Disney Cruise Line Updates Deposit and Cancellation Policies!

Disney Cruise Line Updates Deposit and Cancellation Policies!

Announcement by Disney:

Beginning June 18, the required deposit for Disney Cruise Line reservations is changing from 20% to 10% of the voyage fare for new bookings. For existing reservations made on or before June 17, 2025, the original 20% deposit remains in place in accordance with the terms agreed upon at the time of booking. Specific details for this update include:

Cancellation Fees

• Cancellation fees will follow the new deposit policy for sailings made on or after June 18, 2025.
• If a reservation is cancelled during the deposit cancellation fee period and the deposit was 10%, the cancellation fees will also be 10% of the voyage fare.
• Cancellation fees for guests who previously paid a 20% deposit will be 20% of the voyage fare.
• Per our existing policy, deposits will continue to be non-refundable for Concierge Guests.

Modifications

• If a Guest is outside the cancellation fee period and prefers to take advantage of the new 10% deposit policy, they may cancel and rebook their reservation under the updated terms.
• Standard cancellation fees may apply for reservations within the cancellation fee period, as outlined in our terms and conditions.

Onboard Placeholder Offers

• Guests who have booked a Placeholder Reservation will also see a change in the required deposit when they add a sail date to their reservation if the sailing is 7 nights or longer.
• Guests will only be required to pay a 5% deposit. If the reservation is cancelled in the deposit cancellation fee window, Guests will only be subject to a 5% cancellation fee.
• In addition to the deposit percentage change, there will no longer be a three day hold when converting Onboard Placeholder Offers through the Contact Center or when booking online. A deposit will now be due at the time of placeholder conversion now that placeholders can be converted online.

 

How does this affect cruisers booking:

DCL has made Deposit and Cancellation Policy changes that those that LOVE Disney Cruising will be happy with!! I held off posting this until I was able to call and confirm with DCL the Deposit Cancellation Policy.

 

Starting June 18^th, 2025, the initial deposit for Disney Cruises will be 10% instead of 20% of the cruise fare. If you are booking with a placeholder, you will only need to make a deposit of 5% of the cruise fare on cruises 7 nights or longer! Even with the placeholder you will need to make a 10% deposit on cruises shorter than 7-nightss. It will be much easier to make the deposit!

 

The Cancellation policy is basically the same. If you cancel your cruise after the Pay in Full Date you will be charged a cancellation fee that starts with the deposit amount. If you made your deposit before June 18^th, 2025, and the deposit was 20% you will lose 20% up to the full amount if you cancel in the last 2 weeks before the cruise. If you make a deposit after June 18^th, 2025, your starting cancellation fee is 10%, up to the full fare. If you book a 7-night cruise with a placeholder and the deposit is 5% you with have a starting cancellation fee of 5% up to the full fare.

 

This is EXTRA good news at this time!!! DCL should be releasing new itineraries for Fall 2026-Spring 2027 (late September 2026-May 2027) shortly!