How much money should I take to a Disney Cruise?

[steelek_29]

I'm worried because I was planning on taking x amount of money, but I've been having trouble and now the amount is much less. I'll be cruising this Tuesday in the 5 night (Wonder) and then I will stay a couple of days in POP Century. How much money will you recomend???

 

[spiiffy]

I am doing almost the eaxact same thing as you but doing Pop first. I hope you get some responses!

 

[steelek_29]

I am doing almost the eaxact same thing as you but doing Pop first. I hope you get some responses!

Will you be in next week cruise??

 

[abdmom]

For one person, the gratuities will be $60 total for a 5 night cruise. This is the only thing you have to spend.

I usually spend about $50-100 pp per night. But I like Bingo and the Spa.

 

[NancyIL]

If you have a credit card, you don't need THAT much actual cash.

 

[steelek_29]

For one person, the gratuities will be $60 total for a 5 night cruise. This is the only thing you have to spend.

I usually spend about $50-100 pp per night. But I like Bingo and the Spa.

I was planning to do the Bingo, but I guess I won't be able. To tell you the truth I'm feeling a little down and worried. There's been so much happening in my life this couple of days. I was going to cancelled but I have spent so much money and my daughters are so excited.

 

[steelek_29]

If you have a credit card, you don't need THAT much actual cash.

I have the debit Visa card. So I have to put money on it.That's what I want to k now. How mch money should I deposit

 

[NancyIL]

Short of losing money in a casino, losing it playing BINGO is the 2nd biggest money waster on a cruise! As mentioned, other than the tips of $12 per person per day, you don't need to spend any more money on the cruise. Have you already paid for transfers from the port to Pop Century?

At this point, you will lose everything you have paid for the cruise if you cancel.

 

[NancyIL]

I have the debit Visa card. So I have to put money on it.That's what I want to k now. How mch money should I deposit

That's why I like credit cards vs. debit cards: charge now...pay the bill when I return.

You mentioned "daughters" so I assume there will be at least 3 of you on the cruise? $60 (tips for 1 person for 5 nights) x 3 people = $180 in gratuities.

 

[kcashner]

Maybe I'm not sure what you're asking. DO you mean how much cash should you bring or do you mean how much money can/should you plan on spending?

If you're asking how much cash you need on the ship; very little. If you plan to use DCL transportation there will be no porter tips on the way to the ship. On the way home, if on a participating airline, again no tips. If you are on a non-participating airline or other transportation and plan to use the porters you'll want cash for the tip. There are people who insist you need cash for room service tips; in reality you are asked to sign a charge slip with a zero balance if you didn't order any items with charges; there is a line where you can add additional tip there. If you plan to mail postcards from Castaway Cay, those are 65 cents each, cash only. Bring small bills or change as they may not have any in the PO.

If you are asking how much you can plan on spending, that's totally a personal decision. Your "standard" tips would be $60 for each person in your cabin. That's all you have to spend (or basically should...but that opens the whole tipping can of worms). Beyond that, you can spend next to nothing or you can spend a small fortune. Photos at Shutters are $9.95 each for 6X8. $19.95 for 8X10; a little cheaper in a package....or you can take lots of pictures with your camera and buy few or none. You can play bingo or not. You can go on an excursion for $400 (dolphin trainer for a day) or you can spend $6 for a raft or float on the beach. You can eat in Palo or not. You can drink alcohol, bring your own, or not drink. You can buy a can of coke at a bar for $3 or walk to the beverage station and get a glass of coke free.

It's like at WDW--you can spend $72 per person per night on the deluxe dining plan, $31 on the quick service dining plan, or eat on your own at various costs. There's no right or wrong answer; it's what works for you and your family.

 

[steelek_29]

Short of losing money in a casino, losing it playing BINGO is the 2nd biggest money waster on a cruise! As mentioned, other than the tips of $12 per person per day, you don't need to spend any more money on the cruise. Have you already paid for transfers from the port to Pop Century?

At this point, you will lose everything you have paid for the cruise if you cancel.

Yes,I know... That's way I won't cancel. All the trip is paid, the transfer to the POP is also paid. I'm worried on the little things I'm sure my daughter will want. And in WDW I have to pay for food and those little things.

 

[steelek_29]

That's why I like credit cards vs. debit cards: charge now...pay the bill when I return.

You mentioned "daughters" so I assume there will be at least 3 of you on the cruise? $60 (tips for 1 person for 5 nights) x 3 people = $180 in gratuities.

There will be me and my two daughters

 

[steelek_29]

Maybe I'm not sure what you're asking. DO you mean how much cash should you bring or do you mean how much money can/should you plan on spending?

Exactly... I mean in spending on the "little" things. The extra money that I shoul take. Remember that I'll be staying on WDW 2 days more. All is paid, is on the little things that I am worried

 

[DisneyAnytime]

I can understand where you are coming from. My advice is to set a limit for your girls before you leave to help cut down on the "gimmies" that we all (kids and adults! loL) get when on vacation. That way when they ask for something, you can determine if it is within their allotment, and they can decide which item(s) are worth spending their money on. Budget for tips and at least $25 - $30 per person for a t-shirt, coffee mug, stuffed animal, picture frame, other memento of choice while on the ship. As for your additional nights at POP, check out some of the WDW advice sites to find out how to eat on a budget. There are lots of frugal mouse lovers out there with lots of great ideas.

Try not to stress too much and relax and enjoy your vacation! No matter what the biggest expense is behind you!

 

[tvguy]

That's why I like credit cards vs. debit cards: charge now...pay the bill when I return.
.

Opposite here. Pay cash (or travelers checks), no bill, never go over budget.

 

[smb6]

I think you will still have a wonderful time! The ship will be easy, the main things people spend mega bucks on is adult beverages, excursions, pictures, and bingo. You can have the best trip ever and not spend one cent on any of those! The more difficult part of the trip will be the land portion. I'm assuming you have park tickets. Food can be pricey, but there portions are big and my kids often share meals... Just watch your money. Tell your kids in advance that the TRIP itself is their gift and not to ask for souveniers. I make my kids save their own money for souvies and I think kids of any age should be able to appreciate that as long as they are told in advance. Souveniers are NOT a necessity. I think your girls will have such a great time, that not getting souveniers will NOT be a problem.

 

[NancyIL]

Opposite here. Pay cash (or travelers checks), no bill, never go over budget.

I don't go over budget, and I prefer to earn the rewards for using my credit card. I also like to keep my money in the bank as long as possible before I have to pay the bill. Yes to credit...NO to debit!

Travelers checks are so 20th century! I'll be in Europe in a few weeks, and I'll be spending mostly cash - which I'll get from ATM machines. However, 2/3 of the trip cost has already been paid.

 

[steelek_29]

I think you will still have a wonderful time! The ship will be easy, the main things people spend mega bucks on is adult beverages, excursions, pictures, and bingo. You can have the best trip ever and not spend one cent on any of those! The more difficult part of the trip will be the land portion. I'm assuming you have park tickets. Food can be pricey, but there portions are big and my kids often share meals... Just watch your money. Tell your kids in advance that the TRIP itself is their gift and not to ask for souveniers. I make my kids save their own money for souvies and I think kids of any age should be able to appreciate that as long as they are told in advance. Souveniers are NOT a necessity. I think your girls will have such a great time, that not getting souveniers will NOT be a problem.

WDW is my biggest concern, but all of you have given me very good advices!! Thank you so much!!

 

[kcashner]

I have always put my daughter on a budget. That way, SHE can decide how she wants to spend "her" money, but she knows there won't be any beyond that. I also tell her that any of her budgeted amount she doesn't spend she will get in cash when we get home (it removes the incentive to spend money just because it's there).

Suggestion for WDW--tell her that there will be things on the ship she will want and if she spends the money now she won't have any for the ship!

ANYTHING you can bring from home, do. You know that anything at the parks/ship will cost more. If you are anywhere near a Disney outlet, you can sometimes find discontinued styles of autograph books, pins, etc. greatly reduced. Even the regular Disney stores sometimes have good deals; my most often worn Mickey shirt was $5 at the Disney store (a similar shirt on the ship would be about $18!)

 

[disneywonderfun]

I think you can spend as much or as little as you feel is appropriate. We have been to Disney so many times and have spent a wide range of on each visit. Sometimes we would avoid eating at the parks with a passion because of the costs. Other times, we decided to eat wherever and whenever we wanted at the parks. Truthfully, I probably have spent as little as $10 per person per day for everything except lodging/tickets and as much as $75 per person per day for everything except lodging/tickets. So, do not worry if you are a little nervous about expenses. One thing I do usually do is buy some "gifts" for the kids at home before I get to WDW or DCL. That way they have new Disney items that I paid much, much less than they sell for on site.