Using DVC for DCL

[emum]

I know the general consensus is that they're not worth the points, but that aside, I'm wondering a couple of things - how easy is it to book cabins on points (ie how far in advance, do they only have caertain numbers of each category, etc.). Also, am I correct in remembering you can book as far in advance as DCL release dates (ie beyond current UY and maybe even the next ?).

Any other things anyone can think of, I'd love to hear your input / experience.

Thanks in advance.

Cheers,
Sally

 

[z28wiz]

Last I checked they only had october 2012 and later available, but that was a month ago.

 

[Debs Hill]

Really???!?? We wanted to go in July 2012 using our points....is all availability gone?!!
Debx

 

[Deb & Bill]

Really???!?? We wanted to go in July 2012 using our points....is all availability gone?!!
Debx

Yes, it is very limited.

 

[Debs Hill]

Oh no! I really thought that booking this far out we'd be able to get what we wanted....didn't realise that even if there is availability on cash that you won't necessarily be able to book it on points.

All change..........
Debx

 

[Deb & Bill]

Oh no! I really thought that booking this far out we'd be able to get what we wanted....didn't realise that even if there is availability on cash that you won't necessarily be able to book it on points.

All change..........
Debx

You could rent out your points and use cash to book. Or transfer points (might be easier).

 

[Inkmahm]

You could rent out your points and use cash to book. Or transfer points (might be easier).

Cheaper, too. Also fewer restrictions than booking with points.

 

[Alexander]

I think only October 2011 and later was available. October 2012 is waaayyy far out. We did not have to book that far out.

 

[n2mm]

My friend called this week about using points to book April 2012, and the MS CM told her that there were no more cruises available to book with points until after October 2012.

 

[Alexander]

My friend called this week about using points to book April 2012, and the MS CM told her that there were no more cruises available to book with points until after October 2012.

That seems ridiculous! There are too many members now and they are not allotting enough slots for booking outside DVC. We booked about 13 months in advance for this August. I personally like using points for DCL. One phone call, and everything is done and paid for. We are tired of WDW so using points for cruising works for us.

 

[n2mm]

That seems ridiculous! There are too many members now and they are not allotting enough slots for booking outside DVC. We booked about 13 months in advance for this August. I personally like using points for DCL. One phone call, and everything is done and paid for. We are tired of WDW so using points for cruising works for us.

I know, my friend was really shocked. I had told her I read it in another thread. But she called anyhow. She was hoping to do a split (cash/points or all points). She was disappointed. The CM told her she could "rent" her points and use the cash to pay for a cruise, which she is thinking of doing through a broker. Our cruise date is April 22, 2012 and not even close to Easter weeks. We plan to look into booking while onboard, so will be doing some homework prior in regards to using our points for a future cruise.

 

[Dean]

This is not really a cruise availability problem but more of a decision by DVD to limit the amount of points they have to rent out themselves. Sometimes things changes so I'd encourage anyone interested to still call. They might free up availability or there might be a cancelation. Though I do agree that renting rather than using the points is the best options.

 

[disneychic]

It definitely seems like the times are changing. We've booked many cruises on our points. Never had an issue - but I typically book a year in advance (booked a February 2012 cruise at the end of February 2011). But, when speaking to a member at the pool at the Boardwalk in May she was really upset about the recent availability to DVC'ers wanting to use points to cruise. She said that one of the reasons they purchased a large amount of points (she said she had 1000) was to enable her family to cruise as well, and she was unable to book a cruise the last 3 times she tried. Is this because there is less availablity to cruise due to the popularity of the new ship and the newer destinations??

 

[Debs Hill]

OK, so I called member services this morning to ask about availability and he said that there will be no availability using DVC points on the Fantasy or the Dream until 2014!!!!!!! Seriously!!! I checked and double checked and that is what he confirmed. He said that there are only so many cabin spaces allocated to DVC and once they're gone they're gone.

He did say that there was availability on the Magic and the Wonder for next year but that wasn't what we wanted.

We have twice cruised on points before and booked about 1 year out with no problems what so ever...............very disappointing as it was part of the reason we went for DVC. Times are changing
Debx

 

[Dean]

It definitely seems like the times are changing. We've booked many cruises on our points. Never had an issue - but I typically book a year in advance (booked a February 2012 cruise at the end of February 2011). But, when speaking to a member at the pool at the Boardwalk in May she was really upset about the recent availability to DVC'ers wanting to use points to cruise. She said that one of the reasons they purchased a large amount of points (she said she had 1000) was to enable her family to cruise as well, and she was unable to book a cruise the last 3 times she tried. Is this because there is less availablity to cruise due to the popularity of the new ship and the newer destinations??

I don't think DVD or DVC have addressed the issue. My take is it's due to a combo or reasons including more people wanting to use their points for a cruise they couldn't otherwise afford with the changes in the economy. Ultimately it comes down to the fact that DVD has to generate the dollars by renting those weeks out, in addition to the ones they own themselves. If they ever do a VIP system, you can bet that DCL will be a core part of the perks.

 

[minnieandmickey]

OK, so I called member services this morning to ask about availability and he said that there will be no availability using DVC points on the Fantasy or the Dream until 2014!!!!!!! Seriously!!! I checked and double checked and that is what he confirmed. He said that there are only so many cabin spaces allocated to DVC and once they're gone they're gone.

He did say that there was availability on the Magic and the Wonder for next year but that wasn't what we wanted.

We have twice cruised on points before and booked about 1 year out with no problems what so ever...............very disappointing as it was part of the reason we went for DVC. Times are changing
Debx

How can he say 2014 when 2013 isn't even out? I can understand that why, new ships are very popular. I got the Dream in October in January and I lucked out. Our cruise is now full.

 

[TiffJ]

When I called last week trying to book the Fantasy for June 2012 I was told that there was no more DVC availability on the new ships but there was for Magic & Wonder. She said they would re-allocate in October.

 

[Alexander]

While we have rented our points before and always had good luck, it is still one more step to getting the cruise reservation we want. We also don't have access to all of the points we would if we were booking a cruise way out. For example when we booked a cruise on points for 2009 we were able to borrow some of our 2010 points long before we would have had access to them for rental purposes.

Something has definately changed in the DCL cruising world. The demand for cruises is wwwaaayyy up both on points and for cash reservations. We have 3 upcoming cruises booked on points and have been looking to book more either on cash or points, but given the pricing that DCL has currently put in place, we will be looking elsewhere. Haven't even been on the Dream yet and I am already disappointed with DCL. Maybe we'll stick with the older ships and their itineraries.

 

[DonDon]

How can he say 2014 when 2013 isn't even out? I can understand that why, new ships are very popular. I got the Dream in October in January and I lucked out. Our cruise is now full.

Agreed, this make zero sense. The rules seems to be made up and changing every day. While I understand that everybody wants the newer and better ship, how can they say zero allotment for 2013 when the dates and ports aren't even out yet?

Back in March (of this year), Dream was still bookable on selected dates

in April, DVC said no more dream until after Oct 2012, but still available for most dates on the 2 older ships

in May they said nothing available at all till after Oct 2012

now this? Wow!

 

[CarolMN]

Agreed, this make zero sense. The rules seems to be made up and changing every day. While I understand that everybody wants the newer and better ship, how can they say zero allotment for 2013 when the dates and ports aren't even out yet?

Back in March (of this year), Dream was still bookable on selected dates

in April, DVC said no more dream until after Oct 2012, but still available for most dates on the 2 older ships

in May they said nothing available at all till after Oct 2012

now this? Wow!

My understanding is that the limitations have nothing to do with availability on a particular ship or cruise date. Rather it's about the total number of points that DVC is willing to rent out to cover the cost of the cruises members take on points.

DVC has set some limit per fiscal year on the total number of points that can be used to cruise. Once that limit is reached, no more new cruise reservations for that year. Doesn't matter if the cruise you want has zero DVC members on it so far.

As the economy improves and the number & amount of non-DVC room discounts are decreased, maybe more people will be willing to pay the cost to stay in a DVC villa. When that happens, perhaps DVC will increase the limit and thus make more cruises available to DVC members.