Hi Robin, welcome aboard! I consider myself a "couponer", and always love to find the best deals, whether it be at our local grocery store, or on an amazing Disney vacation, so believe me, I am always on the lookout!
I wish that Disney offered coupons for their cruises, but unfortunately that is not something they currently do. You asked about cancer survivor discounts. So, first of all, that is wonderful news. You or your family member who battled cancer and won must be so thankful and ready for a celebratory cruise. You absolutely deserve it, and Disney Cruise Line will not disappoint you!
If you have children, you might want to keep an eye on Disney Cruise Line's
Special Offers page, or the
Disney Parks Blog, both of which will list when they are offering Kids Sail Free cruises. These are wonderful times to book with your family. This offer tends to be during the early part of the year (though I did see this offer in October last year too!) and usually on the Magic or the Wonder, but it can always change. We booked a Kids Sail Free promotion last year, which allowed children staying in the same stateroom as two adults to sail for free. What a savings for my family of four!
Local port residents can also expect to see certain specials like "Florida Resident Rates" or similar offers.
Also, regardless of special offers, sailing in the winter will usually ensure you the best rates out there. We love to sail with Disney in January and February when we get much better rates than the height of the summer season.
I hope this helps you as you plan your very first Disney cruise, Robin. Please let me know how I can help you as you continue to plan!