disney cruise line payment plan

Cruise payment plans: All you need to know about paying for a cruise

You're going on a cruise! You've spent time researching and narrowing down your destination, ship and sailing dates, and now it's time to book. But what can you expect in terms of cruise payments? What's the best way to pay for a cruise? Will you have to cough up the full fare upfront, or can you put a cruise on layaway?

Here, I'll answer those questions by discussing cruise payment schedules, different methods of paying for a cruise and the pros and cons of paying in full versus putting down a deposit and paying the rest later.

Note: Payment methods and schedules vary by cruise line and booking outlet. Not all options are offered by all lines or via all booking methods. Check with your cruise line or booking outlet for availability before making a reservation.

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How to pay for a cruise

You can pay for your voyage in multiple ways. Most passengers put the charges on a credit card , which is often the quickest and most convenient method. Additionally, you can use gift cards (either cruise line-specific or those from major credit card issuers that aren't tied to a specific retailer), future cruise credits from your cruise line or even cash if you book in person through a travel agent .

Other options include payment by electronic check, PayPal or Apple Pay (depending on how you book) or points and miles on a third-party platform . You can also redeem free cruise certificates from cruise lines that award them for things like casino play , reaching a high loyalty status tier, winning high-stakes bingo or even cruises gone wrong .

You can choose to pay in full at the time of booking, which could earn you additional perks or savings, or make an initial cruise deposit with subsequent payments until anywhere from two to three months before your sailing date.

Specific financing and payment plan options vary by cruise line. For example, Carnival Cruise Line uses EasyPay to allow interest-free autopayments to be charged to you at regular intervals in order to pay off your cruise before you set sail. Princess Cruises' and Holland America's EZpay program offers a similar interest-free setup.

Carnival also offers Uplift as an option. Although some passengers are approved for no down payment and/or 0% interest, interest rates will apply for other cruisers, and under the program, your voyage doesn't have to be completely paid off before your embarkation date. Royal Caribbean allows passengers to finance their cruises using Affirm, with both interest-free and simple-interest options available. Some lines also allow payments through the popular payment app Klarna, which has different payment options, both with and without interest. (Check with your cruise line for details on its specific payment plans.)

Here are the pros and cons of paying over two different time periods.

Paying all at once

If you have the funds to pay for the entire amount of your sailing right away, feel free. It means you won't have to remember to make additional payments. Plus, as an incentive, some cruise lines extend additional perks or discounts to entice travelers to lock in their plans at the time of booking.

For example, wave season deals often include incentives to pay in full. At the time of publication, Emerald Cruises was discounting cruise fares by thousands of dollars for anyone paying in full at the time of booking. Scenic was allowing passengers to choose from additional savings, free airfare or free pre- or post-cruise land tours for paying in full right away. Silversea was slashing fares for pay-upfront voyages by 10%-20%.

The drawback, however, is that you part with a lot of money upfront if you decide to pay immediately. For many cruisers who book a year or more ahead of time, that money could be more lucrative sitting in a bank account that earns interest instead of providing an interest-free loan to a cruise line.

Paying incrementally, with an initial minimum deposit

Alternatively, you can pay a deposit — a portion of the cruise fare for each person on your reservation — to lock in your cabin. Then, in the months leading up to your sailing, you'll make additional payments, according to your cruise line's payment schedule, until you no longer owe anything. If you don't pay off the remaining balance by the final payment date — usually two to three months before embarkation day — the cruise line will cancel your reservation, and you won't be allowed to sail.

Incremental payments are a better choice if you're unsure whether you can or want to sail but want to lock in an attractive fare or snag a cabin on a new ship or unusual itinerary while you decide. If you pay off your cruise early, you can get your money back (except for certain discounted fares and nonrefundable deposits) should you cancel before the final payment deadline. However, it can be a hassle to go through the refund process and wait for the cruise line to return your funds.

Another obvious draw of this method is that it costs less upfront. You can pay over time instead of draining your savings or putting the full amount on a credit card and then incurring fees if you can't pay off your card in full.

Generally, there is no interest or penalty for paying over time if you go the deposit route, so in most cases you won't be charged more if you opt for a payment plan. Plus, you can always pay the balance off early or in larger amounts than are required by your cruise line.

One drawback is that you'll have to remember to make additional payments on time to avoid cancellation of your reservation. Plus, you might not be able to take advantage of a cruise line's cheapest fares if you're not willing to pay in full at the time of booking.

Note that if you book a last-minute cruise after the final payment date (typically, two or three months prior to sailing), you must pay in full; there is no deposit option.

How much is a cruise deposit?

The amount of the deposit required varies by cruise line, but typically you can expect to shell out a couple hundred dollars per person to reserve a cabin with most major cruise lines. It's based on several factors, including the length of the sailing, the overall cost of the voyage, the type of accommodations booked and whether or not the line is running a promotion. Sometimes, as a booking incentive, lines will waive deposits completely or heavily discount them.

At the time of publication, as part of their wave season promotions , Carnival Cruise Line and Costa Cruises were touting deposits as low as $50 per person, while Princess Cruises was offering them for $100 per person. Disney Cruise Line also slashed its required deposits by half — a big deal for a line that rarely offers discounts. Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line and UnCruise Adventures also were offering deposit reductions.

The next section outlines the specific deposit amounts for the most popular cruise lines.

Cruise payment schedules

Below are the payment schedules and deposit amounts for each of the "big eight" cruise lines.

Note: Deposits are per person and refundable prior to the cruise line's final payment deadline, unless otherwise indicated. For cruises booked after the final payment deadline has passed, payment is required in full at the time of booking.

Carnival cruise payment schedule

For most sailings, Carnival requires a deposit of $100 per person for two- to three-day sailings, $150 for four- and five-day sailings and $250 for six- to nine-day sailings. Longer cruises and voyages to Alaska, Europe and the Panama Canal, as well as ocean crossings, require a deposit of $400 per person.

Deposits for Carnival bookings are generally nonrefundable unless cruisers specifically purchase fully refundable fares.

Final payment is required either 76 or 91 days from the sailing date, depending on the destination, cabin type and length of cruise booked.

See Carnival's website for more information.

Celebrity cruise payment schedule

For Sky Suite cabins and lower, Celebrity charges $100 per person for cruises up to five nights, $250 for six to eight nights and $450 for voyages of nine nights or longer. Those prices double, per person, for Celebrity Suites and above.

For Galapagos sailings, deposits for non-suites at the time of booking are $450 per person; suites are $900 per person.

Deposits for Celebrity bookings are generally nonrefundable at any time unless cruisers specifically purchase fully refundable fares.

For cruises of four nights or fewer, final payment must be made at least 75 days prior to sailing. For voyages of five or more nights, final payment is due at least 90 days in advance.

Galapagos sailings must be settled further in advance, with final payment due anywhere from 120 to 180 days in advance, depending on the ship.

More information can be found on Vacations To Go 's website.

Disney cruise payment schedule

Disney Cruise Line 's fine print states that deposits are determined at the time of booking, so they vary.

For non-suite and non-concierge voyages of five nights or fewer, the line requires final payment 90 days or more prior to embarkation day; for sailings of six nights or longer, payment must be made 120 days or more in advance. For suites and concierge-level accommodations, final payment is due 91 days or more prior to sailing.

You can read more in the line's terms and conditions .

Holland America cruise payment schedule

Holland America 's deposit amounts vary widely, requiring passengers to pay anywhere from $350 to $2,900 per person, depending on the sailing.

For Alaska, Bermuda, Caribbean, Canada/New England, Europe, Mexican Riviera, Panama Canal and long Hawaii voyages, final payment must be made no fewer than 75 days prior to sailing. For all other cruises — including holiday voyages, voyages longer than 30 days and segments of voyages longer than 30 days — full payment must be received at least 90 days before embarkation.

Find more specifics on Vacations To Go's website .

MSC cruise payment schedule

Deposits for MSC Cruises are $99 per adult for voyages of four nights or fewer, $199 for five to 14 nights, $300 for 15 nights or longer and an amount equal to 15% of the overall price for world cruises. Additional deposits are not required for children sailing as the third and fourth passengers in a cabin.

For cruises of four nights or fewer, bookings must be paid in full at least 75 days before the sailing date. Those of five to 14 nights must be paid off 90 days or more ahead of time, and bills for any voyages 15 days or longer must be settled at least 110 days prior to departure. For world cruises, it's 120 days.

You can read more on MSC's website .

Norwegian cruise payment schedule

Deposits for Norwegian Cruise Line bookings vary greatly, ranging from $100 to $5,000 per person, based on cabin or suite type booked and the length of the sailing.

Norwegian's deposits are fully refundable, but all voyages, regardless of length or cabin type, must be paid in full at least 120 days in advance. That's earlier than what other cruise lines require for basic cabin types and standard-length sailings.

To learn more, see the chart on NCL's website .

Princess cruise payment schedule

When you book a Princess cruise, you'll owe a deposit of $100 per person ($200 for suites) for sailings of five days or fewer, $200 ($500 for suites) for voyages of six to nine days or $400 ($800 for suites) for cruises of 10 days or longer. For world cruises, you'll have to pony up 30% of the overall cost of the sailing.

For voyages of five days or fewer, you'll have to pay in full at least 75 days before your vacation. Cruises of six to 24 days require full payment 90 days or more ahead of time, and for world cruises, your bill is due 120 days or more before you set sail.

Check out the breakdown on Princess' website .

Royal Caribbean cruise payment schedule

Deposit amounts vary by sailing and the number of people in each cabin for Royal Caribbean bookings. Generally, passengers can expect to front $200 per stateroom (rather than per person) for sailings of five nights or fewer, $500 per cabin for six- to nine-night voyages and $900 per room for cruises of 10 nights or longer.

Deposits for Royal Caribbean bookings are generally nonrefundable at any time unless cruisers specifically purchase fully refundable fares.

For sailings of four nights or fewer, the final payment is due 75 days or more prior to the embarkation date. For five-night voyages and longer, the cruise line must receive all money no fewer than 120 days from sailing. The deadline for world cruises is at least 180 days prior to departure.

Read more on Royal Caribbean's website in the line's FAQ section .

Bottom line

Travelers have many options when it comes to paying for a cruise. You can pay in full at the time of booking or choose cruise payment plans that allow you to make a deposit for each person in your party and then pay off the balance over time.

Additionally, payment methods may include credit cards, third-party payment systems, gift cards, cruise certificates and cash.

Ultimately, the best way to make cruise payments is whichever one works best for you and your specific circumstances. What matters most is that you pay the cruise line in full by its designated final payment date, so your reservation is confirmed and you can set sail on departure day.

Have more cruise questions? TPG has answers:

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• Man overboard: Why do people fall off cruise ships?
• What is baked Alaska, and why is it paraded around cruise ships?
• What are the largest cruise ships in the world?
• What is a gentleman host on a cruise?
• What is the Jones Act and how does it affect cruise ships?
• What is a lido deck on a cruise ship?
• What's a cruise cabin guarantee and will it save you money?
• What's the difference between a cruise concierge and a butler?

The Disney Cruise Family Travel Blog

Travel and Fun Things To Do

Disney Cruise Line Unveils a Flexible Planning Calculator

Disney Cruise Line has added a Flexible Planning Calculator to help you plan the cost of your Disney Cruise. You can see how much you need to save or pay on a weekly, biweekly, or monthly to pay off your cruise by the Paid In Full Date.

It is not a formal payment plan, but it helps you plan the cost of your cruise.

A new flexible planning calculator is now available to help guests plan their Disney Cruise. When browsing available itineraries, simply select  ‘ Rate & Room Details ’  under the preferred sailing to view the planning calculator. This functionality will only be visible for itineraries with sail dates at least 90 days in the future. With this new functionality, guests can calculate a sample payment plan for their cruise based on a preferred payment frequency or a custom amount for added flexibility. Please note that this calculator is only for planning purposes and does not represent a formal payment plan.

Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest Disney cruise news, like the new Dance Party  debuting this week on the Disney Dream, the rollout of the  DisneyBand+  across the fleet, and the latest on the  Disney Treasure . Don’t forget to enter to win a Disney Cruise on the Disney Wish .

This post may contain affiliate links. Meaning, that if you make a purchase through my links, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support of this site.

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How To Pay for a Disney Cruise

Whether you’re a seasoned Disney enthusiast or embarking on your first magical voyage, planning and paying for a Disney Cruise can seem overwhelming. However, with a bit of guidance and some helpful tips, you’ll be sailing into the sunset with Mickey and friends in no time.

To pay for a Disney Cruise, you first make a reservation and pay a deposit of at least 20% of the total cost. You can then make additional payments at your own pace, using a variety of payment methods, including credit cards, cash, Disney Gift Cards, or American Express Travelers Cheques. You can also take advantage of discounts and offers to reduce the cost. Remember to budget for onboard expenses and consider purchasing travel insurance to protect your investment.

Making a Reservation

You have several options when it comes to reserving your Disney Cruise. You can book through a travel agent, call Disney Cruise Line directly at (800) 951-3532, or make a reservation online via the Disney Cruise Line website. When you book a stateroom, you’ll be required to pay a deposit, but you can secure your reservation with as little as 20% down.

Payment Options

Disney Cruise Line accepts a variety of payment methods. These include Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover Card, Diners Club International, and Japanese Credit Bureau. You can also use cash, a Disney Gift Card, or American Express Travelers Cheques denominated in US Dollars (USD).

Flexible Payment Plan

Disney Cruise Line’s flexible payment option allows you to pay at your own pace. After making your initial deposit, you can log into your Disney Cruise Line account or call the cruise line directly to make additional payments. While this isn’t an official payment plan, it does provide a degree of flexibility, allowing you to break up the cost of your cruise into more manageable chunks.

Disney Cruise Line even offers a Flexible Payment Calculator on their website. This tool allows you to calculate sample payment plans for specific sailings based on your preferred payment frequency or a custom amount. However, it’s important to note that this calculator is for planning purposes only and does not represent a formal payment plan.

Cost Variations

The cost of a Disney Cruise can vary based on several factors. These include the destination, the length of the trip, the type of room, and even the time of year. On average, a 1- to 3-night Disney cruise in an inside cabin costs between $800 and $1,600 per person. However, upgrading to a more luxurious room or opting for a longer cruise can increase the cost significantly.

Discounts and Offers

Disney Cruise Line offers a variety of discounts and offers that can help reduce the cost of your cruise. These include special savings on select cruises, military discounts, Florida resident discounts, and return cruiser offers. Booking early (12-18 months in advance) can also help you secure the best price, thanks to Disney Cruise Line’s tiered pricing system.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is a great way to protect your investment. Policies often cover costs related to cruise cancellations, interruptions, trip delays, lost bags, and medical emergencies. You can purchase travel insurance through your cruise line, a travel agent, or a specific insurance provider.

Managing Onboard Expenses

Once you’re on your Disney Cruise, there are several strategies to help manage onboard expenses. Stick to complimentary food and drink options, set a daily budget, take advantage of free activities, limit souvenir purchases, and keep track of your spending.

With the right planning and a little bit of Disney magic, paying for a Disney Cruise can be as smooth as sailing on calm seas. Happy cruising!

Frequently Asked Questions

What if i need to cancel my disney cruise.

Disney Cruise Line does have a cancellation policy. The specifics depend on the length of the cruise and how close to the departure date you cancel. It’s always recommended to review the cancellation policy at the time of booking. Travel insurance can also provide coverage in case of cancellation.

Does Disney Cruise Line offer payment plans?

While Disney Cruise Line does not officially offer payment plans, they do provide a degree of flexibility. After making your initial deposit, you can make additional payments at your own pace until the final payment due date.

Can I use multiple forms of payment for my Disney Cruise?

Yes, you can use multiple forms of payment. For example, you could use a credit card for the deposit and then use a Disney Gift Card for subsequent payments.

Are there any hidden fees I should be aware of when booking a Disney Cruise?

The cruise fare includes a lot, such as your stateroom, meals, and most onboard entertainment. However, there are additional costs that are not included in the base fare. These may include gratuities, alcoholic beverages, specialty dining, spa treatments, shore excursions, and more.

How can I keep track of my onboard spending during the cruise?

Every purchase you make onboard your Disney Cruise will be charged to your stateroom account. You can review your account at any time using the stateroom TV or the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app, making it easy to keep track of your spending.

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How to Plan a Disney Cruise - Payment

Home >> walt disney world important phone numbers >> how to plan a disney cruise - payment.

All Disney Cruise date and payment information are based on January 2020 Disney information.  They are subject to change at any time for any reason and for any Castaway Club level.  ALWAYS VERFIFY with Disney or your Travel Agent your final payment date.  If you miss your final payment date your Disney Cruise will be canceled and there is no way to get it back. (without paying current prices which will be much higher)

Disney Cruise Deposit

Disney requires a deposit at the time you book a Disney Cruise.  Typically it is 20% of the cruise price.  If you book a Disney Cruise while already on a Disney Cruise the deposit amount will typically be less.  Disney also occasionally has reduced cruise deposit specials. (link to WISH specials page)

Disney Cruise deposits are fully refundable before final payment date and since Disney Cruise prices are much, much cheaper the day they go on sail to the public it makes sense to put down a deposit on any Disney Cruise you are interested in.

Making Payments

While final payment is typically due 120 days in advance, (see below for exceptions) a Disney Cruise is very expensive and it makes sense to make continuous payments from deposit date up until final payment date.  If you are using a Travel Agent you will need to contact them to make payment otherwise you call Disney Cruise Line direct. 

You can pay with Credit Card (The Disney Visa gives you some perks), Disney gift card, or debit card.  You can also send checks to Disney but we do not recommend this.

Final Payment

Every cruise will have a final payment date.  We give the typical dates in this article and elsewhere BUT it is always subject to change.  It is critical you know when your final payment date is.  If you are not paid in full by the final payment date your cruise will automatically be canceled. Your Travel Agent should remind you but to prevent mistakes it is important you are aware of this date

Some of the Castaway Club levels can make their final payment later then other levels HOWEVER you can not book excursions for cabanas until final payment is made so plan to make your final payment by the date you are allowed to book excursions.

Final payment only includes the Disney Cruise price.  Excursions and other activities are paid onboard.

90 Days before cruise final payment date

• Disney Cruises 5 days or less
• Concierge/Suites

120 Days before cruise final payment date

• Disney Cruises 6 days or more

Cruise Cancellation Fees

As of January 2020

Cruises 1 to 5 Nights (Excluding Suites and Concierge  Staterooms)   

Cruises of 6 Nights or More (Excluding Suites and Concierge Staterooms)

Suite and Concierge Staterooms: All Sailing  

If you purchased Air through Disney please contact your Travel Agent or Disney about cancellation fees

Paying for everything else

You are only required to pay for the Disney Cruise sailing price upfront.  All other fees you pay while on your cruise are charged to your stateroom.

Some of these charges are:

• Dining & Room Host tips
• Palo and other premium restaurants
• Shopping on the ship

These charges can add up and you might consider prepaying most of them.  You can make any amount of payments to your on-board account prior to the cruise.  Any over payments  will be refunded back to the method your used to pay for them.

• Walt Disney World Important Phone Numbers
• How to Plan a Disney Cruise - Choosing a Cruise
• How to Plan a Disney Cruise - Disney Cruise Insurance
• How to Plan a Disney Cruise - General Timeline

The Disney Cruise Line Blog

An unofficial disney cruise line news, information, weather, and photo blog..

A Look at Disney Cruise Line’s Usage Type Based Internet Plans

Disney Cruise Line’s transition to usage type based internet plans over per megabyte (MB) is nearly complete. In this article I will share an overview of the plans, my thoughts, and answer some of your questions about the usage type internet offerings based on two sailings aboard the Disney Wish.

Over the summer, the Disney Magic was the first to go live with the new offering, followed by the Disney Wish, Disney Fantasy, and most recently the Disney Dream. The Disney Wonder will soon be upgraded and may be upgraded depending on when you are reading this article.

Disney Cruise Internet Plans

Disney Cruise Line is now offering guests Internet options starting at $12/day (a 24 hour period). The new Internet offering are based on type of usage versus a measured data plan such as a 1GB plan. The package tiers are Stay Connected , Basic Surf , and Premium Surf . Guests are able to purchase a-la-carte or the full voyage as well as choosing the number of concurrent devices. For the most up-to-date rates, refer to the information provided when you are onboard the ship.

Stay Connected

Stay connected on social media with our most affordable internet plan. With this plan, you can:

• Post text and pictures on popular websites and applications like Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest, Linkedln and Tumblr

The Stay Connected plan does not support surfing the web, accessing email or video streaming

Enjoy all the benefits of the Stay Connected plan – plus, full web access. With this plan, you can:

• Surf the web, read the news, check the weather and visit your other favorite websites
• Send and receive emails
• Make audio calls

The Basic Surf plan does not support long-form video streaming platforms such as Netfilx and Hulu.

Premium Surf

Experience faster connection speeds and access to music platforms such as Pandora, Spotify and Apple Music – plus, all the benefits of the Basic Surf plan. With this plan, you can:

• Enjoy faster connection speeds
• Make video phone calls on platforms FaceTime, Zoom and more
• Listen to your favorite music streaming platforms like Pandora, Spotify and Apple Music
• View short-form on platforms like YouTube, Snapchat and TikTok

The Premium Surf plan does not support long-form video streaming platforms such as Netfilx and Hulu.

Internet Free Cruise Vacation

Experience faster relaxation speeds and access pure bliss without any online distractions. With this plan, you can:

• Fall asleep reading a book on a promenade lounger without the distraction of emails and social media updates
• Leave your phone in your stateroom and party like it was 1999*

Note: *This plan does to support long-term leaving of your phone in your stateroom as there are no paper navigators – you must use the app.

Disney Cruise Internet Plan Purchase Options

When selecting a plan tier, you are presented with a per cruise voyage price, or 24-hour a-la-carte price. Additionally, you can select the number of concurrent devices you wish to connect using the selected plan. More on this later, but you can login and logout of the plan on multiple devices, the device option is currently only limited to concurrent device usage.

Once you select a plan, duration, and devices, you will be taking to a purchase screen.

Almost immediately after clicking Purchase you will be redirected to a connected page where you can see your tier, and toggle the device on and off.

Disney Cruise Internet Plan Purchase Process

You can initiate the purchase process by launching the Disney Cruise Navigator App, selecting the MORE tab, and clicking on the Connect to Internet option. Alternatively, you can visit onboardicafe.com when connected to DCL-GUEST. Please note, the link only works when connected to the ship’s WiFi network.

Below is a video showing the process of signing up and purchasing a Disney Cruise Line internet plan.

FREE: Complimentary Websites

Here is a list of the complimentary (free) websites passengers can browse while connected to DCL-GUEST without purchasing an Internet Package.

• Disney Cruise Line
• Disney Cruise Line Photo
• Walt Disney Word
• Disney Vacation Club – Welcome Home
• Walt Disney World Resorts
• Adventures By Disney
• Run Disney – Every Mile is Magic
• Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa
• Aulani Reservation Management
• Wireless Maritime Services (WMS)
• Disney Cruise Line Lost & Found

My Thoughts on the Internet Plans

The desire for, or necessity of internet connectivity on a vacation, specifically a cruise vacation, is HIGHLY SUBJECTIVE, and depends a number of external and personal factors. There are folks who take vacations and disconnect, some want to remain reachable by friends and family at home, some want to share their trip on social media. Then there are some, like it or not, which have responsibilities that necessitate going online for work or school. Thankfully, there are plans plans available to satisfy everyone from NO INTERNET to Premium Surf.

Before I share my thoughts on the new internet plans, it is imperative that I mention that during both cruises I utilized the premium surf tier – I did NOT test stay connected, or Basic offerings. Furthermore, the premium surf tier was provided to me for the duration of the Christening Cruise aboard the Disney Wish. I paid for the plan for the duration of the Maiden Voyage.

I utilized my plan significantly during my last sailing from posting to social media, publishing articles on this website, and a considerable amount of time on FaceTime video calls. I am not aware of any data caps, but the allocated bandwidth is throttled. While long form video from Hulu and Netflix is not supported, I was able to stream live TV from my Plex server.

The speeds are not anything special, but for the most part it was stable and reliable for my use case. During the Maiden Voyage, the Speedtest (even the speed test from google ) was eventually blocked so I was unable to provide a test for each day of the 5-night voyage.

On the topic of multiple devices. You can use multiple devices on a single device plan. The limitation is for concurrent connected devices. For example, if you are logged in on a phone and try to use a laptop, you will be promoted that you are logged in on another device. You are given an option on the second device to logout of your other device to use the plan on the current device. There is a use case issue here for those that may need to connect to work or something specific that requires multi-factor authentication. Say you need to connect to work or school on a laptop and you have some sort of authentication mechanism on your smartphone. This technically requires both devices to be connected and the internet plans do not offer a grace period for devices. If you find yourself in a scenario like this, do your homework. See if there is an alternative method to connect to whatever you need to connect without have 2 devices online. I am not sure how it works on a Windows laptop, but from my experience you can reverse tether with apple devices. Connect an iOS device via USB to an Apple laptop, and the iOS device will use the internet connection from the laptop resulting in both devices connected.

Unlike the previous internet plans, the new service is from SES and from early feedback from guests on the Disney Magic, and my experience in The Bahamas on the Disney Wish, traffic is routed through SES in Maryland making it a bit less complicated for those who may have corporate networks blocking connections from outside of the United States.

The voyage duration plan is great for the simplicity and does come with a discount. For example the 24hr price for premium was $36, the voyage price for a 5-night was $150 brining the cost down to $30/day.

However, the voyage duration may not be the best value based on your usage case, and itinerary. It may be worth considering various selections from the a-la-carte menu – remember they are good for a 24hr period, not a calendar day. Maybe social media access is all you need on a port day, the next port day you have access to wifi or cellular data in port and decide to go without a plan, but on a sea day you need to work, so you opt for the premium tier.

For the duration of my time on both sailings, I never experienced a period of time where there was no internet service due to satellite connectivity issues. This is not the case from those I spoke with who used the plans during the summer of 2022 on the Magic in Europe. Although, Disney Cruise Line does state, “ the technology involved and satellite connectivity, the onboard Internet service may be slower than you may be accustomed to, and may be interrupted or unavailable at times. ” It is a new service offering onboard date ship which involves new hardware, therefore I’m willing to give them the benefit of the doubt here as they learn and fine tune the offering.

Overall, I like the new plans for the pure fact, I am not on a timer, or a megabyte limit. The freedom that comes with knowing I will not blow through a data plan allocation, and I do not ration usage, disable a background tasks & auto updates among other things on my devices is in itself refreshing. In my usage case, the new internet usage type plans are a significant upgrade over the megabyte allocated plans.

At this time, Disney Cruise Line still has not made any public announcements, or updated their website to reflect any of these changes – currently they are still referencing Connect@Sea on this page . However, this could change once the Disney Wonder is upgraded.

Have you tried the new Internet packages onboard a Disney Cruise? Let us know what you think about the revised offering in the comments.

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36 Replies to “A Look at Disney Cruise Line’s Usage Type Based Internet Plans”

Thanks for a great review. Which plan do you think would be good for receiving videos via text from iPhone to iPhone?

You don’t need one – as iMessage and WhatsApp texts are free without a paid internet plan

Still need service which u dont have while on a cruise, so instead it would use wifi connection,

I id premium surf, but sometimes it was slow. Im glad I was on the first voyage of the new internet on dcl

bring back paper navigators… there are probably a lot of seniors and other folks being left out by this.

Or people such as myself that opt to own a flipphone instead of a smart phone!

I agree. Make the navigators available upon request. I had trouble on the maiden voyage and wrote them, spoke to guest services and was assured I would be able to get the crew type navigator on our next cruise for my mom that does not have a smart phone. I want nothing to do with my phone.i would pay for the paper navigator. Just make it an option.

100% agree. It’s hard to read the print on a phone, and we like to keep the paper navigators as souvenirs as well. Would be quite simple to offer on request for those who want it. Can do without all of the advertising flyers though.

Very good explanation. I hope to stick with the final option, but it’s likely that I will cave for at least 1-2 days.

I’m curious if you can post short 10-15 sec) videos to instagram on the Stay Connected plan? Or is it pictures only? Anyone have experience with this yet?

My wife and I are among those who want to just relax when on a cruise and not have to even think of the phone except as a camera. So these plans are nice that they offer something that (hopefully) works for all when needed. I have to agree that the paper navigators were great as I left my phone turned off, in the cabin safe, until we went ashore on an excursion. But I understand how the world is now and that some have to stay connected. I can recall when the only way to stay connected on a sea cruise was to place a massively expensive Radio Telephone call….

For those of us who want (need ?) the disconnect, Will they still print a paper navigator if you asks for one at guest services?

First 100 times you ask it will be hard NO, but if you ask 101 times you may get a printout of the crew navigator. Frankly, speak with your stateroom host and possibly leave a tip on the first night with a note asking for a crew navigator each day.

Turn your phone off (except for navigator) and enjoy your vacation.

The internet is enjoyment for many people. I guess we all enjoy our vacations in our own way.

Nice to see that someone at Disney has a sense of humor: “Party like it was 1999”.

That was my joke, it is a made up plan, not actually something listed as an option.

I knew it was you (your sense of humor). Loved it!!! Thanks for the article.

I do wish Disney would put the menus and navigators in pdf for on the disney website on the voyage or on the app, like to save the real menus, not a make over on the app. Carnival Cruise Lines put the menus in pdf form on the Hub app and schedules are available in paper or pdf. If you pay top dollar, even Royal Caribean has real navigators. Disney needs to step up it’s game for the price you pay. The Wish might be my last time sailing Disney

I used the internet plan on 3 separate cruises on the Wish and I loved it. I like to be connected all the time and since I am a night owl I used it every day and during the night into the morning hours while my husband was sleeping soundly. It was awesome not having to worry about what how much I was using. Just like home and seamless. I am boarding the Fantasy in a couple weeks and hope it will be just as seamless. I used facetime many times to chat with family and friends and that was perfect as well.

I’m curious if there was improved reliability of the on-board texting feature within the Navigator app. We travel with teens and this has been an ongoing frustration for us.

Little known fact: Whatsapp is working without any plan if you use text only and you are connected on the Disney Guest Wifi 😉

I purchase a “24 hours” in Europe. It gave me 23 hours as I changed time zones. Obviously their system should base off UTC or a singe zone. I wonder if that complaint/suggestion will reach anyone at DCL.

We purchased the basic plan but we’re unable to even send texts back to our dog sitter because our phone company had not set up at with it. I don’t have a Facebook I don’t have an Instagram I don’t have a Twitter. So purchasing the 4-day plan was absolutely useless it didn’t do me any good. Yes I’m one of those older people who wants to put my phone in the safe and not use it. We did use it for the last four cruises during the pandemic to check menus I was happy doing that. I came back from this Cruise last week with text neck and excruciating pain from having to stare at the screen to look for everything. I guess that’s my own fault. Should I not Cruise. What would happen if I told the person on my emergency drill check in that I didn’t have a phone. Am I being rude and belligerent and stupid. I don’t know what to do? not Cruise?

Continue to share feedback with guest services and shoreside. https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/help/email/

Best plan: Whatsapp

It is working for free when connected on the DCL GUEST wifi. You can stay conndcted a littld bit with your family and sometimes works better than chatting on the DCL app.

With Basic Surf, I can send and receive text messages?

Luis, You would be able to use iMessage, but standard SMS text messages require cellular service which is different.

Always love bumping into a fellow plex user!

I probably shouldn’t have mentioned it as it was blocked last time I sailed. I was also unable to connect to my VPN, but that is a different story.

Is the per day plan on all the ships or just the Wish?

Currently, the new Internet plans are available on all ships except for the Wonder which will hopefully be updated after the 2023 Alaskan season during dry dock.

I need to stay connected as I have elderly parents and need for them to be able to reach me. Doing the 14 day Panama Canal sailing in October. Any guess as to what the length of cruise cost might be for the middle tier?

I would imagine no more than $264, but I have not dug into the calculation for length of cruise. I opted for the premium which was $36/day a la carte, but it was $30/day when buying the length of cruise.

Are you able to select a different plan per individual in your stateroom/shared plan?

It’s trash. I Paid $42 a day for a whopping 3mbps

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Booking & Payment

Please select a question:, how can i book a disney cruise, will i be charged to call and speak to a disney expert, where can i find out information and make a group booking, can i book a cruise only reservation, can i book a cruise with a deposit only, how do i pay my balance, how can i change or add details to my booking, do i have the ability to change or upgrade my stateroom, can i reserve connecting staterooms, who do i contact if i have a special requirement, can i arrange for the celebration of a special occasion during our cruise, what is a cruise & stay package, how can i book a cruise & stay package.

You can book your Disney Cruise through our Disney Experts by calling 0800 169 0742*. We advise booking early in order to select the stateroom of your choice. Some staterooms may be more popular than others and these may sell out quickly.

You will not be charged to call and speak to a Disney Expert as this number is a freephone telephone number.

Currently Walt Disney Travel Company are unable to make group bookings, however Disney Cruise Line® direct will be able to assist you with these bookings, offering a number of connecting staterooms. Please call 0800 169 0742*.

Yes, you are welcome to book a cruise only reservation without transportation. Please call our Disney Experts on 0800 169 0742* for more information and to book. If you wish to add transport to your booking at a later date, you can also do this by calling our Disney Experts.

You can make your cruise booking with just a deposit. £150 per person is required at the time you make your booking, plus any additional flight costs (if applicable). The final balance is then payable 100+ days before cruise departure.

To pay the balance of your Disney Cruise please call 0800 169 0742*.

If you wish to amend or make any changes to the details on your booking please call our Disney Experts on 0800 169 0742*.

If you wish to upgrade your stateroom, please call our Disney Experts on 0800 169 0742* or alternatively visit 'My Reservations' on 'My Disney Cruise' or via the ‘Disney Cruise Line Navigator App’.

You can book connecting staterooms or side-by-side staterooms if travelling with another party at the time of booking. To book, please call our Disney Experts on 0800 169 0742*. Please note that connecting and side-by-side staterooms cannot be guaranteed.

In order to cater for any requirements you or your party may have, call our Disney Experts on 0800 169 0742* who will be able to make a booking specific to your needs. A number of adjustments can be made to your booking to ensure your needs are met. You can also make special requests under 'My Reservations' on 'My Disney Cruise’ or via the ‘Disney Cruise Line Navigator App’.

Yes. Whether it’s an anniversary, graduation, birthday, honeymoon, engagement, retirement or reunion, we’re here to help you add even more fun and cheer to your celebration. We recommend letting us know about your special occasion at least 3 weeks prior to sailing so we can make arrangements for you and your guests in one of the dining rooms.

To make arrangements for your special occasion, visit the ‘Disney Cruise Line Navigator App’ or sign into ‘My Reservations’ on ‘My Disney Cruise’, select ‘Special Requests’ and fill out the Special Request form. Orders must be received at least 48 hours prior to departure.

A Cruise & Stay package involves combining a stay at Walt Disney World Resort with a Disney cruise. With easy transfers available for a Disney cruise and stay package, the ultimate holiday is simple to plan, and you’ll soon be on your way to the magic- able to enjoy the fun, thrills and relaxation of both a Disney Cruise and a Walt Disney World stay.

You can add a cruise to the beginning or end of your Walt Disney World Resort booking. When booking with the Walt Disney Travel Company all the details of your ultimate holiday are taken care of!

We know creating the perfect Disney package can be hard; especially deciding what should go where. This is why we have put together a sample itinerary to help give you some ideas on what your ultimate Disney holiday could look like.

Explore our Disney Cruise and Stay Packages to combine your trip to Walt Disney World with a Disney Cruise for the ultimate Disney experience! You can choose to book your Walt Disney World stay online and then call our Disney Experts to add your cruise on 0800 169 0742* or book your whole package with our Disney Experts.

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How to Pay for a Disney Vacation

by Brandi Gannon May 24, 2023

How to Pay for a Disney Vacation Using Payment Plans

From relaxing resorts to world-class cruises and more, Disney destinations have something for every type of traveler. Like all vacations, Disney trips come with a cost that can get pretty high. This is especially true when visiting from out-of-state locations or traveling with large groups .

While Disney doesn’t offer payment official plans, you do have options when it comes to paying the bill!  

While your Key to the World Travel® advisor will help you find the perfect vacation components to stay within your budget, a lot of guests choose to pay for a Disney vacation through a Key to the World Travel® payment plan to help spread out the cost.

Disneyland® and Walt Disney World® Vacations

Traveling to Disneyland ® or  Walt Disney World ®? You can choose to visit by booking either an individual vacation package or taking advantage of the annual pass programs (more on that later!). When booking vacations through an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner like Key to the World Travel®, guests have the option to pay for their Disney experience in a “layaway style,” rather than requiring the full payment upfront.

Each installment plan will vary, but typically, guests are required to make an initial deposit at the time of booking to secure the reservation. The remaining balance can then be divided into equal monthly payments, with the final payment typically due several weeks before the arrival date.

Disney Cruise Line® Vacations

While Disney Cruise Line ® doesn’t offer set payment plans, either, you do have the flexibility to create your own plan and make payments at your convenience.

Your cruise reservation is confirmed by placing an initial deposit. As long as your trip is paid in full by the appropriate date, you’re good to go!

Most cruise line itineraries can be booked at least one year in advance, so it’s best to grab a stateroom as soon as they’re available if you’d like to make smaller payments over a longer period of time.

Adventures by Disney® Vacations

Just like Disney Cruise Line®, Adventures by Disney ® offers guests the ability to reserve a trip with an initial deposit and then make the remaining payments at their convenience.

Deposit prices will vary by trip, but here’s what you can expect:

• Adventures – 10% of total trip price
• Private Adventures – 20% of total trip price
• Escapes – 10% to 15% of total trip price
• River Cruises – 10% of total trip price
• Expedition Cruises – 15% of total trip price

You can find more info about Final Payment Dates for 2023 and 2024 Adventures, refund policies, and more in the full terms and conditions .

Aulani, a Disney® Resort and Spa Vacations

Aulani, A Disney® Resort & Spa stands out as one of Disney’s most unique resorts, combining authentic Hawaiian art and culture with the enchantment and exceptional Guest Service that Disney is known for.

Your Key to the World Travel® Advisor can help you book vacations directly through Disney so that you can make flexible payments according to your schedule.

When making your reservation, you’ll need to pay for one night’s stay, along with applicable taxes and fees. After that, you have the flexibility to make additional payments at your convenience until the Payment in Full date.

How to Pay for a Disney Vacation with an Annual Pass

 Are you a Magic Key holder at Disneyland® or an Annual Passholder at Walt Disney World Resort®? Both Disneyland and Walt Disney World often offer discounts on rooms for their annual passholders! Your Key to the World Travel advisor can help you make reservations and plan your AP trip. They’re also happy to help you with breaking the cost up into smaller payments over time.

Contact us if you’d like help making trip reservations with an annual pass.

Paying for a Vacation Using Gift Cards

Disney gift cards are redeemable for almost all things Disney, including Disney Cruise Line® and Adventures by Disney® vacations. Some guests like to purchase gift cards for specific purposes like meals, park admission, or hotel costs.

You can also occasionally find Disney gift cards on sale for a small discount, such as by using a Target Red Card to purchase them, or buying them from Sam’s Club or BJ’s.

Using Buy Now, Pay Later Services

Why put your vacation dreams on hold when you can enjoy them now? Some “buy now, pay later” services like Uplift  let you book a trip to Disney for a small upfront cost and pay the rest over a period of time. This is a great option if you want to book a vacation soon, but don’t want to pay the full amount in such a short window of time.

Not sure how to get started? We can help! Just let your Key to the World Travel® Advisor know if you’re interested in planning a Disney vacation using Uplift.

Some Tips to Help Pay for a Disney Vacation

The experience of a Disney vacation is 100% worth the cost – but saving a little extra money never hurts! These are a few simple and free ways you can cut down costs when planning a Disney vacation.

• Decide on a budget to prevent overspending.
• Visit during the off-season to make the most of your time (you can get a list of the expected slow and busy days by visiting our Crowd Calendars ).
• Review any Current Offers before you book. Disney parks frequently give discounts on hotels, tickets, select experiences, and more.
• Use a vacation planning service like Key to The World Travel® that can help you find the best deals.
• Prevent ticket scams by purchasing tickets either directly from Disney or through an authorized planner.

As an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner , we offer personalized, complimentary vacation planning services that can include tickets, accommodations, itineraries, and anything else you need. Our expert Travel Advisors find the best deals and lowest prices so you can focus on enjoying your vacation instead of worrying about logistics.

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Disney is betting big on cruises. This is why it needs to.

• Disney Cruise Line has big plans to expand its five-ship fleet.
• The company plans to debut eight ships over the next seven years, including its first two in Asia.
• Disney also launched its second private port, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.

If you had a genie, what would your three wishes be? If one is going on a Disney cruise , you're in luck — you'll have more opportunities to do so soon.

On Sunday, Disney Cruise Line announced an order for four ships to be delivered between 2027 and 2031 — on top of the four vessels already set to debut through 2029.

These eight vessels would more than double Disney's five-ship fleet in seven years.

Disney hasn't announced many details of its latest order, but it has tapped the German company Meyer Werft to build the four ships. Meyer Werft said it was the "highest order value" in the shipyard's history.

The shipyard also constructed Disney's latest three vessels and is constructing the Disney Treasure and the Disney Destiny, scheduled to debut at the end of 2024 and in 2025.

Disney Cruise Line is also growing its footprint in Asia and the Bahamas

Two of the eight ships would have their home ports in Asia , a first for the cruise company: Disney Adventure, scheduled to debut in Singapore in 2025, and another unnamed ship, set to be operated in Japan by Oriental Land Company, which runs Disney's theme parks in the country.

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"The cruise ships tend to pay back very quickly," Hugh Johnston, Disney's senior executive vice president and chief financial officer, told analysts in August. "We certainly feel positive about those investments."

In the background of this fleet expansion, Disney Cruise Line also launched its second private destination in the Bahamas, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, in June. The new port and the cruise line's first private island , Castaway Cay, are scheduled for more than 70% of Disney's 442 voyages in 2025.

It's a great time for the entertainment giant to bet big on its vacation-at-sea business. Major cruise companies have been experiencing record bookings and demand in 2024.

Disney said in its quarterly earnings that it had seen "strong demand" in its cruise arm, with onboard spending increasing throughout the summer. That could help offset some of its amusement parks' 3% drop in operating income from the same time last year, which it attributed to a "moderation of consumer demand" that surpassed the company's expectations — in step with competitors like Six Flags and Universal.

"The lower-income consumer is feeling a little bit of stress," Johnston told analysts. "The high-income consumer is traveling internationally a bit more." Hopefully, for the company's sake, by cruise ship.

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