Last Minute Disney Cruise? Book It Now And Here’s Why

When Being A Local Has It’s Perks: Booking A Last Minute Disney Cruise

While our neighbors to the north in Orlando can get their last-minute Disney fix anytime they want, did you know that us Miamians can actually get our own taste of Disney Magic? And I mean that quite literally. Because we have the benefit of being able to book a last minute Disney Cruise on Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Magic or the Disney Wonder from right here out of the Port of Miami! 

Why Did We Wait So Long?

It really had been on our bucket list to take a Disney Cruise with The Little Made Man, but the timing just never seemed right. First we thought he was too young, then we thought we wanted to bring all the grandparents, then we thought we wanted Amazing Step Daughters to come, but their school schedules! Then we thought we wanted to go on one of the “newer” ships out of Port Canaveral. It was like there was always something stopping us from booking.

But I think over the last year or so, more and more Miami friends had been telling us what a great time they had on the Disney cruise line out of Port Miami. Everyone had so many positive things to say about their trips. And pretty much everyone we spoke to had something in common- they didn’t book months and months in advance, they basically found dates that worked, went online and just booked their cruise. 

The Miamian Last Minute Luxury

Without having to plan air travel or book hotel rooms, us Miamians have the luxury of booking a last minute Disney cruise with only a few clicks. When you can just go online, find some dates that work for you and then take a 15 min uber ride from your house over to the Port of Miami, does it really get any simpler than that?

New Year’s Eve Disney Cruise Line Style

It was already November and we didn’t really have New Years Eve plans, yet. We tossed around the idea of going to Playa Del Carmen, but Mexico New Year’s Eve with a little one can be limiting. 

So we thought (on Nov 19th, mind you) why don’t we book that Disney cruise we’re always saying we’re going to take? 

I went to DisneyCruise.Disney.go.com and started clicking around. They had a three night New Year’s Eve cruise on the Disney Magic. It sounded too good to be true, only a quick 3 night trip, and the little one wouldn’t miss any school. We talked about it, we looked at prices, they weren’t bad, not as good as the prices if we picked any other weekend  (obviously New Years Eve is a popular cruise). There are some real deals to be had IF you can get around the busiest times. Of course, the obvious ones – spring break, summer, and winter break will bump the price. 

But it was Thanksgiving weekend, I had 28 people coming for dinner, including my parents from California. The Libra in me wasn’t sure, and I didn’t hit the “Purchase Now” button. (Insert sad emoji here.)

On Black Friday, I went back. The price had shot up like $800. Boo. I guess Disney doesn’t do Black Friday deals. Sadly, the math just didn’t make sense. I didn’t book. 

Another week later and still no NYE plans. I went back on DisneyCruise.Disney.go.com. The state room type I had originally looked at was now not even available. But the stateroom level up, the Verandah Room with a balcony, was showing availability cheaper than the rates I had seen on Black Friday. It was December 12th. I hit “Book Now.” Bam! Sailor Mickey, here we come!

Our Last Minute Disney Cruise Was Awesome

Our time on the Disney Magic was everything you imagine from anything stamped Disney on it. Our biggest Disney Magic highlights:

–Castaway Cay and specifically the Stingray Adventure.
“Mommy, can you BELIEVE we actually got to feed and snorkel with stingrays?! When can we come back on a Disney Cruise??”

–Pirate Night
A quick Google search will show you that people take Pirate Night very seriously. Sorry, we were too busy having fun to take pictures- AAARGH! Next time, I’ll be prepared!

–Tangled: The Musical 
So fun! So much fun, it deserved it’s own post. Please check out my full review here.

–Kid’s Club (Oceaneer club)
We didn’t think we were going to want to leave our Little Made Man at the Kid’s Club, but he woke up begging to go! He LOVED it!

–Watching Star Wars: The Force Awakens 
Disney is the only cruise line that shows first run movies on their ships, and we were lucky enough to be able to see The Force Awakens. So cool.

–Dinner at Palo
A little Disney birdie told me to “make sure” I booked a dinner at Palo and Oh My Gosh! I’m so glad I did! What an awesome dinner experience. Definitely a Disney Cruise Line  “must-do”!

–That special “Disney Magic” attention to detail, like towel animals every night on the bed.

Just Book It

So if you’re on the fence about taking a Disney cruise, just book it. It’s great. If you’re in Miami (or even Broward) take advantage of being a “local” and play around with dates that make sense. Unfortunately, there are not a lot of 3 day offerings out of Miami, but there are multiple 4 day itineraries to choose from.

To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book your last minute Disney cruise vacation, visit disneycruise.com.

Crazily, I don’t do a lot of “travel” posts even though we seem to travel quite a bit! Make sure you’re following all of Mommy Mafia’s latest travel adventures on Instagram!