The Cruise seems outrageous with points...

[Dean]

Originally posted by CarolAnnK


Dean, perhaps it is irrelevant to you, but not to me. If I am going to use my points outside of the DVC Resorts, I feel that the cruise is a good value since it includes all food, transportation between ports, accommodations, entertainment, etc. I am spending just as many points to stay at Disneyland's Grand Californian hotel for a vacation that will be the room only, as I would spend on a Disney Cruise. No meals, etc are included there of course.

So it is relevant to the comparison I am making here.

My point was that those items are included in cruises as a rule. While the included items may be relevant to a decision whether to cruise, it is not directly relevant to a choice of points vs cash. First one decides if they want to cruise then a DVC member should compare points to discounted cash and decide what's best for the family situation. Personally, I'd also compare to other cruises considered comparable in the industry to include HAL, RCCL and Princess though I know some here wouldn't cosider other alternatives. A cruise is much like HH to me, it's only a little Disney but more the destination that's important to the decision.

 

[Dads Dream]

I think it depends on timing of the vacation, Look at the 2BR at OKW for that time 100pts per weekend night. Now that's alot of points for one night! I would rather cruise in May 2003 for 2A 1Child(age 6) Cat 5 for 297 points. Thats worth missing a week of school at the end of the year. Consider be flexible with your dates and you will get a much better deal.

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

The value of our DVC accomodations must be falling. The DVC points we exchange for the cruise must be unrentable. Or, our points must be rentable only at a deep discount from those inflated rack rates.

Personally, I don't understand the large increases both in the DC collection last year and now the cruise two years in a row. Both DVC and DCL cash rates should be going up at about the same rate. Therefore, the points should remain fairly constant year to year.

Can't wait to see what the new DC collection looks like in 2003.

The Disney exchanges are really getting to be a joke. It will be better to rent your points, and pay cash for a cruise.

 

[bjcgl]

I have always put the value of my points at $1/point. I bought in '92, so I have 230 points x 50 years = 11500 points. The cost was $51/point = $11730. So it is just a little over $1/point over the 50 years. If you look at it that way, the cost of the cruise is really minimal!
I know there are the yearly dues, but ... let me just live in my dream world!

 

[dvcmomdeh]

I have been debating about starting a thread for March 2004. I know it is way off. But....

We cruised last November for 396 pts 2 adults, 2 children (13, 10) the week after Thanksgiving. With oldest beginning high school and the workload going up there we decided to do it so we wouldn't be tempted later.

Now crusing is in our blood and I have check into using points again. Fortunately for us the 3rd week in March is a non peak time. So 2 adults, 15 and 12 year old, 576 points. I about hit the roof. Why not make it impossible for us to use our points anywhere else.

At any rate.. I can get two weeks in a studio in summer 2003 a week cruise spring 2004 and a 2 week 2 bedroom in summer 2004 all with 510 points. You can have the cruise and have your WDW trips too without having 900+ points. My problem now is the oldest wants to play high school sports, who knows if he'll really make the team and I like to book our vacations 11 months out.

Any suggestions about my dilemma.

 

[dbkelly]

MikeBW

We will also be on the 4/14/02 cruise and we are also from MA (Sudbury). How old are your children? I have a DS (9), DD (7) and DD (4). Do you know if DVC members get together on a cruise?

D. B. Kelly

 

[MikeBW]

I have a DS(8) and DD(6). I'll listen for that Mass. accent. I don't think there is a DVC meet on the Wonder - I think that is just a 7 day Magic event. It is our first time crusing so, if there is a DVC meet we will try to attend (unless it is during the Red Sox game!).

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by bjcgl
I have always put the value of my points at $1/point. I bought in '92, so I have 230 points x 50 years = 11500 points. The cost was $51/point = $11730. So it is just a little over $1/point over the 50 years. If you look at it that way, the cost of the cruise is really minimal!
I know there are the yearly dues, but ... let me just live in my dream world!

I'll be happy to rent them every year at $1 pp, just tell me where to send the check. LOL.

 

[dbkelly]

MikeWB

There is probably a very good chance you will meet my husband Bill in the ESPN club during the red sox game and my son who is even worse then my husband when it comes to sports.

D. B. Kelly

 

[harrylane]

My wife and I payed approx. $5000.00 cash for our first
Disney cruise (Dec 28, 1998 thru Jan 2, 1999) Before we
could use DVC points. If I had it to do all over again I
would have saved the $5,000.00 dollars and purchased
more DVC points. The added points would have been a
better value over the years then to have given up the
cash for just that "ONE" trip. But that's just my opinion

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I just noticed the 2003 points were out today. We have mitigating factors:
1) teacher--limits me to vacation periods (Dec., Easter, summer). I can't "take a week off school at the end of the year". summer is the cheapest period, but no discounts.
2) family of 5--either a category 4, or 2 smaller rooms together. Only a substantial point savings at levels 10 or 11--and the ? of will I get connecting rooms at 11 months out. Again, not many discounts at this level. And I would be paying for 4 adults.
We have 160 BWV points and 100 VWL points. We will have 118 2002 points left, 260 2003, and use the 160 2004 BWV points for a total of 538.
The 3 day cruise will cost us 521 points. The question DH will have is do we use them all and pay cash for a room for 4 nights (est. $1400) or use 128 BWV points on a room and pay $1200 for the 3 kids?
One upside is that if we pay for the room next year, we can save the $$$ instead of needing $1200 when we book RIGHT AFTER OUR 2002 TRIP when we will have very little $$.
Thank goodness we will have our APs from 2002 still good and won't need tickets!!!
bTW a 4 day cruise would be 602 points--meaning we could do it with paying $559 for one child, but would have to pay cash for the room again.
Robin M.