Silly question for 1st cruiser

chrisann

DIS Veteran
Joined
May 21, 2003
Messages
1,463
Is everything included in the cruise. I just want to know if once we pay for the trip, if we need to save much more money for anything else. I realize souvenirs and tips wouldn't be included. Thanks!
 
Here are somethings not included:

Photos from Shutters, adult beverages, Palo dining/brunch, excursions....
 
Not included:
1. Palo (reservations needed, adults only, $10 per plus tip)
2. Any alcoholic beverages :drinking1 or smoothies or any sodas from a "bar"
3. Tips to servers, asst. server, head server, stateroom host/hostess, room service delivery person or anybody else you feel tipworthy
4. Excursions not booked ahead of time through Disney
5. Souvenirs
6. Spa services
Most of these items can be charged to your room account just don't pass out :faint: when you see your statement at the end of the cruise. They add up very quickly and be sure to CHECK it thoroughtly. It's a little thing but we had a drink charged on ours at a bar on CC that we never even went to. They corrected it but you have to check.
Enjoy!
 

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.

You can purchase snacks at Preludes (outside of the Walt Disney Theater). There is candy and popcorn to buy.

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 :sunny: ) 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 have a child that is not yet potty trained (and 3 or younger) you can "hire a babysitter" at Flounders. You are able to initally reserve 3 time slots for your child. Later in the cruise you can see if you can get any additional times (if you need more mommy and daddy private time :love: ) This is different than the Club, Lab or the Stack / Aloft - which are included in your cruise fees for kids from age 3 to 17.

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 :confused: , 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 :earseek: ).

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.

Landry: You’ll need money if you plan on using the Self Service Landry’s on the ship. You'll need even more money if you use the onboard Landry and Pressing service that DCL offers!

At Castaway Cay, you will charge purchases to your onboard account

I think thats all of the areas that you can spend money ON the ship.
 
Like my mom always says...."The cheapest part of the cruise is getting yourself on the ship".
 
We usually budget $1,000 for onboard charges (including excursions, tips, drinks, everything!) for a 7-day cruise for two adults. We have never gone over that, and are usually pleasantly surprised to be a good bit under.

If you have young people who are also charging to your account (teens), it's a good idea to set limits with them ahead of time. No one wants an unpleasant surprise when they see the statement!
 
What are the fees for joining the verandah club?
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StuartMI said:
What are the fees for joining the verandah club?
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The "fee" lately seems to be getting the thread locked (or completely deleted):blush:
 
You guys all too funny today.

If you like wine the wine tasting is fun to do. As far as the drink of the day. It is normally premixed. Not always good. We have found sometimes at the var at Quiet Cove the bartenders will make the drink of the day from scratch. Much better this way. But we might have had those mixed for us because we leave very nice tips.

And I would have to agree the cheapest part of the cruise is getting you there. If you do not want to spend loads do not take the kids to the stores. You do not have to look at pictures at Shutters. There are ways around spending alot.
 

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