How many DVC points does it take?

[itutorfortravel]

How many DVC points does it take 2 adults / child under 9 to book a Disney cruise? I know it would differ depending on the season and length but I'm just curious for a ballpark range of points needed for the different length cruises...considering a DVC membership.

 

[tfc3rid]

How many DVC points does it take 2 adults / child under 9 to book a Disney cruise? I know it would differ depending on the season and length but I'm just curious for a ballpark range of points needed for the different length cruises...considering a DVC membership.

A lot... And it keeps changing every year... I would not get a DVC membership for cruising...

That said, I'm a DVC member who HAS cruised 3 times using my points, for 2 adults... We've take a 4 night cruise that was 360 points, another 4 night cruise that was 380 points and a 7 night cruise last year for 320 points...

It adds up... I mean if you have 700+ points every year, different story but if you invest in say, 160, you might be able to do a short cruise every other year...

 

[metzfan64]

We just cruised during spring break of this year and used our DVC points...I would not recommend using the points...particularly because they have raised the amount of points it will take to cruise in 2009...also, you can get a pretty nice OBC for paying cash either thru DU or AAA that you won't get by using points...

Also, the cancellation policy is better using cash...you basically just cancel 75 days prior...with the points, you have to pay a $75 ressie fee, then if you cancel prior to 75 days, your points have to be used in the Disney Collection (i.e. Disney Resort vs. DVC Resort)...

 

[tfc3rid]

We just cruised during spring break of this year and used our DVC points...I would not recommend using the points...particularly because they have raised the amount of points it will take to cruise in 2009...also, you can get a pretty nice OBC for paying cash either thru DU or AAA that you won't get by using points...

Also, the cancellation policy is better using cash...you basically just cancel 75 days prior...with the points, you have to pay a $75 ressie fee, then if you cancel prior to 75 days, your points have to be used in the Disney Collection (i.e. Disney Resort vs. DVC Resort)...

I actually think what they did for 2009 cruises was a very good idea and actually did not raise the points very much at all...

 

[Disneyfalcon]

We were thinking about points + cash for a 5 night cruise in September. Does anyone know how much the cash part would be? 3rd and 4th person in the room?

 

[Dreamfinder2]

Disneyfalcon, I think you're just gonna have to call Member Services, because the cash varies on the time of year.

And just echoing what previous posters have said - I love our DVC membership. It's one of the most rewarding purchases we've ever made. Having said that - it's best used for what it's designed for, i.e., staying in DVC properties. We cruised on points in March, and after reflecting, I don't know if I would do it again. I'd rent 'em and use the cash for the cruise.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Thanks Dreamfinder. I'll give them a call.

 

[Nftysqrt]

We are doing a category 6 on the 5 night cruise this September for 310 points. It worked out great for us because we can use all of our developer points.

 

[tfc3rid]

We are doing a category 6 on the 5 night cruise this September for 310 points. It worked out great for us because we can use all of our developer points.

I'm debating a September/October 7 nt. cruise, most likely Cat. 6... I have 797 points to burn for 2008...

 

[Anal Annie]

The point requirements vary WIDELY depending on the cruise length, season and cabin category. We are a family of 3 (DS will be 11) and are using points to cover our 4 n. cruise this summer. We were able to snag one of the "secret porthole" Cat 10's which book as an "inside deluxe" category. So for 3 ppl in July for an inside cabin it is using 392 points. NEXT year however, with the way they changed the point charts it would go up approx. 65 points to do a 4 n. cruise in July and would be a whopping total of 457 points!! The new point structure they started benefits non-peak seasons but raised peak & holidays. You have to compare apples to apples and compare the same dates. If you want to cruise in the summer it's no longer such a good deal.

Many will argue about the cash to point value and that your best bang for your buck is at WDW - and in most cases that's true. I agree that you should not buy DVC just for the idea of cruising. But I think it's OK to do it if you book carefully. Out of curiosity, I actually just checked last week on the current cash price for our vacation and DVC is saving us a boatload! (YukYuk). We're out of points after using them for the cruise, but were able to book a "value studio" at AKV for 3 nights pre-cruise with the DVC member discount. Last year we bought AP's so we don't need to buy park tickets (we also used them for a short trip in January too so they've paid for themselves). Additionally, we also booked a 3 n. cruise in the same cabin with a cash ressie. If I just price a typical 7 n. Land & Sea pkg. thru DCL with a Cat. 10 (which puts you in a "moderate" resort not a "deluxe DVC villa") the price is now up to $5,831 for the first 7 days. If I add it all up for all 10 nights, the cash price right now is $8,474!! Our out of pocket cash expense this summer is $3,318 for the 3 n cruise and 3 n. at AKV. Using our DVC membership for this trip is saving us $5,156!! We're happy with that savings. But you really have to plan carefully to do that.