On Tuesday, September 24, 2024, Disney Cruise Line instituted a new final payment and cancellation policy for Concierge guests and will apply to all existing bookings.
Final Payment
Final payment for concierge level bookings will be due 90 days before the sail date for voyages from 1 to 5-nights, and 120 days for sailings of 6 or more nights. Previously, the final payment for concierge level bookings was 120 days (1 to 5-nights) or 150 days (6 or more nights). This change brings the final payment date to be the same as non-suites/non-concierge bookings. However, guests must be paid in full to pre-book onboard activities and port adventures.
Cancellation Policy
In addition to updating the final payment policy, an updated cruise cancellation fee schedule will also go into effect for all sailings beginning September 24, 2024, is as described below.
| Cruises 1 to 5 Nights – Beginning Sept. 24, 2024 | ||
| Days Prior to Vacation Commencement Date | Fee Amount | |
| Suites and Concierge Staterooms | 45 days or more | Deposit per Guest |
| 44 – 30 days | 50% of vacation price per Guest | |
| 29 – 15 days | 75% of vacation price per Guest | |
| 14 days or less | 100% of vacation price per Guest | |
| All Other Staterooms | 90 days or more | No Fee |
| 89 – 45 days | Deposit per Guest | |
| 44 – 30 days | 50% of vacation price per Guest | |
| 29 – 15 days | 75% of vacation price per Guest | |
| 14 days or less | 100% of vacation price per Guest | |
| Cruises 6 Nights or More – Beginning Sept. 24, 2024 | ||
| Days Prior to Vacation Commencement Date | Fee Amount | |
| Suites and Concierge Staterooms | 56 days or more | Deposit per Guest |
| 55 – 30 days | 50% of vacation price per Guest | |
| 29 -15 days | 75% of vacation price per Guest | |
| 14 days or less | 100% of vacation price per Guest | |
| All Other Staterooms | 120 days or more | No Fee |
| 119 – 56 days | Deposit per Guest | |
| 55 – 30 days | 50% of vacation price per Guest | |
| 29 – 15 days | 75% of vacation price per Guest | |
| 14 days or less | 100% of vacation price per Guest | |
For the most up to date information on the cancellation policy, please visit Disney Cruise Line Terms and Conditions page.
While Disney has a fair cancelation policy, I’ve never had a bad experience with a change or cancelation. Of course, I do buy the travel insurance offered by Disney Cruise. It is not cheap by any means, but I have found it to be well worth it. Presented with both cancelations and cruise changes due to family and health related events, Disney has always been more that helpful in all situations. To date, I have not lost any money under the cancelation policy because I have had their travel insurance.
Of course, it stands to reason that Disney would rather get 100% of my dollars and re-book me on another Disney cruise, rather than see those dollars go away. But my personal experience with them has been exceptional. Not sure how other cruises are in those situations, but Disney has been more than helpful.
This does not mean I would just sit back with their cancellation policy, which seems fair to me, but what I am really recommending is buy their insurance. Especially if it is a longer cruise with a larger price tag.
Thanks Scott for keeping up the site!
Yes to travel insurance, although I don’t buy through Disney. You can get better rates in the online market.
An emergency medical flight from the Caribbean to a US hospital would be close to $100k. That’s why insurance is worth it, even if you just purchase a medical only plan.
I’ve needed the insurance twice: once for a visit to the ship’s doctor, and once for a cancelled port excursion not booked through Disney. Both were fully reimbursed by the insurance company.