DVC'ers that have cruised...how did you pay?

[mouseclick1]

Just wondering how most DVC'ers book their DCL cruises. We have paid cash for the two cruises we have gone on, but are considering booking with points for our cruise next year. How about you?

 

[imgoingtodisney]

We used points both times to book our cruise

 

[madcoco]

We used Cash for the Member Cruise. I don't think we would ever use points for a future cruise. We like "wasting" them at OKW,VB.

 

[ncligs]

I agree with madcoco, our cruise

in Feb is cash.You get more bang for your points at a DVC resort.

 

[SCDizneyDawn]

We have only sailed on DCL once and we used points for that. But, it was our first year as members, so we had the "extra" points that we had banked when we joined. So, that first year we had twice as many points (I think they do this on purpose, so that you get used to the higher point amt, we added on in our second year!! ) and used them to take our best friends with us on the 4 day DCL and 3 nights in studios at BWV. I do not think we will ever be able to cruise using points again, we just do not have enought points. So, the next Disney Cruise will have to be with cash. I have to go to Disney at least 2 times a year or I go NUTS!!! Even going 6 or 7 months with out my FIX gets a little hard!!! Last year we were able to go 4 times in a calender year and that was WONDERFUl!!

 

[WDWLVR]

We did points for our first 7 day and for the member cruise in February. We paid cash for last May and for our upcoming 7 day in May.

 

[eva]

I voted for all points because we are taking our first cruise in May and paid for it all with points. But we are talking about going again next year if we like it. Then we will pay half cash and half points.

 

[Melrosgirl]

Cash.

I think the points are really over priced especially if you work with a good TA who gives at least 10% off of DCL's prices. My TA is always at least 10% under DCL's rate, so it makes no sense for me to use the points.

Now, of course, if there is another member cruise, I'd really like to go on it. I hope that they announce a date soon. I'll have to deal with DVC for that one though which irrirates me since I know I could save money by just calling my TA for a similar cruise. I still want to go though, lol.

 

[dbond]

We used all points our first cruise, but it was during the inaugeral year and we got a great discount because we were bumped off of our original cruise when the ship wasn't ready to sail as scheduled. The next time we cruised, the point price had risen considerably and we didn't have enough. It's doubtful that we will ever have enough points to cruise again, we'll probably be in this borrowing mode for quite awhile unless we break down and buy more points. The cruise cash price has gone up so much since we cruised several years ago as well. So, who knows, if we can ever justify cruising DCL again.

 

[mrsdon]

We are currently point rich and cash poor.
We booked our cruise using points.

 

[goofy4wdw59]

Cash!!
For our 7-day western cruise, we rented points to help pay for most of our cruise-cost (not for any type of "profit" ). We need two staterooms (for catagories under cat. 4) as we are now a family of 5.
By booking 17 months in advance (plenty of time to organize renting points), we were able to book connecting Cat.10 "secret porthole" rooms. Also, we rec'd early-booking savings and will get $50 on-board credit per stateroom thru the Disney Club.
For us, cruising using points is a bad deal.

 

[rae519]

I have cruised 4 times already - all with cash BUT now that we are DVC members I have two cruises paid with points and one with cash set for this year.

We decided on DVC because we like the idea of using points for cruising. We like the idea of being on the ship and having everything close at hand, not having to worry about child care, meals or entertainment. Just get on the ship and you are on vacation!!

Rae

 

[Verandah Man]

We used points for DW, DD, and myself and paid cash for my Dmom for our cruise coming up in August '03.

 

[mickeyc]

We used points on the DCL we took in Jan. 2003. One day after booking the cruise the prices dropped to $399 per person plus you received a $ 100 ship credit. In addition when using points we had to pay a $79 processing fee.

I felt when prices drop DVC should advise members or discount the points. I felt I overpaid by using points in this instance. We did enjoy the cruise and would go again. The service was great. Enjoy!

 

[mouseclick1]

Thanks for voting in my poll; it's my first one! Anyone else care to vote?

 

[msdisney53]

We used points for 2 adults and paid cash for 2 children for the Eastern Caribbean last March. We will do the same as for the western caribbean we are planning for June 2004.