Please help us decide!

[mom3princesses]

We are a family of 5 - trying to decide to cruise or not next year. I'm not sure how it works with cash vs points so I'm looking for any help! If we don't cruise we will do a week at WDW and a week at HH. The kids want to cruise but I'm not so sure.......

HELP! Any suggestions????

 

[bobbiwoz]

We have booked a cruise on points for this November. There is a $75 charge to use points for a cruise reservation.

You can pay for some people in the room and use points for others. However, if you do this, you have to pay for all of the people up front. Usually if you book a cruise, the entire money isn't due until 60 or 90 days out.

Many people feel that it is better to rent the points out at $10, that is, you find a renter or a member to transfer points to, and use the money to book the cruise with the cash. IF you do that, you skip member services and go to DCL or a travel agency and book your cruise.

Only DH and I are cruising. The cost of our cruise in points is 124 and this is for a 3 night cruise and an inside cabin. If I had sold the points for $10 each, I would have $1240 and the cruise truly wouldn't have cost me that much, plus we've paid $75 to boot! Trip insurance covering the points will only pay $5 per point if we have to collect from the insurance company, so I don't think that it's a good idea to use points for a cruise. However, we're doing it, we have special reasons for doing it this way, and we're happy, it's going to be DH's 60th birthday!

Bobbi

 

[AFMom]

Hi there! I've never heard complaints about the DCL, especially from kids - so I imagine you can't really go wrong with that end of it! But you may want to go to Disney's website and look at the sizes and prices of cabins. I believe the smaller cabins only sleep 3, and some 4, so you'll be looking at 2 cabins. As far as point usage goes - it may be worth it to try renting your points( $10 pp) and paying cash - especially if Disney has any cruise discounts going on (ie miltary, AAA, etc) that you may qualify for. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful vacation no matter how you do it!

 

[MrsM]

I think category 4 are the only cabins that will sleep 5, and then you're talking a nice chunk of points. I agree with everyone else that you're probably better off trying to pay cash.

 

[MommaluvsDis]

Believe me, your children will love the Disney cruise! It was awsome. DH and I bought into the DVC mainly for the purpose of cruising with our points. I know a lot of people say this is not cost effective and to each their own but I'm paying for the points anyway. This way I don't have to pay for the points AND the cruise. And we've decided that we really LOVE the DCL.

If you love your kids, don't do the Disney cruise! You may not see them the whole trip ! No really, it is a wonderful cruise. If you try it and aren't happy, (although I don't possibly know how that could happen) then you know not to do it again! I have a feeling, though, that you'll LOVE it!

 

[bobbiwoz]

After reading the last post, I realize that mom3princesses may want input about the cruise itself, and the cruise board has some great trip reports to help you decide. DH and I have cruised many times, and we are so thrilled to finally be going on a Disney Cruise. I can't wait to be on Castaway Cay and to experience the Disney cruise experience!

Bobbi

 

[MommaluvsDis]

bobbiwoz......Castaway Cay is WONDERFUL! When did you say we were going?

Mom3princesses......bobbiwoz is right on the money. Do take the time to check out the Disney Cruise Line board. You can get a lot of info there that may help in your decission making.