points for cruises--refresh my memory

[daisyx3]

We took a 4 day cruise in 2003 and a 7 day in 2004, but none since and I don't remember the points rules! I am just dreaming right now for spring break 2016. My son will be a senior and I thought maybe he would rather cruise than go to the parks (last June he said he was a little Disney'd out, and is not going with us next spring due to a school trip).
I found the point charts for a 4 day Bahamas for spring break 2016. My question is--is it still the rule that at least one person needs to book with points but the others can book with cash?
And yes I know, not a good use of points, etc., especially spring break, but with him being a senior and me being a teacher that is our only option. It may be our last trip with him.
Daisyx3

 

[erionm]

My question is--is it still the rule that at least one person needs to book with points but the others can book with cash?

Yes. Any cash portion is due in full at the time the reservation is made.

DVC does make an exception to this rule only for the Member Cruises which they will allow all cash for.

 

[Dean]

We took a 4 day cruise in 2003 and a 7 day in 2004, but none since and I don't remember the points rules! I am just dreaming right now for spring break 2016. My son will be a senior and I thought maybe he would rather cruise than go to the parks (last June he said he was a little Disney'd out, and is not going with us next spring due to a school trip).
I found the point charts for a 4 day Bahamas for spring break 2016. My question is--is it still the rule that at least one person needs to book with points but the others can book with cash?
And yes I know, not a good use of points, etc., especially spring break, but with him being a senior and me being a teacher that is our only option. It may be our last trip with him.
Daisyx3

One full adult on points and the rest can be points or cash but only one or the other per person. After 1 adult you can pick or chose who you pay for points or cash. As noted, the member cruises are an exception if you qualify (qualified points). The cash portion is due in full a the time of booking. I'd suggest you compare to the cash price for your exact situation but for spring break, you may find it more reasonable than most. One approach, if you're unsure, is to book for cash and keep an eye on the price then decide as you get closer cash vs points or points plus cash. I have 2 cruises booked currently (non DVC) that the prices are dramatically different than when I first booked them. One is almost double the price I booked it at originally, it hasn't gone down at all, the other went to half what I booked for and I got a reduction plus I change one of the cabins (have 8) to a kids sail free special, it's gone back up now.

 

[daisyx3]

Thanks for the info! If we can use the points for one of us, and pay cash for me and for my son, it will run about $2000 and one year of points for a 4 night on the Dream. Plus of course we would fly down, stay one night somewhere, and get the DCL bus to port and back to airport.
Sounds like a lot but if we stay at the parks our APS would have expired so we would need a week's worth of tickets for 3 adults, TL tickets for one day (holiday tradition is Easter at TL if we are there) and food for 3 adults, plus the same plane tickets--it would be more days but close to the same money.
I have plenty of time to work it out. My son even said "It doesn't have to be a Disney cruise", so he must be Disney'd out.
Daisyx3