Disney Cruise Line raises key onboard fees
Although Disney Cruise Line vacations are known to be a pricier type of cruise, the cruise line recently made a popular move to help make the upfront cost of booking a Disney cruise more manageable for families.
Slashing its required booking deposit in half, Disney Cruise Line reduced the standard deposit amount due at the time of booking from 20% to 10% of the cruise fare (before taxes, fees, and port expenses).
Related: Disney cruiser shares genius money-saving hack any cruiser can use
Coupled with flexible cruise payment options, the new deposit policy makes it easier for Disney cruise passengers to pay for their cruise over time and avoid paying a large lump sum at once.
Many Disney Cruise Line passengers book their cruises 15-18 months in advance in order to secure the best price, and the most desirable ship, itinerary, and stateroom type, so making smaller cruise payments in installments over time often works well for them.
But while booking a Disney cruise just got more affordable upfront, some experiences on Disney cruise ships are now getting more expensive.
Disney Cruise Line is increasing the prices for its adult-exclusive specialty dining restaurants, which include Palo, Remy, and Enchanté.
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When dining at Palo, Remy, or Enchanté on a Disney cruise, passengers skip their regularly scheduled, rotational main dining restaurant that's included with their cruise fare, opting for one of these premium dining experiences available for an extra charge.
These elegant adult dining experiences come with a pretty hefty price tag, and now passengers will pay even more to enjoy the popular add-on meals during their Disney cruise vacation.
The cruise line is beginning to roll out new enhancements to these specialty dining experiences that will bring with them price increases of $5 to $10 per person, according to Disney Cruise Line Blog, an unofficial Disney Cruise Line news blog.
Related: Savvy Disney vacationers use this service to save big on trips
At Palo and Palo Steakhouse restaurants across the fleet, which serve Italian cuisine in an intimate setting, prices for brunch and prix fixe dinner options will increase by $5 to $55 per person.
Prices for adults-only dining experiences at Remy, a French fine dining restaurant on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, will rise by $5 to $10 per person. The cost for the Remy Champagne Brunch will go up by $5 to $85, the Remy Dessert Experience will increase by $5 to $70, and the prix fixe Remy Dinner will rise by $10 to $145.
Additionally, prices for Enchanté, the gourmet French restaurant inspired by "Beauty and the Beast," which is featured on the Disney Wish, Disney Treasure, and upcoming Disney Destiny cruise ship, will rise by $10. The standard price for Enchanté Lunch and Enchanté Dinner will increase to $145 per person.
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The new pricing for adult-exclusive dining has already rolled out to the Disney Wish and Treasure. Prices for the Disney Dream's dining experiences will increase on June 26, followed by the Disney Magic on June 27, and the Disney Wonder on June 30 (with the exception of Australia/New Zealand sailings).
Passengers sailing on the Disney Fantasy will not see specialty dining prices rise just yet. The new pricing will take effect on the Disney Fantasy on Nov. 16 with its first cruise from Port Canaveral after returning from Europe.
Related: 3 Disney Cruise Line tips and tricks you probably don't know
If you haven't already booked specialty dining reservations for your Disney cruise and are sailing on one of the ships that hasn't yet introduced the new pricing, you can avoid the additional cost by making your reservation prior to the price change.
Passengers who already had their reservations booked for a future cruise prior to the price change will not be charged the higher prices. Disney Cruise Line will honor the original booking price in these cases.
(The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.)
Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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