Well..with DCM, sometimes the acid is not very soluble but as the reaction proceeds the reaction mixture becomes clearer. Once it fully clean, you know that the reaction is done.
Having said that it is very substrate specific. you can use DMF also. It works. But work up with DCM is easier. So, I prefer it. If you don't have HOAt, try HOBt. I am not sure about DCC/DMAP for amide bonds. I know in theory that it is used for ester bond formation, although never tried it.