Use points for a Disney Cruise or pay cash? (and other probing questions!)

[RLRDA]

We are starting to toss around the idea of taking a Disney cruise - most likely in 2010. Maybe a 4 night cruise with 3 or 4 nights at WDW using our DVC.

First, we only have 225 pts/year and I don't want to burn through all our points. Second, we'd need a cabin that sleeps five so that'll cost even more points. Do those of you that cruise often use points, pay cash or some of both?? I seem to remember our DVC guide say that if we use points for a cruise, use them for the adults and pay cash for the children. Is this possible?

Where are the cheapest deals on cruises that you've found? I was on the "Cruise Board" and the travel agency that has ads there wants so many specifics/personal info. in order to give you a quote.

Lastly, what's usually the best time of year to cruise with Disney to get the best price?

Thanks for any info and/or advice!

 

[SnowWhite2]

The cheapest time to cruise is during Jan, early Feb, Sept and October. The most expensive is when the kids don't have school.

I've sailed on points and I've sailed paying cash. Only you can decide if using points is worthwhile for you. You can get more money by renting your points and using the cash to pay for the cruise. I personally don't want the hassle to rent the points or the potential liability. I use the cost of the original points and the dues to determine how much my points are worth. FOr me, it is less than $6/pt. If I can get the cruise for points around the cash price, I go for it.

The dirty little secret with DCL - they come out with their cheapest prices first and then raise them as the cabins start filling up and there is less supply. That is counter to most booking models. Also, DCL does not allow travel agencies to under price the cruise. Everyone has to charge the same amount for the DCL cruise that DCL is charging on their website. Other booking sites don't include the travel insurance and port transfers in their price as DCL does on their pricing page. The only exception is if the TA purchased a block of cabins and resells at a later date. But the TA has to sell them at the price that they booked them at with DCL. To win your business, TA's can offer a on-board booking credit to book with them over DCL.

For a family of 5, I suggest two lower category cabins such as connecting cat 9's with the port hole. That is cheaper than the cat 4 family cabins and wayyy cheaper than a suite. Each cabin must be booked with an adult in the cabin but you can have whatever sleeping arrangements that you want.

Have a great time planning.

 

[Inkmahm]

A long thread on this topic: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2062018

 

[Fortywinks]

We are starting to toss around the idea of taking a Disney cruise - most likely in 2010. Maybe a 4 night cruise with 3 or 4 nights at WDW using our DVC.

First, we only have 225 pts/year and I don't want to burn through all our points. Second, we'd need a cabin that sleeps five so that'll cost even more points. Do those of you that cruise often use points, pay cash or some of both?? I seem to remember our DVC guide say that if we use points for a cruise, use them for the adults and pay cash for the children. Is this possible?

Where are the cheapest deals on cruises that you've found? I was on the "Cruise Board" and the travel agency that has ads there wants so many specifics/personal info. in order to give you a quote.

Lastly, what's usually the best time of year to cruise with Disney to get the best price?

Thanks for any info and/or advice!

My thoughts and by no means an endorsement (My disclaimer)

To get your best value you will need to do your homework. I’ve done three cruises for 4 people several ways (one cruise on points, one cruise partial points and partial cash, and one all cash)

1. Get the points chart for your cruise (4 day 2010 chart). Find the date that best fits your schedule. Best "value" times are Sept, Jan, Feb, Oct, Nov and early Dec. Determine your stateroom, for five people it’s probably going to be cat 5. You may look at lower cat and two rooms if type of stateroom is not an issue, let’s say two cat 9. Look at the numbers and determine best use of points. You can also do a combination (i.e. 2 people on points and three people on cash). You can call MS and they can give you quotes for different possibilities.

2. Go to the Disney web site and get a similar cash online quote. The online quote requires no personal information, only trip criteria.


These two should give you some sort of baseline.

Other considerations:

1. If you use points thru MS and/or combination points and cash, points are transferred out when reservation is made and those on cash, $$ due at time of reservation. There is also a $95 transfer fee due when reservation is made. If for some reason you need to cancel, returned points only go into Reservation status plus the $95 is not refunded. Also, remember there are drop-dead dates on cancellation and you may lose some or all of your points (and cash) if you have to cancel. Know the dates!

2. Booking cash usually only requires a $100 per person deposit with difference due 90 days prior to cruise date. Also, remember there are drop-dead dates on cancellation and you may lose some or all of your cash if you have to cancel. Know the dates!


Cruise prices for cash (points are set) only go up so waiting will not normally save you money.

Rule of thumb, most tend to calculate their point value between $7-$9.


Remember you get what you pay for with free advice. I would certainly be interested in what other experienced folks would have to say.

 

[RLRDA]

Thank you, Snowwhite2 and Fortywinks. You've given me a "jumping off" point. After I posted my question (of course) I did see the thread you refered to, Inkmahm. I must admit I never use the 'search' function and didn't look back to check for a similar topic. But I will read all of the information there as well.

The room type isn't important to me (not sure about DH) so two rooms in a lower category might be the way to go and will give us more space at the same time. It's time to start my homework! If I book the cruise and pay cash for the entire thing can I still do it through Member Services or strictly on the DCL website?

 

[Inkmahm]

I'd pay cash and go through Dreams Unlimited to book a cruise in order to get their generally better deals for onboard credit. You can book through DCL direct but I"d use the travel agent to get a few more $ to use onboard. Head to the DIS cruise forum and you'll see Dreams Unlimited there.

 

[Fortywinks]

Thank you, Snowwhite2 and Fortywinks. You've given me a "jumping off" point. After I posted my question (of course) I did see the thread you refered to, Inkmahm. I must admit I never use the 'search' function and didn't look back to check for a similar topic. But I will read all of the information there as well.

The room type isn't important to me (not sure about DH) so two rooms in a lower category might be the way to go and will give us more space at the same time. It's time to start my homework! If I book the cruise and pay cash for the entire thing can I still do it through Member Services or strictly on the DCL website?

Best wishes and good luck! I've already booked another Dec 2010 cruise. From my experience, I think you will not regreat a cruise on DCL......