Spending $0 on board

[jhoannam]

Is it possible?

We won't be doing any excursion, we'll be bringing our own snorkel gear.

Will the Shutter photogs take pictures with my camera? or should I prepay for the digital package?

Our kids have a souvenir jar, they should each have $50 to spend.

We have $200 OBC that we will use to pay for tips, is that allowed? We are going on a 4 day Dream cruise.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Is it possible?

We won't be doing any excursion, we'll be bringing our own snorkel gear.

Will the Shutter photogs take pictures with my camera? or should I prepay for the digital package? Yes, they will take character photos with your camera.

Our kids have a souvenir jar, they should each have $50 to spend. You will have to put it on your onboard credit. Stores do not take cash.

We have $200 OBC that we will use to pay for tips, is that allowed? Yes.

We are going on a 4 day Dream cruise.

Have a great cruise.

 

[Trera]

I guess it is possible. We only spend extra on a few adult drinks on CC, a cabana, and a Palo dinner (our brunch is complementary because we are platinum). Tips also of course.

 

[Aby]

Yes, this is possible. Theoretically the only thing you have you pay on top of the cruise fare is the tips - you can either pay these in advance before you board or use your onboard credit like you mentioned. There are plenty of free activities to keep you busy. The professional photo shoots will not take pictures with your camera, but the CM character handlers for sure will.

Although it wouldn't be billed to your on board account, booking another cruise on board is highly recommended, and would be billed to a credit card.

Enjoy your cruise!

Aby

 

[jenpink]

Yes. I have done it. I don't drink, I don't do excursions in the Bahamas and don't need souvenirs. Sadly, this won't be the case for my upcoming transatlantic cruise

 

[jhoannam]

Have a great cruise.

Thank you!!!

 

[jhoannam]

Yes, this is possible. Theoretically the only thing you have you pay on top of the cruise fare is the tips - you can either pay these in advance before you board or use your onboard credit like you mentioned. There are plenty of free activities to keep you busy. The professional photo shoots will not take pictures with your camera, but the CM character handlers for sure will.

Although it wouldn't be billed to your on board account, booking another cruise on board is highly recommended, and would be billed to a credit card.

Enjoy your cruise!

Aby

Thank you!

 

[jhoannam]

Yes. I have done it. I don't drink, I don't do excursions in the Bahamas and don't need souvenirs. Sadly, this won't be the case for my upcoming transatlantic cruise

We will bring the allowed amount of alcohol and that's all we'll drink. Have fun on your transatlantic!

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

There are tons of things to eat/do that don't cost a thing. There are plenty of opportunities to spend money too. If you have discipline (and it sounds like you do) you shouldn't have any problems spending $0.

The only thing I would advice you it to be wary of a few "less than obvious" costs. Sometimes people get charged for these without realizing it.

For example, most things from Room Service are free, (except the tip to the server), but some things like soda and packaged snacks have a cost. It says something in the room service menu like, "for a fee, ask server."

Soda, and most non-alcoholic drinks are free in the Dining Rooms and at the Station on the pool deck, but cost money at the bars.

Sports deck games are free, except the simulators, which cost money.

I forget if there are any other things that cost money that aren't obvious in advance.

 

[dcassetta]

I would add that soft-serve ice cream on deck is included, but if you go to Vanellope's that is extra.

Disney gift cards can be used in the shops, so you might consider that for kid spending.

 

[steves100]

Is it possible?

We won't be doing any excursion, we'll be bringing our own snorkel gear.

Will the Shutter photogs take pictures with my camera? or should I prepay for the digital package?

Our kids have a souvenir jar, they should each have $50 to spend.

We have $200 OBC that we will use to pay for tips, is that allowed? We are going on a 4 day Dream cruise.

If you order room service you SHOULD tip, but dont have to.

 

[over50visits]

We did that once on a 4-day Bahama cruise. Other than gratuities of course, we decided to try one cruise spending ZERO extra. And we had a ball!!! Disney has plenty of ways to separate you from your money, all very seductive (see my list elsewhere of over 50 things to spend $$ on DCL), but you can have a great, rewarding cruise and not spend a cent.

 

[shoes99]

We had a zero balance on our last two cruises. We prepay gratuities so we can spread them out over 6 months on the Disney Visa Card. We spend our on
board credit for an occasional drink or pin in the gift shop. If we are doing an expensive excursion we also add $$ to our account pre-cruise so that also
gets 6 months to pay if off by using Disney Credit Card. If we do have a balance it is for BINGO.

 

[Donathius]

I think we spent an extra...$60 when on a 7-day. We did a Palo brunch, bought a couple of drinks, and some cheap DCL souvenirs (I collect mugs and I couldn't pass up the DCL funnel mug). So, in my opinion, it's very doable.

 

[Geomom]

Just wanted to add that I believe the Shutters Photographers are not supposed to take pics with your camera--but the character attendants CAN!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

If you are not going to carry some singles to tip, please don't order room service. You're treating those attendants badly by just taking the food and not tipping, and I cannot recommend treating an honest worker badly.

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

Just wanted to add that I believe the Shutters Photographers are not supposed to take pics with your camera--but the character attendants CAN!

Correct. The character escorts are usually quite happy to take a picture so character pictures are covered. Pictures where there is only a Shutters photographer present, such as with backdrops on Formal Night, you are on your own. You could ask someone in line to take the picture for you but the Shutters photographers are not allowed to.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

I spent almost nothing on board, aside from 2 excursions and tips. I bought 1 bar drink, I might have paid for some popcorn or candy at a movie (certainly not necessary), and I tipped for room service.

 

[tink1970]

I don't expect anything on our bill except the Palo gratuity for our upcoming 3 day Fantasy Double Dip. Palo itself is "free" for platinum, our tips are prepaid and I don't drink (and DH won't if it's extra). It will be interesting to see if that prediction plays out

 

[cruiser21]

Yes. I'm doing a 4 day dream cruise in 3 days. I have 100.00.OBC on a OBB. I'm the only adult so I don't think I'll go over that. 25.00 a day for adult beverages is probably all I'll need. My kid won't spend anything. He's been saving his money for the lego store in downtown dis.