use of the points. Good luck with your planning.

 

[drewmer]

We did the EBTA last year on points and have booked the WBTA this year with points. We are also going to Hawaii on points next year. There may better money values than cruising but we like using our points this way. I'm not sure I would use points for the shorter cruises but for the long ons it seems to work great.

Happy sailing

 

[Robin"D"]

We have use points for the Inaugural Alaskan Cruise this year & next year’s Inaugural Hawaiian cruise ....

Robin & Angel "D"

 

[dlhvac]

we used points once its far cheaper to pay for the cruise than to use points use the points to stay at the world before and after the cruise

 

[vakamalua]

We have used our points to cruise a number of times including last year's WBTA. It works for us since, as fairly recent empty nesters, have less interest in the land options. We are using points on a Dream 4-day in November.

We don't rent our points--our personal preference.

Call early and call often & be ready to book.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm envious of those of you who have done E or W BTA no matter how it was paid for!

 

[kikiq]

We met a fellow Memorial Day weekend that has 2 contracts. VGC and I think my brother said VB. He uses his VB contract for cruises only. Told us that he's been on 5 cruises already and has another booked. We met quite a few folks at the grills that weekend. Another couple used points for part of their upcoming cruise. And none of them ever heard of the DIS boards.

 

[TiffJ]

I'm new (just bought last weekend) DVC-er. My family is going on a cruise next year on the Fantasy & wanted us to come along. I called MS to look into using points& cash and I was told they were sold out of DVC availability on the new boats & none would be available until October. Is that when they re-assess what they can allow DVC to use? Do you think I have a chance for a June 7 day Fantasy cruise coming available in October (and yes I know the "not a good use of points debate)