The Disney Cruise Discount You Might Be Missing
If you're planning a Disney Cruise, there's a good chance you've searched for Disney Cruise Line discounts, compared cruise prices, watched for special offers, and waited for the right Disney Cruise deal.
But there's another type of Disney Cruise discount that many people don't realize exists.
And depending on your sailing, it could save you a significant amount of money.
It's called a Guaranteed Stateroom with Restrictions.
You'll see these fares listed as IGT, OGT, or VGT, and they can sometimes offer a much lower price than booking a specific stateroom at the regular rate.
But there's a catch.
Actually, there are a few.
And before you jump on what looks like an incredible Disney Cruise deal, it's important to understand exactly what you're giving up in exchange for the lower fare.
What Is a Disney Cruise Guaranteed Stateroom?
A Guaranteed Stateroom with Restrictions is a special Disney Cruise Line fare offered on select sailings.
Instead of choosing your exact Disney Cruise stateroom, you choose a category—and Disney Cruise Line chooses your specific stateroom for you.
There are currently three primary restricted guarantee categories:
IGT – Inside Guaranteed Stateroom
OGT – Oceanview Guaranteed Stateroom
VGT – Verandah Guaranteed Stateroom
Disney states that the assigned stateroom will be in the category you selected or a higher category, and the room may have an obstructed view. Your specific stateroom is assigned later based on availability.
And this is where the potential savings come in.
Why Are Disney Cruise Guaranteed Rates Cheaper?
The simple answer?
You're giving up the ability to choose your room.
When you book a regular Disney Cruise fare, you can select your stateroom based on what's available. You can look at the deck, location, room type and specific stateroom before booking.
Disney's standard booking process allows guests to select a specific location, including forward, midship or aft, and choose from available staterooms.
With an IGT, OGT or VGT rate, you don't get that same choice.
Instead, you agree to let Disney assign your stateroom later.
In exchange, the fare can be considerably less expensive.
Disney currently advertises select Guaranteed Stateroom with Restrictions offers with savings of up to 25% off the voyage fare, although the actual savings vary by sailing and availability.
That can make these rates worth knowing about when you're shopping for a Disney Cruise deal.
IGT vs. OGT vs. VGT: What's the Difference?
Here's the easiest way to remember the three restricted Disney Cruise Line rates:
RateWhat It MeansIGTInside GuaranteedOGTOceanview GuaranteedVGTVerandah Guaranteed
IGT – Inside Guaranteed
With an IGT Disney Cruise fare, you're guaranteed an inside stateroom or better.
This can be a good option for someone who doesn't care about having a window or verandah and is primarily looking for a lower cruise fare.
OGT – Oceanview Guaranteed
With an OGT Disney Cruise fare, you're guaranteed an oceanview stateroom or better.
This gives you the possibility of saving money while still having an oceanview category.
VGT – Verandah Guaranteed
This is the one that gets my attention most often.
With a VGT Disney Cruise fare, you're guaranteed a verandah stateroom or better.
For families who really want a verandah but don't necessarily care where that verandah is located, a VGT rate can potentially be an interesting way to reduce the cost of a Disney Cruise.
The BIG Catch: You Don't Choose Your Stateroom
This is the most important thing to understand about a Disney Cruise Guaranteed Stateroom.
You don't get to pick your exact room.
Disney Cruise Line selects it for you.
That means you aren't choosing:
Your exact stateroom number
Your deck
Your location on the ship
Forward, midship or aft
Your preferred side of the ship
Your specific verandah configuration
And Disney specifically notes that a restricted guarantee stateroom may have an obstructed view.
For some cruisers, this is no big deal.
For others, it could be a deal breaker.
What If I Want Connecting Staterooms?
This is one of the situations where I would be especially careful with a Guaranteed Stateroom with Restrictions.
If you're traveling with another family or booking multiple staterooms because you need connecting rooms, you don't want to assume that booking two restricted rates will give you rooms next to each other.
The whole point of the guarantee is that Disney is selecting the specific stateroom based on availability.
If having specific rooms or locations is important to your family, a regular Disney Cruise booking may give you much more control.
The Other BIG Catch: Cancellation Restrictions
This is something you absolutely need to know before booking a restricted Disney Cruise fare.
According to Disney Cruise Line's current U.S. terms and conditions, reservations for Inside, Oceanview or Verandah Categories with Restrictions are nonrefundable and nontransferable, and a 100% cruise cancellation fee applies from the time of payment.
That's a HUGE difference from a standard Disney Cruise reservation.
So don't book a Guaranteed Stateroom simply because you see a lower price.
Make sure you're comfortable with the restrictions first.
Why I Think These Disney Cruise Rates Are Worth Knowing About
I'm not saying a Guaranteed Stateroom with Restrictions is the right choice for everyone.
But I absolutely think it's something you should know to look for when pricing a Disney Cruise.
Because here's what can happen:
You search for a Disney Cruise.
You find a beautiful verandah stateroom.
You look at the price and think:
"That's more than I wanted to spend."
Then you discover a VGT Guaranteed Verandah rate for the same sailing that is significantly less.
Suddenly, the cruise may fit your budget.
That's why I don't think you should look at only one Disney Cruise fare when comparing your options.
When a Guaranteed Disney Cruise Stateroom Might Make Sense
A restricted Disney Cruise fare may be worth considering if:
You care more about the cruise than your exact room.
If your attitude is: "I just want to be on the ship!" you may be perfectly happy letting Disney choose your stateroom.
You're looking for the lowest possible cruise fare.
If you're flexible about your room location, these fares can be an opportunity to save.
You don't mind where your room is located.
Forward? Aft? Higher deck? Lower deck?
If you genuinely don't care, you're giving up something that may not have much value to you anyway.
You understand the cancellation restrictions.
This is critical.
The lower price isn't worth much if you aren't comfortable with the booking terms.
When I Would Think Twice About a Restricted Disney Cruise Rate
I would pay particularly close attention if:
You need connecting staterooms
You need rooms near another family member
You have a preferred deck
You strongly prefer midship
You want a specific stateroom
You don't want an obstructed view
You have a strong preference about your verandah
Your travel plans may change
You want the flexibility associated with a standard Disney Cruise reservation
In those situations, the ability to choose your stateroom may be worth paying more for.
Are Disney Cruise Guaranteed Rates Always Available?
No.
And that's another important thing to understand.
You can't simply ask Disney Cruise Line to apply an IGT, OGT or VGT rate to any sailing.
These are special rates available on select sailings and subject to availability. Disney's current special offers show specific eligible sailings and categories rather than making these fares available across the entire Disney Cruise Line fleet.
That means you could find an amazing VGT rate on one Disney Cruise and nothing similar on another.
The availability can change, too.
That's why I recommend checking the actual sailing rather than assuming a restricted fare will be available.
How Much Can You Save on a Disney Cruise?
This is where things get interesting.
Disney currently advertises savings of up to 25% off voyage fare on certain select sailings using Guaranteed Stateroom with Restrictions rates.
But don't get too caught up in the percentage.
The number that really matters is:
How much would YOUR family actually save?
For example, if a regular verandah stateroom is $6,000 and the VGT option is $5,000, that's a $1,000 difference.
That's meaningful savings.
But if the difference is only $150, you may decide that choosing your exact room is worth much more than $150.
Always compare the actual dollar amount, not just the discount percentage.
One More Thing: Compare the Total Cruise Price
When you're comparing Disney Cruise fares, make sure you're comparing apples to apples.
Look at the total price for your entire family, not just the advertised price per person.
And remember that a Disney Cruise fare is only one part of your overall vacation budget.
You'll also want to consider things like:
Taxes, fees and port expenses
Gratuities
Transportation
Hotels before or after your cruise
Travel insurance
Port Adventures
Onboard spending
A lower stateroom fare can be exciting—but the total vacation cost is what matters.
So… Should You Book a Disney Cruise Guaranteed Rate?
The answer really depends on what matters most to you.
If you're flexible, want to save money and don't care which stateroom Disney assigns, a Guaranteed Stateroom with Restrictions could be an option worth considering.
If you want to choose your exact room, need connecting staterooms or want more flexibility if your plans change, you may prefer a standard Disney Cruise fare.
There isn't one right answer for every family.
And that's exactly why I think these rates are so important to know about.
Let Me Find the Best Disney Cruise Rate for You
If you're thinking about booking a Disney Cruise, you don't have to spend hours comparing staterooms, searching for discounts, and trying to figure out which Disney Cruise fare is actually the best value.
That's where I come in.
When you work with me to book your Disney Cruise, I'll compare the available options for your specific sailing—including regular stateroom pricing and any available IGT, OGT or VGT Guaranteed Stateroom rates.
I'll help you understand:
Which Disney Cruise rates are available
How much you could potentially save with a restricted rate
What you're giving up by choosing a Guaranteed Stateroom
Which stateroom options make the most sense for your family
Current Disney Cruise Line promotions
And whether I can add onboard credit to your booking
My goal isn't simply to find you the lowest price. It's to help you find the best overall value for the vacation you want.
And the best part? You don't have to do the research yourself.
I'll keep an eye on the available rates, explain the fine print, help you navigate the options, and make sure you're aware of opportunities to save or receive additional value when booking your Disney Cruise with me.
Because there may be a Disney Cruise discount available that you would never know to look for.
Let me do the searching for you—and let's find the Disney Cruise that's right for your family. ✨
Want Me to Find the Best Disney Cruise Rate for You?
If you're considering a Disney Cruise, don't book before checking all of your options.
As a Disney Travel Advisor, I can compare the available IGT, OGT and VGT Guaranteed Stateroom rates with regular Disney Cruise Line pricing and help you determine which option makes the most sense for your family.
But that's not all I do.
When you book your Disney Cruise with me, I'll also look for ways to add even more value to your vacation, including available onboard credit that you can use during your cruise.
That means you don't have to spend hours searching for Disney Cruise discounts, comparing stateroom categories, figuring out the fine print, and wondering whether you've actually found the best available option.
I'll do the research for you.
I'll help you compare the rates, explain the restrictions, look for available promotions and onboard credit, and help you choose the option that fits your family's priorities and budget.
Because sometimes the best Disney Cruise deal isn't the one that's easiest to find.
It's the one you know to look for.