Help! new to cruise

[Shirrie]

We are planning a trip for 2008, can anyone give some help? What is included in the price (food, drinks, etc..)
W e have never been on a disney cruise before. Thank you for any information!

 

[TrolleyGirl]

It's actually easier to tell what isn't included in the price, because most everything is. You'll have to pay for alcholic beverages, tips (approx $10/day/per person), room service tips, fancy coffees, excursions, phone calls, bingo, movie snacks, and onboard shopping. Your meals, entertainment, room, games, library use, parties, room service menu, etc... are all included.

It is so nice to just show up at each meal and not have to worry how much the bill will be!

 

[daisy112878]

Highly recommend reading the sticky thread at the top of the cruiseline forum that says FAQ. There is a lot of info in that sticky thread.

Another thing that isn't included is if you want any pictures that the Shuttles photographers take. Also cokes and prepackaged snacks (like m&m's, candy bars) are not free if ordered through room service.

Also DCL is one of the only cruiselines that allows you to take your own bottled water and alcohol on board with ya. We take 2 bottles of wine and some bottled water with us every cruise.

 

[Anal Annie]

Cruising is almost like taking an "all inclusive" vacation except the one big thing that's missing is alcohol. (But you can even take some of your own on board with DCL). It is wonderful to sit down to a nice dinner every evening and be able to pick anything you want from a menu that has no prices. Pick 2 appetizers if you want! You've already paid for it! We loved it!

Anyway, I'd say the 3 biggest things to plan for on a cruise are the tips to your room steward and dining staff and your shore excursions and of course allow for some shopping / souvenirs. Some people will spend more, some less, but I can tell you that as a family of 3 on the West Coast 7 n. in 2005 (our first cruise) we spent almost exactly $1,500 to the penny by the end of the week! This included our tips, excursions, bar tab, some shopping in the shops onboard and Shutters. We did not get a chance to go to Palo or the spa (both were already booked by the time we checked for ressies). We really didn't know how much to expect that we'd spend & at the time we were looking at it as our one & only ever cruise so we did whatever we wanted to do. As it turns out, we will be going again next summer (now want to try to go every 3-4 years). But we would spend the same way again. That's just how we vacation tho. We scrimp & save all year (or for years) to pay for the trip itself & we're not going to go home & say "I wish we'd have done ____ or ____"!!

 

[101DalmFan]

Internet service is available onboard, but it's one of the things you have to pay extra for. Soft drinks are free with dinner and from the beverage station on Deck 9, but ordering them through room service or at any of the bars will cost you extra.