I found some old Eyes & Ears (the "News Paper" published by Disney to its Cast Members) from June 30, 1988.

In te back was this ad from when Disney got their feet wet in the cruise line industry. Disney put themselfs on Premier Cruise lines to see if people would respond. Disney did not like the way PCL kept tight reigns on the can's and can'ts. By the time the Disney/PCL contract expired, Disney had decided they wanted their own cruise line so they could do things their own way.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/4thgenaccord/Disney/Cruise%20Line/cruise_ad.jpg

Here is the ad from the Oct 22,1987 E&E
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/4thgenaccord/Disney/Cruise%20Line/cruise_ad_2.jpg


YES that says $50 per person, per day (for standby)

I went on the Big Red Boat -- DCL is soOOO much better. :)

I went too! Just got my vhs tape transferred on a dvd :) Good times...but nothing like DCL!