Using points for DCL - what's included?

[quirty30]

I've been perusing the member site with no luck. When you book a DCL cruise with points, what exactly is included? I'm assuming ground transfers are extra but was curious.

And, yes, I know I could rent out my points and book for cash and make out a lot better, but I don't want to deal with the hassle.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

I'm not sure if things have changed since we used our points for a cruise a few years ago but then the transfers were not included...but for the cruise we were treated the same as if we had paid cash...and since we cruised on points we had a cute DVC member sign on our stateroom door

 

[tjkraz]

The points cover only the basic cruise fare plus government fees and taxes. Things like ground transfers, insurance and gratuities are not included.

The DVC Member perks that the previous poster mentioned are provided regardless of whether you pay cash or points. The cruise line does some database matching to identify the DVC members. You will get big DVC member magnets on the cabin door and other goodies in the room throughout the cruise. They will also invite you to the member meeting on the cruise where you can pick up some other free stuff.

 

[quirty30]

Thank you both - much appreciated.

 

[CarolAnnC]

You will also pay the $95 booking fee to MS when booking the cruise on points.

The only time I have seen a difference is for the majority of the DVC Member Cruises - they historically have waived the booking fee for these, and also included the gratuities. Otherwise, they are not included expenses.

 

[JJsmama]

I am thinking of buying in soon, but cannot find how many points the DCL cruises are. It is not listed on the points chart I have seen. Where can I find that info? It would make a big difference since it is DH's favorite and these days we are only in USA during HIGH season (mid summer) which makes WDW less fun...

 

[CarolAnnC]

I am thinking of buying in soon, but cannot find how many points the DCL cruises are. It is not listed on the points chart I have seen. Where can I find that info? It would make a big difference since it is DH's favorite and these days we are only in USA during HIGH season (mid summer) which makes WDW less fun...

Do not purchase DVC with the explicit intention of cruising on DCL. This can be modified or taken away as a DVC points booking feature at any time. In fact, DVC Members were shut out of 2011 cruises by fall of 2010.

Also, points costs are expensive for DCL versus DVC resorts. For example, for a 2011 Alaska 7 night cruise, the points costs for an inside cabin ranges from 298 to 326 points for two passengers. If you only desire to cruise DCL, you will do much much better booking them on cash without purchasing DVC.

 

[CarolMN]

I am thinking of buying in soon, but cannot find how many points the DCL cruises are. It is not listed on the points chart I have seen. Where can I find that info? It would make a big difference since it is DH's favorite and these days we are only in USA during HIGH season (mid summer) which makes WDW less fun...

We can provide links to the cruise charts for you to look at, but there are so many choices - is there a particular itinerary you are interested in? Or perhaps a particular length?

 

[tjkraz]

A few of the cruise charts are linked here if you can't find them anywhere else:

http://dvcnews.com/index.php/points...-collection-program-information-135?task=view