How to NOT Waste Money on Disney Cruise Line

No one wants to waste money-especially when it comes to vacation. There are some ways to waste money on a family vacation. You may not even be aware of the ways you are wasting money! Daily, I talk with guests as we plan and book their upcoming family vacations. One thing that stands out every time-they want the most value for their dollar, regardless of the destination. I am going to share how I see first time Disney Cruise Line guests waste money-and hopefully give you some tips for getting the most out of your vacation budget on your first cruise!

Having sailed Disney Cruise Line several times myself, and booking all cruise lines on a weekly basis, I see a lot of folks who want the most value out of their vacation. The family memories, unforgettable destinations, and time together are priceless. But, as a first time cruise guest, there is something to be said for feeling good about the money you spent on your vacation.

How can you avoid wasting money on a Disney Cruise? These are my top tips for how to NOT waste money on your Disney Cruise Line voyage.

Have Flexible Travel Dates

My top tip to not waste money on Disney Cruise Line is to have flexible travel dates. Not having flexible travel dates can be a huge way that first time cruise guests waste money. Cruising is priced VERY seasonally. I have even seen the same month, same itinerary, but within a week or two of each other show a huge increase or decrease in cruise fare. Obviously, the major holidays such as Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving are going to have higher cruise fares. Also, some dates in March/April can be very costly, based on Spring Break dates.

However, if you are flexible and can travel during the off season, that is to your advantage! January, February, May, and fall dates are typically lower in cruise fare than other times of the year.

Hoping for a Last Minute Cruise Deal

Sorry, but a “last minute” cruise deal is really a thing of the past. Very, very rarely will you see a great last minute deal. If you really do not want to waste money on a cruise, book as far in advance as possible. This is definitely the truth on Disney Cruise Line, and often Royal Caribbean as well.

Guests who book on or as near to the day of itineraries being released really get the best pricing available. Cruise fare increases over time-I have even seen it increase by the end of the week when sending guests cruise quotes. With cruising being so popular overall, there is no need for cruise lines to discount rooms or sailings when guests will book at current full rate. If you want the best deal, book ASAP.

Book an Onboard Offer During Your Cruise

When you disembark a cruise without booking an onboard offer, you are leaving money on the table. Never, ever disembark your cruise without having booked an onboard offer.

An onboard offer is likely a discount, reduced deposit, onboar credit offer, or a combination of all three on your next sailing. Disney Cruise Line offers guests 10% off their future cruise, and reduced deposits on sailings 7-nights or longer. You must sail within 24-months of booking this, and to secure this offer is only a $250 deposit.

When you combine an onboard offer , aka a “placeholder” with booking early when itineraries are released, you are already looking at a huge savings on your next cruise! Once you disembark, you are no longer eligible to book this.

Research the Stateroom Options

Choosing the cabin for your sailing can be overwhelming. Staterooms are arranged by categories. This indicates not only the room type, but also the view and the location on the ship. While an Inside Stateroom is going to be the most budget friendly-is that waht is best for your family?

Perhaps you need a window, or even a balcony so you can see out while sailing. Or, your travel party make up may indicate the style of stateroom or if you need connecting rooms. There are factors when considering a room-and perhaps “not just a place to sleep”.

The beauty of a cruise ship is that you can choose the exact room you want in most cases. This means you can avoid a noisy deck, choose a room all the way at the front of aft of the ship, or choose a room that is centrally located.

In many cases, bumping up from an Inside Stateroom to an Oceanview is a small increase for the addition of a window. Or, booking connecting inside rooms for your family of 5 versus one room with a balcony may be a good option. Looking at two rooms in a lower priced category versus one balcony room should be something you consider. Learning about your stateroom options is a great way to not waste money on Disney Cruise Line.

Don’t Purchase Drinks Onboard when You Can Bring Your Own

New cruisers may not realize that you can bring your own drinks onboard with you-in your carry on. Yes! Disney Cruise Line and Royal both allow guests 21+ a certain number of bottles or cans of alcohol to bring onboard as long as it is packed in their carry on.

Disney Cruise Line specifically does not offer any sort of drink package. And, while the drinks are somewhat reasonably priced onboard, you’ll still save money by bringing your own. You can only bring wine, champagne, or beer-no liquor. Also, when you bring your own alcohol onboard, the crew members will cork it for you in the dining room for a small fee.

Not only can you bring your own alcohol, but you can also bring your own bottled water onboard Disney Cruise Line. An even better option-take a reusable water bottle and fill it at the complimentary soda refill stations onboard.

Take Advantage of the Free Soda Machines Onboard

Disney Cruise Line is the only cruise line that offers COMPLIMENTARY soda machines. This goes back to the concept that they do not offer drink packages-they don’t need to! The Crew Members even open soda refill stations on Disney’s Castaway Cay. While they do supply small paper cups, you are also welcome to bring your own Tervis style or YETI and refill it at the soda stations.

The large soda station is located on the pool deck of the ships. There are also refill stations in the buffet restaurant onboard. You can also find lemonade, Hi-C, teas, coffee, and hot chocolate at the refill stations-so it’s not just soda.

Avoid the Concession Stand at the Theater

Every night, guests are treated to a live, Broadway style performance in the theater onboard. While this is showing, Disney Cruise Line opens the concession stand to serve soda, candy, and popcorn. Have you visited a Disney theme park recently? If so, bring your refillable popcorn bucket-they will refill them at a discount onboard the Disney Cruise Line ships.

You can also pack movie theater candy and small dry snacks in your luggage, and bring them onboard with you. This will save you SO much money when seeing the movies or live shows onboard.

Save Money at the Spa by Booking Onboard & Being Aware of Inclusions

Yes, you can book spa treatments before you sail. This is when the availability is the best. However, if you are willing to be flexible and wait it out, you may snag a good deal onboard.

Once you have boarded the ship, you will start to see special offers from the spa. A lot of times it’ll be a bundle package-perhaps a massage, manicure, and facial. Or any combination of a few offerings. In fact, watch closely for a deal on port days. These days often have the best offers!

Also, when checking out at the spa, there will be a line item to write in a gratuity. When you do so, this tips the Crew Member a second time. There is already an 18% gratuity added into the total of your spa treatments. I am not saying to NOT tip-just to understand that if you write something in the line, that is an additional amount.

These are just a few of the ways that you can avoid wasting money on Disney Cruise Line. Your Disney Cruise Line vacation is an investment-and you want to have the best experience possible!

What are your best tips for not wasting money on Disney Cruise Line?