Overwhelmed! re: DCL

[ScrappinGran]

Ok, I'd like to begin to plan our first cruise on the Dream. We are new DVC members and know we can use points, but can't find a chart anywhere showing what it would cost in points, vs. cash. I have read on the DVC forums that using points for a cruise is not a good use of points, but aren't sure I understand why. That said...we have never been on a cruise anywhere.
I am overwhelmed by all the choices! A friend who has cruised a lot highly recommended a verandah view, which sounds like it would suit us. That said, I have NO idea which decks are better, don't understand the categories, etc. We are fairly easy to please,and I would say we would like this trip to be middle ground in the cost area. Not the most inexpensive way to go, but not the most expensive.
We would love to go on a 5 day Bahamas cruise. Is this a good choice for a first cruise? Also we would love to escape the winter cold, but am leery of booking for winter, as here in New England I am afraid of bad weather delaying us flying out, etc. So I was thinking a May trip. It is just my DH and I. Any help, advice, etc is MOST welcome. I really don't know where to start.
I have posted this on the DCL forum, but would appreciate any info from fellow DVC'ers. Thanks!

 

[disneynutz]

Disney advertises all of the wonderful things that you can use your DVC points on, but in reality, only your DVC resort stays makes financial sense.

Lets say that your points have a value of $10 or $11 each. When you use those numbers and the point charts, you will find that people paying cash are getting a better deal than DVC Members using points.

Your best info about DCL is on the DCL forum here on the DIS or on the DCL website.

Bill

 

[Deb & Bill]

You didn't get the Vacation Planner? That has all the points information.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Ok, I'd like to begin to plan our first cruise on the Dream. We are new DVC members and know we can use points, but can't find a chart anywhere showing what it would cost in points, vs. cash. I have read on the DVC forums that using points for a cruise is not a good use of points, but aren't sure I understand why. That said...we have never been on a cruise anywhere.
I am overwhelmed by all the choices! A friend who has cruised a lot highly recommended a verandah view, which sounds like it would suit us. That said, I have NO idea which decks are better, don't understand the categories, etc. We are fairly easy to please,and I would say we would like this trip to be middle ground in the cost area. Not the most inexpensive way to go, but not the most expensive.
We would love to go on a 5 day Bahamas cruise. Is this a good choice for a first cruise? Also we would love to escape the winter cold, but am leery of booking for winter, as here in New England I am afraid of bad weather delaying us flying out, etc. So I was thinking a May trip. It is just my DH and I. Any help, advice, etc is MOST welcome. I really don't know where to start.
I have posted this on the DCL forum, but would appreciate any info from fellow DVC'ers. Thanks!

Most of your cruise specific questions you will need to visit the Disney Cruise Board here on the DIS. There is an abundance of information over there regarding the categories, decks, verandahs, etc.

The points charts for the Dream can be found on the DVC Member Website. There is also a post stuck on top of the Cruise Board detailing prices for the Dream and some have posted there on the points cost too.

Good luck!

 

[Crystal_27]

Ok, I'd like to begin to plan our first cruise on the Dream. We are new DVC members and know we can use points, but can't find a chart anywhere showing what it would cost in points, vs. cash. I have read on the DVC forums that using points for a cruise is not a good use of points, but aren't sure I understand why. That said...we have never been on a cruise anywhere.
I am overwhelmed by all the choices! A friend who has cruised a lot highly recommended a verandah view, which sounds like it would suit us. That said, I have NO idea which decks are better, don't understand the categories, etc. We are fairly easy to please,and I would say we would like this trip to be middle ground in the cost area. Not the most inexpensive way to go, but not the most expensive.
We would love to go on a 5 day Bahamas cruise. Is this a good choice for a first cruise? Also we would love to escape the winter cold, but am leery of booking for winter, as here in New England I am afraid of bad weather delaying us flying out, etc. So I was thinking a May trip. It is just my DH and I. Any help, advice, etc is MOST welcome. I really don't know where to start.
I have posted this on the DCL forum, but would appreciate any info from fellow DVC'ers. Thanks!

I actually just booked a 5 nighter on the Dream using DVC points, so I think that I can try and help (although the DISers on the Cruise Boards are the real pros - LOL). If you go onto the DVCmember website, and click on points charts, you will see at the bottom all of the 2010 and 2011 cruise point charts (which include the Dream, Magic, and Wonder cruises).

Some will say that using your points for cruises is not a good idea. I beg to differ because, with cruising, you have to understand that you are getting not only accommodations, but dining, entertainment, and taxes included in the point cost and a $95 transfer fee. When you use your points at a DVC resort, you still have to purchase park tickets and food. Some people would also recommend renting your points out and then paying cash for the cruise, but the downside to that is dealing with the hassle, although it would probably be a cheaper option.

We actually started off cruising in the verandah staterooms but have found that we just don't use the verandahs. To me, there's just too much to do on the ship to spend gazing at the water. This time, we are going with an inside stateroom on the Dream to see if we can manage without a verandah. Disney has recently recategorized the staterooms by adding a letter at the end of the categories which simply denotes where in the ship the stateroom is located: Cs are on the lower decks, Bs are midship, and As are on the higher decks. If you go to disneycruise.com you can actually look at the stateroom categories and see which one you think fits your needs. Since it will be your first cruise, you might want to start off in a lesser stateroom to see if you like it.

And, I do think that a 5 nighter would be a good option for you to see if you like cruising, especially given that the 5 nighters have 2 stops at Disney's paradise - Castaway Cay.

Definitely tour the Cruise boards and disneycruise.com - - there is a wealth of information at both places.

 

[MrShiny]

The points are on the DVC site. In general, you'll find they are expensive compared to what you would get using them at a DVC resort or renting them.

For cash, you'll have to call or go on the DCL web site to get a quote. Note cruise rates can change daily as ships fill and the cruises get closer.

My example.

4 night Dream, 2 adults, 2 children (16 & 12), Cat. 10 7/15/11: $3,034.68 (no insurance, no ground transfers)

with points: 126 each for adults, 99 & 92 for kids = 443

I could probably rent that many points for $10 each, or use them for a full week in a two bedroom concierge at AKV at the same time of year, for example (and have 20 points left over).

Also with points, there is a $95 fee, if the reservation is changed it's a cancel & rebook (so another $95 fee), and if cancelled altogether there could be a fee and at least the points become "reservation points" which can no longer be used for DVC (but for cruises, Disney non-DVC hotels, etc.).


It seems if you are going to use points (which I admit seems a little easier than renting them out and using the cash), it's best to book with cash and then convert much closer to the cruise.

 

[Plutofan]

I also believe that if you buy the trip insurance the value placed on the points used to be $5 per point. You may want to check this out with MS before you book.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I also believe that if you buy the trip insurance the value placed on the points used to be $5 per point. You may want to check this out with MS before you book.

This is correct. The insurance still works out to approx. $5 per point. I booked on points last week for the Dream Maiden Voyage and went ahead and purchased the insurance since the penalty period for the MV started at booking.

The MV required a $400 nonrefundable deposit per person, so that pushed me to use points instead of cash for the first time. I figure if we have to cancel, we can splurge at the Poly or look into ABD if that is an option

 

[erionm]

This is correct. The insurance still works out to approx. $5 per point. I booked on points last week for the Dream Maiden Voyage and went ahead and purchased the insurance since the penalty period for the MV started at booking.

The MV required a $400 nonrefundable deposit per person, so that pushed me to use points instead of cash for the first time. I figure if we have to cancel, we can splurge at the Poly or look into ABD if that is an option

The nonrefundable deposit is what keep us from booking the MV.

 

[LIFERBABE]

The nonrefundable deposit is what keep us from booking the MV.

MS said we would lose 57 points per person, or 228 points. Just makes me more determined to go! I also took the insurance and that will cover the loss of deposit so would recover some of that. Insurance was less than $150 for the 4 of us so well worth it. So $250 out of pocket instead of $1600

Im hoping the MV will be extra special If not, at least our room will be new and ready early!!

If I am going to put it all on the line, what better way to do it than with the Maiden Voyage of the Disney Dream!

The 5 nighters look awesome too!!

 

[natt]

We purchased DVC in summer'02 and chose to transfer those points into '03, so we had double points that first use year. We did the 4night cruise in March'03 (just DH and myself... no kids) and we had a wonderful time and felt that the extra points were paying for meals and extras.

Use YOUR points the way you see fit... if you have the points to use for a cruise, and that's what you'd like to do... then use them for that! We purchased our points with the idea that they were for our use and to do with what we please. It was only until I started following the DIS that I got all these conflicting opinions on what and what not to use points for...

Like I said.. use them for what you'd like and ENJOY!

 

[pnyltwk]

We just got back from a 3 night Bahamas Cruise (Oct. 29th-Nov.1st) on the Wonder. It was myself, wife and two kids (15 and 12). We had a Cat. 4 with Verandah on Deck 8.
What we did was to book one adult and both kids with points and paid cash for the 2nd adult. Yes, I would agree that it was alot of points (228). But it was also alot of fun. I would also agree with another poster that pointed out rooms, food and entertainment was included. We were mid ship and just a quick walk from the drink station on Deck 9. We are already thinking about planning a second cruise and will probably do the same thing and use a combination of points and cash. It works for us.

 

[Inkmahm]

Some will say that using your points for cruises is not a good idea. I beg to differ because, with cruising, you have to understand that you are getting not only accommodations, but dining, entertainment, and taxes included in the point cost and a $95 transfer fee. When you use your points at a DVC resort, you still have to purchase park tickets and food. Some people would also recommend renting your points out and then paying cash for the cruise, but the downside to that is dealing with the hassle, although it would probably be a cheaper option.

You're mixing apples and oranges to come to a conclusion. You get dining, entertainment etc. when you pay cash just the same as when you pay points. The only question is how MUCH you are paying. If you pay with points, you are paying more than you would if you paid cash and instead rented your points or transfered your points to a fellow member. Your last line says it all, paying with cash would probably be a cheaper option.

 

[disneynutz]

Of course everyone is free to use their points or money as they see fit. The statements made about not using points are intended to help the DISers who never thought about it or don't know any better.

Disney does a excellent job of getting us to part with our money. The process that amazes me the most is converting money into points or credits. Most people when spending cash for something will really think about the transaction. But if they are using points or Disney Dollars or dining plan credits, they don't think twice. We have all read where someone will post that they loved using the DDP and only had 2 TS, 2 QS, and 10 snack credits left over. To them the DDP was the best deal in town, to me they threw away $200 dollars.

DVC is the same way. Using points on a cruse is easy to do and doesn't hurt the same as using cash. A good deal for Disney, a not so good deal for members.

Bill

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

I'm looking into booking the Aug 16 5 night cruise on the Dream on points.

An outside cabin would be 421 points. Cash price is $3400.

It would cost me about $2100 in MF for these points. So I will save $1300 if I book the cruise on points as I have to pay the MF every year anyways. In return I would be giving up 10 days at Disney in a 1 bedroom.

Now if I rented them out I could get $10 per point or $4600 --however it will still cost me $2100 for the MF for these points so I am only netting $2500. The cruise is $3400 so if would actually cost me an additional $900 to rent out my points and use the cash to pay for the cruise.

As Crystal 27 said, you get your entertainment, food and accom included so the cost of the cruise would cost more than just the cost of the room.

So if I booked 10 days at Disney with these points, the DDP for 4 for 10 days + the cost to eat breakfast for 10 days + the cost of the tip at the TS restaurants would be $2400 (2 adults, dd11 & dd13) and park tickets would be another $800-- so MF of $2100 + food $2400+ park tickets $800 = $5300/10 days would be $530 per day --BUT the cost of the entire vacation would still be $5300 but I would get 10 days instead of a 5 day cruise.

If I booked a cruise for 5 days and added in the cost of the tips ($300) and transportation to and from the port ($150) as well as insurance ($300) (its a must in case something happens at sea they will airlift you to America) It would be $4100 for 100% cash trip $3400 + 750 for extras) or Just $2850 on points (MF @$2100 & extras ($750).

So my cruise booked on points will be $2850/5 will be $570 a night vs. $4100/5 =$820 a night booked with cash.

Since a cruise is a totally different type of vacation, you can't really compare it to a trip to Disney. Cruise in general cost more as you are actually paying for the fuel to get you from point A to point B, plus all the extras stated above. However, for the price of the cruise you are getting daycare for free and entertainment from 7:00am to 2:am everyday. You are also getting top rated Broadway shows, movies, and a trip to Castaway Cay (twice on a 5 night cruise) which is priceless!!!

If you don't think this is the best use of your points, you can pay for some members of your family with Cash and some with points. If we decide to go with a Verandah we will pay for 1 adult in cas ($1068) but if we just go with the outside cabin, we will probably do it for points.

Is this the best use of my points? I think so!! I''m only paying $2800 for a 5 night vacation whereas I would have to shell out $5300 for a 10 night vacation. so if you compare night vs night its only $40 more per night to take the cruise.

And plus the Disney Dream looks soooo cool. I'm 43 and can't wait to ride the aquaduck!!!!!! YAHOO!!!!!

 

[Anal Annie]

Nevermind which ship it is, we have cruised both on cash and on points and will not be using points to cruise again because I feel the cruises are sooo point intensive. I also think it depends on how many points you have and if you will miss them if you use them to cruise.

WE are what I call "points challenged" with only 250 points. When we used points on the Wonder for 4 nights in July in 2008 it cost us 392 points for the 3 of us in a Cat. 10 SPH cabin (and the point charts have gone UP since then). Now, that was well over 1 & 1/2 yrs worth of points for us for just 4 nights. That left us hanging WITHOUT points and paying cash to go to WDW. Yeah, yeah, yeah the cruise includes food. (They don't have a smiley here who's twirling his finger in the air but big deal . That does NOT offset the high point requirements to cruise.)

WE have found that we can literally go to FL (combo of WDW / VB in studios) for 14 nights in a combination of seasons on our annual allotment of 250 points. Yes, there are park tix to buy but we buy the AP's so we get our good out of them with our 2-3 trips a year. So I look at it as length of vacation. 4 nights every 1 1/2 yrs VS 14 EVERY year. 4....14. 4....14. 4....14. 14 is winning for me.

As far as choosing the cabin category goes - we had a verandah on our first cruise & it was NICE but IMHO totally not worth the extra money unless you're on a cruise with lots of sea days or lots of scenery (ie like the Alaska or Panama Canal cruises). We get along just fine with an obstructed view porthole and have booked a 10 n. Med in the same category. It is sooo port intensive we'll hardly be in the room (7 ports in 7 days).

I would say that a 5 night cruise is a good choice to start but I would pay cash & I would book an Oceanview category room on a higher deck. Save your points UNLESS you just have soooo many that you don't know how to use them all.

 

[Inkmahm]

I'm looking into booking the Aug 16 5 night cruise on the Dream on points.

An outside cabin would be 421 points. Cash price is $3400.

It would cost me about $2100 in MF for these points. So I will save $1300 if I book the cruise on points as I have to pay the MF every year anyways. In return I would be giving up 10 days at Disney in a 1 bedroom.

Now if I rented them out I could get $10 per point or $4600 --however it will still cost me $2100 for the MF for these points so I am only netting $2500. The cruise is $3400 so if would actually cost me an additional $900 to rent out my points and use the cash to pay for the cruise.

Your math is bad. You have to pay maintenance fees either way so the $2100 doesn't figure into the calculation at all.

The comparison is $3,400 cash to $4,210, or $810 MORE using points. Not sure where you got $4,600 from as 421 points x $10 is $4,210.

Actually, I'd use 340 points to get the $3,400 cash price needed and keep the 81 points to use at WDW for nights before/after the cruise. In other words, you could use the points to go on JUST the cruise or use the same 421 points to get cash to pay for the cruise AND stay a few nights at WDW, too. Which makes more sense?

 

[msabol01]

I'm in the camp that agrees that the value of points to cruising is not good, but that said, I also think if you have the points there's nothing wrong with using them occasionally to cruise. The most value from your DVC points will be realized by DVC resort stays.

As for Tink-n-Belle's math, it is not incorrect rather it is showing actual costs vs value. Everyone is using an assumed value of $10 per point, but that only means something if points are actually rented out.

The COST of your points (assuming you own your contract outright) is your MFs. So if you have enough points a year to cruise then your cost to cruise is merely your MFs. From that perspective it is a good deal.

Value on the other hand is very subjective and easily argued.

Either way enjoy your cruise!!