Help!! Help!!

[marky]

Hi there,
We are going to WDW on wednesday morning for 14 days, and then onto the 3day 'wonder' cruise.We have booked everything through DVC with our points. I have just received the cruise line docs, and noticed $132 per stateroom taxes.(there are 4 of us (Myself, DW,DS7 DD2)) over $550 in tax.
Is this correct, I just wanted to check before calling DCL. I am sure that DVC never mentioned this cost, but maybe somewhere in the fine print.....
Any help would be great
Thanks

 

[bicker]

Hmmm... I always wondered about that. The DVC Member Guidebook does say that members are responsible for port charges.

Here's the schedule of port charges for DCL: $128.85 for adults, $113.85 for children.

 

[crainbow]

I used points last year for a cruise. I was not charged for port taxes.

 

[Tagrel]

This does NOT sound right at all. Maybe the docs are showing how much will be paid in port charges, but its already included?

If the already inflated point cost of cruises does NOT include port charges I'm sure we would have heard about it long before this! I'd definitely call and ask.

 

[Doctor P]

Unless things have changed, you only pay the exchange fee ($95 now as I recall). All other charges like taxes and fees are included in the point cost. Of course, you are still responsible for tips and other onboard costs.

 

[ddave]

We used points to cruise twice. We were not charged any port fees.

 

[marky]

Hi there,
Thanks for the replies.
The cost actually says Gmnt taxes and fees (Goverment?), not port costs.
It still seems an awful lot for a 3 day cruise
The cruise line doesn't open for another hour yet due to 4 july. So I am sitting here going frantic!

 

[bicker]

I just went back to the 2002-2003 Member Guidebook (hardcopy) and could find no reference to the member being responsible for port charges.

Strike that.... I don't have the Member Benefits Guidebook from 2002-2003 -- there are two different disclosures, the Member Benefits Guidebook and the Member Guidebook... this legal stuff is in the Member Benefits Guidebook.

I found the reference in the online Member Benefits Guidebook, page 22:

6. INCIDENTAL AND ADDITIONAL CHARGES. The DVC Member and/or Guest using Travel Packages through the Adventurer Collection or the Concierge Collection or cruise accommodations through Disney Cruise Line shall be responsible for all incidental charges and expenses relating to items that are not included in the Travel Package or cruise vacation itinerary which may include, but are not limited to, customs charges, meals, transportation, or excursions not included on the itineraries, park admission fees, port charges, single occupancy surcharges, small group surcharges, visa fees, and other similar charges.

 

[Tagrel]

I found the reference in the online Member Benefits Guidebook, page 22:

6. INCIDENTAL AND ADDITIONAL CHARGES. The DVC Member and/or Guest using Travel Packages through the Adventurer Collection or the Concierge Collection or cruise accommodations through Disney Cruise Line shall be responsible for all incidental charges and expenses relating to items that are not included in the Travel Package or cruise vacation itinerary which may include, but are not limited to, customs charges, meals, transportation, or excursions not included on the itineraries, park admission fees, port charges, single occupancy surcharges, small group surcharges, visa fees, and other similar charges.

That same passage also includes meals, so I think Disney is just covering themselves across the various programs. MEALS are definitely included with points usage, so I'm betting the port charges are as well...

marky - just breath, and let us know what you find out.

 

[bicker]

Well, the same passage is used for the cruise as well as for other exchange opportunities. While meals are included on the cruise, they're probably not included in many of the Concierge Collection choices, for example. By comparison, "port charges" seems pretty cruise-specific.

Having said that, and as I mentioned in my original message, I was always wondering about this, since I hadn't read much indicating that they do pass-along the port charges. It wasn't something we pursued, though, because we quickly realized that we're far better-off paying for cruises in cash than using a DVC exchange. The dollar amounts the OP reported do sound exactly like port charges, so I'm very interested in finding out how this works out. Who knows, but maybe someday we'll see the value in using the DCL exchange opportunity...

 

[wdwstar]

This is very interesting , i had looked into cruising on points a few years ago and MS had told me the only extra charge to me was the $75 booking fee and i believe the transport from the resort to the port , no port charges, it was included in the amount of points i was going to use. Again this was a few years ago and things may have changed. Hopeful a DVC Member that is going on the Members cruise will post wether or not they had to pay port charges. One way or another please let us know, thank you

 

[marky]

Thanks everyone,
I have spoken to DCL, and they cannot understand why taxes are showing on the tickets. They say that if I have my documents then everything should be paid, but I should call DVC to clarify things.....Guess what DVC are closed for 4th july!
This is driving me mad. 24hours until we fly, and no-one at disney can tell me if I have to find an extra $520!!

 

[WOW]

Try calling your Guide......They are always very helpfull.

 

[Sheriff Woody]

I cruised on points in April. Didn't pay any port charges so I really think they're covered. The only cash I had to pay in advance of the trip was the $75 booking fee.

 

[ddave]

I cruised on points in April. Didn't pay any port charges so I really think they're covered. The only cash I had to pay in advance of the trip was the $75 booking fee.

Also the tips!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I just checked my records from our 3 night DCL cruise in November, and we didn't pay anything for the cruise other than points and the $75. There are other cruise related expenses, like tips and shore excursions, but you should be covered for what you're asking about, port charges and taxes.

Have fun.

Bobbi

PS. I see that the charge is stated on the ticket that you get. Mine stated $131.85, but no we didn't pay them out of our pocket.

 

[Nicole]

We are in the process of purchasing a resale at SSR and there are lots of banked points. We realize it's going to take 8 weeks+ before everything is complete but we wanted to know how far out do cruises need to be booked? Any advise before we plan? We would like to take a cruise summer or fall 2006. What should be our plan? Help!

 

[bobbiwoz]

We are in the process of purchasing a resale at SSR and there are lots of banked points. We realize it's going to take 8 weeks+ before everything is complete but we wanted to know how far out do cruises need to be booked? Any advise before we plan? We would like to take a cruise summer or fall 2006. What should be our plan? Help!

We booked our cruise with mostly banked VB points from a resale. We booked in May '04 for a Nov. '04 cruise. Timewise, you should be fine.

Best wishes.

Bobbi

 

[Nicole]

Thanks!

 

[CarolMN]

We are in the process of purchasing a resale at SSR and there are lots of banked points. We realize it's going to take 8 weeks+ before everything is complete but we wanted to know how far out do cruises need to be booked? Any advise before we plan? We would like to take a cruise summer or fall 2006. What should be our plan? Help!

The earliest you can book a cruise for points is 11 months prior to departure. AFAIK, you can book anytime after that -the only limitation is cabin availability.

Good luck on the resale.

Best wishes -

P.S. SSR hasn't been available all that long. Interesting that you were able to get a resale with banked points. Wonder what happened with the original owners - big time impulse buy? Divorce? Death? Bankruptcy/Job loss?