Disney Cruise Lines FAQ's

How do I book a Disney cruise?

What information do I need in order to book a Disney cruise?

Why does Disney Cruise Line® need birthdates for each member of my travel party?

How far in advance should I book a Disney cruise?

What is the best time of year to sail?

How do I choose a stateroom?

What are the stateroom categories and how do they differ?

Are there different types of verandahs?

How many people can stay in one stateroom?

Can I book multiple staterooms?

I'll be traveling with friends and/or family, but we'll be booking separately. How do I coordinate my entire travel party?

How do I make dining arrangements when I book my cruise?

How do I arrange air and/or ground transportation?

What is Onboard Airline Check-In?

How do I make special requests when I book my cruise?

Should I buy travel insurance?

Can I reserve a cruise with just a deposit?

Are there fuel surcharges for Disney Cruise Line®? What if fuel prices increase? Will you implement fuel surcharges again in the future?

How are you handling those Guests who have already booked a cruise and paid the fuel surcharge? Are you giving refunds?

What are the specific guidelines for the refund of fuel supplements already paid?

How do I book a Disney cruise?

You can book a Disney online, or by phone at 1-800- 594-2279.

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What information do I need in order to book a Disney cruise?

First of all, you need to know which cruise you want to book, including the itinerary, departure date and travel party. Then you need to let us know some travel details, including booking air travel with your cruise. Next you let us know your preferences for dining, special requests and vacation insurance.

At this point, we'll have everything we need to give you an accurate quote. Now you may reserve this cruise by putting down a deposit or paying in full or you may choose to save your itinerary information to book later. (Note: We cannot guarantee that the specific offer details will still be available at a later date.) Finally, in order to best serve your needs, we'll collect specific information about each member of your travel party.

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Why does Disney Cruise Line® need birthdates for each member of my travel party?

Disney Cruise Line® requires birthdates to ensure that we provide the best possible services to each and every Guest. We use birthdate information to determine eligibility for onboard venues and activities (such Disney's Oceaneer Club and Lab for kids, Flounder's Reef Nursery for babies, and Vista Spa & Salon and Palo for adults) as well as onshore excursions.

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How far in advance should I book a Disney cruise?

Booking early is always the best way to get a great price and your choice of available staterooms. For the best prices, we recommend you book one year in advance. Special cruises and itineraries, as well as our Category 1 and 2 suites, tend to sell out quickly.

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What is the best time of year to sail?

Summer and holidays, including spring break, are the most popular periods. If you prefer these periods, it is recommended that you book the vacation a year in advance for the best price and stateroom availability. If your schedule is flexible, sailing during non-peak periods (such as the fall) offers a great value. As always, the farther in advance you book, the better the rate.

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How do I choose a stateroom?

Consider the stateroom that best suits your needs and budget. All Disney staterooms are designed with the family in mind, providing substantially more space for relaxation than you'd find on most other cruise ships. Our staterooms can accommodate three, four or five Guests and must include at least one adult.

Our Inside Staterooms offer uncommon spaciousness. Our Oceanview Staterooms offer views of the ocean from a large picture window (Deck 9 Oceanview Staterooms have two smaller windows). Our Verandah Staterooms have private exterior balconies. And our Deluxe Family Stateroom & Suites are able to accommodate larger families.

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What are the stateroom categories and how do they differ?

Suites offer the ultimate in comfort and spaciousness, and meet all your needs for both family time and alone time.

Category 1 Ship Accommodations: Royal Suite with Verandah sleeps 7.

Category 2 Ship Accommodations: 2 Bedroom Suite with Verandah sleeps 7.

Category 3 Ship Accommodations: 1 Bedroom Suite with Verandah sleeps 4 or 5.

Deluxe with Verandah is a spacious room with the feel of the ocean breeze from your own private verandah. The Navigator's Verandah has special nautical décor and a large open-air porthole above the railing.

Category 4 Ship Accommodations: Deluxe Family Stateroom with Verandah sleeps 5.

Category 5 Ship Accommodations: Deluxe Stateroom with Verandah sleeps 3 or 4.

Category 6 Ship Accommodations: Deluxe Stateroom with Verandah sleeps 3 or 4.

Category 7 Ship Accommodations: Deluxe Stateroom with Navigator's Verandah sleeps 3.

Deluxe with Ocean View is a room full of style and a stunning view of the horizon through your own personal porthole (accommodations on Deck 1 include two smaller portholes).

Category 8 Ship Accommodations: Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom sleeps 3 or 4.

Category 9 Ship Accommodations: Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom sleeps 3 or 4.

Inside Stateroom offers uncommon spaciousness along with Disney's distinguished nautical fittings, natural woods and imported tiles.

Category 10 Ship Accommodations: Deluxe Inside Stateroom sleeps 3.

Category 11 Ship Accommodations: Standard Inside Stateroom sleeps 3 or 4.

Category 12 Ship Accommodations: Standard Inside Stateroom sleeps 3.

Staterooms that sleep 4 or more Guests utilize a pull-down berth.

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Are there different types of verandahs?

There are three types of verandahs. The standard verandah has a clear plexiglass below the railing, enabling you to see a full view of the horizon while seated. A second type of verandah has a solid white wall; most of these are on the aft side of the ship. The nautical verandah has a large open-air porthole above the railing.

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How many people can stay in one stateroom?

All Disney staterooms are designed with the family in mind, providing substantially more space for relaxation than you'd find on most other cruise ships. Our staterooms can be occupied by four or five Guests and must include at least one adult.

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Can I book multiple staterooms?

Larger families or groups of friends may request side by side or connecting staterooms (based on stateroom category and availability). Coordinating is easy; if you're sailing with friends and family, we'll link your reservations together and do our best to help you. When you're booking online, you can select "Multiple Staterooms" to book more than one stateroom.

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I'll be traveling with friends and/or family, but we'll be booking separately. How do I coordinate my entire travel party?

Coordinating is easy; if you're sailing with friends and family, we'll link your reservations together and do our best to help you.  If you've already booked your cruises under separate reservations, you'll need to call our reservations desk at 1=800=594=2279 and we'll help coordinate your travel party details. (Note: At this time, we cannot link existing reservations online.)

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How do I make dining arrangements when I book my cruise?

You can request one of two seatings for dinner at the time of booking.

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How do I arrange air and/or ground transportation?

Leave your worries behind when you let us make travel arrangements for you. Optional items that can be added include Flights, and Ground Transfers

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What is Onboard Airline Check-In?

Onboard Airline Check-In is a convenient service that provides Guests who have purchased Disney Cruise Line® air or ground transportation the ability to check in their luggage for their flights and receive their airline boarding passes before they disembark the ship.

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How do I make special requests when I book my cruise?

You can let us know if you'll be celebrating any special occasions or have any special requests, like a crib or a highchair, at the time of booking. You can also purchase special packages to make your vacation even more memorable.

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Should I buy travel insurance?

We strongly recommend the purchase of Disney Cruise Vacations Protection Plan. It provides baggage, trip cancellation/interruption and medical expense coverage for your vacation. Remember, most major medical policies do not provide coverage outside the U.S.

For information on specific Coverage and Terms, make sure to read the Disney Vacation Protection Plan.

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Can I reserve a cruise with just a deposit?

Yes. You may put a deposit on any cruise. The size of the deposit is determined by the cost of the cruise. Your full and final payment for Stateroom Categories 1-3 must be made 90 days prior to departure. Your full and final payment for Stateroom Categories 4-12 must be made 75 days prior to departure. You cannot make advance arrangements, such as booking shore excursions, making Palo reservations or registering for children's activities, until you have paid in full.

You can also put your reservation "on hold." When you select this option, your reservation is held for a limited amount of time until you either put down a deposit or pay in full. The length of time that your reservation can be held -- as well as whether you will need a deposit only or full payment to secure it -- varies depending on the cruise package.

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Are there fuel surcharges for Disney Cruise Line®? What if fuel prices increase? Will you implement fuel surcharges again in the future?

As of December 1, 2008, Disney Cruise Line has stopped charging fuel surcharges for all new bookings. As any prudent business would do, we will continue to monitor fuel costs and may need to implement changes again in the future.

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How are you handling those Guests who have already booked a cruise and paid the fuel surcharge? Are you giving refunds?

The fuel surcharge no longer applies to new bookings. For previously booked cruises, the criteria for refund will be determined on a quarterly basis by the market. Reimbursements for fuel surcharges will be in the form of an onboard credit.

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What are the specific guidelines for the refund of fuel supplements already paid?

For cruises that have already been booked, the following guidelines have been established for the refund of fuel supplements paid:

  • If the closing price on the NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange) of West Texas Intermediate fuel is below $70 a barrel two weeks prior to the beginning of the calendar quarter (dates specified below), Disney Cruise Line will refund fuel surcharges paid in the form of an onboard credit.
  • The determination of which quarter a cruise is in will be based solely on the sailing date. The entire cruise will be considered to be part of the quarter that the sailing date originates in.
  Fuel Price Determination Date Quarter of Possible Fuel Surcharge Refund
  December 18, 2008 First Quarter 2009
  March 18, 2009 Second Quarter 2009
  June 17, 2009 Third Quarter 2009
  September 17, 2009 Fourth Quarter 2009
  December 18, 2009 First Quarter 2010
  March 18, 2010 Second Quarter 2010
  June 17, 2010 Third Quarter 2010
  September 17, 2010 Fourth Quarter 2010
  • Reimbursements for fuel surcharges already paid will be applied in the form of an onboard credit.

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