Have you ever thought about taking a Disney Cruise, but wondered if it can be affordable for your family? As with many things Disney vacation related, Disney cruises can be expensive, but also as with many things Disney vacation related, there are ways that you can save.
First, let me say that I truly believe that a Disney cruise is a tremendous vacation value! Nearly everything is included, from food to drinks (non-alcoholic that is), world class Disney entertainment, the best children’s programming at sea, and SO much more. And of course, there are those magical Disney details and that legendary Disney service, that all combine to make a Disney Cruise a memorable – and yes magical – vacation experience.
So, how can you plan an amazing Disney cruise vacation, and save money while doing it? Following, are a few money-saving tips to consider.
Think About When to Cruise – Just as with a Disney World vacation, the time of year that you go can make a huge difference in cost. A general rule of thumb: if kids are not in school, the cruise is going to cost more. So, if you are able to plan a cruise when kids are in school, you will likely save money.
Book Far in Advance – For the most part, when it comes to Disney cruises, the earlier you book, the cheaper the cruise will be. Disney opens up their dates far in advance, sometimes a couple of years. As time goes on and staterooms begin to book, then prices for the cruise begin to rise – you know, supply and demand. And there are other benefits to booking early too. First, you will have more cabin choices (which we’ll talk about shortly). Second, booking early can give you up to a couple of years to pay it off!
Or Book at the Last Minute – While booking far in advance is the best way to ensure the best price, if you have the flexibility to be able to travel with just a few weeks’ notice, you *may* find some great last-minute deals. Disney wants each cruise to sail fully booked, so when departure dates approach, if there are cabins available, discounts sometimes follow. (It’s important to note that it doesn’t happen often but on the rare occasions when it does, the savings can be huge.)
Keep an Eye Out for Special Disney Cruise Promotions – Or, better yet, have your travel agent look for you. In addition to special promotions such as just mentioned, Disney Cruise Line sometimes has discounts for Florida residents, those in the military, or Disney+ subscribers. Sometimes there will be promotions that allow you to book with a smaller deposit. And if you have a Disney Visa, remember you get 6 months to pay interest free, and you may get an onboard credit to go with it as well.
Choose Your Cabin Wisely – Generally speaking, your cabin choices are Verandah (balcony), Outside (window or porthole) or Inside. Inside cabins are going to be the least expensive, but on some of the Disney ships, you will have a “virtual porthole” that shows a picture of what is happening outside, just as if you had an actual porthole. (Plus, you may find some Disney character surprises in your virtual porthole as well.) While “inside”, these cabins are pretty darn cool!
Inside cabins are generally just as roomy as outside staterooms, with plenty of space and all of the comfortable and special touches that the outside rooms will have. So, unless you just “have” to have that outside view or balcony, why not save a boatload (sorry couldn’t resist) of money by booking an inside stateroom. Besides, you are just not going to be in your cabin much anyway.
It’s important to note that this is where booking early can be extremely important – inside staterooms are in demand and so will typically book first. If you want to have the most cabin choices, book as early as you can.
Consider the Help of a Travel Agent – As with a Disney World or Disneyland vacation, the best way to get the most value out of your vacation dollars, is to be prepared for everything that you will be experiencing. That means doing lots of research – or enlisting the help of a qualified and experienced Disney specialist travel agent who can guide you through everything you need to know. There are a number of details involved when cruising, that is beyond a typical “vacation”, and unless you have tons of time to do all the research on your own, knowing that you have a qualified professional looking out for you every step of the way, can remove a lot of stress. This way, all you have to do is step onboard and let the “magic” begin!
If you’ve been dreaming about a Disney Cruise vacation, you CAN make your dream a reality. I promise you that it will be a magical vacation that you and your family will never forget!
Find out how the services of a travel agent can make planning your next vacation simple and stress-free!
