I am guessing that those who saw the Disney Believe reveal are going to fall into two camps. Those who can’t wait to get on board, and those who were seriously underwhelmed.
But whatever your reaction to the announcements about the new Disney ship, there is a question everyone will be interested in.
How much will it cost to sail on the Disney Believe?
We now know that the first itineraries include four- and five-night cruises from Fort Lauderdale, with visits to the Bahamas and Western Caribbean.
And while the December 18, 2027, maiden voyage comes with a substantial price tag, there are some much lower-priced options if you can wait until January.
And let’s face it – that maiden voyage is going to sell out as soon as the sailings are released to Pearl Castaway Club members on 12th October.
I will start with the sailing dates and prices.
Then I’ll share which cruises I would look at first, how the Believe prices compare with her newest sister ship Disney Destiny, and what you need to know before booking.
A few important things about these prices:
- All fares are for two guests sharing one stateroom, including taxes, fees and port expenses.
- Each fare is the starting price for the lowest-priced stateroom in that category. Other staterooms within the same category may cost more.
- These are opening-day starting prices only, not live quotes. Prices are likely to increase as bookings come in and lower-priced staterooms sell.
- Gratuities are not included.
- All prices are in US dollars.
Disney Believe December 2027 Sailings and Prices
All sailings depart from Fort Lauderdale.
| Departure | Nights | Destinations | Inside | Oceanview | Verandah | Concierge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec. 18 — Maiden Voyage | 5 | Lookout Cay, Castaway Cay, Nassau | $6,444 | $6,764 | $7,134 | $17,074 |
| Dec. 23 | 4 | Castaway Cay, Nassau | $5,211 | $5,467 | $5,763 | $13,715 |
| Dec. 27 | 4 | Lookout Cay, Castaway Cay | $5,476 | $5,732 | $6,036 | $14,164 |
| Dec. 31 | 5 | Cozumel, Castaway Cay | $6,030 | $6,070 | $6,970 | $16,110 |
The December 31 sailing returns on January 5, 2028.
Disney Believe January 2028 Sailings and Prices
| Departure | Nights | Destinations | Inside | Oceanview | Verandah | Concierge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 10 | 5 | Castaway Cay, Lookout Cay, Nassau | $3,444 | $3,784 | $4,164 | $8,144 |
| Jan. 15 | 5 | Cozumel, Castaway Cay | $3,180 | $3,540 | $3,920 | $7,910 |
| Jan. 20 | 4 | Nassau, Lookout Cay | $2,683 | $2,987 | $3,315 | $6,699 |
| Jan. 24 | 5 | Castaway Cay, Lookout Cay, Nassau | $3,444 | $3,844 | $4,264 | $8,734 |
| Jan. 29 | 5 | Cozumel, Castaway Cay | $3,390 | $3,780 | $4,180 | $8,470 |
What about January 5–10? There is no sailing listed for this period in the DCL website. This could be that the ship has been chartered, or more likely that it will be a Disney Vacation Club sailing. Or, possibly that there is a error, but this is unlikely!
Disney Believe February 2028 Sailings and Prices
| Departure | Nights | Destinations | Inside | Oceanview | Verandah | Concierge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 3 | 4 | Nassau, Lookout Cay | $2,827 | $3,155 | $3,491 | $7,083 |
| Feb. 7 | 5 | Castaway Cay, Lookout Cay, Nassau | $3,644 | $3,954 | $4,394 | $8,664 |
| Feb. 12 | 5 | Cozumel, Castaway Cay | $3,760 | $4,070 | $4,520 | $8,840 |
| Feb. 17 | 4 | Nassau, Lookout Cay | $3,291 | $3,611 | $4,027 | $8,195 |
| Feb. 21 | 5 | Castaway Cay, Lookout Cay, Nassau | $3,754 | $4,124 | $4,584 | $9,394 |
| Feb. 26 | 5 | Cozumel, Castaway Cay | $3,490 | $3,820 | $4,240 | $8,570 |
Disney Believe March 2028 Sailings and Prices
| Departure | Nights | Destinations | Inside | Oceanview | Verandah | Concierge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar. 2 | 4 | Nassau, Lookout Cay | $3,019 | $3,267 | $3,667 | $8,355 |
| Mar. 6 | 5 | Castaway Cay, Lookout Cay, Nassau | $4,344 | $4,674 | $5,294 | $10,824 |
| Mar. 11 | 5 | Cozumel, Castaway Cay | $4,730 | $5,110 | $5,760 | $11,730 |
| Mar. 16 | 4 | Nassau, Lookout Cay | $3,619 | $3,907 | $4,403 | $8,955 |
| Mar. 20 | 5 | Castaway Cay, Lookout Cay, Nassau | $4,174 | $4,504 | $5,084 | $10,404 |
| Mar. 25 | 5 | Cozumel, Castaway Cay | $4,150 | $4,480 | $5,040 | $10,220 |
| Mar. 30 | 4 | Lookout Cay, Castaway Cay | $3,220 | $3,476 | $3,916 | $7,956 |
Disney Believe April and May 2028 Sailings and Prices
| Departure | Nights | Destinations | Inside | Oceanview | Verandah | Concierge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr. 3 | 5 | Castaway Cay, Lookout Cay, Nassau | $4,014 | $4,334 | $4,894 | $9,984 |
| Apr. 8 | 5 | Cozumel, Castaway Cay | $4,790 | $5,170 | $5,830 | $11,880 |
| Apr. 13 | 4 | Nassau, Lookout Cay | $3,331 | $3,467 | $4,099 | $7,691 |
| Apr. 17 | 5 | Castaway Cay, Lookout Cay, Nassau | $3,544 | $3,884 | $4,404 | $9,094 |
| Apr. 22 | 5 | Castaway Cay, Lookout Cay, Nassau | $3,564 | $3,824 | $4,364 | $9,064 |
| Apr. 27 | 4 | Nassau, Lookout Cay | $2,883 | $3,083 | $3,523 | $7,251 |
| May 1 | 5 | Castaway Cay, Lookout Cay, Nassau | $3,514 | $3,774 | $4,314 | $8,944 |
The final sailing listed returns on May 6, 2028.
That gives us 29 priced sailings to compare. Apart from January 5–10, the listed cruises cover the schedule continuously from the maiden voyage through that May 6 return.
Destinations above identify the ports visited, rather than a confirmed day-by-day port order.
Is Disney Believe More Expensive Than Disney Destiny?
Before looking at my favorite Believe dates, I wanted to answer an obvious question.
Are you paying more simply because this is the newer ship?
Disney Destiny is her sister ship and offers some very similar itineraries. So I compared a few closely matched cruises using the opening-day prices from the Destiny release.
Note that the comparisons are using prices from the opening day of the release of the Disney Destiny itineraries. The pricing will be different now.
Outside the maiden voyage, Believe is not consistently more expensive.
These are all five-night cruises visiting Nassau, Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay, although the order of the ports may differ. The prices are starting verandah fares for two guests, including taxes and fees.
All dates below are in 2028.
| Believe departure | Believe verandah | Destiny departure | Destiny verandah | Believe price difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 24 | $4,264 | January 23 | $4,191 | $73 more |
| February 7 | $4,394 | February 6 | $4,301 | $93 more |
| February 21 | $4,584 | February 20 | $4,851 | $267 less |
| March 20 | $5,084 | March 19 | $5,101 | $17 less |
| April 17 | $4,404 | April 16 | $5,571 | $1,167 less |
There is an important difference: Believe sails from Fort Lauderdale, while these Destiny cruises depart from Port Canaveral. Flights, hotels and transportation could therefore change which vacation costs less overall.
What strikes me is how close some of these fares are.
A $73 or $93 difference over a five-night cruise would not decide which ship I booked. I would choose the ship I most wanted to experience and the departure port that worked best for my plans.
Then there is April 17, when Believe is $1,167 less for a verandah than Destiny’s departure the previous day.
These are starting verandah comparisons, so the difference will not necessarily be the same in every stateroom category. And we are comparing each release’s initial prices, not checking what is available to book today.
But the takeaway is useful: do not assume the newer ship automatically means a higher fare.
This is interesting and may reflect what Disney has experienced with Disney Destiny sales.
Disney Destiny also started sailing out of Fort Lauderdale with similar itineraries, and almost immediately we started seeing discounted guarantee staterooms. This is the first time I have seen guarantee staterooms offered so quickly for a new Disney ship. It will be interesting to see if the same thing happens with Disney Believe.
January Is Where I Would Start Looking
If you want to sail on the Believe early in her inaugural season without paying the December prices, January is particularly interesting.
Three dates would go straight onto my shortlist.
My only reluctance to do this would be this is still a new ship. It certainly has happened that there have been issues with service when a ship has been launched. Sometimes the crew is not sufficiently trained.
However, I first sailed on Disney Destiny in February after she was launched and didn’t find any problems with this. Even though there were some new crew members the service was excellent.
January 20: The Lowest Total Price
This four-night sailing visits Nassau and Lookout Cay.
Starting prices are:
- Inside: $2,683
- Oceanview: $2,987
- Verandah: $3,315
- Concierge: $6,699
These are the lowest total fares in all four categories among the cruises listed.
If keeping the overall cruise price down is your priority, this is the date I would check first.
January 15: An Extra Night Worth Considering
The January 15 cruise gives you five nights, visiting Cozumel and Castaway Cay.
A verandah starts at $3,920.
That is $605 more than the four-night January 20 sailing, but you get another night aboard as well as a different itinerary.
If exploring the new ship is a big part of the attraction, I would certainly think about whether that extra night is worth the difference.
January 15 also has the lowest starting price per night in every category among these 29 cruises. The verandah works out at $784 per night for the stateroom for two guests, compared with $828.75 on January 20.
You do not need to get too caught up in the nightly calculation. Just remember that the cruise with the smallest total bill is not always the one giving you the most time for your money.
January 10: Both Disney Island Destinations
If you want Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay on the same cruise, January 10 is the one I would look at first.
This five-night sailing also visits Nassau, with prices starting at $3,444 inside and $4,164 for a verandah.
January 24 matches the inside fare, but January 10 is lower in the other three categories.
For me, that is an appealing combination: five nights on the new ship and a visit to both Disney island destinations.
The Maiden Voyage: How Much More Are You Paying?
There is no getting around it. The December 18, 2027, maiden voyage is expensive.
It is a five-night cruise visiting Lookout Cay, Castaway Cay and Nassau, with starting fares of:
| Inside | Oceanview | Verandah | Concierge |
|---|---|---|---|
| $6,444 | $6,764 | $7,134 | $17,074 |
Those are the highest total fares among the sailings listed.
The January 10 cruise is a useful comparison because it also gives you five nights and visits the same three destinations.
| Stateroom | December 18 maiden voyage | January 10 | Extra for maiden voyage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inside | $6,444 | $3,444 | $3,000 |
| Oceanview | $6,764 | $3,784 | $2,980 |
| Verandah | $7,134 | $4,164 | $2,970 |
| Concierge | $17,074 | $8,144 | $8,930 |
Almost $3,000 more for a verandah.
And $8,930 more for concierge.
Of course, December 18 is also close to Christmas. We cannot separate the effect of the sailing date from the maiden-voyage premium simply by looking at these two cruises.
But if you are deciding whether to sail on the first voyage or wait until January, those are the actual differences in the starting fares.
Why Would You Choose the Maiden Voyage?
There is only one first sailing.
For some Disney Cruise fans, that is reason enough.
Only a very exclusive few can say that they were the first (unless you count the preview cruisers which will be full of influencers and travel agents).
That is not something you can put neatly into a price-per-night comparison.
If being aboard the maiden voyage is important to you, a later sailing is not quite the same experience—even if it visits the same ports.
The reason to pay the premium should be that you really want to be on that first voyage. And honestly, it will be sold out most likely on Pearl day, certainly by Platinum and anyone else is highly unlikely to get a stateroom. This is one of the only benefits of the Castaway Club – priority booking.
My view? Book the maiden voyage because being there matters to you. If it does not, there are much less expensive ways to experience the ship.
Waiting Until the Second Cruise Does Not Make It Inexpensive
You might think the prices would fall sharply once the maiden voyage is over.
Not immediately.
The next cruises cover Christmas and New Year, and the opening fares remain high.
A verandah starts at:
- December 23 — four nights: $5,763
- December 27 — four nights: $6,036
- December 31 — five nights: $6,970
Interestingly, December 27—not the maiden voyage—has the highest nightly starting fares in every category among the sailings listed.
The maiden voyage costs more overall, but it also gives you an extra night.
The New Year comparison is particularly striking.
December 31 and January 15 are both five-night cruises visiting Cozumel and Castaway Cay.
The verandah drops from $6,970 to $3,920.
That is $3,050 less to sail on January 15.
If celebrating New Year aboard is what you want, that is a different decision. I have never celebrated my birthday on board any ship as it is New Year and I won’t pay the premium!
But if you simply want an early sailing on the Believe, I would look very closely at January.
March 30 Is Worth a Look for Disney Island Fans
There are two four-night sailings in this release that visit Lookout Cay and Castaway Cay without Nassau:
- December 27, 2027
- March 30, 2028
The March 30 verandah starts at $3,916, compared with $6,036 on December 27.
That is a $2,120 difference.
If you like the idea of a shorter cruise with both Disney island destinations, March 30 is a date I would notice.
Just check the itinerary carefully before choosing another four-night sailing. Most of the other four-night cruises listed visit Nassau and Lookout Cay, not both Disney destinations.
Before You Book, Look Two Weeks Either Side
You do not have to study every fare to find useful savings.
Choose an itinerary you like. Find a date that works. Then check what that same itinerary costs on nearby departures.
Look at the five-night Western Caribbean sailings:
- February 26 verandah: $4,240
- March 11 verandah: $5,760
That is $1,520 more to sail two weeks later.
For the four-night Nassau and Lookout Cay cruises:
- March 2 verandah: $3,667
- March 16 verandah: $4,403
This time the difference is $736.
And later in April:
- April 13 verandah: $4,099
- April 27 verandah: $3,523
Moving two weeks later saves $576.
I know school holidays and work schedules mean many families cannot simply move their vacation. But if you do have flexibility, these are exactly the comparisons I would make.
When Can You Book Disney Believe?
Booking opens in stages, with eligible guests able to reserve before the general public.
Booking begins at 8:00 a.m. US Eastern Time on each date below.
| Booking group | Booking opens |
|---|---|
| Pearl Castaway Club members | Monday, October 12, 2026 |
| Platinum Castaway Club members | Tuesday, October 13, 2026 |
| Gold Castaway Club members | Wednesday, October 14, 2026 |
| Silver Castaway Club members | Thursday, October 15, 2026 |
| Eligible Disney Vacation Club members and Adventure Insiders | Thursday, October 15, 2026 |
| General public | Monday, October 19, 2026 |
How to Book Your Cruise
You can book online through Disney Cruise Line when your booking window opens, or contact your travel advisor.
Castaway Club members should log in to their MyDisney account to access their eligible booking window.
Eligible Disney Vacation Club members booking with Reservation Points should call Member Services at (800) 800-9800.
Adventure Insiders can call (800) 951-3532 or contact their travel advisor.
If you would like help choosing a sailing, you can also request a Disney Cruise quote through our Get a Cruise Quote option.
I would have your preferred sailing, a backup date and your stateroom preferences ready before your booking window opens. It is much easier to make a decision when you have already worked out which alternatives you would be happy with.
And remember that the fares in this article are the lowest starting prices within each category. Your quote will depend on the stateroom you choose, the guests in your party and availability when you book.
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Important Booking Rules for the Maiden Voyage
The December 18 maiden voyage has special conditions. These are worth reading before you decide to reserve.
A Non-Refundable Deposit
A 10% non-refundable deposit must be paid by 11:59 p.m. US Eastern Time on the day of booking.
This is particularly important if you are tempted to book first and decide later.
Final Payment
Final payment is due:
- 120 days before sailing for suites and concierge-level staterooms.
- 90 days before sailing for other stateroom types.
Vacation Protection Plan
If you want to add the Disney Cruise Line Vacation Protection Plan, it must be purchased and paid for in full at booking.
It cannot be added afterward for this sailing.
Changes and Other Restrictions
- The primary guest must remain on the reservation. Otherwise, the booking will be canceled, subject to applicable cancellation fees.
- Date changes are not permitted. You must cancel and rebook.
- The booking cannot be combined with other offers, discounts or future cruise credits.
- Existing reservations may be moved to the maiden voyage.
Review the full booking terms before paying, especially if there is a chance your plans could change.
Which Disney Believe Cruise Would I Choose?
There is not one answer for everyone, but there are a few dates I would check first.
January 20 if the lowest overall fare is the priority.
January 15 if you want five nights and like the idea of Cozumel and Castaway Cay.
January 10 if you want five nights with both Disney island destinations and Nassau.
March 30 if you prefer four nights with Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay, without Nassau.
April 27 if you need a later sailing and want one of the lower-priced four-night options.
And December 18 if being on the maiden voyage is the experience you really want.
What I find encouraging is that the regular Believe sailings do not appear to carry a consistently large premium over the comparable Destiny cruises we looked at. You may be able to choose the newer ship without paying much more—and on some dates, you may pay less.
The biggest decision is whether you want the occasion of the maiden voyage or simply the chance to experience the ship.
If it is the latter, January would be my starting point.
Choose the itinerary you want, compare a couple of nearby dates, and get a quote for the stateroom you would actually book. These opening-day prices are a useful guide, but they are likely to rise as the lower-priced cabins sell.
Alison Meacham is the founder of EverythingMouse Disney Blog. For over 15 years she has shared her love of Disney Parks, Disney Cruises and Universal Orlando. In over 30 years of Disney Travel she has spent countless months in Disney Parks and has sailed on over 60 cruises. A British native and now a United States resident she splits her time between California, Florida and the UK. And spends a serious amount of time sailing the seven seas. She helps over 250,000 people per month follow their Disney travel dreams.