Tips To Make Your Disney Cruise More Affordable!
If you’re reading this, I’m going to assume that you’ve probably started looking into prices for a Disney cruise already. And if you’re anything like me, you’ll have to pick your jaw up off the floor after seeing some of those prices! While it is true that a Disney Cruise can be quite expensive, more so than some other cruise lines, the old saying is true here, “You get what you pay for”.
In my opinion (and the opinion of many other Disney fans out there), Disney is a class above when it comes to service and family entertainment! You may be paying more, but you are getting more included for that price along with high-quality service. So don’t be discouraged about that price tag, because I have a few tips that will help to make that cost a little bit more manageable.
Tip #1: Book using a travel agent that specializes in Disney.
Travel agents might not be able to get you a lower price than booking directly (no one is allowed to give a discount on Disney Cruises), but they can offer cash back in the form of an Onboard Credit.
Essentially what this means is that the travel agent is using a portion of their commission and giving it back to you as a shipboard credit. You can then use this credit once you board the ship for many things including using it to pay for gratuities, purchases on board, excursions, etc. So while an Onboard Credit may not lower the actual cruise price, it will lower the amount you are paying out of pocket for your onboard expenses.
A good travel agent will also check for any current promotions that Disney might be offering to make sure you are getting the best price available. They will also keep an eye on any promotions that become available after you book to see if it can be applied to your booking.
*I would be happy to get you a quote for your next Disney Cruise. And yes, I do offer Onboard Credits to all of my Disney Cruise clients! Please use the "Contact" button at the top of the page to get started.
Tip #2: Re-book while still onboard
This tip will only apply for your 2nd or later cruises with Disney.
When you book another Disney cruise while still onboard your current cruise, Disney offers a discount and usually an onboard credit too! You can also pair this with tip #1 by letting the booking agent onboard the ship know that you are working with a travel agent give the name of your agent while making your next booking. While this won’t bring down the cost of your 1st cruise, it will certainly help lower the cost of your next cruise afterwards.
Tip #3: Choose a cheaper itinerary
There are some itineraries that are always going to be more expensive. One of those itineraries is Alaska. Because it is a seasonal itinerary there is more demand than supply, thus it carries a higher price tag.
Instead stick to more common itineraries such as the Bahamas or the Caribbean. Mexican Riviera itineraries can be fairly reasonable as well.
You can also reduce your costs by choosing a shorter itinerary. A 3 or 4 night cruise is still just as much fun as a 7 night cruise.
Along a similar line of thought is looking at WHEN you want to sail. You can usually find reduced pricing on September/October cruises as well as mid January and early February.
If you're looking to save some money, I would recommend avoiding sailings in the summer months, during Spring Break and any of the holiday-time cruises.
Tip #4: Choose an older ship
Disney’s has two classic ships, the Disney Wonder and the Disney Magic which are both awesome ships with some nice upgrades. And, because they are older than the other ships, they are also usually a bit cheaper.
Now there are some exceptions, for instance the Disney Wonder sails the Alaskan itineraries, which as we know from the previous tip, is going to be more expensive.
Tip #5: Choose a more affordable stateroom category
Sure, a balcony stateroom is nice to have, but it certainly isn’t necessary. You are on a ship after all, there are open decks and windows all over the place to get a good view from.
Many cruisers don’t spend a whole lot of time in their cabins anyways, so the lack of a balcony, or even a porthole window won’t ruin your vacation.
In many cases choosing an inside stateroom will save you thousands over the cost of an outside (porthole/window) or balcony stateroom!
Another tip that kind of falls in line with this one is that sometimes Disney will discount some staterooms at the last minute (a month or two before the sail date) in order to fill the ship.
This gives you a great rate for a certain stateroom category (inside, porthole, balcony), but with some restrictions. The restrictions are usually that the booking is non-refundable, must be paid in full at the time of booking, and you cannot choose the stateroom you want. Disney will choose the stateroom for you and only guarantee that it will be in the specific category you booked (or sometimes a higher category). If you're flexible and able to book without much notice, this can be a great cost saver!
Tip #6: Plan to avoid things that carry an additional charge
There are many “extras” that you can add to your cruise such as excursions, upscale dining options, alcoholic beverages and more that carry an additional charge. If you plan to avoid these “extras” you’ll be able to keep your budget down. You can find a lot of free activities to do in the ports of call instead of a costly excursion. You could also take advantage of a quieter ship and stay on board at a port or two and enjoy the many activities and entertainment already included in your cruise fare. Also, there are 3 different main dining rooms that you will visit throughout your cruise, along with a great buffet and some pool-side dining options. So there is really no need to add the additional cost of meals at the upscale dining areas that aren’t included in your fare if you don't want to. The service in the main dining rooms is excellent and sure to keep you satisfied.
Well, those are my top tips for making your Disney Cruise more affordable for you and your family. Hopefully they will be of help to you if you're watching your budget.
And don't forget, as a travel agent specializing in Disney, I am here to help you with all of your vacation planning, so go ahead and send me a message through the "Contact" button at the top of the page to get started.