Unseasoned cruiser looking at Disney

[LaDonna]

I know the itineraries are not out yet, but I’m looking at booking September 2026 and I’ve only sailed two cruises and that was carnival so I am not familiar with any other line etc.
But I do know that there’s always better categories and that they go quicker when things are released, etc. so I’m hoping you guys can help me
First off when itineraries first come out are they usually a refundable deposit?
I’m not totally sure we’re gonna have the money to do the cruise, but I’m really hoping wewill by that time

I wanna go to the private islands so I’m also looking at going out Port Canaveral … I don’t mind doing older ships if it’s cheaper, I just wanna know the best room/category to get.

It will be me my husband and my two elementary aged girls

we’re celebrating our 30 year anniversary with our kids

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I know the itineraries are not out yet, but I’m looking at booking September 2026 and I’ve only sailed two cruises and that was carnival so I am not familiar with any other line etc.
But I do know that there’s always better categories and that they go quicker when things are released, etc. so I’m hoping you guys can help me
First off when itineraries first come out are they usually a refundable deposit?
I’m not totally sure we’re gonna have the money to do the cruise, but I’m really hoping wewill by that time

I wanna go to the private islands so I’m also looking at going out Port Canaveral … I don’t mind doing older ships if it’s cheaper, I just wanna know the best room/category to get.

It will be me my husband and my two elementary aged girls

we’re celebrating our 30 year anniversary with our kids

Except for Concierge rooms, deposits are refundable up to a certain point prior to the cruise. The specific date depends on the itinerary/length of cruise, but it's typically around 90 days out.

"best" is very subjective. We prefer Oceanview rooms (no verandah). Others wouldn't book anything less than a verandah room. Some people prefer inside rooms.

 

[Mle8308]

Disney cruises are great, one big difference is there is no gambling - which is fine with me! I would advise going to YouTube and search for Disney Cruise line videos, there are a ton there. There are plenty with tours of the staterooms. This might help you decide. Price will depend on the type of cabin you choose. The least expensive will be an inside cabin and if you won't spend a lot of time there, it might work. It is a special occasion (and congratulations), so a verandah might be nice to have. This boards is a great source of information and tips, too!

 

[LaDonna]

Yes, where room is concerned im totally fine with an inside state room to save money I don’t plan on being in my room much….. if oceanview isn’t too much more, then I would consider that

 

[sponica]

The only times I've seen things go real fast on a Disney cruise are when it's a unique itinerary (like the one southern caribbean itinerary they do a season). The key thing is that the opening day price will be the cheapest price. For the bread and butter 3/4 night Bahamas itineraries or the 4/5 night fantasy itineraries, I wouldn't expect those to go too fast.

 

[Girl of the South]

A plus for a cabin with a veranda is that if your girls go to sleep early, you and your husband can sit on the veranda and still be 'there'. However, a lot of the cabins have a heavy curtain that separates the bunk beds with the main bed. Wouldn't help so much with sound but with light (if you wanted to read) or very quiet conversation.

Here is a photo - that's a veranda where the bright lights are. You can see the curtain in the middle of the room. It's really helpful.

 

[Anna131517]

If you don’t cruise over a school break (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter) then the cruise will be cheaper. The price difference between inside and veranda rooms on a Disney Cruise ship tends to be a few hundred dollars so we usually just get a verandah. If you use a Disney. Visa card to pay for the cruise you have six months to pay it off, interest free, if that helps. You can buy Disney cards with a target card to save 5%. Costco also sometimes sells Disney Gift Cards and sells Disney cruises.

 

[Dug720]

A plus for a cabin with a veranda is that if your girls go to sleep early, you and your husband can sit on the veranda and still be 'there'. However, a lot of the cabins have a heavy curtain that separates the bunk beds with the main bed. Wouldn't help so much with sound but with light (if you wanted to read) or very quiet conversation.

Just be aware that you'll be tromping through the area where the girls are sleeping to get to the veranda - unless you're letting them sleep in the Queen and you and your partner are taking the sofa bed and the pull-down bunk.

 

[Grandma4ever]

We have done 12 cruises all with DCL. We prefer the Oceanview rooms for several reasons. Cost is of course a reason, and 2nd is we prefer to be lower in the ship. So we tend to do deck 2 midship as the rocking is lessened. I believe the 2 ships that will be stopping at castaway in 2026 will be the Wish for the shorter cruises and the Treasure for the 7 day cruises. If you want to go to Look Out Point you may need to do some research to see which port the ships that stop there cruise out of. Maybe someone else can help with that.