II Cruise Exchanges

[refumpcpa]

Has anybody taken II up on their cruise exchanges? If so, are you trading your week for a cruise, or just a discounted rate on a cruise?

 

[dougp26364]

First, you have to pay for an I.I. Gold membership, next you pay the international exchange fee, then you get a discount that is off the rate the cruise line charges (not the discounted rate many TA's will give you). In short, unless there is nothing else you can do with your week, it's really not a good deal.

 

[DeniseM]

For lots of information, use the search function (Search this Forum) and search for "cruise."

 

[calgarygary]

I'm not sure why anyone would consider trading their week when cruise rates are free falling. I have seen excellent cruises for as low as $40/person/night.

 

[chellej]

There is now a "cruise exchange" option on II that I have been playing with. I have been looking at a cruise in April 2010 for dd's wedding. The rates from Vacationstogo and II are very close.

I went through the whole process to where II was asking for $$. I do NOT have a gold membership and the exchange fee was either included in the price or no exchange fee.

Bottom line, using a unit with a $400 maintenance fee the interval cruise was $78 less than the one at vacationstogo. So no great deal but I still have my AC in addition to use and have to pay my maintenance fees anyway.

If you have a low $$ maintenance fee, it might be close to a cruise discounter and like many here I have more weeks than I can use.

 

[gorevs9]

Can you chose your cabin and location with the cruise exchange?
The last time I talked to II regarding a cruise exchange (years ago), I got the impression they took your unit, booked the cruise and assigned you a cabin.
I don't remember the refund policy (if any).

 

[dougp26364]

There is now a "cruise exchange" option on II that I have been playing with. I have been looking at a cruise in April 2010 for dd's wedding. The rates from Vacationstogo and II are very close.

I went through the whole process to where II was asking for $$. I do NOT have a gold membership and the exchange fee was either included in the price or no exchange fee.

Bottom line, using a unit with a $400 maintenance fee the interval cruise was $78 less than the one at vacationstogo. So no great deal but I still have my AC in addition to use and have to pay my maintenance fees anyway.

If you have a low $$ maintenance fee, it might be close to a cruise discounter and like many here I have more weeks than I can use.

Cruise exchange information from I.I.'s web site. I suspect once you decide to make you cruise exchange, that's when they'll tell you about the additional upcharges of needing Gold membership and the exchange fee.

With Gold you have more OPTIONS.

Become an Interval Gold member and you can exchange your resort week toward a cruise vacation through Interval Options. Great deals, personalized service, and outstanding value...it's all golden. Upgrade to Gold and start enjoying the benefits today! Residency restrictions may apply.

How to make an Interval Options Cruise Exchange
Step One Call an Interval Options vacation advisor at 1-888-335-9366.
Our professional staff will help you select the perfect cruise to match your individual preferences.

Step Two Place your request.
Interval Options trades are made using the Request First method of exchange. That means you pay a transaction fee (currently $154) when you place your request, but you don’t give up your home resort week until your exchange has been confirmed.

Step Three Receive your confirmation.
Relinquish your home resort week, pay an Interval Options supplemental fee (based on the specific vacation you’ve selected and are trading), and get ready for the experience of a lifetime

 

[dougp26364]

Can you chose your cabin and location with the cruise exchange?
The last time I talked to II regarding a cruise exchange (years ago), I got the impression they took your unit, booked the cruise and assigned you a cabin.
I don't remember the refund policy (if any).

You can, you just need to have that information ready when you make your booking/request. You can always call them back and make changes if you want.

I suspect many people who choose a cruise exchange haven't cruised before and the I.I. reps just assign a cabin at random.

I.I. will take you unit upon confirmation of your cruise vacation. They will then place it as a Getaway vacation and will list it for rent for more than they gave you in the form of a discount off your cruise. The one time I made a cruise exchange I looked just before making the exchange and then not long after making the cruise exchange. Before, there was not a listing in the Getaway section for my resort week. After making the exchange there was a resort week in Getaways that matched my exchange week.

I'm not certain what would happen if you were to cancel your cruise exchange. I did not cover that with I.I. on that one exchange. If they still deposit those exchange weeks into Getaway's for rent, it would be a good question to ask.