What Does it Cost to Take a Disney Cruise?

Although Disney Cruise Line sailings have been suspended for over a year due to the global health crisis, there are signs that cruising will begin to pick up again soon.

Recent updates to CDC guidelines regarding cruises have changed, and soon, Disney Cruise Line will be completing a 2-night test voyage from Port Canaveral with volunteer passengers. Although many cruises have been canceled through the fall, Disney is still taking bookings through 2022.

So if that’s got you thinking about hitting the high seas with Disney, you’ve got plenty of time to budget and plan!

But exactly what does a Disney Cruise cost these days? We’re breaking it down for you.

What A Disney Cruise Includes

Cruising with Disney is a premiere experience, and as such, it’s a lot different than cruising with other companies.

There is SO much covered in the cost of a cruise that includes entertainment not found anywhere else, as well as unique character experiences.

Broadway Quality Musicals and First-Run Movies

When it comes to entertainment, there is probably no cruise line that offers as much quality as Disney Cruise Line.  Shows include Broadway-quality musicals, often retellings of popular Disney movies. These shows happen in state-of-the-art theaters that bring Disney magic to life.

You can also see first-run movies on a Disney Cruise as of the day they premiere all over the world. And you don’t have to pay for an extra movie ticket to watch!

All Meals

The price of a Disney Cruise also includes all your meals, but this isn’t just regular old cruise dining. Disney Cruise guests get treated to some of the best food on the seas, and a lot of it comes with extra Disney magic. Each ship has rotational dining, so you get to eat in a different restaurant every night! There are also buffets, 24/7 dining areas, and ice cream. And drinks like sodas, coffee, and tea are included in the cost (unlike on most other cruise lines).

For example, diners on Disney’s newest ship, the Wish, will get to have a dining experience that puts them in the middle of an Avengers adventure or indulge in a brand-new Frozen dining experience that features a brand new story!

Activities For Kids

Most cruise lines aren’t targeted towards kids, so this is where Disney Cruise Line excels. The Kids Clubs on Disney’s cruise ships are second to none and provide high-quality entertainment for your children while you take some time to grab a drink and relax in the sun.

And there are even more opportunities for kids on the Disney Wish — there, kids will be able to step into the shoes of Disney Imagineers AND have Marvel superhero experiences. And honestly, as adults, we’re kind of jealous!

Character Experiences

Let’s face it — there is no other cruise experience that’s going to let you hang out with Mickey, Minnie, and the whole Disney gang. And if you’re all about character interactions and experiences, Disney Cruise Line is all that and more.

The Kids Clubs also have special meet and greets, and you’ll never know what Disney characters you’ll find onboard. Disney characters might even join you occasionally for meals onboard.

Private Island

Disney Cruise Line also has its very own private island, Castaway Cay. It’s a gorgeous island, too, with plenty of sun, sand, and activities for everyone. Oh, and what’s better than hanging out on the beach with Disney characters?

Also, the food on the private island is included as part of the cruise price. However, you CAN pay extra to upgrade your Castaway Cay experience with a private cabana if that’s your thing.

Cost Of A Disney Cruise

So with all that in mind, what exactly is the cost of a Disney Cruise? We’ve searched through the Disney Cruise Line website for typical prices over the next few years and crunched the numbers for a family of four. The lowest price is for the least expensive cabin type (Inside Stateroom), while the highest price is for Concierge Level (for those who want to splurge). These prices also include taxes, fees, and port expenses.

Please note that prices are dependent on when you plan to sail, as well as if special events are going on at the time. So these are just ballpark figures to get you started if you’re budgeting for a cruise.

• 3-Night Bahamas Cruise — from $2,800 to $6,800  (about $233 to $566 per person per day.)
• 4-Night Bahamas Cruise — from $4,400 to $7,600 (about $275 to $475 per person per day)
• 5-Night Caribbean Cruise — from $4,200 to $9,500 (about $210 to $475 per person per day)

• 7-Night Caribbean Cruise — from $5,300 to $10,920 (about $189 to $390 per person per day)
• 7-Night European Cruise —  from $5,800 to $25,609) (about $207 to $914 per person per day)
• 7-Night Alaska Cruise — from $5,300 to $23,000 (about $189 to $821 per person per day

When booking your cruise, it’s also important to note that a deposit will be required. This deposit is typically 20% of the total voyage fare, which does include all port fees. When booking onboard, you can instead do a 10% deposit for select cruises.

Disney Wish

The Disney Wish is a first-of-its-kind ship for Disney Cruise Line and offers new amenities above and beyond what the company’s other ships offer. This includes even MORE activities, a Star Wars lounge, and Disney’s first-ever at-sea ride! So cruising on The Wish will cost a little more, but that price includes a ton of more things to do.

Again, these prices are for a family of four.

• 3-Night cruise is around $3,000 to $10,000 (about $250 to $833 per person)
• 4-Night cruise is around $4,000 to $11,000 (about $250 to $687 per person)

Other Costs

Transportation

However, there are costs that are not included in the price of a Disney Cruise. For example, your transportation to and from the port is not covered. This includes any flights your family needs, as well as any local travel that you might need to get to the port.

Disney can help you with booking this additional travel when you book your cruise, though, but at an additional cost.

Gratuities

Tips and gratuities are not included as part of your Disney Cruise, and this is something you should budget for. On the last night of your Disney Cruise, you will be given gratuity envelopes. Most gratuities are already calculated (and will be deducted from your preferred method of payment), but you can change the amounts with these envelopes.

Note that you can also pre-pay your gratuities in advance, which could prove valuable if you’re on a strict budget.

Shore Excursions

If you want to go on shore excursions (aka “Port Adventure”), you’ll also pay an additional fee. These fun excursions include sightseeing adventures, snorkeling, wildlife tours, biking, and more.

There are an endless amount of things to do with Disney’s Port Adventures, and they generally cost around $100 per person.

Spa Services

Maybe your idea of cruising involves spending some time getting pampered at the spa, whether that’s with a manicure, pedicure, hair styling, massage, or more. These services are also not included in the initial cost of the cruise.

You’ll also have to pay extra for the Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique for your kids if your kid wants a Disney Princess — or Prince — makeover.

Alcohol

Although soft drinks, coffee, and tea are included in the price of your cruise, beverages with alcohol are not. Those Mai Tais and Bahama Mamas can add up, so remember that when budgeting.

A good rule of thumb is to limit how many alcoholic drinks you have each day so you know how much extra you’re spending on beverages.

How to save money on a Disney Cruise

So let’s say you’ve decided to take a Disney Cruise, but want to get the best deal possible. We’ve outlined some ways on how to save money on your next Disney cruise.

Use A Travel Agent

It doesn’t cost you a dime to use a travel agent, and a good travel agent will help you score the best deal possible on a Disney Cruise. Most will give you the same price as you’d get booking through Disney, but some even offer a few extra incentives (like shipboard credits) if you book through them.

Travel agents are also on top of discounts and specials, so they can get you the best rate possible, including ones you might not even know about. We recommend Mouse Fan Travel for all of your Disney Cruise Line planning needs.

Check Special Offers

If you do want to book everything yourself, stay on top of Disney Cruise Line offers. We often post cruise discounts and offers here at AllEars, so be sure to check our site often.

It’s also a good idea to keep an eye on the Disney Cruise Line website — that way you can stay on top of discounts and deals and grab them when they become available.

Book in the off season

If your travel plans are fairly flexible, you can save a lot of money by booking during the off season. Typically, you can expect cruises to cost more when kids are out of school — holidays, school breaks, summers, etc.

If you can travel when kids are normally in school, you could nab some huge savings. And it’s often worth it to pull the kids out of school to save money!

Book Early

Another good rule of thumb is to book early. Right now, you can book cruises for 2022, so if you’re thinking you might want to cruise then, start looking for those deals now! Generally speaking, booking 12-18 months in advance will get you the best price.

Here’s why — as ships begin to fill up, prices go up. So if you’re one of the first to book, you save. It’s as simple as supply and demand.

Book while on a cruise

You can book your next cruise while on a cruise, and this is a great way to save. Disney generally offers a discount on future sailings if you rebook onboard.

And this also ties into booking early — you’ll end up with the discount that comes with booking onboard, as well as the lower prices that come with booking early. It’s a win-win.

Although Disney Cruises can be expensive, when you consider everything that comes with the price of a cruise, they can be as affordable (if not more so) than a trip to Disney World. And there are ways to save money, and we hope that this helps you in figuring out your budget for your first — or next — cruise.

Everything Coming to the Disney Wish (And Where to Find It)

Are you planning a Disney Cruise? Let us know in the comments!

 

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