More questions re: cruising on points

[JonHM]

OK, OK, I *know* that these are stupid questions - but I've never been on a cruise before. I thought about posting this on the Cruise forum, but since the questions are specifically about booking the cruise with points, I'd rather post it here.

I guess my big question is, once you've paid the points for the cruise, what else do you have to pay for on the cruise itself?

Is food already paid for?

We're trying to figure out what is included and what is not, in other words, how much cash we would have to save up for a cruise.

Thank you guys SO much in advance for your help!

 

[MikeBW]

There is a $75 fee to book the cruise thru MS. Other than that it is all up to you and your drinking and entertainment choices. The food, sodas with meals, coffee, tea are all free(?). We went on the 4 day cruise on the Wonder in April and our bill was about $600. That included drinks, photos, tips, CC rafts, spa expenses and souvenirs.

 

[JonHM]

Thanks, Mike!!!

 

[SC Minnie]

Sodas at meals only are included. If you want a soda during the day you have to pay for it. Tips will be your biggest out of pocket 'expense'.

 

[JonHM]

OK, so we booked the cruise using points. Now I have several follow-up questions.

When I went to look at the online booking for Disney Cruise Lines for people who are paying cash, when getting a quote, by default both airport transfers and the vacation protection insurance, which includes emergency health insurance (supposedly many plans would not cover anything since you're technically out of the country) are *included* in the default quote. Are EITHER of these things included when you are paying with points, or do you have to buy them both separately?

 

[disney6]

You buy those separately. We found them to be very reasonable. When you get your confirmation letter there will be a flyer for insurance - with prices on it.

 

[JonHM]

So who do we call to buy the airport transfers? Disney Cruise Lines? Or should we go through a travel agent? (Or doesn't it matter? )

 

[Towncrier]

Depends on how many are in your party. You have many options. For instance, when we cruise as a family of 5, we usually book a towncar for the ride to/from the port. When there are only 2 or 3 of us cruising, it's less expensive for us to use the DCL transfers. Another option that some people use is to rent a car and drop it off at the port.

 

[Laura24]

Originally posted by disney6
You buy those separately. We found them to be very reasonable. When you get your confirmation letter there will be a flyer for insurance - with prices on it.

I would shop round for the insurance. I found Travel Guard to be $$$. Comparison shop with Insuremytrip.com. This allows you to compare quotes with several companies.

 

[Luvdisney]

If you are traveling with kids. A way to save on soda costs, if they still do it of course. Buy a kids drink sticker. When we went on the cruise in 2000, you could by a kids drink sticker I think it was $12.00. But this get all the soda's the kids can drink for the duration of the cruise. The sticker goes on the kids key to the world card. Sure saved $$ on soda cost. I just wished they had one for the adults as well.

 

[rae519]

Has anyone booked on board recently using DVC points? If so, what's the discount for the early onboard booking? Looking for a 7 nighter.

Thanks in advance!
Rae

 

[mickeylvr]

MikeBW- I think you were the one who told me that you got the first time cruiser credit through DVC...How did you do it? I have called them a few times now and I get the same answer everytime. They say that they don't give the credit to DVC members. I know others have gotten it as well, any help would be appreciated!

 

[Werner Weiss]

You need to budget for tipping. On most cruise lines, including DCL, the "all inclusive pricing" isn't really all-inclusive when it comes to the people who serve you your meals and who take care of your stateroom. They work long days, 7 days a week. A tip is not just a little "thank you." It's how they earn their living and take care of their familes back home (and their homes could be anywhere in the world).

As others in this thread have noted, it's up to you to determine how much you want to spend on shore excursions, alcohol, spa services, gift shop purchases, photographs, and Castaway Cay equipment rentals. You can spend absolutely nothing on those things. Or you can spend a small fortune.

But you really should plan on tipping for every member of your traveling party, including children. Yes, it adds up to quite a bit of money. But by the end of the cruise, most passengers tip more than the recommended amounts.

Here's what Disney Cruise Line says:

<b><font face='Verdana' size='1' color='#990000'>Help! I'm really confused about tipping!</font></b>
<font face='Verdana' size='1' color='#333333'>We'll make it easy. Of course, you should never feel that a reward is automatically expected from you. But it is customary to give gratuities in recognition of service, which you will most likely be treated to in abundance aboard the ship. As a guideline, may we suggest the following:</font>

<table border="0" cellspacing="1">
<tr>
<td><font size="1">Per Guest per cruise</font></td>
<td align="right"><font size="1">3-Night</font></td>
<td align="right"><font size="1">4-Night</font></td>
<td align="right"><font size="1">7-Night</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><font size="1">Dining Room Server</font></td>
<td align="right"><font size="1">11.00</font></td>
<td align="right"><font size="1">14.75</font></td>
<td align="right"><font size="1">25.75</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><font size="1">Dining Room Asst. Server</font></td>
<td align="right"><font size="1">8.00</font></td>
<td align="right"><font size="1">10.75</font></td>
<td align="right"><font size="1">18.75</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><font size="1">Dining Room Head Server</font></td>
<td align="right"><font size="1">2.75</font></td>
<td align="right"><font size="1">3.75</font></td>
<td align="right"><font size="1">6.50</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><font size="1">Stateroom Host/Hostess</font></td>
<td align="right"><font size="1">10.75</font></td>
<td align="right"><font size="1">14.50</font></td>
<td align="right"><font size="1">25.25</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><font size="1">Dining Manager</font></td>
<td align="center" colspan="3"><font size="1">Your Discretion</font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><font size="1">Room Service </font></td>
<td align="center" colspan="3"><font size="1">Your Discretion</font></td>
</tr>
</table>

 

[MikeBW]

mickeylvr,

You can ask for the first time cruiser discount which is code REF. I called MS and asked for the discount and they gave it to me. While on the cruise, I asked about it and they had to call MS and then credit my account. I went on the Wonder in April, but I don't know if they changed the policy since then. Good luck.

 

[CarolAnnC]

MS will not combine other offers and discounts such as the First Time Cruiser credit with cruises booked on DVC points.

They will only apply any special DVC offers such as Fall Savings, or the Castaway Club returning cruiser credit.

The decision to disallow the other shipboard offers was made sometime in 2001. Perhaps that is why you see some have been able to obtain the offer. They most likely booked while it was still available, then cruised on a later date of course.

Sorry....

 

[ReneeMoss]

Carol -
Do you get a Castaway Club returning cruiser shipboard credit when booking a future cruise on-board with DVC points? The on-board offer does discount the points, but I heard no mention of Castaway Cay Club credits. I have just returned from the Wonder 3-day and booked onboard for a future cruise using points. There are pros and cons to this - and I would like to "Post" the following OPEN LETTER to DVC and DCLwith my comments.
Dear DCL & DVC -
"Thank you for your new discounted point policy that allowed
my on-board future cruise booking with DVC points to be 'affordable'' for me.
I would like to suggest that you review DVC/DCL Policy to allow on-board future cruise booking without time constraint of the 11 month booking window. The 11 month booking window does not allow me to book a future cruise at the same time period each year. Other cruise lines allow for a deposit toward a FUTURE cruise with OPEN BOOKING DATE, to be chosen within a specific time period - (ie: Princess allows 3 years to choose a cruise date.)
I would also ask you to consider some shipboard credit with a DVC point booking. DCL does offer shipboard credit in ADDITION to a CASH discounted price, and a CASH reservation also has no penalty for date change.
I feel we are being "punished" for being DVC members and using our points. We must pay a $75 fee for a date change, in addition to the DCL change fee for document re-issue. and we are NOT offered ANY shipboard credit with our pont booking.
Thank you for reading my OPEN LETTER.
I would appreciate comments in reply."