Disney Cruise Line in a Jiffy: What is a Cruise Transfer?

Transfer is the word that Disney and many other cruise lines use to refer to ground transportation on either end of your cruise. This may include:

• Transportation from an airport to the cruise embarkation port
• Transportation to an airport from the cruise debarkation port
• Transportation to the cruise embarkation port from an approved hotel
• Transportation to an approved hotel from the cruise debarkation port
• Transportation to/from an approved hotel to an airport

Not all of these options are available at every port. Most of the time when you’re on a transfer, you’ll be riding a coach-style bus, but you may also be able to arrange private transportation at some locations.

Prices for transfers vary widely. In the United States they run from about $18 (per person for a transfer from San Diego’s airport to the cruise port) to about $50 (per person for a transfer from Honolulu’s airport to the cruise port). European transfers cost more. For example, transfers from the major London airports to the Port of Southampton are about $75 per person. You can find a complete list of available transfers and pricing on the Disney Cruise website.

Of course, you’re always welcome to arrange your own transportation to get to and from your cruise. There is no requirement at you use Disney’s system.

If you’d like to arrange a transfer, speak with your travel agent or call DCL directly at 800-951-3532. Arrangements should be made at least four days prior to sailing. If you arrange a transfer at the end of your sailing to an airport or hotel, this will be indicated on your Key to the World Card.

Disney Cruise Line in a Jiffy is an offshoot of our “Disney in a Minute” posts. Both are bite-sized nuggets of information that can better help you understand a Disney term or planning topic, but here we’ll be focused on all thing Disney Cruise Line (DCL). Have a question about a DCL term that is unfamiliar to you? Suggest it here for an upcoming segment.