Am I crazy to think I can spend only $100 on the Magic?

[dijid]

DH and I are trying to set a budget for on the ship that is realistic, but bare minimum since we splurged and got a verandah. Outside of tips, we're hoping to spend $100. Figure $10 for palos + $22 of babysitting (2 kids/2 hrs) + $30 for one bottle of wine at dinner + $28 for drinks (each of us gets $14 to spend as we please) and $10 for one photo. We're not big drinkers, DH swears he will order diet Coke only with meals and with kids being only 2 1/2 and 9 months, shore excursions aren't in the picture. Are we kidding ourselves?

[Tay N Evie's Mom]

I have to be honest and say that is a little unrealistic. But, if you're going to try to keep your costs low don't go into any of the gift shops, don't go near any of the photo ops and avoid any type of window shopping on the islands. Also, take your own pop.

["Ginger"]

Dijid it sounds like a good plan and I hope you can stick to it. Once aboard your going to find it very hard to hold back.

You could save a little and take your own bottle of wine to enjoy on that verandah. Ask for 2 wine glasses to keep in your stateroom, any bar located inside the ship will have them. You can keep your wine chilled in the cooling boxes in your stateroom.

Please post after your cruise and tell us if you were able to stick to your budget.

Remember a tip is included in the price of drinks so you don't have to tip for it.

[callahanjulie10]

The family portraits are $20- the ones with the characters and the shots out and about are $10.

What I have done to save $ for the cruise is to put $100 per week (once the cruise was paid for) back- I have estimated that we will have about $1000- and thank goodness for that $200. I have that counted as the majority of my tips!

I also prepaid my excursion in Cozumel.

I don't know if this will apply to you but if you, hubby, or any of the children have birthdays you could always suggest Disney Dollars or an on-board credit from Magical Treasures as a gift.

These are just come suggestions- it is so much more enjoyable to go on vacation and not have to tally everything.

Also- bring sodas, liquor, and wine- save $50 and pick up another picture or 2- these are my families favorite souvie- hands down. Well worth it- but be selective. Also- if you have childrens pics taken by photographer with character- take the same shot with your camera.

Enjoy- this is a vacation of a lifetime

[prymsu]

I have been on many cruises, and i have yet to spend less than a few hundred dollars...I think one hundred is probably ultra conservative...

[din]

I am not sure if you are including tips with the $100.

You did say Magic right. That is 7 nights to control spending.

Something to consider...

[srobin]

I also hope you are able to stick to your budget. You may save some money by getting the refillable drink mug which DCL offers. My son and I are doing that. If it is any comfort I am also on a very tight budget. Since I am a single parent it was tough just trying to pay for the cruise so I know how you feel. I plan on trying to stick to around $250.00 not counting tips. My son is 11 and will probably want to hang out at the arcade. Although you hope to have extra money to spend it just never seems to work out that way if you have kids. I agree that it is the trip of a lifetime so my plans are to enjoy everything I can that's included relax and just have fun. Concerning the post that read just get over it you made it sound like they just did not want to spend any extra money. I think the point was they are short on spending money. You can't just get over it and spend money you don't have even if it is vacation. Believe it or not some people do struggle and for many of us this will probably be the only Disney cruise we ever get to take. I will get off of my soap box now.

[DisneyBB]

We went on a 3 day cruise and we didn't spend a fortune. We had our 4 year old with us, so we didn't go into any of the bars and just enjoyed the ships entertainment. We are not big drinkers. We had the soft drinks during the day and had a cocktail in the evening. We were to full of food to want anything else! We didn't go out of our way not to spend, but didn't feel the need to. I did buy some duty free perfume, very cheap compared to the UK. We loved our cruise and hope to go again in 2004.

[dbcruise]

I am a single mom so i have to be somewhat frugal ,with that said my one area of entertainment is travel .Last Nov. I did go alone on the RCI Explorer and my tab after a week was $27 and change . Now I don't drink alcohol ,I did not gamble drank soda only at meals , Did not do any ship excursions . I got 1 milkshake ,2 t-shirts for $20.00 and a few postcards.I also had a great time did not feel like I missed a thing .
Disney on the Magic in Jan with my 8 year old DD the bill was just over$300.00 and I did not buy every photo I wished I could have . I think you better come up with some more money somehow .If you are spending all the money for the room to make this the best vacation but then will have to watch every penny else where I don't think you will enjoy it as much .Read this board toget all the info to save and cut corners where you can .But I really think you need more money to really enjoy yourself .. Good luck

[aprilgail2]

Good luck.....I am a single mom and on somewhat of a "budget" but I booked this trip a year in advance and paid it off before it was due and have been putting aside about 100 a week to take for travel and fun...I am bringing my 2 year old and I want to make sure I have enough to buy every picture that is good of her and just to relax and enjoy ourselves without having to worry about a budget....I was supposed to be bringing my 14 year old godson with us but he passed away last Monday...I think being around a child who has been sick many years changes your point of view about some things...He and I took many trips and did splurge on alot because you never know what can happen....saying "it cost to much lets do it next time" didn't work because there may NOT be a next time. He had really wanted to parasail and last year we drove 5 hours from here so he could go and do that.....I am going to keep this way of thinking with my daughter....I am going to enjoy her while I can, never put off things that she would enjoy doing and heck..just cut loose and spluge on fun things even if it means going in a little over my head at times but I never want to say "gee I wish I would have done this" I have no regrets with my godson, he had a great life and we experienced so many different things together before he died and I want to make sure I do the same with my daughter....
I know this was kind of off the topic but I just felt the need to write...

[mmouse37]

So sorry to hear about your Godson. I know you were hoping he would be able to cruise with you. Thoughts are with you.

MJ

[I Luv Disney Cruise]

with some previous posts, it is a bit unrealistic. I have been on 2 of their 4 day cruises and 1 of the 7 day cruises and have always spent between $500 - $1000. DH and I have save $200 - $400/ month since making the rese and will be going in with roughly $2000 on the Western 7 day cruise. If you are truly trying to not spend too much I agree you shouldn't even set foot in any of the stores on board or on the islands. There is just a lot of nice things that you will want to buy, or at least that is the way I am. If you can do it with $100 I admire you! ;) :) :D

[dijid]

aprilgail - first I want to say I am sorry to hear about your godson. I've seen your posts and know how much you wanted to take him. I am sure he will be watching over you to make sure that you have a good trip.

No, the $100 does not include tips. I've budgeted accordingly for those. I realized I did forget room service tips - so that will have to be added. We collect Christmas ornaments (<$10 each) from each vacation and will plan on buying one on one of the islands. This will in all likelihood be the only souvenier we purchase. We're this way on every vacation we take.

I will much more enjoy the challenge of sticking to a budget than spending money that should go elsewhere (like next year's vacation fund). One of our mottos is "never overlook the free souvenier" - we bring back pictures and ticket stubs and things that fit in a scrapbook. We don't collect a lot of "things". If we did, I never would have left my $80,000 a year job last summer to become a SAHM. Is that what I'm supposed to "get over"? Rest assured I am "over it" and am enjoying all the additional family time we have more than I could ever enjoy a tropical drink on my vacation.

[prymsu]

If you stay out of the shops, and don't look at the photos, you may be able to do it. If so, more power to you. I wish i could have that kind of will power.

[ennazus]

aprilgail-My sincere sympathies sent to you for your Godson. ((hugs))

dijid- We also try to collect the 'free' souveniers! One of the most cherished things my ds has collected was some confetti mickies outside of Cinderella's castle. We've found them two times and he scurries around to gather these magical treasures that were waiting just for him.

I really have no idea how much we are going to bring or spend. I'm really torn about doing the excursions because we did spend so much money already...


I Luv Disney Cruise-You said you would be bring $2000.00
Could you give me a little idea of how you plan on spending this? What will you be doing that will cost that much?

[Lavne]

I don't think you are crazy, but it will be a challenge. I hope you will post after your cruise to let us know if you were successful.

I am right with you on that free souvenir idea! Don't overlook the trading cards that they hand out at various places. I found that if we asked, sometimes we would get them in unexpected places or extra copies (great if you scrapbook!). I also kept all of the children's menus, which have a picture to color on one side and the menu on the other. I would ask for extras of those so I could keep their art work and a copy of the menu.

Unless you are a big photographer and really sure you are getting some great pictures, I think your biggest temptation may be Shutters. Even though my DSs were older (8&10) and I didn't see any candids of them, we did buy a few of the posed shots with the characters. From what I've read on these boards, I get the impression that the photographers take a lot more candids of the little ones.

While I agree it's nice to be able to vacation without worrying too much about spending limits, I don't think it will make your vacation any less special to concentrate on enjoying all of the great stuff you are already paying for! While we spent over $100 on our 4-day cruise, it wasn't excessively so, and I think we could have easily cut out a few of those things (Bingo, arcade card, a drink or two) if our budget necessitated it.

Good luck and have a great time!

[I Luv Disney Cruise]

I know that is a lot of money...I didn't mean to offend anyone, just trying to answer the question honestly. :(

We are just very fortunate to be able to save up that much over the past 1 1/2 years and our goal was to be able to do whatever we want with no worries of money. Plus, we are planning on trying to have a child w/in the next 1 1/2 to 2 years and we know that we probably won't be able to afford to do much after that, due to my wanting to be an at home mom. ;) :) :D

But, to answer your question, we are staying at one of the resorts for 4 days/3 nights before the 7 day cruise. We plan on getting souvenirs from the resort, gift shops on ship and from all the islands, cruise tips, parking cost at Port, getting plenty of massages from the SPA on board (they are expensive), shore excursions, food at resort, drinks at resort and on cruise, pictures, arcade, and what ever we see that we might want or do. We are not planning on spending it all but if we do than that is ok too. :bounce: :bounce: :Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc

[4nana]

Sounds like you have your priorities in order. I think one can do whatever they put their mind too! Personally I think just being on the cruise making special memories with your family is a lifetime treasure.
ENJOY ! :sunny:

[wishiwasgolfing]

I don't see any way possible to do that. $100 dollars can be spent at a blink of the eye. Let us know if you can pull it off.
Good Luck!!!!

[ennazus]

I Luv Disney Cruise-I wasn't offended by your answer... just curious. :) From what you are planning to do, that really makes sense to me.
My dh & I took a wonderful, long vacation just prior to conceiving our first child. ;) :)

I guess there is no single answer that will fit everyone. :)

[Edina]

Easy, easy, easy. I've been on 4 cruises without my husband (just the kids, my mom and sister). 3 were Royal Caribbean and one was the Disney Magic. The most I've EVER spent on any one of them, outside of tips is $ 20.00. We didn't have any drinks, and didn't buy souveniers (well on 2 cruises I bought the formal photo, otherwise I took plenty of pictures with my own camera. My kids only had soda with meals, I don't allow it between meals. Plus there is free ice cream and all sorts of other treats. Once I had to buy some childrens tylenol ($ 12).

We take about 4 nice vacations per year and we never buy souveniers, we realize that they are useless and neglected a short while after our return. Our photos are our most precious souveniers. Now on the cruise my husband came on we spent a bit more, as we had wine with dinner several times and he got a massage, but still I think it was less than $ 150.

I don't see how people think it's not possible. I hate to waste time on vacation shopping (especially considering the junk onboard and in the typical caribbean port). I would have a hard time spending $ 100.

[Edina]

Another tip, on caribbean cruises buy rum and juice in port and have drinkls on your balcony away from the crowds. More relaxing and soooo inexpensive.!

[I Luv Disney Cruise]

I did notice that there are some things on board that some might consider junk.. but the stuff that I have bought from 1999 cruise is still wearable, not worn out and some things were actual decorations that are beautiful. I like what was said a few posts back "no single answer that will fit for everyone".

Anyway, here is some info. you might like to hear if you are going on the Eastern cruise and wondering about the quality of the gold you can buy:

DH bought me a Solid 14kt Gold Herringbone bracelet (which was under $100) for my B'Day last year from St. Thomas or St. Maarten, can't remember which island it was. When I had it sized at the jeweler here in FL they told me it was a great deal we had received, and that it was solid gold (I was worried that it wouldn't be).

Edina, I like you idea about buying the Rum and juice. I will have to follow your advice.:D

[Annie]

$100 outside tips is definitely doable and I don't find it difficult at all. Your room and all your food is already paid for, so it's easy to get along. Your plan sounds excellent. Stick with the drink of the day to stretch your drink dollars. For meals, try to eat them on the ship to avoid buying things while on the islands. And bring a bottle or two to hold water to carry on the islands. It can get hot on the islands and we had to stop at a grocery store for drinks (small, unexpected expense). You also might want to pack a few small snacks to take on the island or for late at night in case someone gets a hunger crunch. Definitely bring your own camera to capture the moments. I agree with Edina that pictures are the best souvenirs. Have a great time on the cruise and your budget looks great. We've done it before.

[I Luv Disney Cruise]

this idea, but there are refillable mugs for sale on board for the whole week ($35). You can get refills of coffee, tea, softdrinks for free for the whole cruise. I have heard that it works out to be a good deal, I haven't done that yet, but plan on it.:D

[slindamood]

4Nana iand Edina are right - - your best cruise souveneirs are memories of the good times together and your own photos. You do not need to pay extra to have many many good memories. There are so many things that are free on a Disney cruise that you will not notice that you are staying on a budget.

We cruised last Christmas and rebooked for the Dec. 14 magic (we will be cruisin' with you, 4 Nana!). This next cruise, we will not spend much more than $100 extra. Our best memories of the last cruise are early morning on deck watching the sunrise, late at night under the stars, having dinner with family - all 19 of us together, and days at the beach.

Next cruise we will do about the same as this past one - will get a few tropical drinks of the day and a few bottles of wine with dinner. However, there will be no massages, no Palos, and no souveneirs that have to be packed. We will again take taxis to beaches on our own but go back to the boat for a late lunch.

Everyone has a different idea of what a vacation should be, but I know that to have a wonderful time and fabuolous memories we will not have to spend much extra.
Suzanne

:earsgirl:

[chrisn]

You mentioned Palo, Photo, Wine, FlouNders, Drinks for Husband. This stuff adds up quick and it doesn't sound like you are willing to sacrifice every little extra. Don't stop for the photo ops because if you have little ones and you visit Shutters, your hosed right there. Drinks add up quick and for every drink you order there is a 15% gratuity added. Don't even wander through the shops or your in trouble. I know they sell ornaments on board but they are quite a bit more than $10 and the shopping on the islands is tons of fun. I save park maps, ticket stubs and things like that too for my kids and their scrapbooks. But I do buy souvineers and I spent a mont on Castaway Cay. I also ended up needing to buy a battery for my camera on Castaway Cay. You'll want to make sure your prepared for every eventuality if you want to stick to $100. We are a family of four and we spent $1500 not including tips which went above and beyond for exceptional service. For room service we tiped $2 per person and $1 per each additional person ordering every time we ordered. There is I think quite a few unplanned oportunities to spend money. I think I had my first $100 spent within 1 hour of boarding the ship. Of couse if you a not a materialistic or frivolous and tempted type person not caring whether you have a spa treatment, a smoothie at the theater, a t-shirt for your kids, a Disney Cruise Line photo album for your photos and the list goes on and on then you should probably cut it really close. Also like I said be prepared for anything. My daughter became sick and I had to buy her like $30 worth of meds from the gift shop. We noticed several couples fighting at debarkation over the amount of their stateroom charges at the end. It sneaks up on you very quickly. I even called Guest Services every few days to check our account balance although I didn't really care what it was because we were having the time of our lives and it was worth every penny. I'd be curious to see if you do stick to your plan. There is no way I could do it but I wish you the best of luck in your endeavor.

[I Luv Disney Cruise]

I keep getting the feeling that there is an idea that those of us who spend a lot of money on the cruise are materialistic. :confused:

I collect all the free things to. I am a scrapbook fanatic. Anything I can get my hands to add to the book that is free I will.

I also like things that aren't materialistic, like sitting on the verandah, etc.

Like the last post, things do add up, for example your tropical drinks range from $3.50 to $7.00 with out the 15% gratuity that gets automatically added on, wine is expensive on board, palos has the extra charge.

Anyway, I am rambling on too much and probably getting myself in trouble. I will stop. :rolleyes: ;) :) :D

[chrisn]

The islands get hot. You'll need bottled water. You'd better plan on bringing that with you.

And are you planning on touring any of the islands? What about taxi/ferry costs?

[AzMickeyFan]

YES:)

[I Luv Disney Cruise]

chrisn, thanks for the reminder.

I totally forgot about the taxis/ferry cost in my budget.

I couldn't believe on the Eastern cruise how much our taxi cost us.

:bounce: :Pinkbounc :jester:

[prymsu]

tips for room service

[I Luv Disney Cruise]

The minimum tips for 2 of you on the 7 day cruise is roughly $153.

[callahanjulie10]

I would do what makes me happy. Vacation is a time for relaxation and once you get on the ship- that is FREE! I admire you and wish I had the will power but I love to shop!

My family did without extras when I stayed at home with my DD until she reached school age. It is well worth it and DCL is a great family vacation. Enjoy!

[Parrotheader]

Good luck and do let us know if you're able to stay close.

I tend to be of almost the EXACT same opinion as Edina. I'm personally not planning on spending all that much either. I think we've got something like $125 budgeted right now for the cruise portion (excluding ALL tips and possibly one shore excursion.) And I typically don't mind opening up the wallet a letting the money fly on vacations since I know it's basically a one-time thing you won't have the chance to do again for awhile. But typically, that usually involves expensive restaurants or other activities (both of which are already included in our cruise's price.) And since we'll only be going on a 3-day cruise (after the WDW portion) that'll help even more.

We'll defintely have a few drinks and maybe get one posed picture, but I doubt we'll get much if anything from the gift shops. I for one personally don't really ever find anything in gift shops that I'll actually use as a keepsake. Maybe a really unique t-shirt or something (or in this case a bottle or two of rum.) But for both of us, the best thing you can take back from the trip is your own photos. And while I know they will undoubtedly have great photographers I'm personally planning on just taking TONS of photos with our 35mm and digitial camera and have those as our primary keepsakes. Burn them to CD, put them on your website and you have instant memories any time you want them.

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Good for you, dijid! You'll have to let us know how you do. Personally, I like the idea of buying drink "fixings" and bringing your own wine. Also, you might want to consider trying to save up more than the $100, then challenge yourself to see how little you actually spend. I also gave up a high-paying job to be home with the kids, and it's amazing what you can live without! I'm not suggesting that everyone has to--I have no beef with the people who like to splurge on their vacations--but I think you've really hit an interesting topic here. So long as you have a good time, that's all that matters. Keep in mind, too, that a lot of people have mentioned giving extra tips for extraordinary service--you may wish to be prepared for that also. I say, have the money available if you can, and if you don't use it, well, you're that much closer to your next vacation!:D

[My~Rumbly~Tumbly]

I bet you can do it! Course, I've never cruised before, but I've read that aside of tips, you can go on a cruise and not spend a dime more and I believe that. I went to Disney last month and bought my kids several things, but came home with nothing for myself aside of WONDERFUL memories (and 18 rolls of film :D). I imagine I will buy several photos, treat myself to a massage, sample every frozen drink and of course, buy my little ones some souvenirs (usually clothing), but I personally have no interested in buying things that lose their appeal shortly after arriving home. I will obviously be bringing some cash onboard, but I completely understand where you are coming from and respect your choice. I think if you go in with the mindset of not spending like mad, you'll manage just fine.

I will also be interested in knowing how you do, so PLEASE report back!

[dijid]

I can't believe the responses to this! Now I feel like I'm going to have to try hard to spend as little as possible - like I've been triple-dog-dared LOL!

One "advantage" we have for keeping our costs low is that we are traveling with two children under 3. We're leaving the carseats behind, so I doubt we'll get more than 1/2 mile from the boat at St. Maarten or St. Thomas. And resisting the temptation of shopping is easy: Taking the two of them shopping - yet alone to touristy places with lots of fragile items crammed in clase - is NOT my idea of a relaxing vacation.

Given that I forgot tips for room service, a formal pic is $20, not $10 and that we'll want an ornament, I'd say that $150 is a fair assessment and doable. I'll make sure we've got more than that, but will aim to spend as little as possible with the leftovers possibly going in a fund for a future cruise!

[jennifersmith23]

I say more power to you dijid...You seem to have struck an area that people feel strongly about. I am one of those people that can't go on a vacation without spending a small fortune. I have 1600 budgeted for our 7 night cruise for 3 (I know it is insane) I got a really reasonable rate for the cruise being a florida resident. If it weren't for that, I wouldn't have anywhere near as much spending money. Your kids are DEFINATELY more important than a tshirt or drink. I am definately curious to see how your spending goes...Consider that a quadruple dare...lol...

Thanks,

[Casey's mom]

You can visit islands without breaking the bank! We sailed on the 3/23 Magic and spent a lot more than $100 (ate at Palos twice and tipped more than $10, bought the wine package, DH got 2 massages and I bought 9 or 10 pictures at Shutters), but we visited St. Maarten and St. Thomas with 2 young children (5 and 4) without breaking the bank. In St. Maarten, you can get off the ship and take the water taxi across the harbor ($5 each adult, kids free) and rent 2 beach chairs and an umbrella for another $10 for the day (we only lasted a few hours). The morning cost us $20 and we were back on the ship by lunchtime (OK, it started to rain or we might have stayed on the island for lunch). Apart from the women selling sarongs and offering to braid hair, we enjoyed ourselves and it was nice to get off the ship after 2-1/2 days. St. Thomas cost more -- $24 each way for the taxi to Red Hook for the four of us, ferry to St. John cost -- I don't remember, but not bad (definitely less than $20 round trip for the 4 of us), cab to and from Trunk Bay was $36 round trip, and a small entry fee to the beach at Trunk Bay ($2 or 3/each). Again, with 2 small girls, I wanted them out of the sun, so we spent about 2 hours on the beach and returned to the ship by about 1 (in time for lunch!). It worked out really well and cost a lot less than the Disney excursions. Plus, we had maximum flexibility -- we could come and go as we pleased -- which we needed with 2 little ones. [Wish I could go back tomorrow!]

In general, spending only $100 is tough if you want to leave the ship, but you can have nice (and short) excursions on shore without spending TOO much.

[disney6]

Have done the 7 day with 2 kids under 3 (and 2 kids over 3 - 4 kids total). On St. Maarten we went to the beach right next to the dock. There was no one there so we had lots of room. The kids had a great time and we went back to the ship for lunch and back to the same beach. Cost: $0 In St. Thomas we got off the ship, went to the shopping "mall" right next to the dock, looked around, bought nothing but had a great time. Went back to the ship after 1 hour, had lunch and then the Mickey Pool almost to ourselves. Cost:$0. Shutters bought 1 picture of each kid, a family pic and one of us at Palos (yes the ship photographer goes there also). We only bought the small size pictures at $10 each. Brought our own wine, beer and some soda. Kids drank from 24 hour milk station. The kids each had "25 disney dollars" that they got as birthday presents from my parents so our cost for souvenirs $0. We had a great time, going again in Oct. Didn't spend a fortune, did no shore excursions. It's doable and you don't feel one bit deprived!
Bring your own beach toys for St. Maarten and Castaway Cay and St. Thomas if you do a beach because you don't want to do the beach with that age without buckets, shovels, etc. Have fun above all. Our 4 yr old (then 2) had the best time of all of us and has talked about it for almost 2 years now and can't wait to go back!

[aprilgail2]

Originally posted by dijid
aprilgail - first I want to say I am sorry to hear about your godson. I've seen your posts and know how much you wanted to take him. I am sure he will be watching over you to make sure that you have a good trip.



Thank you...it was a tough decison to go or to cancel but we decided that it did no good by just hanging around here...if he was still alive, even in the hospital I would not have gone once he got sicker....it will be a very odd vacation, I think I have only gone on one vacation since he was born 14 years ago that he didn't come on! Its been just over a week and I miss him so much already...

[Mjasp]

AprilGail... My deepest sympathy to you and your family.

I totally agree with you, do what you can today, as tomorrow is promised to no one. When I booked this cruise, I said to one of the people I am going with, I want to do this now while everyone is healthy and we can go with a clear head, as you never know when you can be diagnosed with something. A week after I booked our cruise, a family member was diagnosed with cancer, we hope he will be fine, so far it looks OK. But your way of thinking is not the same, when something is lurking in the backround.

SO ENJOY EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!

[beschultz]

Being honest with myself, I know I have a problem wanting to buy presents for my kids when we are somewhere, so I have discovered a great way to soothe that part of ME and still be able to "get and give."

Our family (DH, dd5, dd3 and me) went to Disney on Ice in January, I found stuffed 24" Mickeys on sale at Toys R Us for $4.99 - the girls thought they had the BEST souvenier possible. The cheapest thing available there was $10! When we went to the Ringling Bros. circus, DH picked up a stuffed elephant and a stuffed lion for $5 each at Walmart and again the girls had something new that has become a big part of their memories.

We cruise next April and I have already started searching eBay and other sources for inexpensive Disney toys and clothes. I have packed away (unopened) the Disney Happy Meals toys I "forgot" to give them, along with 4 glasses that the golden arches were selling. I plan on having "new" things to give them each day of the cruise - and they will have "new" clothes with Disney characters to wear. It takes time and I know I will need to bring it all with, but I also realize that doing this will save us BIG bucks while we are sailing "Magic."

[dbcruise]

beschultz
WE cruised this past Jan and I went to the Disney store the day after Xmas and got enough things to give my daughter 1 or 2 new things every day of the 7 night cruise that I got for 1/2 price or less .

[S johnson]

I think you can have a great time and not spend any more money. The have so much food anytime and soft drinks at meals that you don't have to spend a penny on food. The pictures are nice but you don't have to buy them just take a camera. There is so much to do on the ship and a nice walk around Nassau is a fine excursion. On Castaway just enjoy the water and the beautiful island. Have fun.

[npall]

My dh and I went on the Wonder 4 day last Aug. with my then 14 month ds. I think our total cruise expense was $150 aside from tips. We bought quite a few pictures at Shutters and a bottle of wine at Palos. I never once felt that we missed out on anything. I agree with little ones it's more of a vacation to say on the ship and relax by the pool.

One thing I want to really Congratulate you on...[COLOR=red]
is your decision to stay home with your kids. I too left a high paying career and made the decision last Sept. (right after our cruise) to be a SAHM. The financial adjustment at first was hard but now I wouldn't change it for the world. My son will be 2 next month and I can't imagine ever going back to work until he is school age. Vacations are wonderful, but what your kids will remember is not what they got or what you spent but that their mommy was with them at home...

We are taking a 7 day Aug. 31st of this year and I too will have a budget of less than $200.00

You can do it...and you won't feel deprived at all...

Love,
Naomi

[dianthus]

I admire you- I bet you'll come close to your goal. You sound determined!

Since your kids are really little, pictures are the best souveniers. You will cherish them for a life time... Just be aware the quality & quantity of photos taken on the ship, CC, etc. of your family is going to be very hard to resist.

We just got back from the 4/13 Magic. Here are a few tips:
Stay out of Shutters!
If you can't~ get a formal portrait -$20, a keepsake pic holder with the magic pic on the other side $20 & one 6x8 $10.

I ended up spending about $260 in pics & I don't regret it. I love every single one.

The fee for Palos does not include a gratuity for the server. That is in addition to the $5. Tip is included on any drink purchased- remember that.

Bring a few bottles of wine to enjoy on your verandah, you will love it. The wines on the ship are expensive & not the greatest quality. Buy a glass of one you like at Palos, not the bottle. Go to Sessions after dinner and have a drink before you pick up the kids.There is a coffee,tea, water & milk station on deck 9 that is free. You can buy 1 sail away drink in a souvenier glass for $6.95.
DVC reps hand out all kinds of free stuff at their desk for kids and parents too- pins. Bring a couple of pins with you and trade for a couple of DCL pins on pin trading nights

Here are your ornament options. I always buy one where ever we go. Our tree has been nicknamed the Travel Tree- our version of the steamer trunk. There are two ornaments on board the Magic- a ceramic one & a beautiful C. Radko. I believe the prices were $18 & $55.
Stay on the ship for the Port Days & enjoy the serenity at the Mickey Pool with your little ones, or take the water taxi in St. Maarten $ 5 pp -kids free -good all day to Great Bay Beach. Walk around Phillipsburg- Front St. St. Maarten cruise ornaments are abount $5 to $10. IMHO if you can't get over to the french side, don't bother getting off the ship. Phillipsburg is skeevy...

Walk around Havensight Mall at the Port in St. Thomas. There is a local artist that does hand painted glass ones. Sold in a gift shop there for $15.00. I have several- a mermaid & cruise ship. Little Switzerland carries them, but they are $20 there.

Keep in mind when budgeting tips that you must tip for your children too. The sums they suggest are per person, including children- no matter what age. I calculated your min tips to be about $303 for the 7 day cruise. The stewards and servers will bend over backwards for the kids.

Good luck! Let us know what your "tab" ends up being!