Using points for a cruise...facts

[Marc A.]

I know that using points for a cruise is not the best idea and that if I rent them I would be getting much more for my points, and we will be charged $95. however.....

We are a family of 4 (2 A's and 2 C's. 7 & 5) and
I may want to use points for my wife and I and pay cash for the kids for a Fall 2012 cruise.

My for this scenario are:
1. Do I call DCL when the dates are out to book the cruise this way or MS?
2. Can I call DCL to book and then convert it to MS later?
3. The money due for the kids would be due at that moment, correct?
Any ideas on this? Or a thread for guidance.

Thank you...just tossing the idea around.

 

[erionm]

1. Do I call DCL when the dates are out to book the cruise this way or MS?

You have to call MS if you want to use points to book a cruise.

2. Can I call DCL to book and then convert it to MS later?

You can, but may not be able to move it over to MS if there is no availability on points.

3. The money due for the kids would be due at that moment, correct?

If you book with MS, any cash portion is due in full when the reservation is made.

 

[mousefan1972]

I know that using points for a cruise is not the best idea and that if I rent them I would be getting much more for my points, and we will be charged $95. however.....

We are a family of 4 (2 A's and 2 C's. 7 & 5) and
I may want to use points for my wife and I and pay cash for the kids for a Fall 2012 cruise.

My for this scenario are:
1. Do I call DCL when the dates are out to book the cruise this way or MS?
2. Can I call DCL to book and then convert it to MS later?
3. The money due for the kids would be due at that moment, correct?
Any ideas on this? Or a thread for guidance.

Thank you...just tossing the idea around.

We just did this exact thing for a Spring 2012 cruise on the Dream. We used points for DH and I and paid cash for our 2 kids (ages 7 and 5). Since we are only doing a 3 nighter, it was the same # of points for the 2 adults to cruise as it would have been to stay in our DVC villa. We had to pay the $95 fee and pay for the kids in full at the time of booking. The transactions were posted separately on my cc statement. The MS cast member who booked for me was very helpful. I was able to choose our cabin and he confirmed us for our show/dining preference. It was a very good first experience booking a cruise through MS. HTH!

 

[Marc A.]

We just did this exact thing for a Spring 2012 cruise on the Dream. We used points for DH and I and paid cash for our 2 kids (ages 7 and 5). Since we are only doing a 3 nighter, it was the same # of points for the 2 adults to cruise as it would have been to stay in our DVC villa. We had to pay the $95 fee and pay for the kids in full at the time of booking. The transactions were posted separately on my cc statement. The MS cast member who booked for me was very helpful. I was able to choose our cabin and he confirmed us for our show/dining preference. It was a very good first experience booking a cruise through MS. HTH!

Ok cool, so you just called MS instead of DCL?
Did you have an idea of what type of cabin you wanted?

Thanks

 

[mousefan1972]

Ok cool, so you just called MS instead of DCL?
Did you have an idea of what type of cabin you wanted?

Thanks

Yup, I called MS. There is a prompt to choose for booking a cruise rather than a DVC resort.

We did; we knew we wanted the cheapest cabin available which is an inside on deck 2. Luckily it was available on points. We really want to see the virtual porthole.

 

[La2kw]

I have absolutely zero interest in renting out points. I like cruises. Disney cruises are very expensive (though worth it). Using points for one of us cuts the price of my cruise in half.

'nuff said.

 

[Marc A.]

I'm justing counting the days until they release fall 2012 dates/itineraries for the new ships.

 

[treehugnmama]

when do they release the dates for 2012? we are looking at taking a 3 day for our first cruise and using points

 

[Dean]

I know that using points for a cruise is not the best idea and that if I rent them I would be getting much more for my points, and we will be charged $95. however.....

We are a family of 4 (2 A's and 2 C's. 7 & 5) and
I may want to use points for my wife and I and pay cash for the kids for a Fall 2012 cruise.

My for this scenario are:
1. Do I call DCL when the dates are out to book the cruise this way or MS?
2. Can I call DCL to book and then convert it to MS later?
3. The money due for the kids would be due at that moment, correct?
Any ideas on this? Or a thread for guidance.

Thank you...just tossing the idea around.

Look at the current costs for the same time for 2011 to get an idea of where you stand. Get the cash prices for adults and kids from MS for that time. Obviously it could change some but will give you a good starting point. Once you have that info, you'll know whether it's better to pay one adult or two vs the kids price. Keep your notes so you can adjust your info once the 2012 info is available. You can't just convert a cash ressie to points but you may be able to cancel and rebook on one call with DVC, accomplishing the same thing. I know DCL previously did not charge a cancelation fee but I think that may have changed. Regardless, realize that it's like the cash availability will be out before the points is so others may be booking up the cash rooms and getting the best cabins before you can book.

Use the DVC points charts for the points costs and something like icruise for the cash prices.

 

[Marc A.]

Look at the current costs for the same time for 2011 to get an idea of where you stand. Get the cash prices for adults and kids from MS for that time. Obviously it could change some but will give you a good starting point. Once you have that info, you'll know whether it's better to pay one adult or two vs the kids price. Keep your notes so you can adjust your info once the 2012 info is available. You can't just convert a cash ressie to points but you may be able to cancel and rebook on one call with DVC, accomplishing the same thing. I know DCL previously did not charge a cancelation fee but I think that may have changed. Regardless, realize that it's like the cash availability will be out before the points is so others may be booking up the cash rooms and getting the best cabins before you can book.

Use the DVC points charts for the points costs and something like icruise for the cash prices.

We were hoping to Cruise over T-giving 2012 and spend a few days in the parks before the cruise. The problem is for the Dream there are no sailings over that time period (thanksgiving day) for 2011, only the Wonder/Magic. We really want to go on one of the new ships.

If needed we will just do a 7 nighter aboard the Fantasy I guess and shorten the park stay. I guess we shall see.

Thanks Dean

 

[MissFitt]

Ok cool, so you just called MS instead of DCL?
Did you have an idea of what type of cabin you wanted?

Thanks

Before you call MS go on the DCL web site to see which rooms are available for the sailing you want -- MS may select a room for you but if there is one you want just ask -- they'll change it for you if it is available through them.

I just did this last week (we also are a family of 2 A's and 2 C's. 7 & 5). I had already had the cruise booked through DCL but decided to use some DVC points for one adult and one child. Was very easy to do through MS and even upgraded to the cabin I wanted.

Good luck!

 

[n2mm]

Good info to know. We are thinking of a 2012 cruise and haven't decided if we want to incorporate points into the price.

 

[riatees]

We are also thinking about using points to book a cruise. We have done 2 Disney cruises in the past and paid cash, but there will be 5 of us this time and using points for a few of us is starting to look good. The only draw back is having to pay the cash portion up front instead of over time. We really want to do the Dream 4 night sailing, but we may have to opt for the 3 night.

 

[huey578]

You have to call MS if you want to use points to book a cruise.


You can, but may not be able to move it over to MS if there is no availability on points.


If you book with MS, any cash portion is due in full when the reservation is made.

If DCL ground transportation transfers are added, does it need to be paid in full at time of booking?

 

[mousefan1972]

Some 2012 dates are already out. We are booked (partially on points) on the Dream for an April 2012 3 night cruise.

 

[taaren]

I'm justing counting the days until they release fall 2012 dates/itineraries for the new ships.

You know when they're going to release the itineraries?? Please share! Want to book our Dec 2012 cruise on cash in between two weeks at WDW resorts. Pins and needles here since I have a good guess of what days the cruise will fall on based on 2011 sailings but not certain and want to know exact number of points for the resort stay (ie, will cruise fall on weekend like I'm hoping).

 

[Dean]

We were hoping to Cruise over T-giving 2012 and spend a few days in the parks before the cruise. The problem is for the Dream there are no sailings over that time period (thanksgiving day) for 2011, only the Wonder/Magic. We really want to go on one of the new ships.

If needed we will just do a 7 nighter aboard the Fantasy I guess and shorten the park stay. I guess we shall see.

Thanks Dean

I was merely suggesting you look a that time as a point of reference to start to judge your likely costs and values to give you a better understanding and option to hit the ground running when your 2012 options were actually available.

 

[Rob S.]

If DCL ground transportation transfers are added, does it need to be paid in full at time of booking?

Yes, but you can add the transfers at any time. They do not have to be made (and paid for) at the time of booking the cruise.

 

[huey578]

Yes, but you can add the transfers at any time. They do not have to be made (and paid for) at the time of booking the cruise.

Thank you

 

[Brancaneve]

I have absolutely zero interest in renting out points. I like cruises. Disney cruises are very expensive (though worth it). Using points for one of us cuts the price of my cruise in half.

'nuff said.