Ahoy Diana! Thanks for sailing my way here at planDisney with your question!
One of my favorite ways to plan for an incredible Disney Cruise Line vacation is something I like to call the "Unofficial-planDrew-Approved-Two-Step-Cruise-Planning-Method-For-Magical-Memories"
Patent-Pending.
Ok, so nobody really calls it that - not even me - and it's definitely not patent-pending, but all jokes aside, most of my cruise planning does look the same every time:
- Book as far out as possible - hopefully, the first day following an itinerary release!
- Check my final payment date and split the payments into my own "payment plan" by making routine payments on the Disney Cruise Line website.
It's really as easy as that! Since you can reserve your cruise with just a deposit and make payments as you please - as long as you pay the balance before your "final payment due date." If you're making your reservation now, after selecting your cruise you should see the option for "Amount Due Today" to charge to your credit card, along with a "remaining balance" and a due date listed as well! Once you're confirmed, you can find this date on the
"My Reservations" page and
return to make payments by selecting "Make a Payment." Now I noticed you are looking at sailing this September, which means there are only about two and a half months until your sail date! For sailings through December 31, 2022,
final payment is temporarily extended until 60 days prior to sailing for Guests booked in unrestricted stateroom categories, so even if you were to book today, it's likely you'd have to make your final payment in about two weeks. This is one reason why step one in my plan is usually to book as far ahead as possible!
I hope that helps clear up the cloudy water you found yourself in, Diana! Thanks again for your question, and if any others surface while you continue planning, please drop me another line at planDisney!
Until then, I wish you fair winds and following seas!
Andrew