Help understanding booking cruise through DVC

[pjadtl]

I am looking to book a cruise for 2007. Looking at the points chart it would take our whole years points plus some for a 7-day Western. I don't know if I would want to do that. If anyone has done it through DVC I would appreciate the feedback.
Can you pay half cash/half points? Because I am a FL resident would I be better off booking on my own and not using DVC? I also heard an idea about renting my points (300) for 2007 and taking the cash to book the cruise on my own with the FL discount like I normally do. Seems like what I would get for renting sould pay for it and I wouldn't have to dip into 2008 points. I have never rented points so I don't even know how this would work. My mom also has 300 points and would be doing the cruise with us so she would be doing the same thing as me.
I'm just very confused about the best way to do this and I don't even know where to begin

 

[MrsG]

As long as one person in the room is paying with points, you can pay for the other person in cash. That's what we are doing for the Med cruise. If you are not sharing a stateroom with anyone, then maybe renting points is an option. I've never done it, but those that have seem to think it's a good deal. Good luck!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I haven't done renting or transfering points, but I feel more inclined to transfer points because once it's done, there's no fretting about people wanting/having to cancel and the money is yours.

Are there really DCL discounts given to Florida residents? Boy, that's another reason to be snowbirds!

Bobbi

 

[pjadtl]

Thank you guys!

Yep Bobbiwoz- we got the FL Res Discount our last 2 cruises. It has saved us hundreds of dollars. We book like normal and then they apply the FL resident rate later if they decided to offer it on your particular cruise. Another perk of livin' near the mouse! Whenever I even think of moving out of state I can't because I couldn't bear to be that far away!

 

[Dean]

Thank you guys!

Yep Bobbiwoz- we got the FL Res Discount our last 2 cruises. It has saved us hundreds of dollars. We book like normal and then they apply the FL resident rate later if they decided to offer it on your particular cruise. Another perk of livin' near the mouse! Whenever I even think of moving out of state I can't because I couldn't bear to be that far away!

The one DCL cruise I've done did qualify for the FL resident specials. Had I used points, I'd have gotten a value of exactly $4.50 per point. Not on your life unless it's use or lose.

 

[pjadtl]

The one DCL cruise I've done did qualify for the FL resident specials. Had I used points, I'd have gotten a value of exactly $4.50 per point. Not on your life unless it's use or lose.

So are you suggesting we go with the renting points and use cash to book then?

 

[Dean]

So are you suggesting we go with the renting points and use cash to book then?

That is by far the safest route and best value IMO. There are a number of other negatives to booking points for DCL.

 

[pjadtl]

The more I think about it- I think you're right. We would have to use 2 years of points for one cruise. Where we can rent one year and use the cash. Thanks for your opinions! Sometimes you just need a nudge in the right direction.