Alaska Cruise using MVC Points

[goodbadugly]

Does anyone have any experience in using MVC points for an Alaskan cruise? As I start to investigate it appears MVC charges more than double (based on MF pts @ .81/pt) than purchasing direct from the cruise lines. I know I get ripped off when I use points for a Collette tour but nothing like this! Am I missing something?? Thanks.

 

[DanCali]

You're probably not missing anything.

I don't know the actual numbers, but using points for 3rd party travel was always a lousy deal. You always came out (way) ahead if you rented out the points and used cash for the cruise.

 

[jwalk03]

Not missing anything. Any use of your points for things other than resort stays is a poor financial choice - regardless of the nonsense the sales people tout.

 

[goodbadugly]

Thanks. I have a file buried somewhere an inch thick "discussing" this back and forth with senior management. They are deaf to it! We were (at least I was) suckered into the idea that MVC had negotiating power with these third party's and would pass it on to us. Boy did that sales guy at Myrtle Beach hook me in!

 

[pedro47]

Compared the Alaskan cruise lines that you have selected with the MVC cruise line price. The cruise line price you have selected is probably cheaper and you may receive some extra benefits liked On Board Credit, a drink package or free gratitudes from your cruise line.

You must compare the price with the same cabin selection. Example an ocean view cabin to an ocean view cabin.

 

[dioxide45]

I've done some analysis and found that the value they give you for most cruises is between 25 and 40 cents per point. I always hear in the sales meetings how someone booked a cruise and saved so much money. In the end it always comes down to some high end river cruise that would cost 20,000 points. It is an exception rather than the rule. Any use of points outside of actual timeshare based stays is a poor value. The only exception might be the owner exclusive events, but they still cost a lot and are only a value if you would normally spend a lot of cash on something like that.

 

[Dean]

Does anyone have any experience in using MVC points for an Alaskan cruise? As I start to investigate it appears MVC charges more than double (based on MF pts @ .81/pt) than purchasing direct from the cruise lines. I know I get ripped off when I use points for a Collette tour but nothing like this! Am I missing something?? Thanks.

Generally cruises return a lower PP value than Collette when I've looked but around 25% of so. Both crapy though unless you have use or lose points and don't want to fool with other options.

 

[dioxide45]

Thanks. I have a file buried somewhere an inch thick "discussing" this back and forth with senior management. They are deaf to it! We were (at least I was) suckered into the idea that MVC had negotiating power with these third party's and would pass it on to us. Boy did that sales guy at Myrtle Beach hook me in!

I don't think MVC has any special buying power with cruises. They are out in the market as a travel agent just like the rest. I don't even think they book group space unless it is an actual group cruise. Perhaps they are even using a third party like ICE (now part of Arrivia, who also owns Redweek). With Collette they have a single entity which they can better negotiate rates. This arrangement helps bring in more business to Collette. The cruise lines have a lot more outlets to sell their inventory.

 

[Dean]

I don't think MVC has any special buying power with cruises. They are out in the market as a travel agent just like the rest. I don't even think they book group space unless it is an actual group cruise. Perhaps they are even using a third party like ICE (now part of Arrivia, who also owns Redweek). With Collette they have a single entity which they can better negotiate rates. This arrangement helps bring in more business to Collette. The cruise lines have a lot more outlets to sell their inventory.

With ALL cash type options they basically have to turn the points into cash with all the drains on those funds involved including commissions. I haven't seen anything to know how much they pay to rent out the weeks on Marriott.com but I suspect it's a huge %. I do know what the cost is (or at least was) for DVC and it was 50%. On top of that they would forego most specials that the cruise line might offer. Given the consistent difference between Cruises and Collete, I've always suspected that Collete gave MVC a discount of around 25%.

 

[dougp26364]

It’s a horrible deal from a value standpoint. Using points will cost you 2 to 3 times paying cash. We’ve done it once with MVC, but we were in a use it or lose it situation thanks to the pandemic.