If you’re hoping to snag a discounted Disney Cruise Line room upgrade before your sailing, here’s the bottom line: Disney does not offer pre-cruise discounts on stateroom upgrades. If you call, email, or check online before your sailing, any upgrade you get will be at the full price difference between your current room and the upgraded category.
The one exception is embarkation day, and this is where things get interesting. After you arrive at the terminal, clear security, and complete check-in, you can ask a Cast Member where the “day-of-departure upgrade” desk is located. Every port handles this a little differently, but there is always a dedicated counter for last-minute upgrades.
If there are unsold staterooms, and that part is never guaranteed, Disney sometimes offers them at lower rates than what you would have paid in advance. Think of it like a last-call clearance on empty rooms. Prices vary depending on the ship, sailing, and availability, but people have reported everything from modest discounts to good deals.
A few tips if you’re considering it:
• Have a budget in mind because you’ll need to decide on the spot.
• Be flexible. You can’t “hold” a room or go back and forth forever.
If you want to get an idea of what these upgrades cost in real life, you can search Reddit or Facebook groups where cruisers often post their day-of upgrade prices. You’ll find plenty of first-hand examples broken down by ship and itinerary length, which can help you decide whether it’s worth trying for one on your own embarkation day.