Ahoy there, Katie! Welcome aboard planDisney!
I'm so glad to meet you and all our new Disney Cruise Line-loving friends from the Southern Hemisphere! The response has been incredible, and I can't wait for you to experience the
Disney Wonder in all her...er...wonder!
I'll cut right to the chase: the final payment for your January 26th, 2024 sailing would be due October 26th, 2024! This is because your "
Disney Magic at Sea" sailing from Melbourne is fewer than 6-nights, and the
Disney Cruise Line Terms and Conditions state that for cruises lasting this duration, Guests must cancel at least 90 days out without incurring cancellation fees. The quickest way to verify this is to head to the "My Reservations" section of the Disney Cruise Line website, and check the "Balance Due" section - it should tell you there when your reservation would be canceled if not paid in full!
Currently, under the Book with Confidence program, for sailings through March 31, 2023, final payment dates have been extended to 60 days prior to sailing for Guests booked in unrestricted categories. This means Guests who have not yet reached their final payment due date can wait up to 60 days prior to sailing to pay for their cruise vacation. While this deadline has been extended a few times, I am not sure whether this will extend again to cover your 2024 voyage or not! To be safe, I would assume that the normal final payment rules would apply, and you would have to have it paid at least 90 days in advance.
Definitely keep an eye on the Book with Confidence page on the Disney Cruise Line website for any updates as your sailing gets a bit closer to the horizon, as these terms and conditions are known to change, and may have specific you'll want to be as informed as possible!
Remember also that reservations with restrictions are nonrefundable and non-transferable, so those would result in a 100% cancellation fee!
I hope that makes for smooth sailing for you and your crew, Katie! Thank you so much for your question, and if any others surface while you continue planning, please drop me another line here at planDisney!
Until then, may your anchor be tight and your compass true!
Andrew