Using points for Disney cruise

[TerriBelle]

I have a few questions about using points on the cruise.
1) How early can you make reservations?
2) Can you mix points and cash? For example use points for the adults and cash for the kids.
3) Has anyone stayed a few days at VB before or after the cruise?

Thanks1

 

[Pluto4President]

I believe the 11 month window. Yes you can pay points and cash. Absolutley it's a fantastic time!

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[deerh]

Hi! We are cruising on points this June. We saved up and banked a few points and borrowed to stay on a catagory 6 with a vernadah for 4 people. We used points for wife and me and 1 child, paid cash for the other child. TOTAL COST= 509 + 75 booking fee. So for 600 dollars, We got a $3800 or so cruise. We could not have gone otherwise, as we owe uncle sam and all, so this enabled us to go. Oh, also 4 nights at the BWV at WDW to boot!! That cost nothing!
Yes, booking with points may not be the best use of points as people have indicated, but if you are strapped money wise, I say use them, and enjoy the cruise!!
Hope this helped!
deerh

 

[WiseGirl]

We just cruised on the 3 day Wonder in early February and stayed at Vero for a couple days prior to the cruise. It is a beautiful resort and is an easy drive to or from the Port. It was a relaxing way to extend our vacation and the weather was perfect.

 

[Dean]

You must pay for one adult with points. MS has a fee schedule for the rest. You cannot use a combination points and cash for the same person. Be warned that you will not get the same discount price you see at your travel agent with this scenario and will lose out on any specials and incentives. Look at the price both ways to make sure (Travel agent and DVC).

I haven't been on the cruise but have made the drive from VB to the Canaveral area. It seems like it was roughly an hour or a litle more. Though I think both VB and DCL will be a great time, the stays are somewhat similar in that they are, in large part, relaxation. VB may even be more so which leads me to suggest you consider doing that last if you decide on both. Good luck and enjoy.

Dean

 

[fl]

We shall respect everybody's circunstances and opinions. In a nutshell, if you are not going to WDW in the immediate future, using DVC points for cruising is a deal. But keep in mind that paying cash for one member of your party is not. You are basically paying a full rate fee given by DCL to DVC, no early booking, spring magic, etc. will apply. So the money that you save you probably will spend in cash. We figured out well before and saved as much points we could and "paid" our entire first cruise with points (4days, 2aduls, 1 child, cat 5). Our next cruise, the 7days will be paid in cash.

 

[msdis]

WE were quoted a much greater price to pay cash for one person and using points for the other LAST year, but I called for the exact situation just last week and was quoted the EXACT price for one person as cash people are paying for the fall fantasy rates/pp in the several categories that I checked (10,8, and 6)for THIS year. Maybe this policy has changed as I was surprised myself. Please call and verify as I think all be be pleasantly surprised!

 

[fan of the mouse]

We "paid" our entire cruise in points. We booked 11 months ahead (Jan for Dec '01 sailing). The original point cost for the 7-day cruise was 411 pts.

Category 6
2 adults @ 179 ea.
1 child @ 53

With the FallFantasy rates, which were released the end of February, we are now being charged:

2 adults @145
1 child @ 53

A savings of 68 points PLUS we were ungraded to Category 5 (same room, one deck higher)

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