Spending $0 on board

[oam]

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.

Last cruise we went home with $150 more than we started with.( Won bingo)

 

[jrabbit]

I assume that you have two kids sailing with you and that you have not prepaid your gratuities ... so the standard gratuity for the cruise would be 4 nights X 4 guest X $12 per night = $192.00. That leaves you with $8.00 of your $200 OBC to spend on something else - assuming you don't just go ahead and give it to one of your servers or stateroom host.

 

[elaine amj]

We used our OBB for tips. Did the 3 day Dream with nothing OOP. We don't pay for extra drinks, candy or whatever. My take is that I pay enough for a cruise - I don't need the overpriced extras.

 

[jhoannam]

We used our OBB for tips. Did the 3 day Dream with nothing OOP. We don't pay for extra drinks, candy or whatever. My take is that I pay enough for a cruise - I don't need the overpriced extras.

That's my thought... the cruise alone is so expensive.

 

[chaseg03]

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.

Wait, I though it was dinner that was free. Maybe not, I'll let you talk because I'm only gold. Was this a recent change?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Wait, I though it was dinner that was free. Maybe not, I'll let you talk because I'm only gold. Was this a recent change?

The actual wordage on the Castaway Club site says "dinner". However, for the most part, once you are Platinum the first Palo experience you do on any given cruise is comped. Been that way for at least 5 years.

 

[LSUfan4444]

Yes, it can be done. My only comment is that there is a fine line between trying to maintain a $0 balance and trying to keep costs down. They don't have to be the same. if you or someone in your group wants a glass of wine for dinner to pair with their steak I would think the $12 might be worth it rather than escaping to my stateroom between bites.

My point is, be mindful, have a plan but dont let it consume you or dictate your vacation. You can keep costs low (VERY low) and not have a $0 balance.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Yes, it is possible for sure! I had a $350OBC in Feb. It paid for tips, Skyride excursion in St Thomas, refillable popcorn bucket plus refills and tube rentals on CC.

I was ahead of the game...until I picked up some last minute souvenirs the last night.

But yes, it's possible. Have fun!

 

[MrsDuck]

We almost never spend money on board - we've sailed multiple times and typically don't buy souvenirs anymore but of course, if something awesome catches our eye, we will!

We don't drink, we have our own snorkel gear and don't do excursions... it's a personal thing, of course, but it's possible!

 

[over50visits]

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.

"Allowed" to? They are just a concession, a profit center for DCL and themselves. Any "rules" are just things they make up to support their business. If they tell you they "can't" take a picture what they really mean is they "won't." So you keep your hundreds of dollars and ask a cast member, family member, or passerby to take the photo for you.

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

"Allowed" to? They are just a concession, a profit center for DCL and themselves. Any "rules" are just things they make up to support their business. If they tell you they "can't" take a picture what they really mean is they "won't." So you keep your hundreds of dollars and ask a cast member, family member, or passerby to take the photo for you.

Their job is to make money for their employer. Taking pictures with a guest's camera would interfere with that. I would be willing to bet that it is a "rule", i.e. a term of their continuing employment, not to do so. I know people have reported asking and being told this. So you are right, they "won't" because they want to keep their job.
You did notice that I suggested someone take the picture for them just like you did, right?

 

[RoseSanti]

Yes it's possible. We've done a 3 day cruise and only paid the gratuity and about $20 dollars on popcorn.

 

[chaseg03]

The actual wordage on the Castaway Club site says "dinner". However, for the most part, once you are Platinum the first Palo experience you do on any given cruise is comped. Been that way for at least 5 years.

Thanks for clearing this up!

 

[Sytrace]

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.

1. Yes
2. No, the character attendants will take pictures with your camera, but the Shutters photographers won't.
3. Sounds like a good amount for a 4 night cruise. Keep in mind that Vanellopes ice cream shop is extra and they will apply purchases to your onboard account. So, they can give you their money and you can apply that to your onboard account. The gift shops will take Disney gift cards though. Maybe give them each a gift card to use for purchases in the shops onboard?
4. OBC can be used to pay gratuities as well as bar services, spa services, gift shop purchases, adult dining and other purchases you might make onboard with your KTTWC.

 

[jhoannam]

1. Yes
2. No, the character attendants will take pictures with your camera, but the Shutters photographers won't.
3. Sounds like a good amount for a 4 night cruise. Keep in mind that Vanellopes ice cream shop is extra and they will apply purchases to your onboard account. So, they can give you their money and you can apply that to your onboard account. The gift shops will take Disney gift cards though. Maybe give them each a gift card to use for purchases in the shops onboard?
4. OBC can be used to pay gratuities as well as bar services, spa services, gift shop purchases, adult dining and other purchases you might make onboard with your KTTWC.

That's a great idea! Thank you.

 

[lucas]

I was just going to say that I don't think the gift shops take cash.

Can you actually use a gift card in the shops on-board? Or, do you have to go to Guest Services and have them apply the card to your shipboard account?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I was just going to say that I don't think the gift shops take cash.

Can you actually use a gift card in the shops on-board? Or, do you have to go to Guest Services and have them apply the card to your shipboard account?

You can use the gift cards directly in the gift shops. Or you can apply them to your onboard account. That's the only place you can use gift cards onboard.