What Is a Disney Cruise Guarantee Rate? Everything You Need to Know Before Booking

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Hey Disney Cruiser! If you’ve ever looked into booking a Disney Cruise, you’ve probably noticed that the best prices are typically available right after the voyages are released. However, not everyone can plan their vacations a year or more in advance. Life gets busy, and things like work, school schedules, or personal circumstances can make it tough to commit that far ahead. So, what happens if you can’t snag those opening-day rates? Enter the Disney Cruise Guarantee Rate.

The Disney Cruise Guarantee Rate is a lesser-known but fantastic way to save money on a Disney cruise, especially if you’re booking closer to the sail date. Let’s break down everything you need to know about these rates, so you can decide if they’re right for you.

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Why You Might Not Book Early

There are plenty of reasons why someone might not be able to plan their cruise a year or more ahead of time:

Work schedules that don’t allow for early vacation planning.
Changing family dynamics (like having a new baby on the way).
School schedules that aren’t set yet.
Medical or financial uncertainties.

If any of this sounds familiar, don’t worry—you might still be able to get a great deal with Disney Cruise Line (DCL) using a Guarantee Rate.

What Are the Different Types of Disney Cruise Guarantee Rates?

Disney offers several types of Guarantee Rates to help you save money. Here are the four main types:

IGT – Inside Guarantee
OGT – Oceanview Guarantee
VGT – Verandah Guarantee
GTY – General Guarantee

While they all offer the potential to save money, they have some key differences. Let’s dive into what each one means and what you can expect when booking.

What Exactly Do IGT, OGT, VGT, and GTY Mean?

Most of the time when you book a cruise, you pick your exact room—stateroom 7054, for example. But with Guarantee Rates, you don’t get to pick the exact room; instead, you’re guaranteed a specific type of room (like an Inside, Oceanview, or Verandah). Here’s the trade-off: you’ll save some money, but Disney chooses your stateroom for you.

The big difference between these options comes down to flexibility and risk. Let’s break it down:

GTY (General Guarantee): This is more like a standard booking, but Disney won’t let you pick the exact room if a category is nearly full. You still get to pick your stateroom category (like Deluxe Inside or Verandah), but you won’t know your room number until closer to sailing.
IGT, OGT, VGT (Inside, Oceanview, Verandah Guarantees): These are the discounted rates where Disney picks not just your room number, but your room type. You’ll know if you’re getting an Inside, Oceanview, or Verandah room, but not the exact category. That means you could be in a higher-category room, but it’s rare.

What’s the Catch with Guarantee Rates?

Guarantee Rates are tempting, but they come with restrictions:

Non-Refundable: Once you book, you’re locked in. No changes, no cancellations, and no refunds. If your plans aren’t 100% solid, this may not be for you.
Full Payment at Booking: Unlike other reservations where you can pay a deposit and the rest later, Guarantee Rates require full payment at the time of booking.
No Room Preferences: If you’re picky about your room’s location, type, or features, you’re out of luck. You can’t make requests for specific rooms, though you can still make dining and other service requests.
Stateroom Assignment: Your room assignment typically comes a few weeks before your sail date—sometimes as close as three days before you embark.

How Much Can You Save with Disney Cruise Guarantee Rates?

The savings can be substantial, ranging anywhere from $900 to nearly $2,000, depending on the cruise and room type. These savings are Disney’s way of filling rooms that haven’t been booked as the sail date approaches, and they pass those discounts on to you in exchange for the restrictions mentioned above.

What’s the Difference Between GTY and IGT, OGT, VGT?

Here’s a quick rundown to clarify the difference between GTY and the other Guarantee Rates:

GTY: You’re guaranteed a specific category (e.g., Deluxe Inside Stateroom). You know you won’t get downgraded below that category.
IGT/OGT/VGT: You’re guaranteed a type of stateroom (Inside, Oceanview, Verandah), but not the specific category. There’s more risk here—you could end up in a lower-category room, but you’re still getting the type of room you selected.

Why Doesn’t Everyone Book with Guarantee Rates?

As enticing as these discounted rates may sound, they aren’t the right fit for everyone. Here are a few reasons why someone might avoid booking a Guarantee Rate:

Timing Concerns: Guarantee rates usually become available 3-4 months before sailing. If you’re 100% set on going on a specific cruise, you might not want to wait that long and risk missing out entirely.
Not Always Offered: Not all sailings offer Guarantee rates. For popular itineraries or high-demand sailings, Disney might not need to offer these rates to fill rooms.
Niche Room Preferences: Some guests have very specific preferences for their stateroom.
Accessibility Needs: If you need a wheelchair-accessible room or other accommodations, leaving your stateroom assignment to chance isn’t advisable. Guarantee Rates don’t allow you to ensure you’ll get the room features you need.
Motion Sickness Concerns: Many guests who are prone to motion sickness prefer lower-deck, midship rooms. If that’s you, it’s better to pick your exact room to avoid any unpleasant surprises during your trip.
Unique Room Features: Some rooms offer specific features that make the cruising experience special. For example, Deck 5 on the Dream and Fantasy has staterooms with large verandahs. If relaxing on your verandah is a highlight for you, Guarantee Rates won’t ensure you get this feature.
Large Groups: If you’re traveling with a large group—say, for a large family vacation with multiple rooms—you’ll likely want all your rooms to be close together. Guarantee Rates don’t allow you to coordinate room locations, which can make this kind of arrangement difficult.

FAQ: Common Questions About Disney Cruise Guarantee Rates

Let’s take a look at the most commonly asked questions about Disney Cruise Guarantee Rates

Nope. Once you’ve locked in a Guarantee Rate, it’s set in stone. You can’t modify the reservation, remove guests, or change dates. If you’re unsure about your plans, this rate might not be for you.

Sometimes. If you’re flexible and arrive early at the port, you may be able to upgrade your room at a discounted rate if there’s availability. However, this isn’t guaranteed.

Usually, you’ll know your room number about three weeks before your sailing date, but Disney can assign your room as late as three days before you board. You’ll need to check your DCL account proactively, as they don’t send notifications.

These rates can be a fantastic way to save money, but they’re not for everyone. Here’s why you might want to think twice:
You need specific accommodations (like an accessible room or one with a specific layout).
You’re sensitive to motion sickness and want a lower-deck, midship room.
You’re traveling with a large group and need rooms close together.
You can’t be flexible with your plans and need the freedom to make changes.

If you’re planning more than a year in advance, those early-bird rates are usually your best bet. But if you’ve missed that window, keep an eye on the Disney Cruise Line website or work with a Disney Vacation Planner to spot those Guarantee Rates about 3-4 months before sailing.

Remember, Guarantee Rates aren’t offered on every sailing—only when Disney needs to fill rooms. So, if you’re set on a particular cruise, you might not want to wait.

If you’re still outside the penalty period (when you can cancel or change your booking without losing money), you can rebook at the lower Guarantee Rate. But if you’re inside that window, you’ll have to weigh the cancellation penalty against the savings.

An experienced Disney Vacation Planner can guide you through these scenarios and help you decide what makes the most sense financially.

Final Thoughts: Disney Cruise Guarantee Rates – A Smart Move for Some

If you’re flexible with your plans and willing to give up room selection, a Disney Cruise Guarantee Rate can be a fantastic way to save money on your magical adventure. Just make sure you’re okay with the restrictions and ready to pay in full at the time of booking.

Happy cruising!

Looking To Book Your Dream Disney Vacation?

Meet the Author: Nate Bishop

I’m a die-hard Disney fan with 38 years of visits under my belt, having stepped into Disney World 120+ times. Proud to be a Disney Annual Passholder, a Vacation Club member since ’92, a Castaway Club Member, and a runDisney enthusiast. Oh, and I’ve graduated from the Disney College of Knowledge. Need Disney insights or planning tips? I’m your guy!

LAST UPDATED:

September 11, 2024