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Disney Cruise Cancellation Policy + COVID-19 Update
By Alisha Molen - Updated March 2021
UPDATED: Coronavirus Policy
Wondering about the Disney Cruise coronavirus policy? Skip to the bottom of this article.
Before you book a Disney Cruise, you might ask yourself:
"Can I change my mind later and get my money back?
The short answer is yes...usually.
Most stateroom reservation deposits can be fully refunded, as long as you cancel prior to your “Paid in Full” (PIF) date.
In this article, I will explain the basics of the Disney Cruise cancellation policy and how much of a refund you can get if you have to back out of your trip.
Can I Cancel a Disney Cruise and Get My Money Back?
In most cases, yes, you can cancel and get a full refund.
Full refunds are available if you cancel before your PIF date.
There are a couple exceptions to this:
1) If you want to cancel a suite or Concierge reservation.
In this case, you will lose your deposit amount per guest when cancelling anytime before your paid in full date.
2) You booked using "Guarantee with restrictions"
The "Guarantee with restrictions" category staterooms such as categories IGT, OGT, and VGT are non-refundable and must be paid in full at time of booking.
How will COVID-19 Affect My Cruise?
Disney Cruise Line recently announced that there will be cruise date flexibility for any cruises booked by October 31, 2020 for sailings through May 2021.
According to DCL, guests who have booked a cruise during this time will be able to change the date of their cruise up to 15 days prior to their scheduled departure date. However, this only applies to cruises beginning before May 1, 2022.
To read more about cruise date flexibility and decide if a Disney Cruise is something you want to plan on during this time, visit this article on the Disney Cruise Line website.
What is a “Paid in Full” date?
Your PIF date will vary and will depend on your itinerary, sail date, and cruise length.
It will fall somewhere between 90 and 120 days prior to your departure.
To find out your specific date, check your confirmation email or logon to your My Cruise Reservation on the Disney Cruise Line website.
How to Cancel a Disney Cruise
Cancellations must be made over the phone (800-951-3532) or in writing.
If you booked through a travel agent, make sure to go through them to cancel. They will take care of you.
What are the Disney Cruise Cancellation Fees?
If you need to cancel your DCL reservation AFTER your PIF date, there are cancellation fees.
Here is a list of fees depending on your sailing:
Note: these screenshots were taken from the Cancellations/Refund section in the Terms and Conditions of Disney Cruise Line website on September 28, 2018. Always check their website for the most up-to-date information.
Thank you for the clarification. Their own website isn’t clear that you get the deposit back if you cancel before PIF date.
What if my travel agent does not respond to phone calls or emails and I can not get in touch with them
I suggest contacting Disney Cruise Line directly and seeing if they can help.
I am still confused about the Disney Cruise Line cancellation policy. Have they made any changes because of their passengers concern about the coronavirus. We are a family of 9 which includes 3 boys (ages 6,7,9) and 2 elderly grandparents (ages 78 and 76) going on a Disney cruise to Alaska in June. The Center for Disease Control is advising avoidance of cruises especially for young children and the elderly. Can we get a full refund?
Ann, I have this exact scenario on a Caribbean cruise. Did you ever get an answer?
We are also concerned about the virus. We leave in 45 days heading to bahamas
The insurance policy is vague. You have to provide alot of justification to get you money back. Additionally if they deny your reasoning, you get a 75% credit towards a cruise within 12 months. Its misleading in that they claim it pays out 100% refunds
Hi guys – I know everyone has been worried about the Coronavirus and how it might impact your Disney Cruise. I have updated the post today with the latest policies from DCL. I anticipate the Disney Cruise coronavirus policy might change as time goes on. I will try to keep this post updated.
We cut our losses and are sadly out $1500 because of this. Maybe if this continues they will have a class action or change of policy. 12 months is not long enough for planning considering their is no end in sight at this point.
I have no longer have respect for this company. They need to do the right thing here and cancel cruises and offer similar refunds and credit as others. Short-term revenue is not worth losing company equity. I refuse to spend money with a company that lack a moral compass.
We sail on the Dream April 10, 2020. Of course we are paid in full and no I didn’t get insurance. I can only hope that if they cancel they will give us a full credit. I guess if I cancel we will lose it. I’m trying to stay hopeful. We’ve been so excited for our cruise and a couple park hopping days afterwards. Thanks for keeping us updated.
Figures crossed for you Stephanie!
we cancelled our Disney Cruise ob the Dream for June 1, 2020 with reference to
sailing out of FL. and our travel agent (KROUSE TRAVEL) has told us that Disney will
not give us our deposit of $616, I would expected our refund or at least a credit toward
a future booking at a date in September 2020, hopefully the VIRUS and all of this will be
over? We were given a credit voucher from Southwest Air for our flight to FLORIDA from
BWI and our return flight ! If Southwest Air can credit us why can’t DISNEY?
You can issue credit of $616 to us or refund the $616, thanks for your understanding and
cooperation.
We were not sailing till August 15th in the Western Caribbean. We were paid in full and did not buy insurance. We were offered a full refund but we have an Alaskan cruise scheduled 2021 and they transferred all funds to that cruise. It was easy by just calling and speaking to live agent. .
I’m so glad it worked out for you!
they cancelled our may 4th cruise (dream) how long will it take to get a refund?
Not sure how long they’re taking. I would suggest following up with your travel agent or calling Disney Cruise Line directly.
How far in advance are cancellations being done on Disney’s behalf ? I’m curious if /when they will decide to cancel my sept 25th cruise to the Bahamas ?
I would expect they’ll make the decision soon. Maybe early August…just a guess.
Hi, I have noticed on DCL website that all cruises over 7 nights have been cancelled. We have booked a 7 night European but if the Magic is not sailing in May on the transatlantic, I can only assume no European cruises this year again?
We don’t know for certain yet, but it’s not likely. 😢
who can I email in order to cancel a cruise for June 2021. Thanks.
Your cancellation dates are broader than those shown at https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/guest-services/advisory/. Can you share your source for cancellations already extending past May?
There is nothing to be found on the Disney Cruise website to cancel a trip in 2022. Hopefully I can either get a refund or credit towards a future date when this overreaction is over. I refuse to wear a mask on a vacation and will not be forced to “vaccinate” for something that is nothing more than the common cold.
You are an idiot. It’s morons like you that are keeping this country from obtaining herd immunity and why we will still be wearing masks in 2023. 570k US deaths in 15 months from SARS-CoV-2. How many people have died in the last 15 years from the common cold? Probably less than 10,000 and its because they are usually immunocompromised and die due to secondary pneumonia.