Using points for a Disney Cruise?

[LisaAP]

My husband and I have some extra points to burn and we are thinking about looking into one of the 7 day Disney cruises in February. I know that some people think that it is more economical to pay cash rather than use points for the cruise, but we are going to give it a try. Anyways, I was wondering if there is anything I should know before booking. Was there anything you wish you had known before using points to book the cruise? Thanks in advance!

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Just that we should have paid cash instead of using points. That is the only help I can give you.

 

[CarolMN]

Some things to know -

Just about any change you make after booking requires payment of a new $75 fee, so try to have everything set before you reserve.

Not all of the cabin categories are available for points.

Cash customers are able to book more than 11 months in advance, so sometimes the best cabins get snapped up befoer DVC members have a chance to book them. Not sure this is still true though as I think DVC members can now book up to two years in advance.

If you cancel, the points cannot be reused for a stay at a DVC resort or for an exchange via II or the Lake Buena Vista Trading Company. They can only be used for another cruise or for something else in the Disney Collection, the Adventurer's Collection or the Concerige Collection.

If you pay cash for one or more members of your party, you have to pay the entire amount up front. The cash price you pay is the one DVC negotiated with DCL - it might be more or less than the price DCL or a TA is charging at the time you book. At least one person per cabin must pay with points to book through MS.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We had some banked points from a resale and used them, and more points as well for a 3 night Disney cruise in November '04. We had a fabulous time and then came to VWL for the night afterwards. It was a great way to celebrate DH's 60th birthday. There was nothing hard about the procedure.

Enjoy your cruise.

Bobbi

 

[MrsG]

We always use points to book our cruises. Although it may not be the most cost effective way, we don't want to get involved in renting points. Using points is easy and painless.

Enjoy!

 

[mj2vacation]

Use your points however you see fit. Anything other than cramming into a studio in Hilton Head in January is not the most cost effective use of points.

Enjoy them and enjoy your vacation.

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

Lisa-

I noticed in your sig that your baby is due in June. DCL will not let you cruise past 24 weeks of pregnancy.

 

[marcybear]

We always cruise on points. While it may not be the best use of points, it is easy and one of the reasons we joined DVC in the first place. If you have the points by all means enjoy them anyway you see fit.

 

[MommaluvsDis]

We, too, always cruise on points and LOVE IT!!!

 

[Anjelica]

our September 2007 cruise but we had to "burn" some since I am pregnant (for only another 4 weeks - woohoo ).

I know alot people say rent the points out and use the cash as its a "better use of points" but I think some folks forget to keep in mind that the childrens labs/"daycare" are free (not talking about the < 3 year old area) and the food is pretty much free. I consider a Disney Cruise to be about 85-90% all inclusive. With using the points to stay at a DVC you are only getting shuttle transportation and lodging.

BTW - the point values required for next September cruises (at least ours on 9-15-07) went down by 38 points for two adults (we are in a category 6). Additionally, we paid cash for our daughter and her cash rate went down recently as well. We were reimbursed both the points and the cash.

Good luck and hope you have fun!!!