Why is cruising on points a bad deal?

[ArthurAmish]

I don't understand why everyone feels that using your points for the Disney Cruise Line is a bad deal. We have made reservations for a category 6 stateroom on the April 24, 2004, Western Caribbean cruise. The cash price, per DCL, is $4139.54 for two adults. We are using 394 points to cruise (197 each), which works out to $10.51 per point, which seems reasonable to me.

Maybe it's just the time of year we selected, but we were please that we were able to cruise using our points.

I suppose every situation is different - it probably pays to at least calculate the cost per point.

 

[DisneyBill]

I absolutely agree it varies by situation. For example, we have a cat 4 booked for 7-31. Using points for the 1st adult would have been 318 points, plus $4900+ for the remaining adult and 2 children. I booked this cruise through All Seasons Travel for $6695 cash. In this case, I would only be getting about $1700 for 318 DVC points.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

I suppose every situation is different - it probably pays to at least calculate the cost per point.

I agree with you. All cruises are not a bad use of points but most are. It needs to be calculated.

We did one cruise on points and the points worked out to be worth about $9.75 each to do it. That extra 25 cents wasn't worth the hassle of renting to me. We are doing a cruise in a couple of weeks where the points would have been worth about $8.00 each so we paid cash.

It doesn't hurt to compare. Nice job finding such a good deal for a cruise.

HBC

 

[mom2rb]

I booked two rooms cat.11 for Sept.2005. It would have taken 383 points plus the $75. I payed $1965. That is a big savings. I guess it just depends on the time of the year.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by ArthurAmish
I don't understand why everyone feels that using your points for the Disney Cruise Line is a bad deal. We have made reservations for a category 6 stateroom on the April 24, 2004, Western Caribbean cruise. The cash price, per DCL, is $4139.54 for two adults. We are using 394 points to cruise (197 each), which works out to $10.51 per point, which seems reasonable to me.

Maybe it's just the time of year we selected, but we were please that we were able to cruise using our points.

I suppose every situation is different - it probably pays to at least calculate the cost per point.

My guess is you reserved fairly late and missed out on the early booking specials. So what you're looking at is the fact that prices go up and not that DVC points stays are a good deal. Now if you were going to do it regardless and pay this much, the points stay might be the best at this time. Besides two adults are listed currently at $3966 with icruise including taxes, etc but not insurance which would also be extra with DVC so you can't add that in in figuring the cost per point. With cruises it's usually best to either plan way ahead, at least a year, or to plan late with the idea of not going if you don't get a deal.

 

[ArthurAmish]

My guess is you reserved fairly late and missed out on the early booking specials. So what you're looking at is the fact that prices go up and not that DVC points stays are a good deal.

Dean -

We booked the cruise at the 11 month window with our points. I recall looking at the DCL price and calculating the value of points at that time. I'm not sure if I saved what the price was that many months ago, but I seem to recall that it was still close to $4,000. I'll try and see if I can find my printout.

I've never tried to rent my points. How much of a hassle is that? I assume that you can basically set your own terms, as far as up-front deposit, ability to cancel etc. Those factors have always worried me.

(I did get a kick out of your post regarding your rules for people staying with you. One replier assumed that you meant NO alcoholic beverages. Those six corona's seem like a nice relaxing way to spend your evenings at your DVC villa.)

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by ArthurAmish
Dean -

We booked the cruise at the 11 month window with our points. I recall looking at the DCL price and calculating the value of points at that time. I'm not sure if I saved what the price was that many months ago, but I seem to recall that it was still close to $4,000. I'll try and see if I can find my printout.

I've never tried to rent my points. How much of a hassle is that? I assume that you can basically set your own terms, as far as up-front deposit, ability to cancel etc. Those factors have always worried me.

(I did get a kick out of your post regarding your rules for people staying with you. One replier assumed that you meant NO alcoholic beverages. Those six corona's seem like a nice relaxing way to spend your evenings at your DVC villa.)

LOL. I looked at that week and a lower cabin was certainly a much better deal on points. The price currently is less than you quoted for then ignoring FL resident specials.

Renting is a hassle in a way but it's a lot of fun. I enjoy meeting new people and getting the excited communications both before and after their trips. I've had several buy and a couple of others looking at it. I just have more points than I need but will be looking to sell some of my points within the next year to decrease my need to deal with them. I think it's not a big deal for an occasional rental but for something to be done year after year, it'd be an aggravation. We'll be on the 20 March cruise on the Magic and I'm happy and surprised that FL resident rates just came through for that.

One point I usually make is to look at both options, looks like you did. Certainly higher cabins tend to less of a deal on cash than cat 10 or 11 for example.

 

[rae519]

Cruising on points means that I don't have to worry about entertainment or meal costs!!!

Plus if you book within 3 days of cruising, you get a break on points for rebooking!!

We use points to cruise because it works out best for us, so for our 2 cents, it isn't a bad deal at all!

Rae