small world vacations disney cruise onboard credit

Disney Cruise Onboard Credit Promotion

How would you like to receive  free onboard credits  to spend on your next Disney cruise?

All you have to do is book your Disney Cruise Line vacation with The Vacationeer. It’s that simple!

What is Onboard Credit?

Onboard Credit – or “shipboard credit” – is credit on your shipboard account.  It’s a perk offered by certain travel agencies as an incentive to book a trip. These vouchers act as a replacement for cash or credit card payments and can be used to pay for a variety of goods and services while you are on the ship.

These credits exist on your onboard account and you can add additional onboard credit to your account anytime prior to sailing.

What can onboard credit be used for on a Disney Cruise?

Your onboard credits can be used for luxurious spa treatments, relaxing cocktails by the pool, exciting shore excursions, onboard activities, souvenirs, photo prints and much more.

Why The Vacationeer?

At The Vacationeer, we offer our clients generous onboard credits as a bonus for booking with us. Our services are completely free of charge and you will receive your onboard credits prior to embarking on your cruise. And no, there is no catch.  This is essentially free money to spend as you wish on the cruise ship.

Besides providing you with onboard credit, The Vacationeer will also secure the best rates on your  Disney cruise ship package . Furthermore, we help you plan and book most aspects of the trip for you. What’s not to like?

We are also a Diamond level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner Agency, meaning we plan tens of thousands of Disney vacations per year so you know you’re in good hands with us.

What ships qualify for onboard credit?

We offer onboard credit on all Disney Cruise Line ships.  The Disney Wish, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, Disney Magic and Disney Wonder.

Can you cash out onboard credit?

If your onboard credit is not fully used on your cruise it cannot be cashed out, so please be sure to use it all before the end of your cruise. If it is unused it is returned to the credit card that it was originally charged to, which in the case of this promotion, means it is returned to the travel agency.

How much Disney Cruise onboard credit will I receive?

We offer industry leading complimentary onboard credits ranging from $25 – $1,000, depending on the cruise cost and how and when it was booked. Here is a breakdown of the onboard credit you will receive based on the total cost of your voyage. Note that you will receive the full onboard credit if you book a  new reservation  (more common), and half the  onboard credit  if you book your next vacation as a  transfer  or  while you are on a ship  (less common). This is all outlined below:

As you can see, this is a great deal and something that you don’t want to miss out on!

If you have any questions, or if you are ready to book your next Disney Cruise Line vacation, contact us via the free quote contact form , or call us at  833-4MY-TRIP (833-469-8747).

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

*The overall cost of a Disney cruise is based on the commissionable portion of the fare only and doesn’t include taxes, gratuities, port expenses, government fees, insurance, airfare, hotel stays,  transfers, shore excursions, or Adventure by Disney Add-ons. This includes deducting a non-commissionable fare amount of $20-30 per person per night depending on length of cruise. In short, we calculate your onboard credit on the same commissionable fare amount that Disney Cruiseline bases our commission on.

*Onboard credit rewards are listed in US Dollars.

*Offer is valid on qualifying new Disney Cruises booked now through 12/31/24. Sail date must occur by 12/31/25.

*The Vacationeer grants one onboard credit per reservation and it cannot be combined for multiple reservations. If a reservation is modified before or after final payment and the price of a cruise is adjusted, the onboard credit amount will be adjusted accordingly. If a cruise is canceled, the onboard credit is deemed null and void.

*Onboard credit is not guaranteed if booking is made within 72 hours of departure.

*Unused onboard credit is not redeemable for a refund, credit, or cash.

*Onboard credit can be redeemed for most valid charges incurred on a Disney Cruise including Disney-organized shore excursions, shipboard and Castaway Cay spa treatments, gratuities, alcoholic beverages, souvenirs, photographs, and a host of activities on the Disney Cruise and in Castaway Cay. Onboard credit can not be used for non-Disney arranged shore excursions or purchases made while in port.

*All terms and conditions of The Vacationeer’s onboard credit promotion are subject to change without notice.

Disney Cruise Onboard Credit

How to find the best onboard credit promotions for your next disney cruise line vacation.

Disney Cruise onboard credit is often referred to as a bonus , a promotion , or an incentive . You can also think of it as free money offered to you by travel agencies when you book a cruise. Whatever you want to call it, onboard credit for Disney Cruises is definitely something you want to take advantage of. It will reduce some of your cruise ship expenses so that the total cost won’t be as burdensome.

So what counts as onboard credit, how can you use it on your next Disney Cruise Line vacation, and who exactly offers this perk?

Continue reading and you’ll find out everything you need to know about Disney Cruise onboard credit.

What is Disney Cruise Onboard Credit?

What is Onboard Credit?

Onboard credit (also called shipboard credit ) is a special promotion that many travel agencies offer their clients as an incentive to book a cruise. More specifically, it’s a certain amount of money you’ll receive that’s meant to be applied toward the balance on your stateroom account.

The amount of shipboard credit you receive (from your travel agency) will depend on the total cost of your Disney cruise .  In other words, the more you spend, the higher the dollar amount of onboard credit you’ll likely receive.

In recent years, awarding onboard credit has become more of the standard practice in the cruise industry.  As the landscape has become increasingly more competitive, travel agencies are doing what they can to entice new clients.

This is great news for you – the client – because most of the reputable Disney travel agencies now offer onboard credit when you book a Disney Cruise Line vacation.

Another way to obtain onboard credit is if you were to book a future Disney cruise while you’re currently on a Disney cruise. However, booking a cruise in this manner typically results in fewer onboard credits  (but more in the way of attractive discounts and reduced deposits).

How is Onboard Credit Applied on Disney Cruises?

Onboard credit can be applied to purchases on the ship which would otherwise be added to your stateroom expenses.

For example, if you have a $400 onboard credit applied to your account, this means that these extra expenses you charge to your stateroom will automatically be deducted from your $400 onboard credit. After that, any expenses you accrue beyond that $400 credit will be your own expense to cover via cash or credit card.

So you can think of onboard credit as free money to spend as you wish while you are onboard a Disney Cruise Line ship.

It’s a pretty great deal!

What can be charged to your Disney cruise onboard account?  Here are some specific ways to spend your cash bonus:

Ways to use Onboard Credit

• Alcoholic beverages
• Gratuity (given at your discretion)
• Port Adventures booked through Disney Cruise Line (read more )
• At shipboard spa and salons (see list )
• Adult Exclusive Dining (see list )
• Upcharge Character Dining experiences
• Gift shop purchases
• Photo Purchase
• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
• Some room service items, specialty ice cream shops on the Dream & Fantasy, specialty coffee shop, smoothies, popcorn
• Anything else that would be charged to your stateroom

Ways to Get Disney Cruise Onboard Credit

Onboard Credit from Disney Travel Agencies

The most common way to obtain onboard credit when cruising with Disney is through a travel agency.

Whether you work with a large Disney travel agency or an individual travel agent, you should always ask them about onboard credit before you book a trip .

We find that the most reputable Disney travel agencies do offer their clients onboard credit as a booking bonus. Some of the larger and most aggressive travel agencies offer a sliding scale of up to $1000 in onboard credits.

Rates vary from agency to agency and they are subject to change at any time. Therefore, it’s best to lock in a great deal when you see it.

If you contact a travel agency that doesn’t offer a generous amount of onboard credit, it would be wise to skip them and find one who does!

Best Disney Travel Agencies for Onboard Credit

Read our  Disney travel planners article to learn about the benefits of using a travel agency to help you book a Disney vacation. They can help you plan and book a Disney cruise, as well as find the best cruise packages for your needs.

Hint: We recommend The Vacationeer because of their generous onboard credit promotion and excellent customer service. See their pay-out schedule  here .

Booking your Next Cruise While on a Cruise

While you are already aboard a cruise, Disney sales associates try to lure you into booking another cruise in the future.  They offer some great deals, lower deposits, as well as some great onboard credits.

If you think you may want to set sail again, we recommend that you first compare the deals Disney offers with the onboard credits a travel agency offers before you commit to anything.

Since onboard credits and Disney packages tend to vary, there’s no clear-cut way of knowing which method of booking (directly with Disney or via a travel agency) will save you the most money without calling around first.

How do Payments Work on Disney Cruise Ships?

Many people wonder if they’ll need to bring cash, credit cards, or foreign currency with them on the cruise. The simple answer is “no.”

All purchases, services, and incidentals will be charged to your stateroom folio while you are on the ship.

However, you may wish to carry cash or a credit card when you are in port to buy items such as souvenirs and snacks.

Avoid Credit Card Issues

To ensure you won’t have any problems using your card during the cruise, it may be a good idea to contact your credit card company to give them a heads-up that you will be traveling outside of your home country.

Payments on the Ship

Shipboard transactions are processed in US dollars and handled in a trouble-free, cashless way. Services and purchases – including beverages, souvenirs, gratuities , photography, spas, salons,  laundry, and medical services – will accumulate on your stateroom folio and be charged thereafter.

Upon check-in at the Disney Cruise Line terminal, you may present your credit card to be used for charging incidentals. The following cards will be accepted:

• American Express
• Discover Credit Card
• Disney Visa Credit Card
• Diners Club International
• Japanese Credit Bureau

To make payments toward your folio, you may choose to use the credit card on file, make payments with cash, or use American Express-issued Travelers Cheques denominated in United States Dollars.  If you happen to have any old Disney Dollars laying around, you can use those, too.

Disney Cruise Line policy requires that all charges must be settled before leaving the ship.

Payments in Ports of Calls

In the  Caribbean  and the  Bahamas , major credit cards and U.S. dollars are accepted nearly everywhere.

For European and Mediterranean Disney cruises, USD paper currency or American Express Travelers Cheques in USD are the preferred currency choices in ports for foreign currency exchange in local currency or euros.

Major credit cards with embedded chips (especially Mastercard and Visa) are accepted by most merchants in these ports of call.

We hope that you can apply some of this information to get the most value out of your Disney Cruise ship vacation. Enjoy your voyage!

Thank you for reading our Disney Cruise Onboard Credit page. Hopefully, this article will help you formulate a plan to save money on your stateroom expenses.

For more useful Disney vacation information, please review additional pages on  MagicGuides  like our   Book a Disney Cruise , Disney Cruise Ships Ranked , Disney World Map , Disney World for Adults , Disney World Weather ,  and Reasons to Use a Disney Travel Agent articles.

Please contact The Vacationeer at 1-833-4MY-TRIP – or via the contact form – to get started. They can help you plan and book your next Disney cruise ship vacation – at no cost to you. Plus, you will receive valuable onboard credits for your next cruise!

We hope you have a magical Disney cruise ship vacation!

Related Posts:

Disney Cruise Line Onboard Credit Offer

When you book a  new Disney Cruise with Mickey World Travel you will receive an Onboard Credit on all cruises booked for a future sail date. This is not a rebate after you cruise. It will be waiting for you when you board your Disney cruise ship.  You can use it for shore excursions, spa treatments, shopping, and so much more while onboard.

Cruise must be booked directly with Mickey World Travel to qualify.

Onboard Credit Compliments of Mickey World Travel

Reservations transferred from disney cruise line and placeholders booked while onboard a previous disney cruise qualify for half the onboard credit amount.*.

MICKEY WORLD TRAVEL ONBOARD CREDIT OFFER TERMS & CONDITIONS: *2024 – 2025 onboard credit amount is listed in US Dollars and is based on the net cruise fare only. It does not include port fees, taxes, government fees, insurance, gratuities, transfers, airfare, hotel stays, shore excursions, NCF, and Adventures by Disney add-ons.  Offer is valid on qualifying NEW 2024 – 2025 Disney Cruises booked now through December 31, 2024 with Mickey World Travel.  Any future Disney cruise booked while onboard any Disney ship are eligible for half the amount of this offer.  Cruise sail dates must occur between January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2025.  One Mickey World Travel onboard cruising credit per reservation.  Onboard credit cannot be combined for multiple reservations.  Offer is subject to change without notice.  If the cruise reservation is modified before or after final payment and this results in a price change, the onboard credit amount will be adjusted accordingly.  Complimentary upgrades from Disney do not constitute a change in onboard credit amount from Mickey World Travel.  If the cruise reservation is cancelled at any time, the onboard credit offer is null and void and cannot be transferred or redeemed as cash.  Any unused onboard credit is not redeemable for cash or credit.  The onboard cruise credit can be used for most valid charges incurred while onboard a Disney Cruise including gratuities, alcoholic beverages, Disney organized shore excursions, ship-board and Castaway Cay spa treatments, photographs, merchandise and activities aboard the Disney Cruise and Castaway Cay.  The onboard credit is not valid for purchases in port or shore excursions that are not arranged by Disney Cruise Line.  All terms and conditions are subject to change without notice.

Transferring a Disney Cruise Reservation:  Qualifying transferred Disney Cruise Line reservations are eligible for half of the Mickey World Travel regular onboard credit amount.   Contact us at [email protected] about transferring your reservation with a cruise fair over $1,000 that was booked directly with Disney within the last 30 days that is not paid in full and does not include airfare.

Onboard credit is compliments of Mickey World Travel.  

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Disney Cruise Line Onboard Credit How to

Last Updated on February 23, 2022

Disney Cruise Onboard Credit is basically free money that you get to spend during the course of your cruise vacation. We explain how it works.

What is Disney Cruise Onboard Credit?

Onboard credit, also known as Shipboard credit, is an amount of money placed on your room’s account for onboard purchases during the current vacation.

There are many ways to get onboard credit and even more ways to spend them.

How can onboard credit be used?

Ways to use Onboard Credit

• Alcoholic beverages
• Gratuity (given at your discretion)
• Port Adventures booked through Disney Cruise Line
• At shipboard spa and salons
• Adult Exclusive Dining
• Gift shop purchases
• Photo Purchase
• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
• Some room service items, specialty ice cream shops on the Dream & Fantasy, specialty coffee shop, smoothies, popcorn
• Anything else that would be charged to your stateroom

Ways to Get Disney Cruise Onboard Credit

Once upon a time, Disney used to offer Placeholder discounts of 10% on your next cruise booking, plus $100 onboard credit. Since September 2019, Disney Cruise Line has removed onboard credit as a sales incentive.

This is a good thing. Your Placeholder credit wasn’t stackable with the amazing deals a travel agent could get you. Now you can have your cake and eat it too.

Onboard Credit from Disney Travel Agencies

As a sales incentive, many Disney Authorized Travel Agencies will offer onboard credit when booking with them. Use a Travel Agent That Offers an Onboard Credit

The amount of shipboard credit you receive depends on the total cost of your Disney cruise. In other words, the more you spend, the higher the dollar amount of onboard credit you will likely receive.

We book all of our cruises through a travel agent.  You can read my post about the  pros and cons of using a travel agent here . 

Best Disney Travel Agencies for Onboard Credit

While many Travel Agencies are capable of planning an amazing Disney Cruise vacation for your family, Disney only allows the best of the best to be categorized as Earmarked, meaning they have been authenticated by Disney and are Authorized Disney Vacation Planners.

How to book with a Disney Travel Agency and retain your Placeholder discount

Since we just mentioned that you can have both your placeholder discount and Travel Agency incentive, here is how all that works.

When you visit the Rebooking desk, you will be asked if you have a Travel Agent. You either have one that booked your current cruise or perhaps you are still on the fence about which agency is the best to work with. Either way, you are welcome to fill this part out or leave it blank.

At any point in the next 30 days , and Disney is strict about their 30-day policy, you can have your preferred Travel Agent generate a transfer form. Fill this out and the booking “magically” transfers from Disney (or another agency) to your new Travel Agent. The only catch; is your cruise can’t be paid in full. That’s it.

Your Travel Agent will then be able to apply all character experiences and port excursions to your account, as well as arrange for your OnBoard Credit to be applied when you board the ship.

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Disney Cruise Line Onboard-Only Offer

Book on board and save.

Save on a future Disney Cruise Line vacation by taking advantage of our special onboard-only booking offer. When you do, you’ll enjoy:

• 10% discount off prevailing rates as quoted on Disneycruise.com
• Reduced deposit on 7-night or longer sailings

Ready to save on your next Disney cruise? Once on board, you can use the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app to book a placeholder reservation for a future sailing.

View Terms and Conditions below; some restrictions apply.

Onboard Offer Blockout Dates

Onboard offer terms and conditions.

The Disney Cruise Line Onboard Booking Offer allows Guests to make a Placeholder Reservation for a future Disney cruise and enjoy 10% savings off prevailing rates as quoted on disneycruise.com, plus enjoy a reduced deposit on sailings 7-nights and longer. The offer is valid for up to 2 staterooms on one sail date per household on board regardless of the number of adults in the household. This offer is valid for Categories 4 to 11 only. The cruise must commence within 24 months after the Placeholder Reservation was booked or the reservation will automatically cancel.

• A Placeholder Reservation is an open-ended reservation that allows Guests to select their future sail date at a later time. A $250 deposit must be paid while on board and is fully refundable if the reservation is canceled. Once a sail date is selected, standard cancellation fees apply.
• 10% savings applies only to sailings that commence within 24 months after the Placeholder Reservation is booked on board.
• Blockout dates apply; please contact Disney Cruise Line or your travel agent for specific blockout dates. Reservations for future cruises that fall on blockout dates are not eligible for the 10% savings offer.
• The offer cannot be combined with Florida Resident Rates, U.S. Military Rates or with any other special offer or discount. Not valid on VGT, OGT, or IGT Categories with Restrictions.

Disney Cruise Line in a Jiffy: What is an Onboard Credit?

On Disney Cruise Line, as well as many other cruise lines, an “onboard credit” is money that is deposited into your account for use while you’re on the ship. “Stateroom credit” is a variation on the concept that may also be used by other cruise lines.

Onboard credit money can used as payment for most types of charges you’ll encounter during your sailing including payment for adult dining, bar tabs, port excursions, internet packages, gratuities, merchandise, photo packages , and more.

There are a number of ways that you might earn onboard credit. Some travel agents offer small onboard credit for placing a booking with them. The ship’s spa might hold a raffle for onboard credit that can be used for spa services. Disney Vacation Club agents on the ship might hold a raffle for onboard credit to guests who attend a sales presentation. DCL itself might offer guests an onboard credit if a sailing is substantially altered from its advertised route, say for example, a major itinerary change is implemented due to weather conditions.

Most onboard credit is non-refundable and must be used during the sailing in which the credit is applied – it’s a “use it or lose it” situation. An exception to this is winnings during onboard Bingo sessions . An extremely lucky guest might win several thousand dollars on the last day of their sailing. If you happen to find yourself in this situation, stop by guest services before disembarking and they will issue you a reimbursement.

Disney Cruise Line in a Jiffy is an offshoot of our “ Disney in a Minute ” posts, “In a Jiffy” posts are bite-sized nuggets of information that can better help you understand a Disney term or planning topic, but here we focus on all thing Disney Cruise Line (DCL). Have a question about a DCL term that is unfamiliar to you? Suggest it here for an upcoming segment.

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Erin Foster

Erin Foster is an original member of the Walt Disney World Moms Panel (now PlanDisney), a regular contributor to TouringPlans.com, and co-author of The Unofficial Guide to Disney Cruise Line. She's been to WDW, DL, DL Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, Aulani, DVC Vero Beach, and DVC Hilton Head. She's a Platinum DCL cruiser and veteran of 10 Adventures by Disney trips. Erin lives near New York City, where she can often be found indulging in her other obsession - Broadway theater.

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Destination Magic

Call 855-45MAGIC

(855-456-2442)

We are Disney travel planning experts specializing in creating stress-free vacations to magical destinations including Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Adventures By Disney. Plus, Universal Studios, Cruises, Caribbean, Hawaii, and more!

Get FREE Disney Cruise Onboard Credit Offer

Get free money to spend with disney cruise onboard credit offer.

Our FREE Disney Cruise onboard credit offer is one of the best Disney cruise deals available. Onboard Credit (also called or “shipboard credit”) is a perk offered as an incentive to book a trip. Just like free money, these Disney cruise onboard credits can be used to pay for a variety of goods and services while you are on the ship.

After you make your Disney Cruise Line reservation, you will receive incredible onboard credits to spend on things like luxurious spa treatments, relaxing cocktails by the pool, exciting shore excursions, onboard activities, souvenirs, and much more. 

We offer our clients a generous onboard credit Disney cruise deal as a bonus for booking with us. There is no catch. This is essentially free money to spend as you wish on the cruise ship. Plus, DESTINATION MAGIC will also be sure you are getting the best Disney cruise deal availalbe, and help you plan and book most aspects of the trip for you. What’s not to like?

The amount of Disney Cruise free onboard credit offer is based on the based on the total cost of your voyage (before taxes, fees and port expenses). You must request the promotion prior to making your deposit to be eligible for this offer.

FREE Disney Cruise Onboard Credit Offer*

Onboard credit can be redeemed for most valid charges incurred on a Disney Cruise including Disney-organized shore excursions, shipboard and Castaway Cay spa treatments, gratuities, alcoholic beverages, souvenirs, photographs, and a host of activities on the Disney Cruise and in Castaway Cay.

Note: you will receive full onboard credit if you book a new reservation. If transfer your reservation to us, or you book your next vacation while you are on a ship, the onboard creed amount is less . See chart below. Free Onboard credit it limited to one per reservation. If multiple staterooms booked as part of the same reservation, the credit will be based on the primary stateroom booked. (See terms below).

2023 Disney Cruise Onboard credit

2024 disney cruise onboard credit, terms and conditions:.

• The overall cost of a Disney cruise is based on voyage fare only and does not include taxes, gratuities, port expenses, government fees, insurance, airfare, hotel stays, transfers, shore excursions, or Adventure by Disney Add-ons.
• Onboard credit rewards are listed in US Dollars.
• Offer is valid on qualifying new Disney Cruises booked now through 12/31/24. Sail date must occur by 06/30/25.
• To be eligible for the promotion, guests must request this offer prior to making a deposit on a Disney cruise.
• Destination Magic grants one onboard credit per reservation and it cannot be combined for multiple reservations. If a reservation is modified before or after the final payment and the price of a cruise is adjusted, the onboard credit amount will be adjusted accordingly. If a cruise is canceled, the onboard credit is deemed null and void.
• Unused onboard credit is not redeemable for a refund, credit, or cash.
• Onboard credit can typically be redeemed for most valid charges incurred on a Disney Cruise including Disney-organized shore excursions, shipboard and Castaway Cay spa treatments, gratuities, alcoholic beverages, souvenirs, photographs, and a host of activities on the Disney Cruise and in Castaway Cay. Onboard credit is subject to all Disney Cruise rules and regulations, which can change at any time without notice. Onboard credit cannot be used for non-Disney arranged shore excursions or purchases made while in port.
• All terms and conditions of the Destination Magic onboard credit promotion are subject to change without notice.

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2025 Disney Cruise Schedule – Sail Dates, Ports & More

LAST UPDATE: 3/22/24

Itineraries for 2025 Disney Cruises  are listed below, along with the complete  2025 Disney Cruise Line schedule .

If you’re thinking about taking a Disney Cruise in 2025, you may also want to read our comprehensive Disney Cruise discount guide  and  Disney Cruise planning tips  pages.

• 2025 Itineraries

Get On the Early Booking List

• 2025 Holiday Cruises, Themed Cruise & Other Special Cruises

2025 Adventures by Disney Pre- and Post-Cruise Escape Packages

2025 drydock plans.

Sailings for Winter/Spring 2025 for the Disney Treasure (January through May) were announced on September 5, 2023. They went on sale for Pearl Castaway Club members on September 12, 2023, Platinum Castaway Club members on September 13, Gold members on September 14, DVC and Adventures By Disney Insiders on September 18, Silver members on September 19, and everyone else on September 20.

Sailings for Winter/Spring 2025 for the Dream, Fantasy, Magic, Wonder and Wish (January through May) were announced on October 26, 2023. They went on sale for Pearl Castaway Club members on October 30, 2023, Platinum Castaway Club members on October 31, Gold members on November 1, Silver members, DVC and Adventures By Disney Insiders on November 2, and everyone else on November 6.

Marvel Day at Sea 2025 cruise dates (January through March) were announced on March 7, 2024.

Sailings for Summer 2025 (May through September were announced on March 14, 2024. They went on sale for Pearl Castaway Club members on March 18, 2024; Platinum & Golden Oak members on March 19; Gold members on March 20; Silver members, DVC members and Adventures by Disney Insiders on March 21; and everyone else on March 22.

Disney Cruise 2025 Itineraries

Disney dream, disney fantasy, disney magic, disney treasure, disney wish, disney wonder.

Schedule in a nutshell:

• January – April: 4- and 5-night Bahamian and Western Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale
• May: 3- and 4-night Bahamian cruises from Fort Lauderdale
• June – September: 3- to 5-night Bahamian and Western Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale

Complete 2025 Disney Dream Cruise Schedule

• If you are interested in booking a 2025 cruise on the Disney Dream , we recommend either Small World Vacations or Undercover Tourist . We have worked with both companies for over 15 years and can recommend them wholeheartedly. It’s really a question of whether you prefer full-service booking or self booking. These staterooms often sell out fast, so if you see one you like, snag it quickly.
• Small World Vacations is a full service agency, offering a personal travel agent you can contact by email or direct phone number. It costs you nothing to use them, PLUS their FREE onboard credit offer applies to these special fares (the total cruise fare for the stateroom must be at least $1000 to get their onboard credit). 
• Undercover Tourist is a self-service booking site similar to Expedia or Priceline, but with years of focus on the Disney travel market. They offer the special rates mentioned above PLUS they add their own discounts. 
• January – May: 4- and 5-night Bahamian cruises from Port Canaveral, most visiting both Castaway Cay and Lighthouse Point
• May – Early September : 3- to 12-night European cruises from Barcelona, Civitavecchia and Southampton

Complete 2025 Disney Fantasy Cruise Schedule

• If you are interested in booking a 2025 cruise on the Disney Fantasy , we recommend either Small World Vacations or Undercover Tourist . We have worked with both companies for over 15 years and can recommend them wholeheartedly. It’s really a question of whether you prefer full-service booking or self booking. These staterooms often sell out fast, so if you see one you like, snag it quickly.
• January – Late March: 4- and 5-night Western Caribbean cruises from Galveston
• Late March – September : 3-, 4- and 5-night Bahamian cruises from Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral

Complete 2025 Disney Magic Cruise Schedule

• If you are interested in booking a 2025 cruise on the Disney Magic , we recommend either Small World Vacations or Undercover Tourist . We have worked with both companies for over 15 years and can recommend them wholeheartedly. It’s really a question of whether you prefer full-service booking or self booking. These staterooms often sell out fast, so if you see one you like, snag it quickly.
• January – September: 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral

Complete 2025 Disney Treasure Cruise Schedule

• If you are interested in booking a 2025 cruise on the Disney Treasure , we recommend either Small World Vacations or Undercover Tourist . We have worked with both companies for over 15 years and can recommend them wholeheartedly. It’s really a question of whether you prefer full-service booking or self booking. These staterooms often sell out fast, so if you see one you like, snag it quickly.
• January – September: 3- and 4-night Bahamian cruises from Port Canaveral

Complete 2025 Disney Wish Cruise Schedule

• If you are interested in booking a 2025 cruise on the Disney Wish , we recommend either Small World Vacations or Undercover Tourist . We have worked with both companies for over 15 years and can recommend them wholeheartedly. It’s really a question of whether you prefer full-service booking or self booking. These staterooms often sell out fast, so if you see one you like, snag it quickly.
• January – February: Sydney, Melbourne — 2- to 6-night Australian cruises, then reposition to San Diego via Honolulu & Vancouver
• March – Early May: San Diego — 3- to 7-night Mexico cruises, then reposition to Vancouver
• May – Early September: Vancouver, BC — 5- to 9-night Alaskan cruises

Complete 2025 Disney Wonder Cruise Schedule

• If you are interested in booking a 2025 cruise on the Disney Wonder , we recommend either Small World Vacations or Undercover Tourist . We have worked with both companies for over 15 years and can recommend them wholeheartedly. It’s really a question of whether you prefer full-service booking or self booking. These staterooms often sell out fast, so if you see one you like, snag it quickly.

Interested in booking a cruise for a date or itinerary that hasn’t been announced yet? You can submit a booking request for a Disney cruise, even before Disney Cruise Line releases the schedule. Save yourself some stress and fill out the Small World Vacations Wait List form in advance and they’ll book your preferred cruise the first day you are eligible, at no cost to you! Plus, you can get up to $1000 in FREE onboard credit  courtesy of Small World Vacations! (All staterooms and cruises are subject to availability at the time of booking.)

Disney Cruise Line announces their cruise dates and itineraries for only a few months at a time: January through April, then May through September and finally, September through December. Once the new itineraries come out, booking begins just a day or two later, first to Castaway Club members (people who’ve been on a previous Disney cruise) and then to the general public.

The people who book earliest almost always get the lowest possible price . Sometimes there will be last-minute deals via the restricted guarantee fares or Florida Resident fares , but only a small percentage of cruises ever have those fares, and those fares aren’t always cheaper than opening day fares. In addition, early bookers get first dibs on staterooms, making it the best way to land one of the hardest-to-get staterooms like the Secret Porthole and Secret Verandah rooms. Lots of people know about these advantages, so on the days the new itineraries become available for booking, both the phone lines and website get slammed.

There’s an easy way to avoid the scramble to book on the first day the bookings open:  submit a request to Small World Vacations now. You just need basic information like where you want to go (Caribbean, Alaska, Norway, Europe, etc.), the date range you want, the kind of stateroom you want (inside, outside, verandah) and the names and ages of the people going. Let them know if you are a Castaway Club Member by including your Member Number and Level (Platinum, Gold or Silver). You can add other preferences or priorities as needed – early dining, lower deck, upper deck, not over a nightclub – whatever is important to you.  Their agents will review your request, contact you to confirm they understand your priorities, and then you can relax and let your personal agent book your cruise when the time comes. Your agent will provide their email and direct phone number, so you can discuss your options and preferences.

On the day the itineraries become available for your Castaway Club level, your agent will be up bright and early while you sleep in (or go about your usual day). If Disney releases a cruise that fits your criteria, your agent will typically go ahead and put a hold in place, thus reserving your stateroom(s), then email you with your cruise details and deposit information. You’ll be able to have your choice of room type and location and will lock in the opening day price. If later on you decide to change rooms on the same sailing, Disney will give you the opening day price on the new room , even if the price has gone up in the intervening days or months. 

Even if you aren’t 100% sure whether you’re going to be able to go, there’s no real risk in getting a cruise booked early . Disney Cruise Line deposits for any stateroom types other than Concierge are fully refundable up to the Payment In Full date, which is 120-75 days before sailing, depending on the specific cruise and time of year. You have lots of time to figure out whether that cruise will work for you. If it doesn’t, you can get the deposit back or just transfer it to a different sailing date that works better.

The agents who handle cruise bookings for Small World Vacations have collectively sailed on more than 600 Disney cruises, and know a truly astonishing amount about all five ships, the various Disney ports of call, shore excursions and all the common itineraries (and many uncommon ones). Many of them are Platinum members of Disney’s Castaway Club, meaning that they have personally been on 10 or more Disney cruises! They’re happy to share their firsthand experience with the kids’ clubs, dining, character meets, entertainment, transportation, etc. In our experience, the travel agents at Small World Vacations are great at finding the best fares. They know all the tricks that will save you money, and they know the Disney Cruise Line inside and out. We’re confident that once you work with a really great travel agent, you’ll never want to book a cruise any other way. Read more about why we recommend using Small World Vacations to book your cruise!

• If you are interested in booking a cruise that hasn’t been announced yet , fill out the Small World Vacations Wait List form and get on their Early Booking List!
• Small World Vacations offers onboard credit of $50-$1000 per booking, good toward most onboard activities and extras such as spa treatments, shore excursions or even your bar tab. Small World Vacations also gives you full service, including a personal travel agent you can contact by email or direct phone number. Best of all, it costs you nothing to use them! (Onboard credit courtesy of Small World Vacations.)

2025 Holiday Cruises, Themed Cruises & Other Special Cruises

Holiday cruises, themed cruises.

• Double Dip Cruises

Repositioning Cruises

Unique cruises, adventures by disney cruise packages, disney vacation club cruises, independence day, halloween on the high seas, thanksgiving, very merrytime cruises (christmas), new year’s eve.

On sailings that include July 4th, there is usually a special celebration with characters dressed in red, white and blue outfits. There has not been a special fireworks show in the past, but sometimes on sailings in the Caribbean or Bahamas they move pirate night to July 4th so they will have fireworks on Independence Day. (There is no pirate night or fireworks on sailings outside the Caribbean and Bahamas.)

During this period there will be special Halloween events onboard, including Halloween-themed parties, storytellings, movies and elaborate décor, including The Pumpkin Tree, which magically transforms throughout the cruise. You will also find characters dressed in Halloween costumes, as well as a costume party for families and, just for adults, a costume contest and a Villainous Takeover on the dance floor in the nighttime entertainment district.

In the past there has not been any special menu for Halloween night itself, over and above what they do on all the Halloween themed cruises during the whole period, but there will be some special Halloween-themed treats.

In the past there has been a special menu on Thanksgiving Day, and pictures with Pilgrim Mickey and Minnie. The Christmas decorations will be fully up by Thanksgiving, and there will be a full set of holiday activities and events.

Typically, Christmas decorations will be up from early November through the final New Year’s sailing, and there will be special holiday events during that whole period, including meet and greets with Santa Claus and with Disney characters in special Christmas outfits. Some of the more elaborate Christmas decorations, including a huge, real gingerbread house or other gingerbread decoration, will not be up until later in November.

Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island, will be transformed with “snow” flurries, a Christmas tree and more. Be on the lookout for Mr. and Mrs. Snowman, dressed in their island attire. Plus, the island’s tram is decorated to resemble a reindeer, complete with antlers and a tail.

There are unique special events and a special menu on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

There is a special party with countdown and balloon drop on New Year’s Eve.

• If you are interested in booking a holiday Disney cruise , we recommend either Small World Vacations or Undercover Tourist . We have worked with both companies for over 15 years and can recommend them wholeheartedly. It’s really a question of whether you prefer full-service booking or self booking. These staterooms often sell out fast, so if you see one you like, snag it quickly.

Pixar Day at Sea

Marvel day at sea.

Pixar Day at Sea includes a Pixar film festival; photo opportunities with Pixar characters; a character breakfast with Woody, Jesse and Bullseye; a theatrical performance based on Coco ; a Pixar-themed dinner; a dance party with Pixar characters; and a nighttime spectacular featuring the Incredibles.

Pixar Day at Sea cruises have not yet been announced for 2025.

Marvel Day at Sea is a special all-day celebration of the Marvel Universe. Special features include multiple Marvel character meet-and-greets, Marvel-themed activities for families, Marvel movie screenings, a costume party, special merchandise and food, and an exclusive Marvel deck party. There is also an adults-only dance party with Star-Lord and Gamora.

Marvel Day at Sea will take place on select Disney Dream 5-night Bahamian and Western Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale in 2025. The Bahamian cruises depart on January 27; February 10, 24 and March 10. The Western Caribbean cruises depart on February 1, 15; March 1 and 15.

• If you are interested in booking a themed Disney cruise , we recommend either Small World Vacations or Undercover Tourist . We have worked with both companies for over 15 years and can recommend them wholeheartedly. It’s really a question of whether you prefer full-service booking or self booking. These staterooms often sell out fast, so if you see one you like, snag it quickly.

Double Dip Cruises

A “Double Dip” sailing is one that visits Castaway Cay or Lighthouse Point twice on the same cruise, or goes to both of them on the same cruise. Many people (including us) feel the day at one of Disney’s private beaches is the highlight of a Bahamian or Caribbean cruise, and this gives you a double dose! Both days follow the typical Castaway Cay & Lighthouse Point schedule: off the ship at 8:30 am (depending on sea conditions), and all aboard at 4:45 pm. The same excursions and activities will be available both days, though if you want to do the same activity or book a cabana for both days, you’ll need to book each day separately. If you are going to Castaway Cay twice, you can run the Castaway Cay 5K twice!

In the rare event that the ship visits Castaway Cay or Lighthouse Point two days in a row, the ship will not stay docked overnight. It will leave the island at the usual time on the first day and come back the next morning.

Repositioning is when a cruise starts in one port and finishes in another. These cruises can be a good deal, as they usually are cheaper per night than conventional round-trip cruises. They also tend to go to more unusual locations. The longest repositioning cruises are the Panama Canal and Transatlantic cruises, which are almost always the cheapest cruises (per night) of the whole year.

Unique cruises have an itinerary that is different from other cruise itineraries that particular ship is sailing around that time. They either visit an unusual location or locations or visit a unique combination of common locations. Repositioning cruises are all unique as well.

• If you are interested in booking a specialty Disney cruise , we recommend either Small World Vacations or Undercover Tourist . We have worked with both companies for over 15 years and can recommend them wholeheartedly. It’s really a question of whether you prefer full-service booking or self booking. These staterooms often sell out fast, so if you see one you like, snag it quickly.

2025 Adventures by Disney Cruise Packages have not yet been announced.

The Adventures by Disney Cruise Packages include 2 Adventures by Disney guides available onboard and in port; special VIP privileges; private onboard receptions; unique onshore activities; early debarkation at each port; all meals, snacks and water while in port; a photo CD with all ship photographer pictures, all Adventures by Disney guide photos and an Adventures by Disney slideshow.

• If you are interested in booking an Adventures by Disney Cruise Package , we recommend filling out a quote form with Small World Vacations . They give you full service, including a personal travel agent you can contact by email or direct phone number and we recommend them wholeheartedly ! Best of all, it costs you nothing to use them, PLUS they give you FREE onboard credit for any Disney Cruise Line booking of over $1000 total fare, good toward most onboard activities and extras such as spa treatments, shore excursions or even your bar tab.

DVC member cruises are only open to Disney Vacation Club members who have purchased at least some of their vacation points directly from Disney (rather than from another member via resale). Members can use their vacation points to book the cruise or can pay cash rates. Typically DVC cruises are significantly more expensive than similar cruises for the general public, but guests will be given a wide variety of DVC special gifts and will get to experience some exclusive member events including talks by special guests including artists, imagineers and/or actors from classic Disney movies.

Whether the DVC member cruise is worth booking is a personal judgment call. The extra events are difficult or impossible to experience any other way. The various DVC gifts are usually a mix of the usual kinds of tote bags, pens, and so forth you can get by attending a DVC meeting or buying a new DVC contract, plus at least a few special and unique items. Some people love the DVC member cruises and try to go on each one. Others go once and feel it’s not worth the extra money.

Disney Cruise Line has announced the following Disney Vacation Club (DVC) member cruises for 2025:

• January 4: 7-night Eastern Caribbean on the Disney Treasure
• August 2: 5-night Western Caribbean on the Disney Dream

Adventure by Disney Pre- and Post-Cruise Escape Packages take place before and after select Disney Cruise Line sailings. These 2- to 3-night Escapes include 2 Adventure by Disney guides; hotel accommodations; multiple, daily excursions; special VIP privileges; all transportation during the trip and a photo CD with all the Adventure by Disney guide photos.

• If you are interested in booking an Adventures by Disney Pre- or Post-Cruise Escape Package , we recommend filling out a quote form with Small World Vacations . They give you full service, including a personal travel agent you can contact by email or direct phone number and we recommend them wholeheartedly ! Best of all, it costs you nothing to use them, PLUS you could save up to $1,000!  Read more about the Small World Vacations savings offer here .

No drydock plans have been officially announced for 2025 yet.

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Disney Cruise Line Onboard Credit Offer

• Disney Cruise Line
• Disney Cruise Line Onboard Credit…

Are you ready for a DREAM vacation?

Set sail with Disney Cruise Line and experience the Disney Dream or the Disney Magic from the Port of Miami! Step aboard for spacious staterooms that ensure everyone’s comfort. Be front-and-center at original Broadway-caliber live shows and dine on artfully prepared meals. From bow to stern, set sail for unforgettable storytelling that only Disney could bring to life.

You can make even bigger dreams come true when you book a sailing departing from Miami between now and September 17th for sailings through December 31, 2022. You will receive a $100 onboard credit to use on this magical voyage for each stateroom you book.  

You can even combine this limited Onboard Credit Offer with amazing savings on select Disney Dream sailings from Miami. 

Guests sailing on the Disney Dream through December 2022 can save up to 35% on select sailings from Miami. This includes select 3, 4, and 5-night sailings, including some Halloween on the High Seas and Very Merrytime Cruises.

Important Details on Inside Category with Restrictions, Oceanview Category with Restrictions and Verandah Category with Restrictions (Category IGT, OGT and VGT)

• Valid for new bookings only
• Full payment is required at the time of booking for all Guests and is non-refundable.
• Full legal names of all Guests are required at time of booking and no name changes are allowed.
• Specific stateroom will be assigned at a later time, based on availability.

Book with Confidence

Ready to return to the sea? Book with peace of mind, knowing there are new options available on select sailings that allow you to change your sail date or receive a full refund.

Important Details

• Rate does not include gratuities or Port Adventures .
• Not combinable with Disney Vacation Club Points.
• The number of staterooms allocated for this offer is limited.
• This offer cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts.
• Rates are in U.S. dollars.
• Offer subject to Disney Cruise Line Terms and Conditions.

This offer is limited and can only be booked with your My Mickey Vacation Travel Dream Designer!

Be sure to contact your favorite Dream Designer travel agent, or request your free quote by clicking here .

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How to Plan a Disney Cruise on a Budget

I f you're looking at your Family Vacation Budget and wondering if you have enough for a Disney Cruise, let's take another look. Is it possible to Plan a Disney Cruise on a Budget? While you may be thinking that a Disney Cruise is an expensive vacation, you may be surprised to realize that this kind of all-inclusive vacation actually may be budget-friendly. Dare we say it's often cheaper than the parks? Here are all the things to consider when planning a Disney Cruise on a Budget and ways you can Save Money on Your Disney Cruise. 

Okay, before we dive into how much a Disney Cruise costs, and what's included and what's not, let's level-set. First, be sure to check out the ways you can Save Money on a Disney Cruise . That post gives you tips about buying discounted gift cards ( automatically saving you 5%), choosing the best rooms, and booking during special offers. Remember, that, unlike other vacations, Disney Cruises are often the cheapest when booked a year or more in advance. Blame it on inflation, but Disney Cruises rarely get cheaper closer to the sail date. It's helpful to know that there are options for getting your final cost down once you see what you're paying for. So, how do you Plan a Disney Cruise on a Budget?

Disney Cruise Budget

A Disney Cruise Budget includes the following line items. From the basic Disney Cruise Vacation Package itself to all the EXTRA things you can pay for, if you want. Know that everything in addition to the package is up to you. You can easily explore port towns without booking cruise excursions . And you can easily get coffee from the drinks stations or at the restaurants. You don't need to spend the extra 6 dollars a day for that. So, keep that in mind. A Disney Cruise without all the extras is still a pretty great cruise if you're on a tight budget. 

Disney Cruise Vacation Package

• Specialty Drinks
• Port Excursions
• Specialty Classes
• Nursery Childcare Services
• Specialty Dining
• Specialty Services
• Tips on a Disney Cruise
• Transportation
• Tips for Tour Guides at Port

Paid ahead of time, your Disney Cruise Vacation Package includes the bulk of everything you need to pay for on your cruise. For those NOT doing excursions at the port, drinking fancy coffees, or alcoholic drinks, utilizing the nursery service, or using spa services onboard, the package cost will be your entire cost for the cruise. No extra money is needed. Your Room, Food, and Entertainment are all included in this package. 

There are some factors that affect your Disney Cruise Package Cost. Your room type, for example, is a huge factor in the overall cost of your room. As such we recommend reading up on How to Choose Your Disney Cruise Itinerary and Stateroom for an overview of options. And if you're on a tight budget, it may be best to consider a Guaranteed Stateroom on a Disney Cruise instead, which allows Disney to choose your room for you. While that may seem risky, it is one of the cheapest ways to take a Disney Cruise. 

Destination

Another factor is the destination. Obviously, a transatlantic 14-day cruise is going to be pricier than the 4-day Caribbean Cruise. That said, consider your itinerary wisely. If you're on a budget, one of the cheapest Disney Cruises to take is to the Bahamas. A great cruise, you get one day at port and one day at Castaway Cay or Lighthouse Point. Plus, you're still getting the experience of a Disney Cruise with excellent service, entertainment, food, and characters, for much cheaper than other destinations. 

Time of Year

The time of year also plays a huge role in the cost of a Disney Cruise. The cheapest times to go on a Disney Cruise are mid-to-late January and  early February , due to being low travel season. Also, you can find good deals for Cruises sailing in early May, ahead of the summer vacation crowds. The best and cheapest time to take a Disney Cruise tends to be September . And if you're looking to take advantage of the Halloween on the High Seas Cruises or the Very Merrytime Christmas Cruise , both early November and early December see lower prices than later in each month. 

Disney Cruise Extra Costs

Here we'll dive into the MAIN THINGS that will cost extra during your Disney Cruise Vacation. So, as you're planning your Disney Budget, be sure to have a piece of paper, with these things jotted down. This will help you decide how much you want to allot for each. To get an idea of what a Disney Cruise includes, check out our Disney Alaska Cruise Itinerary for a full picture of days at sea and days on shore with a Disney cruise. 

When you Plan a Disney Cruise on a Budget the biggest expense outside of the Disney Cruise Package Cost are the Port Excursions . Offered at your Port Destination, there are excursions worth taking, and others you can skip. Most port towns are walkable, and near enough to the cruise ship that you can simply get off the boat and explore. No extra cost is needed. However, consider your location when making the choice to choose, or not choose excursions for your port days. However, keep in mind that often combining both shore excursions and free time at port can give you the best kind of vacation at a smaller cost.

Certain Excursions, like those on a Disney Cruise to Alaska , are often once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that offer a glimpse into the history of the location, or the marvels of the area. While Skagway, Alaska was very walkable, and we didn't need an excursion, our White Pass Railroad and Scenic City Tour gave us so much Gold Rush History, that it would not have been the same without it. In the Bahamas, on the other hand, we had no interest in visiting Atlantis and were content exploring the churches, pirate museum, and beach. 

Port Excursions are not included in your Cruise Package and are added to your Cruise Folio during your cruise, to be paid before disembarking. Often an attached credit card to your Disney Cruise account will simply be charged the day of your excursion, so be sure to have one attached. If adding excursions, be sure to peruse the excursion options before your Disney Cruise Port Excursion Booking Window opens. 

From specialty coffees made at Cove Cafe, to any of the Coffee Bars on the Disney Wish , you can expect to pay about 5 dollars plus tip for your fancy coffee. While we love grabbing these when we cruise, if you're buying coffee daily or for a couple of people in your family, the costs can add up. So, if we're on a tight budget, we just skip this, and head to the drinks station instead for a Homemade Mocha, of the free coffee and hot cocoa. 

Alcoholic beverages and specialty mocktails are also NOT INCLUDED in your Disney Cruise Package. This includes the drinks of the day and any drinks your order from the bars and Disney Lounges. Again, while we love trying the specialty drinks onboard, on trips where we need to save money, we just skip these and happily carry around our refillable tumbler instead. 

Specialty Classes and Bingo

Another extra expense on a Disney Cruise is the specialty classes offered onboard. While almost all the Entertainment, Trivias, Craft sessions, and classes like Towel folding and Anyone Can Cook are FREE, there are some that come with a cost.  Specialty Classes are found in the Disney Cruise Navigator App, and are able to be added to your cruise before your sail, or while you're onboard. You'll know that these classes require a charge because you can have to register for them. They include Wine Tastings, Mixology Classes,  Drink Samplings, and more. 

Bingo is another add-on you can play or not. Often about $40 for the base-level bingo cards, if you're hoping to strike it rich while onboard the Bingo games can often pay out between 5k-10k dollars for the avid players. Mind you, if you're planning to play, add this to your budget.

The "It's a Small World" nursery onboard Disney Cruise ships is a godsend to many parents. There is, however a fee for using these services. Typically about $9 per child for one hour, if you know you'll be utilizing this during your cruise, read up on all the "it's a Small World Nursery" details before you go, so you can plan accordingly. 

On a Disney Cruise, your food is included in your Disney Cruise Package Cost, with a couple of exceptions. On a Disney Cruise, meals at any of the Rotational Dining Restaurants, and any of the quick service counters on the pool deck, as well as Cabanas and Marceline Market are INCLUDED. This means your breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks are all covered. 

Food NOT INCLUDED  on a Disney Cruise can be found at Palo and Remy, both Signature Dining Experiences that need to be booked in advance and paid for separately. And anything served at the Disney Lounges on a Disney Cruise is also not included. As such, meals, drinks, and appetizers at the specialty dining locations will be added to your Cruise Folio as an extra charge. 

Internet 

Ahhh, the joys of cruise Wi-Fi. It may come as a surprise, and disappointment to realize you DO NOT GET FREE WI-FI on a Disney Cruise. While this is devastating, we try to look at it as a good way to ensure we're vacationing on our vacation, and not working. Still, it's a darn nuisance to not have access to Wi-Fi. As a result, you can buy a Wi-Fi Package while onboard. Ranging from $15 to $90 typically, the Wi-Fi packages get you very sub-par Wi-Fi, which is MB based. Meaning, if you hoped to watch videos, play games or do anything more than send emails, and do some light internet searching, you may need another option. 

Certain services onboard like Spa Services, Hair and Nail services, massages, consultations, etc. all cost extra. Many need to be booked ahead of time, so you'll be aware before you go, of just how much everything is going to be, plus tips of course. If you're trying to save money, we'd recommend skipping these as many are more expensive than if you were to book similar services at home. 

One of the relatively mandatory extra expenses you are billed is tips. This is in addition to the amount of your Disney Cruise Package. Keep in mind that some tips, like the ones for the baristas at the coffee shop, and the spa service staff, are decided by you the moment you sign the credit card receipt and write that tip down. The mandatory tips, however, are tallied for you throughout your trip. This is helpful because it shows you the cost of the tips your Room Host, Server, Assistant Server, and Lead Server will receive.

Once you have this in hand, you can adjust those tip amounts as needed. But, the amounts given are industry standard, and if you don't make modifications at the customer service desk, your card on file will be billed for those amounts before you disembark. Check out the Cost of Tips on a Disney Cruise for estimated amounts per night. 

Your transportation to and from the port is not included in your Disney Cruise Vacation Package. As such be sure to read our post on Transportation with Disney Cruise Line. This will give you a good idea of the cost if you're combining a land and sea vacation, or parking and sailing. 

If you have booked a Disney Port Excursion during your Disney Excursion, be sure to plan for Tour Guide Tips. No matter which port excursions you take, there is someone who is sharing their knowledge, time, expertise, and help during your time with them. While tips for guides vary depending on the type and length of the tour, people typically aim for between $5-$20 per tour guide. This varies depending on the role of the guide. And some tours have multiple guides that may need to be tipped. As such, we recommend making a list of any excursions you're taking, and plan to have cash on hand accordingly. 

There's always something to buy on a Disney Cruise. And depending on what kind of vacationer you are, this may be a budget item you take or leave. Since we've been on several cruises, and plan to go on several more, there is never a feeling of a "Must Have" for certain items in Disney Cruise Gift Shops. That said, if you're heading to a unique destination, like a Disney Cruise to Alaska , then there are exclusive items for that cruise, you may want to get. Consider this when planning your budget. Are you going to get the $20 mug? Or a $60 blanket? If so, add it to your budget plan. 

What is Not Included in the Price of a Disney Cruise

When planning your Disney Cruise Budget, it's important to consider how much extra you NEED to spend, above and beyond your cruise package. On our first cruise, we spent about $100 dollars on Tips. As Cast Member Tips were the only thing we "needed" to cover, we felt that vacation was a bargain. Mind you, we didn't have anything special. No specialty drinks, dining, or service. We only had one day in the Bahamas and didn't buy excursions. And simply skipped the other things that required more money. Here are the things not included on a Disney Cruise, that you may, or may not want to include in your budget. Check out our post on What's Not Included on a Disney Cruise to help drive this list home. 

What is Included in the Price of a Disney Cruise

As mentioned before the things included in your Disney Cruise are your stateroom, all your dining, and entertainment. When you consider that any Disney parks vacation never includes food, that alone could give you pause. Especially as dining at a Disney park typically runs about 80-100 per person per day, that adds up. Luckily, on a cruise, all your meals are included in the price of the Disney Cruise Vacation. With the exception of specialty dining, alcohol, and fancy coffees.  Read more about What's Included in the Price of a Disney Cruise.  

Disney Cruise Cost

Okay, so how much does a Disney Cruise Cost? You may think this is a Disney Vacation out of reach but think again. If you're planning out your Disney Cruise on a Budget, we can get you started with round figures. However, we highly recommend, just playing on the Disney Cruise Website , so you can add a number of people, preferred dates, destinations, and more to see what potential costs may be. 

How Much is a Disney Cruise Per Person?

The price of a Disney Cruise depends on the number of people, room chosen, destination, and time of year. That said, on average the cost of a Disney Cruise per person ranges from $300-$600 per person, on average . Of course, suites and concierge levels are higher. This cost per person includes the room, food, and entertainment onboard. Check out What's Included on a Disney Cruise for everything you're Cruise Package includes. 

Do you need extra money on a Disney Cruise?

That depends. Are you getting anything extra? The only "mandatory" extra charge you need to incur is the Tips for Cast Members we discussed early. And these are automatically taken out of the card you have on file. If you're taking port excursions, drinking alcohol, buying souvenirs, etc. then yes, you need extra money. 

Do you Need Cash on a Disney Cruise?

While you will not need cash or a credit card onboard a Disney Cruise Ship, it is beneficial to have for your ports of call. Mainly for tipping tour guides or paying for souvenirs. On board a Disney Cruise, everything is attached to your card on file, so if you charge anything to your room, it simply is added to your folio. Read all the details about Cash and Currency on a Disney Cruise . 

Disney Cruise Budget Totals

Okay, now for some number crunching. We're going to throw some figures together so you can see what your budget number may look like. Keep in mind these estimates will be "estimates" based on what is on the Disney Cruise Website at the time of this writing. Also, these are retail rates and could be less if you book at a discounted rate or special offer. Estimated based on 4 PEOPLE room occupancy, Sailing in September, ( the cheapest month to sail). Be sure to check out the Disney Cruise Costs for Extra Activities so you're prepared before you go. 

• Disney Cruise Vacation Package ( 4 People, Sailing in September)
• 3- Night Bahamas from Miami- $3500
• 5- Night Western Caribbean from Miami- $4500 
• 7-Night British Isles from Southampton, England- $5100
• 7-Night Eastern Caribbean from Port Canaveral- $5500
• 7-Night Alaska from Vancouver, Canada- $6400
• $7-$16 per drink, on average. 
• $50- $4000 per person, depending on what you book. 
• $40- $120 per person, depending on what you book. 
• $9 for the first child, $8 for any additional children, per hour. 
• $45 per person ( Brunch at Palo)- $125 per person ( Dinner at Remy) not including Chef's Table, or Specialty Menus.
• $12-$36 per day. More for each device. Can be purchased for the length of the cruise. 
• $24- $499 depending on service. Ranging from a haircut to the Spa Suite Experience. 
• $14.50 USD per night, per stateroom Guest, including infants and children. 
• $39 per person, each way from Orlando International Airport ( MCO) to Port Canaveral.
• Disney Cruise Ground Transporation Rates  
• $5- $20 per tour guide
• $10 and up.

Planning a Disney Cruise Budget

As you can see, you have quite a bit of control regarding your Disney Cruise Budget. Skipping the extras can easily make this a budget-friendly vacation. Even just being mindful about choosing excursions, or which souvenirs you buy can have a huge impact. Whatever your plans we hope this post has given you a jumping-off point for planning. Be sure to read through all the ways you can Save Money on a Disney Cruise to help you get your best deals before and during your next Disney Cruise Vacation.