28 Ways to Save Money on a Disney Cruise (2023)

Are you dreaming of embarking on a magical Disney cruise but worried about breaking the bank?

Well, worry no more. With a little bit of planning and some savvy tips, you can save big while still enjoying all the fun and excitement that a Disney Cruise has to offer.

Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a seasoned veteran, I’ll share with you some fantastic money-saving strategies to help you cut costs on your next Disney cruise.

So grab your Mickey ears and get ready to set sail on a wallet-friendly adventure that you’ll never forget!

How to Save Money on a Disney Cruise

So with that being said, here are 28 proven and tested ways to save money on your next Disney Cruise.

1. Sail between September through October and January to March

Sailing during the offseason months is the best way to save money on your Disney Cruise.

I recommend that you choose a sail date during the following months in order to get the lowest prices:

• January (after New Year’s week)
• February
• May
• September
• October
• Early November
• Early December

If you are looking for the warmest weather possible, early to mid-May is your best shot. Prices are a lot cheaper than April and you won’t hit the peak summer vacation prices of June.

2. Book your cruise as far in advance as possible

Generally, you’ll find the best deals and stateroom availability when you book at least 9 months in advance. But you just need to make sure that you are still choosing a month during the cheaper months mentioned above.

The prices don’t necessarily fluctuate as the sailing date gets closer so you won’t have to break the bank for any last minute cruises. However, by waiting last minute, the cheaper staterooms may already be booked leaving you with the only option to cough up some extra dough for a similar stateroom or even suite.

So that’s always something to keep in mind.

3. Choose an Inside stateroom on a lower deck

The Inside Stateroom category on any Disney Cruise, on the lowest deck available, will always be the cheapest room during every sailing.

If you don’t see yourself spending too much time in your stateroom, then going with one of these options is a great way to save around 6-7% compared to Oceanview rooms which are one category higher.

4. Book your cruise through Costco Travel and save up to 4%

When you book a Disney Cruise through Costco Travel, you will earn a Costco Shop Card valued from $165 to $2,210 depending on your stateroom category and choice.

Plus, if you’re an Executive Member, you can receive an annual 2% reward up to $1,000 on qualified Costco purchases.

The prices on both the Disney Cruise website and Costco are exactly the same with the main difference being that you’ll receive a Costco Shop Card with one to four weeks after you return.

Here’s a price comparison between the two. (Please note that the Costco Travel picture is only showing the price for one passenger without the $88 taxes and fees included).

5. Book your cruise using a travel agent

Although booking with a travel agent won’t save you any additional money compared to booking directly with the cruise line, you can get some onboard credits or other perks depending on which travel agent you use.

6. Choose a cheaper destination

Disney Cruise has some incredibly exciting cruise destinations like Alaska, Greece, Norway, Hawaii, Australia, Fiji, Cabo, and so much more.

But unfortunately, some these destinations come at a premium.

Generally, if there’s only one or two sail dates for a specific route, you’ll notice that prices are significantly higher. This is the case for most one-way cruises as well as most cruises that visit Greece and Hawaii.

From what I’ve been seeing, the cheaper destinations are always going to be the Bahamas if you’re looking for 3 or 4 night sailings and the Eastern or Western Caribbean 5-night sailings from Galveston Texas, New Orleans, and Miami.

Alaska is usually pretty expensive, especially if you’re looking at Concierge staterooms, but you can find cheaper sail dates in May.

Europe is always expensive because they are incredibly popular and they sail during the busier travel months like June, July, and August.

When planning a cruise, if I have to fly somewhere overseas with my passport in-hand, I’m expecting to shell out some serious dough.

7. Skip the travel insurance IF you have a Chase Sapphire Reserve or American Express Platinum Card

These two credit cards have very generous cancellation/interruption coverage that also applies to cruising. Plus the covered losses are pretty similar to the ones that Disney recommends when booking a cruise on their website.

You can save hundreds of dollars just by opting out of the Disney Cruise Line Vacation Protection Plan if you pay for your cruise using either an Amex Platinum Card or a Chases Sapphire Reserve Card.

8. Skip Palo or any other additional adult-exclusive dining options

All of the quick service and 3 rotational dining locations are complimentary so there’s never really pressure to dine at Palo, Remy, or Enchanté unless you’re craving fine dining.

Now don’t get me wrong, these restaurants are fantastic for brunch and dinner, but if you only have 3 nights, it’s best to just stick with the three dining locations.

Palo’s fixed menu costs $45 per person, but they also offer an a la carte menu as well. Dining at Remy or Enchanté costs $125 per person.

9. Skip the Wi-Fi

The wi-fi onboard Disney Cruises costs $12, $24, or $36 per device per day depending on what plan you purchase.

If you are okay with disconnecting, then skipping the wi-fi is a great way to save money.

10. Book a Restricted Guarantee stateroom

Booking a Guaranteed Stateroom to be Assigned category is a way to save up to 30% on cruises.

When you book a room on a sailing that isn’t necessarily selling out, you choose the stateroom category but Disney will choose your stateroom as the date gets closer.

Plus, sometimes you may even be upgraded to one category above what you paid for, but never below.

11. Bring a Hydro Flask water bottle (or something similar)

One thing I love about Disney is that they have compliment coffee, tea, and soda fountains on the pool deck which is where you can fill up your water bottles and cup as many times as you’d like.

Disney provides you with paper cups but I recommend that you bring some refillable water bottles to stock up, just to make life a little bit easier.

12. Bring your own snorkels

Renting snorkels and life vests costs $34 per adult and $18 per child at Disney Castaway Cay.

You can for sure find cheaper alternatives before you board the ship.

13. BYOB (six pack or two bottles of wine)

Disney Cruise Line guest 21 years and older can bring a maximum of 2 bottles of unopened wine or champagne (no larger than 750 ml) or 6 beers (no larger than 12 ounces).

I don’t know if they actually inspect your bottles, so some people might find ways to beat the system. That’s all I’m gonna say about that.

Just an fyi, If you plan on drinking your own wine and champagne in one of the dining rooms, you’ll be changes a corking fee of $26 per bottle.

14. Use a Chase Disney Visa card and get onboard discounts

When you use the Disney Cruise Line Chase credit card as your form of payment for onboard purchase, you’ll get these exclusive perks:

• 10% off non-discounted Disney Cruise Line digital photo packages
• 10% off select merchandise of $50 or more
• 10% off Castaway Cay getaway packages in the Bahamas
• 20% off elect onboard spa treatments

15. If coming from the airport, see if it’s cheaper to Uber than to take the Disney transportation option

There are really only two good options to get to and from Port Canaveral from the Orlando airport (MCO) and that’s ride-sharing or Disney transportation. Yes there’s Mears and other third parties, but I like these options better.

A roundtrip bus ride with Disney costs $39 one way or $78 roundtrip for anyone over the age of 3 while an Uber costs on average between $67 and $91. For any party of 3 or larger, it’s cheaper to ride share. That said, the biggest risk involved with ridesharing is surge pricing sot that’s always one thing you need to consider before going this route.

It’s also the same cost of $39 one way or $79 roundtrip to go from a Disney World Resort to Port Canaveral on the Disney Cruise Line buses.

16. Check for new promotions before you sail to see if you can get your cruise cheaper

As long as you’re within your fee-less cancellation window, I recommend that you always keep an eye on any Disney Cruise special offers and discounts to see if your current cruise qualifies.

If so, I would see if you could cancel and rebook your cruise into the same stateroom, but at a lower cost. I’ve found better luck calling when it comes to making major changes to my cruise.

17. Study the ship deck map when choosing a room to see if you can find a hidden gem

Depending on the ship, you can find staterooms that are bigger than normal or offer larger balconies, all while paying the same price of a similar room in the same stateroom category.

For example, if needed, an accessible oceanview stateroom is larger than a standard overview room but is still the same price.

Plus, some rooms with verandahs have larger balconies than the rest even though the staterooms are the same size. That’s why I suggest that you look at the deck plan to see if there are any rooms that are hidden gems.

18. Book a future cruise when on your cruise to save 10%

You can save 10% on a future Disney Cruise when you book your next cruise while onboard. Just use the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app to book a placeholder reservation for a future sailing.

Blockout dates apply and Concierge staterooms are excluded from this offer.

19. Choose the right Port Adventures (excursions)

If you’re going on a European or Alaskan cruise, the biggest expense after the cost of your stateroom will be Port Adventures. Unfortunately, in order to get the most out of these European and Alaska cruises, you’ll for sure go on a few excursions, most of which are pretty pricey.

That said, I recommend that you price compare between different excursions based on what you enjoy doing. For example, if you were in Greece, there is a Best of Athens tour that costs $159 per person, as well as an Explore Athens On Your Own Tour for $44 per person. Depending on if you like tours or if you prefer to explore on your own, you can save over $100 per person. And that’s just one of many examples based on the Port of Calls that you get off at.

20. If saving money is the ultimate goal, don’t be tempted with a Concierge Stateroom

Trust me, I’m a huge fan of Concierge Staterooms on Disney Cruises, but if your goal is to save money in the long run, you honestly won’t get your money’s worth when it comes to making the most of the perks and benefits.

Concierge Staterooms are generally at least 75% more expensive than the cheapest Verandah room and 110% more expense than an Inside stateroom.

For example, a 3-Night Bahamian Cruise on the Wish for two adults and two children breaks down like this:

• Concierge = $6,585
• Verandah = $3,603
• Oceanview = $3,351
• Inside = $3,141

If you want to save time, reduce stress, and have special perks, benefits, and relaxation areas throughout the ship, then Concierge will ruin you (in a good way). If not, then I would just save my money.

21. Buy discounted Disney gift cards

You can sometimes find discounted Disney Gift Cards at wholesale clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club, as well as stores like Target.

Typically, the gift cards from Costco or Sam’s Club will cost around $48 for a $50 Disney Gift Card. It’s not a huge saving but it could somewhat add up to some savings with little to no extra effort.

Disney Gift Cards can be used as a form of payment on your shipboard account as long as they been purchased prior to sailing. Just load them to your onboard account and you’ll be good to go.

22. Skip the Photo Package

I’ve never really been a fan of photo packages especially since the photographers throughout the ship and Castaway Cay will gladly take your picture using your personal phone or camera.

That’s why I always skip the photo package.

23. Don’t get tempted with bingo

Don’t get me wrong, I love Bingo on Disney Cruises. It’s fun and exciting. That said, it does cost money. On average you can spend around $40.

After 13 Disney Cruises, I’ve probably spent around $750 on bingo and only won once. Sure we won $918, but that didn’t happen until cruise number 11.

24. Stick with the free activities

You can have a great time on a Disney Cruise without spending any additional money thanks to the insane amount of fun and entertaining actives onboard. Sure, you’ll be tempted to do a mixology class, or go to the spa, or even try one of the adult-exclusive restaurants, but if you’re looking to save some money, you can for sure have a jam-packed day of complimentary fun.

Included amenities and actives include:

• drawing classes
• bingo
• trivia
• pools, waterslides, and aqua play areas
• sport zones
• Broadway-sttel musicals
• fireworks at sea
• nightclubs
• lounges
• youth clubs
• rotational dining
• 24 hour free room service
• game shows
• first run movies

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

25. Take advantage of Canada resident deals

Canadian residents can save up to 35% on select Mediterranean, European, Transatlantic, Alaskan, and Caribbean cruises.

For the full list of Canadian resident discounted cruises, please visit their website.

26. Take advantage of Florida resident deals

Florida residents can save up to 35% on select Bahamian and Caribbean cruises.

For the full list of Florida Resident discounted cruises, please visit their website.

27. Book using a military discount

Disney Cruise Line proudly offers special military rates on select Disney cruises. You are eligible for this military discount if you are retired or active duty US Military personnel (or spouse) including US Air Force, Army, Navy, Coast Guard, National Guard, Army Reserve, and DOD personnel.

You can find military discounts on Alaskan, Western Caribbean, Mediterranean, British Isles, Iceland, Northern Europe, Baja California, and more.

For the full list of eligible cruises, please visit their website.

28. Book using a Cast Member rate

If you are a Disney Cast Member, you can find CM exclusive deals and discounts on quite a few sailing on The Hub.

…

A Disney Cruise can be an amazing vacation experience that also comes with a hefty price tag.

However, with a little planning and a simple strategy, it’s entirely possible to save money on a Disney cruise without sacrificing any of the fun or magic.

By considering different cruise destinations and options, booking early, taking advantage of discounts, packing smartly, and being mindful of onboard expenses, you can enjoy all that a Disney cruise has to offer, while still staying within your budget.

With these tips in mind, you can create unforgettable memories with your loved ones while also keeping your wallet happy.

Happy sailing!