Using points for a member cruise

[lovetotraveltx]

For those who have used points for both, what makes a member cruise worth the extra points? Thank you

 

[bobbiwoz]

A DVC Member Cruise costs more money than a regular DCL cruise to the same ports for the same number of days if you pay cash, more points if you use points. I've used points in 2005, and I have a cousin who used points for the Alaskan MC in 2015. I would not use points in the future because when I figure out the MFs for the points, the amount of money it costs is more than I want to pay.

I pay more for the Member cruises because of the experiences they provide. The Broadway entertainment they provided on the last 3 MCs have made the cost worthwhile to me. The presentations by Disney people are informative and amusing. They added interviews to the movies, for instance, before Zootopia, they showed an interview with folks who explained the research they did while planning the film. On the cruise this year, we saw next Earth Day's Disney Nature film, "Born in China."

You get gifts galore on DVC Member Cruises. This year, I especially like the huge bag to carry things in, the magnets, the Member Pins, the Luggage bands and the throw blanket, and there was a lot more that others especially liked. Lots of activity books based on the movies for instance, but I do not have children of appropriate ages to gift these things to.

They had lobster tails added to Pirate Night Menu. This year they provided special menues each dinner, and they were available to keep as souvenirs.

Whether the experience is worth it is personal. My DH has missed 3 of them, but he's coming with me next year. A 7 night cruise on the Fantasy is more than he's willing to pass up!

Bobbi

 

[Barbydoll8]

I've paid cash for MC but would never use points. I'd rent the points and then use the cash to pay for the cruise. It is a much better value per point to do so.
I used points for a regular cruise once but probably will never do that again either. Again, rent the points and pay cash.

Some people do not think MC pricing is worth it period. I felt it was. Yes the perks were nice but it was the experience I was paying for not the "stuff." Just like you should never buy into DVC for the perks. You buy into DVC to prepay your vacation stays. Period. It works for some but not all. Same with a MC. Some will tell you it's not worth the extra $$ and others will tell you it is. I am in the camp that it is but again, not for the stuff. For the experience of the special entertainment and being in the company of several thousand like minded people who love Disney and DVC as much as I do. That's what made it "worth" it to me. The stuff was just extra.

 

[ludari]

Unless you have a surplus of DVC points or saving your points exclusively for a cruise the value per point verses paying with cash is not equal. I recommend that you pay cash for your cruise.

 

[lovetotraveltx]

Thanks everyone for your comments. I know worth it is relative, but I wanted to hear others opinions. I thought on a member cruise, at least one passenger had to use points? Thank you! Natalie

 

[bobbiwoz]

Thanks everyone for your comments. I know worth it is relative, but I wanted to hear others opinions. I thought on a member cruise, at least one passenger had to use points? Thank you! Natalie

Not a requirement to use points!
So far though, it is a requirement that you have points eligible to be used. If you only have resale points bought after 3/21/11 it is my understanding that you are not eligible to go on Member Cruises, even if you want to pay cash.

 

[LAX]

If paying cash, how much more on average is a typical 7-night cruise? Plus, I have read somewhere that the fare on a MC includes additional stuff that is not on a regular cruise. Is that right?

LAX

 

[bobbiwoz]

If paying cash, how much more on average is a typical 7-night cruise? Plus, I have read somewhere that the fare on a MC includes additional stuff that is not on a regular cruise. Is that right?

LAX

The gratuities are included in the price. That's worth about $12 per person per day.

 

[bumbershoot]

Plus, I have read somewhere that the fare on a MC includes additional stuff that is not on a regular cruise. Is that right?

Yes. Bobbiwoz listed out a whole bunch of stuff that was from a member cruise.