Disney Cruise Line has seen a deluge of discounts lately, with several special offers for now through Summer 2025. There are currently a half-dozen different deals available, and this post shares a look at the options along with our commentary about a potential rising tide of discounts throughout 2025 and 2026.
If you’ve priced out a Disney Cruise in the last couple of years, there’s a good chance you’ve gotten sticker shock. Or perhaps not. An increasingly common refrain we’ve heard from readers is that, for the all-in cost of Walt Disney World, it’s “cheaper” for them to do Disney Cruise Line, and have a less-stressful experience in the process.
While obviously anecdotal, this sentiment seems increasingly common in the comments here–fans trading theme park trips for cruises. This initially seemed crazy to me, but in pricing out the components of Walt Disney World vacations, I can understand how this is true for at least some fans.
So I guess I’ll re-state the opening line: when we have priced out Disney Cruise Line itineraries in the last two years, we have gotten sticker shock. Our circumstances are unique, though. We are longtime Walt Disney World Annual Passholders, so not only is the effective cost of admission zero dollars for us, but we also have access to fantastic room-only rates and can travel at times when prices are lowest–and usually do.
We also had access to Florida resident rates with Disney Cruise Line for several years, including the period when cruising resumed. During that time, DCL had a lot of policies and protocol that likely dissuaded a lot of people from cruising. As a result, deals were abundant and Sarah took several girl’s cruises with her friends and sister.
Even before all of that, we routinely booked Florida resident rates or other last-minute deals (my favorite time to cruise is January and February, which seemingly makes me an odd duck). In fact, if memory serves me correctly, the only cruise we’ve ever paid close to full price for was our Alaska sailing, and even that was booked with a future cruise onboard promo, so 10% off.
The last two years or so have been a completely different story. Once Disney Cruise Line dropped all of its health safety measures and pent-up demand arrived in full force, rates have exploded. Price increases have been part of that, certainly, but they’re actually the lesser element from our perspective.
Far more significant has been the lack of deals. Or at least, deals we’ve been eligible for and been able to book. (Some of our Cast Member friends have scored great savings in the last year-plus, but I haven’t seen those released to a wider audience.) Well, if the latest ‘deluge of discounts’ is any indication, the tides are turning–and rising.
This makes sense. Pent-up demand didn’t arrive everywhere at the same time. We’ve frequently discussed how Walt Disney World saw revenge travel arrive earlier than Disneyland, owing to Florida’s faster reopening than California. It’s the same idea with domestic versus international travel, and the Asia parks, specifically. (Hong Kong Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Resort continue seeing high levels of pent-up demand because those locales recovered even slower.)
It thus also makes sense that Disney Cruise Line would follow the same trajectory as Walt Disney World when it comes to special offers. We went from discussing a ‘dearth of deals’ in 2022 to a deluge of them last year and return to the 2019 playbook this year. Walt Disney World is now on the backside of pent-up demand, and pulling levers to entice visitors to return.
Admittedly, I don’t have nearly as much expertise about Disney Cruise Line, much less the broader industry as a whole, but it’s only logical for DCL to follow the same general trends as the rest of the travel industry, just with lag. Given how the reopening timeline and how pent-up demand has unfolded, I’d fully expect 2025 to be the year of increased Disney Cruise Line deals.
Another factor, presumably, is the new ships that are coming or have come online. Quite simply, Disney Cruise Line has more capacity now than it did in 2019. That’s already the case with the Wish and Treasure, and will be more so heading into 2026 with the Destiny and Adventure (the latter is probably less relevant since it serves a new market).
While cruise fans and industry watchers might argue that there’s plenty of unsatisfied demand and room in the market for these ships, it cannot be completely true. We’re already seeing deals for the current fleet and those aren’t offered out of corporate benevolence, so it stands to reason that the increased capacity meeting the backside of pent-up demand could be a recipe for more discounts. At least, until ships are shuffled around to various international ports to match regional demand.
Or perhaps this is wishful thinking on my part, as someone who just cruised with a toddler for the first couple of times and found the experience to be a bit of a revelation. Maybe I’m trying to will lower prices into existence, since I’d love to cruise more…without the sticker shock!
As always, we highly recommend working with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. Be Our Guest Vacations is our preferred travel agency, and they have many agents with extensive cruise experience and expertise. Using a travel agency is incredibly advantageous when it comes to cruising–most will provide on-board credits based upon the size of the booking, along with itinerary advice and suggestions for the cruise. They’ll also deal with Disney on your behalf and, speaking from experience, this can be invaluable when something goes wrong. Especially if, like me, you hate talking on the telephone.
Anyway, here’s a rundown of the 2025 Disney Cruise Line deals that are currently available…
Disney+ Subscribers: Now is the time to give your family a Disney Cruise Line vacation. Third and fourth Guests under 18 sail for half price with 2 full-fare Guests in the same stateroom during select cruises on the Disney Wish, Disney Dream and Disney Wonder.
Disney+ subscribers can book up to 2 staterooms with this offer; 2 full-fare Guests must stay in each stateroom. This offer is available for select sailings from January 3, 2025, through June 13, 2025, for stateroom categories 04A-11C only.
Book by February 16, 2025 to take advantage of this offer. Additional terms apply.
Book a Disney cruise by March 14, 2025, and pay only half of your required deposit on the day you make your reservation.
This offer is valid on any new reservation for select Disney cruises departing between June 16, 2025, and May 31, 2026, that does not require final payment at time of booking. Remaining balance will be due at time of final payment.
This offer is not valid on Disney Destiny sailings departing November 20 through December 3, 2025. This offer is not valid for sailings on the Disney Adventure.
Sail close to home from Australia and New Zealand while immersed in the magic of Disney—complete with beloved Characters, themed dining, Broadway-style shows, action-packed kids clubs and fun-filled deck parties.
For a limited time, take advantage of special savings of up to 30% on prevailing voyage fares on select sailings as quoted on DisneyCruise.com. Here’s a full list of eligible Australia and New Zealand cruises.
Embark on an unforgettable Disney cruise on select dates and take advantage of special savings on prevailing rates. Here are important details and restrictions:
- Valid for new bookings only
- Valid only for stateroom categories: Inside Category with Restrictions (IGT), Oceanview Category with Restrictions (OGT), and Verandah Category with Restrictions (VGT)
- Full payment is required at the time of booking for all Guests
- Bookings are non-refundable, except bookings made in the United Kingdom or the European Union, which are subject to applicable cancellation fees
- Full legal names of all Guests are required at the time of booking and no name changes are allowed
- Specific stateroom will be assigned at a later time, based on availability
- Rate does not include gratuities or Port Adventures
- Not combinable with Disney Vacation Club Points
- The number of staterooms allocated for this offer is limited
- The offer cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts
This is an ongoing offer that is, generally speaking, for last-minute cruises with unsold staterooms. As of right now, you’re most likely to find options in January and February 2025, along with a couple options for early March 2025. There’s nothing beyond there. Here’s the list of eligible itineraries.
That covers it for the general public special offers. There are also targeted discounts for Florida residents, Canada residents, and members of the military. I assume there are even better deals for Cast Members, too. If you fall into any of those categories, you really should check what’s available.
Planning to set sail aboard one of the DCL ships? Read our comprehensive Disney Cruise Line Guide to prepare for your voyage, plus plan entertainment, activities & excursions, and learn what to expect from your Disney cruise! For personalized planning & recommendations, click here to get a cruise quote from a no-fee Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. They can find you all of the current discounts, and help you plan the details of your cruise!
Your Thoughts
Have you noticed a rising tide in DCL deals after a dearth of discounts over the last couple of years? Or do you think Disney Cruise Line is still prohibitively expensive even with these 2025 special offers, and an increase in post-pent-up demand deals is wishful thinking on my part? Have you taken advantage of a discount when sailing aboard Disney Cruise Line? Do you tend to book on or around opening day, or wait until the last minute and hope for the best? Any other tips & tricks for saving money on Disney Cruise Line fares? Hearing from you is fun and helpful, so if you have questions or thoughts, please share them below and we’ll try to respond!
