How do you use points for a disney cruise?

[mom2my3kids]

Question says its all. How do you use points toward a cruise. I have seen a few post about using their points for a cruise.

 

[Frankiesmom]

I too would like to hear how it works from an experienced dis'er. Thanks for asking this question. Angel

 

[TreesyB]

I'm not way experienced, but I just booked a cruise with points. I just called up MS to book like you would a resort (it's just a different number in the dial-in menu). I had researched the cruise I wanted, found the points it would take, figured if I had enough and then called and booked. I only had 150 points, so I had to bank them first, and then book for the following use year. (Jan. 2007)

The extra charge is $75.

Now some people will tell you it's not cost effective, but to me the only cost was the time it took to call up Member Services

 

[fardwarker]

We are going on the 7 day Magic 9/16 double dip Western cruise. It was as easy as any other reservation. Look up the points required in one of the tables, and call member services. I need to bank a few leftover 2005 points, use all my 2006 points, and borrow just a couple points from 2007 to have enough for two of us. It also costs $75 for the exchange and $75 per change thereafter. I believe that the once you make the reservation, the points are no longer vacation points, but only good for exchanges from that point on. I don't plan on anything stopping us from going so I didn't study that eventuality too hard. I thought the value on that particular cruise was good enough to not investigate renting points and cruising on cash. However, the biggest problem is that will all my points gone, I couldn't resist doing an add-on.

 

[Mi3stooges]

I used points for a cruise this past Jan 22 '06 on the 4 day Wonder. I only booked it in Dec of '05. Just call member services with your dates and cabin catagory and they will tell you if it is avail. IMO, I think they only have a certain amount of rooms for DVC, but could also be because I booked only 6 or so weeks prior. I tried to upgrade later, there would have been a $75 fee (just like resort changes outside of the 7 Disney resorts) but besides the fee they didn't have anything, yet the website they had availablity.

 

[Mi3stooges]

We are going on the 7 day Magic 9/16 double dip Western cruise. It was as easy as any other reservation. Look up the points required in one of the tables, and call member services. I need to bank a few leftover 2005 points, use all my 2006 points, and borrow just a couple points from 2007 to have enough for two of us. It also costs $75 for the exchange and $75 per change thereafter. I believe that the once you make the reservation, the points are no longer vacation points, but only good for exchanges from that point on. I don't plan on anything stopping us from going so I didn't study that eventuality too hard. I thought the value on that particular cruise was good enough to not investigate renting points and cruising on cash. However, the biggest problem is that will all my points gone, I couldn't resist doing an add-on.

I agree with you. I divided my total cost by the number of years I own DVC. Then I divided that number by the number of points I have and came out with a number OR $$ per point and the cruise was very cheap.
EX. 13,500 / 49yrs = $275 /150pts = $1.83 per point so the cruise i took was 111 pts pp X 1.83 = $204 for a $900 room!!!

 

[Mi3stooges]

Sorry wrong quote, I wanted to respond to Treeysb.

But, my sister has a reservation for the same double dip and wants me to go with her. Still debating (debating if I can leave the DH and 3 DK for a week)

 

[mtnEERS]

Im a new member signed up on the disney magic 2 weeks ago,but my wife and I talked to a member that was on the cruise with his wife and kids he said they used there points on himself and wife and paid for kids.Kinda makes since depending on your kids age, hope this helps

 

[ACDSNY]

I'd like to hear more on how you can use points and cash for a cruise. How much $ does it take per point? Is there a DVC discount on the cruise if paying cash?

 

[bongkel]

Hello everyone! It happend I just booked my DCL using my DVC points. I just called the MS and we calculated how much point I can use now without borrowing for next years point. I also included 1 day to stay at SSR the day before our cruise and 1 day after the cruise. with 300 points to use I still have points left and didn't touch next years points. I think it work out great and I only paid $75 to book the DCL. and of course I have to get the travel insurance and it cost me another $70.00. I am very happy with the assistance and patience of the MS since I keep changing my mind.

We are very excited for our upcoming trip!!! This would be my second visit to WDW. I also bought my DVC sight unseen. Can't wait!!!

 

[minniemoms]

Bongkel
How do you get from SSR to the cruise and back? Take the buses? arrange for a private car? Is this a service they offer to DVC?
If you don't have enough points, would you use all you had, and buy the extra for the other guests? OR is it better to borrow from the next year?

 

[Plutofan]

We booked a 4 night cruise for July 8, 2007 back on December 22, 2005. We decided to rent our points and pay cash since if you rent your points you can get $10-11 per point. If you take the cash cruise price and divide by the number of points Disney is giving you credit for around $7.5 per point. We went with a travel agent that specilaizes in Disney vacations. They had the best price plus we are getting $100 per room back in cash once we complete our cruise.

 

[CarolMN]

I agree with you. I divided my total cost by the number of years I own DVC. Then I divided that number by the number of points I have and came out with a number OR $$ per point and the cruise was very cheap.
EX. 13,500 / 49yrs = $275 /150pts = $1.83 per point so the cruise i took was 111 pts pp X 1.83 = $204 for a $900 room!!!

LOL, Wendy - don't you SSR owners have to pay annual dues?

I don't recall the dues for SSR, but I think your cruise is costing you between $600 -$650 (using your method of point valuation). Still a good deal, but not quite the bargain you thought!

Best wishes -

 

[Mi3stooges]

So right....all those hidden fees!!! I'd still have a good time even if I paid cash!!!