Disney Cruise Line offers a fantastic experience for families and couples alike, bringing them to exciting destinations around the world with Disney magic at every turn. While cruises are a great way to escape everyday life, it’s important to prepare your wallet for the expense of this kind of trip.
Knowing the full range of costs associated with a Disney cruise vacation is essential to spending wisely while still getting the most out of your vacation. Find out the different factors that contribute to Disney cruise prices and other considerations for your cruise vacation.
Key takeaways
- The average Disney cruise price starts around $800 to $1,600 per person for a 1- to 3-night Disney cruise in an inside room.
- Length of trip, ports of departure and arrival, and travel dates all affect pricing.
- While a Disney cruise may be more expensive than other cruise options, it offers unique onboard experiences.
- Disney cruises are an ideal option for families, couples, and solo travelers looking for a magical and family-friendly travel experience.
How much does a Disney cruise cost?
Disney Cruise Line’s fleet includes the following five luxury ships:
Disney cruise ship | Estimated starting Disney cruise price range
(1 to 3 nights for two adults, in an inside cabin) |
Disney Magic | $1,600 to $2,500 |
Disney Wonder | $1,000 to $5,500 |
Disney Dream | $1,700 to $2,300 |
Disney Wish | $2,000 to $2,700 |
Disney Fantasy | $3,000 to $4,700*
(*5 to 6 nights for two adults) |
The above price ranges put the average cost for a 1- to 3-night Disney cruise in an inside cabin between $800 and $1,600 per person. If time on the ocean is important to you, Disney Fantasy cruise costs start at $1,500 to $2,400 per person for a 5- to 6-night cruise.
However, your final Disney cruise price will vary depending on the cruise ship, length of cruise, port, destination, and time of year. Opting for a more expensive room, such as Oceanview, Verandah, or Concierge, will cost you extra money, ranging from a few hundred dollars to more than twice the price.
Additionally, the longer you cruise for, the lower your price per person, per night will be. However, your overall price may be much higher, as is the case for a 14-night Panama Canal cruise that costs over $17,000 for two guests.
Factors affecting Disney cruise prices
Itinerary and destination
Cruise length and the destination impact price in a big way. For instance, long voyages to exotic locations cost more than short trips to nearby ports. Prices are also affected by specific port cities.
Ports | Destinations |
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Tip
Several factors impact the expense of a Disney cruise. Try adjusting your selections to get a cruise within your budget.Time of year
If you want to save money on your cruise, consider traveling on Disney cruise ships during off-peak times. During peak seasons, such as summer months and holidays, prices tend to be higher compared to off-peak times. Themed and holiday cruises may also cost more than standard cruises.
Some locations have their own peak vacation season, depending on the weather in the region. It is a good idea to research prices for various times of the year to see how the dates you’re cruising will impact the price.
Room and amenities
The location and size of your room is a significant factor that affects the overall pricing of your cruise. For Disney cruises, Concierge (suite) staterooms are the most expensive options, as they come with a private veranda. Basic Inside staterooms with no sea view and just a porthole mirror are the cheapest options.
Disney cruises typically include onboard experiences, such as live shows and character meet-and-greets, and access to amenities like pools. However, some activities, like excursions, may be charged separately.
Tip
Bahamian and Caribbean Disney cruises often include a stop at Disney’s private island, Disney Castaway Cay. Beach chairs and lunch are included in your cruise fare. It also has an adult-only beach as well as a family/teen beach.Disney cruise price breakdown
The following are included in the price of your Disney cruise trip:
- Stateroom fee
- All applicable taxes and port fees
- Three meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner + soft drinks for each meal
- Snacks and ice cream
- Access to entertainment: Disney character meet-and-greets, live shows, Disney film showings, etc.
The vacation fare excludes shore excursions (called Port Adventures), gratuities, airfare, personal expenses ashore in the ports of call, ground and baggage transfers, and other items not specified in your itinerary.
Some onboard activities require additional charges, such as spa and salon services, excursions, babysitting services, onboard photography, and alcoholic beverages. There may also be extra baggage fees, since Disney ships allow only up to two bags per person.
Tip
Disney Cruise Line also offers an optional Vacation Protection Plan, which covers trip cancellations and interruptions, trip delays, medical (emergency or non-emergency), and baggage loss and delay. The cost for this travel insurance is 8% of your trip fare per person, with a minimum cost of $35 and a maximum of $1,600.Sample Cruise Pricing
Let’s say you want to plan a Disney cruise for two adults from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to the Bahamas. A 3-night cruise will cost you from $1,600 to $5,600. Opting for a cruise during peak season in June will cost the most, as will purchasing a Concierge suite room.
The cheapest option is to sail in September (which is during hurricane season and, therefore, off-peak for the Caribbean islands) in an Inside room. However, it costs only about $100 more to upgrade to an Oceanview room.
Tip
Don’t forget about gratuities! Disney recommends $14.50 per person, per night in standard rooms, and $15.50 per person, per night in Concierge staterooms and suites. You can prepay gratuities. An 18% gratuity is automatically added to bar and deck service tabs and spa services.Tips for saving on Disney cruise costs
There are several ways you can save on costs for your Disney cruise trip. Some tips include:
- Book during the off-season: Research the peak and off-season of your chosen destination. For Bahamas and Caribbean cruises, you may want to reconsider sail dates during the summer months when these locations are more expensive and crowded.
- Monitor prices: Disney cruise prices can fluctuate depending on demand. It pays to be patient and to monitor prices regularly until you get the best deal. More affordable tickets may sell out quickly, especially if you book last minute or during peak seasons.
- Use a travel agent: A travel agent can help you find great deals on Disney cruises. They may be able to provide insider information and tips, as well as access to tickets at discounted prices. They could also help you plan a more comprehensive Disney vacation with time at Disney World as well as a cruise. Disney Cruise Line has a network of travel agents to help you plan your trip.
- Skip specialty dining: Palo (on all Disney ships) offers adults-only dining, but it also costs $45 per guest, not including gratuities. Remy is an adults-only restaurant on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, and dinner is $125 per person. Brunch is $75, and a dessert experience is $60 per person.
- Look for promotions and deals: Disney Cruise Line has special offers for pre- and post-cruise hotel accommodations, air travel, packages for weddings and honeymoons, Florida residents, and more. Other travel websites, like Expedia, have Disney cruise packages that include hotel accommodations and airfare.
- Leverage your travel credit card: You could also save money on travel by using credit card points and miles. Check out the best travel credit cards to reduce the price of getting to and from your cruise port.
FAQ
How much does a Disney cruise cost for a family of 4?
A family of four could spend approximately $3,200 to $6,400 for a 3-night Disney cruise in an inside room. This is based on a daily average cost of $800 and $1,600 per person for short Disney cruises. The cost of a cruise per person can vary significantly and is dependent on the travel dates, ports of departure and arrival, and room type.
How many days does a Disney cruise last?
The lengths of Disney cruises range from 1 to 14 or more days.
Is it cheaper to go on a Disney cruise than other cruise lines?
Disney Cruise Line is more expensive than competitor cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line. However, Disney offers unique family-friendly amenities, activities, entertainment, and experiences that you won’t be able to find on other cruises, especially when you’re traveling with children.
Bottom line
Disney Cruise Line is among the most popular cruise lines, but it’s not exactly the cheapest. However, if you’re looking for a unique vacation experience with your family, a Disney cruise may be worth the added expense.
There are several ways you can save on your Disney cruise, such as comparing rates for different times of year and destinations. Be sure to compare credit cards and cruise packages to ensure you get the best deal before booking your Disney Cruise vacation.
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