Points for cruise questions

[daisyx3]

Looking at a spring break 2016 cruise (I know, $$$, but it's DS's senior year and he finally has the same spring break I do). 4 day Dream.
I know I have to use points to book at least one of us. When I price out the cruise on the website, DH and I are one price and then the third passenger is roughly $450 less.
Question 1--when I pay for one person with points, what cost is removed, the full cost price or the 3rd person fare? This will help me figure out what are actual $$ cost is going to be.
Question 2--I know I have to book through DVC--will this be 11 months out? And then will I have to make all other arrangements through DVC as well? We are castaway club members although I have no idea what my # is since we last cruised in 2004.
I want to go down a couple of days early, spend a couple of non park days, then take the DCL bus to the ship and back to the airport later.
Daisyx3

 

[bobbiwoz]

When you look at the point chart you will be getting your number from the main body, which would be Person 1 or 2, or from the "additional" person.

I do not know the time frame. I do know when you book through DVC, you pay the price then and there, you do not have a closer to the cruise Pay in Full Date.

I am reasonably sure that DVC could access your CC number.

I do not know what other things you are referring to. Transportation to/from port, airport or WDW would be done on your own or through DVC not through DCL.

 

[com_op_2000]

For cruises you do not have to wait until 11 months out to book. As soon as the dates you want to travel are released upto 24 months in advanced you can book a cruise through DVC.
The first person in the room must be the person that is used by points if you are wanting to book using points.
DVC can obtain your CC number for you. You will be able to book excursions and on-board activities at 90 days out since you will be Silver CC members.

 

[Dean]

Looking at a spring break 2016 cruise (I know, $$$, but it's DS's senior year and he finally has the same spring break I do). 4 day Dream.
I know I have to use points to book at least one of us. When I price out the cruise on the website, DH and I are one price and then the third passenger is roughly $450 less.
Question 1--when I pay for one person with points, what cost is removed, the full cost price or the 3rd person fare? This will help me figure out what are actual $$ cost is going to be.
Question 2--I know I have to book through DVC--will this be 11 months out? And then will I have to make all other arrangements through DVC as well? We are castaway club members although I have no idea what my # is since we last cruised in 2004.
I want to go down a couple of days early, spend a couple of non park days, then take the DCL bus to the ship and back to the airport later.
Daisyx3

One full adult must be paid on points. After that it's the DVC contract price which is usually close to the rack rate, maybe 10% less. I'd I'd suggest you price it both ways, you may see it's not that much more all on cash. For example, March 21, 2016 would be 553 points, plus $95 fee, lowest cabin, $3907 on cash currently. For 3/14 it's 383 points vs $3043. $6.89 per point vs $7.70, basically the general range most of these calculations will give you as far as value per point.

 

[daisyx3]

Thanks! Now my oldest (who lives in CA) has thrown a wrench in the works by wanting to family vacation at WDW in June of 2016. So if we do the cruise it will be cash because I don't have that many points. Tough pill to swallow with DCL prices for Easter! It's all hypothetical right now anyway but something is always throwing a wrench in the works.
Daisyx3

 

[Dean]

Thanks! Now my oldest (who lives in CA) has thrown a wrench in the works by wanting to family vacation at WDW in June of 2016. So if we do the cruise it will be cash because I don't have that many points. Tough pill to swallow with DCL prices for Easter! It's all hypothetical right now anyway but something is always throwing a wrench in the works.
Daisyx3

Obviously there are a lot of variables and much we don't know about your preferences, likely choices and who else might be going. To give you a few items for thought, there are ways to control the cost of both. It didn't sound like you were planning to pay all by points anyway and considering the advantages on cash, the hard difference between a 4-5 day DVC stay combined with a 4 day Dream cruise and the 2 days you were looking at anyway may not be all that much comparatively speaking. And if you didn't use as many points with the new possible plan, but more cash with the cruise, you could put those points toward something else or rent them out if you wanted. Either way you'd get value for them that you could count toward this trip, at least mentally. That assumes you don't end up paying air, cruise, etc for additional people you weren't planning on which may be a big assumption for some families. Of course you could always say no related to the change or give your graduating son some say in the matter. At the end of the day, and as a general statement not directed necessarily at your situation itself, I'd suggest the adults who are paying end up making the decisions in such a situation rather than letting the teens and/or young adults run the show. Either way it should be fun as long as these issues don't create drama unto themselves.

 

[daisyx3]

I wouldn't be paying air or anything for my oldest DD; she has more money than I do! She is married to a Marine so while I can start planning now (and hopefully get a 2 BR OKW 7 months out) it could always have to change. My target date is later June since my anniversary is June 21, but the Marines don't care about my anniversary LOL. In 2013 we had her wedding scheduled for July and we had to change it (at the end of March) to June because his deployment was moved up. But they are big savers and they will be paying their own air, tickets, etc. They will just be bunking with us.
I don't mind and it's not really drama. Since DS is graduating she wanted to make a big family vacation one last time and her original idea was Mexico. I was "meh" about it. Now my younger daughter thinks she will be working at WDW that summer so it gives me an excuse to make WDW our family vacation spot.
And I still want to do the cruise! DH says "In 20 years do you want to regret the things you didn't do or be glad you have the memories?"
Daisyx3

 

[thepops]

I don't remember if DCL has a military discount, but it can't hurt to ask! So if your son-in-law books the cruise, you might get a decent discount! (at least as far as DCL discounts go).

 

[erionm]

I don't remember if DCL has a military discount, but it can't hurt to ask! So if your son-in-law books the cruise, you might get a decent discount! (at least as far as DCL discounts go).

DCL offers Military Rates, but it's limited to one stateroom per military member/per sailing.

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/special-offers/military-rates/