Using RCI points for cruise?

[squierjosh]

Has anyone done this? How does it even work? When I browse the cruises on the RCI site, it seems there is no discount. So I assume you can somehow use your points to pay for part of the cruise?

Due to other vacations being planned for us (thanks in-laws) that won't involve RCI, over the next couple years we won't have many opportunities to use all our points, and we wanted to go on a cruise during that time, so I thought this might be a good way to use the points up.

 

[Passepartout]

Has anyone done this? How does it even work? When I browse the cruises on the RCI site, it seems there is no discount. So I assume you can somehow use your points to pay for part of the cruise?

See your bolded sentence above. Read it as many times as it takes. You'll get a discount. Down to about what the same cruise would cost on www.vacationstogo.com and then you get to pay your MF and exchange fees and RCI membership.

There might be worse ways to use your timeshare dollars, but off the top of my head, I can't think of any. Well, I guess you could book vacations and not go.

The only way you can come out ahead using RCI Points to partially pay down cruise costs (remember you still have to pay taxes, port charges, gratuities, bar tab, specialty restaurants, internet, etc.) is to book multiple cabins. You can use one exchange to get discounts on up to four cabins.

I can't offer suggestions as to how to use your points when you can't vacation- I'm in that boat, too. But if it's any solace, unused points DO carry over to the next year, can be extended, and you can book vacays for family and friends and get a guest certificate. Rental of exchanges is not allowed.

Jim

 

[squierjosh]

Thanks for the input. I'm starting to think using points for family with a guest certificate might be the way to go.

See your bolded sentence above. Read it as many times as it takes. You'll get a discount. Down to about what the same cruise would cost on www.vacationstogo.com and then you get to pay your MF and exchange fees and RCI membership.

There might be worse ways to use your timeshare dollars, but off the top of my head, I can't think of any. Well, I guess you could book vacations and not go.

The only way you can come out ahead using RCI Points to partially pay down cruise costs (remember you still have to pay taxes, port charges, gratuities, bar tab, specialty restaurants, internet, etc.) is to book multiple cabins. You can use one exchange to get discounts on up to four cabins.

I can't offer suggestions as to how to use your points when you can't vacation- I'm in that boat, too. But if it's any solace, unused points DO carry over to the next year, can be extended, and you can book vacays for family and friends and get a guest certificate. Rental of exchanges is not allowed.

Jim

 

[avad88]

We cruise about once a year---to Europe. I find a cruise I like and compare prices and perks from several online agencies. I get calls and e-mails all the time about using RCI for cruises and how they can save money, etc. I got a quote from an online agency last fall when we were booking our last cruise and called RCI to see if they could beat it.
The rep initially assured me she could beat the price. However, upon checking, she said she would have to call me back. I never heard from her again!
You can get the best deals from the various reputable online agencies.