How much is it? $$

[arnie512]

These boards have been so helpful on all of my WDW planning so I rarely have to post - just do a search and find the answer. But I do have a question or 2 (or 10)!
We will be on the 5 night Double Dip in July. This is our first Disney cruise, and second cruise ever, so we are newbies. And we are super excited!

How much do the extras cost? And what are they? We are trying to figure out the budget.
We don't have any excursions planned, just beach time and maybe renting a bike.
I understand that alcohol is extra, as well as scheduled tastings ($30 correct?).
Bingo is $30 as well (per person or game pack?) Are there other similar games?
Spa treatments and fitness class don't interest us, but the sauna and such does.
Are there ship tours besides the orientation tour after embarkation? Are there classes?

Relaxing and enjoying the trip is a top priority. But after reading some of the threads, I'm curious as to what goes on on the ship!

Thanks in advance! (and I'm not over planning, really!)

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

How much do the extras cost? And what are they? We are trying to figure out the budget.

Adult dinning Palo and Remy DCL website shows prices from $30 to $85 fee plus tip.
tips for all of the cruisers pd http://cruisetip.tpkeller.com/
Shopping.
Booze
Shore trips.
Photos
Porter tips.


We don't have any excursions planned, just beach time and maybe renting a bike.
Beach time may involve cost of bed and taxi to and from port.

I understand that alcohol is extra, as well as scheduled tastings ($30 correct?). Yes.

Bingo is $30 as well (per person or game pack?) Other packs maybe higher.


Are there other similar games? No.

Spa treatments and fitness class don't interest us, but the sauna and such does.
Rainforest price.
Are there ship tours besides the orientation tour after embarkation? Yes like the art of the theme show tour, ask at guest services.
Are there classes? Yes fitness sign up on embarkation.

 

[Ajojo]

There's also a galley tour that we have done on the longer cruises. Check with guest services for tickets. Those are free.
Also, Tea with Alice was free but you had to get tickets. They were out of these on our last cruise.
Classes? Well, we did the animation class where you learn to draw your favorite character, towel folding, and making scrap book pages. Those were free, just check the Navigator

I think you will have a blast regardless of your budget. I have gone on cruises where I hardly spent anything extra. I'd pLan a little money for on board shopping for something DCL.

 

[turtle27]

As little or as much as you want it to be. I know, not a good answer.

Food in ports, unless you plan accordingly. Please note you are normally not allowed to bring items off the ship into port.

Taxi fare and tips

umbrella/chairs at beaches, tips for attendants there

Porter tips (some have said these are not necessary, use your own judgment)

Alcohol (tastings range from $10 - $30, prices may have changed)

Soda's while not in MDR OR from the soda station, you will pay for them at the bar/room service

Popcorn/snacks for the shows (travesty about the popcorn, imho)

Specialty mugs/pop corn buckets/Disney themed things

Photos - if you have kids, you may want to look into the available photo packages. Please note, at most times, you are able to take a pic with your own camera and sometimes a CM will take one with your camera as well (not the photographer, but the CM handler of character) You get the photo, just not the border. Up to you, but the photos have gotten pretty pricey, we purchased 5 on the last trip and it was over $100. There were 4 of us, no kids and not first DCL cruise, so we have many with our fave characters already.

Some foods cost from room service, mainly packaged name brand snacks, such as M&Ms

Bingo - family deluxe cards are $60, I think. Packages vary

Yes, there are tours and demonstrations, look in the navigator daily to see what is available. Movies are also shown throughout the day, both in theaters and at the pool

Pirate night and I would assume Frozen deck party - DCL is taking advantage of this and sells things at night, such as glow sticks and the like. Save yourself a mint and hit up the dollar store for some of these prior to sailing. Also, swords, costumes, accessories are sold not just in the shops but around the festivities.

I have heard there is a tea party for kids, not sure if it costs

 

[lanejudy]

This thread has a couple of great lists of the additional expenses: http://www.disboards.com/threads/what-extras-that-cost-do-we-plan-for.3409526/#post-53652141
As mentioned -- other than tips, you can have as much or as little "extra" expenses as you choose.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Patsydust]

Hi!!! First cruise!?! That's so much fun! Congrats! Disney is the best cruise line for sure!

Hmmm, I don't know how you would define extras? Because there are things like, bringing in a pillowcase to have all the characters sign (leave at the front desk and get back at the end of the cruise), there is fish extending (which can cost, but that depends on you) etc. I mean the parties are free and all food on board (except alcohol, as you mentioned anywhoo), but you can get cake of the day sent to your room every night, which is fun...if you have enough room left over after dinner! Ha ha!

I'm not sure about excursions because I don't know what your itinerary is. But I finally did an excursion my most recent cruise on Cozumel, I decided to swim with dolphins and visit the turtles! It was AMAAZZZING! I got to swim with a 500 pound, 13 year old dolphin Esperanza and she was fantastic! And totally worth splurging on the dough. But I find there is always things to do, and tbh part of my family always stays behind because they prefer the ship.

Also I believe everything on cast away cay is free, like snorkeling, biking, the 5k ( I did it! A blast! They've changed it, I think, with better medals, so it may cost now), yoga on the beach etc! So should be good times there at CC!

Alcohol is expensive, like all alcohol. But the tastings/classes, I got mine for $10! Just meet people on your cruise via meets on Disboard or Facebook! People always makes groups and if you get enough people you can plan personal group classes. The $10 allowed us to make like 6-8 (cant quite remember!) full size drinks! It was fun making crazy drinks with layers etc! And I have to admit I was a wee bit tipsy afterwards! But you can also bring your own alcohol, many don't know that!

I'm not a spa person either, but this next cruise I think I will! I heard the stone massage was to die for (via my mother)! And I've heard great things about rain forest room, so next time!!

Depending on the cruise, there is ship tours. My mom and aunt have done behind the scenes, and I don't know if it was culinary exclusive, but they got to see some really things back in the kitchens. But I think that does cost extra. And I'm not sure if it offered on all the ships.

There are free classes, like towel animals and cooking classes and animation classes. They are always a good bit of fun! Bingo always costs and it's a cost per game And when you don't win (always a big crowd) feels like your money is kinda wasted a bit. Plus it's not the best set up for bingo. But mom and I still do it every time, ha ha!!

Sorry, I babbled! I hope something was kinda useful! Hope you have a great trip!!! DCL is the best and service is off the charts! Most families sometimes skip shows because their kids don't wanna go, but force them anyway! I was forced when I was a kid and turned out liking them! Really great!

 

[arnie512]

Thanks Everyone! This is exactly what I needed. Very helpful!

 

[clten]

Just wanted to clear up some inaccuracies:

Also I believe everything on cast away cay is free, like snorkeling, biking, the 5k ( I did it! A blast! They've changed it, I think, with better medals, so it may cost now), yoga on the beach etc! So should be good times there at CC!

Trust me, everything on Castaway Cay is NOT free. Snorkeling is available. If you have your own gear it is free. If you need gear you need to rent it. (Think it is somewhere in the $25 range. Not huge but can add up.). Bikes are available to rent as well as are small non-power watercraft. Still no cost to do the 5k.

Depending on the cruise, there is ship tours. My mom and aunt have done behind the scenes, and I don't know if it was culinary exclusive, but they got to see some really things back in the kitchens. But I think that does cost extra. And I'm not sure if it offered on all the ships.

If the galley tour is offered, you do need to get tickets (see Guest Services) but they are free as are the ship tour on embarkation day and the Art of the Theme ship tour that may be offered on other days.

 

[Patsydust]

Clten, sorry I had troubles quoting!!! Ha ha, I'm not the most savvy disboarder! But I went in February and I didn't have to rent snorkeling gear at Castaway Cay! I went up and they just gave it to me! Now it may have changed since last year or they may have felt sorry for me for being by myself, ha ha. So I'm not quite sure. But I would hope it would be free! I plan on doing it again, so I better be prepared I guess!

 

[bode1025]

Clten, sorry I had troubles quoting!!! Ha ha, I'm not the most savvy disboarder! But I went in February and I didn't have to rent snorkeling gear at Castaway Cay! I went up and they just gave it to me! Now it may have changed since last year or they may have felt sorry for me for being by myself, ha ha. So I'm not quite sure. But I would hope it would be free! I plan on doing it again, so I better be prepared I guess!

We were there in March and paid to rent snorkel equipment. I think you were just lucky.

 

[Patsydust]

Awww! That really bites the big one! Thanks for intel! Is yoga on the beach free?

 

[SwimMom2]

The website and planning brochure that you got from Disney do a great job of explaining all the expenditures.

Our trip was almost exactly what we had expected to pay prior to the trip. I found the cruise experience much easier to predict in terms of expenditures than any other trip I have ever taken.

 

[Disneymom56]

Hello,
Going on the Dream July 24, D Dip to Castaway Cay. This is my first cruise. I signed up to snorkel both days as an adventure. Does that include the snorkel equipment or do we have to pay a separate fee. I thought the fee I paid was for the equipment. Thank you!
Disneymom56

 

[lanejudy]

Hello,
Going on the Dream July 24, D Dip to Castaway Cay. This is my first cruise. I signed up to snorkel both days as an adventure. Does that include the snorkel equipment or do we have to pay a separate fee. I thought the fee I paid was for the equipment. Thank you!
Disneymom56

You should be all set. I'm assuming you signed up for the Rigid Hull port adventure, and that includes the equipment. It is also possible to rent snorkel equipment to use in a designated area on your own, not part of a scheduled port adventure (though you can sign-up for it online like that).

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[SillyInventor]

I'm always weak in the shops. Love pins, t-shirts, souvenirs. That can add up just like in the Disney Parks.

 

[Patsydust]

Ha ha, SillyInventor, that is me as well! My mom and I stop in the shops every night after dinner. It's like a little tradition, and alas, our pockets get lighter every time..or well, our card does!