DVC regrets

[Mickeyhugger]

Do you regret buying into the DVC program? as related to cruising

 

[allears]

Wouldn't this be a topic for the DVC board?

 

[Mickeyhugger]

I am most curious on how cruisers use their points

 

[Wachsdds]

We do cruise with our DVC points and have been very satisfied!

 

[allshookup]

I don't use my points to cruise, because I just don't think it is a good deal that way. However, we tend to visit WDW once or twice a year and we cruise (sometimes other cruise lines) about every year and it just works better for us that way.

 

[InstImpres]

I don't cruise on points either. Look at the points chart than visit the rent/trade board. I just figured this out for a friend and here was the math:
They do not seem to have the 2009 on line but we can go with 2008 for a good estimate ..
Inside category 10
cash... $7857.48 with a $375 shipboard credit
points...4 full price guests @ 234 points each, 2 children @ 156 each = 1248

If you rented 1248 points out, you would get between $12,480-$13,728 making the points over priced by about $5000. You also have much less flexibility in cancellation/changes (and no shipboard credit).

I think because this is a holiday time it was drastically different but I would want the money in my pocket not theirs. Just my two cents, since you asked


PS - that said, I love my DVC and think it is a great deal but only for DVC resorts!

 

[Mickeyhugger]

I don't cruise on points either. Look at the points chart than visit the rent/trade board. I just figured this out for a friend and here was the math:
They do not seem to have the 2009 on line but we can go with 2008 for a good estimate ..
Inside category 10
cash... $7857.48 with a $375 shipboard credit
points...4 full price guests @ 234 points each, 2 children @ 156 each = 1248

If you rented 1248 points out, you would get between $12,480-$13,728 making the points over priced by about $5000. You also have much less flexibility in cancellation/changes (and no shipboard credit).

I think because this is a holiday time it was drastically different but I would want the money in my pocket not theirs. Just my two cents, since you asked


PS - that said, I love my DVC and think it is a great deal but only for DVC resorts!

I am starting to get the picture thank you

 

[Anjelica]

I don't cruise on points either. Look at the points chart than visit the rent/trade board. I just figured this out for a friend and here was the math:
They do not seem to have the 2009 on line but we can go with 2008 for a good estimate ..
Inside category 10
cash... $7857.48 with a $375 shipboard credit
points...4 full price guests @ 234 points each, 2 children @ 156 each = 1248

If you rented 1248 points out, you would get between $12,480-$13,728 making the points over priced by about $5000. You also have much less flexibility in cancellation/changes (and no shipboard credit).

I think because this is a holiday time it was drastically different but I would want the money in my pocket not theirs. Just my two cents, since you asked


PS - that said, I love my DVC and think it is a great deal but only for DVC resorts!

While it depends on the time of year you cruise as the points change based upon seasion, I think people forget that 95%+ of your food is paid for on cruise. You have to take that into consideration as well.

 

[allears]

I guess the phrasing of you title doesn't really express a curiosity about using points, but we've been wanting to buy in for years, experiencing the cruise pushed us over the edge and we bought last year. Our crusie Saturday is on points, our first use of them. We're excited about the fact that once we pay our DVC mortgage and we stop taking our kids on every trip, we'll have enough points to cruise once a year.

InstImpres, when are your numbers for, the peak of the most expensive season? And is your estimate supposed to be for six people in the same room? 4 of us are sailing next week in a cat 9 for 507 points. Two adults at full points (2 x 161) and 3rd passenger at 107 and the 4th at 78 (the 3rd is 17 and the 4th is 11). Even if all four of us were adults in the same cabin the 3rd and 4th people would be 107.

We figure that in 20 years when we still want to cruise, the future value of the dollar will have grown far greater than increases in the points over the years, so we think it will pay for itself nicely.

And we also love Disney World and Disneyland, so we will also plan trips to both using points.

Bottom line, we're thrilled to finally own a piece of the magic.

 

[InstImpres]

InstImpres, when are your numbers for, the peak of the most expensive season? And is your estimate supposed to be for six people in the same room? 4 of us are sailing next week in a cat 9 for 507 points. Two adults at full points (2 x 161) and 3rd passenger at 107 and the 4th at 78 (the 3rd is 17 and the 4th is 11). Even if all four of us were adults in the same cabin the 3rd and 4th people would be 107.

It was 2 families traveling with 2 adults and 1 child each. Yes, it was peak (not the most expensive but up there) but in fairness, the cash rate is also based on a peak sailing. You could get a little more creative put 4 in one room and 2 in another on paper but still that only saves 78 points. This is a more extreme example but a realistic one.

I do love my DVC and will not fess up to the number of add ons;. Yes, it does take some extra work to rent points but any time I have looked at a non-DVC option, it seems I am behind the 8 ball if I don't rent and pay by cash. My problem is I would rather do a little work and have more spending money than to "leave money on the table" so to speak. JMHO

 

[allears]

Ah, I see the math of that now and I thought it would be the most expensive season. And without a doubt there are times of the year the point value is way higher than perhaps using cash. And truth is the cruise is a point pricy option as it is mostly all inclusive unlike the DVC resorts. It is amazing what the difference in seasons makes though isn't it.

 

[InstImpres]

While it depends on the time of year you cruise as the points change based upon seasion, I think people forget that 95%+ of your food is paid for on cruise. You have to take that into consideration as well.

Not sure I understand your comment...I am not comparing "straight cash" to points. I am comparing the cash value if you rent the points to points.

To me, I would rather get a 25 point add on with my extra money and have more flexibility should I need to cancel.

($7857.48 cash with a $375 shipboard credit or 1248 points rented to give me between $12,480-$13,728cash)

 

[allears]

Ultimately, like everything else, it depends on peoples individual situations, comfort levles and perceptions.

 

[AnnaS]

We have cruised DCL four times (Eastern, Western, West Coast and 11 N. Med. cruise). We have gotten two cabins each time. Each time we have also used a different combination of points/cash and have also gotten different category cabins. We have the points but limited vacation time. We also don't want the hassle of renting out our points. We would not have been able to do one or two of the above cruises if it wasnt for DVC.

Right or wrong - financial sense or not - I just calculate my maintenance fees per point - but regardless - if we have only one vacation per year and we want to cruise - we use some or all of our points.

Good luck with your decision - and whatever you are comfortable with.

 

[MickeyBeast]

I think once you figure in food, service and the trip it is worthwile. We are on our 7th cruise using points &/or combo points/cash. To me it seems worth it. Actually this 4 day cruise coming up was using developer points (bonus points) that we got for adding on at AK. We had to use them within a year so a "free" cruise is fine with me.

 

[Doug7856]

We love our DVC and have used points for cruising. In 2007 I calculated the conversion of points to cruise to be valued at about $8.50 per point. The going rate for most rentals on the rental board was about $10 per point, but I didn't have to deal with renting our points out. To me it was worth the $1.50 per point to just be done with it. Overall, I don't believe cruising is the best value for points, but it is a great option.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

Thanks to all...... I am getting a real eye opener here as to how this all works and plays out

Rob

 

[din]

Love our DVC and thinkiing about adding. We used point only once to cruise, in fact our first cruise (4 day) and been using cash for the other cruises. We do use the points for other locations though, Chicago, DL (a few times), Tahoe, Washington DC.

 

[keishashadow]

i think for those who bought in way back in the begining (@ nearly 1/2 of what it costs now to buy in) can justify that it's a good usage of their points easier...oh to have had the $s then

we still are waiting for final add-on (CRV ) and may then consider allocating some of our points for a cruise. Although, i'd be more inclined to transfer to another member for X amt of $s.

depends on the type of peep you are (are you obsessed with getting the lowest price?) & how many of those points you do have in your account to utilize...it's one of the best things about DVC - the flexibility.

 

[allshookup]

I would like to clarify what I said in my earlier post. It is NOT a good deal to use our points for cruising at this point, because as I said, we still go to WDW quite often with our two children. However, there will come a point where they are busy with college, work, etc. & then DH & I probably would use points for a cruise regardless of the point value. Like another posted mentioned, we don't rent them so we would definitely use them.