Using points to pay for a DCL cruise

[tinkerbell 766]

We are hoping to take our first cruise with DCL aboard the Fantasy in June 2013. I will have enough points to pay for one of our cruise fares with points, but would have to pay in cash for the other three (it will be me, DH and two kids aged 24 and 13). My questions are this:-

How do I go about booking for one cruise payed for with points and three paid for in cash? Can this even be done?

Will the prices for the third and fourth adult remain discounted even though one of the first two cruises was paid for in points?

Thank you

 

[jel0511]

You have to book the entire ressie through DVC and you have to pay DVC's negotiated cash price which is almost ALWAYS higher than what DCL is currently charging. It is possible that for the 3 people your going to pay cash through DVC, you could have paid cash for all 4 of you through DCL. Do your research with DVC as to what their cash prices are for the others and what the ressie would be through DCL. You also have to pay a $95 fee to book through DVC. Most find it a better value to rent their points and pay cash for all passengers. I've used points twice to cruise, but for me BOTH times, the cash component was MUCH lower through DVC than DCL. It was before DCL seemed to be limiting DVC point bookings. So YMMV with my experiences.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Thank you
I currently have my points out for rent with David, but figured it may be better to book one of the cruises with my points!!! Clearly not then!! I will leave them to rent out and hope there are some takers and I can cover the cost of some of my cruise fares with the resulting cash.
Thanks again!!

 

[disneynutz]

Just because you can do something, doesn't always mean that you should.

Disney makes it seem like your DVC membership will save you money on all of your vacations wherever your points can be used. In reality the best value is to use them at the DVC resorts only.

Bill

 

[tinkerbell 766]

I agree Bill!! Thank you.

 

[Dean]

You have to book the entire ressie through DVC and you have to pay DVC's negotiated cash price which is almost ALWAYS higher than what DCL is currently charging. It is possible that for the 3 people your going to pay cash through DVC, you could have paid cash for all 4 of you through DCL. Do your research with DVC as to what their cash prices are for the others and what the ressie would be through DCL. You also have to pay a $95 fee to book through DVC. Most find it a better value to rent their points and pay cash for all passengers. I've used points twice to cruise, but for me BOTH times, the cash component was MUCH lower through DVC than DCL. It was before DCL seemed to be limiting DVC point bookings. So YMMV with my experiences.

I second this advice. To put it simply, in this situation you'd likely only get about $2-3 a point in return for points for one person out of 4 compared to early booking discounts because you'll pay more pp on the other 3 plus the points which have to cover one of the adult fares. However, there are specials situations where the costs may be different so one should always look at the specifics to make a final determination. Also remember there are other negatives to booking with points including the extra fees ($95 up front and with ANY changes), that all cash amounts have to be paid for up front and in full and that if you cancel, the points are very restricted and less valuable.