Looking in to buy in DVC/ PTS for Cruise

[martel-luv-wdw]

Have always gone paying our selfs. Looking at buying in to DVC, how many points to go on a 7 DAY CRUISE/3,4 cruise. Whats the pro and con's. Worth talking about to DH about DVC.

TX
Linda

 

[Mary Anne]

A lot of people will tell you using points to cruise is not the best use of points. That said, we bought enough points specifically to cruise on points once in awhile with no cash outlay other then the $75 exchange fee. We are doing that this year.

A seven day cruise in late August for four people (two adults; two junions (13 & 16) cost 470 points.

 

[DisneyBill]

Linda,
To give you some idea of points costs, the DVC member website states the following for a 7 day western cruise during "regular season" in 2003...
Catagory 4: 1st and 2nd adult 312 points each, child 3-12 110 points each, 13+ 136 points each.
Catagory 6: 1st & 2nd adult 247 points each, children the same as cat 4
Catagory 8: 1st & 2nd adult 211 points each, children the same as cat 4
Catagory 10: 1st & 2nd adult 186 points each, children the same as cat 4
Points will go up for 2004 as they've done every year. Also, I thought the exchange fee was now $95, but I could be wrong.

 

[SueEllen]

I'm going to move this over to the DVC board. You will likely get quite a few replies over there.

We have used points to cruise 2 times now, but it certainly is not your best point value. DVC just increased the number of points needed to cruise for 2004.

Sue Ellen

 

[CarolAnnC]

Also, I thought the exchange fee was now $95, but I could be wrong

Member Services still charges a $75 fee, not $95. I have cruised on points, and points with cash, as well as all cash and find them all to work out just fine. It is a matter of finances, and what works best at any given time.

 

[Dean]

Buying DVC with the idea of using the points for cruises and other exchange options is not a good financial decision. It is good to have options though.