Charges on board

[inmyis]

This will be our 5th Disney Cruise and we usually have a hefty bill at the end. We are doing a 4 night Wonder in a couple weeks. We want to know if anyone has ever had a bill of zero and end of cruise. Not including tips of course. We want to be on a strict budget. Can it be done?!

 

[noahdove]

I have never cruised, but, I do know that for sure I will have a zero bill balance...unless, it's some emergency thing. I have learned what to do and what not to do a long time ago...

 

[wayneg]

Not had a zero balance but 1st cruise we did was only about $20-30 to pay, just a 4 nighter, didn't drink any alcohol, if I remember rightly it was just a soda package (now included) we paid for, for DS.
Some cruises we have had to spend more than we really wanted to due to OBC, had $250 on one, that took some spending, again just left us a few $'s to pay.
Most we have had is a bill for about $100-150 for 7 nights.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

This will be our 5th Disney Cruise and we usually have a hefty bill at the end. We are doing a 4 night Wonder in a couple weeks. We want to know if anyone has ever had a bill of zero and end of cruise. Not including tips of course. We want to be on a strict budget. Can it be done?!

For my family....

In theory, it could be done....no excursions, no pictures, no Palo, no souvenirs and no drinks! I think 4-nights would be easier to accomplish this than on a longer cruise.

I think it'd be easier if you had significant OBC's through an onboard booking and/or TA, as well as some Disney Reward $'s.

 

[ssanders79]

I can be done. Just stick to the "free" stuff.

 

[inmyis]

So true KSDisneyDad!, We may try and book a Palo Brunch when we board but that is it. Bringing adult beverages with us. That should help a bunch.

 

[kcashner]

I actually had one cruise where I ended up with a small (like $13) credit. That was a bit unplanned....and I added it to the assistant server's tip.

I always try to have enough OBC (from onboard rebooking and TA) to at least cover our tips. After that, anything I choose to spend is just that; a choice. On the cruise where I ended up with a small credit, I won a $200 drawing at the DVC talk, which covered all planned expenses plus some shopping.

There are MANY ways to minimize that hefty bill at the end. We've never had zero, but we usually have less than $100 after our "free money."

 

[been2marceline]

Mine usually have zero - at least 3 of them before the decimal point...

 

[paceyswife]

Mine usually have zero - at least 3 of them before the decimal point...

ROTF

 

[mmouse37]

Can't say I have ever had a zero balance and I probably never will......but I do know I have most of what I want on DCL souvenir wise so it has been lower lately, but I will always still buy a drink or 2 by the pool...even if I bring some booze onboard with me.....

What I am worried about is when I am on the MV of the Dream....I am anticipating alot of new logo merchandise.....

MJ

 

[BealsRwe]

We generally take some beverage onboard. We are sure to make sure that our vacation does not follow us home by budgeting for our excursions, and being sure we have enough reward $ and OBC to cover. On our 5 day in Aug, we spent less than $100 after OBC and Disney Reward $$$. Success indeed. We did buy some pictures, enjoyed some beverages, and even bought a piece of artwork. We just made sure we didn't go too crazy. My best tip-stop by Guest Services each day to get a printout of your bill. I remember a DCL trip I took with my Mom in 2000...the final bill wouldn't fit under the stateroom door, gulp. That was a fun cruise though!

 

[jilljill]

On our Baltics cruise this past July we ended up with a $4. credit coming back to us. We had great OBC's from our TA and DCL, and the sale on merchandise in the shops helped up a bit. That was the first cruise we didn't owe anything at the end.
We even charged our tips to our account.

 

[Adsmama]

We had a charge of 8 dollars for laundry on our 10 night med cruise. Nothing else. It definitely can be done. We brought our own wine, champagne, etc. We did not charge sodas/candy in the theater, drinks on deck or at dinner/bars. It was quite enjoyable

 

[Princessandthemommy]

Subscribing,

May I ask what is the best way to avoid extra charges. In other words what are somethings that may be offered to you and you find out in the end it is a charge. ( I hate when I go to a restaurant and the waitress says, would you like cheese on you salad in such an upbeat manner, then when you get your bill you find out the cheese was $2.00.... then it is to late)

What are some of the OB-activities that have an additional charge.

Thank you

 

[jilljill]

Onboard activities with a charge are noted as such in the Navigator: liquor tastings are the biggest paid activities. You will also pay for Bingo, ANY drink from a bar or roving bartender, speciality coffee drinks from the Cove Cafe or in the dining rooms, alcohol and smoothies in the dining rooms. Also, the water activities on Castaway Cay are extra; renting snorkeling gear, floats, bikes. On the room service menu there are packaged snacks that are charged for, but there is a note next to that section telling you that.
Hope this helps a bit.

 

[lbuher]

Onboard activities with a charge are noted as such in the Navigator: liquor tastings are the biggest paid activities. You will also pay for Bingo, ANY drink from a bar or roving bartender, speciality coffee drinks from the Cove Cafe or in the dining rooms, alcohol and smoothies in the dining rooms. Also, the water activities on Castaway Cay are extra; renting snorkeling gear, floats, bikes. On the room service menu there are packaged snacks that are charged for, but there is a note next to that section telling you that.
Hope this helps a bit.

Am I right in remembering that for any of these (with the exception of room service) you will be asked for your KTTW card and/or stateroom number? There have been a couple of times that I have thought something might be free, but as soon as they ask for my stateroom number, I know I'm gonna be charged. I guess what I'm thinking is that really isn't any way to get your bill at the end and be TOTALLY surprised by a charge that you thought might be free? Them asking for your card or stateroom number is a pretty good clue that it's NOT free.

To answer the OP, as you can see from the responses so far, it can definitely be done. It just requires a significant amount of willpower and determination! Depends on how motivated you are!!

 

[Princessandthemommy]

Onboard activities with a charge are noted as such in the Navigator: liquor tastings are the biggest paid activities. You will also pay for Bingo, ANY drink from a bar or roving bartender, speciality coffee drinks from the Cove Cafe or in the dining rooms, alcohol and smoothies in the dining rooms. Also, the water activities on Castaway Cay are extra; renting snorkeling gear, floats, bikes. On the room service menu there are packaged snacks that are charged for, but there is a note next to that section telling you that.
Hope this helps a bit.

Oh, yes ...big help especially the tip about the smoothies.... we love some smoothies.... is there a place to get them complimentary

 

[Adsmama]

Oh, yes ...big help especially the tip about the smoothies.... we love some smoothies.... is there a place to get them complimentary

They sort of have yogurt smoothies in Goofy's Galley in the morning...

 

[KayMouse]

Subbing

Can't you add money to your account up until your sail date arrives? Like, every two weeks I put $50-$100 in my account for spending onboard? And also, can this be done before you pay the entire balance, or does the balance have to be paid in full before you can add money to your account? Thanks!

 

[kjdaniel66]

Does anyone know how much the Bingo costs? Is it everyday? Do they have so many sessions a day? My mom is a big bingo fan and she is going with us...I would like to know the damage before hand if possible. )