11 Ways To Save Money On A Disney Cruise

Disney Cruises are different from most other major cruise lines. First, they are more expensive than your typical family cruise but are much more than just a vacation. A Disney Cruise is a premium experience with high-quality service, amenities, and entertainment. The upfront cost includes onboard dining, nonalcoholic drinks, transportation between cruise ports, and access to Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.

While many amenities are included, the onboard charges on a Disney cruise can add up. When that final bill arrives on the last day of your cruise, it can be a bit of a shock.

Pro Planning Tip: We recommend using Jessica Lieb with ET Family Travel to book your Disney vacation!

Ways to Save Money on a Disney Cruise

The expenses of a Disney Cruise can add up rather quickly. However, as many things are included on a Disney cruise, there are many ways to prevent charges from building up. It’s important to know where savings can be made.

Book Early

Many other cruise lines offer last-minute deals. However, this is not the case with Disney Cruise Line. Due to its popularity and limited sailings, Disney Cruise is in high demand and charges a premium. The best rule of thumb is to book early to get the best rate. This rule has some exceptions, but you will not see many last-minute bargains for a Disney cruise.

Usually, the further out you can book your Disney Cruise, the better the rate you will get. This is particularly true of the newer ships like the Wish or Treasure. There are unlikely to be any last-minute deals on these ships for a long time. The prices for Disney cruises increase as the sailing date approaches, and staterooms become more limited.

There are a few exceptions, such as if you qualify for a Military Discount or are a Florida Resident.

Exploring All Stateroom Options

Carefully consider all of your stateroom options before booking your Disney Cruise. It can be overwhelming to choose a stateroom when you first start planning your Disney cruise. If you’re on a budget, you may be tempted to purchase the smallest inside room, but that may not be the best option for your family,

When booking a cruise, consider upgrading from an inside stateroom to an oceanview stateroom with a porthole for a slightly higher price. Depending on your group size, it might be more cost-effective to book two smaller staterooms instead of one larger one, especially since Disney offers staterooms that accommodate up to 5 guests.

Compare the prices of different stateroom options to find the most economical choice. Consider the cost of a deluxe oceanview family stateroom with a verandah to ensure you make the best choice.

Booking with a Travel Agent

It is possible to book your Disney cruise directly on the Disney Cruise Line website, but why not do that when you can get free assistance from an expert? Not to mention, you can get onboard credit to spend on anything you want to do on your cruise.

When booking a Disney cruise, it’s important to use a Disney-authorized agent with real-life experience. Consider booking a great experience with Jessica Lieb, an agent with ET Family Travel, an Earmarked Platinum Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. Jessica can help you secure the best prices, staterooms, and onboard credit.

Being Flexible with Your Travel Dates

Keep in mind that specific sailing dates are more expensive than others. For instance, holidays like Christmas, New Year, and Thanksgiving tend to have higher prices. Similarly, when most kids are on vacation, the summer months also tend to be pricier. If you can be flexible with your travel dates, consider comparing prices across different months.

Booking a Placeholder on Your Cruise

This tip is for when you’re on your Disney Cruise. Book a Placeholder to save money on your next Disney Cruise.

Here’s how it works:

Using the Disney Cruise Navigator App, book a Placeholder while still onboard your cruise.
You can book a Placeholder for specific dates or TBD dates.
You will receive a 10% discount on the cruise’s online price.
The Placeholder is valid for 2 years from the date you booked.

Important:

The Placehold must be made before disembarking from the ship
Disney Cruise prices generally go up from the release date, and the availability of different staterooms decreases.
A Placeholder cannot be used to get a discount or reduced deposit on any Concierge Staterooms.
If you decide not to use your Placeholder, your $250 deposit will be automatically refunded.
There are some block-out dates when you can’t use the Placeholder.

Bringing Your Own Alcoholic Beverages Onboard

One of the major expenses during a cruise is alcoholic drinks. However, Disney Cruise Line stands out as one of the few cruise lines that allows guests to bring a limited amount of alcohol onboard.

Disney Cruise Line’s policy allows guests 21 years and older to bring a maximum of 2 bottles of unopened wine, champagne, or 6 beers at the beginning of the voyage. The same amount of alcohol can also be brought at each port of call for a Disney Cruise. See Disney Cruise website for more details.

It’s important to note that this policy only applies to wine, champagne, or beer. Security will not permit the introduction of any other type of liquor onboard.

If you wish to enjoy wine or champagne you’ve brought onboard in one of the dining rooms, a corkage fee of $25.00 per bottle will be charged.

Wait to Purchase Spa Treatments

Before boarding, you can book spa appointments for more scheduling options. However, you may find better deals if you wait to book your treatment onboard. Typically, Senses Spa offers deals on port days when many people are off the ship. The deals are offered in bundles, such as a manicure, pedicure, and neck massage. This can be a great way to indulge without breaking the bank.

Note: Couple’s Spa Villas are not typically included in these special offers.

Also, note that spa treatments include an 18% tip in your charge. You can add more tip, but it’s not expected.

Put Your Phone in Airplane Mode

The first thing you should do when you board the ship is put your cell phone in airplane mode. You can check if your carrier offers cruise-specific plans; otherwise, connect to the ship’s internet. Guests can communicate with each other through the Disney Cruise Navigator app. Disney offers a variety of internet packages at reasonable prices.

Use a Disney Cruise Packing List

Use a Disney Cruise Packing List to ensure you are packing everything you will need on your cruise. Although the onboard stores carry many of the essential items you will pay a premium for them.

Download our FREE DISNEY CRUISE PACKING LIST

Skip the Concession Stand

There is food everywhere on a Disney ship. You will not go hungry.

Most of the food is included in your Cruise Fare. You absolutely do not need to spend extra money on food unless you choose to.

One of the most tempting things to buy is popcorn. You know that familiar smell as you walk towards the Walt Disney Theater to watch a show? Who can resist the lure of a bag or even a bucket full of popcorn to go with the show?

You really should. At this point, you will either have eaten dinner or be going to eat after the show. Do you really need that bucket?

If you really can’t do without snacks at the show then why not bring some inexpensive candy from home. If you do that you can avoid the regret you will feel on the last day when you realize you have spent $50 or more on popcorn!

Set a Budget, Keep to the Budget

One of the easiest ways to save money on a cruise is by creating and sticking to a budget. Disney Cruises is a cashless, credit card-free environment. The only way to make purchases is by using your Key To The World Card, which offers easy convenience. It’s easy to lose track of your expenses by simply handing over your card. While you can check your current charges easily, many people forget about it until the last night of the cruise when they face the reality of their expenditures on popcorn buckets, drinks of the day, and spa treatments.