Have you ever used your points for Passport Collection??

[KristiKelly]

Dh & I are wanting to use some of our points to trade into passport collection. We currently are on waitlist for Westin St John with 3 possible dates for next year. I am very doubtful that it will come through MS said that this is the most popular trade for caribbean.

Has anyone stayed at any of the others? What would be some of the nicest? We are traveling with 3 kids, age range 2-10. We were hoping for St. John so we wouldn't need to get a passport for all of us.

The Aruba Renaissance seems nice and there is one in Domican Republic that looks nice (can't remember the name). Any input would be appreciated.

I went online to Redweek & Tug to also see about renting from someone for St. John. That's still a possibility but since we have quite a few points banked we thought this would be a good option for us.

Thanks for any input.

 

[kritter]

I too am interested in this.. We are looking into the Turks and Cacios...
Thanks,
Kristin

 

[Dean]

My A list for the Caribbean using DVC would be the Westin, Atlantis, Reef Resort, Marriott's in Aruba, ? Playa Linda Aruba and the Royal Resorts if you include Cancun, which II does in the Caribbean on many of their lists. There are others I'd consider and likely a couple of more that I'd add to this list once they get on the DVC-II exchange list, the two newer Marriott's. There are also other resorts worth considering, even with DVC points including the Grand Caymanian, Sea Aquarium, several St. Martin/Marteen resorts, St. James Club, Alexandria and the Aruba Renaissance.

 

[kritter]

How do you go about getting one of these places and how far in advance do you need to get onto the list to get a ressie??????

 

[Dean]

How do you go about getting one of these places and how far in advance do you need to get onto the list to get a ressie??????

The process is you call DVC MS and tell them what and when you want. You should search at least a full year out to give yourself the best chance of success. You should also research the resorts yourself so that you know what your getting and what you're getting into.

 

[kritter]

I guess I have time since I am not wanting to go till summer 09. How do I find out how many points it is going to cost me????Thanks!!!!!

 

[Dean]

I guess I have time since I am not wanting to go till summer 09. How do I find out how many points it is going to cost me????Thanks!!!!!

Assume 160 for a 1 BR and 270 for a 2 BR but most of the resorts in the Caribbean don't have 2 BR units or they are lockoff's and usually traded separately. For summer and other times outside Xmas to Easter, it may be Mid level points but it depends on which resort. Please note you can put the request in 2 years out and at some resorts that is important if they start depositing 2 years out. If you know what weeks and have a core list of resorts, I'd start your search now. You can always modify later if you find out additional info to add or remove weeks or resorts from your request.

 

[kritter]

Thanks I have actually been looking all night. THat is not too bad for points for a one bedroom for a week or is that pernight???

I have looked at the bahamas, st. marteen, and turks and caicos....

Anyones you ahve stayed at that you recommend????

 

[Dean]

Thanks I have actually been looking all night. THat is not too bad for points for a one bedroom for a week or is that pernight???

I have looked at the bahamas, st. marteen, and turks and caicos....

Anyones you ahve stayed at that you recommend????

The points I listed would be for a week's exchange. The ones I am most familiar with directly are the Royal Resorts in Cancun. They are top notch, above DVC in many ways. I don't have a lot of direct experience with the other resorts in question but have a LOT of indirect information. TUG at www.tug2.net has reviews if you are a member and you can read all about those resorts and many others. IMO, 160 points for a 1 BR at most of those resorts for summer is about 25-50% too many if one compares to the value of the points, but you have to decide what it's worth to you and move forward. Report back to the group as i think well planned exchange reports are very lacking where DVC is involved.

 

[kritter]

Thanks for your information it really has been helpful.

We are trying to go foru our fifteenth wedding anniversary. I just looked at he royal in cancun. Do these ones have kitchens???

Looks really really nice.

I sure will report back I plan on calling member services tomorrow. But am worried that it will be hard to get a ressie. I too wish the boards had more reviews of people going to these places.

Thanks again for the information...

 

[Dean]

Thanks for your information it really has been helpful.

We are trying to go foru our fifteenth wedding anniversary. I just looked at he royal in cancun. Do these ones have kitchens???

Looks really really nice.

I sure will report back I plan on calling member services tomorrow. But am worried that it will be hard to get a ressie. I too wish the boards had more reviews of people going to these places.

Thanks again for the information...

The 1 & 2 BR have kitchens, the studios/efficiencies do not. We went to Cancun for our 20th anniversary and had a great time. I'd say if you like activity consider Cancun, Atlantis and Aruba. St. Marteen as well but the resorts are not as nice overall. If you want to lay around on the Beach, those will do for that as well but add the Cayman island options and the Westin to your list. I don't know enough about Alexandria or the Sea Aquarium to be as helpful as I'd prefer to be. St. James Club is hit or miss but I've seen too many issues lately to feel comfortable recommending it. Of course you could list the ones your comfortable with and let fate make the final choice. Atlantis, Westin and Reef will be the hardest to get, the Royals likely the easiest due to time of year.

Be prepared to put in an ongoing request for the times and resorts you want when you call though for 2009 you won't be able to go beyond 2 years out. You can put in for June and add weeks as you go along. Still being first in line does help somewhat but it is not a first come first serve system. Think of it more like the airlines system for first class upgrades where your order in line is determined more by your status than when you got in line. Still, being on the list when the first units start to come in improves your chances dramatically.

 

[tidefan]

We also own at the Royal Palm in St. Maarten and love the resort. St. Maarten is a busier island, but Anguilla is just a 15 minute ferry ride away if you want to get away from it all. Also, the Royal Palm just finished renovating all of their rooms and, IMHO, is very nice. However, again, St Maarten is a busy location, so you will not feel as though you are "away from it all" if that is what you are going for.

Here is the view from our unit:

 

[pouncingpluto]

My A list for the Caribbean using DVC would be the Westin, Atlantis, Reef Resort, Marriott's in Aruba, ? Playa Linda Aruba and the Royal Resorts if you include Cancun, which II does in the Caribbean on many of their lists. There are others I'd consider and likely a couple of more that I'd add to this list once they get on the DVC-II exchange list, the two newer Marriott's. There are also other resorts worth considering, even with DVC points including the Grand Caymanian, Sea Aquarium, several St. Martin/Marteen resorts, St. James Club, Alexandria and the Aruba Renaissance.

Hey Dean... by Reef Resort, do you mean the Royal Reef Resort on Grand Cayman?

 

[tgj]

Report back to the group as i think well planned exchange reports are very lacking where DVC is involved.

I couldn't agree more!!!

I think these exchanges have the potential to be a very nice benefit to DVC, but only if used correctly...

Exchanging could also be, as has been said before, a poor use of points.

More user information on these would be VERY beneficial to others!

By the way, any opinions on how beneficial the TUG reviews/reports are? Are the worth the membership price? I've been a little skeptical because I've always thought it would just be owners trying to pump up the image of the place they own...if you know what I mean.....

 

[Dean]

Hey Dean... by Reef Resort, do you mean the Royal Reef Resort on Grand Cayman?

While II still lists it as the Royal Reef Resort, that is no longer the name. It's now just the Reef Resort and has been for some time, Reef Resort Web Site. It started out as a joint Venture with the company that developed the Royals in Cancun but something happened along the way, I'm not sure what. It's isolate with not a lot of activity around but is a great resort from what I understand.

 

[Dean]

I couldn't agree more!!!

I think these exchanges have the potential to be a very nice benefit to DVC, but only if used correctly...

Exchanging could also be, as has been said before, a poor use of points.

More user information on these would be VERY beneficial to others!

By the way, any opinions on how beneficial the TUG reviews/reports are? Are the worth the membership price? I've been a little skeptical because I've always thought it would just be owners trying to pump up the image of the place they own...if you know what I mean.....

I think TUG, Redweeks and Timesharing Today all have useful info in this area. I think TUG is the most useful overall and the price is only $15 to join and $10 per year with a free add for each year of membership, a $10 value. They also have a 3 year for $25 special with 3 free ads. IMO, TUG will always be better than any info that could be gathered here simply due to volume. Still, one needs to review the reviews with a suspicious eye for a number of reasons.

As for DVC as a true value for trading, I think that's true only for high demand weeks at top resorts. IMO, keeping a running request 2 yeas out for top options is a great way to use DVC for trade. Unfortunately DVC doesn't lend itself well to trading for a specific trip one has planned otherwise unless one is willing to go the route of direct exchanges and/or renting out points to use the cash for the trip.

 

[pouncingpluto]

Cool, thanks for the info! I'm thinking of something warm for Feb '09. We loved the Royal Caribbean in Cancun, btw, and we want to do the Royal Sands sometime.

 

[KristiKelly]

Thanks for all the responses. I am on the waitlist for both Westin St John & Hyatt Hicienda in Puerto Rico, looks like it has a great pool for our 3 kids and no passport needed which would be a nice savings.

I am going to stay on the waitlist for awhile but I'm not very hopeful. I have 3 possible dates for next year - we have to work around school breaks since I'm already taking the kids out for a week in Nov for WDW . I asked MS on Friday if she could put our dates in and look at ANYTHING in the Caribbean. She said the ONLY thing she had was in May and those dates did not work for us since that's when all the testing goes on in schools.

I am looking at Tug2, Redweek, & Timesharing Today for a rental in one of these places or St. Thomas.

Has anyone ever stayed at Sapphire Beach Resort & Marina in St. Thomas???

I know that some of this is not DVC related and understand if it needs to be moved but I knew that alot of people here have more than 1 timeshare and tons of experience and info.

Thanks!

 

[Dean]

Thanks for all the responses. I am on the waitlist for both Westin St John & Hyatt Hicienda in Puerto Rico, looks like it has a great pool for our 3 kids and no passport needed which would be a nice savings.

I am going to stay on the waitlist for awhile but I'm not very hopeful. I have 3 possible dates for next year - we have to work around school breaks since I'm already taking the kids out for a week in Nov for WDW . I asked MS on Friday if she could put our dates in and look at ANYTHING in the Caribbean. She said the ONLY thing she had was in May and those dates did not work for us since that's when all the testing goes on in schools.

I am looking at Tug2, Redweek, & Timesharing Today for a rental in one of these places or St. Thomas.

Has anyone ever stayed at Sapphire Beach Resort & Marina in St. Thomas???

I know that some of this is not DVC related and understand if it needs to be moved but I knew that alot of people here have more than 1 timeshare and tons of experience and info.

Thanks!

Kristi, I would not be very optimistic either for that scenario. A couple of thoughts. What about going to WDW during one of the school breaks and opening yourself up to many other weeks and taking the kids out of school then. It may be your too set to make the change but just a thought. Another idea is to add some of the nicer resorts even at the risk of having to do the passports, which you really should get anyway. Air will be an issue for many of the options, esp if $100 a person for passports is figuring in to your decision. You could easily spend $2500 or more for 4 people on air alone. That's one of the areas where PR and Cancun might be a good choice for you as you may find air cheaper for those options. You may want to do some playing for your dates looking at air fare to see how they compare.

If you're talking about "Flagship Club at Sapphire Beach Resort and Marina", I don't know much but it doesn't have a very good reputation. There is also a "Paradise Found Vacation Club at Sapphire Beach Resort " in RCI that looks like it MIGHT be essentially the same resort or a different ownership in the same resort complex. Regardless, it doesn't look like either are stellar performers and both are on the opposite side of the island from the airport and activity of the port area. There is also a "Sapphire Beach Club on Sint Marteen that is more highly rated plus a number of other very respectable resorts on that island.

 

[KristiKelly]

What about going to WDW during one of the school breaks and opening yourself up to many other weeks and taking the kids out of school then. It may be your too set to make the change but just a thought.

DH & I did consider this, however, the 3 breaks we're looking at are also high crowd times for WDW. 1) MLK day, 2) Easter, 3) when school lets out. Also, we have family going the same time we're going so the kids are excited about that.

When I called DVC MS, they had no Caribbean exchanges available except for 1 week in May. Apparently she checked more than just the 3 different dates I had said.

We don't HAVE to do a DVC exchange but just figured if we have the extra points and something is available then - why not??? I guess it won't work for us for this year but we may go ahead and put in a request for next year.

Dean, this is the webpage of the resort in St. Thomas that I had looked at http://www.sapphirebeachstthomas.com/ is this the one you are referring to having a bad reputation? If so, thank you for the warning, I will scratch that off my list.

As far as passports, DH had given me a max. of $6500 including passports so I thought if I could avoid getting those this trip that would be great. I have estimated $400-500 for those so that would cut the trip down to $6000. I did find air from RDU to PR for $1600 for the 5 of us but everywhere else was anywhere from $2000-2700.

Thanks for all the info. I am keeping an eye on the rental classifieds on Tug@, redweek, & Timeshare today. DH really likes Westin St. John & Hyatt Hacienda.