Ahoy there, Rosario!
Welcome aboard planDisney! It sounds like you’re getting ready to
chart a course for adventure, and I couldn’t be more excited for you! I know talking about numbers isn’t as thrilling as Pirate Night or that first bite of a warm chocolate soufflé from Palo, but let’s dive into the budgeting waters together and see how we can make your dream sailing smooth from start to finish.
Since you mentioned a cruise cost of $13,272.48, let’s break down a rough estimate when it comes to the deposit and how you can plan your payments. Disney Cruise Line recently updated their deposit policy, and for most reservations, you'll pay 10% of the cruise fare (before taxes, fees, and port expenses) at the time of booking. Based on your total, and estimating around $700 for taxes and fees (which can vary depending on your itinerary), that puts your estimated deposit around $1,257.
Just keep in mind that some stateroom categories—like those where Disney selects your stateroom (often called Guaranteed or GTY rates)—may require full payment at the time of booking. The best way to confirm your exact deposit amount is to begin a booking on the Disney Cruise Line website, or
call Disney Cruise Line directly. The system will calculate the deposit automatically once you select your stateroom and sailing.
Now for the flexible payment part! While Disney doesn’t offer a traditional monthly payment plan, you can use the “
Pay at Your Own Pace” method. That means you can make payments in any amount, at any time, as long as your cruise is paid in full by your final payment date. Currently, for cruises that are 1 to 5 nights, the final payment is due 90 days before sailing, and for cruises that are 6 nights or longer, it’s due 120 days before.
Here’s a helpful tip: you won’t be able to book Port Adventures,
adult-exclusive dining like Palo Steakhouse or Enchanté, or other onboard activities when your booking window opens unless you’ve paid your cruise in full. So, if you’re eyeing those popular activities, I recommend planning your payments so you can be ready to book as soon as that
window opens based on your Castaway Club level.
And one more thing before you set sail—don’t forget about gratuities! You can
prepay them in advance, which I personally like to do. It helps me stay on budget, and it ensures I don’t forget to take care of the incredible crew members who make each voyage feel like a five-star floating fairy tale.
I hope this helps you feel a little more like Moana, confidently voyaging beyond the reef with your budget in check! Please paddle back over if you need help navigating the next step—I’m always happy to help you steer your ship toward magic.
Sea ya real soon with a June full of sun, sea, and shipshape adventures,
Dustin