Q: How far out can I book my Disney Cruise?
A; When it comes to planning a Disney Cruise, it is a slightly different kettle of fish than planning a Walt Disney World getaway. Where Walt Disney World only releases vacation packages a year in advance (sometimes even less depending on your dates), Disney Cruise Line always plans itineraries and will release sail dates much further out making it the perfect option for forward planners.
As of going to print (April 2018), Disney Cruise Line currently has packages available to book through until September of 2019 to incredible ports of call including the Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Bermuda, Europe and more!
2019 seems ages away, why would I want to book so early? As frequent Disney travelers will tell you, when it comes to sailing with Disney, the early bird definitely catches the worm. Disney runs discounted fares slightly differently than other cruise lines. Because Disney has a small fleet (only 4 ships), it is rare that they will run last minute discounts as most sailings do tend to fill up. Instead, what they will do is offer more affordable rates for those booking as early as possible. With that in mind, bookings will be at the most affordable during on-sale dates and prices will increase the closer you get to your sailing dates. It’s not uncommon for guests who book early to pay hundreds less than those waiting until closer to the sailing dates – If you want the best savings book as early as possible.
What if I want to pair my 2019 Disney Cruise with a visit to Disney World? Can I book them both now? As a mentioned above, when it comes to going on a Disney Cruise, being an Early Bird is a great thing, and will offer you the best savings. But for those interested in planning a Land and Sea Getaway for 2019, you aren’t always able to book them both in at the same time as Walt Disney World packages are typically released much later. For those looking to truly save, I recommend reserving your Disney Cruise as far out as possible and then booking your Walt Disney World vacation package when 2019 rates become available. When it comes to Land and Sea getaways, because there are lots of working parts that need to fit together, you may want to consider working with a Disney Travel Agent who can help you coordinate everything.
For more information on Land and Sea Packages check out this article.
I don’t want to pay now for a vacation I’m not taking until next year. Because nabbing the best rates can involve a lot of forward planning, Disney Cruise Line does offer an incredibly flexible deposit/payment policy. If you find a 2019 cruise that is right for you, you are only required to 20% of the voyage fare upfront as a deposit with the rest of the balance due a bit closer to your sailing date. Disney also allows you to make as many payments as you like right up until your final payment deadline so that you are putting money away on your terms!
I’m nervous about planning that far ahead. What if I need to cancel? Depending on the length of your sailing, your final payment deadline may be anywhere from 120 – 90 days before your cruise is about to set sail. With Disney Cruise Line, you are able to cancel anytime until final payment and will receive a full refund including your deposit and any additional payments you made. Alternatively, you can always transfer your balance to a new cruise/sailing date that better fits your schedule.
Does this mean it’s too late to plan my 2018 Disney Cruise? Absolutely not. There are still many incredible sailings available throughout 2018 including the very popular Halloween on the High Seas and Very Merrytime holiday cruises. Fill out our quote form below if interested in 2018 sailing options and we’ll send you a FREE quote!
I’m interested in going on a Disney Cruise but not until the Winter of 2019. How long do I have to wait before booking? Disney should release packages for Winter of 2019 in Summer of 2018. We encourage you to keep following along with Disney Addicts for the latest updates regarding Disney Cruise Line on-sale dates. You can also join our 2019 Disney Cruise Line email list by popping a quick email to mroden@mickeytravels.com.
For more information on Spring and Summer 2019 Disney Cruises check out this article.
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Find articles like this helpful? Then why not consider working with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner? As an agent with MickeyTravels, I’ll be on hand to help you with everything from finding your perfect itinerary and stateroom to nabbing the best rates. I also love sharing tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your time at Sea. Best of all my services are absolutely FREE. Get in touch at 1.800.801.4025 via email at mroden@mickeytravels.com or follow along on Facebook.
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