Questions about cruising on points

[Coll0610]

Now that DS is in junior high, it's getting harder to find time to go to WDW We're thinking about using points to take a cruise next summer. I'm aware that some people think cruising isn't the best use of points, but it's something we are considering. Can anyone answer a couple of questions?

We may pay cash for DS, depending on which cruise and which category. I'm looking at a couple of possible dates in June which have the same point value (to cruise on points). Does anyone know if the cash price is likely to be the same for the two cruises?

We may want to take a friend for DS, but probably won't know at the time we book the cruise. We would pay cash for the friend - can we add him later? I understand that sometimes you can't add another person to an existing cabin (like if there isn't room in the kids club for that age, or that section of the boat is at capacity for lifeboats), but I'm trying to find out if there any additional restrictions when cruising on points.

 

[Dean]

Now that DS is in junior high, it's getting harder to find time to go to WDW We're thinking about using points to take a cruise next summer. I'm aware that some people think cruising isn't the best use of points, but it's something we are considering. Can anyone answer a couple of questions?

We may pay cash for DS, depending on which cruise and which category. I'm looking at a couple of possible dates in June which have the same point value (to cruise on points). Does anyone know if the cash price is likely to be the same for the two cruises?

We may want to take a friend for DS, but probably won't know at the time we book the cruise. We would pay cash for the friend - can we add him later? I understand that sometimes you can't add another person to an existing cabin (like if there isn't room in the kids club for that age, or that section of the boat is at capacity for lifeboats), but I'm trying to find out if there any additional restrictions when cruising on points.

Only DVC can likely tell you the cash price but you can get an idea by looking at the cash price for extra adults and adding $100-200 to it for each extra person. It's also due in full up front when you reserve. As for changes, you'd have another fee each time you change and you might not have enough room in your cabin and have to change cabins IF AVAILABLE, usually getting a less desirable cabin.

 

[lmb]

As long as the June dates are in the same "season" the cash price should be identical for your DS. When I called recently to get cash prices for 2 dates (both in value season) they were the same and I asked the same question you did. They clarified that the cash price is the same for all cruise dates in the same season.