Disney Cruise Line Booking 101

  • When is the best time to book

    • As soon as the itineraries are released

    • Or as early as you can

    • Cruises are fully refundable until you have made that final payment

    • Concierge deposit is non-refundable, but you can move it to another sailing

  • Prices are lowest on opening day or releasing itinerary

  • DCL discounted sailings are only for new booking only

    • Space available rates

    • Typically, only restricted rates only

      • Inside, Oceanview and verandah

      • IGT, OGT, VGT

      • Some major restrictions with these:

      • Payment in full when booking

        • Non-refundable

        • No modifications allowed

        • Cannot choice stateroom

  • Perfect option is to book on opening day, check to see if any discounted/guaranteed rates you want and cancel yours and re-book if it is all before the final payment window

  • How to choose a cruise

    • How much time do you have (when can you travel) or length on the cruise you can take

      • If it is your first time or only can get away for a week, I recommend a 3-night cruise

      • If you are planning the cruise with some other land vacation, then look for a 3–5-night cruise

      • If you have a whole week of vacation, you can look at a 7-night cruise

    • Specific destinations you want to visit

    • What type of vacation (beach, lots of ports, new countries)

    • Peak and off-peak times

      • Off peak Jan, Feb, May, Oct, Nov, Early Dec

      • Will be cheaper

  • Choice a stateroom

    • 4 broad categories

      • Inside, Oceanview, verandah, concierge

        • Further subcategories based on where on the ship they are located

    • Inside Stateroom

      • Standard and deluxe

      • Wish only has standard

      • Two main differences

        • Deluxe is slightly larger so more square footages and split bathrooms

        • Two bathrooms one with a toilet and sink and one with shower and a sink

        • These are huge for when a family is getting ready for dinner

    • Oceanview Stateroom

      • Deluxe Oceanview and deluxe family Oceanview

      • Deluxe Oceanview slightly smaller and up to 4 guests

      • Deluxe family Oceanview slightly larger and up to 5 guests

        • Sleeper sofa, murphy bed and pull-down bed from ceiling

      • These will have 1 large or 2 small portholes

      • 8a deluxe family split Oceanview (Dream and Fantasy)

        • Layout like suite with two separate living areas with 2 large portholes

        • 5018 – 5022, 5518 – 5522, 6012 – 6016, 6 510 – 6514

        • Sell out very quickly

    • Verandah Stateroom

      • Deluxe Oceanview verandah stateroom up to 4 guests

        • 3 sizes

          • Undersized or navigator’s verandah, obstructed view verandah, and standard

          • Undersized will be located forward or aft

          • Obstructed view will all be aft

          • Standard will be all over the ship

      • Deluxe family Oceanview verandah stateroom up to 5 guests

        • 2 sizes

          • Standard and one with extended verandah located on the aft of the ship

          • 4E category are extended verandah on Dream/Fantasy

            • Book very quickly

    • Concierge

      • Options include verandah, 1- and 2-bedroom suits, royal suites, and tower suites

  • Where on the ship do you want to be?

    • 3 things to consider

      • Forward, midship, AFT

        • Motion sickness best be midship on upper deck

        • Midship are most expensive

        • Midship and AFT seems to be located on the side of the ship you mostly use

        • AFT might feel some shaking or noise when going into port

      • Port versus starboard

        • Port has 4 letters like left

        • Research how ship looking into port

        • Castaway Cay starboard side to see it all

        • Lighthouse Point might be port side TBD

        • Alaska at Ketchikan port side

      • Which deck to be on

        • Decks 5 and 6 can be noisy and high amounts of traffic because of what is located on 3/4/5

        • Upper decks can be further to everything below

        • Decks 7 and 8 are sweet spot

      • Wish and Treasure has different stateroom themes based on location

  • Choose a dining time

    • Main at 5:45 am

      • Fills up fastest and has the most kids

      • Can join a waitlist for any dining

    • Second at 8:15 pm

  • Choose a certain restaurant and select a certain rotation if you wanted to eat at a certain restaurant

  • Link reservations with other people you are traveling with

    • Of note you will have to wait to book any reservations based on the lowest Castaway status

    • Platinum and Gold and would have to wait until Gold

  • Special requests are available also (dietary, location of table)

  • Book with a travel agent and receive onboard credit if offered