If you follow me for any length of time, you'll hear me say it over and over: book your Disney cruise early. I know I sound like a broken record. But I watch Disney cruise prices every single day, and the pattern almost never changes.
Why do Disney cruise prices go up?
Disney Cruise Line prices work on simple supply and demand. As staterooms in a category sell, the price for the rooms that are left goes up. There's no secret countdown to a big discount. The lowest price on a sailing is usually the price on the day it opens for booking.
I've seen this happen in real time. I've quoted a family one day and watched the exact same room on the exact same sailing jump by hundreds of dollars the next. I've priced a Northern Europe cruise in the morning and seen it climb again by the afternoon. Same ship, same dates, same room category. Just a few hours later.
The longer and more unique the itinerary, the faster this happens. Transatlantic crossings, European sailings, Alaska and holiday cruises are always the first to climb.
Is booking early risky?
This is the part people don't realize. Booking early doesn't lock you into anything scary.
- Deposits are small. Disney asks for a deposit that is a portion of the fare, not the full amount up front.
- Deposits are refundable up to final payment, subject to Disney's terms for your fare.
- Plans can change. You can usually adjust your sail date or stateroom before final payment.
- Future promos can still help you. If a better offer comes out later and your booking qualifies, I check and apply it for you. Here's how promos really work.
So you're locking in today's price and today's room selection, with very little commitment. You can always adjust later. You can't get yesterday's price back.
When does my booking window open?
When Disney releases new itineraries, they open in waves based on Castaway Club status. Pearl members go first, then Platinum, Gold and Silver, then Disney Vacation Club members, and finally the general public a few days later. Bookings open at 8:00 AM Eastern, which is 9:30 AM here in Newfoundland.
If you've never sailed with Disney, you book on general public day. The best thing you can do is get your details to me before that day, so I'm ready to book the moment your window opens.
Price or value?
When I compare cruises, I break everything down to a cost per night. Price is what you pay. Value is what you get for what you pay.
A longer cruise has a higher total, but the per-night cost is often much lower than a short three- or four-night sailing. Sometimes a longer cruise even gets you a verandah for less per night than an inside room on a shorter one. That's why I always look at longer sailings first when a family wants the best value.
The bottom line
When it comes to Disney cruises, waiting almost always costs more. If a sailing is even on your radar, look it up here, save it to your favourites and send it to me. I'll price it out, tell you honestly where the value is, and help you lock it in, booked through me of course.
