Should we cruise on points - what do you do?

[MikeJ]

We're looking at cruising sometime this fall and are trying to decide on (a) the 4- or 7-day cruise, and (b) whether to do it all-cash or a combination of points and cash. I know the mantra (best use of your points is within DVC) but we're also aware of the exchange rate between the Cdn and US$ and are trying to keep our costs to a minimum.

We own 330 pts but don't really want to use 1.5 years worth on the cruise. What do the rest of you do when cruising? And do you get enough out of the 4-day cruise to make it worthwhile, or should we aim for the 7-day? The kids will be 13 & 11 and have never cruised before. Thanks for any suggestions.

- Mike

 

[RickW]

We have cruised on points. We went on the 7 day cruise last December and because there was a fall special, we were able to get a Cat 5 for the two of us for only 290 points. This seemed like a pretty good deal to us.

On the other hand, we are going on a 3 day cruise in September, and it would have cost us 188 points for the Cat 10 that we are only paying $917 for in cash.

I think that sometimes it is worth it, and sometimes not, but I think the bigger factors are these:

1. Do you have the cash for the cruise?
2. Do you have other plans for the points?

Cruising on points may not be the "best value" but one of the reasons we all have points is to avoid the large cash outlay every year.

In your situation, I would probably use points for the adults, and then pay cash for the kids. That way, you probably will use about 1 year worth of points, but still not have a huge out-of-pocket expense.
I also think that if you are cruising on points, the 7 day cruise is a better deal. (We did the 7 day for our first cruise and were not at all sorry that we made that decision.)

 

[ripleysmom]

Just remember that, although cruising is not always considered to the best use of your points, you do not have to pay for food or park admission on the cruise. In that regard you are getting more bang for the buck.

 

[LIDisneyFan]

We haven't cruised on pts yet (we are planning that for 2004), but we have done the 4 and 7 - do the 7 day - you'll feel cheated by the 4 - you just start to get into the cruise and it's over.

Have fun

 

[Michelemouse]

I agree that the 7-day is the way to go. We've done both the 3 and 4 day DCL cruises and will be trying the 7-day this November. The 3-day was too short, the 4-day was good but the 7-day will be total relaxation!

As for points...we have about the same number you do. We tend to cruise with my parents and use part points and part cash. For our Nov. cruise we used all of this year's points and part of next years. We were able to pay for 3 (of 4) adults and 1 (of 2) children with points and will be paying cash for the rest. We opted for connecting Cat. 6 staterooms so that took quite a few points...you could surely do the same cruise for less. We are not planning on visiting WDW until Jan 2004 (kids' karate school is planning a trip to Australia which will take all of our vacation funds for next year) so we had some extra points to play with.

BTW, we have cruised in an inside cabin and a porthole cabin and both were just fine. We opted for the verandah this time because we've never tried one and we had the points available. A window is definitely a plus but you still get the same meals/shows/etc. with an inside cabin. There are also 6 cabins that have partially blocked portholes that are sold as inside cabins. YOu'd get the window but only pay for a Cat. 10. If you're interested in these (they go fast though) just ask for a Cat. 10 on Deck 5. You can see their location on the deck plans on www.disneycruise.com They are rooms 5020/5022/5024 and 5520/5522/5524.

Hope this helps.

Michele

 

[mapny]

DH, DS (11) and I cruised last summer on the 7-day Magic using all points and felt that it was a great deal. I don't think we would have done the cruise otherwise. It is important to remember that the price is all-inclusive. We also were able to "splurge" and get a cabin with a veranda, which we loved. All in all, the cruise was great and I'd do it again in a "NY minute".

 

[skippelm]

I had the same dilemma as you- finally realized that I bought the points to use them- so thats what we did and are about to cruise March 10!

 

[Mogoofy]

We are taking a cruise on July 6, 2002 totally on points. Yes we had to borrow next years points but it seems worth it for us. I don't think we would have dropped the cash on the first one if not for points. We are getting excited and can't wait for July.

 

[IslandHap]

Take the cruise on points.

There is no right or wrong answer. People buy DVC points for many reasons. Some like to maximize there nighlty stays on property, and using points for DCL or II doesn't fit into there plans.

We actually canceled a DCL cash ressie for this summer, to use the money to help buy points at BCV. We are going to re-book a DCL cruise on points, as soon as we close (need to borrow some points).

The way I look at it, we bought our points to maximize our vacation pleasure, not just our nights a Disney.

 

[Christine (UK)]

We took a cruise on points in 99. We are planning a 7 day in 2004 all on points. I think of it as paid for, and it would be hard for me to think of my points as worth money. I just plan my holidays and if it means staying in a studio for a couple of holidays in order to go on a cruise then I think it is worth it.

 

[EROS]

We're cruising on points in 5 weeks. There's no question that the most judicious use of points is at DVC resorts. However, we purchased them to be used across a wide range of choices over the years. If we truly wanted to watch every penny, then we would never stay anywhere but MOTEL 6 .........

 

[spruce]

We've cruised on points twice. 1st the 4 day then the 3 day. We are cruising again in Jan and are paying cash this time for the 3 day. I bought my points to use and some years spending them on the cruise was how we wanted to use them.
As to the length of your cruise, We've never taken a 7 day cruise but, I'm not sure what we would do on a cruise for so long. We don't do the parks commando but we are pretty active while at WDW. On the ship (which is a blast) your exploration options are limited. We've done the straw market, been to Atlantis, Castaway Cay (maybe we should do excursions)....7 days would give me cabin fever I think....spruce

 

[BWVDenise]

In having 3 young children and being forced into at Cat. 4, the ONLY way we will be able to cruise is on points, or at the very least, a combo of points/cash. After purchasing the points, there is just no way we could come up with what it would cost for a family of five!
I'm having the same trouble deciding between the 4 night and 7 night. Being in such close proximity with 3 very noisy little sleeper, I don't know if I would make it through 7 nites without jumping overboard!

 

[nestlejean]

BWV Denise.
Look in to what I did. we have a family of 5, DH and 3 children along with myself. I booked 2 rooms category 11 I think. It was less points than getting a little bit larger room for all of us. The girls will sleep in 1 room and the guys in another. With a snoring DH it will actually work out better. We'll sleep better and have 2 bathrooms. You can get connecting rooms too, I think. Ours isn't though, just next to each other. We are taking the 4 day cruise and it looks like we'll have more room to sleep this way. If you look at the room layouts, you are pretty cozt for sleeping to upgrade to a room that will fot 5 unless you go way up! This may be an option for you. I played around with points and room choices for awhile before deciding this would work out best. With kids in a room with you, there is NO ROMANCE anyway so, if we are in seperate rooms, it won't matter much!

 

[nestlejean]

BWV Denise.
Look in to what I did. we have a family of 5, DH and 3 children along with myself. I booked 2 rooms category 11 I think. It was less points than getting a little bit larger room for all of us. The girls will sleep in 1 room and the guys in another. With a snoring DH it will actually work out better. We'll sleep better and have 2 bathrooms. You can get connecting rooms too, I think. Ours isn't though, just next to each other. We are taking the 4 day cruise and it looks like we'll have more room to sleep this way. If you look at the room layouts, you are pretty cozy for sleeping to upgrade to a room that will fit 5 unless you go way up! This may be an option for you. I played around with points and room choices for awhile before deciding this would work out best. With kids in a room with you, there is NO ROMANCE anyway so, if we are in seperate rooms, it won't matter much!

 

[dznymom1]

We cruised last summer on the Magic and paid cash for 1 adult and 1 child, and points for 1 adult & 1 child. At the time, that worked out best for us. We are cruising again this summer on the Magic, and used points for 2 adults and 1 child, and paid cash for the teenager. We added on points at BWV last fall, so that gave us a few more points to work with this year. I personally feel that with all your meals and entertainment included, the cruise is actually a better value for points than would initially be indicated. And we had the best vacation ever since my teenager had lots of freedom, my younger son had lots of friends to play with, and DH and I also had lots of friends to play with, not to mention time alone! One word of caution - when you book through DVC you are required to pay the entire cash balance at the time of booking, unlike a regular reservation where you have until 60 days prior to sailing.

As far as 4 day versus 7, I will let you know after April. We were fortunate to win a sweepstakes from Kellogg's and will be doing the 3 nt WDW/4 nt Wonder cruise starting 4/18. Can't wait!