So, what's NOT included on the cruise?

[Clojel]

I know that alcohol isn't included, and that dining at Palo or Remy costs a little extra up front, but I've seen some posts that suggest that there are certain foods/treats/etc... on board that aren't included as well. How do we know if something isn't included? Do they just list a price next to it? And, what about the quick service restaurants/snack shops? Are those included, in general? I don't mind spending $$ on board but I don't want to get taken by surprise!! Thanks!

 

[Agent 86]

I'm sure someone else will provide a better, more detailed answer, but those items which are excluded (i.e. only available at an additional cost) are popcorn at the movie theatre (which I personally find to be absolutely ridiculous given how cheap it must be to make), coffee at the adult café (BUT, the small cakes / treats are free, which I also find odd) and limited food selections at some of the snack shops (BUT, I can't recall exactly what cost extra as I'd always just grab what was free / included). Room service is technically free, but you're expected to tip (not being American, I don't know what the expected / minimum tip is).

I find it pretty easy to avoid incurring any additional costs, except for alcoholic beverages.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I know that alcohol isn't included, and that dining at Palo or Remy costs a little extra up front, but I've seen some posts that suggest that there are certain foods/treats/etc... on board that aren't included as well. How do we know if something isn't included? Do they just list a price next to it? And, what about the quick service restaurants/snack shops? Are those included, in general? I don't mind spending $$ on board but I don't want to get taken by surprise!! Thanks!

Here's a starting point:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/what-is-not-included-in-the-price-of-the-cruise.3463679

 

[Shanti]

I know that alcohol isn't included, and that dining at Palo or Remy costs a little extra up front, but I've seen some posts that suggest that there are certain foods/treats/etc... on board that aren't included as well. How do we know if something isn't included? Do they just list a price next to it? And, what about the quick service restaurants/snack shops? Are those included, in general? I don't mind spending $$ on board but I don't want to get taken by surprise!! Thanks!

You typically won't get taken by surprise. It's usually pretty obvious when things have an upcharge on DCL. We spent only about $100 onboard during our first cruise (a 3-night), and nothing was a surprise. On our 7-night Fantasy cruise we spent a lot more, but the only surprise was the nonalcholic cider at Remy's (which was weird, since it had been free at Palo...) So just watch out for that non-alcoholic cider at Remy's...lol.

Be careful to put your phone on airplane mode & turn off the wifi (or carefully use your ship-allotted wifi). Big cell service or Internet fees are the easiest surprises to incur on a ship.

 

[Neptune's Fork]

I'm sure someone else will provide a better, more detailed answer, but those items which are excluded (i.e. only available at an additional cost) are popcorn at the movie theatre (which I personally find to be absolutely ridiculous given how cheap it must be to make), coffee at the adult café (BUT, the small cakes / treats are free, which I also find odd) and limited food selections at some of the snack shops (BUT, I can't recall exactly what cost extra as I'd always just grab what was free / included). Room service is technically free, but you're expected to tip (not being American, I don't know what the expected / minimum tip is).

I find it pretty easy to avoid incurring any additional costs, except for alcoholic beverages.

I agree, I had the same reaction that you had to pay for popcorn when so many better and more costly things were no charge. Beats me, especially when a great many places give popcorn away.

 

[SleepyDeb]

Excursions aren't included. Bingo not included. I believe that soda/juice in the dining room & soda/ juice from room service is a charge, even though soda at the drink station is free. Maybe someone can confirm or correct that one.

Other than drinks in the dining room, I think the items that are not included are clearly marked. Even though it was not our first cruise and I'd told him several times, my DH was still surprised when he ordered an alcoholic drink in the dining room and then he had a charge slip to sign. Sigh. But, my point is that there was nothing telling him that there was a charge. His bad and he just signed it, but he was surprised.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I think they charge for popcorn to keep everyone from getting it. Popcorn is messy. When it is free people are less careful.

 

[Geomom]

Cost--any beverages from a bar or the coffee shop. FREE--coffee/tea/hot chocolate/soda/juice/milk etc at the beverage station on the pool deck, buffet, and main dining rooms. In the Main Dining rooms, you should only be paying for specialty non-alcoholic (like smoothies or cappucinos/etc.) and alcoholic drinks. Also FREE--alcoholic drinks at the Captain's reception in the atrium--they walk around with trays of drinks one night.

Cost--upcharge snacks at the bars--that need to be ordered. FREE--bar snacks that are just out for you to take, including any snacks in the case at the coffee shops.

Cost--popcorn/candy FREE--every food at the quick service places.

Cost--sweets/ice cream at the new 'candy' shops on the Dream/Fantasy FREE--soft serve ice cream on the pool deck, and hard scooped at the lunch buffet

For us, the only extra we spent on food/drink was for specialty non-alcoholic drinks, alcoholic drinks and the 1 cappucino I had with dessert one night; and tips for room service.

 

[bbn1122]

Excursions aren't included. Bingo not included. I believe that soda/juice in the dining room & soda/ juice from room service is a charge, even though soda at the drink station is free. Maybe someone can confirm or correct that one.

Other than drinks in the dining room, I think the items that are not included are clearly marked. Even though it was not our first cruise and I'd told him several times, my DH was still surprised when he ordered an alcoholic drink in the dining room and then he had a charge slip to sign. Sigh. But, my point is that there was nothing telling him that there was a charge. His bad and he just signed it, but he was surprised.

I believe all non alcoholic drinks are complimentary everywhere. But I may be wrong.

Room service is free food is included, so why wouldn't the drinks be.

We have never gone to the bars. Are soft drinks complimentary at the bars and lounges? This time I am dragging my DH out after dinner.

Candy and popcorn outside the theaters are extra.

Coffee and specialty drinks at Cove Cafe are extra.

That all I can think of right now.

 

[Geomom]

I believe that soda/juice in the dining room & soda/ juice from room service is a charge, even though soda at the drink station is free. Maybe someone can confirm or correct that one.
.

Soda/juice in the dining room is included.
Soda is an upcharge with room service as it would come in a can. Juice/Tea/Coffee/Milk was FREE with room service

 

[gotomu212]

The only thing that ever surprised me were the light up novelty glasses they offer to kids in the dining room on pirate night. The servers brought them around and the way they spoke about them to the kids made it sound like it was a fun thing they did for free on pirate night--then we got the receipt to sign. I will say on later cruises our servers did a better job of being upfront about the charge.

Drinks at the sail away party also have a charge, but a lot of first time cruises don't realize it at first when they are asked if they want one.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I believe all non alcoholic drinks are complimentary everywhere. But I may be wrong.

Room service is free food is included, so why wouldn't the drinks be.

We have never gone to the bars. Are soft drinks complimentary at the bars and lounges? This time I am dragging my DH out after dinner.

Candy and popcorn outside the theaters are extra.

Coffee and specialty drinks at Cove Cafe are extra.

That all I can think of right now.

Soda is only "free" from the drink stations on the pool deck and at meals. Sodas from room service, or servers in lounges/theaters have a cost.

Specialty coffee at Cove Cafe is extra. "Regular" coffee is included.

 

[bumbershoot]

Cost--upcharge snacks at the bars--that need to be ordered. FREE--bar snacks that are just out for you to take, including any snacks in the case at the coffee shops.

We've had to ask the servers to get us the snacks; they weren't self service. But were still free. I've only been on Dream and haven't been to the adults area coffee shops.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We've had to ask the servers to get us the snacks; they weren't self service. But were still free. I've only been on Dream and haven't been to the adults area coffee shops.

Sometimes the case opening is forward (and you can serve yourself). Other times the case opens to the rear and the CM will get what you point out and place it on a plate for you.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

Popcorn isn't free, as noted, but if you buy a refillable popcorn bucket for $8, refills are only $1.50. It's not something we would normally do, but it seemed like a good deal for us, and I believe besides a bottle of wine, it was the only "extra" we purchased for our 7 nts, so it was pretty cheap altogether (and you can bring it back on your next cruise or Parks visit!).

 

[cheribelle]

If you order just a cup of tea or coffee while in adult bars or lounges, there is a charge. (Learned that one the hard way last cruise!). My mom just ordered a cup of tea and it was quite a charge for it (also took a long time. Thinking server had to go to another deck for it).

 

[Clojel]

Thanks everybody! That helps! I'm getting so excited but also a bit anxious for our first cruise! We've booked some pricey excursions so I'd like to keep the food spending under control . Lol!

 

[antlawn]

Excursions aren't included. Bingo not included. I believe that soda/juice in the dining room & soda/ juice from room service is a charge, even though soda at the drink station is free. Maybe someone can confirm or correct that one.

Other than drinks in the dining room, I think the items that are not included are clearly marked. Even though it was not our first cruise and I'd told him several times, my DH was still surprised when he ordered an alcoholic drink in the dining room and then he had a charge slip to sign. Sigh. But, my point is that there was nothing telling him that there was a charge. His bad and he just signed it, but he was surprised.

Fountain drinks are Free at the self-serve and in the restaurants. Canned drinks are an upcharge. Room Service and the Bars only serve canned drinks! Any alcohol/non alcoholic special drinks are charged.

 

[antlawn]

Best

Thanks everybody! That helps! I'm getting so excited but also a bit anxious for our first cruise! We've booked some pricey excursions so I'd like to keep the food spending under control . Lol!

Best "tip"... If they ask for your KTTW card, there's a charge!!

 

[antlawn]

If you order just a cup of tea or coffee while in adult bars or lounges, there is a charge. (Learned that one the hard way last cruise!). My mom just ordered a cup of tea and it was quite a charge for it (also took a long time. Thinking server had to go to another deck for it).

There is a large variety of teas at the self-serve area. All FREE!! Also, coffee, hot chocolate, milk, along with the sodas. Juices are Free, but inside Cabanas.