Disney Cruise Line vacations are magical, but they’re also an investment. One way to save money is by booking what’s called a Guaranteed Stateroom. These rooms aren’t offered on every Disney cruise, but when you can find them, they can give you significant savings. Guaranteed rooms are often offered at a lower rate than standard staterooms—but they come with some trade-offs. If you’re wondering whether this option is right for your family, let’s break it down.
What Is a Guaranteed Stateroom?
When you book a Guaranteed Stateroom, you’re choosing a room category, not a specific room. For example, if you book a Guaranteed Verandah, you’re guaranteed to have a room with a verandah—but Disney chooses the exact location for you. You’ll find out your stateroom number closer to your sailing date, sometimes not until just before embarkation.
The Pros of Booking Guaranteed
- Lower Cost: The biggest perk is price. Guaranteed rates are one of the best ways to sail Disney Cruise Line while saving money. In fact, on one of our cruises, booking guaranteed saved us nearly $2,000—that’s a huge difference.
- Room Category Assurance: Even though you don’t pick your exact location, you’ll always get the room type you paid for. A Guaranteed Verandah means you’ll still enjoy fresh air and ocean views from your private balcony. And there’s always the small chance you could be upgraded to a higher category.
- Great for Repeat Cruisers: If you’ve sailed Disney before, you probably know what works best for your family. We’ve booked guaranteed multiple times, and while we’ve sometimes been placed in more remote spots on the ship—locations that wouldn’t have been our first choice—it hasn’t bothered us. We already know motion sickness isn’t a concern for our family, so the savings are absolutely worth the trade-off.
- Upgrade Possibilities: At the port, you can always check for paid upgrade opportunities. If rooms are still available, you may be able to move into a better stateroom at a fraction of the original price.
Save Even More With Me!
I’m a travel agent specializing in Disney vacations, which means I can help you find the best sailing for your family, explain all the ins and outs of options like Guaranteed staterooms, and make planning completely stress-free. Plus, when you book with me, you’ll receive an onboard credit you can use for extras like drinks, souvenirs, or Port Adventures—so you can get all of my help and actually save even more.
The Cons of Booking Guaranteed
No Control Over Room Location: You might end up near elevators, under a busy deck, or in a forward or aft location that isn’t your favorite. If that will ruin your vacation, this option is not for you.
Different Cancellation Policies: Guaranteed staterooms come with stricter cancellation and payment terms than standard bookings. That means less flexibility if your plans change.
Not Eligible for Other Discounts: If Disney later releases another promotion, like a percentage-off deal, Guaranteed rooms can’t be combined with those offers.
Who Should Consider It?
Guaranteed staterooms are often best for repeat or frequent cruisers who already know their preferences and aren’t as concerned about location. I remember on our very first cruise, I specifically wanted a midship room to reduce the chances of seasickness. Now that we’ve cruised multiple times, we’ve learned that motion sickness isn’t an issue for our family. That gave us the confidence to book guaranteed on later sailings, and the savings have made a big difference for us.
If this is your first Disney Cruise and you want complete control over your stateroom location, you may feel more comfortable paying extra to pick your exact room. But if you’re flexible, the surprise of finding out your stateroom can actually be fun—and the price difference makes it even sweeter.
Guaranteed staterooms are one of Disney Cruise Line’s hidden gems for saving money. You’ll get the stateroom category you want at a lower cost, with the added excitement of the “big reveal” when your room assignment comes through. Just make sure to keep in mind the stricter policies and lack of room selection before booking.
For experienced cruisers or those who don’t mind a little mystery, this can be a smart way to stretch your Disney budget. And who knows—if you’re flexible, you might even find yourself scoring an upgrade opportunity at the port, making your cruise even more magical.
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