#1 - What are the "extras" that need to be paid for while on the ship?
What can you spend money on onboard?
Family of 4 on a seven night cruise will generate a "standard"
gratuity of about $305. If the family of 4 goes on a 4 night cruise the gratuity would be about $175. Some people don't tip (don't go there
). Some just the standard, some a little more and some tip a LOT more
:yes:: yes the service is THAT good).
If you go to
Palo there is a service charge of $10 per person. You should tip above this service charge for "using the room"
Some people kick in an extra $10 per person, others have said that they've tipped $100 -- Wow!!
Room service is free for most items on the menu (sodas and some items you have to pay for). Be sure to tip your "server" or is it runner in this case.
DCL has reciently made it possible to tip your server on your KTTW card.
Room service There are items on the menu that Do carry a charge -soda and the other chargable beverages along with several food items.
Baskets and Cruise Gifts I don't know if you can order these once you are on board but you can most definately order them before your cruise. DCL includes a brochure with your cruise documents.
Depending upon the ages of your children (or if your DW is gosh darn beautiful
)
Shutters may be a big ticket item. The 6x8 (small) photos are around $10 each. I don't remember how much the formal (large) photos are (maybe $20 each).
If you stick to the
drink of the day, they will run you $3.50 each (which isn't too bad). Otherwise the prices go up from there (but still are not outrageous!!)
Speciality Drinks - like coffees, smoothies etc carry a charge. Smoothies run about $5.00 each with manditory tip.
If you buy the
wine package for dinner the cost is $185 to $250 depending upon the package purchased. If you buy
wine by the bottle I believe you can count on $50 per bottle (but if you each only drink 1 glass each, it will last for two nights and your waiters will take care of it for you!)
There is also a "
water package" that you can purchase for dinners. Why
, I don't know, the water that the ship "makes" is wonderful.
Shore excursions really add up. Even if you do a "cheep" $45 excursion that's $180 for the family.
If you do the
wine tasting class onboard there's a cost and I really don't know how much it is because I don't like wine that much.
Spa treatments run from $83 to well over $200 per person per treatment (count on at least $100
).
Arcade cards for the kids. Denominations start at $10 and go up from there.
Now for the
souvineers: you can get some small plastic figurine for $5. If you want a tee shirt, think at least $35, polo shirts are well over $50. A DCL frame for one of your 6x8 pictures will run you $18 to $20. Lots of fun stuff to buy for the whole family at Mickey's Mates. Then across the hall is the Treasure Ketch and that stuff is generally way more expensive!!
Then there's the "store" that's between Rock'n Bar D and Diversions on the Magic (its in the same location on the Wonder-just different Club Names) that sells
tobaco and alcohol products. I believe that any alcohol you purchase CAN NOT be consumed onboard. They will deliver it to you close to disembarkation time.
Some people have a
Bingo habit that costs them a ton of $$$$. I believe that it's $35 for 5 or 6 games. Haven't done it so I really don't know. I probably will be giving it a go at the end of the repo cruise - the jackpot is going to be
HUGE!!
Hairbrading onboard has a per braid charge.
Other people have talked about spending money onshore. Unless its at
Castaway Cay, thats a different bill from your onboard account.
I think thats all of the areas that you can spend money ON the ship.
#3 - Can a couple that is cruising without their kids REALLY find a moment of peace and quiet and where?
Adult Pool, Cove Cafe, Palo for Brunch and Dinner, Sessions (a piano bar down in beat street). The entire Beat Street area after 9pm. Your room
. If you have a verandah it might not be so private
. Wine tasting class. The Adult "Education" series (The Art of Entertaining, The Navigators and The Art of Entertainment).
Then there are some things that you should do even though "the place will be crawling with kids". The Sail Away / Deck Parties, Pirates Night, family cabarette shows and the family game shows (the cabarette and games shows generally run from 7:45 to 8:15 between the dinner seatings), character breakfast, the main shows in the Walt Disney Theater.
Have a great trip.
Congratulations! You are signed up for a cruise of a lifetime!
) and MAN was it worth it. Excursions are another big one. Check out 
. Also, head over to cruise meets and chat with those you are going to be on the ship with. It makes it that much more fun. Sorry so long, I have a big mouth! 
