Using Points for Cruise

[RickEff]

Hey, folks!

We've been on a couple of Disney Cruises over the last couple of years and can see doing some additional ones. We may be in a position where we have points expiring and one option is to use it toward a cruise.

When we purchase a cruise, we typically go with the cheapest cabin and invariably get upgraded several categories.

I'm wondering if any of you have ever used points for a cruise and if so, have you also been upgraded? My concern about using points is that they may not upgrade cabins as they do when paying cash for them.

I look forward to your responses!

Thanks,

Rick

 

[Phonedave]

Hey, folks!

We've been on a couple of Disney Cruises over the last couple of years and can see doing some additional ones. We may be in a position where we have points expiring and one option is to use it toward a cruise.

When we purchase a cruise, we typically go with the cheapest cabin and invariably get upgraded several categories.

I'm wondering if any of you have ever used points for a cruise and if so, have you also been upgraded? My concern about using points is that they may not upgrade cabins as they do when paying cash for them.

I look forward to your responses!

Thanks,

Rick

I used points once, because I was in the same situation (had a load of points that I could not bank)

I was not upgraded, but then I had booked a Verandah room, so there was not much in the way of upgrades available.

-dave

 

[Yoop33]

I used points and I was not upgraded.... but then again I am pretty sure the ships are completely booked

 

[Phonedave]

I used points and I was not upgraded.... but then again I am pretty sure the ships are completely booked

They can be completely booked, but you can still be upgraded.

If you get a stateroom number, chances are you are going to get that stateroom.

If you get put into a GTY status, that means you are guaranteed a certain level of room, but may get one higher.

If the cruise line has all of their interior rooms booked, and still has oceanview rooms available, they may oversell their interior rooms, if that is what is in demand. Then prior to departure, once all cancellations are in, they will move any GTYs that are oversold up a level.

The ship will be booked solid, but there will have been upgrades.

-dave

 

[tjkraz]

People on points do get upgraded. But there is some distinction worth noting.

As Dave said, it's commonplace for DCL to accept excess low-end cash reservations and then upgrade some guests to better cabins. But in terms of booking with points, typically when DVC's allotment is gone, it's gone. You could still get an upgrade, but when booking at a late date, it's that much harder to get one of the cheaper rooms in the first place.

Demand for DCL using points has been very high lately. If you have any hopes of using those expiring points toward a cruise, I would recommend checking availability with DVC. They do not have unlimited access to unbooked cruise cabins. Back in August 2010 it was discovered that members could no longer book Disney Dream sailings through at least September 2011 due to excess demand. There are limits on the number of cabins that DCL makes available to DVC members and those limits had been reached.

In other words, even if you are seeing DCL availability for cash guests, there are absolutely no guarantees that you will be able to book those cabins using points. Call DVC and run some dates past them before you get too far into your planning.