Hi there, Ralph! Welcome Home to planDisney! I'm always happy to lend a helping hand to a fellow
Disney Vacation Club Member, so let's chat about how to use your
Vacation Points to take the
Disney Cruise Line adventure of your dreams.
One of the best parts of DVC Membership is that you can use your Vacation Points in lots of different ways to suit your family's unique travel needs. Over the years, we've visited most of the DVC resorts, as well as sailed on DCL, and we still use our Membership as actively as we did when our girls were small!
Using points for a DCL sailing is possible by exchanging Vacation Points for Reservation Points. This is also how you can book a stay at a non-DVC Disney hotel! Members booking a cruise through DVC can make a reservation starting 24 months before sailing, all the way up until 14 days before departure! Before you call
Member Services to book, be sure to check out the
Points Charts so you can see how many points you need for the specific ship, itinerary, and dates that you wish to travel.
Ralph, it's important to note that one Guest in your travel party must be paid for using
only Reservation Points. Additional Guests may be paid for with cash. You cannot combine points and cash for an individual Guest - it's either points
or cash.
Once you're ready to set sail, the always-helpful Cast Members at Member Services will be able to process the exchange and book your cruise. There is a one-time, non-refundable fee (currently $95, subject to change) that will apply to the transaction.
While on your cruise, be sure to visit the Disney Vacation Club desk each day. There are usually some fun Member gifts available! Most itineraries also feature some DVC events, and those are a lot of fun - although I always come away wanting to purchase more points. Members also enjoy a discount at certain onboard shops, so be sure to check out the
Member Benefits site before your departure so you're up to date on any available deals!
I hope this information is helpful for your planning purposes, Ralph! Thanks so much for visiting planDisney, and please come and see us again anytime if we can help with any other questions to make your travels as magical as can be.
Stay (and sail!) Magical!
Susan