How Many DVC Points for a Cruise

[MommaluvsDis]

Let's keep in mind that the OP simply asked for the amount of points needed for her cruise should she decide to go this way. This thread took a left turn due to everyone else's input including mine.

My DH bought into the DVC program with cruising in mind and he's anything but foolish. It is simply personal preference. He doesn't care for the parks as much as I do. I don't understand it but that's just his likes and dislikes. Also, go to a meeting of DVC onboard the ship and they really advertise cruising on points. They even put a poster on our bed on both of our recent cruises advertising cruising on points.

 

[tjkraz]

My DH bought into the DVC program with cruising in mind and he's anything but foolish. It is simply personal preference. He doesn't care for the parks as much as I do. I don't understand it but that's just his likes and dislikes.

You may want to call it a "personal preference" but it's also very easy to analyze from a dollars and cents standpoint. Certainly anyone who is curious about cruising on points deserves to know what they are getting into. Simply having point values quoted only tells a very small part of the story.

The fact is that the value of DVC points is severely diminished when using them for cruises.

In my prior post I demonstrated how using 282 DVC points for a cruise only "saves" me $250 over the cash fare. The cash rate is $1878 while my dues plus fees for the same cruise would total $1634.

Instead I could put those 282 points toward 8 nights in a Two Bedroom villa at Saratoga Springs. The rack rate is $630 per night plus 12.5% resort tax. Total cash outlay for the trip would be $5670. Using DVC points for that resort stay instead "saves" me over $4000!!!

It's pretty obvious that points are a much better value at resorts than on cruises. $4000 savings vs $250 savings.

If you want to cruise regularly, that's certainly your prerogative. But using DVC points is not the way to do it. Buyers would be much better off buying fewer points and paying cash for the cruises.

Also, go to a meeting of DVC onboard the ship and they really advertise cruising on points. They even put a poster on our bed on both of our recent cruises advertising cruising on points.

Just because it's offered doesn't mean it is a very good value.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Plus there is no guarantee that members will even be able to use points for cruising next year should DVC decide to eliminate that perq Because it is just a perq and not a guarantee.

 

[MommaluvsDis]

You're right Deb as it seems as if we're loosing more and more of our perks each year. I certainly would not buy point with the only thought of using points to cruise.

You may want to call it a "personal preference" but it's also very easy to analyze from a dollars and cents standpoint. Certainly anyone who is curious about cruising on points deserves to know what they are getting into. Simply having point values quoted only tells a very small part of the story.

The fact is that the value of DVC points is severely diminished when using them for cruises.

In my prior post I demonstrated how using 282 DVC points for a cruise only "saves" me $250 over the cash fare. The cash rate is $1878 while my dues plus fees for the same cruise would total $1634.

Instead I could put those 282 points toward 8 nights in a Two Bedroom villa at Saratoga Springs. The rack rate is $630 per night plus 12.5% resort tax. Total cash outlay for the trip would be $5670. Using DVC points for that resort stay instead "saves" me over $4000!!!

It's pretty obvious that points are a much better value at resorts than on cruises. $4000 savings vs $250 savings.

If you want to cruise regularly, that's certainly your prerogative. But using DVC points is not the way to do it. Buyers would be much better off buying fewer points and paying cash for the cruises.



Just because it's offered doesn't mean it is a very good value.

Thank you for your input. I will defend your right to voice your opinion whether it co-insides with mine or not. That is what makes our country great, its diversity.

We will continue to cruise on our points as that is our choice. It's what we like to do.

I will be unsubscribing to this thread as I believe the OP's question has been answered and I hope they received the information they were looking for.

 

[Inkmahm]

Whether you use points to cruise or not is totally up to you. Many don't like to do it because it takes a lot of points to cruise but keep in mind that the cruise points include your food too.

Stay at Disney on points and you either have to cook in your unit, pay cash for food, do the dining plan etc.....

I personally love cruising on my points. I make one call, pay my $95 and I'm done. To each his/her own.

PP's are right, though. If you're planning on buying points mainly to cruise or even to cruise from time to time, do it before March 20 as all resale points from that point on are ineligible for cruise usage.

Food being included in the cruise has absolutely nothing to do with HOW you pay for the cruise, with points or with cash. You get the food in either case. It isn't a variable to consider.

Now if you are comparing a cruise to a stay at the parks, that is an entirely different comparison.

 

[Inkmahm]

You may want to call it a "personal preference" but it's also very easy to analyze from a dollars and cents standpoint. Certainly anyone who is curious about cruising on points deserves to know what they are getting into. Simply having point values quoted only tells a very small part of the story.

The fact is that the value of DVC points is severely diminished when using them for cruises.

In my prior post I demonstrated how using 282 DVC points for a cruise only "saves" me $250 over the cash fare. The cash rate is $1878 while my dues plus fees for the same cruise would total $1634.

Instead I could put those 282 points toward 8 nights in a Two Bedroom villa at Saratoga Springs. The rack rate is $630 per night plus 12.5% resort tax. Total cash outlay for the trip would be $5670. Using DVC points for that resort stay instead "saves" me over $4000!!!

It's pretty obvious that points are a much better value at resorts than on cruises. $4000 savings vs $250 savings.

If you want to cruise regularly, that's certainly your prerogative. But using DVC points is not the way to do it. Buyers would be much better off buying fewer points and paying cash for the cruises.



Just because it's offered doesn't mean it is a very good value.

And I would disagree with your dollars and cents. Using the $10 per point that you could rent your points and receive, you are not saving any money by using points for a cruise. It is costing you MORE money to book with points than with cash.

 

[JWG]

And I would disagree with your dollars and cents. Using the $10 per point that you could rent your points and receive, you are not saving any money by using points for a cruise. It is costing you MORE money to book with points than with cash.

Yes. I would consider renting out points for cash to use on a non-DVC vacation before using the points direct. Going back to the 281 point example, at $10/pt. you'd get $2,810 which is (nearly) $1,000 more than you need for the $1,876 cruise. You've not only paid for the cruise, but the airfare and a few drinks to boot.

 

[Alexander]

I was on the side of the fence that said "It is not wise to use points for cruising."

However, I am sick and tired of WDW at this point in our ownership. I booked 3 cruises (1 4day and 2 3day) with our points for this year and $95. Was it the best use of my points from a financial perspective? Probably not, was it quick and easy...you betcha! Do I feel like I got a good deal...you betcha. My points are all paid for (except dues of course) and it was awesome to make one phone call, pay $95 and book 3 cruises.

So I guess to each is own. You have to do what works for you. I've had this discussion time and again about leasing vs. buying a car....you've got to do what works for you!

 

[AmandaRG]

We are new DVC owners and I am reading up on all of the ins and outs.

We have used points for a cruise. I had it booked on cash and when we decided that for us, the cruise would be a preferred vacation, we booked it rather than a park visit.

We are using points for a couple of nights in November. When I start looking at all of the add-ons (I'll have to arrange for food one way or another, and park admission), the cruise option doesn't look quite so bad. Entertainment and food is included in it.

I'll step out and let the debate continue on, but I agree...to each their own.

 

[tjkraz]

We are using points for a couple of nights in November. When I start looking at all of the add-ons (I'll have to arrange for food one way or another, and park admission), the cruise option doesn't look quite so bad. Entertainment and food is included in it.

If you really want to be honest with yourself, that's not the comparison you should be making.

The relevant question is whether it's worth giving Disney $20,000 (or $30,000, or $40,000) of your dollars to "buy-in" just to save a few hundred dollars on each cruise.

To the buyer/member, the value in DVC should be saving money long-term. Frequent cruising doesn't save much money, if any.

Better off to keep the $20k in the bank earning interest and take advantage of things like on board rebooking discounts.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Since the OP's questions were answered (this thread is over 5 months old) and this is not a debate board, this thread is now closed. Thanks all.