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When you start looking into booking a Disney Cruise, you’ll likely notice that sales and other money-savings promotions are rare. Every once in awhile Disney Cruise Line will run a “kids sail free” promo or something similar, but these deals are few and far between. This got me to thinking about ways you might be able to save some money if your heart is set on sailing with Disney.
More Disney Cruise Posts I have written:
Before you book:
The 5 Dates You MUST Know Before Booking Your Disney Cruise
3 EASY Ways to Save THOUSANDS of Dollars on a Disney Cruise
Before you board:
8 Cool Things to Do on Your Disney Cruise
15 MORE Cool Things to do on Disney Cruises
Cruise Carry-On Bag Packing List (And What You Don’t Need)
Free Printable Disney Cruise Cabin Door Decorations
DIY Disney Cruise Tervis Tumblers
The Ultimate Guide to a Halloween Disney Cruise
Disney Cruise Line Vacation REVEAL Video – Surprise Scavenger Hunt – Halloween on the High Seas NYC
Disney Cruise Vacation Countdown FREE Printable
The Ultimate Guide to Disney Cruise Fish Extenders + Lots of Ideas and FREE Printables
Disney Cruise Reviews and Cabin Tours:
Disney Cruise Lines Review – Magic 3-Night Bahamas from Port Canaveral (with a Kid and a Baby!)
Disney Cruise Lines Review – Disney Dream 3-Night Bahamas
Disney Halloween Cruise Review – Magic 7-Night Bahamas from NYC
Disney Magic Cruise Ship Concierge 1 Bedroom Suite Cabin 8032 Video Tour
Disney Dream Cruise Ship Concierge Cabin 12506 Review
So assuming that there is no sale or promotion running, just how does one save money on a Disney Cruise? Is it even possible.
Oh yes, it is possible. Read on.
1) Book your next Disney Cruise while on board a Disney Cruise. You can save 10% off prevailing rates PLUS score up to $200 in onboard credit when you book a future cruise while ON a Disney Cruise. Visit the Future Cruise Sales Desk to make your reservation. A $200 deposit is required at the time of booking, but you are not held to the sail date that you choose when you book. Your reservation/deposit both serve as a placeholder and you can change your sail date to a different date, as long as you complete your travel within 24 months. Note: some cabin categories (including concierge) and certain sailings do not qualify for these discounts.
2) Book your Disney Cruise the day the booking window opens. Disney Cruises book FAST. While other cruise lines typically offer last-minute discounts and sales on unbooked cabins, DCL is the opposite. You will almost always find the best Disney Cruise fares right out of the gate – on the very first day that a sail date can be booked. As the ship fills up, the prices rise. I saw this for myself during our last booking. I returned to the reservation page almost a full year after I booked our cruise and looked up current pricing, just out of curiosity. Cruise fares had risen almost 10% since I booked!!
3) Sail during off-peak times of the year. Just like any other vacation at pretty much any other destination, cruises have peak seasons and off-peak seasons. Disney Cruises are no exception! Consider a sailing during off-peak season to save some serious cash. For example, Bahamas sailings will be cheaper during certain fall, winter and early spring sail dates. Be mindful of holidays as they almost always hike up the prices thanks to kids having off of school.
Bonus: Don’t forget that you can use your Target REDCard to purchase Disney Gift Cards at a 5% discount! You can then use those gift cards to pay off the balance on your Disney Cruise (or WDW trip).
Bonus #2: If you live in Florida, you could qualify for discounts too. Make sure you check out the Florida residency discount before you book.
I’d love to add to this list! Do you have other ways to save money on a Disney Cruise? Leave me a comment!
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