Exchanging for a cruise

[Donnajdz]

Hi All,

I would like to know if anyone has been successful in exchanging with RCI for a cruise to Alaska via the inside passage? If you could explain what timeframe you were able to make the exchange and what category type (inside, outside, balcony) your accomidation was, how many people were in your party as well as how many weeks or points you had to use to make the exchange, I would appreciate the insight. I have tried to search for the month of July 2006 and none were found. I was thinking that there may never be a cruise offered to exchange during the prime season. Can anyone give their opinion?

Thank you,
Donna Z.

 

[geekette]

Haven't done it, but looking at it, in conjunction with other ways to get Mom to Alaska.

Any week/every week qualifies; 50k points are "the equivalent" per the RCI Cruise site. An exchange for a cruise will get you the exchange rate for all people in up to 4 cabins (confirmed this with Madge relatively recently).

can't speak to July as I've been looking at either Sept 06 or May 07.

I'm not yet convinced that the exchange rate for Alaska will make it worth it, unless I fill up 4 cabins with friends and family. Different time frames yield different "savings" so be sure to compare to other deals you find.

You also might look at the rates for the TUG cruise. I can't make that one so didn't follow the details. Could be the group rate beats any kind of exchange deal you might find.

 

[Dave M]

Most people here believe that exchanging for a cruise is not economical. The consensus seems to be that the additional money you have to pay is about the same as what you would pay if you shopped separately for the cruise with cruise discounters. And if you did that you would still have your week!

 

[maiwah]

I looked into the cost RCI offer for cruise exchange. I also felt that I can actually get better rate then what RCI offers, even after I exchange with points.

I would try http://www.vacationstogo.com to do some basic comparason pricing before proceed.

Mai-Wah

 

[KevJan]

Just returned from an Alaskan Cruise! We cruised the inside passage on the Carnival Spirit using a week exchange through RCI. I booked about 14 months in advance and was so excited to find something that matched my days off that I booked without doing much homework. Found out what others would have told me had I found this (TUG) website first. You will still have to pay quite a handful in addition to sacrificing your week. I wished I had shopped beforehand, as I found prices comparable to what I paid including the exchange.

Incidentally, it was a marvelous experience and one I hope to repeat again sometime!

 

[fnewman]

The only time...

The only time I would use a week (or poitns) for a cruise exchange would be in a case when I knew I was going to be unable to use my T/S/ ownership and if the resultant cost for the exact same cruise / cabin, etc. was less than I could purchase through one of the on-line discount cruise sites. Even then, your week will only be worth a couple fo hundred $$ at best.