Using Points for Cruise

[inatizfordiz]

Is it possible to pay partial cash and partial points for cruises.
For example, can I pay for passenger 1 & 2 and use points for passengers 3 & 4 or vice versa?

 

[mouthdoc]

Yep, I did that for our upcoming 5 day cruise. I used points for the first 3 passengers, then paid for the 4th. I'm sure you could do the same for 2 passengers!

 

[Louiepipbgeeco]

Yes! But be aware that the prices are not the same as quoted on DCL websites. They may be higher or lower. They are pre-determined prices and do not fluctuate as the website can and may. You will also need to pay cash portion IN FULL at time of booking.
Also, you will have to add the $95 fee don't forget. Be very sure of your plans because the fee in non refundable if you have itinerary changes. I think it is also a penalty if you upgrade. I was led to believe any change would mean paying the $95 fee again.
I was told--if doing a combo of points and cash. The points would have to include one adult or Psgr 1, or 2. You cannot book adult on cash and only use points for children. The points would have to include at least one of the adults. From there any combo works though. In other words you could do one adult one child on points and pay for an adult and a child or 2 adults on points and cash for children and so on........
The points charts for the cruises seem to be much better for 2011 and a better value than before.
We booked our next cruise on points and cash!!

 

[inatizfordiz]

Great Answers! Thanks.

 

[MK032197]

Yes you can do this. We just booked a 7 night cruise and plan to use points for the 2 adults and 13 year old and cash for the 6 year old. Just FYI I found out when checking into booking that you can book through DCL although you must make a cah deposit and then later convert your reservation to DVC points. We opted to do this so we could book early to be sure we got our choice of cabin but to cover us in case there were any changes to our plans as the dposit is fully refundable. You must switch your reservation over to DVC points prior to the final payment deadline DCL gives you.

 

[mickeys girl 52]

Yes you can do this. We just booked a 7 night cruise and plan to use points for the 2 adults and 13 year old and cash for the 6 year old. Just FYI I found out when checking into booking that you can book through DCL although you must make a cah deposit and then later convert your reservation to DVC points. We opted to do this so we could book early to be sure we got our choice of cabin but to cover us in case there were any changes to our plans as the dposit is fully refundable. You must switch your reservation over to DVC points prior to the final payment deadline DCL gives you.

I did the same thing with 3 cabins I booked on the Dream for a 5 day cruise in June of next year. I made the reservation through DCL for now. When the balance is due I will convert it to member services. I spoke with them and this is allowed. If you make any changes and it is already through points you will pay the $95.00 fee again. You can make as many changes as you need to with DCL and there is no fee. So in a way it is safer holding the reservation that way.

 

[Zoom]

Are the cash part fully refundable if needed to cancel? i know points will remain as reservation points.

 

[3DisneyKids]

If you want to use points for a portion of your cruise, you might find it more economical to actually rent out your points and then use that cash to book the cruise. Depending on the cost of the cruise, in MOST cases, using points for a cruise is not the most effective use of points. (Though it does work out it some cases...but that is the definite minority, imo.) The math is pretty easy to do if you figure on 1 $10 per point rental rate.

Example: let's say the cruise is going to "cost" you 500 points (just making up numbers here for the sake of example). If you rented those 500 points out, you would get $5,000 cash. If you were to use just cash for the cruise, how much would it cost? More or less than 5k? Using that method should help you determine whether or not you are better using points for the cruise or just renting your points and paying all cash for the cruise.

Of course, you may not want the hassle of renting points, in that case just carry on.

Hope this helps!

 

[Inkmahm]

Of course, you may not want the hassle of renting points, in that case just carry on.

Hope this helps!

Or, do a transfer to a fellow DVC member who needs extra points instead of doing a rental. Much easier, imo.

 

[3DisneyKids]

Or, do a transfer to a fellow DVC member who needs extra points instead of doing a rental. Much easier, imo.

Absolutely. Good point.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Even easier, you can check out one of our DISboard sponsors: www.dvcrequest.com for assistance in renting out your points.

If you are not interested in renting points, you have some good advice above here too. Best of luck