There is no doubt that a Disney cruise for seniors is expensive, particularly for seniors on a tight budget. Pricing for other cruise lines appear to be more attractive. Yet the addition of hidden charges and fees on amenities that had previously been included, such as room service, quick service food venues, and theatrical production shows, raise the final cost of those other cruise lines significantly.
You might as well take a Disney cruise! With careful saving and planning, you can sail with Mickey and the gang.
Finding a Disney Cruise for Seniors Within Your Budget
It is possible to book a Disney cruise with a lesser price (we’ve done it). Some travel agencies and online cruise brokers may offer discounted Disney cruises, repositioning cruises, (the ship is repositioned from one home port to another), or last minute deals. Usually the discount is small, but it may help to keep your cost down.
When booking directly through Disney, book as soon as possible. The price is always lower when the cruise date is first offered than it is closer to the sailing date.
The Number of Nights You Sail Counts
Peruse the Disney Cruise Line (DCL) website for the cruise lineup of each Disney ship. Three nights are the least expensive cruises and may have only one stop, typically at one of DCL’s private islands. The more ports the ships stop at the higher the price due to port fees which are included in your initial cost whether you disembark the ship or not. There is no port fee for Disney’s private islands.
Stateroom Categories Matter for a Disney Cruise for Seniors
The type of stateroom you select is also a factor in your final price. DCL ships have four stateroom categories and each category has a selection of different cabin sizes to meet everyone’s needs. Accessible rooms are offered on every level. The higher the category is, the higher the price is.
Inside staterooms are the most budget friendly on a Disney cruise for seniors, however, they do not have portholes so there is no view. Oceanview cabins and, the next level up, Verandah staterooms are located on the outside of the ship. Single or double portholes are featured in Oceanview cabins. Private balconies are of course in the Verandah staterooms.
At a much higher cost are the Concierge luxury suites. This category offers an extraordinary amount of space for large families as well as a sizable private deck. All concierge rooms have exclusive amenities, pre-boarding services, a personal concierge, and more.
To summarize, the booking cost of a Disney cruise for seniors depends on number of nights, type of stateroom, and number of ports to be visited.
What is included in the Booking Price of the Cruise?
- A fully equipped stateroom with bathroom, bed, hideaway bed in ceiling, a couch, coffee table, vanity with mirror and drawers, outlets, TV, and twice a day housekeeping.
- Food options: three rotational dining rooms, buffets, quick counter service restaurants, 24 hour room service (please tip your server), complimentary soda, coffee, tea, and water at main dining rooms, complimentary soda/water station on the pool deck, unlimited soft serve ice cream, drinking water fountains on all decks.
- Broadway style Disney-themed shows, all day viewings in either the movie theater or on the pool deck Funnel Vision screen featuring Disney Company first run and classic movies (including movies from film production companies Disney owned in the past and present), in-stateroom movies and in-stateroom showings of the stage productions you may have missed.
- Nightly entertainment in adult-only pubs and nightclubs.
- Youth clubs.
- Deck parties.
- Pools, hot tubs, water slides, and water coaster.
- Use of the fitness center and running track.
- Sports and games.
- Shows in the ship atrium and on the pool deck.
- Character meet and greet several times a day.
- A visit to one of Disney’s two private islands, with no charge for lounge chairs, beach umbrellas, hammocks, transportation across the islands via trams, shows and parties, character meet and greet, and BBQ lunch served in the family and adult-only sections.
- Pirate night fireworks.
- Most onboard activities such as trivia contests and drawing lessons.
- Free Navigator App to download to your phone at home (data charges may apply per your carrier), with complimentary onboard use to look at the daily schedules, make reservations, and find your way around the ship.
