The 5 Dates You Must Know Before Booking Your Disney Cruise
Before you book that Disney Cruise, there are 5 dates that you absolutely need to know. Make sure you figure out what these calendar dates are for the cruise you are planning to book and write them in your planner or type reminders in your phone.
Are you thinking about taking a Disney Cruise?
You probably know by now that we love cruising with Mickey. You can read all about our 3 Night Disney Magic cruise, our 3 Night Disney Dream cruise and our 7 night Disney Magic cruise.
What You Need To Know Before Getting On A Disney Cruise
Being a Floridian means having lots of family vacation options. A Disney Cruise is hard to beat, especially for families, and even more so for young kids. There are lots of things to be aware so you can make the most of your Disney cruise vacation.
My family is about to head on a Disney Cruise and there are a number of things Ive learned during the booking process. Heres what you need to know before getting on a Disney Cruise.
Pre And Post Cruise Information
The Pre/Post Cruise tab asks for very specific information about your pre/post cruise plans. This includes the name of your hotel, flight information, etc.
You can fill this out to the best of your ability during the check-in process. If you dont yet have all of this information, you can always go back later and correct it.
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Login To Disney Cruise Site Before Midnight
Go to the Disney Cruise website and login to your account BEFORE your cruise online check-in opens at midnight . When midnight strikes, do the following:
THE ESSENTIALS
The Concierge Benefits On Disney Cruise Line
April 6, 2018 by Disney Cruise Mom
One question I know a lot of people have is whether or not it is worth it to pay for for a concierge-level stateroom. Having done both , my standard answer is that for some people it is, and for some people it isnt it just depends on what is important to you. Is concierge amazing? Yes. Did I still have fantastic cruises when I wasnt concierge? Yes. Today I have Gunes, our guest blogger who recently shared a trip report of her familys cruise on the Magic , to share about all of the concierge perks from her cruise. Hopefully this will help you decide if concierge is worth the hefty price tag for your family.
fotogenictravel on Instagram or Facebook. Gunes provides concierge-style planning services as an independent travel advisor affiliated with My Path Unwinding Travel and can be followed on both Instagram and Facebook .
I have been on three Disney cruises so far and have been very fortunate to have sailed in a Concierge level one-bedroom suite each time. In fact, after sailing Concierge the first time on the Disney Dream, I realized that there was no way I would want to be in a standard stateroom, especially with a rambunctious six-year-old in tow. Its like flying first class: if you do it once, you never want to go back to coach!
So, why should anyone fork over such an exorbitant amount of money to sail Concierge on Disney Cruise Line?
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Disney Wish Prices Dates And How To Book Early
by Rain Blanken | May 14, 2021 | DCL News, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Wish
Find out if the Disney Wish prices stack up to current cruise costs, and get dates and early booking info.
If youve been watching our Disney Wish coverage, you know that the new ship has so much to discover, including a wishing star in the atrium, a secret hatch for kids, and even Disneys first attraction at sea.
That means everyone will be in a frenzy to book! Heres exactly when you can book based on DCL and Disney Parks memberships, get a quick list of sail dates, and find out the cheapest time to book in 2022.
Will There Be A Disney Cruise In Hawaii In 2022
As of April 2022, Disney Wonder will operate two 10-night sailings from San Diego to Hawaii. In April and May 2022, it will perform five 10-night voyages between San Diego and Ensenada. DCLs newest cruise ship, Disney Wish, will launch its maiden voyage in Summer 2022. Booking is open for the voyage now.
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Travel Documents Required For Disney Cruise Line
The travel documentation required for Disney Cruise Line varies by that departure and destination ports.
The Bahamas, Caribbean, Pacific Coast, Bermuda or Canada Round Trip CruisesSailing from/to: Port Canaveral, Miami, Galveston, San Diego, San Juan, New Orleans and New York:
U.S. Citizens Original valid U.S. Passport CardOriginal valid Trusted Traveler Card
Original or copy of their state-issued birth certificate AND Government-issued photo IDChildren 15 years of age and younger are required to present one of the documents listed above, but do not need to present a Government-issued photo ID.
Please make sure you review the travel documentation required for Disney Cruise Line on their website.
Important tip: It is absolutely necessary to download the Disney Cruise Line app. This will show you the daily activities, including anything youve booked, and included experiences like Disney Trivia, animation classes, movies, showtimes, and other fun activities.
Note that itineraries are subject to change. I suggest booking a shorter cruise, such as a 3 or 4 night Bahamian Disney Cruise during our current global landscape. Longer itineraries that head to multiple ports are at risk of being rerouted. Weve seen multiple cruises change itineraries due to rapidly changing COVID-19 environments at each port. With a shorter cruise, and one that includes Disneys private island, there is less risk involved.
How To Book The Disney Wish
Disney Wish is available to book via the Disney Cruise website. Be sure to select Advanced Options to select the Disney Wish as the only ship youd like to view. After youve booked, be sure to so that you can stay informed on all things cruising, like when to book all your extras.
But with so many excursions, fine dining, and special experiences available to plus your vacation, we highly suggest having a travel agent take the wheel.
A travel agent can also suggest special cruises on all Disney ships, including Pixar Day at Sea on the Fantasy or a special Halloween or Merrytime cruise. Agents take whatever youre dreaming up and find a real-life sailing to make that magic happen.
Travel agents are also very fast. If youre looking to get something booked the second it becomes available, leave it to the experts.
Not sure if youre going? You can just get more information about a potential Disney vacation.
Know your dates? Just need advice for now?
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Information To Gather Before Check
If your Key to the World Travel® Planner is doing your check-in, please be sure to supply the following information. If not, then having it handy will help you when it is time to check in.
If you are doing your own check-in, you will need to login to . Select Sign In or Create Account. If you are new to the Disney websites, you will enter your email address and select a password. If you have registered on Disneys Parks sites before it will be the same username and password that you have used previously. Your Key to the World Travel® planner will have helped you with setting this up. Once logged in, select My Disney Cruise tab located on the top right of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear, select My Reservations under Plan and Manage. Here you can select check-in.
Disney Cruise Line Travel Insurance
If you think theres a possibility that your vacation plans may change, you might want to consider travel insurance. Travel insurance costs 8% of each guests base cruise fare and port fees.
- Minimum cost per person: $29
- Maximum cost per person: $399
For more information on the Disney Cruise Line Travel Insurance Policy, . Prices are subject to change without notice.
We recommend that you also compare policies/prices through www.insuremytrip.com.
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Why Were Wish Bookings Paused
The recent Disney Wish cancellations and the delay of the maiden voyage meant that travel agents needed to scramble to assist cruisers who received word that they would either need to pick a new sailing or get that sweet 50% discount.
All new bookings were paused during this grace period to give cruisers on those canceled sailings a chance to catch their breath and make some decisions.
Starting today, its go timelots of cruisers will be looking to book or rebook their voyages.
Saving Money On Your Dcl Stateroom
The best way to save money on your cruise is to book as soon as you know your plans. Cruises price rooms by tiers, the earlier you book the lower the cost. If you book close to your departure date, you will find the room prices much higher.
Also be aware that the higher categories sell out quickly. You will need to decide if having a verandah or suite is important enough to your family to spend the extra money.
Discount Disney Cruise Line Rates
Disney Cruise Line occasionally offers special pricing for certain individuals. Florida residents, military personnel, travel agents, and cast members are sometimes offered discounted rates on certain sail dates. Disney sometimes offers discounted rates to the general public on some of its less busy sail dates. They may also offer specials to families with children with a Kids Sail Free offer. Please be aware that the most popular holiday/school vacation sail dates will carry the highest pricing and offer no discounts.
Some Travel Agencies run promotions offering an incentive to book through them. These usually take the form of a shipboard credit . This means that the agency will place a credit in your shipboard account. While onboard, you can use this credit for spa treatments, merchandise, photos, etc. These credits expire at the end of the cruise.
Check out our Disney Cruise Line Discounts page to find some great prices.
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Transferring Reservation To A Travel Agent
Disney has a policy for reservations booked directly with them and transferred to a travel agent. This policy includes Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney, and Aulani. Disney must approve all requested transfers.
- Reservations paid in full are not eligible to be transferred.
- Reservations that are not paid in full may only be requested within 30 days of the initial booking. .
- If you booked your DCL reservation within the last 30 days, you could to see if they can save you money or apply a Shipboard Credit to your booking! *Deposit paid. Not paid in full. Other Restrictions Apply
Print Parental Debarkation Authorization Form
Disney Cruise Line uses a security system that prohibits children under the age of 18 from getting on/off the ship unless accompanied by an adult in the same stateroom. The Parental Debarkation Authorization form allows you to list all adults that you think might possibly take your child off the ship . Print it and put in your Disney folder. You can turn it in at physical check-in on your day of sailing.
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Oceaneer Club And Oceaneer Lab
Most kids find the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab, intended for ages 3-12, to be the best part of a Disney cruise. There is a lot to do, with great hands-on organized activities going on all the time.
Signing in and out is a relatively easy process considering what needs to be done to protect the children. However, you may have to wait in line either to drop them off or pick them up. Plan at least 5 minutes for the pick up or drop off process. If your children are 8 years old or older, they can be given the ability to sign themselves in and out on their own.
The Navigator will tell you whats happening and where your kids are at any given time. Check the Navigator to see if your children will be out of the Club or Lab at the time you want to sign them out for instance, they could be up on the deck playing basketball. Using your Navigator to plan will save you a wasted trip. Also, when the kids are moving from one location to another, they will not allow you to sign them in or out, so there can be a 10-15 minute window where you have to wait.
Adventures By Disney Pre
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.
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When To Travel On A Disney Cruise
When to travel This will depend on where you plan to cruise. If you are planning on sailing to the Caribbean, the summer months will be the best. If you are cruising to Alaska, then you will want to travel May-September. Disney typically sails on special cruises during the summer months. They may also offer a Panama Canal cruise during the summer if they need to reposition one of the cruise ships.
Best times of year There are typically 3 seasons High , Shoulder, or Low season.
High Season If you want to cruise when children are out of school, you will typically find those times more expensive to cruise because of increased demand. You will want to price early for availability because the cruises limit the number of children on a cruise, and the rooms that will sleep a family book early. The Panama Canal cruises are usually priced in this category.
Disney typically offers Europe only during the summer months. Alaska high season would be June-August. The Caribbean cruises would be more expensive during June-August.
In shoulder and low seasons You will find better pricing for locations with year-round opportunities to cruise. The Bahamas and the Caribbean will offer lower prices.
Best times of year For Alaska, June through August are the warmest months. If you are looking to see wildlife on an Alaskan cruise, the later in the year you cruise, the more animals you will see.
Are Disney Cruises Cancelled For 2022
The extension extends the rescheduling window with Disney Cruise Line until May 31, 2022. For sailings beginning on or before May 31st, 2022, Disney Cruise Line now offers Cruise Date Flexibility. The world is coming into its own. A new schedule of Disney cruise cancellation fees can be viewed here, as well.
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Book As Soon As Your Window Opens Up For Disney Cruise Line Excursions
We have talked about the Castaway Club Membership before and this is where it really helps to have a higher ranking in the Disney Cruise Line loyalty program. When new itineraries and excursion bookings open up, the higher level Castaway Club members get first dibs.
Each level has its own booking window, and it opens up at midnight on the day of allowed booking. This booking window will allow you to choose your Port Arrival Time as well as your excursions. Being one of the first people to sign on during your booking window can literally mean you can board earlier or snag that coveted cruise excursion.
Some of these excursions go quick guys, so if you have your heart set on a specific excursion at a specific port of call, do not be late to your booking window. Many of the most popular excursions will be taken before they even reach silver level, meaning that first time cruisers really dont even have much of a chance at snagging one. That being said, its best to plan to stay up late on the date of your booking window so you can have the best chance at getting what you want.
Booking Onboard Activities And Port Adventures For A Disney Cruise
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So you have booked a Disney Cruise! One of the most exciting things is planning all the fun things you are going to do onboard and at the ports. New Disney Cruise Line Cruisers are able to start booking port adventures and onboard activities for their Disney Cruise at midnight Eastern time 75 days out from their sail date. Before booking these extras, you must complete online check-in. The walk through of this process can be found here.
Once you have completed your online check-in you will be able to start the fun process of adding onboard activities, adult dining, spa activities and port adventures. Hopefully, before this day you have done some research and have an idea of what you want to book. If not, read up on some of the information here.
I find the process of checking in and adding activities easier on the computer since the screen is bigger and I can see more. Disney recently updated the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App to allow you to do this whole process from the app. Read more about that here. The process will be the same whether you are on the app or the website, the screens will just look slightly different.
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