Using points for DCL ??

[Ratpack]

We are looking at using our points next year to do a cruise and I am a little confused on how to calculate what we would need. We are a family of 5 and are looking at two inside staterooms so we have plenty of space, but the points chart says the points total required is based on double occupancy. That is fine for one room which would be my wife and daughter since they are both considered adults, but for the room where it would be me and the younger two kids (8, 5) how do a figure the pints needed for that room?

Or, would we be better with a larger room? Haven't been on a cruise before so I am not sure the rooms, but they look really small for 5 people to be in and be comfortable.

TIA!

 

[Kdisney]

It's points per person, so for you it would be whatever number of points for an adult and then the age corresponding to your kids, for instance my husband and I booked a cruise recently and it was 78 points for us each and then 36 for our son who is 3. It is a total of 114 points.

 

[erionm]

The first 2 passengers in a stateroom are the same number of points per person regardless of age. The 3rd and 4th (and 5th depending on stateroom) are based on age.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Your best value will be two connecting category 10 cabins (Magic or Wonder). Category 11 and 12 do not connect to other staterooms.

A category 4 which holds 5 people will be more expensive, although you will have a balcony. But the connecting 10's will give you two tv's, two bathrooms and some privacy.

As mentioned above, the first two passengers are charged as adults regardless of age.

 

[Dean]

We are looking at using our points next year to do a cruise and I am a little confused on how to calculate what we would need. We are a family of 5 and are looking at two inside staterooms so we have plenty of space, but the points chart says the points total required is based on double occupancy. That is fine for one room which would be my wife and daughter since they are both considered adults, but for the room where it would be me and the younger two kids (8, 5) how do a figure the pints needed for that room?

Or, would we be better with a larger room? Haven't been on a cruise before so I am not sure the rooms, but they look really small for 5 people to be in and be comfortable.

TIA!

Look at what it will cost you for each scenario with either 2 rooms or a larger one for both cash and points. As noted, the first 2 in each room will be charged adult prices no matter the ages. You'll have to have one adult listed in each unit.

 

[TLPL]

I would find out how much it will cost if you pay cash for the cruise and compare to how many points it require to book with points. You know people can usually rent their points out for $10 a point, maybe you will find you can rent enough points out to get the cash to pay for the crusie and still have points left over in your account for pre- or post cruise stay in a DVC resort!

 

[Ratpack]

Thanks everyone, I will have to weigh all this out now and see what makes sense.

 

[Dean]

Thanks everyone, I will have to weigh all this out now and see what makes sense.

Let us know back your specifics if you don't mind. Number of points vs cash, vs points combined with cash and if applicable, the different cabins you look at. You may find it cheaper to go with cash for smaller cabins with 2 and not as much difference if you end up looking at the higher end, esp cat 3.

 

[makthompson]

i checked it out a few months back and it would be better to pay cash for that vacation. We could rent out our points for that year, pay in cash for the trip and then spend money on the trip and not be out of pocket for it..

 

[mommacat56]

My sons and I took a DCL cruise a few years back and I used a combo of both cash and points. It was totally AWESOME!!! All 3 sons were high school age at the time, so considered adults by DCL. Two of us were charged the per person/double occupancy rate (used points) and the other 2 boys were charged a lower rate (even though adults) for being in the same room as 3rd & 4th passengers... used points for 1 son, but did not have enough to completely pay in points for the last one, so had to pay the cash equivalent. They won't let you use both cash and points for the same person...it's all or none. We stayed in a Cat 6 balcony stateroom and it really was roomy enough for 4 adults. You could go up to a Cat 4 Family suite w/ verandah that sleeps 5. This uses a lot more points/cash, but your 3rd, 4th, and 5th passengers would be charged less, esp if at the child rate. I know a lot of people here on the DisBoard advise not to use points, but that year I needed to use them before they expired (took Jan cruise on Feb use year points)...it worked for us, but everybody has to come up with a plan that works for them. Good luck with your planning and don't lose sight of the fact you're going on a cruise!!! Any way you look at it (or choose to pay for it), you are going to have a blast!!!

 

[matilda]

We are also a family of 5 and cruised last May. It is correct the first two passengers are charged the same regardless of the age as it is based on double occupancy. We chose to do 2 deluxe inside staterooms next door to each other. It was fabulous and we had plenty of room and also privacy when we needed a little alone time. It would have been nice to have had ajoining rooms but the were already taken so if you want to try and get those make sure you request adjoining rooms and you can be placed on a wait list for those also. Doing the 2 inside staterooms is the cheapest way for a family of 5 in my opinion regardless how you pay. We used points for 4 of us and then paid cash for the youngest child. The way I look at it is we have the points so why not use them, that is why we joined DVC to make ourselves take wonderful vacations. We plan on cruising every other year it was fabulous and I hope you have a great time. One tip when having two rooms purchase two small whiteboards to hang on your door number. You can find Disney ones in the dollar bins at Target and is a great way to keep communication going between the people in the rooms. Great way to keep tabs on the kids if they are old enough to be on their own!