Search is down, so DCL booking, tips and more?

[pjpoohbear]

Ok, in 2008 we will have a large chunck of points to use (almost two years worth, three with borrowing), so DM has decided that using them for a cruise would be great , as we will not have time for a long or multiple vacation(s) in 08/09.

So, booking window is 11 months out from cruise, correct?

We will actually be on the Magic at this window (if correct), how does booking on board work with points, something about 3 days post cruise?

Is there generally any "discount" for "on-board" booking?

What about the whole on board booking credit (4 day cruise to be booked,) do DVC bookings receive this as well?

I have read that standard tips are included in a points booked cruise, is this so? Or could it have been only for the member cruise?

And the fee is $90 or $75 per reservation?

Thanks for any help and and extra tips would be welcome.

Pj

 

[SCDizneyDawn]

1) booking window I BELIEVE has recently changed to 24 months. At least this is what the member web site says.

2) re-booking while on board: you will recieve a points chart for re-booking while on board. I am not sure if you have 3 days after as you mention or not. The points are a great savings over normal booking (which we did not take advantage of on our last cruise- what dummies we are!)
You do not get a room credit in addition to the point savings, room credit is only for cash bookings.

If you are paying cash I am not sure if you will automatically get the reduced rate point chart, I would ask at the DVC desk early in the week if you will get it!

3) I have been on two cruises using points, but my tips were never included, this must be for the member cruise only.

4) it was $75 per reservation when we booked our next cruise (coming up in Nov!!) in back in Dec.

extra tips, most people will tell you to rent your points and pay cash, you will come out ahead for sure, but for me it was just too many points to be trying to rent, so we booked all of our cruises (3 so far) using points.

Hope that helped

 

[pjpoohbear]

It sure did, thanks much! We also did not want to deal with the process of renting out the points, and althought we would come out ahead $wise, it is more about using up points, lol.

Penny