How many points would be needed

[Sytrace]

for a seven day cruise in late September, 2016?

I looked on the DVC website and the number listed seemed a bit high and when I figured it out based on the calculation model the site provided I would need 396 points for a family of 4 with a verandah cabin.

I also checked out how much it would cost for 150 points and the only options given were to purchase them either thru Polyneisian or Aulani at 168 a point.
This came out to be 25,000 plus a closing fee and annual dues totally 902 and change.
If I needed 400 points to take a cruise for 4 and get the cabin type we typically stay in I would be spending over $ 50,000 for one 7 day vacation.

Can someone please tell me if these numbers are really accurate or simply a model?

Thank you,
Tracey

 

[mcorbo]

You would be buying enough points at $50,000 to take a cruise every year for 50 years and only have to pay the annual dues for future years.

That being said, DVC points are not always the best value for taking cruises.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

DVC currently allows you to trade points to cruise but it doesn't mean it's a good way to use points and especially not a good purchase only to use to cruise. DVC is best to use for DVC resort stays.

One thing though - you don't have to cruise only on points. You could use points for one person and book the rest on cash. I'm still not recommending purchasing DVC to cruise however.

 

[supersnoop]

Can someone please tell me if these numbers are really accurate or simply a model?

Cruises are not part of the DVC system; they're a trade out. Points have the most value in their own system.

I can redeem my American Airlines miles for a first class trip to Europe with a stopover in New York, with a list price around $12,000. Or I can trade them to Hilton and book three nights at a Hampton Inn in Cleveland, worth about $450.

 

[queendarvet]

I think your point total is too low. The points are per person not per stateroom. When my husband and I cruise in a verandah stateroom it runs around 476 points total and that is just for two of us. This is also at a low-point time of year to cruise.

 

[bwvBound]

I think your point total is too low. The points are per person not per stateroom. When my husband and I cruise in a verandah stateroom it runs around 476 points total and that is just for two of us. This is also at a low-point time of year to cruise.

I agree!

Picking on the Sept 3rd sail date of the DCL Fantasy (7 night), cat 5 Verandah cabin, we start with the following costs

• Guest 1: 235 - 263 points
• Guest 2: 235 - 263 points
• Guest 3, child 3-12: 121 - 309 points
• Guest 4, child 13+: 129 - 334 points
• $95 booking fee

So using the lowest value from each range, this cabin for 4 (2 adults, 2 children <13) would be: 712 points plus $95.

 

[bwvBound]

If I needed 400 points to take a cruise for 4 and get the cabin type we typically stay in I would be spending over $ 50,000 for one 7 day vacation.

Can someone please tell me if these numbers are really accurate or simply a model?

There are two financial components of DVC Ownership:

• Acquisition (Initial Purchase)
• Maintenance (Annual Dues)

Buying 300 points at $168/each results is a $50k one-time acquisition that generates 300 DVC points each and every year until the contract expires (~50 years out) or until you choose to sell. The Maintenance component is much smaller, cost ~$6/pt that recurs every year. Note, the per point costs of Maintenance change every year ... expect it to gradually increase year to year.

You can play games with these simple components for years to come trying to determine your cost of ownership, cost per vacation, return on investment, etc. Most of us spread the initial purchase costs (including interest, should you choose to finance) across a large block of years (perhaps 10 years of anticipated, future, DVC vacations). Don't forget you might recoup some of your initial purchase when you choose to sell.

 

[disneynutz]

To make DVC seem bigger and better than it is Disney has created ways for direct buyers to exchange their points for cruises and stays at other timeshares/hotels. The cost can be high with availability limited or restricted and usually you are better off just paying cash.

Bill

 

[Sytrace]

I have been back and forth for several years on the value for my family situation to buy into DVC and it always comes back to just paying for it as we go.
We prefer to travel and be a bit more spontaneous than booking 7 to 11 months in advance. And we live in Orlando, so staycations can happen at any given time and usually only have a month or two to wait for them.
We booked a September cruise while on board the Fantasy in September (we usually do for those OB credits) and last week decided that we would need another one in February to the Bahamas. Got great rates on both of them too. September will now be cruise number eight. lol

Thank you all for your feedback! It has reinforced my thought process and I really appreciate your time and information.

 

[Dean]

for a seven day cruise in late September, 2016?

I looked on the DVC website and the number listed seemed a bit high and when I figured it out based on the calculation model the site provided I would need 396 points for a family of 4 with a verandah cabin.

I also checked out how much it would cost for 150 points and the only options given were to purchase them either thru Polyneisian or Aulani at 168 a point.
This came out to be 25,000 plus a closing fee and annual dues totally 902 and change.
If I needed 400 points to take a cruise for 4 and get the cabin type we typically stay in I would be spending over $ 50,000 for one 7 day vacation.

Can someone please tell me if these numbers are really accurate or simply a model?

Thank you,
Tracey

Buying DVC to cruise will cost you considerably more than just using cash, even if you ignored the up front costs you'd be LUCKY to break even year to year. There are no guarantees that it'll continue to be an option. It is not a way to save money on cruises.