Points and cash for cruise

[Louiepipbgeeco]

I am looking at booking the dream next March.
I was wanting to pay for DH and I with points and the kids in cash.
How do I do this?? All of through MS?? Can they do the 2 cash ones with the points?
Or do I need to book with DCL website?
I pay the cash price plus the $95 fee. Any other "hidden costs" I need to know about with this method? (NOT the tips , I know about those) Points would not include tips I assume or insurance??
Looks like point values for cruises have gone down.

 

[erionm]

Yes, you need to call MS. The cash portion plus the $95 transaction fee will be due in full when you make the reservation.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I think you have to use points for at least the first two persons and those are fixed rates.

 

[Dean]

I think you have to use points for at least the first two persons and those are fixed rates.

You have to pay one adult as points, after that you can do any combo you want as long as a single person is paid for totally with one or the other. You could do 1A/1C points and 1A cash, etc. You do have to have 2 adults in a cabin before child rates apply so if you had 1A & 1C, you'd have to pay for 2 adults.

Louiepipbgeeco , there are no hidden costs that I can think of but be aware the cash price combine with points is generally a fair amount more than the early booking discounted prices but less than the full book fares in most cases. Also, if you make any changes, even the smallest change, you'll have to pay the $95 fee all over again.

 

[cush1]

this answers some questions for this newbie, too. Thanks!

 

[Louiepipbgeeco]

You have to pay one adult as points, after that you can do any combo you want as long as a single person is paid for totally with one or the other. You could do 1A/1C points and 1A cash, etc. You do have to have 2 adults in a cabin before child rates apply so if you had 1A & 1C, you'd have to pay for 2 adults.

Louiepipbgeeco , there are no hidden costs that I can think of but be aware the cash price combine with points is generally a fair amount more than the early booking discounted prices but less than the full book fares in most cases. Also, if you make any changes, even the smallest change, you'll have to pay the $95 fee all over again.

What are early booking discounted prices?? You don't mean onboard booking do you?? or just that rates are better early than closer to the date?
Would I not be paying the cash portion based on the going rate that is on the website at the time I call?
I would do 2 adults with points and pay out of pocket for the kids.
I have to pay full amt. at time of booking?? For the kids..or a deposit??
I am hoping it is just the deposit and the $95 fee at time of booking.
I would book this week for March 2011.

 

[erionm]

What are early booking discounted prices?? You don't mean onboard booking do you?? or just that rates are better early than closer to the date?
Would I not be paying the cash portion based on the going rate that is on the website at the time I call?
I would do 2 adults with points and pay out of pocket for the kids.
I have to pay full amt. at time of booking?? For the kids..or a deposit??
I am hoping it is just the deposit and the $95 fee at time of booking.
I would book this week for March 2011.

The cash rates from DVC are pre-negotated rates and don't change during the year like DCL direct rates can. If you book any persons on cash thru MS, that cash portion is due in full when you book the cruise.

 

[Dean]

What are early booking discounted prices?? You don't mean onboard booking do you?? or just that rates are better early than closer to the date?
Would I not be paying the cash portion based on the going rate that is on the website at the time I call?
I would do 2 adults with points and pay out of pocket for the kids.
I have to pay full amt. at time of booking?? For the kids..or a deposit??
I am hoping it is just the deposit and the $95 fee at time of booking.
I would book this week for March 2011.

Most cruise cabins have a "rack rate" and most have an early booking discount. If you go on many of the cruise companies websites or many of the booking agents and start to look up a given cruise you should see the rack rate and actual rate both reflected along the way. As you get closer to the cruise, the rates tend to kick up. In some cases they may offer specials short notice but those aren't helpful for planning purposes. DVC MS cash rates are a discounted rate off the rack rates, usually a fair amount higher costs than the early booking discount. Think of it like MSRP for a car but with a larger margin.