Full payment is due 90 days before sail date for most cruises (when not booking in Concierge level). Disney prices seem to continue to rise for popular sailings. As mentioned, there may be reduced rates (where you don’t pick the cabin), but that is usually to fill a cabin.
So you might want to book soon and then cancel if your work availability isn’t clear. At the 90 mark, you should have a clue if the price has risen -if it hasn’t and you are uncertain about schedule then, cancel, get your deposit back and book when you are certain. Some reservations do get dropped at that point.
(Our November 2024 cruise has gone up about $1K since initial offering (last month). It is a unique itinerary and very popular in bookings.). I have seen other cruises that have very small price changes.)
Age has little to do with cruising, or which cruise line. It is more about what you want out of a cruise. I pick Disney for a more G/PG-rated atmosphere. Carnival seemed like a frat party.
Royal Caribbean was just too big and crowded (and I think the itinerary just wasn’t right for me). I sailed NCL to Alaska right after Covid; it has lots of dining options, and a wonderful ship for the destination.
Dinner on
DCL is predominantly in the MDRs. Magic and Wonder have one Italian restaurant (extra fee); the other 3 offer 2 restaurants per ship. There is no option for a buffet for casual dinner.
There are plenty of bars and lounges. No drink packages like other lines (just some for bottles of wine).
Any cruise will offer 3 nights with a Disney production show: Beauty & The Beast, Aladdin, (and ones that aren’t popping up in my head). The other nights are family- friendly ventriloquists, magicians, possibly crew who perform. No shows with a bunch of dancers and modern music. Fireworks from the ship on Pirate Night, which does have a party for all ages.
They have first-run Disney Co. movies in a nice theater (other than the Wish - it is two small venues) that run all day, with the last show around 10:30. Also outdoor movies; the nighttime ones would include Capt Marvel, Jungle Cruise, Maleficient 2, Cruella, as examples.
There are solo or small musical combos who perform in various lounges in the evenings (not like the focus on HAL). I consider a
Disney cruise to be one for relaxing. There is no pickle ball, surfing simulators, climbing walls, zip lines. Not even a lot of activities for adults around the pool. There us a limited window ~10 pm until midnight or 1 am when the entertainment area focuses on adults.
Since your cruise history covers my two favorite vacation destinations, I would recommend this itinerary (we, 2 sisters in their early 60s, are sailing it in September. It’s a repeat for one).
Or, if you just want a chill beach vacation;
Castaway Cay is a no bells and whistles island, only used (and maintained) by Disney. You walk off the ship, head for the adult side and have a wide bay with shallow, but very clear, pale water. Not great for snorkeling.
