Advantages and disadvantages of paying off cruise early.

[scrapperkimmydee]

I saw this discussion somewhere, but now I can’t find it. Quite possibly because Im not sure where I saw it. I remember one comment said something about what happens if DCL cancels the cruise for some reason. I’d love to read back over all the answers. Or read some new ones.

 

[Mommb]

If Disney cancels a cruise, you will be offered a refund of any fare you have already paid. If you are paid in full, you may also be given the option to move your payments to another cruise, and may also get an offer of a discount or onboard credit for the new cruise.

When DCL cancelled my 2021 cruise due to COVID, people who had paid in full were offered a credit of 125% of the fare paid that turned into onboard credit if not used for the fare of a new cruise. People who had not yet paid in full were simply given a refund of what they had paid.

The COVID cancellations were an unusual situation — usually, cancellations occur either soon after a cruise goes on sail (due to a group chartering the entire ship) or very close to sailing due to weather conditions.

If you make a full payment before your cancellation fees begin (for example, to be able to book onboard activities) and then cancel before the fees begin, you will get a full refund of what you have paid. Note that for Concierge rooms and no refundable fares, cancellation fees begin as soon as you book.

 

[dcassetta]

If you’re not in the US, there can be some advantage to paying your cruise off early to take advantage of exchange rates.

 

[bootly]

If you’re not in the US, there can be some advantage to paying your cruise off early to take advantage of exchange rates.

There might also be some advantage to waiting to take advantage of later exchange rates. That said, if you can predict interest rates, let's talk

 

[Clarkson U]

Currently for 2022 sailings, if you pay off early your booking window can open early. They are still allowing final payment 60 days out from sailing but booking port adventures and onboard activities open before that date depending on CC level AND only if you are paid in full. Other reasons to pay in full include some other advantage like if you open a new credit card and need to charge a certain amount in one month or three months - this can be used to help you get to that reward also.