How To Save Money On A Disney Cruise
Ordinarily, a Disney cruise would fall well outside of my budget. However, with Disney Cruise Line introducing two-, three- and four-night cruises from regional UK ports in summer 2021, this may be a great opportunity for families like mine to experience a Disney cruise for a lower price.
If youre considering a Disney cruise on a budget, read on for some money-saving tips
On The Sea: Quick Meals At Cabana Meet
COVID-19 restrictions, such as social distancing, were in place throughout the cruise. Guests were required to wear face masks when not dining. Social distancing was also in place for character meet-and-greets, something our 4-year old wasnt happy about: he wanted to run to Spider-Man and Thor and hug them.
Once on board, guests could access an itinerary on the Disney Cruise Line app. Our four-year-olds sole focus was to meet as many superheroes as possible. So we went through the app and added all the relevant events to our itinerary.
The cruise fare includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner, at the restaurants Cabana, Animators Palete, Rapunzels Royal Table, and Lumieres. The cruise boasts of rotational dining a concept that encourages guests to enjoy each of the three themed dining venues while on board.
Our servers Valentin, Mario, and Gian were extremely warm and welcoming, and worked with us to get a perfect three-course meal experience. The restaurants are grand with interactive storytelling experiences. Each has its own theme, with live music and character appearances to enjoy while eating.
Food was a big part of our cruise experience but we also spent a lot of time exploring the ship, meeting our favorite superheroes, taking a dip in the pool, and watching Disney Dreams, a magical theatre performance at Walt Disney Theatre.
I want to go back to the cruise again, said our 4-year-old as we got back in our car to drive back home.
Rebook Onboard Your Current Cruise
Booking your next cruise while on a cruise comes with a couple of savings perks:
- The listed cruise will be 10% off of its normal price
- If youre booking a cruise that is seven nights or longer, you only have to put down a 10% deposit instead of 20%.
Disney has several agents on each cruise that will help you pick out the best options for you, including packages.
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What’s Included In Your Disney Cruise
With those prices, you might want to know what you get for that price.
Your cruise fare will include much of what other mainstream cruise lines include, plus a few extras:
- Stateroom cabin
- Food, including most room service
- Non-alcoholic beverages, including soda
- Activities: mini golf, basketball courts, etc
- Castaway Cay private island
Your cruise fare includes a good amount of value, although there are plenty of extras you should factor into your vacation budget.
While you could theoretically spend nothing more on a cruise, it is very unlikely that will occur.
Here is a look at what is not included in your cruise fare:
- Transportation & accommodations before and after the cruise
- Specialty dining
- Alcoholic drinks & bottled beverages
- Kids club for kids under 3 years old
- Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
- Souvenir photos
What Youll Spend On A Disney Cruise
Just like any vacation how much you spend on a Disney cruise depends largely on your own personal budget, below, weve provided three options a bare bones budget, a moderate budget, and a high-end budget.
For our comparison, we created a hypothetical family of four all staying in one cabin or room for a four-night cruise. And to make the comparison fair, we selected a cruise departing Port Canaveral , departing in August.
Bare-Bones Budget If you want to simply get on the ship, we found a cruise aboard the Disney Dream departing in August that runs a total of $4,725 for an inside cabin.
The cruise departs Port Canaveral, with a stop in Nassau, followed by a stop at Disneys private island Castaway Cay before heading home.
Keep in mind that this includes four people sharing a small cabin . However, you have full run of the ship. Furthermore, meals and entertainment are included, but extras like alcohol or shore excursions are not.
Moderate Budget The funny thing about taking a Disney cruise is that while most other cruise lines have large discrepancies between what you pay for an interior cabin and a balcony, Disney offers the upgrade for relatively little.
In our search, we found you could upgrade to a verandah cabin for just about 10% more, or $5,077. In this case, you not only get your own balcony, but you upgrade your cabin space from 169 square feet to 246 square feet. If you like, there is also a larger verandah cabin thats 299 sq. feet for $5,293.
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What Is Included In A Disney Cruise
Are you trying to decide if a Disney Cruise is worth the cost? We have traveled on Royal Caribbean, Carnival & Disney Cruise Line and one of the reasons why Disney Cruise Line is my favorite is because of whats included in the price of a Disney Cruise.
If you dont know already, there is a price difference between the price of a Disney cruise and other cruise lines like Royal Caribbean & Carnival. Disney is the most expensive one when you look at the initial fare price.
But while other cruise lines are initially cheaper on the front end, they end up nickel and diming you once you get on board.
Combining A Disney Cruise And A Wdw Vacation
For those of you who want even more of a Disney overload, guests can choose to purchase a land and sea package and add a stay at a WDW resort and theme park admission in addition to your Disney Cruise. While this is only available for sailings out of Port Canaveral, you may want to consider combining a stay before or after your cruise to stay at one of the five Disney value resorts, moderate resorts, or some great off-site choices for the best family resorts in Orlando. You could even visit Disney World and not spend money on theme park admission and simply enjoy all of the things to do in Disney World besides the parks.
While this definitely adds more to your initial cruise budget, it may be worthwhile especially if it is your first time visiting Disney or you just want to go all out and splurge on double the Disney fun. If you do plan on adding a Disney World vacation, check out my useful Disney packing list to help you save money on similar items at the parks.
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Which Should You Choose
There are so many factors that differentiate Disney World and Disney Cruises, from service to entertainment to characters to cost. And while we can break this down all day, when it comes to making a decision that is right for your family, it really comes down to what kind of vacation you want.
Do you want a vacation full of adventure and Disney magic, with tons to do and lots of options? Then you might want to go to Disney World!
Do you want a slower-paced vacation, with plenty of opportunity for both relaxing and adventure and with luxury service? Then you might want a Disney Cruise!
Either way though, Disney knows how to pull off a travel adventure the right way, and you are sure to have a great time!
How Much Do Disney Cruises Cost
Disney Cruise Line is an excellent choice for families and couples who what to experience the magic of Disney at sea. That said, these premier cruises do come with a premier price tag. How much do Disney cruises cost, what are the factors that contribute to its price, and how can you save on your next Disney cruise? Lets investigate!
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Payments / Refunds On On Disney Cruises
Effective Sept.11, 2018, Disney Cruise Line is adjusting its Final payment and Cancellation Policy:
- Final payment for all non-suite/non-concierge staterooms on Cruises 1-5 Nights will be due at 90 days prior to arrival and cancellation fees will begin at 89 days versus 74 days.
- Final payment for all non-suite/non-concierge staterooms on Cruises 6 Nights or more will be due at 120 days prior to arrival and cancellation fees will begin at 119 days versus 89 days.
- Specific final payment and cancellation policies have been eliminated for holiday sailings and sailings where the Embark and Debark is a non-U.S. port
The deposit requirement is for: All new Bookings, Bookings in which the sail date has changed, and Bookings that are reinstated.
Final Payment To finalize your reservation, simply apply payment. Your full and final payment depends on the length of your cruise the embark and debark port if you are staying in a suite/concierge stateroom or a non-suite/non-concierge stateroom and if you are sailing on a Holiday date:
Below is a review of the final payment due date and cancellation policy for all sailings and categories:
Cruises 1 to 5 Nights where embark or debark is a U.S. Port
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To Infinity And Beyond
It has been a long time coming, and while holiday makers are thrilled with the news, so too is the team bringing the liner to our shores.
We are so excited to bring the magic of a Disney cruise vacation close to home for guests in Australia and New Zealand, Josh DAmaro, Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products said in a statement confirming the news.
More Coverage
On these limited-time sailings, the ship is the destination, and our amazing Disney Cruise Line crew cant wait to welcome guests on board as they are immersed in their favourite stories from Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars.
For more information on the all new Disney Magic At Sea Australia and New Zealand sailing itineraries and booking details, visit DisneyCruiseLine.com/AUNZ.
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Getting A Disney Cruise Line Discount
The best way for a return guest to get a discount on the Disney Cruise Line is to book while you are already on a sailing. Youll have two options.
You can either book with the dates that you want to sail, and can choose your exact dates and room. For this, youll need to give a deposit.
Alternatively, you can book a placeholder for a $250 fee. This can be applied to a cruise booked within the next two years. I typically book a placeholder, even if I dont have another cruise planned because its valid for a while.
Depending on the sailing, youll get a discount as well as stateroom credit. To do an onboard booking, youll want to visit the desk on the ship as soon as possible. It can be very busy by the end of your sailing and there is typically a line to talk to a cast member.
Other discounts can sometimes be available for Canadian residents, Florida residents, and members of the military. The Disney Cruise Line special offers page has more specific information on this. They arent always available so youll have to check for details and eligible sailings.
Choose Disney If Siblings Or Travel Companions Would Like To Play Together
Disney’s Oceaneer Lab and Club puts children ages 3 to 12 in the same spaces, but with programming that varies by age groups. The age groupings are suggestions, not requirements, so children are able to participate in any of the activities offered. That means if you have kids onboard that are close in age they won’t be broken up into the distinct age groupings that many other cruise lines strictly adhere to.
Or you need all-day babysitting for your little one.
At Disney’s It’s a Small World Nursery, staff offer the assurance that your baby or toddler, 6 months to 3 years, is being supervised throughout the day, for $9 an hour. Children with special needs are also welcome in the nursery. While Carnival offers care for children 2 and younger , it’s only for a three-hour window each night, at a cost of $6.75 per hour , though parents onboard Carnival can play with their babies in the Camp Ocean space from about 8 to 10 a.m. for free if they are present.
Or meeting a Disney character is your child’s absolute dream.
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The Price Of A Disney Cruise Will Vary And Is Dependent On These Factors:
- Number of guests & ages of your children
- Length of Cruise
The lowest Ive seen a Disney Cruise price be for a family of 4 is for a three-night cruise to the Bahamas.
You will be able to go for a little over $3K if you cruise in the off-season and dont mind an interior room on one of the older ships .
That same cruise in the summer will cost you $1-2k more!
If you would like to take a 5-7 night cruise during the summer months anywhere off the coast of the USA, you will pay upwards of $6-7k for that same family of four.
So, what do you get for that kind of money? Disney includes quite a bit things that other cruise lines will charge extra fees for.
Most Importantly What Are You Getting For Your Disney Cruise Dollars
On a Disney Cruise its as close to an All Inclusive cruise vacation that you will find. You are not getting on a Disney Cruise for a rock bottom price, But you are getting what I call Magical extras included with your Disney Cruise price.
First, I have to say the level of service on a Disney Cruise is hard to beat. Everything from the wait staff knowing my kids names and having their favorite drink and extras already at the table when I sit down is a nice special touch. Disney Cruise Line exceeds my expectations every time. Level of service is often something people dont consider when looking for a cruise. But I really want to make sure the time I spend with my family on vacation allows everyone in my family to have a great time. Time and value are always part of my cruise booking decision and Disney Cruise Line offers so much already in the cruise price.
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Disney Cruise Lines Summer 2021 Sailings A Look At Opening Day Prices
The recently announced Summer 2021 Disney Cruise Line sailings went on sale today for Platinum Castaway Club members as well as residents of Disneys Golden Oak. The good news, just like with previous releases we have opening day pricing available. The bad news is this information is not available to view online for Gold & Silver Castaway Club Members, and first-time cruisers.
Below, Ive collected the opening day pricing, lowest price per stateroom category, based on 2 adults for all of the Summer 2021 cruises to give you a general idea on where the cruises are priced. I realize this does not take into account onboard booking, or a more detailed quote for your sailing party. For a more detailed look at quotes, I would suggest the opening day pricing thread over at disboards.com.
The idea for this post was simply to get baseline pricing for each cruise and I felt 2 adults provided the baseline for double occupancy to help everyone plan for Gold, Silver, and first-time cruisers booking windows. The pricing is grouped by ship and itinerary for more of an apples to apple comparison.
One last note, the pricing below is representative of a snapshot in time on opening day. As cruises book, prices will increase and stateroom availability will dwindle. The pricing below includes taxes, fees & port expenses for 2 adults.
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Transferring Reservation To A Travel Agent
Disney has a policy for reservations booked directly with them and transferred to a travel agent. This policy includes Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney, and Aulani. Disney must approve all requested transfers.
- Reservations paid in full are not eligible to be transferred.
- Reservations that are not paid in full may only be requested within 30 days of the initial booking. .
- If you booked your DCL reservation within the last 30 days, you could to see if they can save you money or apply a Shipboard Credit to your booking! *Deposit paid. Not paid in full. Other Restrictions Apply.
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Location Of The Cruise Port
Next is the location and the cost to get to your vacation destination. For the most part, getting to Orlando and Port Canaveral, FL is fairly comparable to traveling to Walt Disney World, therefore for purposes of this comparison, its not necessary to factor in those costs. But with a Disney Cruise departing from Florida, you can also visit locations in Mexico, the Caribbean, the Bahamas, and Castaway Cay, Disneyâs private island in the Bahamas. Flying to any of those international destinations will cost you significantly more if you were to plan individual trips to each country or region.
For example, depending on the location of your home airport, a flight to Cozumel can easily run you $400 $800 per person . All of a sudden, the remaining $95 per person, per day price difference is easily wiped out when you add the cost of airfare to the cheapest of the 3 destinations you will visit.
Granted, very few of us would fly to all 3 destinations as part of a single vacation because its both too expensive and would make the vacation too hectic. But the value and benefit of a cruise are that you can visit several destinations without an overwhelming cost or such a hectic trip that it sucks the fun out of the experience. A Disney Cruise allows you to travel to multiple destinations in one relaxing trip, something many of us only dream of.
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