Money not a problem for most

[D A P & I]

We are not going with much money. Are we going to be the odd ones out It seems that most are quite well off, and spend a lot. Can you enjoy without a couple of thousand

Anne

 

[Kaa]

During my first cruise (4-night), I spent $100. This doesn't include the tips for host/serving staff. I just purchased a three pictures, a couple of drinks and a small souvenir for my son on Castaway Cay. I was alone during this cruise. I have since taken two other cruises with my husband and son and broke the bank! It is possible to cruise without spending too much, you just need to discipline yourself (not an easy task - I know!).

 

[AUTUMNSAM]

I agree the only money you will NEED to spend is your tips. Everything you need is included, so each person can make what they want of it. My first cruise I didn't spend that much my big expense for me was the $70.00 fee for the Dolphin Encounter excursion and that's what I wanted to spend my money on. I don't drink soda so didn't need the mug deal, I do buy a few drinks with the umbrella's in them on Castaway Cay that's fun.

Spend what you can and don't go over your head just cause others might. I never go in debt for a vacation, it wouldn't be a vacation to me if I returned to monthly bills.


Have Fun
Judy

 

[atigeg]

You will definitely not be the only one on a budget!
The great thing about cruising is that almost everything is pre-paid, so it's a great way to travel for people with limited $$ to spend. Because you know the cost up front, there are no unpleasant surprises.
In 21 Disney cruises, we have met people from all sorts of economic backgrounds. It is a very comfortable atmosphere...not at all like Titanic days!! There is no class distinction...everyone gets the same excellent service, no matter what category you have booked (and the stateroom sizes are the same for Cats. 10 through 5, other than porthole, verandah, or lack of one).
Although we cruise a lot (and spend a lot in the spa), we are not well off...we just divert all our disposable income to the Mouse's bank account. You don't have to be rich to enjoy a cruise...it's a vacation for everyone.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[vicnmickey]

Anne,
Being a single mom of two, there was times I didn't think we would be able to take family vacations. But I decided it was well worth every single penny. I always plan way in advance and save every single penny I can. Our first cruise is one year away so I have been putting $25 away every pay day for the spending part. I also save all the change I get and never spend it, and it really adds up. So no you are not alone in saying your alone. There are several cruisers I am sure that scrimp every little penny to take that once in a life time family cruise trip. Just remember, money is not everything. The smiles on your childrens faces and just being able to take them should be enough. I hope you enjoy yourself and don't let the money part get to you. Have a wonderful and magical cruise. 366 days and counting everyone of them

 

[din]

We are not "loaded" with money, just a working slob. With that said I would say planning is the key. We planned for our trip more than a year ahead. We shopped around for the airline tickets, used points for hotels (night before cruise as we are from the west coast), and budgeted for the trip.

Did we spend a lot? Yes in some ways, but not a couple of thousands, but having been to WDW many times we "kinda" know what prices to expect. A couple bottles of wine, surial spa, some shirts and hats for the kids and of course the budget killer, pictures, can add up.

This is a great place to get prices, tips and using this information start planning you trip. We did and had a fantastic time, that we are planning for the next one. 2004 that is!!!!

 

[BeanoC]

I think it's a good idea to make a list of the things you might like to buy on the ship and at CC, as well as the other ports... then make some tough choices.

1. Tshirts, hats , beach towels, etc. (Various $$)

2. Pictures ($10-20 ea.)

3. drinks ($3-5 ea. or so)

4. Palos brunch and/or dinner (Approx $10/brunch, $20/dinner)

5. excursions (various - can be pretty expensive!)

6. refillable soda mugs ($35.00 ea)

7. Pins (Not a factor if you're not into Pin trading - $6-12 ea.)


...and the list goes on, especially in the ports where you can buy jewlery, etc. at good prices.

Now decide what you can live without and discipline yourself not to buy!

Or maybe it's better to decide what you DO need to buy, and realize that you'd better have that much cash with you.
Last year, our tab on the ship was over fifteen hundred dollars, but we splurged pretty well and both of the kids are pin collectors.
You could easily do it for half that, if necessary. I must say, I wouldn't feel comfortable going with less than 7 or 8 hundred bucks at least.



ENJOY!!



'Beano'

 

[dijid]

Well, at least you're not the *only* odd ones out! Take a look at this thread I started to see you are in good company:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=190957

 

[My~Rumbly~Tumbly]

I'm going on a 4 night Wonder cruise in December with my daughter and son who at cruise time will be 1 1/2 and 3. I plan to bring no more than $700.00. I'm sure I could easily blow more than that, but don't feel I'll be suffering with $700.00. I've never cruised before, but I think we'll be okay. I thought your $2,000 was a huge amount of money- even if your thinking of a 7 day.

Oh, and I am SOOOOOOO far from being 'well-off'. Probably have no business even taking two Disney vacations in one year, but I'm working two jobs and feel it's deserved.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Check out my thread "so what are the out-of-pocket expenses" which should be in the last day on this board still. Things don't look so bad. Just stay away from the spa from what I"m reading!

Robin M.

 

[D A P & I]

Thank you guys for being so honest. I guess I worry to much about the lilttle things. My husband was laid off for 4 months and we used our savings, the trip is a gift from my dad Anyway thank you for letting me know I am not alone. Happy sailing everybody

Anne

 

[disboo]

We have cruised once, this past January. The only things we felt obliged to spend money on was tips (of course, and we added a little to the recommended because of extraordinary papmpering).

Other than that, we spent very little. We bought a couple of pictures. We bought a couple of modest souvenirs. We took a couple of cab rides in Nassau and Freeport, and we splurged on a nice bottle of wine in Palo's.

We wanted to enjoy the ship - we certainly paid enough for it! And I think that we did not need the spa, or more souvies, or excursions. We were more than satisfied by the Wonder itself.

A couple of places we saved was by bringing a six pack of Diet Coke for me, a bottle of wine for occasional drinks on the verandah (our true splurge!!), and by ordering ice water in the clubs (not the little umbrella drinks - I don't drink much anyway. I never felt that we were pressured to purchase anything.

Who knew how much (how little!) we spent? Only us!

Spend what you want, and not a penny more! You will have a fabulous time no matter what you spend!!

 

[westjones]

We are on a budget too. I am a stay at home mom, so we are a one income family.

One of the things I LOVE about the cruise is that when I have it paid for, there is not much else to worry about.

We didn't do any of the 'extras'. We took some pop with us for in the room. So we didn't order drinks (well, OK, I splurged one time and let the girls have smoothies once ).

Tips were my biggest expense, but I knew they were coming.

We had a blast! We didn't feel we missed out at all. There is plenty to enjoy without doing the extras.

Now, in September, we are going on the 7 day cruise. This is a BIG splurge for us. We want to do a couple of excursions since we know we will never do this again (just can't afford it....we can do the '3 Day Cruise', but the 7 day isn't as easy for us to pull off).

You will have a great time (and will be so glad not to see a big bill at the end---those drinks can add up, and I talking about smoothies and pop, not just alcohol). The beverage cart by the pool and the pop I brought for in the room was plenty for us!

Debra

 

[papa]

I am retired and even though the wife is still working, money is tight so we watch our money closely on the cruise. Do a few excursions, but you can still enjoy the cruise and have a wonderful trip.

Sodas are free if you eat in the dining rooms for lunch and dinner. Just take you a couple of six packs with you when you board. We do not drink a lot of alcohol. There is a beverage station on deck 9 of the magic aft that is for use 24 hours a day. Coffee, milk, water and tea bags.

You can have a lot of fun for just a little money if you are careful.

 

[npall]

We went on a 7 day Western cruise for our honeymoon..We did excurions, drank ALOT and bought most of the pictures..we ended up with a two thousand dollar bill. That was fine at the time with no house, no kids and two great incomes...

Three years later...went on the 4 day Wonder. Living on one income, had a house and a 14 month old. We didn't buy any drinks, splurged on a bottle of wine at Palo''s, did no excursions and bought 5 or six pictures..our bill at the end was around $200 dollars....

You know what ? I enjoyed the second cruise just as much as my honeymoon!

We are going on Magic in Aug. and our budget is not much better, as long as we are on vacation as a family....who cares how much money we spend (or don't)

Have FUN!

Naomi

 

[KAR3600]

Disney makes it very easy for you to part with your money!!!!!. Since you are charging everything, it doesn't seem like your spending alot at the time, the you see the bill and WOW,I was really busy!!!"

In my opinion I would stay clear of the SPA, and Shutters, that really adds up quick................Have fun!