what about the cruises?

[mayte]

Thanks for the advice from those who replied to my previous questions. Here's another: are the Disney cruises a good deal using DVC points?

 

[bobbiwoz]

We got a quote for 3 day Disney cruise Dec. 16, 2004, category 11, for under just $800 for two. The cost in points per person is 62, same category, same time. IF I could rent points out at $10, I would be ahead if I paid for the cruise with the money from the renting of the points. So, is it worth going on the cruise with points? It still depends on who you ask. We're not going on the cruise, changed our minds, but we would have used cash and kept the points for our own use.

Bobbi

 

[tinkgrl]

Hi,

Good question!! You use a lot of points to go on a Disney cruise!!! The points used are per person!!! So say 2 adults were going on a 4 day cruise in a catagory 8 stateroom during regular season (May, lets say) it would be 117 points a piece. If it was on the 7 day in the same catagory it would 161 a piece. Remember that points for the cruise line usually go up every year!!!

People on these boards usually rent out the points they'd be using to other members/non members & pay cash. JMO, I would consider paying cash for a 3 or 4 day & using points for the 7 day!! That's just me though. Good luck!

Allison an associate

 

[CarolMN]

Most here will agree that the best economic value of DVC is staying at a DVC resort.

Opinions on the value of the cruise option vary.

In most cases (especially if you book far in advance), you will come out ahead if you rent your DVC points and use the proceeds to pay cash for the cruise. The average rental rate is $10/point. Some get less and some get more.

Some other factors to consider:

Renting points requires a bit of risk taking and entails work on the part of the owner. It may be time consuming, especially for a beginner.

The number of points required to cruise can go up (and has) on an annual basis. This is not true of the points required to stay at a DVC resort.

You may only book a cruise 11 months in advance if you are paying with points. Thus the most desirable cabins may be gone by the time you can make your reservation. Not all cabin categories are available for points. Sometimes the special "credits" and "perks" available to cash-paying cruisers are not available to those who book with points.

If you have to cancel a cruise that was booked with points, the points from the cancelled reservation may not be used to book a DVC resort or an exchange through II. They may only be used to book the non-DVC options in the Diseny Collection (which includes DCL), the Adventurer Collection or the Conceirge Collection.

HTH.

 

[Dean]

No, they are generally not a good idea financially but they are your points to do with as you wish.