Cruise Math

[PeelBoy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PeelBoy]

It is RCI's fault since their implementation of TPU I find I have too many timeshare weeks to get rid of. This year, both RHC and DRI have cruise options.

I have booked via RHC a Carnival Freedom Week. Points required is 21666 (options available for inside, outside and balcony) for an outside cabin, i.e. $568.73 (MF pro-rated). All inclusive fee (taxes, port charges, daily service charge, and insurance) is $1,066 for two. The total is $1634.73.

If I book the same via cruise agent, cost will be $2,065 + $184 (daily service charge) = $2,249.00.

I save $614.27, which is not a bad way to use the RHC points.

I also have booked via DRI (their online, not redemption of 10000 points for $700) NCL Pearl. The total points required is 15000 for a balcony cabin (the only option), which is all inclusive including daily service charge. The cost is $2,100 (MF pro-rated). If I book the same via a cruise agent, I will pay $2,328 including daily service charge.

I save $228, which is not as good as RHC. DRI has other cruise destinations, e.g. Alaska, Baltic, Mediterranean and Hawaii which are more cost effiective than Caribbean.

I wish these cruise options could continue in future years.

[Ryne08 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ryne08]

It is RCI's fault since their implementation of TPU I find I have too many timeshare weeks to get rid of. This year, both RHC and DRI have cruise options.

I have booked via RHC a Carnival Freedom Week. Points required is 21666 (options available for inside, outside and balcony) for an outside cabin, i.e. $568.73 (MF pro-rated). All inclusive fee (taxes, port charges, daily service charge, and insurance) is $1,066 for two. The total is $1634.73.

If I book the same via cruise agent, cost will be $2,065 + $184 (daily service charge) = $2,249.00.

I save $614.27, which is not a bad way to use the RHC points.

I also have booked via DRI (their online, not redemption of 10000 points for $700) NCL Pearl. The total points required is 15000 for a balcony cabin (the only option), which is all inclusive including daily service charge. The cost is $2,100 (MF pro-rated). If I book the same via a cruise agent, I will pay $2,328 including daily service charge.

I save $228, which is not as good as RHC. DRI has other cruise destinations, e.g. Alaska, Baltic, Mediterranean and Hawaii which are more cost effiective than Caribbean.

I wish these cruise options could continue in future years.

What are the daily inclusive service charges ?

[PeelBoy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PeelBoy]

DRI online cruise option does not have all inclusive fees. I paid 15000 points to redeem a week Caribbean, and the points include a balcony cabin, taxes, port charges and the cruise daily service charge ($12 per day per person in the case of NCL). DRI's option is clean and easy to cost compare. Regarding of your status in the Club, all members can book within the 10 months. There are limited spaces only, about 5 per ship, so the inventory comes and goes quickly. Inventory usually lasts for a day or a few days only.

RHC allows the cruise cost funded half by the points and half by the all inclusive fees, which include taxes, port charges and the cruise daily service charge ($11.50 per day person in the case of Carnival). RHC has inventory in inside, outside and balcony cabins and has a variety of cruise lines.

Amongst all the timeshare cruise option, I find DRI reasonable and RHC good. Some ships and some itineraries are more cost effectives. For DRI, Alaska, Baltic and Europe are more attractive than Caribbean.