New DVC mbr; advice on booking cruise

[daisy2000]

I'm feeling so indecisive! How to use our points ??
Where to turn when my family leaves it totally up to me? The DIS of course!

My dilemma: Our only options are the school vacation weeks in February and April (Easter week). We're excited to be new DVC mbrs and can't wait to stay at BCV, but also may want to cruise again (cruised DCL twice) using points. DH hates the parks during crowded times (its no problem for me & kids) so he leans toward the 7 day cruise. I'm thinking a compromise would be a 3 or 4 day cruise w/ a few days at BCV before or after; and then do the 7 day cruise in 2004. Either way, we would have to borrow points since our 270 is not enough.

My questions are, how likely is it I'll get the cabin I want if I booked now for Feb or April? Is there only a set # of cabins for DVC mbrs? I'm thinking the Easter week cruise would book up quickly, and that I may be too late for booking @ BCV as well as the cruise in February since we are now past the 11 month window. Any advice? What has been your experience w/ booking cruise as a DVC mbr?

 

[imgoingtodisney]

We stayed at the WL 9 nights in Oct. Joined DVC in Nov. My first cruise (4 nights on NCL) was Dec.
We rolled over last years points with this years which gave us 340. DH, DS10 and I are cruising this Nov on the Magic since we were just at Disney.
Next Oct 2003 we will stay at the VWL and do Disney.

I booked for Nov 30 cruise exactly on the beginning day of our 11 month window. We are in cat 10 and had a few points to rollover to next year, we didnt want to borrow. I was not able to get a secret porthole room, or get on deck 5 or 7. We are on deck 2.

 

[Lisa F]

Where you are on the cruise ship depends on what is available at the time that you book. The way it works is you call DVC and they call over to DCL to check on availability. As far as I know, the only restriction there is on cabins is that you cannot book category 1-3. Otherwise, anything that is available on the ship is available to dvc members.

I just checked the disney cruiselines website and it appears that all categories are still available for both the april 13-17 and 20-24 wonder cruise. Ditto for the april 19-27 magic cruise. February also appears to have wide availablity. Prices are high for the holiday time, but as a DVC member, your cost is fixed to the negotiated price.

We cruised in points in January 2002 and absolutely loved it. We did the 7 day, even though I was really nervous about what we'd do for 7 days away from the parks. We absolutely LOVED the cruise and have another one booked for next January (cash this time). I think whatever you decide to do for your vacation, you will be really happy. I do know that people think the 3 day cruise (which is better for point usage since it is over the weekend) is way too short, but many do enjoy the 4 day. Our 7 day went so fast and I can't wait to do it again. I do feel like I would miss the parks if I only did a 7 day cruise adn didn't go to WDW though.

Lisa

 

[ErinC]

If your kids have vacation in Feb. and April, I would choose the Feb. dates. They will be less busy than April , and the weather will be cooler. We are doing the 4 day cruise in 3 weeks, followed by 4 days at VWL. This will be our first trip home. The three day is cheaper points wise, and would give you weekdays, at the park at the cheaper point cost.(if your trying to pay with all points) I would have chosen this route, but it did not work with my childs school schedule. Erin

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Daisy2000,

How about doing it partially on points and partially cash? As long as one person per state room is booked with points, you can do it that way.

We just did the 4 day cruise followed by some days at the BWV. It was great. We will be doing the same next year during April break. We looked into the 7 day for next April but it is the high season next year because Easter falls later than this year.

You can only book the cruise at the 11 month window, so February is now available to you. You would have to wait a few weeks for the April cruise. There is lots of room though so don't worry. When we were aboard, we checked with the the DCL reservation agent.

The 4 day is wonderful followed by some time back at WDW. It was great this year and we all can't wait till next.

Good luck.