Silly Question DVC&DCL

[pjpoohbear]

Hi all!

I have a silly question don't want to call in to MS to find out the answer.

When you book a DCL do you have to have the points now or for when the cruise will take place? I am thinking of taking a cruise in Fall 2006 and need to know if it is better to book with cash now and then switch it to points when they come open. Consult and come up with an answer please.

Thanks
Your neighbour
Penny

 

[Donald's#1Fan]

I really hope someone can answer this as I am very interested in the answer also!

 

[scootersmom]

We booked a cruise on points in Nov. 2002 for Oct. 2003. Our use year is April and we had no banked points. So, the points must be available when you cruise, not when you book.

Colleen

 

[tjkraz]

Just remember that when you book a cruise, the points earmarked for the cruise become classified as Reservation Points. If you should have to cancel, even within the cancellation guidelines, these points remain Reservation Points and can only be used for non-DVC options.

 

[DisneyBill]

You really can't "switch" the ressies from cash to points. You have to cancel and rebook. Or, at least that was the way it was in '02.

OMT, if you cancel and others are on the waitlist for your cancelled accommodations, they will get it. You get in line all over again.

 

[AnnaS]

For our West Coast cruise we did just that - we booked two cabins with cash when they made the announcement back in May (if I remember month correctly). (My DVC friend did the same exact thing). We both reserved two cabins each since we are both a family 5. We knew we were taking a chance of not being able to get what we wanted. We were not even sure if we could go period. We were not sure if we would get one cabin with points and keep one cash or do both cabins with a combination of points and cash when the 11 month window opened up in August.
We lucked out. I have a cat. 8 and an 11 across. I kept the 8 cash and booked cat. 11 on points - we were lucky that the cabin next to our original 11 was open so we took that and cancelled original cash one. My friend has a cat. 6 and 11 across. She also left the cat. 6 cash and booked the 11 on points.

If you are flexible with category and deck - you may want to book with cash and when your 11 month window opens up call MS. We were hoping we could keep the original in cash - but it was way too much $$$ for us.

Okay - did I confuse you yet.