How early do you book your cruise?

[Smokeythebear]

Hi, new to the forum. Im just starting to do some reading and research so forgive my ignorance.

I’m thinking about taking my girls age 6 and 8 on Treasure in April 2025. Is it too early to book? Do prices fluctuate a lot? It’s our first Disney cruise. They’re still in love with all the princess girly stuff so I’m hoping they’ll love the cruise.

Also considering Wish because my daughter loves The Little Mermaid and I saw they have a show on that ship I’m sure she’d get a kick out of it.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[AgentMama]

The prices typically just go up. If there is a popular itinerary, we book on opening day.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hi, new to the forum. Im just starting to do some reading and research so forgive my ignorance.

I’m thinking about taking my girls age 6 and 8 on Treasure in April 2025. Is it too early to book? Do prices fluctuate a lot? It’s our first Disney cruise. They’re still in love with all the princess girly stuff so I’m hoping they’ll love the cruise.

Also considering Wish because my daughter loves The Little Mermaid and I saw they have a show on that ship I’m sure she’d get a kick out of it.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

We typically book our cruises as soon as we know which one we want. As noted, prices only increase the closer to departure date (as the space onboard fills up).

 

[happycamper47]

We typically book our cruises as soon as we know which one we want. As noted, prices only increase the closer to departure date (as the space onboard fills up).

What we do as well.

 

[o&smom]

We always book opening day.

 

[Mommb]

Unless you are booking concierge or an inaugural cruise, you can cancel for a full refund up until a few months before the cruise. As long as you can afford the deposit, it’s best to book a Disney cruise as soon as you know you want it.

 

[auntlynne]

On the older ships, you might get a reduced fare close to sailing - but don’t expect to see it on the Treasure for a long time.

 

[Smokeythebear]

Okay, we need to sort out the dates still but will probably be ready within a few weeks. Do you book directly with Disney? I see a lot of people recommend using a travel agent. Is that the best way to book? I can float the deposit, I didn’t realize you can cancel a trip, that’s pretty cool but we’re locked in as the kids already know about it and are super excited.

 

[auntlynne]

If you like to be in control (some of us know we do), book it yourself. If you like to let someone else do the work, use a Travel Agent. In the US ( probably Canada), there should be no charge. Some give you an onboard bonu$ or gift. They get their commission from the cruise line.

I think you still do your own online check-in and excursion booking, either way.

 

[auntlynne]

Some Costco members book through them, getting a cash card to use at the warehouse after you have sailed (I think that’s the current method).

I like to save some money, so I buy Disney Gift Cards at Target with my Red Card at a 5% discount. A good cash back credit card purchase at Sam’s can save you, also.

 

[Smokeythebear]

Some Costco members book through them, getting a cash card to use at the warehouse after you have sailed (I think that’s the current method).

I like to save some money, so I buy Disney Gift Cards at Target with my Red Card at a 5% discount. A good cash back credit card purchase at Sam’s can save you, also.

Thank you. I like to save money too which is why I’m asking all these questions.

I read about buying Disney gift cards and paying off then transferring to Costco. I’m not sure if I understand the purpose of transferring to Costco but do you literally buy thousands of dollars of Disney gift cards to pay for the whole thing?

 

[auntlynne]

Thank you. I like to save money too which is why I’m asking all these questions.

I read about buying Disney gift cards and paying off then transferring to Costco. I’m not sure if I understand the purpose of transferring to Costco but do you literally buy thousands of dollars of Disney gift cards to pay for the whole thing?

I do. 5% of thousands is real money. . I am not so busy that I can take the time to type those numbers into a computer. $3K = $150. That makes a nice dent in the daily gratuity bill (gratuities are $14.50 pp/day).

Just make sure you transfer your reservation to Costco in the appropriate time frame (I don’t know if it’s time from making deposit, but that seems to be the timer start. Check it out if you are going that route. And maybe you can make your payment through Costco with Disney gift cards?

 

[LaIsla]

Thank you. I like to save money too which is why I’m asking all these questions.

I read about buying Disney gift cards and paying off then transferring to Costco. I’m not sure if I understand the purpose of transferring to Costco but do you literally buy thousands of dollars of Disney gift cards to pay for the whole thing?

Transfering to Costco gets you a generous Costco gift card after the cruise (and 2% back if you have an executive membership). Play around on the Costco travel site and you’ll see the gift card amounts you’d be getting back for your intended cruise.

If you haven’t already booked, you can book directly with Costco. Many folks transfer the placeholders booked onboard (10% off future cruise.). You can still use Disney gift cards when using Costco, you just have to call to give them the numbers.

How much in Disney gift cards to use depends on how sure you won’t cancel it. Any refund goes back to the method of payment - so pay with a gift card, get it back as to the same card if you decide to cancel. It can be a significant savings depending on the gift card discount, but you might not want to risk that much sitting on gift cards if you cancel. And keeping track of the gift cards numbers could be a concern too.

 

[auntlynne]

^^ Great point about gift cards and cancelling! I only pay with them if I am not waffling. I think some of people got stuck with lots of money on gift cards when Covid cancelled cruises. I have been known to pay with credit cards for the deposit. (My Chase Disney VISA has 6 mos free interest - so I could cancel, get my deposit back and have paid no interest while letting the charge ride).

 

[Smokeythebear]

I haven’t booked yet. Seems like I should just book directly through Costco then. I don’t see the point in booking through Disney then transferring if I can just do it through Costco.

Here I come target, buying $500 Disney gc every month for awhile.

 

[unrequited23]

Costco has/had a deal on Disney gc, $250 for $225, limit two per membership.

 

[MamaMermaid]

We book as soon as we know we want to go.

 

[Calantha]

• I book as soon as I know we're going (usually opening day or pretty close).
• I use my Disney Visa to manage the deposit (with the 0% interest).
• I buy $1000-1500/month in Disney gift cards from Target, depending on how quickly I need to pay for the cruise.
  • That might seem like a lot, but I'm usually floating (haha) about 3 cruises at once.
  • I did buy the Costco Disney cards in December too (darn that 2/account limit).
• I do use a Travel Agent for the small OBB and the fact that he sits on the phone to make the reservation. I control everything else (all on-board activities, excursions, etc.).
  • He's saved our butt a few times with issues from COVID and things related to my various family members, so I consider him to be a valuable part of our process. Most of the time he doesn't need to do much, but occasionally, he makes all the difference.

 

[MarkNC2Disney]

This thread has been so helpful! We're (fam of 5) also first timers. Looking to skip a summer at WDW (DVC) for a Disney cruise.

In terms of savings, would y'all recommend Costco or a TA (or something else)?

 

[Mommb]

In terms of savings, would y'all recommend Costco or a TA (or something else)?

If you are already a Costco member and visit frequently, then getting a Costco gift card will get you the greatest savings. I just priced out a cruise with a fare of $5480 that offered a Costco Shop Card of $420, which is over 7% of the fare.

Other travel agencies may offer an onboard credit. The agency I use gives a scaled credit of roughly 5% of the fare, which would be $250 for the cruise I researched. The advantage to the onboard credit over the gift card is that I would use it onboard, without requiring a trip (or trips) to Costco.

Another advantage of using a travel agency experienced with booking Disney cruises is that agents often have been on Disney cruises themselves and can provide suggestions for which itinerary and which cabin type would work best for your family.

Agencies have different processes for booking cruises on opening day of new itineraries. My understanding is that Costco will ask people to be on the line with them when they call Disney, which may require spending a lot of time on the phone waiting to get through. When I want to book on opening day, I email my travel agent before booking opens to let her know which cruise and cabin type/location I want. She then waits on the phone with DCL and emails me the confirmation once she gets through.

So, if your goal is savings, Costco is probably your best bet. If you need more personalized service, you may want a different agency (although I have heard of many good experiences with Costco agents as well).