If you’ve been shopping for a Disney cruise lately and the prices suddenly look lower, you’re not imagining things.
Disney Cruise Line has changed how its website displays prices, and it’s worth knowing what you’re looking at before you start comparing sailings.
Here’s the difference. Previously, after you searched, the site showed a starting price for the whole stateroom, based on double occupancy. Now the headline price is an average per-person fare, based on multiple occupancy per stateroom, and search cards are labeled “Avg Per Person.” Deal savings are shown the same way.
The fine print on each card explains that the price is based on multiple occupancy, so a solo traveler or a smaller group should expect a different per-person cost than the number on the screen. A per-person number will naturally look smaller at a glance than a full stateroom price, though there’s no sign this is a price cut, and Disney hasn’t published a notice or explained the reason for the change.
The change has appeared while shopping for voyages on the upcoming Disney Believe and some other sailings.
Here’s how to find the full picture. Each voyage has a “Rate Details & Gratuities” option that shows the per-passenger cost and a breakdown of taxes, fees, and port expenses. The total for your whole party appears at the final step of choosing a cabin. If you’re comparing sailings or looking at a deal, check that page first, since the card text doesn’t spell out everything in the final price, including whether gratuities are covered.
If you’re shopping for a Disney cruise, we love our travel partners at Adventure Awaits Travel Company. They offer free trip planning, they save you time comparing sailings and stateroom prices, and they help you find the best value for your family. Reach out to us, and we’ll connect you.
I don’t think this is a scary change, but I do think it’s worth a second look. A per-person average is a fair way to show a price, and plenty of cruise lines advertise this way, yet it’s easy to see a low number and forget it depends on how many people share the stateroom. For a family of four, the math is different than for a couple, so I’d always click through to the full breakdown before getting attached to a price. A few minutes of checking now can save a surprise at checkout later.
We’ll keep sharing Disney cruise news, deals, and booking tips as they come. Keep checking back with us here at Theme Park Scope, and tell us in the comments if you’ve noticed the new pricing display.
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