High Number of Points Neede to Sail on DCL

[jnweinmann]

I was just wondering if there is anybody out there that is of the opinion that DCL was asking a lot of points for their new upcoming cruises. Do they not want DVC Members on their Cruises anymore? Just wondering.

 

[SnowWhite2]

DCL wants DVC members to cruise, but not necessarily use points for it.

Given that the cruise is more than just a room, the number of points is significantly higher to cover all of your food and entertainment. Plus a cruise ship is much more expensive than building a resort so the "cost" of the room would be more than on land.

 

[vicki_c]

I don't pay much attention to cruises & points requirements, since I don't plan on doing that. But I thought last year (or maybe for 2012), members were commenting that it was actually less expensive using points than it had been in past years? But I might be remembering wrong.

In any case, unless you have an abundance of points you're trying to use, it would be better to rent your points to someone else and use the proceeds to pay cash for the cruise.

 

[hakepb]

Agreed, especially when you realize points are per person

Mathematically, it makes little sense to use points on a cruise, especially when you could make about $10/point renting. Usually you can rent your points, pay cash for the cruise and have a lot of spending $$

Additionally, it really messes up points if you have to cancel a cruise because they remain "reservation" points that cannot be used on DVC accommodations.

There's some who enjoy the convenience despite the high points. For some ofv the long-term members that paid <$70/point it almost makes sense, but for a new purchaser that pays $150/point..... Not really

 

[hakepb]

The problem is the "exchange rate". For a dvc member to use points on a cruise, CRO has to sell a stay in a DVC resort to comp those points. There's not enough demand for the normal cash rooms, even when they offer 30-40% off or "free dining", let alone being able to sell an ever-expanding inventory of more expensive DVC rooms at full price... So every year the DVC "exchange rate goes down while cruises cost more.

 

[sorul82?]

We used points for a cruise last year. The point charts now are

 

[DebbieB]

The problem is the "exchange rate". For a dvc member to use points on a cruise, CRO has to sell a stay in a DVC resort to comp those points. There's not enough demand for the normal cash rooms, even when they offer 30-40% off or "free dining", let alone being able to sell an ever-expanding inventory of more expensive DVC rooms at full price... So every year the DVC "exchange rate goes down while cruises cost more.

I agree, that's the main issue. DVC has also limited the number of cruise rooms for the same reason. There have been a few times in recent years where people were upgraded for free from values to OKW or SSR just to fill the cash rooms. I think it's also part of the reason they are now limiting resale exchanges. They just can't fill the cash rooms without a large discount, especially OKW and SSR.

 

[disneynutz]

Most of the exchange offers including DCL are a marketing tool. Disney doesn't expect many members to use the exchanges, that's why they are limited in location and number.

Bill

 

[crisi]

Do they not want DVC Members on their Cruises anymore? Just wondering.

Disney wants to fill their cabins with people paying as much as possible, provided those individuals aren't going to create a problem for the ship or other guests (they don't want felons or large groups of teenagers). Beyond that, they don't care if the people filling their ships are DVC members or Shriners or members of the Club for People with Uncommonly Large Feet.

 

[TDC Nala]

DVC member with four future cruises booked and I'm not using points for any of them, so can't say that DVC members will drop out of cruising if they can't afford to pay with points.