Katherine & Jeremy
Booking & FAQ
How to Book
We recommend booking with our travel agent and personal friend, Anna. Her services are free to use, and she has a wealth of information about all things Disney Cruise, so she's the perfect person to answer all your questions. Anna Pretko - Pixievacations.com Phone: (407) 607-8670 Anna@PixieVacations.com You can also book via the Disney website directly, in which case you can use the link below to find the correct sailing:
Why do I need to book so early?
At the time of writing this, we have more than a year to go until our sailing and the ship is nearly half booked already. If you put down a deposit early, you still have plenty of time to change your mind if something comes up, but you will have a much better selection of staterooms to choose from now. We are staying on deck 9, which is a highly preferred location. Decks 8 and 10 are all staterooms as well, so they provide a good buffer for noise from activities in the public areas of the ships, but it's only one extra flight of stairs to all the action (there are elevators too of course). Our staterooms are also located on the starboard side around midship, which is a great central location. If you are a first-time cruiser, we recommend picking a stateroom located midship or forward, because in the aft section, you may experience more swaying when the ship is moving (this is normally very slight so don't worry too much). Feel free to join us on deck 9 if you'd like!
How much does it cost and how does payment work?
Prices will vary, they don't usually go down but they will go up as it gets closer to the sailing. At the time of writing this, it's approximately $3900 for two people (total) in a regular inside stateroom. We recommend booking early so you have a wide range of staterooms to choose from. The good news is, you don't have to pay the full fare up front. You can simply put down a refundable deposit which is usually between $200-500. The final balance will be due in late December 2024, and you'll be paying Disney Cruise Line directly (Anna will help you make the final payment if you book through her).
How can I get a good deal?
Unfortunately, DCL does not offer group rates. However, there are ways you can save on Disney gift cards, which you can use for anything Disney - including your cruise fare. - If you have a Target RedCard (debit or credit), you can use it to get 5% off on gift cards - If you have a Costco membership, they are currently offering 10% off Disney gift cards, and this seems to run periodically - Other wholesale clubs also have Disney gift cards, although maybe not 10% off - Sometimes Best Buy has offers for 5% off e-giftcards - Have a rewards credit card? Trade your points in for either Disney gift cards (if available), or Target gift cards which can be used to purchase Disney cards.
What's included in the price?
Everything you really need is included, it's actually easier to tell you what's NOT included! All your meals, entertainment, and most activities are included. The two private islands on our itinerary, Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay, are all-inclusive as well. You can think of them as an extension of the ship! What's not included: - It's a Small World nursery (small fee by the hour) - Private nannies are also available at extra cost - Two specialty restaurants, Remy and Palo. These are adults only and very fancy. - Spa treatments - Excursions off the ship (booked tours, etc.) - Alcoholic beverages - Bibbity Bobbity Boutique (same cost as in Disney World/Land) You can find more about what's included in the cruise fare at the link below:
Who can I bring?
The more the merrier! This is your vacation too, and we want you to be able to cruise with whoever is most important to you. We will do a separate RSVP for the ceremony and reception, that's the only time the headcount really matters. Note: there are restrictions for pregnant women, who are not supposed to cruise after 24 weeks, and babies must be at least 6 months old at the time of sailing.
Do I need to R.S.V.P ?
We kindly request that you RSVP to the ceremony/cake & champagne celebration on this website. That is the only event where the headcount matters. If you want to be extra helpful, RSVP to the cruise for your whole party, and then the ceremony with the adults in your party. If I missed someone in your party that will be attending the cruise portion just let me know and I can add them to the RSVP
Will there be children at the ceremony?
The ceremony and reception will be more appropriate for older kids/teens. For most kids, especially the younger ones, we recommend they spend this time at the Oceaneers Club. The first time we cruised all our kids were under the age of 10, and they loved Oceaneers so much it was hard to get them to leave!
What are the accommodations like?
Cruise staterooms usually accommodate 2-4 people, and they are a bit smaller than most land-based accommodations. The largest stateroom that we're booking is the deluxe family oceanview verandah which is about the size of an average hotel room and sleeps up to 5 people. There will be quite a bit of storage available under the beds and in drawers/closets. If you are a family of 5 with younger kids, the family stateroom is your best option. For older kids/teens or parties larger than 5, connecting staterooms are also an option if you book early enough. An adult must be booked in each room, but you can switch around once on board. Jeremy and I and the rest of our family will be in several different staterooms, all on deck 9. This location is great because you have staterooms above and below you instead of the public areas of the ship, so please join us if you'd like! Detailed information on Disney Dream cabins can be found at this link:
Should I still cruise with Disney if I don't have kids?
Absolutely - Disney is fun for all ages! We also love that the ship has lots of adults-only areas, bars, and entertainment options so we can have some kid-free fun during our vacations. From our experience, these areas are well-enforced by staff, and most parents seem considerate enough not to bring their kids into adults-only areas in the first place.
What airport is best to fly into?
The Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is recommended because it's only a few minutes away from the port. Miami is also an option, but it's about 30 miles away which could be pricy in an Uber or cab. The Ft. Lauderdale airport is also much nicer than the Miami airport.
When should I arrive?
We always fly in the day before and stay in a hotel so we can get to the port quickly and easily in the morning. It's pretty risky to fly in the day of, because you might miss the boat (literally). The ship doesn't wait for late passengers! If enough people are interested, we can look into booking a large AirBnB or hotel block for the night prior to embarkation.
Do I need a passport for this cruise?
We always travel with passports when cruising, and it is recommended. However, since the cruise is a "closed loop" (e.g. round trip from the United States), you do not *need* a passport to travel. If you do not have a passport you will need to bring your birth certificate (adults and children) along with a valid government-issued ID (adults only). Adults MUST have both, while children 15 and younger only need the birth certificate.