As the new year begins, you may be thinking about travel. And maybe you’re hoping a Disney Cruise is in your future! But they can be so expensive, it can be difficult to find something that might fit your budget. We’ve scoured all of the current Disney Cruise itineraries to find the cheapest time to take a Disney Cruise. Here are the least expensive times to take a Disney Cruise throughout the year.
There are lots of ways to save money on a Disney Cruise vacation. You can book a guaranteed cruise stateroom, pay with discounted Disney gift cards, book the onboard offer when sailing. But one of the easiest ways to get a Cheap Disney Cruise Package is to simply travel during a cheaper time. If you’re able to get the time off work and/or school, there are few ways that are going to be simpler than just choosing a cheaper Disney Cruise. Here are the least expensive times to take a Disney Cruise Trip.
After the Holidays
What is the Best Month to Go on a Disney Cruise? Aim for Mid January- late February for the cheapest time to take a Disney Cruise. Students from kindergarten to college have gone back to school, and many people are still recovering from the holidays. As a result, cruises stay cheap, and less crowded.
From Mid-January to Mid- February
A cruise during the middle parts of January, specifically after Martin Luther King Day to late February, is one of the least expensive times for a Disney Cruise. Sailing in January and February offers some of the best weather to southern destinations, and there are a variety of ports to choose from. You can find some of the cheapest Disney cruises offering 4-5 night sailings.
During Hurricane Season
Specifically, during the months of August and September, hurricane season can offer you some of the cheapest prices of the year. Now there are things you should know about sailing on a cruise during hurricane season. But if you feel like you can deal with the uncertainty of the season, you’ll find some of the cheapest prices of the entire year during these months.
During the Shoulder Seasons for Destinations
Every destination has what’s called a shoulder season. The shoulder season varies based on the destination. But if you can plan it right, you can find some great Disney Cruise Line deals.
Cheapest Disney Alaska Cruises
Cruises to Alaska, for example, will generally have the cheapest prices in May and September. Shoulder season for Alaska is at the very beginning and very end of the cruising season. May and September will be the cheapest times to take a Disney Cruise to Alaska. They can also be the most unpredictable in terms of weather. But if you’re ok with gambling on good weather, or don’t really care about the weather for your cruise, this is a great time to go in terms of budget.
Cheapest Disney Caribbean Cruises
For Caribbean Cruises, the shoulder season lines up with the more active hurricane season months, September and October. If you’re a northerner, you’ll appreciate the cheapest time to sail to the Caribbean is also one of the best times to get away from the winter weather. As stated before, the Caribbean’s shoulder season is usually during hurricane season. As such, a Disney Cruise to the Bahamas is cheaper than most you’ll find this time of year.
Cheapest Disney European Cruises
And for European Cruises, the very beginning and very end of summer tend to be cheaper as well, May and September. Europe’s shoulder season tends to be during a similar time to Alaska. Tourism peaks starting in June and all through the summer until late August and into September. As such, you can usually find some of the best deals at the very beginning and the very end of the cruise season there. One thing to keep in mind regarding Disney Cruises to Europe is that Disney charges a premium for European cruises. Your best bet is to wait until they release guaranteed staterooms for these Disney Cruise sailings usually starting after the New Year. For cheaper European cruises, note that Disney Cruises become heavily discounted as sailing gets nearer.
Between School Breaks
Some of the best times to cruise with Disney is between school breaks! This usually means lower prices and lower crowds. Many people don’t want to take their kids out of school at certain times. And between breaks is a great time to look for deals on Disney Cruises. A general rule of thumb for any travel, is that it will always be more expensive when kids are out of school. As such, you want to aim for times when kids are in school instead. You can often find a Cheap Disney Cruise sailing in March April and May. Now this is solely based on traditional US school schedules. So if your school participates in year-round schooling, or if you’re coming from another country, keep this in mind.
What is the Cheapest Month to Book a Cruise?
If you’re looking to not only get the cheapest prices on your sailing, but also take advantage of price fluctuations throughout the year, the Cheapest Months to Book a Disney Cruise are in early November and early December. At the end of the year, you can often find cheaper prices just in time for travel planning in the new year.
What’s the Most Affordable Disney Cruise to Take?
Generally, Disney Cruises to the Bahamas are some of the cheapest, offering 3-4 night sailings, they include one port at Nassau, and 1 day at Castaway Cay or Lookout Cay. While the journey from Port Canaveral to Nassau, often goes fast, you still get a day at sea, at port and on an island, for your beach day. As one of the most popular cruises with DCL, you can find cheap Disney Bahamas Cruise options throughout the year.
How Far Out Should You Book a Disney Cruise for the Best Price?
Just like all travel, there are optimum times to book a cruise for the best rates. Disney Cruise Line themselves recommend that you should book peak season Disney Cruise itineraries at least one year in advance for the best price and stateroom availability. This allows you access to the best cruise itineraries, promotional rates, and popular destination excursions. How soon your Disney Excursion booking window opens up is based on your Castaway Cay Club Level. If you’re a new Disney Cruiser then your book window opens 75 days before your sailing.
When does Disney Release Cruise Itineraries?
While Disney Cruise Line doesn’t have an exact schedule for when they release new cruise itineraries, but they are generally released 15-18 months before sail dates. If you’re eager to be ready be sure to reach out and we can let you know when they’re released! Need help finding a Disney Cruise that’s right for you? We can help you plan that! Just fill out our no obligation form and we will be glad to help you find a cruise that suits your tastes and budget.
So there you have it, some of the cheapest cruises with Disney Cruise Line. Did any of these surprise you? As always, it’s important to check for discounts that are released. As well as when Guaranteed Staterooms are as well, as those tend to save you the most money. Choosing the right time to Book and Sail on your Disney Cruise are just two ways you can get a Cheap Disney Cruise.
Best Time to Go on a Disney Cruise
As you can see from the range of Disney Cruise itineraries, there are a lot of dates to choose from throughout the year. And we like to think that sometimes the cheapest time to take a Disney Cruise is also sometimes the best time to take a Disney Cruise.