Disney Cruise Line – Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I get a discount on a Disney Cruise Line vacation?
A: All eligible U.S.-based Retirees of The Walt Disney Company may book special discounts at Retiree Sail rates.

Retirees must travel with their Guests in order to be eligible for the Employee Rates. Additional staterooms will be booked at the Retiree Rate.

*** A Confirmed Space Booking CANNOT be converted to a Space Available Booking should the requested date be released. The reservation must be cancelled and rebooked (normal cancellation penalties would apply).

Q: How many rooms may I book?
A: Retirees may book up to five staterooms per available sailing at the Retiree rate.

Note: Retirees must travel on the same voyage to obtain the discounted rate for themselves and their Guests.

Q: Why are there restrictions on particular sail dates?
A: To maintain the integrity of our children-to-counselor ratios, it is sometimes necessary for Disney Cruise Line to put age restrictions for Guests and Retirees on certain sail dates due to the occupancy level of our children’s programming. Additionally, for the health, safety, and welfare of our Guests, and the number of Guests who sail at any one time, we are occasionally restricted to selling some staterooms as double berths only. The number of guests allotted to each stateroom is governed by the total number of persons berthed in each evacuation zone.

Q: When can I cancel my reservation(s) without fees being charged?
A: If a Retiree needs to cancel their cruise, we recommend contacting the Reservations Department at 407‑566‑7488 as soon as possible to avoid cancellation fees. This will also allow other Retirees or Cast Members to take advantage of their privileges.

All Discounted Sailing Programs  please visit the terms and conditions section of disneycruise.com, where you’ll be able to:

Review the Cruise Cancellation Policies and Procedures.  *** A Confirmed Space Booking CANNOT be converted to a Space Available Booking should the requested date be released. The reservation must be cancelled and rebooked (normal cancellation penalties would apply).

Q: How can I contact Disney Cruise Line Reservations to modify or cancel an existing reservation?
A: You can reach us by calling the Retiree Line at 407‑566‑7488. The Retiree is required to be on the phone to book, cancel, and/or modify any of their reservations, including Friends & Family bookings.

Q: What’s included with my cruise?
A: Your Disney Cruise Vacation includes shipboard accommodations, meals – onboard and on Castaway Cay, snacks from the quick service outlets and 24-hour room service, youth programming, entertainment, prepaid gratuities and government taxes, fees and port expenses. Not included are Port Adventures, island rentals or meals ashore at ports of call, internet usage, arcade usage, medical services, alcoholic beverages, bottled water, juice (except during breakfast and lunch), bar service gratuities, laundry services, valet services, spa treatments, and packaged snacks. Note: Complimentary non-alcoholic beverages are available at the 24-hour beverage station located near the pool area.

Q: Do I get any Retiree discounts onboard?
A: Eligible Retirees receive their standard complimentary theme park merchandise discount on Disney Cruise Line^® shipboard merchandise locations that are owned and operated by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

Note: Merchandise discounts do not apply to alcohol and tobacco products or items purchased on Castaway Cay. Complimentary theme park merchandise discount will not apply on certain merchandise, or will apply for a lower discount on select merchandise, including, but not limited to, merchandise listed here. Inquire at location regarding discount applicability on specific products. Sales tax is not added to merchandise purchased onboard or at Castaway Cay.

Additional Discount Info – Shoreside Retirees receive a 20% discount on photographs and a 25% discount on Folios and Photo Books. Certain restrictions apply. Retirees are also eligible for a 20% discount on services at the Senses Spa & Salon and a 10% discount on spa merchandise. Retirees MUST present a valid Company-issued ID in order to obtain their discount when onboard.

Q: How much are gratuities?
A: Retirees, Friends and Family members traveling on any discounted program will be required to pre-pay appropriate gratuities dependent on the length of cruise. Please see the latest Cast Member Space Available Dates posting for current gratuity fees. The cost will automatically be added to the total cost of your Disney Cruise Line vacation.

Note: For our Guest’s convenience a 15% gratuity is incorporated with bar service drinks. Other gratuities (including room service) are at the Guest’s discretion.

Q: How much are taxes?
A: Government taxes, fees and port expenses vary depending on cruise itinerary and are added to the total cost of your Disney Cruise Line vacation. Please see the latest Cast Member Space Available Dates posting for current taxes, fees and port expenses. Note: A $15 tax reduction applies to all children 5 years and under.

Q: Should I purchase travel insurance?
A: Vacation Protection Plan The insurance portion of the Vacation Protection Plan is provided through Aon Affinity and will protect your vacation investment in the case of certain unforeseen covered circumstances such as illness or delays that result in the cancellation or interruption of your vacation.

The cost of the Vacation Protection Plan is directly associated with the value of the voyage fare being insured. As the cost of the voyage fare changes, so does the cost of the insurance. The cost of the Vacation Protection Plan is calculated at 8% of the individual Guest’s voyage fare.

Note: The Vacation Protection Plan must be purchased and applied to a reservation prior to final payment. For additional information regarding Disney Cruise Line Vacation Protection Plan, please visit the Disney Cruise Line Vacation Protection Plan via disneycruise.com or contact the Disney Cruise Line Retiree Reservations line at 407-566-7488.

Q: When will I find out about my stateroom?
A: For Employees booked on the Space Available Program, staterooms are not typically assigned and/or finalized until the day of sailing, however, they are based on the type of accommodation you paid for (i.e. Inside, Outside, Verandah)*. Staterooms cannot be complimentarily upgraded. Employees and their Guests will receive their confirmed stateroom assignment upon check-in at the cruise terminal. For Guests who require the features of an accessible stateroom, we ask that you advise the Reservation Agent at the time of booking, as well as submit an online Special Services Information Form immediately after booking. This form can be found on the Disney Cruise Line website in the task bar under Help > Guests with Disabilities. Once at the terminal, we cannot accommodate these last-minute notifications.

*Stateroom assignments are based on availability and are subject to change without notice.

Q: How is the seating in the restaurants arranged?
A: We offer rotational dining, allowing you to experience all three main restaurants during your cruise. Your dining team travels with you from one innovative dining experience to another. We ask that you and your Guests maintain appropriate dining etiquette and refrain from discussing Employee discounts/cruise rates with other Guests. Changes in dining seating or table numbers should not be requested until the second day of your cruise, as preference must be given to full-fare Guests first.

Note: Dining times are based on availability and subject to change up until the day of sailing.

Q: May I dine at Palo or Remy? What is the dress attire?
A: Retirees are now able to access the “My Cruise Plans” module on DisneyCruise.com to make a priority seating for our adult-only restaurant(s), Palo or Remy (Disney Dream® Cruise Ship and Disney Fantasy™ Cruise Ship only), based on availability. Retirees may also request priority seatings once on board. As always, we want our Retirees to enjoy their cruise as much as possible, however, we want to ensure full-paying Guests have ample opportunity to fully experience our product on their Disney Cruise Line Vacation.

Note: Requests for priority seating could be added to the Palo or Remy waitlist if necessary. An additional dining charge will be automatically added to your stateroom account for priority seating. Current adult only dining charges and their dress codes are displayed at disneycruise.com under Our Ships > Dining.

Dinner attire is ship wide rather than designated by dining room, except while dining at Palo or Remy (Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy). Guests should refer to the Personal Navigator onboard for specific information. For further information about dining please visit disneycruise.com.

Q: May I sign up for treatments at the Senses Spa & Salon or Chill Spa?
A: Yes! Retirees are now able to access the “My Cruise Plans” module on DisneyCruise.com to make appointments for the Senses Spa and Salon and the Chill Spa, based on availability. In order to ensure our full paying Guests have ample opportunity to fully experience our product on their Disney Cruise Line Vacation, it may be necessary for Employee appointments to be added to a waitlist. Senses Spa & Salon is open to Guests 18 and over. The Chill Spa is exclusively for Guests ages 13-17. Appointments are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Q: Can I book port adventures in advance?
A: Yes! Retirees are now able to access the “My Reservations” module on DisneyCruise.com to make reservations for port adventures. Changes/cancellations to port adventures are allowed up to 3 days prior to your sail date. Within 3 days, all reservations are final, tickets are non-refundable, your shipboard account will be charged, and you will be responsible for these charges. All excursions are subject to availability and/or cancellation based on weather, itinerary changes, and attendance. In these cases, full refunds will be issued.  Please note: all port adventures are operated by independent contractors.

Q: How can I order gifts to be sent to a stateroom?
A: Whether you, your family, or friends are celebrating a special occasion onboard, we offer a great variety of dazzling merchandise, keepsakes, themed gift packages, stateroom decorations, snack platters, wines, and floral arrangements that will get cruises off to a perfect start. Please see our “Onboard Gifts” section at disneycruise.com under Already Booked > Before You Go for details, descriptions, and pictures of items available.

Q: Am I allowed to bring alcoholic beverages onboard the ship?
A: Disney Cruise Line Guests 21 years and older may bring a maximum of 2 bottles of unopened wine or champagne (no larger than 750 ml) or 6 beers (no larger than 12 ounces) onboard at the beginning of the voyage and at each port-of-call. These beverages must be packed in carry-on (not checked) bags or luggage. Please be sure to review the complete alcohol policy on disneycruise.com.

Q: Do I receive Castaway Club benefits because I’ve sailed before?
A: Yes! Castaway Club membership benefits are applicable to all Retiree discounted programs.

Q: Do I need a Passport?
A: All members in your party must travel with proof of citizenship. Please visit the Travel Documentation section of disneycruise.com for the most current passport and travel documentation requirements. In addition to the required travel documentation, Retirees must bring their valid Company-issued ID to the cruise terminal to present upon check-in.

Q: What is the latest time I can check-in for my cruise?
A: Latest check-in time is dependent upon the sailing, itinerary and port terminal regulations.

Note: Plan your arrival to ensure you will be able to complete your registration and board the ship prior to the Guest Onboard Time listed on your confirmation.

Q: Terminal Address / Arrival / Parking (sailings out of Port Canaveral)
A: Parking operated by the Port Canaveral Port Authority is available adjacent to the cruise terminal. Parking garage opens at 9:45 a.m. Rates for passenger cars, buses, RVs, big trucks, etc. are:

$68 per parking space for a 3-night cruise
$85 per parking space for a 4-night cruise
$102 per parking space for a 5-night cruise
$119 per parking space for a 6-night cruise
$136 per parking space for a 7-night cruise
$153 per parking space for a 8-night cruise

Preferred parking is available next to the terminal. The cost is the standard rate plus a flat fee of $20.00. Parking rates are subject to change without notice.

Visa and MasterCard are accepted. A valid disability parking permit is required for accessible parking.

NOTE: For security measures, each adult member of your party will need to show a photo I.D.

Q: Can I purchase ground transfers for my cruise reservation?
A: Yes! Ground transfers can be purchased through Disney Cruise Line Reservations.

Note: Disney Cruise Line ground transportation is offered from all Walt Disney World Resorts and the Orlando International Airport (MCO). Ground transfer departure locations and times for sailings from ports other than Port Canaveral, FL vary and should be confirmed by calling the Disney Cruise Line Retiree Reservations Line at (407) 566-7488.

Q: Can I purchase discounted rooms at the Disney Resorts?
A: No. Disney Cruise Line does not currently offer land and sea packages to our Retirees at a discounted price. However, Retirees are welcome to book separate cruise and resort reservations. Reservations for the Disney Resorts under the “Your Other Guest Bedroom” program may be booked for Walt Disney World® Resort by calling 407-WDW-CAST (407-939-2278) or at Disneyland® Resort by calling 714-956-MICKEY (714-956-6425). Please note: Disney Cruise Line ground transportation is offered from all Disney Resorts.

Q: Can I purchase flights with my cruise vacation?
A: Yes! To add air to your reservation, call the DCL Air Department at 877-566-0967 option 2 to speak with an Air Vacation Planner to receive the best flexible fare available through the DCL Air Program. The DCL Air Department is available Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-10 p.m.

Q: What is latest time women can travel when pregnant?
A: Women who have entered their 24th week of pregnancy as of their embarkation date or who will enter their 24th week of pregnancy during the cruise will be refused passage due to safety concerns. Neither a physician’s medical statement nor a waiver of liability will be accepted. In addition, Disney Cruise Line cannot be held responsible or liable for any complications relating to pregnancy at any stage.

Q: What is the minimum age to travel?
A: The minimum age to sail aboard Disney Cruise Line Ships is 6 months of age on most itineraries, and the minimum age for Transatlantic, Hawaii, and Panama Canal itineraries is 1 year of age.

Q: How can my family and friends reach me onboard?
A: Guests seeking to contact passengers onboard our ships may call 1-888-DC-AT-SEA (1-888-322-8732) from the U.S. or 1-732-335-3281 from international countries. The price for these calls is current ship-to-shore rates and is managed by Maritime Tele-Communication Network. Satellite calling rates can be significantly higher than traditional long distance; current rates range from $7.50 to $9.50 per minute (on in-bound international calls, there may be additional charges that apply). Maritime Tele-Communication Network currently accepts American Express, MasterCard, Visa, Discover, or Diners Club; charges cannot be applied to your home long-distance bill.

Q: Will there be Cellular Phone Service onboard?
A: Disney Cruise ships offer Cellular at Sea, an advanced onboard network that allows Guests using most wireless providers to use their cell phones and tablets while at sea. Prices vary depending upon your cellular provider and usually include international roaming charges. These charges will be billed to you directly by your wireless carrier. We advise you to consult your carrier for information about their cruise/vacation rate plans.