Things To Know Before You Book A Disney Cruise

With brand new 2018 itineraries going on sale May 18th, the Disney fan community is full of chatter about where their next Disney Cruise Line (DCL) vacations will take them. With that in mind, I thought I would gather together just a few things for would be cruisers to keep in mind while getting ready to book this week.


Things To Know Before You Book A Disney Cruise

Pick Your Itinerary

The Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy operate out of Port Canaveral, Florida with departures several times a week. The Disney Fantasy takes guests on 7 night Eastern and Western Caribbean Cruises, The Disney Dream departs twice on 3 or 4 night cruises to the Bahamas. But that's just the beginning because for travelers looking to depart further abroad DCL opens a world of possibilities. You can book a Disney Cruise to the Pacific Northwest, Eastern Canada, the Mexican Riviera, Pacific Coast, Mediterranean Sea, and Northern European destinations. So where do you want to go?

If you're not sure cruising is for you, consider adding a quick 3-night trip on the Disney Dream after your next Walt Disney World trip to create a Land/Sea Adventure. These short journeys are a great way to test out your sea legs without having to commit to a longer voyage.


Set Sail With The Disney Cruise Line

Disney Dream Dockside at Castaway Cay

Know Your Stateroom Fit

Not all cabins are created equal, and knowing what you need in a room is the next thing you need to have down pat before you book. How many people do you need to sleep? Will you be claustrophobic without a window? Is a verandah a must? Will you splurge for concierge?

When you book you will have to provide the number of adults and children (under 18) who will occupy each stateroom you want to book. You will also need to register birthdates, addresses and phone numbers for each Guest in your travel party.


Disney Dream Deluxe Inside Stateroom 6501

Check Out The Deck Plans

Once you know what type of room you want, it's time to think about where on the ship you want to be. Do you want to be near an elevator, by the kids clubs, or near to the spa? Do you want a view Castaway Cay from your balcony during the day? Are you sensitive to vibration and need to avoid aft rooms? Do you need adjoining rooms?

Familiarize yourself with the deck plans of your ship and where the category of cabins you want to book are located. Make a list of 5 cabin numbers that you would most like to voyage in. That way if your first choice is taken you can move right down the list until one is available. The sooner you book, the more cabins will be available to you.


Quiet Cove Pool and Chaise Lounges

Payments & Currency

All magic comes with a price, so be prepared to pay for your room. When you book your stateroom on a Disney Ship you will need to put down a deposit that equals 20% of the cost of your cruise. You may pay by credit card, Disney Gift Card or Disney Rewards Redemption Card. Disney Cruise Line packages can be paid for in U.S. dollars (USD), British pounds (GBP) or euros (EUR), and the DCL website will automatically show the currency from the country that you logged in from.

A great money saving tip for the Disney Cruise Line is to book as far in advance as possible for the best prices! You can be sure that regular Disney cruisers will be jumping on the new itineraries being released just as soon as they are able. Special itineraries like the holiday cruises, and Star Wars cruises sell out quickly.


Castaway Ray's Stingray Adventure Beach

A Note For Disney Vacation Club Members Booking On Points

Booking a Disney Cruise Vacation using points is not the most economical option, however it is a very easy way to dip your toes into a new vacation experience. If it hadn't of been for how easy booking a cruise was with DVC I may still have been waiting and only dreaming about it. DVC members booking on points must do so by going through DVC Member services. There are fewer rooms available to DVC members booking on points than there are for guests booking with cash, so if you have a room preference you need to jump on those bookings as quickly as possible.


Beaches Wait for You at Castaway Cay

Now - you've got the basics down. Go gather it all together and get ready to book that Disney Cruise! Visit disneycruise.com for more details!