Disney Fans Blindsided as 14% Daily Price Increase Hits Pre-Booked Vacations
A new round of notices is reaching select Disney Cruise Line passengers, and it’s not about a ship upgrade or an itinerary change. Guests with sailings scheduled in early 2026 are being informed that their vacations will cost more than originally booked. For some, the sudden increase has already added hundreds of dollars to the final bill.
Disney vacations have long carried premium price tags, and many argue that costs have accelerated since the pandemic. Today, a one-day ticket to Magic Kingdom can climb as high as $199 per person. At Disneyland Resort, tickets peak at $206 before factoring in Park Hopper add-ons. That reality sets the stage for what cruise guests are now facing.
The shift comes just months after Disney Cruise Line introduced price-friendly moves of its own. Deposits were lowered from 20% to 10% in June, and earlier this month, the company rolled out a limited-time 40% discount for select sailings between October 17 and December 19, 2025. Against that backdrop, the new development represents a sharp turn in the other direction.
Hawaii’s New Tax Extends to Cruise Passengers
The State of Hawaii voted earlier this year to expand its Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT) to cruise ship passengers. The law applies an 11% state TAT and a 3% Local County TAT — a combined 14% charge — on the portion of each fare connected to time spent docked in Hawaii.
Disney Cruise Line confirmed the tax will apply beginning January 1, 2026. Two itineraries are currently affected: the South Pacific Cruise departing February 2 and the Hawaiian Cruise departing February 16, 2026. Passengers booked on those sailings began receiving notices on September 25.
Guests Notified of Higher Balances
Disney stated that the new charges have been incorporated into “taxes, fees, and port expenses” for each reservation.
For travelers who have not yet made the final payment, the updated totals will be reflected in the amount due. For those who have already paid in full, an additional payment will be required to cover the difference.
One guest reported that the change added more than $400 to their reservation, highlighting the significant impact the new tax can have on overall costs. The amount varies depending on stateroom category, number of guests, and how long the ship remains in Hawaiian ports.
Emails distributed on September 25 provided updated payment deadlines and clarified that the new tax is not discretionary. For impacted guests, it represents a required addition to complete their bookings.
For now, the change applies only to itineraries that include Hawaii. Still, the adjustment underscores how taxes and fees can meaningfully alter cruise costs even after initial bookings are complete.
This follows a string of other changes for the Disney Cruise Line in recent months, such as the confirmation that the company is pulling out of the Australia and New Zealand markets, plus the delay of the Disney Adventure’s maiden voyage to 2026.
Have you received a notice from the Disney Cruise Line about an upcoming price increase?
Author
