Money saving tips???

[Mickee]

The "Daddy Juice" store I frequent sells the airplane bottles
of Capt Morgan which I drink, sometimes on sale for $0.99,
Knowing I am going on vaca, I stock up on these for days in port,dinner, lunch, breakfast......nice and handy to mix with free soda...

Let me see $6.00 a drink or $0.99????

I also bring a 1.75 packed in my luggage for the room....

 

[GoofyaboutMickey]

I would say avoid the ship excursions. They can get very costly. If you research before you sail, you can book cheaper excursions with reputable companies.

 

[swilphil]

Don't be shy...volunteer for everything. It's a great way to score some free key chains and other little goodies

And what are these "volunteer" opportunities of which you speak??

P.S. to Mickee-- I love the term--Daddy Juice store. Good tip, too.

 

[OurMsBrooks]

We bring the little bottles of Captain Morgans too. We throw them in the pool bag for Rum & Diet Coke by the pool.

If you're into manicures and pedicures, get it done at home before you go on the trip. It will cost a lot less, it's a good pre-vacation psych-up ritual, and you'll get a result of much better quality.

I second the suggestion to take your own digital photos. Not only can you see them right away, but you can take a million of them if you want to without worrying about the cost. Also, you can set up a fantastic slide show screen saver on your computer when you get home.

 

[zweihund]

So many great suggestions!

So far, I have the following plans:

1) no excursions - figure we will enjoy Castaway Cay the way nature (with a little Disney magic, of course) intended....lying in a hammock on the adult beach and listening to the surf. Maybe a bike rental each, $12 for two.

2) bringing a bottle (or two) of wine and taking a glass to dinner each night.

3) brining some tiny booze bottles (I mean Daddy juice! hehe) or something versatile (vanilla vodka or rum) to mix with the free sodas for poolside buzzing.

4) rainforest room for a day at the spa, $30 for two.

5) no photo purchases, digital only.

6) attending the free food sessions!

7) probably one pina colada, 'cause they taste so much better when you're on vacation, $12 for two.

8) getting milk and cookies from room service at least twice, $3-4 in tips.

So it looks like we would be spending less than $50, not including tips. Not bad! We do also plan to do the usual - pack all necessary meds, save a little "emergency" cash, and do my homework on the DIS! Thanks for all the tips, and please feel free to keep sharing - even DH is excited about our challenge, he has been reading over my shoulder!

Thanks DIS!

 

[Tink rules]

Oh Erica!!!

Cut to the chase!!!

You just want to know how to get those tax deductable checks sent!!!

Good luck on your planning and trip!!! I'll be keeping up (and taking notes!!!)

 

[zweihund]

Oh Erica!!!

Cut to the chase!!!

You just want to know how to get those tax deductable checks sent!!!

Good luck on your planning and trip!!! I'll be keeping up (and taking notes!!!)

You found me out!

 

[Tink rules]

Oh Erica!!!

Cut to the chase!!!

You just want to know how to get those tax deductable checks sent!!!

Good luck on your planning and trip!!! I'll be keeping up (and taking notes!!!)

You found me out!

You got that one right!!! (don't forget the spare change jar for that extra something...

Also...drop hints... tell everyone you want little vodka bottles and Disney Dollars for your Birthday...even if it's NEXT years birthday... you'll double dip and do both!!!

So many great suggestions!

1) no excursions - figure we will enjoy Castaway Cay the way nature (with a little Disney magic, of course) intended....lying in a hammock on the adult beach and listening to the surf. Maybe a bike rental each, $12 for two.

2) bringing a bottle (or two) of wine and taking a glass to dinner each night.

3) brining some tiny booze bottles (I mean Daddy juice! hehe) or something versatile (vanilla vodka or rum) to mix with the free sodas for poolside buzzing.

4) rainforest room for a day at the spa, $30 for two.

5) no photo purchases, digital only.

6) attending the free food sessions!

7) probably one pina colada, 'cause they taste so much better when you're on vacation, $12 for two.

8) getting milk and cookies from room service at least twice, $3-4 in tips.

Thanks DIS!

Three unexpected days on the Disney Wonder???

Priceless....

 

[zweihund]

Also...drop hints... tell everyone you want little vodka bottles and Disney Dollars for your Birthday...even if it's NEXT years birthday... you'll double dip and do both!!!

I love it!

You know, I did want to add something to this thread. I have gotten so many great ideas! But now I want to know.....what's the coolest thing you did on the ship that was free? IE Galley Tour, presentations, etc.

 

[Buckeye Gal]

We brought on our own big bottle of wine and requested a wine opener and glasses from room service....

kelly

Great idea, Kelly! I'm planning my first DCL cruise, so do you recall if the mini fridge would hold an opened bottle of white wine upright?

 

[angipoo]

Subscribing - I want to learn!

 

[Mozart]

what's the coolest thing you did on the ship that was free? IE Galley Tour, presentations, etc.

A) How to make your own verandah room: We slept one night on Deck 4 on the deck chairs with the green padding.

B) Watching POTC on deck after the pirate party was really cool, even though I've seen the movie 25 times it seems.

C) Piano player in Cadillac Lounge. You'll end up getting beverages, but he's really good.

D) You get free drinks for participating in karaoke...

 

[angipoo]

Try the "free" art of entertaining food series-you get samples with a small glass of wine

Is this offered on 4 night cruises or only 7 night? We don't drink, but I'm all up for free food!

 

[gdulaney]

I love it!

You know, I did want to add something to this thread. I have gotten so many great ideas! But now I want to know.....what's the coolest thing you did on the ship that was free? IE Galley Tour, presentations, etc.

We've done the galley tour a couple of times...it's really cool.

I highly recommend playing the hole-in-1 golf game...I can't remember the exact name, but it's played several times during the 7-night cruise. Deck 3, midship.

Ginny

 

[Tink rules]

Hey Erica...

Granted I haven't been on the ship yet, so they wouldn't technically "let me in..."

But doesn't the Captain give away free drinks at the CC reception?

I do like the idea of the tours, though. I'd do at least one, myself!!!

 

[PURTYPAT1]

Yes, the Captain give away free drinks at the CC reception

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Does not sound like you will be taking kids but...
we are taking 3 kids with us on the Wonder in September. My kids want everything that they see!! I have started each of them an envelope that they can stick money into. For example, everytime they see my in-laws they come back with money- maybe $10-$20 each- so I have been putting that in their envelopes. If they get money for chores, I am "reminding" them of their envelope. When we go on our cruise, the money is theirs to spend any way they wish. But once it is gone, then that is it. No more!! May sound harsh, but I did this 2 years ago at DisneyWorld with my then 4 yr old daughter and it worked great. She had approx $200 to spend on anything that she wanted. She was so careful on picking out what she wanted because she was afraid she would spend all her money and then find a new item. She even came home with half of her money to spend here. Anyway, just an idea for people with kids.

ITA! We do this on all vacations. I keep a little index card on me to jot down each child's purchases. It's so easy. It's amazing how suddenly that $3 fancy lollipop is so expensive. Then I hear, "These prices are outrageous!" It's so funny.
They also learn about sales tax too.

 

[zweihund]

ITA! We do this on all vacations. I keep a little index card on me to jot down each child's purchases. It's so easy. It's amazing how suddenly that $3 fancy lollipop is so expensive. Then I hear, "These prices are outrageous!" It's so funny.
They also learn about sales tax too.

I love it! My nephew Joe (who is 6) is also very particular about his purchases. His Dad offered to buy him a Dinosaur at Animal Kingdom last year, and he said "Nah.....$20 is too much for THAT."

Joe is my hero.

We've done the galley tour a couple of times...it's really cool.

I highly recommend playing the hole-in-1 golf game...I can't remember the exact name, but it's played several times during the 7-night cruise. Deck 3, midship.

Ginny

I think we'll do the galley tour then. I'll check the itenerary for the golf. I wonder if they offer it on the 3-day?

A) How to make your own verandah room: We slept one night on Deck 4 on the deck chairs with the green padding.

B) Watching POTC on deck after the pirate party was really cool, even though I've seen the movie 25 times it seems.

C) Piano player in Cadillac Lounge. You'll end up getting beverages, but he's really good.

D) You get free drinks for participating in karaoke...

I LOVE the deck chair idea! We definitely need to spend more time in them this year. And great suggestions, thanks!!!

 

[tevagirl]

The "Daddy Juice" store I frequent sells the airplane bottles
of Capt Morgan which I drink, sometimes on sale for $0.99,
Knowing I am going on vaca, I stock up on these for days in port,dinner, lunch, breakfast......nice and handy to mix with free soda...

Let me see $6.00 a drink or $0.99????

I also bring a 1.75 packed in my luggage for the room....

Great ideas, especially this one. But tell me, how would you bring those little bottles of Daddy Juice if you are flying?

 

[Tink rules]

Great ideas, especially this one. But tell me, how would you bring those little bottles of Daddy Juice if you are flying?

Roll um in your socks!!!!!