When to book a Disney Cruise?

Disney Cruise Line
1

Thanks to the Disney Dish I’m now starting to think about a DCL cruise on the long-term horizon. My family has actually never cruised before but it was a DCL tv show/infomercial that peaked my husband’s original interest in Disney as a whole so it feels inevitable.

I know that the advice is to book the minute the cruise opens for the best deals. Currently it looks like May 2022 is the latest you can book, so a little over a year out. Is that normal or is that due to Covid? I’m leaning towards April 2023.

Any other advice? Should I start saving the big bucks now for the new ships? Or look for a deal on the “older” ships? Do people feel weird to be in Orlando and not do the parks? Do your elementary school aged kids ask for the parks AND a cruise, or is the cruise enough?

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They open bookings by season, and it’s typically about 1.5 years out. So what you are seeing now is typical.

I do recommend booking as soon as you can - you can always cancel and rebook if a better deal comes your way, but usually prices keep rising. Right now they are even cheaper due to the pandemic.

The other option is if you’re close enough to a port to hop on last minute, there are some really good deals close to sailing dates as they try to fill up remaining capacity. This doesn’t work for the more rare / popular sailings.

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Can you go off peak? I think that can matter as much as the timing of the sale.
Booking immediately does help.
Can you do trips with less lead time? They historically had great IGT/OGT/VGT rates for off peak and less less time.

4

I think that historically the MA April vacation is kind of off-peak when it doesn’t coincide with Easter. But I can probably be flexible too. My oldest would only be in 1st grade.

I could definitely do less lead time, but I thought that since this was likely to be so expensive we might as well plan for far-ish in the future.

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Unlike other lines, Disney prices only increase as time goes on.

The one exception being if you’re willing to gamble on them offering “IGT, OGT, or VGT” rates - Inside Guarantee, Ocean View Guarantee, or Veranda Guarantee - where you pay in full, it is non-refundable and non-changeable, and you get zero say in terms of where your cabin is…you’re guaranteed at least an Inside, Ocean View, or Veranda depending on what you booked but you have no say in where on the ship it is.

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We went in April 2016 on the Magic. It was all MA people, ha! My oldest was 9 and just hated any type of amusement ride, so this was our Disney solution at the time. The pools were so busy, but they loved the waterslides and dinner every night was such a main attraction. They were old enough to stay up and do character meets since I booked late and the Princess tea party or something was already booked up.

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I will be tempted to check out these fares this coming winter if they can get the ships back running again!

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Hi! Can you tell me more about these and where to find them? Would they show alongside the regular bookings or do I need to look for “special offers” or something? And isn’t a cruise typically non-refundable anyway, so is there a big difference besides pay all up front? Thank you!

9

I would honestly work with a TA for a cruise. They can look for all options and could also help you identify the time/ship that could work?

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Do you only need a single stateroom for four?

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I have a good TA who did my RCL cruise and I do know some Liner TAs who do Disney cruises, but I feel like I’m so wishy washy that I would hate to waste someone’s time! And DH still thinks we’re going to be able to go to France, bless his heart.

I think so? I would like a Verandah with the two pull-down bunks.

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That will increase your ability to book IGT/OGT/VGT staterooms.

This is a thread from the DIS which as gone dormant, but which had been wonderfully maintained for years and years.

Current *GT/MTO/FLR Discounts! | Page 196 | The DIS Disney Discussion Forums - DISboards.com

I should hope that once discounted cruises are happening again, that this thread will come back to life. If you have time and patience (and probably a PC/laptop vs. phone for ease) I think you might see how the discounted trips work.

13

For example, this was from 9/19/18.

Some new rates were posted today.

*GT - Guaranteed Room with Restrictions
09/24/2018 Disney Dream, 4-Night Halloween on the High Seas Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $1688.68 - O: $1728.68 - V: $1808.68
09/28/2018 Disney Dream, 3-Night Halloween on the High Seas Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, V: $1478.68
10/01/2018 Disney Dream, 4-Night Halloween on the High Seas Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $1728.68 - V: $1928.68
10/22/2018 Disney Dream, 4-Night Halloween on the High Seas Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $1728.74 - O: $1808.74 - V: $1928.74
10/26/2018 Disney Dream, 3-Night Halloween on the High Seas Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $1448.74 - O: $1508.74 - V: $1598.74
10/29/2018 Disney Dream, 4-Night Halloween on the High Seas Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $1768.74 - O: $1848.74 - V: $1968.74
11/05/2018 Disney Dream, 4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $1816.74 - O: $1864.74 - V: $2008.74
12/17/2018 Disney Dream, 4-Night Very Merrytime Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $2312.74 - O: $2360.74 - V: $2504.74
01/14/2019 Disney Dream, 4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $1970.04 - O: $2050.04 - V: $2130.04
09/29/2018 Disney Fantasy, 7-Night Halloween on the High Seas Western Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $2583.06 - O: $2681.06 (CHANGED)
10/13/2018 Disney Fantasy, 7-Night Halloween on the High Seas Western Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $2737.06 - V: $3199.06 (CHANGED)
10/20/2018 Disney Fantasy, 7-Night Halloween on the High Seas Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $2705.04 - O: $2761.04 - V: $2999.04
11/03/2018 Disney Fantasy, 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $2777.10 - O: $2973.10 - V: $3225.10
11/24/2018 Disney Fantasy, 7-Night Very Merrytime Western Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral, O: $3171.12 - V: $3409.12 (CHANGED)
12/15/2018 Disney Fantasy, 7-Night Very Merrytime Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $3211.10 - O: $3323.10 - V: $3547.10
09/27/2018 Disney Magic, 7-Night Halloween on the High Seas Canada Cruise from Quebec City to New York, I: $2727.52 - O: $2993.52 - V: $3889.52
10/04/2018 Disney Magic, 5-Night Halloween on the High Seas Bermuda Cruise from New York, I: $2819.06
10/13/2018 Disney Magic, 6-Night Halloween on the High Seas Bermuda Cruise from New York, I: $2635.48 - O: $2827.48 - V: $3847.48
10/24/2018 Disney Magic, 5-Night Halloween on the High Seas Bermuda Cruise from New York, I: $2049.06 - O: $2209.06
10/29/2018 Disney Magic, 5-Night Halloween on the High Seas Bermuda Cruise from New York, I: $2045.62 - O: $2205.62 - V: $2605.62
11/10/2018 Disney Magic, 7-Night Very Merrytime Bahamian Cruise from New York, I: $3237.74 - O: $3503.74 - V: $3797.74
11/24/2018 Disney Magic, 6-Night Very Merrytime Eastern Caribbean Cruise from New York to San Juan, I: $1931.30 - O: $2183.30 - V: $2411.30
12/14/2018 Disney Magic, 5-Night Very Merrytime Bahamian Cruise from Miami, I: $2107.98 - O: $2207.98 - V: $2647.98
10/07/2018 Disney Wonder, 7-Night Halloween on the High Seas Mexican Riviera Cruise from San Diego, V: $4135.10 (CHANGED)
10/14/2018 Disney Wonder, 5-Night Halloween on the High Seas Baja Cruise from San Diego, I: $2266.62
10/19/2018 Disney Wonder, 14-Night Halloween on the High Seas Panama Canal Cruise from San Diego, I: $4746.16
11/02/2018 Disney Wonder, 6-Night Very Merrytime Western Caribbean Cruise from Galveston, I: $2076.52 - O: $2280.52 - V: $2592.52
11/23/2018 Disney Wonder, 7-Night Very Merrytime Bahamian Cruise from Galveston, I: $2881.70 - O: $3077.70 - V: $3539.70
12/07/2018 Disney Wonder, 7-Night Very Merrytime Bahamian Cruise from Galveston, I: $2909.82 - O: $3049.82 - V: $3469.82
12/14/2018 Disney Wonder, 7-Night Very Merrytime Bahamian Cruise from Galveston, V: $4215.94
04/21/2019 Disney Wonder, 7-Night Mexican Riviera Cruise from San Diego, I: $3316.08 - O: $3876.08 - V: $4436.08

CAN - Canadian Residents: Save 25% on Select Sailings
10/01/2018 Disney Dream, 4-Night Halloween on the High Seas Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $1652.68 - O: $1712.68 - V: $1832.68 (CHANGED)
10/22/2018 Disney Dream, 4-Night Halloween on the High Seas Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $1652.74 - O: $1700.74 - V: $1832.74
10/29/2018 Disney Dream, 4-Night Halloween on the High Seas Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $1664.74 - O: $1736.74 - V: $1862.74
11/05/2018 Disney Dream, 4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $1712.74 - O: $1760.74 - V: $1892.74
12/17/2018 Disney Dream, 4-Night Very Merrytime Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $2198.74 - O: $2222.74 - V: $2354.74
01/14/2019 Disney Dream, 4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $1926.04 - O: $1962.04 - V: $2076.04
01/19/2019 Disney Fantasy, 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral with Star Wars Day at Sea, I: $2848.82 - O: $2911.82 - V: $3100.82
09/20/2018 Disney Magic, 7-Night Halloween on the High Seas Canada Cruise from New York to Quebec City, I: $2738.02 - O: $3000.52 - V: $3893.02
09/27/2018 Disney Magic, 7-Night Halloween on the High Seas Canada Cruise from Quebec City to New York, V: $4260.52 (CHANGED)
10/13/2018 Disney Magic, 6-Night Halloween on the High Seas Bermuda Cruise from New York, I: $2497.48 - O: $2677.48 (CHANGED)
10/29/2018 Disney Magic, 5-Night Halloween on the High Seas Bermuda Cruise from New York, I: $1943.12 - O: $2093.12
11/23/2018 Disney Wonder, 7-Night Very Merrytime Bahamian Cruise from Galveston, I: $2815.20 - O: $2899.20 - V: $3340.20
11/30/2018 Disney Wonder, 7-Night Very Merrytime Western Caribbean Cruise from Galveston, I: $2202.74 - O: $2318.24 - V: $2759.24
12/07/2018 Disney Wonder, 7-Night Very Merrytime Bahamian Cruise from Galveston, I: $2815.32 - O: $2888.82 - V: $3266.82
12/14/2018 Disney Wonder, 7-Night Very Merrytime Bahamian Cruise from Galveston, I: $2598.94 - O: $3018.94 - V: $3963.94
04/21/2019 Disney Wonder, 7-Night Mexican Riviera Cruise from San Diego, I: $3158.58 - O: $3683.58 - V: $4261.08

FLR - Special Rates for Florida Residents
10/01/2018 Disney Dream, 4-Night Halloween on the High Seas Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $1648.68 - O: $1728.68 - V: $1848.68
10/22/2018 Disney Dream, 4-Night Halloween on the High Seas Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $1648.74 - O: $1728.74 - V: $1848.74
10/29/2018 Disney Dream, 4-Night Halloween on the High Seas Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $1648.74 - O: $1728.74 - V: $1848.74
11/05/2018 Disney Dream, 4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $1736.74 - O: $1784.74 - V: $1952.74
12/10/2018 Disney Dream, 4-Night Very Merrytime Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $1648.74 - O: $1688.74 - V: $1808.74
12/17/2018 Disney Dream, 4-Night Very Merrytime Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $2168.74 - O: $2208.74 - V: $2328.74
01/14/2019 Disney Dream, 4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $1770.04 - O: $1810.04 - V: $1890.04
11/03/2018 Disney Fantasy, 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $2623.10 - O: $2791.10 - V: $3043.10
11/10/2018 Disney Fantasy, 7-Night Very Merrytime Western Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $2765.12 - V: $3115.12 (NEW)
11/24/2018 Disney Fantasy, 7-Night Very Merrytime Western Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $2793.12 - O: $2989.12 - V: $3213.12
12/14/2018 Disney Magic, 5-Night Very Merrytime Bahamian Cruise from Miami, V: $2497.98

MTO - Special U.S. Military Rates
09/24/2018 Disney Dream, 4-Night Halloween on the High Seas Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $1488.68 - O: $1528.68 - V: $1608.68
09/28/2018 Disney Dream, 3-Night Halloween on the High Seas Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, V: $1328.68
10/01/2018 Disney Dream, 4-Night Halloween on the High Seas Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $1648.68 - O: $1728.68 - V: $1848.68
10/19/2018 Disney Dream, 3-Night Halloween on the High Seas Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $1268.68 - O: $1328.68 - V: $1418.68
10/22/2018 Disney Dream, 4-Night Halloween on the High Seas Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $1528.74 - O: $1608.74 - V: $1728.74
10/29/2018 Disney Dream, 4-Night Halloween on the High Seas Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $1528.74 - O: $1608.74 - V: $1728.74
11/02/2018 Disney Dream, 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $1268.74 - O: $1328.74 - V: $1418.74
11/05/2018 Disney Dream, 4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $1608.74 - O: $1648.74 - V: $1768.74 (NEW)
11/12/2018 Disney Dream, 4-Night Very Merrytime Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $1528.74 - O: $1608.74 - V: $1768.74 (NEW)
01/14/2019 Disney Dream, 4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $1850.04 - O: $1930.04 - V: $2010.04
09/22/2018 Disney Fantasy, 7-Night Halloween on the High Seas Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $2411.04 - O: $2537.04 (CHANGED)
09/29/2018 Disney Fantasy, 7-Night Halloween on the High Seas Western Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral, O: $2527.06 (CHANGED)
10/06/2018 Disney Fantasy, 7-Night Halloween on the High Seas Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $2649.04
10/13/2018 Disney Fantasy, 7-Night Halloween on the High Seas Western Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $2583.06 - V: $3017.06
10/20/2018 Disney Fantasy, 7-Night Halloween on the High Seas Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $2551.04 - V: $2831.04
10/27/2018 Disney Fantasy, 7-Night Halloween on the High Seas Western Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral, V: $3017.12 (CHANGED)
11/10/2018 Disney Fantasy, 7-Night Very Merrytime Western Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $2765.12 - V: $3115.12 (NEW)
11/24/2018 Disney Fantasy, 7-Night Very Merrytime Western Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $2793.12 - O: $2989.12 - V: $3213.12
12/01/2018 Disney Fantasy, 7-Night Very Merrytime Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral, I: $2707.10 - V: $3057.10 (NEW)
09/27/2018 Disney Magic, 7-Night Halloween on the High Seas Canada Cruise from Quebec City to New York, I: $2419.52 - O: $2643.52 - V: $3413.52
10/04/2018 Disney Magic, 5-Night Halloween on the High Seas Bermuda Cruise from New York, I: $2619.06 - O: $2619.06
10/09/2018 Disney Magic, 4-Night Halloween on the High Seas Canada Cruise from New York, I: $1626.70 - O: $1906.70 - V: $2146.70 (CHANGED)
10/13/2018 Disney Magic, 6-Night Halloween on the High Seas Bermuda Cruise from New York, I: $2215.48 - O: $2371.48 - V: $3079.48
10/19/2018 Disney Magic, 5-Night Halloween on the High Seas Bermuda Cruise from New York, I: $1769.06 - O: $2289.06 - V: $2659.06
10/24/2018 Disney Magic, 5-Night Halloween on the High Seas Bermuda Cruise from New York, I: $1939.06 - O: $2089.06 - V: $2469.06
10/29/2018 Disney Magic, 5-Night Halloween on the High Seas Bermuda Cruise from New York, I: $1935.62 - O: $2085.62 - V: $2465.62 (CHANGED)
11/03/2018 Disney Magic, 7-Night Bahamian Cruise from New York, I: $2719.74 - O: $2985.74 - V: $3517.74
11/10/2018 Disney Magic, 7-Night Very Merrytime Bahamian Cruise from New York, I: $2817.74 - O: $2915.74 - V: $3153.74
11/24/2018 Disney Magic, 6-Night Very Merrytime Eastern Caribbean Cruise from New York to San Juan, I: $1835.30 - O: $2075.30 - V: $2411.30
10/07/2018 Disney Wonder, 7-Night Halloween on the High Seas Mexican Riviera Cruise from San Diego, O: $3351.10 (CHANGED)
11/02/2018 Disney Wonder, 6-Night Very Merrytime Western Caribbean Cruise from Galveston, I: $1956.52 - O: $2148.52 - V: $2436.52
11/12/2018 Disney Wonder, 4-Night Very Merrytime Western Caribbean Cruise from Galveston, I: $1462.56 - O: $1542.56 - V: $1782.56
11/23/2018 Disney Wonder, 7-Night Very Merrytime Bahamian Cruise from Galveston, I: $2349.70 - O: $2489.70 - V: $2909.70
11/30/2018 Disney Wonder, 7-Night Very Merrytime Western Caribbean Cruise from Galveston, I: $2087.24 - O: $2311.24 - V: $2759.24
12/07/2018 Disney Wonder, 7-Night Very Merrytime Bahamian Cruise from Galveston, I: $2559.82 - O: $2699.82 - V: $3049.82
12/14/2018 Disney Wonder, 7-Night Very Merrytime Bahamian Cruise from Galveston, O: $2843.94 - V: $3711.94 (CHANGED)
04/21/2019 Disney Wonder, 7-Night Mexican Riviera Cruise from San Diego, I: $2770.08 - O: $3190.08 - V: $3680.08

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14

Thank you! I will definitely dig into this thread. I’m usually on a PC so that’s helpful to know.

If I am seeing this, does this mean they are not offering “GT” discounts? Those are my only two options.

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Is that all you are seeing? Then no. Or more likely: not yet.

It might be too early for them to offer GT. They have to be down to a certain number of staterooms in each category to be able to offer that rate.

There are also all sorts of algorithms to determine how many of each kind, and they fluctuate even within one day. If you see a rate that works, nab it; it could disappear. It has to do, I have been told, with lifeboat capacities and workload numbers for cabin stewards,etc. So every room that CAN hold 4, may not be allowed to have four. They may have to cap at 2, or 3.

You should see me trying to get three staterooms even on the same deck, much less near one another on ANY cruise line. :slight_smile:

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Thanks! I’m pretty flexible on this and was surprised that the price for the Columbus Day sailing wasn’t exorbitant! We definitely need to wait anyway but I clicked through to pick some rooms and there seemed to be a few rooms left.

Notwithstanding the fact that there is still a no-sail order till Nov…

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*GT rates are released much closer to sailing dates. I cannot go on that short of a notice so I never notice when they are up as I’m looking further out.

The only deposit on a Disney cruise that is never refundable is for a Concierge booking. Otherwise they are fully refundable to a certain point. And then up until a final point they are partly refundable.

Not with the *GT rates though. Those have to be paid in full at booking and no part of it is refundable.

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Correct.

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The one exception is that sometimes GT rates will pop up, for at least a little while, if a cruise has not been booking well. There are always those random weeks that appeared in that thread and only hung out a few days at a time. It really makes sense to check every day. We are liners; we can do that.

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Thank you ladies! This is super helpful.

We can definitely get to NYC on short notice so maybe this will work well for us. I’ll keep checking. I’m only worried that we will be chilly on the ship in October.

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